36C24222R0080 Project RFI Questions with Responses 6-07-2024.pdf

36C24224R0080

528-811 Consolidate Primary Care 1st Floor Phase 1

Albany (NY) VAMC

RFI Questions from Previous Solicitation for situational awareness.

(Answers in Green)

1. C2 / GC301 – 7th Floor Plan – Keynote 1 for temporary construction walls. Are these walls required to be framed and drywalled to the deck?

Answer:

Yes

2. C2 / GC301 – 7th Floor Plan – Keynote 20 – Will VA plumbing dept. or contractor be doing these disconnects?

Answer:

Contractor is responsible for disconnecting and capping plumbing.

3. What is the primary system Dongle ID number for the existing Lenel OnGuard system?

Answer:

86170

4. What version of Lenel OnGuard is the existing system?

Answer:

S2 8.0.458

5. What is the SLC of the existing Milestone system?

Answer:

M01-C02-232-01-6C4267

6. Regarding Detail 6/E501 & Detail 8/E502 and spec 270533, there seems to be a contradiction.

Is conduit required from stub-up location to cable tray, or are J-Hooks acceptable from conduit stub to cable tray?

Answer:

J-Hooks are not authorized per VA specification. Conduits are to be used.

7. Regarding E501 & E502, specs 270533 & 275223, please clarify what type trays are required in what locations?

Answer:

Basket type cable trays are acceptable for distribution throughout the project area, use ladder type cable trays within telecommunications rooms.

8. Is it only ladder tray within telecom rooms?

See #7 above.

9. If all tray is basket style is a full-length ground conductor required? The detail with grounding (3/E-502) shows ladder tray. Detail 8 requires all fire alarm system wiring in conduit.

Answer:

Yes, bond grounding conductor to cable trays using reversable crimp connector. Yes, all FA system wiring should be in red conduits. This is typical for all life safety cabling and wiring.

10. Is a cover required for all trays? (Spec 270533 calls for all tray to be covered but 275223 does not reference cover)

Answer:

Yes. Nurse call and code blue (Spec – 275223) should be in conduits. Installation in cable trays will require written permission from VA. And, if permission is provided, it must be separated from all communications cabling with partitions. From Specification 270533: “Cable Duct:

Equip with hinged covers, except where removable covers are accepted by COR.” [covers in this specification section is referring to cable ducts, not cable trays]

11. Table of contents, 000110, lists spec 230923 - DDC for HVAC systems. This spec was not included in the bid package. Please provide this spec.

Answer:

Provided in Addendum 1

12. Spec 10 81 13 – BIRD CONTROL DEVICES refers to bird netting, usually to exclude large areas. Bird control scope shown on plans is limited to bird screens over vent systems. Is large area bird exclusion required? If yes, please provide plans.

No bird netting required for large areas. Bird screens required over vent systems.

13. Drawing ED101C states to demolish existing pumps #3 & 4, as well as, Chiller 1C & AHU-1C which are all depicted as being fed from panel PP-111C. The panel schedule for PP-111C only provides the new breaker sizes and there is no information provided as to what the existing equipment or circuit size being removed is? Please provide equipment and circuit sizes.

Answer:

Existing Panel PP-111C:

AHU-1C Circ 1,3,5 60 Amp Breaker AHU-1C Return Fan Circ 25,27,29 30 Amp Breaker P3 Circ 8,10,12 15 Amp Breaker P4 Circ 19-21-23 15 Amp Breaker

14. Section 11 73 00 Ceiling Mounted Patient Lift System Part 2 – Products 2.2 Lift Unit / B. The Lift system shall be the following Features / 2. Lifting Capacity a. 625 lb. minimum for standard lifts or b. 800 lbs. minimum for bariatric lifts. We are showing a quantity of (1) patient lift.

Please provide the specific weight capacity that is required for this project.

Answer:

Bariatric requirements – 800 lbs. minimum. Note that contractor shall install lift system above-ceiling support structure. Lift itself is equipment purchased by VA and installed by vendor.

15. Section 11 73 00 Ceiling Mounted Patient Lift System 8. Horizontal axis motor – with ability for manual horizontal movement. Typically, the Horizontal axis motor is not included as part of a lift system because it adds cost and is not needed for the nursing staff to move a patient along the lift. Can the horizontal axis motor be excluded from the configuration and proposal of the lift?

Answer:

Horizontal axis motor not required. Manual horizontal movement by staff is standard here at the hospital. Contractor provides the above-ceiling structural support for patient lifts. The lift itself is equipment purchased by hospital, installed by equipment vendor.

16. Section 05 12 00 STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMING 1.5 Quality Assurance. Can AISC certified steel shop and erector requirements be waived for this project?

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certification for Steel Shop drawings and erector requirements provides several benefits for an owner. It ensures that the fabrication and erection of steel structures meet high-quality standards. The certification process involves rigorous audits and evaluations of a company's quality management systems, procedures, and work practices.

For the owner, this means:

1. Quality Assurance: Certified companies are committed to maintaining high standards, reducing the risk of errors and rework.

2. Compliance with Industry Standards: Ensures that the construction meets recognized industry standards, leading to safer and more reliable structures.

3. Improved Project Efficiency: Certified fabricators and erectors are typically more efficient and effective, potentially leading to faster project completion and cost savings.

4. Reduced Risk: Knowing that certified professionals are involved can give owners confidence in the structural integrity and longevity of their projects.

The VA position is that this requirement be maintained and therefore AISC certified steel shop and erector requirements shall not be waived.

17. GC200 – CONTRACTOR ACCESS PLANS – Keynote 12. Does this restriction preclude any crane picks within a certain radius of the oxygen tank? If yes, what is the radius?

Answer:

Any crane operation that requires movement directly over the oxygen tank is not allowed.

Protection of the oxygen tank is paramount as is all industry standard crane operation safety measures. Any proposed crane lifts will be reviewed with consideration for approval given on a case-by-case basis by the VA Safety Department. A detailed safety plan identifying all means, methods, equipment, personnel qualifications, process, and with 3D graphics, is required to be presented to the VA with the VA holding final authority for approval.

18. Table of contents, 000110, lists spec 230923 - DDC for HVAC systems. This spec was not included in the bid package. Please provide a copy of it.

Answer:

Addressed in Addendum 1. (duplicate RFI)

19. Logistics Relocation: Is the VA’s intent to have all work associated with these tasks to be done on off hours? It states that but some drawings have conflicting information on the matter.

Any work that will affect active logistics areas will be off hours work. Logistics areas not actively being used and not affected by construction can be done regular hours. Work on 7C can be done during regular hours.

20. GC300- F-5; Is it the intent that all work in the basement is done during off-hours?

Answer:

Work in occupied areas is to be done off hours. Unoccupied areas can have work done during normal hours but subject to noted restrictions regarding noise, dust, and interruptions of services to active areas of the hospital. The work in Main Kitchen areas is limited to between 7 pm and 3:30 am as it is occupied and active all other times including weekends. However, work in Kitchen Compressor Room could be done during normal business hours.

21. Section 262416, drawings E-601, E-602, & E-603. For all existing panelboards and switchboards that require new work please provide equipment manufacturer, model/line, voltage, AIC rating, and previous order info if available. This information is required to obtain quotes for new breakers and/or hardware that may be required.

Answer:

Existing Switchboard D – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL-C, 120/208V-3PH, 65k AIC

Existing Panelboard B1-C2-EDP-CEQ – GE Spectra Series, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard PP-111C – GE Spectra Series, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard P-1A – Square D, NQ, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard P-3 – Square D, NQ, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard 1-196 – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL1A, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard 1-147A – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL1A, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard 1-147 – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL1A, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard 1-188-EQ – Cutler Hammer NFB, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard 1-CEC – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL1A, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard 1-BCLS – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL1A, 120/208V-3PH

Existing Panelboard HP – Square D, NF, 277/480V-3PH

22. Section 264313 specifies surge protection devices, but none are depicted on the one-line diagram or the panel schedules. Are SPD’s required? Please specify which panels require SPDs, if any.

All new panel boards shall have surge protection device.

23. Section 087100 Door Hardware, will Corbin Russwin be considered as an equal?

No. Door hardware schedule identifies Basis of Design products to be used for hospital standardization.

24. Section 087100 Door Hardware, will Norton 9500 closers be considered as an equal to LCN 4040?

Answer:

No. The VA uses LCN 4040 as standard.

25. Is GC responsible for removing unused or abandoned cabling?

Answer:

Yes

26. Is GC responsible for terminating and testing Cat 6 network cabling? If so, is a file required to be sent to the customer?

Answer:

Yes. Required information will be made available.

27. Is GC responsible for patch panels for Cat 6 network cabling?

Answer:

Yes

28. Are Panic Buttons to be wired or can they be wireless?

Answer:

Panic buttons (Duress Buttons) shown on drawings EY-101C and EY-101D in exam rooms and consultation rooms are not required and are not to be installed. The hospital has converted to panic duress being transmitted via keyboards on PC’s, which will be in each of these rooms.

Code blue buttons in each exam room are not needed and are not to be installed. Code blue buttons shown in corridors are needed and are to be installed as shown on the drawings.

29. Are Axis cameras a suitable substitute?

Axis cameras are acceptable and listed in the specification section 28 23 00.

30. Are Hanwha cameras a suitable substitute?

Answer:

No. See above response.

31. Regarding security camera NVR, will substitute recorder manufacturer be considered?

Answer:

The Albany VA Hospital has an existing Video Assessment and Surveillance which consists of Milestone Expert software with a Milestone Husky storage server. Equipment furnished for expansion shall be one of the manufacturer’s approved data storage drives for compatibility with Milestone Husky Series Network Video Recorders (NVR).

32. Is GC responsible for programming cameras, card access and intrusion into associated systems? If yes, how will access be granted?

Answer:

Yes, contractor to hire a Lenel S2 certified technician for this work.

33. Please provide existing licensing information for access control, video, and other associated systems.

Answer:

VA provides MAC addresses of all equipment prior to installation. COR submits request to IT.

Then COR will provide the network settings to configure the equipment.

34. Table of contents, 000110, lists spec 230923 - DDC for HVAC systems. This spec was not included in the bid package.

Answer:

duplicate RFI. See Above

35. GC 300 Phasing - Note 1 under “Preparation before Phase 1” states: “Remove remaining furniture and equipment from areas of work and place as directed by COR”. The area of work below the roof monitor in the basement room “Logistics D1B” is full of storage and excess equipment. Is the contractor or the VA responsible for removing all materials in this area in order to access the work necessary for the demolition of the monitor?

The contractor is responsible for removing all materials necessary out of this entire basement area as required to facilitate the work. Materials to be removed consist mostly of light gage structural metal, steel doors (approx. 32), wood doors (approx. 7), boxed and unused fluorescent fixtures (approx. 50), cement backer board (approx. 32 sheets) and miscellaneous construction materials. Materials shall become the property of the contractor except for a quantity of tile and mortar which will be moved by the contractor to a location designated by the VA. See following photographs representative of the scope of the work.

36. Regarding AHUs shown on E-601. There are no schedules or information provided for these load-centers other than what is depicted on the one-line. Can additional information be provided?

Answer:

One-line shows “New Load Centers, ACU-2 and ACU-2F”, the basis of design is Square D, QO load center, 208/120V, 100A, 3P, 4W, MLO with 27 spaces, provide ACU-2’s OCPD 20A-3P, ACU- 2F’s OCPD 40A-3P, both EVAP-2’s OCPD 20A-3P. In addition, provide 20% spare 20A-1P breakers.

37. Who is existing the PA/Mass Notification/Sound Masking system integrator on site?

Answer:

The existing system is by Bogen.

38. Please provide gear details for replacement breakers at Switchboard D and panel EDP-CEQ.

Answer:

Existing Switchboard D – Eaton POW-R-LINE PRL-C, 120/208V-3PH, 65k AIC

Existing Panelboard B1-C2-EDP-CEQ – GE Spectra Series, 120/208V-3PH, 22k AIC

39) Should we include completed copies of the Attachment 1 - Contractor Projects Form for the same three projects in our Past Performance Questionnaire?

Answer: Yes.

40) If so, do we include the completed forms under Section 1, Sub-Factor 2 Experience or Section 2 Past Performance of the Technical Proposal?

Answer: Sub-factor 2 experience.

41) Drawing M-601, General Note 1-h states that all DDC panels shall be fed from an emergency power circuit. Drawings EM101C and EM101D are showing 120V power, by the EC, to each VAV and the DDC panel in the Storage Room C-110-1, but the power is coming from normal power panels and not emergency power panels. Please clarify.

Answer: MES Response - The DDC power should be homerun to panel CEC, utilize one of the spare breakers shown on the schedules. VAV circuiting is correct to the normal source. The HVAC system in patient care areas do not require emergency power per the HVAC design manual.

Drawing EM101C will be updated to show DDC circuit homerun to panel CEC, Drawing E603 will be updated with modified panel schedule for panel CEC.

4) Addendum 003 RFI #11 Response states Spec 230923 – DDC for HVAC Systems was “Provided in Addendum 1”. Spec has not been received, please provide.

Answer: See attached specifications

See attached document: 528-811_ASPC_Addendum_1_20240530.

End of RFI’s

Note: Photographs related to RFI # 35 on following pages.

Drawing EM101C will be updated to show DDC circuit homerun to panel CEC, Drawing E603 will be updated with modified panel schedule for panel CEC.

42) Addendum 003 RFI #11 Response states Spec 230923 – DDC for HVAC Systems was “Provided in Addendum 1”. Spec has not been received, please provide.

Answer: See attached specifications See attached document: 528-811_ASPC_Addendum_1_20240530.

End of RFI’s Note: Photographs related to RFI # 35 on following pages.