Responses to RFIs 36C24223B0013 - 561-18-155 Consolidate Diagnostic Cancer Ctr.pdf

Requests for Information – IFB No. 36C24222B0006 Project No. 561-18-155 Consolidate Diagnostic Cancer Center

Question 1: Drawing G003 states “Owner Stenciling Requirements”. --- Does contractor have to do all the stenciling work on the listed wall types?

Response 1: Just on all fire- and smoke-rated wall types.

Question 2: As there are lot of the drawings for this project our subs need more time to review so requesting agency to extend the RFI due date at least by one week to June 24th.

Response 2: We will accept any additional RFI’s no later than 1:00 PM June 23, 2022. We anticipate the posting of responses by June 30, 2022. Bid Opening will take place on Friday, July 8, 2022.

Question 3: Drawing G005 under the phasing legend it states, “phase 5 – deduct ALT-1”. – There is no description of deduct alternate 1 work and no bid deduct alternate is listed on bid pricing sheet.

Please provide the details.

Response 3: Phase 5 - Deduct Alternate 1 is all work in the area limits indicated to complete construction as shown in all plans, sections, elevations, and details. The pricing sheet needs to provide the Deduct Alternate 1 description and space to provide cost for alternate.

Question 4: Spec section 01 45 00, para 3.4 has extensive requirements for QC personnel. Please confirm that contractor’s field superintendent can simultaneously perform duties of QC personnel and there is no need for contractor to hire an independent QC personnel for this project.

Response 4: Field Superintendent can simultaneously perform the duties of the QC personnel, provided that they meet all the criteria for a QC personnel.

Question 5: There is a detailed Schedule of Special Inspections in spec section 01 45 35. Please confirm it is contractor’s responsibility to hire an independent agency for testing and inspection.

Response 5: Yes. Per 1.4.E of Section 01 45 35, the Special Inspector must be an independent third party hired directly by the Prime Contractor.

Question 6: Please confirm that for bidding purpose contractor must use the quantities for asbestos abatement as listed in spec section 02 82 11 para 1.1.2 sub para-B.

Response 6: The asbestos quantities identified within spec section 02 82 11 para 1.1.2 sub para-B are to be used to create the bids.

Question 7: Spec 02 82 11 states Approximately 500 linear feet pipe insulation and associated mudded fittings. --- Please advise whether location of these pipe/insulation is inside existing chase walls. If so, are these chase walls masonry or sheet rock walls? Also, what is the diameter of the pipe?

Response 7: Piping in questions serves mostly the convectors being removed, but may be routed into the walls. The Piping in question is not currently understood to be routed within chases. Contractor to assume 1-1/2” pipe for the insulation to be abated.

Question 8: Please confirm whether it is the VA’s responsibility (and not contractor’s) to hire independent Certified Industrial Hygienist for monitoring the abatement of asbestos and lead paint.

Response 8: The VA will provide VPIH/CIH services only as per Spec section 028211.2.2.1.B.

Contractor is responsible for CPIH/CIH and other personnel need it for oversight and abatement work.

Contractor to provide prior notice per the contract documents for scheduling the abatement monitoring.

Question 9: Spec section 02 83 33.13 calls for LEAD-BASED PAINT REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL.

Para 2.1 states Chemical Stripper for paint removal product. --- Please confirm this project does not require abatement of lead paint and only safe lead practices are to be used

Response 9: Per the contract drawings, no lead paint scope is identified. The specification is within the contract documents for direction if lead paint is discovered or suspected.

Question 10: Spec section 05 12 00 page 3, para 1.5 calls for AISC certified fabricator and installer.

Since this is not a ground up or bridge construction project, requesting agency to waive this requirement.

Response 10: The VA do not waive the requirement. AISC certification guarantees a level of quality in fabrication and erection particularly where the fabrication and connections are critical in the integrity of the structure/frame

Question 11: Fire protection drawings does not indicate that the sprinkler heads are new. Please provide drawings with count or locations of new sprinkler heads. Also please confirm the main line for fire protection work remains as is.

Response 11: All sprinklers within project scope are new. Per notes on the drawings existing sprinkler heads and piping to be removed and new system installed. Final sprinkler count and locations to be determined as the sprinkler contractor produces his shop drawings.

Question 12: Drawing Q101 equipment schedule states to provide Wall mounted computer arm and monitor. Please provide manufacturer and model or item number for this equipment.

Response 12: This should read V/C, supplied by the VA and installed by the Contractor.

Question 13: Please provide the contact information of the DDC controls vendor/authorize contractor for the project area

Response 13: The DDC Controls Contractor is Fred Getto of Delta Controls, 10 Centre Dr., Monroe Twp, NJ (732) 355-7177.

Question 14: Please advise whether temporary floor protection is required in corridor where there is new terrazzo flooring. If yes, then what type of flooring and does contractor have to install and remove every day?

Response 14: Contractor to protect existing and new flooring per specification 01 00 00 paragraphs 1.6.I.1 and 1.7.D.3

Question 15: There are existing granite tiles on some of the corridor walls which are to be demoed.

Please advise whether the tiles must be salvaged by contractor?

Response 15: Contractor to demo the walls as per drawings. No salvage required

Question 16: Please advise which walls (which are shown for demolition on drawings) are masonry and which are sheet rock. This will have impact on our bid offer.

Response 16: Existing interior walls tend to be sheet rock, while exterior walls tend to be plaster over masonry. Contractor may request additional walk throughs from the VA to observe wall construction prior to bid. In the infusion area, it looks like 3 isolation rooms walls are built from CMU.

Question 17: Phasing plan states phase 4, 4A, and 4B. – Can these phases be combined into one phase i.e., contractor can work simultaneously in 4, 4A and 4B? Please clarify for phase 6 and 6A as well.

Response 17: Current Phasing indications need to be followed as designated for access and life-safety reasons. This has been reviewed by the VA as required.

Question 18: Please indicate what rooms (type) are there above and below the project area, i.e., levels B and C.

Response 18: Contractor to assume patient spaces above A-level (mainly phase 4-6A)

Question 19: Drawing G006 ICRA keynote states ‘contractor to inspect and upgrade wall and door/frame construction to meet construction barrier/ICRA partition requirements. --- without looking and inspecting each wall contractor cannot determine which existing walls has to be upgraded, so please advise whether all of these existing walls go up to the deck.

Response 19: If contractor cannot pre-bid inspect the indicated walls before bid, assume all walls that are not a mechanical-, elevator- or stair-shaft do not go to deck and require upgrading.

Question 20: What is the floor to deck height inside the project area?

Response 20: Floor to Floor height for A level and 1st floor is 13’-4”.

Question 21: Drawing HA 101 general note no.8 states Set-in radiator heat shield panels contain ACM.

The abatement contractor shall remove and dispose of asbestos containing radiator backing material.

These radiators are not shown in the abatement keynotes. Please provide a count of these units and show location on HA drawings.

Response 21: Contractor to refer to mechanical demolition drawings for locations of the radiators to be removed.

Question 22: As per elevation 7 on drawing A500, in the room A-497, north wall should be lined with HPL phenolic panels. However, there is no elevation and information for East and South wall. Please confirm if those two walls should also be lined with phenolic panels.

Response 22: Per Finish Plan I102, wall covering shall be finish on East wall and paint shall be finish on South wall.

Question 23: As per elevation 4 on drawing A500, in the room A-497, on South wall is a note for hardwood chair rail CH-1. Please provide more information regarding the wood species.

Response 23: Per Finish Legend on I100 chair rail CH-2 shall be hardwood painted PT-1.

Question 24: As per drawing A500 elevation 12, drawing A601 detail 20 and note 18 on drawing I 102, all walls below windowsills in Infusion Bay/Private Infusion Bay rooms, should be HPL. Please confirm.

Response 24: Refer to detail 20/A601. This detail applies for all windows in Infusion Bays per A102.

Question 25: Besides Infusion Bay/Private Infusion Bay room, does any other window need to have SS windowsills?

Response 25: Note 6 on the drawings I101-102 refer to all the windows. Detail 20/A601 would be applicable to all windows in Infusion Bay, Private Infusion rooms, and all other windows where heating unit is being removed. Finishes at those windows & window sills will be addressed in an addendum

Question 26: Please confirm countertop finishes at the ADA cabinets in the following rooms:

- Nurse station A-429 (see drawing A402/6)

- Nurse station A-475 (see drawing A401/4)

- Nourishment A-474 (see drawing A401/2)

- Procedure Room A-442 (see drawing A501/1)

Response 26: Provide SSR-1 for all.

Question 27: Please clarify on which room detail 7 / A700 refers.

Response 27: This is a generic detail to be used at all workstation countertops with an open end not adjacent to any wall.

Question 28: Lighting Types S and S3 cannot be found on drawings. Please advise fixture location or whether quantity is zero/nil for both.

Response 28: Contractor to bid quantities of light types S and S3 identified within the EL drawings. If none are identified per the contractor review, then they may bid per their count.

Question 29: Please advise whether contractor is responsible for providing Skytron surgical lighting system in Room A-442. If so, please provide the details.

Response 29: Per Contract document drawing Q102, the Skytron Surgical Lighting is Contractor supplied and installed. Contractor to refer to contract specifications and electrical drawings for additional information.

Question 30: Please provide system integrator contact information for Access Control, CCTV, and Telecom per ‘System Integrator’ note on Drawing E-501.

Response 30: VA to provide contact information for access Control, CCTV and Telecom to. Some of these items are serviced in-house and POC will be provided to the successful bidder.

Question 31: Please provide contact information of the current fire alarm vendor/contractor for the project area.

Response 31: Contractor to refer to system integrator note on Drawing E-501 for fire alarm contact information.

Question 32: Following wall types are shown on partition drawing A001 but missing on floor plans – missing wall types SH2.2, F0.0, F1.0, F3.0i, F6.0, S3.0d, S3.1, S6.0, S6.0d, S6.1, S6.2, S8.0, S8.0d and S8.1

Response 32: Wall type details that are shown on A001 are generic but not necessarily used. We believe none of the wall types indicated in Question 32 are used and thus not tagged on the floor plans.

Question 33: Drawing I100 has signage legend, spec section 10 14 00 has signage schedule, but many of the sign type and ID nos. shown in schedule are missing in signage legend. Please provide.

Response 33: All sign types are shown in the legend, however in the specification’s signage schedule the suffix number listed after the letter of the sign type in the first column is for individual sign identification purposes.

Question 34: We were unbale to find/locate plumbing fixture no. P-701 on plumbing floor plans. Please provide.

Response 34: Toilet/Shower A-479 near Stair 1.

Question 35: Drawing I100 finish schedule is referring to spec section 06 40 23, however this spec section doesn’t exist in the specifications. Please provide the missing section.

Response 35: Specification to be provided in an addendum.

Question 36: Please provide model numbers of plumbing fixtures for the specified manufacturers.

Response 36: Refer to specification section 22.40.00 for more details about each faucet. Models will vary and cannot be exactly specified.

Question 37: How can the contractor gain access to the project spaces when bringing materials in after hours?

Response 37: Awarded contractor to be shown after hours access, provided they are coordinated and have permission by the VA COR.

Question 38: Is rigging only permitted on Saturday or can be done off hours after 4 pm during the week?

Response 38: Rigging time and days to be coordinated with the VA COR. Due to the location of renovation spaces near the main entrance, it is recommended to complete all major rigging on weekends. Minor rigging may be conducted throughout the week after 4 pm. No rigging work will be allowed until VA’s approval of contractors Lift Plan (Refer to Spec section 013526.1.18) and Activity Hazard Analysis (refer to Spec section 013526.1.5) is granted.

Question 39: Will the phasing areas be done one at a time?

Response 39: Phasing to be accomplished in order to facilitate the safety and relocation needs of the patients and VA staff. Contractor to provide a schedule and bid for phased areas to be done one at a time.

Questions 40-52 are issued after an additional contractor bidding walkthrough on 3/31/2023

Question 40: Is contractor responsible for breaking down the construction costs for each Phase?

Response 40: Due to the multiphase construction requirements of this project, contractor shall create a post-award schedule of values that identifies each phase and discipline in order to facilitate proper invoicing of work completed and materials provided. Schedule of values shall be generated from/ coordinated with Specification Section 013216.15 Project Schedule.

Question 41: Are Engineered Steel Drawings Require?

Response 41: Per specification 05 12 00, paragraph 2.1.A a delegated design of the steel design including drawings and calculations is required.

Question 43: Is Fire Proofing-Fire stopping required and expected to be included in the contractor price to all existing adjacent CMU walls and existing MEP equipment penetrations.

Response 43: Yes. All penetrations in existing and new rated walls as indicated on Life-Safety/ Code plans to be firestopped.

Question 44: Is there a designated staging area for equipment and containers-will this require temporary fencing?

Response 44: VA will coordinate staging area for equipment and debris containers with successful bidder. Temporary fence may be required.

Question 45: Can the various phases be simultaneously built after Phase one is complete?

Response 45: Refer to questions 17 and 39 responses.

Question 46: Phase 6 A-B work to be done after hours- will this have to be noted on the proposal?

Response 46: Contractor is responsible to include afterhours labor rates for work in their bids for work identified as afterhours within the contract documents. Proposal shall include a statement with acknowledgement that the fixed fee includes afterhours work.

Question 47: Phase “0” indicates 60 Days for all submittals-From experience, can this period be extended in order to conduct contractor due diligence and assessment of existing conditions?

Response 47: Phase “0” states 60-90 days

Question 48: Off Hours crane rates are extremely high. Depending on the day light savings proper towable lighting may be required.

Response 48: Refer to Question 38 response

Question 49: Is Deflective top track required throughout all partitions?

Response 49: Yes. As indicated for “S” type partitions detailed on sheet A001.

Question 50: Will all construction areas (phases) be cleared of office equipment and desks to enable the start of construction activities?

Response 50: VA is responsible for moving staff and furniture, unless otherwise noted or directed for areas of renovation. Per the contract documents the contractor is responsible to protect elements remaining in place from damage and debris.

Question 51: Some Millworks scheduled to be saved, will be have VA directive to what is save and what is not.

Response 51: VA will provide guidance on which item to be saved based on general removal and demo notes

Question 52: AD-100 will the VA Engineering staff direct all salvaged products?

Response 52: VA will provide guidance on which item to be saved based on general removal and demo notes