36C24224B0047 0005.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7.

ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF

PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO:

Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF

CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF

SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 09/11/2024 528A8-17-805 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 2 2875 Union Road Suite 3500 Cheektowaga NY 14227 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 2 2875 Union Road Suite 3500 Cheektowaga NY 14227 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24224B0047 09-11-2024

X X X 10:00EST on 09/16/2024 See attached

Michael Spivack This amendment answers the following vendor questions.

1. Note 17 on MI-602 is way above and beyond typical temporary boiler plant controls and will likely cost in excess of $550K. Will the Government consider coordinating with the two short listed temporary boiler suppliers to understand what is typically provided and reduce the scope?

Answer: The VA has additional requirements above typical. Please provide as requested.

1. Is the Contractor responsible for keeping generators full of fuel during outages?

Answer: YES.

1. SF-302, Note 9, states provide platform, ladder, handrail to access all the valves. That is a very generic comment with no drawings or details. Please specifically outline on this fully designed project where the Contractor should figure these platforms and please provide supporting structural drawings. Is this a delegated design that needs to be stamped by a PE in NY?

Answer: Refer to SF-401, section 2. The general note indicates that when the valves are installed they have to be accessible for service. If locations differ from design the contractor will have to revise the design to accommodate maintenance. Any revisions will have to be approved by the design engineer.

1. Spec 22 13 00, 2.8 describes trap primers TP-1, TP-2. This is not shown on the drawings. Please clarify.

Answer: Provide trap primer TP-1 to serve type E floor drain.

1. Spec 22 15 00, 2.8 details an air compressor system. This is not shown on the drawings. Please clarify.

Answer: Compressor is part of the dry pipe system.

1. Please provide a spec for the propane tanks and accessories.

Answer: Provide all standard safeties as required. Provide two 100 gallon propane tanks with automatic switchover valves and alarm.

1. Spec 23 05 10, page 53 does not say “END” at the bottom. Is there more to this spec?

Answer: No.

1. Drawing PP-301 - Once the propane piping enters the building it is labeled P(UG). Is this piping really buried?

Answer: Once the propane piping enters the boiler room it is above ground. A 2” propane rise is shown exterior to the boiler plant. Also please note that on drawing PD-301 the 3” natural gas pipe that traverses the boiler plant as well as the ¾” pipe attached to it will be removed. Provide a shut off with a welded cap at the connection to the 6” gas line.

1. Drawing MS-201 - Notes mention drawing C-101-3. This drawing doesn’t exist. Please clarify.

Answer: Replace C-101 with MS-200 or MS-201 as appropriate.

1. Where will the Prime be allowed to place a project trailer? How many LF of piping should the Prime figure for water to the trailer and potential sanitary tie-in?

Answer: Location of trailers to be determined after award.

1. Does the modification to the wall require an engineered shoring plan by the Contractor?

Answer: Refer to drawings.

1. Is the Government covering the costs associated with the natural gas utility modifications?

Answer: Modifications are included as part of the contract scope of work.

1. Who is the current Chemical Treatment provider for the Albany VAMC?

Answer: Barclay.

1. Is the Contractor required to provide a 24x7 Firewatch in the part of Building 8 that is vacated by the Government during construction? This will be a considerable cost, if so.

Answer: Fire watches are only required during hot work and 30 minutes after hot work. Normally a second worker with appropriate credentials can act as fire watch.

1. Please confirm the Government required extensive photographic indexing, navigation, storage, and remote access requirements, per 01 00 00 1.23, Photographic Documentation, is required.

Answer: Yes. Contractor may take photos that are identified with date, time, and location

1. Confirm the Contractor shall only assume covering costs for radiographic examination of 50% of the first 10 welds made and 10 percent of all additional welds made as per 23 21 11 3.3-H.

Answer: Inspections shall be as listed in section 232111, 3.3H. Note that all piping shall be SCH-80 steel to accommodate the boiler pressure relief valve.

1. Is a full-time Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) required to provide visual inspections on all welds that are applicable to 23 21 11?

Answer: VA will employ the CWI to inspect welds selected by the CWI, up to 100%.

1. FAR 52.232-12 Advance Payments was not included. The boiler manufacturers require payments for submittal deliverables, release to manufacturer, and notification of shipment. Will the Government make progress payments for submittal/procurement activities associated with the boilers/boiler package? This represents significant costs. Is it the Government’s expectation that the Contractor shall either have the capital to make these payments or pull a loan to make these advance payments?

Answer: The government will consider making progress payments for boiler manufacturing process details to be negotiated during kick-off meeting, schedule of values submittal acceptance as well as during contract performance.

1. Will the Government make payment for submission of the required coordination/shop drawings as outlined in 23 05 10 1.4-I?

Answer: Any consideration of payment for submission of the required coordination/shop drawings would be negotiated as part of the schedule of values.

1. Will the Government make payment for the delegated pipe support system design/calculations as required by 23 21 11 1.4-C.11?

Answer: The government will not make advanced payments.

1. On an invitation for bid, low-price, solicitation, please provide a rental period for the temporary boilers as outlined in 23 05 10 2.8-I. This ensures an even playing field on a (730) calendar day duration project.

Answer: Temporary boilers are expected to be in service for two years.

1. Owner responsibilities under 23 05 10 2.8-J does not outline operation and maintenance of the temporary boilers. Please confirm the Government will maintain and operate the temporary boilers. Furthermore, it does not outline salt. Please confirm salt for the water softeners will be supplied by the Government.

Answer: Contractor is responsible for maintenance and operation of the temporary boilers. Salt and chemicals will be provided by VA.

1. The safety features and controls for the temporary boilers will NOT fully comply with the VHA Safety design manual fifth edition. Some modifications can be made to these commercially available temporary boilers, but they will NOT be fully compliant. Please remove this section or modify the verbiage to align with what Powerhouse and Ware are capable of providing. VA CFM is aware of this. This requirement significantly impacts schedule as the Government rarely understands that these commercially available temporary boilers don’t align with the VHA requirements.

Answer: Modify the temporary boilers as needed to comply with VA requirements. Remove modifications after project is complete.

1. 23 05 10 2.8-AA contradicts 23 05 10 2.8-J. Please confirm the Contractor is NOT required to provide chemical treatment, or maintain existing chemical treatment, for the temporary boilers.

Answer: COR: Chemical treatment is required by contractor. VA to supply chemicals.

1. 23 05 10 2.8-KK. If the Contractor is not maintaining or operating the boilers, why would the Contractor be responsible for all repairs for the temporary boilers?

Answer: Contractor to provide pumps and water treatment firm. Contractor shall test water quality as required by VA operators. VA to provide chemicals.

1. 23 05 10 2.8-KK. The commercially available temporary boilers will not be compliant with the safety device testing requirements. Please advise how this should be handled. They cannot be fully modified to comply.

Answer: Manufacturer to provide semi-annual riot testing and annual inspections.

1. 23 51 00 2.6-B.2 references opacity monitors, if required. Are opacity monitors required for the new permanent boilers?

Answer: Yes.

1. Are opacity monitors required for the temporary boilers?

Answer: Yes.

1. 23 09 11 2.7-D. Reference and calibration air are required for VHA compliant flue gas oxygen analyzers. Please confirm this plan-spec project has fully designed for a refrigerated air dryer and instrument quality compressed air system to account for the required reference and calibration air for four (4) boiler’s oxygen analyzers.

Answer: Reference and calibration air is required.

1. Please confirm the Government is hiring the Commissioning Firm as outlined in 01 91 00 1.9-A. Please confirm this firm will be onboard during the submittal phase to review submittals per 1.11-C.

Answer: Yes.

1. 01 45 00 3.4-B. Please consider reducing the requirements for the CQC System Manager. Locating CQC System Manager’s with 15 years construction experience AND who is a graduate engineer is extremely difficult. Individuals with these qualifications/experience generally move/advance out of CQC roles.

Answer: CQC is required. Graduate engineer OR graduate of construction management.

1. Please confirm the Project Superintendent can serve as the CQC Manager (i.e., one-hat) as per 01 45 00 3.4.

Answer: No. Separate hats.

1. Please quantify the required number of CQC Personnel required for this project as outlined in 01 45 00 3.4-C. The Government indicates a single person can cover if they are qualified. Is this person in ADDITION to the CQC System Manager or the same person? On an invitation to bid, low-price, project, it would be beneficial to outline how many additional individuals are required.

Answer: At a minimum one additional person will be required in addition to the CQC. This person shall be specialized in all disciplines listed.

1. Is the Contractor required to have a full-time on-site SSHO in addition to the Project Superintendent on site or can the Project Superintendent fulfill the roles of CQC Manager and SSHO?

Answer: SSHO can be the project superintendent if the VA agrees that this person has the required training and experience as noted in the submittal. The CQC will be a separate person.

1. Please confirm the Government will handle acquiring the required permitting for the temporary boilers, new boilers, and generator.

Answer: No permits required.

1. (730) calendar days is not enough time to complete the project when you factor in the Phase 1 electrical requirements. Please note it takes approximately 8 – 10 weeks after NTP for the supplier to put together the required electrical submittals, plus Contractor/Government review/comment, then likely another year plus lead time for the transformers. This does not even account for the electrical coordination study that must be performed, which can’t be fully completed until all HVAC equipment submittals are in. By the time Phase 1 is complete, the Contractor will not have sufficient time to execute Phases 2 and 3.

Answer: Noted.

1. Please confirm the temporary boilers will not be required on site until after Phase 1 completion.

Answer: Correct. The exact timing will be coordinated during construction.

1. Drawing SF-302 notes 2, 4 and 8 call out for checkered plate details. Details are noted for the checkered plate at the walkway, but the platforms appear to be grating. Please verify if checkered plate needs to be galvanized and, if so, please advise on the grating.

Answer: Platforms shall be checkered plate.

1. Drawing SF-302 appears to show TS 6x6x1/2 columns in the middle of the W8x15 beams at the platforms but does not show up on the column plan sheet SF-301. Please verify if these are required.

Answer: These are required. Please refer to sections on drawings SF-401 and SF-504.

1. Drawing SF-302 shows only the 1 smaller platform with grating on the lower framing. Should the other platforms get the additional beam? How is this accessed and what extent of railing is required?

Answer: Boiler 3 has the additional grating and steel in order to access valves. Refer to drawing SF-401 section 2.

1. Drawing SF-302 does not show a high beam for pipe support at the end of the upper platforms. Please verify size of beam, if required.

Answer: Pipe support by contractor.

1. Drawing SF-302, Note 3 calls for existing mezzanine to be reinforced. Adding 2 W8x15 beams is assumed. More detail is requested.

Answer: Two W8x15 beans are required.

1. Drawing SAF-502 shows 3 platforms. No information is shown, and it is uncertain how these relate to platforms shown on SF-302. Please advise.

Answer: Drawing SF-502 is concerned with seismic bracing.

1. Sheet EP-513 | Keynote 6 – Exercise and Test all Circuit Breakers per NETA on Existing Switchboard 52-CHP – Confirm that this is the only Existing Switchboard that will require this testing.

Answer: All breakers identified with keynote 6 will be exercised.

1. Related to Existing Campus MV Switchgear – Can the Government define the scope of work required for engineering, integration, wiring, terminations, programming, and commissioning of the various Schweitzer Engineering Labs (SEL) global controls as shown.

Answer: Only as specified.

1. Related to the CHP and the current Scope of the Project | Provide scope of work and involvement from the CHP manufacturer representatives when it comes to commissioning of the new electrical distribution systems that is part of the Replace Main Boilers project. Specifically for this question, commissioning of the SEL ‘global’ controls, the new 2000A breaker in Section 10 of the New Government Furnished Double-Ended Switchgear 52-SWGR shown on EP-513, Owners Metering, and its integration of the 480V from the CHP back to 52-SWGR.

Answers: At this time CHP manufacturer will not involved.

1. Please confirm the Government will handle all warranty items related to the Government furnished electrical gear metering systems.

Answer: Owner’s metering systems will be by contractor. The label is to distinguish from utility metering.

1. When was the last time the Existing MV Campus Switchgear has been serviced and exercised (per NETA, NEC and NFPA) as listed in electrical drawings?

Answer: Within the last 3 years.

1. Related to the Existing MV Campus Switchgear – Please confirm any repairs to equipment will be by the Government and not by the Contractor.

Answer: Contractor will repair any issues that arise as part of this contract. Any existing issues will be the VA’s responsibility.

1. While the Contractor will be terminating cabling to the Existing MV Campus Switchgear, the Contractor's warranty ends at the termination point of the breaker.

Answer: Understood. However termination is part of contract.

1. Related to the Arc Flash Study – Since the project has electrical connections back to the existing Campus MV Switchgear, will the Contractor be required to carry out Arc-Flash Study and Coordination back to the MV Switchgear?

Answer: Arc flash study will be in accordance with NEC.

1. Will “Owners Metering” CTs as shown be factory installed or will the DIV 26 Contractor install? Will the Government provide required start-up and commissioning support for Owners Metering?

Answer: Owner’s metering by contractor including start-up.

1. For all the New Electrical Distribution Boards required for the project, we do not see specification 26 24 13 – please provide.

Answer: Section will be provided if required.

1. For all other New Distribution Boards and Panel Boards does the Government require Panel Metering, similar to Owners Metering? If so, provide specifics and required specification.

Answer: Only as specified.

1. To confirm Keynote 3 on Sheet EP-511 and EP-513 provides direction to tie the alarm point from the TVSS back to the Building Automation System (BAS). Are these the only electrical switchgear panels that require integration of alarm points back to the BAS?

Answer: Only as specified.

1. We respectfully request a bid extension of one month from the current bid date to Wednesday October 16th.

Answer: Due to fiscal considerations the bid opening cannot be extended to October 16th, 2024.

1. Solicitation Page 7 of 65 states "One (1) signed Buy American Certificate" is to be provided as one of the separate attachments of the IFB package submission. In looking at the Buy American Certificate clause beginning on Solicitation Page 41, we have never had to complete this and submit it with a bid before. Furthermore, we will not definitively know the nature of the end products used until the submittal and buy-out phase of the project, if awarded, so we do not have the information available during the bidding phase to provide. Lastly, there is no signature line featured with this clause; there is nowhere to officially sign. We respectfully request that the requirement to submit this clause (completed and signed) be removed from the Solicitation. This should be a post-award item.

Answer: Include and sign as requested.

1. Drawing MS-201 general note #1 says, “refer to temporary boiler PID on Sheet MI-305 for boiler hook up details. Please provide this drawing.

Answer: Refer to drawing MI-602, note 17.

1. Can a P&ID diagram / drawing be provided for all the plumbing systems (Gas, CW, NPCW, P, CA)?

Answer: Provide as specified.

1. What is the seismic design category for each of the buildings where scope is taking place?

Answer: Install seismic restraints as specified.

1. What is the seismic safety importance factor for each piping system?

Answer: Install seismic restraints as specified.

In addition to the above questions the following additional information shall be provided

60. The cover page for Spec section 099100, section 3.13 A. 7. should read 528A8 not 538A8.

60. Contractors shall paint each pipe section or insulation cover to match existing colors found in the boiler and chiller plants. Colors can be found in spec section 099100, but information found in the spec is not inclusive.

All other terms and conditions remain the same.