Prebid RFI Expand MRI.docx

528-709 Expand for MRI Pre-Bid RFIs

1. Spec Section 01 00 00 1.2 F. States:

a. Pre-bid site visit is not mandatory. There is no way to fully understand existing conditions and complications that may arise once onsite. This is a firm fix price contract, not design build. If there are design omissions, unforeseen conditions, or other reasons the architect/engineer’s drawings cannot be performed as shown, it should not be up to the general contractor to complete their design or complete work not shown without contracting review. This note should be reviewed by contracting.

VA Response: General Contractor is responsible for fulfilling all work requirements per the contract documents including demolition and new work specifically shown and reasonably implied.

2. On drawing S-001, there is the following statement:

a. This is similar to above. There are no mandatory site visits. There is no way to capture or understand all existing conditions and issues that may arise on this project during the one site visit. This statement should be reviewed by contracting.

VA Response: General Contractor is responsible for fulfilling all work requirements per the contract documents including demolition and new work specifically shown and reasonably implied. Unforeseen issues are handled separately via "DIFFERING SITE CONDITIONS" (FAR 52.236-2).

3. Drawings call for 6’ high chain link construction fence (Note 17 drawing L-001). Specifications call for 7’ (01 00 00 -1.6-i). Please clarify fence height.

a. Is a privacy screen on the temporary fence required?

VA Response: Provide 7’ tall fence with a privacy screen.

4. Spec section 01 00 00 1.11-C states:

a. Can this information be provided?

VA Response: Refer to Geotechnical Report provided in the original solicitation.

5. Spec section 01 00 00 1.11-D states:

a. Site visits are not mandatory. There is no way for a prime contractor or subcontractor to fully understand site conditions until after project award. This statement should be reviewed by contracting.

VA Response: Refer to Geotechnical Report provided in the original solicitation.

6. Spec section 01 00 00 1.20 AVAILABILITY AND USE OF UTILITY SERVICES.

a. In this section it states the contractor is to meter and pay back the VA for use of electricity for cranes, welding, and any electrical heating devices. It is nearly impossible to quantify this for a firm fix price contract. This statement should be reviewed by contracting.

i. Is there a rate the VA is going to charge at?

ii. How will the VA handle any project delays and deducting that out?

iii. In lieu of a contractor throwing a large budget number at something like this, potentially over charging the government; would it not make sense for the VA to just continue to pay their bill for exact use.

VA Response: It is not anticipated that there will be a need for a crane or electric heating in the construction area. The electricity for a welder will be provided at no cost to the Contractor.

7. Please clarify who is responsible for hiring and maintaining testing and inspection services.

a. Spec Section 01 45 29 states provided by “a Testing Laboratory retained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.” But other parts of the contract documents read as if it is the General Contractor’s responsibility.

VA Response: Testing and Inspection services shall be provided by the VA as per specification. Contractor is responsible for their own general QA/QC of all project work via their CQC plan.

8. Please clarify who is responsible for hiring the ‘third party’ responsible for carrying out and documenting the “Special Inspections”.

a. Spec Section 01 45 35 states “Special Inspections are to be performed by an independent third party and are intended to ensure that the work of the prime contractor is in accordance with the Contract Documents and applicable building codes.”

VA Response: Special Inspections shall be provided by a Third-Party Special Inspector retained by the VA.

9. Please clarify the requirements related to the SSHO (013526-1.7):

a. Is a separate, full-time SSHO required in addition to a full-time Site Superintendent for the Prime Contractor?

VA Response: Yes.

10. Please verify the requirement that the Competent Person(s) must have taken or retaken their OSHA 30 Hour within the past 5 years.

VA Response: Requirement confirmed.

11. Please verify the requirement of a separate (LICENSED) Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or a Certified Construction Safety and Health Technician (CSHT) to conduct random monthly site safety inspections.

a. Please verify this requirement cannot be fulfilled by a corporate safety professional (Safety/Operations Manager) and this person must be licensed and provide their certificate number.

VA Response: Provide safety professionals as per specification.

12. Will the government agree to pay for Stored Materials on this project due to the volatile material price fluctuations and unpredictability of the market, with the provisions of material invoice/packing slips, photo, and insurance backup information for each relevant charge?

VA Response: Requests for payment of stored materials are subject to review and approval by Contracting Officer on a case by case basis and may be denied.

13. Will the government agree to material increase cost adjustment requests for suppliers (change orders) for products subject to long submittal review periods, long lead times and/or general post-bid issues?

VA Response: No, this is a firm fixed price contract. Any price adjustments are subject to review and approval by Contracting Officer on a case by case basis and may be denied.

14. Please clarify the one parking permit provided; or storage container; or dumpster. Is this for a space outside of the fenced in construction zone?

VA Response: Yes.

15. Will there be any other lay down area available outside of the designated construction zone shown on the drawings?

VA Response: No.

16. Drawings ET111 shows card readers in various locations as F/P. Is this designation correct? It’s our understanding on past projects that the VA does not utilize proximity readers.

VA Response: Proximity readers are not used, provide FIPS201 compliant PIV card readers per specifications.

17. Drawing ET111 shows multiple motion detectors indicating to be mounted on the wall as dual technology. Confirm if these are noted correctly or if ceiling mount REX is required to accompany card readers.

VA Response: Contractor shall provide ceiling mounted sensors in lieu of wall mounted.

18. Access control has been an issue on previous projects. Would material lists with part numbers, wiring schematic and component locations need to be approved by VA before materials are purchased and installed?

VA Response: Yes, as with all other project submittals, VA approval is required. Contractor shall include means and methods as part of the wiring schematic and shall coordinate with door and door hardware supplier prior to submitting submittal to ensure a fully coordinated system will be provided prior to installation.

19. Are there plans for having Night lights that are always on while having normal and emergency lighting that is controlled by a watt stopper or locational light switches? Drawing EL111 does not show any lighting with ‘NL’ designation.

VA Response: Yes, night lights are required. See revisions on drawings EL101 and EL111.

20. On drawing EL111 there is no energy saving lighting system shown. Is there a plan for adding a Watt stopper system or equivalent to this area that has the same capabilities as the existing building system with the ability of expansion to the rest of the facility as with past projects?

VA Response: Yes, this new system would need to be compatible with the existing Wattstopper hardware already installed in the facility. See drawing E-702 and EL111 sheet keynote revisions for clarification.

21. Page EP-101, E-102, E-601, E-702, it would be more cost effective if the mini power unit is replaced with a conventional transformer and distribution panel. The size of this Power center would require the wall to be a structure that would support a great amount of additional load by the 30 Kva transformer (250 lbs).

VA Response: Drawings EP101, E-601 and E-702 have been revised to include conventional transformer.

22. Do electrical Panels need to have Continuous piano hinged covers secured with screws?

VA Response: Yes, contractor to provide continuous piano hinged covers for all new electrical panels.

23. Are TVSS required in electrical panels?

VA Response: Yes, provide TVSS in all emergency panels and provide 22 Kaic breakers in electrical panels. Drawing E-702 has been revised to include internal TVSS/SPD for all replaced/new panels. Existing panels that have work involved require the addition/installation of external TVSS/SPD. Each panel on drawing E-702 shall have 22 Kaic panel rating.

24. Detail 8/E-502 note 1 indicates PA is to be connected a junction box in room A503. Assume this location is incorrect, please advise on correct location.

VA Response: Drawing detail should read AG03 and AG36, respectively in lieu of A503.

25. Nurse call is shown on drawing ET111, but no diagram was shown. Can a nurse call riser and wiring diagram be provided? Where does the nurse call tie into? Is a local computer required?

VA Response: See note #2 on drawing ET111 and detail #7 on drawing E-502 for clarifications.

26. Floorazzo is noted for use on drawing AS-602. Flooring installers on past projects have experienced issues when installing terrazzo tile produced by this manufacturer as tiles are cast individually. Does the VA want to proceed with Floorazzo or can an alternate tile be proposed?

VA Response: Floorazzo tile shall be provided with no substitutions. Install Floorazzo tile in accordance with manufacturer’s installation instructions and VA specifications. Tile shall be installed with tight butt joints leaving no gaps and no variations in height between Floorazzo tiles nor other adjacent flooring types; flush transitions are required. Contractor shall grout all Floorazzo butt joints and buff Floorazzo tile per manufacturer’s grouting and buffing procedure prior to sealing tile to ensure a smooth and even tile installation.

27. Is the GC obligated to make any corrections to the shielding found by a VA hired Physicist?

VA Response: Yes, the GC is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the newly installed shielding and shall make repairs/replace shielding at no additional cost to the VA.

28. What are the weights of the owner furnished MRI Chillers?

VA Response: MRI chillers are approximately 4,300 lbs; however, the MRI equipment has not yet been purchased and may change the weight.

29. What is the depth of the existing perimeter drain piping to be removed (PD111 note 2)?

VA Response: All available pipe inverts are shown on drawing LD-101 and the Topo/Boundary/Utility Survey drawing.

30. What is the depth of the existing 4” sanitary piping to be removed (PD111 note 1)?

VA Response: All available pipe inverts can be found on drawing LD-101 and the Topo/Boundary/Utility Survey drawing.

31. Will PVC piping be permitted for underground applications outside of new building footprint?

VA Response: Follow the Technical Specifications for types of piping materials allowed.

32. Are there any specific piping materials other than the standard specifications provided for final connections to owner furnished MRI equipment?

VA Response: The contractor shall coordinate with the MRI vendor equipment installation drawings.

33. Construction schedule is noted as 550 calendar days from notice to proceed after including up to 90 days for government acceptance. Is there a tentative start date? This is important for including costs for yearly labor force wage rate increases as well as material cost escalation?

VA Response: Submittal phase will begin once NTP is issued.

34. Will BIM coordination be required for new construction? If so, who leads the coordination?

VA Response: The General Contractor is responsible for coordination of all trades. See Specification 01 33 23 sections 1.1.D and 1.2.L. VA and AE may be available for coordination meetings if requested by the General Contractor in advance.

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