S05 Revised RFI Answers 11-18.docx

Project No. 526-22-115 Upgrade OR & Pharmacy dumbwaiters RFI - Questions and Answers (Revised) 11-18-25 Question#1 Is there any asbestos abatement on this project?

Answer: Please see drawing # GI-001, Note #19:

“ASBESTOS AND LEAD PAINT SURVEYS HAVE NOT BEEN INITIATED BY THE VA, SPECS ARE INCLUDED FOR BOTH ITEMS IN CASE THEY ARE NEEDED IF ASBESTOS OR LEAD PAINT IS DETECTED DURING THE DEMOLTIION OR CONSTRUCTION PHASES OF THE PROJECT. COR TO BE NOTIFIED OF ANY SUSPICIOUS MATERIALS THAT MAY CONATAIN ASBESTOS OR LEAD PAINT AND THE VA COR TO APPROVE ANY TESTING OR REMOVAL.”

The only concern is the CMU blocked removed for access panels. It’s highly doubtful that CMU would contain asbestos, but it’s not sampled on our O&M plan so it’s best to sample it prior to this project. The only potential concern is whether there is any sprayed-on fireproofing inside the shaft, which is also doubtful.

Contractor to proceed with testing during the demolition phase. If any hazardous material is found the contractor is responsible for the abatement up to 400 square feet. The contractor must include the abatement and testing line items cost detailed in their bid.

Question#2 Can you confirm the rails are to be removed and replaced? This is highly irregular and may be impossible given the dimensions of the existing hoistway.

Revised Answer: Yes, the rails are to be removed and replaced as shown in the contract documents. While the existing hoistway is very small and the work will be challenging, it is not impossible. Installing new track in a constrained shaft will require the contractor to bring the rails in smaller sections and weld them in place. The contractor may also need to temporarily demolish limited wall sections on the floors the dumbwaiter passes through in order to gain access for installation. Any wall demolition or penetrations made for access shall be fully restored, patched, and painted to match the adjacent existing texture and paint color. No additional cost will be approved for restoring walls due to contractor access. The contractor must understand the complexity of this work and includes all labor, materials, access provisions, welding, and restoration costs in their bid. No additional compensation will be granted for means, methods, or access limitations that can be reasonably anticipated.

Question#3 Current lead times to obtain equipment from dumbwaiter manufacturers is often greater than one year. The entire POP for this project is 270 days, which would be impossible to meet if materials can’t be procured, which is entirely outside of the contractors’ control. Will the VA consider a POP extension once the material lead times are known?

Answer: The POP, which is 270 days, does not include the potential lead time to receive the dumbwaiters/materials.

Question#4 I have received the below question from the specified manufacturer of the dumb waiter CITI dumb waiters who are the basis of design.

"We wanted to touch base about : 2.6 52.225-10 NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENT—CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (MAY 2014) We are a Canadian company. The doors will be provided by an American company, but the rest of the unit will come from Canada" Please let us know if we can still use CITI.

Answer: Contractors shall follow Buy American Act and sign the certificate for this project. Dumbwaiters are commercially available products so it should come from an American manufacturer unless the contractor can justify the unavailability.

Question#5 Project drawing A101 has below notes and CITI dumbwaiters Delta-Commercial dumbwaiter is specified; CITI is a Canadian company. The existing/current dumbwaiters are manufactured by Matot, which we heard is bought by Canadian co too.

We can try to find a US based company, please confirm and let us know.

Answer: Dumbwaiters are commercially available products so it should come from an American manufacturer unless the contractor can justify the unavailability. The American manufacturer can source parts from Canada.

Question#6 We will have to find out the manufacturers from the USA, so can the agency please provide us additional time and extend the bid date by 3-4 days.

Answer: The bid due date has been extended.

Question#7 There is a Alternate work shown on drawing A101 please see below:

But this Alternate work is not listed on the bid pricing sheet on solicitation page no. 6 of 69. Kindly clarify in the amendment.

Answer: These floors 3, 5, &9 the pharmacy dumbwaiter passes by, but they don’t use it on these floors anymore that is why instead of the retractable doors we want an access panel for maintenance. This will save money for the contractor as it is cheaper than the doors, please note that these floors already have existing doors, it is not like the floors that we require to add an access panel to it.

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