Request for Information 561 26 104.docx

Request for Information (RFIs) 561-26-104 Repair OR & Bathroom

1. MEP Drawings: The drawings provided do not show the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems serving the work areas. Please provide any available MEP drawings showing existing conditions and required modifications for the OR and bathroom work.

a. Please see “561-26-104_3rd_Floor_Bathroom_MEP_Reference_Packet.pdf” attached for the latest available MEP drawings. The OR flooring work does not include any MEP work, so no OR drawings are provided. The drawings are for reference only and shall be field verified.

2. Testing Adjusting and Balancing: The SOW requires relocation of affected HVAC components and testing, commissioning, and verification of new systems. However, Sections 23 31 00, paragraph 3.4, and 23 37 00, paragraph 3.3, mark TAB as “Not Used.” Please confirm whether our bid must include TAB, airflow measurements, or room-pressure verification following any required HVAC modifications and removal of temporary diffuser seals. Please identify the required testing scope and whether it will be performed by the contractor or VA personnel.

a. Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) is not required, as the HVAC work is limited to relocating and/or extending existing diffusers.

3. SSHO and Quality Control Staffing: Section 01 35 26, paragraph 1.9, requires a dedicated SSHO separate from the QC Manager. Given the limited size and scope of this project, will the VA permit one qualified individual to serve as both SSHO and QC Manager?

a. Due to the limited size and scope of the project, one qualified individual may serve as both the SSHO and QC Manager.

4. Temporary OR Exhaust: During OR construction, is one common temporary exhaust arrangement acceptable for both ORs, or must each room be exhausted separately?

a. A common temporary HEPA-filtered exhaust arrangement serving both operating rooms is acceptable for infection control purposes, provided the system continuously maintains the required negative pressure in all work areas relative to adjacent occupied spaces. The Contractor shall ensure that negative pressure is maintained at all times, including during pressure fluctuations caused by the opening and closing of doors, and shall implement appropriate dust containment and mitigation measures throughout all demolition activities to prevent dust migration into adjacent occupied spaces.

5. Sprinkler Contractor: Does the VA have an existing sprinkler contractor familiar with the facility? If so, please provide their contact information so we may request pricing for the sprinkler work included in our scope.

a. The facility's current fire sprinkler service contractor is Approved Fire Protection Co, Somerset NJ.

b. This information is provided for reference and coordination purposes only. The contractor is not required to utilize the facility's existing service contractor

6. On drawing A102 shows a toilet on the Third Floor (not to scale and no dimensions shown). Please advise.

a. Drawing A102 is intended primarily to show the proposed third-floor bathroom configuration and scope of work. Dimensions have been added to Drawing A102 for the stall partitions; these dimensions are approximate and shall be verified in the field. The Contractor shall measure the existing partition distances and clearances and maintain the same offsets and clearances, adjusted for the offset of the new wall. The proposed toilet locations and wall configuration shall comply with applicable plumbing codes, accessibility requirements, and the project specifications. Any discrepancies affecting the proposed installation shall be submitted to the COR for clarification prior to proceeding.

7. On drawing A103 shows a toilet 221 (not to scale and also refers to details on A105 which was not include in drawings downloaded). Please advise.

a. Toilet 221 is not included in the scope of work. Drawing A103 is provided for reference only to identify the designated work area, infection control requirements, and temporary HEPA exhaust arrangement. Details referenced to A105 are not part of this drawing package and not applicable.

8. Who is the current fire alarm vendor?

a. The facility's current fire alarm service contractor is Fire Securities Technology Inc, Farmingdale, NJ

b. This information is provided for reference and coordination purposes only. The contractor is not required to utilize the facility's existing service contractor

9. Who is the current BMS vendor?

a. The facility's current Building Management System (BMS) service contractor is Ainsworth, multiple locations.

b. This information is provided for reference and coordination purposes only. The contractor is not required to utilize the facility's existing service contractor

10. Please specify the ceramic tile to be used.

a. File “561-26-104_Tile_Room_Finish_Legend” attached.

11. Who is the current sprinkler vendor?

a. Refer to the response to RFI Question No. 5.

12. Under specification section 09 30 13-11 ceramic/porcelain tiling, 2.7 patching and leveling compound self-leveling is called for in all bold and capital letters. Although self-leveling is not listed on the plans. Do we have to self-level the floors prior to installing the resinous flooring. The plans call for sloping of the floors to the drains. You can’t self-level if you are sloping the floors. Please advise.

a. Specification Section 09 30 13, Paragraph 2.7, Patching and Leveling Compound, applies to ceramic/porcelain tile installation in the third-floor bathroom and does not apply to the resinous flooring in the operating rooms.

b. The Contractor shall proceed with self-leveling the bathroom floor. No floor slope is required. Refer to revised Drawing A102, Addendum No. 1, which removes the previously indicated 1:50 floor slope requirement.

13. There is not a transition detail between the new epoxy and existing epoxy floors. Please confirm that only the operating room #5, operating room #6, decon, and sub sterile room only rooms that need epoxy.

a. Confirmed. Resinous flooring replacement is limited to Operating Room #5, Operating Room #6, Decon Room and Sub Sterile Room.

b. Smooth-transition callouts have been added to Drawing A104 at each affected door, along with General Note 18: “Contractor shall terminate new resinous flooring at the room interior side of the door frame at each door where new flooring meets existing flooring, and shall provide a smooth, gap-free transition between new and existing flooring. Contractor shall not use transition strips.” Where Note 18 conflicts with the transition strip requirements in SOW Specific Task 18(b)(iii)(5) or Specification Section 09 67 23.40, Note 18 governs.

14. In the bathroom where it calls out to furr out the back wall, this will require the sprinkler head to be relocated. Will shop drawings be required?

a. All sprinkler modifications shall comply with applicable NFPA 13 requirements and Specification Section 21 13 13, Wet-Pipe Sprinkler Systems.