RFI Q_A 1.docx

RFI Q_A 1

1.) I am interested in the above project and wanted to know for sure that this is a Design Build & Replace Project?

This is a Design/ Build Project.

This scope of work includes all effort needed to design and renovate the elevators listed.

As per page 9 of solicitation 36C24420R0067:

DESIGN:

Current uncompleted specifications and drawings will be provided as guidance to help assist with the design portion of this project. These drawings and specifications are NOT to be used as full drawing and specifications sets but to help with investigation findings and to assist with the design to be complete.

2.) During the walk-thru, we were not provided access to the existing main electric room(s) and/or transfer switches. Please provide pictures and or drawings depicting the path for the new feeder(s) from elevator machine rooms to transfer switches.

Please see provided “10 Elevator - Electrical Drawings” and “10 Elevators –ME NARRATIVES” for details regarding requested locations. Also, phase II walkthrough will allow for greater detail.

3.) Please verify the locations of main electric rooms.

Please see provided “10 Elevator - Electrical Drawings” and “10 Elevators –ME NARRATIVES” for details regarding requested locations.

4.) During the walk-thru, we were unable to gain access to most elevator lobbies. Please provide cataloged pictures of common elevator lobby areas.

Offerors will have the chance to inspect all elevator lobbies during phase II walk through.

5.) Elevator lobby lighting circuit is schedule to be retained. Please confirm whether the existing circuit(s) is/are fed from an emergency power source is meet to code?

This will be for contractor to determine and remedy with design. Please remember provided drawings are a resource and are by no means the exact plan for this project.

6.) Please confirm whether the VA has an in-house IT professional contractor or onsite staff that can run all phone wiring from the telephone demarcation point to each elevator machine room.

Contractor would need to run telephone wire from demarcation point to machine rooms and VA IT staff or contractor would make connection.

7.) During the walk-thru, we were not able to access Building #5 elevator machine room. Please provide cataloged pictures of the elevator machine room, specifically the existing disconnects, lighting, elevator equipment, wall vents, etc. Pictures showing the overall perspective of the room and equipment is most beneficial.

Phase II walkthrough will provide access to this machine room.

8.) Please clarify keynote 1? It mentions that fire alarm work is to be done during off hours. Does this apply to all fire alarm modifications? Please clarify work intent.

This keynote is simply stating that when the fire alarm system is taken out of service and work is concluded for the day the system must be in working order in off hours. Please remember provided drawings are a resource and are by no means the exact plan for this project.

9.) Please clarify keynote 11. It mentions using existing elevator feeders to power temporary lifts. This plan will not work with the new feeders planned for the elevators. Please provide an alternate power plan to provide power to the lifts.

Please remember provided drawings are a resource and are by no means the exact plan for this project. The contractor will be responsible for the temporary lift plan.

10.) Please provide greater detail of the temporary lift plan.

The VA has determined that the following buildings will most likely require temporary lifts, 2, 6, 7, 8, 39, and 57, but the contractor will use expertise in positioning lifts.

11.) Please confirm that building access to complete the work under this contract does not require a full-time escort. If an escort is required, please confirm that the VA is responsible for all associated cost.

This is a Design/ Build Project.

The scope of work includes all effort needed to design and renovate the elevators listed.

As per page 9 of solicitation 36C24420R0067:

DESIGN:

Current uncompleted specifications and drawings will be provided as guidance to help assist with the design portion of this project. These drawings and specifications are NOT to be used as full drawing and specifications sets but to help with investigation findings and to assist with the design to be complete.

12.) Please clarify which roof hatches are to be removed?

No mention of roof removal in SOW but the VA will consider contractor advice on this subject Please remember provided drawings are a resource and are by no means the exact plan for this project.

13.) Please provide contact information for the current fire alarm provider for the VA and whether this provider can make programming changes to the main FACP. If the service provider cannot provide programming, please advise who the VA uses for FACP programming modifications.

101 Pheasant Run Newton, PA 18940

215-578-7000

Bill Crawford 267-228-5904 WilliamCrawford@adt.com Matt Grogan 267-751-4303 MatthewGrogan@adt.com

14.) Please advise if a bid extension can be granted.

See amendment 36C24420R0067 0002.

15.) The solicitation states: “SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS for Phase I: Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work shall submit one (1) hard copy along with one (1) electronic (CD) copy. Submissions by electronic means i.e. e-mail are NOT permitted. Additionally, the submission shall include an insert detailing the following information” - - - At the site visit it was stated that email copies were acceptable. Please clarify.

At the site visit the CS stated that RFIs were to be submitted by email as per amendment 36C24420R0067 0001.

For proposal submission follow the instructions in solicitation 36C24420R0067.

16.) Temporary elevator minimum design and PM requirements?

Minimum requirement is to move people from 1st floor to 2nd floor and vice versa.

Contractor will need to work with VA in creating plan during design phase for temporary elevators.

17.) Most buildings connected, which ones aren’t or will not be during project execution?

All buildings are connected.

18.) Logistical, and equipment storing/staging concerns?

Contractor will have access to lot T-22 for storage, temporary fencing may be permitted for separate laydown areas close to individual work sites. Contractor will have responsibility to repair any disturbed landscaping.

19.) Please confirm if the VA will grand themselves variances for any access issues to the attic machine rooms.

If necessary, the VA will be able to do this.

20.) Please confirm if the elevator contractor awarded the project is to provide interim maintenance.

Review the solicitation for all Provisions and Clauses.

See section 4.14 in solicitation 36C24420R0067

21.) At the time of the site visit we were not able to locate the ATS switch in building 6. Can you please provide us with a picture of the existing as well as provide us with the location of it.

Please refer to 10 Elevators – Electrical Drawings, E-104.

Phase II walkthrough will also provide more in-depth site details.

22.) Please confirm if Buy America pertains to this project.

Review the solicitation for all Provisions and Clauses.

See section 2.4 and 2.5

23.) Please confirm where the staging area will be.

Contractor will have access to lot T-22 for storage, temporary fencing will be permitted for separate laydown areas close to individual work sites. Contractor will have responsibility to repair any disturbed landscaping.

24.) It states that buildings will not be shut down. There is a tunnel walkthrough from certain buildings. Is it only on the main level? If so, the buildings that only have one elevator, will the modernization work be expected to be done off hours?

The tunnel is only in basement. Work will be expected to be done during regular hours as much as possible, but there is a possibility of off hours work.

25.) On page 8 of 81 of the Solicitation it states that work must be scheduled in cooperation with the Medical Center to ensure continuity of functions and allowance for special events. Can you provide us with the special events, so we can take this into account for our proposed schedule?

With Covid-19 restrictions most special events are cancelled but the VA will work closely with the contractor to minimize schedule impacts created by special events.

26.) If the existing cylinder holes need to be re-drilled, will this need to be done during afterhours?

Not necessarily this will be decided on case by case basis.

27.) Have any sumps been replaced? If so, which ones?

Unfortunately, the VA has no readily accessible records regarding elevator sump replacements. Contractor will need to determine condition of sumps and the need for replacements.

28.) Who has the current elevator service contract, and is the VA happy with them?

Brandywyne Elevator was the old name of the contract holder and is currently named 3 Phase Elevator Company.

29.) How are we to use the design drawings that were provided? Is this the design the VA wants to proceed with, or are we supposed to refine/improve this as necessary?

Provided drawings are a resource and are by no means the exact plan for this project, contractor will be responsible for a design.

It is the responsibility of the offeror to decide what the best technical approach to complete the design and construction of this project should be.