4. QUESTIONS with Responses.pdf

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 1:00 PM ON October 14, 2021.

OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFIRMING RECEIPT BY THE CONTRACT

SPECIALIST OF EMAILED OFFICE

SEED PROJECT QUESTIONS:

1. Sections 23.11.00-3.3 and 22.67.22-3.2 of the Contract Specifications require flush and sterilize in accordance with AWWA C651. Section 4.c.iii of the Seed Project Task Order

Package details certain VA standards and requirements that are in addition to AWWA

C651. Historically, the VA has required that each fixture be tested to certify that the concentration of chlorine after the final flush is less than 4 ppm. Will this requirement also apply to this project? How many samples need to be tested after each sterilization? Would this be a percentage of the total fixtures that are tested? Contractor to confirm additional testing requirements beyond specifications with the VA.

2. Section 22.05.11-2.7.D.4 of the Contract Specifications requires each valve to have an identifier installed on the ceiling beneath each valve to permit locating valves from the floor level. Do these identifiers need to also include the valve tag number, or is a color code or similar identifying system sufficient? Does this specification apply to branch valves as well as valves installed in each main header? This only applies to main valves.

Contractor to confirm requirements with the VA.

3. Section 22.11.00, Facility Water Distribution, specifies that copper joints are to be brazed or soldered, with an option to use Propress fittings on pipe 2” and smaller. During the

Phase I bidding process, the question was asked if Vicatulic fittings could be used for pipe larger than 2” A that time, the contractors were advise that Victaulic would not be acceptable. During our pre-bid wall thru, we observed that the contractor on Phase I did use the Victaulic joining method for the larger pipe. Also, it appears that he also used

Propress for copper pipe up to 2-1/2”. Will we also have the option to use either Propress for sizes larger than 2” (fittings are currently available up to 4”) or Victaulic on this project?

Victaulic fittings are not permitted unless approved by the VA.

4. Section 22.05.23 specifies that valves 3” and smaller will have solder end connections. If

Propress is an acceptable method of installing pipe fittings, would Propress valves also be acceptable? Valves 4” and larger are specified to be stainless steel hi-performance butterfly valves. Would we have the option to use these butterfly valves for 2-1/2” and 3” sizes also? Propress is acceptable provided it meets the performance of the specifications. Butterfly valves larger than 2" are not permitted.

5. `Which floors will be occupied during the performance of the work? All floors will be occupied during construction to varying degrees. Occupancy is generally smaller during the evening and overnight hours.

One of the floors is currently dedicated to sleep studies, will this affect working hours in this area? Potentially. We will need to coordinate work with the Service and the

Contractor prior to commencing work in this or any area.

One of the floors is the psychiatric ward, will the VA provide multiple escorts for our people during work in this area? The VA will provide COR and other FMS staff to support

Contractor access to this area as required by Service SOP. Coordination with the service will be required.

Will there be a requirement to inventory tools and materials prior to entering this area, and a corresponding review of tools and materials that are removed from this area? Yes.

An inventory of tools and materials will be required prior to entering and leaving this area. Materials, tools, and equipment will need to be secured during break or temporary work stoppage.

6. Section 01.00.00-1.7.A.3 states that ICRA guidelines will be supplied as a separate document. Is Section 2.h of the Seed Project Task Order Package intended to be this separate guideline? Section 01.00.00-1.7.A.2 accurately notes that ICRA on this project will be temporary and have the ability to be relocated. Section 2.h.vi state states that plastic will not be used to separate the construction area from the Medical Center. What materials would the VA recommend be used if plastic is not acceptable? Section 2.h.iii notes that a manometer with alarm must be installed to verify that negative pressure is maintained in the ICRA area. Is the contractor expected to install exhaust air capabilities at each ICRA station, or will this monitoring no be required? Work that is located in areas that we believe to be occupied is performed in both corridor areas and occupied rooms, ICRA is necessarily going to restrict access to these areas and rooms, how is the VA going to address these conditions? All requirements with regard to ICRA shall be confirmed and approved by the VA.

7. Each of the new risers are shown to be installed into existing chases. The chase on each floor appears to be of different constructions. One of the chases in the basement is a glass block construction. On other floors it appears to be studs and drywall. Does the glass block chase extend into the upper floors and is it concealed by the new drywall chase? Is there duct and/or piping installed in these chases? If so, what is there? Contractor to confirm site conditions during pre-bid walkthrough and during construction.

PLEASE CONFIRM that a Bid/Offer Guarantee is required per 13b of SF 1442.

- Yes. A bid/Offer guarantee is required.

PLEASE CONFIRM that the Proposal Deadline for both Volume I – Technical and Volume II – Price (Seed Project Task Order Package) is, in fact, October 14th for both packages.

- The entire proposal, Volume I and II, are due no later than October 14, 2021.

Page 3 of Q&A No. 1 (as it relates to submission Volume II – Price) states that “Firms choosing to mail their proposal… to the Contracting Officer located at the Wilkes-Barre VAMC only.” However, the address for the Philadelphia VAMC is provided. PLEASE CONFIRM that Volume II – Price is to be mailed to the Philadelphia VAMC and not the Wilkes Barre VAMC.

- If mailed the proposals are to be sent to the Philadelphia address not the Wilkes-Barre address.

Amendment 0001 Q&A, Page 5, makes references to Revised Exhibits B, C, E and F. Have these been, or will they be, revised?

- These documents were attached to Amendment One.

Amendment 0001 Q&A No. 1 states on page 4:

QUESTION:

Can you please Clarify Exhibit C? Is this document supposed to be completed with future potential subcontractors or the subcontractors listed on Past Performance projects?

ANSWER:

The prime (firm to submit proposal) will have their major subcontractors fill out Exhibit C detailing the relationship with the subcontractor and the prime contractor.

Please clarify whether this is to include major subcontractors for the seed project only or are we to have major subcontractors that we may potentially use under future Task Orders complete Exhibit C as well?

- Both major subcontractors for the SEED and major subcontractors with whom you have a relationship with and may use for the MATOC.

RFI #1

Per Document 2. Questions Answers Information page 3:

There is conflicting information regarding total number of pages for the Technical proposal.

Technical and Past Performance are two separate Evaluation Factors. Yes 40- page limit for Technical and 12-page limit for Past Performance to be submitted in accordance with Exhibit B.

This statement lends one to believe the Technical Capability is 40 pages long and Past Performance is 12 pages long.

Page 4 contradicts this:

Technical proposal will not exceed 40 pages. Pages beyond the limit specified will NOT be read or evaluated. Front and back side use of a single page will count as two (2) pages.

Company advertising literature shall not be included. The 40-page limit is inclusive of ALL pages of the proposal IN ITS ENTIRETY. Exhibit C – Subcontractor Information and Consent Form and Exhibit F - Past Performance Questionnaires are the ONLY exceptions to the 40-page limit.

Can you please clarify what the total page limit is for Volume 1 and each subsection?

Volume 1 -Technical Proposal – Total number of pages including Section 1 and Section 2 52 Section 1 Technical Capability – 40 Number of pages Section 2 Past Performance – 12 Number of pages

RFI #2

Per Document 1. Questions Answers Information Page 5 references the following:

Use attached Revision 1- Exhibit B.

ALSO:

Use attached Revision 1 Exhibit C Use attached revised – EXHIBIT E – PPQ Sample Transmittal Letter Use attached revised – EXHIBIT F – PPQ

Where can we find the Revised Documents?

These documents were attached to Amendment One.

RFI #3

Per Amendment 1:

The proposal due date has been extended FROM: 1:00 pm local on 9/30/2021 TO: 1:00 pm local on 10/14/21.

Per Document 1. Questions Answers Information page 3, the following information is contradictory:

SEED PROJECT TASK ORDER PACKAGE

CHANGE FROM:

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 1:00 PM ON October 14, 2021.

OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFIRMING RECEIPT BY THE CONTRACT SPECIALIST

OF EMAILED OFFICE

CHANGE TO:

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 1:00 PM ON September 30, 2021.

OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONFIRMING RECEIPT BY THE CONTRACT SPECIALIST

OF EMAILED OFFICE

Is the “Change From” and “Change To” information correct? This is contradictory to other statements made in the bid documents.

Please clarify the Proposal Due Date for BOTH the SEED Project and the MATOC Proposal. September 30th is just over a week away.

See top of page for answer.

RFI #4

Where should the proposer include their Reps and Certs? Within the Price Proposal?

6. Volume II - Price Proposal

Section 3

Offeror shall submit Standard Form 1442 signed with acknowledged amendments (if applicable), Proposal Pricing Schedule (from attachment “SEED PROJECT TASK

ORDER PACKAGE”), and any additional submissions, such as Exhibit D- Calculation Of

Self-Performed Work, Contractor Pre-Award OSHA Evaluation Form, Representations and Certifications.