64623405UD Med Air Upgrades RFI Questions and Answers 6.13.2025.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 49 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 36C24425B0012
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) file for a VA Medical Center medical air systems upgrade project in Pittsburgh, PA. The solicitation (36C24425B0012) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-aside for construction services, with a project value between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Key project details include upgrading medical air systems in two areas (2A130 and 7W139), with specific requirements around installation, electrical connections, alarm integration, and system commissioning. The project involves replacing existing medical air compressor systems, with current systems operating at 75 SCFM per pump and 25 total SCFM at 50 psi.
Critical dates include a site visit on 5/28/2025, RFI submission deadline of 6/4/2025, and a virtual bid opening on 6/23/2025 with bids due by 2:00 PM ET. The current system is maintained by MGI Inc., with alarm monitoring by Johnson Controls. Contractors must coordinate system shutdowns, follow infectious control requirements, and ensure minimal disruption to patient care. The project requires full compliance with VA standards, prevailing wage determination PA20250001, and involves integrating new equipment with existing building management systems and alarm panels.
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Text version
Bidder RFIs_UD Med Air Upgrades
| UD Upgrade 2A130/7W139 Medical Air | |
| VA 646‐23‐405 | |
| UD Campus, Pittsburgh, PA |
BIDDER QUESTION FORM - Bid Document Submission
# Question/Comment VA Response
| 1 | Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum? | YES |
| 2 | Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO? | Specifically for this project, the prime contractor’s Superintendent has authorization to act as the SSHO provided that they have the qualifications and shift time available to perform the role. VAPHS Makes these determinations based on scope complexity and may require otherwise for other efforts under this MATOC |
| 3 | If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project? | N/A; See response above. |
| 4 | Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? | No |
| 5 | If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? | Specifically for this project, the prime contractor’s Project Manager or proposed Alternate (not Superintendent) has authorization to act as the QC provided that they have the qualifications and shift time available to perform the role. VAPHS Makes these determinations based on scope complexity and may require otherwise for other projects. |
| 6 | Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? | No; See related responses above. |
| 7 | Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal? | YES |
| 8 | Please provide the latest wage determination for this project’s county. | The WG was posted with the origional solicitation |
| 9 | Please confirm if the current prevailing wages will be consistent for the life of the project with no escalation? | YES |
| 10 | Please confirm the current design documents meet current VA TIL guidelines. | Yes |
| 11 | Please confirm any minority business participation requirements. | No additional |
| 12 | Who is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent to certify the installation? | The contractor will be responsible for getting the new equipment started via the factory rep and alarms must be tested also back to the 2 monitoring panels |
| 13 | Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements? | All barriers must be compliant w/ VAPHS Infectious Control documents. Starc panels - w/ appropriate ratings for their usage as ICRA (Non-Rated) vs. PCRA/Safety (1-Hr rated) are acceptable. Plastic sheeting is only viable for temporary ICRA/Dust barriers not to exceed 48-Hours, Typical. Cooordinate final requirements in-field w/ VA COR |
| 14 | Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends? | Yes; All shutdowns shall be coordinated minimum 14days prior for significant system disruptions. |
| 15 | Will this activity be required to be completed during off hours or weekends? | Any interruption of service, high vibration, heavy sound or otherwise disruptive activities must be coordinated for off-tour hours w/ VA COR to limit impacts to Patient Care and staff. Non Invasive and low risk activities acceptable for standard working hours. |
| 16 | Please provide three recommended resources for vendors or contractors local to the project site. | Prime Contractor to complete this due diligence. |
| 17 | Will mechanical rooms be cleared of all stored debris prior to the contractor entering those areas? | Yes. Any practical relocation of VA Supplies can be coordinated via VA COR |
| 18 | Will a full-time fire watch be required during activities such as cutting and welding? How long after such activities are completed? | Yes, for minimum 1-Hour following or as otherwise required by VA Safety |
| 19 | Is there a particular vendor or contractor currently servicing and maintaining the existing medical air system? | MGI Inc. |
| 20 | Who is the alarm vendor currently connected to these air systems? | Johnson Controls (JCI) |
| 21 | To allow sufficient time to review responses and prepare our bid we kindly request that you please extend the bid date. | Due date ramains 6/26/2025 |
| 30 | Can the hospital provide any data that would help us understand how much air is typically required either on a day to day , week to week, etc. basis? This could help us drill down on how much air might be required if we decide to bring in tanks to feed each system. I know this would be a swag. Maybe Johnson Controls can provide them hours of run time for each system and we might be able to back into an approximate number for tank size requirements. | The current Medical Air Compressor Systems for 2A130 and 7W139 are operating at 75 SCFM per pump; 25 total SCFM at 50psi | |
| 31 | Can you provide the most recent annual inspection report? | Yes, the report is available. | Mel, Can you send report to Jay for inclusion?? NOTE: "If" you believe it is sensitive for some reason, we could reply" VAPHS will provide successful bidder w/ a copy of the report." |
| 32 | Can you provide pictures of both existing master alarm panels? | Yes if needed | Mel, Can you send photos to Jay for inclusion?? |
| 33 | Are the current master alarm wires up to code? Shared common conductors? Adequate number of signals? | The master alarm monitoring panels are up to code and have additional room for added points | |
| 34 | If the current master alarm panels do not have the correct number of signals, shared commons, etc, will we be required to bring them to current code? Potentially pulling additional wire? This is hard to quote accurately without knowing the condition of the existing system. | All monitoring panels are up to code | |
| 35 | Are both existing systems 460V power supplied by e-power? | Yes | |
| 36 | Systems are required to be BACnet capable, are we tying the systems into the BMS as part of this project? If so, who does the facility use for the BMS programming? | The bacnet will be tied into the existing BMS at the contractor's expense; Johnson Controls is the contractor responsible for the monitoring and tying-in of any points | |
| 37 | Is there a staging area on site where we can receive the equipment and break it down to be transported to the mechanical rooms? | Yes a limited staging area will be provided as needed | |
| 38 | Where does the 2A Medical Air Intake exit the building? Is it 20’ off the ground? 25’ from exhausts or vents? 10 from operable doors, windows, or building openings? | The air intake exits thru the roof and is compliant | |
| 39 | How far is 2A Medical Air intake discharge from the system? We need to ensure it is properly sized. | The existing air intake is properly sized and compliant to make final connection as needed | |
| 40 | During the site visit, it was stated that the 2” crossover line is NOT required, that it is only being run as a way to feed the opposing system during system replacement? Is that accurate? Is this crossover line required? | It is the preference of the Medical Center to have a permanent connection (w/ lockable service valves) as a contingency during this upgrade and in the event of future interruptions. | |
| 41 | Can we use a backfeed or temporary system in place of running the crossover line? | Yes, a temporary system can be used 'IF' successful bidder has another RELIABLE means of providing the required amount of air to the system to meet the needs of the medical air distribution for that system; IE, Subject to coordination w/ VA post-Award. |
| 42 | Can you provide the existing circuit size? Voltage and amperage? | I do not have that information /there was a walkthrough showing the existing equipment and specifications | |
| 43 | Will the New equipment operate on the existing circuit? | ||
| If so is it acceptable to intercept the existing feeder and re-use? | If the existing electric provided meets the new equipment electrical specifications, then it may be reused. Coordinate requirements w/ new Equipment Provider on your team and provide replacement feed/circuit if not compatable w/ existing. | ||
| 44 | Are we required to provide and install a new feeder to the new equipment? |
If so can you provide the specifications or feeder sizes
| Can you provide panel locations and breaker info if new circuits are required? | Contractor Team to coordinate requirements with their new equipment vendor. Equipment vendor should provide the electrical requirements for the equipment and if needed, VA can provide an existing panel location and breaker size if new circuits required. Successful Team should work within scope of existing utilities whenever viable to reduce impact to Facility. | |
| 45 | Will the new equipment come in separate skids? |
If so what wiring/connections is the electrical contractor responsible for?
Can you provide a spec sheet/cut sheet for the new equipment
| Can you provide a wiring diagram/schematic for the new equipment | Contractor Team to coordinate this information via their new equipment vendor, coordinating w/ existing conditions to inform their delivery options for each of the (2) locations being upgraded. | |
| 46 | Can you provide a list of alarms currently monitored or tied-into the existing equipment? |
Will the new equipment require any additional alarms/monitoring beside the list you provide from the above question?
Are the existing devices used for alarms included on the new equipment or do we need to purchase them? (Pressure switch, level switches etc) Existing alarms that are tied in an monitored include:
Dew point High CO Lag/Malfunction Low pressure High Pressure The specs for the new equipment to be provided by others. Successful bidder owes fully functioning system integrated into existing facility alarm monitoring, Typical.
47 If temporary equipment is installed during the removal and install of the new equipment what will be the requirements?
Voltage Amperage
| Where do we get the power from | Contractor Team to coordinate this information via their new equipment vendor. | ||
| 48 | EMT and Liquid tite for flex connections? | EMT and liquid tite are allowed | |
| 49 | Copper Conductors? | All copper wire and conductors only |
50 NOTE: As clarified by VA during the initial site walk, 7West system must be the first of the (2) areas modernized
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