Sterile Stroage Project - Questions and Responses.docx

1. Regarding the Brand Name Only requirement (discussed on pg 7 of the solicitation document), can you confirm what that item is? Distech Controls HVAC Controls, this is listed on page 65 under VAAR 852.236-90 additionally the justification is attached at the end of the RFP document.

1. Regarding the past performance evaluation requirement, instead of utilizing the questionnaire form provided, are we able to provide CPARS instead? The past performance questionnaire is required per the instructions to offerors, the government will always pull CPARS ourselves as part of the evaluation.

1. Will CPARS evaluations alone satisfy the Past Performance requirement in lieu of Exhibit C? No failure to submit exhibit C will result in an incomplete proposal. We require at least a transmittal copy of the PPQ to be sent with the proposal. We understand that there is no guarantee that a PPQ request may not be sent in on your behalf.

1. Is there a preference weighting for project references? (ie. general federal projects) Federal hospital experience is preferred, but not a requirement. There is no specific weight outline with in the ITO we will based all projects submitted based off the relevant nature of the project submitted.

1. In order for our past performance projects to be considered within compliance, we must determine the project’s classifications. Can you provide those classifications the project must meet to be within compliance? Please Clarify

1. Can the VA confirm what qualifies as “similar in size and scope” in Evaluation Factor 1? Size refers to project size both dollar value and square foot, scope would be projects with similar requirement ie mechanical, electrical, sterile processing, med gas etc). We are looking for demonstration of completion of project that have a similar value, size and complexity. This is to ensure that we are confident in your ability to handle this project if awarded.

1. Wage Determination: Can you please provide PA20260093 dated 1/9/26 and its meaning? Davis-Bacon wage determination is the official listing of prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits set by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for each classification of laborers and mechanics in a given locality and type of construction U.S. Department of Labor+1. Under the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), federal and federally assisted construction contracts must include the correct wage determination to ensure workers are paid at least the prevailing local rate. The document provided is the most up to date version for Lebanon these documents can be obtained on Sam.gov

1. Key Personnel: Can you please confirm if there is a specific project team or information (ie. Resumes) we have to provide with our response, or is this at contractor’s discretion? Resumes of the key personnel are preferred

7. Please confirm whether a dedicated full time Site Safety and Health Officer is required onsite during all active work operations, and whether an alternate SSHO is required for any off hours or weekend work?. Yes a dedicated full time SSHO is required per the specs

1. Proposal Requirements: Please clarify if we are to include a: safety plan, safety & infection control plan, Sample of Corporate plans, Site Specific Plans, etc) with our proposal response? No, there are no proposal requirements on what to include as it relates to plans, samples plans, or other similar supporting type documentation.

8. Please clarify which safety and infection control documents, if any, are required as part of the proposal submission versus after award as preconstruction submittals, including but not limited to the safety plan, accident prevention plan, site specific plans, infection control documentation, and related supporting information.

8. If any safety or infection control documents are required with the proposal, what level of detail is expected in the submission.

1. Please confirm if there are any proposal format requirements we need to meet with our response (ie. Page limit, use of graphics, margins, font, etc) Generally 25 pages for the proposal exhibits do not count standard margin, font should be times new roman, arial, or similar 12 pt font .

1. Please identify the exact manufacturer and compatibility requirements for the HVAC controls system, including whether partial substitution or open integration is allowed with the existing BAS. Please refer to the J&A document attached to the solicitation

1. Is there a file size limit per email for Folder I and Folder II submissions? Government system cap at 30MB per email we recommend staying around 20MB per email to ensure the system doesn’t give any issues/

1. Should pricing (Exhibit E) be submitted in Excel format, PDF, or both? Either format is fine PDF is preferred.

1. Can the VA clarify how “projects within 50 miles” are evaluated relative to overall past performance? Similar economic area, conditions, and environmental factors (weather). This factor holds little weight in the overall evaluation it would be a tie breaker situation if everything else were exactly equal between the two highest rated offeror.

1. Can the Government provide existing BAS system details (as-builts, network architecture, sequences of operation)? At this time the Government cannot provide any existing BAS system details such as network architecture, as-builts, or sequences of operation

1. Who is the current incumbent? Please clarify what you mean

1. Can you provide the proposal from the last solicitations winning vendor? This is a construction requirement the service contract will not be affected they will maintain system service per their contract after construction is complete if that contract is still active at that point.

1. Please identify the exact manufacturer and compatibility requirements for the HVAC controls system, including whether partial substitution or open integration is allowed with the existing BAS. Please refer to the justification document provided with the solicitation. Distech controls only.

1. Recommendation on which questions to remove from their list Please clarify what you mean

1. Are any components of the controls system open to integration or partial substitution, or must all controls be strictly Distech-compatible? Distech controls only.

1. Can Offerors propose innovative cost-saving approaches, or is strict compliance expected? Offerors can offer “betterments” as long as they are fully developed and are able to clearly identify how they would save cost and be a benefit to the hospital.

1. Please reconcile the contract duration requirements. The solicitation indicates 365 days after NTP, while the specifications indicate a project schedule duration of approximately 702 calendar days. Please confirm the required contract duration for bidding purposes. Period of performance/contract duration will be 702 calendar days.

1. Can the VA provide detailed phasing drawings or sequencing requirements by building/area? There are no detailed phasing drawings or sequencing requirements. Please see attached “Business hours per Bldg & departments” for requirements for of hours and some area limitations.

1. Please confirm whether the VA has prescribed allowable work hours by building or area, and whether night or weekend work is anticipated or required for outages, barriers, and work in occupied spaces. The VA anticipates standard working hours in most areas, there maybe occurrences of night or weekend work especially if an outage to a critical system needs to occur this would likely be off hours or weekend work to minimize impact.

1. For Part 1, Item D2, please confirm if the subcontractors listed should be limited strictly to those that performed work on the referenced project, even if they are not part of our proposed team for this solicitation? Part 1 is past project the subcontractors that worked on those project should be listed the overlap between then and now would be where that sub could fill out the part 2 documentation

1. If subcontractors listed in D2 differ from those proposed in Part 2, will this negatively impact evaluation, or is variation expected based on project-specific teaming? Variation is expected we understand some primes have a group of dedicated subcontractors and some do not.

1. Can you clarify how the Government defines “major subcontractor” for purposes of Exhibit B (e.g., percentage of contract value, critical trade, or other criteria)? Typically this will be defined as any subcontractor that will receive a subcontract at or greater than 10% of the primes contract value or a subcontract in excess of 55 million.

1. Is there a recommended or expected number of subcontractors for which Exhibit B should be submitted? There is not some primes perform more work themselves than other. Usually we see at least a mechanical and electrical sub.

1. Will tying into main lines need to be done off time? It will depend on location, duration, and service is being tied in.