S05_ Pre-Bid RFIs Revised 12.30.2024.pdf

Replace Dialysis-Sanitary Lines Project #540-24-

Pre-Bid RFIs

1. There appears to be a conflict on Sam.gov under the description that states work to be completed in 120 days and performed Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The solicitation states 90 days and Monday through Friday 5:00 pm to 3 am.

a. To ensure consistency between all bidders, Please confirm which one is correct. Work hours are to be Monday through Friday 5:00pm to 3:00am. This is to allow work in the lab without interference with staff during normal work hours.

2. There are no drawings provided with this solicitation. Please provide in electronic format drawings for this solicitation to specifically include the below listed items:

a. Plumbing drawings including existing routing and risers for all impacted areas.

b. Ductwork drawings including impacted supply, return, exhaust lines as well as diffuser locations with associated CFMs for all impacted areas.

c. Reflected ceiling plans to include current existing ceiling types and lighting layouts for all impacted areas.

d. Current floor layout plans to include any equipment that is required to be worked around for all impacted areas.

Drawings can be provided for these areas. Current equipment layout drawings are not all encompassing of the equipment in the space. Please refer to notes from your site visit for exact layout.

3. In regards to the General Scope Work Hours: Work hours shall be 5:00 pm-3:00 am

(Afternoon Shift). See the below item:

a. When shall work be performed that requires excessive levels of noise such as core drilling of concrete floors?

Within reason work that creates excess levels of noise and vibrations shall be coordinated to be completed at the start of each shift.

4. In regards to Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #3.a: Contractor shall conduct a pre-construction site investigation to confirm the location of the sanitary lines and to confirm the locations of the infection control barriers. Please see the below items:

a. Please confirm that complete above ceiling access can be provided at the walk thru before the bid to confirm the location of the sanitary lines. Only access prior to be bid can only be available via a HEPA cart (this can be coordinated). The above statement item #3 is referencing a time for the winning contractor to investigate the existing utilities before starting construction.

b. If complete above ceiling access cannot be provided before the bid, please confirm how the quantities are to be determined. If a HEPA cart is not available to you prior to be bid for above ceiling investigation, quantities can be estimated by using drawings that are provided. Quantities can be confirmed or revised by the winning contractor during their investigative period.

c. Please confirm that if existing utilities (duct, piping, electrical) do not allow for the installation of new PVC piping, this would be considered an unforeseen condition with additional costs. Without proper investigation this can not be confirmed, unforeseen conditions will be handled at the time they are evident.

5. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #6: The contractor shall provide a phased schedule that allows the Lab to remain operational during construction. This shall include a phased Infection Control Plan. Both the phasing plan and infection control plan are subject to approval by the VA. a) Phases that will be located within the laboratory are subject to an expedited work schedule (7-day work week) See the below items:

a. As there are no drawings to indicate where the work is to be performed, please provide the government’s anticipated phasing plan for this project. Drawings will be provided of the work area. Tentatively the lab area will have 3 phases to allow normal operations to continue in the lab. Phasing plan will be either confirmed or modified once the contractor completes the pre-construction investigation.

b. As the Scope of Work references a 7-day work week and the work areas are to be phased, please provide what the government’s expectation of the completion timeframe for the work within the laboratory. 2 Week Maximum in the lab area

c. Please confirm whether or not the anticipated completion timeframe for the work within the laboratory does or does not include the TAB or Duct Cleaning Scopes. Yes, the time frame does include the TAB and duct cleaning services.

6. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #7: The contractor shall remove and re-install portions of the Lab ceiling as necessary to perform work.

Any damaged material is the contractor’s responsibility to replace. See the below items:

a. As there are no drawings to indicate where the work is to be performed, please provide the government’s anticipated work area for this project as well as the ceiling types. Drawings will be provided. Ceiling type to be confirmed by the contractor during site visit or during the pre-construction investigative period.

7. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #8: The contractor shall demolish damaged portions of cast sanitary lines from existing sinks and dialysis boxes of ICU rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 back to their respective risers. Existing hangers to remain for installation of new line. Please see the below items:

a. Please identify the quantity of “damaged portions” that are required to be replaced for this project.

Exact quantity will be determined during the pre-construction investigative portion of the project.

Drawings can be scaled to estimate quantities described above.

In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #9: The contractor shall provide and install new cast lines where previously demolished portions of cast sanitary lines ran from existing sinks in ICU rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 back to their respective risers. This shall include all drain traps, patchwork, and paint. The contractor shall use existing hangers for installation of new line. If any hangers are damaged, contractor shall replace. The contractor shall apply new fireproofing at all penetrations. See the below items:

b. Please provide cut sheets for existing finishes to be provided (i.e. wall protection, floor, base, ceiling tiles, and grid) in the impacted areas of this project. Existing cut sheets are not available and will be matched as close as possible. Matching materials will be coordinated between the COR and contractor.

8. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #11: The contractor shall provide and install new PVC sanitary lines to receive waste from dialysis boxes in ICU rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. New lines shall be 2” PVC from the dialysis box until reaching new riser. Please see the below items:

a. Please indicate which type of PVC pipe is to be used. Please refer to the specification for the type to be used. Thickness will be Schedule 80.

b. Please confirm if the new PVC piping does or does not require fire-wrap. Fire protection will be used at any wall penetration as outlined in the SOW.

c. Are access doors acceptable to be installed in existing chases to gain access for installation of the new PVC risers? If so, what is the requirement for the access doors?

Access doors could be acceptable depending on location. Access doors will need to be lockable and rust proof. Access doors will also need be non-porous to allow proper cleaning when in a clinical area.

9. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #13: The contractor shall demolish existing lights located within the infection control barriers and install new government furnished lights. See the below items:

a. Please provide a proposed layout of the infection control barriers so it can be determined as to how many lights are to be replaced. See attached drawings

b. Please confirm whether the government provided lights get new whips installed as well or utilize the existing wiring and connectors? Existing wire connectors will be used.

10. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #14: The contractor shall provide duct cleaning for the HVAC system in its entirety. See the below items:

a. Please provide the HVAC Drawings of the area to be cleaned with the duct/equipment to include the full supply and return duct to be included in this project.

See attached drawings

b. Please confirm what else other than the ductwork needs cleaned (i.e. units, VAV reheat coils, etc.). Units and Ductwork only

c. With the project requiring to be completed in phases, along with duct cleaning, if duct cleaning was completed in phases, it could require multiple shut downs of the HVAC system. Having to shut down and restart the HVAC within multiple phases could cause the newly cleaned ductwork to be re-contaminated. Can the duct cleaning can be performed all at one time after the sanitary lines are replaced utilizing HEPA carts and plastic barriers where the HEPA carts won’t fit? Duct Cleaning can be completed all at one time.

11. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #15: The contractor shall perform TAB on the HVAC system prior to starting and after completing each phase of construction. See the below items.

a. Please confirm if a pre-tab is required for this project, if one is required, please identify as to what extent of pre-tab is to be performed as it appears, there is no mechanical work being performed on this project. Pre-tab will be completed to confirm CFM will be returned to their original numbers at the completion of the phase/project.

b. Please identify as to what areas need to have TAB performed. See drawings.

c. Please identify as to what equipment is within the areas that TAB is to be performed, to include the CFMs for each specific area. See drawings. Numbers will be verified along with the pre-TAB.

d. Please confirm if the exhaust system is included in this work or just the supply and return. Its included to ensure a properly balanced system.

e. Please confirm if the TAB is to take place after each phase of work for sanitary lines replaced or once all the work is completed as there is no additional mechanical. TAB will be completed after each phase

12. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #16: The contractor shall protect all VA property during construction. Any items remaining in the construction area shall be covered with 2 layers of 6 mil plastic and sealed such that no dust or debris can damage existing property. a) Contractor shall utilize a scaffolding system for a working surface above the existing equipment and to prevent heavy debris from damaging equipment below. See the below items:

a. Please identify what equipment will remain in place while work is being performed in each phased area. At this time the only equipment to be moved during construction is the 4 analyzers as stated during the walkthrough. All other equipment will remain.

13. In regards to the Scope of Work Item #4 Detailed Requirements sub item #17: The contractor shall terminally clean the work area upon completion. VAMC infection control staff will inspect work site during construction activities and upon completion. See the below items.

a. Please confirm the terminal clean is the contractor’s responsibility as it is usually the contractor’s responsibility to provide construction clean only and not terminal clean.

Contractor shall also provide a terminal clean in conjunction to the construction clean.

b. Please confirm the terminal clean will need to be performed after each phase. Terminal clean will be performed after each phase.

14. In regards to the provided ICRA document, please see the below items:

a. According to the Scope of Work, it appears there is work in multiple areas to include areas below the listed Lab Area and ICU (1st floor and basement). Please confirm as to whether or not the ICRA level is to be Level IV in all work areas to include the basement and 1st floor area. All work is pre-determined to be level 4, level can be downgraded dependent on type of work being performed as well as the duration.

b. Please confirm if the government’s proposed phasing plan will allow enough of a footprint for the hard barriers to be installed and extended only to the ceiling instead of having to remove ceiling tiles and extending the barrier to the deck as, listed on the provided ICRA documents under Level III (as Level IV includes all previously listed levels). Footprint shall allow for proper installation of barriers.

c. The ICRA document states that if the facility is not able to exhaust to the building exterior there is an alternate industry recognized standard interior exhaust procedure that requires pre-construction air sampling as well as being monitored every 8 hours.

i. Please confirm if the exhaust can or cannot be directed outside. This is dependent on location.

ii. Please confirm who is responsible for the air monitoring (the contractor or the VAMC). Contractor is responsible.

iii. Please confirm if monitoring must be continued every 8 hours even when work is not being performed. Yes monitoring must be performed if exhausting into the interior of the building.

15. Can you please confirm the deck height for 2nd floor as well as the 3rd floor?

16. At the site visit, room ICU12 was not accessible and it was mentioned to request photos via an

RFI. Can you please provide pictures of room ICU12? Please see attached photos.

17. Can pictures of the area below ICU12 be provided? Please see attached photos

18. When the demolition of ICU Room 12 sanitary lines take place, are we to demolish back to the main or cap in place? Demolish to the main and replace in kind.

19. At the site visit it was stated that there is lab equipment will be moved out of the way. For ICRA layout purposes, can you please identify what lab equipment will be moved out of the way and to what location will it be moved? At this time the only equipment to be moved during construction is the 4 analyzers as stated during the walkthrough. All other equipment will remain.

20. Can cut sheets for existing finishes be provided (i.e. wall protection, floor, base in the 3rd floor

ICU as well as ceiling tiles in the 2nd floor lab, etc.)? Existing cut sheets are not available and will be matched as close as possible. Matching materials will be coordinated between the COR and contractor.

21. Would an access panel be acceptable for ICU Room 5? If so, what size, and material type, etc.?

Access doors could be acceptable depending on location. Access doors will need to be lockable and rust proof. Access doors will also need be non-porous to allow proper cleaning when in a clinical area.

22. Is the firestopping inspector going to be utilized on this project? (Specification Section 7-84-00 1.4.C C. Inspector Qualifications: Contractor to engage a qualified inspector to perform inspections and final reports. The inspector to meet the criteria contained in ASTM E699 for agencies involved in quality assurance and to have a minimum of two years’ experience in construction field inspections of firestopping systems, products, andassemblies. The inspector to be completely independent of, and divested from, the Contractor, the installer, the manufacturer, and the supplier of material or item being inspected. Submit inspector qualifications). Inspector is to be utilized on the project.

23. ICU Room #5 has tile around the sink. When the wall is opened up to replace the sanitary lines, what is to go back in this area (tile or wall protection) and can cut sheets be provided? Match existing finishes. Cut sheets are not available.

24. Can a staging area for materials and equipment be provided for this project? If so, where would it be located. Staging areas can be utilized in the mechanical rooms on the 3rd and basement floors.

25. For ICRA purposes, who is responsible for taking the baseline readings outside and inside the contained work area prior to the start of the project? Readings shall be taken by a 3RD party hired by the contractor.

26. Who is responsible for providing a particulate counter and conducting testing three times a day if the negative air output is not filtered to the outside? Contractor will be responsible for hiring a 3rd party to perform these tests.

27. In the absence of a set of drawings, is there a low-risk area near the worksite that could be utilized for negative air discharge? Drawings are provided. Please refer to drawings to assess your IC plan.

28. Specification Section 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.4 A states that drawings and contract documents may be obtained from the solicitation website. Question: Will drawings be provided to quantify materials requiring repair or replacement, as they are not currently uploaded? They are currently not uploaded to the website. Drawings are to be provided. Please see attached.

29. During the site visit, it was observed that one GC had a set of drawings and additional project information. Question: Will all GCs receive access to the same documents for review to ensure consistency in proposal preparation? Yes please see all drawings listed.

30. If additional project information will be provided, could the VA issue a revised RFI date and proposal due date to allow contractors adequate time to prepare accurate bids? Yes, this should not be an issue.

31. Could the VA provide the dimensions and specifications of the equipment that must be contained and protected within the construction barriers? Please see the attached drawings on the lab tray line.

32. Specification Section 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.11 states that contractors must maintain two full sets of as-built drawings during construction. Question: Will this requirement apply to this project since drawings have not been provided? Drawings are attached. Please redline drawings with any modifications made during construction.

33. Specification Section 01 33 23, 1.3 D contains an inactive link to a digital register PDF for contractors. Question: Could the VA provide this document in PDF format? Please see attached.

ENG_FORM_4288-R.

pdf

34. Can the Prime Contractor’s Project Manager also fulfill the role of the CQC System Manager? Yes they may fill this role.

35. Could the VA provide a life safety plan to clarify wall, ceiling, and firestopping repair expectations? Yes please see the attached.

36. Several spec sections (26 05 11, 26 51 00, 22 13 00, 22 05 11, and 01 00 00) refer to contract drawings that contradict the provided documents. Question: Could the VA provide specifications that align with the contract documents? Please see the updated drawings list.

37. The solicitation documents state, “Contractors are reminded they are responsible for obtaining required State and Local Licenses.”

Question: Are the utilities in this scope of work private or public? Utilities are government property.

Question: If public, will any outside state or local utility licenses be required, and could the VA provide service provider contact information?

38. BID ITEM NO. 1, BASE BID: The scope references drawings and specifications.

Question: Could the VA confirm whether drawings will be provided, or will the description of work be revised? Please see the attached drawings.

39. The General Scope in the SOW states – “The Louis A. Johnson VAMC is acquiring contractor services for the provision of labor and materials to correct deficiencies related dialysis sanitary lines running from ICU rooms”. Question: The general scope of work specifies starting in ICU rooms. Could the VA clarify the endpoint of the lines that need servicing? Lines run from the ICU rooms on the 3rd floor to the interstitial space above the lab on the 2nd floor. The lines then run to plumbing risers/stacks that then lead to the basement. Steel lines shall be replaced to the stacks on the second floor from the ICU rooms (3rd Floor) where as the PVC lines will need to have new lines ran from the 3rd floor ICU to the basement.

40. The general scope of work state’s All work must be completed within 90 calendar days, beginning on the first scheduled day of work, and concluding upon final cleaning and VA occupancy.

Question: The general scope specifies a 90-day completion period, including submittals and final cleaning. Does this timeframe include the general and performance submittals? Yes, the timeframe does include these submittals.

41. General scope of work specifies “Work hours shall be 5:00 pm-3:00 am (Afternoon Shift). Work to be phased in the lab area will be expedited and on a 7-day work schedule until completion of the phases.

Question: Does this schedule apply to all project phases, or are other phases expected? The above time referenced is for the lab area, all other areas can be accessed during normal business hours.

42. Are there drain lines outside the ICU area that require repair or replacement? At this time there are no other damaged drain lines determined that are outside of the ICU and LAB footprint.

43. ICRA Measures called out in the SOW under general scope of work 4. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS:

calls out “Modular IC panels not accepted must be hard barriers”.

Question: For ICRA measures requiring hard barriers, must they extend from the floor slab to the concrete deck above, necessitating ceiling finish demolition? If so, could the VA provide the linear footage of drain lines to be serviced or replaced? If the ceiling grid is to be removed the hard barrier must go from floor to deck. Linear footage can be verified using the attached drawings.

44. The contractor shall demolish damaged portions of cast sanitary lines from existing sinks and dialysis boxes of ICU rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 back to their respective risers. Existing hangers to remain for installation of new line. Question: If the contractor must demolish damaged cast sanitary lines from ICU rooms to their respective risers. Could the VA provide scaled layout drawings of the risers and dialysis boxes? Yes, Please see the attached

45. Spec Section 22 13 00 calls out under Part 2 Products, 2.1 SANITARY WASTE, DRAIN, AND VENT

PIPING, C. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), 2 PVC piping and fittings shall NOT be used for the following applications: b. Spaces such as mechanical equipment rooms, kitchens, Sterile Processing Services, sterilizer areas, and areas designated for sleep. The area of performance is in ICU rooms. Question: Can the VA confirm if PVC piping is permissible within the scope of this work in the ICU areas or any other sterile areas? PVC pipe is permissible in these areas.

46. Spec Section 22 13 00 calls out under Part 2 Products, 2.1 SANITARY WASTE, DRAIN, AND VENT

PIPING, C. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), 2. PVC piping and fittings shall NOT be used for the following applications: c. Vertical waste and soil stacks serving more than two floors. The general scope of work calls out “The contractor shall provide and install two new 3” PVC sanitary risers to receive waste from dialysis boxes. New risers shall run to the main sanitary line located in the basement.

Questions: Since it appears the scope of work goes from the basement to above the 3rd floor slab can the GC meet this specification? Yes, Schedule 80 PVC has been approved for this specific application.

47. The contractor shall demolish existing lights located within the infection control barriers and install new government furnished lights.

Questions: Could the VA provide the quantity and type of fixtures involved? Please see attached drawings. Exact number of lights replaced will be based off proposed IC barrier locations.

48. The contractor is required to provide TAB and duct cleaning for the entire HVAC system.

Question: Could the VA provide specifications and a layout for the HVAC system so the GC can accurately account for this scope of work? Please see the attached drawings

49. The SOW requires terminal cleaning upon completion, subject to inspection by infection control staff.

Question: Could the VA provide approved or prohibited cleaning chemicals for this task? This can be provided during the submittal phase after award of the contract.

50. The contractor must guard against fires and explosions while protecting government property.

Question: Does the VA anticipate any devices, chemicals, or equipment that could pose such risks? VA does not anticipate any risks related to those items at this time.

51. The scope of work requires the GC to be liable to work in a manner consistent with the area security and fire safety regulations especially regarding exits and exit way access. Utility shutdowns shall not compromise security, communication, or fire safety for occupants.

Question: Since utility shutdowns must not compromise safety or access. Does the VA foresee any risks to security, communication, or fire safety during this scope of work? VA does not see any foreseeable risks at this time.