2nd Round of RFIs_7-24.pdf

RFI # Date Submitted

Subject Section/Area that caused a RFI(i.e. SOW Page 2, section 2.1)

Request(explain in detail) VA Response

1 6/30/2025 Fiber Scheduling 27 05 11 Do circuits get rolled at night? Is there any other work that must be performed after hours or weekends?

Yes, various buildings are occupied with patients or with services that may require work after hours or weekends due to shutdowns. Note that all shutdowns must be coordinated at least 14 day is advance.

Coordinate with the COR for any shutdowns or weekend work.

2 6/30/2025 Fiber Scheduling 27 05 11 Need sequence of priority. Will the work be done a building at a time, i.e. placement of new fiber cable, cut over, then wreck out of the old?

The VA does not have a specific sequence of priority. Once a schedule is provided, the VA and contractor can review more in depth to determined if a sequence of prpority is warranted. Ensure that all work is performed according to the following provided on bid documents:

GENERAL NOTES:

PROTECT AND MAINTAIN EXISTING UTILITY SERVICE THAT ARE TO REMAIN AND EXISTING SERVICES BEING REMOVED UNTIL THE NEW OPTICAL FIBER SYSTEM IS FULLY OPERATIONAL AND HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED.

ALL SERVICES SHALL BE KEPT OPERATIONAL AT ALL TIMES DURING ALL PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION. ALL PROTECTION MEASURES SHALL BE TAKEN TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE NEW OPTICAL FIBER SYSTEM AT

ALL TIMES.

3 6/30/2025 Occupancy 27 05 11 Are any of the buildings occupied with patients? And do those areas require HEPA tents?

Yes, various buildings are occupied with patients. Based on the provided VHA Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs), a Level IV ICRA will be required. Provide necessary control measures for Level IV ICRA.

4 6/30/2025 Terminations 27 05 11 The termination panels require MPO connections on the rear. Where does the backbone cable splicing occur? Where does the slack get stored? Where do the splice trays get secured?

Refer to SECTION 27 11 19 of teh specifications:

COMMUNICATIONS TERMINATION BLOCKS AND PATCH PANELS

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.4 FIBER OPTIC SPLICE CASSETTES.

C. Design. Splice cassette modules shall be self-contained to integrate fiber adapter bulkhead and splice holders. No additional splice trays shall be necessary. Each module shall provide 12 fiber splice connections.

D. Fiber Type. Provide multimode OM4 and single-mode OS2 splice cassettes as required by the quantity of each type of fiber installed.

KEYNOTES:

COIL UP 6 FEET OF EACH PRIOR TO LEAVING THE ROOM. PROVIDE NEW CABLE MANAGEMENT AND STRAIN

RELIEF.

5 6/30/2025 Connections 27 05 11 Will MPO’s be needed for interconnections?

Refer to bid drawings:

TN101-A, TN101-C, TN101-D, TN101-E, and/or similar contract documents.

6 6/30/2025 Rack Emplacement 27 05 11 Who is placing the new racks?

Refer to Contract Documents:

KEYNOTES:

PROVIDE NEW RACK(S) AS INDICATED. REFER TO TYPICAL ROOM LAYOUTS, DETAILS, AND SCHEDULE. REFER

TO ASSOCIATED SHEETS FOR ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION.

7 6/30/2025 Conduit Usability 27 05 11 Has there been any verification of the existing conduits to be used that there is enough room to fit the new fiber cables in with the old?

Refer to Contract Documents:

GENERAL NOTES - SITE DEMOLITION:

G. THE LOCATION OF ALL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, CIRCUITS, FEEDERS, RACEWAY SYSTEMS, CABLING, TERMINATIONS, ETC., AS INDICATED ON THIS DRAWING WERE TAKEN FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. THE INFORMATION IS DIAGRAMMATIC ONLY AND IS SUBJECT TO VARIATION FROM EXISTING CONDITIONS. IN FACT, CERTAIN EXISTING CONDITIONS MAY NOT BE INDICATED AT ALL. CONTRACTORS PROPOSING TO DO ANY PART OF THE WORK INDICATED HEREIN OR AS DEFINED IN THE SCOPE OF WORK SHALL REVIEW THE COMPLETE SET OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, VISIT THE SITE AND DETERMINE TO HIS/HER SATISFACTION THAT HE/SHE WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL

WORK REQUIRED FOR THE BID AMOUNT PROPOSED.

8 6/30/2025 Fiber Jackets 27 05 11 Does the fiber jacket color have to be yellow?

Yes. Refer to SECTION 27 13 23 of the specifications:

COMMUNICATIONS OPTICAL FIBER BACKBONE CABLING.

Solicitation# 36C24525B0005 - Demolish Building 9H

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

9 6/30/2025 Part Number Section 27 11 19, subsection 2.2 – D

Need part number for FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTION CABINETS. Do they require locking front cover?

Yes. Refer to SECTION 27 11 16 of the specifications:

COMMUNICATIONS CABINETS, RACKS, FRAMES, AND ENCLOSURES and ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B, per:

GENERAL NOTES:

INSTALLATION OF NEW EQUIPMENT AND INTERIOR FINISHES IN ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY WORK UNDER THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT TO MEET ALL VA OIT STANDARDS. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

"INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARD FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPACES (ISTS), VERSION 4.0; JUNE 1, 2023 | INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS (IO)", "ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B: OIT DESIGN GUIDE TEMPLATE FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPACES", AND "PHYSICAL SECURITY AND RESILIENCY DESIGN MANUAL (PSRDM), OCTOBER 1, 2020, REVISED May 1, 2024".

BASIS-OF-DESIGN:

ORTRONICS: #OR-MM20724PDHD-W (OR EQUIVALENT), with all accessories. See CD's and ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B

NO for RACKS, see "TN101-D" ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B, per:

GENERAL NOTES:

INSTALLATION OF NEW EQUIPMENT AND INTERIOR FINISHES IN ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY WORK UNDER THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT TO MEET ALL VA OIT STANDARDS. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

"INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARD FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPACES (ISTS), VERSION 4.0; JUNE 1, 2023 | INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS (IO)", "ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B: OIT DESIGN GUIDE TEMPLATE FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPACES", AND "PHYSICAL SECURITY AND RESILIENCY DESIGN MANUAL (PSRDM), OCTOBER 1, 2020, REVISED May 1, 2024".

BASIS-OF-DESIGN: ORTRONICS: #OR-MM2073038-W (OR EQUIVALENT), with all accessories. See "TN101-D" and ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B.

10 6/30/2025 Part Number Section 27 11 19 subsection 2.4

Need PART number for FIBER OPTIC SPLICE CASSETTES.

Refer to Basis-of-Design

SECTION 27 11 19

COMMUNICATIONS TERMINATION BLOCKS AND PATCH PANELS

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.3 FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTION CASSETTES.

2.4 FIBER OPTIC SPLICE CASSETTES.

BASIS-OF-DESIGN: (PER ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B)

FIBER SPLICE CASSETTES (LC BREAKOUT)

RECOMMENDED LC FIBER SPLICE CASSETTE:

LEVITON HDX

PART NUMBER:

SPLCH-12GN (OS2)

DESCRIPTION:

HDX OS2 LC CASSETTE, (0.24 DB) 12-FIBER OS2 TO 12X1-FIBER LC(APC)

11 6/30/2025 Part Number Drawing Bid Set Drawing references these acronyms – FPL and FDC. Need part number for FPL and FDC.

FIBER PATCH PANEL (FPL)

RECOMMENDED FIBER DISTRIBUTION PANEL:

LEVITON ANGLED OPT-X™ UHDX

144 FIBER

ONE RU

FIBER DISTRIBUTION CASSETTE (FDC)

BASIS-OF-DESIGN: (PER ISTS, V4.0, APPENDIX B)

FIBER SPLICE CASSETTES (LC BREAKOUT)

RECOMMENDED LC FIBER SPLICE CASSETTE:

LEVITON HDX

PART NUMBER:

SPLCH-12GN (OS2)

DESCRIPTION:

HDX OS2 LC CASSETTE, (0.24 DB) 12-FIBER OS2 TO 12X1-FIBER LC(APC)

12 7/11/2025 Abatement Can you provide a quantity on the red level surfacing, none was given in the abatement report, is this throughout the entire 1st floor

Refer to Hazardous Materials Inspection Report, Table V - 43, Hazardous Materials Inventory: red floor leveling may be sporadically on the first floor. Abatement is required at all locations.

13 7/11/2025 Abatement Can the red level surfacing be removed as part of the concrete in the demolition portion of the job if the quantity is not large?

No - the red level surfacing shall not be treated as ordinary concrete demolition material. Regardless of quantity, any surfacing material that is classified or presumed to contain asbestos (ACM) must be properly abated in accordance with Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulations, EPA NESHAP, OSHA standards, and VA requirements prior to demolition.

Removal of the red level surfacing must be performed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor under an approved abatement plan, separately from concrete demolition. The material may not be disposed of as clean concrete.

14 7/11/2025 Abatement Can you please clarify if you expect all of the Stucco on the exterior of the building to be abated or just sections where it tested positive?

Yes, all the Stucco on the exterior of the building will need to be abated. The Stucco sections outside the tested areas or homogenous throughout the building and does contain asbestos. Abatement is required for all exterior Stucco.

15 7/11/2025 Abatement Can you please provide quantities on the white seam sealant as well, its just marked as extensively used and various?

Refer to Hazardous Materials Inspection Report, Table V - Harzardous Materials Inventory, pages Table V - 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 21, 25, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 43. You will need to clarify that you are referring to white duct sealant and white pipe seam sealant, which both contain asbestos, as referenced in the table.

16 7/11/2025 Abatement Can you give details on what is behind the stucco on the exterior of the building?

Contractor shall field verify conditions and include all required abatement in accordance with the contract documents. Contractor to verify existing exterior walls with Stucco directly on concrete.

17 7/11/2025 Abatement Are we responsible for clean-up of the exterior soil due to previous projects for lead and asbestos?

Soil contamination was not found. Previous projects have not contriubted lead and asbestos. Contractor is responsible for cleaning-up construction activities.

18 7/11/2025 Abatement If the state of Maryland grants a waiver and allows us to remove the exterior stucco using wet methods, will that be allowed by the VA without full containment?

No – the VA will not allow removal of the exterior stucco without full containment, even if a state waiver is granted.

All asbestos abatement activities must comply with federal, state, and VA requirements, and those requirements cannot be waived by the state or modified by the contractor.

(Even if the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) were to issue a waiver permitting removal of stucco using wet methods, the VA does not waive federal or VA requirements for asbestos work.

Per VA Master Specification Section 02 82 00 – Asbestos Abatement, EPA NESHAP (40 CFR 61, Subpart M), and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, all suspect or confirmed ACM (including the exterior stucco and associated parge coats) must be removed under full, regulated containment with negative air pressure, proper barriers, decontamination units, and all other required controls.

Wet methods are required to minimize fiber release, but use of wet methods alone does not remove the requirement for full containment and regulated abatement procedures.)

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