SPS Equipment Site Preparation Pre-Bid RFIs Responses.pdf

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SPS Equipment Site Preparation

Project #517-25-291

Pre-Bid RFIs

1. The SF1442 says there is no bid bond required, however page 5 or 75 states that one is required.

Question: Is a bid bond required for this solicitation?

A bid bond is required. An amendment to the SF1442 has been made, correcting section 12a, with the selection of ‘Yes’ to the question, “The Contractor must furnish any required performance and payment bonds?” The amendment to the SF1442 shall be posted in conjunction with the RFI answer posting in Amendment 0002.

2. Page 12 of 75 in the solicitation under additional requirements states: “Infection Control measures including negative pressure airflow and filtration, hard construction walls, solid doors, tacky mats, and warning signs will be utilized for project duration of both demolition and construction.”

Question: For bidding purposes, can the VAMC please provide a layout of the required hard barriers to include location and linear footage? Due to the forced shut down of

SPS, the entirety of the two rooms highlighted below can be used. Negating the hard barrier requirements, but all other ICRA requirements need to be met.

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Question: If the barriers meet a hard drywall ceiling, will the hard barriers be required to go to the deck in these areas? See previous question

Question: What level of ICRA is anticipated for this project? Level 3

3. Page 13 of 75 in the solicitation states: “Temporary work delays may be requested as needed, given the area of construction is in an occupied medical treatment facility.

Interruptions to patient care must be avoided and mitigated immediately upon request from VA COR.”

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Question: What is the government’s intent (timeline wise) when it comes to shutting down the SPS area to remove the existing equipment, prep the area, and turn it over for the vendor to install their provided equipment?

The intent is to minimize SPS downtime as much as possible. The most probable scenario, and the one the contractor should expect, is a shutdown started on a Thursday evening with expectation that the new equipment will be installed the following Monday.

4. Page 13 of 75 in the solicitation states: “Evening and weekend work may be required.

All work will be coordinated with the COR.”

Question: For bidding purposes, can it be identified how much evening and weekend work will be required?

See answer to question 3

5. Specification 01-00-00-1.19 TEMPORARY USE OF EXISTING ELEVATORS A. States

“Contractor will not be allowed the use of existing elevators. Outside type hoist shall be used by Contractor for transporting materials and equipment.”

Question: Considering the scope of this project, can the existing elevators be utilized?

It is very unlikely that elevator use will be require for this project. However, if necessary, the service elevator may be used.

6. Specification 01-33-23-1.6.E states “Provide electronic documents over 5MB through an electronic FTP file sharing system. Confirm that the electronic FTP file sharing system can be accessed from the VA computer network. The Contractor is responsible for setting up, providing, and maintaining the electronic FTP file sharing system for the construction contract period of performance.”

Question: Would a platform such as ProCore suffice to meet this requirement?

Yes

7. Specification 01-35-26-1.9.A states: “The Prime Contractor shall provide a Safety oversight team that includes a minimum of one (1) person at each project site, for each shift, to function as the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO). The Prime Contractor shall provide a minimum of one “Full-Time” SSHO at each project site, for each shift (with no other duties) that holds as current, a professional safety certification with at least 3 years of dedicated construction safety related experience. The SSHO shall ensure that the requirements of the VA and of 29 CFR 1926.16 are met for the project. The SSHO must be at the work site at all times, during construction activities, to implement and administer the Contractor's safety program and government-accepted Accident

Prevention Plan.”

Question: Due to the cost range on this project, can the project superintendent fulfill the role of the SSHO versus adding the cost of two dedicated on-site people for this purpose?

Yes

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8. Specification 01-35-26-1.9.A references EM385-1-1 as a standard for qualifications.

Question: Is the OSHA 30 sufficient for a project of this size?

Yes

9. Spec section 01 35 26 Safety Requirements 1.11 Inspections Z.B. states “A certified safety professional (CSP) with specialized knowledge in construction safety or a certified construction safety and health technician (CSHT) shall randomly conduct a monthly site safety inspection. The CSP or CSHT can be a corporate safety professional or independently contracted”

Question: For a project of this size, is the contractor responsible for hiring a safety professional and conducting random monthly inspections or can this be completed by the project superintendent or project manager?

Yes

10. Specification 02-82-11 Traditional Asbestos Abatement shows quantities for a project labeled Medical Surgical Ward. Then subsection 1.1.B states “A pre-renovation survey and sampling of suspect asbestos containing materials has not been completed in the work area. The Contractor shall retain the services of a credentialed asbestos professional to survey and sample materials for asbestos. The Contractor shall satisfy themselves of the actual quantities to be abated. Nothing in this section may be interpreted as limiting the extent of work otherwise required by this contract and related documents.”

Question: For bidding purposes, is the sample survey to be carried as an allowance?

No

Question: Is there expectation of discovering hazardous material on this project?

No

Question: If there is, would this be addressed as a change order?

If asbestos is discovered, there will be a contract modification to address it.

11. Specification section 02-82-11 Traditional Asbestos Abatement makes references to the

VAMC Certified industrial hygienist and the contractor’s certified industrial hygienist.

Question: If there is abatement to be performed, are both hygienists required?

No

12. Specification section 02 83 33.13 LEAD-BASED PAINT REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL states

“Sampling of painted and coated materials was not completed in the work area. The

Contractor shall retain the services of a credentialed lead professional to inspect and sample materials for lead. The Contractor shall satisfy themselves of the actual quantities to be abated. Nothing in this section may be interpreted as limiting the extent of work otherwise required by this contract and related documents.”

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Question: For bidding purposes, is the sample survey to be carried as an allowance?

No

Question: Is there expectation of discovering hazardous material on this project?

No

Question: If hazardous materials are present, would this be addressed as a change order?

Yes

13. Specification 06-20-00 Finish Carpentry references the below items:

a. Nurse Servers

b. Translucent Resin Panel System

c. Solid Surface Countertops

d. Open shelf units

e. Wood frames for translucent panel inserts

Question: Where are these items utilized on this project?

These items are not utilized in this project.

14. Specification section 22-40-00-3.3 Commissioning states: “Provide commissioning documentation in accordance with the requirements of Section 22 08 00

COMMISSIONING OF PLUMBING SYSTEMS.” Spec 22 08 00 was not included with this project.

Question: Is commissioning by the contractor required?

No

Question: If contractor commissioning is required, can spec 22 08 00 be provided?

No

15. Specification section 22-40-00 Plumbing Fixtures references the below items: a. 2.6

Carriers

b. 2.7 Water Closets

c. 2.8 Lavatories

d. 2.9 Sinks and Laundry Tubs

e. 2.10 Shower Bath Fixtures

f. 2.11 Emergency Fixtures (Eye wash and Drench Hose)

g. 2.12 Hydrant Hose Bibb

Question: Where are these items utilized on this project?

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The relocation of the sink in the drawings is the only expected section to be used.

However, during construction, if it is determined that another plumbing fixture needs to be altered, the other sections may apply.

16. It was mentioned at the site visit that the parts washer on the right side of the below screen shot drawing was not part of this project. Question: Can this be verified?

Correct, the parts washers on the right side of the Decon drawing and the left side of the

Prep&Pack drawing below do not exist and were put on the drawings by mistake. There are no plans to put additional parts washers in this location.

17. There are no specifications for electrical work, however there is mention of electrical work in the solicitation.

Question: Other than demolition, is there any additional electrical scope on this project?

Yes, conduits and electrical power source will need to be moved to accommodate new equipment. Electrical specs will be provided.

18. The provided product data sheets for the Steris Amsco 7052HP shows 2 options (one is offset from the wall and the other is flush to the wall). They appear to have the same dimensions.

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Question: For site prep clarification, what is the difference between the units?

Other than mounting type, there is no difference

Question: Will both units be utilized or just one, if only one, which one?

Both units will be flush mounted

19. The provided product data sheets for the Steris Amsco 7052HP shows the option to be a steam-heated unit and an electric-heated unit.

Question: For site prep clarification, what options are being selected for this unit?

The steam heated unit is being installed

20. The provided product data sheets for the Steris Amsco 400 Series shows different heights of units available

Question: For site prep clarification, what will be the unit height?

The unit height is 48”

21. The provided product data sheets for the Steris Amsco 400 Series shows different doors

(sliding and hinged) available?

Question: For site prep clarification, what will be the door configuration?

The unit door will be hinged

22. The provided product data sheets for the Steris Amsco 400 Series shows vacuum pump electric services available.

Question: For site prep clarification, what will be the electric service configuration?

Electrical configuration will not be necessary

Question: For site prep clarification, does the existing electrical service accommodate this or will modifications need to be made?

Existing electrical service shall accommodate the new equipment

23. Question: Will the contractor need to alter/replace the stainless-steel paneling around the current equipment once the new equipment is in place?

Once the new equipment is in place, all walls, floors, ceilings, panel walls, etc. will need to be replaced back to its original condition or as closely as possible.

24. Question: Do either door into Decon or Prep&Pac need to be altered to accommodate equipment delivery?

The doors into Decon and Prep&Pac do not need to be altered. However, after the solicitation for this project was released, Steris conducted a site visit, and identified one door leading into SPS will need the door and frame removed to get the equipment into

SPS. The meeting notes will be included. This door will need its frame removed and

P a g e 8 | 8 replaced once equipment is delivered. The same ICRA rules will apply except plastic barriers will be acceptable in place for hard barriers outlined in the specs.