512A5-21-304 2-20-25 Site Visit RFIs.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 24 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 36C24525R0019
About this file
This file is a Request for Information (RFI) spreadsheet containing multiple inquiries and responses related to a VA Medical Center steam system upgrade project in Perry Point, Maryland. The solicitation (36C24525R0019) involves a Phase V construction project to upgrade steam distribution systems in patient care areas, with a focus on underground piping, manholes, and utility infrastructure. Key details include ASME welding standards, third-party inspection requirements, and specific technical specifications for steam and condensate piping installation.
The project requires extensive coordination, with precise phasing plans to minimize facility disruptions. Contractors must adhere to strict quality control, safety, and infection control protocols. The solicitation is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), with evaluation criteria emphasizing experience in large-scale steam distribution projects. Critical requirements include 100% radiographic testing of field welds, compliance with Maryland Department of Environment permits, and installation of steam piping across multiple campus buildings while maintaining operational continuity.
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Sheet1
| RFI # | SECTION | QUESTION | VA RESPONSE | A/E RESPONSE |
| WMSCI-1 | Solicitation | After reviewing the HVAC welding specifcations and page 17 of the Solicitation package, if a contractor holds an ASME PP, U or R stamp, will a full time CWI onsite still be required. The ASME programs all ready have the required weld inspection criteria and documentation in the approved Contractor's ASME certification program. The additonal requirements on page 17 requiring another level of CWI inspection and 100% radiography will be extensive and costly to the Government. | CWI and 100% radiography for field welds is required | |
| WMSCI-2 | Solicitation | Has the VA informed MDE of this project and how it will impact the current NPDES permit? Can the VA provide a copy of the current NPDES permit for the campus? | MDE Stormwater and E&SC Permit (23-SF-0108) was approved and valid. The NPDES 20-CP NOI and MDE NOI to start work will be submitted specific for this project in the next couple weeks prior to award. | The VA needs to file the MDE Construction General permit. AMT can assist with this. |
| WMSCI-3 | Part 1.1.B | Specification section 33 08 00, Part 1,1.1.B indicates that the VA will appoint a Commissioing agent. Who is the VA appointed Commissioning Agent and their qualifications? Is the VA paying for the all of the Commissioning Agent's costs? | The VA has an existing contract set up with a 3rd-party Commissioning Agent. Once contract is awarded, the requested information will be shared. Vendor shall provide their own commissioning phase manager. | |
| WMSCI-4 | 33 08 00 3.2.A | Specification section 33 08 00, Part 3,3.2.A indicates that the VA appointed Commissioing Agent. will provde the Pre-functional Check List and the Systems Functional Performance Test procedures We are requesting a copy of the commissioning documents prior to the bid date so we can estimate the commissioning costs for the bid. | The commissioning documents will be provided once contract is awarded. See specification section 019100 for scope and systems to be commissioned. | |
| WMSCI-5 | Solicitation Page 17 | A requirement on page 17 indicates,"If a system of steam cannot be shutdown for the length of time or location the contractor requests, the contrator shall provide and install a temporary bypass system as required by the VA..." Based on this contract requirement, this is an unknown event and an undefined scope and unknown duration for a temporary system required by the contractor. How is the contractor to estimate an unknown event at an unknonw part of the steam system and the duration of time for an event controled by the VA? | The allowable hours and durations for the shutdown times is in the Project Phasing Notes on DWG G003. Shutdown times cannot exceed the duration specified. If the contractor feels they cannot complete the work in the allowed times, a temporary bypass pipe system is required and should be included in the proposal. This requirement is driven by contractor means and methods and proposed project phasing plan. | |
| WMSCI-6 | DWG CG-101 to CG502 | Have the Sediment & Erosion Controls drawings been submitted to the Maryland Department of Environment for permit approval? | Confirmed and approved - Permit 23-SF-0108. See MDE stamped E&SC drawings included with solicitation. | The project does have MDE approval for Erosion and Sediment control. Those drawings were sent by AMT with copy to VA on 4-8-24. Will resend if you don't have them. |
| WMSCI-7 | 23 22 13 4.1.5 QA | Through out the specifications including 23 22 13, there is reference to welder qualificaitons including ASME BVPC Title IX, ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.9. Which AMSE standards will be followed for the steam and condensate utility piping? Does the steam and condensate piping installer need to carry the ASME PP, U,S, or R stamps? | ASME Section IX contains the rules for qualifying welding procedures and welders. A qualified welder is one who has met the testing requirement of ASME Section IX and possesses the skills to produce sound welds as per the requirement of the construction code. The welder qualified to ASME has to follow a Welding Procedure Specification that is qualified by testing. The employer must qualify the welder when qualifying to the requirements of ASME Section IX. |
ASME B31.1 adn ASME B31.9 cover the material requirements
IAW 33 63 00 1.5.C.4 "All welds shall be stamped according to the provisions of the American Welding Society"
| WMSCI-8 | Geotechnical Report | Pleased provide a copy of the Geotech Report. | The Geotechnical Report will be provided | |
| AM-1/3 | DWG CU103/CU301 | Drawing CU103 utility keynote #7 states new steam pipe to be tunneled under bldg. walkway The new steam piping is shown approx. 7' below the walkways foundation What is the structural engineers intent for supporting the walkway structurally? Will the structure support itself when tunneled under? If we are to support this foundation what does the existing walkway foundation consist of? | Contractor shall provide all temporary sheeting and shoring required to allow for new steam pipe installation to occur. Maximum span width of unsupported tunnel footing < 4ft unless a longer span is approved by the contractor's engineer. Existing structure is linear strip footings supporting walls/roof with a floating slab-on-grade. | Refering to keynote 8, Piping can be jacked and bored, according to manufacturer. |
| AM-2/3 | DWG P101 | Drawing P1101 shows new sanitary piping and drains being installed Detail 1, what is the engineers intent for piping and drains to be installed/roughed in at the Basement plan level that extend over the crawl space area next to existing pool? Are we core drilling pool sidewall for piping and core drilling slab deck for drain which means rough-ins will need to be completed in crawl space or should we saw cut sections of wall and slab deck out, which will require structural details to infill of these areas after they are installed. Please advise As for underground sanitary and drains at sub basement detail 2 Do the drains need to be recessed, if so please provide depth and sweep raduis | Means and methods. Crawlspace is accessible - the recommended method would be to core drill wall/slab and make piping connections within the crawl space. | METHOD OF INSTALL MAY BE CHOSEN BY CONTRACTOR. DETAIL FOR TRENCH SHOWN ON P-501. |
| AM-3/3 | DWG P101 | As for underground sanitary and drains at sub basement detail 2, do the drains need to be recessed, if so please provide depth and sweep radius. | Drain grates shall be flush with top of slab. Recess drain body and install trap and piping sweeps as required to provide required slope to drain. | NOT RECESSED. |
| AM-1/20 | 01 00 00 1.2 Item C | Please confirm testing to be performed by the Department of Veterans Affairs retained testing laboratory. | Contractor shall perform all required testing and verification. The VA and Commissioning Agent will observe testing only. | |
| AM-2/20 | 01 00 00 1.2 Item E | Please confirm QA can be SSHO or Superintendent can be SSHO but QA cannot be Superintendent. | Confirmed - QA must be a separate position from Superintendent | |
| AM-3/20 | 01 00 00 1.6 Item I | Please confirm Fence is for lay down area only, that Sitework trenches will have to be covered & steam pits will need to be locked at the end of the day. | Fences must enclose both laydown/storage areas and distributed outdoor work areas. Trenches must be covered and steam pits locked daily. No material or equipment storage allowed outside of fenced areas. | |
| AM-4/20 | 01 00 00 1.6 Item K | Please confirm Temporary Power will need to be provided in areas that are not close to a building. | Confirmed, temporary power (ie. generator) will need to be provided for all exterior work areas. In general, power receptacles are not generally available outside of buildings. | |
| AM-5/20 | 01 00 00 1.8 Item A.1 | Please confirm where contractor is to store the items to remain property of VA as it relates to the construction site. | Case by case basis as directed by the COR. In general, contractor to de-install equipment and VA will pick up and store. | |
| AM-6/20 | 01 00 00 1.6 Item K | Please confirm if Temporary Heating / Cooling will be required. | If coordinated correctly and schedule followed, temporary heating should not be required. |
| AM-7/20 | 01 00 00 Item B | Please provide Geo Technical Report. | The Geotechnical Report will be provided | |
| AM-8/20 | 01 00 00 1.14 | Temporary roads shall be constructed and restoration performed by the Contractor Please confirm if we are required to construct temporary roads or protect / repair existing roads that may be damaged. | If existing roads or site features are damaged by contratcor equipment or work operations, the contractor will need to repair the damage. VA requests to minimize damage to lawn areas. The contractor will be required to restore/repair damaged areas upon completion of work. Turf areas damaged shall be re-graded, topsoiled, and hydroseeded. | |
| AM-9/20 | 01 00 00 1.13 | Please confirm if electronic CADD files will be provided for development of As-Built drawings. | Yes, CADD files will be made available if requested. Contractor is responsible for producing "redline" as-built markups. | |
| AM-10/20 | 01 00 00 1.17 | Please confirm what "chargeable electrical services" will we be charged for. | All electrical services that are provided by the VA will be at no cost. | |
| AM-11/20 | 01 00 00 1.6 Item H | Comply with Phasing plans to minimize shutdowns. Contractor shall provide manpower as needed to satisfy phasing requirements Please confirm phasing as shown on plans, no other phasing will be required. | Recommended phasing plan shown on drawings to minimize outages. Phasing plan may be subject to contractor means and methods. Coordinate final schedule and outage requests with project COR. | |
| AM-12/20 | 01 35 26 1.12 | Please confirm ICRA Classification that shall be utilized for "Type","Risk", "Class" for this project. Review of the ASHE Website, Procedure 01 35 26, Item 1.12 cannot be located, please advise. | Refer to SOW section 21.2.6. | |
| AM-13/20 | 01 35 26 1.12.H.1 | Please identify a location we should utilize for exhausting to the exterior of the building. | Contractor to investigate and provide solution. Work with COR and facility Infection Control officer. | |
| AM-14/20 | 01 45 00 3.4 Item B | Please confirm if the CQC Manager must be on site at all times. Would this position be in addition to the QC / SSHO or QC / Super? | CQCM is required to be on site periodically. QCM can be SSHO or Superintendent can be SSHO. CQCM can not double as the project Superintendent. | |
| AM-15/20 | 01 91 00 3.5 Item C | The Contractor shall provide a wireless internet network in the building for use during controls programming, checkout, and commissioning. Please confirm if a wireless internet network is existing and can be used. | The contractor will not be able to utilize any existing VA wireless networks. Programming to be completed at facility head end console. | |
| AM-16/20 | RFP 18.1 | All field welds (100%) shall be radiographic testing and inspected by a 3rd party inspector per ASME B31.1 Please confirm this applies to all field welds both above grade and below grade. If intended for above grade welds, please note this will have a bid impact on the schedule as certain areas of buildings may have to be evacuated during testing | Yes, this includes all welds. Coordinate testing scheduling with project COR. Most welds in this project are in exterior locations. | |
| AM-17/20 | RFP 18.1 | Please confirm if the certified weld inspector is to be present for all welds (below and above grade) on the steam and condensate systems | Yes, a weld inspector will be present for all welds | |
| AM-18/20 | RFP 18.1 | Please confirm is all piping (below and above grade) that is prefabricated offsite shall be completed by a shop currently certified with ASME stamp PP, U, or S | CONFIRMED. IAW 33 63 00 1.5.C.4 "All welds shall be stamped according to the provisions of the American Welding Society" | |
| AM-19/20 | RFP | Would consideration be given to extend the RFI due date Or for a second round of RFI’s be permitted to allow additional time to review the documents after the site walk was conducted. | Any extensions contemplated will be posted to the RFP. | |
| AM-20/20 | RFP Page 30 | States no more trenches shall be opened than can be completed in the same day. Please confirm trenches can remain opened as long as they are protected. | Trenches may remain open as long as they are protected at the end of the day, and erosion and sediment control practicies and dewatering/filter bags are in place to manage potential construction runoff during rain events. Coordinate with COR. | |
| WMSCI-Geo | Geotechnical Report | In order to determine whether ground water dewatering is necessary for this project, particularly for the steam installation,we kindly request a copy of the specific Geotechnical report for this job. | The Geotechnical Report will be provided. Some periodic trench dewatering will likely be required. | |
| WMSCI-Insp | Inspection | Please confirm who will be responsible for and pay the cost of the third-party inspection for this project. | The responsibility of procuring the 3rd party inspector falls to the contractor. | |
| RLS-1 | Is the QC individual required to be onsite at all times work is being performed? | QCM is required to be on site periodically, and during all major work activities | ||
| RLS-2 | Please confirm that Contractor is responsible for Stormwater NPDES, as this requires a licensed Engineer and can take a year or more to obtain. | Project already has a MDE Stormwater and E&SC design and Permit (23-SF-0108). The NPDES 20-CP NOI and MDE NOI to start work will be submitted by the VA and A/E specific for this project in the next couple weeks prior to award. Contractor shall be responsible for installing, maintaining, and inspecting all E&SC measures either specified or necessitated by contratcor means and methods. | Both VA and Contractor must file for separate NDPES permits. | |
| RLS-3 | Please confirm that PPQ’s includes projects within the last eight years and references/proof or experience is within the last five years. | (Evalutation Criteria) The VA requests that the Project Manager have a facility steam distribution project within 8 years. |
(SOW) Contractor must have 5 years experience with steam
VA requests that 5 years proof of experience be submitted.
| AVI-1 | Fire Alarm DWGs | Will existing stamped fire alarm prints or CAD drawing be able to be provided | Specific fire alarm prints can be made available for coordination purposes. Coorindate with project COR after award. FACP located in 14H Rm 119. | |
| AVI-2 | 26 05 26 | Spec 26 05 26 and Spec 28 05 28 3.5 B Ground resistance testing - Will testing be required since there is no alteration to the grounding system? | Existing building grounding electrode systems do not need to be tested. All new grounding systems (if occurs) shall be tested. Resistance of all new grounding system bonds shall be tested. | Not required. |
| AVI-3 | 26 05 73 1.15 | Spec 26 05 73 1.15 OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICE COORDINATION STUDY - Is there an existing study that the engineer would be able to utilize to create the new study. Will this be needed for every building? | Campus power study from 2009 available and can be sent after award for reference. This will be required for Bldg 14H. | VA to advise on existing studies. Coordination study only required for Building 14H. |
| AVI-4 | Solicitation A.5 | Under Selection Criteria, Item #2 states examples of experience with high pressure steam, condensate distribution, and underground utility work should be on a "large scale." Can the VA please define what is to be understood as "large scale"? Is this to be mean projects performed within the government's magnitude for this project of $10 Million - $20 Million? | Large scale: affects multiple buildings or floors, work esceeding 6 months duration, will require large amounts of coordination, will require new pre-fabricated piping/equipment to be installed, requires trenching, etc., and is of similar cost magnitude range as this project. | |
| AVI-5 | 01 45 00 3.4 | Can the VA please confirm that the onsite CQC System Manager cannot dual role and can only fill the duties of a CQC? | CQC can double as SSHO. CQC can not double as the project Superintendent. | |
| AVI-6 | A.5 Selection Criteria | Under Selection Criteria, Item #6 states for the prime contractor to identify and commit to the use of in-house labor or other types of Small Businesses as subcontractors as this will account for up to 5% of the total rating in this catergory. Can the VA please define what percentage of the total contract the GC needs to achieve of in-house labor and/or the use of small subcontractors in order to be granted the full 5% rating score? | At a minimum, FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting applies to this project as a SDVOSB set-aside procurement. Specific source selection rating method will not be disclosed, but in general a GC who utilizes 100% small business subcontracts will achieve the highest level rating. | |
| BCC/VGJV-1 | 10 00 00 1.3 | Statement of Bid Items partially reads, “Provide temporary boiler for Bldg 17H during construction period". What is design criteria for the input & output required from this temp boiler and where will it be located? Need a single-line diagram to incorporate the unit into existing piping arrangement and a source for electrical power and clean water. | Temporary boilers require a substantial amount of reviews and approvals and should be avoided. Coordinate shutdown and phasing schedule with COR and facility M&O to avoid this condition. Suggest steam piping between MH19B and 17H to be installed as a seperate phase allowing 17H to be backfed steam from MH19A and the other side of the building/campus loop while completing work between 19B and 17H. | No temporary boiler required. Consult with VA on shutdown durations for Bldg 17H. |
| BCC/VGJV-2 | 01 00 00 Electrical Raceway | Drawing CU105 indicates an electrical raceway between new manholes 26 & 27. ES002 locates MHs slightly different and not the same routing as shown on drawing CU105. Which drawing is correct? | Route electrical raceway IAW ES002 | Proceed as shown on ES002. CU105 will be amended. |
| BCC/VGJV-3 | DWG CU102/4/5 | Demolition keynote #1, on applicable CU drawings 102, 104 & 105, suggests there is up to 16” of under the asphalt. Does concrete need to be replaced, if so, at what thickness? There’s approx. 5,000 SF of this removal / replacement noted. | See 4/CU501 for asphalt replacement detail. Concrete slabs that occur below asphalt does not need to be replaced. Provide full depth aggregate base and asphalt base course in-lieu of concrete. | |
| BCC/VGJV-4 | ICRA | Will electrical raceway installation through Buildings 314B/C & 11H, feeding circuits to MH #9H & #26 respectively, require ICRA? | ICRA II controls apply to this work item if working within a building patient care or public/staff area. Coordinate with project COR after award depending on means and methods. | Yes. |
| BCC/VGJV-5 | SOW Task 1 | Scope of Work Task 1 listing starting on page 9 - Building 17H to Manhole 19B and continuing to page 10 with the following 3 lines seem to conflict with drawing CU103. Is the only segment above ground between 17H – 19B? Is there also a segment between 19B – 15H, noted to be above ground, or should that segment read “Building 17H to Building 15H”? | Per G003 Phasing Schedule: "HPS, LPC AND HPC FROM MANHOLE 19B WILL BE ROUTED ABOVE GROUND TO 17H, THROUGH 17H, AND UNDERGROUND TO 15H." | VA to reply, but only segment above ground is 19B to 17H. |
| BCC/VGJV-6 | Site Visit | During the site visit, we were not allowed in all buildings / rooms that have Scope. For example, only room 9A in building 19H. We did see pool rooms 3, 4 & 5 in building 14H, to and from the tunnel / corridor. We also saw building 19H’s mechanical room (the scope is outside that room). Do the rooms in building 19H impacted by mechanical & electrical work require temporary & removal / replacement work? | DWG G003 Project Phasing Note for Phase 3: 19H MECH ROOM STEAM STATIONS WILL BE DONE AT SEPERATE TIME AFTER MAIN STEAM TIE-IN. STEAM STATION WORK COULD BE SEVERAL DAYS WITHIN CONGESTED AREA. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SEPARATE WORK SCHEDULE FOR THIS AREA |
BCC/VGJV-7 Staffing Please confirm the required positions for this contract and which can be dual-hatted:
a. Superintendent – Dual-hatted (Y / N) – with Site Safety & Health Officer duties as stated in Solicitation.
b. Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO) – Dual-hatted (Y / N) – with Superintendent duties as stated in Solicitation.
c. Quality Control Manager (QCM) – Dual-hatted (Y / N) – with Assistant Superintendent duties, if Certified as QCM? a) Confirmed - Superintendent can be SSHO.
b) see above
c) QCM can not double as the project Superintendent. Assistant superintendent is not a defined position required.
| BCC/VGJV-8 | Site Logistics | Which parking lot(s) are considered for contractor parking? Can we get that (those) location(s) for purposes of logistics / approach responses with Technical Submission, including possible material storage & staging areas? | The VA will work with the contractor to establish a parking area/storage area/staging area. These areas will most likely change as the project progesses and the work areas move |
| BCC/VGJV-9 | On-Line Submission | Can Proposal Submission (Pricing & Technical) be sent on-line before Bid Deadline and then follow up within 2-days with Original & (1) copy via special delivery? | Proposals should be emailed, and must be received by the contracting officer before the posted closing date and time of this RFP to qualify for consideration. |
| BCC/VGJV-10 | Solicitation page 20 | On page 20 of 118, 3rd-Party professional engineer stated to be registered in Delaware for design of excavation boxes or shoring, where necessary. Should this be Maryland? | This should be Maryland |
| BCC/VGJV-11 | Solicitation page 29 | Page 29 of 118 allows for existing wiring circuits & conduits to be reused if they are in good condition. Are we to assume they are in good condition & not in need of replacement? The drawings only indicate device replacement or in some instances, extending circuit to another location inside the Manhole itself. There is a similar statement regarding the existing duplex condensate receiver. Do we include replacement costs? | Replacement should be accounted for, particularly in mechanical rooms and manholes. Wiring/conduit may be reused at the discretion of the COR during construction. |
| BCC/VGJV-12 | FS & FA DWGS | List of Drawing Sheets does not reference FS & FA series of drawings that are contained in the drawing PDF. Should these drawings be part of the Work? | FS/FSD/FA DWGS included in INDEX OF DRAWINGS. Yes, these drawings are part of the work | Section 00 01 15 pg 4 list FA and FS drawings. Yes, they should be included |
| BCC/VGJV-13 | Groundwater Info | Is there groundwater elevation information along the proposed trench excavation and/ or at the new manhole locations? | The Geotechnical Report will be provided. | |
| BCC/VGJV-14 | -- | Specification Section 31 20 00 contains subsection 1.5 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT FOR EXCAVATION. Is excavation to be paid for on a unit price basis as described in this subsection? Would this also include a separate unit price for rock excavation? | Payment for excavation will not be unit price T&M - all excavation/fill/borrow requirements for work scope shall be included in lump sum proposal. Rock excavation will not be required - soil type is silty sandy clay. | |
| BCC/VGJV-15 | Hazardous Materials page 9 & 30 | An “Asbestos and Lead Testing Reports for affected project buildings” is listed on page 9 of the Solicitation. Is this report the “Hazardous Material” section of the Solicitation that begins on page 30? | Hazardous Material locations are within the drawings DWG H101-110. Full Testing reports will be made available to successful offeror after award. | |
| BCC/VGJV-1 | Clarifications | #1: Most, if not all drawings, do not show anchor locations on the steam and condensate piping. On the underground portion, these are often located 5 ft outside of every vault, building, or wall penetration The underground piping manufacturer quotes the anchor plates to be welded in place and ready to be formed in concrete Please provide these dimensions so the contractor can quote appropriately. #2: The specs do not call for the insulation on the direct burry piping to be domestic, please confirm the insulation does not need to be domestic. | #1: Delegated design / manufacturer specified item. Consult with chosen prefab piping supplier. |
#2: All products procured and installed under this project shall comply with FAR 52.225-11 Buy American-Construction Materials under Trade Agreements as defined in the solicitation. #1: See M502 detail 3. Anchors 5ft from manholes and buildings walls.
#2: VA to advise
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