36C24618R0839-0003001.pdf

Request for Proposals 36C24618R0839

Project: 659-16-103, Replace Campus Fire Alarm System

Responses to RFP Questions

1. Question: Are there any hot areas (eg: asbestos, lead paint, lead tile) that need to be tested for? If so, how is abatement to be handled?

Answer: The Contractor is to notify the COR of finding any hazardous materials. Existing work to be altered or extended and that is found to be defective in any way shall be reported to the COR before it is disturbed. The areas of work to be performed will be identified by COR and Contractor during the project pre-survey.

2. Question: In the .pdf section with the “FD” drawings, there was drawing FA 132. Is there a FD 132 available?

Answer: Yes. See attached

3. Question: In one area, the moving of shelves is to be coordinated with the VA. Is the moving of shelves and contents to be done by the VA?

Answer: To be coordinated during construction.

4. Question: Is there a wall and ceiling schedule showing wall and ceiling finishes for the buildings to aid with patching/painting estimating?

Answer: There is no finish schedule for the buildings.

5. Question: Is a HEPA cart needed in any areas? If so what standard/rating/style is required? We are asking because within some hospital chains it seems the hygienists don’t always require the same.

Answer: Refer specification 01 35 26 -1.12 Infection control. The risk classification identified on the

Infection Control permit to determine the requirements for filtration.

6. Question: If we encounter ceiling areas where raceway can be installed due to available space will the

VA accept free air cabling?

Answer: No, Fire alarm cables shall be installed in RED conduits.

7. Question: Specification states that all new conduit and boxes/covers be “Factory” painted RED, is that the intention?

Answer: Yes, all new conduit shall be factory painted RED.

8. Question: Based upon the requirement to keep the existing system operational until the end of the project, it will not be possible to utilize existing raceway or cable, is the intent to install all new raceway and cable?

Answer: No, only new fire alarm devices shall be in new conduit with new cabling.

9. Question: Does the reference in the specification for Bicsi certified cable installers apply to the Fire cable or just the communication cabling? Same for the RCDD certification.

Answer: VA spec section 28 31 00, item 1.1 B and N: The installing contractor/company shall employ

NICET technicians. RCDD requirements will be for the new fiber optic cable installation, termination and testing.

10. Question: Safety Spec 01 35 26 calls for a random monthly site safety inspection by a Certified

Safety Professional or a certified Construction Safety and Health Technician. Please confirm that this is required.

Answer: Yes.

11. Question: On the project: Replace Campus Fire Alarm System in the Price‐Cost Schedule in the

Solicitation: Base Bid + Deduct Alt 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. However, on FA‐117 There is a note about Bid

Alternate 7 on the far-right hand side.

Answer: This is supposed to be alternate # 1. See Amendment 3, page 2, for addendum.

12. Question: 27 10 00 2.3 Existing Wiring & 28 05 13 Existing Wiring: These sections state that existing wiring cannot be used for the new system. Can you please confirm that it is the intent of the project to replace all of the wiring throughout each fire alarm system on all circuits?

13. Question: General: Are as built drawings of the existing fire alarm systems available to see how existing conduit is run?

Answer: Drawings are not accurate with location of existing conduit.

14. Question: Is there any asbestos present on site that could affect this project?

Answer: No asbestos is identified. The Contractor is to notify the COR of finding any hazardous materials.

15. Question: Is this project subject to state sales tax?

Answer: This is not a tax-exempt project.

16. Question: 28 05 00 Common work results for ESS: Section 1.4 page 7 states that the contractor shall provide proof that the project superintendent or technician must be BISCI certified and a staff Registered

Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) . Is this intended for the fire alarm wiring or just the fiber optic network between buildings?

Answer: RCDD requirements will be for the new fiber optic cable installation, termination and testing.

17. Question: 28 05 00 Common work results for ESS: Section 1.4 page 7 states that the contractor shall provide proof that the project superintendent or technician must be BISCI certified. Can these requirements be fulfilled by a subcontractor of the General Contractor?

Answer: RCDD requirements will be for the new fiber optic cable installation, termination and testing.

18. Question: General question: Given the fact that the existing fire alarm cannot be taken down for very long combined with the fact that all of the wiring must be new, is it the intent of the project to run all new conduit?

19. Question: When working above ceilings in the hospital, is the contractor expected to use a HEPA cart for infection control?

Answer: Refer specification 01 35 26 -1.12 Infection control. The risk classification identified on the

Infection Control permit to determine the requirements for filtration.

20. Question: There is another project to renovate building 11 that bids at the same time as this project.

Does that project effect this project in any way?

Answer: Delete building 11 drawings FD128 and FA128.

21. Question: Directional boring is described on drawing FA-501 for new underground raceways. Is there a requirement for any of the new raceways to be encased in concrete?

Answer: No, unless the drawings calls for it in a plan note.

22. Question: Where will the designated laydown & parking area be for workers accessing the construction site?

Answer: Locations shall be determined at the pre-construction meeting.

23. Question: Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? The software is compatible with the VA’s networks and is currently in use at many VA locations.

Answer: Currently the VA Salisbury accepts use of Procore. The standard VA forms and publication are still required to be used for the contract i.e. daily reports.

24. Question: During construction in an area where the ceilings or fire suppression system will be disrupted, will NFPA 241 apply? Will the government require additional security measures beyond NFPA code such as fire watch, temporary fire alarms, adjustments to sprinkler heads, etc.

Answer: Fire Alarm work shall meet NFPA, and VA , see section 01 35 26, item 1.14 L.

25. Question: Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

Answer: The services, person or persons will not be known at award of contract.

26. Question: Has the work area been checked for lead based paints or/and asbestos?

Answer: No. There are locations that will have unforeseen condition.

27. Question: Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

Answer: The Contracting Officer and requiring facility have no specific knowledge regarding future placement of tariffs. In extreme cases, the situation may be evaluated.

28. Question: What is the level of infectious disease control rating for this site?

Answer: Not Applicable. The measures in determining the rate is based on frequency in the perspective of the size of the population over a specified period of time.

29. Question: Can the qualified Super act as the SSHO?

Answer: The evaluation criteria address this question, allowing the Superintendent to also be the SSHO if they are qualified.

30. Question: How will the GC handle conduit running to congested spaces above ceilings where existing conduits, pipes, ducts be in the way of running new conduit? Walls furrouts, ceiling furrdowns?

Answer: Refer specification 01 00 00. 1.7 Alterations.

31. Question: Will any necessary modifications to existing MEP infrastructure above the ceilings be considered unforeseen conditions?

Answer: Refer to the drawings for any identified modifications to existing MEP infrastructure. Any modifications other than those required by the drawings will be addressed as those situations arise.

32. Question: There were a few subcontractors who would want to go and confirm a few existing site conditions on site. Will another site visit be possible?

Answer: One site visit was provided for this solicitation. No additional site visits are being authorized for this project.

33. Question: Will the price be broken down into those 22 Sections shown on the price proposal breakdown?

Answer: Only the sections that are relevant to the project.

34. Question: Is the VA expecting a breakdown for all the alternates listed in the Specification book?

Answer: The breakdown form is specifically identified as only being used for the base proposal item. A breakdown is not needed for the alternates, unless discussions are held and the VA needs further information at that time.

35. Question: Is there a phasing plan that dictates the sequence of the buildings to be worked on?

Answer: Refer to specification 01 00 00.1.6 Operation and Storage Areas G. Phasing.

36. Question: How many different crews will the VA allow to be onsite in different buildings?

Answer: The Medical Center shall maintain its operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Therefore, any interruption in service shall be scheduled and coordinated to ensure no lapse in operations occurs. It is the

Contractor’s responsibility to develop a work plan and schedule detailing, at a minimum, the procedure to be employed, the equipment and materials to be used, the interim life safety measure to be used during the work, and a schedule defining the duration of the work with milestone subtasks. The Contractor shall provide the COR with a schedule of approximate dates on which the Contractor intends to accomplish work in each specified area of site, building or portion thereof.

37. Question: Will different crews need their own assigned Super or will the VA provide escorts?

Answer: The concept of a VA escort isn't associated with the need for supervision of the project. The

VA will not, and is not responsible for, superintendence of the project. Only one Superintendent needs to be on-site when work is being completed. Subcontractors are required to have a "Competent Person", per

OSHA and the Specifications, overseeing the work they are performing, in addition to the General

Contractor's Superintendent and SSHO. The General Contractor needs to ensure that the work is being prosecuted in a manner to provide effective supervision in accordance with FAR 52.236-6 –

Superintendence by the Contractor, and Specification sections regarding work safety.