RFI Responses.pdf

RFI Specification Answered by Answer Following approval of the CPM schedule, the VA, the General Contractor, its approved CPM Consultant, RE office representatives, and all subcontractors needed, as determined by the SRE, shall meet to discuss the monthly updated schedule. Is it possible to provide these monthly meetings via Webex in lieu of in person?

01 32 13.15; 1.9D COR Yes, monthly meetings via any VA approved site is possible.

Example of VA approved systems are Zoom, Teams, GoTo meeting, etc. Any others can be tested during the first meeting to determine any connectivity issues.

The SSHO or an equally-qualified Designated Representative/alternate will maintain a presence on the site during construction operations in accordance with FAR Clause 52.236-6: Superintendence by the Contractor. Please clarify that this identifies the SSHO may also share the superintendent role if qualified.

01 35 26; 1.7D COR Yes, the SSHO can share the responsibility with the superintendent or the QC manager if qualified, however the QC manager cannot share responsibility with the superintendent. See attached updated spec section.

B. 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. The CSP or CSHT will provide their certificate number on the required report for verification as necessary. Please clarify if this is in addition to the inspections conducted by the onsite SSHO.

01 35 26; 1.9B COR Yes, it is an addition.

The CQC System Manager is assigned as CQC System Manager but can have duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control but not SSHO. Can the CQC System Manager be offsite with the Super/SSHO onsite?

01 45 00; 1.4B COR Per spec section "This CQC System manager is on the site at all times during construction and is employed by the General Contractor."

B. The Contractor is to appoint an individual, company or firm to act as the Commissioning Agent. Please confirm all costs associated with the CxA are by the

GC.

01 91 00; 1.8B COR Yes, all cost are by the GC.

There are no testing requirements within section 03 30 53. Please clarify if any testing is required and who is responsible for the testing and costs.

03 30 53 A/E Please see attached for testing requirements. The general contractor is responsible for testing and costs.

A. Preconstruction Testing:

1. Engage independent testing laboratory to tests and submit reports.

a. Deliver samples to laboratory in number and quantity required for testing.

2. Test mortar and materials specified.

3. Mortar:

a. Test for compressive strength and water retention according to ASTM C270.

Please clarify if any testing is required and who is responsible for the testing and costs.

04 05 13; 1.5A AE Please refer to masonry notes on drawings sheet S-001 and see attached for testing requirements. The general contractor is responsible for testing and costs Response: The contractor must provide testing.

01 45 29, TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES.

1. Take and test samples during progress of work according to ASTM C780. 01 45 29 is not included. In Division 01 00 00 it identifies all 3rd party testing is by the VA. Could you please clarify if this testing is by the GC or the VA?

04 05 13; 3.4A AE Please see attached for testing requirements. The general contractor is responsible for testing and costs. The VA may choose to contract separate services from the GC to validate the testing.

A. Record Survey:

1. Engage registered land surveyor or registered civil engineer as specified in Section 01 00 00, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS to perform survey.

2. Measure and record structural steel framing plumbness, level, and alignment after completing bolting and welding and before installation of work supported by structural steel.

Please verify the Survey Comapny and report are to be provided by the GC.

05 12 00; 3.3A COR Yes, provided by the GC.

A. Field Inspections and Tests: Performed by testing laboratory specified in Section 01

45 29, TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES.

1. Perform inspections and tests before concealing air barrier with subsequent work.

B. Inspections:

1. Compatibility of materials within air barrier system and adjacent materials.

2. Suitability of substrate and support for air barrier.

3. Suitability of conditions under which air barrier is applied.

4. Adequacy of substrate priming.

5. Application and treatment of joints and edges of transition strips, flexible opening transitions, and accessory materials.

6. Continuity and gap-free installation of air barrier, transition strips, and accessory materials. Section 01 45 29 was not included. Is this testing to be 3rd party and is the VA or the GC responsable for the costs?

07 27 26; 3.3 AE The general Contractor, see attached spec section

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, and assemblies. 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.

Will this inspection company be hired by the GC or the VA?

07 84 00; 1.4C COR The general Contractor, see attached spec section.

Preconstruction Field-Adhesion Testing: Before installing elastomeric sealants, field test their adhesion to joint substrates according to Method A, Field-Applied Sealant Joint Hand Pull Tab, in Appendix X1.1 in ASTM C1193 or Method A, Tail Procedure, in

ASTM C1521.

1. Locate test joints where indicated in construction documents or, if not indicated, as directed by COR.

2. Conduct field tests for each application indicated below:

a. Each type of elastomeric sealant and joint substrate indicated.

b. Each type of non-elastomeric sealant and joint substrate indicated. Are these tests required to be 3rd party and if so who is responsable for the costs, the GC or the VA?

07 92 00; 1.3E COR The general Contractor, see attached spec section

C. Test Specimen:

1. Include window assembly and construction. Affix test chamber to interior side of test specimen and the conduct testing using positive static air pressure (Test method A).

2. Test specimens to be selected by the Contracting Officer's Representative after windows have been installed according to the drawings and specification. How many of the windows require this testing? Is the GC or the VA responsible for the costs associated with the testing?

08 51 13; 3.5 AE The COR will request at least 20% of the windows to be tested, however if testing fails the VA reserves the right to request additional testing to other windows. The general Contractor is responsible for cost.

1. Moisture test and pH results performed by a qualified independent testing agency or warranty holding manufacturer’s technical representative.

Are these test costs by the GC or the VA?

09 05 16; 1.3D COR By the GC.

A. Test floors in accordance with ASTM C627 to show compliance with codes 1 through 10. This is destructive testing. Do you want this testing done for all tile and who will pay for the repairs and the testing, the GC or the VA?

09 30 13; 3.18A COR By the GC.

Non-Destructive Examination of Piping Welds:

1. Perform radiographic examination of 50 percent of the first 10 welds made and 10 percent of all additional welds made. The COR reserves the right to identify individual welds for which the radiographic examination must be performed. All welds will be visually inspected by the COR. The VA reserves the right to require testing on additional welds up to 100 percent if more than 25 percent of the examined welds fail the inspection.

2. An approved independent testing firm regularly engaged in radiographic testing shall perform the radiographic examination of pipe joint welds.

All radiographs shall be reviewed and interpreted by an ASNT Certified Level III radiographer, employed by the testing firm, who shall sign the reading report.

3. Comply with ASME B31.1. Furnish a set of films showing each weld inspected, a reading report evaluating the quality of each weld, and a location plan showing the physical location where each weld is to be found in the completed project.

The specification calls for x-rays of the welds by 3rd party. Is this 3rd party and costs by the VA or the GC?

23 22 13; 3.2H AE The general Contractor.

Contractor shall provide all rent, labor, materials, tools, equipment, and construction services needed to provide a leased temporary Clinical/Medical Building (Modular Trailers). To price this correctly we need to know the power, communications, plumbing, HVAC, sprinkler, and other requirements for each room within the temporary building. Does it need to be sprinklered and have a fire alarm system with monitor? Could the government provide these design requirements so we are able to price the work? What access requirements are necessary? Sidewalks? ADA ramp? Covered entrance? Is there a very specific location for the trailer?

COR Per the drawings the mobile until shall meet NFPA and JCAHO regulations for clinical space. Refer to G-003 and G-003A for additional information.

Is this project taxable? Solicitation Contracting No

Alternate IV Deduct Alternate "Perform all work described in Base Proposal, Alternate I,II and III except: replacing the existing metal sloped roof." The base drawings do not indicate replacing the existing standing seam roof. There is note 4 on sheet AD109 that reads " Existing standing seam metal roof and fascia to remain. Scrape existing standing seam metal roofing and fascia to remove all rust and corrosion, and prepare surface for refinishing, as indicated on the new work roof plans." Roof Drawing AS109 note 1 reads " Clean, prepare, and refinish existing standing seam roofing and fascia" Is this alternate still valid ?

Solicitation Alternates

Yes

Will there be landscaping drawings issued for the area in and around Pod S at the two building addition locations?

AE No landscaping plan to be issued. Seed, topsoil and fertilize all pervious areas disturbed by construction.

Is there an existing lawn irrigation system that needs to be modified due to the new foundations that are going in? If yes can you please provide the as-built drawing for the existing lawn irrigation system?

COR No

Are we to assume that prior to construction start of each phase the VA will remove and store off site all furniture, fixtures, equipment, books, shelving, exercise equipment, personal items, ect. for the pod that we will be working in? And move back in and reinstall after construction is complete?

COR No, GC is responsible. See notes in the drawings

Will there be a requirement for temporary patient housing trailers? COR No In the report of hazardous materials it talks about asbestos containing materials at existing curb flashing, base flashing, pitch pockets, etc. Since the roofing is to remain, do you just want to remove the asbestos containing materials where affected by the two small building additions at POD S only?

Asbestos Report COR No

In the report of hazardous materials it talks about lead paint on 3 existing hollow metal door frames. Since these doors are existing to remain and are not called out to have new paint finish are we to leave them as is? If no, can you please provide details and new finishes for the 3 frames or how you want them remediated.

Hazardous Matls Report

COR Yes, Leave "AS-IS"

Is there any perimeter drain tile that we have to relocate due to the two new building additions in Pod S?

AE Existence of drain tile unknown

Can you provide any soil borings at the two new building additions at Pod S? If no soil borings are available, are we to assume bear soil at proposed design depths?

COR SOIL BORINGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. REFER TO SHEETS S-101 AND

S-102 FOR FOUNDATION ELEVATION.

Reference Sheet G-004, the floor plans show Bid Deduct I, III, V for all the Pods. Please confirm this should read Bid Deduct I, III,IV.

COR this should read Bid Deduct I, III,IV

Reference Sheet G-003A, with 30 days of activation between phases, there are a total of 180 calendar days of non-construction time.

Referencing the time deducts in Attachment D, Alternate Proposal Items, this leaves only 36 days per building in Alternate 4, 78 days per building in Alternate 3, 113 days per building in alternate 2 and 122 days per building in alternate 1. Since the critical path is still HVAC and electrical scopes of work, the Contractor will need the full duration to still complete the non-deducted scopes, especiall for Pod S with the new building additions. As there are $3,720 of liquidated damages per day, we respectfully request for each Deduct Alternate to keep the full duration of 730 days form NTP.

COR There a total of 120 days for activation between phases.

Taking into consideration the critical path see attached updated bid items duration

Reference page 7 of the RFP, for Part II - Past Performance, in addition to PPQ's, can we include the CPARS for the relevant projects in this section?

Contracting CPARS can be included.

Reference page 7 of the RFP, Part III - Price, please confirm that the Offeror should include the bid bond in this Part.

Contracting The bid bond can be included in this Part

Reference Spec section 010000, paragraph 1.2.D, please confirm that Prime Contractor will not need to hire its own Testing Laboratory.

COR All Testing is the GC responsibility

Reference Spec sections 22 08 00 and 23 08 00 paragraph 1.1.B, the Commissioning Agent will be appointed by the VA. Please confirm the VA will contract directly with the Commissioning Agent.

COR No, the GC is responsible for the commissioning agent

There are numerous references to the requirements for corporate experience and past performance projects and they all differ as shown below.

Please clarify the minimum threshold for similar projects (e.g. scope, whether not they must be in hospitals, etc.)

a. Part 1, Subfactor 2 the paragraph for “Criteria” indicates that the minimum threshold for similar work is projects “where the principle objective was structural repair/structural renovations of hospitals within the United States, with a total contract value exceeding $2,000,000”.

b. The next paragraph, “Minimum Standard of Acceptability” states that the minimum threshold is ‘Projects where the principle objective was mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrade renovations and building additions of hospitals within the United States, with a total contract value exceeding $2,000,000.

c. The corporate project experience form identifies similar work as “commercial building remodel/renovation; minimum threshold value exceeding $500,000”.

d. Part II, Past Performance includes the statement that “references meeting the “minimum threshold” criteria, but not related to hospital renovations will be rated “Somewhat Relevant””.

Contracting a&b. Sub-Factor 2 Criteria has been updated to include, "Projects where the principle objective was mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrade renovations and building additions of hospitals within the United States, with a total contract value exceeding $2,000,000). "

c. The solicitation stating $2,000,000 is correct. The corporate experience form has been updated.

It is our understanding that the projects evaluated for both Part 1, Subfactor 2, Corporate Experience and Part II, Past Performance should be the same. Is this correct?

Contracting They do not have to be the same. They will have to meet the criteria stated in the solicitation.

Please confirm that an established program of smaller renovation projects which collectively meet the minimum threshold will be acceptable as Corporate Experience.

Contracting Each project needs to meet the minimum threshold.

Would past performance be considered relevant if multiple task orders were issued at the same facility, during similar or the same timeframe, when combined together are over $2,000,000? For example Phase 1 of a project at the Hampton VAMC is $1,500,000 and Phase 2 is $750,000 but are issued under separate contracts, can they be combined for the purposes of a single PPQ and be considered relevant and greater than $2,000,000?

Contracting They cannot be combined to meet the minimum threshold.

If projects are submitted as past performance that are over $2,000,000 with renovation and MEP scopes, not in a hospital setting but on a government or similar facility, will those projects be considered relevant?

Contracting As the solicitation states, "Past Performance references meeting the “minimum threshold” criteria, but not related to hospital renovations, will be rated “Somewhat Relevant.”

Will projects less than $2,000,000 be considered acceptable, if the other criteria are met?

Contracting Pg. 17 of the solicitation states the Criteria for Past Perfromance. It reads, "Offerors must provide a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of eight (8) references of their choice of completed projects, similar in size and scope (minimum threshold: Projects where the principle objective was renovations to hospital facilities within the United States, with a total contract value exceeding $2,000,000)."

Will projects completed at facilities other than a hospital be considered acceptable, if the other criteria are met?

Contracting Pg. 16 of the solicitation read, "Past Performance references meeting the “minimum threshold” criteria, but not related to hospital renovations, will be rated “Somewhat Relevant”.

Please confirm that the amount to be inserted for Alternate I is simply the amount to be deducted for not replacing all the existing windows.

GOV Add the deduct and bottom line after the deduct has been removed.

Please confirm that the amount to be inserted for Alternate II is simply the amount to be deducted for not providing and installing new switchgear for the building.

AE This statement is correct. Alternate II is simply stating that the new switchgear for the building will not be installed and the existing switchgear is to remain. Add the deduct and bottom line after the deduct has been removed.

Please confirm that the amount to be inserted for Alternate III is simply the amount to be deducted for not replacing existing plumbing system.

AE Add the deduct and bottom line after the deduct has been removed.

Please confirm that the amount to be inserted for Alternate IV is simply the amount to be deducted for not replacing the existing metal sloped roof.

AE Add the deduct and bottom line after the deduct has been removed.

Please confirm that the “existing plumbing system” referenced in Alternate III includes: all plumbing piping and associated appurtenances, all plumbing fixtures, and all associated architectural demolition and new finishes.

AE Correct. Add the deduct and bottom line after the deduct has been removed.

Please further define the work associated with Alternate IV “replacing the existing metal sloped roof”. The only requirement to replace the existing metal sloped roof is in the area associated with the new building addition:

Note 2 on Dwg. AD108 and Note 5 on Dwg. AS108. If the existing roofing in this area is not to be placed will new details in the area of the new addition?

AE Sheets AD108 and AS108 clearly indicate what areas of the roofs that will be removed and new.

Please advise if there are any page limitations to any subsection of the TAB B Technical Capability?

Contracting There is not a page limitation stated.

Is it acceptable to include the Bid Guarantee in Part III? Contracting Yes.

Regarding the Temporary Mobile Trailers shown on Sheet G-003A, is there a particular floorplan or layout required for the rooms and offices?

GOV No, as long as it meets the required amount of rooms and sizes as identified in the drawings

Regarding the Temporary Mobile Trailers shown on Sheet G-003A, are there any special requirements for locking / key requirements?

GOV No. However, the GC will provide 20 Exterior door keys and 2 interior office door keys per office doors.

Regarding the Temporary Mobile Trailers shown on Sheet G-003A, is there a preferred Modular trailer company?

GOV No, however Modular Genius Smart Building layout was used as basis of design

16. “This section seems to be missing. It discusses the roof in the air/vapor barrier section. SECTION 07 27 26 FLUID-APPLIED MEMBRANE AIR BARRIERS, VAPOR PERMEABLE

Transitions: Section 07 52 16.13 STYRENE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE MODIFIED

BITUMINOUS MEMBRANE ROOFING, COLD APPLIED.”

Please clarify the referenced missing spec section.

AE See revised roof spec sections 07 01 50.19 and 07 54 19

Sheet1