Questions and Answers - Dampers 2.10.2025.pdf

36C24625B0002 Replace Fire and Smoke Dampers

Ques ons and Answers

1) Is this a tax-exempt project?

Please read Solicitation.

2) If tax-exempt, will the government provide the prime contractor with a tax-exempt certificate for use by subcontractors and vendors?

Please read Solicitation.

3) Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects, or should they only be dedicated full-time to this project?

See Spec 01 45 00 3.1 A

4) Can the Superintendent fulfill the roles of Quality Control Manager & Site Safety and Health Officer?

Site super cannot be the SSHO.

5) Can the Superintendent fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role?

Yes, see spec 01 45 00 3.4 C

6) If the Super cannot fulfill this role, the average ADDITIONAL cost for a dedicated QCM is approximately $26,500 per month (salary, labor burden, per diem, housing, company vehicle, monthly return trips home, company phone, etc). We expect this project to be 5 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $132,500. Please confirm a dedicated QCM is still required.

See spec 01 45 00 3.4 C

7) Is the QCM required to be onsite full-time, or can they make site visits as required for inspections?

See spec 01 45 00

8) If the QCM is required to be onsite, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well?

9) Can a subcontractor (e.g., Terracon or a similar testing firm) fulfill the QCM role?

10) Can the Superintendent fulfill the Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO) role?

No.

11) If the Super cannot fulfill this role, the average ADDITIONAL cost for a dedicated SSHO is approximately $26,500 per month (salary, labor burden, per diem, housing, company vehicle, monthly return trips home, company phone, etc). We expect this project to be 5 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $132,500. Please confirm a dedicated SSHO is still required.

No, confirmed.

12) Our interpretation of 01 35 26, 1.7 in its reference to FAR 52.236-6 is that the prime contractor would be in compliance with this section if we have a Superintendent on-site during construction, as FAR 52.236-6 does not require (or mention for that matter) an SSHO and explicitly covers the prime contractor's Superintendent only. In short, an onsite SSHO is not a requirement per FAR 52.236-6. Please confirm.

01 35 26 1.7.A states “Prime Contractor shall designate a minimum of one SSHO at each project site that will be identified as the SSHO to administer the Contractor's safety program and government-accepted Accident Prevention Plan.” The Specs are part of the Solicitation.

13) Is the SSHO required to be on-site full-time, or can they be a home office employee (e.g., Safety Director) on the prime contractor's staff?

See Spec 01 35 26 1.7 D

14) If the SSHO is required to be onsite, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well?

IAW Spec 01 35 26 1.7 D, SSHO will maintain a presence on site during construction operations.

15) Can a subcontractor fulfill the SSHO role with periodic visits?

See question 14 response.

16) Does the VA require any scope of work in this project to be performed outside of regular work hours?

Please read SOW.

17) What trades or scopes will be required to perform off-hours work for work scopes that must be performed?

18) What will the work hours and days be for scopes that require off-hours work?

19) In the event of contract modifications, should contractors apply bond premiums to the individual modification or wait until the end of the job where the VA issues a final modification to reimburse contractors for bond overruns for all mods.

After inspection and acceptance of the bond, the contractor may submit invoice for recompense.

20) Where is the designated contractors' and subcontractors' parking area?

Next to the dumpster area.

Asheville VAMC SITE MAP-SITE Dumpster locations.pdf

21) Will the VA allow 2-3 spaces for the prime contractor and each subcontractor?

Contractor is to park next to the laydown/dumpster area embedded on question 20 map.

22) Where shall these people park if the VA cannot make 2-3 spaces available for the prime contractor and each of the subs?

See answer to question 20.

23) Is badging required for the project?

24) Are background checks and fingerprinting required?

Yes, to receive a key card. If the person has received a temporary key card in the past they would likely still be in the system and not need to repeat the process.

25) How long is the turnaround time for background check results?

Plan on two months, if required.

26) How many hours should the prime contractor and subcontractors budget for on-site badging, safety training, orientation, etc.?

2 hours.

27) Is tuberculosis testing required before contractors can commence work onsite?

Please read SOW and Specifications.

28) Are influenza vaccines required for all contractors and subcontractors employees who work on the site?

29) Will the government provide call-in details and instructions for the bid opening to ensure transparency for all bidders?

Please read Page 1 of Solicitation.

30) In lieu of the provided cost estimate breakdown, will the government accept a printout report from our COTS estimating software that provides the same level of breakdown specified in the government-provided breakdown spreadsheet?

No, the provided cost estimate worksheet is required to provide uniform documentation.

31) Will the VA allow a Temp Wall System (i.e., Starc Wall, Edge Guard, etc) instead of a rigid wall IRCA system? This usually provides substantial cost savings to the VA.

Yes, temp wall systems are acceptable.

32) If fire-rated walls are required, can we use one-hour-rated temp walls, which are ASTM-certified?

Yes, one hour temp walls are acceptable.

33) Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the BMS integration contractor?

Yes.

34) Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the Fire Alarm integration contractor?

35) Will the VA allow contractors to use water from VA sources?

Please read Specifications.

36) Is temp power available for contractors to connect to?

37) If no temp power is available, a generator will be required, which usually adds significant cost to rent and fuel. Please confirm this is necessary if no temp power is available.

38) What are the locations for temp power?

See map.

Asheville VAMC SITE MAP-SITE Dumpster locations.pdf

39) Are contractors required to set a pole and meter electric usage?

40) Will the VA provide space for the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent to set up, or should we add costs to our bid for a mobile office?

We do not have space for the Prime’s superintendent to set up inside a building. A mobile office should be planned.

41) Where should the mobile office be located?

See map.

42) Is space available for a 10’ x 40’ temporary ground-level office near the temporary power source?

Yes

43) Will the VA provide space for a 20-yard dumpster?

44) Where shall contractor dumpsters be located?

See Map

45) Can the VA accommodate a dumpster near the job site?

A dumpster site is located on campus, see question 44 response.

46) Will the VA allow contractors to use VA indoor restrooms?

Please read Specifications

47) Can Porta Johns be placed within a 100’ radius of the job site if required?

Porta Johns are not required.

48) Can utility tie-ins be performed during regular hours?

If the tie in will not affect hospital operations it may be performed during regular hours. If the tie in will affect hospital operations it must be performed off hours. For example, the fire dampers in the surgical suite will need to be performed during off hours of the hospital.

49) Can system commissioning activities be performed during regular hours?

If the commissioning will not affect hospital operations it may be performed during regular hours. If the commissioning will affect hospital operations it must be performed off hours.

50) Will the VA allow for stored material so that we can procure and lay down long lead items and/or critical path material/equipment?

51) Will the VA fully pay for this material/equipment if stored onsite?

Yes, if stored on site and accepted by COR.

52) On sheet 47-M-105 – The Mechanical Chase located approximately at column lines C-17

– There is a 10” and 8” Fire/smoke damper to be removed. On sheet 47-M-205 – same location – No replacement fire dampers are shown. Have they been eliminated?

The 8” and 10” ducts are no longer active. Remove fire/smoke dampers and patch chase wall.

53) On sheet 47-M-600 – The Fire Damper Schedule – There are 8 fire dampers shown as existing. Are these to be replaced?

The 8 existing fire dampers shall remain. Only fire/smoke dampers shall be replaced.

54) On sheet 47-M-600 – Are all fire dampers to be built according to Detail 3-section through fire damper installation? That detail is for a Type B low pressure fire damper. The specification does not describe different types of dampers – such as type A or B dampers for low pressure ducts or Type C dampers for medium pressure ducts.

Provide appropriate fire dampers rated for low pressure or medium pressure ducts.

55) Should we anticipate any duct modifications beyond what is shown in the plans?

No. Demolish duct to allow for installation of new fire damper and patch ductwork.

56) Will modifications to the existing fire alarm system (e.g., disconnecting/reconnecting wiring to damper actuators) require third-party certification or commissioning?

Refer to 28 30 00 for fire alarm certification and testing.

57) How will access to the dampers be facilitated (e.g., ceiling removal, ladder access, scaffolding)?

Refer to mechanical general note B on 47-M-001. Contractor shall verify existing conditions on site.

58) What types of ceilings (e.g., lay-in, drywall, plaster) will need to be dealt with, and are there any specific challenges anticipated in accessing the existing dampers?

There are lay-in ceilings at most shaft locations. Refer to mechanical general note B on 47-M-001. Contractor shall verify existing conditions on site.

59) Please provide a reflective ceiling plan.

Refer to mechanical general note B on 47-M-001. Contractor shall verify existing conditions on site.

60) Are there specific requirements for transitioning existing ductwork to new straight sections

(e.g., insulation, sealing, or pressure testing)?

After fire damper is installed, patch and seal ductwork. Provide insulation on supply and return ductwork. Insulation shall match existing and comply with insulation specification.

61) Are there restrictions on the timing or duration of HVAC system shutdowns during demolition?

3 Hours is expected, but will be dependent on the weather conditions and what system is being shutdown.

62) Spec 01 00 00 1.15 TEMPORARY USE OF EXISTING ELEVATORS A. & B.

Can the government please confirm that we will have use of elevators and will not have to install an outside hoist as described in A.

The 2 service elevators may be used. The 3 tower elevators for patient use are not to be used. If the equipment is too large to fit into the elevator other arrangements must be made.

63) Work area. Will area of work be vacated and all furniture, computers etc. be removed from the work area by the government?

64) Negative air. As work is short duration and across the whole facility mostly in areas with no outside access, will we be permitted to exhaust HEPA filtered air into the occupied space?

HEPA filtered air may be exhausted into occupied space as long as a vacuum attachment is used on the tools or the area where cutting/drilling etc is constantly vacuumed while said work is being performed.

65) Reference previous question. If no can the government, please provide location for each activity on where we will be required to vent our negative air machines?

Refer to answer to question 64.

66) Drawings numerous pages I.E., 47-G-201 note 1 & 3 appears to refer to plastic barrier and note 5 refers to a sheet rock wall to deck. Is this correct?

This is correct.

67) Drawings numerous pages I.E., 47-G-201 note 5 In locations where note 5 applies would the government accept sheetrock to the drop ceiling and fire-retardant plastic from the drop ceiling to the deck?

This will be permitted so long as the edges of the fire-retardant plastic are securely fixed to the drop ceiling and the ICRA barrier is maintained.

68) We have the option to submit our bid via mail, email, or hand delivery. If we choose to hand-deliver our bid, would it be acceptable to submit our bid breakdown (Attachment A) electronically on the day of the bid opening?

Please read FAR 14.301 Responsiveness of Bids and INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS FOR BID PREPARATION in Solicitation

(a) General Instructions

3. Electronic Bids Authorized - IAW FAR 14.202-7 The Contracting Officer has authorized Electronic Submission of Bids, email submission is the only authorized electronic submissions.

However, …should an Offeror elect to submit their Bid electronically, it will be the sole responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that the bid is received, in its entirety, no later than 5:00 PM EST one (1) day prior to the established Bid Opening Date identified.

(b) SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS – A COMPLETE BID SHALL CONSIST OF THE

FOLLOWING

1. TAB A: General Information

a. Cover page with Solicitation Number and Project Title

b. Table of Contents

c. Company information to include: SAM UEI, Cage Code, Tax ID Number, Principal points of contact with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

d. Base Bid Cost Breakdown Worksheet (Attachment A), All Tabs (Base) are required to be completed.