Attachment VIII RFI Responses.pdf

Replace & Upgrade

Elevators Bldgs. 15, 47, & 62

5/13/2025

Pre-Bid RFIs

N O

PROJECT NUMBER:

PROJECT NAME:

DATE:

SUBJECT:PRE-BID RFI RESPONSE

Will the project require any BAS/BMS connections for new equipment (example: new split units and sump pumps)?

a. If so, are existing connections present?

i. If not, can the VA provide clarity on where these connections are to be obtained?

Existing system is COMPUTROLS and tie in point is in the current Building 47 machine room. Reference drawing notes on M-702.

There is no roof penetration scheduled for this project. Just reference to "if the roof is damaged, contractor will be responsible fo repair"

On both the drawings and specifications there is a large amount of Asbestos and Lead abatement scope identified. As it is difficult to determine the exact areas needing to be abated, this could potentially be a large cost driver for the project.

Will the VA allow contractors to carry a specified allowance, so all bidding contractors are bidding like to like?

For fair and competitive bidding - only bid areas identified in the contract documents.

In the absence of a specified allowance, is it the facility’s intent for the prime contractor to bear the full burden of all asbestos and lead abatement for this procurement?

Yes. For the areas identified in the the contract documents.

Does the facility have a preferred or recommended abatement contractor that is familiar with the facility? If so, please provide contact information.

No

Field Staff clarifications:

a. Please confirm the VA’s intent for the Prime

Contractor to have a full time Superintendent for the entirety of the project?

b. Please confirm VA’s intent for the Prime

Contractor to have a full-time SSHO on site for the entirety of the project.

c. Please confirm VA’s intent for the Prime

Contractor to have a full-time QCM on site for the entirety of the project.

d. Please confirm the Superintendent and QCM can double hat?

e. Can any of the above individuals be an employee of a subcontractor, or will the VA require the above individuals to be a full-time employee of the Prime Contractor?

a. Yes; b. Yes; c. Yes; d. At a minimum the superintendent can also be the QCM (if qualified). The Superintendent or the QCM can NOT be the SSHO; e. They will be required to be employed by the GC.

QUESTION RESPONSE

Please advise if the facility has a preferred roofing contractor or can the contractor use a certified roofer?

Will Microsoft Project be an acceptable scheduling tool for the project?

Please confirm Switchboard 47-BUS-MCCPE2 has space to accept a new 150A panelboard 47EL6-1 as shown on E-602, One-line diagram.

Yes

Please confirm if all existing shunt trip devices are in working order? If the existing shut trip devices are in good working order, please clarify that we are not to carry replacement in our bid proposal?

Shunt trip devices are in working order.

Please confirm the duct sizing for the new fire dampers that are to be installed in existing ductwork.

Some type of scanning will be required for each core drill.

Contractor means and methods. Reference spec section

02 41 00 for protection of adjacent areas, and preventing damage to items to remain in place.

As-builts confirm the existing ductwork requiring a box out is 28-inches in diameter and the other existing ductwork is

24-inches in diameter. Please field-verify dimensions on as-builts are correct, but this should be sufficient for bidding.

Will the client require any construction management software to be utilized on the project? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining?

PRO COR or equal. Prime contractor will be responsible for meeting the specifications for construction management.

Do the elevators currently receive a pre-transfer signal from the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch)?

The new controllers will require a pre-transfer signal from the ATS.

No pre-transfer signal exists. Pre-transfer signal is not required as part of the current design.

Please clarify what work, if any, will need to be completed after hours? Shutdowns, Hostway work, Pit work, etc.

If no pre-transfer signal currently exists, does the

ATS have the capability to time delay and send a pretransfer signal to the elevators it serves?

Additionally, where is the ATS located within the building for each elevator identified in the solicitation? Conductors will need to be run in conduit and programmed to function. Contractor needs to know the length of run, quantity or runs, and potential routing.

No pre-transfer signal exists. Pre-transfer signal is not required as part of the current design.

Crane operation is restricted to weekends only and coordination/approval with VA COR is required prior to scheduling work.

Yes.

What software will be utilized on the project for submittal transfers? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining?

What submittal transfer software is to be used is not being directed by the Government. Prime contractor will be responsible for meeting the specifications for PRO COR or equal.

Please advise if X-ray scanning is required prior to any core drilling?

Can the VA please identify a lay down area on site where contractors can stage materials and equipment?

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area.

Can the VA please identify a location of placement for project dumpsters?

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area.

Johnson Controls Incorporated

Can the government confirm the specifications is to clean and retain the entrance frames on buildings

47, cars S4 & S5, P1 – P3 rather than to refinish?

Hoistway entrance frames are to be retained without refinishing.

Division 14 - paragraph 2.44 – Can the government confirm that there are no drawings for new cab interior enclosures and contractors are to provide as specified to the best of their abilities? Or would the government provide a specified dollar allowance?

Reference drawing AE501 for cab interior design intent.

Design intent for S4/S5 can be gleaned from specifications

Division 14 – 2.40 Can the government please confirm that all existing entrance jamb braille is to be retained, and that there are no current floors without braille?

No braille was missing at the time of design site review, however contractors may review this with thier own site investigation for current status. Contractor is responsible for final verification and location

Is there an existing Arc Flash study that will be provided to the contractors to aid contractors in satisfying 26 05 73 – overcurrent protective device coordination study spec section.

a. If an existing Arc Flash study is not available, can the VA confirm an Arc Flash Coordination Study will be required prior to starting any scope?

Existing ArcFlash study can be provided to the contractor awarded the construction contract.

Can the VA please clarify the applicable elevator

ASME code year for this project?

See Sheet GI001 for code and standards.

Drawings indicate wall type D, plastic sheet barrier, please confirm wall types B-D on GI002 are not applicable to this project

Type A on Sheet: GI002, is the intended ICRA Barrier Wall

Type.

Johnson Controls Incorporated

Please provide contact information for existing building Fire Protection vendor.

Can the VA please clarify ICRA class for the project?

Reference Part 4 Infection Control Risk Assessment in

Design Binder

Will the VA allow the contractor to use on-site facilities, or should the contractor assume to provide temporary toilets?

Contractors will be allowed to use public facilities.

Can the government please clarify what finishes are desired for the re-finishing of the entrance frames for building 47-ACA, cars P1-P3? They are noted to re-finish stainless steel, re-paint or re-clad. Please clarify design intent.

Hoistway entrance frames are to be retained without refinishing.

Division 14 – paragraph 1.11 – Can the government please clarify if there are existing stairs and landings to be modified as specified, or will this be a completely new installation?

There are no stairs that require alteration.

Division 14 – paragraph 1.10 – can the government confirm that there are existing generator or generators can run one car in each group of elevators?

Yes, confirmed.

Please provide contact information for existing building Fire Alarm vendor.

Would alternate bids retaining the cab shells and just supplying interior upgrades be accepted?

Would alternate bids retaining the inground jacks be accepted?

NO. Inground jacks are to be replaced according to specs and drawings.

During the pre-bid meeting, it was noted that the GC could only take down (1) elevator per bank of elevators at a time. Does this mean that we could be working in (4) locations simultaneously since there are four banks of elevators and across multiple buildings. See G1010 notes. Please clarify.

One elevator per bank of elevator needs to remain in service at all times. For Building 47 traction elevators, one passenger elevator and one freight elevator must remain in service at all times.

Reference Phasing Plan Notes on GI010.

Must a Site Superintendent be on site at all times work is commencing? If yes, Does the Site

Superintendent have to be directly employed by the

Prime Contractor?

YES and YES

Will we be able to bring the traction equipment through the building up the elevator and use the access hole during demolition and replacement? Or will we need to provide a crane? Will this be allowed during normal business hours or after hours?

Access/ paths indicated on sheet GI010. Crane work only authorized after hours and weekends.

Shop drawings for cab interiors and fixtures are required for all elevators. Shop drawings (plan and elevation) for

Building 47 Penthouse enclosure and alterations are also required. Machine room layouts for all other units are required.

The specification is asking for complete shop drawings as if the building were new. Will cutsheets of the new equipment be acceptable for this? If not, can you provide the original shop drawings for each unit to pass to engineering?

S4/S5 in Building 47 require new shells. All other shells can be retained with the new interior finishes applied per drawings/specs. No alternates are requested on this.

The specification list the VA will provide a third-party inspector. Can you clarify the code and year that this will be inspected by?

Applicable codes and standards are listed on sheet GI001.

Will nonproprietary equipment be required including any equipment requiring proprietary tools, parts, or special access tools that can only be obtained by the awarded company?

All elevator control and operation equipment must be non-proprietary

Do you have an estimated schedule for the elevator work?

Please see 11 on 1442.

Will the VA please provide a copy of the Submittal register that will be utilized for the project so bidding contractors can understand the full extent of submittal requirements on the project?

Submittal register is Attachment XI.

Can the VA clarify if any of the work areas will include sensitive medical areas that will require high measures of infection control, Bunny suits, and special work hours?

See ICRA and work schedule requirements. No areas will require special protective suits. There may be some special work hours but that would be for noise and/or special delivery. Not for infection control.

We were not allowed to access car tops or pits so will the items listed as field verify be verified and updated? And can you provide photos of the existing cartop data plates?

Individual Division 14 spec sections for elevators show equipment tables with adequate detail for bidding purposes

637-23- 101_Submittal

Log.xlsx

Who holds the warranty for the roof on each building and is there a requirement to use the owner’s roofer to maintain warranty. Specifically, regarding roof penetrations for curbs.

There is no roof penetration scheduled for this project. Just reference to "if the roof is damaged, contractor will be responsible fo repair"

Will there be any other opportunity for specialty subcontractors to visit the site prior to the bid date?

NO

Bldg 47, Elevator S5 Only: Spec indicates to provide Battery Backup for this car in lieu of

Emergency Power Operation. However, looking at

Electrical Dwg E-602, it looks like the Emergency

Power Generator will provide power for both Cars

S4 & S5 as they are on the same circuit. The

Duplex group S4-S5 will both have Emergency

Power operation and neither will have Battery Back-up.

Provide the battery back up for S5 as specified

Please clarify/designate parking areas for workers and deliveries as may be required.

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area.

At some point it will be required that the entire bank of elevators is shut down simultaneously to connect and integrate fire alarm and other controllers. The directive is for a minimum of one elevator to be functional at all times. Please clarify the owner’s plan to allow for total shut down at the point of key integration. Time, day, etc that would be least disruptive?

Means of installation and connection. It is not assumed that total shut down of all elevators is required to make certain connections. If that contractor does not have in his plan to sequence the connections, then the work would need to be done late at night or early in the morning with the means of making at least one elevator operational in an emergency.

Please provide some clarification for Drawing #

HA150. Haz Mat Keynotes list 9 notes identified as

“A1”. Are those in fact notes A1-A9? Sequentially, that would make sense as A10 is tenth on the list, just want to be certain.

Correct. There are 10 keynotes that should read A1 through A10.

Please provide clarity on dumpster and debris collection locations provided for on site. Can locations in near proximity be designated for trash containers? There is mention of a “Proposed

Disposal Area.”

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area.

Does the VA have any special phasing plan requirements, order of work, etc? If so, please provide.

Reference sheet GI010 for phasing. Coordinate with VA once on site.

Please define hygiene stations mentioned under the

Hazardous Material Plan Sheets

Reference spec section 02 82 00 for definition.

Must a Site Safety Health Officer be on site at all times work is commencing? If yes, Does the SSHO have to be directly employed by the Prime

Contractor?

YES and YES

Can the SSHO & Superintendent roles be a dual-hatted individual or must they be two separate people?

The SSHO can not be dual hatted. The Superintendent can dual hat as the QCM if qualified.

Please provide clarity on dumpster and debris collection locations provided for on site. Can locations in near proximity be designated for trash containers? There is mention of a “Proposed

Disposal Area.”

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area.

Will the VA provide existing XHD Data Tag info? the empty car weight will be especially important for the

Hydros.

(Bldg 15-1: #3540); (Bldg 15-2: #3602); (Bldg 62-1: #4806);

(Bldg 62-2: #4806); (Bldg 47 ACA hydro1: #5307); (Bldg 47

ACA hydro2: #4806); (Bldg 47 ACA hydro3: #4906); (Bldg

47 P1-P3: each #4605); (Bldg 47 S4/S5: each #4935)

Can we get the original Otis drawings since we were not given access to the car tops?

Original drawings are not available.

Nothing mentioned about interim dispatching (Cross

Registration) in the spec. Should we provide an

MDE3000?

Contractors may provide cross cancellation/registration at thier discretion or complete the addition of the second hall riser and have it active when the first elevator in the P1-P3 group in Building 47 is ready for use

CWT roller guide shoes will have 3.25" diameter wheels (spec indicates 4" diameter).

Per VA TIL - rollers to be 4".

Section 2.43.A: Cars S4-S5 specifically indicates to retain the platform…but the same section for Cars

P1-P3 is missing. Please confirm the existing car platforms are to be retained for Cars P1-P3.

No alteration to the P1-P3 platforms is required

Section 2.43.A: Cars S4-S5 calls out for new cab flooring for these cars…but section A is missing for

Cars P1-P3. Is new cab flooring required for Cars

P1-P3? Note, for Cars S4-S5, it indicates to provide flexible composite flooring with color defined in

Section "09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes"...but this section does not exist in the bid package. However, on Drawing

AE601, it looks like the cab flooring is to be LVT, manufactured by Tarkett, Contour Wood/Antique

Wood, Color=Vintage Tower 0305, 6"x36" planks.

What is required for flooring?

The demolition sheets show elevator cab flooring to be removed and sheet AE601 calls out finishes for each elevator. Refer to "Elevator Cab Finish Schedule" on sheet

AE601 for elevator cab finishes.

Spec indicates to provide Code Blue Operation on

Patient Care Facilities Only. Which cars require

Code Blue Operation? On the cars that require

Code Blue…which floor(s) need to have the Code

Blue keyswitch?

Building 15 is non-patient care. All other units and landings qualify as patient care.

P.27 of the spec for Traction Cars Bldg 47 Cars P1-

P3 indicates to provide Qty=2 risers of hall pushbutton stations. However, Drawing AE501 only shows Qty=1 riser of hall pushbutton stations. Please confirm Qty=2 risers are required.

Two risers are required

For Hydro Cars P1-P2 in Building 62 Only: Spec shows new Combo HL/PI's are to be provided at every landing. However, on Dwg AE501, detail 7 shows just Hall Lanterns at every floor. Please advise if we're to provide Combo HL/PI or just Hall

Lanterns.

Please provide combo HL/PI at all landings

Could the VA provide pictures of the crosshead data tags on top of the elevators that they said they would take and send out since they wouldn’t let us open the hoistway doors. The info needed from those data tags are the car weights and speed in

(FPM). The hydraulic ones should state the jack sizes as well.

Individual Division 14 spec sections for elevators show equipment tables with adequate detail for bidding purposes.

Specification Section 01 45 00 – Quality Control, states, “Include a CQC System Manager that reports to the project superintendent” (3.2.B.1).

However, the Site Superintendent is ultimately responsible for the quality control for this project (01

45 00, 3.1). We do not expect this project to be complex enough to require a separate Quality

Control Manager; please confirm that the Site

Superintendent can also fulfill the role of the

Contractor’s Quality Control Manager, so long as they fulfill all requirements and duties of both positions?

At a minimum the superintendent can also be the QCM (if qualified). The Superintendent or the QCM can NOT be the

SSHO. They will be required to be employed by the GC.

Can we wrap all landings in stainless as we are replacing the hoistway doors? This will prevent incorrectly ordering the doors that are stainless and the ones that will be painted.

Adhere to the plans and specs for finishes at each landing.

For Hydro Cars P1-P2 in Buildings 15 & 62: Are new platforms to be provided for these cars only?

All other units are retaining existing platforms. New slant rods are also spec'd. Note: If a new platform, new slant rods are required...we're already providing a completely new cab, new roller guide shoes, we might as well provide a new car sling to make sure the new platform marries up to the car sling properly and we don't have to adapt guideshoes and slant rods to existing pieces of steel. Do you agree we provide a new car sling as well?

No alteration to the platform is required. If a platform is damaged when the floor comes up, the contractor will be responsible for the repair.

Nothing mentioned about Fire Service Key Switches for any other elevators that may be in these buildings. Our bid only includes work to these 12 elevators. If AHJ requires fire service keyswitches on other cars to be upgraded, there will be additional scope of work.

All elevators in these 3 buildings are being replaced. All of those for the replacement elevators must upgraded and match. There is only one other elevator on campus and that will not require upgrading.

For Hydros in Bldg 47 ACA and Bldg 62 (not Bldg

15) …spec indicates to refinish existing stainless-steel entrance frames or paint existing painted entrance frames or clad existing entrance frames in stainless steel. What is required here? Note, all other units indicate to "Retain existing.”

Hoistway entrance frames are to be retained without refinishing

Phasing Plan notes provide a table that breaks phases down by type of elevator (traction, hydraulic); please confirm that phasing does not have to be grouped by elevator type.

Reference sheet GI010 for phasing. Coordinate with VA once on site.

Phasing notes require 2 separate crews to work in each phase simultaneously; however, will there be a limit to the number of elevators that can be replaced/upgraded at one time (other than the restriction of one elevator per group)?

Reference sheet GI010 for phasing. Coordinate with VA once on site.

Will the facility require any work to be completed off-hours? If so, can these tasks / scopes of work be completed in evenings and/or weekends?

If the contractors means and methods requires extreme noisy work or crane work, then that work will need to be completed after hours. Those tasks can be completed in evenings and/or weekends as long as the work is completed by the next workday or the crane is removed by the next business day.

Specification Section 01 35 26 states that the

Contractor must have a full-time SSHO with no other duties (1.9.A & 1.9.C); please confirm whether the Contractor can provide a “triple-hat” to complete the duties of all such positions, so long as they are qualified and able to successfully fulfill all roles, or if the Government will enforce the requirement of the

Contractor to have a separate SSHO?

The Superintendent or the QCM can NOT be the SSHO.

They will be required to be employed by the GC.

Is temporary power available for a Construction

Trailer at the laydown/storage area?

We are not requiring them to have a construction trailer. If they decide to have one, the contractor will have to provide temporary power.

Will this project be Sales Tax Exempt? See FAR Clause 52.229-3 with the guidance of your organization's CPA.

Drawing Sheet MP101, Keynote 6 calls to rotate existing unit heater away from new fire rated wall, VA to verify.

a. Please verify that this work is to be included.

b. If so, where is this unit heater to be moved to?

c. How shall this be installed; will there be a new concrete pad required, will it be suspended, or other?

Work is to be included. The unit will just need to be rotated so it is not facing the new fire barrier. Same height and same location.

In order to clarify the requirements, can the designer please provide drawing details, section drawings, etc. for the metal stud/EPDM boundary wall that is being called for on the HA Drawings?

This is not a typical system or requirement.

a. Please detail how this is to be installed around hydraulic equipment in elevator pits.

There will be no EPDM required to be installed in either crawlspace of Building 47 or 62. Sump pump plumbing was re-routed to avoid connection to pipe in the crawlspace of Bldg 15 and Bldg 47 already has the proper EPDM installed over the crawlspace dirt. Addendum 02 is issued with this RFI response to show that on the drawings and change out the asbestos specification.

Disposal sites are shown on the site plan; are these designed to be an all-inclusive laydown area, or will the Contractor’s lay down area be located elsewhere?

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area. They are intended to be as close as possible for disposal with the laydown area being further away in a separate area.

How much space will be permitted for the

Contractor’s lay down area?

See drawing AS001 for laydown and dumpster area. Lay down area will be maximum 30 foot by 40 foot.

1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Installer Qualifications:

1. Same installer as existing roof system.

2. Approved by existing roofing system warrantor when work affects existing roofing system under warranty.

Who is the existing warrantor on the roof? Which company installed the existing roof?

There is no roof penetration scheduled for this project. Just reference to "if the roof is damaged, contractor will be responsible fo repair"

Questions received 4/7/25

In regards to the sump pump:

The selections they choose cannot be met. There isn't a 115v, 0.75 HP pump.

For bidding purposes - pumps to be 208v/ 1hp motors.

Basis-of-design (BOD) will be same as listed on the

Plumbing Equipment Schedule. Revised electrical drawings and panel schedules will be issued in a forthcoming addendum.

Do all current elevators have a car top railing? Our note state that the cars in the ACA have car top railings. Regardless, contractors to provide car top railings as part of the scope, and bids should include these railings.