659-25-510_RFIs-Second Set_20250407 (003).docx

36C24625B0020 Salisbury, NC – VAMC - Building 11 Chilled Water and Condensate Pumps RFI Questions

1) Please provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet.

A. Please refer to attachment “E”

2) Please confirm whether this project is intended to be delivered under a design-build contract structure, or if this is a design-bid-build project with completed design documents. We ask because in its current state, this project is not biddable and is missing the following (not inclusive): equipment schedules, general arrangement, multiple specifications, any reference to electrical, specifics regarding demo except the comment “remove all MEP material that are not in use..” but we have no way it knowing what is and is not in use, location of sump and details, details of “temp services” during change out, A. This is not a renovation but preventative maintenance. The chilled water and condensate pumps are being replaced, not redesigned.

B. The purpose of a per-bid site visit is to give potential bidders an opportunity to inspect current equipment (to include power being supplied to them), see what might need to be removed, and review all items listed in the SOW and drawings.

C. After award, the CO and COR will hold a meeting with the GC and their Subs to review all work listed in the GC’s proposal. The COR, GC and Subs will then walk the project and note all differing conditions.

· A list of differing conditions (with cost associated to each line item) will be submitted to the CO for review. The CO and COR will discuss these differing conditions, and the CO will determine if a change and its cost is warranted.

IF THE INTENT IS A DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT, QUESTIONS 3-22 APPLY:

3) Should contractors plan to build this system following the TIL or would any deviations be given?

4) If deviations are given, please specify them.

5) Please confirm specifically what documents require the seal of a professional engineer.

6) Must they hold a North Carolina stamp?

7) Please confirm the number and level of design submissions required (e.g., 35%, 65%, 95%, 100%) and what each must include. Is government review and approval required at each stage?

8) Please provide equipment schedules for all new equipment (condensate pump, chilled water pump, condensate skid).

9) If no schedule is provided, please provide full system performance specifications so we can ensure the system performance is matched. This would include (for both chilled water and steam systems) min and max load, turn down, operating and design pressures, static head, system flow, connection sizes, pump curves, and state whether an inverter duty motor is required.

10) Is the contractor responsible for designing temporary systems to maintain chilled water and condensate service during shutdowns?

11) Are there any system redundancy or N+1 requirements for the chilled water and condensate pumps that must be met in the final design?

12) Will fire stopping, fire caulking, or updated fire barrier ratings be required as part of the MEP penetrations design?

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

13) Please confirm whether this is a tax-exempt project.

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

15) Please confirm the bid bond can be emailed with the bid.

16) If a Prime Contractor is awarded multiple projects at the same VA Medical Center location: Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects at the same site/location, or should they only be dedicated full-time to this project?

17) Please confirm that per 01 35 26 1.6 C, the Superintendent can also fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role.

A. If the Super can’t be the QCM, 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 4 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $106,000. Please confirm a dedicated QCM is still required.

B. If the Super can’t be the QCM, is the QCM required to be onsite full-time, or can they make site visits as required for inspections?

C. If the Super can’t be the QCM and the QCM is required to be onsite full-time, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well on the same property?

D. If the Super can’t be the QCM, can a subcontractor (e.g., Terracon or a similar testing firm) fulfill the QCM role?

18) Specification 01 35 26, 1.7 A. states, “The SSHO may also have other duties, unless it becomes apparent that those duties inter with SSHO prime responsibility of Site Safety and health Officer.” Please confirm that the Superintendent can fulfill the Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO) role.

A. If the Super can’t be the SSHO, 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 4 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $106,000. Please confirm a dedicated SSHO is still required.

B. If the Super can’t be the SSHO, can a subcontractor fulfill the SSHO role?

19) Will background checks and fingerprinting be required for any scope of work related to this project?

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

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

22) Please confirm if tuberculosis testing is required for this project. Yes

23) Please confirm if influenza vaccines are required for all contractors and subcontractors employees who work on the site or if masks will be required. If their shots are not up to date, they will be required to wear a mask while inside a building.

24) The period of performance (POP) on this project is given to be 120 days. However, we expect the pump expect the pump lead time could be several months. We request that the POP be extended by 90 days, assuming NTP is issued before preconstruction activities.

A. The POP date can be adjusted after a schedule has been submitted to the CO and approved.

25) Does the VA anticipate any new points would be added to the BMS as part of this project?

A. Yes

26) Please provide the point of contact information for the BMS integration contractor.

A. Our current controls contractor for bldg. 11 is Jonson Controls.

27) Is any ICRA required? If so, where?

A. Yes, wherever work will expose the facility to hazardous conditions.

28) If ICRA is required, will the VA allow a Temp Wall System (i.e., Starc Wall, Edge Guard, etc) instead of a rigid wall ICRA system?

A. Yes

29) Will the VA allow the use of Zip Wall (plastic sheathing with support poles) for barriers and containment on this project?

A. Yes

30) Is any scope of work for this project required to be performed outside of regular work hours? No A. If so, what trades or scopes will be required to be performed outside of regular work hours?

B. If so, what will the work hours and days be for scopes required to be performed outside of regular work hours?

31) Are electrical outlets available for contractors to connect to in the construction area? Yes A. If not, where are electrical outlets available for contractors to connect to?

32) 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.

A. See previous response

33) Please confirm that per specification 01 00 00, 3.5.3, Contractors are required to set a pole and meter for electric usage. Not required for this project A. If a pole and meter are required, please provide the location of the pole and meter.

B. If a pole and meter are required, please provide the location where power can be pulled from to feed the pole and meter.

34) Where are the designated contractors' and subcontractors' parking area?

A. To be coordinated with COR during pre-work meeting.

35) Is parking available for 2-3 vehicles for the prime contractor and each subcontractor for a total of 6-9 vehicles? To be coordinated with COR during pre-work meeting.

A. Where shall these people park if the VA cannot make 2-3 spaces available for the prime contractor and each of the subs for a total of 6-9 vehicles? The COR will make sure reasonable parking is available.

36) 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? There is plenty of space in the building for GC to set up.

37) Where can the mobile office be located? No need for one

38) Where is the electrical connection for power to the mobile office?

39) Is space available for a 8’ x 40’ temporary ground-level office near the electrical connection?

40) Will the VA provide space for a 20-yard dumpster? Yes, to be coordinated with COR during pre-work meeting.

41) Where shall contractor dumpsters be located?

42) Can the VA accommodate a dumpster near the job site? Yes

43) Will the VA allow contractors to use VA indoor restrooms? There are no working restrooms is the project’s vicinity

44) If required, can Porta Johns be placed within a 100’ radius of the job site / work area? yes

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

46) Can system commissioning activities be performed during regular hours? yes

47) Is there any work not included in the drawings or contract documents that will need to be performed under the contract? no

48) Is temporary construction fencing required anywhere on the project or at the laydown area? Plan for a chain link privacy fence at least 7’ tall. We recommend steaking the fence down. This tends to work better than sandbags.

A. If temporary construction fencing is required, please confirm that 6’ tall temporary construction fencing is acceptable. We ask this because the standard VA specification is a minimum of 2.1m (seven feet) tall, which is not an industry standard height and would require a custom fence to be made at that height. Alternatively, an 8’ high fence generally tends to blow over even with sandbags on the bases when the fabric is required to be fastened to the fence, since 8’ tall panels with fabric have to potential to cause damage to property and injury to personal, we strongly recommend using 6’ tall temporary construction fencing.

49) Please provide ALL missing specifications. Rev 1

50) Please confirm if the bid guarantee is “20 percent of the bid price or $3,000,000, whichever is less.”

51) Please provide electrical plans and panel schedules for the new work. Not replacing or adding electrical.

52) Please indicate on the plans which electrical panels shall be used in this project and identify the breaker number and size. Not replacing or adding electrical. Use existing.

53) Please indicate conduit and wire path and size. Not replacing or adding electrical. Use existing.

54) Please confirm the exact extent of the MEP demo. CW only. See Rev 1

55) Please confirm which piping is “corresponding piping” in the plans. See Rev 1

56) Please provide existing P&ID, as-built or 100% For construction drawings of these systems. Not required. This is a 1-for-1.

57) Please confirm if all existing pipe insulation will be removed. Only required when replacing pumps and CW lines.

58) If no, identify piping where insulation will remain. No

59) Details 2-5 on MEP-102: These details are for underground work. Does this project contain underground scope? Details removed

60) If yes, please provide drawings where this work is to be performed on the plans.

61) Please identify where the new sump pit in Room G18 will be added. Removed from scope

62) Please provide specifications and Details on the construction of the new Sump Pit in Room G18, including piping and drain lines.

63) Please confirm if any trenching or core drilling is required for new sump pit piping.

64) If yes, please provide a specification for this.

65) Please provide a schedule for the new chilled water and condensate pumps to be installed. This is the Contractor’s responsibility

66) Please provide the approved manufacturers for the new chilled water and condensate pumps. The VA cannot dictate which manufacture to use.

67) Please include drawings, locations for the new chilled water and condensate pumps. Not required. Put new pumps where existing pumps are. This is a 1-for-1.

68) Please provide specifications for the new pumps; to include material, pump specs, limitations, etc. This is a 1-for-1. This information should have been acquired by the contractors during the pre-bid site visit.

69) Please provide tie-in points for the existing chilled water system, including pipe sizes. This information should have been acquired by the contractors during the pre-bid site visit.

70) Please provide details/specifications for the required temporary chilled water system, including flow rates, connection points, and location for temporary equipment. We are bidding for a subject matter expert. It is the contractor’s responsibility to supply proper equipment. Connection points for temp equipment are easily accessible outside the north end of bldg. 11.

71) Please provide a Piping and Instrumentation Diagram for the proposed new work. N/A

72) Per Specification 23 05 11 3.6 D, please indicate all existing valves, pressure gauges, and thermometers to remain.

73) Please specify any new temperature or pressure sensors to be installed, including type.

74) Please specify extent of “Survey Existing Condensate Pit Conditions” as called out in Drawing MEP-101 Room G10.

75) Will any modifications to the existing Condensate Pit in Room G10 be addressed through a change order?

76) Please specify any required water quality testing or treatment related to the new condensate system.

77) Please confirm if third-party commissioning is required for new MEP Systems

78) If yes, provide the scope of commissioning tasks.

79) Are TAB (testing, adjusting, and balancing) services required to be VA-commissioned, or are they part of the contractor’s scope?

80) If TAB is part of the contractor’s scope, please provide testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) requirements and specifications.

81) Please confirm if BAS integration is required in the contractor’s scope of work.

82) If yes, please provide a scope of commissioning tasks, as well as the proprietary BAS contractor at the facility.

83) Please confirm the number of rooms that will need Epoxy Coated Floors and Wall Paint.

84) If any rooms outside of room G18 and G10 will need Epoxy Coated Floors and Wall Paint, please identify them.

85) Please provide a finish schedule for Wall Paint.

86) Please provide a specification for the Floor Epoxy.

87) Please identify locations of all finishes on the drawings

88) Please confirm if all floors and walls will need to acid washed (or alternative) before painting/epoxy.

89) If yes, please provide specifications on acid washing (or alternative).