RFIs_Response_Rev2.docx

1. The current lead time on similar size generators are up to 80 weeks. Recommend the period of performance is changed to a minimum of 550 calendar days.

A no cost time extension will be issued upon need for the lead time. Would prefer the building to be completed before the generators are received to prevent them from sitting offsite or in storage.

2. The ASTs should be UL-2085 to meet NFPA 30 spacing requirements. Drawing Sheet M-801 reflects this, however the specifications refer to UL-142 tanks. Please confirm. SPEC 23 10 00, Para. 2.1.D.1. Incorrect, the Tanks are UL 142, the drawing has been upgraded to reflect this.

3. Spec section 23 10 00 indicates the use of Preferred Utilities Mfg. Corp. throughout the specification section. Preferred Utilities Mfg. Corp. has been unresponsive to date on request for bid. Recommend substitutes are considered and the spec language for substitutions is revised. SPEC 23 10 00, Para. 1.6.A.

Spec Section 23 10 00 does reference Preferred Utilities Mfg. Corp. as the basis‑of‑design and sole‑source OEM for a fully integrated fuel system. However, Paragraph 1.6.A and Division 01 allow substitutions, provided the contractor submits a complete equivalency package meeting Section 01 33 23 requirements, including full technical comparison, certifications, and evidence that the alternate provides identical functionality, performance, integration, and warranty. Vendor unresponsiveness does not automatically modify the specifications; substitutions will be considered through the standard approval process.

4. Due to new generator lead times, does the VA need the existing backup generator in the meantime? This would affect Phasing Plan on Sheet CD-101. Essentially portions of new construction at the generator building site will be completed prior to completion of Phase 2. DRAWINGS CD-101 The drawings do not allow removing or decommissioning the existing generator early—not even due to long lead times.

The design assumes:

1. New generator, building, tanks, and electrical gear are constructed during Phase 1, while the existing system continues to serve the campus.

2. Only after new systems are ready for testing, connection, and cutover may the existing generator be demolished (Phase 2).

This ensures continuous Emergency Power System (EPS) availability, which is mandatory at an active VAMC

5. It is unclear in the drawings and specifications if the new FOF, FOS and FOR lines should be welded or threaded connections at pipe joints. SPEC 23 10 00 FOF, FOS, and FOR joints are not threaded.

FOF connections are flanged, bolted, and gasketed.

FOS connections are socket‑welded.

FOR connections are ring‑type joint (RTJ), used for critical/high‑pressure connections.

Per Section 23 10 00, threaded connections are only allowed on ≤2” pipe and therefore do not apply to the FOF/FOS/FOR lines, which must use the joint types stated in the specification.

6. Please clarify whether the contractor is responsible for filling the fuel tanks or if this will be provided by the VA.

Per Specification Section 23 10 00 and associated General/Commissioning Requirements, the Contractor is responsible for providing all fuel required for initial startup, commissioning, and testing of the generator and fuel‑oil systems (including filling of the main tank and day tanks to manufacturer‑recommended levels). After successful startup/testing and system acceptance, the VA will provide fuel for ongoing operations.

7. Can the QC manager and SSHO be one individual?

No. Per Sections 01 35 26 and 01 45 00, the SSHO and QC Manager must be separate, full‑time positions.

The SSHO may not perform QC duties, and the QC Manager may not perform SSHO duties.

Role combination is not permitted under the specification.

8. Will the owner accept Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

Yes. The VA will accept Procore as the primary submittal and data‑tracking system, provided that all electronic submittal requirements of Section 01 33 23 are met, including PDF formatting, submittal register maintenance, electronic transmission, secure document control, and compliance with VA review workflows. The specifications do not restrict the use of Procore or any comparable project‑management software.

9. Will the owner accept the “Out-Build Scheduling Software” for schedule submission and monthly updates?

No. The VA will not accept “Out‑Build Scheduling Software” as the primary tool for CPM schedule submission or monthly updates. Per Specification Section 01 32 16.01 and related scheduling requirements, CPM schedules must be prepared and submitted using Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. These are the only platforms recognized as acceptable in the contract documents.

10. Is this project tax-exempt, and will the CO/COR provide the necessary tax-exempt certificates?

Yes. This project is tax‑exempt as it is performed for a VA Medical Center, a federal tax‑exempt entity. Per the specifications (Section 01 00 00 – General Requirements), the contractor is to use the VA’s tax‑exempt certificate for qualifying purchases. The Contracting Officer/COR will provide the necessary tax‑exempt documentation upon request.

11. Because of COVID-19 throughout the U.S. and the resulting Federal, State and local governments’ responses/requirement, are there any new work requirements or mandates that will be required by the VA on this project?

The project does not impose any COVID‑19–specific requirements or mandates. All contractor work must comply with Section 01 35 26 Safety Requirements, VA Infection Control (ICRA/PCRA), and applicable OSHA/VA standards, but there are no additional COVID‑related procedures, PPE requirements, or mandates included in the contract documents.

12. Many VA campuses are beginning to address tuberculosis protocols on VA campus projects, including the 90-day screening before assignment to the worksite. This requirement will limit the amount of personnel who can immediately perform work right after the award. Will this project be required to follow 01 35 26 1.13 for TB-required protocols and a requirement to follow the 90-day screening before work on the project?

Yes. This project is required to follow the TB screening requirements in Section 01 35 26.

All contractor and subcontractor personnel must complete TB screening within 90 days prior to assignment to the VA worksite. Negative screening documentation is required before entry.

Personnel added after the 90‑day window must also be screened prior to site access.

This is a mandatory requirement for all workers on VA medical center property.

13. What is the approximate duration between issuing the award and issuing the NTP?

Estimated between 15-30 days.

14. For planning the preliminary project schedule, please provide an anticipated award date.

At or around June 17, 2026.

15. How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for the owner and A/E to review and respond to RFIs?

Per Specification Section 01 33 23, the Owner/A‑E review and response time for RFIs is 20 business days. This duration should be included in the critical‑path method schedule.

16. How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for the owner and A/E submittal review?

Per Specification Section 01 33 23, the Owner/A‑E review period for submittals is 20 business days. For CPM planning purposes, this equates to approximately 28 calendar days per submittal review cycle.

17. Will the Government provide the 3-D REVIT Design model in native file format for the creation of coordination drawings and use by contractor? Can be provided.

18. Specifications section 01 35 26 para 1.7. C explains that SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent. Specifications section 01 45 00 para 3.4. B mandates that CQC System Manager can not have duties as project superintendent. Please confirm that the superintendent cannot dual hat as CQC or SSHO.

Confirmed.

The superintendent cannot dual‑hat as either the CQC System Manager or the SSHO.

Sections 01 35 26 and 01 45 00 require all three roles — Superintendent, SSHO, and CQC Manager — to be filled by separate, dedicated, qualified individuals.

19. Please confirm that the project scope (including work at the basement and the 1st /2nd-floor interstitials) will be completed during normal working hours, not nights and weekends. There is no basement and 1st/2nd floor interstitial space in the scope of this contract.

20. On CS101, please confirm if the portion of work shown to the right of the proposed new building will be part of this contract. or is this CS101 delineates the approximate limits of construction for Phase 1 and Phase 2.

21. Can you confirm that the owner will be contracting directly with a third-party commissioning agent for commissioning the project and that the Contractor is only to include participation/coordination with the Commissioning Agent?

Incorrect the Contractor will be hiring the third-party commission agent. See updated Specification.

22. The specs table of contents appear to show spec section 08 71 00, but it appears to be missing. Please provide. See attached

23. Has the facility Operation & Maintenance team reviewed the Contract Documents for operability to avoid change orders? Yes

24. Can the contractor use an existing office inside the building for a temporary construction office during construction instead of setting up a temporary trailer? No

25. Can the contractor use the existing restroom facilities in the work area or adjacent ones nearby? No

26. Can the contractor use the existing on-site utilities for temporary electrical and water free of charge?

Yes. Per VA Specification Section 01 00 00 (General Requirements), the contractor may use the existing on‑site utilities (temporary electrical power and temporary water) at no cost. The contractor must furnish and install all temporary connections, distribution equipment, and protective devices required for safe use of these utilities.

27. Will the owner provide the fire watch during the period that the fire suppression and/or fire alarm system is not in service?

No. The VA will not provide the fire watch.

Per Division 01 Safety Requirements, the contractor is responsible for furnishing fire watch coverage whenever the fire alarm or fire suppression system is disabled, impaired, or taken offline as part of the construction work

28. Please provide detailed guidance for noise and vibration operations, including acceptable levels/duration, hours of operations for acceptable levels, and acceptable noise levels after hours. Follow local law +OSHA. Please see specification 01 57 19/1.5/F Reduction of Noise spec

29. Regarding the Blast Resistant Doors and frames, please advise the blast PSI level and the impulse (or duration) of the blast.

All blast-resistant components, including doors and frames, shall therefore be designed to the W1 threat at 50 ft with GP2 load limits

30. If the PSI level and Duration are not known, please advise the charge weight and stand-off distance in order to determine the blast level.

All blast-resistant components, including doors and frames, shall therefore be designed to the W1 threat at 50 ft with GP2 load limits

31. Please advise the level of protection that is required after the blast event: Category I, Category II, or Category III? Category I

32. Please advise if the doors are seated (blast pushes the doors into the frames) or unseated (blast pushes doors open, away from flames).

The doors shall be seated blast doors.

33. The impact resistance indicates a hurricane-rated requirement. Please advise the wind rating.

Exterior doors must meet FM Global Windstorm Class 1‑120 requirements and withstand wind loads of at least 30 psf, consistent with the building’s ASCE 7‑16 wind design.

34. Will there be GPRS (locating services) of existing utilities provided by the owner?

The Owner will not provide GPR/GPRS locating services.

All utility locating—including ground‑penetrating radar—is the Contractor’s responsibility per the project specifications. Please see specifications regarding survey, topographic survey, and utility survey in specification 02 21 13

35. Will there be enough distance from the existing building on the right for layback or will there be the need for active shoring?

There is NOT enough distance from the existing building on the right to allow excavating with layback. Active, engineered shoring will be required.

36. Will the gravel removal on-site remain on the property? if so, where is the Stockpile Area?

The removed gravel must NOT remain on‑site and must be disposed of off‑site.

37. There are no specific instructions as to what shall be submitted with our bid listed in the solicitation. Can you provide a list of submission requirements?

SAMS registration, Bid Bond, Self-certification for safety, clauses that are to be filled out and/or signed by bidder, determination of responsibility, VET 4212, and verification of socioeconomic status. All bids will be accepted electronically to sean.cosby@va.gov

38. Does the VA supply new fuel for both the storage and day tanks? I understand that the existing fuel must be pumped out, cleaned, and returned during the refilling process, but I wanted to clarify how any potential fuel deficit is handled.

The VA does not supply new diesel fuel for the storage tanks or the day tanks. The contractor is responsible for furnishing all new fuel required for tank filling, system commissioning, and any fuel deficit after salvaging/cleaning/returning existing fuel.

39. Are there any required permits from the North Carolina Dept of Environmental Control?

Yes. The project requires NCDEQ permits and regulatory compliance. At minimum, these include UST permanent closure compliance under NCDEQ rules and NPDES Construction Stormwater/Erosion Control requirements. The contractor must obtain and pay for all NCDEQ‑related permits.

40. Are there preferred vendors being utilized by the campus?

Yes.

The VA Salisbury campus specifications identify clear preferred or required vendors for critical systems. These are built into the basis‑of‑design equipment and integration requirements.

Non‑substitutable (must use):

· SEL (SCADA/relay/RTAC controls) Campus‑standard / preferred (basis of design):

· Siemens / Schneider (BAS)

· Preferred Utilities (fuel system)

· Highland Tank

· MTU (generators)

· ASCO (switchgear)

· G&W, Bender, Avtron, Okonite

· Greenheck, Vibro‑Acoustics, NETT, Modine

· Camfil Farr

· Viking, Watts

· Quazite

41. In the bid set (Drawing Number E603):

a. A substation demolition is referenced but it appears to be a switchgear. Please verify.

The equipment labeled as a “unit substation” on E603 is the existing generator switchgear assembly. It is not a utility substation. The drawing correctly references its demolition.

b. Are the standby generator and switchgear house being demolished?

Yes. Both the existing standby generator and the existing switchgear house/structure are being demolished as part of Phase 2, as shown on E603 and CD101.

42. Per the Site Demolition Plan drawings, there will be a phase 2. Is this phase 2, or when do you anticipate phase 2 happening? (Reference CD101 note 17-19) Phase 2 is a separate construction phase that occurs after completion of Phase 1.

43. Who is responsible for relay programming?

Relay programming is performed by the equipment manufacturers (ASCO for paralleling switchgear, G&W for campus loop gear) and by SEL/ASCO for the SEL‑3530 RTAC. The contractor coordinates but does not self‑perform relay programming.

44. Who will be responsible for clearing the area of the containers, and other equipment prior to the beginning of site work?

The Contractor is responsible for clearing the area, including removal and relocation of storage containers and any other equipment, as shown in the demolition plans. All removal/relocation must be coordinated with the VA, but the work is performed by the Contractor.

45. Per the Buy American Act, what are the percentage requirements (i.e., 65%, 70%, etc.) of the switchboard and generator components to be produced or manufactured in the US?

The generator and switchboard assemblies must meet:

· 65% domestic content for all non‑steel materials; and

· 95% domestic content for iron/steel components.

Any deviation would require a formal BAA waiver from the Contracting Officer.