S05 658-24-104 Questions and Answer_ Renovate Main Lobby.pdf

Solicitation Questions for Renovate Main Lobby Project # 658-24-104

Solicitation # 36C24626B0027

1. Where is the location for the dumpster and disposal routes for the lobby?

a. See attached map showing the Contractor Mobilization Area. The

Contractor is required to remove debris at least daily from the work area and the disposal container is to be located in the Contractor Mobilization Area.

2. Has all areas of work been checked for asbestos?

a. All areas of the work have been checked for hazardous materials including asbestos. No hazardous materials exist in the project work areas.

3. There is an existing Case in the lobby with a campus wide rendition of the entire facility. Will the VA move this display, or will it need to be demolished?

a. The Government will dismantle, remove, and store the Salem VAMC campus model located in the Lobby entry area near the coffee shop. The contractor is not responsible for work involving the campus model.

4. There are many plaques and paintings attached to the walls. How are these attached and are they to be removed or left it place?

a. Plaques and paintings are mounted to the wall with screws and adhesive.

Contractor is to remove, store, and reinstall the plaques and paintings.

5. Can work be performed during normal working hours if properly having protection and signs warning the public? One instance is the ceiling pendants lighting for the electricians.

a. Subject to the requirements of Specification 01 00 00 regarding no interference with VAMC operations and patient care, daytime work will be permitted. To meet the overall period of performance contractor is likely to need additional shifts or possible 3 shifts, weekend, and holiday work. The VA will not permit the work to continue past the overall period of performance, but the Contractor is permitted to use their management skill, resources, and their selected means and methods of construction to meet the overall period of performance. The drawing notes regarding work hours, phase duration, and period of performance are modified and are no longer in force regarding work hours, phase durations, workdays, and overall period of performance.

6. Plan Demolition Notes number 21 states to coordinate the Skylight caulking with the roofer. Why is this a requirement? Is there roofing to be performed?

a. Areas where noted to coordinate the skylight caulking is due to skylight leakage. Repair leakage with caulking. Roofing is not part of the scope of this project.

7. If a copy of the VETS 4212 is required with bid submission. It is referenced on page 5 on the solicitation, but not included in the Instructions to Bidders.

a. Confirming VETS 4212 applies to this solicitation. The VA researches and makes the determination whether bidders comply with the requirement.

8. With the project shown to be 32 phases, it will require more than the 365 days for the Period of Performance. Will the VA allow a longer POP such as 485 days?

a. See question number 39, responses to other phasing and period of performance questions.

9. Please confirm that E-Verify is required per the following statement in the RFP:

E-VERIFY SYSTEM: Companies awarded a contract with the federal government shall enroll in E-Verify within 30 days of the contract award date. They shall also begin using the E-Verify system to confirm that all of their new hires and their employees directly working on federal contracts are authorized to legally work in the United States.

a. Confirming that E-Verify is required per the solicitation statement.

10. Please confirm the GEMS is required for this project along with all needed compliance and paperwork. If it is required, please provide the Facility GEMS requirements so they can be priced accordingly.

a. The VA Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) is applicable to this project. Contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable GEMS compliance and documentation.

Since this project does not have hazardous materials, the applicable requirements are contained in Specification 01 74 19 Construction Waste Management.

11. How many people are required to fill the positions of Superintendent, QCM, and

SSHO? Can this be one or two people if qualified?

a. One person is permitted to serve in the functional roles of

Superintendent, and Site Safety and Health Officer. A separate individual is required to serve as Contractor Quality Control (CQC) Manager, provided that all of the qualification requirements for the three positions are met by the two individuals for their separate roles.

12. In section Spec 01 00 00 (pg 36) 1.20 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION.

Would the Government accept photos uploaded daily of work progress in lieu of spec 01 00 00 1.20?

a. The Government will not accept daily photo uploads in lieu of the requirement in spec 01 00 00, paragraph 1.20

13. In section Spec 01 35 26 (pg 18) 1.9 “SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICER”

(SSHO) AND “COMPETENT PERSON” (CP): Would the government allow the SSHO role to be covered by the superintendent (which would make the Super triple hatted as spec 01 45 00 calls for the CQC and super to be the same individual)?

a. See responses above to questions regarding Superintendent, SSHO, and CQC Manager.

14. In section Spec 01 45 00 (pg 6) 3.4 QUALITY CONTROL ORGANIZATION B.

calls for the CQC system manger to hold a graduate degree. Would the government accept a CQC system manager that holds an Army Corps of Engineers CQM-C certificate and has 4 plus years construction experience in lieu of the degree requirement?

a. The US Army Corps of Engineers CQM-C certificate will be considered to meet the requirement for the CQC system manager to hold a graduate degree.

15. In section Spec 10 14 00 signage: There is no signage shown on the drawings and no signage schedule. Is signage within the SOW?

a. No signage is to be created by the contractor. For existing signage and items attached to the walls, contractor is to remove, store, and reinstall in original locations.

16. Reference previous question. if signage is in the SOW. Can the government please provide sign schedule and location?

a. Scope of signage is limited to removal and reinstallation of existing. See the answers above.

17. Would the government accept ProCore in lieu of submittal exchange?

a. Contractor is to follow the requirements of the specifications. Submittal

Exchange meets the requirements. ProCore is not an acceptable substitute.

18. Drawing ED102 note 2 calls for nurse call to be removed and replaced.

Can the Government please provide the brand and model of the nurse call equipment?

a. The existing Nurse Call devices are manufactured by Jeron.

19. Drawing ED102 note 2 calls for nurse call to be removed and replaced. Can the Government please provide contact for the current service provider for the nurse call system?

a. The current service provider for the Jeron nurse call system is the VA itself – we do not have a service contract with the manufacturer or installer.

20. Drawing EP101 note 5 calls for nurse call to be relocated. Can the

Government please provide a sketch for the new location of the Nurse call?

a. ED102 nurse call relocation is shown on EP101. Refer to EP101 for new location

21. Numerous drawings I.E. MD101 note 1 call for duct to be pressure tested and resealed as necessary. As the work involved is only replacing grills and minimal amount of duct work mostly if not all flex duct. This is all low pressure duct work and typically would only involve visual inspection not a full DALT test. Can the government please clarify what is required?

a. Existing ductwork shall be pressure tested for leakage per the specifications and per VA requirements. Repair of leaks if necessary will be a part of a modification to the scope of this project.

22. Reference previous question. If a full DALT test is within the scope of work Can the government please provide as-built drawing showing complete HVAC system in detail so that DALT can be priced.

a. Contractor to perform leak testing and report results. Repair of leaks if necessary will be a part of a modification to the scope of this project.

23. Reference previous question. If a full DALT test and remediation sealing is required. Would this be handled as a latent condition as scope would be unknown until DALT was completed?

a. Contractor to perform leak testing and report results. Repair of leaks if necessary will be a part of a modification to the scope of this project.

24. MD101 Drawing Note 2: Contractor shall conduct a pre-demolition TAB report prior to commencement of work on all diffusers and grills in the project SOW.

Is the VA requiring a complete Pre & post construction TAB or only local readings at the effected grill/diffuser?

a. All diffusers and grills within the scope of work shall be measured prior to removal, cleaning, and reinstallation. A report of the airflow testing shall be provided to the COR for a record of existing condition airflows.

Post construction TAB is not a requirement.

25. Reference previous question. If a full TAB is required in order to price can the

VA please provide the following information for a Pre-Demoloshion TAB to be performed: a set of As Built drawings for all associated HVAC within the SOW, all design CFM information for supply and return grills/ diffusers connected to the system, all submittal information for related AHU’s to include airflows and power curves for motors?

a. Scope of TAB provided in answer above.

26. Reference previous question. Typical TAB includes testing water/ steam flow rates as well. Will this be required also? If so, can the VA provide flow rates per design?

a. Scope of TAB provided in answer above.

27. Drawing AD101 and A101 show reception desks at CB13A, CB8A and information desk CB4 to remain in place. It appears that the existing flooring is run under them not to them. Is the VA removing the desks?

a. Existing built in Reception desk and information desk to remain. new flooring to work around existing casework. New flooring requires a smooth transition to existing.

28. Reference previous question. If removing and replacing the desks is in our scope of work: Can the VA please supply cut sheets for the desks to include the locations of any power and data feeds?

a. Existing built in Reception desk and information desk to remain. power and data locations and feeds are to be field verified by the Contractor.

29. Corridors CG-25 & CB-15 have solid ceiling tiles( panels) along bldg. exterior wall. Assume radiant panels is this correct?

a. Radiant panels exist (LRP type) in limited areas of the project along exterior walls. Example: along exterior walls in Phases 3J, 3K, and 3L as well as a single panel in Phase 3I, among other locations in the project area ceilings.

30. Reference previous question. these panels are not addressed in any drawings. Are they to remain?

a. Radiant ceiling panels (LRP type) are to remain. New ceiling grid and panels are to be placed without removal or replacement of the LRP panels. See revised drawing sheets A101, A111, and A112 provided with this set of bidder questions for further information regarding LRP panels.

31. Drawing A112 has note 8 shown on the drawings but no note 8 in the notes. Can the VA please give call out for note 8.

a. The callout intended for Note 8 on Drawing A112 is ‘New acoustical ceiling panels’. Revised drawing A112 is provided. Replace existing drawing sheet with revised.

32. Drawings AD101 shows and A101 show office just north of entrance CB2 to be out of SOW. Note 1 on A101 calls for new terrazzo flooring. What is the scope of work in this room?

a. No scope of work at office. Revised drawing A101 is provided. Replace existing drawing sheet with revised.

33. Is the entire work area Slab on Grade? If not, can the VA provide locations of crawlspaces or sub-basements.

a. Regarding moisture testing all slabs are to be assumed slab on grade approximately 8 inches thickness. Experience with other flooring projects at ground floor level shows a moisture barrier is required at all ground floor installations of flooring, to prevent adverse effects of moisture in the floor slabs. Therefore, moisture testing is not required and all flooring in this project is to be provided with a moisture barrier compatible with the flooring products.

34. What is the thickness of the existing slab on grade?

a. See answer relating to slab on grade and moisture barrier requirement.

Contractor is to assume an existing 8-inch slab on grade.

35. For bidding purposes. What are the thicknesses of the existing flooring systems should we assume to include tile thickness, mud beds, skim coats and patches depths?

a. Existing conditions will need to be field verified regarding installed flooring materials and thicknesses. New flooring finishes require a smooth transition to existing, and shall meet ABAA and NFPA egress requirements for clear, unobstructed flooring surfaces along the path of egress.

36. Hepa air machine discharge. If no access to exterior for venting is feasible.

Will the VA allow discharge to occupied areas?

a. Exterior venting appears to be feasible through use of ducts to the front entrance area, and temporary removal of a glass storefront panel. The use of internal venting is permitted by ICRA mitigation measures, with the proper equipment as well as monitoring and recording as specified in the standard ICRA permit form. Contractor is responsible for following all ICRA requirements. See blank ICRA permit (included with these bidder question responses) for detailed additional requirements imposed on ICRA mitigation that vents to adjacent interior spaces instead of to the outside.

37. Reference previous question. If not can the government please provide location for discharge for each phase?

a. Interior discharge meeting the requirements of the ICRA permit may be used if the contractor does not discharge to the exterior.

38. Phasing: Will we be able to own all of the main phases completely at same time? (The project would have 4 phases and no sub phases?)

a. Potential phase changes will be considered if they are in the best interests of the Government and the requirement that all healthcare operations are to continue uninterrupted during the course of the project. Bidders on this project must prepare and price their proposals as designed with all of the phases, within the overall period of performance.

39. Phasing & POP: The period of performance as phased is not possible the product you have spaced requires a 3-5 day installation time (some phases are only 1 day) , plus time for demolition and all other trades assuming 1 day for ICRA, 1 day for VA inspection, 1 day demo, 3 days for moisture testing, 4 days flooring, 2 days for other trades, 1 day for punch, 1 day for corrections 1 day removal of ICRA that’s 15 days/3 weeks per phase there are a minimum of 28 phases if you combine all that are called out as possible to combine that is even with combined phases that’s 84 weeks of field time with an additional 4 weeks for submittals and 4 weeks for material accusation and 2 weeks for close out if everything goes perfect. That’s a total of 94 weeks.

Would the VA extend the POP to 800 days?

a. MOISTURE TESTING. Based on experience in other ground floor projects involving flooring, Contractor is to assume a moisture barrier is required for all flooring areas. No moisture testing period is required as the necessity for a moisture barrier has been established.

b. Work hours are permitted to be during regular operational hours of the

VAMC provided no interference with operations or patient care occurs, per specification 01 00 00. Work hours outside regular hours, on weekends and on holidays are permitted and may be necessary to meet the overall period of performance.

c. Overall period of performance is extended. Contractor must reach substantial completion within 400 calendar days of Notice To Proceed

(NTP).

d. The drawing notes regarding work hours, phase duration, and period of performance are modified and are no longer in force regarding work hours, phase durations, workdays, and overall period of performance.

40. Working hours. Will any work be allowed during normal working hours?

a. See answers to other questions regarding work hours, phasing, and

41. Reference previous question. If yes what work will be allowed during normal hours?

a. See answers to other questions regarding work hours, phasing, and

42. Painting: Where phasing makes it imposable to paint corner to corner.

(specifically in open lobby ) Would the VA permit a separate painting phase with minimum containment to ensure a cohesive finished look and avoid flashing and paint lines?

a. The VA will accept an additional phase for painting at an appropriate point in the schedule, or following completion of all flooring and wall protection work. In all cases the overall period of performance of 400 days is required to be met, even if a painting phase is adopted in the schedule.