S05-RFI Questions-Dock and Deck Plate Repair- 9.3.2026.pdf

36C24626Q0889- DOCK AND DECK PLATE REPAIR

SALEM VA MEDICAL CENTER- RFI QUESTIONS

1. Building 14 Dock Plate/Leveler:

The SOW for Building 14 requires removal of the existing dock plate but does not state that a replacement dock plate or leveler is to be furnished or installed. Is a new dock plate or leveler required at Building 14? If so, what type, dimensions, capacity, operating method, and associated structural, electrical, or hydraulic requirements should be included in the quote?

Answer: See revised scope of work. Bldg 14 has been removed from the scope of work.

2. As-Built Drawings:

Will stamped as-built drawings or record drawings be required upon completion of the project? If so, what drawings are required, and must they be prepared or stamped by a Virginia-licensed design professional?

Answer: See revised scope of work.

3. Concrete and Asphalt Testing:

Will third-party testing or inspection be required for the concrete and asphalt work included in the project? If so, please identify the required testing or inspection requirements.

Answer: See revised scope of work

4. Building 14 Dock Shelter:

During the site visit, we discussed constructing a new shelter over the Building

14 loading dock. Is construction of a dock shelter required as part of this project?

If so, please provide the required dimensions, materials, specifications, design requirements, and any associated structural or installation requirements that should be included in the quote.

5. Building 14 Handicap Ramp and Stairs:

During the site visit, clarification was requested regarding the existing handicap-accessible ramp and stairs adjacent to the Building 14 loading dock. Are the existing ramp and stairs to remain in place, with demolition and replacement limited to the loading dock area, or is removal and replacement of the ramp and/or stairs also required? If replacement is required, please provide the applicable scope, dimensions, design requirements, and specifications to be included in the quote.

6. Project Drawings and Construction Details: Reference- SOW Sections 1-3

The solicitation provides a written Statement of Work but does not include project-specific construction drawings or details. Please confirm whether the VA will provide drawings, sketches, existing-condition drawings, structural details, or other construction documents for this project.

If no VA-issued drawings are available, please confirm whether the Contractor is responsible for developing all required shop drawings, fabrication drawings, structural details, and installation details based on the SOW and existing field conditions.

Requested Clarification:

Please identify the design-document requirements and confirm whether Contractor-developed drawings will be required prior to construction.

7. Design Responsibility / Engineering: Reference: SOW Section 3

Please clarify whether the VA has an Engineer of Record for the proposed concrete, retaining wall, steel angle, pit leveler frame, and other structural modifications.

If no design has been prepared by the VA, is the Contractor responsible for providing a licensed design professional to develop the structural design and details required for construction?

Requested Clarification:

Please confirm the extent of Contractor design responsibility, including whether sealed engineering drawings/calculations will be required.

8. Building 14 Retaining Wall Structural Details: Reference: Building 14, Item 5

The SOW requires a new 4 ft. × 1 ft. × 14 ft. retaining wall with 4 × 4 steel angle on edge. Please provide the required structural details for the retaining wall, including:

• Concrete compressive strength

• Reinforcing steel size, spacing, and placement

• Footing dimensions and reinforcing

• Required dowels/tie-ins to existing construction

• Steel angle thickness and material grade

• Steel angle orientation and attachment method

• Welded versus bolted connections

• Required corrosion protection/coating

• Any required expansion or control joints

If these details are not available, please confirm whether the Contractor is responsible for engineering the wall.

9. Building 14 Footing Requirements: Reference: Building 14, Item 4

The SOW requires excavation for a new footing at the existing dock wall to extend the dock area.

Question:

Please provide the required footing width, depth, elevation, reinforcing, concrete strength, and connection to the existing dock wall/foundation.

If the footing dimensions are to be determined by the Contractor's Engineer, please confirm.

10. Building 14 Concrete Drive Elevations and Slope: Reference: Building 14, Item 7

The SOW requires a 14 ft. × 50 ft. × 6 in. concrete drive sloped to allow trucks to back up level with the dock.

Question:

Please provide the required finished elevations and slope criteria for the new concrete drive.

Specifically, please identify:

• Required elevation at the dock

• Required elevation at the low end of the drive

• Maximum/minimum slope

• Required cross slope

• Drainage requirements

• Required transition between the new concrete and existing pavement

If field verification and Contractor-established elevations are acceptable, please confirm.

11. Building 14 Concrete Drive Reinforcement: Reference: Building 14, Item 7

Please provide the required reinforcement for the new 6-inch concrete drive, including:

• Reinforcing bar or welded wire reinforcement

• Bar size and spacing

• Reinforcement elevation

• Required concrete cover

• Doweling into existing concrete

• Joint spacing

• Joint type and sealant requirements

Please also provide the specified concrete compressive strength.

12. Building 14 New Curb Reinforcement and Connection: Reference:

Building 14, Item 6

The SOW identifies a new 6 in. × 18 in. × 50 ft. curb.

Please provide reinforcement and connection details for the new curb, including any dowels, reinforcing steel, jointing, concrete strength, and connection to the adjacent concrete drive.

Please confirm whether the curb is intended to be monolithic with the new concrete drive.

13. Building 14 Handrail Extension: Reference: Building 14, Item 8

The SOW requires the existing handrail to be extended by approximately 2 feet.

Question:

Please confirm the required handrail material, member size, finish, connection method, and configuration.

Is the intent to match the existing handrail system in material, diameter/profile, finish, and connection details?

Please also confirm whether the Contractor is responsible for providing any engineering or OSHA/VA compliance modifications to the existing handrail system.

14. Building 14 Dock Bumper Installation: Reference: Building 14, Item 9

The SOW specifies new 4 in. × 10 in. × 14 in. rubber dock bumpers.

Question:

Please provide the required bumper manufacturer/specification or confirm that an equivalent commercial dock bumper meeting the stated dimensions is acceptable.

Please provide the required mounting hardware, anchor type, spacing, and mounting elevation.

15. Building 15 Pit Leveler – Manufacturer and Performance Requirements:

Reference: Building 15, Item 6 The SOW requires installation of a new 6 ft. × 8 ft. hydraulic pit leveler.

Question:

Please provide the required manufacturer, model, capacity, platform/lip dimensions, operating range, and performance requirements for the hydraulic pit leveler.

If the VA does not require a specific manufacturer/model, please confirm the minimum acceptable performance criteria and whether an equal product is acceptable.

16. Building 15 Hydraulic Pit Leveler Electrical Requirements: Reference:

Building 15, Item 6

Question:

Please provide the electrical requirements for the new hydraulic pit leveler, including:

• Voltage

• Phase

• Amperage

• Disconnect requirements

• Circuit requirements

• Conduit requirements

• Control requirements

• Location of electrical connection

• Required controls/switches

• Whether electrical work is included in the Contractor's scope

Please provide existing available electrical service information at Building 15.

17. Building 15 Existing Pit Demolition: Reference: Building 15, Items 1-3 The SOW requires removal of the existing pit leveler and associated equipment, followed by sawcutting at the cantilever.

Question:

Please clarify the limits of demolition and identify whether the existing hydraulic equipment, hydraulic lines, electrical components, controls, steel framing, anchors, and other associated equipment are to be completely removed.

Please also confirm whether any existing components are to be salvaged and returned to the VA.

18. Building 15 Pit Infill and Subgrade Preparation: Reference: Building 15, Item 2

The SOW requires the existing pit to be infilled with #57 gravel.

Please provide the required depth and placement criteria for the #57 gravel.

Please confirm:

• Required subgrade preparation

• Lift thickness

• Compaction requirements

• Required density testing

• Whether geotextile is required

• Required elevation of gravel below the new slab

19. Building 15 New 4-Inch Concrete Slab: Reference: Building 15, Item 4 The SOW requires a new 4-inch concrete slab pinned to the existing foundation.

Question:

Please provide slab reinforcement, concrete strength, dowel size/spacing, embedment depth, adhesive anchor requirements, and connection details to the existing foundation.

Please also confirm the required slab dimensions and whether the slab is intended to be structurally independent from or integral with the new pit leveler frame.

20. Building 15 Existing Foundation Condition: Reference: Building 15, Items 3-5 Question:

Please confirm whether existing structural information is available for the Building 15 pit, cantilever, and surrounding foundation.

Because the new slab and pit leveler frame will be connected to existing construction, please provide any available existing structural drawings or confirm whether the Contractor may rely upon field investigation to establish existing conditions.

If existing concrete is found to be deteriorated or unsuitable for the specified attachment, please clarify the process for addressing those conditions.

21. Building 15 Pit Leveler Frame: Reference: Building 15, Item 5

The SOW requires a new 4 in. × 4 in. pit leveler frame and concrete perimeter.

Question:

Please provide the required frame material, steel thickness, grade, dimensions, anchorage, welds, coating/finish, and connection details.

Please confirm whether the 4-inch × 4-inch dimension represents the finished frame angle/structural member size or the nominal perimeter dimension.

22. Dock Bumper Requirements – Buildings 14 & 15: Reference: Building 14, Item 9, Building 15, Item 6 The SOW requires 4 in. × 10 in. × 14 in. rubber dock bumpers at both locations.

Question:

Please confirm whether the bumpers at Buildings 14 and 15 are to be identical in material, mounting configuration, and attachment.

Please provide required mounting hardware, anchor type, spacing, and elevation, or confirm that the Contractor may provide a commercially available bumper assembly meeting the stated dimensions and VA requirements.

23. Concrete Material and Finish Requirements: Reference: SOW Sections 1-

The SOW requires concrete and metal installations to be level, aligned, and finished to VA quality standards, but does not identify specific concrete mix or reinforcement requirements.

Question:

Please provide the applicable concrete specifications, including:

• Minimum compressive strength

• Air entrainment

• Maximum water/cement ratio

• Slump

• Aggregate size

• Reinforcing steel requirements

• Concrete curing requirements

• Required finish

• Cold-weather requirements

• Testing requirements

If the VA has a standard specification that applies to this work, please identify the applicable specification section.

24. Existing Utilities and Underground Conditions: Reference: Building 14

Excavation/ Building 14 Demolition

Please provide any available information regarding existing underground utilities, electrical services, hydraulic lines, drainage systems, communication systems, or other utilities within the proposed work areas.

Please confirm the VA's requirements for utility locating and whether existing utility drawings are available.

25. Work Sequencing and Facility Operations: Reference: SOW Section 4

The SOW requires coordination with VA Engineering Service and a minimum 48-hour notice for activities affecting operations.

Question:

Please identify any known operational restrictions for Buildings 14 and 15, including:

• Required working hours

• Dock access restrictions

• Truck delivery restrictions

• Temporary closures

• Noise restrictions

• Required shutdowns

• Required infection-control or hospital-specific procedures

• Restrictions on simultaneous work at Buildings 14 and 15

Please confirm whether the Contractor may work at both dock locations concurrently.

26. Temporary Access and Maintaining Operations: Reference: SOW

Sections 4 and 5 Question:

Please clarify the VA's expectations for maintaining access to the buildings and dock areas during construction.

If temporary access, temporary ramps, temporary barriers, temporary loading areas, or temporary dock accommodations are required, please identify the requirements.

27. Demolition Disposal Requirements: Reference: SOW Section 5

The SOW requires removal and disposal of waste materials in accordance with applicable requirements.

Question:

Please confirm whether any existing dock plates, pit levelers, hydraulic equipment, steel components, asphalt, concrete, or other demolished materials are to be returned to the VA or may be disposed of by the Contractor.

If the VA requires salvage or storage of existing equipment, please identify the designated storage location.

28. Submittal Requirements: Reference: SOW Section 3

Please provide the VA's required submittal list for this project.

At a minimum, please confirm whether the following will require VA review and approval prior to installation:

• Concrete mix design

• Reinforcing steel

• Structural steel/steel angle

• Handrail extension

• Dock bumpers

• Hydraulic pit leveler

• Pit leveler frame

• Hydraulic equipment

• Electrical components

• Anchors/adhesives

• Shop drawings

• Structural calculations

Please identify the required submittal review process and anticipated review duration.

29. Contractor-Designed Details / Basis of Pricing: Reference: Firm-Fixed

Price Solicitation

Because the solicitation contemplates a firm-fixed-price contract and requires the Contractor to furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision, clarification is requested regarding the extent of design development expected from the Contractor.

Please confirm that the Contractor may base its proposal on the written SOW, field-verified existing conditions, and the VA's responses to these RFIs, and that any additional design requirements or scope not identified in the solicitation will be addressed through the applicable contract change process.

Answer: Confirmed

30. Will the government allow construction concurrently on buildings 14 and 15 or will one need to be fully completed then work on the next building?

31. Will the government provide drawings?

32. Section 2.1 Instructions to Offerors: Section II-Price Factor states: Offerors are not required to submit detailed cost and pricing information with their initial quote beyond overall price. The last sentence states: Offeror shall include itemized cost breakdown with their quote, as well as examples of projects of similar scope and prices paid by those other customers. However, it also states: Offerors shall submit their pricing in accordance with the Price/Cost Schedule of the SF1442

Solicitation document. The SF1442 and the A.4 Price/Cost Schedule, Item

Information (pg7 of 49) only requires a total lump sum for the project. Can the government clarify what is to be included with the pricing Factor for this project?

Instructions to Offerors has been amended to remove the requirement for offerors to include an itemized cost breakdown with their quote, as well as examples of projects of similar scope and prices paid by those other customers.

33. Section 2.1: Instructions to Offerors: pg. 9 of 49, Factor 3: Price Factor states

Offeror shall include an itemized cost breakdown with their quote, as well as examples of projects of similar scope and prices paid by those other customers.

However, it also states: Offerors shall submit their pricing in accordance with the

Price/Cost Schedule of the SF1442 Solicitation Document. The SF1442 and the

A.4 Price/Cost Schedule, Item Information (pg7 of 49) only requires a total lump sum for the project. Can the government clarify what is to be included with the pricing Factor for this project?

Instructions to Offerors has been amended to remove the requirement for offerors to include an itemized cost breakdown with their quote, as well as examples of projects of similar scope and prices paid by those other customers.