RFI Responses Round 2 508-26-152.docx

RFI Responses Round 2 Project # 508-26-152 Please see responses in RED below:

1. We will need a licensed abatement team to erect the tents to control anyone entering or exiting the area, correct? Generally, ICRA level III type enclosures will need to be erected and provide the proper filters air scrubbers, but the contractor is required to comply with containment specifications and bid documents.

2. He said he spoke about the staging area, which could help us move faster than the allotted time.

If this question is meant for the staging area allocation period, it will be for the length of the project which the POP has been identified as for 36 weeks. The staging area will be assigned at the NTP as determined by the COR.

3. Will a location be provided for a site storage container? A location will be provided after the NTP is given for the possible vendors, and with coordination of the COR.

4. Will site decontamination area be provided by Atlanta VAMC for scheduled workdays?

Review Specification and other bid documents for material handling including potentially hazardous materials including ICRA requirement.

5. The work area in the crawl space is not illuminated, who is responsible to provide illumination? The contractor.

6. who is responsible for the disposal of the removed Bus Ducts from the site? The contractor.

7. Is the outside Bus Duct spec’s the same as the interior Bus Ducts that are being replaced? Meaning the new interior Bus Duct will be outdoor rated due to the moisture and steam conditions in the crawl space. Please adhere to the specified requirements within the scope of the project concerning the interior Bus Duct. Regarding the exterior Bus Duct, it shall be replaced with an identical type to the existing one. Also, refer to the pictures documentations submitted for the required labeling and materials as part of the documents.

8. spec’s state A/E shall show on drawings the type of Busway, feeder type or plug – in type. This information is missing. Please follow requirements in the scope for the project as well as the submitted sketches for the existing systems. Please refer to the pictures documentations submitted for the required labeling and materials as part of the documents and taken during the pre-bid site visit.

9. What is the decontamination are requirements for removing equipment from crawl space area? Any equipment being removed from dirty to a clean area needs to be cleaned and HEPA Vacuumed, and to include all materials handling requirements in the specifications for the project.

10. Is the VAMC aware that the existing Bus Ducts might be obsolete and that the existing end connections must have new distribution boxes to connect existing to new Bus Ducts? Eaton is still producing the same system. Recommendation is to procure those materials from the same vendor where they were originally procured. Coordination with materials vendor and an expected submittal coordination per the specification for the materials installations.

11. Was crawl space walkthrough mandatory? No, however it was recommended as an optional site visit for any assessment is required prior to bidding.

12. Will negative air pressure be required at crawl space entrance / exit? Yes. Please refer to the containment requirements in the specifications.

13. The electrical drawings reference various phases. Please confirm the phasing plan and verify if one phase must be complete prior to starting another phase. Work will need to be conducted per the locations for the damaged Bus Ducts. Recommendation is to start with the external (open to weather) bus duct, then address the short section inside the GA Power Electrical Room making sure a proper coordination is conducted with the utility provider and finally address the internal as required. Work might impact operations for various departments; an advance arrangement of two to three weeks will be required to phase shutdown for impacted departments correctly.

14. Please provide the estimated time of construction the VA has figured to complete each phase. The total project period of performance (POP) is established at 36 weeks, regardless of which section or phase is completed or the duration required for completion. Accelerated completion of the project is preferred.

15. Please verify if one full time person onsite can fulfill the duties of project Superintendent, SSHO, and QC officer. Please follow the requirements in project submitted construction documents. A designated SSHO, and QC is required for the project, or valid certificates and licenses are required if one person fulfills the whole three positions.

16. Amendment 1 indicates that Attachment 2 - Chapter 1.9 Confined Space Entry Attachment A is to be emailed to the VA by Noon 12:00 Eastern Friday, March 6, 2026. Why is this form to be completed prior to the Bid? This form was meant for site visit assessment and visualize the damaged ducts, since the damaged ducts are in a confined space. Also, this document is required on daily basis to be filled out and submitted to the facility’s Safety Officer for approval to access the area confined space area. There is a twofold OSHA reason for this designation, one is for the potential of physical hazards, and the other is for the Asbestos Containing Material presence. The “confined space” VA SOP will be followed to ensure worker protection.

17. If Attachment 2 - Chapter 1.9 Confined Space Entry Attachment A was not emailed to the VA by Noon 12:00 Eastern Friday, March 6, 2026, will GC's who failed to email this form by March 6 be allowed to bid the job? Yes.

18. If temporary fencing will be required during construction, please show locations of where temp. fencing will need to be installed. The placement of temporary fencing will be necessary around the external bus duct during the external duct replacement process, as well as in the area designated for the contractor’s Connex. Please refer to the attached picture for a general look about what is anticipated for fencing installation below for your reference.

For the internal duct replacement, no construction fence will be required.

19. Spec section 01 00 00 section 1.14 requires the contractor to provide a resident Engineer's field office. Please confirm this will be required as part of the bid along with all accessories as detailed. Field Office will not be required for a VA Resident Engineer.

20. Please confirm if photographic documentation and online/electronic indexing and navigation through AutoCAD drawings is required as specified in spec section 01 00 00 section 1.27. Yes, Contractor to provide photo and graphic information sufficient to map and verify quality of work without entrance into worksite to assess progress. Mapping to be accurate to be to a half a foot, incorporate into both progress and final acceptance and commissioning. A hardline – straight-line graphic is required to a scalable magnitude showing the new installation and connection to existing system.

21. Please confirm if Procore can be used of electronic submittals, RFI's and project documentation. Yes.

22. Spec section 01 45 00 states that the CQC system manager is " required to be a graduate engineer, graduate architect, or a graduate of construction management….". Please confirm if the CQC system manager is required to have one of these 3 degrees and that they shall always be onsite during construction. Yes, A CQC systems manager is required to verify the quality constraints to install these types of electrical equipment and address construction deficiencies and verify acceptance test to be conducted for the system. That manager is to have one of the three types of degrees listed in project specs. That manager is to be available at the site and to answer questions at the convenience of the COR or others assigned Resident Engineers. This is not a remote position and would be available for regular visits (weekly would be expected.)

Alternate to this manager is to be available on site when work is taking place. Person to be a hold 5 years’ experience in specialized experience for the intended work required, and core construction quality areas including practice and documentation. Alternate manager is to have qualification of CQC Personnel in performing specialized quality control duties.

One of these persons is required to always be on site throughout work. The VA allows having the same person assigned as an SSHO, CQC,QC and the superintendent as long they have required certifications.

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