Attachment 10 - Revised RFI Answers.docx

619A4-23-106 Correct Mechanical bldg 2, 4, 4a Requests for Information (RFI) Page | 2

1. Is any commissioning required on this project? No.

2. Can the Superintendent also be the Prime Contractor’s Commissioning Manager during commissioning? Commissioning is not required.

3. Is a full-time on-site quality control manager required for this project? Yes can be the superintendent.

4. Can the Superintendent also be the quality control manager? Yes.

5. Is a full-time on-site Safety and Health Officer required for this project? Yes, can be the superintendent.

6. Can the Superintendent also be the site safety and Health Officer? Yes.

7. Can the Superintendent be Triple hatted as the SSHO and QC Manager? Yes.

8. As is typical for most VA projects can the QC plan be implemented by the onsite superintendent and administrated by the PM without additional staff (other than what is required for commissioning) as call for in 01 45 00.? Yes.

9. Has this funding request been approved and full funding for this project available to the NCO station? Project is scheduled to be awarded this fiscal year.

10. Will any of this work have to be performed after hours or weekends? Yes. All shutdowns and work that will affect facility operations will be required to be after hours.

11. Will this project be done in phases? Phases can be completed as mutually agreeable to Medical Center Director, COR, and Contractor.

12. If so, will each phase have to be fully completed before moving to the next or can some phases be completed simultaneously? Phases can be completed simultaneously as mutually agreeable to Medical Center Director, COR, and Contractor.

13. Will the contractor be allowed to work in multiple buildings at a time? Phases can be completed simultaneously as mutually agreeable to Medical Center Director, COR, and Contractor.

14. How long of a lead time has the VA figured into the POP for the Backflow Preventors? Approximately 20 days. Availability and lead time will depend on contractors selected and approved equipment.

15. Will we have to remove a window in each area to vent the negative air outside or is there another means of venting air from the space to achieve the negative pressure required by ICRA? See Appendix A: Alternative to outdoor exhaust requirements.

16. What openings can we use to vent our negative air to meet the ICRA requirements? See Appendix A: Alternative to outdoor exhaust requirements.

17. In ICRA areas that require Category B Level 1 or 2, can we use zip-walls or plastic sheeting as containment? Yes, fire retardant zip-wall and plastic sheeting are acceptable. See 01 35 26.

18. In any ICRA areas that require above Category B containment, can plastic wall panels be used for the ICRA walls, such as STARC Panels or Temporary Wall System’s panels? Yes.

19. Does the new work integrate with any kind of automation or monitoring system? Yes.

20. If so, what system and who is the manufacturer of the system/systems? Fire alarm system – Johnson Controls – Simplex

21. Please provide contact name and phone number for who services the current automation or monitoring systems? Titan Fire and Security (Joe Campbell, 334-260-0453). Subject to change without notice.

22. Who is the manufacturer of the current Building Automation System? Johnson Controls

23. Please provide contact name and phone number for who services the current Building Automation System Jim Lott, 205-990-9103. Subject to change without notice.

24. Will the contractor be responsible for any permits outside of the VA? Contractor should obtain all permits required.

25. What is the height from finished floor to bottom of deck above in the work areas? Estimated around 10-12 ft. Contractor responsible for verification.

26. Is there a floor or crawl space below the work area in Bldg 2 or is it the bottom floor with slab on grade? Basement work: Slab on grade. Attic work: floor below.

27. Is there a floor or crawl space below the work area in Bldg 4 or is it the bottom floor with slab on grade? Floor below.

28. Is there a floor or crawl space below the work area in Bldg 4a or is it the bottom floor with slab on grade? Subbasement work: Slab on grade, Third Floor work: Floor below.

29. Can the VA verify that the main water valves to each building will shut off the water supply to the piping that is being removed and replaced? COR cannot guarantee that the valves will work. Include a line-item cost for each area of new work to freeze the existing lines that can be de obligated if not used.

30. If not, can the VA confirm that all contractors need to plan for having to freeze the existing lines to install the new valves and BFPs. Include a line-item cost for each area of new work to freeze the existing lines that can be de obligated if not used.

31. How long will the VA allow for the contractor to have the water shut off to the buildings? Water can be shut off after hours and on weekends. Shutdown must be approved by COR 15 days in advance of the work to be performed.

32. There is a painting specification 09 91 00, where will the painting work occur, it is not shown on the drawings and in section 3.11 – D. states that finish painting of mechanical items is not required if they are concealed in interstitial spaces, pipe basements, attics, closets, and shafts? Paint fire protection piping and components.

33. Spec section 07 84 00, 1.5 Quality Assurance, B. Installer Qualifications: require the firestopping subcontractor to be FM Global approved. This is simply an annual fee that the contractors have to pay in order to be approved by FM Global and most contractors opt out of paying it. It does not effect the quality of work the contractor performs. Therefore it is very difficult to find FM Global approved contractors in Alabama. Will the VA waive this requirement. No

34. On Sheet PL001, General plumbing note 21 states, provide insulation on all new piping. Does this note apply to all new piping in this project, this is not typical for fire piping? Not required for fire protection piping. Domestic water piping to be insulated.

35. Will the VA have the work areas cleared out to allow easy access before the contractor begins construction? Contractor will be responsible for protecting all existing furniture or equipment not called for removal.

36. Will the contractor be required to move any of the existing furniture or equipment? See response to question 35.

37. If the contractor is responsible for moving the existing furniture, will storage be available from the VA for the furniture or equipment? See response to question 35.

38. Can the VA please post the Abatement Report done by Environmental Health Consultants that was conducted in August of 2023? Yes, see attached.

39. Can the VA please provide the latest available flow tests for the respective hydrants nearest to Buildings 2, 4, and 4a?

(HYD. ID)

FLOW @ DES.

PRESS

PITOT

PRESSURE

40. Once the ACM fireproofing is removed will the contractor have to replace it with new fireproofing? Yes

a. If so, please provide a specification, a thickness, and a rating. See detail on PL501

41. Once the ACM sealant is removed will the contractor have to replace it with new sealant? See response to question 40.

a. If so, please provide a specification See response to question 40.

42. Once the ACM plaster is removed will the contractor have to replace it with new plaster or can gypsum board be used instead? See response to question 40.

a. If so, please provide a specification. See response to question 40.

43. Once the ACM flooring is removed will the contractor have to replace it with new flooring? Contractor shall replace any flooring that is removed or damaged.

a. If so, please provide a specification and finish schedule Match existing.

44. Please confirm that any and all water treatment will be performed by the VA’s Water Monitoring maintenance contractor? The contractor shall chemically clean and flush the entire system.

45. Per Drawing Sheet(s) HA001 – HA003, General Abatement Note 3 states to refer to the “Asbestos Materials Report” dated 08.21.2023. Is this report available? Yes, see attached.

46. PL001 Construction Working Hours: All construction work to be performed after hours and weekends. Does this only apply to the plumbing work that requires shutting down of the water? Yes, see response to question 10.

47. Work Hours: Work within the designated construction area will be completed Monday-Friday 8a.m. to 4:30p.m. Contractor my request weekends by updating the project schedule 30 days prior to the requested days. Plumbing plans state that all work to be performed after hours. See response to question 10.

Appendix A: Alternative To Outdoor Exhaust Requirements

This Appendix provides an equivalent ICRA control measure to requirements detailed in this VHA ICRA template (Table 5 Level III, item 5) that would allow interior construction space exhaust.

Interior Construction Space Exhaust:

If the facility is not able to exhaust to the building exterior, the Healthcare Environment and Facilities program office has identified an alternate industry-recognized standard interior exhaust procedure that is accepted as providing an equivalent level of infection prevention and control (IPC), and safety. The alternate interior exhaust procedure is implemented by completing the following:

1. If exhaust is directed indoors, then the system must be HEPA filtered. Prior to start of work, including assembly of the ICRA barriers, initial baseline air sampling measurements for particulate levels must be taken in the planned area of discharge. Once containment is erected and completed, HEPA filtration must then be verified by particulate measurement, using a particle counter with multi-channel capabilities to measure down to 0.3 microns, to confirm that the discharge of the HEPA unit does not exceed the baseline particulate count of the area to which the exhaust is directed. Verification must continue at least three times per day (once every 8 hours), 7 days per week, during the use of the negative air machine and HEPA filter. Any exceedance must trigger a work stoppage and an immediate response and resolution. All particulate measurements, including the baseline measurement, must be documented and retrievable.

1. To accommodate the sampling, the negative air pressure machine must be fitted with a 2 ft section of rigid ductwork at the discharge. The sample port for monitoring must be in the rigid ductwork section.

1. Vapor generating processes must be assessed and appropriate filtration must be installed to mitigate transmission to the facility.

1. Engineering must do a complete flow and pressure analysis and document the area to which the air is being discharged to ensure the flow and pressure relationships in that area are not being adversely impacted by the additional flow. Ideally, this is done as part of the construction package to ensure the design is implementable and no additional HVAC changes are required to accommodate the exhaust from the negative air equipment.

1. Install device on exterior of work containment to continually monitor negative pressurization. To ensure proper pressure is continuously maintained, the device(s) shall have a visual pressure indicator, data collection and alarm.

1. Exhaust must be directed to Low Risk areas as defined in Table 3 in this VHA ICRA template. Ideally this discharge must be located so as not to impinge on high traffic areas or create a nuisance with noise or excessive airflow.

NOTE: Exhaust into shared or recirculating HVAC systems, or other shared exhaust systems (e.g., bathroom exhaust) is not acceptable.