36C24818R0184-A00003001.pdf

RFIs, 36C24818R0184 A00003

1. Can you please confirm the correct size of the project's Drawing? The Drawings provided in the Solicitation Package is sized 11" x 8.5" which our subcontractors explained is too small to properly price.

Answer: The drawings can be printed in whatever size contractor feels necessary.

2. In reviewing the Air Handling equipment schedule, it appears there are custom AHUs required for this project. The production lead time for custom units can easily be 16 weeks or more, starting after submittal creation, review and approval. This entire process for the procurement of large custom AHUs can easily be 5-6 months. Please advise if the completion period will be extended longer than 180 days.

Answer: Period of performance is hereby changed to 365 calendar days from

NTP.

3. In review of the solicitation scope of work requirements, Paragraph F indicates the use of temporary HVAC units. Please advise if any drawings illustrating electrical/mechanical connections and locations, detailed scope of work, or temporary equipment schedules will be provided.

Answer: AHU’s shall be scheduled and coordinated with the VA for removal and replacement during approved long weekend. Downtime of AHU service shall be limited to scheduled long weekend and construction must be completed and running 100% within coordinated downtime. Refer to drawing MH110, General Note #7.

4. Please advise if there is any asbestos, lead or other hazardous materials the contractor could encounter during the demolition portions of this project.

Answer: No asbestos or lead paint known in the building. VA to perform asbestos testing on insulation to verify asbestos does not exist in the project.

5. Drawing Sheet MH 111, Note(s) 3 under demolition and renovation indicate removal and replacement of the 60” x 50” outside air intake plenum to the roof. Please advise if details or drawings will be provided to illustrate the location of this duct within the building, the roof penetration and how this duct will connect to the existing equipment on the roof.

Answer: The 60x50 OA plenum duct is located within the building as shown on drawing MH111 with Keynote #3. The roof penetration is directly above the 60x50 OA plenum duct. The existing duct shall be removed and replaced in kind, connecting to existing roof hood in the same manner.

6. Please advise if existing floor plans/as-built drawings will be provided for this solicitation, to help show where mechanical rooms, stairways and hallways are located as means of getting equipment in and out of the required areas.

Answer: See attached floor plans (2nd floor, 4th floor, Basement and NCUC).

7. Drawing Sheet MH 111 indicates providing a new equipment concrete pad.

Please advise if illustrations, dimensions and specifications will be provided for the required concrete.

Answer: Contractor shall coordinate concrete pad dimensions with size of equipment submitted. Specification on concrete attached.

8. In reviewing Section 23 07 11 - HVAC Insulation and Section 23 31 00 – HVAC Ducts and Casings it is unclear what type of insulation is required for the new ductwork. Site visit yesterday revealed that some of the existing ductwork is externally insulated and some does not have any exterior insulation. Request specific insulation requirements for new supply, return, and outside air ductwork and whether any new ductwork is to be double wall construction or all single wall and if double wall what is the inner wall constructed of solid inner wall of perforated, type and thickness of insulation.

Answer: All ductwork shall be single wall. Exposed supply air, return air, and outside air ductwork in equipment and unfinished areas including mechanical rooms shall be Mineral Fiber Board external insulation; per specification section 23 07 11, part 3.2.A. Concealed supply air, return air, and outside air ductwork shall be Flexible Mineral Fiber Blanket external insulation; per 23 07 11, part 3.2.B.

9. The SF 1442 states that the contractor shall complete these project within 180 calendar days. After equipment procurement and submittal approval processes, we find that this schedule may be unrealistic. We ask the government to consider extending the 180-calendar day completion period, to eliminate unnecessary rush, risk and potential change orders.

Answer: Period of performance is hereby changed to 365 calendar days from

NTP.

10. Pg. 20, section e. TAB D: FACTOR 3 – RELEVANT & RECENT PAST PERFORMANCE, item (c): This section seems to indicate the government would like the inclusion of CPARS to evaluate past performance. Can you please clearly state if we are to include CPARS as records of past performance? Can the government also clarify if including CPARS will count against the 10-page maximum for this section?

Answer: Please submit CPARS reports, if available. CPARS information will not count against 10-page limitation.

11. Pg. 22, section f. TAB E: FACTOR 4 – PROJECT PLANNING/SCHEDULE, item (a) Please clarify if the project schedule will count toward the 5-page limit of this section.

Answer: No.

12. Pg. 22, section f. TAB E: FACTOR 4 – PROJECT PLANNING/SCHEDULE, item (f) Please confirm if EMR documentation is required in this Factor, or if this is left over from a previous solicitation. We did not see mention of it anywhere else in the Proposal Preparation and Evaluation Factors.

Answer: EMR form is to be completed and submitted. EMR form attached.

13. Would the VA consider another site visit of the work site?

Answer: No.

14. Is this project Tax Exempt? please advise.

Answer: No.

15. In reviewing Section 23 07 11 - HVAC Insulation and Section 23 31 00 – HVAC Ducts and Casings it is unclear what type of insulation is required for the new ductwork. Site visit yesterday revealed that some of the existing ductwork is externally insulated and some does not have any exterior insulation. Request specific insulation requirements for new supply, return, and outside air ductwork and whether any new ductwork is to be double wall construction or all single wall and if double wall what is the inner wall constructed of solid inner wall of perforated, type and thickness of insulation.

Answer: Please refer to response given in question #8.

16. The SF 1442 states that the contractor shall complete these project within 180 calendar days. After equipment procurement and submittal approval processes, we find that this schedule may be unrealistic. We ask the government to consider extending the 180-calendar day completion period, to eliminate unnecessary rush, risk and potential change orders.

Answer: Period of performance is hereby changed to 365 calendar days from

NTP.

17. This section seems to indicate the government would like the inclusion of CPARS to evaluate past performance. Can you please clearly state if we are to include CPARS as records of past performance? Can the government also clarify if including CPARS will count against the 10-page maximum for this section?

Answer: Please submit CPARS reports, if available. CPARS information will not count against 10-page limitation.

18. Please clarify if the project schedule will count toward the 5-page limit of this section.

Answer: Schedule will not count towards 5-page limit.

19. Please confirm if EMR documentation is required in this Factor, or if this is left over from a previous solicitation. We did not see mention of it anywhere else in the Proposal Preparation and Evaluation Factors.

Answer: EMR form is to be completed and submitted. EMR form attached.

20. Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

Answer: No.

21. Will the Government provide comprehensive written badging requirements for the project if badging is required?

Answer: If employee is working less than two weeks, obtain temporary badge for the COR. If employee is working more than 2 weeks on site they will get a PIV badge through COR and Police.

22. Where will the designated parking area be for workers accessing the construction site?

Answer: Parking for contractors is Lot 23.

23. Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? The software is compatible with the VA’s networks and is currently in use at many VA locations.

Answer: If the contractor chooses to utilize Procore for tracking purposes, that is fine. All submittals will be submitted per specifications.

24. Will the fire sprinkler system and/or the fire alarm system need to be disrupted during construction? If yes, what if any additional security measures will the government require e.g. fire watch, temporary fire alarms, adjustments to sprinkler heads, etc.

Answer: See requirements on the drawing and specifications.

25. Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

Answer: Fire Alarm is Siemens.

26. Has the work area been checked for asbestos?

Answer: No asbestos or lead paint known in the building. VA to perform asbestos testing on insulation to verify asbestos does not exist in the project. Refer to question #4.

27. What is the Governments’ policy if asbestos products are encountered during construction?

Answer: Stop work will be issued, abatement would be addressed through a modification to the existing contract.

28. Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

Answer: Yes.

29. Does the VA have a lift plan for cranes or equipment necessary to install the new units in place?

Answer: See requirements on the drawing and specifications.

30. Will the VA please advise if a detail showing the preferred method for mounting/suspending 1-MU1 to the existing ceiling will be provided?

Answer: MU-1 shall be suspended from and secured to structure above with 1/2” threaded hanger rod supports with vibration isolators.