Additional Questions and responses to Request for Information.docx

Request for Information (RFI) Tracking Log Solicitation: 36C24822R0032 Project: 573-18-618 Title: Replace Condensate Tank (DB) – Gainesville VA

Phase I – Additional Questions/Response

1. Is this the condensate tank that needs to be removed? Yes

2. Will a new condensate tank go into the same space? The contractor will replace the existing Condensate Tank with a new Condensate Tank.

3. Does the new boiler plant have a condensate tank? I would think so. Yes

4. If the new boiler plant has a condensate tank are the old boilers still in use for steam make-up? Yes

5. If the CPM schedule is required in Phase I, can the VA, please, confirm that the Phase II factors will be updated? NO

Per the response to Question 3, as identified on the Request for Information (RFI) Tracking Log, again, it seems to indicate that Factor 2 is expected to be Technical Approach. If this is the expectation, Questions 4, 5 (in its entirety), and 6 become critical. With this level of importance being critical, the given responses to Questions 5 and 6 are incomplete. The answers leave the approach’s parameters wide open to complete guesses and assumptions. This is even truer without a site visit.

Not that it comes into play on Phase I, but trying to price with:

• “Everything needs to be replaced as new. All controls, Instruments, Piping, and necessary systems.”

• “The VA will not reuse the necessary system components. They are in terrible condition.” X 2

• “Everything needs to be replaced.” X 3

• “All components need to be replaced. Nothing is to be reused.”

Without identified quantities and knowing what interacts, appropriately, with current facility elements that are involved, coming up with competitive bids will be incredibly difficult, and putting together an approach narrative is tough . . . especially, for the Government to be able to narrow down using “like” comparisons.

1. The answers leave it open that entire systems will need to be replaced, which blows the magnitude of construction out of the water AND potentially, significantly, increases the impact of effect on active facility operations.

6. Can the VA, please, provide more detail on what these answers mean (quantify) or provide a standardized set of details to build the Technical Approach on? This project is a design-build and requires site investigation.

7. Question 5.b.i., as identified on the Request for Information (RFI) Tracking Log, was not answered. Can the VA, please, confirm that existing elements and conditions are able to accommodate the increased tank capacity and size, without major alterations? This project is a design-build and requires site investigation.

8. Question 5.b.iii., as identified on the Request for Information (RFI) Tracking Log, was not answered. Can the VA, please, identify what items/elements are anticipated to require replacement and quantify those items/elements with the number of each (assuming, if this is the intention and the project being a DB, make/model, etc. are up to the design team)? Site Visit

9. Based on the VA response to Question 6, as identified on the Request for Information (RFI) Tracking Log, can the Government, please, confirm that the intent of the answer was to inform offerors that existing BAS information and details will not be provided because the existing BASs need to be replaced? Yes. Design- Build Project