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Request for Information (RFI)
BB Refresh Hemodialysis
PROJECT # 516-23-117/ 36C24825R034
Response
| Company Submitted By |
| Dated Received |
| 1 |
| Please confirm work hours are 7PM-6AM. |
VA Response: Available work hours will be 6 PM to 2 AM Monday through Friday. The work area needs to be clean, and contractors need to leave site at or before 2 AM.
| 2 |
| Please designate a lay down area for dumpsters, tool and material storage, etc. |
| Kee Solutions |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: See attached
| 3 |
| Please provide all as builts, latest drawings, and any other documentation that would be beneficial in this project |
VA Response: The latest drawings (for construction documents) are provided as an amendment.
| 4 |
| Please specify which bathrooms workers/employees are to use, or is a portolet need to be ordered. |
VA Response: Staff locker rooms on the first floor by the service elevators
| 5 |
| If portolet is to be used please designate a viable area to place the portolet |
VA Response: See response to RFI 4
| 6 |
| Please provide any pertinent information on the curtain rails, patient lifts, and any other ceiling mounted equipment (to safely dismantle and reinstall these devices this information is highly critical) |
VA Response: Contractor will need to do site investigation and contact vendors of each product. Curtain rails are currently mounted to walls and the ceiling tiles, they are not mounted to the deck. Existing curtain rails will be reused and are to be reinstalled in the same place and style per manufacturer. Patient lift rails are mounted to the deck with threaded rods and should remain in place while the ceiling is modified around them. Ceiling mounted monitors are mounted to the deck and should be removed/reinstalled by contractor or protected in place. Signage is mounted to the ceiling tiles and shall be removed/reinstalled by the contractor.
| 7 |
| Please specify the ingress/egress for workers, material delivery, etc. (are key cards needed for building access as this is after hours work?) |
VA Response: The contractor will need to use the rear sliding doors in the B100 breezeway by the service elevators. Key cards will be needed and will be checked out to the contractor or other arrangements for access will be made.
| 8 |
| Please confirm how and where negative air/HEPA will be exhausted to for each phase of work (i.e. interstitial space or specify a window for removal) |
| Kee Solutions |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Negative air must be exhausted to outside, routing to be determined by contractor and approved by COR. Routing through interstitial space to get to a place to exhaust to the exterior is a viable option.
| 9 |
| If a window is to be removed who is responsible for removal, storage, and reinstall of the window |
VA Response: The contractor shall be responsible
| 10 |
| This project involves a considerable amount of ceiling work which will require removing tiles around fire sprinklers, as well as working near fire sprinklers, please show where the fire sprinkler shut off and drain are located, and how to properly shut the system off and drain. |
VA Response: VA will shut off and drain the sprinkler system for the contractor. The valves are located in the northern staircase 1 in 4D.
| 11 |
| In the event of a scheduled shut down of the fire sprinkler system, will the VA manage the valve closure, isolation of the system, and refill of the system? |
VA Response: Yes
| 12 |
| Confirm if Procore is acceptable to be used as the project’s management tool for submittals, record keeping, and project organization of the project’s data. |
VA Response: Yes
| 13 |
| Is weekend work available? If so is work during normal daytime hours permitted during the weekend? |
VA Response: No
| 14 |
| Please provide a detailed and clarified statement and/or scope of work. |
VA Response: See updated SOW attached. Comment by Meehan, Corey A.: This will be attached
| 15 |
| If any additional hazardous material is found/discovered in the performance of the project, would this be considered an unforeseen condition? |
VA Response: Yes. Contractor shall notify Contracting Officer and COR.
| 16 |
| Please confirm who is responsible for removing, storing, and reinstalling curtain rails and ceiling mounted equipment rails |
VA Response: Contractor is responsible
| 17 |
| Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of Superintendent and SSHO? |
VA Response: Yes
| 18 |
| If no to the question above, will the Superintendent and SSHO need to be dedicated full-time to this project? |
VA Response: N/A
| 19 |
| Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of Superintendent and QA/QC? |
| Kee Solutions |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes
| 20 |
| If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be dedicated full time to this project? |
VA Response: N/A
| 21 |
| Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of Superintendent, SSHO, and QA/QC? |
VA Response: No
| 22 |
| Will the VA be designating a person/persons, to allow access to areas that have been scheduled to be worked in that may be locked or require special access? (i.e. after hours access to building and work space) |
VA Response: Either VA will provide someone to allow access or VA will issue keys or other means of access to contractors.
| 23 |
| Please provide the required outage request lead-time and process for service shutdown related MEP? |
VA Response: 21 calendar-day notice is required per spec 01 00 00. Contractor will need to provide the information in spec 01 00 00 – 1.6I Phasing.
| 24 |
| Will the contractor need any escorts for working in the Supply Storage closet or any other part of this project? |
VA Response: No
| 25 |
| To promote fairness in bids received, please specify what quantity of hazardous materials. |
VA Response: See attached hazardous materials report
| 26 |
| Will the Owner or GC be responsible for purchasing testing and lab services? |
VA Response: The VPIH will collect and process abatement clearance samples. The GC shall provide the CPIH. With regards to spec section 01 45 29, the GC shall be responsible.
| 27 |
| Please confirm the medical gas requirements (and/or medical gas required per location). |
VA Response: This project does not add any medical gas connections. In reference to the existing medical gas connections (air, oxygen, vacuum), ideally none of it is removed and ceiling work can be done around it.
| 28 |
| Please provide a medical gas equipment schedule for this project |
VA Response: There is no new medical gas. The General Contractor will need to schedule med gas removal if it is determined they cannot work around the existing system.
| 29 |
| Please confirm furnishing schedule of responsibilities (what is GC provided and installed, Owner provided and GC installed, and Owner provided and owner installed) |
VA Response: The GC shall provide all construction materials and labor. The new nurse stations will be installed after the completion of this Refresh Dialysis project under a separate contract.
| 30 |
| Will the VA confirm a preferred Manometer for this project? |
VA Response: A digital manometer is required.
| 31 |
| Temporary doors that are to be installed in icra walls etc., will the VA provide a construction core for the lock? |
VA Response: Yes. However, the contractor shall provide the door hardware that can accept a SFIC core.
| 32 |
| Please confirm the VA requires 7 calendar days to perform terminal cleaning of completed phase prior to commencing the next phase |
VA Response: The VA will work to achieve a 3-day turnaround, but it could take up to seven days.
| 33 |
| Will the contractor be allowed to begin containment for the next phase, while awaiting clearances, cleaning, etc. of previous phase? |
VA Response: No.
| 34 |
| Please provide details, shop drawings, etc. for new millwork |
VA Response: Millwork details are unavailable at this time. The millwork will be installed under a separate procurement after the completion of this contract. However, VA will set up temporary nurse stations.
| 35 |
| Per Note 7 on page GI-004 under the section 'Upon Completion of Each Phase of the Project,' we are required to allocate 7 calendar days for VA terminal cleaning. This adjustment effectively reduces the project timeline by 6 weeks. Could you please confirm whether the VA is allowing any adjustments to the time allotted in the schedule? |
VA Response: See response to RFI 32.
| 36 |
| According to General Demolition Note G on page AD-104, which states, 'Remove any unused or abandoned material in the wall and above the ceiling,' if there are excessive amounts of material, abandoned 'angel walls,' or piping/infrastructure present, will this be considered an additional cost or scope beyond the original agreement? |
VA Response: Contractor to bring to attention of contracting officer and determination made on a case-by-case basis
| 37 |
| As we progress through phases 3-6, does the VA have a plan in place to ensure the ceiling remains fully intact between phases? For example, at the end of phase 3, when the new ceiling is installed within the containment area and the ICRA wall is removed, what will be done to address the void between the new ceiling and the existing ceiling? |
VA Response: ICRA boundaries for phasing on AE drawings are for diagrammatic purposes only. Contractor to submit final phasing drawings per the specs that provide solutions to such issues. Goal would be to avoid gaps and instead overlap phased areas.
| 38 |
| New wallcoverings are to be installed in place of the removal of old wall covering and water damaged drywall. The Finish Materials guide on page AI-104 specifies InPro Palladium Rigid sheets, please specify the required thickness of the material. |
VA Response: Refer to wall protection specification, which has now been added to the contract documents, for VA required thicknesses.
| 39 |
| In places that drywall is removed/to be replaced please specify if standard type x drywall is to be used, or an alternative drywall such as Hi-Abuse board or an XP type board that is mold/moisture resistant. |
VA Response: Drywall application is to be made per the specification 09 29 00
| 40 |
| Please provide an updated and clarified Finish Schedule. AI-104 Interior Finish Floor Plan does not contain all finish materials (i.e. Rm 4D116 is to have flooring replaced but the finish schedule states flooring material as "Existing".) |
VA Response: “Existing” means the element on the finish floor plan in the Finish Tag Legend is to remain. For example, the flooring in 4D116 does not get replaced as part of this project.
| 41 |
| For the installation of temporary walls, is it acceptable to construct a hard wall extending to the bottom of the ceiling grid, followed by the application of 6mil fire-rated polyethylene and duct tape to seal the gap between the grid and the deck above? |
VA Response: No. The temporary partition wall shall extend from the floor all the way to the deck above the ceiling level. Also, temporary walls shall meet the same ratings required in the drawings.
| 42 |
| To promote fairness in bids received, please specify what quantity of damaged drywall, wall covering, and wallpaper are to be removed. |
VA Response: Replace drywall per note 5 on AD-104 and hazardous materials report.
| 43 |
| Please confirm a deck height. Removing a ceiling tile to verify deck height was not permitted during site visit. |
VA Response: 9’-6” to bottom of deck
| 44 |
| Is FRP required on the non construction side of temporary walls, or can the drywall be sealed with a primer as an alternative? |
VA Response: In lieu of FRP, the non-construction side of the drywall shall be taped, primed, AND painted, to meet infection control requirements of being a cleanable surface.
| 45 |
| RFP, Instructions to Offerors, TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS, A. FACTOR I: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY, states “Briefly describe the team's specialized experience, technical competence, and expertise in understanding how to complete general construction work in a hospital setting” and states, “Please also utilize Attachment 7 Experience Information Sheet”. These instructions appear to require both a narrative description of 3 relative experience projects and the submission of the same project data on Attachment 7. Please clarify requirements. |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: The Experience Information Sheet is now added as Attach 9 to the RFP. Please utilize the newly attached experience information sheet.
| 46 |
| RFP 4.24, States, “See attached document: Attach 7 Instructions to Offerors.” ; however, RFP, Instructions to Offerors, TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS, A. FACTOR I: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY, states “Please also utilize Attachment 7 Experience Information Sheet”. Please clarify reference to Attachment 7. Also, Attachment 7, Experience Information Sheet does not appear to have been furnished with the RFP documents. Please provide. |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: The Experience Information Sheet is now added as Attach 9 to the RFP.
| 47 |
| Can a qualified single individual simultaneously perform the roles of Superintendent, SSHO and QC? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: No, triple hatting is not permitted for this project.
| 48 |
| Containment Door Requirements (AD-101): Demolition sheet AD-101 provides clear direction on containment requirements; however, there is no specification regarding containment doors. Will the containment doors require smoke seals, door sweeps, or any other special applications? Will a standard pre-hung door assembly be acceptable for temporary containment doors? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Door needs to meet ICRA requirements as defined by the specifications 01 35 26 and VHA PCRA documents
| 49 |
| Abatement Monitoring Requirements: Is CPIH (Certified Professional Industrial Hygienist) and VPIH (Visual Professional Industrial Hygienist) Abatement Monitoring required during this project? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes. The construction contractor shall hire the CPIH and the VA will provide the VPIH.
| 50 |
| Temporary Relocation of Emergency Shower (AD-104): Note AD-104 states: "RELOCATE EMERGENCY SHOWER TEMPORARILY DURING CONSTRUCTION." Has the VA determined the new location for this shower? Have the necessary utilities for proper drainage been confirmed? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Room 4D129
| 51 |
| Electrical Plan Discrepancies (EL-101): The electrical lighting plan (EL-101) includes occupancy sensors and three-way switches, but they are not reflected in the demolition plan. Are these existing components that should be reused, or is the contractor expected to install new equipment? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: existing switches and sensors are to be reused. Refer to EL-101
| 52 |
| Dialysis Drains & Plumbing Fixtures: Keynotes state: "EXISTING SINK AND PLUMBING FIXTURES TO REMAIN." Does the VA anticipate any modification or replacement of the dialysis drains and associated sinks throughout the space? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: No. This would not be part of this contract.
| 53 |
| Asbestos and Tile Retention Conflict (AD-100 & AD-104); AD-100 calls for Asbestos Subphase A in Room 4D118, while AD-104 Note 25 states that wall tile is to remain. Can the VA confirm that there is no cross-contamination of asbestos from flooring to the wall? Should pricing reflect the demolition and replacement of both wall and flooring? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Pricing to reflect floor demo only. If the contractor encounters unforeseen asbestos, GC is to stop all work and notify the COR.
| 54 |
| Hemodialysis Equipment Hard Covering; The plans call for hard covering of RO machines, with removal being the responsibility of the VA. What specific method or material should be used for the "hard cover" of Hemodialysis equipment? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Exposed city water valves that feed the RO machines are to be hard covered. RO machines are to be removed by the VA. See updated keynote 39 on AD-104.
| 55 |
| Nurse Station Millwork Scope; The plans call for demolition of existing Nurse Station millwork, but there are no details regarding replacement. Does the contractor have any responsibility for supplying or installing new millwork for this project? |
| CPS |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: No.
| 56 |
| Should we assume the presence of mold behind the drywall and bid for licensed mold remediation in the areas where water damaged drywall is documented? |
| Chapman |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Refer to Hazardous materials report, if unforeseen suspect mold is encountered, report findings to COR and Contracting Officer.
| 57 |
| May the following wall product be used in lieu of the drywall ICRA partitions specified on the plans to achieve containment? This product will be a cleaner and faster set up. STARC Real Wall Panels- Technical information attached. |
| Chapman |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: STARC walls are acceptable, as long as they meet the ratings required in the drawings.
| 58 |
| Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes
| 59 |
| If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: N/A
| 60 |
| Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes
| 61 |
| If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: N/A
| 62 |
| Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: No
| 63 |
| Please confirm the issued drawing set is the latest and complete set. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes. However, an “issue for construction” set will be issued in response to the RFIs and will contain some other minor updates.
| 64 |
| Please confirm the current design documents meet current VA TIL guidelines. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes
| 65 |
| Please provide the latest wage determination for this project’s county. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: See attachment 3, which was included with the solicitation.
| 66 |
| Past Performance: If we have a PPQ, requested for another opportunity, that is less than 12 months old, can we use it within our proposal? Or will a new PPQ need to be requested? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Any PPQ submitted to be considered needs to be relevant to this requirement. If a submitted PPQ is not relevant to this requirement, it will not be considered.
| 67 |
| Please verify the height from the floor to the above interstitial deck. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Refer to RFI 43
| 68 |
| If Type A, B and C Wall Construction Types are required then this will create removing an existing 2- or 4-foot ceiling t-bar on both sides of the new Wall Construction the complete length of the wall then reworking both sides of the new wall with new ceiling angle to carry the reworked tile even with or without a new ceiling grid being replaced or existing to remain. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: The ICRA wall shall be sealed to the deck. STARC walls (or similar product) can be utilized in place of Type A, B, and C walls, as long as they have the required 1-hour fire rating, at the discretion of the contractor. However, the ICRA walls shall be cleanable on the patient care side.
| 69 |
| Please confirm that the solicited Type A, B and C Wall Construction Types on Sheet AD-101, Detail 5, Note #1 are required. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: see response to RFI 68
| 70 |
| Please confirm that the solicited Note #2 on Sheet AD-101, Detail 5 supersedes Note #1. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: During construction of the phasing area ICRA barriers, plastic must be used to protect surrounding areas. This Visqueen plastic and tape, does not need to be 1 hr fire rated Gyp Bd. However, the ICRA barriers themselves, used for construction containment during construction of the actual scope of proposed demo and new work, do need to be 1 hr rated barriers.
| 71 |
| Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes, as long as they have the required 1-hour fire rating.
| 72 |
| Who is responsible for the terminal cleaning of each project phased area? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: The contractor shall perform a “construction clean.” The VA will perform the terminal clean.
| 73 |
| Who is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: This project does not require commissioning.
| 74 |
| Please confirm order of precedence for the contract documents. Does SOW prevail over the specifications and construction drawings? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: The SOW is merely a one-page top-level overview. Details are in the specs and drawings, per FAR Clause 52.236-21, which is included in reference, states the specs take precedence over drawings. Please see revised drawings provided in Amendment 001.
| 75 |
| For planning the preliminary project schedule, please provide the anticipated NTP date. This will assist the VA in comparing the schedules provided by all bidders. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: We cannot pin down an exact NTP date, but please use 1 May for preliminary project schedule planning.
| 76 |
| Please clarify if this project requires a VA (VPIH) and Contractor (CPIH) be required? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: See response to RFI 49.
| 77 |
| Will a 3-stage decon at the entrance for each small vestibules be required for the ACM abatement(s)? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: Yes, refer to abatement specifications.
| 78 |
| Is there a certain number of days between each phase? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: See response to RFI 32.
| 79 |
| Please provide the nearest laydown area for a dumpster. |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: See attached dumpster location sketch.
| 80 |
| On EL 101 in the electrical lighting plan there are occupancy sensors and three-way switches that are not included in the demo plan. Are these existing that need to be reused or are we installing new equipment? |
| Blue Cord |
| 2/26/25 |
VA Response: See response to RFI 51
| 81 |
| Who is responsible for removing wall-hung objects? |
VA Response: The contractor shall be responsible for removing, storing, and reinstalling all wall-hung objects
Attachment 2 RFI Tracking Log
