RFIs Combined 546-23-105 SO.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- 36C24826R0028
About this file
This file contains pre-bid Requests for Information (RFIs) and responses for GSA Solicitation 36C24826R0028, a construction project to create redundancy capacity in the chiller plant system at Miami VAMC (Project 546-23-105). The RFI log documents 42 pre-bid questions submitted during the site visit/walkthrough conducted on March 25, 2026, with responses provided by the VA and design team (AKEA, IEI, AEI reviewers). Key clarifications address design specifications and basis of design requirements for components including exterior wall louvers, EIFS systems, wall base, ship stairs, corner guards, expansion joints, roofing systems, painting, safety nosing, sealed concrete, and ramp railings. Critical operational and logistical clarifications include confirmation that the Period of Performance is 1,095 calendar days from Notice to Proceed (not 730 days); that Deduct Alternate #1 (eliminating the fourth floor) will not be selected; that access control systems must connect to existing VA police department systems; that hand excavation is required to expose utilities during demolition; and that the contractor is responsible for engaging a Certified Third-Party Commissioning Agent for chiller system testing and commissioning.
The RFI responses also address technical specifications including confirmation that the Overhead Coiling Door 1F100 does not require fire rating, that helical piles may be acceptable if they comply with geotechnical requirements, that temporary cooling via 25 one-ton spot coolers must be included in the bid, that existing gas meter operations must be protected during construction, and that a counterflow cooling tower is not acceptable as a substitute for the specified crossflow tower. Additional responses clarify that existing utilities will remain in place with protection requirements; that specifications include Quality Control Forms and Submittal Register Forms within the specifications documents; that fire pump test data is out of date and the VA should provide current annual flow tests or the contractor must perform one; and that the existing DDC Controls and Control Systems Integrator manufacturer is Siemens, with existing CCTV cameras being Avigilon/Pelco and fire alarm system being Symplex. The contractor is responsible for providing new CCTV cameras with licensing and IP addresses along with an Avigilon recorder, and for installing an electronic key system matching project 546-26-106 specifications.
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Sheet1 April 07, 2026 SOLICITATION 36C24826R0028
CREATE REDUNDANCY CAPACITY IN CHILLER PLANT SYSTEM, MIAMI VAMC
CONSTRUCTION SOLICITATION, PRE-BID RFIs
RFI #
Spec Section (if applicable) Reference Document for RFI Classification of
RFI
RFI Date
RFI Description
RFI Response
Reviewer
1 Spec 08 90 00-3 Louvers and Vents Pre-Bid Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | On Specification sheet 08 90 00-3, the Exterior Wall louvers are noted as fixed. On sheet AE-102, the Exterior Wall louvers are noted as removeable. Please confirm. | There is no discrepancy between the drawings and the specifications: Sheet AE-102 clearly notes the exterior wall louvers as "removable" to match existing conditions in the Mechanical Room (2F101). Specification Sheet 08 90 00-3 includes operable wall louvers, which aligns with the removable louvers indicated in the drawings. | VAMC |
| 2 | Sheet AE-102 | Level 2 Floor Plan | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide the Basis of Design on the Exterior Blast Resistant Wall Louver system we are to match as per plans. | Provide louvers in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications | IEI |
| 3 | Sheet AE-201 | South and North Elevation | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide the Basis of Design for the 3" EIFS System. | Provide EIFS in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications. Specific to spec 07 24 00. | AKEA |
| 4 | Sheet AE-601 | Door & Finish Schedules and Types | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please confirm there is wall base or not required on this project. | 6" high vinyl base should be furnished. | AKEA |
| 5 | Sheet AE-105 | Level 5 & 6 Roof Plan | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide Basis of Design and specifications for the Ship stairs on the 5th Floor. | Provide ship stairs in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications. Material should be prefabricated aluminum. Delegated design. | AKEA |
| 6 | Line Item# 11 | Statement of Work | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | As per the Statement of Work, corner guards are to be provided to match adjacent existing areas. Please provide locations and specifications for wall protection where applicable. | Reference to the Project Construction Documents CD300 | VAMC |
| 7 | Sheets AE-104 , AE-301 and AE-302, Section 01 00 00 | Level 4 Floor Plan & Building Sections | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Per the Price Schedule on Page 5 of 74 of the Soliciation, it indicates one grand total number. On sheets AE-104, AE-301 & AE-302 and specification section 01 00 00 -2, 1.3, B, there appears to be a Deduct Alternate #1 whereby elimanting the fourth floor. Please clarify if the deduct is applicable. | While the VA Design Manual typically requires the inclusion of alternate deducts, the VA will not be selecting the following option: ALTERNATE NO. 1: BASE BID, EXCEPT DEDUCT Fourth Level of new building adjacent to Building 44. | VAMC |
| 8 | Line Item# 22 | Statement of Work | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | As per the Statement of Work, secure access control shall be provided at the doors. There is no indication on the plans for any access control. Please confirm. | The access control system at the doors shall be connected to the existing access control system operated by the VA police department, which is currently in use in all buildings, including Building 44. | VAMC |
| 9 | Sheet CD-300 | Demolition Plan | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Per Note #2 on Sheet CD-300, it states that the Contractor is to remove and relocate backflow preventor. Please provide current utility as-builts so we can ascertain where the backflow device should be relocated to or provide an allowance that all Contractorsshould carry in their bid. | Please see drawings from the Security Wall project 546-07-701. Please see attached the utility survey for the project indicated the fire hydrant and water line underneath the concrete sidewalk adjacent to the security wall. | VAMC |
| 10 | Sheet CD-300 | Demolition Plan | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please advise if any of the existing utilites that are located under the footprint of the new addition will have to be relocated. Note #1 on Sheet CD-300 only indicates to identify and protect the existing utilities once uncovered during excavation. | No, the VA identified during the design that the existing utilities have to be exposed and protected during construction to ensure they are not damaged, but the utilities are to remain as there is no other pathway to reach the adjacent buildings. | AKEA |
| 11 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | As a follow-up to the RFI above, if existing utilities have to be relocated outside of the footprint of the new addition, please provide a detailed Civil Design for the SIte Utilites. | see Rfi #10. Existing utilities to remain. During construction, expose the utiltiies and protect them until time to resurface and cover them up again. | AKEA |
| 12 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please advise if helical piles can be used in lieu of micro piles as specified if the helical piling complies with the Geotechnical report along with the compression and tension load requirements as specified in the Bid Documents - see attached report. | Follow the requirements of the drawings | IEI |
| 13 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please advise if the existing gas meter bank that is on the existing sidewalk adjacent to the construction entrance is active - see attached photo. | The existing gas meter bank located on the sidewalk adjacent to the construction entrance is active and in use. All construction activities must account for its operational status to prevent disruptions. Please coordinate with the appropriate utility representatives if further details or accommodations are required. | VAMC |
| 14 | Sheet CD-300 | Demolition Plan | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Based on the Note #1 on Sheet CD-300 where it indicates that all utilities have to be indentified after slab demolition, please confirm that only hand excavation will be allowed. | Yes, hand excavation to expose utilities. This is also in compliance with Florida Call Before You Dig rules. Hand digging in the vicinity of known utilities until the utility is exposed. Florida 811 does not have knowledge to mark utilities within the boundaries of the VA property. Existing VA drawings and the performed utility locate are not sufficiently precise to locate utilities under the concrete slab. | AKEA |
| 15 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please advise if there will be any temporary cooling required by the Contractor on this project. | Temporary cooling. See General Note C on MP302 which says that temporary spot coolers are required, we are requiring an allowance for 25 one-ton spot coolers to be included in the bid for temporary cooling needs during the shutdown. However, we intend to avoid using these spot coolers, if possible, as they are not expected to fully resolve the cooling requirements during the shutdown. | AEI |
| 16 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit / Walk Thru 3/25/26 Please advise if the Contractor or the VA are responsible for the Commissioning Agent costs on this project. As specified in the Statement of Work (SOW), Section 26 states:
"After completion and installation of the new chiller, Contractor shall test and commission the entire system. Commissioning shall be accomplished by a Certified Third-Party and provide a sequence of operation. The CORs and VA Chiller Plant representative shall be present at the time of inspection."
The SOW clearly assigns the responsibility for commissioning including the engagement of a Certified Third-Party Commissioning Agent to the Contractor. Therefore, the Contractor is responsible for all associated costs related to the commissioning process. AKEA /
AEI
17 Sheet AE-601 Door & Finish Schedules and Types Pre-Bid Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide Basis of Design for the Overhead Coiling Door 1F100. | Provide overhead coiling door in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications. | AKEA |
| 18 | Sheet AE-601 | Door & Finish Schedules and Types | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please confirm if Overhead Coiling Door 1F100 needs to be Fire Rated. | No, does not need to be fire rated. | AKEA |
| 19 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please clarify the Period of Performance (PoP) - the 1st page of the Solicitation indicates 730 calendar days while both the Statement of Work (Page 10 of 74) and the Price Schedule (Page 5 of 74) indicate 1,095 calendar days. | 1095 Calendar Days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. | VAMC |
| 20 | Line item# 27 | Statement of Work | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | As per the Statement of Work. Contractor shall provide and the install the same new electronic key system to all new doors on the project as referenced in the Electronic Key Project #546-26-106. Please provide documents for this referenced project | Electronic Key Project #546-26-106 documents provided. | AKEA |
| 21 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please advise on the Existing Manufacturer for the Cameras. | Avigilon / Pelco | VAMC |
| 22 | Sheet EP-101 | Level 1 - Power Plan Existing and New and Statement of work | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | As per the Statement of Work, New CCTV Cameras will be extended to the new Building. Please provide Basis of Design and specifications for such. | VA will need license and IP address for each of the new cameras along with an Avigilon recorder | VAMC |
| 23 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please advise the Existing Manufacturer for the Fire Alarm System. | Symplex | VAMC |
| 24 | Sheet AE-101 | Building Section | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide additional ramp railing details to identify material type, material gauge, anchorage, connections,... as identified in detail 1/AE-101. | Provide ramp railing in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications. Specific to spec 05 51 00 Metal Stairs. | AKEA |
| 25 | Spec Section 07 95 13 | Expansion Joint Cover Assemblies | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit / Walk Thru 3/25/26 In the Specifications for the Expansion Joint Assemblies, it states to match adjacent existing, please provide Basis of Design for the Expansion Joint Cover Assemblies. Provide expansion joint assemblies in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications.
| The VA may provide additional info on the existing expansion joint assemblies. | AKEA | |||
| 26 | Spec Section 07 52 16.11 | Cold Adhesive Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Modified Bituminous Membrane Roofing | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit / Walk Thru 3/25/26 Please provide Basis of Design for the new Roofing system. In the specifications, it states to match Adjacent existing. Provide roofing system in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications.
| AKEA | |||
| 27 | Spec. Section 09 91 00 | Painting | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide Basis of Design for the Paint scope of work. In the specifications, it states to match Adjacent existing. Please confirm. | Provide paint in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications | AKEA |
| 28 | Spec Section 01 45 00a | Quality Control Form | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Per the Bid Specification Table of Contents, the following section is not included: 01 45 00a Quality Control Form. | Quality Control Form is included within the specifications behind spec 01 45 00. Starting at Page 131. See attachment for individual file. | AKEA |
| 29 | Spec Section 01 33 23a | Submittal Register Form | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Per the Bid Specification Table of Contents, the following section is not included: the following section is not included: 01 33 23a Submittal Register Form | Submittal Register Form is included within the specifications behind spec 01 33 23. Starting at Page 69. See attachment for individual file. | AKEA |
| 30 | Spec Section 01 45 00a | Quality Control Form | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Per the Bid Specification Table of Contents, the following section is not included: 01 45 00a Quality Control Form | Quality Control Form is included within the specifications behind spec 01 45 00. Starting at Page 131. See attachment for individual file. | AKEA |
| 31 | Spec Sections 01 45 35a & 01 45 35b | Schedule and Statement of Special Inspections | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Per the Bid Specification Table of Contents, the following section is not included: 01 45 35a & 01 45 35b Schedule and Statement of Special Inspections | Two tables are included within the specifications behind spec 01 45 35. Starting at Page 161 and Page 183. See attachments for individual files. | AKEA |
| 32 | Spec Section 21 13 13a | Fire Pump Test Report 09/21/2024 | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit / Walk Thru 3/25/26 Per the Bid Specification Table of Contents, the following section is not included: 21 13 13a Fire Pump Test Report 09/21/2024 The data for the flow test is shown on F001. The report A/E took the test from is attached. As of right now, the flow test is out of date and the VA either needs to supply their current annual fire pump test or the contractor needs to perform one.
The VA should have copies of annual flows tests on the subject hydrants. AEI
AKEA
33 Sheet AE-401 Stair Plans and Sections Pre-Bid Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide Basis of Design and specifications for the Safety Nosing on the Stairs. | Provide safety nosing in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications | AKEA |
| 34 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide who the existing manufacturer and contact information for the DDC Controls and Control Systems Integrator. | Siemens | VAMC |
| 35 | Sheet AE601 | Door & Finish Schedules and Types | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please provide Basis of Design for the Sealed Concrete (SCON). | Provide sealed concretei in compliance with the requirements of the drawings and specifications | AKEA |
| 36 | Sheet AE601 | Door & Finish Schedules and Types | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please confirm the ceiling finish in all areas is to remain exposed. | Confirmed | AKEA |
| 37 | General | General | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please confirm there are enough licenses available for the CCTV additions. | VA will need license for each of the new cameras along with an Avigilon recorder | VAMC |
| 38 | Sheet CS-200 | Site Plan Existing | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit / Walk Thru 3/25/26 Please confirm that the Contractor will have no responbility or duties associated with the removal of the two portable outdoor air-cooled chillers and that all items will be removed prior to the commencement of the project. Reference to the Project Construction Documents Drawing C003
See Keynote 1 on both drawings CS100 and CS200 VAMC
AKEA /
AEI
39 N/A General Pre-Bid Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | In the solicitation, there are two different Periods of Performance (POP) shown. The first one is shown on the Standard Form SF1442, item 11. as "730 calendar days after receiving", and the second POP is on page 5, item A.3 Price/Cost Schedule - Item Information, item number 0001 shown as "Period of Performance (POP) Dates: 1095 Calendar Days from the notice to proceed (NTP)." Please confirm which POP is correct. | 1095 Calendar Days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. | VAMC |
| 40 | Sheet 050- AE 202 | N/A | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | On the Bid Drawings Sheet 050- AE 202 - West and East Elevation, the Sheet Notes section items 1, 2, and 3 are blank. Please provide the Sheet Notes. | No Sheet Notes. Disregard the blank note tags. | AKEA |
| 41 | N/A | N/A | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Please confirm the Wind load requirements for the cooling towers on this project. | Wind load criteria for the project is indicated on the structural drawings. | IEI |
| 42 | N/A | N/A | Pre-Bid |
Site Visit /
| Walk Thru | 3/25/26 | Would a counterflow cooling tower be acceptable in lieu of a crossflow tower? | Counterflow cooling tower is not acceptable | AEI |
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| END OF RECEIVED RFI'S |
&"Arial,Regular"&12CREATE REDUNDANCY CAPACITY IN CHILLER PLANT &"Arial,Regular"&12Project Number 546-23-105 &"Arial,Regular"&12MIAMI, FLORIDA
&"Arial,Regular"&12BID RFI RESPONSES April 07, 2026 &"Arial,Regular"&12Page &P of &N
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