Plumbing RFIs.docx

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

RFIs (posted Apr 27) Solicitation 36C249-21-R-0062 Project 614-18-106 Correct Plumbing, Piping, Replace Fixtures at the Memphis VAMC

Question #1: Reference solicitation page 14 of 58, Sub-Factor 1a – Relevant Experience: A solicitation for this same requirement was issued last year. This solicitation has a reduced scope from that solicitation. The project value for the previous solicitation was lowered to ≥$2 million. With the reduced requirements of this solicitation, we request that you also lower the project threshold to the same value (≥$2M) as was required for the previous solicitation. All current solicitation references to ≥$5 million should be changed to ≥$2 million.

Answer: The Government will not change the project dollar value criteria at this time.

Question #2: Reference solicitation page 14 of 58, Sub-Factor 1a – Relevant Experience: Request you change solicitation requirements to allow one of the two projects to be less than $5 million. This would apply to all instances where the requirements are to provide two or more projects with values of ≥$5 million.

Answer: The Government will not change this project dollar magnitude criteria at this time.

Question #3: Reference solicitation page 14 of 58, Sub-Factor 1a – Relevant Experience: If a company does not have up to two projects valued at ≥$5 million, we request you allow for employee experience to count for company experience. At the same time, we request that you allow for this experience to be similar, but not performed in a hospital/medical center. This would apply to all instances where the requirements are to provide two or more projects with values listed as ≥$5 million.

Answer: The Government will not change the project dollar magnitude or scope of the experience criteria at this time.

Question #4: Reference solicitation page 14 of 58, Sub-Factor 1a – Relevant Experience: Request you allow similar experience, valued at ≥$5 million, which was not performed in a hospital/medical center. This would apply to all instances where the requirements are to provide two or more projects with values listed as ≥$5 million.

Answer: The Government will not change the project scope or dollar value criteria at this time.

Question #5: Will hot work permits be given for a week at a time?

Answer: No, hot work permits are issued by the VA Safety Office for each day.

Question #6: For outages: What will the time frame be for the VA allowing these from the time of submission?

Answer: Per section 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.6 Operations and Storage Areas, K. Utility Services, interruptions require prior written requests of 7 days, with major interruptions 15 days. The COR in coordinating for the Major interruption must provide written notification to VA staff 15 days prior to scheduled work. There will be some overlap of time.

Question #7: Can the Superintendent also be the Prime Contractor’s Commissioning Manager during commissioning?

Answer: No

Question #8: Can the Superintendent also be the site quality control manager?

Answer: Yes

Question #9: Can the Superintendent also be the site safety supervisor?

Answer: Yes

Question#10: 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?

Answer: Yes

Question #11: Will cybersecurity hardening and coordination be required for the network BMS control system during the controls system work? (This can be an additional cost of over $500,000.00) Answer: No

Question #12: Please confirm the expected work hours for this project. Are there any specific tasks or trade divisions that must be on overtime (01 Infection Control, 02 Demolition, 02 Abatement)? Are there any areas of work that must be on overtime (Hallways, Occupied Areas, Etc.)?

Answer: Normal hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Coordinate work to minimize impact to medical center operations. Work after normal hours in patient care areas and corridors, except work in patient bed wards and corridors will be performed during normal hours so as not to disrupt sleep. Number of rooms on a ward available for work will vary due to bed census. Abatement will be performed after normal work hours for all areas.

Question #13: There are ‘unit prices’ for abatement types that are not included on the clin schedule, nor in the 02 82 13 ‘1.1.2b Extent of Work’. Is prime contractor to include this scope in the base bid, or have it be ‘unit pricing’? If the latter is true, please confirm if it is per single location, versus per the lot of 100 locations.

Answer: Abatement included in base bid

Question #14: Is there a proprietary DIV23 controls contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company and point of contact.

Answer: No. Refer to Specification Section 23 09 24 para. 1.1.D.

Question #15: Is there a proprietary DIV28 Fire Alarm contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company and point of contact.

Answer: No. Existing fire alarm system is Notifier. Fire alarm system replacement is currently in the process of procurement.

Question #16: Please confirm if contract has material staging location throughout the course of the project? Will the entire room be available for staging, or will there be furniture / VA owned items within each working area?

Answer: No material staging room/location.

Question #17: Are there any phasing constraints? How many rooms can prime contractor be given at a time for work in each building?

Answer: The areas where the contractor is required to perform work will not be closed and turned over to the contractor, except as otherwise noted. Following on the response to Question #12 above, the areas where contractor has worked must be available for medical center use when the contractor is finished in the area for the day. Openings in walls and ceilings must be closed, i.e. temporary dust barriers, ceiling tiles back in place, or permanent wall closure when in wall work is complete. Coordinate with COR for closure of select staff and public restrooms. Closure must consider proximity and availability of alternate facilities on the same floor.

Question #18: Does prime contractor owe Submittal Exchange for this project? If so, are they responsible for the costs?

Answer: see specs 013323 attached

Question #19: Please confirm if prime contractor is to provide unit prices per specification section 01 27 50? If so, will a new CLIN schedule be issued to include each unit costs?

Answer: see specs 012750 and updated pricing sheet (S02-Price Schedule_5-6-2021) with tab added for unit prices.

Question #20: Is it acceptable to use modular type infection control as a critical barrier for all work performed, I.E. Edgeguard type barrier?

Answer: see specs 01011

Question #21: Is prime contractor responsible for hiring the CxA (Agent) for the duration of the contract? Or, will this be provided by VA?

Answer: Per section 01 91 00, 1.9 VA’s Commissioning Responsibilities.

Question #22: There is a note on plan page H001 – for prime contractor to test for suspected hazardous materials in bldg. 1 at all vertical chases. Is this work required? Or, has this been completed during the testing in the specifications? Will any areas considered to have ACM containing material once the test report is generated, be handled as an after-award change?

Answer: The Government has presumed that the hard mudded pipe fittings and saddle blocks contain asbestos. Contractor may at no cost to the government, retain a 3rd Party State of Tennessee Asbestos Accredited Building Inspector to sample and analyze representative fittings and saddle blocks in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1101 (k)(5), to refute the presence of asbestos. Recent limited sampling and analysis suggests that the hard mudded pipe fittings and saddle blocks were non-asbestos. Contractor’s 3rd Party State of Tennessee Asbestos Accredited Inspector should collect representative hard mudded pipe fittings and saddle blocks from each section and each floor of the building to refute asbestos presence. If any single sample is positive for asbestos, by section and floor, treat entire area as asbestos containing.

Question #23: There appear to be 56 locations for continuous water monitoring on the drawings. During the site visit it was indicated that only 8 locations may be needed. Please confirm the locations for the continuous water monitoring units. Please confirm if both hot and cold-water systems are to be monitored at each location.

Answer: The existing continuous water monitoring system is to remain. The requirements for new continuous water monitoring units for this project is deleted. Refer to addendum regarding requirements shown on the drawings.

Question #24: At each continuous monitoring location, should pressure, temperature, pH, oxidant residual, and dissolved solids be monitored? VHA Directive 1061 typically requires all five parameters (plus hardness added in 2021) for incoming building water and only oxidant residual and temperature monitoring at representative outlets. Please confirm parameters to be monitored at each location identified in question 12 (23).

Answer: Refer to response to Question #23 above.

Question #25: Is the continuous monitoring equipment expected to report collected data to the existing web-based data management system used by the Memphis VAMC for their existing incoming building water continuous monitoring equipment?

Answer: Refer to response to Question #23 above.

Question #26: Does the Phigenics WME-1175 PWA Advanced Monitoring System (measures pressure, temperature, pH, oxidant residual, and dissolved solids) meet the continuous monitoring equipment requirements (same equipment currently installed at incoming building water locations)? If all parameters are not needed at representative outlets per question 13 (24), will Phigenics WME-1075 Base Monitoring System(measures oxidant residual and temperature) meet the continuous monitoring equipment requirements for those locations?

Answer: Refer to response to Question #23 above.

Question #27: Based on the 2021 updates to the VHA Directive 1061, should a hardness analyzer for each existing Phigenics WME-1175 PWA Advanced Monitoring System for incoming building water monitor be installed and connected to the existing web-based data management system?

Answer: Refer to response to Question #23 above.

Question #28: Please confirm subject specification requires local technicians with parts on-hand to perform technical support Answer: Refer to response to Question #23 above.

Question #29: Are the OWQM (Online Water Quality Monitoring) systems separate from the Hot Water Chlorine injection / monitoring mentioned in PP402 details? If separate, please confirm if the injection system is meant to be installed within this project or if this will be left for future a future VA project.

Answer: Refer to response to Question #23 above.

Question #30: Reference “Specifications__6_.pdf” and Amendment 0002, “S02-Price_Schedule.xlsx”: The pricing spreadsheet and the specifications do not match in multiple locations. There are instances where the spreadsheet has CSI divisions that are not in the specs and vice versa. There are also instances where the spreadsheet has division breakouts that are not in the specs and vice versa. Can you provide the expected CSI divisions/breakouts with a revised spreadsheet and/or updated specifications?

Answer: The pricing spreadsheet is to be used as a reference sheet for price submission. CSI divisions can be added/removed as the offeror sees fit. The total price for each bid and bid deduct item are what will be evaluated for price.

Question #31: Reference solicitation page 14 of 58, Sub-Factor 1a – Relevant Experience: In this paragraph, we are told that the provided projects must be valued at ≥$5 million. Projects involving legionella deficiencies are typically less than the specified $5 million. Can you please lower the project value relevancy to ≥$2 million?

Answer: The Government will not change the project dollar magnitude criteria at this time.

Question #32: Reference solicitation page 14 of 58, Sub-Factor 1b – Key Personnel: In the relevancy portion, we are told that the key personnel must have “experience in managing and providing oversight with new hospital construction or construction additions with a project magnitude equal to or greater than $5,000,000.00.” Can you please add “renovations” to new construction/ construction additions? Also, can you please lower the project value relevancy to ≥$2 million as legionella-type projects are typically valued at less than $5 million?

Answer: The Government will add “renovations” as an acceptable experience criterion. This sentence now reads: “Both project manager and site superintendent must demonstrate (by way of professional resume) experience in managing and providing oversight with new hospital construction, construction additions, or renovations with a project magnitude equal to or greater than $5,000,000.00 or more over the past five (5) years.” The Government will not change the project dollar magnitude of the experience criteria at this time.

Question #33: Reference solicitation page 15 of 58, Factor 3 – Past Performance: We are instructed to provide past performance questionnaires for projects “where each project dollar magnitude was equal to or greater than $5,000,000.00.” Can you please lower the project value threshold to ≥$2 million as legionella-type projects are typically valued at less than $5 million?

Answer: The Government will not change the project dollar magnitude of project criteria at this time.

Question #34: What is the Quantity of Asbestos to be removed by area?

Answer: Approximately 100 “glovebag” or “wrap and cut” of <6” diameter insulation was Presumed Asbestos Containing Material (PACM) in concealed spaces. A limited survey with COVID-19 restriction indicated that exposed and accessible hard mud pipe fittings and saddle blocks were non asbestos. However, the decision was made to consider concealed hard mud pipe fittings, saddle blocks and black or gray mastic on pipe insulation to be PACM. The Contractor shall have the option to refute the PACM designation in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 (k)(5).

Question #35: Will a NESHAP survey be required?

Answer: Yes, if the option to refute the PACM designation is used.

Question #36: Please provide the Quantity of lead based paint to be removed with locations. Answer: Representative paint chip samples taken during the previous Halls and Walls project indicated that Lead Based Paint (LBP) was not detected, but Paint With Lead (PWL) was present in all painted surfaces. Accordingly, it is Contractor’s responsibility to comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62 Lead in Construction Standard. OSHA does not use definition of LBP, if lead is present the standard applies unless Contractor produces a negative exposure assessment. Additionally, TCLP testing of waste stream is required to determine proper method of disposal of generated waste.

Question #37: How many sample locations are necessary for Asbestos Survey?

Answer: This would be up to the state of Tennessee accredited inspector to determine. For budgetary purposes we suggest approximately 15 bulk samples per floor.

Question: What are the locations of the Access panels?

Answer: Access panels are required where plumbing has place valves above hard ceilings.

Final positioning to be coordinated with COR.

Question #38: Please provide the wall finish schedule for each room.

Answer: All finishes to match existing finishes where-ever penetrations are required. See sheet G003 for General Key Notes listing finishes based on room function.

Question #39: Please provide Specifications for Building Automation.

Answer: Refer to Specification Section 23 09 24.

Question #40: Who is the current Building Automation provider.

Answer: Refer to Specification Section 23 09 24 para. 1.1.D.

Question #41:Why is the Engineer of record not responsible to verify the domestic water piping to be removed as to what fixtures are served by it?

Answer: Engineer of record cannot see behind/into walls and hard ceiling areas, as‐built conditions drawings have been modified by various projects.

Question #42: What will the work hours be for each specific floor and area?

Answer: Refer to response to Question #12 above.

Question #43: How many pipe block valves will be required to be installed?

Answer: Pipe block valves are to be used only when isolation valves will not hold or service mains cannot be shut down. Only use with COR approval per contract documents. This quantity is currently unknown and is an emergency option only, to accomplish work instead of full building shut down.

Question #44: How many locations will pipe need to be reinsulated?

Answer: Existing piping where insulation is removed for new work will need to be reinsulated only. If existing piping impacted by new work is currently uninsulated, that portion exposed for the new work must be insulated to match new work.

Question #45: How long of a notice is required for domestic water shutdowns?

Answer: See spec section 01 00 00 para. 1.6. To be coordinated with COR.

Question #46: What is the difference in the plans from the precious (previous?) time this project bid?

Answer: Buildings 5, 7 and 9 removed from project.

Question #47: What lay down area will be provided to Contractors?

Answer: See spec section 01 00 00 para. 1.6. To be coordinated with COR.

Question #48: How many parking spots will be provided to Contactors?

Answer: Contractor parking is not provided on VA property.

Question #49: Has the VA confirmed all shut off valves necessary to the project function?

Answer: All valves on drawings are from a recent mapping project and are located in close proximity as indicated. Not all valves may have been located during mapping due to obstructions in line of site. No valve operation was confirmed. Install new valves as indicated on contract documents.

Question #50: Are flexible lav supply hoses allowed?

Answer: Refer to specification section 22 40 00 para. 2.3.C.

Question #51: Please provide Electrical drawings.

Answer: Electrical Work is all plumbing related and located on Plumbing drawings. Refer to all plumbing sheets for electrical notes, i.e., 1‐MED202, 1‐PP113.

Question #52: Please provide DDC Control plans.

Answer: Control Work is all plumbing related and located on Plumbing drawings. Refer to plumbing sheet P002 and Control General Notes on sheet P002, i.e. note K.

Question #53: Who is the Commissioning Agent on this project?

Answer: See spec sections 01 91 00, 22 08 00 & 23 08 00. To be coordinated with COR.

Question #54: Will Test and Balance be required? If so please provide Specifications.

Answer: All balancing valves are thermostatic self‐balancing and circulation pumps are VFD operated based on a temperature set point. Test and Balance of domestic plumbing system is not required.

Question #55: Who is the Cube Industrial Monitoring Contact?

38C George Leven Dr North Attleboro, MA 02760 Office: 888-694-3230 www.s-can.us mmurphy@s-can.us

Question #56: Please confirm that the binder cover, cover letter, table of contents, and page dividers don't count against the page limit.

Answer: The binder cover, cover letter, table of contents, and page dividers do not count against the page limit.

Question #57: Please confirm that the PPQ don’t count against the 50-page limit allowed for the Technical proposal Answer: The PPQs do not count against the 50-page limit allowed for the Technical proposal.

Question #58: Please confirm that the Representations and Certifications don’t need to be submitted as part of our price proposal as long as the Contractor’s DUNS # is submitted.

Answer: If 52.208(b)(2)(i) is checked then Paragraph (d) applies and the individual representations and have been completed in SAM. 52.208 and other applicable sections must be included in the proposal for acceptability, as stated in the instructions.

Question #59: Will the VA accept CPARS instead of past performance questionnaires?

Answer: No

Question #60: Would it be permissible to partner with a larger, more established firm that does meet the past performance criteria?

Answer: The prime contractor must meet the standards listed in the solicitation as stated, we can only accept/evaluate recent and relevant contract performance data from the prime contractor who will propose on the project.