Government Answers to Industry Questions Renovate Bathrooms.pdf

626A4-17-101 TVHS Renovate Bathrooms Government Answers to Industry Questions -

# Industry Questions Government Answers 001 Spec 01 35 26.1.9.B states that monthly inspections are required by a third-party Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Are these monthly inspections required?

Yes.

002 If the monthly inspections are required, can they be performed by our Corporate Safety Officer?

A Corporate Safety Officer can perform the inspections if they are a Certified Safety Professional.

003 There is no asbestos report nor drawings indicating the locations of the asbestos containing materials pipe insulation and lead based paint.

Please provide an asbestos report and drawings indicating locations of the asbestos containing materials.

There is no report for lead-based paint. Assume all paint in the bathrooms are lead-based.

Asbestos drawings will be provided.

004 The special note on the cover page says work shall occur after normal working hours. However, it appears all the work areas at to be separated from non-work areas with ICRA barriers for the duration of the work. This would allow work to occur during normal business hours without impeding normal operations. Can non-disruptive work, be performed during normal hours?

Yes. Work that is not disruptive to patient care can be performed during normal work hours.

005 Many of the rooms which currently have ACT ceilings also have an existing plaster ceiling above. Are these plaster ceilings to be demoed along with the demo of the

ACT?

The secondary plaster ceilings to be demolished have been identified. Refer to Demo Keynotes D9 on Sheet A-102, D6 on Sheet A-104, D8 on Sheet A-105, and their associated demo plans.

006 If the plaster ceilings are to be removed, please identify which rooms have an existing plaster ceiling above the finished ceiling.

Refer to Demo Keynotes D9 on Sheet A-102, D6 on Sheet A-104, D8 on Sheet A-105, and their associated demo plans.

007 If the existing plaster ceilings are not to be removed in their entirety, what is to be done at locations requiring new MEP utilities and/or fixtures which will not fit between the new ACT and the existing plaster ceilings?

They are to be removed within the identified rooms within the limit of area of work. Refer to Demo Keynotes D9 on Sheet A-102, D6 on Sheet A-104, D8 on Sheet A-105, and their associated demo plans.

008 Note M on sheet A-001 appears to require the restroom doors to be undercut to accommodate the new thresholds. Is this required?

It should be Note N. Yes, this is required.

009 Can the restrooms be shut down and worked on concurrently or must they be worked one at a time?

Patients, guests and staff must always have restrooms available to them in each building.

The construction schedule must take this into account.

010 The demo plans call for existing tile floor and mortar bed to be removed. Will a new mortar bed be required for the new flooring to be at the same elevation?

Yes. Refer to Section Detail 36 of A-401. Also included waterproofing membrane and bonding material per spec Section 09 30 13.

011 If no new mortar bed is to be installed, what to do about the existing doors and the gap which will be left at the bottom of the door and the new floor elevation?

There will be new mortar bed for tile flooring.

Refer to architectural floor plans, details, and specifications. Refer to Section Detail 36 of A- 401.

012 Who is to furnish and install the shower curtains and rods?

VA to furnish shower curtains. Contractor to furnish and install rods.

013 Please provide a basis of design for the shower curtain and rods.

Section 10 28 00,

2.14 SHOWER CURTAIN RODS

A. Stainless steel tubing, minimum

1.27 mm (0.050 inch) wall thickness, 32 mm (1 1/4 inch) outside diameter.

B. Flanges, stainless steel rings, 66 mm (2.6 inch) minimum outside diameter, with 2 holes opposite each other for 6 mm (1/4 inch) stainless steel fastening bolts.

Provide set screw within curvature of each flange for securing rod.

014 There is a spec for 23 05 93 TAB, but the ducts are not getting modified, only new registers. Is TAB required?

Completed airflow must match existing airflows

015 There are notes on the electrical plans calling for fire alarm though there is no fire alarm spec or plans. Please provide the devices to be replaced.

The notes indicate that fire alarm devices are to be removed in place during construction and protected, and then reinstalled once construction is complete.

016 Plans call for floor mount toilet partitions and specs call for ceiling mount, which is correct?

The plans only call for Toilet Partitions without specifying either floor or ceiling mount. Specs call for ceiling mount is correct.

017 Is there any steel or Unistrut supports designed above the ceiling to support the toilet partitions?

Yes, refer to specification Section 05 50 00 Metal Fabrications.

018 Are any of the toilet partitions used in mental health areas? If so, please clarify the anti-ligature basis of design.

No.

019 Are signs to be furnished and/or installed by the VA?

Signs will be VA Furnished, VA Installed.

020 There does not appear to be any work associated with the following spec sections.

If there is work for these sections, please clearly define the SOW for each section.

a. Where is work associated with 05 50 00 Metal Fabrications?

b. Where is work associated with 07 60 00 Flashing and Sheet Metal?

c. Where is work associated with 08 31 13 Access Doors?

d. Where is work associated with 08 90 00 Louvers and Vents?

Where is work associated with 09 05 16 Floor Prep (says applies to surface prep for resinous flooring)?

Item a is for the metal support for the ceiling mounted toilet partitions; Items b and d are for the new louver shown on Drawings 2 and 3 of A- 102; After removing the existing tile and mortar bed from the bathrooms within the area of work, prepare existing concrete flooring substrate and deck per specification Section 09 05 16 for Item

e. Item c scope was removed.

021 Sheets A-104, A-105, A-402, M-101, M-104, M-105, P-101, P-104, P-105 all list a variety of differing alternates. However, none of these alternates match the Base Bid and Alternate #1 listed in the RFP (Buildings 7, 8, and 9. Work includes renovating all bathrooms. Exclude the following: All work in Bldg. 1, All work in Bldg. 5, Room G02 in Bldg. 9 and the Alt #1 remove all work in Building 9).

The correct bid alternatives are listed in the SOW.

022 Please clearly define each alternate and the full scope of work in each.

Bid Alternate No. 1: Same as Bid Item 1, except remove all work in Building 9.

023 The restroom G02 in Bldg. 9 is shown to be demoed and renovated; however, this restroom has been removed permanently due to another project which installed an elevator shaft at this location. Will this restroom SOW be removed from the project?

See A.3 in the SOW.

024 344A demo plan on sheet A-101 does not show flooring demo, does the existing floor remain?

The existing floor to be removed and prepared to receive new flooring per new work plans, section details, and specification Section 09 30 13 Part 3, Section 09 65 19 Part 3, and Section 09 05 16.

025 If the existing floor is to remain, what happens at the tile ramp up to the shower lip?

The existing floor to be removed and prepared to receive new flooring per new work plans, section details, and specification Section 09 30 13 Part 3, Section 09 65 19 Part 3, and Section 09 05 16.

026 Mirrors are not labelled on sheet A-101. Is the GC to furnish and install mirrors?

Refer to Keynote 5, New Work Plans 2 & 6, the interior elevations on Sheet A-401, Section Details 35 & 36 of Sheet A-401, Section Detail 6 of Sheet A-402, and specification Section 10 28

00. Yes, they are to be furnished and installed by the GC.

027 Mirrors are not labelled on sheet A-102. Is the GC to furnish and install mirrors?

Refer to the interior elevations on Sheet A-401, Section Details 35 & 36 of Sheet A-401, Section Detail 6 of Sheet A-402, and specification Section 10 28 00. Yes, they are to be furnished and installed by the GC.

028 The RCP on sheet A-102 does not show new ceilings in G29C, G29A, or G29B. Do these rooms get new ACT assemblies?

RCP Drawing 4 of A-102 (dated December 18, 2022) shows new ceilings in these rooms.

029 Note #13 on sheet A-102 denotes shelving for the VA interior designer to determine.

Is this shelving to be included in the GC’s

SOW?

This shelving is not to be included in the GC's

SOW.

030 If the shelving in note #13 is to be included, what is the type, solid wood, plastic laminated wood, wire, etc.?

This shelving is not to be included in the GC's

SOW.

031 Note #18 denoting new sanitary napkin disposal on sheet A-102 are not used on the plan. Are there new sanitary napkin disposals in these rooms?

New sanitary napkin disposals to be installed in the three toilet stalls per Interior Elevations 8 and 10 of Sheet A-401.They are to be included in the GC's SOW.

032 Does the wall behind the and beside the sink/vanity in G29B on sheet A-102 get wall tile?

Refer to the interior elevation 8 of A-401.

033 Do all tile walls get the existing drywall removed and cementitious board in its place?

Yes, per Architectural General Note J on Sheet A- 001.

034 Do all tile floors get waterproofing under tile?

Yes.

035 Detail 36/A-401shows cementitious board on the walls across from the vanities. Do all walls in the restrooms get cementitious board?

Yes, per Architectural General Note J on Sheet A- 001.

036 The general note J on sheet A-001 calls for all gypsum board in all restrooms to be removed and replaced with cementitious backing board at all tile and painted walls.

Typically, cement board is only used behind wall tile. Is all gypsum board to be replaced with cementitious board from floor to ceiling in all restrooms?

Yes. All gypsum board used in the restrooms shall be cementitious type per Architectural General Note J on Sheet A-001.

037 If all gypsum board is to be replaced with cementitious board in all restrooms, is the board to be skimmed fully and painted?

Refer to specification Section 09 06 00 Part 2.4 E1-2.

038 Please clearly identify all walls to receive cementitious board.

All walls in the bathrooms and associated rooms are to receive cementitious board per Architectural General Note J on Sheet A-001.

039 Please clearly identify all floors to receive waterproofing.

All floors inside of the new bathrooms with tile flooring and mortar bed finish within the area of work limit to receive waterproofing, Refer to the architectural plans.

040 Sheet A-102 does not indicate the existing floors to be removed, but there is new flooring denoted on the new work plan. Do the floors need to be demoed?

Yes, remove the existing flooring within area of work. Refer to specification Section 09 30 13 Parts 3.3 and 3.3G.

041 Sheet A-101 does not indicate the existing floors to be removed, but there is new flooring denoted on the new work plan. Do the floors need to be demoed?

Yes, remove the existing flooring within area of work. Refer to specification Section 09 30 13 Parts 3.3 and 3.3G.

042 What is the existing floor type in each room to be removed?

Existing bathrooms are tile on mortar bed.

Employee Lounge and locker rooms are VCT on adhesive.

043 Should there be a folding baby station in G14 on sheet A-103?

No baby station is required for this bathroom.

044 Should there be a folding baby station in G122A on sheet A-103?

It should be G22A on sheet A-103. No baby station is required for this bathroom.

045 The restrooms on sheet A-103 do not denote new toilet partitions but are shown graphically on the plan. Are the toilet partitions to be included in the GC’s SOW?

Yes, they are. Also refer to interior elevations.

046 It appears most of the existing walls in all the restrooms are getting cut and patched.

Should the walls all be skimmed to provide a like new finish?

Refer to Architectural General Note J, interior elevations, and Details 35 and 36 of A-401.

047 Should sanitary napkin be in G12 on sheet A-104?

Yes. Refer to Interior Elevations 26 and 27 of A-

048 The door schedule on sheet A-402 does not appear to indicate which doors are to have new auto openers and or new ADA push buttons. Please clearly identify.

Refer to Electrical Drawings E-101 to E-105.

049 Do all existing push buttons to remain get replaced with the model provided per the ADDENDUM note on sheet E-001?

Any pushbutton on the affected bathroom doors, is to be replaced with new as per new work plans on the electrical drawings for the group bathrooms only. No existing pushbuttons are to be reused for these doors.

050 The floor drain detail shown on sheet P-001 appears to show new concrete fill and mud bed getting poured on top of a new waterproofing membrane. This would require demo of the existing structural floor slab and pour back to install the floor drain in accordance with this detail.

However, the detail 36/A-401 provided on the architectural plans only show a new mud bed for tile, with the waterproofing under it. Which detail is correct?

Existing mud beds are being removed and new water proofing and mud beds are being installed.

Core drill for new drain and pipe is completed and then mud bed and tile is sloped to the drain.

051 Please provide a corrected floor drain detail if applicable.

Closed per response above.

052 There are references in the abatement specs to an existing condition report which is to provide the areas and/or quantities for asbestos and lead abatement. Please provide this report or provide quantities of all abatement to be included in GC’s SOW.

The VA has Asbestos reports on file please request current report from VA. All disciplines provide notes denoting which materials are ACM.

Refer to General Note 11 on P-001 which includes removal of 200 linear feet of asbestos pipe insulation.

053 The restroom G02 on sheet P-105 is crossed out as if it is not in the scope.

However, this restroom is shown on the arch, mech, elect sheets as getting a full renovation. Please clarify if this room is in the SOW.

This restroom has been removed from the scope because another project put an elevator in this location.

054 Which toilet accessories are to be furnished and installed by the GC?

Refer to the schedule for items VA Provided- Contractor Installed, Provided by VA, and Provided and Located by Contractor on Sheet A-

055 Which toilet accessories are to be furnished by the VA and installed by the GC?

Refer to the schedule for items VA Provided- Contractor Installed, Provided by VA, and Provided and Located by Contractor on Sheet A-

056 There is no spec or sheets for fire sprinkler.

Please clearly identify any rooms which require modification of the sprinkler system or relocation of sprinkler heads due to new wall layouts.

Refer to General Note M on A-001 for ceiling work. Existing sprinkler heads are to be protected during construction and the spaces with walls moving have been removed from scope.

057 Do any of the existing fire sprinkler heads get replaced in any rooms?

Refer to General Note M on A-001 for ceiling work. Existing sprinkler heads are to be protected during construction and the spaces with walls moving have been removed from scope.

058 General note N on sheet A-001 calls for new windowsills at all windows. Please identify the windowsills to be replaced in all rooms.

Each of the existing windows within the limit of area of work. Refer to Sheets A-101 to A-105.

059 There is no asbestos report nor drawings indicating the locations of the asbestos containing materials pipe insulation and lead based paint.

Please provide an asbestos report and drawings indicating locations of the asbestos containing materials.

Please see attached asbestos survey. In wall pipes have not been tested for asbestos. There is no official report of lead based paint specific to the work area; however, buildings 4 and 6 have been known for containing lead based paint.

Contractors should assume all painted surfaces contain lead based paint.

060 The solicitation price/cost schedule page 5, and the statement of bid items in the specifications, page 2 differ.

Disregard Specification Section 01 00 00, Subsection 1.2 for bidding purposes.

061 Note on dwg. G-001; “all work to be performed after normal working hours (unless approved by the COR).” Is the contractor allowed to work during normal hours of 8:00 AM-4:30 PM?

Yes; however, the Contractor may be required to work some nights and or weekends to perform this work and maintain functionality of affected areas, and to minimize disruptions to the Medical Centers operations. Weekend and evening work shall be identified on the project schedule submitted by the contractor and approved by the VA before work begins.

062 The buildings in the Bid Item Numbers do not match the building numbers shown on the plans. The Bid Item numbers reference Buildings 7, 8 and 9. The plans have work shown in Buildings 1, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Please clarify.

Refer to page 1 of 30 on the pdf drawings.

063 There is a plumbing fixture tagged P-609 but I can find no specification for that water cooler. Please provide a spec.

All work in Building 5 has been removed.

064 On plumbing plan P-105 the enlarged plan for Restroom G02 is crossed out. Will there be no plumbing work in that restroom?

Please clarify.

All work associated with room G-02 in Building 9 has been removed.

065 Will off site storage of materials be allowed to be billed for?

No.

066 Can the site superintendent act as the site safety and QC?

Yes.

067 Will parking on site be allowed?

Contractors have designated parking away from the buildings. Contractors are allowed to drop off tools and equipment near the work areas, but need to move their vehicles back to the designated parking spots once drop off is complete.

068 What will the work hours be for this project?

Normal business hours Monday – Friday, 0700 to 1600. Any work impacting patient care will need to be scheduled outside normal business hours.

069 Can the bid bond hard copy be sent to the CO at a date after the bid date so long as the digital copy is attached to the proposal?

No. Refer to solicitation page 1, block 10 last paragraph.

070 Also, the project drawings call for:

Omission of all restrooms in building 1.

Omission of employee lounge G29, Lactation G29A, Women G29B, Men G29C in building 5.

Omission of toilet G12 in building 8 which would leave only toilet G18 in the base bid.

Is toilet G12 a bid alternate?

Omission of toilets G02 and G17 in building 9 which would leave only toilet G13 in the base bid. Are toilets G02 and G17 bid alternates?

Due to the section *Alternate Notes on drawing sheets A-104 and A-105, please clarify which toilets in buildings 8 and 9 are to be included in the base bid, which toilets are to be omitted entirely and which toilets are to be included as bid alternates.

The drawings and specifications do not accurately depict base bid work, and the deductive bid alternates. Contractors are to bid items found in Sections A, B and C of the SOW.