Attachment 2- RFI - Responses.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) - Responses Project 596-20-104

Refinishing Connecting Corridors

1. The Presolicitation states the contract value to be between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, while the solicitation released on 9/10 says it is between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000.

Answer: Magnitude is between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000.

2. Would the VA consider holding a second site visit for this RFP?

Answer: The Government do not see a need to have a second formal pre-bid site visit. Everything in the solicitation is public and does not need escort or special access. Any contractor proposing to bid on this project is welcome to walk the connecting corridors at any time for their bidding purposes.

3. Tax Exemption: Is this project sales tax-exempt? If so, can the government provide a tax exemption certificate for materials purchased?

Answer: No

4. Notice to Proceed (NTP): How soon after contract award is the NTP expected to be issued?

Answer: Once the certificate of insurance, performance and payment bonds are verified.

A pre-construction meeting will be conducted and the NTP will be directly after the meeting.

5. Submittal Platform: Will the VA permit the use of Procore or an equivalent construction management software platform for submittals and project communications?

Answer: Yes, Procore

6. Payment for Stored Materials: Will payment applications for materials stored on-site or in a bonded warehouse be approved?

Answer: Yes, with a certificate of insurance and warehouse location and information, the Government will pay for stored materials.

7. Bid Validity Duration: Due to current economic inflation, will the Government reduce the required bid validity duration to 60 days to minimize contractor pricing risk and escalation costs?

Answer: No

8. Bid Hold Period: Will the government consider reducing the bid hold period to 90 days due to current inflation risks?

Answer: No

9. Economic Price Adjustment Clause: Will the government include an Economic Price Adjustment Clause in the contract to address price fluctuations in materials?

Answer: No

10. Personnel/Staffing SSHO and Superintendent Roles:

Question 1: Can the SSHO, QCM and superintendent positions be fulfilled by the same individual, provided qualifications are met?

Question 2: If not, can the superintendent double as the SSHO?

Answer: Yes, the superintendent can be the SSHO and the QCM as long as all positions are done correctly without any problems during construction. If there are issues where one role is not being done correctly, the Government reserves the right to have separate roles of SSHO, Superintendent, and QCM.

11. SSHO, QCM, and Superintendent Roles (Triple Hatting):

Question 1: May one individual serve in dual or multiple roles (i.e., SSHO, QCM, and Superintendent) if they meet all qualification requirements? See previous response.

Clarification: If not, is it acceptable for the Superintendent to also serve as the SSHO?

Question 2: Will VA accept a designated alternate SSHO or QCM during off-hours/night shifts to satisfy continuous presence requirements?

Answer: See previous response.

12. Site Logistics Temporary Facilities: Are contractors required to provide a temporary site office or trailer, or will space be allocated within the existing facility?

Answer: No space will be provided inside the facility for storage of material.

13. Temporary Facilities and Utilities:

Question 1: Will the contractor be required to provide a temporary site office or trailer, or will space within the existing facility be made available?

Answer: See previous response.

Question 2: Will the VA allow temporary connection to existing utility infrastructure, with the contractor responsible for metered usage?

Answer: The contractor will be responsible for connecting any trailers to the electric and paying for it.

14. Parking and Staging Areas: Will there be designated parking and staging areas for contractor personnel and deliveries? Will the Government provide on-site storage containers or laydown space, or must these be arranged off-site?

Answer: There is adequate room for a contractor staging area in the rear of the Sousley Campus.

15. Contractor Badging Requirements and PIV Process: Will the Government provide detailed written requirements for contractor badging? Please clarify the process for obtaining PIV badges, including required documentation, background checks, and estimated processing timeframes.

Answer: See separate PDF for all information.

16. Testing and Commissioning: Is the VA hiring the commissioning agent?

Answer: Yes.

17. Infection Control: Will ICRA level III or IV be required during the project?

Answer: ICRA Level III required.

18. COVID-19 Impact on Scheduling: As a result of past and ongoing impacts of COVID- 19 and associated government safety requirements, how does the Government plan to address delays related to mandated closures or remote work affecting solicitation or project schedules?

Answer: We will not shut down the project for COVID impacts unless mandated by VACO. At that time the project may be delayed. No projects were delayed from COVID in 2020.

19. Project Duration: The 365-day duration of the project seems low when calculating the phased access and execution of the work. Will the VA confirm it to be accurate.

Answer: Do the contractors believe the POP should be longer? Discussion is open to that currently before award. Both the VA and the AE believe 365 days for the POP is adequate and achievable.

20. Testing and Laboratory Services Responsibility: Will the Owner or General Contractor be responsible for procuring and paying for testing and laboratory services required during the project?

Answer: The contractor will be responsible for these charges.

21. Hazardous Materials (Asbestos / Lead): Will the VA provide recent asbestos and lead survey reports?

Answer: The asbestos and lead to be removed is in the plans. If there is more that is found to be abated, the Government will pay for a change order.

22. Cable Pathways: Are the existing primary and secondary pathways intended to be reused in the buildings?

Answer: Yes.

23. Fire Alarm and Security Systems Coordination: Does the Government have an existing fire alarm service provider? If so, please provide the name and contact information of the point(s) of coordination for any fire alarm, suppression, or security system work or disruptions.

Answer: We use the Notifier fire alarm system, and we use Allied Communications for our service work. The contractors will have to be certified to install notifier equipment for the fire alarm system.

24. Post-Bid Tariff-Based Escalation Clause: If tariffs on materials such as steel or wood are imposed by the Executive Branch after bid submission but before award, will the Government consider allowing a price escalation to account for the impact, even when materials remain Buy American-compliant?

Answer: No.

25. PACS System and Network Integration:

Question 1: Is there any reuse of existing brand name equipment requiring a J&A?

Answer: No. All components must integrate with the existing.

Question 2: Does the new PACS need to integrate with other security systems such as

CCTV?

Answer: We do not know anything about the new PACS system as it’s not designed yet.

All new components must integrate with existing systems.

Question 3: It appears the system is to reside on the VA Network—is this correct?

Answer: Yes. OIT connects to the VA network.

Question 4: If the response to Question 3 is yes, is there a requirement for virtual servers or are standard servers permissible?

Answer: Standard Servers are permissible.

26. Electrical and Rough-in Requirements for PACS:

Question 1: What are the rough-in requirements for new devices? For example, is new conduit required within wall cavities versus surface mounting?

Answer: New conduit is required in the wall cavity for all rough-ins. Nothing shall be surface mounted.

Question 2: Is the contractor required to provide and install all new electrical requirements for new power supply locations?

Answer: Yes.

27. PACS Internet Connectivity and EHRM Integration: Will the new PACS be connected to the internet for integration with the national database?

Answer: We do not know right now. The new PACS system project has not started design.

28. Design Window Manufacturer: Can the VA confirm that the basis of design (BOD) window manufacturer has been approved by the Historic Preservation Authority.

Answer: Yes, the window BOD has been approved by SHPO.