A00004 - RFI Responses.docx

RFI Responses – Relocate Nuclear Medicine, Project 583-20-102 Question: Per the statement of work part A.7 in the Solicitation it states tuckpointing and modification of brick on exterior wall around perimeter of the roof. Please provide a detail, photographs, or a sqft amount of tuckpointing required on the project. Please advise.

Response: This language in the first paragraph of the SOW was inadvertently left in due to an oversight. A revised SOW is being provided via amendment that has that language removed. Please refer to the revised SOW for an accurate description of the required work.

Question: Is a bid bond required?

Response: Yes, a bid bond is required in the amount of 20%.

Question: Will the VA accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

Response: Yes

Question: Will the VA provide the contract drawings in the native Revit format for use by the GC?

Response: No, the VA will not provide drawings in Revit.

Question: Will VA require GC’s to develop and submit coordination drawings in Revit?

Response: No, that will not be required

Question: Will the VA provide as-built drawings for the existing structures/work area of the project?

Response: Yes. After award to the successful bidder then will provide the drawings.

Question: Where will the designated parking & laydown area be for workers accessing the construction site?

Response: Yes. The designated parking lot is in Lot F which is just east of the employee parking garage.

Question: Please confirm that the project is to be completed during normal working hours, not nights and weekends.

Response: The first phase of the ductwork is to be done during a weekend. See drawing GC101 - Phase 1A Friday 5 pm Through Monday 5 AM

Question: Has the work area been checked for asbestos, lead based materials and/or other hazardous materials? Is there a report available?

Response: There is no asbestos present in the A-wing.

Question: What is the Governments’ policy if asbestos products are encountered during construction?

Response: As this is the A-Wing there shouldn't be any asbestos. It was built in 1994.

Question: Please provide the existing roof warranty, manufactures data, and POC.

Response: VA will try to provide after project is awarded.

Question: Please confirm that the VA will provide fire watch during the period of time that the fire suppression system is not in service.

Response: Yes. That is correct. The COR will do during normal business hours and then the chiller plant operator will do both off shifts.

Question: Please confirm the make/type of the existing nurse call system.

Response: Our Nurse Call System here is Rauland Responder 5.

Question: As a result of the effect of COVID-19 throughout the U.S., and the resulting Federal, State and local governments’ responses/requirements of safe distancing and potential advocations of working remotely and/or complete organization closures, please advise how the Government intends to address delays resulting there as it pertains to the current solicitation schedule for this and all future projects.

Response: VA will handle these situations on a case by case basis. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all approach to dealing with these occurrences. The VA makes every effort to be as flexible as possible when delays occur when they are due to no fault of the vendors we work with.

Question: Can we submit our bid via email, if we mail the original hardcopy Bid Bond prior to the due date?

Response: Emailed bids will NOT be accepted. Hard copy bids are required to be submitted, along with bid bonds, prior to the due date and time of the bid opening.

Question: Is this project tax exempt, and will the CO/COR provide the necessary tax exempt certificates Response: This project is tax exempt, and the tax exempt certificate will be provided to award recipient upon request after award of contract.

Question: The Contracting Officer will then NTP to the awardee after the contract award is made. What is the approximate duration between issuing the award and issuing the NTP?

Response: We try to get NTPs issued within 10 days after contract award depending on whether or not a pre-performance conference is abled to be scheduled and attended by all required parties. It’s rare for a NTP to be issued later than two weeks after contract award.

Question: For planning the preliminary project schedule, can you please provide an anticipated award date?

Response: The target award date is 2 July 2021. This is a moving target, and there is no guarantee that this date is exact.

Question: What is the anticipated duration between issuance of contract award and issuance of the NTP?

Response: NTP issuance is anticipated to be within 10 days after contract award.

Question: We anticipate certain construction activities to generate high levels of noise. Please confirm that only the Contracting Officer can suspend work via written notification to the Contractor.

Response: That is correct. Only a warranted Contracting Officer can suspend work via written communication to the Contractor EXCEPT in the event of a safety hazard. All VA staff members have a responsibility to voice safety concerns. If Engineering is ever alerted to any activity occurring that may cause danger for our patients, vendors and/or staff, they have every right to stop the unsafe activity. In this event, Contracting will be notified and all required parties will meet to discuss a way forward.

Question: Can the VA confirm that the General Contractor is to not include any Asbestos or Lead Removal?

Response: The VA does not anticipate the necessity for asbestos or lead removal. As such, bidders are not required to submit pricing for this work.

Question: In spec section 08 71 00 Door Hardware 3.5 D. Opening #’s 25 and 27 are assigned to HW-15 but are missing from door schedule on AE601 Please advise where doors 25 and 27 are located on drawings.

Response: Doors 25 and 27 are not a part of this project, they will be omitted from Door Hardware Specification.

Question: A-B025 is assigned to HW-17 but is not listed on the door schedule. Please advise if these doors that are existing are to receive new hardware.

Response: A-B025 is an existing door to remain with existing to remain hardware. No new hardware to be provided. Hardware set HW-17 will be omitted from Door Hardware Specification.

Question: HW-17 description says “door is push/push. No Locking Function” then calls for cylinder and core. Is keying required for this set?

Response: HW-17 does not pertain to this project. Hardware set HW-17 will be omitted from Door Hardware Specification. Doors A-B008, A-B009, A-B010, A-B025, A-B026, A-B027, A-B028 are existing to remain with existing to remain hardware

Question: Opening #A-B011C-I is assigned to HW-18 but not listed in the door schedule. Please Advise where this door is located.

Response: Door A-B011C-I is not a part of this project, HW-18 will be omitted from Door Hardware Specification.

Question: Can the VA please provide a single drawing that clearly states floor to deck heights for the construction area? This is used to ensure that the above ceiling utilities will fit in the above ceiling space.

Response: The deck height is 151 inches, which is 12.58’.

Question: In going through all the Siemens drawings, there are some references to “structural engineer” requirements in the FOR REFERENCE ONLY sheets. For example, in SD202/SD203 in structural notes it references “customer/contractor” is responsible for structural support and hardware. There are no specs for the Siemens hardware or structural drawings for these “For Reference Only” pages. Are we, as GCs, to assume this is the VA/Siemens responsibility, or is it really on us as the GC? I think it’s important we are all on the same page for this piece. I’m assuming since they are labeled “For Reference Only”, most will assume it is not GC responsibility. Please advise.

Response: There is no anticipation that GCs will be responsible for any structural support and/or hardware in the ceiling.