Attachment I - Q and A.pdf

Addendum No. 1 - AE Upgrade Terminal Units

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AE UPGRADE TERMINAL UNITS, AMENDMENT - PROJECT FOR THE

VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER (VAMC)—CINCINNATI, OH

PROJECT NUMBER: 539-21-111

UPDATED SPECIFICATIONS AND EXPLANATION OF REVISIONS

AMENDMENT #1

TO INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) NUMBER

36C25021B0125

IFB AMENDMENT NUMBER – SEE BLOCK 2 CONTRACTING STANDARD FORM 30

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Question: 9/22/21 - Will the owner accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

Answer: Yes, logins will be required to be supplied for all VA and VA contracted team members.

2. Is this project tax exempt?

Answer: Yes.

3. Question: 9/22/21 -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.

Answer: Individual delays will be evaluated on a case basis with justification provided to VA

4. Question: 9/22/21 - For planning the preliminary project schedule, can you please provide an anticipated award date?

Answer: Award is dependent on bids received in line with Government Cost Estimate however is anticipated to be awarded in the Month of November. All Bids are to be valid for 120 days or award.

5. Question: 9/22/21 - What is the deck construction type?

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Answer: Concrete pan construction that was typical of 1950’s construction. Portions of the Canteen area is steel frame 1981 construction with 8” Precast Conc planks with 2 ½” concrete topping. Other portions of the facility are typical steel frame construction with composite metal deck.

6. Question: 9/22/21 - Where will the designated parking & laydown area be for workers accessing the construction site?

Answer: All contractor parking is to be off site. Lay down area is confined to construction area.

7. Question: 9/22/21 - Can the owner please provide a single drawing that clearly states room dimensions, corridor damsons, building footprint dimensions, etc.?

Answer: The documents provided are in scalable formats that can be used to determine basic room dimensions with standard PDF software available from Adobe or Bluebeam.

8. Question: 9/22/21 - Can the owner please provide a single drawing that clearly states floor to deck heights for the space?

Answer: Level OO 81’-6”, Level 0 89’-0”, Level 1 100’-0”, Level 2 111’-11”, Level 3 122’-11”, Level 3b 124’-5”, Level 4 133’-11”, Level 5 146’-6 ¼ ”, Level 6(a) 158’-3 ¼ ”, Level 6 158’-5 ¼ ”, Level 7 169’-5 ¼ ”, Level 8 181’-4 ¼ ”, Level 9 192’- 9” ¾”, Level 10 203’-9 ¾”

9. Question: 9/22/21 - Will the contractor be authorized to build a temporary office inside the space in lieu of renting an office trailer for the duration of the project?

Answer: There will not be a site location for office trailer. Office space is to be with in phased construction area or off stie.

10. Question: 9/22/21 - Does the contract includes liquidated damages? If the owner temporarily shuts down or suspends the project (i.e., for noise), will extended general conditions cost and time be added to the contract?

Answer: Project does not include liquidated damages. Any extension of contract is to be issued through contracting and dependent on justification for all requested added cost.

11. Question: 9/22/21 - Please provide the asbestos report for the project.

Answer: Abatement report is available upon request to the COR.

12. Question: 9/22/21 - Please confirm that the owner will provide fire watch during the period that the fire suppression system is not in service.

Answer: Fire watch is to be provided by contractor or provided digital monitoring solutions.

13. Question: 9/22/21 - Please confirm that the owner will be contracting directly with a third-party commissioning agent for commissioning the project and that the Contractor is only to include participation/coordination with the Commissioning Agent.

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Answer: This is correct. The commissioning agent is HGS Engineering INC, Anniston AL

14. Question: 9/22/21 - Please confirm the nurse call system manufacturer that is existing on site.

Answer: Ascom Telligence.

15. Question: 9/22/21 - Who is the owner's service provider for the fire alarm system? Can you please provide contract information?

Answer: Fire Alarm is maintained by VA maintenance as well as Honeywell. Contact number is unknown.

Refer to boxed noted on Sheet E001.

16. Question: 9/22/21 - Are there any cameras that are being touched during the demo process?

Answer: Cameras will need to be removed and reinstalled where they are encountered during ceiling replacements, as noted throughout electrical drawings and per architectural ceiling plan general notes.

17. Question: 9/22/21 - Will access control be affected by our work?

Answer: It is not expected that access control will be affected by this work.

18. Question: 9/22/21 - Please provide the approved ICRA Plan.

Answer: Refer to specifications 013526a Safety Requirements Attachment A.

19. Question: 9/22/21 - PLEASE PROVIDE A CEILING PLAN THAT ACCURATLEY REFLECTS THE EXTENTS OF NEW CEILING REPLACEMENT. There are numerous areas where ductwork/piping/vents are called to be demoed but there is no note of any ceiling to come out on the Ref Ceiling Plan. Attached to this RFI is a snippet of an area to reference as an example (2nd floor Mech Area B). Please note that this is happening in multiple area of the drawings - including the work for the entirety of the 2nd Floor Mech Work Area C - there is no ceiling work called out for that area at all.

Answer: Refer to General Note #8 on Sheet M001.

20. Question: 9/22/21 - Is it the VA's intent to remove the furniture before work begins?

Answer: Furniture is to be protected in place.

21. Question: 9/22/21 - PLEASE PROVIDE A PHASING PLAN. It is our belief that proper execution of this project will require larger areas to be included in phases (determined by the duct service area) - when duct work starts being worked on in one area, it will affect the entire area that duct serves and that area/wing will be virtually inoperable until we finish our work in that wing. The addition of abatement of certain portions of ductwork will only make this more difficult as those areas will have to be tested and monitored before we can begin putting back.

Answer: Refer to phasing requirements specified in 01 00 00 (1.6-J).

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22. Question: 9/22/21 - Will there be any Low Voltage/communications work provided by the GC?

Answer: It is not expected that there will be any low voltage/communications work provided by the GC. Refer to mechanical & electrical drawings & specs for low voltage work associated with DDC controls, removal & reinstallation of ceiling-mounted devices during ceiling replacement, etc.

23. Question: 9/22/21 - How many areas will the GC be allowed to occupy concurrently?

Answer: This is dependent on strain placed on facility/services in line with other active projects.

24. Question: 9/22/21 - Is it the VA's intent for the contractor to be responsible for removing the furniture?

Answer: Furniture is to be protected in place.

25. Question: 9/22/21 - How much advanced notification will the personnel in the occupied spaces need before the GC begins work in that space? This information is needed to be included for our critical path schedule.

Answer: Reference Specification Section 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.6 Operations and Storage Areas subparagraph ( J.) Phasing.

26. Question: 9/22/21 - Are all existing conflicts with duct/pipe removal & putback called out on the drawings?

Answer: Refer to General Note #24 on Sheet M001.

27. Question: 9/22/21 - Will work be completed during normal business hours?

28. Question: 9/22/21 - At the site visit it was noted that the corridors were to remain accessible to staff during construction. Please provide a phase plan on how to accomplish this.

29. Question: 9/22/21 - Please provide as-built drawings for the spaces.

Answer: No as-built drawings are available. Refer to General Note #24 on Sheet M001.

30. Question: 9/22/21 - Is all existing duct work to be pressure tested or only per SMACA requirements (no testing of low pressure)? Is removal of insulation, resealing and reinsulating of existing ductwork to remain, but that fails pressure testing within the scope of this project?

Answer: Refer to spec 23 31 00 for duct sealing requirements. No existing ductwork to remain will be required to be pressure tested, nor re-sealed/reinsulated, etc.

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31. Question: 9/22/21 - We understand from the documents that we are to relocate any existing utilities that may impede the route of the new duct system. This could be a problem since some of the new duct is larger than the existing and may not fit in the space. We were not able to conduct a detailed site investigation that allowed us to remove ceiling tiles and confirm the duct routing. Can another site visit be schedule where we will be granted this type of access?

Answer: Another site investigation can be organized with contracting for an accurate bid. In the event more than one company wishes to have an additional site investigation a combined date and time will be used.

32. Question: 9/22/21 - Will there be any roof work required?

Answer: None is anticipated at this time.

33. Question: 9/22/21 – Will all holes from the demolished items need to be patched in walls as some are noted to patched and some are not?

Answer: Refer to General Notes 5 & 7 on Sheet M001.

34. Question: 9/22/21 – Per General Note A on plan MD104B and MD105B, please let us know the temporary unit size, electrical connection location, piping connection location, and duct connection location.

Answer: It is anticipated that the work will be able to be limited to nights/weekends. If this cannot be accomplished, or if the contractor chooses to perform this work during normal business hours, portable temporary cooling/heating units shall be used in the space and shall utilize existing wall receptacles for power. Cooling condensate (if applicable) shall be pumped to adjacent HAC closet B429. Condenser air shall be rejected through existing window opening(s) or may be exhausted through the existing AHU-12 return duct serving this space. Size and quantity of temporary units shall be based on capacity of existing power circuits, and shall be adequate to maintain space at 70 deg.F (heating) and at 75 deg.F/60% RH (cooling).

35. Question: 9/22/21 – What is the extent of the flooring replacement that will be needed for when the fan coils are removed?

Answer: Where damage to existing flooring has occurred replace with matching flooring. Full replacement of flooring materials within rooms is not generally anticipated unless, indicated on drawings, or if new construction or demolition activities create sufficient damage to the existing flooring in any room such that full replacement of the flooring will be required by the Contractor as directed by the COR. The VA does have some matching flooring stock that may be available for use. Contractor will be required to replace with new quantities of equal stock materials acquired from the VA.

36. Question: 9/22/21 – Can grooved couplings and fittings be utilized for heating hot water piping and chilled water piping sizes 2.5” and larger?

Answer: Grooved piping is currently not allowed on VA projects.

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37. Question: 9/22/21 – Can the corridor ceiling be removed completely at the beginning on Phase 1 and be left done until the piping and above ceiling work on Phase 1 is complete?

Answer: This is dependent on corridor location and strain placed on the facility.

38. Question: 9/22/21 – During Phase 1 how many rooms will the contractor have access to at a time?

Answer: There is no limit to the number of rooms that can be accessed at one time during Phase 1, but access to rooms on a given night/weekend will be limited to the number of rooms the contractor can complete during that night/weekend and shall be coordinated with the COR as specified.

39. Question: 9/22/21 – What are the work hours for Phases 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6?

Answer: The only restriction on hours is the inpatient areas. Those work hours would be normal hours of 8 to 5 any work outside those hours need to be coordinated with the VA.

Reference “General Phasing Notes” in Specification Section 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.6 Operations and Storage Areas subparagraph ( J.) Phasing.

40. Question: 9/22/21 – Can the corridor ceilings in areas of work be removed completely at the beginning of Phase 2 and be left down unit the piping and above ceiling work on Phase 2 is complete?

Answer: This is dependent on corridor location and strain placed on the facility.

41. Question: 9/22/21 – Can more than two rooms at a time per floor be made available to the contractor?

Answer: This is dependent on strain placed on facility/services in line with other active projects.

42. Question: 9/20/21 - Rooms B225, B226 and B227 on drawing AE600 Room Finish Schedule shows new gypsum board ceilings. On Drawing AC142 it shows 2x2 Acoustical ceilings. Please verify which is correct.

Answer: Provide 2 x2 acoustical tile ceilings.

GENERAL

The following changes, additions, or deletions shall be made to the following documents as indicated, and all other conditions shall remain the same:

1. DRAWINGS

Item Number 1:

Add the following General Note “K” to the following Drawings: AC141 FIRST FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, AC142 SECOND FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, AC143 THIRD FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, AC144 FOURTH FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, AC145 FIFTH FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, AC146

SIXTH FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, AC147 SEVENTH FLOOR REFLECTED CEILING PLAN.

“K. Placement of existing lighting fixtures are included on the architectural RCP sheets for general reference and should not be used for reinstallation locations of the fixtures. Contractor shall document location and

7 of 7 | P a g e orientation of all existing ceiling-mounted devices/equipment including but not limited to lighting fixtures, cameras, occupancy sensors, wi-fi, signage etc. via digital photographs prior to ceiling removal. Photographs shall be taken to include adequate background/context information for accurate device/equipment re-installation, organized on a floor-by-floor and room-by-room basis, and be made available to the COR, engineer, and all trades upon request.”

2. DRAWINGS

Item Number 2:

Add the following General Note “Z” to Drawing: E001 LEGEND AND ABBREVIATION:

“Z. Installation of all conduits shall be concealed within finished walls, floors, and ceilings. Conduits/raceways shall not be routed/installed exposed on exterior of building such as on a roof or on exterior walls except where specifically noted on drawings.”

3. DRAWINGS

Item Number 3:

Add the following Note to Drawings: MD105B FIFTH FLOOR DEMOLITION PLAN-AREA B and MH105B FIFTH FLOOR HVAC PLAN-AREA B, requiring that all work performed inside the 5th floor pharmacy area shall utilize a HEPA cart. Refer to attached revised sheets.

ATTACHMENTS

Updated Drawings:

1. MD105B FIFTH FLOOR DEMOLITION PLAN-AREA B

2. MH105B FIFTH FLOOR HVAC PLAN-AREA B

Updated Specifications:

1. None