36C25026Q0628 Amendment 003 RFI Responses.docx

36C25026Q0628 – Amendment 003 – RFI Responses

Introductory Statement: The SOW indicates the work shall be completed, in general, during normal working hours although some off hours work maybe required. To further define this statement: Preparatory work that does not involve any curtailment of power may be done during normal business hours. Work that involves the “cut over” of existing equipment to the new equipment shall be initiated and completed between 1800 hours on Friday to 0430 hours Monday morning. The VA expects three such “cut over” times, one for each MCC and one for the panelboards in C-B019.

Q1: What are the permissible durations of power outages for the equipment being replaced and the equipment fed downstream of the equipment being replaced? If this depends on the individual piece of equipment, can the VA provide the permissible durations per piece of equipment?

A1: See Introductory Statement above.

Q2: 5.1.7 states that the contractor must hold a valid electrical contractor's license in the state of Indiana. The state of Indiana does not issue electrical licenses to individuals or contractors. In Indiana, electrical licenses are issued by local governments. Are contractor licenses and master licenses issued by adjacent states acceptable?

A2: A valid electrical license from any state is permissible.

Q3: Specification 26 08 00, 1.1 B states "The commissioning process, which the Contractor is responsible to execute, is defined in Section 01 91 00 GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS. A Commissioning Agent (CxA) appointed by the VA will manage the commissioning process." Is the contractor required to contract with and pay for the commissioning services, or will the VA contract with a commissioning agent? It does not appear specification 01 91 00 was included in the specifications posted on SAM. Will the VA provide this specification section?

A3: The contractor shall provide his own commissioning services.

Q4: Please confirm what items will be abandoned in place vs completely retired and removed.

A4: Any equipment rendered obsolete or not required due to the execution of this project shall be removed to the largest extent practicable. As an example, underground conduits no longer in use as part of this project may remain, although the open ends will require sealing. Conduits above grade and readily accessible shall be removed.

Q5: Are we removing conduit all the way back to the devices?

A5: If the conduit is no longer required, it shall be removed to the largest extent practicable.

Q6: Want to inquire about adding cable trough to the top and bottom of the newly installed panel to allow for splicing in of new cable as needed. Is this approach acceptable by the VA team?

A6: This is acceptable, assuming it is permitted within the NEC.

Q7: Will the VA require new cable to be pulled in all the way to the devices, or can we splice in?

A7: Splicing is permitted so long as it conforms to VA Specs and the NEC.

Q8: What items need to be cut over to temp power during install?

A8: If any temporary power to devices is required, VA will provide.

Q9: How much down time will we be allowed for panel swapping/cutover?

A9: See the Introductory Statement. It is assumed the MCCs and panelboards will be done one at a time during the time frame as presented above.

Q10: Will this be off-shift or weekend work, or can this take place during normal hours?

A10: All curtailment activities shall occur during the window indicated in the Introductory Statement.

Q11: How many company vehicles can be parked onsite?

A11: One vehicle, indicated in the SOW.

Q12: Any badging process or site training we need to consider prior to starting work?

A12: For these short duration projects, badging is not necessary. You will be working in electrical equipment rooms so Infection Prevention shall not be required other than “walk-off” pads will be required at the Electrical equipment door and will require changing daily. Also, cleanup of the area when completed shall be required. Materials being removed shall be transported in covered carts between the electrical equipment rooms and the disposal location, e.g. contractor provided dumpster or vehicle.

Q13: Please identify which existing MCC and panelboard components, cabinets, conductors, raceways, and related equipment must be completely retired, removed, and disposed of. Please also identify any items that may remain or be abandoned in place.

A13: Any equipment rendered obsolete or not required due to the execution of this project shall be removed to the largest extent practicable. As an example, underground conduits no longer in use as part of this project may remain, although the open ends will require sealing. Conduits above grade and readily accessible shall be removed.

Q14: For circuits affected by the replacement work, is the contractor required to remove existing conduits and raceways all the way back to the served devices or equipment, or may existing conduits remain where they are serviceable and code compliant?

A14: If the conduit is no longer required, it shall be removed to the largest extent practicable.

Q15: Section 6.1.1 permits the installation of a new pull box adjacent to the replacement equipment. Would the VA accept listed cable troughs or wireways installed above and below the new panelboards to accommodate necessary conductor extensions and splices, subject to code requirements, wire-bending space, and approved shop drawings?

A15: So long as the splice locations comply with current codes, splice locations may be completed in any appropriate type “container”.

Q16: When an existing conductor is not long enough to terminate in the new equipment, please confirm whether conductor replacement is required only back to the nearest accessible pull point, junction box, pull box, or equipment termination, rather than for the entire run to the served device. Please also confirm whether splicing within an approved cable trough, wireway, or pull box will be considered.

A16: Splicing will be permitted assuming it meets NEC and VA codes.

Q17: Please identify the specific circuits, equipment, and critical loads that must be maintained on temporary power during demolition, panel installation, and cutover. Please provide any required temporary-power durations or operational restrictions known at this time.

A17: The VA will take care of any temporary power requirements that may arise as part of this project.

Q18: What is the maximum allowable outage duration for each MCC and panelboard replacement and cutover? Please identify any individual loads that have a shorter allowable downtime or require uninterrupted service.

A18: See the introductory statement. It is assumed the MCCs and panelboards will be done one at a time during the time frame as presented above.

Q19: The SOW states that disruptive testing and power-curtailment work must occur during off hours. Please confirm whether the panel swaps and final cutovers must be completed during nights or weekends and provide the VA's preferred outage windows.

A19: All curtailment activities shall occur during the window indicated in the introductory statement.

Q20: Section 3.2.1 limits contractor parking at the RLRVAMC to one vehicle. Please confirm whether temporary exceptions will be allowed for material deliveries, service vehicles, equipment unloading, or scheduled outage work. Please also confirm whether all other personnel must park at the Cold Springs location and be shuttled to the medical center.

A20: Supply deliveries are exempt from the parking restrictions so long as the vehicles are not parked at any time other than during deliveries.

Q21: In addition to the visible contractor identification described in the SOW, please confirm whether VA-issued badges, background screening, site orientation, infection-control training, safety training, or other site-specific onboarding is required. If so, please provide the required documentation and anticipated processing time.

A21: For these short duration projects, badging is not necessary. You will be working in electrical equipment rooms so Infection Prevention shall not be required other than “walk-off” pads will be required at the Electrical equipment door and will require changing daily. Also, cleanup of the area when completed shall be required. Materials being removed shall be transported in covered carts between the electrical equipment rooms and the disposal location, e.g. contractor provided dumpster or vehicle.

Q22: Please confirm whether the Project Superintendent/Project Supervisor must be a direct W-2 employee of the prime contractor, J&G Solutions, LLC, or whether a qualified employee of the electrical subcontractor may serve in that capacity under the prime contractor's direction and authority.

A22: So long as the supervisor has the required qualifications, he may be an employee of the subcontractor. He must have the power to stop work in the event of safety or any other life-threatening issue.

Q23: Please confirm whether the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) must be a direct W-2 employee of the prime contractor or whether a qualified subcontractor employee may serve as the SSHO, subject to meeting all contractual training, experience, and certification requirements.

A23: Same answer as above.

Q24: Please confirm whether the Quality Control Manager (QCM) must be a direct W-2 employee of the prime contractor or whether a qualified subcontractor employee may serve as the QCM under the prime contractor's quality-control program.

A24: Same answer as above.

Q25: Please confirm whether one qualified individual may serve concurrently as the Project Superintendent/Project Supervisor, SSHO, and QCM, or in any combination of those roles. If the roles must be separate, please identify which positions require separate personnel and whether each individual must be onsite whenever work is performed, including off-hours outages and cutovers.

A25: One person may assume multiple roles.