S06 - RFIs Questions.xlsx
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- Attached to
- 6110--676-22-122 Replace Electrical Switchgear Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 36C25225B0007
About this file
This is a Q&A document containing pre-bid RFIs (Requests for Information) for a VA project to replace electrical switchgear at the Tomah VA Medical Center (IFB 36C25225B0007). The questions and responses cover technical specifications for electrical equipment, temporary power requirements, commissioning details, and construction logistics.
Key details include: The boiler plant cannot be shut down for more than 4 hours and requires temporary generators during switchover; long lead times of 46-100 weeks are expected for major equipment like transformers and switchgear; the VA will issue a Limited Notice to Proceed for long-lead items followed by contract suspension until equipment arrives; the project requires an 800-gallon minimum fuel storage capacity; two full-time on-site personnel are required (separate SSHO and Superintendent/Quality Control Manager); anticipated award is 2-4 weeks after bid opening with Notice to Proceed 2-3 weeks after award; the NAICS code is 238210 with 25% SDVOSB labor participation required; and the contractor must provide manufacturer representatives for commissioning while the VA will provide its own commissioning agent.
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Pre-bid RFIs
| Tomah VAMC | |||||||
| 676-22-122 Replace Electrical Switchgear at the Tomah VAMC | |||||||
| IFB 36C25225B0007 RFIs | |||||||
| No. | Date | Reference | Comment | Assigned to | Response | Published | |
| 1.1 | 12.26.24 | 1.1 amend 1 40 e601_RFIQuestions.pdf | Can you provide clarification/specifications for the connection panel with manual transfer switch on drawing E601? I have reviewed the specifications and cannot find any section that provides guidance on this. See attached drawing with red outline. | PCG | It is a load bank and connection box for a backup generator in case maintenance needs to be done by VA on new generator in Rm 107. To be located on northwest exterior wall. Will add language to drawings for clarification. | 2/26/25 | |
| 2.1 | 12.27.24 | The scope of the project will require the electrical power be shut off to the building for demolition and new equipment installation. Is there a seasonal time of the year when this shut down could be performed without an impact to the VA facility? If so, how many days or weeks would the VA facility allow this facility to be out of commission? | COR/PCG | No. This boiler plant runs continuously. The boiler plant cannot be shut down for more than 4 hours. Temporary generators should be in place before shutdown occurs. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.2 | 12.27.24 | Lead times will vary greatly on the electrical equipment. The MDP or Transformer could have a 46-to-100-week lead time. Is there an expectation to place this project into a long-term suspension for equipment procurement? | COR | The VA will complete a “Limited Notice to Proceed” (LNTP) after award. The LNTP will require the GC to only submit pre-construction submittals related to the material with long lead times. The GC will have 30 days to submit all submittals related to long team times and then the VA will have 30 days to review. Once the VA has reviewed and approved, the GC shall order these material. Once lead times for each item is provided, the VA will suspend this contract (if appropriate). The VA will then lift the suspension when the timing makes sense to then do “full NTP” and enter the second preconstruction phase. The GC will have 30 days in the second preconstruction phase to submit all other preconstruction submittals and the VA will have 30 days to review. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.3 | 12.27.24 | With the design intent to be that there is one Distribution Panel for the facility, would we be able to utilize a short full facility shutdown to transfer power? | COR | Yes, no more than 4 hours. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.4 | 12.27.25 | The drawings indicate to provide two temporary generators capable of meeting existing power load needs, but there is no indication of a requirement for minimum fuel tank size on board the temporary generator. Is there a minimum onboard fuel requirement? | COR | No requirements listed. This is something the GC must determine and provide. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.5 | 12.27.26 | The drawings indicate an 800-gallon fuel requirement for storage on site. Does this include the capacity of one or both generators to reach the 800-gallon requirement? | COR | The intent is this 800-gallon tank is the minimum. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.6 | 12.27.27 | Would the VA accept two larger sized temporary generators that each exceed the 800-gallon requirement in leu of a temporary fuel tank being stored on site? | COR | One of the temp generators will be running continuously while the other is in standby. How this is accomplished is to be determined by the GC. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.7 | 12.27.28 | Does the facility have an estimated load capacity needed when the temporary generator is in use? | PCG | Yes, the generator is adequately sized for sequence of operation of boilers. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.8 | 12.27.28 | Will the VA be assigning a commissioning agent or will the GC be required to provide? | COR | The GC is not required to hire a CxA – however, they are required to have manufacture representatives for all Cx items on site during commissioning. | |||
| The VA is required to hire our own that will represent the VA for this process. | 2/26/25 | ||||||
| 2.9 | 12.27.28 | Is a Commissioning Agent already procured for the project? | COR | No – this will not happen until after this contract is awarded. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.10 | 12.27.28 | Does the VA have an estimated duration the GC should allot for commissioning? | COR | Every project is different – No estimated time. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 2.11 | 12.27.28 | Per the drawings, the VA is requiring the ATS and Generator be from the same manufacturer. The only vendor that can provide an ATS (limited sizes) and a Generator by the same manufacturer, is Cummins. This would be a “sole source” requirement. This solicitation does not include a “sole source” justification document that lists the government’s reasoning why only Cummins would fulfill a “unique technical specification or a lack of viable alternatives”. This precludes the governments’ ability to ensure it is paying a “reasonable price” and endangers the government due to a single manufacturer’s proprietary software. This statement on the drawings, if allowed, will preclude a competitive procurement of alternative manufacturers, capable of fulfilling the specifications, and could possibly be procured sooner than the specified Cummins equipment. Will the government concede on this requirement for the same ATS and Generator manufacturer so long as the supplied equipment is commonly available, widely used for this purpose, and sufficient sized to properly distribute power in the intended design? | COR | The VA is asserting that multiple products will meet the VA’s technical requirements for this contract. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 3.1 | 12.30.24 | EP102 and E601 | Are (2) separate 200amp generators enough power to run the boiler plant if only one is running at a time? | PCG | This will be addressed. Will be changed to (1) 400A disconnect | 2/26/25 | |
| 3.2 | 12.30.24 | EP102 and E601 | Sheet EP102 shows the new service main on the outside of the building. Sheet E601 shows the new service main in new panel MDP-1. Should the main be in MDP-1 or outside the building? | PCG | The service main will be on MDP-1. The outside main will be deleted. | 2/26/25 | |
| 3.3 | 12.30.24 | EP102 and E601 | What is the size of the load bank connection conduit and wire? | PCG | See sheet E601 | 2/26/25 | |
| 3.4 | 12.30.24 | EP102 and E601 | Would a fused disconnect be required before the 15kva transformer for a means of disconnect (Ref EP102 & E601)? | PCG | Yes | 2/26/25 | |
| 3.5 | 12.30.24 | EP102 and E601 | The one-line shows an MTS with a load bank connection and a temporary generator connection. Where is the temporary generator connection located? What size is the temporary generator connection? | PCG | For VA purposes once project is complete, it is on E601 and EP102 keynote 14 | 2/26/25 | |
| 3.6 | 12.30.24 | EP102 and E601 | Are the (2) breakers on the one-line shown after the MTS standalone breakers or are they in a separate panel? | PCG | Stand alone, to be mounted on/integral to Genset. | 2/26/25 | |
| 4.1 | 12.30.24 | ED101, EL101 & E602 | |||||
| See 4.1_RFIQuestions.PDF | EL101 the Type A light fixture has a 4’ strip light fixture symbol on the plans. E602 Type A light is called out to be a 2x4 recessed Luminaire. What type of light is supposed to be installed for this project? | PCG | The description is incorrect on E602, should say 4' strip light. The catalog number is correct. LED | 2/26/25 | |||
| 4.2 | 12.30.24 | ED101, EL101 & E602 | |||||
| See 4.1_RFIQuestions.PDF | ED101 Key note 15 states: "Temporarily remove existing light Fixture. Relocate on new wall in approximately same location. Temporarily remove overfill alarm and install on new Wall." EL101 shows all new light fixtures on the building in different locations that the old light fixtures are mounted. Are the old fixtures being reused or are all new lights being installed? EL101. Type B Wall pack. How are they being controlled? | PCG | Reuse the old fixtures in the locations shown on the north and east wall. Type B tied to existing exterior light controls. | 2/26/25 | |||
| 4.3 | 12.30.24 | ED101, EL101 & E602 | |||||
| See 4.1_RFIQuestions.PDF | CS101. Note 15 - "Temporary light pole with light standard. Alternate: Portable light generator with retractable light set." 1, How tall do light poles need to be? 2, Can the poles be wood? 3, How many heads are required? 4, Where are the poles powered from? 5, how should the poles be controlled? | PCG | 16 feet high. Can be wood. One head. Contractor to provide temporary power. Controlled by timer. | 2/26/25 | |||
| 5.1 | 12.30.24 | Please confirm the NACIS code for this project is 238210 and the SDVOSB labor participation % is 25% of the total labor on the project? | CS | Confirming NAICS 238210 and 25%, see VAAR 852.219.73 (d) (4) and 852.219.75 (a) (iii) | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.2 | 12.30.24 | Please advise if sales / use taxes are to be included in the bid? | CS | The state of WI does not currently allow for the exemption of taxes on federal contracts. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.3 | 12.30.24 | Please confirm that there must be (2) full-time people on site while work is going on to fulfill the following on site duties - SSHO, Superintendent and Quality Control Manager Duties? | COR | Correct. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.4 | 12.30.24 | Please confirm the SSHO must be a separate person from the Superintendent / Quality Control Manager. | COR | Correct. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.5 | 12.30.24 | Please confirm the Superintendent can also be the Quality Control Manager | COR | No. According to 01 35 26, 1.7, C: '...Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO.' | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.6 | 12.30.24 | What is the anticipated award date for this project? | CS | Approx. 2-4 weeks after bid opening. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.7 | 12.30.24 | When is the “Notice to Proceed” anticipated to be issued? | CS | Within 2-3 weeks following award. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.8 | 12.30.24 | When is the anticipated “Start of Construction” for this project? | CS | Within 2-3 weeks following award. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.9 | 12.30.24 | Current economic conditions have resulted in extended lead times on Electrical equipment. How will these extended lead times on necessary equipment be accounted for in the contract? |
I. With all materials being required to be on site prior to starting on site construction of the project, Will the contract duration (270 calendar Days) be extended to account for long lead time items or will the Project be put into suspension for the Procurement of these materials?
ii. Recent projects have experienced the following lead times AFTER Approvals
a. Switchgear / Panel Boards = About 30 Weeks (210 days)
| b. | Automatic transfer Switches = varied from 45 to 64 weeks, or an average of 54 weeks (378 days) | ||||||
| c. | Generators = about 40 weeks (280 days) | ||||||
| d. | Transformers - varied from 50 to 104 weeks, or an average of 77 weeks (539 days) | COR | The VA will complete a “Limited Notice to Proceed” (LNTP) after award. The LNTP will require the GC to only submit pre-construction submittals related to the material with long lead times. The GC will have 30 days to submit all submittals related to long team times and then the VA will have 30 days to review. Once the VA has reviewed and approved, the GC shall order these material. Once lead times for each item is provided, the VA will suspend this contract (if appropriate). The VA will then lift the suspension when the timing makes sense to then do “full NTP” and enter the second preconstruction phase. The GC will have 30 days in the second preconstruction phase to submit all other preconstruction submittals and the VA will have 30 days to review. | 2/26/25 | |||
| 5.10 | 12.30.24 | Can the Temporary Construction Fence around the site & staging area be 72” in lieu of the 84”? With the requirement for “moveable” stands and sand bags, the Temp Fence panels Typically come 72” tall. | COR | 72" is acceptable | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.11 | 12.30.24 | How many hard copies does the VA require of the completed O&M? Do the manuals require delivery when the equipment arrives or at substantial completion? | COR | See Spec 01 00 00, 1.25, B. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.12 | 12.30.24 | Per the solicitation and its included “Statement of work” Section II.b the Contractor shall provide the services of a professional construction scheduler per the Specifications. Per Specifications 01 32 16.15, section 1.2 the contractor has the option of developing the schedule “In House” OR thru a consultant. Please clarify what is required. | COR | The Contractor must submit a sched | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.13 | 12.30.24 | Per the solicitation and its included “Statement of work” Section II.a the GC is to include all costs for the use of Submittal Exchange, Please confirm. | COR | Correct. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.14 | 12.30.24 | Reference 01 35 26.1.13, is Tuberculosis Screening required on this project? Can the Department of Health Services Wisconsin risk assessment TB questionnaire satisfy this requirement for this project? | COR | Yes. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.15 | 12.30.24 | Please reference specification Section 01 45 26, Part 3.18. Please confirm that testing for Earthwork and concrete are not required, as 0 tests are listed for these items. Sections 3.1 and 3.8 do not match section 3.18. Please clarify what is required. | PCG | Please see updated specification 01 45 25 for updated Part 3.18, Approximate Number of Tests Required.. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.16 | 12.30.24 | In the Testing spec section it calls out 40 tests for Structural steel, is this correct? Please confirm as it seems excessive for this small addition. | PCG | Please see updated specification 01 45 25 for updated Part 3.18, Approximate Number of Tests Required.. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.17 | 12.30.24 | Reference 01 81 13, is sustainable construction required on this project? | COR | All VA projects are designed as sustainable construction. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.18 | 12.30.24 | Will crane picks for the rigging of any equipment and materials be restricted to federal holidays and weekends? | COR | No. Just review with FAA as the VA has a helipad. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.19 | 12.30.24 | Specification Section 02 21 13 appears to be included in error. Are the services described in this section required to be performed under the General Contractors scope of work? This seems to include the entire campus and does not seem to be related to the specific project. Please confirm what is required for this section of the specifications with in the project limits. | COR | All projects that include earthwork would require a local site survey for utilities and other possible existing items. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.20 | 12.30.24 | Is the Third Party Fire Penetration inspector required? And if so, is this to be hired by contractor or the VA? | COR | No a third-party fire penetration inspector is not required. All work has to meet the minimum standards required by the contract documents. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.21 | 12.30.24 | How will existing penetrations in Fire Rates Walls be remediated? Will the VA shops repair / remediate any existing penetrations that are not properly sealed? | COR | All existing penetrations should be sealed. All new and newly revealed holes to be sealed by this contract. Note added to AS101. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.22 | 12.30.24 | Reference 09 91 00 Painting, are sample panels required or will draw down samples suffice? | COR | Physical samples for the VA. Digital copy for review of submittal and record. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.23 | 12.30.24 | Will all exposed Mechanical and Electrical piping in the addition be required to be painted? | COR | Yes, unless it will be covered by other means. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.24 | 12.30.24 | Please confirm the Commissioning Agent (CxA) and all associated costs for commissioning are being provided and paid for by the VA? | COR | No and Yes. The GC will need to provide manufacture Cx's and all required functional checks for the VA's CxA. All finding must be documented and submitted to the VA. If anything fails, the GC is to provide repairs and retesting at no additional cost to the VA. The VA will provide Cx to represent the VA. The VA Cx will be scheduled for two site reviews. Any additional site visits costs are paid by GC. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.25 | 12.30.24 | Do the MEPF contractors need to include a specific number of hours for training? If so please advise the number of hours required? | COR | Yes, See Spec 01 00 00, 1.25, C. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.26 | 12.30.24 | If or when above ceiling conflicts or needed demolition are found with existing MEP’s that are not shown on the drawing and not able to be investigated at the walk thru, how are these to be handled? | COR /PCG | RFI's. Note: there are no ceilings in the work area. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.27 | 12.30.24 | Please confirm that a Rubber Tracking mat must be used at the construction entrance as called out in detail 3/C502 is required, and that a Geo-fabric and 3” stone for a tracking pad will not be allowed? | COR | Acceptable. However, all ground repairs are at the cost of the GC. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.28 | 12.30.24 | Detail 3/C502 also calls out the geo fabric to be placed over silt socks at the ends for erosion protection. Yet, Detail 3 refers you to detail 4 on the same page. Detail 4/C502calls out “Coir Logs” in a 9” diameter. The Coir Logs are shown to be held down with Sandbags. Coir Logs are typically staked to the ground, and these could be difficult for traffic to pass over, as well as would not hold up to be removed and replace for the duration of the Project. Please advise if the stapled down Silt Sock as called for in Detail #3 is acceptable to use for “Surface Protection”. | PCG | Use Coir Logs for the long dimension of the Track Pads, stacked down is acceptable. Use silt socks at the short dimension, sand bag to hold in-place during off-hours only. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.29 | 12.30.24 | On Plan Page AS 101, Key note #2 is placed at the new Transformer Pad on the east side of the building. The Key note tells you to see detail 1/A501 AND Civil Drawings. The civil Drawings detail 1/C502 and detail 1/A501 are not the same. Which detail is to be used? | PCG | Use Detail 1/C502 in Civil Drawings. Detail 1/A502 will be removed. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 5.30 | 12.30.24 | On Plan page PP101 a key note #10 is shown in room C036 but there is not a key note #10 in the legend. Please advise what this key note is to read or mean? | PCG | PP101 does not exist and we are not sure which drawing this refs too. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 6.1 | 12.30.24 | EP602: The mechanical schedule shows one motor having a disconnect with note #2. The panel the motors are being power from is across the boiler plant about 70 feet away. Should all the motors have lockable disconnects due to the fact the panel is not within 25’ and not visible? | PCG | Add lockable disconnect. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 7.1 | 12.30.24 | EP101 and CS102 |
See 7.1_RFIQuestions.PDF EP101 The electrical plans talk about replacing cable in an existing conduit. note 7 and plan page notes.
CS102 The civil plans note 5 states to follow the existing route to install the 2” conduit.
Is there a new 2” PVC conduit required from B415 to B36?
If needed, Who is responsible for installing this conduit?
If needed, does this conduit need pulling points like ground J-Boxes or are there existing boxes to use?
| If needed, does the conduit need to be concrete encased? | COR | New 2" conduit inside the buildings. Use existing EHRM 4" buried duct for routing underground. | 2/26/25 | ||||
| 8.1 | 12.30.24 | EP102, BD103, & CS101 | Is the conduit in note #12 entering a classified area? | PCG | No. | 2/26/25 | |
| 8.2 | 12.30.24 | EP102, BD103, & CS101 | What is the power running to the tank for? | PCG | For fuel tank monitoring and alarm and tracer wire. | 2/26/25 | |
| 8.3 | 12.30.24 | EP102, BD103, & CS101 | What system is monitoring the signal wiring? | PCG | Cummins software. At the firehouse. | 2/26/25 | |
| 9.1 | 12.31.24 | VA B415 | I am not seeing any fire alarm plans or specifications. I know there are devices in the (2) room we are working in. Wondering if there is a plan or a spec? will it need commissioning? | PCG | Existing Fire alarm system to be protected or temporarily moved and put back for installation. | ||
| CS - Per conversation with COR, the Fire Alarms will need commisioning | 2/26/25 | ||||||
| 9.20 | 12.31.24 | Electrical Drawings | There are no fire alarm plans or fire alarm devices on the plans. There are fire alarm devices in the existing space. Is there s specification section for the fire alarm or a plan that would show what needs to be done with the fire alarm? | PCG | Existing Fire alarm system to be protected or temporarily moved and put back for installation. | 2/26/25 | |
| 10.1 | 1.02.25 | Door 108 appears to be exterior but the hardware group does not include weatherstripping etc. also, it's calling for a CVR exit device and this is used for a pair of doors. Please advise if they want a rim exit. | PCG | Please see revised Hardware Set in specification 08 71 00 which added the following door hardware at the exterior door: |
(1) Kick Plate
(1) Threshold
(1) Gasketing, Head and Jambs
(1) Rain Guard
(1) Door Sweep
| CVR exit device is correct, for single exterior door. | 2/26/25 | ||||||
| 10.2 | 1.02.26 | Detail 1 West Elevation on A701 is calling for a new card reader and keypad at the boiler room side. Is an electric strike or anything else required? I don't see anything in the spec for new hardware. | PCG | Please see Hardware Set in specification 08 71 00. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 11.1 | 1.08.25 | Per State code, contractor needs to add transition sumps to this project as underground piping needs to enter a containment where it transitions to aboveground piping. This is Not shown on the plans currently. | PCG | AE to add to the drawings. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 11.2 | 1.08.25 | This spec is designed for underground tanks. Do we bid it as we know we must do it? Can the A/E redo the specs so it relates to aboveground systems? | PCG | AE shall correct specification to above grade system and tank. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 11.3 | 1.08.25 | Does the VA want a new tank monitor even though they already have one that is perfectly fine? | PCG | Provide new system. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 11.4 | 1.08.25 | A site assessment for the underground piping can be provided but Sampling for aboveground tanks is not required. | PCG | Sampling required by VA to verify ground is not contaminated. | 2/26/25 | ||
| 12.1 | 1.10.25 | PART 2 - PRODUCTS | |||||
| 2.1 ABOVEGROUND STEEL TANKS / 12.1_RFI Questions.pdf | A. Type: Factory-fabricated all welded steel, horizontal cylindrical configuration, atmospheric pressure, internal and external corrosion protection as specified. In addition to specified requirements, tanks shall be fabricated in accordance with Steel Tank Institute (STI) design standards by manufacturer that participates in STI Quality Assurance Program. |
B. Construction:
1. ASTM A36/A36M steel, conform to UL 142. Inner and outer tanks of double wall tanks shall both conform. Provide label of conformance.
2. Conform to NFPA 30 or NFPA 31 as applicable.
3. Double-wall, insulation between walls, conforming to STI F941 "Fireguard" construction, and to UL 2085. Provide label of conformance.
| Which one do you want? Substantial difference in construction and price? | PCG | Remove previous specification section 231000. Use newly edited 231000 spec section provided in Addendum No. 1. | 2/26/25 |
| 12.2 | 1.10.25 | PART 2 - PRODUCTS | |
| 2.1 ABOVEGROUND STEEL TANKS / 12.1_RFI Questions.pdf | 2. Watertight assembly, cylindrical body, quick-opening corrosion resistant watertight sealable cover, polyethylene spill containment compartment with minimum 5 gallon capacity. Integral drain valve with discharge to fill pipe. |
| You cannot have a low melting point material like this on an aboveground system. Is this for underground? | PCG | Remove previous specification section 231000. Use newly edited 231000 spec section provided in Addendum No. 1. | 2/26/25 |
| 12.3 | 1.10.25 | PART 2 - PRODUCTS | |
| 2.1 ABOVEGROUND STEEL TANKS / 12.1_RFI Questions.pdf | 5. Protect spill container from traffic by ramped, drain-slotted cast iron body ring and cover. Design shall prevent transmission of traffic loads to the underground tank. Spill-container type not required at locations designated only for sounding tanks. |
C. Fill caps located above grade without fill boxes shall be lockable, tight-fill design, operated by special wrench that shall be furnished. Entire assembly shall seal tight with no leakage during fill and when cap is in place.
| Huh? This doesn’t make sense for an aboveground tank. Again maybe for a UST? | PCG | Remove previous specification section 231000. Use newly edited 231000 spec section provided in Addendum No. 1. | 2/26/25 | |
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&F &P of &N
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