S06 - Pre-Bid RFIs_695-22-106_Amendment 0006.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 2 MB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 36C25225B0027
About this file
This document is a Pre-Bid Request for Information (RFI) spreadsheet for a Lightning Protection System (LPS) installation project at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The project involves installing lightning protection systems across seven buildings (excluding buildings 70 and 123), with a contract duration of 365 days. The solicitation (Solicitation Number: 36C25225B0027) requires a complete LPS that meets NFPA 780 and UL96A standards, including air terminals, down conductors, grounding systems, and roof penetration modifications.
Key details include a bid due date of January 16, 2026, at 9:00 am local time, with a virtual bid opening at 10:00 am. The project is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) under NAICS code 238210 (Special Trade Construction). Contractors must submit a completed VAAR 852.219-75 form with their bid package. The VA will provide a contractor laydown area, and elevator/roof access will be coordinated. Bidders are expected to provide a complete LPS system that meets all code requirements, with the understanding that field conditions may necessitate adjustments for final certification.
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Pre-Bid RFIs
| 695-22-106 Install Lightning Protection | |||||
| 36C25225B0027 | |||||
| Pre-Bid RFIs | |||||
| No. | GLAC/FM/AE to answer | Date Submitted | SUBJECT/COMMENT | Response | Included in Amendment # |
| 1 | FM | 11/19/25 | Does the Superintendent need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor? Must the Superintendent be on site at all times while work is commencing? | Yes / Yes | 0003 |
| 2 | FM | 11/19/25 | Does the SSHO (Site Safety Health Officer) need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor? Must the SSHO be on site at all times while work is commencing? | Yes / Yes | 0003 |
| 3 | FM | 11/19/25 | Can the Superintendent & SSHO be a dual-hatted individual assuming that individual is qualified for both roles? Are there any other mandatory on-site roles required in this contract? | Yes / See specification 01 35 26 1.7 for on-site roles. | 0003 |
| 4 | FM | 11/19/25 | When does the VA expect the project to start following the award? Are there any concerns for Asbestos Containing Material or Lead in the areas being worked in? | See specifications for timeline, considerations will be made for seasonal weather. There is no ACM or Lead anticipated | 0003 |
| 5 | FM/AE | 11/19/25 | Are there any ICRA requirements for this project? Specification Section 264100 Part 2 calls for all copper materials, will aluminum materials be accepted where being installed in sheet metal coping and HVAC mechanical equipment to avoid the electrolytic corrosion? Aluminum materials will be required in these areas for obtaining the specified UL certification. | For work being performed exterior to the buildings, no infection control measures will be required. Contractors to follow special notes section 01 01 10-SN when transporting materials through buildings. |
Use copper materials; if connection to dissimilar metals is necessary, use bimetallic connectors to prevent galvanic corrosion. Aluminum materials are allowed when connecting to metal equipment, siding or coping. Aluminum is not allowed within 18" to grade. Bimetal connectors and fitting are to be used when splicing or bonding dissimilar metals. UL certification is required.
| 0003 | ||||
| 6 | AE | 11/19/25 | Are we to replace all through roof penetration assemblies with new PVC sleeves and water tight fittings as shown on drawing E-502 Detail #7? Currently are just a bare copper cable coming up thru the pitch pan and covered in sealant. |
Cell tower equipment on highest roof level may require lightning protection to be installed, is this acceptable per the owner of the equipment? Yes, follow detail 7 for roof penetrations.
Replace existing cell tower connections with new. If new connections are required to the cell tower, the VA will contact equipment owner for approval.
| Connect any existing LPS conductors coming from the cell towers to the new LPS conductor. The cell tower is the tallest item on that portion of the roof and would be subject to a direct lighting strike. It is expected that a connection to the metal base of the tower will be needed, so plan for that, however wait to see if UL certification can be achieved without it prior to installing. | 0003 | ||||||
| 7 | AE | 11/19/25 | Specification section 264100 calls for a UL Master Label and also references a UL Letter of Findings, is a UL Letter of Findings acceptable for all buildings as they are not eligible to receive a UL Master Label? | If the building is not eligible for a UL Master Label a UL letter of findings is acceptable | 0003 | ||
| 8 | FM/AE | 11/19/25 | Will ample elevator and/or roof access be provided for all work areas by VA for materials and equipment in cart and pallet-sized loads? If not, must a crane be included in contractor's bid? If a crane must be included, can the VA provide locations crane set up is acceptable? | Where available, elevator access will be coordinated. The service elevator for Bldg. 111 is rated for a 1350LB point load. Roof top access for all buildings will required the use of stairwells (except Bldg. 91 which is single story) Crane lifts are an acceptable means provided all requirements in specifications and crane lift plan are met. Crane locations will be reviewed and approved by COR. Localized evaluation will be required for palletized loading. | 0003 | ||
| 9 | AE | 11/19/25 | Building 111 has multiple areas with limited to no access to the roof perimeters by foot or ladder without some form of scaffolding (See attached drawing). Can the VA confirm scaffolding is acceptable in these areas? | Scaffolding is an acceptable means. | |||
| Reference Specification 01 35 26 for details on scaffolding requirements. | 0003 Attachement: S06 - Q9-Q10_Roof Drawing for Open Areas | ||||||
| 10 | AE | 11/19/25 | Building 111 - Some of the bird netting present will need to be removed and replaced to accommodate installation of the LP system (See attached drawing & Pictures). | ||||
| Will the VA provide removal and reinstallation of the bird netting or should the contractor include in the bid? If contractor is to include in bid, can the VA quantify how much netting is to be removed and replaced for bidding purposes? | Contractor is responsible for the removal and reinstallation of any screening that needs to be removed for the installation of LPS. Contractor is to determine what portions of the netting needs to be removed for the installation of the LPS. | 0003 Attachement: S06 - Q9-Q10_Roof Drawing for Open Areas | |||||
| 11 | FM | 11/19/25 | Is there a specific location for contractor laydown area? Must this area be surrounded and secured by temporary fencing? How big of an area is being provided? | A contractor laydown area of reasonable size (at least 40'x40') will be identified and provided after award. Refer to Spec 01 00 00 1.6 K for temporary fencing requirements for construction fence requirements. Temporary fencing will not be required on roof top areas that are not accessible to general public, but will be required for laydown area. | 0003 | ||
| 12 | AE | 11/19/25 | If continuity tests on existing down conductors aren’t adequate, how do we proceed? Are roof pads needed for mid-roof adhesive materials per roof warranty? | The testing is to verify that the new installation has continuity for a complete working LPS. It is insuated the existing system has continuity since there was not evidence to suspect otherwise. Testing of the existing system is not usually done when designing the replacement of that system. Contractor is to advise the COR of inadequate results and direction will be determined at that time. |
| No, roof pads are not needed. Standard practices for installation of mid-roof equipment should be followed. | 0003 | |||||
| 13 | AE | 11/19/25 | Are all buildings TVSS UL Master Label compliant and if not how do we proceed? On building 113, is there a path with access to the switchgear room and how far? | TVSS are assumed compliant, if found to be non-compliant, inform the COR and issue will be addressed at that time. |
| Existing path for LPS is not present, contractor will need to determine best path. Switchgear room is located in the Northeast corner of the ground floor. See attached PDF for floor plan of ground floor. | 0003 Attachement: S06 - Q13-Q15_Floor Plans Bldg 102,112,113 | |||||
| 14 | AE | 11/19/25 | On building 112, is there a path with access to the main distribution panel and how far? On building 111, floor 2 and 5 roofs, is there access to connect to building steel where exothermic welding is permitted? | Building 112 has a wall penetration at the transformer location. Electrical room is located in the Southeast corner of the first floor. See attached PDF for floor plan |
| No existing access is present for building 111, floor 2 and 5 roofs. | 0003 Attachement: S06 - Q13-Q15_Floor Plans Bldg 102,112,113 | |||||
| 15 | AE | 11/19/25 | On building 102, is there a path with access to the switchgear room and how far? Will down conductors be aluminum or copper? If copper, would it need to be run through conduit all the way? | No existing path to switchgear is present. Contractor will need to determine best path. Electrial room is located in the Southeast cornor on the basement floor. See attached PDF for floor plan. |
Copper conductors are to be used, use appropriate connectors for dissimilar metals.
| 0003 Attachement: S06 - Q13-Q15_Floor Plans Bldg 102,112,113 | ||||||
| 16 | FM | 11/19/25 | In the solicitation documents during the demolition and installation of the Lightning Protection it calls for a Superintendent, Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), and a Quality Control Manager (QCM). Can the on site Superintendent perform all three roles? | Yes, provided they meet all requires. | 0003 | |
| 17 | AE | 11/19/25 | Specification Section 264100 Part 2 calls for all copper materials to be used. To avoid electrolytic corrosion and obtain specified UL certification, is it acceptable to install Aluminum materials to sheet metal coping and HVAC mechanical equipment? | See # 5 | 0003 | |
| 18 | AE | 11/19/25 | Current copper cables that are passing through the roof are in a pitch pan and covered with sealant. Are we to install all new PVC sleeves and fittings as shown in Drawing Detail E-502 #7? | See # 6 | 0003 | |
| 19 | AE | 11/19/25 | There is Cell Tower equipment on the top of the highest elevation on building 111. Is this equipment included in the SOW and is it acceptable by the owner of the equipment to install if needed? | See # 6 | 0003 | |
| 20 | AE | 11/19/25 | Specification section 264100 calls for a UL Master Label and also references a UL Letter of Findings. Is a UL Letter of Findings acceptable for all buildings as they are not eligible to receive a UL Master Label. | See # 7 | 0003 | |
| 21 | FM | 11/19/25 | Is the VA going to allow the use of designated elevators and stairs during the project for roof access to all areas to perform work and material deliveries in each building? | Elevator and stairwell use will be coordinated with COR | 0003 | |
| 22 | AE | 11/19/25 | On the top of building 111 there are areas that have screening installed to protect mechanical equipment below from any possible nuances that might be caused from birds. The current lightning protection cabling is installed under this screening. Is the VA going to remove this screening in order for the GC to remove the old and install the new lightning protection equipment? | See # 10 | 0003 | |
| 23 | AE | 11/18/25 | In Specification Section 264100 Part 2, it is stated that copper materials must be used. However, we would like to confirm whether aluminum materials can be utilized in sheet metal coping and HVAC mechanical equipment to prevent electrolytic corrosion. Aluminum materials will be necessary to achieve the required UL certification in these areas. | See # 5 | 0003 | |
| 24 | AE | 11/18/25 | Moreover, should all through-roof penetration assemblies be replaced with new PVC sleeves and watertight fittings as specified in Drawing E-502 Detail #7? Currently, only a bare copper cable is extending through the pitch pan and covered with sealant. | See # 6 | 0003 | |
| 25 | AE | 11/18/25 | Regarding the cell tower equipment on the highest roof level, does the owner approve the installation of lightning protection if needed? | See # 6 | 0003 | |
| 26 | AE | 11/18/25 | The specification section 264100 mentions a UL Master Label and references a UL Letter of Findings. Could you please confirm if a UL Letter of Findings is acceptable for all buildings that are ineligible for a UL Master Label? | See # 7 | 0003 | |
| 27 | AE | 11/18/25 | Lastly, on page 111E102, there is work to be done on the perimeter wall around a pit area. Are there any installation or material specifications in case the net is damaged during removal to provide scaffolding for the work on the upper part of the walls? | If damaged, bird netting is to be replaced in kind | 0003 | |
| 28 | FM/AE | 11/18/25 | Bldg. 111, Upper B Wing Roof as shown on drawing 111.E102 has an open area well/screen wall that is approximately 40’-45’ tall along with existing overhead duct work, located on the East side and West side of the building. We will require the facility to provide the necessary access to the lightning protection system located at the top of the screen wall and duct work via scaffolding, lifts, ladders, or etc.; this will be excluded from our pricing. | Contractor is responsible for all material, equipment, labor, means and methods, etc. for the access and installation of a complete LPS on the building. | 0003 | |
| 29 | AE | 11/18/25 | At this same area there is also bird netting that will need to be removed/reinstalled by others in order to access the lightning protection system. | See # 10 | 0003 | |
| 30 | A/E | 11/18/25 | Specification Section 264100 Part 2 calls for all copper materials, will aluminum materials be accepted where being installed in sheet metal coping and HVAC mechanical equipment to avoid the electrolytic corrosion? Aluminum materials will be required in these areas for obtaining the specified UL certification. | See # 5 | 0003 | |
| 31 | A/E | 11/18/25 | Are we to replace all through roof penetration assemblies with new PVC sleeves and water tight fittings as shown on drawing E-502 Detail #7? Currently are just a bare copper cable coming up thru the pitch pan and covered in sealant. | See # 6 | 0003 | |
| 32 | AE/FM | 11/18/25 | Cell tower equipment on highest roof level may require lightning protection to be installed, is this acceptable per the owner of the equipment? | See # 6 | 0003 | |
| 33 | AE | 11/18/25 | Specification section 264100 calls for a UL Master Label and also references a UL Letter of Findings, is a UL Letter of Findings acceptable for all buildings as they are not eligible to receive a UL Master Label? | See # 7 | 0003 | |
| 34 | FM/AE | 11/21/25 | Given that the existing roofs on this project appear to be older and the solicitation details do not indicate new roof installation or manufacturer warranty requirements, please confirm whether special roofing requirements (e.g., manufacturer warranty, inspections, or related provisions) are applicable to this project. | Contractor to install LPS in a manner that does not cause any damage to the existing roofing. Use industry standards for attachment to roofing appropriate to the type of roofing. | 0003 | |
| 35 | FM | 11/23/25 | Are we quoting just building 111 as it states in your quote request? The SOW shows 7 buildings but it also states except for buildings 70 and 123. Please reach out to confirm scope. | All 7 buildings are scoped. See alternative bid deducts for bidding requirements. | 0003 | |
| 36 | FM | 12/9/25 | Pertaining to the answer provided for question 9 and the associated drawing included with the amendment, spec. section 01 35 26.1.17.A. Scaffolds and Other Work Platforms, it says “Additionally, submit PE stamped scaffolding design”. Do each of the (4) sperate areas require its own PE stamped scaffolding design specific to each area submitted for approval by the VA? Are calculations required? | Yes / Yes. If the design conditions, layout, loading expectations , ect... are the same, designs can be reused. Any variances need to be new design. One submittal encompassing all (4) areas is acceptable. | 0006 | |
| 37 | FM | 12/9/25 | Pertaining to the answer provided for question 8, will the elevator be available for contractor use only during 1st shift M-F? There will be a significant amount of scaffolding materials that will be needed on the roof of the 10th floor, B-wing but crane access to these areas is very limited. | VA Response: Periodotic use of elevators will be premissible during working hours. Large scale movements will be required to be conducted after hours. | 0006 | |
| 38 | GLAC | 12/9/25 | Will another site visit be scheduled to view the areas on the B-Wing 10th floor roof that will require scaffolding? | 2nd site visit was conducted on 12/18/2025; 2nd site visit sign-in sheet was provided via Amendment 0005 | 0006 | |
| 39 | GLAC | 12/9/25 | Please confirm the VAAR 852.219-75 ATTACHMENT is correct, it does not seem to match the solicited NAICS code 238210. (a)(1)(ii) is checked suggesting this is a contract for general construction but the 1442 shows NAICS code 238210 suggesting that this should be a special trade contract requiring the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to firms other than certified SDVOSB’s. | VAAR 852.219-75 ATTACHMENT 1 has been adjusted to reflect 'Special trade construction contractors'. The document 'S06 - ATTACHMENT 1_VAAR 852.219-75_REQUIRED TO COMPLETE_0006' is the document contractors shall include in the bid package. This document is included in Amendment 0006. | 0006 | |
| 40 | FM | 12/9/25 | The Duration on the 1442 is 365 days, but the scope of work / phases does not add up to the same…., please advise which is correct. | |||
| SOW adjusted under Post Substantial Completion Period 6. Phase 5: - "GC shall provide all required material within 15 days of reaching Post-Substantial completion…" See attached 'S06 - 695-22-106 FINAL SOW_1.6.2026_0006' | 0006 | |||||
| 41 | AE | 12/9/25 | Are we to bid what is shown on the lightning protection drawings (the quantity of lightning rod assemblies, linear footage of cable, and bond connections), code requires much more than what is shown on the drawings? Or are we to provide the required additional counts/quantities of materials as required for a UL and NFPA compliant system? The bid drawings dated 08-20-24 show an insufficient lightning protection system, based on accurate measurements/calculations performed during the prebid walk thru. Additional materials and labor will be required for obtaining the specified UL certification, please advise. | Contractors are to bid the installation of a complete Lightning Protection System that meets NFPA 780 and UL96A requirements. The design drawings and specifications show the necessary requirements and conceptual layouts to meet that requirement. Field conditions my necessitate adjustments for final certification. | 0006 | |
| For one example is this stair tower roof and mechanical equipment located on Building 70E and K roof, drawing 70.E101. The snap shot of the drawing shows only lightning rods on the stair tower roof, but there should be 94), one at each corner and then a full perimeter cable around the parapet wall. The RTU’s and ductwork will need at least twice the amount of materials that they show; see the aerial view and pictures that show this extent of this equipment and the height being way above the parapet wall which makes it require more protection than what they show. If we have to include what it takes to be code compliant and provide a certified system, does that make this design-build? | ||||||
| Drawing 70.E101 |
Aerial View
Prebid Photos
| 42 | GLAC | 12/10/25 | Can the VA provide an additional site visit? | 2nd site visit was conducted on 12/18/2025; 2nd site visit sign-in sheet was provided via Amendment 0005 | 0006 |
| 43 | FM | 12/10/25 | Would a temporary surface (such as aluminum walking plates) on the steel girders w/ tie off anchor points be an acceptable working method instead of scaffolding for the Bldg 111 wells (as shown on attached drawing)? | There are currently no tie off/anchor points located on on in the area wells. A structural anlysis would have to be conducted at the GC's expense if the steel girders were to be utilized as means and methods | 0006 |
| a. Are there any existing anchor points in these areas that can be utilized? | |||||
| b. If new anchor points must be provided by the contractor, what are the surfaces to be anchored to and are they structurally able to bear the live load? | |||||
| 44 | AE | 12/10/25 | Are there any new downleads/grounding rods that require concrete cutting/coring and resealing? | Key notes are shown on the drawings indicating locations for the cutting and repair of hardscape, repair to match existing. Down conductor and ground rod locations are shown for reference and can be adjusted to avoid locating in concrete or asphalt, if necessary. | 0006 |
| a. If yes, how many? | |||||
| b. If yes, can the VA please provide a spec and design for this requirement. | |||||
| 45 | FM | 12/10/25 | Will the contractor be required to perform private and public utility locating for ground rod excavating/installation? | Yes | 0006 |
| 46 | FM | 12/10/25 | Does the VA have a current utility map for all areas ground rods are being installed? | Yes, utility plan will be provided after bid award | 0006 |
| 47 | FM | 12/10/25 | Pertaining to the answer provided to question 3, the superintendent can be both the full time superintendent and full time SSHO as long as they are qualified to do so. Is this dual-hatted individual allowed to also do hands on self-perform work or are these the only positions this individual can perform assuming they are also responsible for quality control? | An individual in the QCM role cannot self perform work. | 0006 |
| 48 | FM | 12/11/25 | I was wondering if the VA had any record on who installed the Bird Netting on Building 111. I am having absolutely no luck finding a Contractor willing to touch someone else's product, and most importantly; if successful in finding the original Contractor, it would ensure any warranty currently (If applicable) still in effect. | There is currently no active warranty or known record of when or by whom the bird netting was installed. | 0006 |
| 49 | AE | 12/11/25 | For bldg 111 wells, can we screw in the air terminals for mounting as opposed to adhesion in order to avoid the amount of work time on these safe-risk areas? | Contractors are to bid adhesive mounted air terminals as shown on drawings. Any adjustments can be addressed using the rfi process during construction. | 0006 |
| 50 | AE | 12/18/25 | We noted that the contract drawings include a detail directing the installer to connect the LPS grounding cable to an “existing ground bus in the building.” However, the solicitation package does not appear to include legacy/as-built electrical grounding plans (e.g., grounding riser diagrams, switchgear room grounding/busbar layouts, or as-built electrical sheets) that identify the locations, accessibility, or configuration of existing ground busbars across the affected buildings. | Buildings 102, 112, and 113 have existing, exposed grounding bus. |
Buildings 111, 112, and 123 have an existing LPS and it is presumed that an existing connection to the service grounding system can be made.
Building 70 has a partial LPS and building 91 does not have a LPS. New connections to the service grounding system would have to be made for these buildings.
Modifications to the above would be addressed using the rfi process during construction.
| 0006 | |
| 1. Please confirm whether the VA has any existing/as-built electrical drawings (or record documents) showing grounding bus locations and grounding electrode system details for the buildings in scope (e.g., Buildings 70, 91, 102, 111, 112, 113, and 123). | |
| 2. If such documents exist, please provide them as an additional attachment/amendment to the solicitation. | |
| 3. If such documents do not exist or cannot be provided, please issue a clarification confirming whether bidders may assume that: | |
| * Lightning protection grounding connections are to be made to existing, exposed, and accessible ground busbars/grounding points only, and | |
| * Any work required to access concealed grounding components (investigative demolition, roofing/wall restoration, significant rerouting due to inaccessible bus locations, etc.) would be addressed separately (e.g., via RFI/change if awarded). |
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