Response to Pre-Proposal RFIs 537-26-200 Final.pdf

No. SUBJECT/COMMENT Response

The objective of this contract is to provide the Government with the required support services in the area of computers service room, APC In- Row cooling equipment. There is not enough information provided to bid for this work. Please Clarify.

Existing AC – In Row units located on the Damen Building ITOPS server room need to be replaced ASAP to ensure reliability; only two units are operating out of six. The cooling equipment needs to be replaced quickly to have the new equipment fully operational. .JBMC runs the risk of losing cooling capability if one of the operating units goes down, leaving the computer servers with insufficient cooling, which could cause a catastrophic situation for critical daily computer operations at JBMC. See submitted information on 3.19. 26

2 Will there be another site walk scheduled? At this time no additional site-visit scheduled.

Please confirm access to POLK STREET DOCK if a crane will be alowed to be placed there on weekends.

Yes, Polk Street Dock is accessible, and a crane will be allowed at the dock from 6:00 AM on Saturday through 10:00 PM on Sunday.

4 Please provide Option #1 Bid Drawings showing Unit to be demolished and new units with piping diagram. The replacement of the units is like for like. Design/installation dwgs may not exist.

Please provide electrical drawings.

No electrical drawings are available/required. The existing electrical panel had enough capacity for the new AHU-AC21, but it was in poor condition. That is why the designer called for the replacement of the electrical panel.

Please confirm we are only to include a asbestos survey for CLIN2 and not any abatement work.

If the IDPH Asbestos Inspector documents the presence of ACM during the survey, the General Contractor shall employ the services of a licensed IDPH Asbestos Project Designer for the design of and negotiated future ACM abatement work.

7 Please confirm 6” concrete pad size for pumps P-1 & P-2.

6" pads are acceptable.

Please confirm structural steel scope since there is a specification but no work shown on drawings.

VA does not envision any structural work, but the spec. section is provided if the need for structural work arises.

9 Please confirm painting scope-are we to paint exposed uninsulated piping, ductwork and conduit. Confirmed.

Please confirm that the VA is supplying the air-cooled system & condenser units for CLIN1 and also provide cut sheets and piping details for equipment. Contractor must provide A/C cooling equipment.

11 Please provide drawing showing CLIN1 (6) existing indoor APC in row cooling units including piping drawing. The replacement of the units is like for like. Design/installation dwgs may not exist.

Can the Superintendent fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role?

No, the Superintendent cannot fulfill the Quality Control Manager role.

Can the Superintendent fulfill the Site Safety & Health (SSHO) role?

No, the Superintendent cannot fulfill the Site Safety Health Officer role.

14 Please confirm if all workers providing labor on site must have an OSHA-30 certification. Is it acceptable that the site and crew supervisors hold the OSHA-30 certification, while other workers have the OSHA-10 certification?

The site and crew supervisors must hold the OSHA 30-hour certification, and the workers must hold the OSHA 10-hour certification.

537-26-200

Pre-Proposal RFIs 36C25226R0051

RFI Answers 36C5226R0051 ITOPS AHU-AC21 JB Final 1 of 4

Will the VA provide laydown/storage areas? If so, where will they be located?

Storage area from ITOPS can be provided with limitations; the contractor will have to coordinate with engineering. The mechanical room by the ITOPS can be used with limitations.

Storage area for AHU-AC21 can be provided with limitations. The contractor will have to coordinate it with the COR.

16 Will the VA be providing an electronic submittal program, or is it expected that the general contractor provides this?

Are there programs or software that are acceptable?

All shop drawings and product submittals must be via electronic project management software and it is expected that the General Contractor provide this service. VA accept Procor and Submittal Exchange.

17 Are CAD files available for all of the issued drawings? Or will they be available after award is made?

AutoCAD files will be available after the award is made.

18 Please advise what kind of communication wiring is currently installed for the FCU thermostats?

Wire Size: 22-24 AWG. Cable Type: Twisted-pair, copper wire, tinned.

At what time do the loading docks close their doors every day? If required, will after-hours access be available?

After-hours access is available. The contractor shall coordinate with the COR.

20 When can the crane set up/dismantle occur? Friday and Monday during the day respectfully? Crane lift must be performed on Saturday/Sunday from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Asbestos abatement: responsibility, inclusion, and quantities Reference: Exhibit C (2019 Asbestos Reinspection Report); Spec 01 32 16.15 §1.x ("…all BID ITEMS including ASBESTOS ABATEMENT…"); Spec reference to Section 02 82 11 Traditional Asbestos Abatement (Insulation Removal); Addendum No. 1 item III.3.a deletes MD-3 Note #2 ("Remove Damaged Insulation and Reinsulate Piping") and photograph #2.

Issue: Removing/replacing the AHU, fan-coil, reheat, fin-tube, and exhaust systems will disturb existing pipe and equipment insulation that the 2019 report identifies as suspect/ACM, yet the Addendum deleted the note directing insulation removal/reinsulation, while the Project Manual still references an Asbestos Abatement bid item and Section 02 82 11.

Please confirm: (a) whether ACM abatement of insulation and materials disturbed by this work is included in this contract (and is a separately priced bid item) or is performed by the VA/others; (b) if in our scope, provide abatement quantities (LF of pipe insulation, fitting counts, equipment) or an allowance basis, since the report alone is not a quantified takeoff; and (c) confirm Section 02 82 11 and any abatement drawings are included in the bid set (02 82 11 is referenced but was not listed in the Project Manual Table of Contents).

a) The disturbance of ACMs is unacceptable. Any ACMs that could be disturbed and adversely impact the project must be abated and disposed of.

b) Before the start of construction, the General Contractor (GC) shall employ the services of an IDPH-licensed asbestos inspector to document any presence, type, and quantities of asbestos on the job site.

c) With the IDPH Asbestos Inspector documenting the presence of ACMs and the services of an IDPH-licensed Asbestos project designer, the GC shall provide an estimate of quantities and costs for the abatement work. Any abatement work will be negotiated at a later date.

d) Please also review VA’s response to RFI # 6 in this spreadsheet.

AHU-AC21 External Static Pressure conflict (3.00" vs 3.5") Reference: Addendum No. 1 item I.5.a.ii — "Under EXT. SP insert 3.00"; Revised AHU AC-21 Schedule (Addendum #1) shows Ext. S.P. = 3.5" and Total S.P. = 6.47".

Issue: The Addendum narrative directs an External SP of 3.00", but the revised schedule attachment lists 3.5".

With a fixed Total SP of 6.47", this changes the implied internal (coil/filter) loss and directly affects fan BHP, motor sizing, sound, and energy. Please confirm the correct External Static Pressure for AHU-AC21 selection (3.00" or 3.5").

The correct external static pressure required is 3.00", and the total static pressure is 6.47".

RFI Answers 36C5226R0051 ITOPS AHU-AC21 JB Final 2 of 4

Existing ductwork "inspect, repair, and replace as necessary" — provide allowance/unit prices Reference: Addendum No. 1 item III.1.a — MD-1 Note 1 revised to add "Contractor shall inspect, repair, and replace ductwork, dampers, and branch connections, as necessary"; item III.1.b — pre-demolition and post-installation TAB testing of existing ductwork.

Issue: "As necessary" is open-ended and cannot be competitively bid because the extent of repair/replacement is unknown until demolition and the pre-work TAB are complete. Please establish a defined allowance (e.g., LF of ductwork, quantity of dampers/branch connections) or unit prices for added/deleted ductwork

Contractors to include in their bids the unit cost for:

a) 24"x24" balancing dampers in the kitchen areas served by the Reheat Coils.

b) 24"x24" diffusers;

c) Reconnecting the air outlet to correct the ductwork.

d) Cost per linear foot for the inspection and repairs of the seams of approximately 60 linear ft of supply ductwork.

e) Unit cost per linear foot of adding/deleting ductwork for the above-roof RV-16 inlet section of ductwork.

Kitchen Exhaust Fan RV-16: grease duct (NFPA 96) vs. general exhaust?

Reference: Addendum No. 1 items I.5.b.ii (RV-16 "Service" = Kitchen Exhaust, Roof Mounted, Centrifugal Fan), III.2.a (replace RV-16 + inlet ductwork; horizontal 33"×25", vertical 33"×20"), III.8.b & III.8.d (new RV-16 inlet ductwork); Drawing MD-2, M-7.

Issue: RV-16 is now identified as Kitchen Exhaust. Please confirm whether this exhaust is grease-laden and therefore requires NFPA 96 listed/welded liquid-tight grease ductwork (and clearances, access, cleanouts), or whether it is general kitchen ventilation permitting standard galvanized duct construction. Also confirm the interface point with any existing hood and whether hood/fire-suppression work is in scope.

Response: RV-16 is not a grease-laden unit. It is a general exhaust. The lengths and sizes provided in the addendum refer to the inlet section of ductwork, above the roof, as the ductwork runs from the chase into the suction side of the exhaust fan. Any ductwork required to connect to the existing ductwork on the discharge side is the contractor's responsibility.

Fin-tube radiation and reheat: heating medium (steam vs. hot water) Reference: Addendum No. 1 item I.2.b — completes the Fin Tube Radiation sentence with "control valves and thermostatic traps"; Spec 23 34 00 Steam and Condensate Heating Piping; Spec 23 21 13 Hydronic Piping;

General Intention lists "Reheat Coils" and "Fin Tube Radiation System."

Issue: Thermostatic traps and the inclusion of a Steam & Condensate spec section imply steam fin-tube radiation, while the FCUs/AHU coils and pumps are hydronic. Please confirm the heating medium for (a) the fin-tube radiation and (b) the reheat coils, and confirm whether existing steam supply and condensate return are reused or replaced.

a) Heating medium for the Fin Tube Radiation System: Steam.

b) Heating medium for the Reheat Coil System & Heating Coils: Hot Water.

c) Existing steam supply and condensate return are reused.

Glycol changeover: drain/dispose/refill scope and system volume Reference: Addendum No. 1 item I.2.a — replace 60% propylene glycol with 30% propylene glycol; item III.6.a — pump performance based on 30% glycol mixture; Spec 23 21 13.

Issue: Please confirm the contractor is responsible to drain and dispose of the existing glycol charge and refill the entire hydronic system with new 30% propylene glycol, including chemical treatment and disposal of the spent glycol in accordance with VA/EPA requirements. Please provide the approximate total hydronic system volume (gallons) so the glycol charge and disposal can be priced.

The contractor is responsible for draining, disposing of, and refilling the entire hydronic system.

The estimated length of piping serving the fan coil units is 400 ft of 3" copper pipe with a liquid volume of 142 gallons, including 43 gallons of glycol.

Phasing, kitchen continuity, and temporary conditioning Reference: Project Manual 01 00 00 §1.x "Phasing"; Period of Performance 308 calendar days (Addendum No.

1 item I.1.a); space serves Nutrition Food & Service (active hospital kitchen).

Issue: The Project Manual requires the contractor to propose phasing but does not state operational constraints. Please confirm: (a) whether Nutrition / Food Service must remain operational during AHU-AC21, FCU, and exhaust replacement; (b) if so, who is responsible for temporary cooling/ventilation/heating to maintain the space and any walk-in/process loads; and (c) whether off-hours, night, or weekend work or VA-mandated utility-shutdown windows are required.

a) Nutrition/Food Service must remain operational during the construction of the AHU-AC21 project.

b) VA is currently providing temporary cooling measures to maintain Nutrition/Food Service operations.

c) Normal construction hours (workday) from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Monday through Friday).

d) Work affecting the Kitchen operations must be performed on Saturday from 10:00 PM to 3:00

PM.

e) Work affecting Fan Coil Units and Fin Tube Radiation systems in the office areas must be performed after 6:00 PM from M-F.

f) Work affecting Fan Coil Units and Fin Tube Radiation systems in the cafeteria must be performed after 7:00 PM from M-F.

g) VA-mandated utility-shutdown windows. The GC must request a system shutdown in writing at least 14 calendar days in advance.

RFI Answers 36C5226R0051 ITOPS AHU-AC21 JB Final 3 of 4

Exclusive use of Dock Area for crane lift / equipment rigging Reference: Drawings MD-2, M-7 (rooftop AHU-AC21 and associated equipment on the 3rd-floor roof of Bldg 1-B);

Project Manual 01 00 00 (Phasing; site access, parking, and VA Police coordination); Addendum No. 1 item I.1.a (POP 308 calendar days).

Issue: AHU-AC21 (28,740 CFM rooftop unit) and the replacement exhaust fans must be set on the 3rd-floor roof, which will require a crane pick and a controlled lift/rigging zone with adequate staging and laydown. Please confirm that the Contractor may block off and take exclusive use of the Dock Area (and the associated drive/approach) for the duration of the crane lift(s) and equipment rigging, including: (a) the dates/hours such exclusive use will be permitted (and whether off-hours/weekend lifts are required to maintain hospital dock operations); (b) any VA Police, fire-lane, ambulance/loading, or facility-operations coordination or notice required; (c) the available crane setup footprint, ground-bearing/structural limits, and overhead obstructions at the dock; and (d) whether a separate staging/laydown area is available if the dock cannot be used exclusively.

a) The Crane will be allowed at the dock from 6:00 AM on Saturday through 10:00 PM on Sunday only.

b) A detailed lift plan for all lifts must be submitted to the COR at least 14 days prior to the scheduled lift. The lift plan must be reviewed and approved by VA before the COR notify VA Police on the scheduled lift date.

c) No. The contractor must provide the lift plan with complete information on route for truck carrying load, crane load analysis, sitting of the crane and path of swing and all other elements of a critical lift plan where the lift meets the definition of a critical lift. More information can be found in VA spec. section 01 35 26, Part 1,1.22 Cranes.

d) No separate staging/laydown area is available.

Submission of Quote Reference: Amendment 1 ; Page 1, Item 11 clearly states Hour & Date of Offers is extended to 7-10-2026 10:00

CDT.

Issue: Page 3, Item C SUBMISSION OF QUOTE references “See 52.212-1 Instructions to Offers - Commercial Products and Commercial Services and addendum for specific instructions to offerors”. There is not a FAR 52.212- 1 listed within the documents. Is the offer in person in Milwaukee (GLAC), is it virtual, or is it to be sent electronically? And to whom is to be addressed to?

52.212-1 was included in the solcitiation. However, additional information is provided in this amendment. See attachment.

“ITOPS” Condenser Units Issue: Would it be acceptable, in lieu of a crane lift, to remove a window to gain roof access for the removal of existing units and delivery of equipment/materials for replacement units.

No, not an acceptable alternative.

RFI Answers 36C5226R0051 ITOPS AHU-AC21 JB Final 4 of 4

Pre-Bid RFIs