Follow Up Responses REV1 20240802.xlsx
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- Attached to
- Z1DA--657-23-115JB Correct Campus Steam System Failures, JB Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 36C25524R0096
About this file
This document is a Request for Information (RFI) log containing follow-up responses related to a federal contract opportunity. The key details are:
The contract opportunity is for construction services to improve the steam and condensate system at the Jefferson Barracks Division of the St. Louis VA Medical Center. The work includes upgrading manhole access, replacing equipment like steam valves and condensate pumps, and providing electrical controls and monitoring. The period of performance is estimated at 180 days. Several RFIs were submitted by potential contractors, and the VA provided responses addressing questions about the scope of work, site conditions, shutdown requirements, hazardous materials, security, quality control, and other technical details. The VA stated they will issue an addendum to clarify requirements such as 30-day power metering. Overall, the RFI log provides additional information to help bidders understand and price the work required for this construction project.
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DESIGN RFI LOG
Contractor Pre-Bid RFI LOG
| RFI Item # | TOPIC | SUMMARIZED RESPONSE | F/U Questions | A/E Updated Response | Additional Response | |
| 001 | Page 5 of the project summary states: Conductors – We will provide copper conductors with 600-volt insulation for low voltage distribution. Conductors No. 8 and larger shall be stranded, type THWN. Smaller conductors shall be a solid type THHN/THWN. Aluminum conductors will not be permitted. Conductors for use in high temperature locations shall be insulated as required by the NEC. The minimum size of power conductors shall be No. 12 AWG. – | |||||
| Who is “we” referenced here? Is the VA providing copper conductors? | All conductors shall be provided by the contractor. | |||||
| 002 | If the 30-day power metering shows the existing power being insufficient, will the engineer be provided updated designs? Will this affect the POP? Who will bear the cost of the new work post study? | If the metering data shows the existing power to be insufficient, the electrical engineer will review the metering data and coordinate with client as required. | This did not address the question regard the POP. It also did not address who will bear the cost of the changes. Is this change funded by a contingency? The uncertainty contained in this requirement will increase costs to the Government either through bids that cover potential risks or future change orders required to answer the open-endedness of the electrical requirements. This response is also in conflict with the answer to RFI 034. | Contactor is no longer required to provide 30-day metering. Reference addendum drawings. Additional cost and POP changes will be addressed through the standard RFI and Change Order process. | ||
| 003 | Information is missing that is required to reasonably estimate and schedule electrical work as follows: | |||||
| a) | Location of electrical feeds connect. | Please reference General Note "8" found on sheets EP401 through EP418. The note states "EXISTING MANHOLE POWER FEEDER(S) FROM PANELBOARD SOURCE TO MANHOLE(S) IS UNKNOWN. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE FIELD INVESTIGATION TO FULLY AS-BUILD EXISTING FEEDERS [CONDUCTORS AND RACEWAYS (QUANTITY, SIZE, AND CONDITION)] FROM PANELBOARD SOURCE TO EQUIPMENT LOADS WITHIN MANHOLE(S)." | Agree- location is unknown, that is why we asked them to be located on the drawings. The missing information requires the bidders to guess about the amount of materials and work that will be required to perform the work. There is no "site investigation" that may be conducted prior to bid and award. There is no means for a bidder to determine required conductors, raceways, quantities, sizes, or conditions of the electrical components. Again, this will increase costs to the Government either through bids that cover potential risks or future changes orders required to answer the open-endedness of the electrical requirements. | For bidding purposes, the contractor shall assume the following quantaties for control panel feeder; all existing raceways shall be reused. Building 18: Feeder length = 300-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Building 55: Feeder length = 800-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder (from source panel to manhole. Building 75: Feeder length = 500-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder length (from manhole to mahole). | ||
| b) | Location for control panel for MH-2. | Please reference Key Note 3 on sheet EP401 for information regarding location of control panel CP-MH-2. This control panel can be found on sheets ES101 and 75EP101. | ||||
| c) | Type of conductors needed (or if VA is providing those). | The types of conductors needed are described in the specifications, as well as in the Conduit and Wire Schedule located on sheet E-701. | Keynote 5 of EP407 states, "Contractor shall provide circuit tracing back to panelboard source to verify existing vault power feeder; contractor shall document and as-build findings, contractor shall remove and replace existing conductors while maintaining existing raceway; conductors shall be sized for voltage drop per NEC coordimate with VA as required." Keynote 8 of EP407 states, "Existing manhole power feeder(s) from panelboard source to manhole(s) is unknown. Contractor shall provide field investigation to fully as-build existing feeders [conductors and raceways (quantity, size, and condition)] from panelboard source to equipment loads within manhole(s)." These keynotes are also listed on many other drawings. There is no "site investigation" that may be conducted prior to bid and award. There is no means for a bidder to determine required conductors, raceways, quantities, sizes, or conditions of the electrical components.The uncertainty contained in this requirement will increase costs to the Government either through bids that cover potential risks or future change orders required to answer the open-endedness of the electrical requirements. | For bidding purposes, the contractor shall assume the following quantaties for control panel feeder; all existing raceways shall be reused. Building 18: Feeder length = 300-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Building 55: Feeder length = 800-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder (from source panel to manhole. Building 75: Feeder length = 500-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder length (from manhole to mahole). | ||
| d) | Identification of equipment. | Comment unclear. All new equipment is identified in the drawings. | General Note 1 on EP406 states, "All existing equipment within manholes may not be shown. Contractor shall field verify site prior to bid to familiarize themselves with existing site conditions." This note is contained on several other drawings. There is no "site investigation" that may be conducted prior to bid and award. Is there equipment located in the manholes that would affect the construction of this job or otherwise interfere with or be affected by the work in the manholes? For example, is there equipment that must be shutdown to access the manhole or that may limit or affect mobility or construction of conduit/raceways/steam lines, etc. | Contractor shall assume all major equipment is shown in their respective manholes. However, minor equipment, or locations of equipment may not be exact. Drawings are diagrammatical. | ||
| e) Panel design. | The control panel requirements are shown on sheets E-504, E-505, and E-506. | General Note 1 on E-505 states, "Control panel layouts are generic in nature and shows general layout for control panels. Contractor shall review each individual manhole and its corresponding electrical and mechanical plans, to provide specific panel layouts and equipment for each individual panel. Control panels shall be complete and fully functional." Keynote 1 of 55EP601 states, "Existing panelboard providing power to manholes, provide update to circuit directories as required. Prior to circuiting new loads, contractor shall provide 30-day power demand load study per NEC 220.87 to verify panelboard capacity." This note is contained on several other drawings. Because the panelboard capacity is unknown at the time of bid, it is impossible for bidders to provide accurate estimates for what will be needed. The uncertainty contained in this requirement will increase costs to the Government either through bids that cover potential risks or future change orders required to answer the open-endedness of the electrical requirements. | For bidding purposes, the contractor shall assume the following quantaties for control panel feeder; all existing raceways shall be reused. Building 18: Feeder length = 300-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Building 55: Feeder length = 800-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder (from source panel to manhole. Building 75: Feeder length = 500-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder length (from manhole to mahole). | |||
| f) | Design of electrical circuitry. | Comment unclear. Design of electrical circuitry can be found on sheets E-504 through E-702 (control panel details, one-line diagrams, electrical schedules, etc.). | Keynote 5 of EP407 states, "Contractor shall provide circuit tracing back to panelboard source to verify existing vault power feeder; contractor shall document and as-build findings, contractor shall remove and replace existing conductors while maintaining existing raceway; conductors shall be sized for voltage drop per NEC coordimate with VA as required." Keynote 8 of EP407 states, "Existing manhole power feeder(s) from panelboard source to manhole(s) is unknown. Contractor shall provide field investigation to fully as-build existing feeders [conductors and raceways (quantity, size, and condition)] from panelboard source to equipment loads within manhole(s)." These keynotes are also listed on many other drawings. There is no "site investigation" that may be conducted prior to bid and award. There is no means for a bidder to determine required conductors, raceways, quantities, sizes, or conditions of the electrical components.The uncertainty contained in this requirement will increase costs to the Government either through bids that cover potential risks or future change orders required to answer the open-endedness of the electrical requirements. | For bidding purposes, the contractor shall assume the following quantaties for control panel feeder; all existing raceways shall be reused. Building 18: Feeder length = 300-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Building 55: Feeder length = 800-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder (from source panel to manhole. Building 75: Feeder length = 500-FT, (2) 4AWG & (1) 4AWG GND. Assume this for each control panel feeder length (from manhole to mahole). | ||
| g) | Elevations, dimensions, BOM, wiring diagrams with functional descriptions. | Comment unclear. All details and wiring diagrams can be found on sheets E-501 through E-506. | General Note 1 on E-505 states, "Control panel layouts are generic in nature and shows general layout for control panels. Contractor shall review each individual manhole and its corresponding electrical and mechanical plans, to provide specific panel layouts and equipment for each individual panel. Control panels shall be complete and fully functional." As in the above associated questions related to electrical requirements, there is insufficient information for bidders to provide an accurate estimate. This note indicates that each manhole may be different and will be based on the 30-day power demand load study that hasn't yet been performed. | The control panel details, layouts, and wiring diagrams are generic in nature, and may not include all minor details needed to construct the control panel. It is the contractor's and control panel manufacturer's responsibility to provide what is required for the control panel to be complete and fully functional per the intent and general layout as shown on the drawings. The results of the 30-day power demand load study will not affect the control panel layouts. | ||
| h) | Not all existing equipment is shown. | Comment unclear. Please reference general note 2 on sheet ES101, and general note 1 on sheets EP401 through EP418 which state that not all existing equipment is shown. | Correct- we asked for these to be shown. Is there equipment located in the manholes that would affect the construction of this job or otherwise interfere with or be affected by the work in the manholes? For example, is there equipment that must be shutdown to access the manhole or that may limit or affect mobility or construction of conduit/raceways/steam lines, etc. | Contractor shall assume all major equipment is shown in their respective manholes. However, minor equipment, or locations of equipment may not be exact. Drawings are diagrammatical. | ||
| 004 | Is Spirax Sarco SS1 and WLS1 trap monitoring sensors sole sourced, or are other sensors allowable? | Spirax Sarco is basis of design. Others MANF. are acceptable if approved by A/E. | What process for approval is intended during the bidding phase? Will the VA provide the salient features of the VA's requirement? | Any substitution needs to meet the performance characteristics of the basis of design spirax sarco sensors. Approval process for the sensors will match all other submittal processes, with an initial A/E review followed by a final VA station review for approval. | ||
| 005 | The specifications call out for the CQC plan and manager to cover the design of the project. It references that the prime must submit A/E and a design quality control plan. Please confirm correct specs, as this is not a design, bid, build project. (page 108) | Construction quality control plan is required. Design quality control plan is not required from the contractor. | ||||
| 006 | There is no asbestos study outside of the manholes. The bidders are unable to identify steam lines labeled with asbestos warning signage during the bidding period. HA001 states “all steam lines insulated with asbestos are presumed abated.” HA023 states asbestos is present on one medium pressure line – qty not given. Please provide the quantity and location of presumed asbestos. | The environmental scope for this project was constrained solely to the manholes and vaults slated for work. Specifically, RSH’s proposal states: “A total of 19 manholes/vaults constitute the entirety of scope for The Project, not including associated steam tunnels." The note on HA001 was added at the VA’s direction and applies only to work within Pump Room GC 18. Steam lines indicated on other HA drawings are presumed present and asbestos containing. The medium pressure steam line indicated on drawing HA023 is presented for informational purposes only and is not located within the mechanical pit. This line is not likely to be impacted by work related to the project. It is not slated for abatement so no quantity was provided. | Who is RSH? There is no RSH proposal included in the bid documents. HA023 states, "Environmental Assessments limited to manholes 12, 15, and 16 only and were restricted to sampling and observations made outside of vaults due to severe safety risks. Limited inspections identified no asbestos or lead hazards likely to impact scops of work...." HA003 A1 states, "All steam lines insulated with fiberglass only. No known asbsestos TSI observed remaining. Notify VA COR in even non-fiberglass insulation encountered." This answer indicates bidders should assume that with the exception of Pump Room GC 18 all steam lines contain asbestos that require abatement. Please clarify. | Project scope includes work in Building 23 for condensate pump removal. Work indicated on HA sheets for Buildings 1 and 3 are no longer included in this project and have been removed via addendum. The medium pressure steam line indicated on drawing HA023 is presented for informational purposes only and is located in mechanical room GC 17 but is not located within the mechanical pit where pump work will be performed. This medium pressure line is not slated for demo or abatement, so no quantity was provided. Any piping removal required for pump replacement within room GC17 should be presumed to contain orange lead-based paint unless tested otherwise, per note L1 on Sheet HA023. All testing within manholes indicates presence of fiberglass insulation only. | ||
| 007 | All “HA” drawings contain a note that says “all steam lines are presumed painted with orange lead based pain unless tested otherwise.” No orange paint was visible during the site visit. Is this note intended to mean the assumption applies to all steam lines on this project? | Based on campus-wide trends, steam lines inside buildings and/or crawlspaces at Jefferson Barracks are coated in a lead-based orange paint. This paint may have been covered over by additional insulation in some areas, but the lead-based paint is still presumed present and may not be visible until de-energization occurs and insulation can be removed. It is presumed that the contractor will not encounter these materials through the execution of this contract, but is being made aware that it exists in spaces adjacent to work areas. If the contractor feels that proper execution of this work will force them to encounter this material they will notify the COR with an explanation of the situation presented in the form of an RFI and await for instruction. | This is conflicting information. This project primarily involves working on steam lines. If all steam lines contain lead paint, how would the contractor not encounter lead paint? | Lead-based orange paint is presumed present within buildings and crawlspaces. No lead paint was observed or presumed to be present on steam piping within manholes unless noted otherwise. If any painted steam lines or suspected hazardous materials are discovered within the manholes, the contractor shall stop work and notify the COR with an explanation of the situation presented in the form of an RFI and await further instruction. | ||
| 008 | The work cannot be performed with an active steam system as required by the SOW, Drawings, and Specifications. This is a significant safety issue and is not compliant with OSHA regulations. Particularly, confined spaces are governed by OSHA 1910.146, that specifically requires isolation and shutdown of all potential hazards, including the steam lines. | The drawings indicate for the steam to be shutdown while work is completed. Please read MS001. The contractor is required to submit a safety plan and work plans for approval prior to commencing any portion of work. These plans will be compliant with the companies safety requirements along with industry safety standards including but not limited to compliance with OSHA regulations. | There are multiple places in the solicitation that call out for the steam line to remain active. The primary purpose of this project is working on the steam lines. 48 hours is not long enough for cool down, work, and start up. The answer to RFI 009 indicates the VA intends longer outages such as a week at a time. All of the steam lines in each manhole will need to be shut down during the performance of all work per OSHA 1910.146. Clarification of this requirement is imperative for scheduling and cost estimating and it appears phasing and/or temporary equipment will be needed. This is not a clear response. | Upon bid award contractor should submit a proposed work plan detailing the shutdown and changeover process including the timeline and proposed procedures for all steam vaults. This work plan must be reviewed and approved by the COR and VA campus safety team. | ||
| 009 | The limited shut down time of 48 hours (including cooldown, work execution, and startup) is not feasible for the reasons identified in RFI 9. All work in the confined spaces will require the steam lines to be shut down for the duration of all work required. | The COR has indicated this shutdown strategy has been used previously on this campus with success for shutdown such as a week at a time where steam supports areas of the Medical Center that are more sensitive to steam outages. Steam Manhole 13 provides heating and hot water to buildings 52 and 53 and can not go without hot water for an extended period of time during the cooling season. It is possible that shutdown duration for building 52 and 53 could be extended by providing temporary hot water to these two buildings. The contractor would submit a work plan that would include providing buildings 52 and 53 the proper amount of hot water during the cooling season this would be a reasonable proposal and would be entertained, but the contractor would have to submit a plan for review and approval and all related expense to provide this temporary service would be the responsibility of the contractor. A shutdown of Steam Manhole 12 will shutdown the pool in building 54 and requires 45 days notice for a shutdown, but if other shutdowns for Steam Manhole 12 are on the calendar coordination will be required that shutdowns for this project occur during or adjacent to other shutdowns. |
Steam Manhole 2 shutdowns impact the entire campus and will be restricted to outside of normal business hours unless sensitive areas are addressed through temporary equipment and additional flexibility could be considered.
Longer shutdowns are available in areas that service less sensitive portions of the Medical Center and are conducted in a manner that does not interrupt the steam loop in a way that prevents the more sensitive areas to be fed or back fed from the Energy Plant. This response is in conflict with the Specifications and Drawings. Duration limitation for shutdown: The bid documents contain a limitation for shutdowns of 48 hours. That is two calendar days. "A week at a time" is more than 48 hours. If the steam is able to be shut down for more than 48 hours, what are the limitations of those outages? This response also indicates temporary hot water may be needed for buildings 52 and 53. What are the requirements for such temporary equipment? What is the "extended period of time"? Please provide an equipment schedule, phasing plan, and associated drawings for the VA's requirements. Notice for Shutdown: Spec Section 22 05 11(1.8)(C) states the Contractor must give 10 working days' notice to the COR for steam and condensate service interruptions. This response indicates a 45 day notice is required for any shutdowns for manhole 12 and building 54. This additional requirement greatly changing scheduling considerations including time and cost. What are the requirements for all notifications? Coordination of work in manholes: This response states new requirements for coordinating shutdowns and work in buildings 53, 54, manhole 12, and manhole 2. There is also reference to "areas that service less sensitive portions of the Medical Center." These areas are not defined anywhere. The VA must provide a phasing plan and all temporary equipment requirements including design of the temporary equipment design. Please provide clear direction on the VA's requirements related to shutdowns. Upon bid award contractor shall submit a proposed work plan for the shutdowns. This proposed work plan shall include the proposed temporary heating tie in points. VA COR shall review and approve this plan.
The temporary domestic water heating is not anticipated to be required if the 48-hour shutdown period is adhered to.
If shutdown time exceeds 48 hours, and temporary domestic water heating is required a maximum size of a temporary steam boiler sized to provide 7,900 lbs/hr of steam at 95 psi will be required. The most sensitive buildings on campus, which should be provided with temporary domestic hot water service if shutdown durations exceed 48 hours are Buildings 52 (Spinal Cord Injury) and 53 (Extended Care). These buildings cannot be without domestic hot water service for extended periods but could accommodate shutdowns periods of UP TO 48 hours without temporary facilities with proper notice.
The pool is located in Building 54, which is used by the spinal cord injury patients. This pool can accommodate longer shutdowns (up to two weeks), however 45-day notice would be required by the contractor as stated in previous response to RFI 009. Building 54 would be without domestic hot water services during the shutdown of manhole 12.
Any shutdown of Manhole 2 would affect the entire campus and would be restricted to “off hours” or “non- business hours” unless temporary domestic hot water heating could be provided to Buildings 52 and 53 during cooling season. If temporary DHW can be provided, shutdowns during business hours could be accommodated with proper coordination by the contractor.
Any shutdowns occurring during the heating season would require the contractor to provide not only temporary domestic hot water heating , but also temporary building heating while the steam system is shut down. This would be the case for any building on campus.
010 The below requirement is impossible to perform. The VA’s maintenance staff should never complete repairs on the steam system or anything in a confined space without shutting down the steam system. Contractor cannot perform the work in a way that would ever make that possible. Per the manufacturer it is possible to add packing while the steam line is active. Proper precautions should be taken while working on steam lines and in confined space which includes shutting down the system. All OSHA and other applicable safety requirements should be complied with at all times. OSHA 1910.146 requires the steam system to be shutdown and completely disabled prior to anyone entering the confined space. Therefore, accessing the the area to add packing is not possible without shutting the steam line down. All OSHA and other applicable safety requirements should be complied with at all times.
| 011 | Potential hazards in confined spaces have not been identified. Therefore, bidders cannot determine what work is required to isolate the confined spaces to perform the work and cannot reasonably estimate the costs and schedule associated therewith. | Sheet MS001 describes the required valves to be shut for isolating each manhole. Steam is the potential risk in every instance and will be mitigated with isolation. | The drawings indicate there is equipment in the manholes that has not been identified. Steam and electricity are two hazards now known in the confined spaces. Please identify all other equipment/utilities or other potential hazards in the confined spaces so bidders can properly estimate the cost and schedule of mitigation. | Electrical and steam are the only known hazards in the confined space of the steam vaults. Contractor to comply with all OSHA confined space requirements and coordinate with va safety officer. |
| 012 | Has the VA identified what parts are non-compliant or is the contractor expected to do that? What equipment needs to be replaced or brought into compliance? | All known alterations that are required are captured in the drawings. |
| 013 | Can CPARS be used in lieu of the PPQs? | CPARs can be used in lieu of PPQ. | ||
| 014 | Is Rotork sole sourced? | Rotork is basis of design. Others MANF. are acceptable if approved by A/E. | What process for approval is intended during the bidding phase? Will the VA provide the salient features of the VA's requirement? | Any substitution needs to meet the performance characteristics of the basis of design equipment. Approval process for the sensors will match all other submittal processes, with an initial A/E review followed by a final VA station review for approval. |
| 015 | General Requirements Section 1.5(C) requires the Contractor to provide unarmed guards, communication devices for VA police, and recording equipment to document rounds. Does the VA intend for the Contractor to provide security of this type? If so, what are the parameters for recording equipment? Video recording seems to contradict other provisions regarding security and photography. | If the Contractor can demonstrate that the areas of work on this project can be secured daily in manner that would protect individuals both invited and uninvited on site from hazards and contractors equipment form theft guards will not be required. Contractor shall submit a plan to the VA COR that ensures security and safety within their work areas. | Please clarify that communication devices for VA police and recording equipment is also not required. | If the Contractor can demonstrate that the areas of work on this project can be secured daily in manner that would protect individuals both invited and uninvited on site from hazards and contractors equipment from theft, guards, communication devices, and recording equipment will not be required. Contractor shall submit a plan to the VA COR that ensures security and safety within their work areas. |
| 016 | Is the Contractor responsible for providing commissioning or is VA providing commissioning under a separate contract? | Commissioning will be provided under a separate contract. | ||
| 017 | Specification 01 45 00, Quality Control, Section 3.2 lists both CQC (Construction Quality Control) and DQC (Design Quality Control) Plans. This job should only require a CQC Plan, as this is a design/bid/build project, and the A/E has designed it. Please clarify that a DQC is not required. | See response above to RFI number 005 regarding quality control. | ||
| 018 | Which personnel, being the site supervisor, site safety, and quality control manager does the government expect to be full time separate people on site? | Per specification 01 35 26, section 1.9 ©, the SSHO must be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor's Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO. Any person fulfilling more than one roll shall submit qualifications to COR for all roles filling for approval. | Please confirm that per specification 01 45 00(3.4)(B) the CQC System Manager is also the project superintendent. | Per specification 01 45 00(3.4)(B) the CQC System Manager has duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control. |
| 019 | Can the site supervisor, site safety, and quality control manager be the same person on site? | See Response to RFI number 018 above regarding SSHO | Please confirm that per specification 01 45 00(3.4)(B) the CQC System Manager is also the project superintendent. | Per specification 01 45 00(3.4)(B) the CQC System Manager has duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control. |
| 020 | A temporary water heater/ boiler was mentioned during the site visit for some buildings. We need specific information on the quantity, location, power availability, piping diagrams, size of equipment, capacity, and duration for this temporary equipment to price it. | Per MS001 shutdowns, work and safety plans – it will be the responsibility of the contractor to coordinate with the COR and understand all impacts to essential services affected by shutdowns and develop a work plan for each manhole shutdown. This will include the contractor determining means and methods for connection and GPH required. GPH capacity of the current system can be determined by the heat exchanger capacity and storage capacity. | It is impossible for bidders to coordinate with the COR to understand all impacts to essential services affected by shutdowns. There is not sufficient information for bidders to satisfy the Government's requirements. Please provide additional information regarding the project design, including any phasing, temporary equipment, etc. as requested in this RFI. If this information is not provided, the Government will receive dramatically different bids and will very likely be forced to process change orders after award. Means and methods of construction does not include design functions on a design/bid/build job. | Upon bid award contractor shall submit a proposed work plan for the shutdowns. This proposed work plan shall include the proposed temporary heating tie in points. VA COR shall review and approve this plan. |
The temporary domestic water heating is not anticipated to be required if the 48-hour shutdown period is adhered to.
If shutdown time exceeds 48 hours, and temporary domestic water heating is required a maximum size of a temporary steam boiler sized to provide 7,900 lbs/hr of steam at 95 psi will be required.
| 021 | What type of specialty contractor is required for the manhole crack repairs? Note 5 on Drawing A500. What kind of results are you requiring? Cosmetic, structural or otherwise? | Concrete damage should be repaired at manholes to prevent further damage and water intrusion. | Is the concrete damage cosmetic or structural? A500 is a generic drawing applicable to all manholes. There is no information regarding the location or extent of damages to be repaired. | The concrete repair structural. Sheet A500 notes " Contractor shall repair any spalling/cracked concrete at manholes 12 and 16". See attached RFI response narrative including notes for spall and delamination repair and pictures of damaged concrete located at steel structural members. |
| 022 | The steam in the manholes will need to be shut down completely before anyone can work inside them. Is it possible to get a list of how long each building could be without steam per each outage? Multiple outages maybe required for the buildings affected by each manhole. We need to know how long we can shut down the steam and if there are any times frames, or a limit to the time frame, where we could not shut down each building? | Per MS001 shutdowns, work and safety plans – it will be the responsibility of the contractor to coordinate with the COR and understand all impacts to buildings affected by shutdowns and develop a work plan for each manhole shutdown. | It is impossible for bidders to coordinate with the COR to understand all impacts to essential services affected by shutdowns. There is not sufficient information for bidders to satisfy the Government's requirements. Please provide additional information regarding the project design, including any phasing, temporary equipment, etc. as requested in this RFI. If this information is not provided, the Government will receive dramatically different bids and will very likely be forced to process change orders after award. See also other RFIs pertaining to shutdowns (duration, notice, and coordination). | Upon bid award contractor shall submit a proposed work plan for the shutdowns. This proposed work plan shall include the proposed temporary heating tie in points. VA COR shall review and approve this plan. |
The temporary domestic water heating is not anticipated to be required if the 48-hour shutdown period is adhered to.
If shutdown time exceeds 48 hours, and temporary domestic water heating is required a maximum size of a temporary steam boiler sized to provide 7,900 lbs/hr of steam at 95 psi will be required.
| 023 | If domestic hot water usage is the main service for the steam in any individual building it may be possible for us to provide a temporary hot water heater and tank to extend the duration of the steam shutdown. Could we get a list of which buildings this may be a feasible alternative and how much hot water would be required for each building in which we can utilize this approach? | This would be an acceptable option to lengthen the shutdown periods in sensitive areas if sized and set up properly. Per MS001 shutdowns, work and safety plans – it will be the responsibility of the contractor to coordinate with the COR and understand all impacts to essential services affected by shutdowns and develop a work plan for each manhole shutdown. This will include the contractor determining means and methods for connection and GPH required. GPH capacity of the current system can be determined by the heat exchanger capacity and storage capacity. | This does not answer the question. | Temporary hot water heaters in lieu of a temporary steam boiler is acceptable with approval from VA COR on a building-by-building basis. Temporary hot water heater shall produce an equivalent amount of domestic hot water to the steam boiler capacity provided in response to RFI’s #9, #20 & #22. |
| 024 | Can you please provide the final locations for the control panels? Per notes on drawings starting on Drawing MS401….”Final control panel location to be coordinated with the VA.” | Final locations which have been coordinated with the VA can be found on the electrical plans. | It is impossible for bidders to accurately estimate costs or scheduling of constructing the control panels without information about their intended locations. Will they be located within the manhole? Outside of the manhole? In a nearby building? The location affects the construction and quantity of all component parts (e.g., conduit, wiring, etc.) | LOCATIONS OF ALL CONTROL PANELS ARE CLEARLY SHOWN ON ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS. Please reference the electrical plans for final locations |
of the control panels. These locations have been coordinated with the VA, and should only vary minimally if at all.
| 025 | Please provide the steam load required for the steam traps. Pressure and size is shown but no #/Hour load. We need that information to properly size the steam traps. | Use steam trap size per schedule(either 1” or ¾”) Installed trap shall have the same performance as the basis of design trap. | This does not answer the question. | Steam traps shown in vaults are for main steam lines condensate removal and are sized for operating conditions. Provide size and type indicated. |
| 026 | Please verify the project will be sales tax exempt for all materials. | A tax emempt certificate will be issued at the kickoff meeting. | ||
| 027 | Will X-Ray inspections be required for all welds in the steam system? If this is not required for all welds, what is the percentage this may be required, please? | See Spec 33 63 00 3.13H. The contractor shall perform radiographic examination for all welds made on pressurized steam piping. Welds performed on any other piping shall require the contractor to perform radiographic examination of 50 percent of the first 10 welds and 10 percent of all additional welds. All welds shall be visually inspected by the COR. | ||
| 028 | Some of the manholes seem to have a steam leak. Will these repairs be performed during the shutdowns? If so, will the repairs be performed as a part of this contract? Until we know the scope of the leaks it is near impossible to price a repair like this. Please explain how this will be addressed in a manner in which we can bid a defined scope of work. | 1 strainer in manhole 19 and 1 strainer in manhole 12 were observed leaking. Strainers will be replaced per MS500 detail 1. No other leaks were observed while on site. If there are additional leaks this should be brought to our attention. | This answer conflicts with the answer to RFI 029. How many strainers are to be replaced as part of this scope? 1 (in manhole 12) or 2 (in manhole 12 and 19)? | Two strainers (1) in manhole #19 and (1) in manhole 12 were observed to be leaking and should be replaced. No other leaks were observed by the A/E during the design phase of the project. If additional leaks are observed during the course of construction, the VA shall be made aware and an RFI shall be produced before proceeding with additional work. |
| 029 | Will the repair of the leaking steam lines in manhole 12 and 13 be included in the SOW of this project? | 1 strainer in manhole 12 was observed leaking while on site. Per ms500 detail 1 strainer shall be replaced. No leaks were observed in manhole 13. If a leak currently exists in manhole 13, the VA should be made aware of this prior to work. | This answer conflicts with the answer to RFI 028. How many strainers are to be replaced as part of this scope? 1 (in manhole 12) or 2 (in manhole 12 and 19)? | Two strainers (1) in manhole #19 and (1) in manhole 12 were observed to be leaking and should be replaced. No other leaks were observed by the A/E during the design phase of the project. If additional leaks are observed during the course of construction, the VA shall be made aware and an RFI shall be produced before proceeding with additional work. |
| 030 | On every electrical drawing that pertains to the control panels, should the contractor assume these will not move more than 5’ of their location shown on the drawings, as the final location is determined by the VA? | The assumption is appropriate. | ||
| 031 | Please provide a steam trap sched | See MS600. | flow rate #/hour load is missing | Steam traps shown in vaults are for main steam lines condensate removal and are sized for operating conditions. Provide size and type indicated. |
| 032 | Is the sump pump control panel required to be integrated into the BACnet interface for the DDC controls system? | No. Stand alone controls will be utilized. | ||
| 033 | Is the DDC controls system required to monitor the sump pump? This is called out in the specifications but not shown on the plans. This will require a significant amount of work including trenching. Please clarify and provide additional plans if needed | No. Stand alone controls will be utilized. | ||
| 034 | Why is 30 Day peak demand power metering required by the contractor? | Current design drawing E-702 (page 58 of 58) General Note #2, dated 04 April 2024, states: “PRIOR TO COMMENCING ANY WORK, CONTRACTOR SHALL CONDUCT 30-DAY DEMAND POWER METERING PER NEC 220.87 FOR ALL PANELBOARDS WITH LOAD ADDED UNDER THIS PROJECT. ALL METERING DATA SHALL BE PROVIDED VIA SUBMITTAL PROCESS TO ENGINEER FOR REVIEW; ENGINEER SHALL HAVE APPROXIMATELY 7-DAYS TO REVIEW DATA AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION AND/OR APPROVE WORK TO COMMENCE AS INDICATED ON DRAWINGS.” This keynote was entered in error and will be removed from the design documents in the next design amendment. “ | This answer conflicts with the answers in earlier RFIs. Agree that design amendment is necessary. | Contactor is no longer required to provide 30-day metering. Reference addendum drawings. |
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