Responses to questions 1-19 657-21-114JC A002.docx

1. The mechanical portion of this job is the most vital part of this job and is most of the project, and it is assigned NAICS code 238220. Therefore, any reliance of the prime contractor on an ostensible subcontractor for the performance of the mechanical work would improperly avoid the set-aside requirements. According to the SBA, an ostensible subcontractor exists when the prime contractor is unusually reliant on the subcontractor or that subcontractor performs the primary and vital requirements of a contract. Shouldn’t the prime contractor’s experience be the foundation of past performance evaluation for Factor 4. https://smallgovcon.com/service-disabled-veteran-owned-small-businesses/ostensibly-ok-sba-decision-on-ostensible-subcontractor-rule-gives-contractors-some-clear-guidelines/#:~:text=far%2Dreaching%20implications.,The%20Ostensible%20Subcontractor%20Rule,121.103(h)(3). (reference)

a. The plumbing, heating and air-conditioning work associated with this project is critical to the project’s success. The prime contractor’s technical qualifications and experience needed to meet the technical performance requirements of this project are evaluated under Factor 2. The information requested under Factor 4 relating to subcontractors performing such work, if any, is necessary to evaluate the experience of those companies. The information is not intended to evaluate self-performance requirements or ostensible contractor issues. It is intended solely to determine the qualifications and experience of subcontractors who are anticipated to perform this element of the contract. This is not an evaluation of past performance. It is an evaluation of subcontractor qualifications and experience. Note, however, that Factor 4 has been amended to further clarify information that must be submitted for evaluation of this factor. See, attached revised evaluation factors.

2. Factor 4 requires “Approval of contractor’s equipment will be contingent upon having frequent and satisfactory maintenance records. Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning contractor shall submit names and addresses of authorized service departments which will render service to this installation.” This requirement as part of the technical proposal does not make sense. This work can be performed by any qualified mechanical contractor. Are you requesting the Prime Contractor to send in maintenance records from other clients?

a. Factor 4 has been revised and no longer contains this requirement. See the revised Factor 4.

3. Factor 4 appears to require the contractor to make equipment and installer employee selections prior to project award only related to the mechanical work. The design of this project is specified in the plans and documents, are you requesting the mechanical contractor deviate from what is required in the plans and documents and propose alternate equipment?

a. Factor 4 is intended to ascertain that the subcontractors used for work on this project meet acceptable levels of qualifications and experience. It is the Government’s expectation that the anticipated subcontractor’s at the time of proposal carry over to post award work. As for proposing alternate equipment, the Government is not sure where you would come up with the impression that you are being requested to deviate from the plans and documents. That is not the case. Alternate equipment or other deviations are not being requested.

4. Will FAR 52.216-4 Fixed Price Contract with Economic Price Adjustment and VAAR 852.216-71 Fixed Price Contract with Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price Based on Price Index be added to this project due to current market conditions.

a. No. FAR 52.216-4 and VAAR 852.216-71 are not mandatory and will not be included in this solicitation.

5. What is note A1 on page 01-AE-102. Is that intended to be R1?

a. A1 intent is for R1.

6. What is the brand of the existing duct smoke detector used in the building?

a. There are many different brands of duct detectors. One brand is Notifier brand. A duct smoke detector used at JC is Item FSD-751PL, Addressable duct detector.

7. What company services and provides the existing fire alarm system?

a. There are many different brands of duct detectors. One brand is Notifier brand. A duct smoke detector used at JC is Item FSD-751PL, Addressable duct detector.

8. The are spec sections for medical gas and medical vacuum piping but I find no piping of that type shown on the plans. Will there be any medical gas or vacuum work required for this project?

a. No, medical gas is not intended.

9. Will there be a designated parking and staging area for contractor personnel? Will space be made available for an office trailer?

a. There will not be designated parking, designated staging, or space for an office trailer on VA property. The contractor is free to contact the City of St. Louis to inquire about permits for such things on public right aways.

10. Please locate and provide proper sizing information for all steam traps required, including end-of-main drip traps.

a. Select steam traps per specifications and details, at scheduled the scheduled capacity for steam humidifiers and end of main traps.

11. General HVAC Note #3 on Drawing 01-MH-101 states: “The G.C. is responsible for the removal and restoration/relocation of existing above ceiling conditions necessary to accommodate the new work. Existing above ceiling conditions include but are not limited to ductwork, mechanical piping, sprinkler piping, lighting, electrical power, fire alarm, including related conduit systems & hangers. The existing above ceiling conditions are of such nature that all facets of work are impossible to detail and specify. It is therefore the general contractor’s responsibility to completely familiarize himself with the existing conditions and relate such conditions to the scope of the proposed new work.”

We were unable to completely access/familiarize ourselves with the existing above ceiling conditions of the entire project during our site visit. Therefore, we request this statement be removed from all pages of the solicitation.

a. Note must remain.

12. Note 18 on Drawing Number 01-EP-103 states: Duct smoke detector furnished by mechanical contractor. Connect to existing fire alarm system. Type of duct smoke detector shall match existing in building. Please provide the “building standard” duct smoke detector type to be matched.

a. There are many different brands of duct detectors. One brand is Notifier brand. A duct smoke detector used at JC is Item FSD-751PL, Addressable duct detector.

13. Please provide photos of the above ceiling conditions above the sterile areas and other areas that during the site visit we not allowed to remove the ceiling tiles.

a. See attached photos, attachments CB 18 & CB 25 Photos

14. Since these areas are being shut down, can the work other than building the ICRA wall be done during normal business hours?

a. On Sheets 01-GI-107, 01-GI-108, 01-GI-109, 01-GI-110 General Notes, specifically #8, address the allowable working hours in the Medical Center. As a reminder, the Medical Center, departments, and areas outside the containment barrier will be fully operational and the contractor is to take all necessary precautions to maintain a clean and safe working environment per the specifications and ICRA/ILSM.

15. Will the Airflow Measuring Stations for all AHUs be factory installed/provided? If not, who is responsible for providing these AFMS and what are acceptable manufacturers?

a. Airflow measuring stations to be provided by controls contractor per specifications 230923, from manufacturers that meet the specifications and application.

16. Will the fans be controlled by ECM motors or VFDs? Drawing 01-MG-006 shows VFDs, but ECM motors are shown on 01-MG-008. If VFDs, will they be factory installed/provided with the unit, or will they need to be ordered separately?

a. Fans may be controlled by either method of modulation for balancing purposes, ECM controls or VFDs. VFD’s may be either factory or electrical contractor provided, as long as provided per specifications.

17. On drawing 01-EP-102, Room CB19 lighting note 10 states to demolish and install new lighting. However, note 9 states to reuse existing lighting. Which is correct?

a. Reinstall existing lighting fixture.

18. Several locations appeared to have issues with gravity draining the steam condensate from the humidifier back to the main. Please confirm that the A/E has reviewed the existing above ceiling conditions and has taken this into consideration.

a. Steam traps are to use upstream steam pressure to assist condensate flow as needed per instance.

19. SSHO and Superintendent Roles: Can the SSHO, QCM and superintendent positions be fulfilled by the same individual, provided qualifications are met? If not, can the superintendent double as the SSHO?

a. As indicated in the solicitation, “No one individual can perform more then two (2) of the staffing positions.” There is no SSHO stated in the solicitation. The superintendent may serve as the safety officer, but not project manager or quality control manager. The project manager can be the same individual as the quality control manager.