36C25618B0678-0005001.pdf

564-610 Construct New Inpatient Mental Health Building September 13, 2018

Attch A RFIs and Responses to 564-610_New MH Building docx 1of10

Bid RFI’s

Project #564-610

Construct New Inpatient Mental Health Building

RFI 1) Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

Response: No.

RFI 2) Will the Government provide comprehensive written badging requirements for the project if badging is required?

Response: Review General Conditions specification 01 00 00 section 1.5 Construction

Security Requirements paragraph B. 2.

RFI 3) Where will the designated laydown & parking area be for workers accessing the construction site?

Response: Review drawing number CG-500 Erosion Control Details Tags 50O and 51A.

The approved layout space is outlined and labeled Laydown and Storage

Area. Contractor parking is available on the 4th floor of the parking deck and

Lot R.

RFI 4) Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? The software is compatible with the VA’s networks and is currently in use at many VA locations.

Response: No, the Government shall not accept the use of Procore for this project. All submittals RFI’s and any other project documents must be submitted via e-mail on the CO furnished forms.

RFI 5) Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

Response: In the past, the Station has worked with Freedom Fire Pro and Arkansas

Automatic Sprinklers and United Fire Suppression. Per the contract, all fire suppression contractors must be a certified distributor, installer and approved by COR. All interruptions of utilities must be requested, scheduled, and approved by the COR.

RFI 6) Who will locate underground utilities?

Response: The Contractor is responsible for locating all underground utilities.

RFI 7) Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is

Attch A RFIs and Responses to 564-610_New MH Building docx 2of10 placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy

American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

Response: This is a Firm Fixed Price Acquisition. Negotiation of pricing is not commensurate with this process.

RFI 8) Please confirm that the VA will require just two full time supervisory position, the

Superintendent and the SSHO?

Response: Yes, the Contract requires both a COR approved Site Superintendent and

SSHO. Review Specification 01 35 26 Safety Requirements Paragraphs 1.7

A-E

RFI 9) Can the SSHO or the super also be the QCM on site?

Response: No, the SSHO shall not serve as the QCM. The Site Superintendent may serve a duel role as the QCM. Review Specification 01 35 26 Safety

Requirements Paragraph 1.7 C.

RFI 10) We have the MEP drawings, but missing the Architectural, Structural, Landscape.

When will the rest of the drawings be available?

Response: Upon submission of your address a copy of the drawings can be provided.

RFI 11) Once those are available, will the VA allow more questions to be submitted to clarify items on those drawings to be released?

Response: Yes, an amendment shall be posted with the new suspense date

RFI 12) Is there a Geotech report available?

Response: Yes, Review the attachment B; VA Inpatient Mental Health Building

Geotechnical Report.pdf and attachment C - VA Inpatient Mental Health

Building Geotechnical Report Addendum #1_5.1.17.pdf

RFI 13) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call

2.1 A. states this system is a new system which does not interface with the existing nurse call system.

Question: The entire VA campus standardized on a Rauland Responder 5 nurse call system in 2016. All Code Blue communication between the systems are connected.

Should this system not integrate with the existing nurse call system for continuity in system? Should this system not integrate with the existing Responder 5 in order maintain consistent technology for clinician use throughout the hospital?

Response: The Contractor must provide Rauland Responder 5 nurse call system installed by a manufacturer approved and certified installer per contract requirements.

The Rauland Responder 5 nurse call system must integrate and operate seamlessly with the existing system.

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RFI 14) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call call system

Question: The VA campus is in the process of adding Vocera wireless devices that will interface with the existing Rauland Responder 5 nurse call system. Should this nurse call system not interface with the existing nurse call in order to maintain continuity between the wireless devices and nurse call throughout the entire hospital?

Response: Yes, the new nurse call system must interface and operate seamlessly with the existing system and must include continuity between wireless devices.

RFI 15) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call call system

Question: The VA campus is in the process of adding Vocera wireless devices that will interface with the existing Rauland Responder 5 nurse call system. Is it required that this system have the capability to integrate with the Vocera wireless badge system?

Response: Review Response to RFI 14.

RFI 16) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call call system

Question: The existing nurse call system located throughout the entire hospital was specified to be an FDA approved system. Should the system specified for this building match that requirement?

Response: The new system must be in accordance with Specification 27 52 23 Nurse

Call and Code Blue System.

RFI 17) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call call system

Question: The existing nurse call system currently has a single console located in 2 locations: The police dispatch office and the AOD Desk, both located in Building 1.

Should this new system fully communicate with the existing console in order to notify the AOD and/or Police Department of a Code Blue?

Response: Yes.

RFI 18) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call call system

Question: The existing Rauland Responder 5 system currently has existing servers in place, negating the need for new servers for this system. Should this new system be

Attch A RFIs and Responses to 564-610_New MH Building docx 4of10 called on to directly link to the existing servers in order to maintain continuity and eliminate the costs required for new servers?

Response: The contractor must verify that the existing nurse call server has required capacity. If the existing server does not have capacity then the contractor must furnish additional capacity to the existing server with one (1) server with adequate capacity, including all required programming.

RFI 19) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call

Question: Will there be a chase or conduit path back to Building 1 in order to connect existing systems with the newly installed systems going into the Mental Health Building?

Can that path /location be identified?

Response: Review drawing numbers TA-102 Partial First Floor Plan East-Technology, TA-103 Building 1 Basement Plan-Technology, TA-104 Building 1 First Floor

Plan-Technology, and TA-300 Technology Details, Detail 3.

RFI 20) Section 27 52 23 – Nurse Call

Question: Does the nurse call system have a requirement to include reporting software as the rest of the hospital currently deploys?

Response: Yes, the new nurse call system must include reporting software to match capabilities of the existing system.

RFI 21) Section 28 31 00 – Fire Alarm

Question: The system called for does not show a requirement for connection to the existing system, currently deployed campus-wide on the VA campus. Should this system not tie in to the existing system in order communicate alarm/troubles/supervisories to the main FACP, in the fire alarm control room located in the basement of Building 1?

Therefore should the system specified be a Notifier Fire Alarm system?

Response: The new fire alarm system must be a Notifier fire alarm system connected to the existing fire alarm control panel (FACP) and programmed and operate seamlessly into the existing Notifier Onyx workstation. All new components of the contractor furnished and installed fire alarm system must connect seamlessly with the existing fire alarm system.

RFI 22) Section 28 31 00 – Fire Alarm

Question: The current fire alarm system has Notifier fire alarm panels located throughout the entire campus. All of the panels are networked back, via fiber and other communication methods, to main Notifier Fire Alarm panel in the fire control room of

Building 1. Will there be a call for a pathway/chase/conduit back into building one for use in networking the fire alarm going into the Mental Health Building?

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Response: Yes, in accordance with specification 28 05 28.33 Conduit and Backboxes for

Electronic Safety and Security and drawing numbers TA-102 Partual First

Floor Plan East-Technology, TA-103 Building 1 Basement Plan-Technology, TA-104 Building 1 First Floor Plan-Technology, and TA-300 Technology

Details, Detail 3.

RFI 23) Section 28 31 00 – Fire Alarm

Question: Should the provider of a Notifier fire alarm system be qualified, certified and have minimum 5 years experience working with installation, programming and testing of the Onyx Workstation, which is currently in place at the main fire alarm control panel located in the fire control room of Building 1?

Response: Yes, in accordance with Specification 28 31 00 Fire Detection and Alarm section Description1.1 paragraph B.

RFI 24) Section 28 31 00 – Fire Alarm

Section 2.3.C – Operator terminal at main control unit

Question: Does the existing Notifer Onyx Workstation, currently in place in the fire control room in the basement of Building 1 not already satisfy this requirement?

Question assumes new panel going into Mental Health building will be tied in to and in communicate with existing system.

Response: Delete Specification 28 31 00 Fire Detection and Alarm section 2.3 Fire

Alarm Control Unit paragraph C.

RFI 25) Section 28 31 00 – Fire Alarm

Question: a multitude of specifications called for on the fire alarm system are dated or already in place in the existing fire alarm system. Where applicable, can newer design/features be included to replace the dated specs? Where features that are called for are already in place in the existing system, can the existing system supersede the listed requirements?

Response: All hardware and software must meet or exceed the contractual specifications and must operate seamlessly with the existing system.

RFI 26) Sheet ES-100, shows the new duct bank routing going around the new facility. It shows a series of HH1 (hand holes) to be installed along the way. The description of a HH1 on sheet TA-300 detail 4 shows this to be a 36”x48” box. This new duct bank will have

Medium Voltage cable in it and should require a much larger ‘manhole’ to account for bending radius. Is this detail listed in the technology drawings the correct one for the site electrical? If not, can we get a detail on the type of junction box required for MV cable?

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Response: Contractor must furnish and install two (2) new above grade sectionalizer cabinets that are pad lockable with penta bolt and 200 amp load break elbows

ILO hand helds. Contractor must install one (1) cabinet at the NW Corner of

Building 44 and one (1) at the SW corner of building 49.

RFI 27) The room finish schedule AE601 shows more rooms to be Terrazzo flooring than the

Material Floor Plan AE602 shows as terrazzo hatch. Are we to go by the Room Finish schedule or the Material Floor Plan?

Response: Refer to the room finish schedule located on drawing AE-601 Room Finish

Schedule for all room finishes. Refer to the material floor plan located on

Drawing Number AE-602 Material Floor Plan And for all rooms with multiple Terrazzo colors for direction on pattern placement.

RFI 28) Where can I locate the 090600 Schedule for Finishes referenced in the 096723.50

Resinous Terrazzo Flooring specs? I am not seeing them in the Specs. They appear to contradict each other. The room finish schedule AE601 shows more rooms to be

Terrazzo flooring than the Material Floor Plan AE602 shows as terrazzo hatch.

Response: The Material Floor Plan on Drawing number AE-602 Material Floor Plan show several different hatches for terrazzo flooring representing different colors. Specification 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes is not included in the specifications, refer to drawing number AE-601 Room Finish Schedule.

RFI 29) Please confirm that the Steel fabricator needs to be AISC Certified BU?

Response: Yes, per the contract specifications, the steel fabricator must be ASIC certified for buildings.

RFI 30) Please confirm that the steel erector needs to be AISC certified ACSE?

Response: Yes, per the contract specifications, the steel erector must be ASIC certified for erection contractors providing services necessary “for erection of structures, including, but not necessarily limited to, large public and institutional buildings”

RFI 31) Reference Spec 08 67 23.20: Are we using vinyl chips, broadcast quartz or both. If both, what areas are applicable to each?

Response: Both per specification 09 67 23.20 Part 3.5 Application paragraphs F and H.

All areas requiring the RES-1, RES-2, RES-3, and RES-4 flooring per drawing numbers AE-601 Room Finish Schedule and AE-602 Material Floor Plan.

RFI 32) The catwalk hanger rods as noted in Sections 2 & 3 / SF-402 are indicated to be attached by use of beam clamps rated to carry a minimum service tensile load of 3,000

Attch A RFIs and Responses to 564-610_New MH Building docx 7of10 lbs. We have been unable to find a suitable clamp that will carry that load. Can the government provide manufacturer and part number?

Response: The Government will allow Center Load Beam Clamps or Steel Beam Clamp with Weldless Eye Nut. Anvil International and Globe Pipe Hanger Products

Incorporated are American manufacturers of heavy duty beam clamps or a

COR approved “or equal” to those manufactures listed.

RFI 33) Reference Spec 01 00 00 page 20: Can the government provide a copy of the NPDES permit application so we can determine our responsibility for certifications and compliance?

Response: Use the following link to for required permits and additional rules and regulations required by the State Arkansas.

https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/npdes/stormwater/

RFI 34) There are no specs on the solar-tube skylight system, CLIN 00015, Alternate No.

14. Can the government provide specs for this item?

Response: Basis of Design: Solatube Model 750 DS, 21 inch Daylighting System with roof dome assembly and one piece seamless roof flashing, Solatube

International, Inc.; 2210 Oak Ridge Way, Vista, CA 92081. Tel. Toll Free:

888-765-2882. Tel: (760) 477-1120. Fax: (760) 597-4488 Email:

commsales@solatube.com. Web: www.solatube.com.

RFI 35) The solicitation includes two General Commissioning specs (01 91 00 & 01 91

13). Which spec is applicable to this project? Is the VA going to appoint and individual, company or firm to act as the Commissioning Agent as specified in 01 91 00 part 1.9?

Response: Both Specification are applicable to this project. Yes, refer to specification 09

01 00 General Commissioning Requirements section 1.8 Commissioning

Team paragraph C.1.

RFI 36) 09 67 23.50: Is the Terrazzo cove precast or poured in place?

Response: Both poured and precast Terrazzo cove are acceptable. All Terrazzo cove must meet or exceed the salient characteristics in accordance with specification 09 67 23.50 Resinous Terrazzo Flooring (RES-5).

RFI 37) 05 12 00: Regarding AISC Certification Program for steel erection, can this certification be waived? The fabricator will still be certified?

Response: The Government will not authorize a waiver on the ASIC Certification

Program for Steel Erections.

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RFI 38) 06 20 00: Section 1.3-D: We request a waiver of the AWI labeling & Quality

Certification Program.

Response: The Government will not authorize a waiver on the contractually specified

AWI labeling and quality requirement.

RFI 39) 08 71 00: Will door hardware substitutions be accepted?

Response: Doors shall comply with paragraphs 08 71 00 and 08 11 13 of specifications any submission of a substitution must meet or exceed the salient characteristics and be approved by the government.

RFI 40) 10 14 00: Please provide the signage section location on the plans per specs.

Response: See Appendix 7 – VA Fayetteville Interior Sign Manual – Digital Standards

RFI 41) Wage Determination: Please provide sprinkler fitter wage rate?

Response: Most current WD provided (attch F).

RFI 42) On Drawing # CD-100 there are ten (10) existing exterior light poles that are in the footprint of the new building. Seven (7) are labeled with Demolition Keynote 100. Will the Government want the exterior light poles relocated?

Response: Yes, all existing exterior light post in the footprint of the new building must be relocated and labeled with Demolition Keynote 103 located on drawing number CD-100 Demolition Plan. Relocate per the attached drawing;

564-610_DRAWING_RFI_101818_Update Site Plan.pdf

RFI 43) If the seven (7) existing light poles on Drawing # CD-100 labeled with Demolition

Keynote 103, Where will the Government want the exterior light poles relocated?

Response: Yes, all existing exterior light post must be relocated and labeled with

Demolition Keynote 103 per the attached drawing;

564-610_DRAWING_RFI_101818_Update Site Plan.pdf

RFI 44) There is a solar lighting system on this project called an ECHY system. They are located in France and after multiple emails and phone calls we still can’t get a response.

There appears to be NO American distributor for this company. If I do not get a reply I will have no choice but to leave this part of the project out of my price. I can’t imagine this will be a good deal to have an overseas lighting company be a part of our project.

The communication, lead times, warranties, problem solving etc. would be a nightmare.

I’ll keep you in the loop on what I find out if anything.

Response: The ECHY system is provided in the US through Huvco. LLC Rohrersville

MD 21779, 1-800-832-6116, Eric Huffman 301-432-0678, EricH@Huvco.com

RFI 45) Will the following be an acceptable substation?

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If it is slip resistant they are after in these areas we can add Shark-Grip to our system that will be much easier to clean and still achieve the same goal.

Here is the Information for the Vinyl Flake system we use.

The Quarts System is:

Prime coat of Sika 165 pigmented @ approximately 8 Mils

Mid Coat of Sika 264 Pigmented @ approximately 10 Mils with broadcast quarts

Top Coat of Sika 264 Pigmented @ approximately 8 mils...

1. Basis of Design: Refer to the Room Finish Schedule Legend on the drawings for basis of design products meeting the requirements. Furnish the basis of design products or equivalent products meeting the requirements.

C. System Components: Verify specific requirements as systems vary by manufacturer. Verify build up layers of broadcast and installation method. Verify compatibility with substrate. Use manufacturer’s standard components, compatible with each other and as follows:

1. Primer with Broadcast quartz (primer coat):

a. Resin: epoxy.

b. Formulation Description: Multiple component high solids.

c. Application Method: squeegee, back roll and broadcast.

d. Thickness of coat(s): 2-3mil.

e. Number of Coats: One.

f. Aggregates: Quartz broadcast into wet epoxy primer.

2. Undercoat: (body coat)

a. Resin: Epoxy.

b. Formulation Description: Pigmented multi-component, high solids.

c. Application Method: Notched squeegee and Back roll

d. Number of Coats: One.

e. Aggregates: vinyl chip flake broadcast into wet Undercoat.

f. Thickness of coat(s): 20-30mil.

g. Number of Coats: One.

3. Sealer coat:

a. Resin: Epoxy.

b. Formulation Description: Multiple component high solids, no solvent UV stable.

c. Type/Finish: Clear Gloss.

d. Thickness of coat(s): 2-3mil.

e. Number of Coats: (2) two.

f. Application: Squeegee and finish roll.

Response: What is the name of the system requesting substitution and the specs for that system? What is the warranty for the system requesting substitution? Provide physical property information and indicate the differences between the system specified and the system requesting substitution.

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RFI 46) Now on page 8 ---06 67 23.20 Resinous Epoxy Base with vinyl chip broadcast

You Mention Primer with broadcast quarts----I am confused if we are using vinyl chips or broadcast quarts?

Response: Review response to RFI 31.

RFI 47) If we are using both systems I am confused in what area the Broadcast quarts system will be use.

Response: Only one (1) system will be provided as part of spec 06 67 23.20 - Resinous flooring with vinyl chip broadcast – RES-2.

RFI 48) Will the nurse call devices in the patient care areas require tamper resistant and ligature proof covers and fasteners?

Response: Yes, the contractor must furnish and install tamper resistant and ligature proof covers and fasteners on all nurse call devices to match the existing in

Unit 1A in Building 1.

RFI 49) Will the nurse call devises require pull cords in the patient care areas?

Response: No, pull cords are not permitted in the patient care areas. All patient used nurse call notifies must utilize a button. Two separate buttons must be installed one (1) 44” AFF and one (1) 12” AFF where identified in patient care areas on drawing number TA-101 Partial First Floor Plan West-

Technology and TA-102 Partial First Floor Plan East-Technology.