36C25619R0040-0002001.docx

Solicitation Number: 36C25619R0040 Upgrade Air Conditioning and Interior Finishes in Auditorium Bldg. 3 RFI Responses

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

Response: NCO16 answer please.

2. Does the VA expect that this project and the roofing project for this building be done at the same time?

Response: Yes.

3. 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.

4. During construction in an area where the ceilings or fire suppression system will be disrupted, will NFPA 241 apply? Will the government require additional security measures beyond NFPA code such as fire watch, temporary fire alarms, adjustments to sprinkler heads, etc.

Response: Since the building is not fully sprinklered (only the stage is) temporary sprinklers do not need to be installed.

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: Yes, VHSO Engineering Special Systems Technicians, (479)444-3090.

6. What is the Governments’ policy if additional asbestos or lead-based products are encountered during construction?

Response: See specification 02 82 11 and 02 83 33.13.

7. Does the Government currently have a 3rd party testing service for those items requiring testing or is the contractor free to locate and hire applicable testing firms?

Response: See specification 01 45 29 and 01 91 00.

8. 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 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: NCO16 answer please.

9. Will areas be in use and if so, what type of temporary partition walls will be required?

Response: See phasing plans drawings.

10. Are there any elevation drawings of the building?

Response: There are door and window elevation drawings

11. What are the VA’s recommendations for bringing in materials inside the building?

Response: Through door and window openings.

12. Describe any and all tasks that may be required for this project as it relates to infectious control?

Response: See IC No: 042419-001 JLM attached.

13. What is the level of infectious disease control rating for this site?

Response: Type D III

14. Will the sign in sheet be released?

Response: NCO16 answer please.

Electrical Systems First Floor:

1. The Fire Alarm panel is a 320 Notifier with DVC voice evac indicated on the drawings are horn/strobes to be ceiling mounted, these need to be speakers with strobe only. Response: There are some instances where an area has an existing Fire Alarm Speaker (Audio satisfied) but need a visual notification as well. Some areas are not covered with a device, and a Speaker/Strobe.

1. Corridor C114-03, does this need to be a strobe? Response: Yes just a strobe there would suffice, Speaker nearby.

1. By the double doors on the east side, it shows adding a horn strobe this needs to be a strobe only. Response: Yes just a strobe there would suffice, Speaker nearby.

1. Electrical E122-03, it says to replace the smoke detector? Response: Yes replace existing.

1. In the West and East stairwells, these need to be speakers and strobe only. Response: Agree, Speaker/Strobe in stairwells.

Electrical Systems Second Floor:

1. Lobby C204-03, this room already has a signal device, is a ceiling mounted strobe needed? Response: Yes ,to give visual component

2. Corridor C211-03, any notification needed? Response: Yes, Speaker/Strobe there.

3. Storage 212-03 by elevator, any notification needed? Response: Yes, Speaker/Strobe there.

4. Kitchen 212A-03, any notification needed? Also, this kitchen has an ansul system. Response: Yes, Speaker/Strobe there. Hood Ansul System no rework unless necessary to make code compliant system.

Electrical Systems Third Floor:

1. In Elevator Equipment room M311-03, this has a smoke and heat. Also there are modules outside the door for sprinkler Flow, Tamper and recall functions. Response: No work to those components unless necessary to make code compliant system. Please note Final System design by Fire Alarm Contractor.

General Questions

1. Replacing Panelboard A, B, C, D, E and installing new panelboard H. should the bus be Copper bus plated tin/silver or Tin/Aluminum & Silver/Copper Bus? Response: Copper bus plated tin/silver.

2. room 107-03 on the exterior there is a cage coving up the window around a A/C window unit. Once A/C window unit is removed. Should cage remain on the exterior or move to interior? Response: It should remain on the exterior and be modified to remove the pocket for the removed A/C unit and replace with a flat section.

3. Is a new load study required for all panelboards to be changed out or only panel H? Response: New Arc Flash / Coordination / Fault Current Study per Specs Sec 260573

4. Are all Exit signs and Emergency egress lighting to be replace with new? EMR, EX1, EX2, EXE Response: Generally, yes. There are instances of a bug eye light being removed and replaced with some other light on backup power.

5. Drawing Number EL102 has a existing photocell to be removed. Same sheet in the External lighting control number 5. Can this Photo Eye be use for the lighting control panel? Response: If its practical to use the location do so, but please install new photo eye. Cant vouch for that old photo eye.

6. Is the rectangular duct to be internally lined? A. I find a couple of places in the specifications where liner is mentioned, but it does not say if the rectangular duct is required to be lined or not? B. If the rectangular duct is to be lined, please provide size, or R-Value. Response: There is no internally lined supply or return duct in the project.