36C25619R0152-0004001.docx

Little Rock VAMC- Corrective Actions for OR 2F Mechanical Systems Solicitation 36C25619R0152 - RFI’s

1. Because this is a corrective action project, and not a new construction project, are there any LEED requirements? Answer: No LEED requirements are needed.

2. Because the whole area is unoccupied/ unused, please clarify what level of infectious control will be required? Answer: Infection Control personnel will determine the level of containment required.

3. Are there any independent / 3rd party testing & balancing requirements for mechanical systems after we complete corrective actions? Answer: The General Contractor will hire a 3rd party to perform the TAB on the HVAC system.

4. Page AE101, Detail F1, Rm 2F-232, that area of work was restricted from viewing during the site visit. The plan calls for a new unrated duct work partition per the legend. Is it the governments intent for that to be unrated or does the government want a 1-hour barrier similar to that duct shaft wall on page 2F-202? Answer: The duct work partition is already in a fire-rated room and therefore the duct partition does not need a fire-rated barrier wall.

5. Page AE101, Rm 2F-202 shows an open room with a door on the far north wall. Page PP104, Rm 2F-202 shows the north door in a different location, and it shows an unrated partition wall, followed by a dead space, and the fire-rated partition wall that contains the duct shaft. Which page accurately depicts the layout of Rm 2F-202? Answer: AE101 reflects the correct layout of the room. Sorry for the confusion.

6. There is no paint and wall schedule/ detail for the new furring wall partition in RM 2F-

232. In order to match existing finishes, will the government provide a paint schedule and pictures of existing conditions for Rm 2F-232, since there was restricted access during the site visit? Answer: The Government will provide the finish schedule from the previous project.

7. Because the ductwork feeding 2F will be removed and the AHU’s non-functioning during corrective action work, will the VA require the air intake to be sealed, negative air and air monitoring systems to be in place and monitored while the ceiling grid is being removed and gas lines and head wall units are being replaced? Yes. And if so, are they to be monitored by independent / 3rd party? Answer: The General Contractor will be responsible for hiring the 3rd party contractor.

8. Page PP-103 Rm 2F-222A show the toilet partitions bolded in the women's restroom. Are these partitions supposed to be replaced? Answer: No work is being in this area.

9. Starting on page PP-101 through the end of the plans, the GRAPHIC LEGEND shows four legend symbols for 1-hour existing, and1-hour new fire rated barriers respectively. The respective legend symbol for the new and existing 1 hour are the same. The same issue applies to the existing 2-hour and new 2-hour symbols. Nowhere in the plans is there a note that points to the walls to state that they need replacing making the legend that much more confusing. Please clarify on the plans exactly where a new fire rated wall is supposed to be installed and also please clarify that everywhere there is a depiction of one or the other, that we are not to break down the wall and rebuild it. Please avoid any ambiguous remarks or comments to this question. Answer: Disregard graphic partition legend in MEP drawings.

10. Regarding the possibility for an alternate/ equivalent to the Hill-Rom headwall unit. Must the alternate perfectly match the Hill-Rom product specs exactly as depicted on the plans and specs? Will the VA accept any deviation in the layout design of the headwall unit? Hill-Rom is the basis of design for this project. Answer: GC can provide a substitution submittal for another brand, but they will have to meet all requirements that are set forth in the specification.

11. Rm 2F 202: On the east wall, there is a 1-hour barrier separating the duct chase. That wall has to come out to provide access to the chase so that we can remove existing ductwork in the chase and reinstall new oval shaped ductwork from the top down. All mechanical contractors corroborated together and came to the conclusion that this was the only way to replace the vertical duct shaft from the air handling unit to the attic space of the second floor. Is the VA going to have a problem with us tearing that wall down and then rebuilding it after the ductwork has been accomplished? Answer: The VA does not have a problem with this if that is what is required to accomplish the task at hand.

12. If the VA has an issue with tearing this wall out then that does not leave any other options for the vertical shaft access points. If the VA does not want this wall removed, can the VA please specify exactly where they intend for the contractor to gain access to the vertical shaft to remove and replace it if our ability to remove the wall in Rm 2F-202 is denied. Answer: See response to comment #11.

13. Is there anything on the east wall of Rm 2F-202 that will prevent access to that duct chase? If there are controls and actuators on or inside that east wall, will the VA please provide a full list of detail and specification on said products? Answer: Electrical panel is located on the east wall.

14. Will the government will take pictures of Rm 2F-202 of north, south, and east wall, and please post those pictures as an amendment? Photos taken of east wall with electrical panel, all other walls are clear of any attachments.

15. Room 2F 202: Does the VA have a specification on the paint color, type/ resinous finish to be reapplied upon reconstruction of said wall? Answer: VA will provide finish schedule from previous project.

16. Does the VA have any extra exterior brick veneer to be used to patch the opening as depicted on page AD201, Elevation Detail F1, as shown on page AD 201 and AE 501? Answer: VA does not any extra exterior brick veneer, GC will match as close to the existing brick veneer.

17. If the VA does not have any excess brick, what type/ manufacturer/ series/ color/ masonry color does the VA intend the contractor go back with? Answer: VA will provide finish schedule from previous project.

18. Regarding the exterior metal wall panel as depicted on AE 201, the drawing depicts a type of ribbed panel. The specifications do not clarify if the panel should be ribbed or standing seamed. The specifications do reflect the following: “Minimum 0.8 mm (0.31 inch) thick for wall and roof panels”, “Construct panels by pressing members together to form a structural unit with closed ends” and “Provide connection between panels by interlocking male and female joints”. Per the first sentence listed above, wall and roof panels can be ribbed or seamed, and you can meet the specs by screwing or seaming the panels together, however there is a noteworthy price difference between the two. Which type of metal wall panel does the VA want use? Answer: Drawings based on flush-mounted panel, not ribbed or standing seam.

19. Will the VA provide as-builts of existing mechanical ductwork for Pod B and Pod F? We need this to determine the size of the ductwork inside the chase adjacent to Room 2F-202 and other existing condition considerations such as testing and balance, etc. Answer: VA will provide information from previous project, but GC will need to field verify all measurements.

20. Will the VA please post the pictures and the finishing details/ specifications for Room 2F-232, since access to that portion of the building was not possible at the site visit? Answer: JD&A can provide photos taken during field investigations (large file sizes) and VA has provided photos thru multiple emails.

21. Since this project is a best value trade-off, will the VA issue a justification and approval for the Hill-Rom headwall system to ensure the VA gets the intended headwall unit as outlined in the plans? Answer: See Comment #10.

22. Detail D5, on page AE501, does not call for any insulation or sealant at the metal panel sill. Some of the metal panel details are missing insulation layers. Does the VA want insulated metal panels with sealant on the bottom sill? Answer: Non-insulated panels; no sealant

23. Will the VA accept red-lined drawings in-lieu of as-builts? Answer: VA will accept re-line drawings along with electronic drawings of record (AutoCAD).

24. Will the VA provide the CAD file for the original as-builts? Or will contractor be required to hire A&E firm to recreate them? Answer: VA will provide CAD files that are available.

25. Regarding the housekeeping pad, per Elevation C7, page PP105. There are no Division 3 specifications for concrete. Answer: JD&A will provide.

26. During the walkthrough, Rm 2F-232 was restricted from viewing due to some type of operational lab in the vicinity which required special access. Where is this operational lab in relation to 2F, and what sort of access restrictions and requirements could the contractor encounter during the construction for this project? Please post an expanded floor plan outlining the affected restricted area labs so the contractors can have this for consideration purposes. Rm 2F-232 is the janitor closet next to the stairs. Answer: There is nothing on this floor in operation (no labs). The research lab is located on the Ground Floor next to the mechanical room.

27. During the walkthrough we saw on the AHU there were stickers for Powers of Arkansas. Is this the company responsible for removing any BACnet system controls or isolation of the systems from the Hospital BMS? Will the Hospital be responsible for the controls, or will we have to sub Powers of Arkansas? Answer: We don’t know if there are any sensors at the sections to be demoed. Power of Arkansas cannot be sub-contracted on any VA project. Siemens Corporate will be the company to speak with concerning controls for this project.

28. Will the government provide an opportunity to re-examine the first-floor Mechanical room in order to determine options for demo and the new install? Answer: Yes, if required. You should have enough information to provide a proposal to accomplish the tasks at hand.

29. Will the government provide an opportunity to view the chase at the 3rd floor to see the conditions for the demo and install, and the second floor between grid A-6 and A-5? Yes, if required. You should have enough information to provide a proposal to accomplish the tasks at hand.

30. Will the government provide the original plans of areas served by AHU-41? Answer: VA will provide documents from the original project.

31. The existing supply and return duct are in a sealed duct chase, which runs through the first and second floor. Is it possible to open a chase wall on both the first and second floors to allow access for demolition of existing supply and return duct and installation of the new supply? Answer: See Comment #11.

32. Will PACU-2 need to be tested and balanced since the ceiling and diffusers are being demoed and put back in? Answer: The HVAC in PACU is not being replaced. The medical gas piping is being replaced and yes, they will need to be tested and certified.

33. Will the government provide the ductwork map and any information to show where sensors or controls are located on the ductwork? Answer: VA will provide documents from the original project.

34. Since Powers of Arkansas is no longer allowed to bid jobs through SDVOSB's, and they have the controls in that facility, is the VA going to directly coordinate any reprogramming, sensors, or controls with Powers of Arkansas or should the contractor coordinate that? Answer: Power of Arkansas cannot be sub-contracted on any VA project. Siemens Corporate will be the company to speak with concerning controls for this project.

35. Who has the fire alarm maintenance contract in 2F and 2B? Who initially installed the fire alarms from the first reconstruction job? Will the VA publish the fire alarm plans from the last construction project? Answer: VA Fire Department and Engineering Alarm shop covers the maintenance for the facility. VA will provide documents from the original project.