RFI Answers.docx

What year was the plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression and electrical systems installed on 6W, 7W & 8W?

1. Plumbing infrastructure was installed in the 1950’s with the original building and the plumbing risers are made of “wall seal” and require special fittings to accommodate plumbing modifications.

1. Over there years there have been electrical upgrades within the main hospital along with HVAC and Fire suppression installations.

Has the plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression and electrical systems on 6W, 7W & 8W been renovated? If so, what year?

1. Not exactly sure. 6W’s last major renovation was completed around 2002. 7W & 8W renovation design was completed in 1998 but are unsure of the exact construction timeline.

Is the current plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression and electrical systems on 6W, 7W & 8W installed per current codes?

1. To the best of our knowledge. Should the contractor find any code related issues during construction that is not addressed by the contract documents, the contractor shall notify the COR immediately.

Due to the recent release of Overton Brooks VA specifications and in order to give the government sufficient response time on RFI’s, will the VA consider postponing the Proposal deadline to Wednesday, September 23rd?

1. No extension will be granted at this time.

Referencing Section 04 45 00 Quality Control, Paragraph 3.4.C, please clarify the exact roles/positions that will be required to be onsite.

1. In reference to section 01 45 00 Quality Control, at a minimum the Site Superintendent and the CQC System Manager shall be on site. Site Superintendent shall be on site at all times while work is being performed. The CQC System Manager shall be on site as needed to address and oversee any quality control related activities, meetings, inspections and anytime when new work is being installed.

1. The CQC System Manager cannot act as the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO); however, the Superintendent can act as the SSHO provided they meet all of the requirements for both positions. Otherwise, the SSHO shall be a separate person. The SSHO, or equally-qualified Designated Representative/Alternate will maintain a presences on site during construction operations as indicated in section 01 35 26, paragraph 1.7, D.

1. Furthermore, reference to section 01 35 26, paragraph 1.4, B, d, 4, which states that “no work shall be performed unless a designated competent person is present on the job site.”

Referencing 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.5 C, will guards be required as specified, including recording cameras?

1. Not seeing this requirement annotated in this project specification. No guards will be required and recording cameras are not required.

Referencing 01 00 00 General Requirements, 1.13 Resident's Engineer's Field Office, will this field office, furnishings and maintenance be required as specified.

1. Again, not seeing this requirement annotated in this project specification. In fact, the project specifications for this project indicate “RESIDENT ENGINEER’S FIELD OFFICE (NOT APPLICABLE)”. This is not a requirement of this project.

Can the VA please provide specifications for the Resinous Flooring and Wall System?

1. Reference specification section 09 90 00 Acrylic Glass Particle Spray Decorative Glass Wall System provided.

New Batt insulation is shown above the new lay in ceiling on pages AS-500 & AS-501. It is also mentioned in the specification section 07 21 13. However, the batt insulation above the ceiling grid is not mentioned on the Reflected Ceiling Plans and is not typical in Hospitals. Is the new batt insulation required above lay in ceilings?

1. Delete any reference to new batt insulation above any new lay in ceiling from sheets AS-500 and AS-501 and specification section 07 21 13.

Is this project sales tax exempt?

1. No.

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

1. Reference attached Supplemental Document 1-SD-007 for Inpatient Wards Lay Down area. Laydown area is annotated in green. Contractor’s lift to access the construction area will need to be placed in the area annotated on this supplemental drawing. The exact location shall be coordinated with the COR. NOTE: the area annotated in orange is for a future SPS and Radiology project.

Has the work area been checked for asbestos?

1. Reference contract documents.

As a result of the effect of COVID-19 throughout the U.S., and the resulting Federal, State and local governments’ responses / requirements of safe distancing and potential advocations of working remotely and/or complete organization closures, please advise how the Government intends to address delays resulting there as it pertains to the current solicitation schedule for this and all future projects.

1. To date, for OBVAMC, no construction work site has been shut down or work stopped due to COVID.

1. When entering the occupied portion of the main hospital or any facility on station, all construction workers must go through one of the hospital screening locations, answer the screening questions, get their temperature checked, wear a mask and practice social distancing.

1. For this project, the majority of access to the construction area will be by the contractor’s exterior lift. These construction workers will not have to go through the hospital screening process. Prime contractor will monitor and screen workers in accordance with their company policy. Any work outside of the construction area, the workers will have to go through the hospitals

1. The government cannot predict the future. It is the governments intent to review all of the long-lead procurement submittals items so the contractor can establish confirmed material delivery dates prior to the start of the construction period of performance. This is an effort to ensure that when the contractor starts construction work that delays in materials do not delay the project.

Project 667-19-105 to replace the existing nurse call system in the entire hospital was bid on June 19, 2019. I assume this project was awarded and is under way at this time.

1. The new Nurse Call system has been installed by Lone Star Communications and is currently under warranty. Any work on the existing nurse call system or added work to the nurse call system as a part of this project must be performed by Lone Star Communications.

1. In reference to the following drawing sheets:

8. 1-AS-156.1

8. 1-AS-156.2

8. 1-AS-157.1

8. 1-AS-158.2

8. 1-AS-158.1

8. 1-AS-158.2

8. 1-ES-301

8. 1-ES-302

8. 1-ES-303

8. 1-ES-304

9. Nurse Call Dome lights are required for all patient rooms. Delete the requirement for Nurse Call Dome Lights to be provided at Duty Stations locations and at Staff Terminal locations.

9. Provide an additional Duty Station in each of the Med Rooms 6W32A, 7W32A and 8W32A.

Headwall modification, catv cable, and patient room nurse call lighting controls were included in the scope of work for that project.

1. The Nurse Call project 667-19-105 installed our new Nurse Call system at the existing headwall locations and made any cable TV and lighting controls modification as needed for that project.

1. This project will install the new headwalls at the existing headwall locations. The basis of design is Amico Nulook. For the closest representation or example similar to the new head wall transformation required by this project, reference page 5 and page 9 of the “Amico Nulook Headwall Product Book” pdf. This is provided for informational purposes only.

Are the headwall modifications, catv cable and patient room lighting controls included in this project?

1. Yes, headwall modifications, and CATV cable and patient room lighting controls modification are included in this project as shown on the plans and specifications.

Who is responsible for the removal and reinstallation of the existing special systems? The electrical, general, or special systems contactors.

1. General contractor to coordinate the required work with their sub-contractors in accordance with the contract documents.

Who is carrying the cost of any new special systems devices? The electrical, general, special systems contractors or hospital.

1. General contractor to coordinate the required work with their sub-contractors in accordance with the contract documents. The hospital will not carry to cost of any new special systems devices. This pricing is to be included in the contract pricing.

It appears that the plan says to verify and extend the existing walls to the deck at wall types 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6, 6A,7 and 7A. That would require a lot of site investigation, is the VA willing to schedule a 2nd site visit to confirm conditions now that contractors have reviewed the plans?

1. Timing does not allow for a 2nd site visit. Openings or voids in these existing walls will need to be filled as indicated.

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

1. Reference Infection Control drawings 1-GI-106, 1-GI-107, 1-GI-108, Amendment 2 for Final ICRA ratings and specification section 01 00 00 and 01 35 26 for infection disease control ratings and requirements.

Will the site Visit sign in sheet be released?

1. Yes, see attachment for Amendment 5.

The Specification book was never uploaded with the solicitation. Can VA release it?

1. Reference amendment 4 for specifications.

The specifications in Addendum 2, (see: section 096516, 1.5) requires Installer Certification by INSTALL, which requires membership in UBC Union. As Louisiana Contractor's Licence requirements do not include such membership, we are not members. We can provide other qualification assurances, with references to similar projects; but we are interested in joining UBC at this point. Can you confirm whether or not this will actually be required?

1. This specification requirement will not be waived.

The Patient Entry doors and most doors along corridor were tagged as 20-Minute fire doors, is 20-Minute Ratings correct?

- Doors shall be rated as scheduled. Existing 20-minute doors are not indicative of new door ratings.

Hardware at patient rooms did not have closers, will closers be used, to maintain the fire rating?

- Patient room doors shall be rated as scheduled. Hardware shall be provided as specified.

Wood Door Species, Factory Pre-Finished Rotary Cut Natural Birch?

- Doors shall be per Spec Section 08 14 00

Do you have a Hardware Schedule? You have hardware set numbers on door schedule but no specifications with sets.

- Hardware sets are provided in Spec Section 08 17 10 and Section 08 71 00

Frames @ Mark #6-10, 7-10, 8-10 show on demo page to remove existing door, and associated hardware, consult with owner for disposition. Where this is stated on the demo plans, it is implied that the frame is to be reused, with new doors and hardware. This frame at this location, is a standard 3 sided frame, but on the plans, and on the door schedule shows that it is to be a sidelight frame. Which is correct? New sidelight frame to be used? Or reuse the existing 3 sided frame? Also on the door schedule this opening is calling for aluminum door, and frame. Please advise to which is correct.

At Door mark #’s 7-53, 7-59, 7-60, 7-33, 7-9, 6-60, and many other frames on the door schedule its calling for new frame label, or verify frame label. Are you needing to have someone come in and verify these frames, and relabel the existing frames as needed?

- Existing frames being reused shall be inspected, verified, and labelled per the Door and Frame Schedule by the GC. If an existing frame meets or exceeds the required scheduled label, the existing label may remain.

Are the only toilet accessories being replaced, the ones at the public restrooms?

- See Equipment / Furnishing / Accessory Legend and associated plans for all locations of new, existing, and reinstalled accessories.

Will applicable project specs be provided?

- Project specifications have been provided.

Will VA disinfect/terminal clean vacated patient rooms or is contractor responsible for this?

- The VA will disinfect/terminal clean each patient room before turning over to the prime contractor.

Could the VA please confirm that the Bid Bond should be included in Volume III: Price Proposal? If not Volume III: Price Proposal, could the VA clarify where the Bid Bond should be included in the document?

1. Yes, the Bid Bond can be included in Volume III.

Question: The solicitation states on page 15 that the Past and Present Performance Questionnaires should be submitted “no later than the closing date/time for receipt of proposals shown on the SF1442.” However, the Past and Present Performance Questionnaire states “Please return the completed form no later than August 28, 2020.” Could the VA please confirm when the Past and Present Performance Questionnaires are due to the contracting officer?

1. Since the response date has been amended, Past Performance Questionairres are due no later than September 14, 2020 at 10:30 AM CST.

On page 15, Item 2. Factor 2 – Past Performance, the solicitation states under the second paragraph (Past Performance Questionnaire) – “This includes correspondence explaining the requirement to obtain an independent evaluation…” However, the third paragraph states “Do not include copies of the letters or questionnaires in the proposal.” Could VA please verify if correspondence with clients requesting PPQs (“letters”) are to be included? IF not, could the VA please explain its request stating “This includes correspondence explaining the requirement to obtain an independent evaluation…” following the requirement “Offerors shall prepare and forward to prior client(s) for submission to the contracting office Exhibit B Past and Present Performance Questionnaire for all the projects listed by contractor and submitted using Exhibit A Performance Relevancy Survey.”

1. This is indicating that the Questionnaire should be forwarded to past clients, and you may include correspondence to them as to why it is required that the submit the past performance information directly to the Contracting Office rather than returning to the company to be forwarded. We do not evaluate past performance questionnaires that are submitted by the Offerors. They must come directly from the previous client.

On SF1442, VA notes “offerors must submit exhibit A contractor evaluation form construction safety as part of the offer package.” However, in item 4. Past Safety Record on page 6/73, the VA notes “offerors shall submit exhibit D contactor evaluation form construction safety” and item 2. Factor 2 – Past Performance on page 15, VA notes “submission with past performance proposal of exhibit A performance relevancy survey.”

The following attachments were provided in the documentation on beta.SAM:

1. Attch 4 – EXHIBIT D CONTRACTOR EVALUATION FORM CONSTRUCTION SAFETY v2

1. Attch 1 – Past and Present Performance Questionnaire

Could VA please clarify the exhibits required in submission of this proposal? As well as provide the Performance Relevancy Survey referenced in item 2. Factor 2 – Past Performance on page 15/73, “submission with past performance proposal of exhibit A performance relevancy survey.”

1. All of these exhibits are required. See attachment for Exhibit A.

Could VA please verify where the Contractor Evaluation Form Construction Safety is to be included in the proposal?

1. This can be included in Volume I and does not count against the page limit

The solicitation denotes the page limits for each volume on page 12/73 and notes that proposals should be submitted via email to the contracting officer. Could the VA please confirm that all three volumes should be submitted as one proposal document to the contracting officer? If not, could the VA please specify how the volumes should be submitted to the contracting officer?

1. You may either submit all three volumes in one proposal document, or split them into separate documents. The Government does not have a preference, and will enforce the page limit standard no matter which method the offeror chooses.

Page 12 notes that Exhibit A Performance Relevancy Survey and Exhibit B Past and Present Performance Questionnaire do not count against the 25 page limit on Factor 2. However, Factor 2 on page 15 notes “The offeror shall demonstrate recent successful performance under contracts… via submission with past performance proposal of exhibit A Performance Relevancy Survey” and that Exhibit B Past and Present Performance Questionnaire should be sent from the client/evaluator directly to the contracting officer. If Exhibit A does not count against the page count and Exhibit B will be sent directly to the contracting officer, can the VA please clarify what requirements are included in the 25 page limit?

1. Any other information provided for past performance that is not in these Exhibits counts towards the 25 page limit.

The Finish Schedule on Sheet 1-AS-900 indicates a resinous floor and wall system (of or equivalent to) “Eagle Grip- Urethane Mortar 5000”.

I’ve reached out to several vendor sources who are not aware of this product, and there is not specification in the documents that allow me to find a qualifying substitution.

1. Eagle Grip Representative Website: https://www.quality1floorandwallcoating.com/