36C25622R0150 0001.docx

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Veterans Health Administration Network Contracting Office 16 2575 Keystone Crossing Fayetteville AR 72703

POINT OF CONTACT*

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

AE | 36C25622R0150 | 586-22-103 | Repair Chilled Water and Steam Distribution Systems

The revised Statement Of Work (revisions are highlighted yellow) contains answers to some of the questions received regarding the original Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice. Questions that were not answered by the revisions are addressed below:

1. Page 6 paragraph D. The SOW states, “The selected A/E shall have a Mississippi-licensed Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager that is permanently located (based) within 25 miles of the Jackson VA Medical Center. This Mississippi-based/licensed Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager shall be contracted by and support the selected A/E for the duration of the design and construction phases of the project.”

Question: We typically utilize personnel who have a past performance demonstrating knowledge of location and geographical conditions. Given the 25-mile restriction will you provide the name of the engineer(s) and/or specific firm(s) you would like us to use or waive the requirement and trust that we will provide the most qualified personnel and/or subconsultants in our submission?

Answer: See page 6 paragraph D in revised SOW.

2. Page 7 paragraph F. “A 3rd party licensed Fire Protection Engineer shall be obtained by A/E for documented review of all contract documents. Results to be provided to VA for review and approval. “

Question: We self-perform Fire Protection Services and include those services during pre-design, design development and construction phase services. Request you waive the 3rd party requirement as we are already contractually responsible for all reviews provided by 3rd parties. It would be more efficient and less costly if we were to self-perform those services.

Answer: The government believes that a 3rd party review from a fire protection engineer reporting directly to the VA would be much more objective in the review comments.

3. Page 6 paragraph F. “The A/E shall provide complete, 3rd party, (Association of Energy Engineers) AEE-accredited Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) mechanical system design and construction energy commissioning (Cx) services.”

Question: We self-perform Commissioning Services and include those services during pre-design, design development and construction phase services as required. Request you waive the 3rd party requirement as we are already contractually responsible for all reviews provided by 3rd parties. It would be more efficient and less costly if we were to self-perform those services.

Answer: Our standard operating procedure here in Jackson is to have the A/E provide a separate 3rd party commissioning agent for all projects.

4. Page 8 Time Schedule, Review, and Submittal Requirements.

Question: The 25% design submittal is 120 days after award of contract including 60 days of investigation. 60 days of investigation may not leave sufficient time for design development if there are any investigated items requiring major collaboration with VA Stake Holders on scope review and subsequent conceptual development. Please confirm the entire schedule, review and submittal requirements.

Answer: We have reviewed our project schedule and the intent with the tight front end investigation effort was to make sure we end up with an A/E that truly has the mechanical engineering capacity and experience to do the project. If it is extended, we could end up with a understaffed firm that tries to fit the schedule. Also, the first 120 days in our POP is for the investigation of existing facilities and get the 25% drawings prepared that show the existing that the design will be based on.

5. Section D, it states “the selected A/E shall have a Mississippi-licensed Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager that is permanently located (based) within 25 miles of the Jackson VA Medical Center.”

Question: However, we could not find any such restrictions in the solicitation. Can you please confirm whether or not the selected A/E does need to be registered in Mississippi and located within 25 miles of the Jackson VA Medical Center?

Answer: See page 6 paragraph D in revised SOW.

See attached document: A_E Scope of Work REV 1.

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Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation