Attachment F - RFI Responses 598-21-106 Rplc 47 48 48b n 22 AHUs Final.pdf

Solicitation closes 9/6/2023 at 1pm CST.

RFI #1, 36C256-23-R-0080 - Replace Air Handling Units 47, 48, 48B, and 22

1. Are we to dispose/abate of any asbestos, lead, mold, or other hazardous material as part of this project? If so, provide appropriate hazardous material site survey report.

A. Per the asbestos report, there is no ACM but if you find some, let the COR know immediately. Current asbestos report will be provided with these technical questions.

2. What will the ICRA level be for this project?

A. Refer to Sheet G-002

3. Are there any required/proprietary subcontractors the general contractor is to hire associated with this project?

A. No

4. Will all work associated with this project able to be performed during regular working hours?

A. Yes

5. It is our understanding that the Solicitation is a negotiated Bid (RFP) design-bid-build project with the Government's AE being responsible for the design portion (providing a full and complete set of Specifications and Plans) and the successful offeror being responsible for bidding and building the project based on the Specifications and Plans provided by the Government's AE. Put another way, the successful offeror will not be required to perform any design-build services as part of the contract - correct?

A. The project is not described as a design-build project. Contractor is referred to Attach. A -para 3 of Statement of Work (SOW), Attach. B - Specification section 01 00 00-General Requirements and Attach C – Drawings as a minimum for further guidance.

6. Are any special State of Arkansas licenses required for performing the work?

7. Is there any fire suppression work to be performed?

8. Is there any fire alarm work to be performed? If so, does the VA perform final programming to the main panel?

A. Only smoke detectors re-connecting to the fire alarm system.

9. Who is the VA fire alarm contractor who has the rights and responsibilities to the fire alarm panels?

A. Triple S Alarms

10. Will elevator(s) be accessible/designated to contractor during normal working hours for demo and build back of AHUs and associated work?

A. Service elevators are available.

11. Will any AHUs outside the SOW need to be de-installed for removal of old AHU and install of new AHU?

12. Will helicopter lifts be allowed instead of crane lifts for old and new AHUs?

A. No per Safety.

13. Is any ductwork to be insulated that is currently not insulated? If so, how much in total?

14. Will any pipe freezes be needed for the project?

15. Who is the preferred controls contractor for the VA?

A. Siemens is our backbone system, but we are transitioning to Trane.

16. Will any pipe insulation be needed for existing pipes that are not insulated? If so, how much in total?

17. Are electrical disconnects to be replaced? If so, are they to be replaced in kind?

A. Refer to the electrical sheets.

18. Are VFDs to be replaced in kind?

A. Refer to the mechanical sheets.

19. Are AHUs to be insulated?

A. Refer to the mechanical sheets.

20. Is any core drilling to be performed?

21. Is the contractor to perform any work on existing floor drains?

22. Is the contractor responsible for control contractor and final set up to VA system?

23. Due to extended lead times in raw materials, manufacturing, and supply chain, will the government extend the Period of Performance (PoP) for this project to 365 days to allow for sufficient time for submittal review, approval and material ordering upon issuance of the NTP and prior to mobilization?

A. The PoP of 300 calendar days has been deemed sufficient for this project’s current value.

24. Will the government clarify if there is any specific software requirement for submittals?

A. No special software required.

25. Will the government please clarify their submittal process (I.E., submittal tracking, submittal registry, coordination and sign-off, A&E involvement, A&E approval, government approval, routing process, timelines, deadlines, A&E expectations, government expectations, etc.)?

A. The submittal process is standard across the VA (I.E., submittal tracking, submittal registry, coordination and sign-off, A&E involvement, A&E approval, government approval).

26. Will the government provide an extension of the bid due date, allowing ample time to review RFI answers to provide the best price possible, specifically at least one week after RFI’s have been answered?

A. Yes. The bid due date is extended through 9/6/2023.

27. Will the government provide an asbestos survey for the affected area?

28. Will the government clarify if there is any lead-based paint and/ or asbestos in the area proposed to be under construction?

A. Not aware of any lead-based paint in the area.

29. Will the government provide the ICRA requirements for this project?

A. Refer to Q2.

30. Will one person be allowed to fill the role of Site Superintendent, SSHO and Quality Control?

A. No, refer to Specification section 1.6 (c) – Preconstruction Conference, pg. 01 35 26 -10.

31. Can we get the name of BMS contractor who maintain the temperature control system at JLM?

A. We have in-house HVAC Control technician.

31a. Is there any preferred vendor name for BMS portion of this project?

A. Refer to Q15.

32. Can we use Freight elevator for moving material during the construction?

A. We have service elevators that can be used.

33. Contractor suggests Lead time of AHU ‘s are 40 weeks from the date of placing order with approved submittal and is asking can the Period of performance be extended to 570 days needed to accommodate the lead time of 40 weeks or/280 calendar days?

A. See response to Q-23 above.

34. Is this project currently funded?

A. Funding has been allocated but not obligated until award of contract.

35. Can the site superintendent serve as the site safety officer, and quality control manager? A. See response to Q-30 above.

36. What brand of DDC controls is currently in these buildings? A. See response to Q-15 above.

37. What brand of fire alarm is in these buildings? A. Edwards.

38. Are smoke dampers to be installed on units with a CFM of more than 15,000? A. Smoke dampers shall be installed on units larger than 15,000 cfm to isolate system per NFPA 90A,

4.3.10.2 (unless serving only serving the same floor they are on). Outside source should limit fire/smoke into building 4.2.1.2.1.

39. How long can each AHU be down for during the replacement process? A. Depending on the services that the AHU provides for.

40. How large of a lay down area for an office trailer and storage containers will be available for use on this project? A. Due to limited space a laydown area cannot be defined until after award.

41. How many AHUs can be replaced at a time? A. One AHU at a time.

42. Will the VA furnish the four spot coolers called out in note 2 on drawings page M-104? Note 5 on drawing page MD103 says the spot coolers will be furnished by the VA. Please clarify. A. The contractors will furnish any spot coolers.

43. Where will heat trace be required? It is noted in spec section 23 21 13 -16. A. Refer to the mechanical drawings.

44. Please advise if there is any Asbestos known to be present in the areas of work on this project, and if any project-specific site surveys have been completed for locating asbestos containing materials. If asbestos is unexpectedly encountered during the project on materials required for removal, please advise the procedure for bringing the issue to the VA’s attention and whether a modification will be issued to address abatement. A. See response to Q-1 above.

45. After speaking with the Air Handling Unit manufacturers, we have learned the lead time for the AHUs is approximately 1 year (365 days). The period of performance specified for the project is 210 days. Please advise if the VA contracting will consider a delayed NTP, prior to the period of performance time, to allow the manufacturers to produce the Air Handling Units and other long lead time HVAC equipment. A. See response to Q-23 above.

46. Please advise if there are any phasing requirements or preferred sequencing by the VA for removing and replacing the Air Handing Units on this project. A. Yes, phasing is required. Refer to the construction drawings.

47. Please clarify/confirm which AHUs are required to have temporary air while being replaced.

Please also advise if temporary spot coolers would be acceptable as temporary air for the areas served by the smaller AHUs. A. See response to Q-42 above.

48. Please advise the name of Fire Alarm contractor servicing the VA. A. See response to Q-9 above.

49. Please advise the name of the Access/Security controls contractor servicing the VA. A. See response to Q-15 & Q31 above.