36C25624R0087 RFIs Completed.pdf

PROJECT # 598-20-106

Improve Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) North Little Rock, Arkansas

DATE: June 05, 2024

ITEM 1 – Bidding Requests For Information

# Reference Question Answer

1. Proposal Preparation and Evaluation Information: Factor 1, Subfactor 1a, Corporation Construction Experience states that the “Offeror must have at least five (5) years’ experience performing renovation in an active healthcare center environment with at least five (5) projects completed successfully within the last ten (10) years. The Offeror shall demonstrate successful performance under contracts (substantially completed or completed) which are similar in scope, magnitude, and complexity to the subject requirement via

SUBMISSION OF EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE RELEVANCY

SURVEY.” The first sentence requires completed projects while the second permits substantially completed or completed.

a. Will the VA consider projects that are in progress?

b. Due to the length of time it typically takes for a project of similar scope, magnitude and complexity to be completed age (due to encountering differing site conditions and design omissions), will the VA evaluate 3 projects rather than 5 projects during the evaluation process?

1a. The VA will consider projects that are completed or substantially completed (at 90% or more).

1b. The VA will evaluate all projects submitted by offerors.

2. When evaluating Factor 1a Corporate Construction Project Experience, will the VA consider projects that are ongoing?

VA will consider projects that are completed or substantially completed (at 90% or more).

3. When evaluating Factor 1a Corporate Construction Project Experience, will the VA consider projects that are 50% or more complete?

VA will consider projects that are completed or substantially completed (at 90% or more).

4. See SOW under

Description of Work

1.04_A #2

Are there any patient activities that are performed in the adjoining areas (beside, above and below) that would require special consideration as it relates to construction activities, including but not limited to quiet hours or reduced days per week for construction activities (4 day work week vs 5 day work week)?

Quiet hours must be observed during non-business hours. Business hours are between 7a – 5p/7 days a week.

5. See SOW under

Description of Work

1.04_A #2

Will the VA require the Contractor to incorporate “quiet hours” into the work day? If so, please identify the day and hours of any required “quiet hours” so that the offeror can bid and price accordingly?

Quiet hours must be observed during non-business hours. Business hours are between 7a – 5p/7Days a week.

6. The Specifications Table of Contents references section 02 82 11 Traditional Asbestos Abatement and 02 82 13 19 Asbestos Floor Tile and Mastic Abatement but neither section is included in the specification document. Will the VA provide the specification section for these two sections?

Specification attached entitled “02821319 – 95% Asbestos Floor Tile and Mastic Abatement.pdf”.

7. Has an asbestos survey been completed in the construction area for this project? If so, will the VA provide the asbestos survey?

The asbestos survey was completed and is entitled”02-49-16026 – Asbestos Survey VA Little Rock Rehab PMRS 2200 Fort Roots Drive North Little Rock, AR.pdf”.

8. See SOW under

Description of Work 1.04_A

#11

The skylight supplier has indicated that they WILL NOT provide skylights for this project without the safety guardrails installed around skylights numbered 1, 2 and 3 due to the OSHA safety compliance considerations and potential risks involved if guardrails are not included. Will the VA provide detailed drawings and specifications for a safety guardrail around the skylights as well as material and method of installation?

Work is typically limited to flashing at skylight curbs for skylights 1, 2, and 3, with the exception of replacement of one pane at skylight #2. Temporary guard rails shall be provided by the GC per their means and methods to comply with OSHA requirements

9. During the site visit, it was observed that Exam Room GE112C has a patient lift installed. To replace the ceiling tiles and air devices, removing and reinstalling the patient lift will be necessary. However, the contract documents do not indicate whether the contractor is to remove and reinstall the old patient lift or provide a new patient lift system.

Should the contractor include the cost of removing and reinstalling the existing patient lift in their bid?

Contractor is to salvage the existing patient lift for re-use as per Demo Note

7. Also note that ceiling diffusers will be replaced in existing ceiling grid.

10. Is there a maintenance contract covering the existing patient lift system? If yes, what is the name of the maintenance contract holder of the existing patient lift system?

The maintenance contract is with Barrier Free Lift located in Ocala, FL.

11. If the VA wants a new patient lift system installed in lieu of removing and reinstalling the existing patient lift system, will the VA provide revised specifications and drawings to indicate the salient characteristics of the desired patient lift system to establish minimum requirements?

N/A

12. See SOW under

Description of Work

1.04_A #4

Will the VA please provide information on the current thickness of the concrete slab where the electrical and plumbing installation trenching will occur?

Based on drawings of existing conditions, the slab is 4" thick. See attached drawing 170-S45 from project "Modernization Site Work & New Construction".

13. Drawing AS102 shows new ceiling-mounted tracks installed in the new Exam rooms, but the specification does not include the cubicle curtain track section. Will the VA provide the specifications for the curtain tracks and outline the salient characteristics to establish minimum requirements?

See attached spec section 10 21 23 for this item and a detail.

14. Please reference drawing AD102 and the note in the Hydrotherapy room.

“Existing beam on ceiling and ceiling- mounted curtain tracks to be removed.” Please explain the use of the beam in the ceiling. Is it holding any mechanical equipment above the ceiling? There was no way to determine the use of the beam during the site visit because it had a drywall ceiling installed.

The beam in the ceiling is for patient lift purposes. It will no longer be necessary to provide this function at this location.

15. General Demolition Notes D on Drawing AD101 states: “Do not drill or cut existing floor joists, beams, columns, or other structural elements unless specifically noted.” However, upon a review of the trenching plan, potential encounters with beams or footings have been identified in several locations. Please provide a structural concrete foundation plan for Building 170 of the work area.

Reference is made to drawing 170-S45 for approximate location of top of slab and top of footing.

16. Note 4 within the Keyed Demolition Notes on page AD102 cannot be located on the floorplan drawing.

Please specify if this note applies.

Note 1 to be used.

17. Will the government identify if there have been any changes to the TIL since the provided specifications and drawings have been generated (27 May 2022) that HAVE NOT been incorporated into the specifications and drawings?

The project will be completed to the specifications provided.

18. Will the government identify if there are any changes to the electrical code since the provided specifications and drawings have been generated (27 May 2022) that HAVE not been incorporated into the specifications and drawings?

The project will be completed to the specifications provided.

19. With the EHRM infrastructure upgrade requirements on the horizon in all VA facilities, does the VA want the contractor to provide CAT6 or better data cable for this project to ensure CAT6A?

Specifications require a minimum of category 5e for all communication and signal wiring. CAT 6 or CAT6A not required.

20. Will access control be a part of this project? If so, will there be an addendum showing desired access control doors?

Doors with Hardware Set HW-SH-4 require power (Doors D015, D028, D041, D042, and D054).

21. If Access control is a part of this project, will the VA provide the relevant specifications and drawings?

Spec section 28 05 00, Common Work Results for Electronic Safety and Security.

22. See SOW under

Description of Work 1.04_A

#14

Will Surveillance be a part of this project? If so, will there be an addendum showing desired camera locations? Also, will a recording server need to be provided?

Currently there are no cameras specified for this project.

23. See SOW under

Description of Work 1.04_A

#14

If Surveillance cameras will be required, will the VA provide specifications to detail the salient characteristics to establish minimum requirements?

N/A

24. Will a rack-mount UPS need to be provided by the Division 27 subcontractor?

No new UPS shall be required. All data wiring shall be tied into existing data racks.

25. See SOW under

Description of Work 1.04_A

#14

Will there be fiber optic cabling on this project? If so, what is the desired strand count, mode, and termination type?

No new fiber optic cable is required for this project.

26. Which Electrical room(s) will the new cabling be run to? GB113-170 or GE103-170?

All new data devices in quadrant E shall be ran to telephone closet GE117, and all devices in quadrant A shall be ran to telephone closet GB112.

Confirm spare capacity in each closet prior to installation of any cabling.

27. Will a new data rack (2-post, 4-post, wall-mount, etc.) need to be provided or will an existing rack be utilized for this project?

Existing racks shall be used. Confirm spare capacity prior to installation of any cabling and provide additional rack mounted patch panel(s) as required.

28. Will the government extend the bid due date by 2 weeks after all of the RFI’s are answered to allow offerors sufficient time to review the information thoroughly and disseminate that information to trade subcontractors and suppliers in order to provide the most competitive pricing to the government?

Bid Due Date will not be extended.

29. Will the blocking be wood or metal?

The detail for blocking indicates a metal, however, the drawings indicate to use FR wood?

Detail of metal blocking to be used.

30. What size blocking is required for the blocking within the walls for the reception on detail 5/ AS400?

The contractor is to determine and use the size blocking required to adequately support the various types work.

31. Will the VA provide photos of the Telco Closet?

Photo entitled “GB112- 170_Telecommunications Room.JPEG” is attached.

32. Sheet AD101 shows to remove door and frame in corridor CGE1-170 and there is a note on AS103 to patch and repair flooring at that location. Can the VA give us the makeup of the flooring and to what extent should it be patched?

Photo entitled “Corridor CGE1- 107.jpg” is attached. The specific manufacturer, color and name of the tile is unknown at this time.

33. Drawing Page P-102 shows the sanitary lines of the new lavatories in Exam rooms (GE100A, GE110B, and GE100C) to be connected to a main sanitary line that passes through the Corridor (CGB2). This means we will have to trench the corridor, damaging the existing brick floor.

Will the VA consider rerouting the lavatories' sanitary lines to prevent creating permanent patching marks on the brick floor?

Yes, the VA will consider rerouting the sanitary lines.

34. Please provide specific information regarding the manufacturer, color, and name of the tile that needs to be repaired in restroom GE105A.

Photo entitled Restroom_GE105A.jpg” is attached. The specific manufacturer, color and name of the tile is unknown at this time.

35. Please confirm that the porcelain floor tile specified in section 09 0600 Schedule for finishes corresponds to the finish floor in Women's Restroom

GE101A.

Spec 09 30 13 covers porcelain floor tile installation.

36. Drawing Page AS202, detail 7 shows an existing transition window between rooms GE112 and GE111.

However, during the site visit, it was discovered that the window was not installed. Please confirm if the contractor is required to install the window. If so, please provide details

No action required.

drawings, including the width, height, and frame profiles.

37. Please refer to drawing page AS101.

A note in the office area (GE109) states, "GC to extend existing walls up to underside of the slab." Please specify the partition type that needs to be installed.

The overall thickness of the wall is 5”.

We cannot determine the exact partition type at this time.

38. In order to extend the walls to the bottom of the concrete slab as indicated on AS101 in the new office area (GE109C, CGE 109, GE109E), the contractor will need to access the space from the area inside the construction site and areas that are not currently designated as part of the construction area including the pharmacy (GE114) and satellite room (GE114B). Will the VA consider vacating the satellite room( GE114B) and a portion of the pharmacy room (GE114) for the contractor to perform this work?

No.

39. Please refer to drawing MH101. It may be necessary to relocate the mechanical ductwork passing through the new 1-hour rated partition for the new Storage Room GE112A. Will the VA provide a change order for the cost of rerouting the ductwork if necessary?

FAR clause 52.236-2 concerning differing site conditions would apply.

40. During the visit, the electrical rooms GE103 & GB113 and telephone rooms were not shown. Will the VA provide detailed photographs?

Photos entitled “GB112- 170_Telecommunications Room.JPEG”, “North Wall”, “South Wall”, “East Wall” and “West Wall” are attached.

41. See SOW under

Description of Work

1.04_A #7

Will there be a laydown area provided? If so, where?

Parking lot #10, far northwest corner of campus.

42. Will the fire sprinklers head be required to turned up during demolition?

Yes. Complete and functioning fire alarms and fire protections systems are to be maintained at all times.

43. Is HVAC test and balance to be covered by the General Contractor?

Yes, HVAC testing and balance is the responsibility of the contractor.

44. See SOW under

Description of Work 1.04_A

#15

Will the VA consider allowing the awarded contractor some space inside the work site or in the immediate area surrounding the site to setup a desk for the onsite superintendent? This will allow him/her to have constant presence inside the facility and the work site.

Space will be allowed only in the work area.

45. See SOW under

Description of Work

1.04_A #2

Is the abatement allowed to be conducted during normal working hours or should it be done at night after hours?

Yes, asbestos abatement during normal working hours.

46. Per Specification 1.9, has the VA appointed an individual, company or firm as the Commissioning Agent for the construction phase of this project? If so, please provide the name of the individual, company or firm appointed as the Commissioning Agent?

That information is not available at this time

47. Due to extended lead times for mechanical equipment (including Trane the specified HVAC manufacturer), it is anticipated that the period of performance would not be sufficient. Will the VA increase the period of performance to 365

Contractor is encouraged to submit and identify long lead items early on and notify COR and CO of any long lead times which will affect the schedule.

Effects on schedule due to long lead times will be addressed accordingly during the course of construction.

days to include sufficient time for submission and approval of submittals and account for extended lead times?