A0003_Responses to RFIs for Solicitation 36C25624R0117_11.06.24.pdf

RFIs for Solicitation 36C25624R0117

Fiberglass Piping Replacement - B170

Eugene J. Towbin VA Healthcare Center

598-22-151

1. The asbestos abatement plan sheets refer only to asbestos pipe insulation located in riser pipe chases. Is there any asbestos pipe insulation expected outside of the affected risers, such as in horizontal pipe runs above ceiling systems?

Response: Asbestos pipe insulation was not observed during the time of survey outside of chases. Contractor shall submit unit prices prior to letting the contract. If there is newly discovered ACM, the contractor shall provide unit pricing for additional work. Refer to specification 02 81 11.

2. In some of the risers, abatement of the asbestos pipe insulation may be completed more cost effectively by glove-bag abatement procedures. The plan sheet HA-001 suggest that abatement of pipe insulation must be done in a negative pressure containment. Is abatement by glove-bag procedures acceptable where advantageous?

Response: Glove-bag asbestos remediation could be acceptable in certain situations.

Contractor would be required to get shop drawing approval prior to beginning any work and would be expected maintain a sealed and safe area around the abated area until work is completed. Refer to glove-bag asbestos abatement specification section 02 82 13.13.

3. Are there any areas that will require Sterile Cleaning Certification that the contractor will be responsible for?

Response: No, not at this time.

4. Can bidders use CPARS in lieu of PPQs?

Response: The government will review CPARS, in addition to contractor efforts to provide

PPQs.

5. Will there be parking dedicated for this project? How many parking spaces will the contractor be allowed on site?

Response: On contract drawing CS-01, there is a laydown area on the project north side of the plan, off Cypress Street near the athletic field. This area is typically utilized by contractors and can be utilized for parking as well as equipment staging.

6. Will there be a laydown area for this project? If so, please specify how much space will be available for laydown / storage / office trailer.

Response: On contract drawing CS-01, there is a laydown area on the project north side of the plan, off Cypress Street near the athletic field. This area is typically utilized by contractors and can be utilized for parking as well as equipment staging.

7. The phasing plan listed in the specifications has Phase I and Phase II blank. Please provide.

Response:

Phase I: Phase 1 of the project shall begin during the first heating season (November 1st through March 31st). During this phase areas indicated with specific phase 1 hatching throughout the phasing contract drawings shall be isolated and temporarily shut down from the system to remove and replace existing piping as indicated on the contract drawings. Isolation valves throughout the system shall also be installed in phase one.

Isolation valve locations are identified in mechanical new work drawings within the contract drawings. Installation of isolation valves will allow for smaller sections of the system to be isolated and will prevent a full system shutdown during phases two and three.

Isolation valves installed during phase one as well as the length of piping shown in drawing

1/GC-104 shall be utilized in phases two and three to supply AHUs with water in a loop configuration. Phase one involves replacing chilled water piping that serves critical areas that cannot be without cooling capabilities during the cooling season (April 1st through

October 31st).

Phase II: Phase 2 of the project shall occur during the cooling season (April 1st through

October 31st). During this phase areas indicated with specific phase 2 hatching throughout the phasing contact drawings shall be isolated primarily utilizing isolation valves installed during phase one of the project. With areas of the system isolated, existing piping shall be removed and replaced. Utilizing isolation valves installed during phase one will limit system interruptions. Utilizing the length of piping shown in 1/GC-104 to feed existing AHUs in a loop configuration. The focused area of replacement during this phase is the ground floor main distribution piping.

Phase III: Phase 3 of the project shall occur during the second heating season of the project

(November 1st through March 31st). During this phase areas indicated with specific phase 3 hatching throughout the phasing contract drawings shall be isolated/shutdown and existing piping in those areas shall be replaced.

8. There appear to be up to 9 phases in the drawings, however the notes indicate 3 phases.

Please confirm what phasing is required.

Phasing plans in the contract drawings 1 through 9 show the extent of the chilled water piping throughout the whole hospital that will be replaced. Please refer to the hatching key in the upper left corner of the contract drawings which denote which piping is recommended to be replaced during which phase.

The three phases of the project are as follows:

throughout the phasing contract drawings shall be isolated and temporarily shut down from the system to remove and replace existing piping as indicated on the contract drawings. Isolation valves throughout the system shall also be installed in phase one.

Isolation valve locations are identified in mechanical new work drawings within the contract drawings. Installation of isolation valves will allow for smaller sections of the system to be isolated and will prevent a full system shutdown during phases two and three.

Isolation valves installed during phase one as well as the length of piping shown in drawing

1/GC-104 shall be utilized in phases two and three to supply AHUs with water in a loop configuration. Phase one involves replacing chilled water piping that serves critical areas the phasing contact drawings shall be isolated primarily utilizing isolation valves installed during phase one of the project. With areas of the system isolated, existing piping shall be removed and replaced. Utilizing isolation valves installed during phase one will limit system interruptions. Utilizing the length of piping shown in 1/GC-104 to feed existing AHUs in a

9. Assuming the project is to be performed in three phases, must phasing plans 1 through 9 be performed sequentially (in order from 1 to 9)? Can two phasing plans be performed concurrently?

Response: Phasing plans in the contract drawings 1 through 9 show the extent of the chilled water piping throughout the whole hospital that will be replaced. Please refer to the hatching key in the upper left corner of the contract drawings which denote which piping is recommended to be replaced during which phase. Multiple phases could be completed concurrently during heating seasons only (November 1st through March

31st).

10. The Phasing Plan on Drawing GC-100 requires work to be performed in excess of 365 days.

Phase 1 is to be completed November through March of year 1 and Phase 3 is to be complete

November through March of year 2. Please clarify as to the period of performance.

Response: Based on the direction of contract award the expected period of performance for the project is 2 years and 3 months. It will be crucial to have two heating seasons in the project for chilled water piping replacement to minimize disruption of the system.

(Revised period of performance is estimated to be 821 calendar days).

11. The Specifications contain two Sections 01 32 16 stating that the A/E and the contractor are both responsible for creating the schedule. Please clarify which section applies.

Response: The applicable specification section is 01 32 16.15. The contractor shall be responsible for creating the construction schedule.

12. Are there any subcontractors that are not permitted to work at the site?

Response: No

13. What company currently services the fire suppression system?

Response: Any fire suppression (sprinkler contractor) can work on the wet side of the system, but Triple S is the only one that work on the fire alarm system.

14. What company carries the roof warranty?

Response: Depending which part of the roof that you need. I have warranty letters.

15. Please clarify which areas will require confined space safety measures.

Response: All chase locations (sealed and with access) shall be considered confined spaces.

16. Please provide locations for pipe anchors per detail 1/MP-500, 2/MP-500, 4/MP-500 and 5/MP-

500.

Response: Contractor shall provide piping supports for all provided piping and anchorage engineering as required. Refer to specifications 23 05 11 section 2.9 and 13 05 41.

17. Are pipe guides required? If so, please provide a location.

18. Are the only locations where detail 6/MP-501 will be required noted as “EXPANSION

JOINT” on the floor plans?

Response: The North Little Rock campus is located in a seismic area. Detail 6/MP-501 is a typical detail showing piping crossing a seismic joint. Expansion joint locations indicated on plans are related to linear expansion/contraction of chilled water piping.

See mechanical new work contract drawings for expansion joint locations. Contractor shall provide piping supports for all provided piping and anchorage engineering as required. Refer to specifications 23 05 11 section 2.9 and 13 05 41.

19. If detail 6/MP-501 is required, please provide a specification for the noted flexible ball joints.

20. Provide a location for any expansion joints, anchors, guides or other expansion and contraction measures required.

Response: Expansion joint locations indicated on plans are related to linear expansion/contraction of chilled water piping. See mechanical new work contract drawings for expansion joint locations. Contractor shall provide piping supports for all provided piping and anchorage engineering as required. Refer to specifications

23 05 11 section 2.9 and 13 05 41.

21. Confirm that we are connecting to the existing AHU equipment prior to any valving or coil piping.

Response: Chilled water piping in this project shall be replaced and connected to existing

AHU equipment up to and including the primary isolation valves prior to the piping entering each AHU. Points of connection are indicated in mechanical new work contract drawings as identified by the symbol defined on M-001.

22. Are any new shut off valves, check valves or strainers required at the connection to the existing AHUs other than those specifically noted on the plans?

Response: The contract drawings show valving required for replacement as a result of onsite field investigation.

23. Please provide a piping detail for coil piping replacements at any air handling equipment. If required.

Response: Piping replacement is only required up to and including the primary isolation valves before piping enters existing AHU coils.

24. Confirm that we will be connecting to the existing chilled water piping below the roof. See

MP-112 which notes “No new mechanical work located this plan.”

Response: Most connections to chilled water piping/AHUs will occur below the roof. Only one connection is known that will occur above the room in a mechanical penthouse. This is the connection to AHU-11H shown in 2/MP-113.

25. Where is heat trace for freeze protection required? Reference Spec section 23 21 13–15.

Response: Heat trace is only required on any water piping located in an area exposed to the elements on the exterior of the building. In this project there is not any chilled water piping expected to be located on the exterior of the building.

26. Which personnel, being the site supervisor, site safety, and quality control manager does the government expect to be full time separate people on site?

Response: Supervisor and SSHO needs to be on-site when any work is being done.

27. Can the site supervisor, site safety, and quality control manager be the same person on site?

Response: No, the positions need to be held by different qualified personnel.

28. The sequencing of this project indicates that this will need to be a two-year long project.

This project cannot be completed with the phasing required in the current period of performance listed. Please extend the period of performance to two years.

Response: Based on the direction of contract award the expected period of performance for the project is 2 years and 3 months. It will be crucial to have two heating seasons in the project for chilled water piping replacement to minimize disruption of the system.

(Revised period of performance is estimated to be 821 calendar days).

29. Is there a current NESHAP asbestos survey of the area available?

Response: Yes, our asbestos survey has the listing. It can be provided as needed.

30. Please specify the working hours; In the SOW 8.6 notes:

Use of equipment and tools that transmit vibrations and noises through the building structure, are not permitted in buildings that are occupied, during construction, jointly by patients or medical personnel, and Contractor's personnel, except as permitted by COR where required.

Should this work be expected to be done after hours?

Response: All work locations must be coordinated with the COR prior to the start of work. If the area of work is in an occupied outpatient area and requires use of equipment and tools that transmit vibrations and noises throughout the building structure, that work shall be completed after hours. If the area of work is in a 24/7 patient area and requires use of equipment and tools that transmit vibrations and noises throughout the building structure, that work shall be completed during normal operating hours. Installation of isolation valves during phase one shall also be completed off hours.

31. According to Sheet M-001 (Coordination Requirements: Note #2) there are several Confined spaces that will require a confined space permit. Is it correct to state that the 9 chases are not included on that note because those chases do not, contain hazardous atmosphere, have the potential for engulfment, are not internal configurations that can trap, and do not contain any other serious safety or health hazards.

Response: All chase locations (sealed and with access) shall be considered confined spaces.

32. The pump schedule calls for split case pumps however, the pump details are for end suction pumps. Please provide details for the split case pumps if that is desired.

Response: Split case pumps listed in the pump schedule are desired. See Attachment #1 for typical detail.

33. Will this project be provided a waiver for utilizing pro-press fittings for copper?

Response: No waiver shall be given for the utilization of Pro-press fittings for copper.

34. Will Victaulic type clamp fittings be allowed as an option for CHW instead of flanged?

Response: As outlined in specification section 23 21 13- Hydronic Piping, steel piping 2” and smaller must be screwed or welded joints and steel piping 2 ½” and larger must be welded or flanged joints.

35. In regard to chemical cleaning and flushing of new pipe - Will it be acceptable to complete this process off-site during pre-fabrication (by capping pipe with FME cover and documenting)? Or will all chemical flushing need to be accomplished on-site after installation?

Response: Extent of pipe flushing must be coordinated with the COR. If chemical cleaning off-site during pre-fabrication is deemed satisfactory by the COR, any installed piping will still be required to be flushed on-site according to specifications section 23 21 13, 3.6 prior to system operation.

36. When the start date commences for Phase I, will the contractor be allowed all work within Phase I with larger crew? Or will only certain areas/spaces within Phase I be available for work with smaller crew?

Response: A larger crew completing working in multiple areas will be allowed for phases one and three as long as areas of work are coordinated with the COR in advance.

37. GC104 Phasing shows three separate seasons which detail a longer period of work than the 365 day period of performance on the SF1442 item 11.

Response: Based on the direction of contract award the expected period of performance for the project is 2 years and 3 months. It will be crucial to have two heating seasons in the project for chilled water piping replacement to minimize disruption of the system. (Revised period of performance is estimated to be 821 calendar days).

38. The chase from 1st floor to 2nd floor is the only space that has a solid concrete deck between them, correct? From 2nd floor above is open chase?

Response: Chases between the ground floor and first floor were observed to have a solid concrete deck between them at the time of survey. From the first floor up was observed to have metal grating in most cases. Any site conditions at the time of survey have been documented on the contract drawings. Contractor shall verify existing site conditions prior to the start of work.

39. Is the service elevator the only access to getting materials into the work space from the 2nd floor and above?

Response: Yes, there are two (2) service elevators located in the North and South ends of B-

170 for use as needed.

40. If the service elevator is the only current access, is the VA aware of any exterior windows or doors that could be temporarily removed to allow larger sections of pipe into the 2nd floor and then up through the open chase?

Response: No, not at this time.

41. The drawings do not appear to indicate location of anchors detailed on MP-500. Please clarify locations.

42. Will the contractor be provided a staging area on-site for laydown?

Response: On contract drawing CS-01, there is a laydown area on the project north side of the plan, off Cypress Street near the athletic field. This area is typically utilized by contractors and can be utilized for parking as well as equipment staging.

43. Will the contractor have any space on each floor for staging smaller materials or minor fabrication?

Response: No

44. What type of connection detail is expected where new piping from one phase will temporarily tie-in to existing piping from another phase?

Response: Flanged connections are the preferred form of connection.

45. Please clarify if the contractor is required any form or amount of temporary cooling for any part of this project execution.

Response: The intent of phasing during the project duration is so that temporary cooling would not be required. Temporary cooling will be required at no additional cost to the station if cooling disruptions to critical areas are required during the cooling season (April

1st through October 31st).

46. Will the designer of record, NEI, be providing construction report throughout the project ?

Response: NEI will not be providing construction reports throughout the project.

47. Since this is a design-bid-build contract, please confirm there is no aspect of delegated design to the awarded construction contractor.

Response: Construction contractor shall be required to provide coordination drawings prior to the removal of chilled water piping in noted locations as indicated on the contract documents. Contractor shall be required to provide stamped shop drawings indicating locations of piping supports for all provided piping and anchorage engineering as required.

Refer to specifications 23 05 11 section 2.9 and 13 05 41. This is a Firm Fixed Price contract, not design-bid-build. There’s no design element for

48. Given that this project involves a substantial amount of work in concealed areas that would require days to investigate, please confirm that all unforeseen utilities will be handled as an unforeseen condition following the contractor survey outlined in specification 01 00 00 7. Any utilities not depicted on the drawings cannot be quantified or estimated at this stage.

Response: Accessible field conditions have been documented on the contract drawings with visible conditions identified during the time of survey. Contractor shall provide coordination drawings prior to the removal of chilled water piping in areas identified within the contract documents. Contractor shall verify existing site conditions prior to the start of work. Unforeseen site conditions will be addressed per FAR 52.236-2, Differing Site

Conditions.

49. Specification 01 00 00 -5: The paragraph for Phase I is blank. Is this intentional?

Phasing for this project is listed as follows – throughout the phasing contract drawings shall be isolated and temporarily shut down from the system to remove and replace existing piping as indicated on the contract drawings. Isolation valves throughout the system shall also be installed in phase one.

Isolation valve locations are identified in mechanical new work drawings within the contract drawings. Installation of isolation valves will allow for smaller sections of the system to be isolated and will prevent a full system shutdown during phases two and three.

Isolation valves installed during phase one as well as the length of piping shown in drawing

1/GC-104 shall be utilized in phases two and three to supply AHUs with water in a loop configuration. Phase one involves replacing chilled water piping that serves critical areas the phasing contact drawings shall be isolated primarily utilizing isolation valves installed during phase one of the project. With areas of the system isolated, existing piping shall be removed and replaced. Utilizing isolation valves installed during phase one will limit system interruptions. Utilizing the length of piping shown in 1/GC-104 to feed existing AHUs in a

50. Specification 01 00 00 -20 details a full section of requirements on professional photography yet a substantial amount of this work will be in chases, above ceiling...etc. Please confirm this section

1.20 “photographic documentation” is not applicable to this project or clarify the exact intent.

Response: The intent of this specification section is for the contractor to supply clear photographs throughout the project documenting the before and after of mechanical piping being replaced in the system.

51. Specification 01 32 16.01 outlines requirements for Architectural and engineering CPM schedules. Please confirm this section of specification is not application to this project as it is not design-build.

Response: The specification section 01 32 16.01 is not relevant to this project. Please refer to applicable specification section 01 32 16.15.

52. 01 45 00 – 6 outlines specific CQC personnel that are not applicable to this project. Please clarify which personnel on this experience matrix apply to the scope of work solicited.

Response: Contractor shall review scope of work and contract documents to identify personnel required to complete the project.

53. Please confirm the Commissioning Agent (CxA) for this project and the associated cost will be provided by the VA, not the awarded contractor as outlined in 01 91 00.

Response: CxA will be provided by the VA, not the awarded contractor and will not be included in the awarded contractor’s proposal.

54. Please confirm the CxA appointed by the VA will be provided at the beginning of the project along with their issued commissioning plan for this project.

Response: Commissioning Agent will work for the VA and any commissioning plan will be provided as needed.

55. Attachment E-Exhibit A Contractor eval form does not appear to open or is a corrupted file.

Please upload a new copy to SAM.

Response: See attached copy Attachment E. However, if still unable to open, please email me directly for a copy at Julius.Jones@va.gov.

56. What volume of the proposal should contractor Reps and Certs be included in?

Response: Reps and Certs can be included in Volume IV – Price & Solicitation, Propose

Offer, and requested documents.

mailto:Julius.Jones@va.gov

57. What volume of the proposal should contractor Vets4212 be included in.

Response: Vets4212 not required to be submitted with proposal. CO will check upon award.

58. Page 16 provides a bulleted list of subfactors 1-8. It is unclear if the paragraphs below correlate to the numbers below and outline the requirements for each subfactor. Please clarify if paragraph

1 correlates only to subfactor 1 and paragraph 2 correlates only to subfactor 2.

Response: Yes, and for further clarification, each subfactor correlates with each paragraph as such: Subfactor 1 correlates to paragraph 1; Subfactor 2 correlates with paragraph 2;

Subfactor 3 correlates with paragraph 3; Subfactor 4 correlates with paragraph 4;

Subfactor 5 correlates with paragraph 5; Subfactor 6 correlates with paragraph 6;

Subfactor 7 correlates with paragraph 7; and Subfactor 8 correlates with paragraph 8.

59. Factor 1, Subfactor 2 requires us to “Provide the following information for each contract/project submitted for evaluation.” Please clarify what section of the evaluation this is referring to.

Response: This is referring to Factor 1-Technical/Experience: Construction Management, as Technical Evaluation for Construction Management will be based on subfactors 1-8.

60. Please clarify the criteria for Subfactor 2 and clarify how it differs from evaluation of information provided in Subfactor 1.

Response: Subfactor 1 pertains the specific work related to the current requirement of the solicitation (Fiberglass Chilled Water Piping Replacement). Subfactor 2 requires you to provide the information/details related to the projects you reference in Subfactor 1.

61. Factor 1, Subfactor 1 states, “Provide Documentation of Specific Related Work.” Please clarify what documentation should be provided.

Response: The documentation shall be presented in Subfactor 2, which encompasses the details of Subfactor 1.

62. For Factor 1, Subfactor 1. Projects that are comprised primarily of piping rarely reach such high magnitude without involving a wide array of other unrelated trades. Can the project magnitude range be lowered to $3M so that offerors can better match the relevancy?

Response: Per FAR 36.204, solicitations shall state the magnitude of the requirement in terms of physical characteristics and estimated price range, without disclosing the

Government’s estimate. Therefore, given this requirements scope, the magnitude range cannot be lowered.

63. For Factor 1, Subfactor 1, please confirm that projects of similar scope that are above the $10M project range will not be evaluated negatively or considered not relevant simply because of their project size.

Response: No, projects of similar scope that are above the $10M project range will not be evaluated negatively or considered not relevant simply because of their project size.

64. Can CPARS be submitted in Lieu of PPQs?

Response: See response to Q4 above.

65. Page 18 includes a statement “NOTE SUBCONTRACTORS CONSENT” regarding past performance of a subcontractor; However, please confirm that the projects for Factor 2, Past

Performance must be references from the offeror as prime contractor.

Response: Yes, Past Performance must be references from the offeror as prime contractor.

66. The Solicitation states that the superintendent may not fulfill any other roles however, the CQC section of the specification 01 45 00 – 5 states that the CQC also has duties as the superintendent.

Please confirm that the Superintendent may dual role his position.

Response: All positions (Project Manager, Superintendent, SSHO, and QAQC) from the

General Contractor will be held by different qualified personnel (no dual role) for this project.

67. The CQC specification appears to be more applicable to a diverse project with many design/architectural/engineering requirements. The CQC System Manager requires over 20 years of experience. Given that this is a small business procurement, 10 years is often the requirement with related field experience to the project (Mechanical CHW Piping). Please confirm 10-years of relevant experience will be satisfactory for this procurement.

Response: 10-years of relevant experience will be satisfactory for this procurement.