Questions and Answers.pdf

Following are responses to questions asked by interested parties:

Q1. A side-by-side comparison of the new program for Design (PFD) and the one originally published in the RLP shows no difference. The documents are identical with only a 99 SF difference on page 16 of 16.

Overall room counts also did not change (191). However, when looking at the new conceptual floor plan

(CFP) the changes are dramatic. The new CFP does not include anything for mental health or the radiology department and loses both the ultrasound and CT. Please confirm we are to follow the Exhibit

L, Program for Design (PFD) and disregard the new conceptual floor plan (CFP).

A1. The CFP is only an example of a floor plan that has been used in a past CBOC project. It is provided to show an example of a functional layout and is not intended as a definitive requirement of the final floor plan for this project. Attachment L governs and shows the required spaces for the project.

Q2. Is this a new need for space (vs existing rolling lease)?

A2. This lease is to replace the existing CBOC located at 22001 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, TX.

Q3. Would VA accept a long-term sublease if offeror was responsible for all capital upgrades to the building in event of any issues?

A3. The Government will not entertain a sublease agreement.

Q4. Whether VA is represented by a tenant broker on this requirement?

A4. The Government is not utilizing brokerage services for this lease acquisition.

Q5. The RLP first provides that “The Lease Term Commencement Date will be on or about 07-01-2026, or upon acceptance of the Space, whichever is later,” which suggests that the VA will begin the lease after

July 1. But elsewhere the RLP states that “Space must be ready for occupancy by July 1, 2026.” Can the

Government please clarify when the lease term will begin and when the space must be ready for occupancy? Did the VA mean “whichever is earlier” in RLP section 1.02.G?

A5. The correct terminology is “whichever is earlier”. Therefore, change paragraph 1.02 G to read “The

Lease Term Commencement Date will be on or about 07-01-2026, or upon acceptance of the Space, whichever is earlier.”

Q6. RLP Attachment O, Past Performance Questionnaire, requests that PPQs be returned to the VA by

December 12. Can the Government confirm that the December 12 date is accurate?

A6. No, this is not accurate and was stated incorrectly in the RLP. PPQs are due with initial proposals.

Q7. By when does the VA anticipate making an award determination?

A7. The Government intends to make the lease award by February 1, 2025.

Q8. RLP section 3.06.F requires the offeror to submit a fully executed copy of the agreement to acquire an interest in the property, as well as “other form of documentation satisfactory to the LCO prior to award.” Can the Government please clarify what other form of documentation would satisfy this submission requirement?

A8. The intent of 3.06 is to ensure offerors have the authority to enter into a lease with the

Government. Other forms of documentation include the deed to the property, or other documentation showing ownership or control of the property by the offeror.

Q9. RLP section 3.06.F requires that an offeror have a written agreement to acquire an interest in the

Property. Does the VA require that the agreement provide for full ownership of the Property? What, if any, level of “interest in the Property” is mandated by the VA?

A9. “Interest in the property” means ownership. The Government will only enter into a lease with the

Owner of the property. If selected for award, the successful Offeror must execute any purchase agreement to own the property prior to award.

Q10. RLP section 3.06.F requires that an offeror have a written agreement to acquire an interest in the

Property. Can the Government confirm that that “interest in the Property” can be a leasehold interest?

What type of “interest in the Property” is required by the VA?

A10. The Government will not enter into a sublease. To be considered for award, the Offeror must have full ownership of the property or have a valid agreement in place to receive ownership of the property if selected for award.

Q11. Section 2.06 of the Agency Specific Requirements requires the facility have a emergency generator, which doesn’t currently exist to the benefit of the Richmond CBOC. Is an emergency generator required?

A11. Yes, in accordance with the VA Leased CBOC Design Guide, a standby generator is required in the absence of a code required Essential Electrical System. This information can be found at BUILDING

REQUIREMENTS FOR LEASED SPACES - Office of Construction & Facilities Management (va.gov)

Q12. Section 3 of the Agency Specific Requirements requires a separate employee parking lot with electronic gates, which doesn’t currently exist to the benefit of the Richmond CBOC. Is a separate parking lot with electronic gates required?

A12. No. The parking area is not required to be secured by electronic gates. Fencing around the parking lot is not required.

Q13. Section 3 of the Agency Specific Requirements requires a covered parking space for an ambulance to park, which doesn’t currently exist to the benefit of the Richmond CBOC. Is a covered parking space for an ambulance required?

A13. No. A covered parking space for an ambulance is not required.

Q14. Section 3 of the Agency Specific Requirements requires a loading dock area near employee entrance, which doesn’t currently exist to the benefit of the Richmond CBOC and was stated by the VA that it was not needed with the prior RLP. Is a loading dock required?

A14. No. A loading dock is not required.

Q15. RLP Section 3.05: could VA please clarify more specifically what the prospectus rent limit is for this project?

https://www.cfm.va.gov/til/leasing.asp

A15. The VA’s prospective lease thresholds are as follows:

Fiscal Year New Lease Alterations 2024 $3,613,000 $1,806,000

2025 $3,926,000 $1,963,000

Reference: Annual Prospectus Thresholds | GSA

Q16. There are mentions of both LEED and Green Globes requirements in the RLP documents. Could VA please clarify whether LEED or Green Globes (it’s usually one or the other, not both) will be required?

A16. The Government selects LEED for Interior Design and Construction for this project. Therefore, delete the following text in section 3.10 of the RLP: “The project TIs shall incorporate any necessary design parameters for the Space to meet Green Globes for Sustainable Interiors requirements into the

Design Intent Drawings (DIDs), if applicable, or Construction Drawings. The Lessor must coordinate TI and shell requirements (at the minimum One Green Globes level) as necessary to meet the certification.”

Q17. What is the required percentage split between employee and patient parking?

A17. 30% employee, 70% patient.

Q18. The PPQ due date mentions December 12 – is it fair to assume that the actual due date is the same as the initial offer date?

A18. Yes. See Q6 above.

Q19. For the new RLP for Richmond, TX, are offerors that submitted under the previous RLP required to ask references to send another duplicate Past Performance Questionnaires for this RLP? Or can you accept the PPQs that were submitted for our firm previously?

A19. Offerors must submit PPQs as referenced in the RLP. If the PPQ submitted with the last RLP that was cancelled are relevant to this acquisition, they can be submitted with your offer.

Q20. Lease Section 3.14.A.4 states “The Lessor is encouraged to purchase at least 50 percent of the

Government tenant’s electricity from renewable sources.” Please confirm the 50% renewable electricity is not a requirement.

A20. Correct. This is not a requirement.

Q21. The Appendix B Agency Specific Requirements – ASR SOW provides scope but does not note if any of the scope included is a Shell Requirement. Please confirm unless included in Lease Section 3, all items noted in the ASR are TI Costs.

a. Key Items to Confirm:

i. 2.06 - Emergency Generator/UPS Systems

ii. 3.01 General Site Requirements

1. Any Site Fencing

2. Loading Docks

3. Loading Dock Equipment

4. Ambulance Canopy

5. Mobil MRI Pad/Infrastructure https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/annual-prospectus-thresholds

6. Radiation Shielding, Including Design/Testing

iii. 3.03 Public WiFi System

iv. 3.05 Commissioning (Above and beyond Section 3 of Lease)

A21.

i. 2.06 - Emergency Generator/UPS Systems - TI

ii. 3.01 General Site Requirements - SHELL

1. Any Site Fencing – Not Required (see A12)

2. Loading Docks – Not Required (see A14)

3. Loading Dock Equipment – Not Required (see A14)

4. Ambulance Canopy – Not Required (A13)

5. Mobil MRI Pad/Infrastructure - TI

6. Radiation Shielding, Including Design/Testing - TI

iii. 3.03 Public WiFi System - TI

iv. 3.05 Commissioning (Above and beyond Section 3 of Lease) – TI

Q22. RLP Section 3.06.Z calls for a Project Schedule. Please provide an “Lease Award Date” for the offerors to utilize for the Project Schedules.

A22. Planned award date is February 1, 2025 (see A7).

Q23. Appendix C Facility Security Level II Section V. Structure notes to reference Lease Paragraph “Security for New Construction”. The Lease does not include the Paragraph “Security for New Construction”. Please confirm there are no blast or progressive collapse requirements required in the Shell.

A23. There are no blast or progressive collapse requirements for this lease.

Addition to Agency Specific Requirements (ASRs): ASRs include the Lease Design Narrative effective 5/1/2024. VA’s Lease Design Narrative can be downloaded at: BUILDING REQUIREMENTS FOR LEASED SPACES - Office of Construction & Facilities Management (va.gov). As this lease is considered a mid-level lease, these requirements apply. Also added is the Room Data Matrix. These additions are Attachments P and Q in paragraph 1.06 of the RLP, respectively.

Q24. Can the agency clarify if there is a minimum/maximum ABOA SF required by the RLP?

A24. There is no minimum ABOA square footage. However, the Government seeks to maximize, without exceeding, the GSA delegated 31,765 ABOA SF and 42,882 RSF.

Q25. VA OIT standards call for healthcare facilities communications rooms to be a minimum of 170 SF.

Can the agency please confirm the required size for these rooms?

A25. The correct Attachment L, Space Plan to reflect two 170 SQ FT communication rooms is attached to this amendment.

Q26. The Space Plan does not call for a Demarcation room to serve as the "Entrance Room" for telecommunications infrastructure. Can the agency please confirm if such a room is required and what the minimum size is? Can the agency clarify if there is a need for a demarcation room for a sole tenant building?

A26. For a shared building, the VA will use the Demarcation space in the existing building. For a sole tenant building, there will be a need for a Demarcation room which will require 80 SF.

Q27. Are there more requirements to the cleaning of this CBOC than what is set out in Attachment A - Lease - Section 6.07?

A27. No, currently there are no further requirements to the cleaning of this CBOC. Should this request change prior to an award, potential offerors will be notified.

Q28. Does the agency prefer those systems such as Access Control Panels be located in the OIT room?

A28. Yes.