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502-17-102 RFI Register
| 1. There are notes in the drawings indicating to remove and reinstall the Clay Roofing Tiles. Please clarify if the project requires re-using the existing clay tiles or furnishing and installing new clay tiles. |
| The idea is to re-use the existing tiles; however, we have a note calling for all broken tiles to be replaced – Approx 50%. New tiles to match existing tiles. |
| 2. Please advise if there will be additional requirements for contractors to keep tools and equipment locked and safe from the building’s occupants, as this building houses/treats psychiatry patients. |
| The phasing plan is written in a manner that allows for work on unoccupied floors (2nd and 3rd floor) with respect to patients. Additional requirements will arise should work need to be performed on the same floor as patients. This would include training and a tool accountability form. |
| 3. Please advise names of the Nurse Call and Access Controls contractors that the VA campus currently utilizes. |
| United Automation – controls; Nurse call – BIT Happens |
| 4. Who is the manufacturer of the fire alarm system in this building? |
| GE EST 3 |
| 5. Is there sufficient capacity on the existing fire alarm panel to add the new duct smoke detectors? |
| There is sufficient capacity. |
| 6. Please confirm that the addition of new duct smoke detectors will not require recalculation of the battery requirements for the existing fire alarm system. |
| Confirmed. No battery recalculation required. |
| 7. Please clarify if there is any scope of work required for lighting fixture controls on this project. |
| All lighting fixtures shall be tied into existing lighting control devices. |
| 8. Please confirm that flow meters and BTU meters are required at the AHU’s. If they are required, please include pipe sizes and the requirements for the meters. |
| BTU meters are not required. |
| 9. For the HHW and CHW hydronic system, there is no SEQUENCE OF OPERATION, POINTS LIST, or CONTROLS DIAGRAM for HW and CHW. Please clarify the BAS system controls for these systems. |
| M-R to provide hydronic controls diagrams. |
Steam: one (1) blocking valve, two (2) modulating valves.
HW: two (2) VFDs with Bacnet, two (2) temperature transmitters, one (1) DPT CHW: two (2) VFDs with Bacnet, two (2) temperature transmitters, one (1) DPT
| 10. Please confirm if there are any generators and ATS monitoring scope for existing and/or new electrical gear. |
| Confirmed. No scope. |
| 11. Please provide a damper schedule for louvers, AHUs, etc to ensure Damper Actuators are sized correctly. |
| Control dampers are integral to the air handlers. Dampers at louvers shown on plans are self-acting backdraft type not requiring actuators. |
Dampers in ducts shall appropriately match the size of the duct it is mounted within.
| 12. There is no Controls diagram, sequence of operation, or points list in the mechanical drawing set for VAVs. Please provide terminal unit schedule if there is any BAS scope for new terminal units. |
| Detail 16 on Drawing M-502 provides a control diagram and sequence of operation for VAV terminal units. |
| 13. Please confirm if there are any Power Distribution Units scope for existing and/or new electrical gear. |
| Confirmed. No scope. |
| 14. AHU controllers are referenced as having emergency power; (M-801 General Control Notes: All BMS controllers require emergency power). Please clarify if DXRs need Emergency Power. |
| Per VA direction, emergency power design for the mechanical equipment was not included in the scope of the project. Therefore, AHU controllers are not required to have emergency power. Drawing references to emergency power have been removed. See Addendum No. 1, M-801, M-802, and M-803. |
15. Please confirm the following for HVAC DDC Controls:
Any existing to be relocated sensor should be supplied new. Any existing to be recalibrated sensor should be supplied new.
Confirmed. All new DDC sensors and controllers to be provided.
| 16. Please clarify if there is any scope of work required for lighting fixture controls on this project. |
| All lighting fixtures shall be tied into existing lighting control devices. |
| 17. Please confirm that flow meters and BTU meters are required at the AHU’s. If they are required, please include pipe sizes and the requirements for the meters. |
| See response at Question 8. |
| 18. For the HHW and CHW hydronic system, there is no SEQUENCE OF OPERATION, POINTS LIST, or CONTROLS DIAGRAM for HW and CHW. Please clarify the BAS system controls for these systems. |
| See response at Question 9. |
| 19. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO? |
| As long as he or she has the necessary credentials to cover the additional role. |
| 20. If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project? |
| NA |
| 21. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? |
| As long as he or she has the necessary credentials to cover the additional role. |
| 22. If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? |
| NA |
| 23. Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? |
| As long as he or she has the necessary credentials to cover the additional role. |
| 24. Please confirm the issued drawing set is the latest and complete set. |
| Confirmed |
| 25. Please confirm the current design documents meet current VA TIL guidelines. |
| Per VA direction, Design Documents will not be updated to meet the latest guidelines from the VA TIL. |
| 26. Past Performance: If we have a PPQ, requested for another opportunity, that is less than 12 months old, can we use it within our proposal? Or will a new PPQ need to be requested? |
| A PPQ less than a year old will be acceptable. |
| 27. Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable? |
| Guidon takes no issue with the use of STARC panels, or similar, so long as they meet requirements in detail 3/GC101. This will depend on their use. |
| 28. Who is responsible for the terminal clean of the project area? |
| Contractor should ensure that project/work area is thoroughly cleaned and safe for patients and staff during hours of operation throughout project duration. |
| 29. Who is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent? |
| The VA is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent. Refer to spec section 01 91 00; Part 1.8. C. |
| 30. Please confirm order of precedence for the contract documents. Does SOW prevail over the specifications and construction drawings? |
| The SOW gives a general overview of the project scope requirements. |
As such, the order of precedence is (1) Specs and (2) Drawings.
Note: order of precedence doesn’t remove the responsibility of the contractor to verify existing conditions and/or discrepancies between specifications and drawings.
| 31. The majority of drawing sheets provided with the solicitation are on 8 ½ x 11 size paper. Will the VA please provide the full set (42” x 30”) of drawings? |
| Contracting can only publish the 8x11 PDFs versus what is being requested. |
| 32. Will the use of a buckhoist be acceptable to bring materials and personnel into the site area? |
| Clear this with the safety officer prior to use. There should be no issue with it. |
| 33. If a buckhoist is not acceptable, please identify a path for materials and personnel to enter each phase of the jobsite. |
| There are stairwells and elevators available if needed, but a lift should be no issue. |
| 34. Is it acceptable for a crane to be set up on the grass, or will cranes need to be positioned off of the grass? (This affects the size of crane required) |
| Material can be placed underneath the tires to minimize ruts. That said, cranes can be used on the grass if it is safe to do so. But, the ground must be returned to its original condition. |
| 35. Is the design intent to remove all the “dark lined” light fixtures for storage and reinstallation? |
| General note #2 on the electrical floor plans directs the contractor to remove and reinstall all lighting fixtures within the scope area. |
| 36. The intent is to remove and reinstall existing lighting fixtures. What is the procedure to repair nonfunctional fixtures prior to or post removal and reinstallation? |
| Non-functional fixtures shall be replaced as required. Non-functional light fixtures shall not be reinstalled. Contractor shall bring non-functional fixtures to the attention of the VA prior to removal. Fixtures damaged during construction activity shall be replaced by Contractor. |
| 37. The phasing plan indicates the work will proceed vertically from top to bottom. Are all the AHUs in the attic to be changed in the first phase? |
| “Temporary HVAC work is Phase 1. Replacement of AHU’s in the attic is Phase 2 work. Drawing Titles and Drawing Numbers identify the Phase. Refer to Cover Sheet GI001.” |
| 38. The designer has us remove and reinstall all ceiling mounted specialty electrical devices i.e. cameras, nurse call, fire alarm, paging speakers etc…. Can you provide proprietary vendors for these systems for recertification and testing, after we reinstall these devices? |
| This was answered in question 5 above. |
| 39. Is there a requirement for temporary fire protection during construction in that area? |
| Contractor is to maintain/repair rating of existing partitions as affected by demolition and new construction. Rated walls and smoke barriers are shown on plans refer to demolition/architectural plan legends for wall types. |
| 40. Is it the intent of the temporary generator to provide power to the temporary AHUs only during the replacement of these units? |
| The temporary generator shall be utilized only during the use of the temporary mechanical equipment. |
| 41. Please clarify if the intent of the project is to replace the gutter system, or replace on an as-needed basis? |
| The intent is to replace the gutter system per the drawings. |
| 42. Regarding the gutters, please confirm that any new gutters will match the style of the existing gutters as shown in the plans? |
| Yes, new gutter system should match the style and look of the existing gutter system. |
| 43. Please confirm that the majority of this project (except for system shutdowns) can be completed during normal working hours. |
| Work will need to be coordinated with VA/COR to ensure work areas are available. Above ceiling work shall be completed during off hours, on nights and weekends, or as required by COR so that patient and staff business is not interrupted. |
| 44. Several drawing sheets state “Clay Tile Roof Re-Use Existing” (For example, sheet AD151.2). Please confirm that new clay tiles will be installed throughout? |
| Existing clay tiles should be carefully removed to be re-used. Damaged or missing tiles, drawings assume 10%, should be replaced to match existing. Refer to note B in General Roof Plan Notes. |
| 45. If no to the question above, is the VA’s intent to re-use the existing clay roof tiles? |
| Yes, intent is to re-use existing clay tiles refer to note B in General Roof Plan Notes. A large percentage of the existing clay tiles will need to be replaced per the note. |
| 46. Will the VA please confirm that the entire floor will be vacant for each phase? |
| Phasing will start with the roof and 3rd floor and work its way down. The 3rd floor and 2nd floor will be vacant when work occurs but not simultaneously. It is the goal of the VA to have the 1st floor vacant. However, the 1st floor may have some personnel in it when work first begins. They will be moved as needed if this is the case. |
| 47. Is it the responsibility of the contractor to relocate furniture before starting each phase? |
| Yes. |
| 48. Has Siemens provided the VA lead times for equipment? |
| Not yet. |
| 49. Please provide contact information for the Siemens representative for this campus. |
| Lorie Altazan 225 402 5999 |
| 50. Please provide contact information for the Fire Alarm representative for this campus. |
| Joel Miller – 318 466 4313 |
| 51. Please clarify if plenum rated wiring is accepted above ceiling for HVAC DDC Control wiring, or if all of it needs to be in conduit. |
| Per specification section 23 09 23, all control wiring shall be in conduit. |
| 52. Please clarify if cast fittings are acceptable to use for electrical conduit, or if solid steel fittings are required for electrical conduit. |
| Refer to specification 260533. Steel is required. |
| 53. Are debris screens required for gutters? |
| No, there are no debris screens required. |
| 54. Could the VA provide an overhead view of Bldg 9 and a laydown yard? This will help bidders provide a more accurate bid. |
| You can utilize google earth for this view. The laydown area will be in the gravel parking lot just East of the building. |
55. Could the VA provide company contact information for the following services to Bldg 9:
1. Fire monitoring – Anderson
1. Telephone – OIT department
1. Low voltage – United Automation
1. Controls - Siemens See left column.
| 56. What brand of DDC controls is currently used in Bldg 9? |
| Siemens Controls |
| 57. Please provide a contact name/number for DDC controls if it’s proprietary. |
| Lorie Altazan 225 402 5999 |
| 58. Is a license required for the roofing contractor? |
| Yes, a licensed roofing contractor is required for the roofing. |
| 59. What is the taxable rate for this project? |
| The tax rate are the current established state/local tax rates. |
60. In which factor would the VA like the following forms provided:
a. 52.204-8 annual representations and certifications (feb 2024)
b. 52.204-24 representation regarding certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment (nov 2021)
c. 52.209-7 information regarding responsibility matters (oct 2018)
d. 52.209-13 violation of arms control treaties or agreements—certification (nov 2021)
e. 52.219-28 post-award small business program rerepresentation (feb 2024)
f. 52.225-9 buy american—construction materials (oct 2022) Volume 4/Factor 4 – Pricing
| 61. Is the digital version of the Bid Bond, provided inside of our PDF-ed proposal response, considered suitable for Bid Bond submission or is a mailed hard copy also required by the VA? |
| A digital copy will be acceptable; however, the impressions/seals/notaries must be legible. |
| 62. If a physically mailed version of the Bid Bond is required, what date and time is it due to the VA? |
| Not required if included as a PDF in your proposal with legible impressions. |
| 63. Please confirm that none of the pages provided in Factor 4 will count towards the overall proposal page limit of 35 pages. |
| Volume 4/Factor 4 doesn’t have a page limitation. |
| 64. Exhibit C is mentioned in both Factor 2 and Factor 3, please confirm you would like Exhibit C represented in both factors. |
| Factor 2 – Exhibit C is required if a firm is using subcontractors for this respective subcontractor subfactor. |
Factor 3 - Exhibit C – (if applicable) to be used for subcontractor past performance if the prime intends to use subcontractor past performance to support this evaluation.
| 65. Please confirm that Exhibit A-Part 2 only needs filled out once and represented once inside of our proposal response. |
| Exhibit A is intended to be submitted as a whole document per project submission. |
Exhibit A – Part 2 needs to be completed per project submission.
| 66. Can a previously completed Past Performance Questionnaire, Past and Present Performance Questionnaire, Performance Confidence Survey, Past Performance Survey, ORP Past Performance Questionnaire, or CPARS be submitted, in lieu of requesting a new “Exhibit B – Past and Present Performance Questionnaire”, if it represents the project being presented for past performance evaluation in this proposal response? |
| See Page 15 of the RFP for Exhibit B requirements. |
Any information provided outside of the one-year requirement will not be considered. The expectation is for firms to obtain updated/new PPQs to be sent to Jennings.herbst@va.gov.
| 67. Do tab pages count against the 35-page limit? |
| Yes. |
| 68. Does the Table of Contents count against the 35-page limit? |
| Yes. |
| 69. Does the proprietary data statement page count against the 35-page limit? |
| Yes. |
| 70. Due to the amount of major subcontractors required for this project, can Factor 2 page count be increased from 10 pages to 20 pages? There is simply no way possible to include individual subcontractor commitment Exhibit C Forms and keep within the 10 page limitation of Factor 2. Please advise. |
| Revised Page totals are below: |
| Volume |
| Title |
| Page Limitations |
| Submitted in one email with a one (1) PDF |
| 71. The Performance Relevancy Survey (Exhibit A) when providing five (5) past performance projects, eats up all 10 pages allowed for Factor 3. If we have PPQs less than 1 year old and we want to submit those, are we to email those directly to the CO, or provide them with our proposal? If we provide them with our proposal, we will exceed the 10 page limitation for Factor 3. Please advise. |
| See answer 70 for revised page limitations. |
PPQs should be submitted by an end user and if submitted by an end user – will not impact limitations.
However, if a contractor wishes to provide a PPQ that has been completed in the last year within the proposal – it will count towards the page limitations.
| 72. The Performance Relevancy Survey (Exhibit A) when providing five (5) past performance projects, eats up all 10 pages allowed for Factor 3. What about CPARS for past performance where the CORs are no longer employed with the VA and unavailable to fill-out PPQs? Should we submit the CPARS Reports with our proposal or email them directly to the CO, or will the CO look those projects up on their own on the CPARS website? Please advise. |
| See answer 70 for revised page limitations. |
Contractor discretion - The VA performs their own past performance reviews within all available databases upon proposal evaluation.
| 73. Are there any lighting controls in the scope of work for this project? |
| All lighting fixtures shall be tied into existing lighting control devices. |
| 74. Are new Air Flow meters and BTU meters required for the AHUs from Siemens? If they are needed, please include pipe sizes and specifications for meters. |
| See response at Question 8. |
| 75. There are no SEQUENCE OF OPERATION, POINTS LIST, or CONTROLS DIAGRAM for HW and CHW. Please confirm if there is any BAS scope for these systems. |
| See response at Question 9. |
| 76. Are the existing Siemens Desigo CC AHU Controllers to be reused or provided with New? |
| Provide new controllers. |
| 77. Is there any Generator or ATS scope requiring connecting to them to the Siemens BAS for monitoring and/or alarming purposes? |
| Not in scope for BAS monitoring of the emergency system. |
| 78. Please provide a damper schedule for louvers, AHUs, etc. to ensure Damper Actuators are sized correctly. |
| See response at Question 11. |
| 79. There are no Controls diagrams, sequence of operation, or points list in the mechanical drawing set for the VAV terminal units. Please provide terminal unit schedule if there is any BAS scope required for the new terminal units. |
| See response at Question 12. |
| 80. Is there any Power Distribution Units required for this project (existing and/or new)? |
| Not in Scope. |
| 81. Is there any monitoring or alarming of Power Distribution Units required by the Siemens BAS in this project? |
| No monitoring of PDUs. |
| 82. AHU controllers are referenced as having emergency power; (M-801 General Control Notes: All BMS controllers require emergency power). Do the individual Siemens VAV Box Terminal Unit Controllers require Emergency Power supplied to them? |
| See response at Question 14. |
| 83. Are any existing Siemens controllers to be -re-used? |
| No. |
| 84. Are any t-stat (room sensors) to be re-used? |
| No. |
| 85. Are any re-used devices for the Siemens BAS required to be re-calibrated? |
| No. |
| 86. The keynote refers to detail 3 on S-502. Detail 3 does not appear to be the correct note. Which note is applicable? |
| On SF111, revise Keynote 3 to refer to detail 7/S-502. |
| 87. Sheet M-112.4 is listed in the Index of Drawings but not provided. Please provide the sheet if it is part of the project. |
| Sheet M-112.4 is provided. |
| 88. Does all above ceiling low voltage cabling for the BAS controls need to be in conduit EMT or can we use plenum-rated cabling with no conduit? |
| See response to Question 51. |
| 89. Can cast fittings be utilized or are solid steel fitting required? |
| Refer to specification 260533. Steel is required. |
| 90. On the first floor, how many rooms is the VA going to allow for our crews to work in simultaneously? |
| It will depend on how quickly we can have personnel moved out of the area. Per the phasing, one half of the first floor can be worked on at a time. Short answer, multiple. |
| 91. Who is responsible for removing all of the furniture in the rooms our crews are working in? |
| The contractor will need to relocate the furniture. |
| 92. Who is responsible for temporarily storing the removed furniture? |
| There is no furniture on the 3rd floor. The furniture on the 2nd floor will be moved to the 3rd floor once it is complete. The 1st floor will need to be stored, however. The contractor will need to store the furniture. |
| 93. In the first floor lobby it states we must have a hard ceiling back up each morning by 6:00 am. Can that be plywood temporarily during the work week until we have permanent sheetrock put in over a weekend? |
| There is no hard ceiling on the 1st floor. It has an acoustical ceiling tile. Nothing is required because there will be a construction |
| 94. Can the VA provide the contact company name, number on who maintains the FA system on the campus? |
| United Automation |
| 95. Can the VA provide the contact company name, number on who maintains the sprinkler system on the campus? |
| Anderson Fire, Contact is Randy Guillory. 318 709 0443 |
| 96. Can the VA provide the contact company name, number on who maintains the existing roofing warranty on bldg 9 or a copy of the warranty? |
| The roof is not under warranty. |
| 97. Are we to follow the referenced building codes in the drawing notes and specifications, IE code years listed or the most current at time of solicitation? |
| Contract Documents to be followed. |
| 98. Can the RFI period be extend based on the bid extension as we still have low subcontractor participation |
| No changes will be made. |
| 99. Can a roofing subcontractor fly a drone to determine the extent of the gutter and downspout repairs? |
| No drones are allowed. |
| 100. Can Drawing M-112.4 “Phase 4 – Partial Ductwork and Piping Plan 1st Floor” be provided as it wasn’t included in the drawing package? |
| See response to Question 87. |
| 101. Will the roofs over the walkways adjoining the other buildings need to be resurfaced? |
| No, unless there is damage caused by the demolition and new construction. |
| 102. Does the VA have an asbestos survey or an estimate of how much asbestos needs to be abated? |
| Per the safety officer, there is no asbestos present in building 9. |
