A0004_Attch A_RFIs and Government Responses_36C25625R0045 .pdf

RFIs 36C25625R0045

Heating Water/Upgrade Water system – JLM

1. Can the Superintendent also be the Prime Contractor’s Commissioning Manager during commissioning?

No

2. Is any commissioning required on this project?

Yes

3. Is a full-time on-site quality control manager required for this project?

4. Can the Superintendent also be the quality control manager?

5. Is a full-time on-site Safety and Health Officer required for this project?

6. Can the Superintendent also be the site safety and Health Officer?

7. Can the Superintendent be Triple hatted as the SSHO and QC Manager?

8. As is typical for most VA projects can the QC plan be implemented by the onsite superintendent and administrated by the PM without additional staff (other than what is required for commissioning) as call for 01 45 00.?

9. What is the current budget available for this minor construction procurement?

This is an NRM project; not minor. Magnitude of construction is $2,000,000 and $5,000,000

10. What is the total dollar amount that the VA has requested for this project?

This is sensitive information that will not be shared.

11. Has this request been approved and full funding for this project available to the NCO station?

This project is approved for FY25.

12. Is there any reason to believe the slab has moisture in it and moisture remediation will be needed?

No, we do not anticipate the slab has moisture.

13. Have other areas on this floor needed moisture remediation on the concrete slab in past projects?

14. Will any of this work have to be performed after hours or weekends?

Work shown on ‘M’ drawings shall be completed after hours or weekends as noted.

15. Will each phase have to be fully completed before moving to the next or can some phases be completed simultaneously?

See Mechanical Phasing Plan on Sheet M-001. Phases must be completed before moving to the next phase.

16. How many areas will we be given at a time?

Areas in Each Phase / One Phase at A Time

17. Will we have to remove a window in each area to vent the negative air outside or is there another means of venting air from the space to achieve the negative pressure required by

ICRA?

Refer to ICRA Note 7 on Sheet G-003 and new Keynote 13 on Sheet A-100

18. What openings can we use to vent our negative air to meet the ICRA requirements?

Refer to ICRA Note 7 on Sheet G-003 and new Keynote 13 on Sheet A-100

19. In ICRA areas that require Category B Level 1 or 2, can we use zip-walls or plastic sheeting as containment?

20. In any ICRA areas that require Category B containment or above, can plastic wall panels be used for the ICRA walls, such as STARC Panels or Temporary Wall System’s panels?

21. Will temporary sprinklers be required during demolition?

22. Will the contractor be required to turn the existing sprinkler heads up during construction once the ceiling is removed?

Yes, ceiling removal is anticipated to warrant upright heads. See drawing M-109 for the areas of limited ceiling work.

23. Will we have to test and balance the HVAC system after the work is complete?

Contractor shall perform a pre-test and balance before construction work begins and submit the report to the VA for review, as well as a post construction test and air balance.

24. Who is the manufacturer of the current HVAC Controls?

Siemens and Trane

25. Please provide a contact for who services the current HVAC Controls?

Powers (877-274-7127)/ Trane (501-227-3009)

26. Who is the manufacturer of the current Building Automation System?

Siemens / Trane

27. Please provide contacts for those who services the current Building Automation System.

Powers / Trane

28. Is there any chance of uncovering hazardous materials?

Yes. Notify COR if Found.

29. Will the contractor be responsible for any permits?

A hot work permit that is issued by the VA Safety Officer is required.

30. Will there need to be insulation above the new ceilings?

Contractor is required to reuse existing ceiling materials. Insulation is not required.

31. Will the VA have the space entirely cleared up before the contractor begins construction?

The VA cannot clear anything for the Contractor out of the 3rd floor mechanical room and 7E penthouse. This will l have to be completed during demolition. The PACU has a few mounted workstations that will have to be moved by the Contractor. The other items that might be in the way are a few rolling patient beds in the PACU that shall be moved by the Contractor. Moved items can be stored at the Grounds Building.

32. Will the contractor be required to move any of the existing furniture or equipment?

See response to Q31 above.

33. If the contractor is responsible for moving the existing furniture, will storage be available from the VA for the furniture, equipment, or casework?

See response to Q31 above.

34. Note 6 on Drawing A-100 says to refer to Plumbing for the Piping tie in but, there are no plumbing drawings or specifications available. Can you please advise or supply the Plumbing Drawings and Specifications?

Reference drawing M-106 for the piping tie-in locations. Delete references to plumbing drawings and plumbing specifications.

35. Pg M-101, note 2: Please provide a drawing of duct that needs to be moved, temporary or permanent.

The duct in the M-101, Detail 2 photo is a 40 x 30 duct exhausting the Transformer room that is plan west. Duct can be removed to replace the flash tank without temporary connection. The duct will be replaced with a new reinforced duct when it is reconnected and placed in service again. See attached revised M-101.

36. Will VA-approved manufacturer Armstrong International be acceptable for Steam traps, Steam valves, Steam Pressure Reducing Valves, and Steam to Water Heat Exchangers?

Armstrong is an acceptable manufacturer providing that they meet the specifications.

37. Will Manufacturer Thrush be acceptable for Pumps packages and Tanks?

Thrush is an acceptable manufacturer providing that they meet the specifications.

38. Statement of Work, 1.04, H states that quiet hours must be observed during non-business hours. However, Drawings G-002, G-003, A-100, M-100, M-101, and M-102 require work to be performed after hours/weekends. Also, typically, within a hospital any construction activity that makes noise or causes vibration will be scheduled for after normal business hours so as not to disturb the normal operation of the hospital. But if work cannot be done after hours, please address when we will be able to perform the identified after-hour work and work activities that are noisy or cause vibration? Please note that there are some concrete equipment pads that are noted to be removed. What times can that work be performed as it will be extremely loud?

See response to Q14 above.

39. Construction Package, Statement of Work, 1.09, A states that a face mask must be worn at all times and daily healthcare screening will be required due to COVID-19. It is our understanding that COVID-19 protocols are no longer required. Please confirm that all our employees will NOT be required to wear a face mask at all times or undergo daily healthcare screenings.

Confirmed.

40. The Attachment A Statement of Work contains Specifications that are different than the Attachment C Specifications. Which set are the correct Specifications for this project?

Attachment C

41. Key Personnel requirements are unclear due to the conflicts between Attachment A and Attachment C. Can the Construction Quality Control Manager perform a dual role with the Superintendent?

See response to Q4 above.

42. Key Personnel requirements are unclear due to the conflicts between Attachment A and Attachment C. Can the SSHO perform a dual role with the Superintendent or Quality Control Manager?

SSHO can perform dual roles if qualified but cannot perform more than a dual role.

43. Construction Package, Section 01 35 26, 1.04. It is our understanding that COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and masking are no longer required. Please confirm.

Confirmed

44. 02 82 11, 02 82 13.19. and 02 82 13.31 Paragraph B. Extent of work. In each spec section there is not a description of the estimated quantities of asbestos materials, asbestos flooring materials or asbestos transit type materials to be abated. Are there any asbestos required for this project? If asbestos abatement is required, when can this work be performed?

Attachment A Statement of Work prohibits after hours work (specifically including asbestos abatement), but ICRA (G-003) requires high risk work to be performed after hours.

See Report / Abatement can occur during normal business hours or after hours.

45. If asbestos abatement is required, when can this work be performed?

See response to Q44 above.

46. 02 83 33.13. 1.1 Summary. Will lead-based paint removal and disposal be required on this project? No conditions report seems to be present.

Unknown, samples will be sent off for analysis if there are any concerns at no cost to the Contractor.

47. Will the VA provide space for a Contractor office trailer or material storage?

Yes, at the Ground’s Building.

48. Spec Section 01 33 23 – Shop Drawings - Is the Contractor able to utilize a cloud- based platform such as Procure or Submittal Exchange to submit and track submittals in lieu of a separate submittal register?

49. Attachment C Spec Section 01 33 23 (1.10) differs from Attachment A Specification 01 33 23 (1.10) regarding who and how submittals are returned to the Contractor. Please confirm that only the VA’s response to submittals is controlling.

Use Attachment C Section 01 33 23 Shop Drawings, Product Data, and Samples

50. Spec section 23 21 11 and reference detail 7 on plan page M-501. In the spec section paragraph 3.6 Expansion and Flexibility it states that the design includes provisions for piping expansion. I can find only detail 7 that makes any reference to expansion. No piping on the floor plans shows this. 3.6 also notes any major deviation will be shown by submittal and stress calculations and the contractor will provide any necessary additional construction and materials to limit stress to safe values. This is an engineering design issue. Are we providing the engineering necessary to design the expansion and contraction systems required to prevent stress in the steam piping systems? Are we to provide engineering for an engineered project like a design build?

Pipe expansion specialties are not required. Provide a pipe anchor on the 10” MPS at column line 19 to resist a 6,300 lb. force. See revised drawing M-103 attached.

51. 51. Spec Section 23 21 13 Paragraph 2.12, H notes to provide pipe guides. None are shown on the plans other than in Detail 7 plan page M-501. Are expansion and contraction measures required for the chilled water systems? Are expansion and contraction measures required for heating water systems? Typically, we only see these provisions in steam systems and no expansion methods are shown on the plans. Is this another situation where the contractor is responsible for design build of the expansion and contraction in the chilled and/or heating water systems? If so, please clarify if this is required in both the chilled water and heating water piping systems.

Chilled and heating water do not need pipe guides.

52. Specification section 23 21 11 and 23 22 13 both specify valves, steam traps, misc.

components and design of expansion/contraction for the steam system. Which section should we use for this project?

Delete section 23-21 11 Boiler Plant Piping Systems from the project. Follow Section 23 22 13 Steam Piping Specifications.

53. 23 21 11 and 23 22 13. Confirm that Xray testing of welds will only be required for the steam piping systems?

Yes, only steam piping needs X-Ray / Radiographic testing.

54. M-001. Mechanical Phasing Plan. Can we provide testing and demonstration after the systems are completed, or will this need to be done at the end of each phase? It may prove difficult or impossible to partially test a hydronic or steam system that is incomplete. If partial testing is required, can the demonstration be performed at the completion of the systems involved?

Testing and demonstration must be done at the end of each phase.

55. M-502, Detail 1. Steam traps tagged as 1-ST-4, 1-ST-5, 1-ST-6, 1-ST-7 and 1-ST-8. Please provide a specification for those steam traps including proper sizing information.

See the updated M-601, Steam Trap Schedule attached.

56. M-601. The steam traps specified in the schedule, FT-15, are cast iron body steam traps. If a steel body is required please provide the appropriate spec and sizing information.

See updated M-601, Steam Trap Schedule attached. Model numbers changed to steel traps as FT-46 and HM-34.

57. No steam drip traps appear to be specified. Can you please provide detailed sizing information so we can obtain proper pricing from a supply house on those? We need at minimum the pressure and load information. The steam load and pressure on the main that carries the drip traps.

See the updated M-601, Steam Trap Scheduled attached

58. Please provide a location for all the drip trap piping to connect to the existing. It appears that several drip traps will be required and virtually no information has been provided other than detail 6 on M-501. This detail provides no size information or a location on where their piping should connect to the building load.

1-PRV-1 and 1-PRV-2 drip traps are shown on M-502, Detail 1 and connect to the existing Condensate return piping serving the existing PRV station at the same location. Drip traps are added to steam piping at heat exchangers per revised drawing M-103, Note 13. Drip traps are required at all elevation changes.

59. The pipe sizing shown in detail 1 on plan page M-502. Is this the correct size of the piping serving both heat exchangers, 1-HX-1 and 1-HX-2. 8” steam into the 1/3 and 2/3 station and 10” steam out to those two HX? This pipe size is not shown on the floor plan. Detail 4 on M103 shows 12” MPS going into the HX. Please clarify all the pipe sizes so we can provide proper pricing to the VA.

Pipe sizes have been added and revised on the plans, sections and details.

60. Detail 9. Plan page M-501. Can this piping be sized? The piping into and out of the HX seems to be sized on the floor plan but the bypass lines and misc. other piping is not sized.

Pipe sizes have been added and revised on the plans, sections and details.

61. M-107. Please provide a location for the connection point of the condensate return piping from 1-HX-3. Can you provide a piping detail for this single 1-HX-3 as you have provided for the double HXs, 1-HX-1 and 1-HX-2?

The 1-HX-3 condensate piping connects the existing condensate return piping at the floor that served the old heat exchangers in this location and is near where the 1-HX-3 is shown.

62. M-101, Detail 8 plan page M-501. The pipe sizes shown on the floor plan do not match the pipe sizes shown in this detail. Please clarify the size of the new pipe we are to run to the flash tank.

Use the flash tank pipe sizes on the M-501, detail 8 for bidding purposes. Verify actual pipe sizes in the field.

63. No steam trap is sized for the flash tank. M-101 and M-501 detail 8. The details show the traps, but sizing must be available for the trap serving the tank and also the drip trap in order for us to properly price and install a correct product. Manufacturers of the equipment will not typically size steam traps. Please provide the proper steam trap sizing information.

The new flash tank is connected to the existing piping. No new traps are anticipated.

See revised M-501, Detail 8 Flash Tank Detail showing connections to existing piping.

64. If a manufacturer does provide a steam trap for any piece of equipment it will not be steel body which is called for in the VA spec. Will the trap the manufacture provides be acceptable or will a steel trap be required? If steel traps are required, please provide sizing information on all steam traps serving equipment and all drip traps required.

Steel traps are specified and expected. See updated Steam trap Schedule as attached.

65. 1-PRV-2 is noted on the schedule shown on M-601. The item does not appear on the floor plan. Where is it located, and can you provide piping information?

1-PRV-2 is above 1-PRV-1 and shown on M-502, Detail 1.

66. Detail 1 on plan page M-502 seems to be the detail for the 1/3 and 2/3 steam control valves serving 1-HX-1 and 1-HX-2. Can we get a piping detail showing the control valve piping arrangement serving 1-HX-3?

M-502, Detail 1 is for the Pressure Reducing Valve station and Not related to the Heat exchangers. See M-501, Detail 9 for the heat exchangers 1-HX-1 and 1-HX-2 piping.

67. Can we get a piping detail for 1-PRV-1 shown on M-102? Please include sizing for any steam trap or steam drip traps required.

See M-502, Detail 1 and the updated Steam Trap Schedule included with this RFI response.

68. M-103, detail 5 shows 2” HWS serving the expansion tank while note 10 on the same page calls for 1-1/2.” Please clarify.

Piping to the expansion tank shall be 1 1/2".

69. Please confirm that and all Basis of Design items and materials that the VA has satisfied all Buy American Waivers, if applicable, and sole source requirements as needed. Please provide us any Buy American Act Waivers that would be provided under this contract. This is not currently in the plans, documents, or specifications.

Please refer to FAR Clause 52.225-9 Buy American-Construction Materials (OCT 2022).

70. Will the VA pay for the engineering and design submittals, as well as all applicable deposits required by various manufacturers to put equipment into design and/or production?

Awardee will be required to submit a schedule of values for approval after award.

Advanced payments are not permitted.

71. Tax Exemption: Is this project sales tax-exempt? If so, can the government provide a tax exemption certificate for materials purchased?

No. Contractors are deemed the end consumer on all materials purchased under a government contract for the state of Arkansas. The tax exemption only applies to direct sales to the federal government that are paid with federal funds. The exemption doesn’t flow through to contractors.

72. Notice to Proceed (NTP): How soon after a contract award is the NTP expected to be issued?

Within 30 days after award.

73. Submittal Platform: Will the VA accept the use of Procore software or equivalent as the primary submittal platform?

74. Payment for Stored Materials: Will payment applications for materials stored on-site or in a bonded warehouse be approved?

Yes. A list of requirements will be provided after award that the contractor shall meet in order for the VA to pay for materials not installed.

75. Bid Hold Period: Will the government consider reducing the bid hold period to 90 days due to current inflation risks?

Yes, reduced to 60 days.

76. Economic Price Adjustment Clause: Will the government include an Economic Price Adjustment Clause in the contract to address price fluctuations in materials?

No.

77. Scheduling Consultant: Is an external scheduling consultant required, or can scheduling duties be handled in-house by a qualified team member?

No External Scheduling Consultant Required; qualified team member is acceptable.

78. Temporary Facilities: Are contractors required to provide a temporary site office or trailer, or will space be allocated within the existing facility?

No Office Space Available in Building; it is up to the contractor if a job trailer is necessary.

79. Parking and Staging: Will there be designated parking and staging area for contractor personnel? How many parking spaces will be provided if there is on-site parking?

Ground’s Building

80. Site Access and Badging: Will the government provide a detailed badging and access protocol for contractor personnel?

Yes, this information will be shared during the preconstruction meeting post award.

81. Fire Watch: If impairments to fire alarm systems exceed four hours, will the VA provide support for fire watch personnel, or is the contractor solely responsible?

No, Contractor is Responsible

82. Environmental Protection Plan: Are there specific templates or guidelines required for the Environmental Protection Plan, or is a contractor-developed plan sufficient?

Contractor Developed is Sufficient

83. Infection Control: Please confirm modular walls (such as STARC) are allowed for ICRA.

Confirmed

84. As-Built Drawings: Are as-built drawings available for existing conditions, or will the contractor need to verify all dimensions on-site?

Available / But Verify On Site

85. Notes 1 and 2 / A-102 call for a new concrete equipment pad and the extension of an existing pad. There are no specifications or details about this. Can you please provide a concrete Specification and/or detail?

See Details 1 and 2 on Sheet A-102.

86. Note 1 on / A-102 Staes to reference structural drawings. There are none provided. Can you provide the needed structural drawings and required specifications?

The structural elements are part of Details 1 and 2 on Sheet A-102.

87. Will you send out the site visit sign in sheet?

Sign in sheet was published with Amendment 0002.

88. Division 2 of the specifications contains Asbestos Abatement sub-specifications. However, there is not a report available. Can you provide an asbestos report?

Yes / See Report attached.

89. The contractor does not have to mail the bid bond, correct?

Correct, bid bond does not have to be mailed.

90. Will completed representation and certification be required in the proposal?

91. Will a signed Limitations of Subcontracting be required in the proposal?

92. Can the bid date for the project be extended to provide more time for contractors?

Yes, see SF30 for new date/time.

93. Can a second round of RFIs be submitted once the initial RFI answers are provided as usually these answers call for more clarifications in most cases?

Offerors may submit additional questions, if necessary. The VA may or may not respond to another round of questions given the time the proposals are due.

94. Subcontractors and suppliers alike are generally unable to hold their prices for 90 days due to current economic instability associated with material cost increases related to tariffs on raw materials. Will the government change the current hold period for this solicitation from 90 days to 60 days?

Yes, reduced to 60 days.

95. Page 12 of the solicitation, paragraph 2 indicates that Recent Successful Past Performance must be >90% complete. To maximize competition among offerors, will the VA change this requirement from >90% complete to >75% complete?

96. Section 1.04 includes COVID-19 vaccination and safety protocols in accordance with EO Executive Order (EO) 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. EO 14042 was revoked/rescinded on May 9, 2023. Will the government revise the SOW to remove Section 1.04.

Section 1.04 is hereby removed.

97. The steam pressure reducing valves, temperature control valves, and steam trap valves are listed on the schedule (page M-601) as Basis of Design Spirax Sarco with cast iron body components. In Specification Section 23 21 11 – Boiler Plant Piping Systems, body components are listed as steel. Will the basis of design be accepted or will cast steel components need to be used?

Steel traps will be required. The model numbers for the Spirax-Sarco traps have been updated to the steel versions.

98. Page M-101 shows the mechanical demolition plan of the existing flash tank located in the mezzanine. Keynote 2 states, “Relocate existing duct temporarily or permanently if required.”

The drawings do not show the existing ductwork.

• Will the VA provide the current as-builts for the boiler room?

• What is the existing duct next to the flash tank serving?

• Will a temporary shutdown of service be required when the ductwork is temporarily removed?

• The existing duct in the mezzanine located next to the flash tank shows existing damage. When the duct is temporarily or permanently relocated, will the duct need to be repaired or is it to be installed back to previous condition? Deduct / Cleanse

The duct in the M-101, Detail 2 photo is a 40x30 duct exhausting the Transformer room that is plan west. Duct can be removed to replace the flash tank without a temporary reconnection. The duct will be replaced with a new reinforced duct when it is reconnected and placed in service again. See attached revised M-101.

99. Will the VA extend the bid due date by two weeks after all RFI responses are provided, allowing time to review RFI answers and provide the best price possible?

See revised due date and time on the SF30.

100. Has the VA completed a VHA Pre-Construction Risk Assessment (PCRA)? If so, will the VA provide it?

No. This will be provided post award and prior to construction.

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

See Report / No information on lead paint. Samples will be sent for analysis if issues are found at no cost to the Contractor.

102. When was the most recent asbestos survey completed?

See Report attached.

103. Will the VA provide the most recent asbestos abatement survey for the affected areas?

Yes / See Report attached.

104. For 1-HWP-1 & 1-HWP-2, will a 4x6 pump with a 40 HP motor and 78.6% efficiency be accepted?

Equipment must meet the specifications and capacities on the drawings. Engineers will review the submittal once it is formally submitted after contract award.

105. For 1-HWP-1 & 1-HWP-2, will a 5x6 pump with a 50 HP motor and 80% efficiency be accepted?

106. For 1-HWP-3, will a Bell & Gossett 2x2 vertical inline pump with a 7.5 HP motor and 64.4% efficiency be accepted?

107. For 1-PRV-1 & 1-PRV-2, the schedule steam pressure reducing valves on M-601 will handle a maximum of 90 PSI steam at 331F. Hoffman Steam class 250 pressure regulators have a maximum pressure of 250 PSI and a maximum temperature of 450F. Would it be acceptable to substitute ASTM A-126 Cast Iron (ANSI B16.1 Class 250) for the specified ASTM A-3395 Ductile Iron (ANSI B16.5 Class 300)?

108. The specifications call for a dedicated Superintendent, SSHO, and CQCM. Having all three people dedicated to this project for the full POP will generate an excessive cost given the scope of work. Will the VA change the requirements to allow anyone to fill multiple roles?

See response to Q42 above.

109. Specification 01 00 00, Section 1.24A states “During the construction period through completion, provide photographic documentation of construction progress and at selected milestones including electronic indexing, navigation, storage, and remote access to the documentation, as per these specifications. The commercial photographer or the subcontractor used for this work shall meet the following qualifications: 1. Demonstrable minimum experience of three (3) years in operation …”. To prevent adding an unnecessary cost burden to the contract, can the contractor take the photos and eliminate the need for a professional photographer?

Yes, the pictures must be a color image, be clear, with proper lighting and effectively exhibit the subject areas.

110. Specification 01 00 00, Section 1.17, Subsections A, A, B & C (page 26 of 822 of the Project Specifications) go into detail about the availability, use, and metering of utility services. The VA does not typically charge the contractor for any utilities or require metering to be installed. This work will be in multiple locations and make this requirement costly and logistically difficult. Does the VA intend to exercise this contract clause during the execution of this project?

111. Specification 01 00 00, Section 1.15, Subsections A & B (page 25 of 822 of the Project Specifications) state “Contractor will not be allowed the use of existing elevators. Outside type hoists shall be used by Contractor for transporting materials and equipment. Use of existing elevators for handling building materials and Contractor’s personnel will be subject to the following: ...”. It is not common for the VA to hold the contractor responsible for elevator upkeep and maintenance during the execution of a construction contract. Both facilities have other on-going projects where the elevators are utilized by other contractors, facility employees, and maintenance staff. Does the VA intend on exercising this clause during the execution of this contract?

Elevators Can Be Used with Authorization from the COR.

112. Specification 01 00 00, Section 1.15.A states “Contractor will not be allowed the use of existing elevators. Outside type hoist shall be used by Contractor for transporting materials and equipment.” This contradicts Section 1.15.B allowing use of elevators subject to specific conditions. Also, it is not common for the VA to require construction items to be moved into place from the exterior of the building. Will the VA publish an Amendment with revised Specifications to remove Paragraph 1.15.A which does not allow the use of existing elevators?

See response to Q111 above.

113. Will the VA allow the use of service elevators including but not limited to Nos.S-1 through S-5 in Building 1 at JLM?

See response to Q111 above.

114. Please refer to section 01 32 16.15 – Project Schedules, Section 1.11B. Does this section imply the cost associated with preparing and/or changing the schedule?

Paragraph 1.11B is referring to the revisions to the project schedule will be made at no additional cost to the VA. The cost of the remedial actions listed in paragraph 1.11A will be based on the situation at hand and discussed with the contractor before the CO gives any directive.

115. Sheet E-101, keynote 1 lists 1-1/2” conduit for (3)-#6 and (1)-#8. Will it be acceptable to size the conduit for 1”?

No. Install Per Plans

116. Sheet E-101, key not 6 states that a new motor starter will be installed ahead of the VFDs.

• Are the starters to be used with the HOA switch for by-pass of the drive?

• Are the starters to be used for auto selection for the drive?

• Are they to be used for hand selection for starter control of the pump?

VFD Only

117. Will the use of ProPress fittings on the copper piping be accepted?

118. Will the use of PressFit fittings on the copper piping be accepted?

119. Will the government issue a sales tax exemption certificate for this job to Prime Contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers?

See response to Q71 above.

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

No Specific Software / Must be accessible by government firewall restrictions.

121. Will the VA provide the current as-builts for all new work locations for this project? 3rd floor mechanical room, 2nd floor pods 2B and 2F, 6th floor, and 7th floor.

122. Will the VA provide a list of approved manufacturers for the equipment listed on page M- 601 that does not show a Basis of Design?

Specifications are performance based, and no manufacturers will be provided except where already given as Basis of Design.