36C25719B0036-0002001.pdf

1. Period of Performance: With the economy and current manufacturing procurement times, a 400-day performance period will not be enough time to complete this project. It is obvious from the first round of RFI’s that most contractors believe the period needs to be 600+ calendar days.

Please extend the period to a minimum of 550 days. Alternatively, please allow for a procurement NTP and construction NTP. Following delivery of equipment, a 400-day performance period would be adequate.

A: Due to the VA having two elevator’s down already, the VA will keep the 400- calendar day performance period

2. Cabin Operating Panels: During the second site visit, it was brought up that COP’s do in fact need to be changed out if the controllers are being replaced. Please confirm that all 7 elevators are to have the COP’s removed and replaced.

A:The only Cabin Operating Panel that need to be replace are the one in the passenger elevators P-1 thru P-4.

3. Lobby Fixtures: It was stated during the second site visit that lobby buttons and lanterns would need to be replaced to be compatible with the new controllers. The answers to the first round of RFI’s stated not to include those items in the bid. What should contractors include in the bids?

A: The Lobby Fixtures do not need to be replaced excepted for the passenger elevators P-1 thru P-4

4. Hoist Ropes: Please confirm whether all hoist ropes need to be replaced, or just P1-P4.

A: Please replace hoist ropes as well as governor ropes

5. Fire Protection/Fire Suppression: It was stated in the second site visit that the only fire protection work for this project would be to remove and replace the smoke detectors in the shaft of each elevator. Is that correct? If so, please provide a basis of design for the smoke detectors and quantity to be replaced.

A: Elevator shaft should have heat detector (EST SIGA HRS) Intelligent Detector Heat/Fixed Temp Rate of Rise.

6. Shunt Trip Breakers: Please confirm that the VA will repair/replace shunt trip breakers if needed.

A: The Shut trip breaker will be serviced by the VA

7. Warranty/Service Contract: In the first round of RFI’s, the VA stated that there will be a one-year warranty for the equipment and installation under this contract. A question was also asked about the service contract for the seven elevators and it was stated that contractors should account for 400 days. Please explain the VA’s intent with regard to both warranty and service contract and how they differ for the modernized elevators.

A: The modernization contractor will provide a one-year warranty on the each elevator only it is completed and is accepted by the VA. The modernization contractor’s warranty period will start when a given elevator is accepted by the VA. The service contractor’s requirement will discontinue once the modernization contractor removes the elevator from service. The service contractor’s requirements will continue after the modernization contractor’s warranty period .

8. New Wiring: All new hoistway wiring and machine room wiring will be required with the new control systems. Please confirm these components are part of the solicitation.

A: the Hoistway wiring and the machine room wiring must be included in the bid

9. Existing Motors: When retaining gearless machines, it is standard procedure for the elevator contractor to hire a motor contractor to perform a complete assessment of the existing machines.

Should contractors include that inspection in the scope for bid purposes? If so, and there are repairs that need to be made, will the VA then request for proposal under a ‘change order’?

A:Inculde the inspection and provide a report of the recommendations.

10. Code Compliance: Building electrical, structural, mechanical, and life safety system upgrades will be required in conjunction with the elevator modernization to meet the ASME A17.1 2016 Elevator Safety Code. With that said, contractors cannot determine unequivocally what does, and what does not meet code compliance without hiring a design team to make an exhaustive review of existing conditions. It was our determination that the VA did not want to proceed with this project as a design-build. Therefore, please specifically state any items that need to be brought up to code. To generally state that everything needs to be brought up to code per ASME A17.1 2016 does not give all contractors a baseline for bid purposes.

A: The VA will hire an independent third party to check the contractor’s work for this project to be compliant with the ASME A17.1 2016. It is the means and methods of the contractor to determine what direction they will need to take to be compliant with the ASME A17.1 2016

11. Request confirmation that bids to be based on full-compliance with ASME A17.1 2016--not just the Controller?

A:The VA request full-compliance with ASME A17.1 2016

12. Request confirmation the bid is to include replacing Service Elevator Hoist Ropes as well as Passenger Hoist Cables (Ropes).

DISCUSSION: The Service Elevator hoist ropes will not last another 20 years and the outyear cost to replace hoist cables is terribly expensive relative to the cost to replace as part of a modernization. It requires one day per elevator to replace hoist cables during a modernization. Performed separately at a future date, it is 3 days per elevator Out of Service at 3x's the cost.

A: Please see the response to question 4

13. Request confirmation that "Medical Emergency" lamp is not required in Passenger Elevators and re-use of existing in Service Elevators is acceptable?

A: the “Medical Emergency” lamp is not required for the passenger elevators. The lamp is required for the service elevator and the existing lamp can be reused.

14. Request confirmation that new keyed locks are required--no reuse of existing keys.

A. The existing keyed lock for the medical emergency function for the service elevators must be replaced.

15. Request confirmation that related electrical panels are not to be upgraded with a permanent lock-out capability--contractor-provided temporary lock-out mechanisms are acceptable?

A: The modernization contractor will be responsible to provide their own lockout tagout

16. Request confirmation the Maintenance Contract is for 400 or 365 days post individual elevator acceptance? The Maintenance Contract to include emergency response?

A: This modernization contract will be for 400 calendar days. The existing maintenance contract will expire in January. A new multi-year maintenance contract will start then.

17. Request confirmation elevator maintenance period start date commences by individual elevator the day after the elevator is modernized and accepted for service by the VA? Thus, maintenance periods under this contract will be staggered based on individual elevator completion/acceptance date.

A: please refer to the response from question 7

18. Request confirmation the bid is to include instal of car top safety railing per ASME A17.1 2016?

A. Install safety rail.

19. Expanding upon Prior RFI's 16-19, Is the Contractor responsible for ATS programming to provide Elevator Controllers with the appropriately timed Pre-Transfer Signal (PTS) prior to testing/switchover?

A: Yes. The modernization contractor shall be required to provide a complete working elevator system for each of the seven elevators.

20. Request confirmation that existing fluorescent lighting is to be replaced with LED lighting?

A: Replace fluorescent lighting with LED’s

21. Request confirmation that LED lighting is to be installed in the unlit interstitial space.

A: Install LED only in the hoistway.

22. Request confirmation pit lighting and electrical convenience receptacles are to comply with

ASME A17.1 2016

A: Install pit lighting as in ASME A17.1 2016

23. Request amending Statement of Work to clarify the Contractor is required to commence repairs on a minimum of three Elevators and continue repairing three Elevators simultaneously until fewer than three elevators remain undergoing or awaiting repair.

A:use one crew on the service elevators and two crews on the passenger elevators. All crews are to perform simultaneously.