answered - Pre-Bid Inquiry.01.Install Upgrade for PACER Program (002).pdf

INSTALL UPGRADE FOR PACER PROGRAM

South Texas Veterans Health Care System

Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program Solicitation No. 36C257-22-B-0023

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

INQUIRY:

1. Infection Control: Please provide a project-specific Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) for this project. Will zip-wall plastic construction barriers be sufficient? Is negative air required?

A1. 6mil Plastic Zip walls with a mini air scrubber can be used. The scrubber can be turned off in after work has concluded for the day. Scrubber must be in use during work activity. Negative air in not required.

2. Fire Protection: Is there any fire suppression or fire alarm work that needs to be done in this project? If so, please provide the fire alarm contractor for the facility.

A2. The project will not have requirements to relocate fire sprinklers lines. The contractor will need to relocate inwall fire alarm devices. I.E., the contractor will be required to relocate pull stations and speaker/scope devices

3. Project Design: Is this project a design-build job? Will contractors have to hire a design team to provide a complete design on anything?

A3. The project is not a Design Build. The contractor will be required to provide shop drawings for the windows, doors, and porch framing.

4. Temporary Services: Is temporary HVAC required? Is temporary electrical power required?

Please provide specific information on any utility that will need to be placed on temporary service during project demolition and/or new construction.

A4. Temporary HVAC will not be needed. Temporary Electrical service will be needed if power for any the refrigerators and/or freezers will be lost during this project

5. Performance Period: Will the CO delay issuing an NTP until doors and windows have been delivered? Some specialty doors and windows can have a lead time of 10-12 weeks.

A5. The VA will add additional time to the project to account for any delays due to material delivery lead times.

6. Phasing: The VA stated in the site visit that only one door can be replaced at a time due to life safety. Since phasing is now required, will the VA allow another 60 days for the performance period?

A6. This project does not require phasing. The contractor will need to always make available at least one of the rear egress doors ready uses as an emergency exit route. Work in the kitchen and patient lounge can have on going construction at the same times but one of the sites must be allowed to be used as an emergency egress route out of the building.

7. Dryer Vents: Is it required to make new penetrations in the exterior wall for the dryer vents or can they stay in the same location with a pass-through opening in the interior wall partition?

A6. In leu of cutting a new hole in the exterior brick of the building, the contractor can reuse the existing dry vent exterior opening.

8. Brick Veneer: The current brick veneer has soldier courses and other designs in the back of the building that will need to be reconfigured. Please provide a design for how contractors are supposed to install the new layout with doors and windows changing. This may include lintel heights and reconfiguration.

A8. Match existing brick patterns. In areas of the wear the windows will be used infill with stucco wear the finish and color to match existing.

9. Access Control & Intrusion Detection: Please provide requirements for any work that needs to be done regarding access control systems and/or intrusion detection systems.

A9. Relocate and reconnect existing access control system in wall items

10. Geotechnical Report: Is there a geotechnical report available? If so, will boring logs be provided?

A10. Please see the attached geotechnical report for the PTRP site

11. New Roof Tie-In: How does the new roof tie into the exiting building? The exiting building has different masonry and architectural finishes that will not allow for a single row of brick to be removed and replaced for flashing. Please clarify.

A11. Please use the Roofing manufactures recommended flashing detail for the porch covering tie-in.

12. Temporary Wall/Door: How would the VA like contractors to secure the opening in the wall after demo has been done on the existing? Will building a temporary plywood wall and door suffice until new can be installed?

A12. Provide a temporary door that will allow for people to exit out of the building in an emergency

13. New Stairs: Can the new stairs be poured concrete?

A13. The new stairs can be pour but the contractor will need to provide a shop drawing of the reabar placement.

14. Second Round of RFIs: Will the VA allow a second round of RFIs after clarifications are made so contractors can confirm all requirements?

A14. To be answered by the CO

Co Response: No, there will not be a second round of RFIs

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION