36C25724B0016 Pre-Bid RFIs.pdf

36C25724B0016, Renovate Swing Space RFIs

1) Need Canopy post size and beam size?

a. Answer: Canopy and beams are to be part of premanufactured canopy system and to be sized by the manufacturer as per Specification Section 10 73 16.

2) Canopy states powder coated white in one area and clear in another. What color?

a. Answer: White. Clear is only mentioned to specify standards if used.

3) Temporary Storage Unit size minimum 500 square feet (SF) with 7.5ft height. Storage

Containers come in 53' x 8.5' with 9' height for 450 SF or 40' x 8' with 9' height for 320

SF.

a. Answer per VALHALLA: 500 sq-ft was an approximation based on it being temporary storage for the Mattress Storage Room that is currently 484 sq-ft. The 450 sq-ft trailer should suffice, but the COR should confirm with EMS.

b. In Addition, per VA-COR: Contractor to Refer to 504-23-106 Construction SOW Paragraph 15 to EXCLUDE some comments due to a project in which Swing Space is to support.

4) Is the storage container going behind Building 1 where the police park? If so, how much room is allocated for the storage unit?

a. Answer per VALHALLA: Storage unit is supposed to be put in Loading Dock area marked in gray on the plan (snapshot). Per the drawings (AS101) and General Requirements Specification (Section 01 00 00) sub-paragraph 1.28, the location of the unit is to be coordinated with COR. Police parking is shown in yellow on sketch below.

b. In Addition, per VA-COR: Contractor to Refer to 504-23-106 Construction SOW

5) Where will contractors be allowed to park.

a. Answer: There is a current ‘Repair Site Roads and Parking Lots’ project going on with the end date of September 30th, 2024. Parking is first come / first served except in Patient Parking. Parking will be discussed more at time of NTP.

6) ED 122 note 3 says existing strip lights to remain, see EL 122 and EL 132. Those pages do not show the strip lights.

a. Answer: The lights in question that are to remain are not shown on sheet EL 122 and EL 132 because they are above the lay-in ceiling in the new rooms below.

This is for the sake of drawing clarification.

7) EP 111 note 3 says remove walls and electrical devices at end of project. If this is temporary, can we use MC cable?

a. Answer per VALHALLA: No, temporary may become permanent.

b. In Addition, per VA-COR: Contractor to Refer to 504-23-106 Construction SOW

8) EP 112 note 1 says coordinate with EHRM infrastructure project. Can we get info on this?

a. Answer per VALHALLA: Best to get information directly from VA to get most current.

b. In Addition, per VA-COR: EHRM contract has not been awarded but is expected to in Fiscal Year 26. In this contract, the Contractor is to Build two walls as per Drawing below for frame and Drywall on Swing Space side along with necessary rough ins per Swing Space contract for Electrical & Data.

c. Measurements: Contractor to install Walls per the EHRM inside measurements shown (Right) for the framing. The Fire Extinguisher Cabinet, Door and Door Jamb are not contractors’ responsibility for the Swing Space. For intent of EHRM contract to be able to enter in, the Swing Space Contractor may place a Plastic Barrier over Door Entry. Space shall be clean with no garbage, debris, or items to be left inside.

d. Wall Type (Below):

9) Who will be responsible for roof penetrations and/or patching on Building 44?

a. Answer per VALHALLA: Roof penetrations and patching is a part of the scope to prepare space for new occupants. GC of this project is responsible for all work roof penetrations/patching required as part of work on roof of Building 44.

b. In Addition, per VA-COR: Roof Replacement is not planned this year and is unknown which Fiscal Year this will occur.

10) Equipment schedule shows 44-DXAHU-1 MOCP as 70A. Panel schedule BD 1, 3, 5 shows an 80A breaker. Which is correct?

a. Answer: The table on mechanical drawing MQ601 says MOCP 80A and panel BD ckt 1,3,5 on electrical drawing EP601 says 80A. Use 80A.

11) EP 603 shows a 125A breaker with #2 on it. #2 is only good for 115A in the 60-degree column. Is this OK?

a. Answer: No, use wiring of the appropriate temperature rating.

12) Is this a tax-exempt project?

a. Answer: (CONTRACTING TO ANSWER)

13) If tax-exempt, will the government be providing a tax-exempt certificate to the Prime Contractor for use by subcontractors and vendors?

a. Answer: (CONTRACTING TO ANSWER)

14) Can the Prime Contractor Superintendent be shared across multiple projects, or should they be dedicated full-time to this project and this project only?

a. Answer: No, must be dedicated to one project. Please see FAR 52.236-6 52.236-6 Superintendence by the Contractor.

As prescribed in 36.506 , insert the following clause:

Superintendence by the Contractor (Apr 1984) At all times during performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly superintend the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has authority to act for the Contractor. Note that the SSHO and competent person (CP) can be the same person for each site. A non-Prime subcontractor superintendent can be a CP/SSHO. See Specifications 1.6/1.7 for further details.

15) Can the Prime Contractor Superintendent fulfill multiple roles? If so, can they also fulfill the Quality Control role? And can they also fulfill the SSHO role?

a. Answer: The Superintendent cannot perform either the Quality Control or the

SSHO role. The Quality Control and SSHO role must be performed separate from the Prime Contractor Superintendent.

16) Does the VA anticipate this project will require off-hours work? If so, what trades or scopes will be required to perform off-hour work?

a. Answer: Due to the limited timeframe for entry into Building 12 and 44 (In

Reference to RFI 25), the Awarded Contractor may perform after hour work on limited items. The Awarded Contractor is to submit a proposed schedule.

Applicable overtime pay is still applicable where applicable. Contractor will have limited access due to the entry into these spaces. Items that require the contractor to perform work outside may be done after hours (past 1600) including work on a roof and other outside work activities.

i. Building 12 – Contractor is allowed in during the hours of 0800 to 1600 during Federal Business Days – Monday thru Friday except Federal Holidays.

ii. Building 44 – Contractor is allowed in during the hours of 0800 to 1630 during Federal Business Days – Monday thru Friday except Federal Holidays.

iii. Water Tower – This will need to be scheduled with the COR or how to access.

iv. Building 44 Roof – This will need to be discussed with the COR for how the Contractor plans to allow personnel onto and off of the roof with Contractor plans on how to place items onto the roof.

17) Will the VA provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet?

a. Answer: The Site visit Sign-in Sheet was posted as an Amendment 0001 on May 29, 2024.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-36#FAR_36_506

18) Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the BMS integration contractor?

a. Answer: Contech. (806) 797-0900. POC is Chris Love and Brandon

19) Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the Fire Alarm integration contractor?

a. Answer: VITEL. (806) 376-4600. POC is Danny Moreland.

20) Is temp power available for contractors to connect to? If yes, what are the locations it is available?

a. Answer: For a Job Trailer, this is dependent on if there is space for a Job Trailer, including the size of the Job Trailer and if there’s adequate space is in the Laydown Yard.

21) If available, will contractors need to set a meter to monitor usage?

a. Answer: If available to have a Job Trailer On-Site, yes. This is to be turned in at the end of the project.

22) Is space available for an 8’ x 40’ temp office/ storage ground-level office that is near the temp power source?

a. Answer: At this time, there is no space available for that size of a Job Trailer.

23) Will the VA consider waiving the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) requirement for structural steel fabrication and/or erection for this project? This requirement makes steel procurement on the project exponentially more difficult to obtain.

a. Answer: No. See Pre-Bid RFI #40.

24) Are any AISC substitute certifications acceptable in lieu of AISC certification?

a. Answer: No, however, deviations for any material and equipment can be submitted for VA review per Specification Section 01 33 23 paragraph 1.5.

25) Can contractors work a four (4) tens schedule?

a. Answer: The Awarded Contractor is to submit a proposed schedule if they want to have a four-day work week with ten hours per day schedule considered.

Applicable overtime pay is still applicable where applicable. Contractor will have limited access due to the entry into these spaces. Items that require the contractor to perform work outside may be done after hours (past 1600) including work on a roof and other outside work activities.

i. Building 12 – Contractor is allowed in during the hours of 0800 to 1600 during Federal Business Days – Monday thru Friday except Federal Holidays.

ii. Building 44 – Contractor is allowed in during the hours of 0800 to 1630 during Federal Business Days – Monday thru Friday except Federal Holidays.

iii. Water Tower – This will need to be scheduled with the COR or how to access.

iv. Building 44 Roof – This will need to be discussed with the COR for how the Contractor plans to allow personnel onto and off of the roof with Contractor plans on how to place items onto the roof.

26) In the event of a schedule slip, will weekend work be allowed?

a. Answer: Weekend Work will not be allowed for Building 12. Access into Building 44 or behind Building 12 will only be if someone is available to let the contractor in which must be scheduled ahead of time. Outdoor work, such as on the roof of Building 44 and in front of Building 12 may be done at any time but must be requested. Notifications must be submitted two weeks in advance.

27) Does the south wall of the DRUG CACHE room need metal framing and expanded metal mesh #9 to completely secure the room?

a. Answer: Yes, south wall of DRUG CACHE room should be S3A.S wall type, see

Figure 1 on figures sheet for wall type.

28) When is the expected start date for construction to begin onsite?

a. Answer: This is dependent on Bids, Funds arriving on Station and the Notice to

Proceed.

29) Doe the VA expect Building 12 and Building 44 work to be handled separately, i.e., separate Commissioning Plans & reporting, separate timelines for CxA meetings and other required activities, and similarly, separate QFPE timelines for inspections and other activities, etc.?

a. Answer: All areas are able to be completed at the same time. Commissioning Plans may need to be done separately depending on the system requirements.

Reporting may be completed together with the items being separated in a clear manner. This is not a Phased Project, but each area and item must be clearly separated as being for which Building and or area. The two different HVAC Systems will need separate paperwork for filing purposes.

30) It has been noted (Spec. Section 01 91 00 Para. 1.2.C and other locations) that Total

Building Commissioning is required for this project. Mention of Building Envelope occurs in Para 1.6 of that section but does not appear to be required elsewhere in the specs. Will any building envelope commissioning be required for this project?

a. Answer: No. Please see Para. 1.7 for what is required to be Commissioned.

31) Since there was no access to the Building 44 Electrical Room on the site walk, can the VA provide pictures of the Electrical Room showing panel locations?

a. Answer: Drawings EP 112 and EP 113 show location of panels and what room locations they are in. Panel Schedules are located on EP 601 and EP 602.

32) Since there are so many pages of drawings to go through, and the current set of RFIs are more specific to the site walk, can the VA allow one more opportunity for RFIs related to the drawings since there was only one week between the site walk and the current round of RFIs?

a. Answer: A Second RFI Period will be identified in Amendment 0002.

33) Solicitation Block 13d. – Are we to make sure subcontractors and GCs are to hold their price for 150 Calendar Days?

a. Answer: Yes.

34) Solicitation Block 13a. – Calendar Days – Can we work in both buildings and all levels at once or do we have to complete one area before moving to the next?

a. Answer: All areas are able to be worked on concurrently. Contractor is responsible to maintain each area.

35) 01 35 26-10 – 1.7A – Site Safety – Are you requiring the prime contractor to have SSHO dedicated to this project?

a. Answer: No, the Superintendent is the only entity that is bound to the FAR

Clause to be dedicated to this project. Refer to RFI 15. SSHO duties are outlined in Specification 01 35 26 and requires one per project site. SSHO or equally qualified designated representative will maintain a presence on site during construction operations.

36) 01 45 00 – 2 – 3.1A- Project superintendent – Can the Prime Contractor Superintendent perform the duties of the SSHO and CQC System Manager? Can the project superintendent manage more than one project on site?

a. Answer: The Prime Contractor Superintendent cannot perform either the Quality Control or the SSHO role. The Quality Control and SSHO role must be performed separate from the Prime Contractor Superintendent. Please see Pre- Bid RFI #14.

37) 01 35 26 -12 – Site Safety – 1.9B. – Can the VA confirm that they will be requiring monthly CSHT site safety inspections for this project?

a. Answer (1): Per 01 35 26 Section 1.8.A.

i. Per Federal Standard and in the VA General Specifications for the Prime Contractor’s SSHO, this Certificate is required when the Prime’s SSHO has only held the OSHA 30-hour for less than five years but at least three years.

b. Answer (1): Per 01 35 26 Section 1.9.B.

i. Other than the SSHO, is to have a CSP who holds the CSHT Certification or has specialized knowledge in Construction Safety. If this person who is the CSP does not have the CSHT Certification, they must provide evidence in that he or she has specialized knowledge in Construction Safety.

c. Answer (1): Per 01 35 26 Section 1.9.B.

i. Specifies Random Monthly Inspections are required.

38) Division 1 – Mobilization – will the VA provide a location for job trailer and laydown yard for this project?

a. Answer: This is dependent on space available at time of NTP.

39) 02 82 11 – Can the VA provide the most recent asbestos survey for these buildings and locations that will require abatement for this project?

a. Answer: The Asbestos Survey is limited. This will shared with the Successful

Bidder, a copy will not be sent.

b. Building 12 has Asbestos in limited items. Please see Drawing HA111 for identified Asbestos per the VA Asbestos Survey. Refer to Specification 02 82 11 for additional information.

c. Building 44 has no Asbestos. This Building was built around 2010.

40) 05 12 00 – AISC Certification – Will Fabricator and install of structural steel be required to have AISC certification?

a. Answer: Yes, as per quality assurance requirements in subparagraph 1.5 of specification section 05 12 00.

41) AS101- Temporary Storage Units – Can the VA confirm they would like only one storage unit? How long do we need to supply this storage unit?

a. Answer: Refer to RFI responses 3 & 4 for responses.

42) Solicitation 13.a – Can the bid date be changed so it does not land on Monday June 24th?

a. Answer: An updated bid due date and time will be identified in Amendment 0002.

43) Bldg. 12- Are the cages to be removed with the windows? Are the swamp coolers and frame stand to be removed with the windows?

a. Answer: Swamp coolers are to be removed as per sheet MD111 of drawings.

Remove cages where needed to replace windows.

44) Bldg. 44- What is the slab thickness from Level 2 to Level 1? Can the exterior exit from Level 1 be used for primary entrance?

a. Answer: 5 1/2" thick concrete slab over steel decking. See snapshot (detail B6) on Figures sheet for additional information (Deck is type 2). Reference: VA project number: 504-218, Sheet: S401, issue date: 07/31/2006, A/E: Decker Perich Sabatini, Sealed: Charles R. Hanson, PE.

b. Coordinate building entry with VA COR.

45) AD132 – Currently the roof access handrail on bldg. 44 is not acceptable to climb through the roof hatch and needs to be replaced, is the VA going to replace before we start work up there?

a. Answer: No. This is tied to a separate future project. Contractor may access roof by other means.

46) AE201- Detail D5 – note 1 – due to proximately of bldg. 12 to bldg.13 there is very little room to work on the louver install, is there another location that this louver can be installed to allow proper installation?

a. Answer: No, louver cannot be placed on the front side of building and must not travel through other spaces in the building. It was determined the louver would be above the level of Building 13 Roof, see detail on Drawings.

47) AS111 – Is there a place to put dirt on the station from the excavation of the concrete pad at bldg. 12?

a. Answer: No. Contractor to remove offsite.

48) Per Drawing GI-002, there is a statement that this is a Phased Project with another

Project. Please Explain:

THIS PROJECT IS TO BE DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROJECT #504-10-709 -

"RENOVATE BUILDING 4 - 1ST FLOOR" AS COORDINATED BY THE COR. THE

RENOVATION OF SPACES IN BUILDING 12 AND BUILDING 44 OUTLINED

WITHIN THIS PROJECT SHALL OCCUR PRIOR TO 504-10-709 - "RENOVATE

BUILDING 4 - 1ST FLOOR" WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GI900 SHEETS.

REFER TO THE GI900 SHEETS FOR WORK TO BE DONE AFTER THE

COMPLETION OF 504-10-709 - "RENOVATE BUILDING 4 - 1ST FLOOR".

a. As per Scope of work, this contract’s primary focus is for 504-23-106 Renovate for Swing Space and is in support of a separate future contract project 504-10-709 Renovate Building 4 – 1st Floor. This project has parts that are meant for after the future contract that are addressed within the “504-23-106 Renovate for Swing Space” Scope of Work.