Request For Information 06-24-25.pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

06/24/2025

1. Q: Is any commissioning required on this project?

A: A traditional commissioning program is not required. The contractor shall satisfy all specifications requirements and drawing notes pertaining to:

a) design by contractor (expl.: Fire Protection work),

b) submittals,

c) quality control / quality assurance,

d) materials and product requirements,

e) manufacturer’s installation requirements,

f) other installation requirements in the SOW, specifications, or drawings,

g) inspection and testing,

h) instructions and training for the VA end users.

2. Q: Is there any reason the Superintendent cannot be the Prime Contractor’s Commissioning

Manager during commissioning?

A: This is acceptable however, see response to question #1. A traditional commissioning program is not required. The project superintendent shall maintain a physical presence at the site at all times while work is being performed and is responsible for all construction and related activities at the site. See spec section 01 45 00 Quality Control, Para. 3.1.

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

A: Yes, a full-time QC manager is required for this project however, the project superintendent is allowed to perform the duties of the QC manager per spec section 01 45 00, Para. 3.4-B. The superintendent will be held responsible for the quality of work and is considered the highest level manager responsible for the overall construction activities at the site, including quality and production per spec section 01 45 00, Para. 3.1. See also, response to questions 1 & 2.

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

A: Yes, the superintendent can have collateral duties as the QC manager if the superintendent satisfies the QC manager training and experience requirements per spec section 01 45 00

Quality Control, Para. 3.4-B. See also, response to questions 1, 2, & 3.

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

A: No, a full-time on-site SSHO is not required for this project as long as the superintendent satisfies the SSHO training and experience requirements per spec section 01 35 26 Safety

Requirements, Par. 1.8-A. Alternately, another full-time on-site employee such as a lead craft

/ trade person employed directly by the general contractor (not employed by a subcontractor) who satisfies the requirements of 01 35 26, Par. 1.8-A may serve as the SSHO.

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

A: Yes, the superintendent can have collateral duties as the full-time on-site SSHO if the superintendent satisfies the SSHO training and experience requirements in spec section 01 35

26 Safety Requirements, Par. 1.8-A. See also, response to question 5.

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

A: Yes, the superintendent can serve as the SSHO and QCM if the superintendent satisfies the

QC manager training and experience requirements per spec section 01 45 00 Quality Control, Para. 3.4-B and the training and experience requirements per spec section 01 35 26 Safety

Requirements, Par. 1.8-A.

8. Q: What is the total dollar amount that the VA has requested for this project?

A: The Construction Magnitude is between $250,000 and $500,000.

9. Q: Has the funding request been approved and full funding for this project available to the

NCO station?

A: This project has been approved to be acquired but the specific funding amount will be requested once we know how much the contract amount will be awarded for.

10. Q: Will any of this work have to be performed after hours or on weekends?

A: No, the VA does not expect to require after-hours work. Normal hours of operation for the

Kerrville VA Medical Center are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday except for

Federal Holidays. The contractor’s daily work activities M-Fri shall be concluded by 4:30 pm, including any key turn-ins if applicable.

11. Q: Will this project be done in phases?

A: No, the VA requires this project to be completed in one continuous construction schedule to be developed by the contractor in accordance with spec section 01 32 16.15 Project

Schedules (Small Projects – Design/Bid/Build). The contractor will be required to include tasks performed by the VA in the construction schedule (new electric power and lighting systems and some painting tasks) and coordinate those tasks with contractor work.

Coordination will be facilitated through the VA COR. Reasonable durations for VA tasks shall be determined by the contractor. The VA will comply with those durations.

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

A: Phasing is not required. See response to question 11. Additionally, the VA will not restrict the contractor from scheduling and sequencing tasks and performing the work in a manner the contractor decides is most efficient. Exceptions to this apply if simultaneous activities present a risk to life safety.

13. Q: If so, how many areas will we be given at a time?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. See response to questions 11 & 12.

14. Q: Will any ICRA be required on this project

A: See bottom of last page of the PCRA that was attached to the project solicitation. Per the

VA Infection Prevention and Control nurse, an ICRA is not required for this project.

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

A: This question is not applicable to this project. See response to question 15.

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

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new HVAC in this project.

17. Q: Who is the manufacturer of the current Fire Alarm system

A: Honeywell-FCI.

18. Q: Please provide contact for those who service the current Fire Alarm System

A: The fire alarm service provider is CSM (Cameron Strategic Management LLC). The subcontractors that CSM uses are FACS (Fire Alarm Control Systems) and Western States

Fire Protection. Both subcontractors are out of San Antonio.

NOTE: The fire alarm program for Building 115 is already entered in the panel located in the

Transportation Building 46 (the building next to building 115). The program can accommodate additional entries if the contractor’s fire alarm designer determines the need for more detectors or devices. Currently, the devices and detectors in building 115 are deactivated at the panel in Building 46 except for two currently in Building 115. This should be verified by the contractor as it has been a few years since the VA deactivated them. This should give the contractor a good starting point on programing.

19. Q: Who is the manufacturer of the current Security and Access Control system?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing Security and

Access Control systems in this project.

20. Q: Please provide a contact for who services the current Security and Access Control System?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing Security and

Access Control systems in this project.

21. Q: Who is the manufacturer of the current CCTV system?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing CCTV system in this project.

22. Q: Please provide a contact for whoever services the current CCTV System.

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing CCTV system in this project.

23. Q: Who is the manufacturer of the current Telecommunications system?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing Telecomm system in this project.

24. Q: Please provide a contact for who services the current Telecommunications System?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing Telecomm system in this project.

25. Q: Who is the manufacturer of the current HVAC Controls?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new HVAC or Controls systems in this project.

26. Q: Please provide a contact for who services the current HVAC Controls?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new HVAC or Controls systems in this project.

27. Q: Who is the manufacturer of the current Building Automation System?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing Building

Automation systems in this project.

28. Q: Please provide a contact for who services the current Building Automation System?

A: This question is not applicable to this project. There is no new or existing Building

Automation systems in this project.

29. Q: Is there any chance of uncovering hazardous materials?

A: The VA will remove hazardous materials from the building prior to the Notice to Proceed for construction is issued (NTP).

30. Q: Who is the existing signage contractor for this VA?

A: The VA does not have a specific signage contractor. One contractor familiar with the

Kerrville VA is Executive Signs in San Marcos. The POC is John Quinn 512-292-9939.

31. Q: Will the contractor be responsible for any permits?

A: Permits are not required for this project. If that changes the VA will pay for the permits.

32. Q: Are new doors to be factory finished or field finished?

A: Interior and exterior sides of the new coiling garage doors are to be factory primed and field OR factory finished (contractor’s choice). Spec section 08 33 00 Coiling Doors covers factory priming requirements and spec section 09 91 00 Painting covers field painting requirements.

33. Q: Please confirm that the entire existing building is being demolished including structural columns?

A: The entire existing building is NOT being demolished. This project requires renovation of the existing building, NOT full replacement of the building. A select number of structural steel components will be replaced. See SOW section 2.8 for structural, siding, and roofing repairs. Also, see “SOW General Requirements” on the 1st and 2nd page of the SOW for a detailed explanation of how to follow the SOW and how to use the plans and specifications that were included in the solicitation.

34. Q: Please confirm that the existing foundation is being removed and replace with a new concrete foundation?

A: The existing foundation is NOT being removed, repaired, or replaced. See “SOW General

Requirements” on the 1st and 2nd page of the SOW for a detailed explanation of how to follow the SOW and how to use the plans and specifications that were included in the solicitation.

35. Q: If the utility provider charges any fees will the Government be responsible for these or the contractor?

A: The VA will be responsible for utility provider fees if there are any. The VA does not expect utility provider fees for this project.

36. Q: Please confirm that the Government will be responsible for all utility tap fees? The utility companies will not work with us pre-bid and tell us what those fees will cost because that would actually tie them down to a price and they don’t give lump sum prices.

A: The VA will be responsible for utility tap fees if there are any. The VA does not expect utility tap fees for this project.

37. Q: Please confirm that the contractors electrical scope start on the secondary power side of the transformer that is either already existing or will be provided by the utility company at the government’s expense?

A: The contractor is only responsible for existing electrical demolition and the installation of any new conduit, boxes, raceways, j-boxes, and low-voltage / comm wiring, etc. required for the new fire protection systems that the contractor will be installing. The VA will be installing only the new electric power distribution and lighting systems in this project.

38. Q: Will you send out the site visit sign in sheet?

A: This has already been posted with Amendment 3.

39. Q: Does the contractor need to include their VETS-4212 in their proposal submission?

A: Please see pg. 10 of solicitation document. You’ll need to confirm this has been filed if your company is required to report. You can provide proof of filing with the proposal submission.

40. Q: Will the Government pay for all testing and inspections?

A: The cost for all required testing and inspection shall be included in the contractor’s proposal.

41. Q: Is the Special Inspector required to be on-site full-time for the duration of the project or only when inspections are needed?

A: Special inspections are not required for this project. The project scope is limited to the renovation work described in the SOW. This is not a full-building replacement project.

Structural work is limited to replacement of five steel open web joists, four pieces of steel floor grating, a steel column, and four steel roof purlins. The contractor shall adhere to the applicable structural details provided on drawing SS301 – Framing Details. The contractor’s

Quality Control Manager shall inspect all completed structural steel work to verify adherence to the details and shall record the inspections in a daily report. Include verification of weld thicknesses, bolt sizes, steel mill certifications, member sizes.

42. Q: Will the contractor be required to obtain any permits from state or local authority?

A: No, the contractor will not be required to obtain permits. This project will not require state or local permits.

43. Q: Will the contractor be required to create a SWPPP plan even though less than an acre of land is being disturbed?

A: No, a SWPPP plan will not be required.

44. Q: Will any additional access roads be required for the contractor to get to the site?

A: No additional access roads will be required. The contractor is required to use the entrance off Veterans highway.

45. Q: Will the Government pay for the usage of temporary water and electrical?

A: The contractor will be allowed to use water and electricity free of charge from building 46 which is next to building 115. The VA will not pay for any other sources of water or electricity.

46. Q: Will the contractor be required to have a temporary job trailer on site?

A: The contractor is not required to have a temporary job trailer on site.

47. Q: Will the contractor be required to provide a temporary trailer for government staff on site?

A: The contractor is not required to provide a temporary job trailer for government staff on site.

48. Q: Can the bid date for the project be extended to provide more time for contractors?

A: The VA Contracting Officer will revise the proposal due date.

49. Q: 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?

A: Yes, a second site visit and second RFI due date will be scheduled with Amendment 5.

50. Q: If the contractor completes security and badging AND all required preconstruction submittals in less than the 60 days allotted, will the VA add the remaining days to the 240 calendar day period of performance for the construction period?

A: No. The contractor will receive no more than 240 calendar days to complete the construction work.