Answers to RFIs.pdf

Answers to RFI’s

Solicitation 36C25725R0092 | 36C257-26-AP-0341 | Project 519-26-100

Replace NFS Coolers and Freezers

1. Do you want the walk-in Coolers/Freezers to be quoted as a two-compartment walk-in?

ANSWER: Only for units that are currently arranged as such.

2. Do you want the walk-in Coolers/Freezers to be quoted as a four-compartment walk-in?

ANSWER: No.

3. As this gets closer to YE, are you wanting these installed in 2025 or 2026?

ANSWER: 2026.

4. I’m also being asked if we can get a link or better drawings/floor plans. It’s hard for the MFRs to do a take off and get exact measurements as there are really light/blurring parts.

ANSWER: Clearer drawings are being supplied, but contractor is responsible for verifying measurements and field conditions.

5. In building our quote my subcontractor is asking if concrete and/or fire suppression systems need to be quoted as well. If so, will there be a site-visit to accurately assess.

ANSWER: No concrete work is anticipated. Fire suppression system may require temporary relocation or removal during demolition and construction as they interfere with required work.

6. Can we work on all Coolers / Freezer simultaneously?

ANSWER: We need to keep the construction areas small because the area we are working in is a functioning kitchen that needs to stay operational. It is preferred that we phase this project.

7. Does the VA have a phasing plan ?

ANSWER: Phasing plan is listed in SOW. It is split into 3 phases with each two component fridge/freezer representing two of the phases and the remaining two fridges as a third phase.

8. When the existing Coolers / Freezers are under construction, will the VA provide Temporary Coolers & Freezer units? If so, how many? Where will these new units be placed? Who will be responsible for bringing power to these Temporary Coolers & Freezer units?

ANSWER: No. One of the purposes of phasing this project is so we can keep a shorter supply of food in the freezers and refrigerators that are not under construction.

9. Who will be responsible for relocating and handling all the food products inside the current Cooler / Freezers prior to the start of work?

ANSWER: VA personnel.

10. Has the immediate work area been tested for asbestos or lead based paint in these areas?

ANSWER: No, but the VA will supply a copy of it’s most recent Asbestos survey.

If the contractor suspects there is asbestos, they are to stop work and notify the COR. The VA will send a sample off to be tested. If it is ACM we will get with contracting for further guidance.

11. What will be the ICRA requirements be for this project?

ANSWER: See attached ICRA.

12. Will all work associated with this project be able to be performed during regular working hours, Monday thru Friday?

ANSWER: Work will be performed during regular working hours, but some nights and weekend work may be required for convenience for both the contractors and the VA.

13. Is this a Design/Build project ? If so, will the Contractor be required to have designer of record A/E for shop drawings & final close out?

ANSWER: No. The contractor is to utilize the drawings provided, field verify conditions and remove and replace what is existing.

14. Is the Contractor required to provide a 24 hour/day fire watch during construction when the sprinkler systems in coolers / freezers are disabled along with possibly the Fire alarm above units?

ANSWER: No. Any required fire watch would be performed by VA personel.

15. Will the VA provide a large lay-down area inside one of their buildings for when the new panels / equipment arrives for storage & offloading?

ANSWER: No, but temporary accommodation may be made available by the COR if available. Space for a storage container will be provided for the contractor to store materials.

16. Will the Contractor have a designated path to haul demolished Coolers / Freezers/ Evaporators / Condensers, etc. for placement in our dumpsters?

ANSWER: Yes, designated paths would be dictated by the COR during pre-construction and the beginning of phases.

17. During the site visit, we noticed there is no access to the top of each Cooler/ Freezer only through ceiling tiles using ladders. If any existing grid and ceiling tiles are damaged, does the VA have surplus materials to place back?

ANSWER: Contractor responsible for replacing damaged ceiling tiles and grid.

18. What is the height from floor to lay-in ceiling now?

ANSWER: All measurements in the drawings must be field verified by the contractor before performing any work.

19. What is the overall height from floor to concrete deck above ceiling tile?

20. Do any of these Coolers/Freezers have floor drains in them now?

21. It was mentioned that all copper piping from the condenser to the evaporators is to be replaced and insulated. There are areas that are impossible to navigate through due to the congestion and layers of other utilities now present in the basement ceiling. Can we abandon in place certain areas? Can we find an alternative route(s) to get up to the first-floor kitchen area above the ceilings?

ANSWER: The new lines can go through existing penetrations, insulate where access is available. Contractor can relocate new lines if route is approved by the COR. Old lines must be demo’d.

22. All existing copper piping currently runs through a CHASE with glazed tile, which is enclosed. The copper lines from the basement to the first-floor kitchen area, including those from the condensers, pass through this chase and continue above the ceiling tiles. Is it possible to reroute these new lines by core drilling a new location(s)?

ANSWER: Yes, but must be approved in a case by case basis by the COR.

23. Will the new coolers and freezers be required to have red LED indicator lights and external local alarms to immediately alert VA staff if temperatures fall below the set thresholds?

24. The Kysor shop drawing dimensions do not match several of the field measured dimensions. Please confirm the following dimensions:

Walk-In Cooler 1070A - 17’ 0” x 10’ 0” O.A.?

Walk-In Cooler 1073 - 7’ 6” x 8’ 0” O.A.?

Walk-In Cooler/Freezer 1075 - 21’ 1-1/2” x 14’ 7” O.A.?

25. The man door is shown centered on the wall in the shop drawings but drawn closer to the corner of the wall in the “kitchen refrigeration” drawing. Which location is correct?

ANSWER: Location in “Kitchen Refrideration” is correct.

26. The “Kitchen Refrigeration” drawings are very similar to the Kysor shop drawing for Walk-In Cooler/Freezer 1076. Please confirm Kysor Shop drawings are accurate?

27. Please confirm O.A. height of all units at 8’ 0”.

28. Please confirm floor ratings of 900 PSF.

ANSWER: 600PSF per PG-18-1 Master Construction Specifications Division 11 41 21.

29. The ceiling and wall panels are not spec’d to a certain gauge metal skin. Please confirm the gauge of the panels. 26-gauge is standard.

ANSWER: Refer to PG-18-1 Master Construction Specifications Division 11 41 21 for specifications.

30. Do the walk-in coolers and freezers require any special anti-microbial finish? This is common in medical supply cold storage.

ANSWER: Yes.

31. The existing units have SS embossed trim inside to accent the white panels. Can white embossed trim be used for the new units?

32. Can temporary storage units be provided by the VA, to allow for complete demolition of all existing units to be done at one time, or will phasing be mandatory for this project?

ANSWER: We need to keep the construction areas small because the area we are working in is a functioning kitchen that need to stay operational. It is preferred that we phase this project.

33. Are there existing hub drains located immediately adjacent to all walk-in units for condensate drain lines to run to?

34. Will we be permitted to work Saturdays (i.e., 6-day work weeks)?

ANSWER: Yes, some nights and weekends may be required for the convenience of the contractors and the VA.

35. Does the Scope of Work require new copper refrigerant piping OR to re-use existing ?

ANSWER: New copper refrigerant piping.

36. If some copper refrigerant piping is to be re-used, are we required to re-insulate with new insulation?

ANSWER: New copper refrigerant piping with new insulation.

37. Current Condensers are located on two-tier stands. Can the current stands be reused OR do we need to provide new condenser stands?

ANSWER: Current stands may be reused.

38. Current compressors are Semi-Hermetic. Can they be replaced with more efficient Scroll-style compressors or do the new systems also need to be Semi- Hermetic ?

ANSWER: May be replaced with scroll-style compressors.

39. Who is the Local POC at this facility for BAS integration ?

ANSWER: Johnson Controls.

40. Statement of Work calls for phasing. First C1 and F1 followed by C2 and F2 but the coolers share a common cooler wall. Based on C1, C2, F1 and F2 needing to be done all at the same time, can phases be combined for these boxes ?

ANSWER: We need to keep the construction areas small because the area we are working in is a functioning kitchen that must stay operational. It is preferred that we phase this project.

41. Can Pro-press fittings be used to run copper drain lines ?

42. Does New equipment need to meet the AWEF Minimum for Walk in Coolers ?

43. Does Recovered Refrigeration need to be handed to on-site maintenance personnel, or just documented and taken for recycling ?

ANSWER: Documented and recycled.

44. Does the Equipment and boxes need to be left on-site for on-site maintenance personnel or documented and taken to a recycling yard ?

ANSWER: Documented and recycled.

45. There are a lot of interior trim pieces on seams, corners, etc. We assume these trim pieces were to minimize old leaks. Are we required to put these same trim pieces on each seam ?

46. Will factory Camlock seams and silicone sealant meet the SOW intent for the Cooler panel connection type ?