RFIs 36C25726Q0786 8.11.26.docx

Request for Information (RFI)

Solicitation: 36C25726Q0786 Project: Replace Water Heater and Boilers Out Buildings

RFI No. 1 – Bond Requirement Clarification The solicitation contains conflicting information regarding bonding requirements. SF-1442, Page 1, Block 12A indicates Performance and Payment Bonds are not required; however, the solicitation narrative states contracts exceeding $150,000 require Bid Guarantee, Performance Bond, and Payment Bond.

Question: Please clarify whether Bid Guarantee, Performance Bond, and Payment Bond are required for this procurement.

Ans: The narrative is provided for information purposes. Bonding requirements are triggered by the contractor’s final quoted price. Per FAR 28.102 Performance and payment bonds and alternative payment protections for construction contracts.

So:

· If quotes stay at or below $150K → No Performance/Payment bonds, No Bid Guarantee.

· If quotes exceed $150K → All three are required:

Bid Guarantee (due with the quote) + Performance Bond + Payment Bond. See FAR 28.101 & 28.102-1(a)

· If quotes are greater than $35,000, but not greater than $150,000:

Alternative payment protections will be required, and the contractor shall submit one of the following payment protections: payment bond or Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILC). See FAR 28.102-1(b)

The amount of the selected protection must be 100% of the contract price.

RFI No. 2 – Boiler Combustion Air Routing During the site visit it was discussed that the combustion air intake may need to be rerouted through the roof. Due to limited space above the boilers and existing mechanical equipment, will the Government allow the combustion air intake to remain routed through the existing wall penetration if it complies with the boiler manufacturer's installation requirements and applicable codes?

Ans: Combustion air intake may be routed through the existing wall penetration provided it meets the boiler manufacturer’s requirements and complies with local, state, and federal codes.

RFI No. 3 – Boiler Vent Material Please confirm the acceptable vent material for the new boilers. Will stainless steel venting meeting the manufacturer's requirements be acceptable in lieu of Type B venting if required by the selected boiler manufacturer?

Ans: Stainless steel venting is required per manufacturer specifications.

RFI No. 4 – Cascade Controls Is the contractor required to fully install and commission the cascade communication wiring between all boilers, or is it only required that the boilers possess the capability for future cascading?

Ans: The contractor is required to fully install and commission the cascade communication wiring between all boilers to provide sequenced operation and built-in redundancy, as described in the SOW.

RFI No. 5 – Combustion Analysis Is combustion analysis, startup, balancing, and final commissioning required for each boiler upon installation?

Ans: Yes, combustion analysis, startup, balancing, and final commissioning are required for each boiler upon installation. Warranty activation and startup must be performed per manufacturer requirements; factory representative involvement is required if the manufacturer stipulates.

RFI No. 6 – Existing Hydronic Components Please clarify which existing hydronic system components are intended to remain in service (expansion tank, magnetic separator, air separator, dirt separator, flow switches, check valves, isolation valves, ball valves, strainers, and mixing assemblies). Should these remain unless damaged, or should replacement be included?

Ans: Replacement should only occur where required for proper function or as part of system upgrades. All controls must be replaced or upgraded as needed to ensure a complete, operational, code-compliant system per manufacturer's and VA requirements.

RFI No. 7 – Existing Piping Please define the extent of piping replacement anticipated. Is replacement limited to piping necessary to connect the new equipment, or is replacement of additional supply, return, or gas piping expected?

Ans: Piping replacement should be limited to portions necessary to connect new equipment. Additional supply, return, or gas piping should only be replaced if required for code compliance and compatibility.

RFI No. 8 – Closed Loop Water System Please confirm whether the boiler system is a closed-loop hydronic system. If so, does the system contain glycol and will current water chemistry information be provided?

Ans: Yes it’s closed-loop. No glycol. Sodium nitrate, sodium hydroxide.

RFI No. 9 – Existing Water Meter / Makeup Water Is there an existing makeup water meter installed? If yes, is replacement required?

Ans: No.

RFI No. 10 – Insulation Should the contractor replace insulation only where disturbed, or should all exposed piping without insulation receive new insulation?

Ans: Contractor should replace insulation where piping is disturbed, and any exposed piping without insulation should be re-insulated per VA specifications and code RFI No. 11 – Backflow Prevention Is testing or replacement of any existing backflow prevention devices included within the project scope?

Ans: Yes, it needs to be relocated to an accessible location and ensure the manufacturer’s guidelines are followed.

RFI No. 12 – Building Management System Please provide the manufacturer and model of the existing Building Management System and clarify whether programming, graphics, integration, and commissioning are included under this contract.

Ans: Niagara, Contech is the vendor. The Contractor is responsible for coordinating the required BMS integration of the new equipment. The COR will facilitate coordination with the Government’s BMS contractor, as necessary, during contract performance.

RFI No. 13 – Temporary Heating Will temporary heating be required while the existing boiler system is out of service? If required, will temporary heating be Government Furnished or Contractor Furnished?

Ans: No, need to be phased or staged.

RFI No. 14 – Existing Controls Are existing boiler control panels and field control wiring intended to remain, or shall all controls be replaced as required for a complete operational system?

Ans: Replacement should only occur where required for proper function or as part of system upgrades. All controls must be replaced or upgraded as needed to ensure a complete, operational, code-compliant system per manufacturers and VA requirements.

RFI No. 15 – Roof Penetrations May existing roof penetrations be reused for the new venting systems if they comply with manufacturer requirements and code?

Ans: Existing roof penetrations may be reused if compatible with manufacturers and code requirements. If additional penetrations are required for proper venting, contractor should include in the scope/bid.

RFI No. 16 – Disposal Requirements Please clarify whether any additional removed equipment (boilers, pumps, motors, valves, controls, vent piping, etc.) is Government property or shall be disposed of by the Contractor.

Ans: GC is responsible for disposing.

RFI No. 17 – Approved Equal Boiler Will the Government evaluate 'equal' boilers solely based on the published salient characteristics listed in the SOW, or are there additional requirements not identified in the solicitation?

Ans: Proposed equal boilers will be evaluated based on the salient characteristics identified in the statement of work and applicable solicitation requirements. No additional boiler specific requirements are identified.

18. Existing Boiler Pumps The SOW says to install three new boiler pumps but does not define the required performance.

Question:

Please provide the required flow (GPM), head pressure, and any pump schedule or design criteria for the three new boiler pumps, or confirm the contractor is responsible for sizing pumps based on the selected boiler manufacturer.

Ans: The boiler pumps shall be compatible with the proposed boilers. The contractor is responsible for sizing and selecting the pumps based on the requirements of the proposed boiler manufacturer and shall include the pumps and associated work in the quote.

19. Gas Pressure / Utility Capacity The SOW requires the contractor to modify gas piping as necessary but provides no gas pressure information.

Question:

Please provide the available incoming gas pressure and confirm that existing utility capacity is adequate to support the replacement equipment.

Ans: The contractor shall field verify the existing incoming gas pressure and available gas capacity and ensure that the proposed boilers are compatible with the existing gas service. Any required gas piping modifications necessary to accommodate the proposed boilers shall be included in the contractors quote.

20. Electrical Requirements Nothing identifies the electrical service serving the new boilers.

Question:

Please confirm that existing electrical service is adequate for the new boilers and pumps, or identify any electrical upgrades expected under this contract.

Ans: The Contractor is responsible for verifying the existing electrical service and ensuring that the proposed boilers and pumps are compatible with the available electrical service. Any electrical upgrade work necessary to accommodate the proposed equipment shall be included in the quote.

21. Construction Drawings Question:

Are mechanical, plumbing, electrical, controls, or as-built drawings available for Buildings 35 and 46? If so, will the Government provide these drawings by amendment to assist contractors in preparing complete and accurate quotations?

Ans: There are no drawings available at this time.

RFI No. 22 – Boiler Venting Material Clarification The Statement of Work specifies Type B double-wall vent piping while also specifying high-efficiency condensing boilers (Knight KBX0400N or equal).

Question:

Please confirm the required venting material for the replacement boilers. If the selected boiler manufacturer's installation requirements differ from the specified Type B venting, will venting installed in accordance with the manufacturer's published installation instructions and applicable code requirements be considered acceptable?

Ans: Stainless steel venting is required per manufacturer specifications.

RFI No. 23 – Building Management System (BMS) Integration The Statement of Work requires Building Management System (BMS) integration but does not identify the existing BMS manufacturer, communication protocol, or define the required integration scope.

Question:

Please provide the manufacturer and model of the existing Building Management System and clarify the required scope of integration, including whether programming, graphics, point mapping, network communication, startup, testing, and commissioning are included under this contract.

Ans: Niagara, Contech is the vendor. The Contractor is responsible for coordinating the required BMS integration of the new equipment. The COR will facilitate coordination with the Government’s BMS contractor, as necessary, during contract performance.

RFI No. 24 – Startup and Factory Representative Question:

Is startup, commissioning, and warranty activation required to be performed by the boiler manufacturer's authorized factory representative, or may these services be performed by the installing contractor provided all manufacturer warranty requirements are satisfied?

Ans: Yes, combustion analysis, startup, balancing, and final commissioning are required for each boiler upon installation. Warranty activation and startup must be performed per manufacturer requirements; factory representative involvement is required if the manufacturer stipulates.

RFI No. 25 We spoke with our boiler manufacturer regarding the vent stacks the VA is requesting to be replaced on the boilers in Building 46. The manufacturer advised that these are condensing boilers and Type B double-wall vent stacks cannot be used. The venting must be double-wall stainless steel or PVC. Please confirm how the VA would like us to proceed with the vent stack replacement.

Ans: Stainless steel venting is required per manufacturer specifications.

RFI No. 26 In the statement of work page 4 of 5 government request all exhaust vent pipe to be removed and replaced with Type B double wall. However, you requested a 97% boiler and the venting will condensate no matter the brand of boiler. The Knight commercial boiler Model KBX0400N specifically states that only PVC, CPVC, Stainless Steel or polypropylene. VA TIL states that only stainless steel venting can be used for venting, does government concur with stainless steel venting?

Ans: Stainless steel venting is required per manufacturer specifications.

RFI No. 27 The knight boiler can be common vented, but strict guild lines. If VA hospital does not meet those guidelines is there three opening on roof for venting to exit or should contractor bid for new penetrations?

Ans: Existing roof penetrations may be reused if compatible with manufacturers and code requirements. If additional penetrations are required for proper venting, contractor should include in the scope/bid.

RFI No. 28 Is there combustion air inside the boiler room?

Ans: No.

RFI No. 29 Who is your roofing contractor?

Ans: The General Contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer’s Representative due to an ongoing roofing project to avoid conflicts and ensure coordination of any required roofing work.

RFI No. 30 Who is you controls contractor for your BMS system?

Ans: Niagara, Contech is the vendor.

RFI No. 31 Is the BMS connections just an enable signal?

Ans: The Contractor is responsible for coordinating the required BMS integration of the new equipment. The COR will facilitate coordination with the Government’s BMS contractor, Contech, as necessary, during contract performance to determine the required connections.

RFI No. 32 Will this be just a disconnect from old boilers and reconnect for BMS?

Ans: The Contractor is responsible for coordinating the required BMS integration of the new equipment. The COR will facilitate coordination with the Government’s BMS contractor, Contech, as necessary, during contract performance to determine the required connections.

RFI No. 33 How much piping is government wanting contractor to remove to install boiler?

Ans: Piping replacement should be limited to portions necessary to connect new equipment. Additional supply, return, or gas piping should only be replaced if required for code compliance and compatibility.

RFI No. 34 Does government want installation per manufacturers specifications? Example strainers, thermometers, shut off valves, etc.

Ans: Replacement should only occur where required for proper function or as part of system upgrades. All controls must be replaced or upgraded as needed to ensure a complete, operational, code-compliant system per manufacturer's and VA requirements.

RFI No. 35 What type of 100-gallon water heater does the Government require, or will any commercial-grade 100-gallon water heater that meets the project requirements be acceptable?

Ans: Any commercial-grade 100-gallon water heater meeting safety, efficiency, and regulatory requirements is acceptable.

RFI No. 36 How long can domestic hot water be down for installation?

Ans: General Contractor is responsible for coordinating this with the VA.

RFI No. 37 Are the existing door openings large enough to allow the new water heater to be moved through the doorway and into the installation area? (Approximate diameter 27.75” height 85.5”) Ans: Yes.

RFI No. 38 Does government want us to just disconnect and reconnect existing electrical from boiler?

Ans: Existing electrical connections may be reused if compatible, otherwise contractor to supply new service as necessary to fully support new boilers RFI No. 39 New boilers require 110 outlet each is that the existing power?

Ans: Yes.

RFI No. 40 Will the boiler replacements need to be phased or staged to ensure the VA does not lose heating in areas served by the boilers during the replacement process?

Ans: Yes, need to be phased or staged.

RFI No. 41

Do you have a preferred roofer you want us to coordinate with? Also, for Building 46 where the boiler vents penetrate the roof, can you confirm whether those penetrations are through TPO or tile? We didn’t get a clear view of that area during the walk‑through. If possible, could you send a picture of the existing vent penetrations so we can provide it to the roofer.

Ans: Tile. The General Contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer’s Representative due to an ongoing roofing project to avoid conflicts and ensure coordination of any required roofing work. No pictures are available.

RFI No. 42

In Building 35, the two existing 40‑gallon water heaters have circulation pumps, but there is no spec listed for a circulation pump on the new 100‑gallon water heater. Are we not installing one, will one be provided, or can you send the spec so we can include it correctly in our bid.

Ans: GC is responsible for providing the circulation pump for a 100-gallon water heater.

RFI No. 43 Also in Building 35, the two ½‑inch gas lines feeding the existing 40‑gallon heaters — are those intended to be tied together to make up the volume for a ¾‑inch gas line to serve the new 100‑gallon water heater.

Ans: the general contractor is responsible for the means and methods for proper installation of the 100-gallow water heater.

RFI No. 44 For Building 46, please confirm that our scope is to replace the piping from the boilers to the pumps and the gas lines up to the stops only. The fresh‑air intake is currently PVC and runs through the side wall of the mechanical room. Is that material and location acceptable for rerouting the new piping.

Ans: The general contractor is responsible for the means and methods for proper installation.