36C25726R0012 674-22-805 Upgrade Building Automation Systems RFI Responses .pdf

Q1 Is it acceptable to have multiple VAV boxes be powered by a single 24V transformer or will each VAV boxes be required to have a dedicated transformer?

A1 Provide power as recommended by equipment manufacturer for VAVs.

Q2 Temple BLDG 171 - Page 1-M-102 references equipment tagged F-13 & F-14. What type of equipment is this? What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A2 Replace N2 bus HVAC control device and wiring with MSTP as well as all thermostats and sensors.

Q3 Temple BLDG 204 - Page 1-M-104 references equipment tagged 204-VF1JK, 204-UH1JK, 204-RF1K, 204-RF1J. What type of equipment is this? What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A3 204-VF1JK is side wall Fan, 204-UH1JK is a unit heater, 204-RF1K and 204-RF1J are return fans.

Q4 Temple BLDG 204 - Page 1-M-106 references equipment tagged 204-SA4GS. What type of equipment is this? What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A4 204-SA4GS is a duct silencer.

Q5 Temple BLDG 202 - Page 1-M-108 references equipment tagged B-CV-1, B1-1, A1-1 as examples.

Please confirm these are all tags for VAV boxes.

A5 B1-1, A1-1...etc. are existing ducted fan coil units and B-CV-1 ...etc. are control valve boxes

Q6 Temple BLDG 202 - Page 1-M-108 references equipment tagged FC-1. What type of equipment is this?

What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A6 FC-1 are existing fan coil units Q7 Temple BLDG 202 - Page 1-M-109 references equipment tagged E3-1. What type of equipment is this?

What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A7 These equipments are fan coil units.

Q8 Waco BLDG 6 - Page 2-M-107 references equipment tagged 6-GU-1. What type of equipment is this?

What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A8 GU-1 is a packaged unit.

Q9 Waco BLDG 8 - Page 2-M-110 references equipment tagged 8-AC-1. What type of equipment is this?

What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A9 These are single packaged water-cooled air conditioners

Q10 Waco BLDG 15 - Page 2-M-116 references equipment tagged PRS, SCP-1, SG-1, AS-2, SMD, ET-2. What type of equipment is this? What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A10 PRS - pressure reducing station, SCP - steam condensate pump, SG - steam generator, AS - air separator, ET- expansion tank

Q11 Waco BLDG 92 - Page 2-M-121 references equipment tagged 92-FC3D and 92-RH1. What type of equipment is this? What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A11 FC3D - vertical fan coil unit and RH1 - Q12 Waco BLDG 227 - Page 2-M-127 references equipment tagged 227-GU-1 and HVU-1. What type of equipment is this? What are the control points and sequence of operation?

A12 GU - 1 are packaged units for the greenhouse.

36C25726R0012, 674-22-805 Upgrade Building Automation Systems, Pre-Bid RFIs

Q13 Waco BLDG 202 has RTUs and a MAU on the roof. Do the existing units have a BACnet card for BACnet integration?

A13 No, they do not have.

Q14 Waco BLDG 219 has RTUs on the roof. Do the existing units have a BACnet card for BACnet integration?

A14 No, they do not have BACnet cards for integration Q15 Waco BLDG 226 has RTUs on the roof. Are the existing units packaged units or is it the controls contractor’s responsibility to provide full controls? If they are packaged units, do the existing units have a BACnet card for BACnet integration?

A15 Yes, they are existing units and contractors to replace the BACnet N2 Bus controls and wiring with the BACnet MSTP.

Q16 Will any of the areas involved with the upgrade require after-hours support during the duration of the project?

If yes, please specify:

• Which areas will require after-hours work?

• Estimated duration and frequency of after-hours activities.

• Any special considerations for staffing or scheduling.

A16 Some areas may require work to be performed outside of regular hours to minimize impact to facility operations. Frequency and duration of after-hour work is variable and dependent of the operational needs of a given area at that time.

Q17 Will after-hours work require special building access or security clearance?

A17 If so, VA-COR will coordinate access with GC Q18 Who will be responsible for coordinating access (vendor or client)?

A18 VA-COR

Q19 Are there any restrictions on personnel entering the premises after hours?

A19 VA-COR will coordinate access with GC for any after-hours work Q20 How many buildings at each site are included in the upgrade scope?

A20 Reference plan. Sheet index on sheet GI000 lists sites and building #s.

Q21 Provide a list of building names or identifiers for each site.

A21 See response to question 20.

Q22 Will all buildings be upgraded concurrently, or will the work be phased? If phased, please provide the proposed sequence and timeline.

A22 Phasing plan is not part of design. Apon award the GC will submit a phasing plan and project schedule for VA approval.

Q23 Identify any buildings that will not be included in the upgrade scope.

A23 See response to question 20.

Q24 Will the historical status of the Waco site require vendors to comply with additional regulations or restrictions?

If yes, please specify:

• Applicable guidelines or governing authorities.

• Any limitations on modifications, equipment installation, or structural changes?

A24 Scope of work is not expected to impact historic status of site or buildings on campus. No additional regulations or restrictions are anticipated.

Q25 If end devices (controllers, sensors, etc.) are already installed and operational, should they remain in place or be replaced?

A25 Replaced with new Q26 What valve body type is recommended for this project? Are globe valves the preferred option based on

VA standards or specifications?

A26 Yes, globe valves are the preferred option.

Q27 Per specification section 23 09 23 – 24, please confirm BACnet MS/TP is the preferred communication method for the field communications network on this project? If not, please specify the recommended protocol and justification.

A27 Yes, BACnet MSTP is the preferred comm. method.

Q28 For the Past Performance requirement, does the Department of Veterans Affairs require that submitted projects be 100% complete, or may projects that are substantially complete be considered acceptable for evaluation?

A28 CO to provide response Q29 Will work be permitted to occur at both locations simultaneously?

A29 Yes Q30 Will separate individuals be required to fill roles as on-site personnel staff at each project site?

A30 Refer to Q31 response below.

Q31 Do the roles of SSHO, Superintendent, and QCM need to be filled by 3 separate individuals? Or can the same individual serve simultaneously as 2 or more of these positions?

A31 Per 01 45 00, 3.4.B, the superintendent can also be QCM, but not SSHO. Per 01 35 26, 1.7.C, "...the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor's Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO."

Q32 Will each site need a separate full staff of on-site personnel?

A32 Yes Q33 Earthwork will be required for new duct bank installation, but no specification section is included.

Please provide a specification section for the earthwork.

A33 Earthwork specification to be provided with Addendum 01 Q34 Landscaping will be required for new duct bank installation, but no specification section is included.

Please provide a specification section for the landscape.

A34 Arch.: 32 90 00 PLANTING section to be added by addendum 01.

Q35 In areas disturbed by construction, is grass to be restored using seed or sod?

A35 Arch. Requirements for both methods are indicated in 31 20 11 EARTHWORK (SHORT FORM) to be added by addenda. VA to confirm method.

Q36 Is the contractor responsible for watering and maintenance of landscape work for an establishment period after approval? If so, what is the duration assumed for the establishment period?

Establishment/maintenance period for turf must continue for a minimum period of 180 calendar days after install, with weekly inspections and full maintenance (mowing, irrigation, fertilization, weed control) during that time.

A36

Establishment/maintenance period for exterior planting must continue for a minimum period of 365 calendar days after install, with weekly inspections and full maintenance (mowing, irrigation, fertilization, weed control) during that time.

Q37 Is the contractor to provide Max-cell innerduct in all new exterior UG fiber pathways?

A37 Alternate products to be considered, post-bid and during the submittal process.

Q38 Please confirm, will this entire contract be issued under a single contract?

A38 Yes Q39 If issued as one contract, which prevailing wage/pay scale applies — McLennan County or Bell County?

A39 CO to provide response Q40 Please confirm, all work is to be done on regular hours between 8 am and 4:30 pm?

A40 Some areas may require work to be performed outside of regular hours to minimize impact to facility operations Q41 Will parking be available for contractors free of charge?

A41 Yes Q42 Will hard plastic barriers suffice as adequate infection control, or is the contractor required to construct temporary gypsum walls?

A42 Safety Requirements specification indicates 1-hour temporary gypsum walls and doors as required for access; VA may amend these requirements on case-by-case basis.

Q43 Are HEPA carts sufficient for any above-ceiling work in corridors?

A43 Yes, assuming that all open ceiling is contain within the HEPA cart Q44 Please confirm, are all new power circuits to be removed and replaced?

A44 Design intent is to demolish existing mechanical systems throughout areas of scope and reuse power circuits as much as possible. Where a greater quantity of circuits is required in the new work, new circuits must be pulled from nearby electrical panels with spare capacity as indicated on the electrical drawings.

Q45 Please confirm, are all panelboards existing with spare capacity? Will the contractor be required to provide any new panels?

A45 Refer to A44.

Q46 Can one contractor perform both the controls work as well as integration, or must these be two separate contractors?

A46 Up to the bidding contractors how they want to write their scopes.

Q47 Is it the responsibility of the contractor to hire the CxA for commissioning of the new upgrades?

A47 Reference spec 23 05 93.

Q48 Is the contractor required to provide an on-site SIOR to oversee inspections?

A48 Contractor is not required to provide a third party SIOR for this project.

Q49 Is the contractor responsible for hiring a 3rd party firestopping inspector as part of this project?

A49 Reference spec 01 45 29 Third-party inspection responsibilities indicated in 07 84 00 FIRETOPPING, to be added by addenda.

Q50 With the project work areas spanning throughout various buildings / areas at each facility, what should the contractor anticipate as far as phasing constraints when moving throughout the work areas?

A50 Phasing plan is not part of design. VA to provide response on how best to proceed with work.

Q51 For bidding purposes, approximately how many rooms / work areas should the contractor anticipate having access to at a time?

A51 Phasing plan is not part of design. VA to provide response on how best to proceed with work.

Q52 Will the contractor be required to complete all work in each work area and obtain VA approval prior to moving on to the next area?

A52 Typically yes, however exceptions may be approved by the VA on a case-by-case basis.

Q53 Project documents are missing valve schedules. Shall Johnson Controls identify the quantity of valves to be replaced and provide a budget for replacement valves based upon 1/2" valves for terminal units and 2" valves for Air Handling Units? If accepted, after contract award, Johnson Controls reserves the right to additional compensation if upon discovery, the required valves exceed our budgetary assumptions.

A53 No exceptions – contractor must be responsible for verifying all existing valve sizes and/or DDC actuators prior to ordering materials. Bidders must include in their bid all control valves reasonably inferable from the contract documents and required for a complete and functional BAS installation.

Contractor must field-verify valve quantities and sizes during construction; normal variation in valve sizes and counts associated with renovation work must be included in the base bid and must not be cause for additional compensation unless a substantial discrepancy is found beyond what is shown or reasonably inferable from the drawings and specifications.

Q54 Regarding Waco Buildings 8 and 93, project documents are missing duct and piping layouts related to Chilled Beams. We cannot determine from the documents as to the number of control schemes for each controller without detailed drawings indicating the relationships between chilled beam valves, room sensors and air terminals. However, JCI has the ability to integrate into the existing controls into the Metasys BAS. Is it acceptable to integrate into the areas served by Chilled Beams or shall Johnson Controls exclude pricing this area until more detailed drawings become available?

A54 Yes – providing prices for integration is acceptable. Contractor responsible for replacement of all controllers, sensors, actuators, etc. necessary for functioning BAS. Bidders must assume responsibility to investigate existing chilled beam arrangements to the extent necessary to provide a complete BAS integration of all available points reasonably inferable from the contract documents. Integration of existing chilled beam systems must be included in the base bid where points are available; omission of pricing based on incomplete detail drawings is not acceptable unless specifically excluded by addendum.

Q55 In several of the buildings with pneumatic damper actuation, the Fire Alarm system controls the Fire Smoke Dampers and may also control Air Handling Unit mixed air dampers. The project documents do not provide information to determine the quantity of damper actuators controlled by the Fire Alarm System. Replacement of the pneumatic actuators with electronic actuators would require testing of the Fire Alarm system. Shall Johnson Controls exclude pricing for this work or can Johnson Controls expect additional information to price up the replacement of the Fire Alarm system controlled pneumatic actuators?

A55 No – all pneumatic dampers/actuators must be included. Verify all fire/smoke dampers at units.

Bidders must include in their bid all BAS interface work reasonably inferable from the contract documents for dampers and associated controls. Fire alarm system modifications remain under the applicable fire alarm scope; however, coordination, identification, and BAS-side work necessary to complete the controls upgrade must be included in the base bid. Additional compensation will be considered only for scope clearly outside the contract documents and not reasonably discoverable during bidding.

Q56 During our recent site visit, adequate time was not provided to observe all of the pneumatic VAV boxes requiring retrofit. We have also observed VAV boxes that cannot be retrofitted with standard VAV controllers or may be missing essential components such as flow rings. The project documents do not include a VAV box schedule indicating model and manufacturer of the VAV boxes desired to be retrofitted with direct digital controls. Of those VAV boxes that we believe can be retrofitted, shall Johnson Controls make assumptions that the basis of design of all the existing VAV boxes are Titus ESV or similar single duct configuration with flow ring and an accessible exterior shaft within a NEMA 1 enclosure? If accepted, after contract award, Johnson Controls reserves the right to additional compensation to offer a replacement VAV box if upon discovery, that the existing VAV boxes do require replacement due to lack of flow rings, accessible enclosures, or found to be no longer operable.

A56 Contractor is responsible for verifying all existing VAV boxes quantities and sizes prior to ordering materials. Recommend replacement of all pneumatic VAV boxes, it must be up to the contractor as the SME to determine if pneumatic VAV terminal units are capable of being converted to DDC. Any and all equipment to be reused must be submitted to the COR and VA for approval. Bidders must assume that existing VAV boxes indicated to receive new controls are generally suitable for retrofit and must include all labor, materials, and accessories reasonably necessary to complete that work. Contractor must field-verify conditions and provide compatible DDC retrofit components; ordinary retrofit difficulties, missing minor components, and typical adjustment items must be included in the base bid.

Q57 During our recent site visit, we have observed VAV boxes that cannot be retrofitted with standard VAV external shaft mounted controllers. The project documents do not include a VAV box schedule indicating size, airflow requirements, coil size (if applicable) and water flow. Shall Johnson Controls make assumptions for these instances to provide a new 10” DDC VAV box with factory mounted controls of the basis of design of a Titus ESV or similar single duct configuration with flow ring and an accessible exterior shaft within a NEMA 1 enclosure? If accepted, after contract award, Johnson Controls reserves the right to additional compensation if upon discovery, that the existing VAV boxes are of a size greater than 10” or provide a credit for less than 10”.

A57 Similar to RFI #056, see response for verifying existing equipment info or size. Bidders must carry sufficient scope to replace non-retrofittable VAV boxes where reasonably inferable from field observations and contract documents. Replacement boxes must be sized by the contractor based on existing conditions and design intent; minor variation in box size, airflow, or coil characteristics must be included in the base bid and must not be grounds for a change order.

Q58 Project documents are missing information in regard to what pneumatic damper actuation has been identified to be replaced. Time allotted for investigating and discovery was insufficient, and therefore many of the devices called out to be replaced in the project documents are unknown. Therefore, shall Johnson Controls make assumptions as to the quantity, size and type of replacement actuation needed or can we expect additional information as to damper sizes in order to determine and size the type and quantity of dampers needing to be replaced? If additional information is not provided, Johnson Controls prior to contract award, reserves the right to additional compensation if upon discovery, if our assumptions are incorrect.

A58 Similar to RFI #056, see response for verifying existing equipment info or size. Bidders must include all pneumatic-to-electric damper actuator conversion work reasonably inferable from the M-Series drawings, control diagrams, and field observations necessary for a complete BAS installation.

Contractor must field-verify quantities, sizes, and torque requirements, and must include normal variation associated with renovation work in the base bid. Pneumatic control systems are not to remain in scope buildings and that HVAC units be verified and upgraded accordingly.

Q59 RFI responses to Questions 16, 17, 18, 19 and 40 acknowledge that there are buildings that would require that work to perform after-hours, special escorts or special access. Of the drawings in the Scope of Work listed on G1000, which require:

• After hours work

• Special Access

• Additional Security or personnel to perform work.

• Psychiatric Areas require two or more working personnel.

• Buildings or areas that require Hepa Carts outside of Temple 163 and 204.

If there are only specific areas that have special work conditions, please provide a color-coded map and or a list of room numbers that indicate areas of concern. Will Johnson Controls be provided with a map, list of buildings or areas that require special circumstances or shall we assume that all buildings work will be performed on straight time with no special circumstances?

A59 Bidders must assume that work in occupied clinical, behavioral health, secure, and other sensitive areas may require after-hours access, escorts, additional staffing, infection-control measures, or special access restrictions typical of VA medical facilities. Costs for normal access limitations and work phasing reasonably associated with the listed buildings must be included in the base bid.

Q60 When after hours work is being performed, is a non-working supervisor required to be present or is a working foreman supervisor acceptable during afterhours work?

A60 Bidders must include supervision adequate to perform after-hours work in compliance with VA requirements. A working foreman is acceptable unless VA directs otherwise for a particular area; no additional compensation will be due for ordinary supervisory requirements associated with after-hours work in occupied healthcare facilities.

Q61 Our recent site visit, adequate time was not provided to determine whether the HVAC equipment to be retrofitted was in good working order and not defective. During the construction phase, if HVAC equipment and components designated for reuse, is discovered to be defective, and impacts completion of the retrofit of BAS components, may Johnson Controls create a deficiency log to identify equipment in need of repair and offer cost proposals to correct the discovered deficiencies?

A61 Bidders must assume that existing equipment designated for reuse is generally serviceable for purposes of BAS retrofit and must include all effort necessary to interface with such equipment.

Normal age-related wear, maintenance issues, calibration needs, and minor repair/adjustment items do not constitute differing site conditions and must not be grounds for additional compensation. Truly failed or unusable equipment preventing completion of the BAS work must be documented for VA review. Contractor to verify HVAC units and design BAS upgrades accordingly.

Q62 Our recent site visit, adequate time was not provided to discover all pre-existing conditions that would impede or prohibit the retrofit of BAS controls. An example is a Fire Smoke Damper Control or Smoke Control sequence that intertwines the BAS and FAS. Do we exclude that scope of work upon discovery or does the VAMC contract the necessary providers to work with Johnson Controls under a separate contract to complete the work?

A62 Bidders must include coordination and BAS-side work reasonably necessary to maintain existing smoke control and fire alarm interfaces that are reasonably inferable from the contract documents and existing conditions. Discovery of typical BAS/FAS coordination requirements in an existing VA facility must be included in the base bid; only substantial unforeseen conditions clearly outside the contract scope may be considered for adjustment. Fire alarm renovation and HVAC-related fire alarm features such as duct smoke detectors, fire dampers, and smoke dampers will comply with NFPA 90A.

Q63 Our recent site visit, adequate time was not provided to discover all pre-existing conditions in regard to access. If discovered that equipment requiring retrofit is inaccessible or inoperable, does Johnson Controls have the option to integrate or remove from the scope of work?

A63 Bidders must include normal access efforts, minor relocation of devices, and typical means and methods required to reach and retrofit existing equipment. Ordinary access limitations, congested ceiling spaces, and similar renovation conditions must not justify extra cost. Conditions that make the work impossible rather than difficult must be documented for VA determination.

Q64 The project documents do not have VAV boxes schedules. After replacing controls on pneumatic VAV boxes, the values to determine minimum and maximum flow setpoints would be unknown. Who will be providing Johnson Controls flow, setpoint, and time schedule needed to program the new controls?

A64 Bidders must assume responsibility to coordinate, develop, and implement final programming values consistent with the design intent, TAB process, commissioning process, and existing operations. The absence of a complete VAV schedule does not relieve the contractor of providing a complete and functional controls system; normal effort to establish setpoints and schedules must be included in the base bid. Contractor responsible for confirming quantities. See counts provided on M-601 and mechanical general note C.

Q65 Can you please provide AHU counts at Waco and Temple?

A65 Bidders must derive AHU counts from the M-Series drawings, schedules, and related contract documents. Failure to independently verify equipment counts from the bid documents must not be grounds for additional compensation, except in the event of a substantial discrepancy between contract documents and actual field conditions. Contractor responsible for confirming quantities. See counts provided on M-601 and mechanical general note C.

Q66 Can you please provide the redline/floor plans for the EHRM Project at Waco?

A66 Bidders must base their bid on the BAS contract documents issued. Any EHRM reference plans, if provided, are for coordination only and do not alter the contractor’s responsibility to include all work reasonably inferable from the bid set. Contractor to include all controls integration required for new BAS upgrade in base bid.

Q67 Can you please provide the pneumatic counts at Waco and Temple?

A67 Bidders must derive pneumatic device counts from the drawings, control diagrams, and field observations necessary to provide a complete conversion to DDC where indicated. Approximate counts, if later provided, are informational only and do not relieve the contractor of responsibility to verify quantities during bidding and construction. Contractor is responsible for confirming quantities with VA. Contractor is responsible for confirming quantities. See counts provided on M-601 and mechanical general note C.

Q68 Is there a fire damper schedule? If so, can you please provide it?

A68 No separate fire damper schedule is included in this BAS package. Bidders must include BAS-related damper interface work reasonably inferable from the contract documents and available record information; lack of a standalone schedule does not relieve the contractor of providing complete work shown or implied. Fire alarm features for air handling and damper-related are to function in accordance with NFPA 90A.

Q69 What are the ceiling tiles specs at the Waco and Temple facilities?

A69 Refer to specifications, confirm and verify ceiling types. Coordinate removal, replacement, and/or repairs of any existing walls, ceiling, etc. required for mechanical demolition work with general contractor as stated in mechanical general notes on sheet M-000. Bidders must assume ceiling removal, replacement, and restoration in kind as required to complete the BAS work in occupied VA facilities, including compliance with applicable infection-control procedures. Normal ceiling access and replacement work must be included in the base bid.

Q70 Do you have the fire drawings for Waco and Temple? If so can you please provide them?

A70 Bidders must base their bid on the issued contract documents and include all fire alarm/BAS interface work reasonably inferable therefrom. Any reference drawings do not reduce the contractor’s duty to verify existing conditions. The Fire Protection Design keeps existing fire alarm panels largely in place.

Q71 When demoing the equipment/material onsite will the VA be responsible for disposing of the equipment?

A71 Contractor must be responsible for coordination of waste disposal efforts with VA, refer to specifications. Unless specifically identified by the VA for salvage or turn-over, disposal of removed BAS-related equipment and materials must be by the contractor and must be included in the base bid in accordance with the demolition and construction waste management requirements.

Q72 If we are responsible for the disposal, will there be an asset tag removal protocol and process that we must follow?

A72 Bidders must include compliance with standard VA turnover, tagging, and disposal procedures as part of demolition work. Any routine coordination with VA engineering or logistics for asset-tag handling must be included in the base bid.

Q73 Are there protocols that we must follow when removing ceiling tiles to access equipment/install new equipment above the drop ceiling?

A73 Yes. Bidders must include compliance with VA infection-control, dust-control, ceiling access, and restoration protocols customary for work in occupied healthcare facilities. Routine ICRA-related measures and ceiling restoration must be included in the base bid. Refer specifications, confirm and verify ceiling types. Coordinate removal, replacement, and/or repairs of any existing walls, ceiling, etc.

required for mechanical demolition work as stated in mechanical general notes on sheet M-000.

Q74 Are there any locations in which we can store our Connex’s at onsite?

A74 Yes, any on-site storage made available by VA will be subject to campus constraints and approval.

Bidders must not assume unlimited storage and must include logistical planning necessary to perform the work under typical VA site restrictions without additional compensation.All staging and on-site equipment storage must be coordinated with the VA.

Q75 Do you have an underground conduit path drawing for Temple and Waco?

A75 Any available utility and conduit record information may be used for reference, but bidders must include field verification and utility locating necessary to complete the work. Normal uncertainty associated with existing underground conditions must be included in the base bid unless a materially different concealed condition is encountered.

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