RFI Heat Exchangers Combined and revised 4 20 26.pdf

Project 549A-SL-506

Replace Heat Exchanger SolicitaƟon 36C625726R0058 Replace Heat Exchanger Bonham QuesƟons and Answers (3/17/26) Combined and Revised: April 20, 2026 to match updated SOW

1. SpecificaƟons for units located in building #1, #2, and #29 indicate that the steam supply pressure is 15-psig. In accordance with VHA DirecƟve 1810(1) - OperaƟonal Alert and Guidance Document FY2022-01, Cast Iron Fiƫngs / Valve Housing Use In High and Medium Pressure Steam DistribuƟon Systems, December 14, 2022 - “New construcƟon, renovaƟon, repair, replacement, or any other projects shall not use cast iron fiƫngs, and components or malleable/ducƟle fiƫngs anywhere in the high-pressure and medium pressure steam system (15 psi or above).

Answer: This project requires use of forged steel or stainless fiƫngs and associated components.

2. How long is a domesƟc hot water outage acceptable to decommission and remove the exisƟng Armstrong water heaters and install and commission the new water heaters?

Answer: A maximum four (4) hour hot water outage window is permiƩed to be scheduled and approved by the COR and PM two weeks prior to planned outage.

3. Is the Buy-American Act included in this contract?

Answer: Please refer to clause 52.225-9 Buy American of the solicitaƟon.

4. Are there liquidated damages?

Answer: Please refer to clause 52.211.12 of the solicitaƟon.

5. Has hazardous material tesƟng been completed?

Answer: No

6. Is this project tax exempt?

Answer: Please see aƩached V.T.C.A. Tax Code §151.311 1

7. Where are staging, laydown, and material storage areas located?

Answer: Large GC staging area will be assigned behind building #9 and work areas will be assigned close to each building area, which can be pointed out during the pre-bid site visit.

8. Are as-built drawings or mechanical room layouts available for Buildings 1, 2, 24, and 29?

Answer: See aƩached drawings, the mark on the layout shows the approximate locaƟon, the marks are not too scale.

9. Can the Government provide the model and serial numbers from the exisƟng equipment?

Answer: This informaƟon can be obtained by GC during the pre-bid site visit.

10. Are the exisƟng steam, condensate, and water lines confirmed to be in good condiƟon, or should the contractor anƟcipate replacement of addiƟonal piping?

Answer: Contractors should anƟcipate replacement of exisƟng steam, condensate, and water lines only as needed to complete proper installaƟon and Ɵe-in of new equipment. Visibly deteriorated or failing piping discovered during demoliƟon should be replaced as part of this project. If addiƟonal extensive replacement beyond the immediate connecƟons is required, the contractor should noƟfy the COR for direcƟon and a potenƟal change order.

11. Are specific manufacturers required for the replacement heat exchangers, or are approved equals acceptable?

Answer: Approved equals or beƩer.

12. Can the Government confirm whether electrical power is already available near the new control valves, or must the contractor run power from an exisƟng panel?

Answer: Yes, 120V electrical power is available at each locaƟon for new control valve operaƟon.

If load calculaƟons or field condiƟons indicate that the exisƟng circuits are insufficient or at capacity, the contractor shall noƟfy the COR and propose a soluƟon, subject to VA approval and potenƟal contract adjustment.

13. Will the Government require temporary hot water systems during the replacement process?

Answer: Yes, temporary hot water systems (“Temporary Heat Exchangers”) are required for all four buildings: 1, 2, 24, and 29. The contractor is responsible for providing, installing, operaƟng, and removing all temporary heat exchanger systems during the course of this project. All temporary systems must have sufficient capacity to meet or exceed the demands of the buildings they serve—38 gpm for Buildings 1, 2, and 29, and 75 gpm for Building 24. Typical staging distances are approximately 30 Ō (Building 1) or 100 Ō (Buildings 2, 24, 29) from the Ɵe-in point to the heat exchanger locaƟon; final layout to be confirmed during pre-bid walk.

Contractors must provide construcƟon fencing around any outdoor staging areas for the safety of staff, paƟents, and the public.

Are new control panels, sensors, or temperature controls required as part of the project? Yes.

Follow Up QuesƟons 13a. The answer to this quesƟon is not clear on who is providing temporary hot water to each of the two buildings. Can the VA provide that?

Answer: See Q/A response #13.

13b. What are the requirements for a mobile heat exchanger above meeƟng building demand capacity?

Answer: 38gpm for buildings 1,2,29 and 75gpm for building 24.

13c. How far is the distance between where the mobile heat exchanger will be allowed to be staged and the building?

Answer: Building 1 approximately 30Ō of hose from heat exchanger to connecƟon area, approximately 100 Ō of hosing for the remaining buildings, 2,24 and 29.

The post MANDATORY Pre-Bid Site-Walk and RFI period is the opportunity to clarify permissable proposed Temporary Heat Exchanger configuraƟons.

13d. What will the requirements be for tying into the building?

Answer: See Q/A response 13c.

13e. Will the staging area at each building need to have construcƟon fencing to keep out vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

Answer: Yes.

14. Is the contractor responsible for commissioning and tesƟng of the control valves and system operaƟon?

Answer: Yes, including documentaƟon and inspecƟons by staƟon COR.

15. Is hyperchlorinaƟon required for the domesƟc water system?

Answer: No

16. Will the contractor need to have a crane liŌ plan for geƫng equipment in and out of Building 29?

Answer: Yes

17. Will the exisƟng equipment frames remain, or will they need to be replaced?

Answer: Replacement.

18. Will a copy of the sign-in sheet be provided?

Answer: Yes

19. Will the project require tying into the building’s BAS system?

Answer: Yes

20. Will the VA provide a Siemens contact?

Answer: No, the awarded contractor will need to obtain Siemens services for replacement of Building AutomaƟon Systems (BAS) as a sub-contractor.

21. Are all new valves required for all new heat exchangers?

Answer: Yes

22. Will any of this work have to be done overnight and or weekends?

Answer: AŌerhours work will be determined by the GC to meet scope of work requirements.

LiƩle aŌerhours work is anƟcipated for this project since Temporary Heat Exchanger systems will be in place. GC must minimize interrupƟons to paƟent care services.

23. What areas do the heat exchangers feed and or what will be a ected?

Answer: DomesƟc hot water, bathrooms, showers, kitchens.

24. Will any of this work have to be phased out Answer: Yes, this project must be completed in mulƟple phases for each building:

Phase I: Install and commission the Temporary Heat Exchanger system.

Phase II: Replace the building Heat Exchanger system.

Phase III: Commission the new Heat Exchanger and safely remove the Temporary Heat Exchanger system.

All phasing and shutdowns must be scheduled in advance and coordinated with the COR to avoid disrupƟon to paƟent care and operaƟons.

25. What is the working psi for the lines that the Bell & GosseƩ pumps supply?

Answer: 30psi

26. Does the VA have a specific brand of heat exchangers they are wanƟng to use?

Answer: Approved equals or beƩer. See Q/A response item #3.

27. In execuƟng this project, can one superintendent fulfill the supervision, safety, and QAQC roles?

Answer: No Safety must be a single role.

28. Are contractors required to issue a contract specific QA/QC Plan?

Answer: Yes.

29. Are contractors required to issue a contract specific Safety Plan?

Answer: Yes, APP plan, AHA’s and JHA must be included in the APP.

30. Are shop drawings required?

Answer: Yes, all submiƩals/shop drawings will be reviewed by COR and PM.

31. Based on field observaƟons during the walkthrough, available height within the exisƟng mechanical room at Building 29 may be limited for the proposed replacement configuraƟon. Please confirm whether relocaƟon of the new heat exchanger equipment to the first floor would be acceptable, as that area appears to provide more installaƟon space and improved access.

Answer: No.

32. Please confirm the required Siemens/BMS integraƟon scope for the new heat exchangers. Our understanding is that the new units will be locally controlled and Siemens will monitor/report status only. Please confirm the following:

1. What points are required for monitoring?

Answer: Temperature. Siemens monitoring system is located at the Central Plant Bldg.

11.

2. Whether BACnet communicaƟon is required?

Answer: Yes, as stated above.

3. Which party is responsible for final integraƟon, programming, and checkout?

Answer: GC is responsible for full commissioning of systems through final system acceptance and pay applicaƟon. All mid performance and final inspecƟons to be coordinated through VA COR and PM.

33. Please confirm the circulaƟon pump replacement requirements for each building, including quanƟty, basis of design, and whether all pumps associated with the exisƟng systems are to be replaced under this contract.

Answer: All pumps are sufficiently sized in each locaƟon, and all will be replaced. Pump details are captured in the scope of work. AddiƟonal details can be obtained during the MANDATORY Pre-Bid Site Walk.

34. Please confirm whether the exisƟng PRV assemblies are to remain in place and be reconnected, or if new PRV assemblies are required under this contract.

Answer: Yes, new PRV assemblies are required.

35. What are the permiƩed shutdown windows for each building?

Answer: A maximum four (4) hour hot water outage window is permiƩed to be scheduled and approved by the COR and PM two weeks prior to planned outage.

36. Will evening and/or weekend work be required for all phases?

Answer: Evening and/or weekend work may not be necessary with the installaƟon of temporary heat exchange soluƟons. Minimal anƟcipated.

Follow Up QuesƟon 36a. The original SOW calls out work to be performed during normal business hours.

With the way the original quesƟon is asked and the answer that was received it is not clear on the amount of aŌer-hours work that will have to be performed. Can the VA clarify their expectaƟons?

Answer: See quesƟon 36 above.

37. Are there any premium-Ɵme restricƟons or specific coordinaƟon requirements that must be followed?

Answer: Yes, building 2 during operaƟonal hours. Building 24 in-paƟent facility requires hot water 24-7 and Building 29 kitchens and paƟent care requires hot water 24-7. See scope of work, staƟon operaƟng hours. See Q/A response item #35.