S05 MASTER - IFB 36C25821B0016 Responses to RFI 001 - 041.pdf

IFB Solicitation #36C258-21-B-0016

Project #664-21-302

Request for Information (RFI) Log OR Suite HVAC Replacement in Building 1

Construction Project

RFI Due Date: 25 August 2021

VA San Diego Healthcare System (664)

VA response in red

1. The solicitation only lists Attachment 1 on page 5. There were other documents issued with this

RFP, Attachment 2, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and other attachments that are not listed. Will the VA please confirm that these other attachments, even though they are not listed, are part of the contract documents.

Solicitation lists Attachment 2-18 on page 17

2. The statement of work issued with the RFP does not appear to be fully edited, it references the kitchen/dishwasher operations which are not near the OR suite. Will the VA please review the statement of work and confirm that it has been fully edited.

The contractor was correct there was a mistake in B.5 C. The sentence should read as:

b. The Contractor will not interfere with the operation of the Central Plant Operations and OR

Suite

3. The statement of work states that normal business hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm however it also states in the same paragraph that work is to be performed between the hours of

3:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Please confirm the working hours for this project.

The working hours for this project will vary depending on the phase of the project being worked on as shown on the contract drawings. For work on the roof of Building , work can be done from

7:30 AM to 4 PM. For work above and in the OR Suite work can only be done from 3:00 to 11:30

PM. As stated above in the RFI answer, the Contractor shall not interfere with the operation of the OR Suite. The OR Suite will be operational during the project.

4. Mechanical Drawing B is printing as 8X11 and not the normal size of a drawing. Can you get or format the attachment to correct the printing error?

The drawings to be printed on printer that can print large size prints such as a plotter. If they don’t have a plotter they can use a reprographics firm to print it on full size or half size drawings.

5. The metal framing details for the doors are missing. See sheet AE-601, Detail F5. This detail refers to detail F5/AE-504. Please provide detail F5/AE-504.

See detail F5/AE-601 per door schedule on AE-601.

6. Please provide the location of the proposed laydown yard. The minimum yard size required for this project will be 50’x100’.

Due to the large number and magnitude of active project on this constrained site, laydown area will be assigned to the contractor at the Notice To Proceed meeting. The contractor will consider this site an impacted site and there will be minimal laydown area.

7. Please confirm a minimum of 4 sets of keys and keycards will be provided to the contractors to

VA response in red allow contractor’s unimpeded and unfettered access to the work areas including the OR’s, roof, and interstitial spaces.

Due to current COVID situation access in the medical center is controlled. The contractor will be limited to 2 set of keys. The need for additional keys will be evaluated on as needed basis.

8. The existing doors and frames in the OR are in excellent condition and appear to be lead lines and were recently replaced under a previous task order/contract. The proposed new doors and frames will not be lead lines. It would make sense to leave these doors in place and add automatic door openers to the existing doors as scheduled. Please advise.

The existing doors will remain in place and new automatic door openers to be installed as scheduled.

9. Please provide a Pre-Heating Hot Water Coil Connection detail for AC-74A & AC-74B

See detail #7 on sheet MH-302 for heating coil connection detail.

A/E recommend coordinating with the control valve vendor to select the proper 2-way control valve. Ensure the 2-way control valve achieves proper control valve authority (preferably somewhere between 4.5 and 7) to make sure unwanted HHW does not leak through the heating coil.

Since these control valves are located on the roof, the actuators, linkages and motors shall be rated for outdoor installation.

The detail shows conceptually the sequence in which the components are to be installed, the actual locations are to be field determined for clearances, accessibility, space limitations, etc.

10. Please confirm that the mechanical items that require demolition shown on drawings MD 205I and

MD 206, attached, do not contain asbestos and will not be considered ACM and thus not requiring abatement. This would include the piping, pipe insulation, duct work, duct insulation and mastics such for duct sealer or connectors.

These items are to be considered Asbestos containing materials in accordance with EPA and San

Diego APCD regulations in accordance with Specification 02 82 11 1.5

11. Per the phasing plan the contractor is to close the isolation dampers in the main supply and return duct to the existing AC74 in Phase 2A and utilize AC-26 to supply conditioned air to the OR’s. As we understand the design documents, Existing Exhaust Fan GX-38A will provide the exhaust air for

OR-1 thru OR-7/6 and the Admin./Support areas during Phase 2A and beyond. If for some reasons

AC26 or Exhaust Fan GX-38A become inoperative, the OR’s will have to be shut down. Given the critical nature of this work in that it serves the ORs, I believe it is imperative that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the current phasing plan in this regard and the assumption of this risk by the VA. Please advise if the VA concurs with our understanding of the sequencing of the work and the methodology by which the ORs and Admin./Support Areas are to be air conditioned during the execution of the proposed work.

Refer to phasing plan described in contract drawings titled PHASING and in accordance to

VA response in red

Specification Section 01 00 00 1.3A.

12. It appears a vast majority of the scheduled equipment was already installed under a previous contract. Does the government intend to utilize the new HVAC equipment already in the government’s possession? If so, please provide a list of government furnished contractor installed equipment.

Existing equipment on the roof that is included in the scope of the project is listed on schedules in

MH007

13. Section 13 05 41 – Seismic Restrain Requirements - There are several Exceptions to those items that require seismic bracing in Para: 1.6 B.; these exceptions are noted as follows:

a. Equipment weighing less than 400 pounds, which is supported directly on the floor or roof.

b. Equipment weighing less than 20 pounds, which is suspended from the roof or hung from a wall.

c. 3. Gas and medical piping less than 2 ½ inches inside diameter.

d. 4. Piping in boiler plants and equipment rooms less than 1 ¼ inches inside

e. 5. All other piping less than 2 ½ inches inside diameter, except for automatic fire suppression

f. 6. All piping suspended by individual hangers, 12 inches or less in length from- the top of pipe to the bottom of the support for the hanger.

g. 7. All electrical conduits, less than 2 ½ inches inside diameter

h. 8. All rectangular air handling ducts less than six square feet in cross sectional

i. 9. All round air handling ducts less than 28 inches in diameter

j. 10.All ducts suspended by hangers 12 inches or less in length from the top of the duct to the bottom of support for the for the hanger.

Please confirm the items noted above will be excluded from the Seismic Restraint Requirements as delineated in the specifications.

The A/E confirms these items will be excluded from the requirement.

14. We understand that 16-Hour AHERA is required for all employees to enter and work in the interstitial space. Please confirm this training require and if different, please advise what training is required.

The level of Asbestos training is depended on the type of work to be done. The level of training is to be in accordance with OSHA and SD APCD requirements in accordance with Specification 02

82 11. Asbestos removal workers will require 4-day class and their supervisor will require 5-day supervisor course. Workers working in the interstitial space will require 16-hour AHERA class.

The general contractor project supervisor and the alternate project supervisor will require the 5-day supervisor course.

15. On drawing GC-002, General Notes, Note 4 under the Heading Hazardous Materials states that

"Contractor to dispose of all hazardous materials at the jobsite including asbestos...". Through our research, we have found that the VA San Diego periodically has large metal bins on site available for the disposal of ACM. Are contractor’s going to be allowed to dispose of the asbestos on the jobsite per the contract?

NO Contractor is responsible for disposal of Asbestos in accordance Specification 02 82 11

VA response in red

16. Recently the issue of "Work Plans" on VA projects has become a point of contention and source of project delays on various projects. We have searched the specifications and located very few references to “work plans”. Except for Sections 02 82 11, 02 83 33 and 26 05 11, we have found no other requirement for "work plans" in the contract. Can the government provide offerors with a list of work activities that will require a "work plan" and a detailed description of what should be included in these "work plans." In the past, it has seemed like we were always trying to hit a moving target as the requirements vary from project to project, day to day, and COR to COR.

Contractor is responsible for means and methods to complete the project which includes preparing acceptable work plans in accordance with industry standards and norms

17. Please reference drawing MH-SKM-4. There are two steam traps shown, one for the AC-74 Steam

Coil, and one for the AC74B Steam Coil. Can you please specify these steam trap as you did on drawing MH 007? We believe these steam traps are for the Reactivation Heaters of which there are total of 4, two for AC74A and two for AC74B. Should we have one steam trap for each coil for a total of 4 or do we combine them on a common heater and provide only two total. If you would also provide a detail as to how to pipe these steam traps it would be most appreciated.

Refer to detail 7/MH-303

18. There may be an IBC code compliance issue with dumping the condensate into the roof drains/storm drain as shown on the attached Drawings P301 and P206. Please advise if you would like these condensate lines routed to the sanitary sewer system. If so, please provide revised drawings showing the new condensate routing and points of connection.

Condensate is not routed to storm drain. Refer to current plumbing drawings.

19. We are requesting to use screwed, or Victaulic’s Grooved Steam Coupling System, for all Steam and

Vent Piping for sizes up to and including 3-inch pipe. We are asking this for safety reasons as it will be very difficult, and highly problematic, to weld in the interstitial space and on the roof. The interstitial space currently contains a significant number of combustible materials. Avoidance of any possible heat/smoke/flame producing procedure, such as welding, will provide a much safer and environmentally friendly situation for the existing ORs and Administrative spaces below our work area without compromising quality, and maximizing safety for the workers, staff, and patients.

Please note, Victaulic’s system for saturated steam is rated for 200 PSI and 300 degrees which far exceeds any pressures on this project. Please advise.

The contractor will not be allowed to use Victaulic Grooved Steam Coupling System, since this system was not specified in Section 23 22 13 2.3.

20. Due to interstitial space congestion and interferences, it is not possible to route the 6" CWR and

CWS lines in the 5th floor interstitial space as shown on MH 205IP. As it currently stands, there is no clear pathway to run the pipes. We would recommend revising the drawings to connect the 6" pipes in the 6th floor interstitial space. Can you provide the riser drawing for the 6th floor interstitial space so we can explore finding a new connection point and routing? Or you may wish to provide us with a new connection point and routing on the plan set.

Refer to drawing MH-205IP

21. Our Munter's Sales Engineer was onsite recently and expressed concerns about the close-proximity

VA response in red of several Bio-Hazard Exhaust fans to the AC74B outside air intake. We concur with his concerns.

While on the roof you can smell the exhaust coming from these exhaust fans near AC74B intake.

The exhaust fan ducts have clear bio-hazard stickers on them, and it would probably be a bad idea to introduce contaminated air into an OR suite air stream. We would recommend re routing the existing exhaust fan outlets away from the OSA intakes.

Refer to current MH-206

22. Within the 5th floor interstitial space there is loose Asbestos, Suspected Asbestos Duct Sealer, Trash, Abandoned Temporary Ductwork, and construction debris throughout that could create abatement issues. In addition, general trash and other combustible items have been found throughout the interstitial spaces. Will the work area be clear of loose ACM and trash prior to the commencement of construction?

The contractor will be responsible for the means and methods to complete the project. The contractor will be responsible for the clean up of any construction debris, trash and other construction material that they created during the project.

23. Please provide a project specific hazardous materials survey.

Contract documents contain Building 1 Hazardous Material Survey identifying hazardous materials contained in Building 1.

24. Are there any hazardous materials requiring abatement under this contract? If so, what are the types, quantity, and locations?

Contract documents indicate the presence of Asbestos and Lead primer on structural steel. The amount to be abated is depended on mean and methods the contractor uses to anchor and install conduits, ductworks, and piping in accordance with the contract documents.

25. Will the ductwork scheduled to be removed be considered ACM?

These items are to be considered Asbestos containing materials

26. The existing catwalks, from which the contractors are supposed to use to access the interstitial workspaces are obstructed and blocked in many locations by duct, conduit, plumbing, and other building systems, utilities, and infrastructure. As the site access plan is currently designed, there is not enough room to allow us to bring the material, equipment, personnel, and tools to the required locations within the 5th floor interstitial space as shown in the contract documents. For us to perform and gain access to our work, we would have to relocate many ducts, pipes, conduits, etc. This additional scope work is not part of the solicitation’s work. Additionally, these pipes, ducts, and conduit serve ORs 1 thru 7, admin areas, and must be kept operational during the work under the current solicitation requirements. As it currently stands, we do not see any feasible way to accomplish the work while keeping the ORs in operations. We recommend that the VA change the phasing plan to include shutting down the ORs for 6 to 8 months to allow full demolition of the existing ceilings to allow contractors access to HVAC systems scheduled for replacement. This would allow the required access to the work areas through the ceilings.

The A/E has determined that a majority of the mechanical equipment that is to be installed in the

5th floor interstitial space will be able to be brought in using existing catwalks.

There is some equipment however (e.g.: bag-in bag-out filters, certain sections of ductwork), that

VA response in red may need an alternate route. In these instances, the contractor will need to determine an appropriate and acceptable way of getting this equipment into the interstitial space to its final location. The means and methods to accomplish this is to be determined by the contractor.

Shutting down the entire OR Suite for up to 8 months is not a viable option and will not be considered. The project will not significantly affect the operation of the medical center in accordance with Specification 01 00 00 1.6G. The contract will only allow one OR Suite to be out service during the project. The contract documents state that construction will be accomplished by only taking one OR Suite out of service at one time. The specific specification section 01 00 00

1.3A and 23 05 11 1.4C refer to the phasing of the project shown on the contract drawings titled

PHASING

27. Please refer to drawings MD 205I and MH 205I between grid lines J & H and 4.8 & 5. Per the phasing plan, the existing duct tee at this location must remain in place to serve ORs 1 thru 6 at the same time we are supposed to install a new 54" x 34" duct tee in this location to serve OR #7. This is impossible as the two tees would need to occupy the same physical space and there is not enough room for the two tees to be in place simultaneously. Please provide/advise as to an engineered solution to this problem. Considering this issue, and the issues raised regarding cat-walk congestion, we recommend the VA modify the phasing plan to close the ORs for 6 to 8 months and allow time for the work to be performed. This would solve the issues described above.

Shutting down the entire OR Suite for up to 8 months is not a viable option and will not be considered. The project will not significantly affect the operation of the medical center in accordance with Specification 01 00 00 1.6G.. The contractor will be allowed a shutdown of the

OR Suite over a three-day holiday weekend to accomplish any cut over work. The contract will allow only one OR Suite to be out service during the project. The contract documents state that construction will be accomplished by only taking one OR Suite out of service at one time. The specific specification section 01 00 00 1.3A and 23 05 11 1.4C refer to the phasing of the project shown on the contract drawings titled PHASING

28. What is the process for obtaining hot work permits? In the past obtaining hot work permits has been a significant source of delay and we want to make sure the process, and responsible parties, are clearly delineated during the solicitation process.

Contractor will submit a complete and correct Hot Work Permit no later than 48 hours prior to the start of hot work to the COR for approval in accordance with Specification 01 35 16 1.22. If the form is incomplete or contains errors the permit will not be approved and the hot work will not occur.

29. Do you want us to pipe the Humidifiers per detail 11/MH 303 or per the manufacturer's details?

There are subtle yet significant differences between the two piping schematics. Please advise.

Pipe the Humidifiers per the manufacturer’s details in accordance with Detail 11/MH-303

30. The steam coil connections for the regeneration coils for the AHU’s shown on the plans is different from the manufacturer's recommendations. See details 7/ MH 303. Please advise which connection detail should be followed.

VA response in red

The contractor should proceed per the manufacturer’s recommendations in accordance with

Detail 7/MH-303

31. Due to all the combustible materials present in the 5th floor interstitial space it is completely unsafe to weld in this space. We would like to propose the use of screwed pipe or Victaulic grooved pipe & fittings in lieu of welding. Victaulic’s system for saturated steam is rated for 200 PSI and 300 degrees which far exceeds any pressures on this project. Please advise.

The contractor will not be allowed to use Victaulic Grooved Steam Coupling System was not specified in Section 23 22 13 2.3.

32. Spec Section 02 82 11/1.1.2 Extent of [Traditional Asbestos Abatement] Work states the following:

See Appendix – A Comprehensive Hazardous Materials Survey by ENCORP dated March 2015.

1. The contractor shall perform spot abatement any hazardous material indicated in the above report within the area of work and/or any hazardous material encountered through the course of construction of the work in compliance with this section in order to provide a full and complete project as indicated by the drawings and specifications.

Appendix A is a comprehensive hazardous materials survey for VAMC Bldg. 1 (dated March 2015) and isn’t a project specific Hazardous Materials survey that clearly locates the hazardous materials that are to be abated for this project. Additionally, this report is 6 years old and not current per the recommendations under Section II.2.1 which recommends “a 3-year re-inspection to be performed by a licensed Certified Asbestos Consultant”.

OSHA regulations require that building owners and employees identify previously installed

ACM/PACM. Neither the specified scope of work nor plan set clearly quantifies the materials that needs to abated to accomplish this project. Please provide a clear hazardous materials scope of work or project specific hazardous materials survey clearly delineating the hazardous materials to be abated under the resultant contract.

Contract documents indicate the presence of Asbestos and Lead primer on structural steel. The report also indicates the presence of loose asbestos in the interstitial spaces of the 5th and 6th

Floor. The amount to be abated is depended on mean and methods the contractor uses to anchor and install conduits, ductworks, and piping in accordance with the contract documents.

33. Is the current roof under warranty?

Yes the roof is currently under warranty from the roofing manufacturer, JM.

34. Reflected Ceiling Key Note 5/AE-105 states the contractor is to “…Remove and reinstall hardwall ceiling above the suspended ceiling.” Does the entire OR contain a hard lid ceiling? If yes, please provide a detail for the existing construction of the ceiling.

AE Response: See sheet AE-902 for site photographs and AR-103 for existing ceiling details.

VA response in red

35. General Note 9/AE-401 states the VA will allow contractor access to R&R the existing 5th floor ceiling to gain access for mechanical equipment replacement only in certain areas. In order replace the mechanical equipment in the interstitial space the contractors are going to need ceiling access at each location new equipment is scheduled to be installed as the equipment is too large to rig through the existing interstitial egress and catwalks. Please confirm the VA will make the necessary site accommodations to allow the contractor to complete this project.

VA will review Contractor proposals on ceiling access to minimize impact to the operation of the

OR Suite. Contractor will work within the approve phasing plan they submitted.

36. Scope of Work narrative on sheet MH 003 states the contractor shall field investigate the entire 5th floor west to identify and repair/replace any damaged ductwork associated with either AC-26, AC-

74E, and the corresponding exhaust ductwork. As the contract is currently written this scope of work is not able to be bid as the work isn’t quantified. This clause unfairly shifts the DOR’s design burden to the contractor and adds a high degree of risk for the contractor for work that should have been identified in the DOR’s site investigations. Can the government provide plans showing the ductwork requiring repair/replacement or, at the very least, provide an allotment of duct repair/replacement the contractors are to carry in their proposals?

If damaged duct work is encountered by the Contractor, this will be reported to the COR and

Contracting Officer for evaluation.

37. Please confirm commissioning is to be provided per the specifications.

Yes, contractor is to perform commissioning in accordance with the specifications.

38. Spec 09 91 00/2.4 Exterior High Performance Coating Systems-Exterior Water Tanks at Roof states the contractor is so provide a 2 coat PPG Epoxy Primer with Polysiloxane Finish paint system. Per the HVAC Insulation Spec 23 07 11.3.2.E.3 Expansion Tanks are to be insulated with 2” Thick

Insulation faced with ASJ. Spec 23 07 11.3.1.I.I.4 contradicts the above and states expansion tanks aren’t to be insulated. Is the expansion tank required to be coated and insulated or is the tank to only be coated and left exposed? If the tank is to be insulated is the insulated to be finished with PVC and/or sheet metal for protection from the elements?

Recommend 2” insulation per Spec 23 07 11 and keynote 8 on sheet MH-206.

39. Phasing Note Phase 2A states the contractor is to “[i]nstall new supply air duct from AC-74B down shaft to 5th floor interstitial space. Connect to existing main supply air duct.” Field investigations have revealed there isn’t enough room in the interstitial space to connect the new supply ductwork into the existing ductwork without removing the existing ductwork and fittings. The new ductwork and fittings and existing ductwork and fittings will occupy the same space and therefore the old will need to be demolished to make way for the new. Please confirm the government will allow the requisite OR outages required to accomplish this work in one contiguous time-period and will not hinder the contractor’s performance of said work. As currently phased we don’t see any reasonable way to accomplish this work without shutting down the OR’s in their entirety for extended periods of time.

Refer to the contract drawings. New duct connection will not occupy same space as existing connection. If required and approved by the VA COR, the contractor will be allowed at maximum over a three-day holiday weekend to close down the OR Suite to accomplish any cut over work.

VA response in red

This work will require at a minimum 60 day notification to the VA to schedule the shutdown due possible impact to critical patient care operations.

40. Who is going to abate the friable insulation that is currently laying on the horizontal surfaces in the interstitial space? If the ceilings are opened with the current conditions the OR’s, Admin Area, &

Hallways will be contaminated with ACM.

The successful contractor will be responsible for the proper containment of the area affected by the opening of the ceilings and the abatement of the friable asbestos they disturb while opening the ceilings.

41. Key Note 4/MH 205 states the contractor is to provide new sealed/gasketed diffuser/grille appropriate for quasi-isolation. In review of the reflected ceiling plans it states the contractor is to seal the ceiling devices and the mechanical schedule doesn’t specify new diffusers/grilles. Are new diffusers/grilles required? If yes, please provide a revised mechanical schedule or product data showing the specified diffusers/grille.

All diffusers/grilles in OR 1 – 7 are to be reused. Diffusers/grilles serving Quasi-isolation room are to match those in existing OR’s.