RFIs and Answers.docx

1. Will each lift Power supply require a dedicated circuit?

No.

2. Will any work be allowed During normal working hours?

Yes, it is anticipated that the working hours will be from 0500-2400. This is based on how long the installation contractor works per day.

3. Provide electrical power outlet maximum of 3 meters from each charging station for each room, is this in addition to power necessary to feed the patient lift? If so, would this be a dedicated circuit?

120 V, and no dedicated power is not needed.

4. Will contractor be responsible for any structural modifications above ceiling?

No, the installation team will take care if anything related to the lift. Rewiring lights and grills may be needed.

5. Will access panels be required in rooms with hard ceilings?

Yes, access panels in the hard lids will be required to be moved to accommodate the lifts, outlet in hard ceiling rooms will be installed directly in the ceiling for access.

6. Are all rooms other than isolation rooms t-grid ceiling?

Yes

7. Please post the site walk signature sheet.

Please see attachments.

8. The scope of work document in the solicitation reads that the contractor needs to hire an abatement company to install containment. May the contractor self-perform this work?

If the contractor and their subs are willing to work in a COVID unit without the use of a secondary abatement company coming in to install the infectious controls, then that will be acceptable also.

9. During the site walk attendees were informed that only one room may be worked at a time and that each room must be completed before moving to the next. Please confirm.

Yes, it is anticipated that the installation and contractor will be given one room at a time.

10. Spec section 11 73 00 is included in the bidding documents, however page 8 of the solicitation reads that the contract performance is to run concurrent with an installation performance. Please confirm the patient lift equipment, patient lift installation, and patient lift structural supports are all excluded from this contract.

All part regarding the patient lift themselves are under the installation team’s responsibility’s the contractor will only observe and report if deviations from spec 11 73 00 are noted.

11. We recommend increasing the period of performance from 90 days to 150 days to allow time for submittals and scheduling with patient lift installer.

Period of Performance will remain 90 days. Any scheduling issues with patient lift installers will be handled per issue and resolved as needed.

12. Please confirm if bidders are to exclude shop drawing submission and coordination for patient lift equipment provided by others.

The bidders are not responsible for shop drawings. The contractor, installation company and the VA will work with each other throughout this project.

13. Front page of drawings includes a note that reads “Patch paint and repair any damage created during installation of patient lift installation.” This is unquantifiable and unreasonable if the patient lift installer is not under contract with the general contractor. Please identify a quantity of painting or monetary allowance for bidders to include in their proposal.

This pertains to the isolation rooms. It is expected that the hard lids will need to be patched and painted after the access panels and wholes are made.

14. Please confirm the electrical power for the patient lift charges shall be obtained from an existing 120VAC circuit in the same room where the lift is to be installed.

Yes

15. Has the VA purchased the lifts or identified the provider for the lifts?

The patient lifts are being purchased under another contract.

16. The site walk did not visit every room affected. However, the bidding documents require the contractor to include costs to handle conflicts between the new patient lifts and anteroom ducts “as required”. Please provide the existing anteroom duct layout for each room affected so that bidders may quantify these conflicts and price accordingly.

The contractor should plan to rework 8 rooms

17. The site walk did not visit every room affected. However, the bidding documents require the contractor to include costs to handle conflicts between the new patient lifts and sprinkler heads “as required”. Please provide the existing sprinkler head layout for each room affected so that bidders may quantify these conflicts and price accordingly.

The contractor should plan to move 4 sprinkler heads. The distance moved shall be minimal to avoid the being in direct line of the lift.

18. The site walk did not visit every room affected. However, the bidding documents require the contractor to include costs to handle conflicts between the new patient lifts and curtain tracks “as required”. Please provide the existing curtain track layout for each room affected so that bidders may quantify these conflicts and price accordingly.

The contractor should plan on 10 rooms needing the track removed.

19. Please identify the locations and the construction materials of any hard lid ceilings.

There are 5 hard lids mad of metal.

20. Please specify the ceiling grid and tile brands/models for any acoustical lay-in ceilings to be matched.

Armstrong tile 816A. Any grid will be supplied by the VA.

21. Scope of work in solicitation mentions providing temporary heat detection. Please specify what this means.

If a room ceiling is left open for longer than 4 hours unmanned, then a temporary fire alert system shall need to be in place to alert staff of a potential fire. The installation team will be required to close a ceiling every evening. This is for if the contractor decides to leave a ceiling open overnight.

22. Bidding documents mention COVID anteroom duct modifications, but do not mention or show any conflicts between non-anteroom ducting and the new patient lift structural supports. Please confirm general non-anteroom ducting will not require modification/rerouting.

The contractor should plan to rework 8 rooms

23. Please confirm the rooms affected by this project are COVID-19 treatment rooms.

Yes, every room in this project is or could be used as a COVID 19 treatment room.

24. Please confirm the VA will sterilize the rooms before construction to protect the construction workers.

The VA will schedule a terminal cleaning of the room prior to handing over to the contractor.

25. Page 6 of the solicitation mentions the project is located inside an active COVID wing. Please confirm if masks are the only required PPE for entering and working in this area.

Yes, as of now the only thing required are masks, but as standard construction eye protection is required.

26. Will all work be performed during normal working hours?

No.

27. Cover sheet G-01 refers to our need to see and coordinate the installation of the lifts – where are those drawings?

The drawing included in the solicitation are the drawings that the installation team will also be using. See attached example. This is a rough estimation of where the lift system will be installed by the installation contractors.

28. Sheet A-107 has note 5 referenced but not noted Reference 5 on A-107 is a mistake.

29. How many rooms will be given to us at one time?

It is anticipated that the installation and contractor will be given one room at a time.

30. What is the spec for the new 2x2 LED lights?

EPANL LED Flat Panel 2x2’ 2x2’ 4800LM 4800 Lumens 80CRI 80 CRI 35K 3500K MIN1 Dims to 1% DGA14 Drywall grid adapter for 2x2 recessed fixture.

31. What is the extent and reason to relocate ductwork in some rooms?

The duct work for the covid isolation might need minor adjustments to allow the use of the lift. The location of grills attached to flex will need to be moved over to adjacent areas in the ceiling to allow for unobstructed airflow.

32. Sheet A106 note 5 move access panel – is there relocation of things behind the access panel and if so, that are they?

The intent is to move access panels from under the fixed rail. The utilities above will stay and the contractor will reinstall as close to the utility as possible and allow for full us of the lift and access panel.

33. Is this bid calling out for just the performance of the labor and supervision as the equipment is already purchased, or is this calling out for a total turnkey solution where we provide the equipment, installation and service?

The installation contractor will supply all the parts labor, and time for the lifts themselves.

34. How many rooms will be available to the contractor at one time?

It is anticipated that the installation and contractor will be given one room at a time.

35. As per the SOW the contractor has 60 days to complete the project from the NTP, but states on page 8 that there is 90 Calendar Days from NTP, to run concurrent with the installation NTP. If the contractor for this specific job is to work behind the lift installer, and you clarify if it is 60 or 90 days to complete the project.

The construction portion is 90 calendar days from NTP, the 60 days was a typo.

36. SOW states to begin work 10 days upon the NTP. Will this be the case if the lift installer’s schedule is later than that?

An administrative NTP will be issued until the installation team is ready.

37. Are the outlets to be mounted above ceiling? If so are they to be wired into a junction box or a 3 prong 120 volt outlet?

In the rooms with the T grid the contractor will install a single gang box 120V outlet above the ceiling. In the hard lids the box will be attached in the lid accessible from inside the room.

38. Will VA housekeeping or EVS staff be responsible for the final terminal clean?

The contractor will be required to do a construction clean after completing the work and the VA will come in after for terminal cleaning.

39. How long does the lift installer expect to take on the installation of each chair?

On average it has taken 2 days per room.

40. Is there a spec for the 2x2 LED light to be installed in the isolation rooms?

Please see answer 30

41. The duct work that needs to be reworked, is it flexible duct or rigid and what is the size?

Flex

42. What is the material of the ceiling in the isolation rooms?

Metal

43. SOW item C it states to provide “temporary heat protection” can you please clarify the type and purpose Please see Q. 21

44. Please specify what hours/days the contractor will be allowed to work, and what hours/days the installers will be allowed to work.

It is anticipated that the working hours will be from 0500-2400. This is based on how long the installation contractor works per day.

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