RFI and Answers.docx

1. Are there any site access restrictions? Yes, personnel working onsite for longer than 5 days must obtain a non-PIV badge. The badge will provide access to doors and elevators needed for this project. Personnel must enter the campus from one of two designated COVID -19 screening locations.

2. What are the COVID Requirements and if a patient were to have COVID, how would the job operations be affected / handled? Under normal circumstances, all patients with infectious diseases are cared for in isolation rooms such as those this project creates. These rooms prevent airborne infectious agents from getting into adjacent spaces. HEPA filtered exhaust is released 10’ above the roofline. Currently we are operating in an abnormal condition to increase the number of COVID-19 patients we can care for. In the abnormal state, exhaust from an expanded set of rooms treating COVID-19 patients is relieved on the roof near where the new exhaust fans will need to be installed. This project will not be performed while the building is in this abnormal mode. There are no special COVID-19 related requirements for this project outside of those required for everyone entering the campus.

3. Are there any job specific security clearances for job personnel? A basic background check is required as part of the badging process.

4. Where are the designated material/equipment lay-down areas? Lay down areas will be on the roof or in the penthouse of Building H. For estimating purposes, a minimum of four pallet spaces will be made available in the penthouse. More space may be available but should not be counted on.

5. Where are the designated site personnel parking areas? Contractor personnel may park in the visitor parking areas. Tools and materials must be delivered via the loading dock and service level.

6. Are there any time restrictions relating to when work may be performed? Yes, normal working hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Work performed outside of normal working hours must be approved by the COR and shall only be allowed in special circumstances.

7. Is there site safety training required before personnel may work on site? No, contractors must follow their own safety plan. The contractor’s safety plan must be reviewed by VA Safety and comply with all OSHA requirements.

8. Will the construction of this project take place in phases? If so, how many phases of construction are planned and in what timeframe? There are no defined phases. The contractor must try to minimize the amount of time patient rooms are unavailable. For example, installing the fans can be performed prior to demolishing existing ductwork.

9. Please confirm the roofing make up- roof type/membrane existing. It is hot applied rubberized asphalt membrane on the slab with insulation and pavers on top.

10. What is the thickness of the Concrete slab on roof/interstitial? See structural as-built drawings attached.

a. Roof slab = 4-1/2" NORMAL WEIGHT CONCRETE ON 3" DEEP, 20 GAGE GALVANIZED COMPOSITE FLOOR DECK (7-1/2" TOTAL THICKNESS).

b. Interstitial slab = = 3-1/4" LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE ON 3" DEEP, 16 OR 18 GAGE GALVANIZED COMPOSITE FLOOR DECK (6-1/4" TOTAL THICKNESS).

11. The SOW page 1 refers to due date for proposals in two areas.

a. Sealed offers due 12/14/20 at 10.30

b. Solicitation closes 12/14/20 at 10.30 Please advise which is the correct due date for proposals. The due date has been extended to December 21, 2020 @ 10:30 AM MT.

12. Drawings are stating to match existing for vent stacks. Please confirm SS304 is acceptable. Yes, it is.

13. Please confirm the VAVs are existing and the EFs are new. There are existing supply air terminal units but this project requires installation of exhaust air terminal units and exhaust fans.

14. Modifications/refurbishment of existing exhaust terminal air units - It is assumed vibration isolation and upstream silencers are existing- please confirm. No, there is no modification or refurbishment of terminal units in this project. There will be some interface with the existing supply terminal units for power and control, but this project installs new exhaust terminal units on new exhaust ducting where a simple ducted returns now exist.

15. Can the service elevator to the penthouse be utilized for transporting materials to the roof from the service level (ducting/exhaust fans/roof materials). Yes

16. During the job walk it was shown that panel 04-EGHP1 was the panel which was to be used to feed the new exhaust fans. The drawings show panels 04-EQHP2A and 04-EQHP1A are to be used, but we were not shown these panels during the job walk. Please clarify which panels are to be used to feed the exhaust fans. The drawings are correct. See pictures and as-built electrical drawings attached.

17. If panel 04-EQGP1 is to be used to feed the new exhaust fans, please clarify which circuits are to be used as this panel only has 48 spaces. See answer to #16 above.

18. If panels 04-EQHP2A and 04-EQHP1A are different than panel 04-EQHP1 and are to be used to feed the exhaust fans; please clarify where these panels reside and what type of panel (provide a picture of these panels/breakers if possible) See answer to #16 above.

19. During the job walk it was noticed that there appeared to be lightning protection/grounding cabling on the exhaust fan vent stacks at rooftop level. Are the new exhaust fans to have this also? If so, please provide specs/details for this install. Yes, lightning protection is required. Contractor shall tie into existing system and match existing materials.

20. Please provide details showing where BACnet connections are to be connected to for fan controls. It is clear from the drawings how the local control system ties together, but it is not clear where connections are to be pulled for the BACnet system. See JCI as-builts attached. The new controllers for the fans (1 ea FEC and 2 ea VFDs) shall be on the FC bus from NCE 53. This bus can be tied into at the existing exhaust fan panel located on the wall adjacent to where the new panel shall be installed. The exhaust terminal units shall use IO on controller for the existing supply terminal units so they do not need to be directly tied into the bus.

21. Please provide a detail showing where the connection to the BACnet system is to be made and locations which require conduit to them for control connections. See answer to #20 above.

22. Please provide information regarding a location for a laydown area for materials during the project. Can the contract utilize Penthouse H? See answer to #4 above.

23. The solicitation states that work is to be performed during normal working hours; To set anchors etc. there will be hammer drilling required, is it acceptable to perform this type of work during normal working hours? Yes, it is preferable as patients are more likely to be awake during the day.

24. There are two roofing membrane spec sections in the spec book, however the new exhaust fans are depicted in the same vicinity. Which membrane type will be affected? See answer to #9 above.

25. Please provide existing roof structure information for the new 22” diameter roof penetration. See answer to #10 above.

26. Please confirm the diameters of the existing ductwork shown to be removed on sheet MD103.1. Main branch is 12”x 14” reducing to 8”x 14”. Drops to the four rooms are 8” round.

27. Will the new exhaust terminal units require line voltage? If so, what panel and circuit(s) are to serve these? New exhaust terminal units will receive power from the existing supply terminal units.

28. Will the new room pressure monitors require line voltage? If so, what panel and circuit(s) are to serve these? See JCI As-built drawings attached. They will receive 24VAC connection from the supply terminal unit.

29. Due to the minimal amount of joint sealants involved in this project, please confirm the field testing of joint sealants as described in spec 07 92 00 do not apply. Correct, field testing shall not be required.