Update Isolation Room Bid RFI 1.docx

Questions and Answers from Pre-Bid Site Walk & RFI #1 Project: Update Isolation Rooms Date: 05/19/2021 Project Number: 442-20-004 The following changes, additions and/or deletions are hereby made a part of the scope for the above noted project. All other terms and conditions of the original documents remain unchanged.

(Q 1). Please confirm hammer drills, chipping tool and power actuated tools fall under the noise and vibration restrictions. Normal construction tools and activities are not anticipated to be restricted.

(A 1). Reference specification section 01 57 19 1.5, F for additional detail. Repetitive, high level impact noise, and noise that will transfer through the structure will be restricted to weekends so not to impact surrounding departments such as Surgery and PACU.

(Q 2). Will after hours work be required for the project?

(A 2). Yes. Reference (A 1) response related to noise control. Reference specification section 01 00 00 1.6, I, 1 thru 4. Reference Statement of Work (SOW) section 10. Hours of Work. Work shall be planned and scheduled to minimize the construction activity impact on the operation of the Medical Center. This includes, but is not limited to, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing interruptions to facilitate new work. The air handling serving ICU (AHU-2) also serves PACU, which is occupied within agency normal operation hours of Monday through Friday from 7:00am – 4:30pm (MST). Reference “Additional Phasing Considerations” document included with these responses.

(Q 3). The spec’s identify the Infection Control Classification for the project as Class IV, please confirm.

(A 3). Yes, work in ICU and PACU departments will be Class IV infection control requirements. Critical barriers will be permitted to be constructed of metal studs, minimum 0.15” thick corrugated plastic sheets and white tape. Doors in critical barriers will be permitted to be constructed of reinforced poly sheeting with magnet or zipper closure. Critical barriers may also be constructed of temporary panel wall systems if they are constructed to be air tight.

(Q 4). Because of the smaller size of the project, will the contractor be able to “Duel Hat” the Superintendent, Quality Control and/or Site Safety?

(A 4). Two individuals may fulfill the three roles (Site Superintendent, CQC System Manager, and Site Safety and Health Office (SSHO)) providing they are properly qualified to act in each role.

(Q 5). Spec Section 01 45 00 / 3.4 / C / “Quality Control Organization” - This spec. section identifies additional specialized personnel for the Quality Control team. Please confirm additional quality control personal are not required for this project.

(A 5). Quality Control team will be required. In many cases the Competent Person for each trade is qualified to act as their trade’s CQC Personnel (construction professional with 5 years of experience supervising features of work in the field with a construction company). An Environmental Engineer or Design Quality Control Manager will not be required.

(Q 6). Can the CVAMC confirm that the only sole sourced product required for this contract is the patient care ceiling lifts?

(A 6). Correct, although other system must be full integrateable/ compatible with existing system.

(Q 7). Will card reader access to badged areas be given to the contractor?

(A 7). All contractors will need to be fingerprinted and issued a PIV badge. The VA intends to grant PIV access to the doors leading to the project area for contractor access. An admin notice to proceed (NTP) period may be implemented in order to get contractors badged that need to immediately start working on the site. On a case by case basis a contractor that will be on the job site for less than one week may be permitted to get a temporary day badge and be escorted by a badged general contractor.

(Q 8). For construction activities that may require the working area to be in the corridor, what is the minimum width of hallway space that is required to be maintained at all times?

(A 8). Maintain a minimum of 48”, or half of the corridor width, where ICRAs barriers are constructed in corridors to allow egress and access to adjacent spaces. Where the scope does not allow for half the corridor to remain open a detour and ILSM will need to be closely coordinated with government. The use of HEPA filtered containment carts will also be permitted as scope allows. Reference “Additional Phasing Considerations” document included with these responses.

(Q 9). Regarding specification 01 45 00-3.4 discussing Quality Control personnel, will it be acceptable to have (1) individual act as Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, and Site Safety and Health Officer?

(A 9). Two individuals may fulfill the three roles (Site Superintendent, CQC System Manager, and Site Safety and Health Office (SSHO)) providing they are properly qualified to act in each role.

(Q 10). What is the max noise level during normal working hours?

(A 10). Reference specification section 01 57 19 1.5, F for additional detail. Repetitive, high level impact noise, and noise that will transfer through the structure will be restricted to weekends so not to impact surrounding departments such as Surgery and PACU.

(Q 11). Is Commissioning required in this contract? If so, is it CVAMC provided, or Contractor provided?

(A 12). Formal commissioning is not included in this project and no CX agent will be engaged.

(Q 12). Detail B2/A410 note 76 references detail D8/A530 which is not on the drawing set. Can you confirm that it is instead referencing corner guard detail B6/A610?

(A 12). Correct – Keynote 76 on sheet A410 references Corner Guard Detail B6/A610.

(Q 13). Is there a location inside the CVAMC where materials can be stored?

(A 13). No, contractor shall store materials on site in an exterior location coordinated with the COR. Materials will be secured and protected from elements per specification requirements at contractor’s expense. Limited materials will be permitted to be stored in the penthouse in immediate area of work as space allows.

(Q 14). Is there a minimum level of negative air pressure required in the working space?

(A 14). Minimum negative pressure shall be maintained at -.01 in w.c. Refer to specification section 01 35 26 1.12, B, 4 for additional requirements.

(Q 15). The Liko patient lift systems are utilized in over half of the VA Hospitals in the US. Can this be added as an approved option for the celling lift portion of this project?

(A 15). The Liko system will not allow the Cheyenne VAMC to utilize their existing slings and will not be permitted as an approved alternate on this project.

(Q 16). Can you please provide reflective ceiling drawings for the rooms to put overhead lifts in? The below statement was in the documents. Do we have access to download? If not, how can we have access to download?

.4 SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS FOR CONTRACTOR

Drawings and contract documents may be obtained from the website where the solicitation is posted. Additional copies will be at Contractor's expense.

(A 16). PDFs of the drawings are available to download on the website where the solicitation is posted. AutoCAD drawings of the reflected ceiling plans are available by request. E-mail Matthew.Green2@va.gov with the subject line “RCP AutoCAD File Request”. A complete set of AutoCAD drawings will be available to the successful bidder for their use. Contractor/ vendor shall field verify all dimensions prior to ordering material.

Enlarged Reflected Ceiling Drawings that show locations of overhead patient lifts track are on views/sheets as follows:

F5/A410 – ENLARGED REFLECTED CEILING PLAN – ICU 1

F5/A411 – ENLARGED REFLECTED CEILING PLAN – ICU 3

F5/A412 – ENLARGED REFLECTED CEILING PLAN – PACU 4

(Q 17). Will the drawings provide the dimensions for the lifts?

(A 17). Final dimensions for the patient lifts will be field coordinated by the contractor and their equipment vendor.

(Q 18). What color are the rails? Are they white or stainless?

(A 18). Please provide stainless steel rails for the patient lifts.

(Q 19). What are the weight limits for the lifts?

(A 19). 1000 lbs, reference specification section 11 73 00, 2.2, B.1.

(Q 20). When does the Owner anticipate issuing the NTP?

(A 20). It is anticipated that notice to proceed (NTP) will be issued approximately 30 days after contract award/ kickoff meeting. This admin notice to proceed time will allow for contractors to go through the badging process to be able to have access to area of construction and begin submittals.

(Q 21). Can workers use the bathrooms in the area of Work?

(A 21). Reference specification section 01 00 00, 1.21 Temporary Toilets. The contractor may use public restrooms in the medical center in accordance with these terms. The public toilets are located near the main Buffalo Building stairwell/ elevators.

(Q 22). Where will contractor parking and laydown delivery area be located?

(A 22). Contractors may park in public parking lots on the North of the building. Contractors may not park in any lot designated for patient use. Reference map below for tentative contractor trailer, lay down, and storage areas.

(Q 23). Where will contractor parking be located?

(A 23). Contractors may park in public parking lots on the North of the building. Contractors may not park in any lot designated for patient use.

(Q 24). Will a trash chute be authorized? If not, what are the specifications for demo'd debris transport?

(A 24). No. Remove construction waste as specified in specification section 01 35 26.

(Q 25). Besides the patient lift are there any other sole source trades or proprietary technology affecting the scope of work including but not limited to nurse call, mechanical controls, and access controls?

(A 25). Controls shall be provided and installed by “Johnson Controls (JCI)” or alternate that is fully compatible and integrable to existing campus JCI Metasys system. Reference General Note A on sheet M-701.

The Nurse Call system modifications must be performed by an Ausco Certified installer per keynote 8 on sheet EP111.

(Q 26). Is it the Owner's scope or Contractor's scope to program access control, nurse call, TVs, fire alarm & mechanical controls?

(A 26). Contractor’s scope.

(Q 27). Will Owner provide any attic stock for patchback work for all finishes distrubed during construction?

(A 27). No.

(Q 28). Does Owner need material attic stock and if so what amounts?

(A 28). Provide 10% additional stock for: porcelain tile, ceiling tile, resilient sheet flooring, resilient tile flooring.

(Q 29). Mentions finish schedule 090600 but could not find this schedule in the specs. Specs 087113 2.2A

(A 29). Disregard reference to Section 09 06 00. Finish materials are provided on: A420 – ENLARGED PLANS – FINISHES; Door finishes are provided on: A620 - DOOR SCHEDULE.

(Q 30). Do metal stud walls need to go all the way to the deck above? Specs 092216

(A 30). Match new wall heights to existing walls. Ceilings at negatively pressurized isolation rooms (ICU 1 & 3, PACU 4, Ante Rooms) will be sealed/gasketed to maintain room pressurization. Walls at these rooms should be braced to structure above with kickers in order to minimize deflection or movement that might disturb seal/gasketing at ceiling.

(Q 31). Can all the rooms be renovated at once or will they be phased?

(A 31). A preliminary phasing plan is shown on the drawings, but the contractor will be responsible for the final phasing plan and for coordination ICRAs, noise and duct control, access to the space, etc. to maintain medical center operation throughout the project. This project is in an active/ occupied department and work must be closely coordinated with the government. Refer to Phasing Plan Notes GI005: “THE EXTENTS AND SEQUENCING OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES SHALL BE CONFIRMED AND COORDINATED WITH THE VHA COR.”

Reference “Additional Phasing Considerations” document included with these responses. VA will review alternate proposed phasing plans presented by the successful bidder.

(Q 32). Will contractor be permitted to stage a crane at the front of the medical center to lift equipment onto the penthouse roof?

(A 32). Yes, closely coordinate work with the government.

(Q 33). What is the existing penthouse roof material?

(A 33). The flat roof area on the penthouse roof is an EPDM rubber material.

(Q 34). Will the contractor be permitted to use power and water from medical center during construction?

(A 34). Yes, refer to specification section 01 00 00, 1.22 AVABILITY AND USE OF UTILITY SERVICES.

(Q 35). What PPE is required for demolition of isolation room fans/ ductwork?

(A 35). The contractor shall protect their employees and surrounding areas/ personnel from equipment that has conveyed potentially infectious exhaust/ return air with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) as recommended by OSHA and the CDC for the COVID-19 virus. Contractor shall detail precautions in their Accident Prevention Plan (APP).

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