S05 - QNA (Bat Exclusion).pdf

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VHA Network Contracting Office 19 Rocky Mountain Acquisition Center 6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300

Greenwood Village, CO 80111

CONTRACTOR Q&A’s

Bat Exclusion

Q&A No 1: What is a "VA Bat Permit"? Does the Veteran Affairs issue bat permits? Or is this a Virginia Nuisance Wildlife license?

Answer No. 1: It’s a Permit issued to a person on our VA Staff, Chapter 56 permit.

Q&A No 2: According to the Statement of Work (SOW) a minimum 5-year warranty against re-infestation is required. We will guarantee our work for 5 years. However, if any structural work is done to any building after the Bat Mitigation process has been implemented this would void the warranty. Do you expect any structural work to be completed after the Bat Mitigation process? Examples of structural work: roof work of any kind and facia/soffit repair of any kind. Re-roofing/roof work – Facia/soffit repair --- it can potentially remove the work we have done to bat proof a structure. Especially, on the dormers of the structures. Also, the ridge vent, which is also on most of your buildings on campus.

Answer No. 2: Structural work may be done but we know that will VOID the warranty.

Reference No. 2: SOW, Section 2 Scope

Q&A No 3: SOW states “Conducting exit survey’s and having several observers.” Can you explain this further ? Who are the number of observers ? How are we conducting exit surveys ? Can you explain if this means our experts doing a walk survey to point out the exit/entry points ? Would it be possible to do a walk survey with our experts ? As we have done this long enough to recognize the points of entry/exit just by looking around the building. We can visibly see the spots on each structure and would be able to point them out and give an explanation. Is this something you would consider ?

Answer No.3: Exit survey’s is to count bat activity coming out of building. Typically, this is done during the venting process. Observers are up to the contractor. Yes, I would consider doing walks survey with contract experts.

Reference No. 3: SOW, Section 4.0 Mandatory Tasks, Task 1.

Q&A No 4: You also state “the number of bats exiting and how many bats are roosting on certain buildings.” Can you provide a detailed explanation of how you see this process ?

Answer No.4: This is for informational purposes that is reported to the state annually.

Reference No. 4: SOW, Section 4.0 Mandatory Tasks, Task 1.

Q&A No 5: The SOW states “If the exclusion is conducted during the winter months when bats are not present, and bats have been confirmed to not be roosting in the hospital building, one-way exit devices (described below) will not be necessary.” Please note, The materials used to properly bat proof a structure will need to be applied in 45 degree weather or above. Did you know one-way exit devices have to be implemented in the winter months and in the summer months. Brown Bats are protected by the Federal Government. If one-way devices are not used, we would killing the brown bat when they come out of hibernation in the spring months. Killing the brown bat would be an illegal process. Brown Bats do not live-in caves over the winter. Brown Bats will hibernate in walls, insulation, structures ---that are 40 degrees or higher. A very large percentage of the population will never know they are even living with bats in their structure. Please provide your response to this information and plan.

Answer No.5: Yes, one-way exit devices will need to be used both winter and summer months.

Reference No.5: SOW, Section 4.0, Task 2 Bat Exclusion.

Q&A No 6: We would have to leave our patented cones in until the 2nd week in June. Brown Bats do not come out to feed until the bugs are flying. Normally, the bugs are flying by middle to end of May.

(Depending on the weather pattern for that particular year) The 2nd week in June gives the bats enough time to figure out their flight patterns and eating habits. Taking the one-way device out by the 2nd week in June will also allow for the bats to find another home so they can safely have their babies. Late June/early July --is the normal birth months for baby bats. Please provide your response to this information and plan.

Answer No.6: I agree if the contractor wants to go past the minimum time. The specs in the contract are what is required by the state. Going beyond that is a benefit for the environment.

Q&A No 7: With Bat mitigation in the summer months --- we still wait at least 2 weeks for the bats to exit safely. You had stated you wanted the cones off in 5-7 days of the installation. If done in the winter, 5-7 days will not give the bats any time to leave as they are hibernating. If the bat mitigation is implemented in the summer, 5-7 days is not giving the bats enough time to exit. Leaving them to die in the structure. Bats have different eating and flight patterns. Some will fly every night, and some will not fly for 3-4 days. So, leaving the cones on in the summer months for at least 2 weeks after installation is the appropriate time for them to safely exit the structure. Please provide your response to this information and plan.

Answer No.7: I agree if the contractor wants to go past the minimum time. The specs in the contract are what is required by the state. Going beyond that is a benefit for the environment.

Q&A No. 8: Is it possible to reduce the warranty period from 5 years to 1 year ?

Answer No. 8: No.