Amendment 3 Attachment 1 648-22-108- questions from contractors to VA responses.docx

648-22-108 questions from contractors.

1. Will the VA provide the locations of all HVAC intakes within 50’ of the work for this project?

VA response – See outside air(OA) inlet to 1-AH1 (C-wing) and OA inlet to 1-AH3 (B-wing) on attachment sheet ‘1-H7 Roof Plan’.

1. Sheet CE101 depicts the layout for the temporary fencing. The depicted temporary fencing locations are not big enough to allow for machinery access. Will the VA permit those fenced areas to be enlarged to allow for equipment access?

VA response – yes, the construction and silt fence areas can be enlarged to allow for equipment access. Contractor shall provide construction fence around each area of work to prevent VA staff and patents from accessing this work. This is for safety. ***Important note*** Building #1 CLC B Wing East exterior sidewalk leads to an existing sidewalk and closest parking space. The existing sidewalk and closest parking space shall not be blocked at any time during the construction. It has been identified as reasonable accommodation for VA employee. The existing sidewalk leads to the Northeast (main entrance) for the VA employee to use during this construction.

1. Sheet CE101 depicts the layout for the temporary fencing. A double gate is depicted at C Wing West. Will the VA clarify if this gate will be used to allow patient care employee access? Will any of the areas of construction have patient care employee access when the phased construction is underway?

VA response – the double gate is only for construction activities and not patient care employee access. The VA patient care employees will be required to access the facility by two different sidewalk detours. The first detour is on the West side of the building near Lot# 10. VA staff will park in Lot#10 and use the existing sidewalk that leads to the North side of C wing to enter and exit during construction. Construction contractor must ensure this detour path remains open and safe throughout the life of the project.

1. Sheet CE101 depicts the layout of the silt fencing. The depicted layout is too small to allow machinery access without dismantling the silt fence every time machinery must gain access. Will the VA permit the boundaries of the silt fence to be expanded in this area? Will the Contractor’s equipment be allowed to remain in the courtyard area at the end of the day or will the VA require the machinery to be moved to the laydown area at the end of each work day?

VA response – The silt fence part of this question was answered in #2. The contractor’s equipment will not be allowed to remain in the courtyard and must be moved to the laydown area when no work is ongoing. Construction contractor shall submit a security plan that explains how the prime contractor will secure the equipment. Some examples include parking equipment, removing/locking the keys to prevent thief/vandalism, equipment shall not be left to idle, …etc.

1. Sheet CE101 depicts the limits of the seeding and mulching. The limits of the seeding and mulching appear to be too small to restore the hillsides. Will the Va clarify whether any additional seeding will be considered a differing condition, or will the Va expand the depicted seeding limits?

VA response – The contractor shall restore all landscaping, irrigation, structures, and surfaces (impacted by the construction) to original condition or better. The extent of the restoration will depend on the contractors means and methods. The specifications give additional language to the contractor for these requirements. Coordinate the pre-construction survey site meeting to walk the project before construction efforts begin. Coordinate irrigation zone isolation with VA. Coordinate irrigation repairs with VA. VA must continue to use irrigation for adjacent landscape spaces throughout the duration of this project. Also see 01 00 00 1.9 PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT,UTILITIES, AND IMPROVEMENTS (FAR 52.236-9)

1. Will the VA clarify if parking stalls on the south side of Building 1 may be barricaded for a dumpster placement? If this is not allowed, all trash and debris will need to be hauled appx 700’ to the depicted small laydown area.

VA response – parking stalls will not be allowed for trash and debris, but the contractor may use the grass space for a dumpster placement. Coordinate with VA on this placement and ensure dumpster has a lockable lid. Restore the site as described in question 5 and the contract documents.

1. Will the VA clarify how many parking spaces will be allowed for construction vehicles? If the number of spaces is extremely limited, this will impact the costs for this project to shuttle men, equipment, and materials to the work sites.

VA response – No parking spaces have been identified for construction vehicles for this project. The contractor can request the use of parking spaces to the COR. It can take 30 days before the AFGE will give FMS a decision for each request. Parking requests are not guaranteed to be approved.

1. Sheet ES101, Sheet Note #8 seems to require the Contractor to hire a Geotechnical Engineer to confirm the structural thickness and make-up for the concrete improvements. Specification Section 01 00 00, Part 1.11 states that there is soils report available and that it will be made available upon request. Will the VA clarify if there is a Soils Report available for this area and if so, provide it prior to the bid date? If a Geotechnical Report is not available, will the VA clarify if the Contractor is to hire a Geotechnical Engineer and have them perform borings and prepare a full report? If so, will the VA add at least 30-45 calendar days to the Period of Performance for this project, to allow this Geotech work to be performed prior to construction?

VA response – Contractor can use the Geotechnical report as a reference to satisfy the intention of Sheet Note #8. See attachment ‘Vancouver campus Geotech Report and Boring Logs’.

1. Sheet CI503 seems to have a discrepancy between Details #1 and #5. Detail #1 depicts the concrete ramps to be reinforced with welded wire fabric, however Detail #5 depicts the same section reinforced with #5 rebar. Will the VA clarify if the ramps are to be reinforced with WWF or with rebar?

VA response – Both details are correct and different. Detail #1 is showing the concrete reinforcement and Detail #5 is showing the rebar dowels that will tie the existing and new concrete together. Detail #5 refers to Detail #6 for that information. All other information on these details not related to this question are required.

1. Sheet CI503, Detail #2 depicts 1 ½” galvanized handrailing. Will the VA clarify if there will be any coating applied to these handrails and if so, provide a specification?

VA response – no coating will be applied to the new galvanized handrailing.

1. Section 01 00 00, Part 1.2-C stats the VA will retain the Testing Laboratory. Will the VA clarify whether the Testing Laboratory will be retained by the VA or by the Contractor?

VA response – The VA will not retain the testing laboratory and shall be retained by the construction contractor. Section 01 00 00 Part 1.2-C is only used if the VA is retaining the testing laboratory.

Specification section 01 45 29 Testing Laboratory Services has correct language in 1.1 description that the testing laboratory retained by the contractor. Note- contractor shall incorporate testing into schedules and 3 weeks look ahead during project progress meetings with the VA.

1. Section 01 00 00, Part 1.9-D requires the contractor to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for this project. Will the VA clarify as to whether the VA or the Contractor will be responsible for the NPDES permit cost?

VA response – Contractor is only required to apply for the NPDES if the EPA requires it for this project.

1. Section 01 00 00, Part 1.28 requires the Contractor to hire a commercial photographer to document this project. Since this will add considerable cost to the project, will the VA clarify whether in-house photographs will be acceptable for this project?

VA response – VA finds that this requirement can be fulfilled by the site superintendent via cell photo photography.

1. Will the VA clarify for this project whether the Site Superintendent, if duly qualified, will be allowed to also serve in the roles of SSHO and CQC, or will a sperate individual be required for either of those two roles? VA response – the site superintendent can serve as the SSHO and CQC.

1. Section 01 35 26, Part 1.14 requires the Contractor to certify that all employees have received pre-placement tuberculin testing within 90 days. Will the VA clarify if this site project will require TB testing for all employees? VA response – No TB testing will be required for this project.

1. Please provide a copy of the Civil Drawings with at least one control point for the job site.

VA response – see attachments, ‘1-1 Site Plan’, ‘L2 Topographic Survey South’, ‘L8 Site Plan Area 5’.

1. Please confirm the available connection points for the additional bollards with lighting have adequate circuit space at the corresponding electrical panel.

VA response – Confirmed.

1. Please confirm the Photographic Documentation, per spec sections 01 00 00, paragraph 1.28 and 1.29 will be required.

VA response – Photographic documentation can be performed by the prime contractor site superintendent via cell phone photos.

1. Please confirm the site superintendent can also act as the SSHO.

VA response – Yes.

1. Please confirm the phasing requirements, if any.

VA response – Contractor can choose to do all four upgrades at once or complete C-wing and/or B-wing in two phases. VA prefers to complete this project with one phase.

1. Please confirm new handrails will be made with welded, galvanized pipe, per the detail (1/CI503) on the drawings.

VA response – new handrails will be provided according to sheet CI503 detail #2.

1. What will be required for the commissioning of electrical systems, or is this specification section (26 08 00) not applicable?

VA response – The new exterior lighting scope of work will be required for the commission of electrical systems.

1. Sheet notes 8 on ES101 states the contractor is to hire a geotechnical engineer to confirm the design of the sidewalks (concrete thickness, aggregate base thickness, over-ex, existing soils material testing, and compaction recommendations) is sufficient for the existing soil. Please confirm this is correct. If correct, and any changes (engineering, different excavation, subgrade, compaction, concrete thickness, etc) to the design are needed to accommodate the existing soil are needed, will this be treated as a change order?

VA response – Please refer to response to Item#8.

1. Please confirm failure of the existing subgrade proof roll and any over excavation and additional baserock installation will be considered a change order.

VA response – A modification request shall be submitted to the contracting officer in the event a differing site condition is discovered.

1. Please confirm the project work hours.

VA response – Approved work hours are between 8AM and 5PM (0800 and 1700). The patients live in the nursing home, building 1, and this work must be performed to have the least disruption to the patients as possible.

1. Please provide as-builts for utilities & irrigation in the work areas.

VA response – ‘L8 Site Plan Area 5’.

1. What is the species and size of the trees we are providing?

VA response – VA approves of native trees that do not exceed 50 ft.

1. What is the seed mix and application rate of reseeding?

VA response – refer to SECTION 32 90 00 Planting.

1. Will hydro seeding be acceptable?

VA response – refer to SECTION 32 90 00 Planting. See 2.12 Mulch-b.

1. No Sprinkler system was called out in drawing please advise if there is a sprinkler system to maintain during construction.

VA response – Yes, Coordinate the pre-construction survey site meeting to walk the project before construction efforts begin. Coordinate irrigation zone isolation with VA. Coordinate irrigation repairs with VA. VA must continue to use irrigation for adjacent landscape spaces throughout the duration of this project. Also see 01 00 00 1.9 PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES, AND IMPROVEMENTS (FAR 52.236-9)

1. Please identify if the door openings to existing concrete pads are to be kept open as emergency egress? If not, can we close off these doorways so we can build all 4 walks at once?

VA response – VA safety and facilities management will perform an interim life safety measure so that all 4 exits can be closed off for this project. Contractor to provide safety signs as required by the specifications.

1. Do we need to provide any long-term care service to the replacement landscaping.

VA response – yes, perform long-term care as required by the specifications.

1. 2.24 Evaluation of Proposals indicates (2) technical factors, experience with flatwork, ramps, sidewalks and infection control. Each factor requires a min of 3 and max of 5 projects. Is it acceptable if each past experience project includes both technical factors (walks/ramps & infection control) to be submitted as 1 project thus avoiding having to provide 6-10 different projects.

VA response – It is ok to submit 1 project for multiple factors if it includes sufficient information to satisfy the requirement.

1. Upon a review of the plans, it appears the drawings are not to scale. Please confirm if we should use the numerical scale provided on the drawings (ex. 1": 20') or the pictorial scale pictured on the drawings. The two scales provided do not match each other.

VA response – It appears to the VA that the drawings are to scale at 1”=20’.

1. 1. Can you please provide us with some direction for the format/layout of the required technical proposals? In the solicitation the factors for award are clear, but we cannot locate any format requirements?

VA response: Please follow the guidelines listed in the solicitation.

1. On page 18 of the solicitation- 2.14 52.228-1 Bid Guarantee part c the amount of the bid guarantee shall be _ percent of the bid price or _ whichever is less. This section is missing the required bond percentage. Can you please provide what percentage is required for the bid bond? VA Response: The amount of the bid guarantee shall be 20 percent of the bid price or $3 million, whichever is less.

1. Can you confirm that the proposals are to be emailed to you, per page 1 of the solicitation- colleen.nicholson@va.gov? VA Response: the proposals are to be sent to Colleen Nicholson, colleen.nicholson@va.gov by the bid due date.

1. We are looking over this bid and noticed on page 26 it states we need to provide past performance on the provided questionnaire. We double checked SAM.gov and are not finding the document. Page 81 also gives a list of attachment, and we don’t see it there. Will the past performance questionnaire be provided to us? VA Response: See attachment 6 included in this Amendment titled past performance questionnaire.

1. Could you please let me know if you anticipate extending the project bid due date since the outstanding RFI’s have not been answered yet? VA Response: Reference this amendment. The new bid due date is 4/7/25 at 16:00PM PST. The questions are also included in this amendment.