531-24-107 Install New HVAC Biomed RFI and Responses 05.15.2025.docx

36C26025R0066 I 531-24-107 | Install New HVAC System Biomed

1. May the Superintendent serve in a dual role as the Quality Control Manager or the Site Safety and Health Officer?

Answer: The Superintendent is expected to be mutually exclusive from the other roles to prevent any conflict of interests. However, the QA/QC and Safety can be the same person.

2. May the Superintendent serve in a triple role as the Quality Control Manager and Site Safety and Health Officer?

Answer: See Response to RFI #1 above.

3. May personnel currently assigned to another project at the Boise, ID VA Medical Center also assume roles on this project?

Answer: This may be acceptable, it can not interfere with project progress and under no circumstances can work be performed without Superintendence on site.

4. Is this project tax-exempt? If so, will a tax exemption certificate be provided?

Answer: No, this project is not tax-exempt.

5. Sheet Keynote 1 on Drawing EP601 references the Main Distribution Board (MDP). Please confirm whether the “MDP” referenced in this keynote is intended to refer to the existing panelboard NMDP1. Clear identification is required to ensure proper coordination of the new panel connection.

Answer: The correct distribution panel is NDP1. The intent of the drawings was to pull power from the nearest 208Y/120V, 3Ø distribution panel. This amendment hereby replaces the reference to “MDP” to instead be “NDP1”.

6. Sheet Keynote 1 on Drawing EP601 instructs the electrical contractor to provide a new 100A, 3-phase breaker in the existing panelboard to feed new panel GSA. The existing panelboard NMDP1 currently contains two (2) spare 100A breakers. Please confirm whether the VA intends for the contractor to:

• Utilize one of the existing spare 100A breakers already installed in NMDP1, or

• Provide and install a new 100A, 3-phase breaker as instructed in the keynote.

Clarification will help ensure accurate cost and scope compliance.

Answer: Provide and install a new breaker in NDP1.

7. Equipment Schedule Note 1 on Sheet EP601 references a manual starter with thermal overload and relay for ATC/BAS control. However, the circuit number and physical location for this manual starter are not identified on the drawings. Please provide the following information:

• Circuit number feeding the manual starter

• Location of the manual starter on the plan This information is necessary for proper coordination and installation.

Answer: Equipment schedule “Notes” #1 and #2 do not apply. Note 3 is the only note that is applicable. This amendment hereby removes Notes 1 and 2 in entirety.

8. Please confirm whether General Sheet Notes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 on Sheet ED101 are applicable to the New HVAC System upgrade scope of work. The area covered by this project appears to have been recently remodeled, and based on field observations, General Sheet Notes 3, 4, and 14 appear to be the only notes relevant to the current scope.

If it is confirmed that the listed general demolition notes (1, 2, 5–13) do not apply to the HVAC system upgrade, please issue an addendum removing them from the scope of work to avoid confusion during demolition and construction.

Answer: This amendment hereby removes in entirety on drawing ED101 General Sheet Notes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13. Note 11 is hereby updated to remove “panels” from the verbiage, and note 12 will remain.

9. The project location is open to structure, but there are no keynotes or general notes explicitly allowing installation of exposed raceways.

Please clarify the following:

1. Does General Sheet Note 5 apply to this project? If not, please issue an addendum removing the note from the scope of work.

2. If exposed raceway installation is permitted, please confirm the type(s) of raceway acceptable to the Architect for the HVAC System upgrade project.

Answer: Exposed raceways are permitted. Any notes or references on the drawings that do not permit installation of exposed raceways are hereby amended to allow installation of exposed raceways. Raceways shall be submitted for and installed per project specifications.

3. Will a routing sketch still be required for exposed raceway installations in this open structure environment?

Answer: Yes

10. Sheet Keynote 1 instructs the relocation of existing Circuit 37 to Circuit 12 (a 20A breaker) in Panel GS to feed a new panelboard, GS2, if Circuit 12 is a spare. However:

• Panel GS2 is not shown on any drawings.

• The location and ampacity of GS2 are unclear.

• The origin of Circuit 37 is not identified.

Please clarify the design intent by providing:

1. The location and ampacity of Panel GS2.

2. The source panel and details for Circuit 37.

If applicable, the contractor is prepared to perform a 30-day load study on Panel GS to confirm capacity for the proposed additional load and relocation.

Answer: Sheet Keynote 1 is hereby updated to remove the current note in entirety and replace it with the following: “Contractor must verify prior to installation that existing ‘GS’ panel can power new ‘GSA’ subpanel. If not, then contractor must create new run from distribution panel ‘NDP1’ to new ‘GSA’ panel.”

11. Specification Section 26 05 11 – 1.1 Description. Paragraph C "Electrical service entrance equipment and arrangements for temporary and permanent connections to the electric utility company’s system..."

Request for Clarification:

The referenced specification requires coordination with the electric utility company for service entrance equipment, including obtaining approval for fuse, circuit breaker, and relay sizing and settings. However, since the VA owns and maintains the utility infrastructure on-site, please confirm the following:

• Whether coordination and approvals are instead to be directed to the VA Engineering Service or another designated VA Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in place of a public utility company.

• Whether any formal submission or review process is required to meet the intent of this specification.

Please provide direction on how the electrical contractor is to fulfill this requirement under VA ownership of utility services.

Answer: Specification Section 26 05 11 – 1.1 Description. Paragraph C is hereby updated to remove the current text and replace it with: “Electrical service entrance equipment and arrangements for temporary and permanent connections shall be coordinated with and approved by the VA prior to beginning work.”

12. Specification Section 26 05 26 – Grounding and Bonding for Electrical Systems Part 3 – Execution, Paragraph 3.1(A):

“Installation shall be in accordance with the NEC, as shown on the drawings, and manufacturer’s instructions.”

Request for Clarification:

The referenced paragraph states that installation is to be in accordance with the NEC, the drawings, and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Please confirm whether the enforcement of Specification 26 05 26 will apply only to those requirements and components specifically shown or called out on the drawings.

Clarification is requested to ensure scope alignment between the contract drawings and Division 26 specifications, and to avoid interpretation inconsistencies during construction.

If not, throughout Division 26 of the Electrical Specifications, there are product and installation requirements that do not appear to apply to the scope of work based on the current project drawings.

If a specification section or detail is not shown or referenced on the drawings, should the electrical contractor assume it is not applicable to this project scope? For example:

• 2.2 Ground Rods

• 2.3 Concrete-Encased Electrode

• 2.4 Ground Connections

• 2.5 Equipment Rack and Cabinet Ground Bars

• 2.6 Ground Terminal Blocks

• 2.7 Grounding Bus Bar (noted as “per detail shown on drawings”)

Summary: If the answer is no, please clarify how specifications that do not align with the project design will be enforced. Will those requirements be considered mandatory despite the lack of corresponding design information on the contract drawings?

Answer: Applicable requirements of the specifications will be enforced on this project.

13. Requesting the manufacturer/model information for the existing electrical gear. (Panel NMDP1) Answer: Existing Distribution board ‘NDP1’ manufacturer is Eaton, 208/120, 3PH.

14. The specified ERU appears to be 23” deep. Will this depth work for the shallow ceilings, or should a different ERU be specified?

Answer: The correct ERU model number is HE05INV in lieu of the HE1XINV. The HE05INV is 12.5” in depth which was the intended unit to use.

15. The locations of the ERU and associative ductwork appear to conflict with existing ceiling lights, drain lines, water lines, and fire sprinklers. Can we adjust the location of the units and ductwork to avoid conflicts?

Answer: Yes, the ERU and ductwork can be shifted plan north to avoid domestic water lines and other conflicts. This must be coordinated with and approved by the COR before doing so.

16. Based on question #2, should we anticipate some elbows and duct transitions to avoid existing plumbing conflicts?

Answer: The updated ductwork routing added approx. 8 elbows and approx. 8-45 degree transitions to route around the lights and piping.

17. The construction documents indicate lined ductwork. Is insulation required for this ductwork, or can we eliminate the lining to minimize the duct sizes to avoid conflicts with existing plumbing lines and lights?

Answer: Since the ductwork is exposed in the space, the insulation can be eliminated.

18. Some ceiling lights may need to move to accommodate new ductwork. Is it okay to adjust some existing light locations as needed?

Answer: Yes, it is acceptable to adjust the light locations slightly to accommodate the ERU and ductwork. This must be coordinated with and approved by the COR prior to doing the work.

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