Request for Information and Site Visit - VA Response.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Project 531-24-106 Replace AHU-2 Building 85

1. Is DALT testing required?

Yes, only of the air handling unit within the mechanical room.

2. Is Vibration testing required?

No

3. Will there be any TAB testing required on the existing VAV terminal units and the associated grilles?

No

4. Will there be any OSA CFM setpoints provided?

Yes

5. Will there be any Pre-Demo testing required?

Yes

6. Will the new AHU Heating and Cooling coils piping have existing flow meters for balancing?

Yes

7. On the new Exhaust and Return fans will there be any associated outlet testing required?

No

8. How will the SDVOSB Compliance & Evaluation Requirements be evaluated and weighted in the overall bid proposal? Is it just a 10% price "discount" or will our SDVOSB status give any additional weight to overall project award?

SDVOSB or VOSB Evaluation Preference.

In accordance with VAAR 852.215-70 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors (DEC 2009), credit will be assigned as follows:

• Full credit for a registered and verified SDVOSB means a reduction of 10% of total price.

• Partial credit for a registered and verified VOSB means a reduction of 5% of total price.

• Partial credit for Offerors proposing to subcontract with a registered and verified SDVOSB or VOSB means a reduction of 2.5% of total price.

For example, if an offeror is a registered and verified SDVOSB contractor, and their total price is $1,000,000.00, for the purposes of price evaluation, a 10% reduction (which is $100,000.00) would result in an “adjusted price” of $900,000.00. The “adjusted price” of $900,000.00 would be the price used for price evaluation purposes. The same process would apply to a registered and verified VOSB contractor and to non-Veteran contractors proposing to subcontract with an SDVOSB or VOSB contractor, but the reduction percentage would be at the amount listed above (again, for price evaluation purposes).

The actual prices proposed by contractor and awarded in the contract, however, will be the actual prices paid to the contractor (not the “adjusted price”).

9. Please confirm if a full-time non-working site superintendent will be required or if the site superintendent can be a working supervisor?

The Site Supervisor can perform work if all duties and responsibilities are being met.

10. Please confirm if a full-time separate QA/QC person will be required, or can this be shared with the Site Superintendent Role?

It is expected that full-time separate QA/QC and Safety role be held and planned for and the Site- Superintendent will not be authorized to hold these positions.

11. Can the safety officer and site superintendent be held by the same person?

See question 10.

12. Who is the service provider that we will be required to use for the Controls System?

Automated Logic

13. Reference:

Mechanical General Sheet Notes on Drawings M1.21 / M1.22 require: “Fix all metal on AHU that is showing fatigue.”

Drawings and specifications do not define how corrosion/fatigue is to be evaluated or repaired, nor whether documentation exists from previous inspections.

This is an old note and should be disregarded.

14. Are any prior inspection reports, assessments, photographs, or written evaluations of the existing AHU-2 (specifically related to corrosion or metal fatigue) available from the VA or design team? If so, please provide them with accurate repair scope and pricing beyond exterior visual field inspection.

This is an old note and should be disregarded. The main shell of the air handler is to remain as

is. The scope of the repair is limited to insulation only.

15. Please confirm whether the contractor is responsible only for repair of visibly corroded/fatigued metal components or if full remediation is expected (including cleaning/prep, rust removal, priming, sealing, and coating of affected surfaces). If full remediation is required, please provide acceptable standards, coating requirements, or specification section to follow.

The scope of the repair is limited to insulation only.

16. Will corrosion repairs or reinforcement of existing AHU components be subject to the same warranty period as newly installed components or equipment? Or would the VA consider different warranty expectations for repaired existing materials versus newly fabricated/replaced materials?

Yes, repaired insulation as well as the new components will be subject to a warranty period.

17. –Reference:

Drawings M1.21 and M1.22, Sheet Keynote: “Provide and install new service doors with new hinges, latches, and door seal. Field verify existing conditions and exact size of door before any work should begin.”

General Sheet Notes also require repair/replacement of insulation around door openings.

No specification section is provided for AHU door construction, performance, or material requirements.

Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

18. Are there any requirements or specifications available that the newly fabricated doors must meet?

Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

19. Please confirm minimum door construction requirements, including:

Panel thickness and insulation type (e.g., polyurethane, mineral wool) Thermal performance (R-value, if required) Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

20. Whether doors must match original manufacturer specifications and availability of those as built documents.

Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

21. What air leakage or pressure rating must the new doors meet (e.g., SMACNA, AMCA, ASHRAE standards)?

Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

22. What type of gasket/seal is required at each door opening (magnetic, bulb-type, continuous compression seal, etc.)?

Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

23. How will the requirement be tested for maintaining proper static pressure of the AHU under operating conditions?

Door specification is provided in addendum #1, specification section 23 31 00.

24. Reference:

Spec 01 45 00 allows QC personnel to perform other duties and requires a QCM and an alternate.

Spec 01 35 26 defines SSHO and Competent Person roles but does not explicitly require three separate full-time individuals.

Please confirm whether the project requires three distinct, full-time individuals for the roles of Superintendent, Contractor Quality Control (CQC) System Manager/Quality Control Manager (QCM), and Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO), or whether a qualified person may hold multiple roles when they meet all training/certification requirements (e.g., OSHA 30, CPR/First Aid, CQM for Contractors).

This construction project requires a competent person for each trade area in addition to the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO). This ensures that there is expertise and oversight available to handle specific tasks and challenges related to various trades on the site. A competent person is defined as someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

25. Please also confirm whether qualified alternatives must be designated prior to award, and whether this applies to all three roles or only to QCM.

Designating qualified alternatives is not strictly mandatory before the contract award, but it is highly encouraged as part of good business practice and effective contract management. The expectation is continuity of personnel to the maximum extent practicable, ensuring continuity of performance through qualified alternatives helps in maintaining seamless service delivery and demonstrates a contractor's reliability and preparedness.

26. Reference:

Spec 01 35 26 – Safety Requirements includes definitions of the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) and Competent Person (CP) and requires an Accident Prevention Plan (APP), Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs), and daily safety inspections.

The specification requires OSHA-10 for workers and OSHA-30 for Competent Persons but does not clearly state whether the SSHO must be a full-time, dedicated position with no collateral duties.

Please confirm whether this project requires a dedicated full-time Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) on site.

It is expected that full-time position be held and planned for and along with the proper certifications and approvals from the Contracting Officer and their Representative. If a dual role is requested the personnel must be certified for all roles they wish to hold and receive approvals from both the Contracting Officer and their Representative.

27. If a dedicated SSHO is not required, please clarify whether the SSHO role may be combined with another position (e.g., Superintendent or Quality Control Manager), provided the individual holds required qualifications (OSHA-30, CPR/First Aid, etc.).

It is expected that full-time separate positions be held and planned for and along with the proper certifications and approvals from the Contracting Officer and their Representative. If a dual role is requested the personnel must be certified for all roles they wish to hold but not in conjunction with the Site Supervisor position.

28. Please confirm if a separate Competent Person (CP) must be designated in addition to the

SSHO.

Yes, specifications for this construction project requires a competent person for each trade area in addition to the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO). This ensures that there is expertise and oversight available to handle specific tasks and challenges related to various trades on the site. A competent person is defined as someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

29. If the roles may be combined, please identify which position will be responsible for daily safety inspections, training, and required safety documentation.

As described in the specifications Division 1

30. Please confirm whether the SSHO and/or CP must be formally submitted and approved prior to award or before start of on-site work.

Yes, documentation must be provided for all certifications as well.

31. Q: What TSP should the fan array be designed for?

The asbuilt documents indicate that AHU-2 has a total static pressure capability of 4.2 IN

32. Is the total CFM of this fan array 39,168?

The total supply airflow is approximately 39,000 CFM.

33. Is the fan array N+1 or N-1?

The fan array is intended to be N+1 configuration.

34. Does the fan array require backdraft dampers?

Yes.