663A4-23-201- 36C26026R0035 - Contractor Questions and Answers 4_20_26.pdf

Page | 1

Request for Information – Government Response

663A4-23-201 Solicitation Number: 36C26026R0035

Puget Sound VA Medical Center – American Lake Campus

4/20/2026

Below are questions that were submitted by potential Contractors for the above referenced project along with the Government’s answers to the Request for Information.

Contractor Questions Government Response

1 There is typically a section where we can certify that we are SDVOSB, but we are not finding one that doesn’t have to do with a joint venture.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation has been overhauled and all new solicitations posted after November 2025 by the Department of Veterans Affairs is following the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). The former FAR clause 52.219-28 that you are referring to has been amended under RFO 52.219-28. The item that you are speaking of has been removed under the amendment. All clauses and provisions in this solicitation are under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul.

See Acquisition.gov for more information.

2 There is an Asbestos Roofing Abatement specification. It lists the estimated quantities of asbestos roofing material to be abated:

50 feet of pipe insulation 100 sf of roofing 50 sf of roofing containing multiple roofs 25 sf of flashing

There is no other information that shows if it is friable or how much asbestos it contains.

The estimated quantities are not close to the amount of roofing that needs to be removed and replaced.

Is this specification part of another job or is this the correct specification for this specific job?

Pertaining to the former, the Government could not confirm the quantities, however, the quantities are not believed to be tremendously understated. The sf of the coolers vastly exceeds the sf of the actual condenser which sits on the roof. The Government feels fairly confident that the amount of roof which will need to be cracked, and thus abated, should fall within the 100-150 sf as described in the specs.

Pertaining to the latter, based on item 11 in the CON SOW, the contractor is responsible for testing, reporting, and abatement of all hazardous materials.

Contractor to use the provided hazardous material report as a supplement but should not assume that there is no asbestos in the roofing. Contractor should assume the roof contains asbestos and bid accordingly and credit the VA back for work not completed.

3 There is an Asbestos Survey in the specifications completed by Pac Rim, but the roofing was not tested.

Do you want us to assume the roof has Friable Asbestos or do you want us to assume the roofing has no asbestos?

Based on item 11 in the CON SOW, the Contractor is responsible for testing, reporting, and abatement of all hazardous materials. Contractor to use the provided hazardous material report as a supplement but should not assume that there is no asbestos in the roofing. The contractor should assume the roof contains asbestos and bid accordingly and credit the VA back for work not completed.

Page | 2

4 A-104 Demolition Key Notes #1 states "Remove existing equipment pad". Can the VA confirm if this is a concrete pad or not? We are aware that the new pad is to match Detail 3 on A-104.

Note should read: Equipment curb

5 Drawing G-002 and G-004 states "VA Provided Temporary Mobile Freezer".

- We just want to confirm that the VA will in fact be providing the temporary mobile freezer throughout construction?

- Does the VA happen to have cutsheets on the temporary mobile freezer, so we can make sure to provide enough temporary power to that freezer?

Contractor to provide temporary mobile freezer. This will be powered by a generator also provided by the Contractor.

6 With the VA providing the temporary mobile freezer, can the VA confirm they will provide any ramps, stairs, doors, etc. needed so the VA staff can easily enter & exit the temporary freezer?

Contractor to provide temporary mobile freezer.

7 Reference Notice ID 36C26026Q0297 Project Building 200 Drainage Roof Repairs American Lake VA - Washington State on Sam.gov. With a project currently out to bid to fix multiple roof leaks on the same roof that we will be doing roof repairs on, we want to confirm the awarded contractor of the current bidding project (Replace 40 Ton Condenser at Bldg. 200) will not be responsible for any other roof leaks other than what is associated with out specific roof scope. Also, we want to confirm that the project (Building Roof Repairs American Lake VA) will not affect any scheduling, sequencing of this project (Replace 40 Ton Condenser at Bldg.

200).

Confirmed.

8 No cost magnitude was provided on the Solicitation.

Contract magnitude is between $1M and $5M.

9 We can provide a bonding capability letter demonstrating our capacity and financial backing to meet bonding requirements, and we are able to furnish both payment and performance bonds. Is a bid bond required?

Refer to solicitation item 2.4 FAR reference 52.228-1 Bid Guarantee that is listed in the solicitation.

10 RFP Page 53 under Factor 3, it indicates if a Joint Venture (JV) does not have experience, Past Performance shall be submitted for each Joint Venture partner. We believe this should not

For Mentor-Protégé JV, if the Protégé has past performance that is applicable to the project it will be evaluated along with the Mentor’s past performance. If the Protégé does not have past performance, it will be

Page | 3 apply to an SBA approved All Small Mentor- Protege Joint-Venture as the purpose of this program is for the mentor to help the protege develop their capabilities and experience. We respectfully request the Government allow projects submitted by the mentor only of a Mentor-Protege JV to satisfy the requirements for Past Performance/Relevant Experience.

rated neutral and the Mentor’s past performance will be evaluated solely.

11 On RFP Page 8 it states the offeror shall complete the price schedule division breakout found at Attachment 9 of the solicitation.

Attachment 9 is a workbook that includes tabs for each division, and each tab seems to require a detailed breakdown including each individual item in the estimate. Who will be liable for calculation errors in this workbook? Attempting to include this type of detail on this form by the bid deadline would be extremely cumbersome, as subcontractor quotes invariably will come in right up to the last minute. We believe that requiring this level of detail to be provided on this form with the proposal presents an unnecessary burden to the offerors on this competitive acquisition and will impact offeror’s ability to focus on obtaining the most competitive pricing while submitting to the Government timely. We respectfully request the Government allow us to submit a Division Cost Breakdown report generated by our trusted estimating software, or confirm that offerors are only required to fill out the Summary tab of this form. Or, at a minimum, please consider allowing this form to be submitted 24 hours after the proposal time to allow offerors adequate time to transfer the numbers from their own trusted estimating platforms to this form.

Attachment 9 Division Cost Breakout has been replaced with the following attachment entitled Attachment 9 – Division Cost Breakout Version 2 issued with Amendment 0002.

12 Reference RFP Page 50, the paragraph on this page that begins with, “Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services…”: This paragraph indicates the company and staff representing the project or overseeing work in each discipline must be licensed to practice elevator construction and installation. This paragraph also identifies key personnel including “Certified Elevator Technicians”. Please confirm this paragraph is not applicable to this solicitation for a condenser replacement.

Reference RFP Page 50, Factor 1: Key Personnel Qualifications and Capacity, paragraph 2, beginning with, “Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services….” The sentence that reads “The company and staff representing the project overseeing work in each discipline must be licensed to practice elevator construction and installation,” is hereby deleted in its entirety. Additionally, the last sentence that list KEY Personnel: removes the following disciplines, Certified

Page | 4

Elevator Technician (CETs) including electrical, hoisting, rigging, machine room, and fire protection specialists.

13 Reference RFP Page 52: Under Factor 2 it states, “To be considered acceptable, Offeror must demonstrate an understanding of what is required to refurbish elevators in a hospital setting along with the associated machine rooms.” Please confirm this statement is not applicable to proposal evaluation for this condenser replacement project.

Reference RFP Page 52: Factor 2: Technical Approach, paragraph2, deleted in its entirety.

14 On RFP Page 56, under Factor 5 it states, “Comparison of the proposed prices is expected to satisfy the requirement to perform a price analysis, however, the Government may, if necessary, request and analyze the Offeror’s price breakdown to establish reasonableness of an otherwise successful Offeror’s price.” If comparison of proposed prices is expected to satisfy the requirement to perform a price analysis, will the Government please remove the requirement for offerors to submit a price breakdown with initial proposals?

No

15 For positions requiring certifications such as PMP or Section 608, will the Government accept equivalent experience in lieu of certification where the individual demonstrates significant relevant construction management experience (e.g., 5+ years managing similar projects)?

No. Certification is required as described.

16 Is it acceptable for required certifications (e.g., PMP, Section 608) to be held by key personnel employed by a subcontractor, provided that the subcontractor is formally part of the project team and fulfills that role?

Yes.

17 For positions that require a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline, will the Government allow those requirements to be met by a subcontractor’s key personnel, or alternatively accept demonstrated relevant experience in lieu of a degree?

Yes for subcontractor key personnel, provided that the subcontractor is formally part of the project team and fulfills that role. No to the alternative.

18 Can key personnel roles (such as Quality Control Manager or Project Manager) be supported by a combination of prime and subcontractor staff, where overall qualifications are met collectively?

No.

Page | 5

19 Will the Government consider professional experience and project complexity as equal to or more important than specific certifications or degree requirements when evaluating key personnel?

The minimum qualifications described in the solicitation are of equal importance to one another and should be considered more essential than other qualifications.

20 Given this procurement is set aside for SDVOSB participation, can the Government confirm the applicable limitations on subcontracting requirements for this project (e.g., percentage of work that must be self-performed by the prime contractor)?

See Attachment 6 of the solicitation, Limitations on Subcontracting.

21 Within those limitations, is it acceptable for key personnel qualifications, certifications, and licensing requirements (e.g., PMP, Section 608, engineering credentials) to be provided by subcontractor personnel, provided the prime contractor maintains overall responsibility and meets the required self-performance percentage?

Yes, provided that the subcontractor is formally part of the project team and fulfills the role specific to the requirement(s) in question. Subcontractor qualifications, certifications, and licensing requirements cannot be combined via multiple individuals to meet the requirements of a specific role.

22 The solicitation appears to emphasize projects of similar dollar magnitude. Will the Government consider projects of similar scope, complexity, and technical requirements, even if the total contract value is lower?

The scope, complexity, and technical requirements of past projects may be considered if the total contract value is lower than our minimum value established.

23 If an offeror has successfully completed multiple projects of similar scope but at smaller dollar values, will the Government evaluate those collectively as demonstrating relevant past performance?

Generally, no. Please see the response to Question 22 as it pertains to smaller dollar values and our established minimum value for past projects.

24 Will past performance from subcontractors be considered acceptable in meeting the magnitude and experience requirements, particularly where the subcontractor will perform a significant portion of the work?

Generally, no. The past performance of subcontractors is considered supplemental, at best, and will barely hold weight as it relates to the selection of a prime contractor.

25 Is there flexibility in the evaluation to consider technical similarity (HVAC replacement, medical facility work, infection control environments, etc.) over strict dollar thresholds?

Key Personnel, Technical Approach, and Capacity are of greater importance than Past Performance. As for flexibility as it relates to our established minimum value for past projects, please see the response to Question 22.

26 Can the Government confirm that the intent of these requirements is to ensure capability and successful performance, and that offerors demonstrating equivalent qualifications through alternate means (experience, subcontracting, combined team qualifications) will be considered?

Where minimum qualifications are established, those should be considered essential. If an offer is made where a minimum qualification is not met, the offer will still be considered and shortcomings may be overcome depending on the potential strengths presented.

Page | 6

27 The government rep during the site walk mentioned they were bringing in a temp cooler and generator so that the existing coolers could be shut down and demoed. Are we needing to provide anything (connections, temp power, etc.) for that or is that outside of our project scope and government related only? If we are to provide connections, temp power, etc. can we please get cutsheets on all VA provided equipment.

Contractor to provide temporary mobile freezer. This will be powered by a generator also provided by the Contractor.

No utilization of VA electricity.

28 Would the gov approve a temp trailer(s) that were electric and not gas/diesel? We would need approval to connect to building power for the electric unit.

No.