36C26118Q0428-00003001.pdf

From: Erik Dlugajczyk, Owner/VP Wiz Air Inc. dba Equal Air Balance Company To: Parvinder Brar / Gerald Lucas Re: Department of Veterans Affairs TAB Solicitation 36C26118Q0428 Post Job Walk / Pre Bid Questions

1. Personnel Identity Verification (PIV) of Contractor Personnel: If the Foreman on the job has been properly vetted and is in possession of a VA-issued identification card and has been authorized to work within the facility, can this person be an escort to a second person (i.e. a temporary helper) who is not in possession of a proper VA-issued identification card, but is asked to be on the job on a temporary basis? This assumes the temporary helper is an employee of EAB whose documentation, including I-9 form can be submitted upon request. Can a visitor’s badge be issued to such a person for temporary help, as long as constantly escorted by the foreman with a proper VA issued identification card?

VA Response: As far as the escort question, yes the vetted contractor in possession of a PIV card can escort a temporary helper. How long is a “temporary” basis? If it is just one or two days over a month period, then that is one thing. If it’s a month solid, then that is a different story badging wise.

2. If the employee being vetted has already filled out an I-9 form as a pre-requisite to employment with Wiz Air Inc. dba Equal Air Balance Company (EAB) can that information be provided to the VA, or should a new I-9 be provided along with an original document ID?

VA Response: Regarding the I-9: We cannot accept an I-9 that has not been ID proofed by a private company. We have no way to verify that the I-9 is for the person the form says it is for and no way to confirm that the ID used is valid.

3. EAB personnel may from time to time ask for access to the Building Management System (BMS) for the sole purposes of recording air handler status, CAV status, etc. EAB is not requesting access to anything other than the BMS system pertaining to the HVAC within the building and for monitoring purposes only.

VA Response: ECB may access METASYS as required. Access is available 24/7 at the facility boiler plant. Additional METASYS access points are available during regular business hours in Building 3 and Building 1.

4. Past Performance Survey: Should the survey be submitted directly by the evaluator to the VA therefore bypassing the company being evaluated? If so, can the VA provide information of where the Past Performance Survey should be sent and to whom?

VA Response: Yes the survey should be submitted to the evaluator and the evaluator can send the completed surveys to my email address at Parvinder.brar@va.gov. However, the surveys do not need to be submitted directly to the Contracting Officer/Specialist from the individual that completed the survey. The completed surveys can also be compiled by the contractor and submitted as part of the quote package.

5. How many Past Performance Surveys are to be submitted?

VA Response: Please include at least three but not more than five recent (within the past five years) and relevant (similar in size and scope) completed surveys.

mailto:Parvinder.brar@va.gov

6. EAB is a union affiliated contractor, therefore paying wages higher than those already set within the Wage Determination. Does a Certified Payroll Record (CPR) need to be submitted? If so, is there an apprentice requirement?

VA Response: Certified payrolls will not be required by contracting. If the COR wishes to review, I will leave it at his discretion to comment.

7. Document “DVA Fresno Details” section 6.1 states the TAB report is to be submitted upon completion of each TAB visit. Assumption is that one visit may consist of several days and therefore the report would be submitted after several days not after each day, please confirm.

VA Response: Section 6.1 relates only to the raw data collected during the TAB visit. It may be turned in after each work period or at the end of a multiple day TAB visit. I would expect just basic figures, nothing that requires calculation. The data does not have to be neat or presented in a specific format.

8. Same document as #7, please confirm that the VA understands that in order for the report to be NEBB certified, an internal review process takes place and therefore the report submission will be delayed by a few days. EAB will work with the VA to ensure that this time frame is kept to a minimum. This means that potentially, the report would be submitted electronically, in a PDF format, 3-5 days after the last day of the TAB visit. If a hard (printed) copy is necessary, and/or a wet stamp / wet signature is necessary, this can be provided through the USPS after the PDF copy has been sent. Please respond if this is acceptable.

VA Response: This is acceptable.

9. Same document as #7/8, section 5.3.4 states “Vendor will perform adjustments on the air supply, return or exhaust to achieve the appropriate number of air exchanges and differential pressures.” EAB would like to clarify that the extent of the physical work will be limited to the rooms listed on document 570-16-2-141- 0177 “Room Schedule.” Clarification: The reason for this questions is if the air distribution is surveyed and found to be deficient in air flow, and the volume dampers and/or any other types of regulating devices are found to be fully open, EAB will not (unless otherwise directed) close dampers in other areas not listed in the “Room Schedule” in order to raise air flow in the room in question. This would be considered a balance of areas outside of the scope of work and therefore not covered under this contract, please verify if this understanding of the contract documents is correct.

VA Response: The extent of the physical work will be limited to the rooms listed.

10. Section 6.2.4 TAB Summary: Please clarify if this is to be understood as “NOT” an actual certified test and balance report, but rather a raw set of notes (hand written or digital) which presents the information requested. Also, please understand that if this is to be a NEBB certified report, a delay of 3-5 days is possible due to the internal review process which takes place in order to certify the report. Please clarify.

VA Response: It is understood this is NOT an actual certified test and balance report.

11. Inspections: Scope of work does not mention inspections, what is a reasonable expectation for inspections? Can they be performed during the TAB process, should an extra day be set aside after each visit for an inspection? Can you provide a reasonable expectation of inspections?

VA Response: Inspections shall be as indicated in section 5.3.2. Inspections can occur not greater than 48 hours before the TAB.

12. Flu Shots are not mentioned only TB tests, please clarify that a Flu shot is not required.

VA Response: There is not a requirement for maintenance contractors to have flu shots.

13. Mechanical drawings are not provided during the bid process. While not necessary for EAB during the bid process, should EAB be awarded the job, EAB would like to request an electronic copy of a full set of mechanical drawings at minimum two weeks prior to start of job. This allows EAB personnel to fully assess each room’s viability for balance, as well as an opportunity for report generation. This process will give our on-site technician a much better understanding of the job scope prior to job start. EAB management personnel will be happy to sign an NDA if necessary.

VA Response: The VA will provide electronic copies of all systems covered under this contract that are available. It should be understood that some of the drawings are of low quality, essentially scans of photocopies of the original 1940’s era blue prints. These will be provided on DVD. I have not received an answer regarding the NDA or drawing security.