36C26118Q0510-0001003.docx

Ventilation System Verification Testing and Balancing Service for the San Francisco VA Medical Center 36C26118Q0510 Questions and Answers

Question 1: Can you provide the projected annual $ value for this contract?

Answer 1: The previous award was VA261-17-P-1208 base year plus 4 option years (5 years) – total $499,776.00.

Question 2: What kind of models and brand names of the Air Handlers/Exhaust Fans/Supply Fans do we have specifically?

Answer 2: We mainly have Trane and Carrier, but if there are more specific questions not shown in the site walk, they can send an email to the CO for us to respond. Some equipment does not have specific models or names and are shown as is.

Question 3: What is the estimated timeframe that it has taken us to do?

Answer 3: It has taken the government at least two weeks for a few hours a day to conduct just the testing; and time to go through each Air Handler/Exhaust Fan/Supply Fan that needs to be inspected. However, we do expect a little more time in the beginning as the contractors get used to the site and the locations of each equipment.

Question 4: What are some of the basic expectations of the checklists?

Answer 4: There should be specific manufacturer checklists and/or standard mechanical equipment checklists that should be provided for the equipment that are checked. Any deficiencies should be noted in the report and identified to the COR within 24 hours.

The Air Handler/Exhaust/Supply Fans are only visual inspections to identify if there is anything that needs to be repaired of fixed. The exception is the belt replacements at least once annually. If there are issues with the mechanical equipment causing the rooms to fail, the reports should identify those issues and recommendations for VA to contract or make repairs as necessary in-house.

For the testing; if there are damper changes that need to be made, contractor shall:

1) Make adjustments as needed to provide to correct amount of air flow as needed for manual dampers, or

2) Coordinate with VA San Francisco COR or designee to make corrections within the Building Management System to adjust electronic dampers

Question 5: Are there any major challenges?

Answers 5: Some exhaust vents blocked by patient lifts, Morgue rooms tables; sterilizers that are challenging to get to. There are research labs with animals in Building 12, 41, and Mission Bay that will need to be coordinated to get access into; as well as VA provided training to enter those locations.

Question 6: The Scope defines after-hours; are we only allowed for after hours or weekends?

Answer 6: The scope defines times that are better suited for the hospital and 24/7 operations. For example, the OR is better suited for evening and night work; In-Patient rooms constantly have nurses and rounds/medication passes and we do not want to disrupt them. Most areas are willing to accommodate day time weekday work, and we can schedule accordingly, but they should budget and estimate that after-hours may be required.

Question 7: What about the 10 rooms additional specifications?

Answer 7: We expect that we may want to test 10 additional rooms not listed on the list at any time. We may not need it or we may ask to test all additional 10 rooms (square footage and amount of supply/exhaust registers are not defined); but the expectation is to include that ability to add some rooms, up to 10, in addition to the existing 231 rooms as needed within the scope of the contract.

Based off the existing cubic feet requirements, we should expect at a maximum, 4% deviation, or additional cubic feet that we may want to test.

Question 8: PREVIOUS TEST DOCUMENTS, Statement: We don't have a copy of previous test documents to ensure we are bidding a similar scope of work. Especially with the Testing/ Inspection reports. The level of inspection can have extreme variations. RFI: Can we be provided with the previous test report for the Ventilation Testing and the Equipment Evaluation? Or a samples?

Answer 8: Yes, former template provided. Data within the template may not be accurate; but the headers and titles, as well as tabs, can be used as a basis for the testing. All required equipment, VA provided information, and current ventilation requirements are included in attachments.

Question 9: ROOM VOLUME INFORMATION, Statement: The bid docs are clear on what AC/H rates are required but room volumes are needed for this calculation and physically measuring the rooms will take more effort. RFI: Can we obtain the room volumes?

Answer 9: Provided in attachments.

Question 10: FLOOR PLANS. RFI: can we obtain the Floor Plans for the rooms requiring testing?

Answer 10: Once the award is made, floor plans can be provided.

Question 11: EQUPMENT. Statement: In page 14 of 66 of RFP Paragraph 5.2.3 states to use a certified Alnor Balometer. RFI: Is a certified Shortridge Flowhood acceptable?

Answer 11: Yes, it needs to be certified and show proof of certification.

Question 12: ROOM PRESSURES. Statement: The room list provided states Negative/Positive and Double-Negative/Double-Positive for the Required Balance. Question: Are there specific pressure ranges that define these settings? Or are we just testing to ensure Positive or Negative pressure relationships?

Answer 12: It should be per the latest HVAC design manual. Currently, per the 2017 design manual, the rule of thumb is ±15% for +/- and ±30% for ++/--.