36C26119R0032-0002002.pdf

1. As part of the Phase 1 Technical Qualification Evaluation Criteria it is requesting that we have a past customer complete a PPQ, If we use a project that has an past performance evaluation in PPIRS and CPARS, can we include a copy of that in our proposal to satisfy this evaluation requirement, or does the government want us to send the federal agency that we did the work for a new PPQ? It is our experience that once the federal agency has done an evaluation in PPIRS/CPARS they don’t fill out additional PPQ’s.

VA Response: Yes, a copy of applicable CPARS reports will be accepted as past performance.

2. In the VA pharmacy design guide there are dozens of “Design Guide Plates” for similar rooms. Please tell us which “Design Guide Plate” you using for programing this project and was used as bases of design for floor plans that are shown in the concept drawings provided in the RFP? The question is answered

VA Response: Paragraph 2 A of the SOW refers to drawing G-001 as the floor plan. Drawing G-001 is an attachment in the contract posting. As stated in the Design Guide, the Design Guide Plates are “guides that are adjustable to your preference.” In this case the floor plan in drawing G-001 is VA preference and required by the SOW.

3. In reviewing the SOW and the conceptual plans that were included with the RFP, I do not see any reference to the actual equipment that is going to be installed into the project (fume hoods, refrigerators, drug/chemical storage units laboratory case work ect.). It is nearly impossible to prepare a detailed technical proposal without knowing what equipment the VA is going to expect to see in the rooms, who is going to be purchasing the equipment and who is going to be installing the equipment.

Does the VA have a list of equipment they want incorporated into the project and schematic layout that shows where their chemical hoods and other specialty equipment is going to be installed within each room

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

4. Please furnish a complete mechanical duct work and mechanical equipment as built for building 24.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

5. Please furnish a complete electrical power, lighting, single line diagram, telecommunication, security and fire alarm as built drawing for building 24 .

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

6. Please furnish structural as built for building 24.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

7. Please furnish plumbing and medical gas as built for building 24.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

8. Will the VA furnish a list of modular furniture/casework/equipment that they will be either installing as part of activation or will expect to be furnished and installed by the contractor. Please furnish product data sheets for the equipment/furniture/casework.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

9. Who is the security/access controls contractor for the campus?

VA Response: Bedard Controls of Clovis, CA

10. Please furnish all available information for the existing AHU, VAV’s and exhaust fans that service this area. We need to know the manufacture, model, capacity and at what capacity the system is currently running at.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

11. In reviewing the word file entitled “SOW” we are seeking clarification. Within this document the first 26 pages are A/E Submission Instruction for Design-Build Project. When reading this document it becomes apparent that this document is intended for A/E firms preparing the bridging documents (level 1 or Level 2) that are then issued as a RFP for “Design Build Contractors are to uses as the foundation of the proposal for the design build project. The in the forward of this documents it states:

“This document addresses the VA philosophy for Design-Build (DB) projects and the minimum Architect/Engineer (A/E) submission requirements for the development of Request for Proposal (RFP) Documents. The requirements consist of a Level 1 RFP Document Submission or a Level 2 RFP Document Submission, as defined in this document, and the Selection Procedure, Offer Requirements, and Contract Requirements of the DB Team”.

The introduction goes on to state

I. INTRODUCTION

A. GENERAL

This document defines the Architect/Engineer (A/E) submission requirements for development of Request for Proposals (RFP) Documents for a wide range of Design-Build (DB) project types in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS:

a. RFP A/E: Architect/Engineer contracted by VA to develop Request for Proposal Documents for selection of the Design-Build Team;

Will the government please confirm that this document was mistakenly included and does not pertain to this RFP?

VA Response: It is not an error. This is a Design-Build project in accordance VA PG-18-15, Vol E requirement.

12. In further reviewing the requirements for the VA prepared documents that are supposed to be issued to a design build contractor, it is apparent that the documents issued do not meet either the level 1 or level 2 bridging documents that are supposed to be issued to a design build contractor to bid from.

So as to allow the design build contractors to prepare the best response to the RFP, will the government be issuing level 1 or level or level 2 bridging documents. The information most needed relates to the equipment that the VA is going to be either furnishing or expecting the contractor to furnish and a lot more information on the existing HVAC systems.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

13. Starting on page 27 of this same documents there is a specification section “Request for Proposal to Design-Build” this document has an issue date of 03-98 in the upper right hand corner of each page.

Looking at the VA’s online TIL there is the same document with a publication date of 11/01/15. Are we to use the specification included with the RFP or the one at the TIL?

VA Response: The most recent version provided in the TIL is the correct one.

14. Paragraph 3.G of the RFP states that the contractor is to provide an evaluation of the existing HVAC system and provide a report that contain calculations, data sheets and assessment to support the contractor’s assessment. We assume this evaluation is to be made after the award of the project, so if it is determined that the existing systems are not adequate to support the new Chemo Compounding room. Will the VA consider any major modifications to the existing mechanical systems or replacement of mechanical systems or installation of new mechanical systems to be a changed condition?

VA Response: Yes

By major modification I would assume anything more than adding/changing duct work, and VAV would be consider a major modification.

In the same paragraph it says

“It is anticipated that design of an additional, expanded, or modified HVAC system (s) for the room(s) that meets or exceeds the USP 795, USP 797 and 800 criteria will be required. Evaluation and design shall take into consideration the C-PEC devices and their ventilation requirements”.

What exactly is the government “anticipating” past modifying duct work and changing VAV’s?

This same Paragraph says

“Evaluation and design shall take into consideration the C-PEC devices and their ventilation requirements”.

C-PEC I am unable to find any information about the C-PEC equipment in the RFP, please furnish product data information for this equipment and how many is anticipated to be installed within this project.

VA Response: The Government furnished C-PEC equipment will be determined by VA Pharmacy in the design phase of the awarded contract.

15. In Paragraph 3.1 it states that the design build contractor is to evaluate the existing electrical equipment, it is assumed this evaluation will occur after award and that if it is discovered that the existing electrical system does not have the available power to support the new Chemo Compounding room that the installation of any new electrical panels or pulling power from an electrical room other than the one that is currently feeding this area, will be considered a changed condition?

This paragraph also says includes the separate emergency electrical power system available for building twenty-four (24) for use when commercial power is not available. Please confirm that if the existing emergency electrical power system is NOT adequate to support this project any modification or additions to the emergency electrical system will be considered a changed condition, or are we to assume that we will need to install a new emergency generator to back up this specific area of the hospital?

VA Response: The adequacy of emergency electrical power system has not been determined. It will be determined during the design phase of the awarded contract.

So as to prepare a preliminary schedule does the VA expect any portion of the construction to be phased or will we be given 100% of the project area to work continuously? If the construction is to be phased please provide a narrative and floor plan describing the phasing.

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

16. Paragraph 5 of the RFP says construction has to be completed by 11/29/2019 and that the contract is 200 calendar days. With the Phase 1 proposal being due on 4/23/2019, and assuming it takes 2 weeks to make the selection of the contractors for phase 2, then adding 1 week to arrange a site visit and then allowing 30 days for the preparation and submission of the phase 2 proposals, then 2 weeks for the award of the contract and another 2 weeks to get the bonds and insurance turned in/approved and then a week before the kick off meeting and NTP is issued. The NTP would not be issued until approximately 1 August 2019 , which would make the contract completion date approximately: 2/17/2019. Will the VA please modify their completion date to a realistic completion date?

VA Response: Phase 1 is Technical Qualification Evaluation of prospective bidders. This question will be answered in Phase II for those that qualify.

16. Phase I Submission Requirements (RFP Page 20 of 72) indicates that all technical proposals shall be compatible with Microsoft Word. Is PDF acceptable? We would have to scan signatures into an image file to get them into a Word document.

VA Response: PDF documents are acceptable.

17. Factor 3 (Past Performance):

a. May we submit completed CPARS with the proposal in lieu of PPQs?

VA Response: Yes, a copy of applicable CPARS reports will be accepted as past performance.

b. May we submit previously completed PPQs from other solicitations?

VA Response: Yes, previously completed and signed PPQs may be submitted as past performance.

18. Are Reps & Certs, and other fill-in clauses, to be included with the Phase I Proposal?

VA Response: No, the Reps and Certs are only required in Phase II.

19. Reference Factor 1 – Corporate Specialized Experience: Requires design/build projects completed within the last three years. Will the Government consider projects completed in the last five years?

VA Response: Yes

20. Reference Factor 1 – Corporate Specialized Experience: Requires design/build projects completed within the last three years. Does this mean completed within 3 years of the RFP issue date?

VA Response: See the response for No. 19.

21. What is the required structure of a Joint Venture for this, and other Veteran Solicitations. Is a JV agreement sufficient?

VA Response: In order for a JV to be considered for this project it must have a JV Duns number, and that number shall be a certified SDVOSB company/firm in Vendor Information Pages.