RFI Responses Window Replacement 3_22.pdf

VA Responses to Requests for Information (RFI’s)

Solicitation 36C26123R0016 Replace 2nd and 3rd floor, Bldg. 650 Windows, SVAMC, Mather, CA

RFI #1 Exhibit C Page 1 General notes 4 and 8 refer to tinted glass and matching existing windows. What is the tint of the existing windows?

Response: Contractor to submit physical sample to match existing and COR will approve/reject.

RFI #2 Will the VA confirm that the integral venetian blind color will be white?

Response: Contractor to submit physical sample to match existing and COR will approve/reject.

RFI #3 In order to supply a responsible quote, will the VA provide the as-built drawings including elevations, sections, and structural to determine any blast rating requirements for the replacement windows?

Response: Correct, VA will provide as-builts that are not verified – use at your discretion. No blast rating requirement.

RFI #4 Will the VA require any special testing or special inspections from a Testing Lab for the replacement windows?

Response: Special testing or special inspections from a Testing Lab will not be a requirement for this project.

RFI #5 Specification Section 01 00 00, Part 1.15(A) states that the Contractor shall pay for electricity usage at the prevailing rate charged to the VA. Will the Contractor be required to meter and pay for electricity for this project and if so, will the VA provide the prevailing rate?

Response: Contractor may use electricity at the VA at no charge and will not be required to be metered.

RFI #6 Does the VA have a current HAZMAT Survey that covers the areas of demolition for this project? If not, will the Contractor be expected to conduct a HAZMAT Survey prior to the start of demolition/construction?

Response: No known hazardous materials or reports. Fireproof asbestos on structural columns was abated in its history. If the contractor finds or discovers anything hazardous they should report it immediately to the COR and contracting office.

RFI #7 Will the VA clarify if the Site superintendent, if duly qualified, may also serve in the roles of SSHO and CQC or will a separate individual be required for either of those two roles?

Response: Site superintendent may also serve in the roles of the SSHO and CQC.

RFI # 8 Specification Section -1 35 26, Part 1.13 requires that all contractor employees and subcontractors must have proof of negative TB screening within 90 days of their presence of the facility grounds. Will the VA clarify if this is required for this project?

Response: This is required, the contractor will only be required to send the COR an email stating that they met the requirements. The VA will not be reviewing actual records.

RFI # 9 Specification Section -1 35 26, Part 1.21 requires that every employee must have proof of an influenza vaccination prior to working onsite. Will the VA clarify if this will be a requirement for this project?

Response: This is required, the contractor will only be required to send the COR an email stating that they met the requirements. The VA will not be reviewing actual records.

RFI #10 Specification Section 01 45 00, Part 3.4(B) requires the Contractor to hire a CQC System Manager who will be an Engineer or Architect and who will be onsite at all times during construction. As this will be a very costly requirement, will the VA clarify if this will be required for this project?

Response: The CQC manager may be the project manager of this project and does not have to be onsite at all times however it should be onsite for meetings and inspections.

RFI #11 Is the project scope to include repair of all cracks of existing drywall at the bottom corner of each window?

Response: Repair of all cracks of existing drywall at the bottom corner of each window shall be included in this project.

RFI #12 – Is T-bar repair to be included in our bid?

Response: Correct – T-bar repair is to be included in this project.

RFI #13 - Will the offices remain occupied while the windows are being replaced?

Response: Contractor and COR shall coordinate the times in which windows will be replaced at each office – 3 offices at a time.

RFI #14 - Please advise of the laydown area that is close to the building for loading and unloading the windows.

Response: The contractor will coordinate a small drop off location and two parking sized locations for use during the project after award based on availability at the time.

RFI #15 – SOW, Scope of Work paragraph A on Page 2 of 7 it states that the contractor shall provide a waterproofing system around each window seal to ensure watertight integrity is met. Please confirm the requirement is not to remove existing exterior finishes (i.e. EIFS or stucco) to install waterproofing behind the envelope system, and that the intent is only to provide backer rod and caulking to ensure a watertight window installation.

Response: Confirmed, the intent is only to provide backer rod and caulking to ensure a watertight window installation.

RFI #16 - SOW, General Intention, item H on Page 1 of 7 states, "Crucial space where individuals are not able to vacate, or material is not ready to be removed will result in work being performed over the weekend or after working hours. For bidding purposes, please clarify the number of locations that we should anticipate after hours and/or weekend work to occur.

Response: Contractor to expect 25% of the spaces/offices to be performed over the weekend. Exact Locations will be identified after contract award.

RFI #17 - Solicitation Page 7 of 69, under 1.6 Determination of Responsibility it states the offeror shall complete the attachment "Responsibility - Contractor Certification Regarding Safety and Environmental" document. We do not find this attachment included in the solicitation documents. Please advise.

Response: Please disregard this attachment and requirement, this is not applicable to this project.

RFI #18 - Section 01 45 00 para 3.4/B states, "The CQC system Manager is required to be a graduate engineer / architect to determine qualifications based on project complexity at construction review." Please confirm that the CQC System Manager is not required to be a graduate engineer and/or architect.

Response: Confirmed, CQC System Manager is not required to be a graduate engineer and/or architect.

RFI #19

Per Solicitation SOW, please confirm that Contractor can approach project in four (4) phases. Contractor proposes four (4) distinct phases to complete the scope to provide the VA staff on the floors within scope with the least amount of disruption and also would significantly reduce the time to perform overall installation of windows.

Proposed Phase I: Floor 2. Windows installed in 1/2 of total rooms on Floor 2.

Phase II: Floor 2. Other 1/2 of windows installed on Floor 2.

NOTE: Contractor proposes utilizing a designated laydown area for each phase within the appropriate Phase I & Phase II areas under construction. This significantly reduces time and disruption in moving materials throughout the hospital on a daily basis and provides for a safer approach than the continual use of lifts in the front of the main entrance of Bldg. 650.

Phase III: Floor 3. Windows installed in 1/2 of total rooms on Floor 3.

Phase IV: Floor 3: Remaining 1/2 of windows installed on Floor 3.

Again, Contractor proposes utilizing a designated laydown area for both Phase III & IV on Floor 3. Please confirm that this approach would be acceptable to the VA.

Response: Contractor would submit phasing plan after award, and after receiving Notice to Proceed.

RFI # 20 Are there any specific manufactures of the Window and Venetian Blind that we have to use?

Response: There are no specific manufacturers of the windows and venetian blinds that the contractor has to use. The Buy American Act does apply to this requirement and applicable clauses.

RFI #21 Since the Clause 4.13 52.236-1 is not clear about the performance of work by the contractor, could you please clarify what percent of the total amount of work should be done by the contractor?

Response: This clause is not applicable to this requirement, please disregard percentage, all other clauses are applicable.

RFI #21 Could you please explain more about the "Goals for minority and female participation for each trade" as per Clause 2.3 52.222-23 stated? Does that mean we must subcontract a proportion of this project to a minority company or female company?

Response: No, Please read and refer too EO 11246, see link located at :

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/executive-order-11246/ca-11246

RFI # 22 Upon inspection we noticed water damage on a number of windows, we know that the current SOW does not cover repair to damaged drywall, because this we fear the removal/installation of the windows may cause further deterioration/damage of the drywall. Will this be added to the SOW?

Response: See response to RFI #11 above. (RFI #11 Response: Repair of all cracks of existing drywall at the bottom corner of each window shall be included in this project.)

RFI # 23 Will the Government be responsible for moving all furnisher and equipment /computer from each room?

Response: Correct, the VA will be responsible for relocating all furnished and equipment/computer from each room.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/executive-order-11246/ca-11246

RFI #24 How shall the Contractor handle the phasing for this project, with work be limited to room by room or will a full floor be made available to the Contractor at a time?

Response: Please see response RFI #13 above (RFI #13 Response: Contractor and COR shall coordinate the times in which windows will be replaced at each office – 3 offices at a time.)

RFI #25 For security office (2B223), how will access be handled?

Response: The COR will provide a schedule to the contractor for the work performed at the security office.

RFI #26 Will the contractor be allowed to use the patient elevators to the left of the main entrance for material transport?

Response: Correct, contractor will be allowed to use the patient elevators protective wall pads will be required to be provided by the contractor.

RFI # 27 Contractor would recommend that the project be awarded within 30 days of proposal submission as the manufactures and vendors will only hold their price for no more than 30 days due to the current state of the market.

Response: This is already cited in solicitation, please see Initial Solicitation (2/13/2023), in Blocks 13. d. on page 1 and Block 17. Located on page 2.

RFI # 28 Contractor is requesting that the period of performance be changed to 650 calendar days due to Design Phase, phasing of work, Procurement Long Lead times and Unknown impact on material lead times due to COVID-19 impact.

Response: The Period of Performance (POP) for project already is based off a recent Sources Sought Notice (SSN 12/22/2022) and industry feedback.

RFI #29 Will a Commissioning Agent be required?

Response: Correct, the VA will require a commissioning agent and the VA will provide it.

RFI #30 Will a third-party Commissioning Agent be required?

Response: yes, See RFI #29.

RFI #31 Once RFI questions are answered we are requesting that the proposal due date be extended by 21 calendar days.

Response: The proposal due date is extended and now due on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 2:00pm (PDT), see amendment 0004.

RFI #32 Can The QC Manager, SSHO and Superintendent be one person?

Response: See response to RFI #7. (RFI #7 Response: Site superintendent may also serve in the roles of the SSHO and CQC.)

END OF RFI RESPONSES