RFI Respones Fresno Modernize Elevators.pdf

VA Responses to Requests for Information (RFI’s)

Solicitation# 36C26124R0060

Project Title: Modernize Elevators P1,P2,S3, S4 Fresno VA Medical Center

Project Number: 570- 24-801

RFI # 1: On page 91, sec. 1.10 of SOW Attachment A, it is unclear if all 4 elevators transfer over and run on emergency power. Can you please confirm? Also, can you confirm there is no selector switch present?

RFI #1 Response: All 4 elevators have capabilities to run on emergency power. There is a selector switch present.

RFI # 2: Elevators P1-P2 and S3 are all walk in pits. Are any modifications to the pit entry doors required?

RFI #2 Response: No modifications of pit entry doors required.

RFI # 3: On SOW C, in the penthouse (equipment room) the dead-end hitches are supported currently by one

(1) 5/8” bolt, on elevators S3 and S4. The specifications do not call for new hitch points. Can you please clarify if new materials and plates will need to be installed at these locations in lieu of the singular bolt current arrangement (like P1 and P2)?

RFI #3 Response: Comply with all code requirements for equipment installation.

RFI # 4: In section 2.1 and in the elevator penthouse machine room, and in order to meet requirements of

ASME A17.1, NEC, NFPA and IBC, will a new code complaint LOTO fused disconnect be required for main line and 120v (Cab) lighting circuits? Is this in lieu of the breaker style currently installed?

RFI #4 Response: Yes, comply to all new LOTO code requirements as it pertains to this project

RFI #5: Based on the newer ATS system and fire panel annunciator located in the main lobby, it appears that all elevators will run on emergency power. Can you confirm this is correct and that no selector switch is required?

RFI #5 Response: See RFI #1

RFI # 6: There is abandoned conduit, pipes, flex and wiring in the hoistways; are these items required to be removed during the demo of the modernization?

RFI #6 Response: Remove all abandoned conduit, pipes, flex and wiring in the hoistways.

RFI #7: Based on the SOW (A) sec. 1.15, page 13, only one elevator is allowed to be out of service at a time for modernization. The POP may not be achievable in this regard, can you please confirm the POP from notice of award?

RFI #7 Response: The VA will adjust the POP from 365 to 540 calendar days. The elevators will need to be modernized sequentially and work shall be coordinated with the COR.

RFI #8: Per specification 2.12-14 21 10-13, please confirm the “medical emergency” specification is required on all elevators

RFI #8 Response: All elevators will need to have the medical emergency specification.

RFI #9: Per specification 2.25A 14 21 10-15 its stated to reuse existing car and counterweight buffers, refill and paint. Several buffers were not piped and wired in the “safety string” series circuit as required. Can you please confirm that this scope should be added?

RFI #9 Response: Yes, please adhere to VA specifications.

RFI #10: Per specification 2.46 14 21 10-22 paragraph-B, there are notes to replace interior panels per the

CO. Can you please note if an allowance or dollar amount should be carried for these finishes?

RFI #10 Response: Yes, please adhere to the VA specifications.

RFI #11: What software will be utilized on the project for submittal transfers? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining this software?

RFI #11 Response: Software is prime contractor’s responsibility for choosing, purchasing, and maintaining.

Software must have capabilities to allow for review and approval of submittals/RFI, viewing of plans, daily logs, project documents.

RFI #12: Will the VA require any construction management software to be utilized on the project? Will the

Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining this software?

RFI #12 Response: See RFI #11

RFI #13: Can the VA clarify if MS project will be an acceptable scheduling software for the project?

RFI #13 Response: Yes, MS Project will be acceptable software for this project.

RFI #14: Can the VA please clarify the onsite supervision requirements for the project as it pertains to the prime contractors Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM?

a. Will the VA allow one individual to satisfy all three roles?

b. Must these individual(s) be employees of the prime contractor?

c. Will these individual(s) be allowed to perform physical work on the project?

RFI #14 Response:

a. One individual can not satisfy all three roles. The SSHO and the QCM can be same individual but separate from Superintendent. Must be a dedicated superintendent on site at all times.

b. These individuals must be an employee of the prime contractor.

c. The SSHO and the QCM shall have no other duties.

Must provide all certifications.

RFI #15: Are there specific manufacturers the VA is interested in? Are the prime contractors to include elevator equipment in their bids that meet the buy American act, are nonproprietary, and are universally

Project Title: Modernize Elevators P1,P2,S3, S4 Fresno VA Medical Center

Project Number: 570- 24-801 maintainable?

RFI #15 Response: The Buy American Act does apply, please include equipment that is nonproprietary and universally maintainable.

RFI #16: Is there a fire sprinkler contractor that is currently servicing the facility that the prime contractor should utilize in its bid?

RFI #16 Response: There is not a particular fire sprinkler contractor the facility requires. Prime contractor will have responsibility to choose fire sprinkler contractor.

RFI #17: Is there a fire alarm contractor that is currently servicing the facility that the prime contractor should utilize in its bid?

RFI #17 Response: See attached Brand Name Justification and approval document in Amendment 0002, Johnson Controls, Inc. is the fire alarm contractor servicing the facility and holds proprietary contract for facility’s fire alarm system.

RFI #18: The completion duration of this project is 365 days after NTP. Due to the magnitude of this project, this duration is not attainable. Will the successful bidder have the opportunity to present a realistic completion schedule, and will the VA consider adjusting the schedule upon confirmation of realistic, industry-standard durations for administration, engineering, material lead time, and installation?

RFI #18 Response: The VA will adjust the POP from 365 to 540 calendar days. The elevators will need to be modernized sequentially and work shall be coordinated with the COR.

RFI #19: Will the VA accept an initial payment of $100,000 for the up-front engineering and shop drawing development submitted by the contractor’s elevator company? If not, what amount (or percentage of the contract) will the VA accept for up-front engineering services?

RFI #19 Response: Any forms of advance payments are not authorized.

RFI #20: Request Identification of specific ASME A17.1 Code Year these elevators are to be modernized to?

2022? 2019? 2013?

The Specifications do not identify the specific code year these elevators are to be designed to, or inspected for compliance. California State Elevator Code, VA Elevator Design Manual, and Unified Facility Code all identify different A17.1 Code Years. Given differences between 2004, 2013, 2016,2019, and 2022—it is important to specify what year of ASME A17.1 Code these elevators are to comply with.

RFI #20 Response: Use the latest editions of ASME A17.1 to constitute the minimum requirements for elevator transportation system, including design, methods of construction, installation, and testing.

RFI #21: Request Confirmation we can modernize the elevators in pairs rather than sequentially to expedite project completion?

Concurrent modernization of one Service and One Passenger Elevator saves more than ½ of the total onsite project time by enabling 2 crews to work together to expedite manpower intensive tasks, like roping. It would minimize down time, significantly reduce cost, and maintain a Service and Passenger Elevator in service to support staff, visitor, patient requirements.

RFI #21 Response: Due to the amount of traffic utilizing the elevators it is not an option to modernize the elevators in pairs.

RFI #22: Request project extended to 540 days with concurrent modernization, or 720 days for sequential modernization.

It takes approx. 7 months after contract award for materials to arrive, and each elevator will take in excess of

10 weeks to modernize. It is simply not possible to modernize all 4 elevators in one year.

RFI #22 Response: See RFI #18.

RFI #23: Request Confirmation if a Dedicated Site Superintendent is Required and if the Dedicated Site

Superintendent can be duel-hatted as the SSHO?

Specification language is vague whether the Site Superintendent can be duel hatted as the SSHO.

RFI #23 Response: See RFI #14.

RFI #24: Request Confirmation the Senior (Lead) Elevator Mechanic or Mechanic in Charge (MIC) can serve

BOTH as the Site Superintendent AND the SSHO?

Specification language is vague whether the Contractor is allowed the have the Senior Elevator Mechanic onsite perform BOTH Site Superintendent and SSHO duties. It says in Para 01 35 26 1.8A the SSHO is to be

“Full Time,” but it is unclear if that means he is to be onsite and can perform mechanic and supervision, or not.

RFI #24 Response: The Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and the SSHO must be separate individuals. The

SSHO shall have no other duties.

RFI #25: Request Confirmation the ATS is already providing the PTS carrier wire and whether the Contractor or the VA is to pay for any ATS programming? Not identified in the Electrical specification or provided drawings.

RFI #25 Response: PTS carrier wire will need to be provided to the ATS and contractor is to pay for any

ATS programming.

RFI #26: Request Confirmation the ATS is already providing the PTS carrier wire and whether the Contractor or the VA is to pay for any ATS programming? Not identified in the Electrical specification or provided drawings.

RFI #26 Response: See RFI #25

RFI #27: Is the machine room and/or pits to be epoxy coated? Not identified in the specification or provided drawings

Project Title: Modernize Elevators P1,P2,S3, S4 Fresno VA Medical Center

Project Number: 570- 24-801

RFI #27 Response: Yes, epoxy the machine rooms and pits

RFI #28: May we use a TORIN Elevator Machine given it is made in China and distributed in the US? Not clear if Buy American Act Exemption is allowed for expediency since it takes longer to obtain a domestic-produced elevator machine.

RFI #28 Response: TORIN Elevator Machine will not be permitted in this project. Comply with Buy

American Act using products manufactured in USA. All products will need to comply with the Buy American

Act and Trade Agreements Act. See Buy American Act Provisions and Clauses cited in the solicitation FAR

52.225-10 and 52.225-9. Also, 52.225-5 Trade Agreements Clause updated with amendment 0002.

RFI #29: Can you accept a follow-on round of RFIs given the Elevator Code year selected by the VA will result in a number of year-specific questions?

There are a number of accessibility and HIPPA questions that stem from whether the VA wants in-cab video, audio and offsite monitoring that would involve duplex communications with an outside non-VA server

RFI # 29 Response: All code compliance will be to the newest code editions, due to the time remaining in the fiscal year, the VA needs to begin the project there will not be another round of RFIs.

RFI #30: Are we to paint the Machine Room? Not identified in the specification or provided drawings.

RFI #30 Response: See RFI #27

RFI #31: Please provide the Facility Roof Design and Load Bearing Capacity to support craning materials on/off the roof? We cannot accurately price the craning of equipment without knowing the roof capacity.

RFI # 31 Response: Please refer to Building 1 As-Builts for structural details.

RFI #32: Please provide the Fire Alarm / Life Safety System Design Drawings and identify the current service provider? Needed to price fire alarm system component.

RFI # 32 Response: Current service provider is Johnson Controls for proprietary service of Fire Alarm. FA-3 thru FA-9 Drawings for Fire Alarm are attached in Amendment 0002.

END OF RFI RESPONSES

SOLICITATION# 36C26124R0060

PROJECT NUMBER: 570- 24-801