RFI Responses Kitchen Ceiling All RFIs.pdf

VA Responses to Requests for Information (RFI’s)

Solicitation# 36C26126R0042

Project Title: Replace Kitchen Ceiling, Fresno, CA

Project Number: 570-26-228

RFI #1: Statement of Work, Part 6 (Salient Characteristics) specifies vinyl-faced mineral fiber lay-in ceiling panels (Armstrong Ultima Health Zone or Kitchen Zone, or equal). The Kitchen Dish Washing Area shown on

Exhibit A (Drawing FR-BLDG 01 – Basement) is subject to significant steam and humidity on a daily basis.

Mineral-fiber-core panels – even when vinyl-faced – absorb moisture and are prone to sag and premature failure in a continuous-steam environment. We recommend a solid PVC/vinyl lay-in panel (e.g., Ceilume, or equal) that is FDA/USDA-compliant, washable and scrubbable, mold- and mildew-resistant, and warranted against sag, as an “or equal” substitution for the Kitchen Dish Washing Area in lieu of the specified mineral fiber panel?

RFI #1 Response: The Government has reviewed the request and confirms that the proposed solid

PVC/vinyl lay-in ceiling panel, meeting FDA/USDA compliance, washable and scrubbable surface requirements, mold- and mildew-resistance, and sag-resistance, is acceptable as an “or equal” substitution for use specifically in the Kitchen Dish Washing Area.

This approval is limited to the Dish Washing Area only and does not modify material requirements for other areas of the project. The substituted product must meet all other applicable performance requirements, codes, and specifications.

RFI #2: Part 6 requires the lay-in panel to weigh a minimum of 1 lb/sq ft (4.88 kg/m²), yet names Armstrong

Kitchen Zone as an acceptable product. Per the manufacturer’s published data, Kitchen Zone panels weigh

0.67 lb/sq ft (24″ x 48″) and 0.82 lb/sq ft (24″ x 24″), neither of which meets the 1 lb/sq ft minimum. Please clarify which requirement governs: is the 1 lb/sq ft minimum firm (in which case Ultima Health Zone, or equal, would be the basis of design), or is Kitchen Zone (or equal) acceptable notwithstanding the stated weight?

RFI #2 Response: The Government confirms that the minimum weight requirement of 1 lb/sq ft (4.88 kg/m²) is the governing specification requirement. Products that do not meet the stated minimum weight— including Armstrong Kitchen Zone—are not acceptable as “or equal” substitutions unless they independently satisfy all salient characteristics, including the weight requirement, as written.

This clarification confirms the specification’s intent and avoids introduction of a lower-performance product in a critical kitchen environment.

RFI #3: Part 6 calls for “vinyl-faced mineral fiber” panels and references Armstrong Ultima Health Zone and

Kitchen Zone. Both named products carry a factory-applied latex paint/membrane finish rather than a laminated vinyl film. Please confirm whether a factory-applied, scrubbable painted/membrane finish that meets the smooth, non-perforated, non-absorptive, washable, and anti-microbial salient characteristics is acceptable, or whether a true laminated vinyl face is required.

RFI #3 Response: The Government confirms that a true laminated vinyl face is required. Although the referenced Armstrong products include factory-applied latex/membrane finishes, the specification’s stated salient characteristic “vinyl-faced mineral fiber” requires a panel with an actual laminated vinyl film, not simply a scrubbable painted or membrane coating.

Only products that incorporate a true laminated vinyl surface and meet all other listed performance characteristics will be considered compliant.

RFI #4: Part 6 specifies a suspended, rust-free, non-corrosive aluminum 15/16″ clean room suspension system. Please confirm that an aluminum (not steel) 15/16″ Clean Room grid (e.g., Armstrong Clean Room aluminum, or equal) is the intended basis of design, and that the same grid system is acceptable across both the Nutrition/Food Service kitchen ceiling and the Kitchen Dish Washing Area.

RFI #4 Response: The Government confirms that only a heavy-duty galvanized steel suspension system is acceptable. Accordingly, an aluminum suspension system is not an acceptable basis of design. Heavy-duty galvanized steel must be used in all relevant areas, including both the Nutrition/Food Service kitchen ceiling and the Kitchen Dish Washing Area. Any “or equal” submissions must match the performance standards of heavy-duty galvanized steel, including load-bearing capacity, corrosion resistance, and full compatibility with the specified ceiling panels. This clarification ensures consistent, durable performance across all food service spaces and eliminates the risk of introducing materials that do not meet the VA’s structural and durability requirements.

RFI #5: Will the general contractor be responsible for replacing lighting or are they just salvaging and reinstalling.

RFI #5 Response: The Government confirms that the contractor is not responsible for providing new lighting fixtures. The contractor shall salvage and reinstall the existing lighting in accordance with the project requirements.

RFI #6: Will the general contractor be responsible for replacing fire sprinklers or are they just salvaging and reinstalling.

RFI #6 Response: The contractor is responsible for salvaging and reinstalling existing fire sprinkler heads. No new sprinkler heads or system modifications are included in the scope, except those required to reinstall the existing system to maintain code-compliant functionality following ceiling replacement.

All work must comply with NFPA 13 and VA fire protection requirements.

RFI #7: Will the general contractor be replacing the ceiling grid along with the ceiling tiles in the kitchen ceiling?

RFI #7 Response: Yes. The contractor will replace the complete ceiling system, including ceiling grid, suspension components, and all ceiling tiles throughout all kitchen ceiling areas identified in the contract documents. All work must comply with project drawings, specifications, and applicable VA requirements.

RFI #8: Will the corridor also need to take place off-hours or can that be completed during the day with proper ICRA.

RFI #8 Response: Corridor work may be performed during normal daytime hours provided that all required ICRA measures are fully implemented and maintained. The contractor must establish and maintain the appropriate ICRA level including containment, negative air, and protection of adjacent areas and must coordinate phasing and access with the COR and facility staff.

However, the contractor shall plan for the possibility of some off-hours work if facility operations, noise limitations, infection-control requirements, or unforeseen conditions prevent daytime execution of certain tasks. The Government reserves the right to direct off-hours work when necessary to maintain safe and uninterrupted facility operations.

RFI #9: Is B1A08, the office space in the kitchen, included in the scope as well?

RFI #9 Response: No. Room B1A08 is not included in the project scope.

RFI #10: Please clarify the required infection control, dust containment, temporary barriers, and negative air requirements during construction, and provide any applicable ICRA/PCRA requirements beyond the sample provided? What level of ICRA will be needed for this project? If 4 where will the negative air vents flow to?

RFI #10 Response: The Government confirms that negative air may be routed through the back exit, consistent with prior VA direction. Infection control, dust containment, barrier requirements, and negative air measures shall comply with the VHA ICRA-1.3 (December 2024) standards contained in

VHA Infection Control Risk Assessment for Construction, Renovation and Maintenance. The contractor shall implement all measures required by the ICRA Level determined by the facility’s

Infection Prevention team.

RFI #11: What are the phasing plans that are expected on this project? We assume certain kitchen equipment will be needed at all times so if there was a phasing plan the VA wants us to go by that would be great.

RFI #11 Response: The Government confirms that the Kitchen remains operational from 4:00 a.m. to

7:00 p.m. daily and cannot be shut down. Because the kitchen must remain functional throughout these hours, the VA does not prescribe a fixed phasing plan. Instead, the VA is willing to meet with the contractor to collaboratively develop a mutually acceptable phasing approach.

RFI #12: Will the general contractor be responsible for moving equipment?

RFI #12 Response: Yes. The contractor is responsible for moving all equipment necessary to perform the work, including temporarily relocating, protecting, and returning equipment to its original location upon completion.

RFI #13: Will the general contractor be responsible for covering up all kitchen equipment or is the VA responsible for that?

RFI #13 Response: Yes. The contractor is responsible for covering all kitchen equipment in any area where work is taking place.

RFI #14: Has there been any hazardous assessment done? Will we need to do abatement for this project?

RFI #14 Response: A hazardous materials review has been completed for the ceiling materials included in this project, and the Government confirms that the ceiling does not contain any hazardous materials.

RFI #15: Please confirm that the Site Super, SSHO and QC can have other collateral roles/duties.

RFI #15 Response: The Government confirms that two of the three roles may be combined, but one individual cannot perform all three roles simultaneously.

Acceptable combinations include:

• Site Superintendent and SSHO may be the same individual; or

• QC and SSHO may be the same individual.

However:

• The Site Superintendent and QC roles may not be combined, and

• Under no circumstances may one person serve as Site Super, QC, and SSHO at the same time.

This requirement is consistent with VA construction standards to ensure independence of safety oversight, quality control, and onsite management.

The contractor must ensure all assigned personnel meet the qualifications for each role they are performing, and staffing shall be reflected in the Contractor’s QC Plan and Accident Prevention Plan.

RFI #16: Please confirm that the Site Super and QC role can be one and the same individual as long as the requirements for each are met.

RFI #16 Response: This is not allowed. The Site Superintendent and QC roles must be performed by two separate individuals, consistent with VA construction oversight requirements.

RFI #17: Please confirm whether temporary power will be provided by the Owner/VA for contractor use during construction, or if the contractor is responsible for furnishing all temporary power requirements for the duration of the project.

RFI #17 Response: Temporary power will not be provided by the VA for this project. The contractor will furnish all temporary power necessary to perform the work for the full duration of the project. The contractor is responsible for providing all distribution, temporary lighting, GFCI protection, equipment connections, and any associated wiring required for construction activities.

All temporary power installations must comply with NFPA 70 (NEC), VA electrical safety requirements, and must be fully coordinated with the VA COR prior to any tie-ins or energized work.

The contractor will not rely on existing facility receptacles for construction loads unless specifically approved by the VA COR.

RFI #18: Please confirm whether any existing MEP systems (HVAC, electrical, fire protection, medical gas, etc.) above the ceiling are to be modified, relocated, or supported by the contractor, or if this project is limited solely to replacement of the ceiling grid and tiles.

RFI #18 Response: The Government confirms that this project is limited solely to the replacement of the ceiling grid and ceiling tiles. No modification, relocation, rerouting, extension, or additional support of existing MEP systems (including HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and medical gas) is required under this contract.

RFI #19: During phased construction, will temporary ceiling protection or temporary dust-tight barriers be required between completed and active work areas?

RFI #19 Response: Yes. The contractor is required to install temporary ceiling protection and dust-tight barriers between completed areas and active construction areas. This is necessary because the kitchen cannot change locations and must remain fully operational throughout construction. The contractor must include barrier installation, maintenance, and any required temporary ceiling protection in its phasing plan and coordinate with VA Food & Nutrition Service to maintain safe and uninterrupted operations.

RFI # 20: The solicitation indicates that a Bid Bond, 100% Payment Bond, and 100% Performance Bond are required. Could you please confirm whether these bonding requirements remain mandatory if the contractor's proposed price is below $150,000?

RFI Response #20: The bonding requirements have been updated. Please note that the Instructions to

Offerors now state: “Proposals under $150,000 do not require bid bond, performance bonds, or payment bonds with submission. However, if a proposal exceeds $150,000, bid bonds, performance and payment bonds are required to be provided in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO)

Part 28.”

END OF RFI RESPONSES

SOLICITATION# 36C26126R0042

PROJECT NUMBER: 570-26-228