RFI Notice - Solicitation 36C26224B0002.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Notice Solicitation # 36C26224B0002

Replace Hospital Nurse Call, MATV, & PA System (Project # 664-18-331)

VA Responses in Red

1. In reviewing the project, the Attachment “A” - Statement of Work indicates the project scope includes the replacement of a failing nurse call system, but the plans indicate that the scope only consists of adding a new Central Monitoring Station and a few new Duty Stations to the existing Rauland nurse call system. Will the VA clarify and confirm that an entire new nurse call system replacement is not required for this project and that the actual Nurse Call scope is as stated on drawing GI102, Scope of Work?

The scope of work for Nurse Call is as stated in drawing GI102, an entire new Nurse Call System is not required.

2. Specification Index lists Section 01 35 26 – Safety Requirements and then in parathesis, it states (To Be Provided by VA). This Section is also referenced in other Specification Sections. Will the VA be providing Specification Section 01 35 26 via amendment?

Yes. Please refer to attached Specification Section 01 35 26 – Safety Requirements (Attachment H).

3. Will the VA clarify whether the Contractor’s Site Superintendent, if duly qualified, may also serve in the roles of SSHO & CQC for this project or will a separate individual be required for either of those two roles?

The Contractor may have the SSHO & CQC as a dual role if the person is duly qualified and the Contractor has a designated Alternate SSHO &CQC.

4. Will the VA provide current Hazardous Material Surveys for the areas of work involved with this project?

Yes. Please refer to attached Hazardous Materials Survey (Attachment I).

5. Will the VA clarify is adequate onsite parking for construction vehicles will be provided or will materials and personnel need to be transported from an offsite location? If onsite parking will be provided, will the VA clarify where this parking area will be located and how many vehicles will be accommodated?

The Contractor will be limited to two (2) vehicles on site parked in their assigned laydown yard from the hours of 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Project # 664-18-331

6. Statement of Work, Part B.12 – Submittals states that all submittals must be transmitted to the CO within 10 days of award. This is much too short of time to write subcontracts and procure submittals. Typically, any submittal deadline is after Notice to Proceed and not after award. Will the VA consider the submittal deadline requirement to be 30 days after Notice to Proceed?

The VA agrees and will allow for submittals to be submitted 30 days after Notice to Proceed (NTP).

7. Statement of Work, Pat B.5-2-d requires the competent person to possess a CA AHERA Accredited Asbestos Contractor Supervisor Course training certificate. Typically, this is only required when asbestos abatement is a part of the project scope. Will the VA waive this requirement since asbestos abatement is not required for this project?

The asbestos training is required due to the above ceiling work. The Contractor Site Superintendent and Alternate SSHO will be required to possess a CA AHERA Accredited Asbestos Contractor Supervisor training certificate for this project.

8. Specification Section 27 08 00 – Commissioning of Communications Systems requires the commissioning of the public address system. Will the VA clarify if this requires the hiring of an outside Commissioning Agent (CxA) for this process? If formal Commissioning is required, will the VA provide Specification Section 01 91 00 – General Commissioning Requirements and clarify if the CxA will be hired by the Va via a separate contract or will the Contractor hire the CxA?

Hiring of an outside commissioning agent is not required. The Commissioning Agent called out in 27 08 00 will be the Contractor providing the new public address system.

The Contractor shall validate the system operation, to the satisfaction of the VA COR, and provide any and all test results to demonstrate the new public address system fully meets all manufactures’ standards and requirements.

9. Specification Section 27 10 00, Part 2.3-D-1-a-1 states to provide Category 5E cable, or on a case-by-case basis Cat 6 or Cat 6A cable. It is our understanding that the current VA standard for communications cabling is Cat 6A. Will the VA clarify the type of communications cabling to be provided for this project?

All communications cabling type will now be Cat 6A. Disregard all other cable types in Spec Section 27 10 00.

10. Typical note: 3. GYPSUM BOARD CEILINGS: WHERE SPEAKERS ARE

SCHEDULED FOR REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT, PREPARECEILING

VA Responses in Red

SURFACE FOR PATCHING AND REPAIR TO MATCHTHE EXISTING ADJACENT

CEILING SURFACE FINISH AND PAINT FINISH. Will the VA provide a reflected ceiling plan for all the hard lid areas so we can accurately quantify the amount of drywall patching and painting?

There are no reference drawings for reflected ceiling. A suggested assumption would be to assume approximately 5% to 10% for gypsum board ceilings, or alternatively a count of the speakers shown on the floor plan could be made to determine the approximate quantity.

11. During the site walk, rooms 1395/1397 Multipurpose rooms had a high 16’ ceiling that would require either a scaffold or lift to perform the work. Will the VA clarify if there are any other areas in this project that would require working from an elevated platform?

There is no other area that will require scaffolding or lift to perform work.

12. Please confirm the PA system requires the entire system to be installed in a separate EMT conduit system.

New EMT conduit is required for the entire PA systems cabling. New EMT conduit will be installed above ceilings or interstitial spaces and shall be installed as high up to the ceiling/deck as possible.

13. To reduce the high labor cost of installing new EMT conduit system above ceiling, will the VA accept the use of J-hook to mount the PA cable?

J-Hooks are not acceptable.

14. Will the Government allow the contractor use in house equipment to complete the work.

No. The Contractor will be required to provide all necessary labor, materials, and equipment to complete this project in accordance with drawings and specifications.

15. How long does the Government anticipate the issuance of the NTP after award?

There is no standard or established duration period for the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) after contract award. The NTP is normally issued upon receipt of the required Performance and Payment Bonds and Insurance Certificates, which are to be submitted to the VA ten (10) calendar days following receipt of contract award, and through subsequent discussions between the VA and Contractor to determine an agreeable NTP date.

VA Responses in Red

16. What are the standard work hours for the project?

The Contractor may work from 8:00 AM to Midnight as long as work does not affect the operation of the medical center. At a minimum, all work in the Operating Room Suite will be done after business hours.

17. The diagram on ET200 shows multiple Direct Receiver channels/ boxes. Can the VA confirm the quantity of channels that need to be distributed to the TV’s throughout the hospital?

The VA has 58 channels.

18. The diagram on ET200 shows 2 VA News Network channels via 2 Network receiver boxes. Can the VA confirm this?

Yes, this is correct.

19. The Diagram on ET200 shows a single VA Health Chanel via a single receiver box. Can the VA confirm this?

20. Will the VA clarify if the cabling for this project needs to be Riser or Plenum?

Plenum.

21. Does the PA system need to be IP or Analog?

IP/Digital.

22. Is there a preferred brand for the PA System?

There is no preferred brand.

23. Please provide specification 01 35 26 Safety Requirements.

Please refer to attached Specification Section 01 35 26 – Safety Requirements (Attachment H).

24. Does the VA have a phasing plan for completing the scope of work?

VA Responses in Red

The Contractor will provide a phasing plan to complete the project limiting impact to medical center operation as part of the submittal review process.

25. What is the anticipated date for NTP?

There is no standard or established duration period for the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) after contract award. The NTP is normally issued upon receipt of the required Performance and Payment Bonds and Insurance Certificates, which are to be submitted to the VA ten (10) calendar days following receipt of contract award, and through subsequent discussions between the VA and Contractor to determine an agreeable NTP date.

26. Please verify contractor will not be allowed to use VA containment cubes.

The Contractor is to provide their own containment cubes.

27. The solicitation states that the completion time is 365 days and hours will be from 7:30 AM to 4 PM. During the site work it was stated that this will be non-disruptive night work. Please provide the work hours for the project.

The Contractor may work from 8:00 AM to Midnight as long as work does not affect the operation of the medical center. At a minimum, all work in the Operating Room Suite will be done after business hours.

28. Please verify the commissioning scope is testing the Paging System (Nurse Call, MATV, and PA Systems) and training the Operations and Maintenance team on these systems.

The operational validation, test results, and training of staff will be provided by the Contractor providing the new public address, nurse call, and MATV systems, and are to meet all manufactures’ standards and requirements.

29. The specifications did not include Nurse Call. If there is a spec, please provide.

There is no Nurse Call specification. Please refer to the drawings for nurse call requirements.

30. There are roughly 911 speakers and 44 microphones per the PA infrastructure table on TI601. The commissioning acceptance test calls for 20-25 dB-SPL noises level for each.

For commissioning. Is there a sampling percentage we could use?

There is no sample to be provided. Per Spec Section 27 08 00, Part 3.2, the PA systems auto gain level is to be set to 20 – 25dB-SPL above real time ambient dB-SPL levels.

31. Plan sheets show a Keynote 1, consistent on most pages including EY101 for example.

This Keynote 1 states that all personnel entering the asbestos contaminated area shall have a minimum of 40 hours in the training of identifying and handling asbestos. This seems like a large requirement and past projects have only required a 16 hour O&M certification. Also this requirement is in conflict with the SOW B.5 specific requirements under paragraph 2.A. Please confirm that the 40 hour certificate is required.

The Contractor Site Superintendent and Alternate SSHO will be required to possess a CA AHERA Accredited Asbestos Contractor Supervisor training certificate for this project.

For those workers entering the asbestos containing area not conducting asbestos removal work, a 16-hour O&M certificate is required.

32. Specification section 27 05 33 1.1 A states that all communications cabling is required to be in a raceway or conduit. Will the use of “J- hooks” or “free air” plenum rated cable be acceptable?

J-Hooks are not acceptable.

33. Specification section 27 05 33 2 3.B.3 states to use only couplings and connectors :

concrete tight and rain tight, with connectors having insulated throats. Please confirm that insulated throat connectors are required for this project.

Insulated throat connectors are required for all exterior conduit runs.

34. Does the Public Address Equipment need to follow the Buy America Act?

Yes. PA equipment is to follow the Buy American Act or be provided by a Trade Agreements Act compliant country.

35. Does the VASD have a preferred public address manufacture for the project?

36. The plans call for the demo of the existing speakers, but don’t reference the existing conduit and wire. Please clarify if the existing conduit and wire associated with the PA system can be abandoned in place.

No. General Note #1 on all TI demo drawing sheets states that all cabling, conduits, and back boxes shall be demolished.

VA Responses in Red

37. MATV - The diagram on ET200 shows multiple Direct Receiver channels/ boxes. Can you confirm the quantity of channels that need to be distributed to the TV’s throughout the hospital?

The VA has 58 channels.

38. MATV - The diagram on ET200 shows 2 VA News Network channels via 2 Network receiver boxes. Can you confirm this?

39. MATV - The Diagram on ET200 shows a single VA Health Chanel via a single receiver box. Can you confirm this?

40. MATV - Will cabling for this project need to be Riser or Plenum?

Plenum.

41. PA System - Does the PA system need to be IP or Analog?

IP/Digital.

42. PA System - Is there a preferred brand for the PA System?

43. Confirm all new MATV wire is to be run in new conduit.

Yes.

44. Confirm not all PA System wire needs to be in new conduit per Note 1 on Detail 1 PA System Infrastructure on Drawing TI601.

New EMT conduit is required for the entire PA systems cabling. New EMT conduit will be installed above ceilings or interstitial spaces as high up to the ceiling/deck as possible.

45. Drawing EY103 Keynote #3 states “Provide a 4-port telecom outlet. Provide connection to the nearest telecommunication room patch panel with CAT-6 cables.” How far is the nearest telecommunications room?

VA Responses in Red

IT Room 4155 is the nearest telecommunication room we could find based on the record drawings. It is about 70 ft away from Room 4196. Please coordinate with the VA to locate a possible or more proximate telecommunication room.

46. Please provide manufacturer, product and color for the 48” x 48” fiberglass ceiling tiles.

Manufacturer-Armstrong, Product-Optima, Vector, Fine Texture, 48” x 48”, White.

47. How are the current 48” x 48” fiberglass ceiling tiles installed? Are they adhered to a hard lid? Are they on a track?

The 48’ x 48” fiberglass ceiling panels are a suspended (track) system.

48. Specification 27 5 16-25 calls for wire to Patient Bedside Prefabricated Units (PBPU) requiring disassembly and reassembly of each PBPU to pull wire to the PBPU’s reserved gang box. Please provide product data and assembly instructions for the PBPUs.

The VA did not provide Specification 27 5 16-25.

49. ET drawings are calling out for new outlets for the TV locations. I don’t see any circuit number or panel designation for them. This is common throughout the ET drawings.

Please provide circuit number and panel designation.

These are TV outlets and not 120V receptacle outlets.

50. Page TI 104 (sheet note #4) calls for a wall mounted volume control as a typical installation. Is the Intent of this note only for the multipurpose rooms or throughout all rooms?

Volume controllers are to be installed where VC symbols are located in the TI drawings.

51. Page TI 104 (sheet note #2) calls for Ambient noise microphones. Is the Intent of this note only for the multipurpose rooms or throughout all rooms?

Ceiling mounted ambient noise microphones are to be installed where AM symbols are located in the TI drawings.

52. Where the plans call for new speakers to be installed in lieu of the existing speakers will it be acceptable to use the existing conduit pathways? Is conduit required to new speaker location if so please provide minimum conduit size and location?

VA Responses in Red

New EMT conduit is required for the entire PA systems cabling. New EMT conduit will be installed above ceilings or interstitial spaces as high up to the ceiling/deck as possible.

Minimum conduit sizes can be found on drawing sheet TI601.