Attachment N - Questions Request Form-all questions combined_Response_12132022.doc

Solicitation Questions and Answers

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· Given the provided cost range, relevant projects would have had period of performances of greater than a year, likely more in the 18 months to 2 year range. This limits project awards to a timeframe of 6 years ago to 2 years ago for the award.

· Given that the Minor Construction Threshold prior to June 2018 was a maximum of $10,000,000 and with contingencies that allowed an approximate construction contract limit of $8,000,000. The time limit along with the cost range are unreasonably restrictive on projects that will be considered relevant.

· In addition to the low Minor Threshold in the first half of the relevant time period, the cost of construction has changed dramatically in the last two years. It was commonplace for a project that met square footage range and that was similar in scope to this project to be awarded for well under $7,500,000 in the relevant time range. In fact, there were at least 8 contracts issued at Iowa VA Hospitals that met the time-range and size-range with similar scope that were awarded for less than the low end of the Cost Range.

Evaluation Factor 3- Experience has been changed. See attached – Evaluation Factors Amendment 0001.

10.

Yes, any projects that include installation of high-tech medical equipment would be considered relevant.

Please see the Government responses in the following questions: 12; 14; 15; 36; 37; 38; 51; and 52.

Site Supervisor shall be 100% dedicated to this project. Site supervisor can also fulfill role of QCM, but not Safety Manager. Per 01 35 26, 1.6.C, the SSHO and

Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager must be separate person. The Safety Manager shall be present on-site during construction.

13.

Will the general contractor be given a staging area outside the hospital that can be used to store materials on site?

No staging area outside hospital will be provided. Some space for staging materials on-site will be available- in assigned areas. Confirm areas for staging with COR.

The CQC System manager is required to be a “construction person” with a minimum of 10 years related work.

Yes, the CQC System Manager shall be on-site at all times during construction.

Refer to equipment schedules on drawings 1-DE2 to 1-DE4 for breakdown in responsibility under acquisition code. Relocated items have “R” as part of code. Per drawings, relocated items fall under VA responsibility.

The commissioning agent will be active during construction phases, including at end of construction phases and end of project.

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If the bid gets delayed due to amendments can The Government not place the bid date between December 21st and January 8th? Many subcontractors shut down their offices for significant amounts of time during these weeks and a bid date in that range will lower competition, likely providing a worse value for The Government.

The solicitation has been extended. The proposal due date is now Thursday January 5, 2023 at 2:00pm CT.

Windows are existing and in fair condition. No noticeable damage was observed during design site visits, however that should not exclude the possibly that some repair may be required during construction.

Yes, equipment drawings will be included in amendment.

FL8 shall be a new partition aligned with the existing soffit that was in place. FL9 refers to an existing partition that should be extended to deck that was marked as an existing rated partition.

The metal rack should support two equipment items 18 & 19 from the Siemens Equipment drawings. Approximate dimensions would be 30”x44”x36” (WDH) total weight 600 lbs minimum.

Key note FL15 should be FL14. Assume 11’-0” long x 6’-0” high of new supply bin storage would be required. Match existing bins.

Existing walls are steel stud framed with gypsum board both sides. The exact condition of the wall will be unknown until demolition. Contractor shall expect some framing modifications, new gypsum board where called out and firestopping/sealant as required to meet rating. Expect that most of the framing will remain and minimal to no modifications may be required on opposite side of wall from construction zone.

Phase 1 area was shelled out and does require leveling. Assume other existing areas will be of similar conditions.

This note is meant to direct responsibility for work required as discovered. The contractor cannot quantify repairs until construction is in progress. This note can be modified to notify VA as discrepancies/issues are presented during construction.

Vertical live load deflection should be less than ½” (AE- IMEG).

Both should be included in GC bid.

Note DE12 on sheet 1-A1 refers to relocation of Fluoroscopy and Multipurpose imaging equipment. Relocation of this equipment will occur during phase 1. The scheduling will be set up so that relocation takes place as soon as equipment is disconnected and ready to be moved. The expectation is equipment will be promptly moved to new location. Equipment vendor (Cassling) will have full responsibility of disconnecting and moving of imaging equipment (including remote items) to new locations.

Salvaged items shall be turned over to ICVA station in same condition items were in prior to removal (or demolition).

These walls do not extend to the ceiling and will be finished with gypsum board on top. Cant/slope the top of wall as necessary per means and methods. Intent of design is to prevent flat ledge that would collect dust.

Doors & frames to receive lead lining are:

2W130A.1, 2W130.1, 2W131.1, 2W151.1, 2W151A.1, 2W153.1, 2W153A.1, 2W154.1, 2W154A.1

There is no Volume 2. The requirement is to provide a Volume 1- Technical Response and Volume 3 – Price Proposal.

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Contractor’s Statement pursuant to Section 423.4, Code of Iowa.” Please see SF-1442 Box 10 for more information.

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How will payment be handled for materials stored offsite or onsite prior to installation? Full payment? Partial payment? Proof required that the materials have been paid for?

In order to pay for materials stored off site the Government requires the Contractor to provide the following:

A. Stored material should be summarized in a cover letter by each contractor.

B. The location where each of the stored items are located at the time of the pay application. VA rep may choose to visit site and review, or Contractor. Also, It also needs to be segregated from any other materials and clearly labeled.

C. Invoices to determine value and proof of ownership.

D. A certificate from the insurance company indicating the stored materials are covered.

E. A letter from the bonding company indicating the stored materials are covered.

F. Then every subsequent pay request is supposed to have a stored material cover letter identifying material and its value for previously stored items that were installed since the last pay request and a running list of materials remaining stored and their value

36.

CQCM - Is the Contractor Quality Control Manager required to be onsite full time with no other duties?

Yes, the Contractor Quality Control Manager shall be on-site at all times during construction. Site Supervisor can also fulfill role of CQCM.

37.

CQCS - The individual Quality Control Specialists that are required for each trade and for

Structural, Civil, and Environmental, etc., are to work directly for the Prime Contractor. Can they be part time employees?

Yes, individual Quality Control Specialists can be part-time employees. From 01 45 00 3.4.C, individual Quality Control Specialists must be physically present at construction site during work on specialized personnel’s areas of responsibility; have necessary education or experience in accordance with Experience Matrix in spec section.

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Sustainable Construction Requirements – This is very comprehensive and costly. Will the government consider scaling this back to fit the scope of the project?

Design based on VA TIL. Where possible, sustainable design options were considered and implemented for this project. Any deviations from design are at preference of Iowa City VA. Where feasible and practical, contractor shall all seek to implement sustainable construction methods as part of this project. Areas of opportunity shall be discussed prior to construction start.

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If you are not a SDVOSB, you could still be a subcontractor. My suggestion if you are interested is to come to the site visit. There should be Prime contractors there and you could discuss sub-contracting opportunities.

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Item 4 in the Minimum Submission Requirements on page 14 of the Solicitation doesn’t match up with the requirements for Factor 3 – Experience and Factor 5 – Past Performance in regards to the number of projects to be provided. Please advise.

The minimum submission requirements are hereby amended to state at least one past performance reference, see Evaluation Factor 5.

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Please confirm Photographic Documentation is required and must be provide by a firm hired by the contractor.

Photographic documentation is required and must be produced by competent person(s).

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