S06 Questions and Responses - Solicitation 36C26325B0011 - 8 pages.pdf

Solicitation Number: 36C26325B0011 Project Number: 636A8-23-101 Update Signage & Wayfinding

Responses to Questions/RFI/Clarifications

Q: S02 Atch H JA for Over SAT Redated states that ASI signs are to be used. The solicitation on page 65

4.30 states, ASI Sign Systems, Inc. for all signs. However, specifications 10 14 00, 2.5, B - Interior Sign Types state Latitude Signage is the basis of design. Are we to use ASI or Latitude signs?

A: Sole source is Infinity Brand line as manufactured by ASI Sign Systems, Inc. See revised J&A and Specification revision.

Q: I want to be sure I understand correctly that this project is only able to be bid by SDVOSB’s and that there are no exceptions to this?

A: This solicitation is issued in accordance with Public Law 109-461, the Veterans Benefits, Healthcare Information and Technology Act of 2006, Sections 502 and 503, as a set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns. Pursuant to 38 USC 8127(d), Veterans First Contracting Program, competition is restricted to SDVOSB construction firms, as there is an expectation that offers will be received by two (2) or more SDVOSB contractors under this solicitation.

Q: We wanted to clarify the NAICS code for this project. We have done two other similar projects that are under different NAICS codes (541310 and 339950). Would VA consider changing the NAICS code for this project?

A: This is a construction requirement; therefore, the NAICS code is remaining at 236220.

Q: Bid Bond / Other Bonds: Please confirm whether a bid bond, performance bond, or payment bond is required for this project. If applicable, kindly specify the percentage or value.

A: See FAR 52.228-1, FAR 52.228-2, FAR 52.228-12, FAR 52.228-15, VAAR 852.228-70, VAAR 852.228-72.

Also refer to pages 9 & 10 of the solicitation under “INFORMATION REGARDING BID GUARANTEE AND

BONDS”.

Q: Contractor Licensing: Is there a specific contractor license required to bid or perform work on this project? If so, please provide details on the licensing authority and classification.

A: No, but knowledge of concrete construction will be required for work involving drilling into the concrete in the parking ramp. Scanning the concrete for structural steel will be required.

Q: Liquidated Damages: Could you confirm if liquidated damages apply to this contract? If so, please provide the applicable amount and conditions.

A: Liquidated damages do not apply.

Q: Buy American Act: Does the Buy American Act apply to this project? If yes, are there any waivers or exceptions anticipated?

A: See FAR 52.225-10 and FAR 52.225-9.

Q: Prevailing Wages & Taxation: Please confirm whether Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements apply. Additionally, advise on any local/state taxation responsibilities or exemptions that bidders should be aware of.

A: See FAR 52.222-5, FAR 52.222-6, FAR 52.222-13, FAR 52.229-12, FAR 52.229-3 and FAR 52.229-11.

Also refer to page 50 of the solicitation under “Special Notes regarding FAR 52.229-3: Federal, State and Local Taxes:”

Q: Solicitation and SOW: Will the Ninety-day Period of Performance begin after the design approval, production and delivery of the signage elements?

A: The period of performance will start when the Notice to Proceed is signed. We expect long lead times on the products required for the project.

Q: Specifications - Page 01 00 00 – 10: Phasing was not indicated in the drawings. Does the COR have a required/requested phasing plan, or will this be developed by the contractor and submitted for approval?

A: There are phasing notes on page one – and other pages of the drawings.

Q: Specifications - Page: 01 00 00 -34: Will temporary toilets/dry toilets be required or will contractor facilities be assigned by the medical center?

A: No. Contractors can use the restrooms at the hospital.

Q: Specifications – Page: 01 00 00 – 39 – 41: Does the Government require equipment storage?

Specifications state to provide 0 SF of storage. If storage for government equipment is required, please describe the nature of the equipment to be stored, and the square footage required for storage.

A: We do not expect Government equipment will be required. No storage space will be required.

Q: Specifications – Page: 01 32 16.15: PDM format for scheduling and product information management:

Is there a specific electronic PDM system required?

A: Whatever submittal exchange systems works.

Q: Specifications – Page: 01 35 26 – 30: Temporary Construction Partitions are not shown in the drawings. Please advise on the locations and/or quantity of partitions of each type if multiple types are allowed.

A: The only time partitions are needed is if there is enough dust generated that partitions will be required.

Q: Specifications – Page: 01 35 26 – 30: Is there electrified signage? Electrical work was mentioned in Specifications.

A: This paragraph is describing temporary construction requirements, including temporary electrical requirements if it is determined that is required. There are no electric signs anticipated in this project.

Guidance is provided in the case that electrical work is required.

Q: Specifications – Page: 01 35 26 – 30: Is a licensed electrician required for the SOW?

A: Only if electrical work is expected.

Q: Specifications – Page: 01 45 00 – 6: Will an individual who has engineering or architecture experience and is licensed, but in a state other than Iowa be acceptable for the CQC Manager?

A: Any person qualified in quality control will be acceptable.

Q: Specifications - Page: 01 45 00 – 6:

'The CQC system Manager is required to be a graduate engineer, graduate architect, or a graduate of construction management, with a minimum of PM or SRE to determine qualifications based on project complexity at construction review. Construction person with a minimum of PM or SRE to determine qualifications based on project complexity at construction review. ‘

Are there any allowable alternative qualifications for Superintendent and CQC Systems Manager? Could experience be an alternate qualification to being a graduate engineer, architect, or construction management? If yes, please provide acceptable alternate qualifications.

A: They have to be qualified for the position; however, education is not required.

Q: Specifications – Page 01 45 00 – 6:

'Provide adequate office space, filing systems, and other resources as necessary to maintain an effective and fully functional CQC organization.’

Will the contractor be required to provide an office trailer, or will the medical center have usable space for this purpose? If an office trailer is to be provided, please provide location and closest utilities.

A: Office Trailer will not be required. Office space will be provided.

Q: Can you please provide additional details on overall project timeline? In talking with our signage vendor, they estimate 6-14 months to produce and install all signage. (VA/Design Team Submittal review/approval 3-5 Months. Manufacturing time 3-5 months. Installation 3-4 months.) Per the SF1442, the Contractor shall begin performance within 10 calendar days and complete it within 90 calendar days after receiving Notice to Proceed. Will the NTP 90 days begin once all materials have arrived? Or will we be able to install the signage as they become available from manufacturing, install in phases? None the less, additional time is needed for signage install and repairs of existing surfaces.

A: If additional time is needed, we can discuss extensions as needed for longer lead time items.

Normal review time for submittals is 1 to 2 weeks.

Q: Plan Sheet 11, General Notes 14-16: Are these notes applicable to this project, or should they be removed?

A: All the notes listed may not be used on this plan sheet, but are provided incase this type of work is required. The notes stay.

Q: Plan Sheet 11, Construction Phasing General Notes 8: Will the VA require dust mitigation partitions/barriers for the interior signage removal and install? The anticipated construction dust for each location shall be minimal and will be captured immediately and removed upon creation during activities. Dust walls or other similar infection control measures will only create unnecessary barriers for patients and staff operations and create additional project costs.

A: Only certain signs will require dust barriers, depending on the mounting method and location.

Dust barriers will be ‘as needed’.

• Plan Sheet 11, Construction Phasing General Notes 13: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PLAN FOR A

MINIMUM OF 4 WEEKS' TIME BETWEEN PHASES TO ALLOW THE VA TO OCCUPY THE NEWLY

ACCEPTED SPACE AND VACATE THE FOLLOW-ON PHASES. THE VA WILL ACCELERATE THIS TIME WHEN POSSIBLE AND WILL NOTIFY THE CONTRACTOR IF THIS OCCURS. Please confirm this note is appropriate for the signage project? Review and approval of completed phasing will need to be reviewed much quicker to avoid project delays and project construction efficiency. Does the VA anticipate vacating spaces/floors for signage install and noted per this general plan note?

A: The phasing refers to sign placement in the parking ramp as we will be moving assigned parking spaces around. The extra time is expected to allow time to contact people who will be moved during the work. We expect the time to be much shorter in between phases.

Q: Plan Sheet L2, Note 6: Calls out a detail 12 on L4, but there doesn't seem to be a detail 12. Can you provide insight if this detail is missing or if call out to detail 12 needs to be removed.

A: Omit reference to Detail 12. See Detail 9 on Sheet L4 and drawing revision.

Q: Demolition Plan Sheets, Demolition Plan Keyed Notes: Please provide insight on anticipated paint repairs for existing sign removal and existing sign replacement.

• Per Demo Plan Keyed Notes: Shall no paint/wall repair be anticipated and priced for any existing sign location that will be replaced with an updated sign? Example: DE1 – Wayfinding Signage to be removed, updated, and replaced. No repairs are called out, so no repairs should be included in the proposal pricing? The new sign will cover the old sign location?

A: Correct, we expect that the new sign will cover the old location.

• Per Demo Plan Keyed Notes: Locations where an existing sign is being removed but NO new sign will be installed in the old sign location, please provide insight on anticipated paint repair limits. Our painting contractor has worries that if a small area at the sign removal location is patched and paint matched, the repaired spot on the wall will show (flash) due to old wall paint oxidation. Ex: Price small sign removal patch and paint match, after repairs are made the VA shall review for approval or additional wall painting will be requested at an additional cost OR patch and paint match ceiling to floor base and left/right wall termination points, such as door frame to wall corner.

A: Yes, expectation is ceiling to floor and wall to wall.

Q: Please confirm that owner/architect/contractor meetings will be held in an existing building location or shall the cost of an onsite construction trailer be included for OAC meetings.

A: Meeting will be held onsite or online.

Q: Please confirm if there is designated area on the property for storing salvaged or new materials in storage containers and a contractor dumpster.

A: There will be no room for storage containers and contractors will use VA dumpsters.

Q: Plan Sheet DE2, detail 9. Ceiling mounting sign detail calls out a threaded rod and steel channel to be installed, attaching to the bottom of the floor above structure. Would it be acceptable to use a ceiling grid clip for mounting ceiling signage, in lieu of these details? Existing ceiling signage uses this system.

See attached photos taken onsite during the site walk.

A: Install signs as detailed.

Q: Parking Ramp Structure – Signage Plans:

• Parking Ramp Level Signage Schedule(s): Please provide clarification on each plan sheet where a sign should be wall mounted or post mounted. For example, the signage schedule calls out multiple signs under the PL-12.03 sign designation as post mounted AND wall mounted, but there is no location clarification which sign is wall mounted or post mounted.

A: See revised drawings.

• Any post mounted sign that is installed between two parking spaces (head-to-head), is it acceptable for two signs to share the same post? Shall detail 11 on plan sheet L4 be used for the parking structure?

A: Yes, this is acceptable if the signs are each centered on their respective stall.

• Detail 7 type A on Plan sheet L4 shall be used for parking structure post mounting, please confirm the minimum anchor depth to be used to avoid impacting parking structure post tensioning tendons or if Xray of the existing structure is the preferred method.

A: X-Ray is the preferred method.

Q: Page 12, spec 01 00 00-4: Following acceptance of the background check documents by the VA COR, the General Contractor shall ensure their employee makes an appointment with the VA to provide their fingerprints. Processing times vary and could take up to several months. Is finger printing required? 2-month processing time will affect the overall project timeline, especially due to potential staff changes or turnover during work being performed.

A: Security procedures outline requirements for contractors working on the property and must be followed as prescribed.

Q: Page 28, 01 00 00-20: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is noted as being required. There will be a limited amount of soil disturbance and each signage post being mounted will be cleaned up after each installation. Please confirm if NPDES will be required.

A: This paragraph is included in the event that the disturbance exceeds allowable thresholds triggering the need for a permit.

Q: Page 30, 01 00 00-22 1.11: Professional Surveying Services. Are surveying services required? Exterior signage shall be installed per the existing parking lot parameters and other plan sheet details providing sign location offsets. We do not believe professional surveyor will be a necessary cost. Will the VA require this service?

A: This paragraph has been removed from the specification; see revised specification.

Q: Page 36, spec 01 00 00-28: per spec 23 05 93 the contractor shall provide a written testing and commissioning plan complete with component level, equipment level, sub-system level and system level breakdowns. Will this be required? Which equipment is anticipated by the VA to be tested or commissioned?

A: This paragraph has been removed from the specification; see revised specification.

Q: Page 51, Spec 01 00 00-42&43: Construction and Safety sign. Shall these be required?

A: These paragraphs have been removed from the specification; see revised specification.

Q: Page 44, spec 01 00 00-44: Providing multiple daily photos throughout the project shall not be any issue. Please confirm that this type of project shall be deemed necessary to endure the cost of a professional photographer or indexing and navigation systems that utilize AUTOCAD construction drawings, making such drawings interactive on an on-line interface.

A: This paragraph has been revised; see revised specification. Professional photographer is not required; however, regular progress photos taken by the contractor’s onsite personnel will suffice.

Q: Page 58, spec 01 00 00-50: Please confirm the VA CPMS Website. Spec notes https://valicensing.oncfi.com/, but unfortunately this site is not opening. This is needed to understand cost to utilize service for this project.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvalicensing.oncfi.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cb84d25e6e1b84b5dd84b08dd8ce92ad1%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C638821655260690477%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mXkqJ7qI8yaV0T7y9bd0oRgKk0%2Fzm6UkY2a7Ui4qRs0%3D&reserved=0

A: Paragraph 1.27 VA Tririga CPMS was removed from spec 01 00 00; see revised specification. See specification 01 33 23 Shop Drawings, Product Data, Samples. GC shall provide a submittal service such as Submittal Exchange.

Q: Page 103, spec 01 35 26-19: Please confirm that the contractor shall be required to have a full time SSHO on site during all duties. If required, would it be acceptable for the onsite supervision to provide the SSHO duties. Due to the size and overall scope of work of the project, a FULL TIME SSHO may be an unnecessary cost to the project.

A: Section 1.9 Paragraph C states that the SSHO is a separate qualified individual and separate from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control manager.

Q: Page 144, spec 01 45 00-6: Please confirm that it will be acceptable for the site supervisor to provide all quality control management efforts (CQC system management). Due to the size of project and scope of work, the site supervisor will be more than adequate to perform safety and quality control efforts.

A: Section 3.4 Paragraph B allows for the CQC System Manager to have duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control.

Q: Page 157, spec 01 45 29-5: Please confirm the items that are going to be required by the VA for “testing”. Other than maybe the concrete being used for signage post install, we do not believe there are any other items that may need testing.

A: See revised Specification.

Q: Will the sign in sheet per the recent site walk be provided?

A: See amendment 0001 attachments.

Q: We are SBE, but do not have the SDVOSB requirement, will this disqualify us?

A: This solicitation is issued in accordance with Public Law 109-461, the Veterans Benefits, Healthcare Information and Technology Act of 2006, Sections 502 and 503, as a set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns. Pursuant to 38 USC 8127(d), Veterans First Contracting Program, competition is restricted to SDVOSB construction firms, as there is an expectation that offers will be received by two (2) or more SDVOSB contractors under this solicitation.

Q: Is there an opportunity for an additional site visit?

A: Unfortunately, we are not able to honor the request to set up a second site visit. Please review Amendments published on the solicitation 36C26325B0011 located on www.SAM.gov, which will provide information shared during the site visit, along with questions received and the Government's responses.

Q: To avoid vehicle or signage damage, shall parking wheel blocks be added to the scope of work for each of the parking spaces that have plate mounted signposts? In the parking garage or parking lot/sidewalk.

A: No. See Detail 7 on Sheet L4, Type A Surface Mounted Sign Post Setting shall be used in the parking garage for post mounted sign. Also see L2 for more information on post and panel signs.

Q: When scanning/Xraying the parking lot structure (excluding 1st level), do the walls need to be scanned as well or just the parking lot surface? Currently we plan on using a 1.5” wall anchor for mounting parking structure wall mounted signs, would that depth avoid any embedded reinforcements located in the parking structure walls? Please advise.

A: The parking garage is comprised of a combination of post-tensioned structural decks and traditional reinforced concrete. The intent of the x-rays is to ensure that the post-tension tendons and reinforcing steel are not damaged by this work. X-rays are necessary prior to drilling into structural decks. It is also required prior to drilling into reinforced concrete walls if fasteners are 2” or longer.

Q: Ref: Spec 010000, 1.25 Photographic Documentation: Please confirm that a commercial photographer is required for this contract or can progress photos be taken by the prime contractor superintendent?

A: This paragraph has been revised; see revised specification. Professional photographer is not required; however, regular progress photos taken by the contractor’s onsite personnel will suffice.

Q: Ref: Spec 010000, 1.23 &1.24 Construction and Safety Sign: Please confirm if a Construction and Safety sign are required for this project.

A: These paragraphs have been removed from the specification; see revised specification.

Q: Ref: Spec 014500, 3.4 Quality Control Organization:

• Will an onsite CQC manager with 20 plus years supervision experience be acceptable in lieu of a graduate engineer, graduate architect, or graduate of construction management CQC Manager?

A: This paragraph has been revised. A qualified CQC manager with 20 years of relevant experience with projects of similar scope and scale is acceptable. See revised specification.

• Can the prime contractor superintendent dual hat and fulfill the CQC Manager role for this contract?

A: Section 1.9 Paragraph C states that the SSHO is a separate qualified individual and separate from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control manager.

Q: Ref: Spec 101400, 2.5 Signs: The spec references Latitude Sign and Design as basis of design but there is a Sole Source document attached referencing ASI Sign. Please confirm that this is sole sourced as ASI Sign or is this open to other signage manufacturers/vendors?

A: Sole source is Infinity Brand line as manufactured by ASI Sign Systems, Inc. See revised J&A and Specification revision.

Q: The plans call out “XRAY” for the parking lot structure for locating rebar and post tensioning tendons.

Would GPR be acceptable? XRAY of a structure requires state permits (which adds time to the project) and special certifications, which not many firms are certified to perform. Plus, when X-raying a structure a large area must be evacuated due to the large amounts of radiation from the XRAY equipment. XRAY is exponentially expensive in comparison to GPR as well.

A: The parking garage is a post-tension structure. The intent of the x-rays is to ensure that the post-tension tendons and reinforcing steel are not damaged by this work. X-ray work must be done in off-hours.

Q: If GPR is allowed, or if XRAY is required, is it acceptable to mark each of the rebar or tendons on the parking lot structure with a caulk or lumber crayon vs attempting to map each location on a plan sheet.

Plan sheet mapping is not as accurate.

A: Plan sheet mapping is not required, marking the structure using non-permanent methods is acceptable.

Q: Should landscaping repairs be included with the bid, repairs necessary due to sign removal and install.

A: Yes, contractor will be required to restore damaged areas of the site to the conditions that existed prior to this work.

Q: Are there sprinkler lines located within the sign install locations?

A: A landscape irrigation system is not present on this site.

Q: Will the VA be able to provide existing utility locations for the exterior parking lot post sign install?

A: VA will provide existing record documentation of underground utilities. Contractor should note that the documentation may not be 100% accurate and is responsible for providing utility locates prior to performing any work that could damage underground utilities.