Technical Questions - FINAL - Pine Ridge 8-3-22.pdf

Solicitation #36C77622B0041 EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades – Pine Ridge Technical Questions and VA Response Tracking Sheet

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1. 7-1-22 7-5-22 Is this project tax-exempt? If yes, please issue the Tax Exemption number for bidding purposes. If not, what is the percentage of tax?

No, this is not exempt of sales tax. Contractors are required to pay sales and excise tax. Offerors shall include all applicable taxes in accordance with FAR by Reference Clause 52.229-3 “Federal, State and Local Taxes.” Percentage of tax information is the responsibility of the offeror.

2. 7-1-22 Does the contractor need to carry the cost for the ADT work or will they be contracted with the VA? IF the contractor needs to contact ADT please provide the contact information.

The contractor shall carry the costs of coordinating and installing the security for the mechanical room door alarm/notification, and alarm/notification of the telecommunications enclosure. ADT account number is 9502227. The password on the account should not be needed to get a quote by the GC/sub.

3. 7-1-22 Does Each Contractor need to provide a HEPA cart or is only 1 needed for this project?

BAE recommends that only one cart is required when performing work in Exam Rooms.

GC/Contractor must meet the ICRA/PCRA requirement, must post the ICRA/PCRA requirements. How the contractor meets this requirement with one or many HEPA carts is at the contractors discretion.

4. 7-1-22 If the new cable tray will not physically fit above the ceiling because clearances between lighting, sprinkler piping and ductwork, can open cable supports (j-hooks / d-rings) be used?

Price should include 100% usage of cable trays.

Exceptions, including J-hooks, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approved by the COR in writing. Picture shall be sent from cell to cell to accelerate resolution.

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5. 7-1-22 Lead times for some material could possible cause delays, could the 110 day schedule be reevaluated considering material lead times? Cat6A cabling could have 120 day lead time.

Cat 6a cable is a requirement. We may issue an administrative NTP as soon as bonds and insurance are provided to us in accordance with terms and conditions of the contract. This type of NTP can be also referred as a Limited Notice to Proceed under the VAAM 836.213-74.

6. 7-1-22 Is the Registered RCDD requirement referring to a Bicsi Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD)? If so, please define their responsibilities more clearly. Are there other qualifications that will be considered equal to a RCDD? Due to the sensitive information on the VA’s network, shouldn’t the RCDD to be contracted directly with the VA/Owner instead of the contractor?

The design was performed per BICSI requirements. Field work requirements are described in BICSI Manual “Information Technology Systems Installation Methods Manual”; Ch5 – Copper Structured Cabling Systems, and Ch – 11 Retrofits and Upgrades.

The VA Specifications require a contractor with experience. Since the contractor needs to only follow Ch5 and Ch11 as noted. Contractor to verify that all materials purchased conform to the requirements listed in “TECHNOLOGY

EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE BASIS OF

DESIGN”. See (pg. 6) Appendix A regarding security and RCDD. The VA will perform connections to the clinical switches in the secured cabinet. The other security portion is the Carrier Demarc switch, where only the Carrier performs any terminations to the Demarc switch.

7. 7-1-22 Do the exiting phone and data cables, jacks and plates need to be removed or disconnected?

Yes, please follow notes on drawing ET102.

8. 7-1-22 ET102, are the open triangle symbols in the bedrooms for the resident POTs lines?

No, the POTS lines are the solid triangles to be replaced per Key Note #17. The “open triangles” are existing Cat 3 and Cat 5 cabling to be replaced with Cat6a. See symbol on drawing E002.

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9. 7-1-22 ET103, detail 1, there are only 6 bedrooms, but the patch panel for the resident phones calls for (8), please clarify.

Patch panel has extra terminations in case a termination goes bad.

10. 7-19-22 Sheet E601, Electrical Equipment Schedule. This schedule calls out quantities for all items except the 12x2 in cable tray. Is the 12x2 cable tray to be provide and install?

See answer to 4 above. GC shall recommend a cable tray type/size that optimizes usage while minimizing J-hooks which may be approved only by the COR on a case by case in writing.

11. 7-19-22 This cable tray will be extremely hard to install in the existing ceiling. Would J-hook be an acceptable alternative?

See answer to 4 and 10 above.

12. 7-19-22 Sheet E601 is calling for a HEPA Cart and three Multi-surface scanners to be purchased and turned over to the COR at completion of the project. Would this be part of the Div. 26 scope or would the GC be purchasing and providing?

Both tools are to be utilized by GC to perform the required work. This should be provided by the

GC.

13. 7-19-22 Would 2.5” conduit be ok from the utility pole to the meter?

BAE recommends the 3 in sch 40 pvc due to the long length of the pull including bends, and that the duct will not be perfectly straight. This is a judgement and experience decision. Elbows shall be long sweeping.

14. 7-19-22 Could we reduce the duct back from 4 conduit to 2 conduits?

The two extra conduits are for reliability if the two existing cables fail. New cables can then be pulled through the spare conduits. Note that cables become “set” after being installed, and may not be able to be completely removed after a failure. For that reason spares are provided.

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15. 7-19-22 Would it be ok to use a 320 meter socket with 2-200 amp breakers? This would eliminate the 400 amp disconnect and we could reuse the exiting panel as is. See sketch below.

We need to follow the existing design. For safety, the 400A fused disconnect protects the electrical system, and can only feed one panel. Also, above 200A we must follow the local utility rules which requires a specific 400A metering installation. The Nebraska Power web site provides contractor information for the type of meter they require. See Drawing E501 for contact information.

16. 7-20-22 Please clarify what is required for cabling at each location identified with a solid triangle comm/data symbol (telephone outlet – wall mounted)

The solid triangles are telephone outlets that require wiring per Golden West Standards for the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS). See Drawing E501 for contact information.

17. 7-20-22 Please identify what is required for cabling at each location identified with an open triangle comm/data symbol (single cat3), is Cat3 cable correct?

The “open triangles” are existing Cat 3 and Cat 5 cabling to be replaced with Cat6a.

18. 7-20-22 Does each contractor need to provide (3) multi-surface scanners?

These are purchased by and must be returned to the GC. Once the project is complete, they will be turned over to the COR.

19. 7-20-22 Who is responsible for furnishing and installing the Electronic sensors (thermocouple, temp probe, water detector, Wireless acc. Point) sheet E601)

The contractor is to purchase these components per schedule and vendor on drawing E601.

Coordinate the installation with the VA COR.

20. 7-20-22 Is more information on the requirements for the resident phone communications switch?

The existing telephone switch is to be reused.

21. 7-20-22 Are Leviton Cat6a jacks the only manufacture approved? Leviton or equal.

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22. 7-20-22 Is the Chatsworth F-series Computer cabinet the only approved manufacture?

The VA OIT organization recommends this cabinet for consistency across many locations. If an alternate cabinet is purchased, it must be approved by VA OIT at the local and national level and the Architect/Engineer.

Appendix A

Contractor shall provide a list of individuals to get onboarded (background checked) “at time of award” to access TR rooms in addition to an RCDD certified individual. This was indicated in the statement of work and specifications. Only contractor/subs that pass clearance will have access to active telecommunications rooms (TRs) and act as a sentry for a single TR room when accessed. Facilities and/or VA OIT will not be supporting construction access/sentry to active TR’s.

01 00 00 spec.

Provide registered RCDD supervision during construction.

A BICSI registered telecommunications project manager (RTPM) can be substituted for the RCDD certified individual.

RCDD or RTPM Duties shall include:

Cable installer must have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International. The staff member shall provide consistent oversight of the project cabling throughout design, layout, installation, termination and testing.

Tentative overview:

Interim background check/onboarding will be via flash badging (two forms of ID, sponsored by VA individual, completed at the local VA. (good for 180 days). Completed just after award. Contractor will need enough authorized individuals to support construction efforts for active TR’s.

Beyond 180 days will need a full PIV badge (same as an employee) background search to include E-QIP, etc. background check. Again, contractor will need enough authorized individuals to support construction efforts for active TR’s. This shall be initiated with the contractor and VA COR within one month of award due to the length of this process.

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