Answers to Technical Questions 7-15-22.pdf

Columbia EHRM Pre-Bid Questions

Item # Date Question Received

Question Discipline A/E Response

01 5/23/2022 01. After review of the solicitation, I do not see a published date for the site visit, time only. Can you please confirm site visit date?

Contracting Please refer to section 2.22 52.236-27 Site Visit Pg 19-20. It shows 6/9/22

02 5/26/2022 01. Regarding the format for the technical proposal - Under section 2.8 proposal requirements A. 1. there is only mention of the SF 1442 and none of the SF 330 Architect-Engineer Qualifications document. I’m simply writing for confirmation that VA is only looking for an SF 1442 and not an SF 330 to be included in the proposal as well. We understand that this is a bid for construction services, however the primary requirements also say Architecture and Engineering.

Contracting This project is for construction and will use the SF1442. No SF330 document shall be submitted for this construction project.

01. Please advise if the designated SSHO and Competent Person role can be fulfilled by the site superintended?

Architecture No one individual can perform more than two of the staffing positions. Note: however, that the Project manager and Superintendent cannot be the same person. An individual acting in two separate roles must be listed seperately in the "Key Personnel of Prime Contractor and Subs (Technical)" section of the proposal with their credentials clearly identified.

02. Will the SSHO be full time separate person? Architecture Full time, but can be combined with another role as mentioned in the previous question.

03. Is the project taxable? Contracting Propose with all applicable taxes. The VA will not be providing or signing any Tax Exempt forms for this project.

04. Standard for 1442, page 13, item 2, factor 2, is the Overall project manager the same as the project manager?

Architecture Yes

05. Are the manufacturers called out in specification 090600 for reference only and as equal products can be bid?

Architecture Reference

06. AS-130 detail1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 all have a note 5 designation at the temp wall calling out a zipping opening door. Is this a plastic zip door, if so, does this mean the entire temp wall is plastic sheathing?

Architecture All construction spaces are to be secured and therefore require a fixed hardened doors and partition walls. All doors and partion walls will be 1 hour fire rated where required. All contruction spaces will follow all ICRA requirements.

Recommended plastic zip "door" can be used with single shift/minor construction, otherwise hardened doors will be required.

07. AS-130 note 7, one construction is done remove hardware door froze in place. What exactly does this mean? How do we freeze door in place if hardware is removed?

Architecture Door to be fixed in place (not functional)

08. AS-130 detail 1 note 4 says create a 7’-0” high cased opening?

Should this be a note #9 demo wall? Cased opening does not show up on AS-200-1.B detail 3. Please advise.

Architecture Cased opening: becomes one room. No. Cased opening does not apply to 3.

09. AS-201-1.b detail 2&4 have a note #9 in rooms A050, A048 and A047, rooms that do not appear we are doing work in. Please advise on scope there.

Architecture Disregard note 9 in rooms A050, A048, and A047

10. AS-211-1.1 detail 3 has a note 32 next to a circle; note 32 is provide wall covering. Is this wall covering or a fire extinguisher?

Architecture Fire extinguisher

11. AS-130, detail 5, do we remove and replace the wall guards for the temp walls?

Architecture No

12. AS-213-1.1 detail 3 note 12 in corridor, what is this indicating?

Note 12 is for tile wainscot, is there tile wainscot in the corridor?

Architecture Ignore Note 12

13. AS-700 finish schedule room 143 and 144 have floor as RT-2, please advise what RT-2 is?

Architecture Rooms 143 and 144 to be RT-1

14. AS-210-1.1 detail 3 note 32 wall covering to match. Please advise what wall covering is at this location.

Architecture Match existing wall finish (Wall Paper)

15. AS-221-1.2 detail 3 note 26, provide decorative wall panel assembly to match existing. Please advise on type of wall panel at this location.

Architecture Match existing wall finish (Painted Gypsum Board)

SOLICITATION #36C77622B0069 - TECHNICAL QHESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET PROJECT NAME: Columbia EHRM Construction Question Deadline: 6/22/22 at

4PM

03 6/20/2022

Question Received

Question Discipline A/E Response

16. AS-230-1.3, detail 1, note 4 called out at hatched area, note 4 is for a card reader? Should this be note 5?

Architecture Yes

17. Specification 028211, please provide quantity of asbestos abatement required?

Architecture Reference survey (specification establishes guideleines)

18. Does the VA currently have any of the bldg. roofs under warranty, if so, can the copies of the warranty(s) be provided?

Architecture Yes,see Attachment "A". Specific warranty documents will be supplied at Notice to Proceed (NTP)

19. Specification Section 01 00 00 – General Requirements:

Paragraph 1.20 identifies professional photographic documentation. Please confirm that this has to be completed by a commercial photographer.

Architecture Not Required

20. Due to extremely long lead times on equipment and cable, will a delayed construction NTP be considered to allow for material deliveries? Or, will the contract duration be increased?

Tele-Data There will be only one (NTP). The Period of Performance (POP) has been extended to 600 Calender Days. Refer to Amendment 0003.

21. Per the phasing plan technology demolition item B, all existing telecom drops are to remain active/live until the new drops and supporting infrastructure has been completed and commissioned. This will prevent us from using the existing conduit. Therefore, we will need to cut in new boxes & then cover the existing boxes with blank plates. Please advise if this is an accurate assumption.

Tele-Data For new tele-data outlet locations, a new box and conduit would be appropriate. For the majority of the tele-data outlets, the Cat.6A cable will be left above the ceiling during rough-in. At the time of cutover of a section, wing, or floor, the existing cables will be removed and new cables pulled in, terminated, and tested (commissioned).

22. Can conduits be surface mounted on solid walls (such as masonry and or concrete walls)?

Architecture Conduits are allowed to be surface mounted in electrical and mechanical spaces and when specifically indicated on drawings. All other finished areas, conduits are not to be surface mounted.

23. Specification 270533, 3.1 calls out conduits for communications but does not specifically call out type. Can flexible conduits be used inside drywall and or plaster partition walls?

Tele-Data EMT or IMC is preferred but flexible conduits may be used for "old work".

24. In addition to question above pertaining to flexible conduits, is it preferred that we install open cable (in wall loose cable drops) fished in existing drywall partitions in lieu of flexible conduits?

Tele-Data The VA standard requires that tele-data cables are routed through conduit from the outlet box to the cable tray.

01. T0002 Responsibility Matrix: Please clarify contractor obligations for Wireless Network - VA Internal WLAN (WAPS) and Wireless Network - Patient Network WLAN (WAPS).

Tele-Data WAPS are existing. Contractor shall provide the Cat.6A cables/outlets for each location indicated.

02. Telcom Demo Notes: During walk thru it was stated that existing category 6 / 6A cables would remain. Please clarify if category 6 (250 MNZ) are to remain.

Tele-Data Yes for CAT 6A. There will be some CAT 6 replaced with CAT 6A per the drawing set.

03. Whose responsibility will it be to identify Category 6 cables that are to remain?

Tele-Data Contractor with CORs approval.

04. If existing Category 6 cables are identified to remain, will it be the contractors responsibility to land them on new patch panels and reliable the field?

Tele-Data The Cat.6 cables can be placed on Cat.6A patch panels adjascent to new Cat.6A cables that share the same faceplate at the work area outlet.

05. Will all new cabling be one specific color, or multiple colors for separate networks?

Tele-Data Refer to Sheet T-002, Detail 3.

06. Are there requirements for PDU's in the data center racks? Tele-Data Refer to Sheet TN-425-1.2.1, Keyed Note 4.

07. Is the contractor to provide fiber patch cords for all newly installed fiber stands, or can a percentage be established?

Tele-Data The Contractor shall provide two fiber optic patch cables for each fiber optic channel. The patch cabels shall be OM4 or OS1/2 and shall be the same manufacture as the fiber optic cable.

08. Is the contractor responsible for copper 6A patch cords? Tele-Data Yes.

09. TIA / BICSI Bonding & Grounding best practices would require a 750 KCMIL bonding conductor to be installed for most of the bonding backbone. This doesn't seem practical do. By standards it can not be spliced. Please advise.

Tele-Data Telecommunications bonding backbone (TBB) shall be bonded together with a Backbone bonding conductor (BBC) at the top floor and at a minimum of every third floor in between to the lowest floor level (minimize, to the extent practical, the lengths of the TBB(s) in multistory building). Refer to ANSI/TIA- 607-D.

01. Detail 4 on MH-500 – is this catch pan to be installed below all new evaporators?

MEP Detail 4 is to be installed under existing piping (where indicated on the plans). An example location is on sheet MH- 410-1.1 keyed note 2.

05 6/20/2022

6/20/202204

Question Received

Question Discipline A/E Response

02. Detail 4 on MH-500 says that we are to provide a water detector for each catch pan that ties into the BAS. Can you please advise as to which specific catch pans are needed to tie into the BAS?

MEP Locations are called out on the floor plans.

03. Detail 2 on MH-401-1.B says all existing piping to remain in new telecom room shall have a catch pan. This note is not quantifiable on the drawings. Please quantify or show the catch pan(s) needed.

MEP The Contractor shall assume a drip pan 18" wide by 8' long to be installed in Data Room A060.

04. There are multiple notes referencing a catch pan detail on MH- 500, detail 7. However, detail 7 is a roof support detail.

Please provide.

MEP The notes need to reference detail 4. Drawings to be updated.

05. * Mechanical general sheet note #3 is ambiguous and unquantifiable per the bid documents. There is no way for a mechanical contractor to price this note. Please remove, revise, or provide a quantity/drawing/etc. for bidding purposes.

MEP The note is indicating that project scheduling and construction staging will need to be coordinated with the VA. The building will be occupied during construction and the contractors schedule will need to not interfere with the VA use of the facility as discussed in the pre-bid walk thru.

06. The split system fan unit schedule calls out for all ACU’s to be provided with a condensate pump. There is also a separate condensate pump schedule. Is the design to have a condensate pump installed with the ACU, pumped to another “little giant” condensate pump, and then pumped to drain/etc.?

MEP The condensate pump called out on the split system fan unit schedule will not be required. The condensate pumps schedule calls out the condensate pumps required.

07. Detail 1 on MH-500 and Section 232300 Refrigerant Piping calls out shutoff valves/driers/sight glasses/etc. These are not recommended/needed for the ACU/CU piping systems as what is needed for them is already internally installed. Please advise if this requirement for the ACU/CU systems can be deleted.

MEP Shutoff valves/driers/sight glasses/etc do not need to be provided if internally installed at the ACU/CU.

08. Section 230711 HVAC & Boiler Plant Insulation lists RS to be insulated, but not RL. Typically on mini-split systems like the ACU/CU’s listed, both RS and RL are insulated. Please advise if this is needed.

MEP Insulate the RL similar to the RS or use pre-insulated line sets.

09. Section 230711 HVAC & Boiler Plant Insulation lists the refrigerant insulation to be 1.5” thick. This seems excessive and overly expensive compared to typical mini-split line sets installed today. Can you please advise if 1.5” thick insulation is needed or if it can be reduced?

MEP 1" insulation will be acceptable.

10. * More information is requested for the temporary CRAC unit called out on MH-421-1.2, phasing note #2. What is the expectation/design criteria? Please advise with additional specifications, drawings, etc.

MEP The temporary unit will be an 8 ton unit as indicated on Phasing Note #2 with a remote condensing unit on the roof.

11. For ACU units 0-A060 and 0-A060A where there are two existing units and two new units are being installed in their place, do they need phased to be installed and started one at a time/before demolition/etc., or can both be demolished and installed at one time?

MEP Only one (1) of the existing units are operational. 0-A060A must be operational before the demo of the existing operational unit. 0-A060 must be operational before competion of A060. Cooling must be maintained for A060A at all times.

12. * For areas where existing cooling is being demolished and a new ACU installed, does the new ACU need to be installed and started before the existing HVAC demolition, or is temporary cooling required/etc.? (i.e., Rooms W05B, C105, G141, D198, B144A, A217, A306A, 551)

MEP CRAC D216C and the temporary CRAC unit need to be operational before the north phase is complete.

46 6/28/2022 01. Can the VA come up with a way that a baseline can be established for adding/subtracting data drops?

Please include the below break down as part of the Volume II Price, Division Pricing breakdown listed in the solicitation instructions to offerors:

Unit Price #1:

Provide unit pricing for all labor and materiel to install 328 feet of CAT 6A cable, including terminations at the patch panel & data receptacle.

Unit Price #2 Provide unit pricing for all labor and material to demo 328 feet of CAT 5E or CAT 6 cable, including terminations at the patch panel & data receptacle.

Question Received

Question Discipline A/E Response

47 6/29/2022 01. * 5. Mechanical general sheet note #3 is ambiguous and unquantifiable per the bid documents. There is no way for a mechanical contractor to price this note. Please remove, revise, or provide a quantity/drawing/etc. for bidding purposes. This is note #3 for plansheets MH-100-1.PB through MH-0460-1.6. The answered question is for note #3 on sheet MH-000. Please provide response for this question.

Every effort has been made to provide a cable tray routing that is possible, although not necessarily easy. This scope of work requires coordination between the electrical and the mechanical contractors under the guidance of the General Contractor. The contractor shall assume there will be the need for mechanical assistance in some areas to support the installation of cable tray as many ceiling areas are congested.

Clarify / quantify your bid.

48 6/29/2022 02. * 10. More information is requested for the temporary CRAC unit called out on MH-421-1.2, phasing note #2. What is the expectation/design criteria? Please advise with additional specifications, drawings, etc. Are there any design criteria to be met, is it to be controlled by BAS, electrical requirements, etc? Provide 8 ton unit doesn’t give all of the information needed. Please provide additional information to bid.

The contractor must provide 8 tons of temporary cooling during the phasing of the data center. At no point in time shall the sections of data center that remain in operation be without cooling to keep the working components from overheating. Provisions have been provided in the electrical drawings to support the temporary unit. It is assumed this unit will be a DX unit although there may be an opportunity to switch to chilled water. This is not guaranteed.

49 6/29/2022 03. * 12. For areas where existing cooling is being demolished and a new ACU installed, does the new ACU need to be installed and started before the existing HVAC demolition, or is temporary cooling required/etc.? (i.e., Rooms W05B, C105, G141, D198, B144A, A217, A306A, 551). Based on the answer of the temp cooling only given for room D216, are we to assume no temp cooling is needed in the Rooms listed in the original question?

No operational TR room can be without cooling. Minor short outages or the use of house/back up air may be possible but cannot be guaranteed. It will be a means and methods decision as to if the contractor wishes to install the new HVAC units prior to removing the old or if a temp ac unit will be provided. Either way is acceptable from a performance standpoint. The contractor will need to analyze the overall phasing approach to the project to determine what is best to achieve the end result without leaving a TR without cooling.

Temp cooling is a requirement of D216 for phasing.

50 7/5/2022 01. 1. RFI #46, unit prices 1 and 2. Are these unit prices to include, cutting into drywall, installing conduit and box, patching wall and paint?

No. Only cabling install with terminations on both ends.

51 7/5/2022 02. 1. RFI #17 references an asbestos survey? Please provide this survey.

The current survey does not include A060. However, it is assumed to be: Off White 9” x 9” Floor Tile With Tan and Gray Streaks, Assumed to be asbestos, Cat. 1 Non Friable, Good (No Damage), 653 Sq. Ft.

52 7/15/2022 01. There is no insulation schedule on the condensate drain piping. There is over 1,000 feet of condensate piping on this project. If it isn’t addressed before the bid, it will need to be addressed as a CO. Not sure how you want to handle this?

Condensate piping shall be insulated with ½” Flexible Elastomeric Cellular Insulation. Material shall be as specified in Spec Section 230711.

Columbia EHRM Pre-Bid Questions