Attachment 26 - Technical Questions and Answers.pdf

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET – 607-21-700 –EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades– Madison, WI

QUESTION

QUESTION

REC

DATE

QUESTION

ANSWERED

DATE

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS VA RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

1 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Drawing 01T-109, Note 21, identifies location of CATV Head End Equipment. With the service provider identified as DirecTV, what equipment is to be provided under this project?

See CATV Riser Sheet 01T-608 and Specification 27 41 31 for Scope of Work.

2 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Drawing 01T-109, Note 22, identifies location of CATV Satellite dish. I cannot locate Note 22 on the drawing however, is the dish to be provided under this contract or by DirecTV the service provider?

See CATV Riser Sheet 01T-608 and Specification 27 41 31 for Scope of Work. Contractor shall coordinate with Direct TV and provide the head-end equipment.

3 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Drawing TN100, Note 9, states new conduit is to be provided for fiber cabling, is the cabling to be provided by contractor or service provider? If provided by contractor can you please provide the cable requirements as well as if contractor is required to splice into existing fiber in hand hole or if splicing will be performed by service provider?

Fiber and conduit shall be provided by the General Contractor, coordinate with Direct TV. Fiber Optic Cable and conduit shall be provided in accordance with Division 27 specifications.

4 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Drawings 01E-401A, 01E-403B indicate (8) new 2x2 Light Fixtures on Key Note #28. This fixture is not on the Luminaire Schedule.

What is the spec of this Fixture?

LED Troffer Light Fixtures shall be provided in accordance with Specification 26 51 00, coordinate with facility to match campus standard finish.

5 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 General notes on the cover page of the drawings states “conduit is not required in the drop-ceiling area nor the walls”. Drawing 01T-001 states under the Telecommunications symbols that 1-1/4” conduit is to be provided and installed. Please clarify if and when conduit is needed.

Existing in-wall conduit drops will remain. All other horizontal cable tray and conduit shall be provided new by the contractor.

6 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Drawing xxT-601 Hardware Schedule identifies front and rear doors for the Ortronics channel racks, are doors required to be provided?

Channel rack doors are not required.

7 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Drawing xxT-001 General Note #32 identifies cable colors as Gray, Blue and White. Can you please provide the appropriate cable colors for each installed system? i.e., Data, WiFi, Security, and CATV?

Facility standard jacket color for all Cat 6A data cable is yellow, see Specification 01 00 00 and 27 15 00. Coordinate with facility for color standards for other systems.

8 03.03.2023 03.06.2023 Can you please verify jd patch cable colors for the Cat 6A cable systems? i.e., Data, WiFi, Security, and CATV?

Patch cable colors shall match primary data cable, yellow. Patch cords shall be provided at the End User Device and in the TR to network switches. Facility standard jacket color for all Cat 6A data cable is yellow, see Specification 01 00 00 and 27 15 00. Coordinate with facility for color standards for other systems.

9 03.07.2023 03.07.2023 Will the EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades - Madison project require Cellular DAS or Public Safety ERRCS installations or upgrades?

New Cellular DSA and Public Safety ERRCS scope is not included with this project. Contractor will be responsible for coordinating with all existing systems in each existing Telecom room.

10 03.09.2023 03.10.2023 Note 25 on sheet 01S-403 denotes the need to wrap columns with high strength carbon fiber. Typically, columns are wrapped in the horizontal/hoop direction for confinement and strengthening designs.

Is this the intent of this carbon fiber wrap design? If there are any specific loading/strengthening demands required for the Carbon Fiber Wrap system please provide them.

Please also confirm that alternative manufacturers may be allowed where material properties match that of the Sika product noted.

Wrap submissions will be reviewed during the shop submittal process.

The wrap direction indicated is specific to the basis of design solution.

Alternative manufacturers are allowed as long as they meet the same salient characteristics as the Sika product?

11 03.03.2023 03.09.2023 Site Drawing T-601 Detail F3 depicts the underground conduits however, there is no indication if innerduct or MaxCell is required and if so, size and quantity of these items. The specifications do not clarify this issue.

Provide innerduct where required by specification 27 05 33, Part 2.1.H. Use is dependent on the application and fiber optic cable submitted.

12 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the superintendent shall not have any shared duties as a QCM, SSHO or any other roles on the project.

Confirmed.

13 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the SSHO shall not have any shared duties as a QCM, superintendent or any other role on the project.

Confirmed.

14 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the QCM shall not have any shared duties as a SSHO, superintendent or any other role on the project.

Confirmed.

15 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that the contractor is to supply all materials testing for the project.

Confirmed.

16 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that commissioning agent (CxA) will be provided by the contractor.

Confirmed.

17 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that the contractor is to provide third party independent inspections.

Confirmed. Third-Party inspections shall be provided by the Contractor for all divisions to validate work is installed in accordance with contract specifications, drawings, and EHRM program requirements. Contractor shall submit qualifications and proposed inspection plan during shops submittals.

18 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Third party inspections for ALL trades are referenced in numerous documents which contradict Section 01 45 35 and 01 45 35.01.

Please provide clarification if the VA will require inspection for ALL trades or if the contractor is required to provide per section 01 45 35 and 01 45 35.01. Inspections for ALL trades will be extremely time consuming and have a significant cost impact to the VA.

All trades/divisions shall be inspected.

19 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 If the VA requires inspections for ALL trades, please provide a schedule of inspection for trades not shown in 01 45 35.01.

Schedule of inspections shall be submitted by the General Contractor during shops submittals. Inspection matrix shall ensure all work is installed in accordance with the specifications, drawings and EHRM program requirements.

20 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm if this project will require a Special Inspector of Record (SIOR) or if the VA will be satisfied with the contractor QC Manager serving this function and supervising all independent Special Inspectors required by the contract documents.

SIOR will be required as noted in 01 45 35 Part 1.4.H.

21 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that all firestopping must be either installed by an FM global approved contractor, or a UL qualified firestop contractor certified.

Confirmed.

22 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that the contractor is to include the services of a third party independent firestopping inspector in their bid.

Confirmed.

23 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that firestopping installers accredited by a firestopping product manufacturer will not be approved by the VA unless they meet the FM global or UL qualifications referenced in section 07 84 00.

Confirmed.

24 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that the VA will provide the contractor with a laydown area for dumpsters, toilets, storage, and trailers. We understand there is not much room on site however without this area there will be an impact to cost and efficiency.

VA will negotiate lay-down area with the successful bidder.

25 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the requirement for the contractor to hire an independent geotechnical technician is for building construction only and not required for the ductbanks.

Confirmed, for building structure only.

26 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that contractor parking will be provided on site. Parking is VERY restricted and the contractor is currently allowed only one parking permit per project on site per specification. Off-site parking may be required and coordinated by the contractor.

27 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the contractor will be required to submit post award the requested information that the telecommunications contractor shall be a BICSI licensed Contractor with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience installing and servicing systems of similar scope and complexity. The Contractor shall provide four (4) current references from clients with systems of similar scope and complexity which became operational in the past three (3) years. At least three

(3) of the references shall be utilizing the same system components, in a similar configuration as the proposed system. The references must include a current point of contact, company or agency name, address, telephone number, complete system description, date of completion, and approximate cost of the project.

Confirmed.

28 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that the telecommunications contractor must submit copies of system manufacturer certification for all technicians. The Contractor shall provide proof project superintendent with BICSI

Confirmed.

Certified Commercial Installer Level 1, Level 2, or Technician to provide oversight of the project.

29 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm cable installer must have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI).

Confirmed.

30 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the RCDD licensed staff member shall be on-site throughout the life of the project to oversee all telecommunications and security scope and shall provide consistent oversight of the project cabling throughout design, layout, installation, termination, and testing.

Confirmed.

31 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Would the VA be willing to waive AISC certification for steel erectors? The tonnage of steel on this project is minimal and is typically waived on government projects with limited steel scopes as there are a limited number of AISC certified steel erectors who will prioritize a project of this size.

Requirement will not be waived.

32 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm if this project is tax exempt. If so, will the VA provide all the documentation to the contractor post award?

This project is not tax exempt. Offerors are instructed to bid with all applicable state, local and federal taxes.

33 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm there are no requirements for the contractor to utilize or submit any files or plans in Revit.

Revit may be used, but is not required.

34 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Section 01 00 00 general requirements “alterations includes that the GC will provide a thorough survey of areas in which work is to be done with the COR and VA representative in attendance”. Please confirm that the VA staff will have the time to do these surveys without delaying the contractor as these thorough surveys are extremely time-consuming.

VA escort is required.

35 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm per section 01 00 00 that contractor is to provide a commercial photographer/subcontractor with 3 years’ experience and that indexing/navigation will use AutoCAD drawings to be interactive online.

General contractor’s staff may be used in place of the photographer.

Photograph format, indexing and navigation are required.

36 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the pre-determined intervals in which the photographic documentation is to be done.

Photographs shall be captured daily.

37 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please provide a list of what work is to be included with the photographic documentation.

New building additions and each Telecom Room shall be documented.

38 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that contractor is to provide online hosting, security measures and redundant server back-up of the photographic documentation for the duration of the project.

Confirmed. The contractor’s digital submittal platform (e.g ProCore or Submittal Exchange) may be used to store all photographs.

39 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Can the contractor QC manager serve as the photographer if they meet the requirement of having experience photographing construction projects. The term “Commercial Photographer” is vague, has no licensing requirements or any other information required.

Yes.

40 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Can the QC manager serve as the photographer for the demonstration and training recordings? The term “Commercial Photographer” is vague, has no licensing requirements or any other information required.

Yes.

41 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please provide a site plan showing location for contractor trailers, storage, jobsite toilets and contractor delivery locations.

VA will negotiate lay-down area with the successful bidder.

42 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm this project must meet the buy American act requirements.

Confirmed.

43 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Spec section 02 82 13 states numerous times “The contractor shall provide a survey to determine the location and quantity of ACM within the project scope boundaries. The Contractor shall satisfy himself as the actual quantities to be abated. Nothing in this section may be interpreted as limiting the extent of work otherwise required by this contract and related documents”. Contractors have no way to verify ACM quantities during the bid therefore the contractor must rely on the quantities provided or shown for pricing. Please confirm post award that if ACM is discovered in greater quantities than in the bidding documents that the VA will issue a modification to the contract or resolve the issue of greater quantity of ACM on their own.

See Specification 02 82 11 part 1.1.2 indicates the estimated quantities. Architectural drawings indicate the location and estimated quantity by area.

44 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm contractor is to provide a Third-Party Professional Industrial Hygienist/Certified Industrial Hygienist (TPPIH/CIH) who will oversee removal, and testing of ACM.

Confirmed.

45 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please provide additional time for this procurement. EHRM projects of this size have had significantly longer durations which benefit the VA by giving sufficient time for the contractors resulting in more accurate pricing.

The due date for receipt of bids shall be extended by 1 week.

46 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm requirement for an additional 20% capacity of communications cabling to be included in the bid amount.

Confirmed. The allowance shall only be applied to complete data circuits (cable, face plate, patch cords on both ends, patch panels, terminations and testing) identified during construction surveys that are not indicated on the construction drawings. Since this is an active campus, data circuit quantity may have been modified since design surveys.

Further, the allowance may not be applied to cable length adjustments for data ports that are shown on the plans or schedules. T-700 series sheets include an estimated length from the WAO to the patch panel, for reference only. This length does not include patch cords and slack loops.

Bidders shall perform independent take-offs to satisfy themselves of the actual cable length required to bid based on proposed means and methods, elevation changes, bends, cable slack, slack loops, etc.

47 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm level 4 finish for all finished gypsum board including patches.

Confirmed.

48 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm painting unless otherwise noted is to be (3) coats (prime, body, and finish) and will be from "seam to seam" or to a change of materials where walls are patched and refinished.

Confirmed.

49 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Will work in common hallways require use of the control cube method i.e. cart with plastic covering and sealed connection to work site with hepa vacuum for vacuuming prior to exit?

Confirmed. See additional ICRA requirements in Specification 01 35 26.

50 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Can the data cables be allowed to be fished in where pathways are not large enough?

New pathways shall be provided to not exceed maximum 40% cable tray and/or conduit fill, per code.

51 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Does the VA have extra network equipment (switch gear, routers, UPS's) to keep the network connected during construction and cut over?

Contractor shall provide temporary equipment used in phasing cut-overs and bids shall include this allowance. The VA will not provide.

52 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Are we required to use plenum rated cabling for all areas? Can we use riser rated cabling in non plenum spaces?

See Specification 27 15 13 Part 2.1.G for jacket rating requirements.

53 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Will flexible metal conduit be allowed? No.

54 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm, that all existing conduit stubs for data communications are 3/4".

Conduit size varies by location.

55 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm existing locations where 1/2" conduits need to be replaced.

Existing in-wall drops shall be retained and reused. Horizontal distribution shall be provided new. Fill percentage shall not be exceeded, and any overages shall be relocated to the nearest available in-wall drop with remaining fill capacity.

56 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm the VA will be working and scheduling with the subsystem vendors on scheduling network outages.

Contractor will be responsible for coordination.

57 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please provide floor to finish heights and floor to structure heights for buildings 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 12, 15, 22.

See Attachment 23 – EHRM Madison – Floor to Finish Heights

58 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Is there a current roof warranty for each building? If so, please confirm who has the roofing warranty and provide point of contact.

Coordinate with VA to obtain roof warranty information.

59 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Is the contractor required to provide the licensing for the new Security Cameras? Or will the VA be providing that?

Yes, new cameras shall be licensed and integrated with existing SSTV system.

60 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Does the CATV wall mount cabinet have any requirements for a rack mounted UPS and/or PDU's? If so, what is the basis of design for those products?

Yes, UPS and PDU shall be provided to coordinate with the CATV head-end equipment propose during shop submittals.

61 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Can you verify battery capacity for the rack mounted 5KVA UPS?

Spec Section 27 11 26 2.2 H states 10 minutes at 70% and the OIT guidelines s(Page 173 or B-25) says 16.5 minutes at 50% load.

Minimum capacity shall be 18 minutes at 100% load. See T-901 for Basis of Design, Eaton Blade, 5kW with (2) internal battery strings.

62 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Is there any requirement for inner duct in the conduits for the new fiber going to the outbuildings?

Provide innerduct where required by specification 27 05 33, Part 2.1.H. Use is dependent on the application and fiber optic cable submitted.

03.09.2023 03.09.2023 General Requirements spec section 01 00 00 1.2 says 20% additional copper replacement, but the drawings cover sheet for each building says 15%. Can you confirm the correct percentage to include as the allowance?

Provide 20% additional capacity. The allowance shall only be applied to complete data circuits (cable, face plate, patch cords on both ends, patch panels, terminations and testing) identified during construction surveys that are not indicated on the construction drawings. Since this is an active campus, data circuit quantity may have been modified since design surveys.

Further, the allowance may not be applied to cable length adjustments for data ports that are shown on the plans or schedules. T-700 series sheets include an estimated length from the WAO to the patch panel, for reference only. This length does not include patch cords and slack loops.

Bidders shall perform independent take-offs to satisfy themselves of the actual cable length required to bid based on proposed means and methods, elevation changes, bends, cable slack, slack loops, etc.

64 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Spec Section 27 41 31 2.1.A.10 says to provide a UPS for the MATV system. Can you provide the load requirements for that UPS?

UPS will be dependent on the head-end equipment proposed by the Contractor.

65 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that all CAT6A cables and patch cables are to be yellow per Spec section 01 00 00 1.2.

Confirmed.

66 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm all CAT6A-CMP cable shall be tested to 10G ANSI performance installed on this project.

Confirmed, see Specification 27 15 00 Part 3.2.

67 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Spec section 01 00 00 states “Any modifications required to existing systems (HVAC, smoke detectors, fire alarm, fire sprinklers, lights, other devices, etc..) are the responsibility of the Contractor. The VA will not assist with any modification”. The project is fully designed as we understand it. If modifications are necessary for existing systems and no scope is provided or shown in the bid documents there is no way for a contractor to account for these “modifications”.

Please clarify the intent of this statement.

Contractor is responsible for all modifications required in existing spaces. Existing equipment and systems coordination/modification shall be included with the bid.

68 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 As-built Drawings Section E States ‘contractor is to provide a LIDAR survey of renovated area and the interstitial spaces above and below the effected area.” Please confirm this is a requirement

Confirmed.

69 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that this project is a competitive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside project and that any bonding provided by a contractor must be through a SDVOSB or SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protege partnership under the SBA/VA Mentor-Protégé program in which the partnership has been approved prior to the bid date.

This acquisiton is a total SDVOSB set-aside. To be elgibible for award, the OFFEROR must be an Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.

All bonding must be obtained from an approved surety as listed in the Department of Treasury Circular 570 and bonds shall be submitted in accordance with FAR 52.228-15 Performance and Payment Bonds – Construction.

70 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that a large business not part of an SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protégé team under the VA Mentor-Protégé program cannot provide a Payment & Performance bond for a

SDVOSB.

This acquisiton is a total SDVOSB set-aside. To be elgibible for award, the OFFEROR must be an Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.

All bonding must be obtained from an approved surety as listed in the Department of Treasury Circular 570 and bonds shall be submitted in accordance with FAR 52.228-15 Performance and Payment Bonds – Construction.

71 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Please confirm that a large business not part of an SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protégé team under the VA Mentor-Protégé program cannot provide a bid guarentee for a SDVOSB.

This acquisiton is a total SDVOSB set-aside. To be elgibible for award, the OFFEROR must be an Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.

All bonding must be obtained from an approved surety as listed in the Department of Treasury Circular 570 and bonds shall be submitted in accordance with FAR 52.228-15 Performance and Payment Bonds – Construction.

72 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Is there phasing for this project that the VA has in mind or would require us to follow?

Phasing Plan shall be submitted by the contractor. See Specification 01 00 00.C for Project Hours by area.

73 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 How much area will be shut down for WAO cut overs at a time? (1 room vs 1 area vs 1 floor?)

Temporary network service shall be provided during cut overs.

74 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Is there a room matrix breaking the areas requiring HEPA carts? No.

75 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Is the CATV fiber backbone separate from the new campus area network backbone or does the CATV system use strands in the network backbone?

CATV fiber and WAN fiber are distinct.

76 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Attachment 01 - EHRM Madison - Specifications page 8 calls for an additional 20% capacity shall be provided as shown on the drawings

Provide 20% additional capacity. The allowance shall only be applied to complete data circuits (cable, face plate, patch cords on both ends, and specifications. The drawings note: In addition to replacing all of the communications cabling, an additional 15% capacity shall be provided as shown on the drawings and specifications. Which is correct?

patch panels, terminations and testing) identified during construction surveys that are not indicated on the construction drawings. Since this is an active campus, data circuit quantity may have been modified since design surveys.

Further, the allowance may not be applied to cable length adjustments for data ports that are shown on the plans or schedules. T-700 series sheets include an estimated length from the WAO to the patch panel, for reference only. This length does not include patch cords and slack loops.

Bidders shall perform independent take-offs to satisfy themselves of the actual cable length required to bid based on proposed means and methods, elevation changes, bends, cable slack, slack loops, etc.

77 03.09.2023 03.09.2023 Attachment 01 - EHRM Madison - Specifications page 8 calls for the Contractor to purchase and provide a new Cable Analyzer “Fluke Networks DSX2-8000”. As written, that tool can only test copper cabling. Is the Owner looking to have the capability to test fiber as well? If so, an additional tester/components will be required.

Basis of Design manufacturer is provided as an example. Contractor shall provide Cable Analyzer equipment that can test copper and fiber cable in accordance with Specification 27 15 00 Part 3.2 requirements.

78 03.09.2023 03.13.2023 Is the contractor responsible for moving furniture to support work area outlet termination and cut over?

Yes, the contractor is responsible for moving the furniture to access the ports, replace the ports, and move the furniture back to its original location.

79 03.09.2023

03.13.2023 Is the contractor responsible for innerduct installation in duct banks and within each facility? Specifications 27 05 33, Paragraph 2.1.H identifies innerduct however, there are not details or instructions as to size and quantity. If innerduct is required, would the VA consider MaxCell versus corrugated innerducts?

Innerduct is not required. If the contractor chooses to use innerduct, an innerduct submission will be required during the shop submittal review phase of the project.

80 03.09.2023

03.13.2023 The specifications do not seem to identify the cable construction for the campus backbone fiber. Is this cable to be loose tube indoor/outdoor plenum rated?

The specifications and drawings are clear regarding the type and location of the fiber.