Attachment 1 - Technical Questions - Part 1.pdf

SOLICITATION # 36C77623B0049

PROJECT NAME: Joliet CBOC Parking Expansion

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS – PART 1 AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET

ITEM

NO. QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1. The light fixture schedule on E602 does not seem to match up to the actual fixtures shown on the floor plans (EL-100 and EL-101)

Some examples –

Fixture D2A, D2B Shown on floor plan EL100-N But not listed on fixture schedule on E602

Fixture F3A, F3B, F3C Shown on floor plans But only F3 is on fixture schedule

Fixture F3A – On EL100-N this fixture is indicated as a 2x2 lay-in On EL101-N this fixture is indicated as a can light

On EL101-N This plan has some F9 and F10 fixtures shown However, they are not listed on the fixture schedule

An incorrect Lighting Fixture Schedule was issued with the bid documents. We have inserted the correct fixture schedule on plans and will need to reissue the sheet or provide as an attachment the correct Lighting Fixture Schedule. (Amended schedule will be provided with Technical Questions – Part 2)

2. What is the overall concept for the new site lighting that goes into the existing parking areas?

Obviously, these areas are already paved.

Does the pavement get removed and replaced, or are we supposed to directional bore new conduits under the existing paving ?

New conduit under existing paving will be required.

3. There is a nurse call riser on E507 Does this riser represent the new work we need to include in this bid?

I do not find any nurse call devices shown on any of the floor plans.

The nurse call devices will need to be removed and reinstalled as part of the ceiling demolition. The contractor must extend as required all conduit and wire to new locations as required by the renovation to include but not limited to Single Patient Stations, Double Stations, EM/LAV Stations with pull cords, Corridor Lights, Nurse Annunciator, Duty Station, Staff EM Station, Domeless Duty Controller, Master Nurse Console, Marquee, etc. The existing system must remain operational where patient care is ongoing. Some devices are hidden in-wall and ceilings which may be affected by renovations. This contractor shall coordinate all work as required to maintain existing nurse call system such that it is fully operational after construction.

4. Please provide additional time for this procurement.

Projects of this size and complexity have had significantly longer procurement durations which benefit the VA by giving sufficient time for the contractors resulting in more accurate pricing.

Contract requires an FY23 award. The bid due date has been extended to 8/2/2023 but cannot be pushed back any further.

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

No single person can be the QCM, SSHO and Superintendent; contractor may have 2 people to fill all three roles (Ex. The Superintendent and SSHO is the same person).

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

No single person can be the QCM, SSHO and Superintendent; contractor may have 2 people to fill all three roles (Ex. The Superintendent and SSHO is the same person).

7. Please confirm the QCM shall not have any shared duties as a SSHO or superintendent.

No single person can be the QCM, SSHO and Superintendent; contractor may have 2 people to fill all three roles (Ex. The Superintendent and SSHO is the same person).

8. Please confirm if the VA can and will be flexible on the site phasing plan provided in this procurement.

Some flexibility will be granted for phasing based on specific construction limitations, however the contractor should budget to perform the phasing as provided. Phasing will not be adjusted solely for convenience.

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

Confirmed. All required materials testing as specified in the specification book shall be performed by the contractor.

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

Confirmed. This is a requirement.

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

Confirmed. This is a requirement.

12. 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. This is a requirement.

13. Please provide a site plan showing the contractor trailer and laydown area(s).

Any areas that do not impact parking are available. See “Joliet CBOC Laydown Areas” attachment. Note: Areas must be restored to current conditions at the end of the project.

14. Please confirm that contractor parking will be provided on site. This directly impacts pricing.

Contractors may park in laydown areas as needed. See “Joliet CBOC Laydown Areas” attachment. Note: Areas must be restored to current conditions at the end of the project.

15. Please confirm if this project is tax exempt. If so, will the VA provide the documentation to the prime contractor after award?

Yes, this project is tax exempt, and the VA will provide documentation following award.

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

Yes, please reference FAR 52.225-12 NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENT in the solicitation.

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

Confirmed. Level 4 finish for all finished gypsum board in areas open to public view;

this includes patches.

18. 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; 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.

19. Are we required to use plenum rated cabling for all areas? Can we use riser rated cabling in non-plenum spaces?

All electrical cabling shall be in conduit.

20. Will flexible metal conduit be allowed? Flexible metal conduit less than 6-ft is only allowed to connect devices to backbox.

21. Spec section 01 35 26 outlines the infection control classification as Class 1, however attachment 10 – Infection Control Risk Assessment calls out this project as being Class 4. Please confirm which infection control classification is required for this project.

Infection Control classification is dependent on the type of work and classification of the work area. See “Infection Control Risk Assessment” attachment for specifics. In general, any Construction efforts associated with the demolition of the remnant structure, new north wall or penthouse will be Class IV: D1. Construction efforts related to new construction or ductwork for interior, multi-room phases to be treated as Class III:

C1, C2, C6E and C6W. Single room construction will vary by case.

22. Please provide the core data of the existing roof. This information is needed for bidding purposes to determine the required number of dumpsters, equipment and manpower needed for the full roof replacement.

Core samples may be posted next week (7/24/23); contractor to bid as-is at this time.

23. 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.

Yes, this project is a competitive SDVOSB set-aside and bonding must be through an SDVOSB or SBA/VA approved Mentor- Protégé partnership.

24. 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.

Correct, a large business which is not part of an SBA/VA approved Mentor-Protégé partnership cannot provide a Payment and Performance bond for an SDVOSB. Bonding instruments must be issued for the firm submitting the bid, which will hold the government contract. Please reference VAAR 852.228-72, which states “Mentor firms are encouraged to assist protégé firms under VA's Mentor-Protégé Program in obtaining acceptable bid, payment, and performance bonds” however the Mentor firm cannot provide bonding in lieu of the Prime contractor.

25. 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 guarantee for a SDVOSB.

Correct, a large business which is not part of an SBA/VA approved Mentor-Protégé partnership cannot provide a bid guarantee for an SDVOSB. Bid guarantees must be for the firm submitting the bid, which will hold the government contract.

26. Please provide a current soils report for the campus. Soils report for the north portion is available and will be provided. See “13974 - Joliet CBOC Geotech Proposed Parking 210920” attached.

27. Please confirm Contractor’s working hours for this project.

Typical contractor working hours are 7:00AM

– 3:30PM unless specifically noted in the design drawings; certain construction activities/phases may be restricted to specific time(s) of day. Ex: The portion of Phase C5 relating to demolition of the HVAC riser chase is to be performed over the weekend.

28. Please define off hours, we assume off hours to be second shift work but need confirmation.

Confirmed. Off-hours describes second shift work, typically between 4:00PM to 12:00AM.

Overnight and weekend work will be specifically identified if necessary.

29. 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 schedule and have the time to do these surveys without delaying the contractor as these thorough surveys are extremely time-consuming.

Existing conditions surveys to occur on off-hours or on weekends. Contractors to provide a minimum 3 weeks’ notice to ensure VA staff availability.

30. 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.

Typically, this has been waived on most other VA projects as most facilities do not have the capabilities to utilize AutoCAD.

Commercial Photographer not required. Site Superintendent, SSHO or QCM may take photos as necessary.

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

Photos of the job site to be taken daily and included in the contractor’s daily report. No requirements on the type/resolution of photos.

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

No photographic documentation required beyond daily reports.

33. 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.

The only required 3rd party site is the FTP file sharing system for submittals, RFIs, daily logs etc. See Section 01 33 23 – 1.6 Submittal Format and Transmission.

34. 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.

No Commercial Photographer required.

35. 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.

No Commercial Photographer required.

36. Please consider waiving the requirement for AISC certification for steel erection.

AISC certification required as specific in bid documents.

37. Is there a proprietary DIV28 Fire Alarm contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company and point of contact.

Joliet uses Edwards Fire Alarm Panels; any contractor familiar with Edwards panels may be used.

38. The lighting schedule does NOT match the new fixtures shown on the lighting drawing. There are several fixtures on the floor plans that aren’t on the schedule.

Fixtures that are on the schedule and floor plan don’t match up with their description. Please provide an accurate lighting schedule or floor plan in order to properly quote new light fixtures and lighting controls.

See response to RFI #1 and attached revised lighting schedule. (Amended schedule will be provided with Technical Questions – Part 2)

39. Please provide the manufacturer or provider for the security system currently on site.

OnGuard system for the alarms and Milestone for the cameras.

40. Do any rooms require room pressure monitors? Any existing room pressure monitors shall remain and be connected to new control system. No new room pressure monitors are anticipated.

41. Are controls being replaced on all VAVs or only VAVs that are new to the new duct work?

All VAV air terminal units are shown in the bid docs to be removed and replaced with new.

42. Are any FCU controls needing to be replaced? We are not aware of any FCU in the building.

The DX split system Liebert AC unit in the IT room is existing to remain with no control upgrades.

43. Does the new hot water system to be installed require the controls contractor to install new controls or will it come with its own on-board controls as part of its package?

This is up to the bidding contractor, however typically the preference is for the boiler manufacturer to provide packaged control system for staging and operation of multiple boilers and associated equipment.

44. If the new hot water heating system does come with its own on-board controls system, will it come with a BACnet interface card to tie into the BAS?

Yes, if providing factory control package for boiler system it shall be provided with BACnet interface for connection to new control system and allow for full monitoring and control of the boiler plant remotely at the engineer workstation.

45. Please refer to the motor schedule on E601 Several of the motors do not show what panel they are to be fed from.

We will need that information, please.

The schedule will be corrected to show the correct panels and issued with our RFI responses. (Amended schedule will be provided with Technical Questions – Part 2)

46. Can we shut down the front vestibule to remove existing

AHU?

Any shutdowns to the front entrance to be performed off-hours or weekends. Consider using the existing areaways at the east for removal of existing AHUs.

47. What are the working hours for the exterior demolition work? How early can the work begin?

Exterior demolition to occur between 8:00AM – 7:00PM. To be determined by City of Joliet. Contractor responsible for all permits for construction.

48. Can demolition work be completed while patients are present?

It is anticipated that patient areas that can be safely occupied will be in use during demolition activities. The proposed phasing schedule and plans illustrate those areas to be occupied/unoccupied.

49. The COR mentioned the City of Joliet possibly wanting some of the limestone for historic buildings, who will facilitate that?

A local church will pick-up the limestone.

Contractor to pile it by the side of the road at the construction site.

50. Has the old hospital area been abated? Building should have been abated before demolition, but contractor is bidding as-is condition. Reach out to Silvercross, Will County or the demolition contractor:

Brandenburg.

51. Are there soils borings and soils test results? Yes, see “13974 - Joliet CBOC Geotech Proposed Parking 210920” attached.

52. Are there ICRA requirements for interior areas during exterior demo?

Yes, any interior room adjacent to exterior construction that may potentially be impacted shall be blocked off with ICB. Those spaces shall be treated as a Class III.

53. How many phases are the VA anticipating? VA anticipates 13 distinct phases. Note:

Many phases overlap.

54. Does any of the work need to be done outside of normal working hours?

Yes, Phase C5 relating to demolition of the HVAC riser chase is to be performed over the weekend. Contractor should anticipate off-hours (2nd shift) work for the entirety of Phase C5.

55. Is there enough room in the ceiling area for the new ductwork and piping with the existing duct and piping not being removed until everything is running?

The new heating water piping may be able to be installed with existing ductwork and steam piping in place. We do not anticipate that the majority of the ductwork can be installed without first demolishing the existing ductwork, therefore the phasing plan which is presented in the bid documents.

The ductwork design as presented in the bid documents assumes demo of existing ductwork prior to install of the majority of the new ductwork. Phases C6E and C6W are separated such that the entire area is demolished, replaced, and turned back over in a single period (~7 weeks).

56. There is nothing on the drawing about the Snow melt system for the front entrance, does it use steam and a heat exchanger?

System will need to be converted, but nothing shown in bid documents at this time.

57. Are contractors expected to use a temporary boiler or are those connections on the drawings for future MP 101N?

A temporary boiler system is anticipated due to the need to shut down the steam plant and replace it with new heating water boilers, while heating and/or terminal unit reheat is needed year-round. Bidders shall include in their pricing the ability to heat and ventilate the building for the duration of construction schedule.

58. On M 601 AHU note #6 says the humidifier manifold is internal to the unit rated at 725 lbs./ph., the humidifier is rated for 300lbs/ph. Is that the correct manifold?

Please confirm.

The steam distribution manifold should be 300 lb/hr to match the steam generating humidifier.

59. On M 504 #8 detail there are no circuit setters for the VAV coils. Is that correct?

We do not feel the need for circuit setter is needed for these small coils which typically have 2-position control valve

60. Is the contractor responsible for replacing the domestic water heater? If so, please provide specifications and updated drawing to show this work.

No, existing water heater to remain.

61. Drawings in C1.1 has info about existing contour lines.

Please provide new drawing for C1.1- Topographic survey which clearly shows proposed contour lines?

There are spot elevations on the drawings that show design intent. Proposed contours would provide additional information, but nothing that should impact the bidder’s cost.

Updated drawings could be provided as part of the construction process.

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