Amendment_0005 Attachment 23 - Tomah Technical Questions and VA Responses.pdf

SOLICITATION # 36C77623B0050_1

PROJECT NAME: 676-325 Expand/Renovate B404 (Minor) – Tomah, WI

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET

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NO.

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QUESTION

RECEIVED

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QUESTION

ANSWERED

QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1. 12/7/23 Asbestos Spec 230-232 list no quantities of asbestos to remove for this project. It just discusses that asbestos may need encapsulation.

Please confirm no asbestos to remove for this project? Do you have a quantity and type of asbestos that may need encapsulation?

For additional ACM data, please see two attached files: Attachment 24 - 2431 Tomah WI ACM and Attachment 25 - B404 ACM Spreadsheet Inventory 2015. Total asbestos is not known. See RFI question 2.

2. 12/7/23 Demo Pages state that ACM may be found during demo. Contractor to do the testing and remove. Is this to be handled as a future CO or is a budget to be carried in the bid?

Please provide an allowance not to exceed $5,000 for additional testing. Hazardous material discoveries beyond what has already identified in the hazardous material report will be addressed as a change order.

3. 12/7/23 There is no asbestos report in the specs. Could an asbestos report please be provided, if available?

Please refer to response provided for item #1 above.

4. 12/7/23 There is no Window Schedule provided on drawing page AE-610 or in the 09 06 00 specification section— however, the 09 06 00 spec says to “match existing.”

Could the window schedule be provided and/or could pictures of existing conditions be provided?

No window schedule will be provided, VA held a pre-bid walkthrough on 12DEC2023 for bidding contractors to review existing conditions.

5. 12/7/23 There is no Table of Contents for the Drawings, could one be provided by the architect?

Please refer to the first sheet of the Contract Documents (i.e., Sheet GI-001)

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6. 12/7/23 Any audio visual in this bid. For example, conference room system for videoconference calls, digital signage in a lobby or common area. Will there be any audio-visual opportunities down the road with this project? If so, how do I make sure to get included on emails or notifications about that?

No AV in this bid.

7. 12/14/23 Are there more plans coming for the bid deduct #2, #3, #4?

No additional plans will be provided for the bid deducts beyond what is already included in the Contract Documents.

8. 12/14/23 Will the bid deduct options be taken in order 1, 2, 3, 4?

Order of importance for Bid Deduct Options is stated in the solicitation on page 7 as well as VAAR 852.236-92, also in SOW Notice to Bidders on page 4.

9. 12/14/23 ED 101 Keynote ED16. Existing power and data to remain. Will this space be occupied during construction? If this space is occupied will temp power need to be provided for the spaces because the electrical panels are scheduled to be removed as part of the demo plans?

The intent is for the building to be vacant during construction. Depending on the level of bid deduct exercised, some space may be occupied. If so, temp power will be required.

10. 12/14/23 Scope of work says working hours are from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Will off hours be required for shutdowns on any of the electrical during this project?

Assume some off-hour may be required Generally, utility shutdowns occur early morning to reduce impact to staff and service. A utility shutdown requires a two week notice and approval. Contractor to coordinate with VA acceptable time for shutdowns/outages.

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11. 12/14/23 How will the feeders for MD-480-P1 & MD-480-P2 be addressed? They are currently running through the stacked electrical rooms.

Means and methods. Contractor can reuse raceway at their discretion.

12. 12/14/23 Where will all of the systems head end equipment be located? Access control, nurse call, cameras?

Convergence Drives the Shared Environment For telecommunications purposes, VA facilities are divided into serving zones. All telecommunications services for the serving zone are provided by the Telecommunications Room (TR) for the zone.

Other building services that span multiple zones (e.g., access control, fire alarm, paging, cellular reinforcement, et cetera) are appropriate to be located in the TRs, and are expected to be where technically feasible.

Telecommunications Rooms are a shared environment that:

• Serves as the transition point between the horizontal and backbone cabling systems

• Contains all networking, security, video distribution, paging, and any other system that serves the TR zo LAD recommends installing in nearest telecom room on respective floor.

Coordinate installation and all working clearances with VA and VA's separate contractor - DWN

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

13. 12/14/23 Is there a plan page that shows the new work for spec section 26 05 41?

Spec section was added for work to be done below slab in basement if necessary.

14. 12/14/23 What other systems does the Duress-Panic alarms integrate with?

Duress system is to be descoped from the project.

15. 12/14/23 Will a Specification for nurse call be provided for bidding?

Spec section 27 52 23 will be provided in forthcoming addendum. See Attachment 26

16. 12/14/23 Will a specification section for Motor starters be provided for bidding? 26 29 11.

Spec section 26 29 11 will be provided in forthcoming addendum. See Attachment 27

17. 12/14/23 How many projects phase should expect to provide commissioning, and owner training for?

The VA anticipates one phase. Each major system will be commissioned, and an owner training provided per specification.

18. 12/14/23 There are no Detail for the Data room. Will a detail be provided for the bid so spec section 27 05 26, 27 11 00, and 27 15 00 can be priced properly?

Work in the Data Room is under separate contract. See Attachment 28 - B404 TR.pdf

19. 12/14/23 Is there any site lighting or building signs that need to be included in the scope of this project?

No site lighting except for wall packs shown on the Contract documents.

20. 12/20/23 Sheet AE-611 details 1, 5, 6, and 7, the details show exposed wood blocking: Where the existing walls are not furred out with metal studs and gypsum board at new window locations is there any gypsum board return required to cover the wood blocking at the widow jambs and head, or any other patching/repair required? Or is some type of trim piece going to be installed to cover the wood blocking?

No exposed wood blocking. Please address these details with the same terminations details as shown for details #8 through 10 on Sheet AE-611.

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

21. 12/20/23 Sheet AE-611 details 1, 5, 6, and 7: Where the existing walls are furred out with metal studs and drywall at new window locations, does the drywall return along the existing wall into the wood blocking that is covered by a trim piece, or is the return jambs and head furred out and covered with gypsum board the cover the wood blocking?

Refer to response to item #20 above.

22. 12/20/23 The bases legend lists RB-1 and RB-2 as Resilient Sheet Base, Integral. On the finish schedule in the specs and drawings RB-1 and RB-2 calls out to be rubber base 4”. Please clarify RB-1 and RB-2 material type.

Please provide rubber base material for RB-1 and RB-2

23. 12/20/23 Please provide a list of locations for ‘Tile to Resilient 1’, ‘Tile to Resilient 2’, and ‘Tile to Resilient 3’ floor transitions, by room number.

All finishes to be used for the project can be found in the AF- series Sheets including location of all material transitions. Refer to Finish Floor Plans and Finish Room Schedule.

24. 12/20/23 Sheet AE-603 calls out for transitions from ‘tile to engineered wood’ floors. The finish schedule does not include engineered wood floors. Are these engineered floors a mistake on the flooring type, or existing flooring? Please confirm and provide locations.

No mistake, these are typical transition details therefore not all conditions represented may apply to the project. Please refer to the finish floor plans (AF- Series) and interior finish schedule

25. 12/20/23 Can you clarify what is meant by remove stone belt? Or what they consider the stone belt?

Please refer to Sheet AD-130, Sheet AE-201 and sheet AE-506; the stone belt is a horizontal continuous façade feature on the existing exterior elevations that will be removed to the extent needed accommodate new exterior façade elevations work.

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26. 12/20/23 Note D4 refers to removing the windows and all components. Does this include the original metal window frame which is concealed behind the current aluminum windows?

Refer to exterior window details on Sheet AE-611. The existing metal frame is to be demolished and new window bucks installed using treated lumber.

27. 12/20/23 The original metal frames typical have asbestos caulking around them. Right now, this material is concealed and not visible or accessible. Should abatement of this material be figured into the bid?

Will the VA test and verify if this asbestos is present?

Yes, plan for the abatement. Provide an allowance in your bid for ACM testing beyond what has been already identified in the ACM report.

28. 12/20/23 Note: D13 is the same s D1. Is this a misprint? Please clarify the Sheet(s) where this condition occurs all demolition plans (AD-series Sheets) have a distinct keynote D1 and D13.

29. 12/20/23 Can Note: 14 be clarified? What is meant by remove all finishes? All walls? down to what extent? All ceilings? down to what extent? The only clear portion is the floor finishes. Is this note only pertinent to the floors?

Means and Methods of Construction:

Contractor to review all documents provided to include comparing demo plans against new plans/finish schedule/wall types/interior elevations, etc. to understand the extent of the demolition required to accommodate the new work. Finishes usually refers to elements belonging to Div. 09.

30. 12/20/23 Is there an asbestos survey for this building? Yes, please refer to response provided to item #1 herein.

31. 12/20/23 Will an Asbestos survey be performed on the scheduled renovation areas?

Please refer to response provided to item #1 herein.

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

32. 12/20/23 Will there be a determined value/ amount that should be figured for asbestos testing and possible remediation?

No, contractor to provide an allowance for testing beyond ACM that has already been identified in the ACM report.

33. 12/20/23 The only area noted to have asbestos materials is 2nd floor nurse station mastic. Is this the only abatement expected in this project?

No, please refer to response provided to item #1.

34. 12/29/23 Is it acceptable to use Clark Dietrich Pro 20-gauge equivalent metal stud framing. See section 09 22 16 page 2, 2.2 steel studs and runners.

The use of 20ga Clark Dietrich metal stud framing (studs and runners/tracks) is acceptable overall but there is a caveat.

Some clarifications from the bidder are needed:

• How are the other metal stud sizes and shapes specified in the Contract Documents (i.e., Sheet AE521) addressed?

• Does the bidder intend to use Clark Dietrich 20ga for all metal studs framing shown in the Contract Documents or just for the 3-5/8” metal studs and runners/tracks per the cut sheet received?

• 20GA for the metal stud is a minimum per section 09 22 16, the manufacturer’s written instructions must be followed to meet the maximum allowed limiting height for their metal stud framing system

• All the metal stud framing should be from a single source manufacturer. Need confirmation this is the intent of the bidder here. See Attachment 29

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35. 1/2/24 What about the roofing that is between grid lines A.9 – B.9 / 6 – 8? The addition is more than the Yellow and Blue colored areas shown on BD-101.

The question is vague/unclear. Could it please be rephrased and be more specific?

Sheets BD-101- BD-102 show exactly what the roof area is to be between these gridlines.

36. 1/2/24 AE425-428 (9'Wx2'H) DFP-1 (10'6'''Wx4'6''H) DFP-1 AE425-428 Dish washer Electric range Range hood Medicine dispenser RFI: As there is no clear information as to who is to provide above mentioned items. Please confirm that above mentioned items are to be provided by GC or by owner.

The equipment is to be provided by the VA and installed by the Contractor.

37. 1/2/24 Division 10 – Signage Please confirm that type D and E signs are NOT required.

Signage D and E are required.

38. 1/2/24 Are As-Built drawings for HVAC and plumbing available and can they be provided as part of the bid documents?

See Attachment 32 - Replace HVAC & AC B404 Record Drawings Set

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

39. 1/10/24 1/23/24 Do you have any information on the underground rainwater collection tank serving the rain garden?

Per note MP21 (below) appears to be in the plumbing scope, but I haven’t been able to find anything about it. This is on PP-100

See Attachment 31 - VAT-MP-ADD-1/pdf.

The additional storm load from the addition will be draining to grade and will be captured by the storm water retention pond/rain garden. The existing building will continue to be drained to the existing storm utility piping serving the building. We have confirmed with the civil engineering team the storm water retention pond/rain garden area was designed to receive the storm water from grade from the addition. Additional load will not be added to the existing storm water utility serving the building

40. 1/10/24 1/16 There are a couple of issues with PFT-1 and PFT-

2. Both of those two colors appear to be drops.

My rep cannot find those part numbers anywhere. PFT-3 is a good part number.

Florida tile discontinued these two colors however, the manufacturer currently still has in stock:

PFT-1 Wheat (16,000 sq./ft.)

PF-2: Spirit (31,000 sq/ft).

If these two selections were no longer available/limited or stock depleted while under construction contractor to provide as part of the submittal process the most current tile color selection from the manufacturer matching collection for Architect/Interior Designer to select from.

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41. 1/11/24 Is a key control/software/key cabinet required? I'm assuming the owner already has one

No key, no cabinet

42. 1/11/24 Openings 30441D and 30441E are on the door schedule but not on the floor plans. Are we to exclude these openings?

Please refer to latest door schedule Sheet AE-602, these doors are not called out on the schedule.

30437A STORAGE Yes 5’ - 0” X 30441 GROUP ROOM B No 3’ – 6” 30441A STORAGE Yes 5’ – 0”

30447 GENDER NEUTRAL

TOILET

No 3’ – 0”

43. 1/11/24 Please provide borrowed lite jamb details for BL-1 -- BL-4 as it's not clear what they are after (sliding transaction window or fixed window

These are interior clear anodized aluminum windows (1-3/4” x 4” section) with a ¼” clear nom. Tempered pane laminated glazing assembly, frame operation (i.e., X-O) of these windows is shown below. (Pictures below)

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44. 1/11/24 1/16/24 Is this note a realistic expectation of branch outlet circuits? There would be no good or safe way to wire outlet circuits with #6 wire and try to keep this project even close to the budget. It will increase the cost of the electrical install by 40% with pipe using American made fittings and wire. We will start to run out of space in the hallways for the size of conduit that would need to be installed to meet this requirement.

Conductor sizes provided are based on a worst-case load of 16A on a 20A120V circuit in order to limit voltage drop to 3% or less for branch circuits. Contractor has option to reduce conductor sizes in order to limit voltage drop to 3% based on actual connected loads DWN/LAD

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45. 1/11/24 Please provide details/requirements as well as size/width for the covered walkway. Is the walkway to be enclosed on the sides or roof only?

Does the walkway require a floor?

The covered walkway fabrica�on and material selec�on is part of the contractor’s site safety opera�on responsibili�es (i.e., means and methods). Can be wood construc�on of scaffolding type construc�on, etc.. The Contractor must follow the VA Barrier Free Design Standard for the construc�on of the site covered walkway:

• Walkway Width: it is recommended that a 6’ walkways space be provided (2 wheelchairs may pass by at the same �me)

• Walkway Surfaces: All surfaces of accessible routes must be firm, stable, and slip resistant. Change in level up to 1/2” must be beveled (but can have a ver�cal edge if ¼” maximum)

• Walkway Ramps: they are recommended to be 1:20 slope with a 20’ maximum length

The primary concern during construction is overhead and side coverage and protection.

46. 1/16/24 1/25/24 Is Video Surveillance system standalone system just for building 404 or are the cameras supposed to connect to the network in at the Tomah VA?

The video surveillance system (VSS) is indicated to connect to the local VA police station / security system so it should be connected to the local Tomah VA network.

47. 1/16/24 1/25/24 Is the duress system part of the video surveillance system or access control system or is it a standalone system?

Duress system is to be descoped from the project.

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48. 1/16/24 1/25/24 Is the duress system wireless or wired? Duress system is to be descoped from the project.

49. 1/16/24 1/25/24 Who provides the VFD’s for this project? Will spec section 26 29 11 be provided for this bid?

The division of work between the trades is at the discretion of the general contractor.

Spec section 26 29 11 was issued in Addendum No. 1.

50. 1/18/24 1/22/24 Is the Pre Award Contractor Safety & Environmental Record Evaluation Form

The EMR is no longer needed, per “VHA Safety and Health During Construction Directive 7715

51. 1/22/24 1/25/24 If MCC-P1 and MCC-P2 are removed what will start all the exhaust fans that are currently being feed from the starters in the (2) MCC units?

For exhaust fans that are to remain and be reconnected, contractor shall provide enclosed combination starter/disconnect having equivalent capacity.

52. 1/22/24 1/25/24 Note: D18 Remove corridor wall finishes. Can this be clarified to what extent? Example only wall paper or entire wall and studs? If there is a plaster wall behind the sheet rock wall is this to be removed? Down to substrate?

The overall intent of the demolition scope is to “gut and remodel”, there are however a few walls that would remain in place (to prevent demo and built at the same location again); therefore, they would not be demolished in toto, but only to the framing.

Sheet AD-101 clearly shows which walls are to stay and which are to be removed.

Contractor must compare demo plans against new plans and review interior finish schedule for location of the new work to be provided and installed.

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53. 1/22/24 The specification calls out cast iron pipe and fittings for the sanitary and storm systems. PVC is not listed as an allowable material. Should the contractors figure all cast iron as specified? Or are their certain areas that PVC should be used, such as the crawl space, or the entire systems? We ask this question as there has been a direction to switch to PVC on many of the recent projects at the VA.

Cast iron is required, contractor shall plan to use cast iron per the specifications

54. 1/22/24 I noted a J&A for the Guldmann Patient lifts, but none of the SPEC Docs or Plans show or mention them (Usually found in DIV 11.73.00)?

There are no patient lifts in the project.

ITEM