Technical Questions - FINAL - Fargo 11-20-23.pdf

Solicitation #36C77623B0075 Construct Mental Health Outpatient Bldg. 52 - Fargo Technical Questions and VA Response Tracking Sheet

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1. 10-19-23 11-6-23 How should pricing be structured for each bid Line Item? Example:

Line Item 1 - $10,000 Line Item 2 - $9,700 Line Item 3 - $9,200

2. 11-3-23 11-6-23 In accordance with FAR 52.236-3 if a successful bidder was not on site, do they forfeit any unforeseen conditions?

All potential bidders, subcontractors and suppliers were strongly encouraged to attend the site visit.

However, site visits are not mandatory and FAR 52.236-1 would apply to the successful bidder.

3. 10-19-23 11-9-23 Can the government please clarify if nurse call is required for this project? Nurse call symbols are listed on the electrical sheets but not shown anywhere on the electrical plans nor is there a specification section for nurse call.

There is no nurse call system required.

4. 10-23-23 11-17-23 Please verify the brand name of the existing Fire Alarm System. I have not been able to locate that information in the specifications or in the drawings.

Refer to general notes ‘B’ on sheet FA001

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5. 10-30-23 11-17-23 Regarding this project’s roofing system:

Div 7 – 075323-6 075323 EPDM – 100 mils internally reinforced/White

Is there a particular manufacturer for this item or is it intended to be ‘fabric backed’ or ‘fleece backed’?

No basis of design manufacturer.

Non-fleece backed (Type II) 90 mil. thickness Color: BLACK

6. 11-1-23 11-9-23 Does the interior Accessory Window need to meet VA blast requirements?

No

7. 11-2-23 11-9-23 Please clarify Bid Item 2 Deduct #1- Electrical will be revised to include twice the lighting devices as shown for Vestibule 114. 114 is an office, what is the intention with this alternate?

Correction: Vestibule 117

8. 11-2-23 11-9-23 Television icons include 1-CAT6A cable and not coax. Is this correct?

Yes, TV locations receive one CAT 6A

9. 11-2-23 11-9-23 Sheet ET401 keynote 5. Please verify TR room 126 24 strand OS2 cable to main hospital is correct. Per plans room 126 is the fire pump room.

That’s an error, all OSP telecommunications backbone cabling goes to room 109

10. 11-2-23 11-9-23 Precast Architectural Concrete—Spec 03 45 00 does not include the color of the precast. Please advise.

Submit manufacturer’s standard colors during construction for selection by VHA.

11. 11-2-23 11-9-23 Drawings AE211 &AE212 have an Annotation Legend that indicate GL-2 as Spandrel Glazing. AE421 includes an additional glazing type and has the Spandrel glazing as GL-3. Please clarify.

Disregard the glazing designations on sheet AE211 and AE212, except to distinguish between clear and spandrel glass. Use Glazing Schedule on sheet AE421 for glazing types.

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12. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Will Microsoft project be acceptable for project schedule?

Yes

13. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Will Procore be acceptable for file sharing, for example, submittals, RFI’s, transmittals, etc.?

Valhalla takes no exception to using Procore.

Fargo VA also takes no exception to using Procore

14. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Can the Superintendent triple hat and cover the QC manager role?

Per VA standard specifications, superintendent may also serve as the site safety and health officer, or as the QC manager. The QC manager may not serve as the SSHO. See Section 01 45 00 Quality Control attachment for further clarification. This section is now part of the Specifications.

15. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Confirm that the Contractor nor the Government holds ownership of schedule float.

Schedule float withing the Period of Performance (POP) is controlled by the Contractor. However, if work is scheduled to begin on set dates based on coordination with VA, adjustments in schedule may not be allowed without additional coordination with VA.

16. 11-3-23 11-9-23 General note C Sheet AF141/142 calls for welded sheet flooring at locations not indicated for floor tile. Are there any other rooms beside 223, 229 and 230 that receive Welded Sheet Flooring?

The architectural finish plans and the room finish schedule are consistent in their requirements for floor finishes.

17. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Spec is written with Yale locks; Norton closures & Yale exit devices. Are we able to substitute these for similar quality hardware?

Are Falcon locks acceptable as a substitute for Yale locks?

Are Falcon closures acceptable as a substitute for Norton closures?

Are Falcon exit devices acceptable as a substitute for Yale exit devices?

All products will need to be compatible with Fargo VA campus hardware/cores and per Specification section 08 71 00.

Currently Fargo VA campus uses Sargent (8200) for locks; Yale (7100) for panic hardware and Norton for closures.

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18. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Where will temp power be located at? Utilize existing site utility feed at existing transformer location. Provide a temporary transformer and breakers if necessary.

19. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Will utilities that run near and around the building be capped or reused by the new construction?

Electrical will be new as specified on the site plan. Refer to civil utility plan for connection to other utilities as applicable.

20. 11-3-23 11-17-23 CD101 shows temporary chain link fence layout blocking the entire north access to the VA Campus. With the current phasing plan on GI004 and construction fencing allow for one lane vehicle traffic?

Fence layout shown is approximate overall extent to encompass work area. Revise and phase active work area and fencing boundaries throughout the project.

Maintain 2 way traffic.

Per plan note 5 on CD101 and phasing plan GI004. 1 way traffic should be coordinated with

VA COR.

Per plan note 6 on CD101, contractor shall provide detailed phasing plan that outlines temporary fence and traffic control at each phase to meet these requirements.

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21. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Will the North side of campus have access through the south entrance during the entire construction phase?

Fence layout shown is approximate overall extent to encompass work area. Revise and phase active work area and fencing boundaries throughout the project to maintain 1 way traffic per plan note 5 on CD101 and phasing plan GI004. 2 way traffic should be attempted whenever possible. Per plan note 6 on CD101, contractor shall provide detailed phasing plan that outlines temporary fence and traffic control at each phase to meet these requirements.

22. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Underground electrical duct banks have been installed since these drawings were issued. Will additional drawings or information be provided for newly installed underground electrical work?

No. Verify new electrical work with the VA.

See image below for approximate locations of new electrical duct bank. The blue hatched line is the area not encased in concrete and just buried conduit lines. The angled electrical duct bank ends at the existing concrete curb north of Bldg 30W. Contractor to verify exact locations.

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23. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Plan Page ED101

a. Telecom Utility Notes

i. Note A) Are we to assume that the EHRM upgrade project scope for existing building 52 will be complete prior to building 30 demolition scope starting?

ii. Note D) Are we to assume that the concrete and asphalt repair will be carried by the GC’s paving subcontractor?

b. Keynotes

i. Note 1) Is the “abandoned CATV cable” expected to be demolished the entire hashed length, or just the length through the building 52 expansion footprint? What is the expectation of underground conduit demolition?

Abandoned outside of bldg. 52 expansion?

ii. Note 2) Are we to assume that the cabling will be pulled back to MH-3, to be abandoned or reused in the future? What is the expectation of underground conduit demolition?

iii. Note 3) What is the expectation of underground conduit demolition? Abandoned outside of bldg. 52 expansion?

Electrical conduits and conductors shall be removed for the entire length indicated on the plans. There are no expectations of future use for the conduits or conductors.

a.i. coordinate with VA COR. It is anticipated to have exterior work completed and a majority of interior work in buildings 52 and 30.

a.ii. Contractor is to provide all concrete and asphalt repair. It is up to the General Contractor or Subcontractor to hire work to be completed.

b.i. all demo’d cable to be fully removed to head end. Remove all abandoned conduit b.ii. cable to be pulled back to MH3 and repurposed or demo’d. Do not leave any abandoned cable. Remove all abandoned conduit.

b.iii. Remove all abandoned conduit

24. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Plan Page ED102

a. Keynotes

i. Note 2) Are we to assume that the new 750KVA transformer will be procured, set, new feeder conduit rerouted to the existing bldg. 52 service, and the primary conduit roughed in to the existing 300KVA transformer area prior to removal of existing Building 52 service conduit and existing 300KVA transformer.

Keynote 2 calls for a temporary generator to provide power to Building 52 while service revisions are made. The phasing of the work is up to the contractor to ensure the least amount of down-time for building 52.

Coordinate with VA COR for phasing plans and traffic control to always maintain access.

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25. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Will the VA please confirm that the steel supplier and installer are required to be AISC certified?

Specification Section 05 12 00, 1.5 clearly requires AISC certification for both the fabricator and the installer.

26. 11-3-23 11-9-23 Confirm temp fence is driven post with top, bottom rail and not tension wire?

Construction fence requirements are specified in Section 01 00 00, 1.5, J.

27. 11-3-23 11-9-23 01 45 35-2 1.4 Definitions A. “Continuous Special Inspections – the constant monitoring of specific tasks by a special inspector. These inspections must be carried out continuously over the duration of the particular tasks.”

See sheet S-003 for Special Inspection schedules. Please clarify the intent of the VA for the continuous inspections shown on drawing S-003, are the apparent bidders to supply an independent third-party inspector on site for the duration of the project? Or is it acceptable to have a third-party inspector on site during operations to check final install?

Continuous Special Inspections only occur “...over the duration of the particular tasks.” That is to say, from the start of the task to the completion of the task; not continuously for the duration of the entire project.

28. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Please confirm that the successful bidder has to complete a survey of the entire area including the underground utilities.

Specification Section 01 35 26-22 1.18.B.6 describes the Contractors responsibility to locate ALL utilities. Utility providers usually only locate to Demarc or property line. Contractor to verify utilities inside property lines.

29. 11-3-23 11-17-23 010000-23 note B. Environmental controls. Please confirm that environmental controls only apply to interior work when the building envelope is complete?

Correct. Note the new vestibule connecting to existing building 52 needs negative pressure maintained while being utilized during construction. Also refer to Specification Section 01 57 19 for other Temporary Environmental Controls.

30. 11-3-23 11-17-23 The proposed building looks to be going over the top of or very near the top of the new duct bank. What is the grade of the new duct bank? will it need to be rerouted?

Verify new duct bank locations with the VA.

The duct bank was rerouted to avoid the new Mental Health project. See image below for approximate location of new duct bank. The RED lines indicate the concrete duct bank and the BLUE dashed line near Bldg 30W indicates conduits buried underground not in concrete to allow for ease of removal and routing into new construction.

Also see trench images below for location of angled section, conduits and grade of duct bank near Bldg 30. Approximately ~ 42” – 48” below grade.

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31. 11-3-23 11-17-23 ED102 keynote 3: says to remove 300KVA transformer for extension to new 500KVA transformer. While on EP101 General note A says to install new 750KVA transformer. And keynote 2 calls for 750KVA transformer. Can the VA confirm what size transformer will be used?

The new transformer is 750KVA.

Contractor to always minimize shutdowns and coordinate with VA COR.

32. 11-3-23 11-17-23 00 01 10-2 lists (07 21 30 Pre-Engineered Building Insulation) is this the correct specification section? There is no pre-engineered metal building.

Please remove/disregard Specification Section 07 21 30. Also disregard section listed in Section 00 01 10-2.

33. 11-3-23 11-17-23 01 00 00 -4 Construction Security Requirements D.

Document control: 1. Before starting any work, the General Contractor/Sub Contractors shall submit an electronic security memorandum describing the approach to the following goals and maintain confidentiality of “sensitive information”.

a. It is our understanding that there is no CUI on this project. Is this correct?

b. Please define what “sensitive information” needs to be electronically secure?

Please remove/disregard Specification Section 01 00 00 – Paragraph D.

34. 11-3-23 11-17-23 Drawing ED102 Keynote 2 states the contractor must provide temp power to building 52. What is the electrical load of building 52?

Contractor to verify existing electrical distribution size in building 52 and provide generator capable of supplying the full rated load of the building electrical system amount of power.

Building 52 is approximately 4,100 per floor (2 floors) with general office use and no specialty equipment. Computers, lighting, electrical baseboard heat, etc.

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35. 11-3-23 11-9-23 The NX-3000 series windows drawn are the exterior glazed windows, but they are turned around backwards.

The issue with installing the windows in this orientation is that the window would not have a weep path. Please confirm the desired orientation

Install per manufacturer’s recommendations.

36. 11-9-23

11-9-23 Typical VA HVAC prefilters are MERV 7 and 11 back to back. AHU schedule only notes MERV 11 but has two filter tags listed. Please clarify intent.

Provide MERV 7 and 11 prefilters back to back.

In addition, revise AHU basis of design selection to provide six 10 HP fans for full n+1 redundancy per schedule remark 2. Revised single point power MCA is 353, MOCP 400. Revise electrical circuit to 400A/3P breaker, 2 sets 4 #3/0, 1#3G, 2 1/2"C. Revised schedule sheet to be issued to awarded bidder.

37 11-13-23 11-17-23 PVC pipe for underground sanitary – there is no mention of pipe type in Spec Section 22 13 00. Please clarify the acceptable/desired piping for the underground sanitary work.

For piping within the building footprint to 5 feet beyond, refer to section 22 13 00 paragraph 2.1.

For site utilities refer to division 33.

38 11-13-23 11-17-23 Will a Gripple Hanging System be acceptable for use with this project?

Provide rigid hangers unless otherwise authorized in writing by the VA.

39 11-13-23 11-17-23 Underground chilled water piping – no reference can be found in the specs for the type and insulation required.

Provide factory fabricated pre-insulated piping system. Carrier pipe shall be steel ASTM A-53, schedule 40. Insulation shall be rigid injected polyurethane foam, 2” thickness. Jacketing shall be extruded HDPE minimum 100 mil thick.

Fittings shall be preinsulated matching preceding requirements for straight pipe. Joints shall be welded and field insulated strictly in accordance with system manufacturer’s instructions. Field insulation material and jacketing shall match that of straight pipe. Provide manufacturer’s expansion/contraction compensation.

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40 11-13-23 11-17-23 On the plumbing plan PW111, it shows component 52- OWS-1, however it is not listed on the plumbing schedule.

This is an oil water separator for the elevator sump pump system. Refer to 1/PQ601 and specification 22 14 29, paragraph 2.1 J. Size capacity to contain elevator hydraulic fluid charge.

41 11-13-23 11-17-23 There are a few sanitary sewer lines that are labeled 1 ½” that are underground. The minimum in North Dakota is 2”, do they want the piping to adhere to North Dakota Plumbing code?

Yes, minimum below grade sanitary or vent size shall be 2”.

42 11-13-23 11-17-23 On sheet PP111 note # 3 states to provide supply temperature sensor on the domestic cold water supply line. What type of sensor is required and who provides it? Also, there is a ½ water line supplying an outside wall hydrant that has a ¾” inlet. Should these supply lines be ¾”?

Refer to BAS point list and device schedules on MI sheet series per note 3 (MI700 series). Provide potable grade immersion temperature sensor in accordance with specification 23 09 23.

Contractors to work out and coordinate to get this resolved as to who provides and installs.

Upsized DCW lines, where noted, is for longer runs, etc.

43 11-13-23 11-17-23 There a several water lines that have multiple isolation valves in them. Is one isolation vale per branch sufficient?

Plan as designed and shown on drawings.

Coordinate with VA COR on a case-by-case basis.

Multiple valves on a single line serving the exact same fixture(s) may be consolidated at one of the locations of VA choosing.

44 11-13-23 11-17-23 What type of material. brand, is needed for the underground irrigation system?

Refer to specification 32 84 00

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45 11-14-23 11-17-23 Is there any detail drawing or additional information available for the Water Meter assembly & installations?

Refer to specification 22 05 19 for meter. Refer to section 22 05 23 for backflow preventers. See sketch below. Install components in mechanical room per manufacturer instructions.

46 11-15-23 11-17-23 On sheet PP113 calls out 52-SH-1, but is not on the mechanical schedule.

Refer to MQ601 steam humidifier schedule and coordinate with mechanical, plumbing, and GC

47 11-15-23 11-17-23 On sheet PQ601 detail #3 shows a single water heater, however there are (2) water heaters. Are they to be piped in series or individually?

Piped in parallel. Repeat detail for each heater and interconnect where shown “TO/FROM ADDITIONAL GWH(S) PER PLANS” on the 3/PQ601 detail

48 11-15-23 11-17-23 On sheet PW112 shows a 3” storm drain piping to the roof drains, however on sheet PW113 they are labeled as floor drains.

These are unoccupied cold attic spaces with insulation and roofing membrane similar to roof areas but minimal anticipated rain & debris infiltration.

Roof drains at exterior roof and storm drain lines when inside the building for these drawings