36C77623R0158_2.docx

Solicitation No.: 36C77623R0158 (Proj. No: 548-102) – Construct Blind Rehabilitation Unit Minor Design - West Palm Beach VAMC

ARCHITECT/ENGINEERS (A/E) TEAM RFI’s 08/25/2023

See attached document: Mod1_SF330_36C77623R0158_9-15-2023.

GENERAL INFORMATION

BASE NOTICE TYPE

Program Contracting Activity Central

6100 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 490 Independence OH 44131

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Shawn Tavernia shawn.tavernia@va.gov 216-447-8300

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

7305 N. Military Trail

West Palm Beach FL

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Modification to a Previous Notice Modification to a Previous Notice

DESCRIPTION

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Modification to a Previous Notice

Technical Questions and Answers

1. In the Scope of Work (SOW), 1.1 Introduction/Project Intent, Paragraph 3 says that the West Palm Beach Blind Rehab Center (WPB BRC) says the project will be located on the site where Bldg. 4 (Fisher House currently stands. It also states that this project will include the demolition of the existing building, site clearing and preparation for a 3-Story building approx. 15,790 SF building. Confirm that E/A Team is responsible for demolition of existing building, site clearing and Site prep. If so, will the VA provide existing As-Built drawings for the existing building, Site/Civil and Site Utilities, etc.? Will the Design Team need to produce demo drawings for the existing building and Site?

The Design team shall develop a design package with enough information for a future general contractor to demolish Building 4. See Attached Building 4 Drawings.

2. Paragraph 3 also states that the E/A Team will need to coordinate with new traffic patterns that consider new traffic patterns introduced by adjacent parking projects/reconfigure existing access road while developing site concepts. Are new traffic/parking projects planned at this time, and if so, will drawings/CAD-BIM files be provided by the VA.

Intent of this comment is to make designer aware that location of the Blind rehab will require to consider traffic flow to accommodate existing and future uses of the campus. There are no CAD/BIM files available.

3. Paragraphs 1 & 2 describe the functions and programs for the WPB Blind Rehab Center. This is a combination of clinical and training functions in the program. Are there any programs functions or clinical spaces that would require a Medical Planning consultant be added to the A/E Team.

A/E should have appropriate staff to provide a design that considers VA design guides as well as the needs of the program at the time of design.

4. SOW, 2.1 Design Disciplines/Services, under “Demotion”: appears to include all services to clear site for new conditions. Is all building and site demolition included under the A/E Team umbrella? Is separate Demo consultant to be included in A/E team.

See Question 1. The AE team will not actually demolish the building, but provide a package with enough information and specification for the demolition to be performed under a general contractor during the construction period of this project.

5. SOW, 2.1 “Civil/Structural”: requires the A/E firm to provide all boring and structural tests. Are the previous projects boring, tests and Geotech reports available?

VA does not have previous test of this location at the time.

6. SOW, 2.1 “Life Safety”: Besides being reviewed by VA in-house staff, item calls for an “independent third-party life safety expert” to review design. Please clarify, Does A/E Team provide independent third-party review or does VAMC pick reviewer.

Yes, A/E Teams provide independent third-party review.

7. SOW, 2.1, ”Special Systems and Equipment”: The functions listed in this category include elevators, fire alarm, telecommunications, security (card access/CCTV), medical gas monitoring, public address, and nurse call systems. Typically, the electronic interface of these items falls under the A/E Team’s electrical, Fire Alarm/Life Safety and or Telecom consultant scope. Is there a requirement for a “Special Systems Consultant” for these items? Please clarify.

VA specification divides these systems, but it is understood that they are taken care of by A/E team of electrical, Fire Alarm/Life Safety and or Telecom consultant scope.

8. SOW, 2.1, ”Environmental (NEPA)”: It is our understanding that there is a pond that is adjacent to the site and there are some wetland areas adjacent to the site. Is this the case? Is there CAD file or drawing that delineates the locations of Wetlands on the site. If so, then the A/E Team has site/environmental/Geotech consultants the A/E Team would recommend because they have experience dealing with the State of Florida Wetland requirements.

See attached Location/Campus Site map that shows the lakes and the wetland.

9. SOW, 2.1 “Energy & Resource Conservation”: Energy Star, LEEDS and other criteria are mentioned to conserve energy. Is a LEEDS consultant required for the A/E Team during the design phase or is that study to be done in a different phase of the project? LEED Will not be sought for this project. However, design elements of this project should meet the minimum sustainable requirements required by the federal government.

10. SOW, 2.3 “Surveys”: Please confirm if Boundary Survey is required. The project footprint falls within VA Federal property and does not require a Boundary Survey.

11. SOW, 2.3 “Surveys”: Please advise on what the Survey area limits are. Will the survey limits remain as they currently are or will they be adjusted. The A/E shall make all field surveys required for design of construction documents including affected roads if needed.

12. SOW 2.1 “Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC): states that “The A/E must evaluate the Chilled Water System and the Hot Water / Steam System serving the design scope area.” Are As-built drawings/CAD files available for the HW/Steam System serving this site area? The intent of this is to ensure the Designer proposes the best alternative for the HVAC system of the new building. The current building’s HVAC does not connect to the Main Hospital.

13. SOW 2.1 “Special Systems and Equipment”: describes “…special systems Including but not limited to elevators, fire alarm, telecommunications, security (card access/CCTV), medical gas monitoring, public address, and nurse call systems.” We plan on having our “Electrical/Telecom (RCCD)” design and interface these all these systems. Can “Electronic Security” be covered by this Elec/Telecom consultant, or do we need a separate “Electronic Security” consultant? “Electronic Security” can be covered by this Elec/Telecom consultant.

See attached document: Building 4 Floorplan.

See attached document: Location Site Plan.

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