0002 Attachment 1 Technical Questions Received Responses.docx

Technical Questions All below questions were asked by prospective offerors in regard to Project #589-703 Construct Addition and Renovate Bldg. 60 at the Wichita VAMC.

1. Is the Contractor Quality Control Manager, Site Safety, and Health Officer required to be onsite full time with no other duties?

RESPONSE: Contractor must have full time onsite coverage with competent individuals for the 3 roles: site superintendent, site safety & health officer, and quality control manager. Individuals may cover up to 2 of the roles but not all 3. For instance, if qualified, site superintendent may also function as site safety & health officer, but not also as the quality control manager or vice versa.

2. How will payments for materials stored offsite prior to installation be handled?

RESPONSE: At minimum, bill of lading or shipping receipt along with accompanying picture(s) of materials must be sent to COR for review and approval prior to invoicing for payment. Simply providing an order confirmation of materials is not sufficient for payment.

3. Can uninstalled materials being stored offsite be billed for?

RESPONSE: Yes, if they meet the requirements outlined in the previous question (bill of lading or shipping receipt along with accompanying picture(s) of materials sent to, reviewed by, and approved by COR).

4. For the offsite materials, are we expecting offsite material storage?

RESPONSE: Offsite material storage is acceptable but is the contractor’s responsibility and is not VA-provided.

5. Regarding the mentioned project received under Signage trade, there are signage drawings missing namely AW950 and AW951, these are stated in index but not provided in drawings.

RESPONSE: Signage drawings were a part of the final sealed drawings package. Ref: AW950/ 951.

6. Going through the drawings, I noticed we’re missing numerous sheets. Using the “sequence” number listed on G-000 please see below and provide the drawings that correlate with each sequence number:

080-130 missing 158-208 missing

RESPONSE: These drawings were a part of the final sealed drawing package and were shared in an amendment.

7. There’s 24 anti-ram bollards per CS204 which are removable bollards with SS sleeves that lists a vendor on the drawings. Does this indicate the cost is not to be included in our bid (Sheet CS103)?

RESPONSE: Contractor needs to provide pricing for bollard size and quantity indicated in the drawings. CS204 is basis-of-design (BOD) requirements.

8. There is a roof ladder shown on AE121 (1, 2, & 6/AE121). Will this ladder be provided or is a price required (2/AE121 (1 & 6/AE121)?

RESPONSE: Contractor to provide pricing.

9. Sheet G101 (G011...?), Note 1 indicates a contractor staging area to the east of the site on a gravel parking lot. This area now is a concrete parking lot. Will this still be available as a laydown area?

RESPONSE: Ref. Sheet CS101. There is an existing contractor staging area on the northwest corner of the site that can be used. If the contractor needs an area closer to the project location, a small portion of the new concrete parking can be made available but not the entire lot.

10. The foundation drawing shows a water vapor barrier encompassing the footing concrete. What is this?

RESPONSE: The water vapor does encompass the grade beam but does not encompass the footing. Coordinate the Vapor Barrier material with Specification Section 03 30 00 Cast-In-Place Concrete and the geotechnical report.

11. Ref SB502 detail 4. This detail indicates a pier under any step footing location. I do not see this on the plan drawings. Is this required and if so what is the pier size and depth?

RESPONSE: This occurs along Grid A. See details 5 and 9 on sheet SB501.

12. Can not find the steel column schedule for the steel column sizes. Where do we find the column sizes?

RESPONSE: Typical column size is shown at Grid D,3 on sheet SB101. Sheet SB401 specifies columns at Vestibule.

13. The ductwork remaining at the north end of the existing building will interfere with the installation of the additional bar joists. Will the ductwork need to be removed and reinstalled or replaced?

RESPONSE: Ductwork will need to be removed and reinstalled. The insulation will need to be repaired.

14. There is a very good chance that the fire protection lines at the north end of the existing building will be in the webs of the bar joists. If that is the case, how are we to install the additional bar joists?

RESPONSE: GC to coordinate with trades during construction. Adjust existing suppression lines/ heads to coordinate with existing/ new structure.

15. Will the emergency generator need to be operational for the acceptance of Phase 2 work?

RESPONSE: Yes.

16. Due to Site Utility procurement and generator and xfmr procurement, the timeline indicated on the solicitation does not seem to be enough time. Please review this time frame and respond regarding liquidated damages or time extensions? Or are we to bid the project to the time frame we feel is more adequate?

RESPONSE: VA is willing to extend base bid time frame from 480 days to 540 days.

17. Do the anti-ram bollards need to be removable? It is possible that the depth of these could potentially interfere with utilities in the area.

PHYSICAL SECURITY RESPONSE: Although the Civil Engineer/Survey Team has had the area surveyed for utilities, Contractor to still include in price to survey for underground utility clearances in retractable bollard areas. If any hidden conflicts arise, a case-by-case course of action will be advised by AE during CPS, such as shallow mount retracting or manual removable.

CIVIL RESPONSE: Only the bollards noted with keyed note #13 on sheet CS101 need to be removable. It is possible that the foundations for the bollards could interfere with existing underground utilities. There was unknown utility depth information during design so the contractor needs to verify existing utility locations/depths prior to construction.

18. Is there a vapor barrier required under the existing floor slab depressions? It is not indicated on the drawings.

RESPONSE: Yes.

19. SB101, note B D (edited by Spur) indicates all foundations to be 6’-9” below floor. The details on SB501 show grade beams (GB) at 3’-6” below floor. What does this note refer to? There are some depths of footings indicated for interior pad foundations along grid d and e, but nowhere else.

RESPONSE: The bottom of the exterior footings shall be a minimum 6’-9” below finish grade per General Sheet Note D on sheet SB101. Increase footing depth as required at footing locations beneath grade beams that do not support a column above.

The interior bottom of footing minimum depths are noted on the drawings at the specific footings. As noted on sheet SB101, the bottom of footing depth is 5’-6” below the finish floor.

20. Does the finish hardware schedule translate to the electrical drawings the electrical requirements required for each door?

RESPONSE: Contractor to coordinate door electrical requirements with the electrical and telecom drawings.

21. The Geotech report indicated to remove all existing fill under the building and pavement areas. This includes depths of up to 6’ per the soils report. Are there any existing drawings indicating the foundations for the existing building to assure we are not under excavating the existing footings? The compaction equipment will emit vibrations into the adjacent building during those operations and may affect the clients. There is also 2’ to 4.5’ of fill under the existing asphalt which may require over excavation of the adjacent pavement for removal requiring additional area of roads to be shutdown.

RESPONSE: There are existing structural drawings that provide the bottom of existing footing elevation. Regarding the fill under the existing pavement – Proof roll existing subgrade per Geotech Report recommendations. If there are no soft or unstable zones, proceed to compact upper 9 inches and follow pavement section recommendations. If there are soft or unstable zones, replace the 2-6 feet of existing fill.

22. There are light fixtures bases being installed over the existing storm lines at phase 4. Are the RCB’s deep enough to accept these light bases?

RESPONSE: Light pole foundations are more than 2-ft deep. Box culvert is only buried 2 ft. Electrical looking into relocating proposed light poles.

For bidding purposes – contractors to price quantity, size and depth shown in the documents. AE will review locations, coordinate with existing storm lines, and adjust, as necessary.

23. What is the depth of the asphalt? Will it be light duty or medium duty for the asphalt to be replaced?

RESPONSE: Depth of asphalt should match the existing section which is expected to closely match the light duty section recommended in the Geotech report.

24. In Drawing Title Technology Schedules, Drawing Number T-602, CR-01, andCR-02 the color states white. Checking with multiple manufacturers there is not a white badge reader to meet the specifications set in this document. Would a black badge reader be an acceptable or would the customer prefer a custom faceplate to be installed on the badge reader?

RESPONSE: Black card reader is acceptable.

25. What are the windowsills constructed of?

RESPONSE: Windowsills are to be solid surface. VA to make final selection on color.

26. Keynote 13,14, and 15 on Sheet TM201 (TN201??) mention a video conference system. Is this owner provided?

RESPONSE: Contractor to provide and install.

27. Will existing wire access points be removed by owner before demo and will all new WAP’s be furnished by the owner?

RESPONSE: Wireless Access Points (WAPs) are owner provided and installed.

28. Sheet EP401 states generator is to have a subbase fuel tank. Sheet M-402 shows a new underground fuel tank to be installed. Is the intent to have both?

RESPONSE: Elec. / Mech. Yes, the subbase fuel tank for the generator is intended for the day tank requirement.

29. Mechanical drawings show installing a temporary AHU and boiler on the west side of Area B. No electrical requirements are shown for this equipment. Need rough size of circuits for these.

RESPONSE: Provide temporary power from existing panel serving AHU’s. (DPH).

30. Davis Bacon pricing is not listed for plumbing and mechanical. Please provide labor rates for our area.

RESPONSE: New DBA Wage Determination added as Attachment 3, includes plumbing and mechanical.

31. Item P-811 on page pp101 is not on the schedule pages or in the specs. Is this a backflow preventor for the Dialysis water? Should the “IW” be labeled as “DCW” (dialysis cold water)?

RESPONSE: Yes P-811 is a backflow preventer for the Dialysis water and the “IW” represents Industrial water after it comes out of the machine.

32. Previous Dialysis projects have a continuous loop with no dead legs, only a few inches at the dialysis box. Should this system be continuous with a drain located at a mop sink or something similar?

RESPONSE: Yes, it should have no dead legs and be a continuous system.

33. UV-1, 2 and 3 shown on P301 and P401 are not on schedule page, nor in plumbing specs. Can a make and model be assigned to each for pricing?

RESPONSE: UV-1,2 and 3 are commercial UV sterilizers. Pure Aqua Product. Model number S8Q-PA.

34. With all the hard lids indicated in the residence’s rooms, would it be possible to use OBD for balancing? Will lights, supply diffusers, and return grills be considered access locations for all hard lids?

RESPONSE: OBDs can be used for balancing by the mechanical contractor. Lights, and air devices are considered access into the hard lid areas.

35. The insulation specification seems to have issues or incomplete date. Please review and confirm.

RESPONSE: Insulation specifications are complete.

36. The abbreviation SD could have two meanings i.e. supply damper and/or smoke damper. It appears that several smoke dampers have been identified and a few smoke dampers have the same symbols as the supply dampers. It is safe to assume all “SD” penetrating a fire rated wall would be smoke dampers regardless of the symbol?

RESPONSE: All ducts that penetrate a fire barrier are to be provided with a fire damper to meet the UL rating of the wall assembly. Ducts that penetrate a smoke barrier (walls in area providing a path of egress) are to be protected with a rated smoke damper. SD should be “smoke damper.”

37. PG-101 note 18 indicates a headwall unit. There is not a headwall unit on the schedule page nor a description of components that are included in the headwall. Please provide a make and model with more information.

RESPONSE: Headwall unit information will be by architect/medical planner.

38. P-304, area “A” riser plan shows isolation valves at each room before the outlet. This is not typical for medical gas installations at the VA. Are these valves required? They are not shown on PG-101.

RESPONSE: Med gas isolation valves are typical, and they are to be located outside of the patient rooms in the hallways/ corridors above the ceiling.

39. P-304 and plan note 18 on PG102 indicates ½” vacuum pipe. NFPA requires minimum ¼” vacuum pipe. Is this a type?

RESPONSE: ½-inch vacuum pipe is a size. The question is not clear.

40. What is the size requirement for the temporary boiler?

RESPONSE: Refer to Mechanical Temporary Plan – MT101 for all temporary unit specs and phasing notes.

41. What is the size requirement for the temporary HVAC unit?

RESPONSE: Refer to Mechanical Temporary Plan – MT101 for all temporary unit specs and phasing notes.

42. Will you allow the lighting control via the pillow speakers to be done by Siemens DXR’s and the Total Room Automation solution and Siemens Gamma lighting controls provided the met the requirements?

RESPONSE: The speakers shall be compatible/ match existing type. Coordinate with VA to provide a new preferred type/make/model if necessary.

43. Will the VA confirm if an asbestos survey has been conducted, if not, will they plan to have a survey completed prior to bid?

RESPONSE: Yes will be shared as part of this amendment.

44. The hardware specs for this job does not list out manufacturers in each section, just requirements that the hardware needs to meet. The hardware schedule is written up in allegion. Is it acceptable to change the hardware, with the exception of the cores? We were wanting to quote the project in ASSA Abloy hardware.

RESPONSE: VA has no objections with ASSA Abloy hardware. All door hardware will be contingent on discussions with VA staff (submittals, etc.) to ensure consistency with existing systems on the campus and maintenance considerations.