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SOLICITATION #: 36C77624R0148
PROJECT NAME: VISN 8 Construction MATOC - Caribbean
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET
| Item No. |
| MATOC |
| SEED PROJECT |
| QUESTION |
| GOVERNMENT RESPONSE |
| X |
| The specifications call for ICRA Class IV temporary barriers with specific fire ratings. Will VA provide approved design details for these barriers, or is the contractor responsible for design and engineering to meet code? |
| The contractor is responsible for the design and engineering to meeting current codes. |
| X |
| The electrical drawings include panel schedules and connections to mechanical/plumbing equipment, but specific equipment model numbers and corresponding electrical loads are not clearly identified. Please confirm if the Government will provide final mechanical and plumbing equipment submittals to allow the electrical contractor to size feeders, breakers, and disconnects accurately, or if the contractor must assume and design based on typical loads. |
| Electrical panels are existing to remain only the circuits with asterisk (*) will be replaced as shown on the schedules. All medical equipment cut sheets purchased by the VA will be shared with the award contractor. |
| X |
| Mechanical Note ME04 specifies providing a portable HEPA air scrubber during the interim construction phase. Please confirm whether the Government will furnish this equipment (e.g., Predator 1200) as noted in the drawings, or if the contractor is responsible for supplying, installing, and removing it. If contractor-furnished, please confirm the required quantity and if operation duration is continuous throughout construction. |
| The awarded GC will supply the scrubber. As per sheet MD-102, only one (1) scrubber is required. |
| X |
| The electrical, mechanical, and plumbing notes each specify that all fire-rated penetrations must be properly sealed. Please confirm whether the contractor is required to have a third-party inspection & report for firestopping, and whether the VA has a preferred UL-approved system detail to follow. |
| Yes, the contractor is required to arrange a third-party inspection. Refer to Specification Section 07 84 00, Paragraph 1.4C for details. |
| X |
| Mechanical Sheet MD-102 indicates a phasing plan, but details for maintaining airflow, utilities, and infection control during each phase are not fully defined. Can the Government provide a detailed phasing sequence or confirm if the contractor should develop and submit a phasing & ICRA plan for VA review/approval prior to work? |
| The Contractor shall develop a work plan and associated procedures, adhering to the proposed phases specified in General Requirements, Paragraph 1.6F. |
| X |
| Plumbing and fire protection notes state to “relocate and add new sprinkler heads as required” but do not indicate if hydraulic calculations or a full redesign of the sprinkler system are required. Please confirm whether a signed & sealed hydraulic calculation is required for the modified system, and if the VA has a preference for recessed vs. upright heads in finished/unfinished areas. |
| Sheet PL-101 clearly specifies the location, type, and quantity of sprinkler heads (new pendant recessed type). For the required signed and sealed documentation, refer to the Sprinkler Layout Document notes on sheet PL-001 |
| X |
| Please confirm if the contractor is required to submit a detailed phasing plan for VA approval showing interim infection control measures, access routes, and utility shutdown coordination, or if the phasing shown in the drawings is sufficient. |
| The Contractor shall develop a work plan and associated procedures, adhering to the proposed phases specified in General Requirements, Paragraph 1.6F. (RTU-37 is N.I.C.) |
| X |
| Specs 01 00 00 1.3 Statement of bid: identifies Items I, II & II, however attachment 6 and 06b only included the divisions, please verify that you are looking for an all-inclusive price to include Items I,II &III. |
| All-inclusive price to include Items I,II &III. Note: RTU 37 N.I.C (Not in Contract) |
| X |
| Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements? |
| Yes, STARC panels can be used if they are properly sealed and certified for ICRA Class III/IV. |
| X |
| Please confirm the extent of any duct cleaning scope requirements, if applicable. |
| At least 5ft beyond the project scope. |
| Can the equipment installer/manufacturer do the validation or should be third party? |
| The equipment manufacturer can perform initial validation (IQ/OQ) since they have technical expertise, but for unbiased compliance—especially in critical areas like high-level disinfection—a third-party validator is strongly recommended for PQ and final certification. VA hospitals often require independent review to meet strict regulatory standards (FDA, AAMI, Joint Commission). |
| X |
| Drawing AE-101A requires temporary wall to be build to enclose the work area but drawing AE-101A shows work outside of the work area as defined in plan 1of drawing AE-101A. Please clarify. |
| The work area as defined in Plan 1 includes both the enclosed zone (requiring a temporary wall) and the adjacent external work area shown in the drawing. The temporary wall is necessary to isolate active construction, but the overall scope of work extends beyond it as depicted. |
| X |
| 01 00 00 - 6/24 Phase I and 01 00 00 - 7/24, Phase II, discuss setting and field installing a new RTU-37. This is not shown or mentioned in the solicitation drawings. Is this to be included in the scope of work for this bid solicitation? |
| Not in Contract, disregard item RTU-37 |
| X |
| The Door and Door Frame Schedule and Notes indicate that there will be a card reader, and associated devices. Please specify the manufacturer and model of the card reader required in this SOW. |
| The awarded GC needs to coordinate the card reader with Security and Facility during construction. |
| X |
| Is the contractor responsible for supplying any other equipment besides the new AER units? |
| All the medical equipment is to be provided by the VA. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment/fixtures by the awarded GC. |
| X |
| Please specify the model and manufacturer for the sink and faucet. |
| Use Lavatory Sloan SS-3055 (3873055) & Faucet Elkay LKD2432BHC |
| X |
| Please specify the make and manufacturer and model for the handsfree eyewash station. |
| Remove existing and reinstall in the new location per the plans. |
| X |
| There is conflicting information on the new ceiling height elevation. Drawing AE-122A/1-“Ceiling Demo Plan” and all detail drawings on AE-405 show the new ceiling @ 8’0” AFF”, drawing AE-122A/2-“Proposed Reflected Ceiling Plan” shows the new ceiling at 9’-0” AFF, please clarify which new ceiling elevation is correct. |
| Note on sheet AE-122A should be revised to read ‘8'-0" ceiling.’ The intent of this note is to clarify that the new GWB wall must extend 6" above the new ceiling elevation. |
| X |
| Please clarify what type of ceiling is in the SPS Soiled Area 117 where the airline shown on drawing PL-201 should be installed. (Not showed during site visit) |
| Soiled Area 117 Ceiling is not in the scope of work. |
| X |
| Please provide the wall composition for the wall which the contractor is required to cut through for the installation of the temporary door at Temporary Corridor 102. |
| The wall is of drywall and metal stud composition |
| X |
| Will the new wall housing the new AER units be a 6” metal stud framed assembly with ½” cement gwb? |
| The wall assembly will be 3 5/8" framing studs with 5/8" cement GWB both sides (TYP.) with acrovyn finish on the Room 101 side - See wall type "ST" AE-600 |
| X |
| As shown on the Mechanical and plumbing drawings, there will be some required plumbing and ductwork tie -in work to be performed above the existing ceilings outside the footprint of the proposed new HLD room, one area will be in the SPS Soiled area Rm 117, and the other area is just outside of the proposed “Door 120” opening. Please identify the composition of both location ceilings. |
| The ceiling in the areas of concern is GWB on metal framing "HI-Hats" ceiling assembly splines... GC. to carefully remove ceiling areas as required to make tie-ins and replace assembly to match existing as required...see seismic suspension system detail on drawing AE-600 |
| X |
| Is 3rd party testing for anhydrous calcium chloride test and situ probe test or the applicator can do it. |
| G.C. to engage a 3rd Party test lab - test to include (anhydrous calcium chloride test) and provide results to the COR and EOR |
| X |
| What is the composition of the wall which the new sink will be mounted to, masonry with plaster finish or metal stud framing with GWB? |
| Metal stud with GWB...G.C. to verify in field |
| X |
| Please specify the make and model for the new AER units & other equipment |
| VA provided Contract installs |
| X |
| Please provide as built drawings showing the existing plumbing, electrical, including the location of the electrical room, and mechanical for the area in and around the project location. |
| Coordinate with VA COR |
| X |
| Please provide a structural drawing of the existing project area slab for concrete coring purposes |
| Contractor shall x-ray concrete slab prior to coring |
| X |
| Who is responsible for moving all of the equipment and furnishings from the proposed work area(s)? |
| Provided by Contractor. Coordinate with VA COR |
| X |
| Who is responsible for providing the “Pass-Thru Unit” shown on drawings AE-101B, detail 2/floor plan and please specify what is its make and model. |
| Relocate existing pass-thru currently located between SPS Soiled Area and Current Scope Storage Area... |
| X |
| Are existing AER units shown in drawing AE-101A to be removed during demolition phase or the hospital will be using them during this project and remove after project completion and the new AER equipment are ready to be swapped. The new critical water lines are shown to be connected at the location of the existing to be removed AER equipment. |
| Existing AER Units to be removed and turned-over to the VA. |
| X |
| What will the new AER wall finish be in the Scope Sterile Storage Area 100 side? |
| Epoxy paint finish all walls in room 100 (TYP.) side - See wall type "ST" AE-600 |
| X |
| What is the current wall and ceiling finishes in the proposed Sterile Scope Storage 100 and what will use for the finishes on the wall and ceiling repairs within this Sterile Scope Storage 100 area? |
| The ceiling finish in room 100 is a GWB on metal "hi-hat" splines for repairs or installation of new ceiling as required see "Seismic Suspension System Detail" AE-600...Existing wall system similar to "SS" AE-600 at all walls at Scope Storage 100. New wall system at AER's similar to "ST" AE-600... Ceiling system similar to Seismic Suspension System Detail on AE-600 - Note: Contractor shall use details shown on AE-600 for repairs as required in Room 100. Note: The wall and ceiling finish in Room 100 shall be epoxy paint (TYP.) |
| X |
| Plumbing drawing PL-201 only shows the cold water supply to the new sink, it does not show any hot water supply piping or where the hot water access point for tying into the facility’s domestic hot water supply. Please clarify. |
| Connect Insta-Hot to CW connection to LAV |
| X |
| What is the available power in proximity to the work zone? |
| Coordinate power availability with VA COR |
| X |
| Is a commissioning agent required for this project? |
| Yes, CxA to be contracted by Contractor |
| X |
| Please provide drawings that can be printed to scale on standard 24"x35" paper |
| Digital files can be printed to any dimensions |
| X |
| Is there a basis of design for new fire alarm? |
| Match existing FA devices |
| X |
| Sheet AE-101B: On detail one Existing floor plan there’s an eye wash station that is to be removed. On the Floor plan there is called out for an eyewash station. Please confirm if contractor is to provide new or if existing eyewash can be removed and reinstalled. |
| Remove and re-install per plans |
| X |
| AE-122A: Within the legend there is a call out for “demolish ceiling”. However, the hashes seem to be wrong and appears for no ceiling removal indicated per plan. Please clarify extent of any ceiling removal. |
| Please follow the demolition notes outlined in the demo plan. |
| X |
| There is a specification 03 30 52 for Cast-in-place concrete. There doesn’t appear to be any concrete work associated with this project per plan. Please confirm of any concrete work to be conducted. |
| This section is only applicable to patching of disturbed conc caused by required demolition i.e. slabs and walls as required*(TYP.) |
| X |
| There is a specification 08 80 00 Glazing. There doesn’t appear to be any windows shown per plan. |
| There are no windows in the project scope of work. |
| X |
| Specification section 01 00 00: Section 1.6 Phase 2: Item 4. Install new rooftop mounting curb. There has been no roof plan given. Please provide contractor with roof plan with detailed key notes describing work to be performed. |
| NO, disregard roof mounting curb (NIC) |
| X |
| Please confirm if contractor is to provide RTU 37. This is not called out on the plans but listed in specification 01 00 00. |
| NO, disregard item RTU-37 (NIC) |
| X |
| Page 139 and 140 of the specification list a table of systems to be commissioned. The roof system is supposed to be commissioned. There is no roof spec given, please give contractor appropriate roof specification. |
| No, disregard roof susystem (NIC) |
| X |
| In addition to previous question, it is called out the existing fire sprinkler system is to be commissioned. Is the commissioning for the entire buildings fire sprinkler system or just the space that we are working in? |
| Area of work and zone flow station feeding this area |
| X |
| 02 41 00 Part 2 section 3.1 A: States demolish and remove buildings and structures. And 1. As required for installation of new utility service line and 2. To full depth within an area defined by hypothetical lines located |
| NO, disregard (NIC) |
| X |
| 1500 mm (5 feet) outside building lines of new structures. Please confirm if exterior utility work is included in this project. If so, Please provide drawings depicting scope of work. |
| NO, disregard (NIC) |
| X |
| 03 30 00 Concrete please confirm this specification is only used for patching existing concrete floor slab. Are there any knowns of the space and plans you can include contractor to bid accordingly. |
| This section is only applicable to patching of disturbed conc caused by required demolition i.e. slabs and walls as required*(TYP.) |
| X |
| 05 50 00 Metal Fabrications section 1.2 Related Work references “Railings attached to steel stairs”. There’s not any railing depicted in the drawings please include. |
| NO, disregard (NIC) |
| X |
| 08 14 00 Interior Wood Door: This specification was provided but there are no wood doors for this project. The only door listed in the door schedule is for a HM Door. Please confirm if there are any wood doors needed. |
| No wood doors |
| X |
| AE-101A: Please confirm if existing flooring is to be removed. If so, please identify what type of flooring is existing. |
| Yes, please refer to room finish schedule on sheet AE-600 |
| X |
| AE-101B: Please confirm if new flooring is required. If so, please identify what type of material is required. |
| Please refer to room finish schedule on sheet AE-600 |
| X |
| Please provide basis of design for wall protection. |
| ACROVYN Wall protection floor to ceiling all walls Room 101 only. |
| X |
| Please confirm that existing sprinkler system is NOT to be modified. |
| To be modified per PL-101 notes. |
| X |
| Is a qualified fire engineer required to test fire sprinkler system? |
| Refer to General Fire Sprinkler Notes on Sheet PL-001 |
| X |
| Specification 26 05 41: Please confirm if there is any underground electrical work to occur. Please include drawings. |
| Electrical drawings are schematics. Home runs installation are per electrical contractor to be coordinated in the field. |
| X |
| AE-101B Existing: Please confirm if existing tables are to be removed and thrown out or handed back over to the VA. |
| All existing tables are to be returned to the VA please coordinate all salvage requirements, to include but not limited to all equipment and furniture prior to the start of demolition coordinate with the COR (TYP.) |
| X |
| Specifications require Endoscope Drying Cabinets and Equipment Drying Cabinets. The drawings in the plan 2/AE-101B shows endoscope storage cabinets and the other drawin, Elevation 1/AE-405 shows drying cabinets in the same place. Please clarify. |
| Storage cabinets are the same on both plans, which be supplied by the VA. |
| X |
| There nterior rooms receiving new work that are nowhere near an exterior window to vent the negative air outside, is there another means of venting air from the space to achieve the negative pressure required by ICRA? |
| Yes, connect portable exhaust fan discharge to existing Exhaust Duct. Coordinate with VA COR. |
| X |
| Is there any other openings we can use to vent our negative air to meet the ICRA requirements? |
| NO, connect portable exhaust fan discharge to existing Exhaust Duct. Coordinate with VA COR. |
| X |
| In ICRA areas that require Category B Level 1 or 2, can we use zip-walls or plastic sheeting as containment? |
| G.C. shall provide zip walls at containment areas (TYP.) |
| X |
| In any ICRA areas that require above Category B containment, can plastic wall panels be used for the ICRA walls, such as STARC Panels or Temporary Wall System’s panels? |
| Yes, STARC panels can be used if they are properly sealed and certified for ICRA Class III/IV. |
| X |
| Will temporary sprinklers be required during demolition or can we use Heat Detectors? |
| Provide portable fire extinguishers |
| X |
| Will the contractor be required to turn the existing sprinkler heads up during construction once the ceiling is removed? |
| Install per NFPA-13 |
| X |
| What is the existing type of HVAC system in this area now? |
| There is SA devices and EA devices |
| X |
| Will any Fire Sprinkler work be required? |
| Yes, provide per plans. |
| X |
| When removing or replacing wall mounted low voltage item, will the wall have to be trenched open to remove existing conduit or can the existing conduit be abandon in place? |
| The VA does NOT allow "abandon-in-place". Remove existing conduit. |
| X |
| What is the height from finished floor to bottom of deck above in the work Area |
| Contractor to field verify |
| X |
| Is there any reason to believe the slab has moisture in it and moisture remediation will be needed? |
| Contractor to field verify |
| X |
| Have other areas on this floor needed moisture remediation on the concrete slab in past projects? |
| Not to the best of our knowledge, coordinate with VA COR. |
| X |
| Per spec 09 05 16 Section 3.3.A specifies the use of a moisture remediation coating only when the results of ASTM F2170 relative humidity testing exceed the requirements of the flooring manufacturer. Similarly, pH and moisture testing are outlined in Section 3.2.G–H. Can you confirm that moisture remediation coatings, pH neutralization treatments, or other corrective measures included in this specification are only required if slab test results are unsatisfactory? |
| Confirmed - moisture remediation coatings, pH neutralization treatments, or other corrective measures included in this specification are only required if slab test results are unsatisfactory... Provide a test report to EOR (Engineer of Record) |
| X |
| Specification Section 09 05 16 includes detailed descriptions and product requirements for both moisture remediation systems (Section 2.1) and underlayments (Section 2.2), yet it is unclear whether these items are part of the base bid or only applicable if testing shows deficiencies. Please clarify is the intent that all floor slab testing is to be included in the base bid, and any required remedial treatment (e.g., moisture remediation coating or underlayment) would be added by change order/modification if needed, based on test results? |
| These measures are required if slab shows deficiencies |
| X |
| The specification 09 05 16 calls out multiple tests (ASTM F1869, F2170, and pH testing) but does not state how to price the remedial work that may or may not be required depending on the test results. How should bidders price the moisture remediation system and underlayment if slab conditions are unknown at bid time? |
| Provide an "Allowance per Square Foot in Base Bid" to cover the cost, if mitigation measures are required.. |
| X |
| Without knowing the actual moisture or pH conditions of the concrete prior to bid, there is significant risk in trying to price products like moisture remediation coatings (epoxy vapor barriers, etc.), cementitious self-leveling underlayment, or trowel-applied patches. Including these without confirmation could lead to either inflated pricing or post-award cost disputes. Thus, under FAR principles of clarity in solicitation documents and equitable risk distribution please provide clear direction on what is to be included in our base bid for subsurface preparation. |
| Provide an "Allowance per Square Foot in Base Bid" to cover the cost, if mitigation measures are required.. |
| X |
| What will be required by the contractor for specification 01 81 13 Sustainable Construction Requirements as it pertains to this project? |
| Contractor shall comply with Spec requirements as required. IF a spec item does not apply, do not provide. Coordinate with VA COR. |
| X |
| Will the contractor be responsible for Sterilizing Equipment, Spec 11 71 01? |
| AER(s) are VA provided, Contractor installed. |
| X |
| Please clarify if the Prime GC is responsible for new medical sterilizing equipment and washing stations listed under spec section 11 71 01. On attachment #6 under the project description it lists the project shall provide new disinfection equipment and re-organize cleaning operations and to relocated existing sterilizing equipment. |
| AER(s) are VA provided, Contractor installed. |
| X |
| “Regarding the Governments response to Technical Question #87 of the "TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET" (Dated 7-24-25), Is the crawl space/pipe space below the SPS area classified as either a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) or a Non Premit Required Confined Space? Will a certified rescue team be required while workers are performing work within this Crawl space/pipe space?” |
| The crawl space in question is a confined space which do not requires a permit. PPE and Buddy System however are enforced when accessing the area. No certified rescue team is required |
