REV Tech Questions Tracking Sheet - Chicago Womens Health 8-1-25.pdf

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SOLICITATION #: 36C77625B0012

RESPONSES TRACKING SHEET PROJECT TITLE: Women’s Health 2nd Floor Minor Construction Project at the Jesse Brown VAMC in Chicago, IL

# CONTRACTOR QUESTION VA RESPONSE

1 The specifications for Section 11 73 00 identify Liko (a Hill-Rom Company) as the basis of design for the ceiling-mounted patient lift system. Upon contacting Hill-Rom’s corporate office in Deerfield, IL, we were informed that due to a recent corporate merger or acquisition, they no longer sell these lift systems through dealer or contractor channels. Instead, all lift system sales are now conducted directly with hospitals only. Due to this distribution restriction, we are unable to obtain pricing or coordinate procurement through normal subcontractor/vendor channels.

We respectfully request clarification on the following:

a) Procurement – Should the contractor continue to carry this system in our scope of work, or will the owner/hospital be procuring the lift system directly?

b) Installation – If the owner is procuring the lift system directly, will installation be by others (owner-furnished, owner-installed), or is the contractor still responsible for receiving, installing, and coordinating mounting hardware and support systems?

c) Electrical Hook-up – Is the contractor responsible for providing electrical connection to the lift system (power and low-voltage control, if applicable), or will this be coordinated through an owner-furnished vendor or separate contract?

d) Alternates – If contractor procurement is still required, please advise whether alternate manufacturers will be accepted, as the specified product is not available through typical commercial channels.

The facility currently uses ARJO patient lift system, and would prefer to match existing.

Contractors will procure, receive, install, and coordinate mounting hardware and support systems including electrical hook-up with power and low-voltage controls.

2 There are no camera models spec'd out. What system is utilized on campus?

Cameras must meet minimum requirements per specification 28 23 00 Video Surveillance.

All cameras must integrate with the existing AVIGILON front-end security software system (but do not necessarily need to be Avigilon brand cameras). To verify compatibility please go to:

https://www.avigilon.com/integrations

3 Will there be floor map drawings provided with camera locations? See drawing TT101. Annotated TT101 with bubbled location of cameras attached. Note, there is one additional camera in the Annotated TT101, stamped 06-09-2025.

4 Will we be pulling cable or will the subcontractor/GC be doing that? The contractor is responsible for providing, pulling, and terminating all communication cables. It is the contractor’s means & methods to determine which task will be performed by subcontractor(s), who can pull the cables under GC’s supervision.

5 Also, I know the VA typically requires additional licenses with their cameras in addition to the Enterprise license. I did not see that anywhere in the documentation either. Please advise on requirements.

Contractor to provide necessary software licenses per camera/lens to integrate with existing Avigilon Security system. Reference specification 28 23 00 Video Surveillance.

6 Specifications Volume 2. Spec Section 28 31 00 Fire Detection and Alarm.

Section 3.5 Instruction.

Do you want us to include all of the training hours that were mentioned in the spec?

Yes. As indicated in 28 31 00 – 3.5 and 23 08 00 – 1.4(J) the GC shall include in his bid hiring of a factory trained, qualified instructor for four

(4) hours to train the M&O personnel of the JBVA.

7 Is this project tax exempt and if so will a certificate be issued? Please see Special Notes regarding FAR 52.229-3: Federal, State, and Local Taxes in the IFB issued to SAM.

https://www.avigilon.com/integrations

8 Payment for materials: FAR 52.232-5(b)(2) states, “In the preparation of estimates, the Contracting Officer may authorize material…” VAAR 852.232-70(d) states: “The Contracting Officer will consider for monthly progress payments material and/or equipment procured by the Contractor…” We have seen contract officers refuse payment for materials because their interpretation is that payment is optional and they simply prefer not to pay for materials. Question - will payments for uninstalled materials be approved on this project? If the answer is no, contractors need to know this at time of bid so they can include storage and carrying costs.

No, payments for uninstalled materials will not be approved for this project.

9 CQCM - Is the Contractor Quality Control Manager required to be onsite full-time with no other duties?

Contractor’s CQCS manager shall be onsite weekly or as often as required. This manager will also attend a weekly Project Progress meeting.

10 CQCS - The individual Quality Control Specialists that are required for each trade and for Structural, Civil, and Environmental, etc., are to work directly for the Prime Contractor. Can they be part-time employees?

Yes. The CQCS manager can be a part-time employee.

11 SSHO – Is the Site Safety and Health Officer required to be onsite full time with no other duties?

The onsite superintendent will be responsible for Site safety and Health.

12 Sustainable Construction Requirements – This is very comprehensive and costly. Will the government consider scaling this back to fit the scope of the project?

Contractor must comply with Sustainable Construction Requirements as detailed in the specifications. Reference 01 81 13.

13 Change order pricing – will change orders be approved with the standard 10% OH +10% profit?

Declining scale will be applied in accordance with the VAAR clause 852.243-70.

10 percent overhead and/or 10 percent profit (fee) on the first $20,000.

7.5 percent overhead and/or 7.5 percent profit (fee) on the next $30,000.

5 percent overhead and/or 5 percent profit (fee) on a balance over $50,000.

(c)(1) Overhead and Contractor's fee percentages shall be considered to include insurance other than mentioned herein, field and office supervisors and assistants, security police, use of small tools, incidental job burdens, and general home office expenses and no separate allowance will be made. Assistants to office supervisors include all clerical, stenographic and general office help. Incidental job burdens include, but are not necessarily limited to, office equipment and supplies, temporary toilets, telephone and conformance to OSHA requirements. Items such as, but not necessarily limited to, review and coordination, estimating and expediting relative to contract changes are associated with field and office supervision and are considered to be included in the Contractor's overhead and/or fee percentage.

14 Are there any major demolition work elements required that are not listed/depicted in the demolition drawings that need to occur in order for new finishes to be installed. If so, will they be identified on the demolition drawings?

Refer to demolition drawings for information.

Be mindful of roof drains, overflow roof drains, and Plumbing Vent Through Roof (VTR) relocation from underneath of the new building footprint.

Most work can be performed during normal working hours. However, tasks that involve excessive noise/vibration (approx.. 85db or greater such as core drilling, jack-hammering, usage of equipment larger than hand tools) must be conducted on off-hours (premium time) to avoid interrupting hospital operations. Typical hospital operation hours are 7:00am – 5:00pm

Contractor is not expected to pull city permits except for work that involves the City of Chicago such as connections to the City main utilities and work that impedes the public roads/walkway (i.e. crane lift)

15 Review Per Project: 01 35 26, 1.9 Inspections states: A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with specialized knowledge in construction safety or a certified Construction Safety and Health Technician (CSHT) shall randomly conduct a monthly site safety inspection. In lieu of a CSP or CSHT certification will an individual with a 30 hour OSHA certification and experience as an SSHO on construction projects be acceptable?

No. Hospital construction projects are generally considered critical projects, especially in the context of infrastructure and public health. A person with a 30-hour OSHA card is not necessarily equivalent to a Safety and Health Officer. OSHA-30 Certified is not acceptable.

16 Is the work of the contract to be completed in normal working hours or should accommodations be made for second and third shifts?

Most work can be performed during normal working hours. However, tasks that involve a utility shutdown including electricity or water must be conducted on off-hours (premium time) to avoid interrupting hospital operations. Typical hospital operation hours are 7:00am – 5:00pm

There is more flexibility for fire alarm or fire suppression systems which can typically be done during normal hours.

Please see Spec Section 01 00 00 General Requirements, Section 1.2 General Intention, Parts E and F.

Crane Lifts and movement of heavy loads (i.e. structural steel) must be performed when the building is unoccupied during nights/weekends.

All shutdown requests must be submitted 14 calendar days in advance and receive COR approval.

17 Will drop down areas to be provided in proximity to work areas? AS101 notes contractor lay-down area. Intent is to store materials between Damen Avenue and building 30. Contractor to remove fencing and obstructions as needed. Lay-down area must not cause hinderance to the public walks.

18 Will parking be provided by the VA for contractors? No. Parking at JBVA is only for patients, their visitors, and employees of the JBVA. Parking is available at the Juvenile Detention Center – 1100 South Hamilton, Chicago, IL. The parking rate at the Juvenile Detention Center is $2.00/day.

19 ADDITIONAL VA COMMENT Please see attached EP102 with the following instructions included:

-Two combination receptacle/data outlet floor boxes be added to conference room 2748. Refer to Key Note 1 on this sheet and floor slab penetration detail on E501 for additional instructions. Connect floor boxes to circuit WNL1-17.

This added requirement is hereby made a part of the contract documents fully and completely as if the same were fully contained herein.

Each bidder is hereby instructed and authorized to incorporate this change into their proposal.

20 ADDITIONAL VA COMMENT AS101-Architectual Site Plan-General Note 12 shall be read as such:

COORDINATE WITH THE UTILITY OWNER, SHOULD THE

CONTRACTOR'S EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES REQUIRE SHORING

AND BRACING OF EXISTING UTILITY POLES. THE APPROPRIATE

POWER PROVIDER SHALL BE NOTIFIED TEN (10) WORKING

DAYS BEFORE ANTICIPATED SHORING AND BRACING

ACTIVITIES COMMENCE. ALL SHORING AND BRACING

ACTIVITIES SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY STATE OF ILLINOIS

POWER PERSONNEL AT CONTRACTOR'S EXPENSE.

21 Please clarify the following:

The Foundation plan 8/S103 indicates the top of footing is -1’-6” and the top of pier elevation is -1’-0”. The mat footing is 2’ thick so we do have frost coverage. Sections 5 & 9/S301 show a deeper pier, and the Pier Schedule indicates the anchor bolts require a 2’-6” embedment which would have the anchor bolts extending at the bottom of the footing.

Frost penetration depth for Chicago is 42". Bottom of footing = frost penetration depth and is 42" per the drawings. Section 5 and 9 do not dimension the pier. Anchor bolts shall extend to 3" above the bottom of mat (Change Anchor Bolt Embedment from 2' - 6" to 2' - 3").

Change the ties notes on detail 5/S301 from as follows:

(2)#4 ties at top 6” all locations

22 Can you provide the specific model numbers for the CR card readers shown in the drawings?

The contract documents are performance based. Products included in the contract documents are basis of design or equal. Products will be reviewed for compliance during the shop drawing submittal process.

Existing Card Readers: 40KHTKS-03-0004XR HID Signo Keypad Reader 40K PIV, Black Body, Silver Trim, Terminal, Creden Profile 03 Custom

23 What are the detailed specifications for the Avigilon access control system components (controllers, software version, licensing requirements)?

New security equipment must integrate with the existing Avigilon Unity front-end. Avigilon is a software based CCTV system. Contractor must acquire as many licenses (multiple) as required for each camera and access controllers to be added to the existing system and provide programming necessary for a fully operating security system. (See

RFI #2)

Technical integration details can be found at:

24 Are additional access control controllers required beyond what's currently specified?

Only provide controllers to serve the area of work.

25 Can you provide details on IDF closet locations and their capacity for access control equipment?

All access control hardware for this project will be located in Telecom Room 2706. The location for the Physical Access Control System Headend is indicated in Telecom Room 2706 on sheet EP401.

26 Do the existing electrical cabinets have sufficient space to accommodate access control controllers and associated equipment?

Provide a new cabinet to house access control hardware associated with this project. Do not locate access control hardware for this contract in existing cabinets.

27 If existing cabinets lack space, are new Life Safety power cabinets required, and if so, where should they be located?

There is a power circuit dedicated to access control in Telecom Room 2706.

28 What are the power requirements for each access control component? See specification section 28 13 00 for requirements.

The contractor will need to determine additional power requirements, based on the manufacturer requirements, for the access control hardware provided.

29 What network infrastructure requirements are needed for the access control system (dedicated network, VLAN requirements, bandwidth specifications)

The network infrastructure for access control will be made through the connection to the main IT room indicated on note 2 on page TT101.

Update to note 2 (TT101): Contractor shall estimate 700’ (instead of 500’) to account for the routing from telecom room 2706 to telecom room 14T4 (aka Rm 1493). See attachment 1 Floor.dwg for location of room 14T4

30 Are there any specific requirements for integration with existing building systems?

This question is very general; which existing building systems?

Assuming the question refers to the physical access control systems (spec 28 13 00). Technical integration details can be found at:

https://www.avigilon.com/integrations (See response to RFI #2 and #23)

The main connection to the existing communication network will be made through the connection to the main IT room indicated on note 2 on page TT101. (See response to RFI #29)

31 What are the cable routing requirements between card readers, controllers, and the main access control panel?

Cable shall be run in conduit to a junction box above the door as indicated in access control door hardware rough-in detail on sheet TT501. Cables can run in cable trays back to Telecom Room 2706.

32 Door hardware specifications (electric strikes, magnetic locks, door position switches)

Door position switches are specified as Alarm Contacts. There are no electric strikes or magnetic locks specified. Instead there are electrified locks and electric exit devices. See specs 08 17 10 Integrated Door Assemblies sets HW-SH-4, HW-SH-10 and HW-SH- 10A along with 08 71 00 Door Hardware set HW-SH-3.

33 Backup power requirements for access control components See specification 28 13 00 for requirements. Provide power supplies with the ability to add backup power (batteries).

34 Conduit and wiring specifications This question is very general. Follow the specifications for conduit requirements; see spec 27 05 33 and 28 13 00. Wiring shall be as specified or as recommended by equipment manufacturer.

35 Wall mounting requirements and structural considerations See the plans for wall mounted equipment. The only equipment that is to be mounted to walls are panels and have no structural considerations.

36 Maintenance access requirements for installed equipment Provide maintenance access space per NEC 110.26.

37 Fire alarm integration requirements (if applicable) The fire alarm system is integrated with the HVAC system monitoring the duct detectors.

New fire alarm devices must be integrated into existing fire alarm system / main control panel. Contractor to provide all necessary programming to add new devices to the system.

Fire alarm main panel manufacture and model:

SIEMENS - Desigo Fire safety Modular System Model FCM2041-U2 , Fire Finder XLS/XLSV

38 Any special environmental considerations for equipment locations There are no special environmental considerations for equipment located inside the building. Follow the specifications for equipment enclosure ratings.

39 Question about openings 2720, 2720B, 2720C, 2731, 2734, 2734A, 2749, 3-17, C2704, C2705, C2706, C2706A, C2707, C2707A.

o On the door schedule they are scheduled to be wood doors and are notated to receive either an STC-40 or STC-45 sound rating. The hardware sets assigned to these openings are SH-4 and SH-10. It notes that these are to be integrated openings and to refer to the integrated opening specification. The specification states that these openings are to be an integrated assembly, such as a Rite Door, which means the frame, door, and hardware are sold as one unit. It also states that the door is to be hollow metal. To the best of my knowledge integrated assemblies cannot be STC rated or do not offer wood veneered doors.

o Are these openings to be STC wood with hollow metal and the hardware specified in SH-4 and SH-10 or Integrated hollow metal units without the STC ratings noted on the door schedule?

The statement “To the best of my knowledge integrated assemblies cannot be STC rated or do not offer wood veneered doors.” is not correct. Integrated Door Assemblies manufacturer offers both wood veneer and standard STC 33 rating with appropriate core and gaskets.

Integrated Door Assemblies manufacturer, Total Door Systems, has standard STC 33 rating and a number of finish options including wood veneers. Confirm with the manufacturer if STC 40 and 45 are available. Provide Integrated Door Assemblies as indicated and specified.

40 A substitution request: For the NorthClad ACM Composite Panel System with Etalbond, please see the attached for more information. Please let us know if this substitution can be considered for review.

07 40 00 Roofing and Siding Panels.p

07 4213.23 - Etalbond.pdf

The contract documents are performance based. Products included in the contract documents are basis of design or equal. Products will be reviewed for compliance during the shop drawing submittal process.

41 ADDITIONAL VA COMMENT CORRECTION to Drawing TT101, General Note A:

The existing nurse call system is a Jeron Provider 790 system. The new nurse call system shall connect to the existing facility-wide Jeron Provider 790 system.

42 ADDITIONAL VA COMMENT:

EP602: The HEAT TRACE is noted by circuits 42,43, 44 in PANEL WNL2 SCHEDULE. This panel is listed on drawing EP701 under POWER RISER

DIAGRAM – NORMAL.

However, HVAC Design Manual section 4.2.5.2 (b)(2) states that heat-tracing circuits to be connected to the EMERGENCY power circuit.

Please clarify.

HVAC Design Manual, section 4.2.5 is for Chilled Water Freeze Protection. The freeze protection that is being provided for the roof drains via circuits WNL2-42, 43 and 44 is not required to be on emergency power per section 4.2.5.2(b)(2).

Provide a 20 amp, 1 pole breaker with Class B equipment ground fault protection in position WEQL-22 and connect Chilled Water heat trace that is indicated by Note 1 on sheet M401.