Tech Questions Tracking Sheet - Chicago Womens Health 7-17-25.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 or a system that matches the specifications and requirements.

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.