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TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND
| SOLICITATION #: |
| 36C77625B0024 |
| RESPONSES TRACKING SHEET |
| PROJECT TITLE: |
| Construct Specialty Care Building, Manchester |
| # |
| CONTRACTOR QUESTION |
| VA RESPONSE |
| 1 |
| Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum? |
Site visit sign-in sheet attached to this amendment (Amendment 0002).
| 2 |
| Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO? |
The site superintendent may not be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO, as required by Specification 01 35 26.
| 3 |
| If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project? |
The SSHO will need to be full-time for this project, as required by Specification 01 35 26. MH3-0.0 shows correct entry to Specialty Care Building. Underground steam piping shall enter building directly into basement pump room. C-5.0 & MS2-0.2 seem to show approximately same entry point to Boiler Plant Building. C-5.0 defers to mechanical drawings for more information. MS2-0.2 shows indoor tie in point relative to existing piping and equipment in the boiler plant.
| 4 |
| Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? |
The superintendent may be a dual hat to cover the requirement for a Contractor Quality Control System Manager, as required by Spec 01 45 00.
Replace Specification 01 45 00, paragraph 3.4.B with the following: “CQC System Manager: Identify as CQC System Manager an individual within the onsite work organization that is responsible for overall management of CQC and has the authority to act in all CQC matter for the Contractor. The CQC System Manager is required to have at least 5 years construction experience on construction similar to the scope of this Contract. The CQC System Manager is on the site at all times during construction and is employed by the General Contractor. Identify in the plan an alternate to serve in the event of the CQC System Manager’s absence. The requirements for the alternate are the same as the CQC System Manager.”
Remove Specification 01 45 00 paragraph 3.4.C in its entirety.
| 5 |
| If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? |
N/A, see response to Question 4.
| 6 |
| Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? |
No. See responses to Questions 2-4 above.
| 7 |
| Please provide the latest wage determination for this project’s county. |
Reference Attachment 2 – DBA Wage Rates – Manchester – 608-315 – NH20250021 03.14.2025 uploaded to SAM.gov on June 30, 2025.
| 8 |
| Please confirm if the current prevailing wages will be consistent for the life of the project with no escalation? |
The applicable wage determination will be issued as part of the contract. Any changes to the effective wage determination will be made via an amendment/modification to the IFB/contract.
| 9 |
| Is there a plan on the drawings that identify the deducts? If, yes please explain what it is. |
Deduct Alternates are listed in Spec 01 00 00. Some deduct alternates have drawing mark-ups attached to Spec 01 00 00. Revised drawings will be provided for deduct alternates taken, if needed.
| 10 |
| Who is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent? |
The VA has already contracted a commissioning agent. DAV Energy Solutions is providing the commissioning for this project.
| 11 |
| Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends? |
Shutdown are required to be performed on off hours, which is outside the hours of 7am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
| 12 |
| Will hydrostatic testing be sufficient on all pipe welds or will x-ray be required? |
Radiographic examination/testing is required for some of the work of this project, refer to the specifications for more details.
Mechanical Piping. See Spec 23 21 13 3-5 Leak Testing Above Ground Piping. X-Ray Not Required.
| 13 |
| If X-ray is required, what percentage of welds and who will be responsible for the cost of testing? |
Refer to the specifications for the percentage of welds that require radiographic examination/testing. The contractor is responsible for the cost of the testing.
| 14 |
| If hydrostatic testing is required will the water necessary for hydrostatic testing of piping systems be provided by the facility? |
Yes, water will be provided by the facility for hydrostatic testing.
| 15 |
| Can discharge water from hydrostatic testing be allowed to go into sewer drains or will the contractor need to provide a frac tank? |
Discharge water from hydrostatic testing is allowed to go into the sewer drains.
| 16 |
| Please confirm if there is assumed asbestos on any piping that is to be removed whether underground or within manholes or buildings? |
There are no known or assumed asbestos-containing materials impacted by this project. If the Contractor encounters any material that they suspect to be asbestos-containing, they shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative immediately and shall not disturb the material without further direction by the VA.
| 17 |
| Will any existing glycol be required to be removed and disposed of by the contractor? If so, can the total volume of glycol be provided? |
No existing equipment containing glycol is expected to be impacted by this project. If glycol removal is required as part of installation of the new equipment called for in the drawings and specifications, the contractor will be responsible for removal and disposal.
| 18 |
| Who is the vendor or contractor currently servicing and maintaining the Building Automation System or Temperature Controls System? |
Johnson Controls.
| 19 |
| RFI, Specification 33 63 00, 2.2D: Would a thermally efficient equivalent thickness of Aerogel/Pyrogel insulation be acceptable so long as its thickness meets or exceeds the thermal performance for that of the specified insulation types? |
Specification 336300 – 2.2D lays out the requirements for the pipe insulation. The proposed product would need to be submitted with information showing that it meets the minimum requirements.
| 20 |
| RFI, Drawing C-5.0: The building entry locations as shown on Drawing C-5.0 for the underground 6”HPS and 3”PC piping are not coordinated with those shown on Drawings MS2-0.2 and MH3-0.0; which drawings depict the correct locations? |
MH3-0.0 shows correct entry to Specialty Care Building. Underground steam piping shall enter building directly into basement pump room. C-5.0 & MS2-0.2 seem to show approximately same entry point to Boiler Plant Building. C-5.0 defers to mechanical drawings for more information. MS2-0.2 shows indoor tie in point relative to existing piping and equipment in the boiler plant.
| 21 |
| With regards to underground utility work how much open trenching be allowed at a time? |
There is not a limit to how much open trenching is allowed, provided that all applicable safety requirements are met. Note that the contractor is required to follow the medical center’s Excavation Management Standard Operating Procedure (attached to Spec 01 35 26), which requires that open excavations be backfilled as soon as possible.
| 22 |
| After backfilling, topsoil and seed have been applied who is responsible for watering? If the contractor is responsible will water be provided by the facility? |
Contractor is responsible for watering in accordance with the specifications. Water will be provided by the facility from existing spigots.
| 23 |
| On all underground utility work please confirm if excavated material is acceptable for re-use as backfill? |
Specifications define what unacceptable soils. Once excavated the CM or Geotechnical Engineer can determine If the material is approved to be re-used as backfill. Costs for replacing unacceptable soils should be carried as part of the base cost.
| 24 |
| Please confirm if the contractor is responsible for any rock removal that is encountered. If so, what is the assumed elevations and quantity of rock material? |
The contractor is responsible for rock/ledge removal as detailed in the contract documents. The drawings specify the quantities of rock/ledge removal to include in the bid. Drawings C-3.0 and S0-1.0 specifically provide quantities to be included in the bid. The Geotechnical Engineering Report is provided as Appendix 2 in the specifications (located near the front of the specification Volume 1).
| 25 |
| Please confirm if a unit price can be established for rock removal as opposed to carrying in bid? |
Rock removal shall be carried in the bid. The firm fixed price contract type does not allow for unit prices. Please see the response to Question 24 for more information on where to find rock removal quantities in the bid documents.
| 26 |
| If an extreme amount of rock is encountered/removed, please confirm if extra time will be added to the contract completion date? |
See the response to Question 24 for the amount of rock/ledge removal to be included in the bid. No extra time will be added to the contract completion date if the amount of rock/ledge removal is less than or equal to the amount required to be included in the bid. If additional rock/ledge removal is required, a contract modification will be negotiated between the VA and the Contractor.
| 27 |
| Please confirm if there is a separate staging area onsite for fill material to be stockpiled for re-use? |
A separate staging area can be provided on the campus. The Contractor will be required to secure the area and to provide appropriate storm water controls for the stockpile.
| 28 |
| Please confirm if an onsite arborist is required for any tree removal or tree protection? |
An arborist is not required.
| 29 |
| Please advise if the site contains any contaminated soil that needs to be removed. |
There is no known contaminated soil to be disturbed as part of this project.
| 30 |
| Please confirm if we will be allowed to keep a locked storage container or conex box within the grounds. |
The contractor will be allowed to keep a locked storage container or conex box on site at a location approved by the VA.
| 31 |
| Will a guard / escort be required at all work areas including but not limited to buildings, outside areas? |
No guard is required. An escort will be required at all times when working the MDF room (the main computer room) and if work is required in other highly sensitive areas. For the most part, however, the contractor is allowed to work on the campus with contractor badges without an escort. The contractor shall schedule work in active areas of the medical center with the COR in advance. A facility service employee is required to be at the facility any time the contractor is working, but is not required to continually escort the contractor.
| 32 |
| To allow sufficient time to review responses and prepare our bid we kindly request that you please extend the bid date. |
The bid response date will NOT be extended and remains August 14, 2025.
| 33 |
| The finishes note Treads/riser with smooth profile. A smooth profile is not available in treads/risers. Is there to be a replacement/substitute? |
Use Hammered Tread/Riser (HNTR)
| 34 |
| The Patcraft LVT flooring has been discontinued. Will there be a substitute? |
The Patcraft flooring was provided as a basis of design. The contractor may propose an equivalent flooring meeting the specification.
| 35 |
| Can the AISC certification for the structural steel fabrication and installation be waived? |
No, the AISC certification will not be waived.
| 36 |
| Are any window treatments or roller shades to be provided? On Drawing Number ID-1.0, in the Miscellaneous Finish Notes, it states the specs for roller shades, but then it also says window treatments shall be owner furnished. Please clarify. |
Window shades to be provided and installed by the contractor. See attached spec section 12 24 00 Window Shades.
| See attached mark ups to drawings SE6-0.1, T2-1.1, and T6-0.1. |
| See attached mark ups to drawings SE6-0.1, T2-1.1, and T6-0.1. |
| Drawings of the Basement and First Floor of the existing Building 1 that the addition will attach to are provided for reference. |
| Drawings of the Basement and First Floor of the existing Building 1 that the addition will attach to are provided for reference. |
| 37 |
| Please specify door hardware sets 3a and 4a and 4.1. |
| Replace Specification 08 71 00 Door Hardware with the attached updated version. Note that the new version contains changes in addition to these three door sets. |
| 38 |
| Is there any exterior signage as none are shown on plans but is described in spec book 10 14 00 – 2.6 Construction B. |
| There is no exterior signage. Make the following changes to spec 10 14 00: |
· Remove paragraph 1.1.B.
· Remove paragraph 2.6.B.
| 39 |
| Is door and door frame protection required. It is not shown on plans but is described in spec book 10 26 13 – 2.5 Door and Frame Protection. |
| Door and door frame protection is not required, unless specifically called for on the door schedule or in the door hardware set. |
| 40 |
| What is the cabinet between the sink and toilet in the staff restrooms meant to be? |
| The cabinet in the staff restrooms is a general storage cabinet. |
| 41 |
| Drawing ID-1.0, under Miscellaneous Finish Notes #9 it states window treatment shall be owner furnished & owner installed. Note #8 refers to window shades. Are we to include window shade pricing in our proposal? Please advise. |
| See response to Question 36. |
| 42 |
| Finish schedule ID-1.0 shows the only floors with sealed concrete as being the basement and penthouse. ID-3.0 lists these floors as CON along with 2 other rooms. Should we assume that all rooms shown as CON on ID-3.0 are sealed concrete? |
| All rooms shown with CON floor finish tag are to be sealed concrete. |
| 43 |
| Please reference note 3 @ A1-3.1, with the hatched area in conjunction with 8/A1-3.3 |
· Please specify the extent required and provide applicable sizing or part numbers.
· Please provide spacing of cross members
· Please confirm this system is only required At the Audio Booth rooms SWA106, 114, 115, 116 & SWA106A, 114A, 115A & 116A. Along with the Audio rooms noted in the plan note, the hatched area also encompasses Programming Fitting Rooms as well as the equipment room.
The intent of Detail 08/A1-3.3 is to demonstrate that a double layer of GWB will be installed just below the roof deck to provide additional acoustic and STC value to the Audiology Department. All mechanical and equipment related connections, hangers, and fasteners shall be to the sub-frame that is suspended from the bottom flange of the structural beam. No hangers will penetrate the double layer of GWB to fasten to the deck above. The sub-frame shall be engineered as defined in the mechanical specifications and Section 13 05 41.
| 44 |
| Please reference A1-3.1 in conjunction with 6/A1-3.3. |
· This section is shown @ three locations.
· The HSS shown at the section is not shown on the Structural plans.
· Please confirm if this is required. If required please provide Sizing (L x W x Tk), as well extent required.
No HSS is required at these locations. Per Section 01/A-3-1.1 and Detail 03/A3-2.1 – a cold-formed boxed beam header will be installed to frame a header across the windows.
| 45 |
| Would it be possible for the VA to publish a list of companies acceptable to the VA for the Audiology Booth portion of this project? |
| The VA will not be furnishing a list of acceptable companies. See Spec 13 21 49, Audiology Booth, for requirements. |
| 46 |
| Cubicle curtains are referenced in the specifications. Yet, I cannot find layout & locations within the plans. Please provide locations such that I can properly price this item. |
| Cubicle curtains are located in Room SWA148, Imaging. |
| 47 |
| With respect to the project bid construction schedule and the ongoing uncontrollable impacts to the supply chain, shortages of products and long lead times, we assume the Construction Manager and/or General Contractor has or shall take these long lead times into account when providing their CPM schedules to the Owner, to confirm the as-bid electrical work can be performed within the contract duration. |
| A schedule is not required to be submitted with the bid. A schedule is required after contract award and shall include lead times for long lead items. |
| 48 |
| Some designs require equipment with long lead times. Examples of long lead time equipment are Switchgear, Transformers, Generators, VFD’s, Metering, MCC’s, and the electronic components of many telecom systems. Because there are no remedies in the bid document at this time, financial or otherwise, to correct potential long lead times, please confirm the Electrical Engineer has considered equipment lead times when designing the most available equipment and specified products and has received confirmation of product timely availability to meet the contract end date. |
| The two-year period of performance accounts for a projected contract award in the fall and assumes that a weather-tight structure will not be possible by winter. The extra time allotted to account for the timing of the contract award also allows a significant buffer for long lead times. The contractor is expected to actively manage long-lead items, including accounting for the lead times on their Critical Path Method schedule, confirming lead times at the start of the project, updating lead times regularly throughout the project, submitting on long-lead items as early possible, contacting multiple suppliers, etc. If, despite active management of the long-lead items, there are items with lead times that will not allow for contract completion within the contract’s period of performance, the VA will work with the contractor and the A/E to identify alternatives or appropriately resolve the issue. In that case, the contractor will be required to show the steps they have taken to actively manage the long-lead items. |
| 49 |
| The signage floor plan calls out sign types A1 & A2. But the sign standards do not reference these sign types. What type of sign in the sign standards should we use? |
| Type A1 signs shall be as described in Spec 10 14 00 paragraph 3.1.A.1. |
Type A2 and Type A3 signs shall be as described in Spec 10 14 00 paragraph 3.1.A.3.
| 50 |
| I am hearing from subcontractors the roof safety rails have been changed to a permanent application. I have seen nothing referencing this possible change. Please advise. |
| The roof rails are shown as a permanent application in the construction documents, including on Drawing S1-1.2 and SS2-2.0 and in specification 05 50 00. Switching to ballasted rails that sit on top of the roof is Deduct Alternate 9. |
| 51 |
| 1/S4-2.1 suggests there are angles under the slab but nothing is called out or shown. Is this a mistake? |
| The angles shown in this section are required. They are cast into the top of the concrete walls to provide a bearing surface for the metal decking and the deck would then get tack welded to the embedded angles. The size of the angles should be listed as a L2x2x1/4 and they should have headed studs (1/2” diameter x 4” at 24” o.c.) welded to the inside corner of the angle to rigidly lock the angle to the top of the concrete wall. |
| 52 |
| The moment frame connections are confusing as noted and are going to add a lot of extra costs. Please confirm that this is the procedure they want to follow. |
| The Lateral Force Resisting System (LFRS) for this building are the Steel Moment Frames around the building perimeter, thus the moment connections shown on the structural plans are required. Our typical detail for the steel moment connections is an industry standard to provide ductile detailing for these connections. |
| 53 |
| “FT-1 on schedule page MH0-0.4 calls for the flash tank to be 13 gallons. If you go to the detail for the flash tank on page MH6-0.5, the smallest tank listed is 16 gallon. Please confirm the size of tank that is expected.” |
| Size per the length and diameter given on the Flash Tank Schedule MH0-0.4 (40in length x 12in Diameter = ~19.5 gallons (or equivalent volume dimensions)). |
The detail (a VA Standard Detail) is used to show connections, valves, accessories etc. and its schedule within is an approximate size reference chart.
| 54 |
| Could you please provide model numbers for the toilet accessories. I didn’t see them listed on the plans or specs. |
| VA does not require specific manufacturer/model for toilet accessories; they need to meet the specifications. Reference the Accessory Schedule on Drawing A1-2.5 and Specification 10 28 00 Toilet, Bath, and Laundry Accessories, for more information. |
| 55 |
| Please provide manufacturer & model number for the Audiology Booth. |
| The VA does not require a specific manufacturer/model for the Audiology Booths; they need to meet the specifications. Reference Specification 13 21 49 Audiology Booth. Basis of Design was ETS Lindgren model RS-252 and RS-253. |
| 56 |
| We do see in room SWA148 Imaging on drawing E3.1.1 for the tracks, but we don’t see any drawings for the tracks and privacy curtains for the exam rooms that are generally at the door. Please advise if the exam rooms will need tracks and curtains? |
| There are no tracks or curtains in the exam rooms. |
| 57 |
| Per key note 2 on drawing MP2-0.1 the radiant ceiling panel is to be provided as a deduct alternate. Please confirm that the radiant panel equipment and all pertinent pipe, valves, and fittings are to be included in this deduct. |
| Remove key note 2 from drawing MP2-0.1. There is no deduct alternate for radiant panels. |
| 58 |
| Per key note 1 on drawing MP2-0.2 ACC-2 is to be priced as a deduct alternate. Please confirm that ACC-2 and all pertinent pipe, valves, and fittings are to be included in this deduct. |
| Please refer Specification 01 00 00 General Requirements for the description of deduct alternates. Paragraph 1.3 describes the deduct alternates and associated drawing mark-ups providing additional detail are attached at the end of the specification. Deduct Alternate No. 8 is “Remove equipment and all power wiring for HVAC associated with redundant penthouse and rooftop units, as indicated on the plans and diagrams.” ACC-2 and all pertinent pipe, valves, and fittings are to be included in Deduct Alternate No. 8. |
| 59 |
| Per key note 1 on drawing MH3-0.0 ACC-4 is to be priced as a deduct alternate. Please confirm that ACC-4 and all pertinent pipe, valves, and fittings are to be included in this deduct. |
| Please refer Specification 01 00 00 General Requirements for the description of deduct alternates. Paragraph 1.3 describes the deduct alternates and associated drawing mark-ups providing additional detail are attached at the end of the specification. Deduct Alternate No. 10 is “Remove Pump room/Basement from project. Equipment in pump room would be provided in a manhole/vault as described in the marked up drawing attached to the end of this specification.” ACC-4 will not be needed if the basement is removed. Include ACC-4 and all pertinent pipe, valves, and fitting in Deduct Alternate No. 10. |
| 60 |
| Please provide the sizes and quantities of the glass to be covered for the GL-2 film on the existing windows (ID-2.0) |
| See attached select drawings from the construction of the existing building for dimensions of the existing windows. |
| 61 |
| Deduct alternates provided in the drawings are not matching with the Specification section 01 00 00 & bid form. Please advise. |
| The deduct alternates in Specification 01 00 00, including the marked-up drawings attached to the specification, and the bid form are correct and are the ones that should be used. |
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