Att 10 - Tech Questions - Grand Junction Data Center - FINAL.pdf
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- Attached to
- 575-221 - EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades Construction - Tier 2 Data Center - Grand Junction, CO Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 36C77625B0038
About this file
This document is a Technical Questions and Responses Tracking Sheet for VA Solicitation #36C77625B0038, concerning the construction of a Tier 2 Data Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. The document contains 52 detailed questions from potential contractors and corresponding VA responses covering a wide range of technical, logistical, and procedural aspects of the project. Key topics include micropile testing requirements, tax considerations, safety and quality control staffing, sustainable construction requirements, systems integration (such as Metasys monitoring and alarming), access control systems, fire suppression, and various technical specifications for electrical, mechanical, and security systems. The VA provides specific guidance on each question, often referring contractors to specific specification sections or attachments for additional details, and maintains a clear stance on project requirements such as not scaling back sustainable construction requirements and expecting contractors to meet all specified standards.
The responses reveal critical project details, including that the project involves constructing a new data center with new equipment, requires integration with existing systems like JCI-P2000 access control and Notifyer fire alarm systems, and involves potential hazardous material abatement. The VA emphasizes that contractors must provide their own studies and reports, such as geotechnical and soils reports, and must comply with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. The project appears to be a design-bid-build contract with specific requirements for documentation, systems monitoring, and technical specifications across multiple engineering disciplines.
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TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SOLICITATION #: 36C77625B0038
RESPONSES TRACKING SHEET PROJECT TITLE: 575-221 Construct Data Center – Grand Junction, CO
# CONTRACTOR QUESTION VA RESPONSE
1 Can you provide a copy of the geotechnical report that is referenced on the General Notes?
Yes. See Att 12. Contractors are still required to provide own study.
2 Page 7 appears to be missing from the micropiles specifications, can you please issue a complete set?
Page 31 63 33 – 7 is present in the SPECs.
3 The micropile specifications indicate ALL micropiles are to be Proof Tested. Is this the intent? This seems to be an excessive amount of Proof Testing (FHWA recommends 5%). The Micropile General notes only indicate a single Verification Test is to be performed and do not mention Proof Testing. Please clarify the testing requirements.
All micropiles shall be assumed to require proof testing.
The Contractor shall include a per-unit cost for proof testing in the bid form or cost breakdown, so this scope may be revised via deductive change order if the requirement is modified post-award.
4 I can’t find any specs on the blast proof windows and glazing.
Is there anywhere where glass size, window types, etc. can be seen in the plans that I missed? Also, on the door schedule I could not confirm that if any of them have any glass/glazing.
See spec 08 56 53.
No windows and glazing. Doors do not have glass/glazing.
5 Is this project tax-exempt and if so, will a certificate be issued?
No. See Special Note regarding FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes in the solicitation on page 59. It is solely the responsibility of the offeror to include all state and local sales or use taxes for construction materials, and all other applicable taxes, in their bid or proposal price.
6 FAR 52.232-5(b)(2) states that the Contracting Officer may authorize payment for materials not yet incorporated into the work. VAAR 852.232-70(d) similarly notes that the Contracting Officer will consider such payments as part of monthly progress payments. However, we have encountered Contracting Officers who interpret this language to mean payment is optional and choose not to approve payment for uninstalled or stored materials. Can the VA confirm whether payment for uninstalled or stored materials will be authorized on this project? If not, it’s critical that contractors are made aware during bidding so they can account for storage, insurance, and carrying costs in their proposals.
In accordance with contract terms and conditions, Contractors should not submit an offer assuming the Government will approve monthly progress payments for material and/or equipment procured by the Contractor and stored on the construction site, as space is available, or at a local approved location off the site.
Payment of stored materials and/or equipment is at the Contracting Officer’s discretion and will be handled on a case-by-case basis during the contract and under such terms and conditions as the Contracting Officer approves.
7 Quality Control Manager required to be onsite full time with no other duties?
QCM manager does not need to be full time.
8 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?
The position does not need to be full time.
9 SSHO – Is the Site Safety and Health Officer required to be onsite full time with no other duties?
See SPEC 01 35 26 1.7.C.
10 Sustainable Construction Requirements – This is very comprehensive and costly. Will the government consider scaling this back to fit the scope of the project?
No.
11 Change order pricing – will change orders be approved with the standard 10% OH +10% profit?
Please see VAAR 852.243-70 on page 90 of the Solicitation document.
12 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 by identified on the demolition drawings?
All known major demolition work required for this project has been listed/depicted in these contract documents.
13 Is there any clearly defined scope of work that falls under delegated design, requiring the contractor to handle the design and engineering? Delegated design can be challenging for general contractors, as it requires completing design and engineering before bidding to accurately estimate costs. If any items are considered delegated design, please either include them in the construction design package or provide a detailed list here.
Contract is design-bid-build.
14 Are there any badging requirements for construction workers? If so, what are they? Will every worker need to be badged or just team leaders/escorts? If the VA takes an unreasonable amount of time to process badges, can temporary daily or weekly badges be used until permanent badges are processed?
See SPEC 01 00 00 1.6.B.
15 Is the contractor responsible for supplying a Submittal Exchange type website?
See SPEC 01 33 23 1.6.D.
16 Will the Schedule of Values and Pay Applications need to be cost loaded to match the project schedule?
See SPEC 01 32 16.15 1.6.A.
17 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. All specifications shall be met.
18 B01-M300 – B45-M300 Who is responsible for TAB?
Are the controls on existing units that are removed to be reused if possible?
Keynote 108 – Who is responsible for this?
Are new in-line fans to be controlled and/or monitored by
BAS?
See SPEC 23 05 934 1.5.B.
These questions do not relate to Project 575-221.
19 M501 Are new CRACs coming with a BACNet MSTP or IP communication Card?
Can you please provide information on the communication card?
Please provide information on the MAU BACNet Gateway?
These questions do not relate to Project 575-221.
20 M600 Who is responsible for installing the controls for each FCU and for each condensing unit?
Is there a central controller that all the FCU’s will be reporting to?
Who is responsible for the humidity sensors and so they need to report to Metasys?
What is controlling the control valves on the FCU’s?
Does there need to be any monitoring or alarming to the condensing units for each FCU?
These questions do not relate to Project 575-221.
21 As it relates to the Metasys system, is the only work to monitor and alarm each FCU?
Yes, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming
22 We are wanting to put in a number for the access control on this project along with the network and fiber but we can’t seem to find anywhere in the specifications, Physical Security, and Resiliency Design Manual what or if there is an existing system we need to tie together.
We cannot see in the OEHRM Joint Security Architecture which systems are existing.
The existing access control system is JCI-P2000.
POC tom.cotner@jci.com
23 Is any of the work part of a collective bargaining agreement?
Please confirm this project can be non-union.
No. Please follow the Davis-Bacon wage requirements.
24 Is the Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center a federal facility?
VA Western Colorado Health Care System is a federal facility.
mailto:tom.cotner@jci.com
25 Please confirm state/local trade licenses are not required for electricians, cable installers or any other workers for this project since it is a federal facility.
All SPEC 26 05 11 requirements shall be met.
26 Is this project tax exempt? Should state and local taxes be included in the total price?
Please see response to question #5.
27 Should the price include all new data center equipment in our bid? Will any of the existing data center equipment be reused in the upgraded facility?
Yes to the first question. No to the second question. See narrative and sequencing requirements. New data center must be up and running before pulling over new connections from existing data center to new.
28 There are two EHRM Projects for bid- Please advise timeline of award for both bids. Does VA intend to award both projects and start construction at the same timeframe?
Each project is its own entity and shall be treated separately.
29 Hazardous Material Survey Report- The plans show areas for Asbestos Abatement. Please provide Asbestos/hazardous material survey report for the EHRM Tier 2 project.
Please see Att 11.
30 The plan notes seem to indicate possible locations of Hazardous Materials. In the absence of a hazardous survey report are we bidding on the project to include inspection for existing hazmat materials of floors and walls?
(Asbestos/Lead paint).
Please see question 29.
31 CRAC Units- Are the CRAC units to be controlled by the Metasys BAS or just monitored by the existing Metasys
BMS?
Yes, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming.
32 CRAC Units- Is the refrigerant pump package to be monitored and/or controlled by existing Metasys BMS?
Yes, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming.
33 VRF System- Is Metasys connection to the factory controls for monitoring only?
Yes, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming.
34 VRF System- Will JCI Metasys be expected to control the individual indoor and outdoor VRF units?
Yes, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming.
35 Ductless System- Is Metasys connection to the factory controls for monitoring only?
Yes, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming.
36 Ductless System- Will JCI Metasys be expected to control the individual indoor and outdoor ductless units?
No, system is to run under it's own controls with Metasys monitoring and alarming.
37 Duct Heater- Does the duct heater and its thermostat need to be connected to Metasys?
The simplest solution is typical to provide a separate sensor in the space for monitoring and alarming.
38 Reference specification section 01 00 00 – 1.26 Photographic Documentation Can the contractor QC manager serve as the photographer if they meet the requirement of having experience photographing construction projects. The term “Commercial Photographer” is vague, has no licensing requirements or any other information required.
Photographic documentation photographer shall meet the specifications.
39 Is there a proprietary Cameras at the facility? If so, please provide the company name and point of contact.
Video Systems is a combination of system throughout the property. No Maintenance.
40 Reference Drawing S-003 Soils Construction Inspection:
Please provide the soils report referenced in the Soils Construction Inspection Table.
Yes. See Att 13. Contractor is still required to provide own soils report.
41 Reference Specification 02 82 11 – Traditional Asbestos Abatement and 02 83 33.13 – Lead Based Paint Removal and Disposal:
Please provide the hazardous material reports for Building 34.
Please Identify the locations of the asbestos and lead based paint Abatement for the project.
Please see question 29.
42 Drawing ET601 shows 1 – 24 strand single mode fiber being ran from MDA-B-005 to Bldg 33 fiber patch panel. Can the VA please provide the distance between those two sets of equipment to get the fiber length?
Review sheet ES101 and other drawings to determine length. Drawings are scaled for this purpose. We will not provide any lengths for bidding purposes.
43 What is the existing facility access control system? See response to 22.
44 NOVEC 1230 not currently produced, we can source alternative SF1230, is that acceptable?
Yes. Clean agent system comparable is acceptable.
45 What is manufacture of current fire alarm systems? (air sampler)
Notifyer Systems
46 What will be height to deck in rm 103? 12’11”
47 Verify there’s only one entry/exit and that’s to exterior of building.
At the end of this project there shall be two exits.
48 Does new suppression panel need to monitor sprinkler system? Not common unless there’s a pre-action system.
The new clean agent system will need a new releasing panel located in Tele/Elec
103. See sheet FA101.
49 281300 Physical Access Control System, 281600 Intrusion Detection System & 282300 Video Surveillance: We are adding to the existing PACS, IDS and Video Surveillance systems. Are there existing maintenance contractors for these systems? If so, can you please provide the contact information for the maintenance contractors? Will additional licenses be needed for cameras?
PACS - no existing maintenance. VA Engineering maintained.
Intrusion Detection is LYNX on the software side for support. VA Engineering maintained.
Video Systems is a combination of system throughout the property. No Maintenance. Yes, the contractor shall provide new license for any equipment added to the existing system.
50 283100 – Fire Alarm & Detection: We are adding to the existing fire alarm system. Is there an existing maintenance contractor for the fire alarm system? If so, can you please provide the contact information for the maintenance contractor?
Notifyer Systems
51 Is all work to be performed during regular business hours? Please see SPEC 01 00 00 1.2.I.
52 ED102, please locate panel EDP1. Panel EDP1 is located in room 1235, not room 1240. See Att 13 - Addendum 1 drawing.
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