Technical Questions Spreadsheet - FINAL - Seattle - 10-15-25.pdf

CONSTRUCT NEW SPINAL CORD INJURY SPACE

Project Number: 663-310

Project Location: VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle, WA

CONTRACTOR PRE-BID QUESTIONS

DATE

RECEIVED

DISCIPLINE TOPIC QUESTION RESPONSE

RESPONSE

BY

RESPONSE

DATE

1 7/10/2025 General The Request for Proposal (RFP) does not mention Liquidated Damages. Are there

Liquidated Damages and if so, how much are they?

Liquidated damages are not part of the solicitation and will not be contained in any subsequent award. This solicitation is an Invitation for Bid (IFB), not an RFP.

VA COR 7/10/2025

2 7/28/2025 General

Section 01 00 00.1.2.B. This paragraph states "All proposals shall include a detailed cost breakdown (materials, labor, and equipment) by trade, specification division and section; lump sum costs are not acceptable."; however, the price schedule only requires a single lump sum total for Item Number 0001. Please confirm that no pricing breakdown is required to be submitted with the bid proposal.

No pricing breakdown is required with bid pricing. Follow the instructions contained in the

“Notice” found below the PRICE/COST SCHEDULE in the solicitation.

VA COR 7/31/2025

3 7/25/2025 Elec

Why is the government specifying a Rauland compatible solution for this small area when the entire Nurse call system for the hospital is on the schedule for replacement?

Wouldn’t a more efficient approach be to have this solution procured after the hospital

NC solution is chosen?

For contracting purposes, all projects are considered independent of one another. The contractor may propose an alternative equitable system, with the proposed system being evaluated through the RFI process post-award.

VA COR 7/31/2025

4 7/28/2025 Arch Courtyard

AD101, Keynote 4. Drawings instruct the contractor to remove the courtyard pavers and existing waterproofing/roofing down to the concrete topping slab prior to beginning vertical construction. Vertical construction starts with the framed floor system sitting directly onto the topping slab. This will expose the interstitial and basement levels to water intrusion throughout construction until the new building addition can be roofed and “dried-in”.

Can the existing roof system beneath the courtyard pavers be left in place and vertical construction would rest upon that roof system?

If not, how is the contractor to keep the entire courtyard watertight to protect the levels below during construction without the protective roof system in place?

The existing roof system beneath the courtyard cannot be left in place based on the structural and architectural design. The design team recognizes that removal of the existing waterproofing system will expose the interstitial and basement level to potential water intrusion; however, as to how those areas are protected during construction is considered means and methods and will depend on how the contractor choses to complete the work. A few possible options include sequenced construction, temporary water proofing system, temporary overhead weather protection, temporary water diversion/drainage control.

An additional note has been added to AD101 for further scope clarification: "Contractor shall provide and maintain temporary waterproofing protection at exposed slab areas to prevent water intrusion into occupied or finished spaces during construction. Temporary system shall be removed prior to installation of permanent waterproofing."

AB 10/2/2025

5 7/28/2025 FP

Are fire sprinkler plans of the existing sprinkler system in the adjacent building available? In order to perform hydraulic calculations plans showing the routing of the sprinkler mains back to the source will be required.

The Station does not seem to have current sprinkler plans of the adjacent building on file.

Please utilize best rough estimates for bid, including whatever potential efforts are necessary to verify site conditions.

VA COR 7/31/2025

6 7/28/2025 FP

On Sheet F-102 there are several notes that say to see sheet F-104 for continuation, but no F-104 sheet is included with the bid set. Is this sheet available?

F-102 was improperly numbered; it has now been updated to correctly be F-104. This now also matches the Drawing Index on GI102. Please note, there is no F-101 and F-102 as those sheets were for the renovation portion of the project, which has since been removed from scope.

AB 10/7/2025

7 7/28/2025 FP

Fire Sprinkler:

Note 2 on F-102 points to the fire main and says main from Fire Riser 5 and the keynote says to provide a separate sprinkler control zone.

Is Fire Riser 5 the riser located in Stair #1 1A-S01?

Is the intent to locate the new zone control valves in that stairwell adjacent to the existing controls, and to install a new bulk main in the hallway to the addition?

The drawings only call for a modification to the existing piping to avoid conflict with the door opening. There are no new bulk mains, control valves, or zone control valves.

MK 8/11/2025

8 7/28/2025 Arch Doors /

Hardware

Doors/Hardware:

Door #’s 117, 118, 119 & 124 all have a note on the door schedule saying that they have auto operators, but the hardware groups they are each a part of do not include operators.

Will these doors have operators on them or not? (I am assuming Door #’s 117, 118 &

119 do not have operators since they are shown as sliding doors on the floor plans, but I am not sure about Door #124 since it is a single swing door – which also doesn’t match the “pair” note on the door schedule.).

Doors 117, 118, and 119 are sliding, and were incorrectly labeled in the door schedule comments as having automatic door operators. Door 124 is a single swing door and was also incorrectly labeled in the door schedule comments as a pair, and having an automatic door operator.

The following updates have been included in an ASI:

1) Automatic operator has been removed from doors 117, 118, 119, and 124 in the door schedule comments.

2) Pair has been removed from door 124 in the door schedule comments.

3) Door schedule comments for doors 117, 118, and 119 now say 'Sliding'.

AB 8/19/2025

9 7/28/2025 Arch Doors /

Hardware

Doors/Hardware:

The hardware groups are unclear about if the pairs of doors will have one or both leafs operated. Could you please clarify?

Both leaves are to be operable. A general note has been added on sheet A-602 stating "Both door leaves are to be operable unless otherwise noted."

AB 8/19/2025

10 7/28/2025 Arch Equipment

Elevator (Section 14):

1.3 Qualifications

A 3) Please provide the examination approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. MCI

Elevator and our Installation mechanics are licensed by the State of Washington Labor &

Industries. Will this suffice?

E) MCI installers are factory trained. Manuals, Wiring diagrams, Owners manuals, and related documents will be provided once the installation is complete.

F) NA This references commercial elevators.

1.3, A, 3 - Yes; the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recognizes state-approved apprenticeship programs and certifications that meet federal standards. Washington State

L&I exam and licensing process is aligned with DOL standards.

1.3, F - This bullet point has been removed from 14 24 00 -Hydraulic Lift.

AB 9/25/2025

11 7/28/2025 Struct

Section 01 45 35 Special Inspections. Paragraph 1.4., H.

Question: Are any of the listed conditions present in this project that would trigger the requirement for a Special Inspector of Record (SIOR) and if so, which condition(s)?

Special inspection is required per Paragraph H.1. Seismic Design Category D and Risk

Category 4. See SF-002 for Special Inspections Schedule & requirements.

CH 8/19/2025

12 7/28/2025 Struct 01 45 35, 1.4. Definitions. This paragraph provides a list of definitions that may or may not apply to this project. Which of the definitions do or do not apply to this project?

This is a reference section of the spec. Please only refer to definitions as needed for terms used throughout the project contract drawings and specifications.

AB 8/19/2025

13 7/28/2025 General

Section 010000.1.17.C and D. Part D states that electricity will be provided for contractor use at no cost to the contractor. Based on this provided service at no cost, metering as called for in Part C seems unnecessary. Please confirm that electrical metering and monitoring as called for in this specification section is not required.

Bidders should plan estimates around utilizing metering and monitoring as outlined in the specs, though the need to could be waived at the discretion of the contracting officer and/or project engineer during the actual commencement of the project.

VA COR 8/20/2025

14 7/28/2025 General

Section 010000.1.22. In lieu of the hard copy and disc requirements of this section, please confirm that it is acceptable for all photo documentation to occur digitally via electronic transfer (such as email), essentially utilizing modern cell phones and modern data transfer tools.

It may be possible to utilize Procore or other digital documentation/project managements services during the completion of the project. However, if it would influence bidding, assume the need to deliver some kind of physical backup such as printed pictures or some storage medium.

VA COR 8/20/2025

15 7/28/2025 General

It does not appear that an exterior staging, lay-down, storage area is provided to the contractor during construction. There will be large, heavy materials and equipment that may need access and to be stored onsite to facilitate construction and maintain the construction schedule, such as multiple cranes, lifts, structural steel members, HVAC equipment, roofing materials, etc. A staging/ lay-down area adjacent to the existing

Energy Plant Building is requested to support this project. Please confirm this area is acceptable for contractor use throughout construction.

From a legal perspective, at this time the Station cannot promise or commit to any specific laydown area being available for this project. However, laydown area will be arranged and will be coordinated between Station and Contractor staff to make use of the best space available at the time of contract start up.

VA COR 8/20/2025

16 7/28/2025 Arch Equipment Drawing A-605. Please confirm items designated "CC" are contractor furnished and contractor installed and "VC" are government furnished and contractor installed.

AE has coordinated furnished and installed by column with the VA and all SCID TIL requirements. VA COR confirms this to be the case.

AB

VA COR

8/19/2025

17 7/28/2025 Arch Courtyard

Drawing AD101, Key Note #3 calls for the salvage and reinstallation of concrete pavers.

However, other locations throughout the architectural drawings (such as detail 5/A-511) call for new pavers over adjustable pedestals. Please confirm that the contractor should assume salvage and reinstallation of existing concrete pavers and pedestals.

Please provide new pavers and pedestals. AD101/3 has been revised to read "Demo existing concrete pavers and support system."

AB 9/25/2025

18 7/28/2025 Struct, Arch Courtyard

Going through the hospital to install large steel (24x192) beneath the courtyard slab lacks constructability due to their size and weight. These will require holes to be cut into the courtyard slab and then lowered by crane into the hospital space. Please provide details on cutting, removing, and patching back the courtyard slab.

Penetrations for access are not anticipated. The W24x192 sections shown on SF-101 are to be added above the existing framing level. An HSS 12x12x5/8 (93.4 pounds per ft x roughly

18 ft’) is being placed within the existing space. D10/SF-301 shows the connection of the two elements through the existing framing system, as well as the connection of the lower

HSS to the existing concrete wall running along Grid NE/459-9. The connection between the added HSS and existing concrete SOG below is sim to F2/SF-301. The above pertains only to columns at the intersection of Grids NE/459-9 & SE/38-0. Other added columns above

Level 1 land on existing framing below, not requiring foundation work within the existing building.

CH 8/19/2025

19 8/6/2025 General, Struct Crane

Due to the worksite location being surrounded by hospital buildings, the Structural Steel and other materials will have to be lifted and swung over the top of those existing hospital buildings before being placed/assembled. Please confirm this is acceptable.

Station Engineering staff are aware of the difficulty of the lift conditions: while a thorough lift and safety plan will have to be in place before operations proceed, it is ultimately known and acceptable that operations will have to occur over existing buildings.

VA COR 8/20/2025

20 8/6/2025 Struct, Arch Walls

We could not find any specifications for the plywood sheathing in and around the structure. A-603 Wall Type D1 says “Fire-Treated Plywood Sheathing per Structural”.

Wall Type A1 says “Plywood Sheathing per Structural”. Wall Type J1 also says “Plywood

Sheathing per Structural”. Structural Drawings provide no guidance regarding these wall types and plywood. Questions:

1) Is all plywood fire-treated on this project?

2) Where in Architecturally referenced Structural Drawings will we find plywood specifications or other needed information to build from?

All plywood is to be fire treated. Please see comment response #31.

Please also see comment response #23 and #24. AB

CH

9/30/2025

21 8/6/2025 Struct Walls Shearwalls SW2 & SW3 on sheet SF-505 appear to be identical. Please clarify what is different.

SW3s have 8” studs. SW3 shear wall is at the NE corner of the building. Please see SF-101. CH 8/19/2025

22 8/6/2025 Struct

On SF-101 the callout for the floor indicates Structo-Crete floor on light gauge over-framing at 4’0” OC over existing structure top of floor. Elevation 100’ 0” See C1/SF-301 for stud framing supporting 600S200-43 at 16 oc. We have 2 questions here:

1) C1/SF-301 calls our 400S137-33 studs for the structural pony walls that occur 4’ oc.

This seems like a very light gauge, please confirm this is correct.

2) 600S200-43 seems to be the callout for the 1st floor, floor joists. This seems to be a very light gauge also, please confirm and provide maximum lengths and splicing details.

The 18-gauge floor framing (600S200-43 @ 16” oc) is adequate to span between pony walls that are spaced at 4’-0” across the project area. The pony walls are 3’-0” tall max per C1-

SF301 and constructed of 20-gauge 400S137-33 studs @ 16” oc.

CH 8/19/2025

23 8/6/2025 Struct, Arch Walls

The west wall of Transitional Apartment is Shearwall SW-2 in the structural plans, and is a D1 in the architectural, which is a 2-hr CH shaft system. Please provide detail how these interact or which applies and how.

Architectural and Structural have now better coordinated. A 6" CH stud is acceptable for structural shear. and Architectural has updated D1 to no longer include plywood, but instead a shear steel sheet. Please note, structural shear steel sheets are now shown on inside face of stud to work in conjunction with the 2-HR CH shaft system. Please see A-603.

AB

CH

9/30/2025

24 8/6/2025 Struct, Arch Walls

Wall types A1 and J1 call out plywood “see structural”. These walls appear to be potentially wind-bearing, but I don’t see them detailed structurally, nor the sheathing type called out. Please provide structural details for exterior wall framing and substrate.

Architectural and Structural have now better coordinated wall types. Architectural plywood sheathing has been removed on A1 and J1. Shear metal sheets per structural are now shown on D1, F2, G2, H2, and K1. Please see A-603, SF101 and D6/SF505.

AB

CH

9/30/2025

25 8/6/2025 General

The period of performance is extremely short for a project of this logistics, magnitude and complexity and will likely not be able to be constructed within the 300 day period of performance. To understand what we're up against... When does the 300 day period begin? At award? At acceptance of bonds and insurance (typically 10-days following award)? At acceptance/approval of all submittals including shop drawings, preconstruction QC, safety, environmental, crane, abatement, and other work plans? Or when all the above are complete plus the structural steel is in-hand? When does the period of performance clock start running?

Period of Performance begins at the issuance date of the Notice to Proceed. VA COR 7/31/2025

26 8/6/2025 General

The period of performance is extremely short for a project of this logistics, magnitude and complexity and will likely not be able to be constructed within the 300 day period of performance. To understand what we're up against… When does the 300-day period of performance end? At Beneficial Occupancy (BOD) or Substantial Completion when the

VA would have use of the facility? At Final Commissioning? At acceptance of final closeout documentation including as-built drawings, O&M manuals, warranty plans, and other administrative closeout documentation? Or at some other final documentation acceptance?

The contract period of performance is meant to encapsulate the completion of all contracting actions, meaning any and all deliverables and administrative documentation must have been received and accepted by the VA by this date.

VA COR 8/20/2025

27 8/6/2025 General

The pre-construction and steel erection periods together alone will exceed 6 months.

Based on this assessment, we are requesting that the contract Period of Performance be extended out. 300 days to complete a project of this complexity is not achievable.

Please provide an updated Period of Performance.

An updated period of performance cannot be provided at this time of the solicitation.

Adjustment of the exact schedule and timeline can be discussed as part of the contact award/pre-construction process; bidders are advised to submit price proposals based off of the scope of the project rather than this roughly estimated timetable.

VA COR 8/20/2025

28 8/7/2025 General

The period of performance is extremely short for a project of this magnitude and complexity and complicated logistics and will likely not be able to be completed within the 300 day period of performance. With the preconstruction period post award anticipated to be 90-days before mobilization, including steel shop drawings and fabrication, and with steel erection alone taking 60-days would only leave 4 months to construct the entire project, minus steel with a 30-day commissioning and performance verification testing period at the end. We need more time to construct and request the

Period of Performance be extended from 300 days to 420 days. Is that acceptable?

See response to previous question. An updated period of performance cannot be provided at this time of the solicitation but adjustment of the exact schedule and timeline can be discussed as part of the award/pre-construction process.

VA COR 8/20/2025

29 8/7/2025 Arch Specs

What are the specifications for Cabinets & Countertops? Elevation views of the

Transitional Apartment call out "Solid Surface Countertops & Casework". There are no specifications for Cabinets and Countertops. Please provide.

Please see 12 36 00 - Countertops for solid surface countertops.

Drawings have been updated to correctly callout plastic laminate cabinets on AI452.

Specification section 12 32 00 - Manufactured Wood Casework has been added to specify the cabinets.

AB 9/16/2025

30 8/7/2025 Arch Specs There are no specifications for the project's Finish Carpentry components. And example where needed… F3/AI471. Please provide.

06 20 00 - Finish Carpentry has been added. AB 9/16/2025

31 8/7/2025 Arch Specs

What are the specifications for Rough Carpentry? All the plywood sheathing, all the blocking and PT treated can’t, etc. There are no specifications for any of the wood.

Please provide wood specifications.

06 10 00 - Rough Carpentry has been added. AB 9/16/2025

32 8/7/2025 Arch Swisspearl

What are the specifications for the Exterior Panel Siding System? Drawings and Section

09 06 00, say Swisspearl, or Swisspearl Standard Panel. Section 09 06 00 also references Section 08 44 13 Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls as the specification section to utilize; however, there is no Section 08 44 13. So, there are no specifications for the entire exterior panel system. Please provide specifications for the Exterior Panel

Siding System.

Exterior panel siding is now specified in 07 40 00 - Siding Panels. Section 09 06 00 -

Schedule for Finishes has also been revised to properly reference section 07 40 00.

Separately, 08 44 13 - Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls has been added to account for the exterior glazing curtain wall system, and finishes have been properly indicated in 09 06 00.

AB 9/18/2025

33 8/7/2025 Arch Swisspearl

Exterior Wall Panel System and government Justification & Approval (J&A). Drawings and

Section 09 06 00, say Swisspearl, or Swisspearl Standard Panel. Section 09 06 00 also references Section 08 44 13 Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls as the specification section to utilize however, there is no Section 08 44 13. So, there are no specifications for the entire exterior panel system, leading us to believe we must use Swisspearl panels of some sort.

Question: Has the exterior wall panel system Swisspearl Carat, gone through the

Justification & Approval (J&A) process as a sole-source "must use" system for this project per FAR regulations for non-competitive acquisitions?

The basis of design for the exterior panel siding has been updated to James Hardie's Hardie

Architectural Siding Panels throughout all drawings and specifications. This product is now mentioned as a basis of design only; equal and approved alternates are acceptable.

Please also see comment response #32.

AB 9/18/2025

34 8/7/2025 Arch Swisspearl

Exterior Wall Panel System, Swisspearl and the Buy American Act. Drawings and Section

09 06 00, say Swisspearl, or Swisspearl Standard Panel. Section 09 06 00 also references Section 08 44 13 Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls as the specification section to utilize however, there is no Section 08 44 13. So, there are no specifications for the entire exterior panel system, leading us to believe we must use Swisspearl panels of some sort. Swisspearl is a Swiss company with production only in Austria, the

Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, and Slovenia.

Question: Has this panel been vetted by the government and does the Swisspearl exterior panel system meet all Buy American Requirements as required for this project?

The basis of design for the exterior panel siding has been updated to James Hardie's Hardie

Architectural Siding Panels throughout all drawings and specifications. This product meets the Buy American Act.

Please also see comment response #32 and #33.

AB 9/18/2025

35 8/7/2025 General

The project bids about 6 business days from this writing. No amendment or responses to questions have been received to date. We request the bid date be extended no less than ten (10) business days following issuance of the final amendment and responses to questions. Is this acceptable?

Any possible extension of bid due date will be based on when responses to technical questions are posted via solicitation amendment.

VA COR 8/20/2025

36 8/7/2025 General

There have been numerous discrepancies with the plans and specifications discovered that were not immediately identifiable, we request a formal re-opening of the Pre-

Proposal Inquiry periods so these questions can be addressed and a complete and responsible proposal can be prepared without qualifications. Is that acceptable?

AE has provided the VA with an ASI to minimize missing information and discrepancies between contract drawings and specifications. Please notify if additional are found and AE will respond accordingly.

The VA will need to speak on if the pre-proposal inquiry period may be reopened.

AB 9/25/2025

37 8/7/2025 Arch Doors /

Hardware

Mezzanine Office Doors and Automatic Operation. Rm. 201 Door 117, Room 202

Door118, and Room 203 Door119 are sliding door pairs. The A-602 Door Schedule comments column indicates these 3 doors have Automatic Door Operators. They also have Hardware Group E10 per the schedule however, Hardware Group E10 as described in Section 08 71 00, §3.5 does not include automatic door operators for these doors.

Questions: Do sliding door pairs #117, 118, & 119 on the Mezzanine have automatic door operators or not? What is the correct hardware for these doors?

The HW sets for these doors have been updated to HW 14, which is a sliding door hardware set without an automatic operator.

Please also see comment response #8.

AB 9/11/2025

38 8/12/2025 Arch Equipment

There is a specification Section 11 73 00 Patient Lift System suggesting there are new

Patient Lifts to be installed on the project, however, no Patient Lifts are shown on the drawings that we can locate.

Questions: How many Patient Lifts is the contractor to purchase and where and how are they to be installed?

Three H-Track Patient Lifts T1098 are located in the main PT OT RT Therapy Gym space. The intent is the patient lifts hang from structure above, but are below all ducts and lighting.

Please see enlarged RCP on AI454, building sections on AE301, specialty equipment schedule on A-605, structural mezzanine framing plan on SF102, and structural detail

F1/SF501.

AE has provided an additional document for reference from the ceiling lift manufacturer, Arjo, used as a basis of design. This document is now more clearly indicated as included as part of the contract documents by including it in the specifications as an appendix.

AB 9/23/2025

39 8/12/2025 Struct, Arch Courtyard

TPO Roofing, Section 07 54 23, §3.8 Paver Installation, §A.,4. instructs the contractor to

"Install strapping where shown." No strapping is shown in any of the drawings. This effectively makes any strapping not required. If the government wants some sort of

"strapping" of any kind here, it must, and please provide engineering and design drawings and details for such "strapping" including all the components listed in §3.8, A.4 and how the "strapping" components interface with each other and with both the

Pavers, Pedestals, and TPO Roofing Systems.

Paver strapping is not needed. 3.8, A, 4 has been removed from 07 54 23 - TPO Roofing in the contract specifications.

AB 9/30/2025

40 8/12/2025 Struct

Drawing Sheet SF-101 has a detail callout of F5/SF-301 (typ.) at Grid Point NE380-0 /

NWSE-0. However, there is no Detail F5 on Sheet SF-301. What is the detail for this missing typical detail? Please provide.

Detail F5/SF-301 is intended to be F4/SF-301; this has been revised. CH 9/26/2025

41 8/12/2025 Struct

Drawing Sheet SF-103 has a detail callout of A1/SF-502 at Grid Point NE380-0 / SE28-0

(approx.). However, there is no Detail A1 on Sheet SF-502. What is the detail for this missing detail? Please provide.

The Detail callout should refer to A1/SF-506. Detail reference A2/SF-502 has been removed from drawing sheet SF-103.

CH 9/26/2025

42 8/13/2025 FP, Elec

Spec Section 28 31 00, 1.1.A.5 calls for the contractor to "upgrade the fire alarm field devices on this floor patient wing, including the area in the existing alarm loops outside the renovation area to Siemens Desigo system devices." The drawings include a legend that defines Fire Alarm symbols but none of the plan view drawings show fire alarm devices or their locations.

Notes on F-101 refer to F-104 for routing of sprinkler piping but only F-101 and F-102 are included in the drawings.

A) Is it the intent of this contract to include replacement of all fire alarm devices on the entire first floor of Building 100? If so, are there as-builts of B100 showing type/location of existing fire alarm devices that should be replaced?

B) Are there additional fire alarm drawings that show fire alarm type/location in the new

Spinal Cord Injury Space? Specifically, is there an F-104 as referenced in F-101.

28 31 00 - Fire Detection and Alarm, 1.1, A, 5 has been removed as it was left over from the renovation portion of the project, which is no longer in scope.

Fire Alarm devices, including pull stations, annunciators, smoke detectors, etc, are shown on the Electrical drawings. Please see ET101, E-502, and E-602.

F-101 was improperly numbered; it has now been updated to correctly be F-103. This now also matches the Drawing Index on GI102. Please note, there is no F-101 and F-102 as those sheets were for the renovation portion of the project, which has since been removed from scope.

AB 10/7/2025

43 8/13/2025 Struct, Arch Walls

Shear walls SW-1 and SW-2 are 6” framing, SW-3 is 8” framing. At the shear wall locations shown on the structural plans the architectural wall types are 3-5/8” & 5-1/2” framing. Is the intent to have the shear wall size supersede the architectural wall type size where it occurs and then have a step in the framing where the shear wall stops? Or would it make sense to have the framing all one size where the shear walls start/stop with non-shear walls?

Architectural has updated wall types to align with structural required shear wall stud thickness.

At interior structural shear walls, SW-1, at Transitional Apartment, Quiet, and Storage under the Mezzanine - new architectural walls types have been added to account for the 6" shear wall stud size. Please see wall types F2, G2, and H2 on A-603. Wall tags on AI451, AI453, and AI455 have also been updated.

At exterior structural shear walls, SW-1 and SW-2, immediately adjacent to the existing building - architectural wall type D1 already has a 6" CH stud. Please also see comment response #23.

At exterior structural shear wall, SW-3 - architectural was previously showing two walls J1 and E1. Arch has now updated to combine these walls into a single wall with 8" studs, now called K1 on A-603. Wall tag on AI451 has also been updated. Please also see comment response #24.

AB 9/30/2025

44 8/13/2025 Arch Doors /

Hardware

On Sheet A-602, the Door Schedule says that the door frames in the mezzanine offices

(doors# 117, 118 & 119) are to be Hollow Metal. According to our door manufacturers, there are no hollow metal frames for these types automatic sliding doors; typically, they are aluminum framed.

Question: Can aluminum frames be used instead of the hollow metal frames?

Doors 117, 118, and 119 door material has been edited to aluminum in the Door Schedule on sheet A-602. Specification section 08 41 13 - Aluminum-Framed Entrances and

Storefront specifies these doors.

AB 9/11/2025

45 8/14/2025 Struct Crane

Due to length and weight of the largest beams, and AHU-1 exceeding 11,000#, the material handling path shown on Drawing View 2/GS101 will not support mobile cranes large enough to reach and then lift the weights and sizes into place. A Tower Crane or possibly a 600T mobile crane would be set up some distance away from the worksite to hoist materials into the isolated courtyard. Both are very invasive space wise, both with very large footprints, and deep cast-in-place concrete foundation on the Tower Crane.

Please assure the contractors that room to set up these very large cranes will be made available in the loading dock area, the Ambulance Entrance road north of the Nursing

Tower, or some other large area within 350' of the worksite and if possible, identify those locations.

The design team recognizes that cranes in tight spaces are challenging. While much of this is getting into means and methods, we have included some notes:

A) Standard tower crane

• Requires foundation, typically 20' square but depend on the specific crane, soil capacity, etc

• Would need to be taller than ALL adjacent buildings to reach north corner of area of work

• Or a lower height crane in the south east corner of the courtyard (see image 45a below), combined with Option C for areas not accessible

B) Mobile Crane

• Can be used for transportation, movement, and erection (except for areas out of reach)

• Smallest 2-axle mobile crane has plenty load capacity

C) Forklift / Boom Forklift

• Standard forklifts, etc. for transportation, movement

• Boom Forklift at Elevated courtyard

D) Temporary construction at elevated courtyard – bridge crane style structure

• Similar to tower crane but (potentially) avoiding height requirements by providing an engineered solution

Regardless of the decision, close coordination with the VA regarding laydown space, existing utility locations, delivery access, etc will be crucial.

AB

CH

PC

8/27/2025

45a Struct Crane

AB

CH

PC

8/27/2025

46 8/14/2025 Arch Swisspearl

Section 09 06 00 Schedule of Finishes, §2.1., F. last two rows. This lists a "Standard

Panel" in aluminum with a Carat finish by Swisspearl in two unavailable colors supposedly from Section 08 44 00, Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls (which doesn't exist in the specifications). Swisspearl does not manufacture aluminum panels but uses

Fiber-cement to manufacture their exterior finish system panels.

Questions: What does the government want, an aluminum exterior panel system or a

Fiber-cement panel system? And please provide specifications for either.

Section 09 06 00 has been revised to properly indicate fiber cement siding. Exterior panel siding is now specified in 07 40 00 - Siding Panels.

Please also see comment response #32 and #33.

AB 9/18/2025

47 8/14/2025 Arch Specs

Section 09 06 00 Schedule of Finishes, §2.1., F. Lists Components, Materials, Finishes, Manufacturers, and Colors/Names for Spec Section 08 44 13 - Glazed Aluminum

Curtain Walls. There is no specification Section 08 44 13.

Questions: What are we to do with referenced specifications sections in 09 06 00, §2.1that don't exist for this project including additional missing Sections 08 11 73 and

08 51 13?

Section 09 06 00 - Schedule for Finishes has been updated accordingly to not reference sections not in scope of this project:

1) 08 11 73 - Sliding Metal Fire Doors has been removed from 09 06 00 - Schedule for

Finishes. The interior sliding office doors are specified in 08 41 13 - Aluminum-Framed

Entrances and Storefronts.

2) 08 51 13 - Aluminum Windows is not required as all windows are storefront and instead also specified in 08 41 13 - Aluminum-Framed Entrances and Storefronts.

Please also see comment response #32 for verbiage regarding 08 44 13 - Glazed Aluminum

Curtain Walls.

AB 9/23/2025

48 8/15/2025 Arch Swisspearl

Areas of Swisspearl panels drawn on elevations (page AE201) do not have panel joints shown. Panel joints matter, relative to cost.

Question: We request and... Are panel joints going to be added to the elevations to show sizes of panels? Panel sizes must be made from fiber cement sheet sizes of 4’x8’ or

4’x10’ max. Or what should the contractor assume?

Panel joints are now shown on AE201. The maximum required panel size is 4' x 8'. For smaller panels, cut 4' x 8' panels on site to sizes indicated in the drawings.

AB 9/18/2025

49 8/15/2025 Arch Swisspearl

Areas of Swisspearl panels shown on elevations (page AE201) are drawn larger than max panel size that can be made by Swisspearl.

Question: Does the government want the panels that are larger than 4’x8’ or 4’x10 to be split into 2 panels or will there be an adjustment made in the framing or window headers to make panel sizes fit within the max panel sizes that can be made?

Panel sizes are now properly shown on AE201. The maximum required panel size is 4' x 8'.

For smaller panels, cut 4' x 8' panels on site to sizes indicated in the drawings.

AB 9/18/2025

50 8/15/2025 Arch Swisspearl

There are no straight-on views of some of the exterior walls. Areas of the Swisspearl exterior cladding panels are drawn to show areas of the building that would be on an angle or shown as a “skewed” view.

Question: Is there any plan to or will the government provide more elevations to show a straight on views of these angled or skewed areas? Without seeing areas of panel at full size there is not a good way to capture the total square footage of the project and provide an accurate quote for materials or labor.

Additional views have been added to provide straight on elevations for all walls with panel siding. Please see views 3 through 5 on sheet AE201.

AB 9/18/2025

51 8/15/2025 Arch Swisspearl

There is an area of “dark gray” materials shown on the very left of North Building

Elevation (2 on AE201) that does not have a call out what the material on the building is.

Question: Is this area in question supposed to be Swisspearl panels? If so, is it the

Carat Agate or Carat Texture Onyx (both are discontinued color finishes)? We will also need to have color selections made to replace the colors or any textures listed on the elevations.

The dark gray is indicating that that portion of the building is on an angle and therefore behind and in shadow. Further notes and view references have been provided on AE201 to help clarify which portions of the facade are angled in each view. Please note panel joints and finishes are not discussed on angled portions. Instead, see the referenced straight-on view for panel joints and finishes of the applicable area.

Specifically, for the mentioned dark gray portion on the left of 2/AE201, please see 1/AE201 for a straight-on elevation of that portion.

New colors have been provided in 09 06 00 - Schedule for Finishes; please note, the revised siding panel basis of design is intended to be purchased primed for paint. The new colors in

09 06 00 are paint colors, and are intended to be field applied.

AB 9/18/2025

52 8/15/2025 Arch Swisspearl

Swisspearl soffit panels are not shown in the finish legend of the Reflected Ceiling Plan

(RCP) nor on the RCP but are shown in some of the wall sections. We cannot measure quantities of Swisspearl soffit without the soffits being shown on the RCP.

Question: Will the fiber cement call out be added to the legend of the RCP and shown in the RCP plan to be included so that the Swisspearl total square footage of the project can be established?

Soffits are now shown on a new sheet A-514.

Please also see comment response #32 and #33.

AB 9/30/2025

53 9/9/2025 Plumb

Drawing P-701 shows both a med gas riser for demolition and a med gas riser for installation however, there is no med gas piping shown anywhere in the project drawings for demo or installation. Are we to assume the med gas risers are included in error, or is the error that the any medical gas piping demo or installation was forgotten during design? Will the government delete any med gas requirements including the med gas risers on P-701, or provide new drawing sheets that include any required medical gas piping related design that the VA would like us to include?

The med gas riser was included in error and is part of the renovation which was removed from the project. P-701 has been removed.

MK 9/16/2025

54 9/9/2025 Plumb

Drawing P-701 shows a medical gas riser that shows new med gas piping leading to what appears to be fourteen (14) connection locations at seven (7) Pre-fabricated

Bedside Patient Units (PBPU) located somewhere in the hospital. There are no PBPUs shown anywhere on the drawings. Where are these PBPUs located and are we to provide new PBPUs somewhere as part of this project? If so, provide drawing plans, details, and specifications for the PBPUs.

The med gas riser was included in error and is part of the renovation which was removed from the project. P-701 has been removed.

MK 9/16/2025

55 9/9/2025 Struct

There are a few more callouts on the drawings that don’t exist within the drawings. For instance, SF-101 has a callout for F5/SF-301 and Sheet SF-103 has A1/SF-502 called out twice. Neither F5/SF-301 nor A1/SF-502 exist within the drawings. What are the steel erection details for these locations?

Please see responses to comment #40 and #41. CH 9/26/2025

56 Arch, Elec Doors /

Hardware

Door 010 does not need an automatic operator. Doors 009, 010, and 123 should have exterior door hardware, while doors 117, 118, and 119 should have interior door hardware.

It has also come to the AE’s attention that card readers should be required for doors 006 and 009; this requires these doors to become integrated door assemblies.

1) Automatic door operator has been removed from doors 010 in the door schedule comments.

2) Door 010 has been revised to have exterior door hardware. The door HW is now SH-13.

3) Door 123 has been revised to have exterior door hardware. The door HW set is now SH-

13A.

4) Doors 117, 118, and 119 have been revised to have interior door hardware. The door HW set is now 14.

5) Door 006 has been revised to include card reader access control. The door HW is now SH-

10A, and Electrical has coordinated wiring as required.

6) Door 009 has been revised to include card reader access control and be exterior door hardware. The door HW set is now SH-13A. Electrical has coordinated wiring as required.

AB 8/19/2025

57 General Environmental

Based on an environmental study done during 2020 design, there is ACM in 2" wide black asphaltic expansion joint with ACM black asphaltic tar. Additionally, there is assumed ACM asphaltic roofing with assumed ACM tar and ACM felt vapor barriers. Contract documents have been updated to more clearly include abatement/assumed abatement scope. This includes the addition of specification sections, a referenced environmental survey report, and an added general note #6 on AD101. Price abatement accordingly.

AB 9/23/2025