Technical Questions and Answers - Volume 2.docx

SOLICITATION # 36C77623B0009

PROJECT NAME: Providence Expand/Renovate MRI Space

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSES

Updated July 29, 2025 Issued July 30, 2025

Legend for updates to original RFI’s:

Blue highlights indicate attachments included.

1. Are there any preferred vendors for the VA?

ANSWER: See RFI 2 & 3 below.

2. Please confirm fire alarm vendor.

ANSWER: FSI

3. Please confirm controls vendor.

ANSWER: JCI

4. Please provide any hazardous materials reports.

ANSWER: See Tables at end of Spec Section 02 82 11

5. Please confirm if an industrial hygienist is required to provide infection control plans.

ANSWER: No.

6. Please confirm off hours working time.

ANSWER: 7p to 5a including cleanup and anytime on the weekend.

7. Will the contractor be responsible for providing temporary power, heat, & air conditioning to any working areas affected by shutdowns?

ANSWER: F&T: Yes, contractor is responsible for coordinating with the VA on acceptable temporary conditions for project-related shutdowns

8. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat and cover the requirements of a SSHO?

ANSWER: Yes.

9. Please confirm a laydown area will be designated with enough space for a construction trailer and storage container.

ANSWER: Yes.

10. Please confirm if any state, local, and/or federal permits will be required on this project.

ANSWER: RIDEM and NBC - VAMC will deal with them.

11. Does the existing central generator plant have enough capacity to support the new electrical load?

ANSWER: Yes.

12. Please confirm the MRI Manufacturer.

ANSWER: Siemens.

13. Please confirm the Manufacturer will install any supplied equipment.

ANSWER: The contractor will need to install the chillers for the machines. Siemens states they expect the general contractor to have the suite patient ready quality, except for the magnet ingress opening, prior to the equipment delivery/install of the MRIs by Siemens

14. Please confirm the note referring to SD (P) on CU-3.0, the note is cut off and not legible.

ANSWER: This note is on CU-3.1 and states: "New 18" Dia. N12 stormwater piping. Use maximum joint deflection allowed by manufacturer to route piping as needed."

15. Per specification 27 52 23 section 2.1 System Description B. The contractor is responsible for interfacing the PA, CCTV, RED, and Patient Bed Service Walls systems with the System. Is there a requirement for the Nurse Call System to connect to the existing Overhead Paging System? If yes, please provide the current Overhead Paging System Manufacturer.

ANSWER: We use the Rauland Responder 5000 (aka 5K) in our facilities that require nurse call. This system features VOIP audio communication. We do not interconnect our campus wide PA system with our nurse call systems. The nurse call systems are local to each health care unit and do not interlink with other areas or a central station.

16. Per Specification 27 52 23 section 2.1 System Description G. the nurse call headend equipment shall be located in the Telecommunications Room. Please provide the location of this room and a floor plan of this location.

ANSWER: Nurse call headend equipment will be located in the New Main Electrical room B118 on the 1st floor of the addition.

17. Per Specification 27 52 23 section 2.1 System Description J. the nurse call must have a minimum of two additional remote annunciation points. Please provide the planned locations for the two (2) annunciation points with room numbers, floor plans, and pictures of the locations.

ANSWER: The system is local and will annunciate at Reception PCP02 (B054) and Control XMRC1 (B071-A), both on the ground floor.

18. Can the government confirm if the Nurse Call System is required to have full-duplex audio?

ANSWER: Yes.

19. Door schedule remarks call for 2J and 2S, yet only 2F/2T and 2L are provided. Please clarify.

ANSWER: Type 2S should have indicated Type 2T and Type 2J2 should have indicated Type 2F.

20. Door B071-B.1 is noted as a Type 1 wood door, with a type 1 frame, which is shown as HM. Schedule indicates frame type 1 as aluminum for this one opening. Please confirm frame type 1 as aluminum for this door.

ANSWER: Door B071-B.1 should be noted as a hollow metal frame not an aluminum frame.

21. Please confirm that door hardware types #9 & #11, shown in specifications with no location, are not required on this project.

ANSWER: Door hardware types #9 and #11 are not required for this project and should be removed from the specification.

22. Door L121.1 is noted in the door hardware specification, shown on A2-1.3, but not provided on door schedule. Please confirm required and if so provide information.

ANSWER: This door is required and the door schedule should contain the following information for this door and frame; Door info - Size: 3'-0" x 7'-0" x 1 3/4", Type: 1, MTL: WD Frame info - Depth: 11 1/2", Type: 1, MTL: HM, Head: 16/A9-1.2, Jamb: 21/A9-1.2, Sill: 8/A9-1.1, Rating: 90 min., Hardware: Set 21, Remarks: 13.

23. Door B051.2 indicates remarks 7 & 13 on door schedule. 7 calls for low voltage power for access device (IE card reader, keypad, push plate, etc.) yet plan A2-1.2 does not indicate A10.1 and or A10.4. Please confirm that both A10.1 and A10.4 will be required at this opening.

ANSWER: Remove remark 7 from door B051.2.

24. Please confirm if alternate shades will be acceptable in place of Mecho.

ANSWER: No alternate shades will not be acceptable.

25. Sheet A3-2.0 detail 5 (MRI 31 XMRS1 Interior Elevations) & detail #6 at south elevation, shows equipment keynote 413 at west and north elevations, yet on AQ1-1.5 it is noted as "Not Used". Please clarify.

ANSWER: 413 was originally an Oximeter Pulse and was removed from the project. 413 callouts should be removed from the details on sheet A3-2.0 .

26. Are the MRI Equipment Drawings available?

ANSWER: Shops for the two units are not available. Typical Final Drawings for both the Sola and Vida units are attached.

27. Reference Roofing: A.3 Price/Cost Schedule Item Number 0002 a., says to provide a PVC roofing membrane in lieu of PVC “Sure-Flex KEE HP” roofing membrane; however, Specification 07 54 19 paragraph 2.4 Roofing Membrane only describes PVC Membrane, not KEE Membrane. What characteristics are required for the KEE HP Membrane, including but not limited color and thickness?

ANSWER: Base bid should include the PVC membrane specified. This price/cost schedule item would not be required for the project as we do not want the specified product in lieu of the KEE HP Membrane.

28. Flagpole Base Detail 2/CI-1.3 calls for a 100’ Stainless Steel Flagpole. Specification Section 10 75 00 Flagpoles calls for Aluminum. Which one is correct?

ANSWER: The contractor shall provide a Stainless steel flagpole as called out in detail 2/CI-1.3.

29. Reference Drawing A2-1.2 Enlarged Ground Floor Plan ‘B’. There are 9 infills tagged with Plan Note A3.9 that references Detail 2/A7-1.2 Typical Light Box @ Existing Window Infill; however, no lighting fixtures are indicated on EL-1.0 Electrical Ground Floor Lighting Plan nor is power indicated on EP-1.0 Electrical Ground Floor Power Plan. Please advise.

ANSWER: A3.9 states: "Wall infill at removed window, Re: 2/A7-1.2 for infill details, Re: equipment plans for "light box" locations." Per equipment plan AQ1-1.2 the infills at the ground floor do not contain light boxes and wall infill of detail 2/A7-1.2 would only apply at this level.

30. Reference Drawing CS-2.0 Proposed Site Plan and CI-1.0 Site Details. a. On Drawing CS-2.0, Proposed Site Plan Note S.8 indicates a 10” Concrete Slab for MRI Unit. On Drawing CI-1.0, Site Detail 13 MRI PAD CROSS SECTION indicates a 12” Concrete Slab for MRI Unit. Which is the correct thickness?

ANSWER: A 12” inch concrete slab thickness is to be used. Follow joint requirements as stated in S.8 on CS-2.0.

31. Reference Drawing CS-2.0 Proposed Site Plan. a. What is Detail for the Ramp?

ANSWER: Exterior ramps (unshaded shown on CS-2.0) are to follow the details shown on enlarged ramp & stair plan CI-1.2 and elevations and sections shown on plan CI-1.4.

32. With the possible exception of the distribution section, it appears that Main Switchboard/Substation MDP will require rear access. Please advise if alternate layout is required.

ANSWER: F&T: Alternative proposed layouts for the unit substation and new electrical room B118 in general can be proposed and will be considered and reviewed by design team and VA FMS. Intent shown was for front access equipment.

33. Referencing pricing Deduct 3 there is a description inconsistency between what is written on A.3 Price/Cost Schedule and Drawing AG-1.1 Deduct Alternate. A.3 Cost Schedule Deduct Alternate No. 3, includes items 3.a Omit first floor roof screen & 3.c Omit ground floor Roof Screen versus Drawing AG-1.1, which includes items 3.a Omit first floor roof screen & 3.c Omit Lead Shielding within Sub-Waiting Room B073-A and Toilet Room B073-B.

ANSWER: Refer to original bid RFI #36 attached as a separate list, for comment.

34. Please advise make, and model for new breaker in EXISTING DISTRIBUTION BOARD MDP-EQ. There is a significant price difference for draw-out circuit breakers vs. molded case circuit breakers. Also, please verify that breaker is not obsolete.

ANSWER: F&T: F&T does not have specific make/model information at this time for MDP-EQ, but do believe all are model case breakers (note any new breakers in these distribution panels should be electronic LSIG trip type).

VAMC – Breakers produced by Cutler Hammer (Eaton).

35. Would consideration be given to removing the restriction that subcontractor experience may not apply toward the Technical Proposal Requirement for Prior Experience? We have an excellent team assembled with significant Siemens MRI experience; however, currently we do not meet certain evaluation criteria due to this requirement.

ANSWER: Subcontractor’s experience will be applied towards the Technical Proposal Requirements for Prior Experience.

36. According to the document, there is a security system component. Does it include video surveillance and access control?

ANSWER: Refer to Electrical Security Plans EY-1.0, EY-1.1 and EY-1.2 for CCVT locations and notes. Refer to Specification Section 28 23 00 for equipment requirements. See A9-1.1 Door, Frame & Window Schedule for access control information and floor plans for locations. Refer to Specification Section 08 71 00 for equipment requirements.

37. For the security system, is it hard specified for a specific manufacturer? Or is it open to all manufacturers?

ANSWER: See response to RFI 36 above.

38. APNL-1 is shown on both equipment and floor plans, yet no elevations are provided, and schedules do not provide height. Please provide height for proper pricing.

ANSWER: APNL-1 is called at existing window infills in rooms adjacent to the building addition. Refer to detail 2/A7-1.2 for section detail and elevation. Existing windows heights are +/-2'-0" on the ground floor and +/-5'-9" high on the first and second floors. GC is to verify existing masonry opening dimensions in the field.

39. APNL-2 is shown in the finish schedule, but not indicated on equipment plans or elevations, please confirm APNL-2 is not used.

ANSWER: APNL-2 is specified as guard infill panels for the ramp in Waiting Room B050 and Corridor B101. Refer to interior elevation 2/A6-1.4 and sheet A7-1.7.

40. APNL 4 & 5 are shown/noted as 4x4, 4x8, and 4x16 on the equipment schedule, yet elevations and or equipment plans show all 4x4. Please confirm all panels are to be 4x4.

ANSWER: Equipment descriptions for 702, 704, 705, and 706 are 4' x 4' panels as shown on interior elevations. Refer to the finish schedule for APNL-4 & 5 for the specified color and texture. Please note an image to be printed on the back of the panel.

41. APNL-7 is noted as column wraps and indicates location on equipment plan, yet no elevations are provided. Please confirm these are all (3) sides of columns and full height of 9'.

ANSWER: No interior elevations are provided for the Existing Waiting Room (E201). Refer to sheet AQ1-1.4, calling for custom backlit acrylic column wraps at two existing column locations. The panels shall wrap on the three exposed sides of the column. The height of each panel shall be 6-1/2" shorter than the full height of the column. Column heights vary; refer to the reflected ceiling plan on sheet A3-1.4 for ceiling heights in the Existing Waiting Room (E201).

42. Reception transaction window countertops are shown as SS-1 at both the reception and waiting sides on elevations. Detail section 13 on A9-1.2 indicates that waiting side is to be SS-2 and reception SS-1. Please confirm that all waiting room side countertops are to be SS-2.

ANSWER: Yes. SS-1 shall be used at all work counter surfaces and SS-2 shall be used on all transaction countertops and transaction windowsills (public side).

43. New sill section details, i.e. A9-1.2 detail 14 indicates 69, which master list notes as solid surface. SS-1 and or 2 is not specified on documents, please confirm SS-2 is to be utilized for all new windowsills.

ANSWER: SS-1 shall be specified for a solid surface sill and an apron for detail 14/A9-1.2.

44. Please provide section 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes referenced in section 13 49 00 Radiation Protection.

ANSWER: Refer to the Room and Finish Schedules for specified finishes in the MRI rooms: MRI 3T XMRS1 (B070), SYS COMPONENT XMRC2 (B071-+B), MRI 1.5T XMRS1 (B072) and CONTROL XMRC1 (B071-A).

45. Per section 01 00 00-1.3B, Alternate #03 includes deleting the first floor roof screen, mobile MRI trailer canopy and the ground floor roof screen (this matches A.3 Price/Cost Schedule included in the solicitation). However, the alternate listings on AG-1.1 deletes the first floor roof screen, mobile MRI trailer canopy and the lead lined shielding at B073-A & B073-B. Wich is the correct alternate to carry?

ANSWER: Refer to original bid RFI #36 attached as a separate list, for comment.

46. The provided Price/Cost Schedule includes items 0001 to 0005 and a Grand Total. Item 0001 is the complete job and items 0002-0005 are deducts. Would the Grand Total be Item 0001 minus the four deducts in items 0002-0005?

ANSWER: The "Grand Total" field need not be completed. Offerors are instructed to provide a total for each Line Item 0001-0005. The total for each line item should be the total value of the work less the value of the deduct. For examples, if the total value of a line item is 1,000,000 and the value of the deducted work is 100,000 the value expressed for the line item should be 900,000.

47. Equipment indicates the following items provided by GC, yet no spec and are not found on equipment plans, please advise. A. 304 - Emergency Exhaust Switch B. 305 – EPO

ANSWER: Based on our Excel equipment schedule with VA rep markups, the VA commented to include emergency power checks for tags 304 “Emergency Exhaust Switch” and 305 "EOP" (Emergency Power Off). RGB assumes the intent was to show/coordinate 304 and 305 to be on the emergency power.

For equipment 304 "Emergency Exhaust Switch" locations, refer to the mechanical sheet MP1.0 ($ symbol) for the emergency exhaust manual switch locations at door entries in MRI rooms B070 and B072, as well as two locations in Control Room XMRC1 (B071-A). Refer to the mechanical specifications.

EPO is listed in the electrical legend on sheet EG-1.0 but is not shown on the electrical drawings. Assume 2 locations in the Control Room, exact locations to be determined. Refer to spec section 262726 - WIRING DEVICES.

48. Equipment indicates the following provided by GC, yet no spec provided, shown at (2) locations, please forward specification. A. 323 - Thermostat Remote Space Control.

ANSWER: Equipment tag 323 "THERMOSTAT REMOTE SPACE CONTROL" is listed to indicate that it should be on the emergency power and data connections. Refer to the mechanical specification SECTION 23 09 23 DIRECT-DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HVAC.

49. Equipment indicates the following to be installed only by GC but not shown on equipment plans, please confirm 417 Oximeter is not required to be installed by GC, if so, please provide count and or locations.

ANSWER: VAMC – Contractor responsible for the installation of the medical gas system which includes the access ports for these regulators. The regulators will be installed by VAMC.

50. Please provide specs for the prefabricated metal canopy.

ANSWER: Please see attached specification section 107316 – Canopies.

51. Section 04 01 00 Maintenance of Masonry calls for repointing and/or replacing of existing masonry. The elevations don't specifically show scope. Please advise on scope required or a specific quantity we should hold for pricing purposes.

ANSWER: There is no repointing required for this project. The Construction documents (Demo, New, Sections, Details) indicate locations of removed and replaced bricks on existing walls.

52. At the MRI Trailer dock, is a "high curb" noted on CS-2.0 meant to be the "Granite Truck Apron" shown on CI-1.0? A2-1.1 note A15.2 mentions a railing required, but the TOC elevations provided only require an approximate 8" to 12" curb, thus not necessitating a railing. Is a rail required here?

ANSWER: The railing is a protection for when the mobile MRI trailer is on site and not for the large drop-off of the curb. This railing is required to remain.

53. What are the electrical feed and breaker size of Chiller CH-013-B001 that is to be relocated and re-fed electrically? The information is not given on the electrical or mechanical drawings.

ANSWER: The feeder is (3) #4/0 & (1) #4G in 2-1/2" rigid conduit, fed by 400AS/125AF fused disconnect switch.