Architecture Narrative.pdf

VA PROJECT NUMBER

PROJECT NAME

549-21-700 (2302) EHRM Upgrades Dallas, TX

SUBMITTAL Final Bid Documents SUBJECT Architectural Narrative

Project Overview and Background

This project is to upgrade the facility infrastructure to support the new Electronic Health Record

Modernization (EHRM) system in accordance with VA OEHRM Site Infrastructure

Requirements for the Dallas VA Medical Center as part of the VA North Texas Health Care

System. The project shall include the following upgrades:

• Upgrading facility fiber throughout the buildings to each IT closet.

• Provide a redundant fiber run throughout the facility to each IT closet.

• Provide redundant fiber mains to the demarcation room from the provider point.

• Design or remodel one hundred twenty-six IT closets throughout the facility adhering to the EHRM guidelines.

• Upgrade facility HVAC and electrical distribution systems as required for TR locations.

• Provide a physical security assessment and upgrades as part of the design.

• Hazardous material assessment and plan of abatement as part of the design

Per the provided X Matrix, buildings within scope are as follows:

• 1, 2, 2J, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 43, 44, 45, 60, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 87, TT46, TT47, TT48, TT49, TT50, TT51, TT52, TT54, TT55 and 3 buildings at

Herzog.

• Building 12 was removed from the scope of work. Building 79 and TT53 were added to the scope of work.

Our teams performed site investigation to review existing conditions and the proposed new locations for telecom upgrades. We identified the following items listed below and have included our analysis of the existing conditions for all areas included in the scope of work.

• Existing Room Names and Numbers to ensure our existing plans were true to what was currently on site.

• Existing floor areas served by each TR room.

• Existing building functions and departments surrounding each TR room.

• Number of existing racks currently in each TR room.

549-21-700 (2302) EHRM Upgrades Dallas, TX

• Existing telecommunication cabling types.

• Verification of adjacent spaces to ensure that the required TR expansions would be able to be accommodated within that space.

• Verification of the diamond analysis to review the coverage areas with the COR.

• Existing room dimensions to ensure our as-builts were accurate in size and location.

• Existing electrical outlet layouts in each TR room.

• Existing Data drop locations for all buildings within scope.

The telecom team provided further analysis of the proposed new locations provided by the VA during our tours. A diamond analysis at each of the new proposed locations was reviewed with the VA to confirm the coverage area needed for the proposed locations.

We have identified areas that will require variances with the existing to remain or proposed new locations. We also have identified the EHRM space requirements and maximum distance requirements and provided recommendations based on the design guidelines to the VA for review and approval in the schematic design submission.

Construction Phasing

Project shall be phased so as not to interrupt current health care services provided throughout the existing facility. Phasing plans are to be developed by the Contractor and approved by the

VA to eliminate interruptions entirely or reduce required interruptions to the absolute minimum.

Emergency egress shall not be compromised during construction. Contractor parking and staging areas have not been identified. Staging for construction materials will be available as close as possible to affected buildings, if necessary, during construction. Contractor is responsible for building demolition, remediation, and construction throughout construction process until the work is accepted by the VA. While on station, contractor shall coordinate with

VA COR prior to all construction phasing and staging. TR’s that are to remain in place need to be phased so that there is no interruption of service during construction. Areas with new TR’s

549-21-700 (2302) EHRM Upgrades Dallas, TX need to be operational prior to demolition of existing TR locations. Coordinate with concurrent

MCR project locations with VA.

Applicable Codes, Standards, and Guidelines

The following codes, standards, and guidelines will be followed throughout the design of this project:

• Design Manuals (By discipline) PG-18-10

• Design and Construction Procedures PG-18-3

• A/E Submission Instructions, PG-18-15, Minor and NRM Projects Vol. C

• Standard Details and CAD Standards PG-18-4

• Equipment Guide List PG-18-5

• Equipment Guide List Index

• Architectural Barrier Act (ABA) Standards

• VA Barrier Free Design Standard (A Supplement to the ABA) PG-18-13

• Asbestos Abatement Design Manual

• VA Signage and Wayfinding Design Manual PG-18-10

• Master Construction Specifications PG-18-1

• Space Planning Criteria PG-18-9

• Design Guides (graphical, by function) PG-18-12

• Room Finishes, Door, and Hardware Schedule PG-18-14

• NEPA Interim Guidance for Projects PG-18-17

• VA Design Alerts

• VHA Fire Protection Design Manual

• VHA National BIM/CAD Standards

• VHA Required Division 01 Specification Sections List

• Physical Security and Resiliency Design Manual, June 2023 Revision

• Whole Building Commissioning Process Manual

• VA Sustainable Design Manuals

549-21-700 (2302) EHRM Upgrades Dallas, TX

• VHA Directive 1061 – Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Legionella Disease and

Scald Injury from Potable Water Distribution Systems

• Seismic Design Requirements H-18-8

• VA Cultural Resource Management Procedures H-7545

• OIT Infrastructure Standard for Telecommunications Spaces v3.1 (01 July 2021)

• National Codes and Standards: (Most recent Editions) o NFPA o IBC o NEC o EPA o NSPC o OSHA