Technical Questions Responses - Bath EHRM - 5-7-26.pdf

36C77626B0015 EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades – Bath VAMC

Technical Questions and VA Response Tracking Sheet

ITEM

NO.

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QUESTION

RECEIVED

DATE

QUESTION

ANSWERED

QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1. 4-9-26 4-13-26 Will the Government provide detailed written requirements for contractor badging? Please clarify the process for obtaining PIV badges, including required documentation, background checks, and estimated processing timeframes.

Regardless of affiliation, everyone working within VA facilities or requiring access to VA information systems requires a VA PIV Card. PIV badging requirements can be found at:

https://www.osp.va.gov/How_To_Get_A_VA_ID

_Badge.asp

Immediately after the bonds are provided to the

Government, the contractor shall immediately start working with the identified COR at the site to commence the VA PIV process for all known contractor personnel that will be working on the project. All contractors must have a PIV Card in order to work on site.

2. 4-9-26 4-13-26 Working Hours

Please confirm project scope will be completed during normal working hours unless noted in the plans.

Reference ATTACHMENT 6 - Contractor Core

Work Hours that was posted with the solicitation.

3. 4-17-26 4-21-26 Please confirm the normal working hours of this contract are to be assumed as normal working hours; 7:00 am-

5:00 pm.

See response to Question 2 above.

4. 4-17-26 4-21-26 Scales on all drawings seem to be inaccurate. Please provide a drawing set with corrected scales.

Reference Amendment 0002 for updated version of Drawings.

5. 4-17-26 4-21-26 Is this project Tax Exempt? Reference Special Notes Regarding FAR 52.229-

3 contained in the specifications for a detailed explanation concerning taxes being exempt. It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder to coordinate with the State of New York.

Contracting will not be providing a certificate.

6. 4-17-26 4-21-26 Please confirm this project must meet the buy American act requirements.

Yes, BAA is applicable.

https://www.osp.va.gov/How_To_Get_A_VA_ID_Badge.asp https://www.osp.va.gov/How_To_Get_A_VA_ID_Badge.asp

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

7. 4-17-26 4-21-26 Will there be PLA requirements on this project? No, PLA requirements will not be incorporated into any subsequent award.

8. 4-9-26 5-7-26 The VA’s Master Specification 01 32 16.15, 'Project

Schedules' (Small Projects - Design/Bid/Build), was revised effective December 1, 2025. The updated version is now available on the Technical Information Library

(TIL). Will the VA be updating the 01 32 16.15 spec for this project to include this spec instead of the older one?

See attached documentation titled Section 01 32

16.15 Project Schedules Updated 5-5-26 for

revised updated version.

9. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm the VA will be working and scheduling with the subsystem vendors on scheduling network outages.

The Contractor shall be responsible for coordinating all required system shutdowns and network outages with the VA. The VA will work with the Contractor and applicable subsystem vendors to facilitate scheduling and minimize operational impacts.

10. 4-9-26 5-7-26 As-Builts

Sheet CS020 shows existing conditions as verified by

Control Point Associates, Inc has this been compared to as-builts if available?

yes

11. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Sheet 03-A10

Sheet 03-A10 Demo plan note #3 reference room 17-207 indicating room is in building 17. Please advise.

The room numbers listed on the demo plan (3/03-

A101) should match the new work room numbers in new work plan (2/03-A101). Any reference to

17-207 on this sheet is not accurate.

12. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Road Closures

Site work will require some road closures within the VA campus. Does the VA have any restrictions regarding road closure.

Road closures within the VA campus will be subject to VA review and approval. The

Contractor shall coordinate all proposed closures with the VA in advance and maintain access for emergency vehicles, staff, and patients at all times. Any impacts to operations shall be minimized.

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

13. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Fire Alarm & Sprinkler System

What vendor is currently servicing the fire alarm and fire sprinkler system?

The fire alarm system is managed by Johnson

Controls. Refer to the updated brand name justification issued with amendment 0002.

“ATTACHMENT 5 - Brand Name Justification

Updated 4-7-26”

14. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is there an existing proprietary fire alarm contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company name and point of contact.

Refer to RFI 13 response.

15. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is there an existing proprietary controls contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company name and point of contact.

Refer to RFI 13 response.

16. 4-9-26 5-7-26 HVAC Controls

What vendor is currently servicing the HVAC and access control system?

There are 2 HVAC controls contractors established onsite, Trane, and Logical.

17. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Security System

What vendor is currently servicing the current security system?

See drawing TN001, Security General Note 4.

Also refer to the updated brand name justification issued with amendment 0002. “Attachment 5 -

Brand Name Justification Updated 4-7-26”

18. 4-9-26 5-7-26 CCTV System

Who is currently contracted to service existing CCTV system?

Refer to RFI 17 response.

19. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is there an existing proprietary PACS and/or CCTV contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company name and point of contact.

Refer to RFI 17 response.

20. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, is the prime contractor required to directly hire the controls system integrator?

Yes. The Prime Contractor shall be responsible for providing all required work under this contract, including engaging a qualified controls system integrator, as necessary, to complete the work.

21. 4-9-26 5-7-26 TAB

Does the VA have a Test and Balancing company servicing existing work?

The VA does not have a specific TAB company servicing existing work.

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

22. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Roof Warranty

Is the roof currently under warranty? If so, what vendor carries the warranty to avoid any warranty issues?

There are no known existing warranties

23. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Do any of the existing roofs to receive new work to accommodate new outdoor mechanical units have existing roof warranties?

If so, who holds the existing warranties?

There are no known existing warranties

24. 4-17-26 5-7-26 What types of roof systems are existing at locations where new roof-mounted mechanical units are to be provided? Please provide as-builts or an alternative means for the roof contractor to make assumptions on roof work required at these locations, for bidding purposes.

At this time, no as-built drawings have been located. Contractors shall base bids on typical roof construction for facilities of this age and type, using observations from the initial site visit.

Any as-built drawings we are able to locate will be made available upon award.

25. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Utilities for laydown yard

Can contractors use existing onsite utilities for temp office and laydown yard? If so, where are the connection points?

Utility services will be available for contractor’s use. Utilities must be metered at the contractor’s expense and monthly reports of usage submitted to the COR. Refer to specification section

010000.1.20 for more guidance. Connection points to be coordinated with the COR onsite.

26. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Elevator Use

Can the existing service and/or public elevators be used for construction activities? Are there any restrictions or time constraints? Where is the location of the service elevator?

Elevators may be used but will need to be coordinated with the COR. Contractor is responsible for any damage and cleanup caused by their use.

27. 4-9-26 5-7-26 ICRA

Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA): Please provide the required ICRA class for this project and any specific barriers, negative pressure, or HEPA filtration needs.

The ICRA classification is Type IV and further details are included on G113.

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QUESTION

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

28. 4-9-26 5-7-26 ICRA walls requirement

Other VA projects clearly identify where the use of Starc

Panels is required. Based on the ICRA class per area, where the VA will require the use of Starc panels where the work is limited to a enclosed telecommunications room in a hallway or is the mobile cart and ante cart acceptable for the enclosed telecommunication rooms.

For enclosed telecommunications room work, STARC panels are not required. A mobile containment cart with ante room is acceptable if it meets the ICRA class requirements.

STARC panels will be required in patient care areas where new walls/rooms are being built.

Building 24, 34, 41.

Final containment approach shall be approved by the VA ICRA team.

29. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Phasing

Where no phasing is indicated, how many TR rooms can we work on at the same time? Some EHRM projects indicate that all work must be completed in a per building phasing? Others just list several buildings as part of the phase.

Per Specification 010000, Phases One, Two, and

Three may run concurrently. Phase Two may not exceed five active work areas at one time without prior COR approval. Work area access, including the number of TR rooms that may be worked on simultaneously, will be coordinated with the VA based on facility operations. The VA will also review and consider reasonable alternatives proposed in the Contractor’s detailed phasing and scheduling plan.

30. 4-17-26 5-7-26 If rooms are required to be isolated in phases, will there be any downtime in the schedule between phases to allow the VA time for relocation of staff / equipment / devices? If so, how much downtime should the contractor anticipate for this?

The Contractor shall coordinate all phasing and sequencing with the VA, including any required relocation of staff, equipment, or devices. While no specific downtime durations between phases are defined at this time, any required downtime or transition periods will be established during project execution in coordination with the VA.

The VA will minimize downtime to the greatest extent possible based on the approved schedule.

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RECEIVED

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

31. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Milestones

Are there milestones or critical turnover dates for specific departments and/or locations?

No specific interim milestones or phased turnover dates are identified. The Contractor shall develop and submit a detailed project schedule for VA review and approval in accordance with Section

01 32 16.15 Project Schedules. See attached documentation titled Section 01 32 16.15 Project

Schedules Updated 5-5-26 for revised updated version.

32. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Blackout dates

Are there blackout dates (no work periods) due to hospital operations or events?

No specific blackout dates are identified. The

Contractor shall coordinate all work with the VA to minimize disruption to hospital operations.

Temporary work restrictions or limited access periods may be required and will be coordinated with the VA in advance.

33. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Third-party inspections

Will work require third-party inspections?

Yes

34. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor required to hire a 3rd-party firestopping inspector as part of this contract?

Yes

35. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor required to hire a 3rd party geotechnical engineer as part of this project?

Yes

36. 4-9-26 5-7-26 Commissioning

In other EHRM projects RFI response indicates that the contractor was not responsible for the commissioning of listed systems in division 1. Please confirm if GC will be responsible for commissioning on this project.

No. Commissioning of systems identified in

Division 01 will be performed by others, as defined in the contract documents. The Contractor shall coordinate with the commissioning provider as required. Refer to specification section

019100.1.5 for commissioning team responsibilities.

37. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor to assume ceilings in hallways are ACT drop ceilings unless noted otherwise?

Yes

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

38. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, is all work in hallways and work areas to be done during off hours (nights / weekends) so as not to disturb normal facility operations?

Work in hallways and occupied areas shall be coordinated with the VA to minimize disruption to facility operations. Off-hours work (nights and/or weekends) may be required for certain activities, as determined by the VA.

39. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, will maxcell innerduct be required for exterior underground cable pathways only? Or is the contractor to provide maxcell innerduct in all fiber conduit pathways?

As noted on drawings TN002 and TN503, basis of design is air-blown micro-duct solution.

Otherwise, plenum rated corrugated innerduct is approved for use as specified in 27 05 33.

40. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, the designated SSHO must be a separate individual from both the designated superintendent and

QCM?

The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) shall be a separate individual and shall not serve concurrently as the Superintendent or Quality

Control Manager (QCM), unless otherwise permitted by the contract documents.

41. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor required to hire an SIOR to oversee all special inspections?

Yes

42. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor responsible for any abatement of asbestos or hazardous material beyond quantities provided in the specifications?

The quantities shown in the contract documents are approximate. The Contractor is responsible for field-verifying actual conditions and quantities.

Abatement is required only for materials identified in the documents.

43. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Will the contractor be limited to the amount of rooms / work areas that can be accessed simultaneously? Or will the contractor be allowed to sequence work areas as they see fit to best move the project along to meet the schedule?

Refer to the response to RFI 29. Access to work areas may be limited based on facility operations.

All phasing and sequencing shall be coordinated with and approved by the VA.

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

44. 4-17-26 5-7-26 If room-specific phasing constraints are to be anticipated, for bidding purposes, please provide an approximate number of rooms that will be turned over to the contractor at a time. For example, in past EHRM projects, bidders have been advised to assume access to only 3-4 Telecom Rooms at a time, with work in each required to be completed in full before contractors would be permitted to advance to the next work area.

Refer to the response to RFI 29. Specification

010000 defines the applicable phasing limits; no additional room-specific constraints are identified.

45. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Would HEPA carts be considered a sufficient means of infection control for contractors to use while working above ceilings in hallways?

Infection control requirements shall be in accordance with the project-specific ICRA and

VA standards. Acceptable measures will be determined by the VA.

46. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor permitted to utilize plastic barrier containments to isolate hallway sections during above ceiling hallway work? If so, must this work be done on off-hours so as not to disturb facility operations?

Infection control measures shall be in accordance with the project-specific ICRA and VA requirements. The use of containment methods, including plastic barriers, shall be subject to VA review and approval. Work in hallways shall be coordinated with the VA to minimize disruption to facility operations. Off-hours work may be required, as determined by the VA.

47. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor to assume new fire sleeves are required at all new through-wall cable penetrations associated with cat6a cable drop locations?

Yes, if they are penetrating a rated wall. A base bid quantity of (500) is listed on drawing TN701.

48. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Are WAPs to be removed and replaced as new, or are the existing WAPs to be removed and reinstalled?

If WAP devices are being replaced with new, is it the contractor’s responsibility to provide the new devices, or will these be furnished by the VA?

Electronic devices not in Contractor scope as noted on drawing TN001, Communications

General Note 1. Contractor scope is limited to cabling installation and demo, and patch cords.

Assist with patch cord installation as noted on drawing TN701.

49. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Where disturbed by construction, is grass area to be restored using seed or sod?

Seed and water

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

50. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor responsible for maintenance and watering for an establishment period of a predetermined duration after initial grass restoration?

If so, how long is this establishment period?

Till grass is established.

51. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm that all firestopping must be either installed by an FM global approved contractor, or a UL qualified firestop contractor certified.

Confirmed

52. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm the contractor will be required to submit post award the requested information that the telecommunications contractor shall be a BICSI licensed

Contractor with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience installing and servicing systems of similar scope and complexity. The Contractor shall provide four (4) current references from clients with systems of similar scope and complexity which became operational in the past three

(3) years. At least three (3) of the references shall be utilizing the same system components, in a similar configuration as the proposed system. The references must include a current point of contact, company or agency name, address, telephone number, complete system description, date of completion, and approximate cost of the project.

Yes. Per the VA Standard specifications, the telecommunications contractor will be required to submit this information post-award.

53. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm that the telecommunications contractor must submit copies of system manufacturer certification for all technicians. The Contractor shall provide proof project superintendent with BICSI Certified Commercial

Installer Level 1, Level 2, or Technician to provide oversight of the project.

Yes. Per the VA Standard specifications, the telecommunications contractor will be required to submit this information post-award.

54. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm cable installer must have on staff a

Registered Communication Distribution Designer

(RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting

Service International (BICSI).

Yes. Per the VA Standard specifications, the telecommunications contractor will be required to submit this information post-award.

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55. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm level 4 finish for all finished gypsum board including patches.

Confirmed

56. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Are we required to use plenum rated cabling for all areas?

Can we use riser rated cabling in non plenum spaces?

Plenum-rated cable specified

57. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Will flexible metal conduit be allowed? Flexible metal conduit (FMC) is permitted for final connections to equipment. FMC shall comply with the requirements of Specification

Section 26 05 33. Use is limited to short lengths necessary to accommodate equipment subject to vibration or requiring flexibility for installation

(typically not exceeding 6 feet) and shall not be used as a general wiring method in lieu of rigid conduit systems. In the case that this type of installation must occur in a wet or exterior location, utilize liquid tight flexible metal conduit

(LFMC).

58. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is it anticipated that unsuitable soil will be encountered on this project?

If so, is the contractor responsible for removal and disposal of any unsuitable soils?

It is NOT anticipated.

59. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, are all new cat6a cables to be factory terminated?

Patch cables and pre-terminated assemblies required to be factory terminated as noted in drawings and specifications

60. 4-17-26 5-7-26 In areas where new data drops are shown, should it be assumed existing vertical conduit and backboxes can be reused unless noted otherwise, or is the contractor responsible for replacing all vertical conduit and backboxes at drop locations?

Replace outlets in existing locations as noted on drawings. Rough-in details and 10% contingency noted on drawings for potential new locations deemed necessary. Existing pathways and backboxes may be reused unless noted otherwise.

Refer to general note 5 on TN001 additional guidance.

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61. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Where drywall is required to be cut and patched at data drop locations, is the contractor responsible for repainting entire wall seam-to-seam, or would spot painting at patch locations suffice?

Where existing pathways may be used, no wall patching is anticipated unless damage occurs during work. If non-code-compliant pathways or outlets are discovered resulting in opening a wall, contractor shall patch area and wall shall be painted from hard edge to hard edge to ensure uniformity. Refer to keynote 017 on architectural drawings and general note 5 on sheet TN001 for additional guidance.

62. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, is the contractor responsible for air monitoring / sampling for asbestos in demolition areas where no asbestos is specifically called out on the drawings or specifications?

No—air monitoring and sampling for asbestos is not required in demolition areas where asbestos is not identified in the contract documents. If suspect materials are encountered, the contractor shall stop work and proceed in accordance with applicable regulations and contract requirements.

63. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is the contractor responsible only for abatement of asbestos quantities defined in the drawings and specs?

If any further hazardous material is discovered, will this be addressed via a change order?

The Contractor is responsible for abating hazardous materials identified in the contract documents. If additional hazardous materials are found, the Contractor shall notify the VA. The

VA will address the condition in accordance with the contract.

64. 4-17-26 5-7-26 The specifications list quantities of hazardous material in buildings 14, 15, 18, and 31, while only buildings 16 and

76 are shown on the HA drawing series. Please confirm, as part of this contract, is the contractor responsible for abatement of all hazardous material per quantities listed in spec section 02 82 11?

See attached documentation titled Section 02 82

11 Asbestos Abatement Updated 5-7-26 for revised updated version. This version removes buildings 14, 15, 18, and 31.

65. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Is AISC certification required for steel fabricators and erectors? Would the VA consider waiving this requirement due to the limited steel required on this project?

AISC certification requirements, as specified in the contract documents, shall be met. The VA will not waive these requirements based on project size or scope.

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66. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, are all duct banks shown on CS2001 existing to be reused unless noted otherwise?

Confirmed

67. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Do all existing duct banks to be reused include existing maxcell innerduct to be reused?

Or is the contractor responsible for providing new 3-cell maxcell innerduct in all existing duct banks in addition to the new proposed duct banks?

As noted on drawings TN002 and TN503, basis of design is air-blown micro-duct solution.

Otherwise, plenum rated corrugated innerduct is approved for use as specified in 27 05 33.

68. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Please confirm, are all duct banks existing to be reused with the exception of the duct bank shown dashed on

CS2001 between building 76 and MH-2?

Conduit from bldg 35 to data center and enclosed walkway to data center is proposed.

69. 4-17-26 5-7-26 Drawing CS1001 currently identifies sidewalk width as both 5 ft. and 6 ft. is this accurate?

All new sidewalks shown on CS1001 SHALL be

6 ft. wide. There was a typo in this drawing.