S06 - Amendment 0003 - Techinical Responses - GL CMOP.pdf

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SOLICITATION #: 36C77626R0039

RESPONSES TRACKING SHEET PROJECT TITLE: 765-24-700 - EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades Construction – Great Lakes CMOP

# RECEIVED ANSWERED CONTRACTOR QUESTION VA RESPONSE

1 Due to the instability in our current economy such as price escalations, procurement issues, and vendors unable to reasonably hold prices for more than 30 days, please change the contract type to a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment pursuant to FAR 16.203.

In accordance with FAR 16.202 and 52.216-1, this requirement will remain a firm-fixed-price contract.

2 Due to the instability in our current economy such as price escalations, procurement issues, and vendors unable to reasonably hold prices for more than 30 days, please reduce the price-hold period to 30 days.

The Government standard concerning price-hold period is 90 calendar days and will not be altered.

3 Will the government pay for materials stored per VAAR 852.232-70 and FAR 52.232-5? We have experienced PCAC Contracting Officers refusal to pay for materials stored on site during these periods of material shortages and the need to expedite procurement of materials when available to meet schedule obligations and prevent project delays. This is an important factor in preparing Price 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.

4 Please confirm that any designers or consultants who provided professional services for the construction documents, including reports, are precluded from pursuing this project as a Prime contractor, Mentor-Protégé partner, or subcontractor.

Any member of the design team of this project is not permitted to be part of the construction team.

5 Please confirm that this project is a competitive SDVOSB set-aside and that any bonding provided by a contractor must be through a SDVOSB or SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protégé partnership under the SBA/VA Mentor- Protégé program in which the partnership has been approved prior to the due date.

This project is set aside for SDVOSBs. The bonding requirements must be met for this project per the applicable clauses, provisions, and instructions to offerors.

6 Please confirm that a large business not part of an SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protégé team under the VA Mentor- Protégé program cannot provide a bid guarantee or a payment & performance bond for a SDVOSB.

This project is set aside for SDVOSBs. The bonding requirements must be met for this project per the applicable clauses, provisions, and instructions to offerors.

7 When visiting the link, I noticed the project was “set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business” – does this mean that General Contractors cannot bid the project unless they meet that requirement?

Yes, this project is a 100% set-aside for SDVOSBs. The prime contractor submitting the offer must be certified as such in the SBA VetCert database.

8 Is this project tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt will the government/VA provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

Yes. See Special Note regarding FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes in the solicitation. The exemption form will be provided as an attachment after award.

9 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.

Contractors working more than 15 days must be badged.

The 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 for more than 15 days.

The on-site superintendent must be badged and will be responsible for managing and escorting contractors. Each contractor must have an ID for VA to check and log their time in and out of the facility.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.osp.va.gov%2FHow_To_Get_A_VA_ID_Badge.asp&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ca161741650ed4b22218208de6008203d%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639053785169652282%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bOyRo4yD6UcMOZ261M7rEERPQ4zyMuZo1ibLTo%2BidoM%3D&reserved=0

10 Request for site visit sign-in sheet. Please visit SAM.Gov for contract opportunity 36C77626R0039.

An amendment was posted 3/31/2026 regarding the site visit sign-in sheet for this requirement. You will be able to locate the sign-in sheet in the opportunity attachment section.

11 It mentions “Offerors must Include page numbers and its company name in the header or footer of each page of all attachments”. Does this only apply to pages created by our company? Not from other sources? Such as Standard forms from GSA needed to be signed and just inserted into the file.

Yes, this only applies to documents appropriately created by the contractor. Standard Forms need not be altered in any fashion.

12 3/16 3/16 I am writing to request clarification on the date of the site visit. It says Monday, March 31st, but Monday March 31st does not exist – that Monday is the 30th, and Tuesday is March 31st. Please confirm which date is the correct one.

Posted Amendment 0001 – correcting site visit day.

Confirmed site visit date, remained the same.

13 4/2 4/2 Can you clarify when the period of performance begins? The period of performance begins upon issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). Several items must be completed before the CO issues the NTP such as the mandatory post‑award conference.

14 4/3 04-13-

How many wall penetrations will be required to run cabling across the warehouse?

Final quantity of penetrations is to be determined by the contractor and is dependent on final conduit quantity & routing. Expected penetrations for telecommunications infrastructure are shown on the “T” series drawings.

15 4/6 04-13-

On page M-101, there are instructions to remove and reroute existing hot and cold-water supply/return lines, but the drawing does not list existing size or material.

-Can you please confirm existing CWS, CWR, HWS, HWR line sizes and material?

Based on as built information. Existing CWS&R in this area are 3”. Existing HWS and HWR mains are 1-¼". Branches to (E)VAV-32 are ¾" Branches to (E)VAV-31 are ½" Contractor shall verify sizes in the field and notify COR of any discrepancies.

16 04-10-

ICRA DRAWINGS are only drawn for phase 1A & 1B. SEE ENLARGED PLAN 2 ON SHEET G-602: THIS

REPRESENTS THE PROPOSED ICRA BARRIER

POSITIONING FOR PHASES 1B THROUGH PHASE 4.

CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE WITH COR AND

INSTALL ACCORDINGLY AS NEEDED TO PROTECT

AREAS FROM DEBRIS.

17 04-10-

Will ICRA partitions be needed for the MEP work in the corridor to the EAST of Server room C-106A.

SEE NOTE ON SHEET G-602: TEMPORARY PARTITION

WALL APPROPRIATE FOR INTERIM MEASURE CLASS.

NOT ALL NECESSARY BARRIERS OR LOCATIONS

MAY BE SHOWN. COORDINATE WITH COR BEFORE

STARTING ANY WORK AND INSTALL ACCORDINGLY AS

NEEDED TO PROTECT AREAS FROM CONSTRUCTION

DEBRIS.

04-10-

Will ICRA partitions be required at phase 1C,2,3 & 4 OR are we to drape plastic over existing equipment.

SEE ENLARGED PLAN 2 ON SHEET G-602: THIS

REPRESENTS THE PROPOSED ICRA BARRIER

POSITIONING FOR PHASES 1B THROUGH PHASE 4.

CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE WITH COR AND

INSTALL ACCORDINGLY AS NEEDED TO PROTECT

AREAS FROM DEBRIS.

19 04-10-

Please provide reflective ceiling plans showing any other acoustic for drywall ceilings in phases 1c,2,3, &4 or all the ceilings open to joist above.

EXTENT OF CEILING WORK IS SHOWN ON REFLECTED

CEILING PLANS ON SHEET A-111.

20 04-14-

G101-Phase 2 says Contractor to coordinate the work in this area; please confirm we are to include the scope of work shown for phase 2 in our bid.

Confirmed, all phases shall be included in the scope of work.

21 04-14-

Please confirm structural steel support for new CRAC units does not have to be performed by a AISC certified fabricator and erector.

We do not recommend waiving the AISC certification requirements.

22 04-21-

Please confirm if our Super intendant can be triple hatted to serve as superintendent/SSHO/QC MANAGER or do we need 2 full time personnel on site (SSHO/Superintendent and QC manager.

Minimum staffing requirements shall comply with the contract specifications.

The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) shall be a full-time position with no other duties and shall not serve as the Superintendent or Quality Control Manager.

The Quality Control Manager (QCM) shall be designated in accordance with the Contractor Quality Control requirements and shall have the authority to enforce quality and stop work as required.

The Superintendent is responsible for overall project execution and quality of work.

Dual-hatted roles between Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM are not permitted. These roles shall be maintained as separate positions in accordance with the specifications.

23 Please confirm anticipated NOA & NTP. At this time, we are unable to confirm specific dates for the Notice of Award (NOA) or Notice to Proceed (NTP), as several prerequisite actions must be completed in accordance with contract procedures before the Contracting Officer can issue these notices.

24 04-14-

Please confirm steel testing is by owner. The third-party testing agency needs to be hired by the owner.

25 04-21-

Please confirm if the existing roof is under warranty and if so by which roofing company.

The Government confirms no roof warranty.

26 04-10-

Please confirm that there is no lead-based paint or Asbestos present in our work area.

SEE ATTACHMENT 3 – 765-24-700 EHRM HAZMAT

SURVEY – FINAL, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

NOTES ON SHEET A-101.

27 04-10-

Please confirm existing acoustic ceiling material we are to cut and patch to new wall.

SEE NOTE ON REFLECTED CEILING PLANS ON SHEET

A-111: CAREFULLY REMOVE, CUT AND REPLACE

EXISTING TILES AS NEEDED FOR NEW

CONSTRUCTION. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

FIELD VERIFYING EXISTING CONDITIONS,

IDENTIFYING EXISTING MATERIALS, AND PROVIDING A

MATCHING PRODUCT SUBJECT TO AE/COR

APPROVAL.

28 Please confirm ceiling deck heigh for phase 1 & 2 walls. Duplicate question #38

29 4/7 04-14-

Are new fire alarm devices to be Simplex or Notifier? Note #1 on FA100 indicates both systems.

New fire alarm devices shall match the facility’s primary standard and be compatible & synchronized with the existing system for the purpose served. The majority of the existing fire alarm devices are Notifier by Honeywell or System Sensor, which is a subsidiary of Honeywell.

30 04-13-

Drawing G-101 – Is the phase 1C temporary fiber required to be in conduit? If conduit is required, please provide conduit sizes and quantities, junction boxes and routing drawing.

Refer to direction provided in Phase 1C for pathway requirement for temporary backbone fiber cabling.

31 04-13-

Please verify that the intent is to replace the in-wall conduits for the replacement locations due to the change in cable size.

Refer to General Notes – New Work on T-200 series sheets for direction related to telecom WAO conduit and backboxes.

32 04-13-

Please verify that new station cable is CAT6A. Refer to specification 271513i for Copper Horizontal Cabling requirements.

33 04-13-

Please verify that WAP cabling is CAT6A. Refer to specification 271513i for Copper Horizontal Cabling requirements.

34 04-13-

Please provide a complete ground cable riser for the closets and TE CAB locations. Detail #5 on T-503 does not show all of the connection points.

Each TR (including TEs) shall be provided with a complete telecommunications grounding and bonding infrastructure as shown on T-503 detail 5 and specification section 270526i.

35 04-13-

Are the riser ground cables for the closet and cabinet connections in conduit?

Telecommunications bonding and grounding conductors within the Data Center, Telecommunications Rooms or at Telecommunications Enclosure backboards are not required to be in conduit. Telecommunications bonding and grounding conductors outside of the Data Center, Telecommunications Rooms or not at Telecommunications Enclosures shall be installed in conduit. Conduit shall be sized in accordance with the construction documents.

36 04-13-

Are the ground cables interior to the closets for equipment and case connections in conduit or open cable?

Telecommunications bonding and grounding conductors within the Data Center, Telecommunications Rooms or at Telecommunications Enclosure backboards are not required to be in conduit. Telecommunications bonding and grounding conductors outside of the Data Center, Telecommunications Rooms or not at Telecommunications Enclosures shall be installed in conduit. Conduit shall be sized in accordance with the construction documents.

37 04-13-

For the VASS System – Are licenses available for the additional cameras?

The contractor shall include all equipment, cabling, pathways, programming and ancillary equipment (i.e.

licensing) to provide a turn-key expansion of the existing electronic security systems.

38 04-10-

Please confirm the applicable ceiling heights for construction and ICRA planning. Architectural ceiling heights appear to be approximately 16 feet; however, warehouse areas appear to range from approximately 20 to 24 feet. Given these conditions, scissor lifts may be required to perform the work. Please confirm the ceiling heights and any associated access or equipment requirements.

EXTENT OF CEILING WORK IS SHOWN ON REFLECTED

CEILING PLANS ON SHEET A-111. SELECTION OF

EQUIPMENT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

BASED ON FIELD CONDITIONS.

39 04-10-

Please confirm the required ICRA barrier construction type and level. Is full-height, hard barrier construction to the deck required in all cases, or will alternative methods be permitted, such as edge guard barriers with sealed enclosures above (e.g., plastic to deck or temporary roofing systems)? Specifically, please confirm acceptable barrier requirements for Room C1061.

SEE SHEETS G-601 AND G-602 FOR ICRA GUIDELINES,

PLANS AND MATRIX. THESE PLANS AND MATRIX

IDENTIFY THE REQUIRED ICRA LEVEL 3 BASED ON

FACILITY TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY RISK

LEVEL. BARRIER CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE A

TEMPORARY PARTITION APPROPRIATE FOR THE

INTERIM MEASURE CLASS AS NOTED. SPECIFIC

BARRIER CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY AND

SHALL COMPLY WITH ICRA LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENTS

AND FACILITY INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES.

40 04-13-

Please confirm whether conduit and fiber routing must be installed within the building as shown, or if routing on the roof is an acceptable alternative. Routing on the roof may reduce disruption to active assembly line operations, which have limited shutdown windows. If exterior routing is permitted, please confirm requirements for roof penetrations and associated trade responsibilities.

Backbone pathways and cabling shall be installed interior to the building within conduit as shown on the construction documents. Final routing within the building is to be determined by the contractor.

41 04-21-

Please confirm responsibility for removal and relocation of existing shelving within Room C1061, as the room is scheduled to be fully patched and painted.

The Government will remove, relocate, and reinstall shelving.

42 04-13-

Please confirm the required scope for the existing Telecommunications Room (TR) after systems are migrated to the new infrastructure. Specifically, is the VA responsible for removal and retention of existing equipment, or is the Contractor responsible for removal and disposal? Additionally, please confirm if any restoration or new work is required in this space after turnover.

Refer to Phase 4 on sheet T-001.

43 04-13-

Will the cable penetrations be routed through conduit sleeves or will raceway devices like the EZ Path be utilized? Or, will a combination of both be used?

Refer to specification section 270533i and sheet T-503 for pathway and penetration requirements.

44 04-13-

Will there be any conduit penetrations on this project? Final quantity of penetrations is to be determined by the contractor and is dependent on final conduit quantity & routing. Expected penetrations for telecommunications infrastructure are shown on the “T” series drawings.

45 04-10-

Please confirm fire sealant is required at both top and bottom of wall at fire barriers.

SEE SHEET A-701 SHOWING WALL TYPES: FIRE

SEALANT CALLED OUT FOR BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM

OF WALLS AT FIRE BARRIERS. THIS IS A LIFE SAFETY

REQUIREMENT PER NFPA 101 AND IBC.

46 04-14-

Please confirm that new fire extinguishers, such as that indicated on Drawing FA101 are required to be clean agent type (HFC-236FA, 2A:10B:C) for all locations shown, and identify whether standard extinguishers are also required elsewhere in the facility where not explicitly indicated.

Confirmed, the fire extinguisher type for the Server Room is Clean Agent 25.63 Lbs. (2A:10B:C) for extinguishment of sensitive / expensive electrical equipment as shown on FA101. Additional, standard fire extinguishers may be required by the VA’s safety officer or authority having jurisdiction elsewhere in the facility. However, a life safety and fire protection assessment was performed only for the limited scope area and not intended for outside areas that remain unchanged from a LS/FP perspective.

47 04-10-

Please confirm whether the Contractor is responsible for abatement of asbestos or other hazardous materials beyond the quantities identified in the specifications. If additional hazardous materials are encountered, please confirm that such work will be addressed through a change order.

SEE ATTACHMENT 3 – 765-24-700 EHRM HAZMAT

SURVEY – FINAL, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

NOTES ON SHEET A-101.

48 04-10-

Please confirm that lead-based paint abatement is limited to interior locations only, specifically at the Hardware Storage columns and the Server Room beam and pipe.

SEE ATTACHMENT 3 – 765-24-700 EHRM HAZMAT

SURVEY – FINAL, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

NOTES ON SHEET A-101.

49 04-10-

Please confirm whether ICRA hard barrier systems may consist of rigid plastic wall systems with sealed plastic ceilings in lieu of full drywall partitions extending to deck.

SEE SHEETS G-601 AND G-602 FOR ICRA GUIDELINES,

PLANS AND MATRIX. THESE PLANS AND MATRIX

IDENTIFY THE REQUIRED ICRA LEVEL 3 BASED ON

FACILITY TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY RISK

LEVEL. BARRIER CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE A

TEMPORARY PARTITION APPROPRIATE FOR THE

INTERIM MEASURE CLASS AS NOTED. SPECIFIC

BARRIER CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY AND

SHALL COMPLY WITH ICRA LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENTS

AND FACILITY INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES.

50 04-10-

Please confirm whether ICRA barriers are required to be 1-hour fire-rated drywall partitions.

SEE SHEETS G-601 AND G-602 FOR ICRA GUIDELINES,

PLANS AND MATRIX. THESE PLANS AND MATRIX

IDENTIFY THE REQUIRED ICRA LEVEL 3 BASED ON

FACILITY TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY RISK

LEVEL. BARRIER CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE A

TEMPORARY PARTITION APPROPRIATE FOR THE

INTERIM MEASURE CLASS AS NOTED. SPECIFIC

BARRIER CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY AND

SHALL COMPLY WITH ICRA LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENTS

AND FACILITY INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES.

04-10-26

Please confirm that adequate space and access are available to exhaust HEPA filtration units to the exterior.

Additionally, please confirm the preferred location(s) for connection of exhaust ducting to the outdoors.

This should be coordinated with the tenant and the landlord to not interfere with daily operation. There will be a new exhaust fan opening in the roof as part of this project. If that opening is large enough and the opening is properly protected from weather that would be the shortest route to the exterior.

52 04-13-

Please clarify if WAPs are provided by the VA or the contractor.

The Wire Access Points are to be furnished and installed by the VA.

53 04-21-

Please confirm that the Contractor’s Commissioning Manager is not required to be a third-party entity and may be a member of the Contractor’s field personnel.

The Architect-Engineer serves as the Commissioning Authority. Contractor support personnel may perform contractor-side commissioning tasks in accordance with Section 01 91 00.

54 04-13-

Please confirm that third-party laboratory testing is limited to concrete and structural steel only for this project.

All testing to be carried out in accordance with the specifications.

55 04-13-

Please confirm whether all conduit in areas outside of the newly constructed Server Room is required to be surface mounted on the exterior of walls.

Refer to the T-200 series General Notes – New Work for direction on surface vs. recessed conduit and backboxes.

56 04-13-

Is flexible conduit allowed? Refer to specification section 270533i and “T” series drawings for pathway requirements.

57 04-13-

Please confirm whether any existing conduit is to be reused on this project. If so, please identify the specific locations and extent of reuse.

Refer to the T-200 series General Notes – New Work for direction on surface vs. recessed conduit and backboxes.

58 04-21-

Please define the location designated for the General Contractor’s temporary field office. If no interior space will be provided, please confirm that an exterior office trailer is allowed and please provide its location.

Limited space within the facility will be made available for project use. At this time, the Government anticipates providing approximately one cubicle or similar workspace for the Contractor’s on-site project management staff. Network connectivity will not be provided by the Government. There is no public WiFi to access.

Due to ongoing operations and multiple concurrent projects within the facility, the Government cannot guarantee the availability of dedicated interior or exterior staging/laydown areas.

The Contractor shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, and securing any required staging, storage, and laydown areas necessary to support construction activities. Any use of VA-controlled space, whether interior or exterior, must be coordinated in advance with and approved by the COR.

Staging locations, if approved, may be limited, temporary, and subject to change based on operational needs.

The Contractor should not assume the availability of laydown or storage space beyond what is explicitly approved by the COR.

59 04-13-

Please confirm whether horizontal interior fiber backbone conduit pathways shown on the telecommunications drawings are existing and to be reused, or if the Contractor is to provide all new pathways.

Backbone pathway shown on sheets T-100 series, T-200 series and T-400 series is new to be contractor furnished and contractor installed.

60 04-21-

For bidding purposes, please provide approximate quantities and dimensions of furniture to be removed to access data drop locations, as drawings indicate the Contractor is responsible for removal.

Contractor shall field verify furniture conditions and coordinate with VA for access to work areas.

61 04-21-

Please confirm whether work in hallways and active work areas is required to be performed during off-hours (nights and/or weekends) to avoid disruption to facility operations.

Work within hallways and active operational areas, including offices and admin space, shall be planned and executed in a manner that minimizes disruption to facility operations.

Activities that may impact production, including work affecting network connectivity or critical systems, may be required to be performed during off-hours. Off-hours are generally defined as weekends and overnight hours between 0000 and 0500.

The Contractor shall coordinate all work activities, including timing and sequencing, with the COR to determine when off-hours work is required. Not all work in hallways or active areas will necessarily require off-hours execution; however, such determinations will be made based on operational impacts.

Network connectivity and other critical systems shall be fully restored not less than one hour prior to the start of work, office and pharmacy production, activities.

62 04-10-

Please confirm, in work areas where walls / ceilings / finishes are to be disturbed in the process of installing new WAO and data drop assemblies, is the contractor responsible for painting all walls seam-to-seam with 3 coats?

SEE NOTES/REMARKS ON FINISH SCHEDULE ON

SHEET A-601: WHERE NEW WORK OCCURS AND

EXISTING WALLS ARE DISTURBED OUTSIDE OF THESE

ROOMS, PAINT THE ENTIRE AFFECTED WALL TO

ENSURE UNIFORM COVERAGE AND AVOID

MISMATCHED TOUCH-UPS.

63 04-21-

Please provide the required Schedule of Special Inspections for this project, including inspection types, frequency, and responsible parties.

01 45 35 Schedule of Special Inspections will be added as a formal amended by the Government.

64 04-13-

Please confirm that all data center backbone cabling, horizontal cabling, and patch cabling are required to be factory pre-terminated and factory assembled, with no more than 1 meter of excess length provided at each end.

Data Center backbone cabling, horizontal cabling and patch cord cabling shall be furnished and installed in accordance with specification sections 271000i, 271119i, 271313i, 271313.13i, 271323i and 271323.13i.

65 04-13-

Please confirm that all electrical and telecommunications work for this project is limited to the interior of the building and that no exterior earthwork is required.

All telecommunications scope is shown in the project manual, T-series drawings and division 27 specifications.

Electrical scope of work is contained within the building footprint other than Condensing units on the roof.

66 04-13-

Please confirm that all backbone cabling, both primary and redundant, is required to be installed in conduit within the building.

Backbone pathways and cabling shall be installed interior to the building within conduit as shown on the construction documents. Final routing within the building is to be determined by the contractor.

67 04-13-

Please confirm that horizontal cabling pathways may be installed using cable tray or J-hooks and are not required to be installed in conduit where located above the ceiling.

Horizontal cabling shall be furnished and installed in accordance with the requirements shown on the T-series drawings and specification section 270533.

68 04-10-

Please confirm whether any new concrete floor or wall penetrations are required for this project. If so, please provide quantities, locations, sizes, and clarify responsibility for coring, sleeving, and firestopping.

LOCATIONS, SIZES, AND QUANTITIES OF REQUIRED

PENETRATIONS ARE LIMITED TO THOSE NECESSARY

FOR INSTALLATION OF INDICATED SYSTEMS AND

SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE CONTRACTOR BASED

ON FIELD CONDITIONS AND COORDINATION WITH ALL

TRADES. CORING, SLEEVING, AND FIRESTOPPING

ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY AND

SHALL BE PROVIDED AS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN

FIRE-RATED ASSEMBLIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH

APPLICABLE CODES AND SPECIFICATIONS.

69 04-21-

Please confirm whether the Contractor will be limited in the number of rooms or work areas that can be accessed simultaneously, or if the Contractor may sequence work at their discretion, provided all phasing requirements shown on Drawings G-101, T-001, and T-002 are maintained.

Contractor shall comply with contract phasing requirements and coordinate room access with COR. Simultaneous work areas may be limited by facility operations.

70 04-21-

If additional room or area-specific phasing constraints beyond those shown on the phasing plans are anticipated, please provide, for bidding purposes, the approximate number of rooms or work areas that will be made available to the Contractor at one time.

Access will be coordinated with the COR based on active operations.

71 04-13-

Please confirm whether HEPA-filtered carts are considered an acceptable method of infection control for above-ceiling work in hallway areas.

SEE SHEETS G-601 AND G-602 FOR ICRA GUIDELINES,

PLANS AND MATRIX. THESE PLANS AND MATRIX

IDENTIFY THE REQUIRED ICRA LEVEL 3 BASED ON

FACILITY TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY RISK

LEVEL. BARRIER CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE A

TEMPORARY PARTITION APPROPRIATE FOR THE

INTERIM MEASURE CLASS AS NOTED. SPECIFIC

BARRIER CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY AND

SHALL COMPLY WITH ICRA LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENTS

AND FACILITY INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES.

CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE SCHEDULE AND

WORK ACTIVITIES WITH COR PRIOR TO STARTING

NEW WORK.

72 04-10-

Please confirm whether the Contractor is permitted to utilize plastic barrier containment systems to isolate hallway sections during above-ceiling work. If permitted, please confirm whether such work is required to be performed during off-hours to avoid disruption to facility operations.

SEE SHEETS G-601 AND G-602 FOR ICRA GUIDELINES,

PLANS AND MATRIX. THESE PLANS AND MATRIX

IDENTIFY THE REQUIRED ICRA LEVEL 3 BASED ON

FACILITY TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY RISK

LEVEL. BARRIER CONSTRUCTION IS TO BE A

TEMPORARY PARTITION APPROPRIATE FOR THE

INTERIM MEASURE CLASS AS NOTED. SPECIFIC

BARRIER CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

ARE THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY AND

SHALL COMPLY WITH ICRA LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENTS

AND FACILITY INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES.

CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE SCHEDULE AND

WORK ACTIVITIES WITH COR PRIOR TO STARTING

NEW WORK.

73 04/14/2026 Please confirm whether the AISC certification requirement for the steel fabricator and/or erector may be waived given the limited extent of structural steel work on this project.

The AISC certification must be adhered to in accordance with the specifications.

74 2/17 04-13-

Please confirm whether new fire-rated sleeves are required at all new through-wall cable penetrations associated with new Cat6A cabling.

Any telecommunications pathway (conduit, cable tray, etc.)

which penetrates or transits through a partition/wall/floor shall maintain the rating of that partition/wall/floor.

75 04-13-

Please confirm whether the Contractor is responsible for furnishing and installing new wireless access points (WAPs) where shown on the telecommunications drawings, or if these are existing devices requiring new cabling only.

The Wire Access Points are to be furnished and installed by the VA.

76 Please confirm whether an existing roof warranty applies to the areas impacted by this project. If so, please confirm whether the Contractor is required to maintain the existing warranty and provide the warranty holder’s contact information.

Duplicate question #25

77 4-15-2026 Please confirm whether the Prime Contractor is required to directly engage the controls system integrator.

For HVAC controls usually they are a sub of the mechanical contractor.

78 Please confirm whether PLA requirements apply to this project.

The project doesn’t meet the threshold for the requirement of a PLA.

79 04-21-

Please confirm whether the Contractor will be permitted to stage equipment within the building prior to commencement of work (e.g., panelboards, wire, etc.).

Limited space within the facility will be made available for project use. At this time, the Government anticipates providing approximately one cubicle or similar workspace for the Contractor’s on-site project management staff.

Due to ongoing operations and multiple concurrent projects within the facility, the Government cannot guarantee the availability of dedicated interior or exterior staging/laydown areas.

The Contractor shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, and securing any required staging, storage, and laydown areas necessary to support construction activities. Any use of VA-controlled space, whether interior or exterior, must be coordinated in advance with and approved by the COR.

Staging locations, if approved, may be limited, temporary, and subject to change based on operational needs.

The Contractor should not assume the availability of laydown or storage space beyond what is explicitly approved by the COR.

80 04-13-

Please confirm whether the requirement for an RCDD applies to full-time on-site presence during construction, or if it is sufficient for the technology contractor to have an RCDD on staff supporting the project without continuous on-site presence.

The contractor performing the division 27 scope or work shall meet the qualifications as detailed in specification section 271000i. This RCDD is not required to be full-time on-site.

81 04-13-

Please confirm whether existing cable pathways (including conduit, cable tray, and J-hooks) may be reused for this project. If reuse is permitted, please identify the specific locations and extent of allowable reuse.

Telecommunication cabling shall be furnished and installed in pathways in accordance with the requirements shown on the T-series drawings and specification section 270533.

Refer to the T-200 series General Notes – New Work for direction on surface vs. recessed conduit and backboxes.

82 04-13-

Please confirm if routing armored fiber on J-Hooks is acceptable

Backbone pathways and cabling shall be installed interior to the building within conduit as shown on the construction documents. Final routing within the building is to be determined by the contractor.

83 04-10-

Who is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent?

Section 01 91 00, paragraph 1.9 states the VA will appoint the Cx agent.

84 04-10-

Please confirm that the Contractor is required to hire a qualified commercial photographer to document training modules, as indicated in Specification 01 91 00, Paragraph 3.9.I. Additionally, please confirm that the only required training module submission pertains to Specification Section 28 13 00.

Confirmed. The specification calls for a qualified commercial photographer and that the only training module listed in the specs pertains to Section 28 13 00.

85 04-21-

Will the contractor be provided with a laydown area on campus?

Limited space within the facility will be made available for project use. At this time, the Government anticipates providing approximately one cubicle or similar workspace for the Contractor’s on-site project management staff.

Due to ongoing operations and multiple concurrent projects within the facility, the Government cannot guarantee the availability of dedicated interior or exterior staging/laydown areas.

The Contractor shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, and securing any required staging, storage, and laydown areas necessary to support construction activities. Any use of VA-controlled space, whether interior or exterior, must be coordinated in advance with and approved by the COR.

Staging locations, if approved, may be limited, temporary, and subject to change based on operational needs.

The Contractor should not assume the availability of

86 04-21-

Please confirm Procore is acceptable for this project. The contract documents do not specify or require the use of any particular project management platform.

The Contractor may utilize a project management system, such as Procore, for internal project coordination; however, all required contract deliverables, including submittals, RFIs, schedules, and documentation, shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the contract documents and through Government-approved processes.

The system must be accessible by the VA. If the proposed system is blocked through the VA network, the contractor must change to a new one.

87 04-10-

Please provide a list of the types of signage required to be permanently installed on this project, such as door number indicators, room number indicators, fire extinguisher signage, and similar items.

SEE SHEET A-401 INTERIOR ELEVATIONS FOR

LOCATION OF SIGNAGE. SEE DETAILS 9 AND 10 ON

SHEET A-501 DETAILS FOR SIGNAGE DETAILS AND

MOUNTING LOCATION. REFERENCE SPECIFICATION

SECTION 10 14 00 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

88 4-15-2026 Does the BMS system need to be sole sourced and match the existing?

Yes, there is an existing BMS that needs to be connected to.

89 04-10-

Per drawing G-101, Phase 1B and Phase 3, please confirm the note “IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS

COORDINATION WITH NATIONAL OIT TEAM MAY TAKE

FROM 90 TO 120 DAYS TO SCHEDULE” means the contractor should notify the OIT team of the preferred equipment migration dates 120 days in advance.

CONFIRMED. THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE

FOR NOTIFYING AND COORDINATING WITH THE

NATIONAL OIT TEAM REGARDING EQUIPMENT

MIGRATION 90-120 DAYS IN ADVANCE TO AVOID

DELAYS.

90 04-13-

Please confirm the VA team is physically responsible for migrating equipment from the existing server room (C1085) to the new server room (C1060A).

Confirmed

91 04-14-

Please provide available as-built fire sprinkler drawings for the building, including system zoning, water supply data, and any recent fire pump test results. If not available, please confirm the basis of design for the existing fire protection system.

Please see sprinkler shop drawings from F.E. Moran Inc.

dated 10/30/2024 that were sent to the AE by the CMOP.

Confirm with the CMOP that these are the latest sprinkler shop drawings and their accuracy. Follow up with Contracting/Local VA for any further information needed on the existing sprinkler system.

92 04-10-

Please provide the specification section for fire extinguisher cabinet (FEC) equipment.

NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER CABINETS ARE INCLUDED IN

THE PROJECT SCOPE. THE PROJECT PROVIDES

STANDARD WALL-MOUNTED PORTABLE DRY

CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ONLY.

ACCORDINGLY, NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER CABINET

SPECIFICATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED. SEE

ARCHITECTURAL AND FIRE PROTECTION SHEETS.

93 04-10-

Please confirm the thickness of the existing roof deck. THE THICKNESS OF THE EXISTING ROOF DECK IS NOT

KNOWN AND WAS NOT VERIFIED AS PART OF THE

DESIGN SCOPE. SEE NOTES ON SHEETS S-101 AND A-

121: CONTRACTOR SHALL FIELD VERIFY THE

EXISTING ROOFING SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION AND

CONDITIONS PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY WORK.

CMOP/SDC MAY HAVE THIS INFORMATION.

94 04-13-

Please confirm whether the Contractor is responsible for furnishing and installing all new cameras, or if existing cameras are to be relocated and reinstalled.

Refer to Electronic Security Scope of Work Responsibility Matrix on sheet T-001. Electronic security devices shown as half-tone (gray) on the T-series sheets indicated existing to remain devices. New devices are shown as full line weight (black).

95 04-13-

Please confirm the exact quantity of new equipment racks to be provided by the Contractor and the exact number of existing racks to be reused, relocated, and reinstalled.

Refer to T series drawings for telecommunications scope related to the project. This includes new and existing equipment rack, cabinets, etc.

96 04-21-

Please clarify VA escort requirements for work in multiple rooms and areas.

Escorted access is required in all areas. Only contractor personnel with PIV badges may work unescorted in approved areas.

97 04-13-

Please confirm whether all existing cable tray in Data Room C1060 is to be demolished and not reused. Drawing TD401 depicts the cable tray with hatched lines; however, some portions appear in a lighter gray than others.

Confirmed. All existing cabling tray shown on TD401 that is dashed is to be demolished.

98 Please identify existing cable tray that shall be reused that are present in rooms where demolition is indicated.

Duplicate question #97

99 04-21-

Please confirm the Superintendent shall not have any shared duties as a QCM, SSHO, or any other role on the project.

Minimum staffing requirements shall comply with the contract specifications.

The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) shall be a full-time position with no other duties and shall not serve as the Superintendent or Quality Control Manager.

The Quality Control Manager (QCM) shall be designated in accordance with the Contractor Quality Control requirements and shall have the authority to enforce quality and stop work as required.

The Superintendent is responsible for overall project execution and quality of work.

Dual-hatted roles between Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM are not permitted. These roles shall be maintained as separate positions in accordance with the specifications.

100 04-21-

Please confirm the SSHO shall not have any shared duties as a QCM, Superintendent, or any other role on the project.

Minimum staffing requirements shall comply with the contract specifications.

The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) shall be a full-time position with no other duties and shall not serve as the Superintendent or Quality Control Manager.

The Quality Control Manager (QCM) shall be designated in accordance with the Contractor Quality Control requirements and shall have the authority to enforce quality and stop work as required.

The Superintendent is responsible for overall project execution and quality of work.

Dual-hatted roles between Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM are not permitted. These roles shall be maintained as separate positions in accordance with the specifications.

101 04-21-

Please confirm the QCM shall not have any shared duties as the SSHO, Superintendent or any other role on the project.

Minimum staffing requirements shall comply with the contract specifications.

The Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) shall be a full-time position with no other duties and shall not serve as the Superintendent or Quality Control Manager.

The Quality Control Manager (QCM) shall be designated in accordance with the Contractor Quality Control requirements and shall have the authority to enforce quality and stop work as required.

The Superintendent is responsible for overall project execution and quality of work.

Dual-hatted roles between Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM are not permitted. These roles shall be maintained as separate positions in accordance with the specifications.

102 04-13-

Please confirm that all firestopping must be either installed by an FM global approved contractor, or a UL qualified firestop contractor certified.

CONFIRMED. SEE SPECIFICATION 07 84 00

FIRESTOPPING.

103 04-13-

Please confirm that the contractor is to include the services of a third party independent firestopping inspector in their bid.

SEE SPECIFICATION 07 84 00 FIRESTOPPING.

104 04-24-

Please confirm that firestopping installers accredited by a firestopping product manufacturer will not be approved by the VA unless they meet the FM global or UL qualifications referenced in section 07 84 00.

The contract must meet the requirements of 07 84 00.

105 04-21-

Please confirm the contractor can utilize a portion of the vacant property for additional contractor laydown and parking areas.

Limited space within the facility will be made available for project use. At this time, the Government anticipates providing approximately one cubicle or similar workspace for the Contractor’s on-site project management staff.

Due to ongoing operations and multiple concurrent projects within the facility, the Government cannot guarantee the availability of dedicated interior or exterior staging/laydown areas.

The Contractor shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, and securing any required staging, storage, and laydown areas necessary to support construction activities. Any use of VA-controlled space, whether interior or exterior, must be coordinated in advance with and approved by the COR.

Staging locations, if approved, may be limited, temporary, and subject to change based on operational needs.

The Contractor should not assume the availability of

106 04-21-

Please confirm that contractor parking will be provided on site. This directly impacts pricing.

A designated area for contractor parking has been identified on site. The approximate location is shown in the attached exhibit for reference.

Parking within this area shall be considered limited and shared, and is subject to coordination with CMOP Facilities.

The Contractor shall not assume dedicated or exclusive use of the area.

Use of the designated parking area, including capacity and duration, may be adjusted based on ongoing facility operations and concurrent projects.

The Contractor remains responsible for making any additional parking arrangements necessary to support construction activities.

107 04-13-

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 utilize 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.

The contractor performing the division 27 scope or work shall meet the qualifications as detailed in specification section 271000i.

108 04-13-

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.

The contractor performing the division 27 scope or work shall meet the qualifications as detailed in specification section 271000i.

109 04-13-

Please confirm cable installer must have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI).

The contractor performing the division 27 scope or work shall meet the qualifications as detailed in specification section 271000i.

110 4/21/2026 Please confirm this project must meet the buy American act requirements.

See Solicitation Section 2.19 52.225-12 Notice of Buy American Requirement and 4.3 52.225-11 Buy American.

111 04-10-

Please confirm level 4 finish for all finished gypsum board including patches.

SEE SPECIFICATION SECTION 09 29 00 GYPSUM

BOARD PARAGRAPH 3.5: FINISH JOINTS, EDGES,

CORNERS, AND FASTENER HEADS IN ACCORDANCE

WITH ASTM C840. USE LEVEL 4 FINISH FOR ALL

FINISHED AREAS OPEN TO PUBLIC VIEW.

112 04-13-

Are we required to use plenum rated cabling for all areas?

Can we use riser rated cabling in non-plenum spaces?

Refer to specification sections 271323i and 271523i for cable rating requirements and where they are allowed to be installed.

113 04-21-

Please confirm the VA will be working and scheduling with the subsystem vendors on scheduling network outages.

Required outages shall be coordinated through the COR and VA OIT. Final scheduling will be coordinated with affected VA stakeholders and vendors as applicable.

114 04-14-

Please confirm whether mock-ups are required to be stand-alone and should not be incorporated into the overall of the construction of the facility.

CONFIRMED.

115 04-13-

Is the contractor required to provide the licensing for the new Security Cameras? Or will the VA be providing that?

The contractor shall include all equipment, cabling, pathways, programming and ancillary equipment (i.e.

licensing) to provide a turn-key expansion of the existing electronic security systems.

116 Please confirm if the contractor is to include a 5% allowance for additional data drops beyond what are shown on the drawings.

Provide WAO quantities as shown on the contract documents.

117 Please confirm that this project is a competitive Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside project and that any bonding provided by a contractor must be through a SDVOSB or SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor- Protege partnership under the SBA/VA Mentor-Protégé program in which the partnership has been approved prior to the bid date.

Correct

118 Please confirm that a large business not part of an SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protégé team under the VA Mentor- Protégé program cannot provide a Payment & Performance bond for a SDVOSB.

Correct

119 Please confirm that a large business, not part of an SBA/VA APPROVED Mentor-Protégé team under the VA Mentor-Protégé program cannot provide a bid guarantee for a SDVOSB.

Correct

120 04-21-

Please define off hours, we assume off hours to be second shift work but need confirmation.

Standard working hours for the facility are generally aligned with first and second shift operations. First shift is approximately 0500 to 1530, and second shift is approximately 1330 to 0000.

Off-hours work is defined as weekends and overnight hours between 0000 and 0500. Work that has the potential to impact operations, including network connectivity, is expected to be performed during these off-hours windows.

Network connectivity must be fully restored not less than one hour prior to the start of production activities.

Final scheduling of all work activities, including any required off-hours work, shall be coordinated with and approved by the COR, as operating conditions, overtime, and mission requirements may require adjustments.

121 04-21-

Please confirm the normal working hours of this contract are to be assumed as normal working hours; 7:00 am-5:00 pm

Standard working hours for the facility are generally aligned with first and second shift operations. First shift is approximately 0500 to 1530, and second shift is approximately 1330 to 0000.

Off-hours work is defined as weekends and overnight hours between 0000 and 0500. Work that has the potential to impact operations, including network connectivity, is expected to be performed during these off-hours windows.

Network connectivity must be fully restored not less than one hour prior to the start of production activities.

Final scheduling of all work activities, including any required off-hours work, shall be coordinated with and approved by the COR, as operating conditions, overtime, and…