Tech Questions Tracker - Tuskegee EHRM 6-1-26.pdf

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SOLICITATION #: 36C77626R0043

RESPONSES TRACKING SHEET PROJECT TITLE: EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades - Tuskegee

# RECEIVED ANSWERED CONTRACTOR QUESTION VA RESPONSE

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.

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

No. See Special Note regarding FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes in the solicitation. It is solely the responsibility of the offeror to include all state and local sales or use taxes for construction materials, and all other applicable taxes, in their bid or proposal price.

7 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 the project. All contractors must have a PIV Card in order to work on site.

8 How soon after award is NTP expected to be issued? The Government anticipates issuance within 90 calendar days after award.

9 Will the VA allow deviations to Buy American Act if the noted products are not available?

The process of requesting exceptions to the Buy American Act is detailed in the provision at FAR 52.225-12, Notice of Buy American Requirement—Construction Materials Under Trade Agreements, and the clause at FAR 52.225-11 Buy American—Construction Materials under Trade Agreements, in the solicitation. Any items not compliant must be specifically listed in the offer.

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 Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

This will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract and all escalation should be factored in your FFP.

Additionally, FAR 52.216-4 “Economic Price Adjustment – Labor and Material” is not included in the solicitation and will not be added.

11 5-4-2026 5-6-2026 According to the specifications, it looks like the VA will be hiring the commissioning agent:

C. Members Appointed by VA:

1. Commissioning Agent: The designated person, company, or entity that plans, schedules, and coordinates the commissioning team to implement the commissioning process. The VA will engage the CxA under a separate contract.

The VA has no method to hire commission firms directly. They are either hired by the design firm or the contractor. This leaves a big gap in the completion of the project.

Who the Cx firm is that, has been or is going to be, contracted by the VA.

The VA does have the resources to hire commissioning firms directly and will successfully contract commissioning services for this requirement. The Commissioning Agent will be contracted by the VA. The Commissioning award has not yet been made and no contact information or company information is available at this time.

12 5-5-2026 Specification 01 00 00.1.29 requires Tririga management system. Will Procore be acceptable?

Procore is an acceptable alternate platform, VA to confirm

13 5-5-2026 Can superintendent perform duties of SSHO and/or QC or will 2 or 3 separate persons be required?

(b) performance within a Government facility that on the advice of VA construction safety representatives involves hazardous operations that might endanger the safety of the public, patients and/or personnel or property, the SSHO and Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager must be separate persons (See Section 1.7(C) for choice).

14 5-6-2026 Is the contractor to assume ceilings in hallways are ACT drop ceilings unless noted otherwise?

No, the ceiling should be field verify the ceiling type in the corridors.

15 5-6-2026 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?

Based on the location, the work maybe schedule during off hours (nights/weekends)

16 5-6-2026 Please confirm, will Maxcell innerduct be required for exterior underground cable pathways?

Or is the contractor to provide Maxcell innerduct in all interior fiber backbone conduit pathways ?

Maxcell innerduct will be required for all exterior underground pathways, and interior if installed in conduit

17 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Please confirm, the designated SSHO must be a separate individual from both the designated superintendent and

QCM?

Please see RFI #13.

18 5-6-2026 Is the contractor required to hire an SIOR to oversee all special inspections?

Special Inspector of Record (SIOR) – SIOR must be an independent third party hired directly by the Prime Contractor and is required for the following project conditions:

19 5-6-2026 Is the contractor required to hire a 3rd-party firestopping inspector as part of this contract?

Yes as it is specified

20 5-6-2026 Is the contractor required to hire a 3rd party geotechnical engineer as part of this project?

Yes, as it is specified

21 5-6-2026 The drawings do not indicate where asbestos is present and the specifications do not list quantities. Please clarify the extent of abatement work required in the work areas associated with this contract.

Refer to the ACM report prepared by ECS and incorporated into the specifications, it lists location and estimated quantities for each building, drawings are provided w/in this report.

22 5-6-2026 Is the contractor responsible for asbestos monitoring during demolition of all work areas? If asbestos or hazardous material is discovered in addition to what is indicated in the report, will this be addressed via change order?

Contractor is responsible for ACM monitoring during the demolition phase. Refer Section 02 82 11 Traditional Asbestos Abatement

23 5-6-2026 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?

The contractor will be limited by the number of switches available in the TR. The rooms will be approved by the COR before work begins.

24 5-6-2026 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 Phasing notes on Section 01 32 16.15 for additional information. See RFI #23

25 5-6-2026 Would HEPA carts be considered a sufficient means of infection control for contractors to use while working above ceilings in hallways?

Refer to paragraph 1.12 Infection Control.

26 5-6-2026 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?

Refer to paragraph 1.12 Infection Control.

27 5-6-2026 Is the contractor to assume new fire sleeves are required at all new through-wall cable penetrations associated with cat6a cable drop locations?

Yes, assume new fire sleeve in all fire rated wall assemblies

28 5-6-2026 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?

WAP locations are to be removed and re-installed.

29 5-6-2026 Is there an existing proprietary fire alarm contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company name and point of contact.

The existing fire alarm system observed in all buildings was Simplex. Johnson Controls would be the fire alarm partner.

Titan Fire and Security (Joe Campbell, 334-260-0453).

Subject to change without notice.

30 5-6-2026 Is there an existing proprietary controls contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company name and point of contact.

Avigilon

31 5-6-2026 Is there an existing proprietary PACS and/or CCTV contractor at the facility? If so, please provide company name and point of contact.

No. include scope for installation of access control where shown in plans.

32 5-6-2026 Where disturbed by construction, is grass area to be restored using seed or sod?

Seed in accordance with 32 90 00 specifications.

33 5-6-2026 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?

Yes. The contractor is responsible for maintenance and water until turning over to the government and receiving acceptance from the VA.

34 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Is this project Tax Exempt? See RFI #6.

35 5-6-2026 Please confirm that all firestopping must be either installed by an FM global approved contractor, or a UL qualified firestop contractor certified.

Refer to section 07 84 00/1.5/B.: Installer Qualifications: A firm that has been approved by FM Global according to FM Global 4991 or been evaluated by UL and found to comply with UL’s “Qualified Firestop Contractor Program Requirements.”

36 5-6-2026 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 COR will work with work with VA stuff before work starts in each area.

37 5-6-2026 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.

Refer to Spec 28 05 00-7 for the requirement for the BICSI certification for the project superintendent to be a certified commercial installer specifically. This will be a post-award check IAW the spec requirement.

38 5-6-2026 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.

Confirmed

39 5-6-2026 Please confirm cable installer must have on staff a Registered Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD) certified by Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI).

Confirmed

40 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Please confirm this project must meet the Buy American Act requirements.

See FAR 52.225-11 and 52.225-12 that are included in the original solicitation.

See also RFI #9.

41 5-6-2026 Please confirm level 4 finish for all finished gypsum board including patches.

Confirmed, refer to specification section 09 29 00/3.5/A.

42 5-6-2026 Are we required to use plenum rated cabling for all areas?

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

Riser rated cabling is acceptable in non-plenum spaces.

Cabling shall be properly rated for the environment where required.

43 5-6-2026 Will flexible metal conduit be allowed? Flexible metal conduit is allowed where permitted in section 26 05 33 and the Conduit Installation Schedule on 00- E000.

44 5-6-2026 Please confirm the VA will be working and scheduling with the subsystem vendors on scheduling network outages.

The COR OIT to schedule network outages

45 5-6-2026 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?

Excavation is unclassified. Unsuitable soils shall be removed & disposed of in accordance with 31 20 00 3.6 Specifications.

46 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Will there be PLA requirements on this project? No. The PLA requirement is not included in this solicitation.

47 5-6-2026 Please confirm, are all new cat6a cables to be factory terminated?

All permanent cabling is field terminated. Patch cords are required to be factory terminated.

48 5-6-2026 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? If new conduit and backbox is anticipated to be required at some but not all locations, please provide a means of quantifying for bidding purposes.

The contractor shall include and replace the existing backbox and vertical conduit to the ceiling as part of the scope

49 5-6-2026 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?

Yes, assume a wall corner to wall corner, floor to ceiling paint finish. (VA on a case by case basis may allowed spot painting)

50 5-6-2026 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?

No mechanical unit is schedule to be located on existing roofs

51 5-6-2026 Photographic Documentation - Reference specification section 01 00 00 – 1.27 Photographic Documentation

Can the contractor QC manager serve as the photographer if they meet the requirement of having experience photographing construction projects. The term “Commercial Photographer” is vague, has no licensing requirements or any other information required.

Yes. No reference to the term commercial photographer in section 1,27

52 5-6-2026 01 00 00 – 1.6.M – Confirm the construction fence can be 6’ with fabric in lieu of 7’ (6’ is an industry standard).

Refer to 1.6 Operations and Storage Areas (FAR 52.236-

10) M Construction Fence

53 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Is there a proprietary Fire Alarm Contractor at the facility? If so, please provide the company name and point of contact.

See RFI #29.

54 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Is there a proprietary Controls Contractor at the facility? If so, please provide the company name and point of contact.

See RFI #30.

55 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Is there a proprietary Cameras at the facility? If so, please provide the company name and point of contact.

See RFI #31.

56 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 For tech requirements, concerning page limitations: Can you confirm that (CPARS/PPQs, Draft Project Schedule, etc.) does not count towards page limitations.

Please see the Instructions to Offerors.

For Volume I Past Performance, yes, CPARS, PPQs, and Project Information Sheets count towards the 30 page, page limitation. This project is a Past Performance trade-off and the only evaluation factors are Past Performance and Price.

Volume II Price and Volume III Admin are separate entities and that information does not count against the 30 page limitation for Past Performance.

57 5-6-2026 6-1-26 With the solicitation documents attachment 10 and 12 are both for building 3. Confirm that attachment 12 was a duplicate attachment and attachment 12 did not contain additional drawings that need to be issued. Please provide if there are additional drawings that should have been for attachment 12.

Drawings have been revised with the RFI sheet. Please refer to EHRM Addendum 01 5-26-26 - REVISED Drawings Vol 1-3 with the Technical Question Tracking Sheet for updated complete set of drawings.

58 5-6-2026 6-1-26 With the solicitation documents attachment 11 and 13 are both for building. Confirm that attachment 13 was a duplicate attachment and attachment 13 did not contain additional drawings that need to be issued. Please provide if there are additional drawings that should have been for attachment 13.

See RFI #57.

59 5-6-2026 6-1-26 Buildings 13, 14, 15 & 83 are missing the architectural drawings. In each of these buildings the CG drawings show the TR’s will be located in new locations and are to receive new doors. Please provide architectural drawings for these buildings.

See RFI #57.

60 5-6-2026 Detail B5 / T505 is the detail for the Telecommunication manhole. Please clarify the following:

a. There are two different sizes identified on this detail. Confirm this manhole can be sized to meet requirements for the number conduits / fiber being installed at a 40% fill ration?

b. There are light fixtures show in the detail.

The electrical drawings do not show power to any manholes. Confirm lights are not required or provide design drawings showing routing and panels where the lights are to be fed from.

c. The a drain is shown in the bottom and extending 20’. Is this drain required and if so will the water table fill the manholes?

a) Note # 4 will be removed. The minimum size shall be 72’x72”x72”

b) Light fixture will be removed. No electrical needed at manhole

c) Drain is required, provide minimum size as shown.

Contractor shall verify existing groundwater conditions in the field prior to installation. If groundwater is encountered, contractor shall notify the AE team and Owner before proceeding so the condition can be reviewed. The drawings do not establish that the water table will fill the manholes, and no assumption should be made without geotechnical or field verification.

61 5-6-2026 The MCR is getting a new clean agent system installed.

These systems are size by the cubic feet volume of the room. What is the height of the room from the new SD floor to the deck height above (after the ceiling is removed)?

Height is assumed to be 13’, GC to field verify

62 5-6-2026 In Building 3A in the MCR, is there existing VCT under the raised access floor that needs to be removed?

Not anticipated, 63 5-6-2026 In Building 3A – RM 3A-106 the finish schedule on sheet AE601 calls for all the walls to be painted. On the site walk it appears that all the existing walls are wall paper. The demo drawings do not show the existing finish being removed. Is the existing wall paper to be removed, walls refinished and painted?

Yes, please plan to remove the wall paper if existing, patch repair, and prep walls to receive new primer and paint finish.

64 5-6-2026 In Building 3A – RM 3A-106 the new MCR there are existing windows. Do they require security screens?

Keynote 4? None of them are noted for this room?

Yes keynote #4 applies to all the windows in the MCR.

65 5-6-2026 Detail 2 / M600 shows drip pans and water detection. The notes state to install as shown on the plans. The plans do not show any drip pans being installed. If they are required, provide the building and room numbers.

The drain pans are called out via keynotes referencing the detail in some locations. Drawings with missing references will be updated.

66 5-6-2026 Duct bank detail on Sheet T505 detail G5 indicates 3ea 3” 4 pocket Maxcell in each conduit. However sheet T506 detail G15 is showing 1ea 3” 3 pocket Maxcell. Which is correct or can the VA indicate how many pockets per conduit they are wanting?

This will be removed. Provide (1) 3” 3pocket innerduct as shown in G15/T506

67 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Is Maxcell required in any of the ISP conduits for fiber installation? If so how many?

See RFI #16.

68 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Does the 30-page limit in Section 2.8 B.2.a for Past Performance apply only to the narrative content or are other elements such as resumes and matrices also excluded?

See RFI #56.

This project does not require resumes or matrices. Please adhere to the submission requirements. The only evaluation factors are Past Performance and Price.

69 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 May we use a combination of narrative descriptions and graphic matrices for Past Performance within the 30-page limit? If so, what is the preferred format?

See the Past Performance evaluation criteria in the Instructions to Offerors. It outlines usage of CPARS, PPQs, Contractor Information Sheets (RFP Attachment 16) as well as the requirements for written narratives.

70 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Please clarify the Government’s definition of “relevant” past performance for this EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project.

Does experience on similar VA EHRM, data center, or hospital MEP infrastructure upgrade projects receive higher consideration?

Relevancy is defined in the Instructions to Offerors as follows:

Recent and Relevant Assessment: Offerors are required to provide their recent, substantially complete (>75% complete at time of submission), successful performance under contracts that demonstrate performance of telecommunications infrastructure to standards equal or similar to the VA Infrastructure Standard for Telecommunication Spaces (ISTS). Construction shall be similar in size, complexity, magnitude, and scope to the Tuskegee VAMC Project #619A-22-700, with performance as the prime contractor and within the last six

(6) years from the date this solicitation was issued.

71 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Is there a preferred or maximum number of projects to include in Past Performance? Will the Government evaluate all projects submitted or only the most relevant ones up to a certain limit?

Please see the solicitation Instructions to Offerors regarding the evaluation factor criteria.

It is stated in the solicitation, “Offeror shall provide a detailed summary of least two (2) and no more than three

(3) recent projects similar in size, scope, and complexity.”

“At least one of the projects submitted must have been completed by the Prime.”

The Government will not evaluate past the third project submitted. NO more than three (3).

72 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 For the Limitations on Subcontracting certification in Attachment 4, please confirm the exact format required for SDVOSB joint ventures versus prime-only submissions.

The person signing the Limitations on Subcontracting should match the signature on the SF1442.

Please reference 13 CFR § 125.8 for requirements for a JV to satisfy to submit an offer for a small business set-aside procurement.

73 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 The solicitation states a VAAR Magnitude of Construction of $20,000,000 to $50,000,000. Since the total overall cost of this EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project appears to fall on the lower end of the disclosed magnitude range, will the Government consider past performance projects valued in the $10,000,000 to $25,000,000 range as relevant experience for the technical proposal evaluation?

Additionally, would multiple successful EHRM infrastructure upgrade projects, each with a lower individual magnitude, be considered relevant?

Please see the Past Performance evaluation factor for magnitude requirements. The $20M magnitude outlined shall remain.

The factor states no more than three (3) projects submitted.

The projects submitted shall meet the recency, relevancy, magnitude, scope, and complexity requirements.

74 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Will the Government allow the Offeror to submit and receive evaluation credit for relevant past performance projects completed by its proposed major subcontractors who will be performing the majority of the work? Specifically, would multiple successful EHRM infrastructure upgrade projects, each with a lower individual magnitude, completed by these major subcontractors be considered relevant experience for the technical proposal evaluation?

Please see the solicitation requirements for this factor. “At least one of the projects submitted must have been completed by the Prime.”

Subcontractor work that meets the recency, relevancy, magnitude, scope, and complexity requirements is able to be submitted as long as one of the projects submitted was completed by the Prime firm.

75 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 If a single proposal volume exceeds 5 MB, is it acceptable to split one volume across two clearly labeled emails (e.g., Part 1 / Part 2)?

The single volumes need to be flattened to fit within the submission requirements.

76 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 For the Past Performance evaluation in Volume I of the technical proposal, will the Government allow the Offeror to submit and receive evaluation credit for relevant past performance projects completed by its proposed major subcontractors who will be performing the majority of the work on this EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project (particularly in electrical, communications, HVAC, fire suppression, and related infrastructure scopes)? If yes, what specific information or documentation should be provided regarding the subcontractor’s experience and the Offeror’s role?

Please see RFI #74.

77 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 If none of the offerors submitting proposals are able to meet the VAAR disclosed Magnitude of Construction range of $20,000,000 to $50,000,000 with their relevant past performance projects, will the Government cancel the solicitation, or will it consider past performance projects with lower individual magnitudes during the technical proposal evaluation?

See RFI #73.

78 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Are full-color graphics and photographs of past projects permitted in the technical proposal, and do they count toward the page limit?

Please read the submission requirements which state, “Use graphic presentations where such use will contribute to the compactness and clarity of the proposal.”

Everything submitted with the exception of the title page, table of contents, and preface as noted in the submission requirements are included in the page count.

79 5-6-2026 The specifications reference. Will the full asbestos report be provided to offerors prior to the proposal due date?

The report is already included in the specification Vol. 1

80 5-6-2026 Please confirm the extent of lead-based paint abatement required in occupied versus unoccupied areas.

Refer to ECS ACM Report #49:1903 in the Specification Vol.1

81 5-6-2026 Do the clean agent fire suppression systems require integration with the existing VA fire alarm system, or are they standalone?

The clean agent system shall be tied into the existing fire alarm system as shown on 03A-E201.

82 5-6-2026 Will the Government require full TAB and commissioning of all new and existing tied-in HVAC systems, or only new equipment?

Systems that have demolished diffusers will need to be rebalanced. New Computer room units and split systems will need to be commissioned.

83 5-6-2026 Is the Overcurrent Protective Device Coordination Study required to include the entire building or only the areas affected by the infrastructure upgrades?

Only the areas affected by the upgrades are required to be included.

84 5-6-2026 Please clarify the required fiber optic backbone cabling type and quantity (single-mode vs. multi-mode) for the EHRM system.

Refer to T400 for backbone requirements

85 5-6-2026 Are the new Physical Access Control System and video surveillance systems required to integrate with the existing VA security platform, or will new head-end equipment be provided?

The new Physical Access Control System and video surveillance systems is required to integrate with the existing VA security platform.

86 5-6-2026 Is a complete building-wide grounding study or new grounding ring required as part of the EHRM infrastructure upgrades?

A building-wide grounding study is not required. A new ground ring is also not required.

87 5-6-2026 Will the VA provide the final ICRA matrix, or must the Contractor submit a project-specific ICRA plan for approval prior to starting work?

Contractor must submit a project specific ICRA plan for approval by the VA’s infection control leadership

88 5-6-2026 Are there any specific LEED, Green Globes, or additional VA Sustainable Construction requirements beyond the VHA Master Specifications?

No additional beyond the VHA specifications provided

89 5-6-2026 In the event of a conflict between the drawings and specifications, which document takes precedence?

Please Refer to FAR 52.236-21(a), additionally note the following under the same FAR “Anything mentioned in the specifications and not shown on the drawings, or shown on the drawings and not mentioned in the specifications, shall be of like effect as if shown or mentioned in both.”

90 5-6-2026 Will an updated or supplemental site survey be provided, or should offerors rely on the existing survey included in the bid documents?

Bids shall be priced based upon the survey provided with the bid documents. No additional survey will be conducted in association with design; however, this does not negate the contractor’s responsibilities to conduct their own investigations, hire their own surveyor, conduct GPR, etc.

as detailed within the specifications and plans.

91 5-6-2026 Is any new exterior paving, fencing, or landscaping required, or are these divisions included only for restoration after underground work?

These divisions are provided for restoration after utility trenching.

92 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Will the Government provide a third-party Commissioning Agent, or is the Contractor responsible for all commissioning services?

See RFI #11.

93 5-6-2026 Please identify all existing utility capacities (electrical, chilled water, domestic water, etc.) that the Contractor can utilize for the new infrastructure.

The electrical utilities were studied during the design phase and we determined the utility could handle the extra capacity. There is no new capacity added to the plumbing and chilled water systems.

94 5-6-2026 For the Limitations on Subcontracting certification, does the 50%/85% rule apply to the entire contract or only to specific divisions?

Please read VAAR 852.219-75.

Note that in Attachment 4 for the procurement, (ii) General Construction is checked and shall be adhered to.

95 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Will the Government accept a preliminary project schedule with the proposal, or is the detailed schedule due only after award?

Schedule after award. It will not be evaluated if submitted.

The only factors are Past Performance and Price.

96 5-6-2026 Does the Government require a full-time, dedicated Project Superintendent, Site Safety Officer, and Quality Control Manager to be physically present on site daily throughout the entire duration of the project, or will periodic or part-time presence be acceptable?

1.6 (b) performance within a Government facility that on the advice of VA construction safety representatives involves hazardous operations that might endanger the safety of the public, patients and/or Government personnel or property, the SSHO and Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager must be separate persons (See Section 1.7(C) for choice).

97 5-6-2026 5-6-2026 Please confirm whether the Project Superintendent and the Quality Control Manager can be the same person, as permitted by the specifications.

See RFI #13.

98 5-6-2026 If double-hatting or triple-hatting of key personnel is allowed, what specific information or justification must the Offeror provide in the proposal regarding the individual’s qualifications and ability to perform multiple roles effectively?

(b) performance within a Government facility that on the advice of VA construction safety representatives involves hazardous operations that might endanger the safety of the public, patients and/or Government personnel or property, the SSHO and Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager must be separate persons (See Section 1.7(C) for choice).

99 5-6-2026 Has a geotechnical/soils report been prepared for the Tuskegee VA Medical Center campus in support of this EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project? If so, will it be provided to offerors prior to the proposal due date?

Additionally, if the Contractor encounters a high water table, rock, unsuitable soils, or other unforeseen subsurface obstructions during earthwork or underground utility work, how will these conditions be handled under the contract?

Will they be treated as Differing Site Conditions?

No Geotechnical/soils report has been prepared by the AE for the project. Earthwork is unclassified.

100 5-6-2026 For work activities conducted in or adjacent to occupied corridors and hallways, will the use of carts be permitted under the project’s ICRA requirements, or must full temporary containment (floor-to-ceiling barriers, negative air pressure, and HEPA filtration) be installed?

Refer to paragraph 1.12 Infection Control

101 5-6-2026 Please clarify the required level of ICRA containment for work performed in or near occupied corridors per Section 01 35 26.01 VHA ICRA – 1.3. Will full containment be mandatory for all corridor-adjacent activities, or are lesser controls (such as protected carts or temporary partitions) acceptable depending on the specific work type and location?

Refer to paragraph 1.12 Infection Control

102 5-6-2026 Please clarify whether the Contractor is required to include a contingency allowance (either by number or percentage) for additional conduit drops / cable drops beyond those shown on the drawings. If a contingency is expected, what percentage or quantity should be included in the bid?

Refer to the TN series drawings for additional drops to provide per floor

103 5-6-2026 Will the new communications infrastructure (Drops) be installed as a one-to-one replacement of the existing cables shown on the drawings? In other words, should the Contractor assume that the number and type of cables to be demolished will equal the number and type of new cables to be installed?

The new communication drop will be per what’s shown in the design drawing of having 2 or 4port per location.

104 5-6-2026 For the new conduit and or cable drops shown on the drawings, are all proposed new drop locations in the exact same positions as the existing drops to be demolished, or are some of the new drops located in different or relocated positions?

The location will be the same as the demolished where locations are being re-installed.

105 5-6-2026 If any of the new drops are located in different or relocated positions from those shown on the drawings, how will these relocations be handled under the contract? Will they be considered a change order?

New drops should be in the location of the existing aside for the TR rooms, or where new walls are installed.

106 5-6-2026 Are there any existing conduit or cable drops that must be demolished as part of this project that are not shown on the contract drawings? In other words, are there additional or "hidden" existing drops beyond those explicitly indicated on the drawings that the Contractor will be required to remove?

The contractor should be removing all existing drops and installing new.

107 5-6-2026 Please provide complete as-built (record) drawings for the existing telecommunications (Division 27), electrical (Division 26), and HVAC (Division 23) systems for every building, as well as all exterior site features including parking lots, streets, sidewalks, underground utilities, duct banks, storm drainage, water, sanitary sewer, and related civil/site infrastructure involved in this EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades project before bidding.

Contractor may reference record drawings but dimensions are required to be contractor verified by contract drawings.

108 5-6-2026 Attachment 10, Vol 1, Part 4, Bldg 03A drawing 03A-T301 does not show any equipment for TR-03A02. Please confirm.

This will be added in the addendum to the bidders.

109 5-6-2026 Attachment 10, Vol 1, Part 4, Bldg 03A drawing 03A-T303 does not show any access control or video surveillance equipment for CSC-03A01. Please confirm.

This is correct. The access control is existing in the door and will remain. Maintain existing camera in room.

110 5-18-2026 Key 1 on the RCP states: “New TR shall be exposed to the structure/deck above; all exposed structure and deck shall be sprayed with 2-hour fire-resistive material per UL N759.”

The TR rooms are not required to have a fire rating and are not designed with any fire-rated construction. Additionally, there are no specifications provided for spray fireproofing.

This note and requirement appears on 36 locations. This would be a pricing requirement that provides no additional benefit to the VA or the project.

The keynote #1 addresses the fire resistance assembly at the horizontal separation between floor, not the TR’s fire resistance. Note addresses either patching work or installation of FR SFRM on the composite if damaged and/or missing altogether.

111 5-18-2026 There seems to be some big cost concerns with Specification 01 00 00, Para 1.27 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION. This same topic has been RFI'd on several other EHRM projects and not sure if it had for this one.

This project will incur and additional 150k if the para is truly required. In addition, the project would need to be designed using BIM in order to meet the requirements. Not sure if this project was done in BIM.

Can the VA confirm that the GC can use typical photographic means throughout the construction period and post as part of weekly Procore documentation?

AE used BIM platform to design the project, refer to RFI #51’s response.