RFI Responses - Elevator Upgrade N Chicago.pdf

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND SOLICITATION #: 36C77626R0048

RESPONSES TRACKING SHEET PROJECT TITLE: NRM Elevator Upgrade – North Chicago, IL Project 556-24-115

# CONTRACTOR QUESTION VA RESPONSE

1 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.

All contractor staff shall comply with facility access and identification procedures in effect at the North Chicago facility, as directed by the

COR.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

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 Small Business Search database.

6 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.

7 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.

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.

9 Please advise if video surveillance cameras will need to be installed inside elevator cars. If yes, will the video surveillance feeds from these cameras be monitored by the existing video monitoring system at VA Police Service dispatch center in Bldg 133? Currently the drawings do not show any such video cameras.

Video surveillance cameras should be installed in all elevator cabs with communication infrastructure to the controller. Essentially, the cameras and infrastructure should be installed by 556-24-115 to the extent that future connection to the FHCC site security camera system can occur at the elevator controller.

The existing video monitor system does not have capacity for elevator cameras. A separate project is in design to upgrade site wide security camera system. The elevator cameras will interface with that new camera system at the elevator controller at a future date to be determined but outside the confines of this contract.

10 What capacity is required for the dumbwaiters? • Counter Height Dumbwaiter with a maximum capacity of fifty

(50) pounds

• Floor Loading Dumbwaiter with a maximum platform size of 9 square feet and maximum capacity of 500

11 The dumbwaiters have two stops and two openings. Are the openings inline or opposite?

In line.

12 What is the travel distance of the dumbwaiters? Travel distance was not measured during surveying. Contractor to field verify.

13 What is the depth of the dumbwaiters? Depth of dumbwaiter was not measured during surveying. Contractor to field verify

14 Drawings B07-E400 and B66-E400: Please confirm whether the sump pump control panel, pit receptacle, and pit lighting should be fed from existing circuits or new equipment branch circuits. The plans reference both retained existing circuits and new equipment branch sources depending on the sheet

B07 sump pump circuit shall be new per Equipment Connection Schedule on Sheet B07-E700. B07 pit receptacle and lighting circuits shall be new per Sheet Notes on Sheet B07-E400. B66 sump pump circuit shall be new per Equipment Connection Schedule on Sheet B66-E700. B66 pit receptacle and lighting circuits shall be existing per Sheet Notes on Sheet B66-E400.

15 Drawing B07-E103 and B66-E103: Are the existing elevator main power switch and associated feeders to remain in place or be fully replaced, as the sheets reference both “existing” and “new” components in different locations.

Main power switch and feeders shall be new per Oneline Diagrams on Sheets B07-E500 and B66-E500.

16 Drawings B131-ED101 and B131-ED102: The existing power, fire alarm, and communication systems in the elevator-related support areas shown are to remain operational during construction or be disconnected as part of this project. Please confirm that demolition does not affect systems that must stay live.

No notes on the referenced sheets appear to match the question.

Refer to Sheet B131-E400 for electrical demolition scope of work.

17 Will the VA allow advanced payments (down payments) for any materials or equipment to be procured under this project, or will invoicing be restricted to when the physical materials and/or equipment have been delivered to the project site?

Advance payments are not included in this contract. The payment method for this contract is progress payments under FAR 52.232-5

18 Can the VA please assist in better clarifying the asbestos and lead abatement activities required for the project? Was a pre-alteration survey completed that could be shared with the bidding contractors? The construction drawings and specifications do not provide a clear understanding of the extent of the asbestos and lead abatement scope of work and bidding contractors will need a more detailed scope of work to properly bid these aspects of the project.

No lead or asbestos surveys were conducted as part of the design for 556-24-115. The expectation is that, post-award, the prime contractor conduct a hazardous material survey of construction areas prior to demolition to determine if lead or asbestos is present. If survey results indicate that asbestos or lead abatement is required, the prime contractor will coordinate with the CO, CS and COR to request a change order for the required abatement.

19 Field Staff Clarifications:

a) Please confirm the VA’s intent for the Prime Contractor to have a full-time QCM on site for the entirety of the project.

a. Can the QCM double or Triple hat?

The intent of the VA is for a Quality Control Manager to be on site during the entirety of the project. The QCM cannot double or triple hat.

20 Can the VA please clarify who will be handling the QEI Inspection? QEI inspections will be conducted by a third party elevator inspector under contract with the VA.

21 Per Specifications 01 32-16.15-5 – 1.3 Contractor’s scheduling consultant:

Can the VA please confirm the contractor is to hire an independent third-party scheduling consultant? Additionally, the consultant is to hold a Project Management Institute Scheduling Professional certification or bachelor's degree in engineering or construction management degree to be included in the contractors bid?

(a) Furthermore, can the VA please confirm this scheduling consultant is to have no financial ties, business ties, affiliation with or be a subsidiary of the company of the contractor?

Yes, the contractor is to hire an independent third-party scheduling consultant.

Yes, the consultant must meet the requirements listed in spec 01 32

16.15 section 1.3 B. 2.

Yes, the scheduling consultant is to have no financial ties, business ties, affiliation with or be a subsidiary of the company of the contractor?

22 Per specifications – 01 91 00-44 – C: “The contractor shall provide a wireless internet network in the building for use during controls programming, check, and commissioning. This network will allow project team members to more effectively program, view, manipulate and test control devices while being in the same room as the controlled device.”

(a) Can the VA confirm the contractor is to provide a separate Wi-Fi network, strictly for the commissioning, testing and programming?

If any required testing for commissioning requires a separate WiFi network to be established to complete the test then yes. If no required testing for commissioning requires a separate WiFi network to be established then no.

23 What software will be utilized on the project for submittal transfers? Will the prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining?

Oracle Submittal Exchange will be used for submittal transfers. The VA has a bulk purchase agreement with Oracle and a task order was issued during the design phase for submittal exchange for the entire duration of the project through the construction phase. The VA will provide access to the contractor.

24 Will the client require any construction management software to be utilized on the project? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining?

See answer above (#23), Oracle Submittal Exchange will be utilized for construction management software for this project

25 Will the contractors be required to provide temporary toilets, or will existing on-site facilities be available for use?

The contractor will be required to provide temporary toilets.

26 Can the VA please confirm that all workers onsite must have an OSHA 30 certification?

OSHA 10-hour Construction Outreach training within the past five years is required for all workers on site and the OSHA 30-hour Construction Outreach training within the past five years is required for Trade Competent Persons (CPs). FHCC also requires that all prime contractor supervisors (superintendent, SSHO, Quality Manager, etc.)

must have the OSHA 30-hour Construction Outreach training within the past five years.

27 Can the VA please identify a lay-down area on site where contractors can stage materials and equipment?

No. This contract has work in 7 different buildings spread across an 86-acre medical campus. Post-bid, the contractor will need to submit a logistics plan showing their proposed lay down area(s) for VA approval.

28 Can the VA please identify a location or placement for project dumpsters? No. This contract has work in 7 different buildings spread across an 86-acre medical campus. Post-bid, the contractor will need to submit a logistics plan showing their dumpster locations for VA approval.

29 Will the VA require all infection control walls to go from finish floor to deck?

The requirements of the infection control barrier depend on the ICRA level and the required fire rating.

30 The bid drawings call for infection control wall panels at every stop, for every elevator. Is the VA open to utilizing hard walled infection control wall panels on the bottom and top floors only, and utilizing plastic infection control barriers (zip walls) on all middle floors?

Yes. However, all infection control boundaries will be inspected and approved by a VA infection preventionist prior to the commencement of work.

31 The drawings call for ICRA walls to have a 1-hour fire rating. Is this an absolute requirement? There are no temporary wall systems that carry a 1-hour fire rating.

This is a factually incorrect statement. There are multiple temporary wall systems that carry a one-hour fire rating.

32 Can the VA please provide contact information for the existing building Fire Alarm Vendor?

Johnson controls Nick Mathura 224-527-5222 nick.mathura@jci.com Tim Nicholas 630-514-4154 timothy.nicholas@jci.com Analise Hernandez 773-294-3045 analise.marie.hernandez@jci.com

33 Can the VA please provide contact information for the existing building Fire Protection Vendor?

Johnson controls Nick Mathura 224-527-5222 nick.mathura@jci.com Tim Nicholas 630-514-4154 timothy.nicholas@jci.com Analise Hernandez 773-294-3045 analise.marie.hernandez@jci.com

34 Can the VA please provide contact information for the existing building BAS/BMS Vendor?

Automated Logic Corporation Norman Martin (224)760-2745 Norman.Martin@carrier.com

35 Per Drawing B04-M100 General note 5 – The 2" sump pump line appears to be routed down a public corridor. Does this work need to occur on off hours?

The determination of if the work will need to occur after hours depends on the impact and duration of the work. The VA will try to accommodate work during normal working hours to the maximum extent possible but reserves the right to require after hours work if it cannot be performed without significant disruption of building tenants.

mailto:nick.mathura@jci.com mailto:timothy.nicholas@jci.com mailto:analise.marie.hernandez@jci.com mailto:nick.mathura@jci.com mailto:timothy.nicholas@jci.com mailto:analise.marie.hernandez@jci.com

36 Throughout the electrical drawing set there are various key notes that read to “Provide (6) CAT6 Cables from server room to elevator equipment room. Contractor shall coordinate starting point in server room with VA IT and then final location in elevator equipment room with elevator manufacturer.”

a) Can the facility confirm that the distance from the server room to the elevator equipment room does not exceed 300 linear feet in any of the areas where this work will be required? Exceeding 300 linear feet in a single continuous run can lead to signal degradation or data loss.

Will the facility be responsible for installing the CAT6 low voltage cable or is it the responsibility of the prime contractor?

Linear distances were not measured as part of the modernization surveying by LB.

New local data rooms are being constructed under a separate project.

Contractor shall assume that distance does not exceed 300'.

Contractor is responsible to install all data cables referenced by the plans and specifications.

37 Can the VA please clarify/confirm if an ARC flash study will be required for each building?

Arc flash labeling will only be required for new Panel QP-3PU23 in B133CA. A recent arc flash study is available for the source panel to determine new arc flash labeling from limited study.

38 Can the VA please confirm the allowable number of elevators per building that can be taken out of service at a time?

In buildings with multiple elevators, no more than one elevator can be removed from service at a time. Buildings 7 and 66 each have one passenger elevator, and these elevators cannot be removed from service at the same time as well.

39 Can the VA please advise if surface mounted sump pit will be permissible?

Surface mounted sump pumps are acceptable only at locations indicated in drawings

40 Can the VA confirm the emergency power design for all elevators and confirm that P23, P25, and P26 are not connected to emergency power and battery lowering will be the intent for the hydraulic elevators?

The following elevators are not served from emergency power: P23, P25, P26. If no EM Power, then battery lowering will be the intent for the hydraulic elevators.

41 Can the VA please confirm the wiring diagrams will be part of the close out documentation and not the submittal process as is typical of controller manufactures?

The equipment submittals will need to contain enough detail for the designer of record to verify that they meet all specifications and include all required safety features.

42 Can the VA confirm that the specified “controller manufacturing training” will be in the form of documents and not actual factory “visit” training?

The term “controller manufacturing training” does not appear in the project specifications. The expectation is that the contractor will provide in-person training for VA staff and contractors that operate any equipment that is installed or replaced as part of this project. The person providing training must have relevant experience on the equipment being trained upon and must also provide any manuals, user guides, and other materials needed for operation of the equipment in both written and digital form (pdf or Microsoft Office documents are acceptable).

43 Can the VA confirm that machine rooms with only one elevator will require a machine room monitor and keyboard or only those that are grouped?

All machine rooms will require a monitor and keyboard at a minimum.

In machine rooms that serve multiple elevators provide separate monitors for each passenger elevator group and each service elevator group. Provide a separate keyboard for each monitor.

44 Can the VA please confirm that Medical Emergency (code blue) service is only required in building 195 elevators P25 and P26 only?

Medical emergency service is required in building 131 elevators P4, P5 and S6 and in building 195 elevators P25 and P26.

45 Can the VA confirm that there are no seismic provision requirements on any elevator equipment, as this project is not located in an elevator seismic zone?

No seismic provisions are required. Project is not located in a seismic zone.

46 Can the VA confirm that new jack assemblies are only required on elevators P25 and P26?

Correct. LB modernization report confirms that P25 and P26 are the only hydraulic jack assemblies to be replaced with new.

47 As specified, the contractor is required to clean and remove waste oil, sand, and other waste materials from the existing jack hole. If there is a failure beyond specified due to unforeseen elements, can the VA confirm that additional costs may be requested?

The bidding contractor should include all expected costs for required activities in their bid. If unforeseen conditions are encountered, the contracting officer will determine if a contract modification for additional funds is warranted.

48 Can the VA please confirm that the guide rails only require cleaning and missing bolts replacement only, no re-alignment is required?

LB modernization report makes no mention of guide rail alignment.

49 Can the VA please confirm that all car frame assemblies including platforms are to be retained?

LB modernization report outlines that all car frames and platforms are to be retained.

50 Can the VA please confirm if new cab interiors are to be provided for the hydraulic elevators? Re-use existing is listed as “alternate”? Drawings note replace and “match existing”, Please confirm design intent.

Yes, provide new cab interiors for the hydraulic elevators.

51 Can the VA please confirm the IT security standard and if the text to talk ASME A17.1-2019 code feature and hardware is to be installed?

ASME A17.1-2019 ADA Audio/Visual Talk to Text is required.

52 Can the VA please confirm the exact number of conductors for the traveling cables-CAT6 pairs, 5-pair shielded, Wi-fi spares, 14 ga 110v pairs? Code requires 10% spare as minimum.

Contractor to field verify. Provide spare conductors equal to 10 percent of the total number of conductors furnished, but not less than 5 spare conductors in each traveling cable.

53 Can the VA please confirm that the “nudging” feature with extended hold open is not required?

Nudging operation is an ASME A17.1 code requirement.

54 Can the VA confirm that there are no requirements for Auxiliary COP on the hydraulic elevators?

Auxiliary COP is required on all elevators.

55 Will the VA allow for the hoistway access switches to be in the hall call push button assemblies?

Hoistway access switches must be installed at authorized access landings (typically top or bottom), positioned 48–72 inches above the floor, and adjacent to or on the hoistway entrance frame/jamb, often within 12 inches.

56 Due to conflicting allowable temperature rise limits, can the VA please confirm the temperature rise limits for the elevator pump units under full load testing?

Temperature rise of elevator pump motors under full-load testing shall not exceed 80 DegC rise above ambient

57 Can the VA please confirm the tracking method for components that “restart the warranty” when replaced?

The VA is unsure what the question is referring to. If it is referring to the “Failure Due to Manufacturing Defect” section of 0 1 91 00 3.7 Documentation, Nonconformance, and Approval of Tests, the process outlined in that section will be implemented by the contracting officer in the event of a manufacturer’s defect that meets the criteria listed in the specification.

58 Can the VA please advise if a linear door operator is desired? Yes. Linear belt driven door operators.

59 Can the VA advise on the phasing and elevator out of service requirements for the traction elevators specific to buildings 7, 66 and 131 and whether after hours work is required at any time?

The elevators in building 7 and 66 cannot be out of service at the same time. There may need to be a gap between when elevators in buildings 7 and 66 can be out of service to allow handicapped patients to relocate from one building to another.

Only one elevator in building 131 can be out of service at any time.

The intent is to have all work conducted during normal working hours to the maximum extent possible. The VA reserves the right to require work that is disruptive to patient care or site operations be done outside of normal working hours.

60 Can the VA please confirm if there are any specific key core requirements outside the specified FEOK1 for fire service?

Per Spec 14 21 10 Traction Elevator Modernization, all fire fighter service key switches must be KEO-K1.

Per Spec 14 24 10 Hydraulic Elevator Modernization, all fire fighter’s service keys switches must be barrel-key FEOK1 All Code Blue locations will require CorMax ,1CX, 7-pin, X66 cores for key operation with blank core.

S6 cab will require a Cormax, 1CX, 7-pin, X66 core to access floor 5 in lieu of a push button

61 Can the VA please confirm and identify which banks of elevators P22, P21, P4-P5 and S6 are on generator backed emergency power?

The following elevators are served from emergency power: P22, P21, P4, P5, S6. Dumbwaiters CL-1 and CL-2 are also served from emergency power.

62 Can the VA please confirm that all traction cars are 1:1 roping existing and to is to be retained accordingly?

1:1 existing roping schedule to be retained.

63 Can the VA please confirm that changing to gearless machines that unintended motion is “dual brake” is acceptable with no rope gripper requirements?

Correct. Gearless machines with dual brake systems are acceptable.

No rope gripper is required if dual brake system is used on new gearless machines.

64 Can the VA please confirm the specified traction elevator contract speeds desired? Currently specified as P21-P22-150 fpm, P4-P5 and S6 200 fpm

Confirmed. Contract speeds P21-P22-150 fpm, P4-P5 and S6 200 fpm

65 The specifications note for compensation chains “where required.” Can the VA please confirm there is not existing compensation, and it will not be desired?

Contractor to field verify

66 Can the VA please confirm that all existing entrances including hoistway sills will be retained?

Correct, all entrance frames will be retained

67 Can the VA please confirm that due to existing conditions and building construction that the industry standard is sufficient for the specified performance standards?

Performance standards are outlined in elevator specification. Industry standards are not allowed

68 Can the VA please confirm that the current machine room stairs and landing access will be retained and can meet the specified full door opening specifications?

Contractor to field verify. Also, DWGs B66-AE120 and B66-AE501 specify a fixed ladder to the elevator platform in building 66 elevator machinery room that is to be replaced with stairs.

69 Can the VA pleas confirm that for manufactured material that does not have steel non-screw type EMT and flex fitting is acceptable from the factory?

The VA does not understand this question.

70 Can the VA please confirm at this time at all locations the “main” and “alternate” egress floors for firefighters’ service?

The contractor shall field verify the main and alternate egress floors in each elevator. The below listed floors are provided for informational purposes only.

4 – Main: Floor 1 -Alt: Floor 2 7 – Main: Floor 1 -Alt: Basement 66 – Main: Floor 1 -Alt: basement 131 - Main: Floor 1

- Alt: Floor 2 195 – Main: Floor 1

- Alt: Floor 2

71 Can the VA please confirm that the existing traction elevators machine beams are to be retained and blocking beams will be added as needed?

Correct, existing traction elevators machine beams are to be retained and blocking beams will be added as needed

72 Due to conflicting information, can the VA please confirm that the existing car safeties for the traction cars will be cleaned, adjusted, and lubricated, and therefore retained?

Confirmed. Car safeties for the traction cars will be cleaned, adjusted, and lubricated

73 Can the VA please confirm that with the exception of elevator P22 the existing buffers and pit channels will be retained, cleaned, and filled with new oil as applicable? (P22 will be replaced as specified)

Confirmed, with the exception of elevator P22 the existing buffers and pit channels will be retained, cleaned, and filled with new oil as applicable. P22 will be replaced with new as specified.

74 Can the VA advise if surface mounted hall fixtures will be acceptable? LB takes no exception to surface mount fixtures

75 Can the VA please confirm that P22 is the only elevator requiring new car enclosure?

If this question is referring to the interior finishes of the elevator cabs:

all elevators require new interior finishes.

76 Can the VA please confirm that the vertical ship ladders to elevator machine/equipment is to be retained?

If ladders are necessary to access/maintain equipment, then yes they should be retained.

If this question is referring to the vertical ladder in building 66 elevator machinery room up to the elevator platform, that ladder is specified to be replaced with stairs in DWGs B66-AE120 and B66-AE501. VA is not aware of any other vertical ship ladders to elevator machinery rooms.

77 Can the VA confirm that per the drawings referencing Innovation Manufacturing that they are the only acceptable manufacture for car and hall fixtures?

LB takes no exception to Innovation fixtures and they are a vetted LB product supplier.

78 Can the VA please confirm that regenerative drives are desired, and that the building electrical infrastructure can accommodate accordingly?

Design team advises against regenerative drives for buildings with elevators on an emergency generator source

79 Can the VA confirm that there is no existing emergency power for the dumbwaiters CL1 and CL2?

The following dumbwaiters are served from emergency power: CL1, CL2

80 Can the VA please confirm that CL1 (dirty) dumbwaiter is counter height loading and that CL2 (clean) is floor loading applications?

Contractor to field verify.

81 Can the VA confirm that the dumbwaiters are NOT fully “rip and replace” as the specifications are in conflict and the scope of work is to be in line with the drawings i.e. retain rails, doors etc.

LB modernization report outlines retention of cart lift guide rails, platform, door frames, etc. LB report does not recommend full rip out and replace.

82 Can the VA please confirm that manual bi-parting doors for the dumbwaiters are the VA standard and will be acceptable?

Manual bi-parting doors are not acceptable.

83 Can the VA please confirm the adjustable delay durations for the landing push buttons and define the “in use lights” logic (door open vs. in motion) for the dumbwaiters?

2.9 CORRIDOR OPERATING STATIONS - Provide an “In Use” light in the panels to show when dumbwaiter is in operation, or the door is open.

84 Can the VA please confirm that U-Bolt clamps for dumbwaiter rope terminations is acceptable?

VA does not understand what is meant by U-bolt clamps in this context. All product data must be submitted as part of normal submittal process and will be subject to review for acceptance or rejection by the DOR and VA.

85 Can the VA please confirm that ¼” wire glass (3-4”) diameter vison panels are acceptable?

The top section of the door panel must be equipped with a glass vision panel of 6 mm (.25 in.) thick wire glass not less than 76 mm (3 in.) or more than 101 mm (4 in.) in diameter

86 Can the VA please confirm for the dumbwaiters if winding drum or traction machines are to be provided?

Specifications outline geared traction machines for dumbwaiters.