Attachment 01 - Tech Questions Tracker- Pittsburgh Elevator Upgrade.docx

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND

I've reviewed the documents several times and don't see any information pertaining to the elevator equipment or the products being specified.

Would you be able to point me in the right direction or provide the elevator specifications so we can prepare an accurate bid?

The elevator specification is present in the Project Manual as Section 14 00 00, Conveying Equipment (approx. 90 pages), covering a full modernization of two traction elevators (basis of design: MCE iBox controller, Hollister-Whitney No. 74 machine, GAL door equipment, Innovation fixtures).

No, the roof is not being replaced by the government.

Any required modification of existing roof is the responsibility of the successful bidder.

Any full-scale removal and replacement of the roof would be entirely dependent on the successful bidder’s means & methods in accessing / removing existing equipment from the elevator penthouse, and in delivering / installing new equipment and related materials.

IE, There is no specific scope to replace the existing roof in this project, and likewise no roof decking/structural roofing section in the specifications.

Any targeted roofing repairs are the responsibility of contractor per Item #2 above.

See Response to Item #3

There is no specific scope of work for the existing roof for this project, per response to Item #3. If the successful bidder opts to remove / replace structure and decking as part of their means & methods, they can inspect existing and replace as appropriate.

Specification Reference: Section 14 00 00 Paragraphs: 1.5.A.1.c and 2.2.A.40 Question:

Section 1.5.A.1.c indicates that a new pit ladder is to be provided. However, Section 2.2.A.40 states that the existing pit ladder is to be reused. These requirements appear to conflict.

Please clarify whether the Contractor is to:

· Furnish and install a new pit ladder, or

· Reuse the existing pit ladder.

VDA Response – Provide new pit ladder for each elevator.

Specification Reference: Section 14 00 00 Paragraph: 2.3.A.1.a Question:

Please confirm whether Alpha Elevator Controls is an acceptable manufacturer for the elevator controller specified in Paragraph 2.3.A.1.a, or if the project requires a different approved manufacturer.

VDA Response – Alpha is a very good product, and we have used them for hydraulic elevators. However, they have only been manufacturing traction controllers for 4 years. We recommend that any equipment being used has been on the market for a minimum of 5 years.

AE/Spec Note: Confirmed – Sec. 2.3.A.1.a's pre-approved controller manufacturers are GAL (GALaxy), MCE (iBox), Elevator Controls Corporation, Elevator Systems, and Smart Rise ("No OEM controllers shall be permitted"). Alpha Elevator Controls is not on this list, so per the same paragraph it would need to be submitted for individual Owner approval as an "or-equal," consistent with VDA's experience-based concern.

Specification Reference: Section 14 00 00 Paragraph: 2.11.B Question:

Paragraph 2.11.B references car operating panels. Please confirm that each elevator is to be provided with:

· One (1) main Car Operating Panel (COP), and

· One (1) auxiliary Car Operating Panel (COP).

Please advise if this interpretation is correct or provide the intended configuration.

END RFIs VDA Response – Specifications require main car operating panel to be installed inside wall. Auxiliary car stations are NOT required.

Confirmed – Sec. 2.11.B, "Main Car Operating Panel," only describes a single main COP mounted in the side wall; no auxiliary/secondary COP is referenced anywhere in Article 2.11.

These (2) cars are being solicited and awarded INDEPENDENT of the VA Nationwide solicitation for this particular campus.

The Government will not provide advance payment for any materials or equipment procured under this project. Invoicing for payment may occur only after the materials or equipment have been delivered to the project site and are available for inspection by the COR.

a. Can the VA please confirm the Prime contractor is to have a full-time superintendent for the entirety of the project?

b. Can the VA please confirm the site superintendent can double hat as the Quality control manager?

c. Can the VA please confirm the SSHO must be a separate individual and may not hold any other roles?

d. Can any of the above individuals be an employee of a subcontractor, or will the VA require the above individuals to be a Full-time employee of the Prime Contractor?

a. Yes – Sec. 01 45 00, Art. 3.1.A states "The project superintendent maintains a physical presence at the site at all times."

b. No – Art. 3.2.B states the CQC System Manager "does not have duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control," i.e., these must be two different individuals.

c. Although Sec. 01 35 26, Art. 1.7.C states "the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor's Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO", the facility will allow the Superintendent and SSHO to double hat given the limited scope of this particular project.

d. All individuals must be a full-time employee of the Prime Contractor.

No. Sec. 01 33 23, Art. 1.3.C places this responsibility on the Contractor: "The contractor shall review each specification section and develop a master digital submittal register that is interactive utilizing a management software such as Submittal Exchange or approved equal." The Contractor updates it monthly and maintains it at the site (Art. 1.3.D–E).

The contractor is responsible for facilitating the inspection by 3rd Party Inspector (provided by VA via Architect-Engineer Team of Record) in accordance with Section 14 00 00, the specifications requirement for AHJ acceptance testing (Art. 2.x / Part 3, Acceptance Testing). Contractor and their specialty trade shall conduct their own internal quality control inspections for compliance PRIOR to scheduling VA’s 3rd Party Inspector to avoid unnecessary callback, typical.

Section 01 32 16.15 requires a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule using “scheduling software approved by the Contracting Officer” (Art. 1.4.A); no specific software title is mandated, so Microsoft Project would need to be submitted for CO approval as a CPM-capable tool.

Section 01 33 23, Art. 1.6.D requires submittals to be transmitted via an electronic FTP file-sharing system, naming “Submittal Exchange or Equal,” and states the Contractor is responsible for setting up, providing, and maintaining that system for the full contract period – i.e., Prime Contractor purchases/maintains it.

No separate “construction management software” platform is named beyond the submittal (Submittal Exchange/equal, Sec. 01 33 23) and scheduling (CPM tool, Sec. 01 32 16.15) systems already discussed in Item #15, both of which are Contractor-furnished/maintained per the specifications.

a. Will the VA require all Infection control walls from finish floor to deck?

The existing metal stud and sheetrock walls on the drawings are not just infection control (ICRA) walls; they are 1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated walls. To maintain the existing fire rating, these walls usually extend from the finished floor to the deck. But as per Detail 3 on Sheet GI-004 ICRA/Fire rated walls are to return towards the elevator door opening and finishing at the fire wall. Certified UL fire-rated temporary wall systems, such as Starc systems, may be used provided they comply with the existing fire rating of the area as well as applicable codes and safety regulations for occupied spaces.

The construction of the infection control barriers will depend on the ICRA level required for the area, as noted on Sheet GI-004 Memorandum EC-043. Temporary wall systems, such as Starc systems, may be used if they meet the requirements of the applicable ICRA level needed for the area of construction. They must also comply with all relevant codes and safety regulations for occupied spaces.

The VA requires a hard walled infection control panel at all elevator door locations as indicated in the design. The use of Zip Walls will not be permitted at these locations during construction. Intermediate floors can utilize rated infill panels at door openings for bulk of project, then moving to either temporary or long-term barriers when work is scheduled at those specific floors, and as appropriate for their duration and activity type.

The Fire Alarm System make and model is Simplex 4100 series.

The Fire Alarm System vendor is Johnson Control of Pittsburgh, PA. johnsoncontrols.com Phone number - 866-668-0942

The Fire Protection vendor is Johnson Control of Pittsburgh, PA. johnsoncontrols.com, Phone number - 866-668-0942

Integration shall be coordinated by GC with Johnson Control of Pittsburgh, PA. johnsoncontrols.com, Phone number - 866-668-0942

VAPHS does not require State or Local Elevator inspections or certificates for this project. However, consistent with our approach on previous projects, we will require a third-party inspection and report (provided via the VA by the Architect-Engineer of Record). The inspections shall be made in accordance with the latest edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (ANSI/ASME A17.1) and the ASME Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walks (ANSI/ASME 17.2).”

Not applicable

The VFD is new.

The VFD is to be furnished by the equipment manufacturer of the equipment it serves and installed by the Mechanical Contractor.

Given the VFD is furnished by the equipment manufacturer and specific to their equipment, the pricing will be provided by the equipment manufacturer and given to the Mechanical Contractor.

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