36E77619R0008-0001001.docx

Primary Care Clinic – Minneapolis VAMC Solicitation # 36E77619R0008 Questions & Answers – Phase One

1. Has the VA developed a conceptual design (interior layout) for this clinic?

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging/study documents with a conceptual design will be provided

2. Is a SEPS program available?

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging/study documents with a conceptual design based on SEPS will be provided.

3. Is other information to inform the design of the space?

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging/study documents will be provided.

4. If none of 1-3 is available now, would it be available prior to the Phase 2 submission?

a. Yes, prior to Phase II submission, bridging/study documents will be provided.

5. SOW describes potential future expansion of unknown occupancy. Should the Primary Care Clinic be built to an I-2 occupancy (Hospital level) standard or to a B occupancy (Business level) standard? If initial built as a “B” occupancy, later conversion or use of the building for I-2, Hospital services may not be attainable.

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging/study documents will be provided showing this as well as 2 other phases of construction. The building will be “I-2, Hospital services” for all phases. The Building will NOT be a B occupancy

6. Vertical expansion in the future would require footings, foundations and structural elements to be sized accordingly and to an undefined future standard. Also may require vertical elements (elevator & stairs).

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging documents with structural plans, calculations, loads, and assumptions will be provided.

7. Does the VA have a desired location or method for HVAC unit(s)? If placed on the roof of the clinic, future vertical expansion may be limited, difficult or unattainable.

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging documents with concept HVAC system, to include location and future expansion.

8. Blast design – nothing mentioned in solicitation (that I found) but it came up as a last minute request for Sioux Falls Pharmacy. Ask a preemptive question of whether its needed and if so, to what standard?

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging documents with requirements of blast protection will be provided.

9. Primary Care Clinic is intended to serve as a Bio-Isolation unit outside the hospital (SOW, A.2) – can the VA provide parameters for this? Number of rooms, level of isolation, separate entrance(s), are waiting areas included, would this provide care for in-patients or just outpatients, etc.?

a. The new building will be physically separate from the medical center other than the breezeway mentioned below. The intent is to be able to isolate medical center by utilizing the clinic as a pandemic triage unit. “Mechanical engineer shall design system capable of responding to sudden, potential, or impending emergencies with an isolated primary care clinic space to include Isolation rooms.”

10. Breezeway – typically refers to an unconditioned space? Assume they would want this space heated/cooled? Please confirm.

a. Yes, heated and cooled. The breezeway would be an enclosed walkway connecting to building 70.

11. For Phase I of the subject solicitation, Evaluation Factor 1 asks Offerors to provide a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) projects completed within the last five (5) years in similar in size, complexity and scope to this project. Project(s) shall have a minimum value of $3m and be 100% completed for Design-Bid-Build (D-B-B) or D-B). The VA had gotten away from the Design-Build type of projects over the last five (5) years and longer making it nearly impossible to provide a Design-Build project that meets both the $3M and 100% completed qualifications in order to be considered relevant. Is the VA willing to accept projects that are similar in size, scope and complexity that are ongoing projects rather than 100% completed within the last 5 years?

a. Evaluation Factors: Factor 1, Past Performance: Provide a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) projects completed within the last five years (5) years similar in size, complexity and scope to this project. Projects must demonstrate an offeror’s experience as a prime contractor managing multiple subcontractors to include A-E firms if applicable. If the contractor does not possess Design-Build (D-B) experience, provide a minimum of (1) and a maximum of two (2) projects completed by the A-E firm similar in size, complexity, and scope to this project in addition to the one (1) to three (3) projects submitted for the prime contractor. For purposes of this evaluation, a relevant project is further defined as “design and/or construction completed in a clinical, hospital or other medical related use space similar in size and scope to this project.” Project(s) shall have a minimum value of $3M and be 100% completed for Design-Bid-Build (D-B-B) or D-B. Projects shall have a minimum value of $250,000 and be 100% completed for designs completed by the A-E firm in support of D-B or D-B-

12. Will the VA provide a plan or narrative regarding the desired location of the new Primary Care Clinic relative to BLDG 70?

a. Prior to Phase II submission, bridging documents with concept site plan will be provided.

13. Can the VA extend the RFI submission period?

a. No