36H79719R0013-0001007.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – BUFFALO, NEW YORK # 1

B-2 SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES & DELIVERY

1. (p.5) Specification states “Installation of equipment shall be within 25 days after delivery...” 25 day period conflicts with 30-days stated in Time of Delivery-Installation Timeframe (p.25).

Q1 –Clarify if 25 or 30 days.

Answer – Time of delivery – Installation should be 30-days.

2. Item 3 (p.6) 300/400-LB. Gas Heated Drying and Conditioning Dryer with External Lint Collection – There is an existing 1987 Thermal Engineering lint filter with heat recovery module located on the laundry roof that is connected to the trade-in dryer.

Q1 – Confirm if the existing lint filter system is being traded-in with the dryer.

Answer – Due to the age of the lint collection system, the existing lint filter system on the roof is being traded-in with the dryer.

B-3 STATEMENT OF WORK:

Project Special Requirements:

3. Para #2 (p.9) Specification states “Electrical shall be connected to the nearest electrical panels and shall be new.”

Q1 – Confirm new electrical means: demolish all the existing circuits and install new branch circuits from existing electrical panels to new equipment including new conduit & wire, and safety disconnect switches; and where applicable, provide new circuit breaker(s)

Answer – Yes. New electrical means: demolish all the existing circuits and install new branch circuits from existing electrical panels to new equipment including new conduit & wire, and safety disconnect switches; and where applicable, provide new circuit breaker(s)

Q2 –Existing power conduits are intermediate metallic conduit (IMC) type. Confirm if new electrical installation materials (conduit & fitting types) are to match existing materials.

Answer – Yes. New electrical installation materials (conduit & fitting types) are to match existing materials.

Q3 – Confirm all new low voltage communication & data wiring/cabling is to be installed in electro metallic tubing (EMT) type conduit, ¾” (min).

Answer – Yes. All new low voltage communication & data wiring/cabling is to be installed in electro metallic tubing (EMT) type conduit, ¾” (min).

Q4 – Existing conduits are not painted. Is it a requirement to paint new electrical conduits to match existing conduits?

Answer – No. In accordance with the Statement of Work, it is not a requirement to paint new electrical conduits.

Q5 – Is it a requirement to provide updated circuit indexes in each electrical panel where new equipment is connected, or will the VA perform this work?

Answer – Yes. It is a requirement to provide updated circuit indexes in each electrical panel where new equipment is connected. This is the contractor’s responsibility to provide updated circuit index’s.

General Installation Requirements:

1. (p.10) Specification states “Connection points for ALL equipment shall be new from closest utility header to the equipment. Gas piping from laundry room entry to new equipment shall be new.”

Q1 – There is an existing welded steel natural gas header within the clean production area that currently serves the trade-in dryer and two (2) non-production tumblers. Confirm the intent of the specification is the successful bidder may connect the new branch piping for the 300/400-lb. dryer to the existing gas header within the clean production area.

Answer – Yes. The successful contractor shall connect the new branch piping for the 300/400-lb. dryer to the existing gas header within the clean production area.

Q2 – Confirm that the existing gas vent piping from the trade-in dryer that is extended up through the roof to the building exterior is to be demolished and replaced with new including a new roof pipe boot flashing.

Answer – Yes. The existing gas vent piping from the trade-in dryer that is extended up through the roof to the building exterior is to be demolished and replaced with new including a new roof pipe boot flashing.

Q3 – Upon inspection of the existing flat roof area surrounding the dryer lint filter/heat recovery system being traded-in, it was observed that the existing curbs/duct boots for the trade-in dryer supply & exhaust air ducts and lint filter lint drop duct appear to be in poor condition and deteriorated beyond reuse.

a) Confirm if the existing roof deck openings are reused, the successful bidder is required to provide new curbs for duct work and boots for piping in accordance with Prefabricated Roof Curbs Specification (p.22). If the VA does not require new curbs/boots be provided, confirm the VA will be responsible for any roofing system leaks/failures during the warranty period.

Answer – Yes. The existing roof deck openings are to be reused. The contractor is required to provide new curbs for duct work and boots for piping in accordance with Prefabricated Roof Curbs Specification (p.22).

b) Confirm if an existing roof opening is not reused, the successful bidder is required to remove the unused curb/boot completely, and infill the opening prior to sealing the roof

Answer – Yes. If an existing roof opening is not reused, the contractor is required to remove the unused curb/boot completely and infill the opening prior to sealing the roof.

2. (p.12) Specification states “The facility has verified that a minimum of 36 inches between moving parts and fixed objects and 24 inches between non-moving parts and fixed objects is required.”

Q1 – Confirm reference above to “fixed objects” does or does not include the laundry building structure (i.e. walls, columns, etc.) weather a machine is caster-mounted or fixed to the floor

Answer – Yes. “Fixed Objects” does include the laundry building structure (i.e. walls, columns, etc.) weather a machine is caster-mounted or fixed to the floor.

B.4 LIST OF DELIVERABLES:

1. 45-day installation design drawings:

Q1 - Are the installation design drawings and as-built drawings to be sealed by a licensed professional architect/engineer registered in the State of New York?

Answer – Yes. Design drawings and as-built drawings to be sealed by a licensed professional architect/engineer registered in the State of New York.

Q2 - Drawing and Room Preparation Instructions – Because this acquisition requires architectural, mechanical & electrical engineering design… in addition to the specified drawing content to be provided, is the design information listed below that is typical to information required for past VA equipment acquisitions considered the minimum applicable requirement?

a) Existing equipment demolition information;

b) New equipment set-out & assembly information including anchorage details;

c) Mechanical plumbing & pressure piping demolition & installation information, details, equipment utility connection schedule/details;

d) Mechanical ventilation demolition & new work installation information, details, equipment connection schedule/details; and,

e) Electrical demolition & new work installation information, details, equipment connection details, panel schedules for new work, new/relocated lighting fixtures details.

Answer – Yes. All are required.

E.3 52-212-2 EVALUATION:

1. (p.61) Specification states “The Government will award one contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.”

Q1 – Reference to “…award one contract resulting from this solicitation…” conflicts with B.2 Schedule of Supplies & Delivery (p.5) which states “Offerors may bid on one or all items listed below in order to be considered for award. Line items will be evaluated as a whole, and or individually.” Confirm section B.2 is the applicable specification and this solicitation is not a winner-take-all type single award.

Answer – Yes. Section B.2 is the applicable specification and this solicitation is not a winner-take-all type single award.

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS:

Item #2 Blanket Folding Machine:

1. Ordering Data (p.3) Specifications states machine “production requirements – 500 thermal blankets per hour, 500 bath blankets per hour and 500 bed spreads per hour.” Specification does not include a blanket spreader/feeder.

Q1 – How will textiles arrive at machine for operators to process (carts or slings)?

Answer – Textiles will arrive at the machine for operators to process by carts.

Q2 - Confirm blanket folding machine specified is not required to be capable of receiving knitted fitted sheets, patient gowns, and/or patient reusable bed under pads.

Answer – NO. Blanket / Large Piece folding machine specified must be capable of receiving knitted fitted sheets, patient gowns, and/or patient reusable bed under pads.

2. Typically blanket folding machines as is specified are 120- to 128-inches wide for processing hospital bed spreads.

Q1 – Confirm the minimum width of the folding machine input feed conveyor that is required.

Answer – System offered should be one operator folding of a wide variety of tumble dried items. System offered shall be capable of folding items that include Knitted Fitted Sheets, Bath Blankets, Thermal Blankets, Patient Gowns, and Bed Pads. Pre-folded by an operator may be up to 120” wide.

3 Is the successful bidder responsible for modifying the existing clean linen flow rack into four-lanes to provide floor space for the new blanket folding machine, or will the VA perform this work including reworking the existing fire protection system and installing the required new LED lighting & spot cooling for the newly created machine work station?

Answer – The contractor is responsible for modifying the existing clean linen flow rack into four-lanes to provide floor space for the new blanket folding machine. The contractor is responsible for installing the required new LED lighting & spot cooling for the newly created machine work station.

Item #3 400/500-lb. Gas-Heated Drying Production Dryer:

1. Para. #1 (p.1) indicates dryer shall be “a drying and conditioning tumbler, laundry, commercial, etc.”

Q1 – Is the VA insulation sound reduction specification required for this commercial production dryer?

Answer – Yes. VA insulation sound reduction specification is required for this commercial production dryer.

2. Para. #16 (p.2) requires the new dryer fire suppression system shall be connected to a dedicated domestic water supply pipe and backflow preventer. The trade-in dryer suppression system is connected upstream to an existing domestic cold water header. The branch pipe also serves the two existing 170-lb gas tumblers both having minimum GPM ratings for fire suppression that alone may or may not exceed the design flow rate of the existing branch line.

Q1 – Confirm if the successful bidder is required to demolish the existing ¾” domestic cold water supply branch pipe serving the trade-in dryer back to above the 100-lb. tumblers and cap off; and in its place install a new separate dedicated domestic cold water supply and backflow preventer as specified properly sized to accommodate the minimum flow rate required for new dryer fire suppression system.

Answer – Yes. The contractor is required to demolish the existing ¾” domestic cold water supply branch pipe serving the trade-in dryer back to above the 100-lb. tumblers and cap off; and in its place install a new separate dedicated domestic cold water supply and backflow preventer as specified properly sized to accommodate the minimum flow rate required for new dryer fire suppression system.

Q2 – Confirm the new fire suppression flow switch & signal control component(s) required for the new dryer are to match same component type & brands utilized by the Medical Center, and is to be connected similarly to the building fire alarm system performed by a fire alarm contractor approved by the COR.

Answer – Yes. The new fire suppression flow switch & signal control component(s) required for the new dryer are to match same component type & brands utilized by the Medical Center, and is to be connected similarly to the building fire alarm system performed by a fire alarm contractor approved by the COR.