656-19-324 Upgrade PACS Questions_VALHALLA.docx

Solicitation Questions and Answers

SCVA Upgrade Building 51 HVAC Pre-Bid Questions

Due: 7/30/25 To: Dwayne.brauch@va.gov Title: 656-19-324 Upgrade of the Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) Questions

Reference

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Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum?

Yes

Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO?

Yes

26.

If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project?

Already answered yes to question 25.

27.

Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC?

Yes

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Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC?

No staging area. 1 semi-trailer stall is allowed per drawing E-001

30.

Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal?

Yes, not a tax-free contract

31.

Please provide the latest wage determination for this project’s county.

Please see attached

32.

Please confirm if the current prevailing wages will be consistent for the life of the project with no escalation?

Yes firm fixed price contract

33.

Please confirm the current design documents meet current VA TIL guidelines.

Contract documents were completed to the VA TIL guidelines at the date the design contract was signed.

34.

RFI #001 – Tax Exemption Question:

Is this project exempt from sales tax? If so, will the VA provide a tax exemption certificate for use in material purchases?

No.

35.

RFI #002 – Submittal Platform Question:

Will the VA permit the use of Procore or an equivalent construction management software platform for submittals and project communications?

Yes, Procore is acceptable.

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RFI #003 – Stored Material Payment Question:

Will payment applications be accepted for materials stored on-site or in a bonded off-site warehouse?

Yes

37.

Question:

Will the Government consider including an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in the contract to address significant fluctuations in material pricing?

No, firm fixed price contract

38.

RFI #005 – Contractor Badging Requirements and PIV Process Question:

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.

Plan on 90 calendar days. From date of badge application. Detailed procedures will be during the preconstruction conference.

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RFI #006 – Notice to Proceed (NTP) Issuance Question:

How soon after contract award does the Government anticipate issuing the official Notice to Proceed (NTP)?

Notice to Proceed will be issued at the Preconference kick off meeting.

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RFI #007 – SSHO, QCM, and Superintendent Roles (Triple Hatting) Question:

May one individual serve in dual or multiple roles (i.e., SSHO, QCM, and Superintendent) if they meet all qualification requirements?

Clarification:

If not, is it acceptable for the Superintendent to also serve as the SSHO?

Yes, one individual can serve as the Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM on this project.

41.

RFI #008 – Temporary Facilities and Utilities Question 1:

Will the contractor be required to provide a temporary site office or trailer, or will space within the existing facility be made available?

Question 2:

Will the VA allow temporary connection to existing utility infrastructure, with the contractor responsible for metered usage?

No and no

42.

RFI #009 – Parking and Staging Areas Question:

Will there be designated parking and staging areas for contractor personnel and deliveries? Will the Government provide on-site storage containers or laydown space, or must these be arranged off-site?

The designated contractor parking is in gravel parking lot. No staging area, only 1 semi-trailer stall is allowed per drawing E-001

43.

RFI #010 – Commissioning Agent Responsibility Question:

Please confirm whether the VA will provide and hire the commissioning agent for this project.

No commissioning agent.

44.

RFI #011 – Infection Control Measures (ICRA) Question:

Are modular temporary wall systems such as STARC panels approved for meeting ICRA containment requirements?

STARC panels are acceptable for dust control purposes.

RFI #012 – Hazardous Materials (Asbestos / Lead) Question:

Is abatement of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) or lead-containing materials (LCM) anticipated under this project? If so, will the VA provide recent asbestos and lead survey reports?

Specifications were provided in case hazardous materials were encountered during construction. There are no known conflicts with lead or asbestos. These will be treated as unforeseen conditions.

RFI #013 – PACS System and Network Integration Question 1:

Is there any reuse of existing brand name equipment requiring a J&A?

Question 2:

Does the new PACS need to integrate with other security systems such as CCTV?

Question 3:

It appears the system is to reside on the VA Network—is this correct?

Question 4:

If the response to Question 4 is yes, is there a requirement for virtual servers or are standard servers permissible?

1. Contractor to provide a fully functioning system per contract bid documents.

2. PACS to be fully integrated with existing SMS.

3. Yes

4. Standard servers

RFI #014 – Electrical and Rough-in Requirements for PACS Question 1:

What are the rough-in requirements for new devices? For example, is new conduit required within wall cavities versus surface mounting?

Question 2:

Is the contractor required to provide and install all new electrical requirements for new power supply locations?

1. Provide new conduit, concealed within finished surfaces. Surface mounting is only acceptable in unfinished spaces.

2. Provide all requirements for fully functioning system.

RFI #015 – PACS Internet Connectivity and EHRM Integration Question 1:

Will the new PACS be connected to the internet for integration with the national database?

Question 2:

Is there new equipment being installed under the EHRM project that needs to remain in place and be integrated into the new system?

1. No

2. No

In accordance with OMB M-19-17 and the FICAM Playbooks, which mandate the use of FICAM-approved architectures and GSA APL 2.0-listed PACS components, will this procurement explicitly disqualify any vendor proposing non-APL-listed products or non-FICAM-compliant architectures? If not, how will the agency justify a deviation from federal policy and risk introducing non-compliant, insecure, or untested systems into the physical access control environment?

The system must be an approved FIPS 201 PACS topology.

1.4.N.3.b Pg. 369

1.4.N.3.a Pg. 402

2.8.D Pg. 481

2.10.B Pg. 484 The required card reader response time states <.8 seconds. The PIV card requires powering and cert validation. This is not possible. Will the government require the reader to be on the GSA APL 2.0 list to ensure FIPS 201 compliancy.

Yes, readers are to be FIPS 201 compliant.

1A-EI001

Will a lay down area be provided? If so, what is the size and where on campus will it be located?

No staging area. 1 semi-trailer stall is allowed per drawing E-001

If not, will the station be providing interior space for materials storage for the project?

See answer to question 57

Will an area be provided for an office trailer?

See answer to question 57

If so, is there (electrical and water) services for its operation?

No electrical and water services will be provided by the VA.

If not, will the station be providing interior space for a contractor temporary office?

See answer to question 57

Please confirm if the site superintendent also be allowed to serve as the SSHO?

The superintendent on this project may only act as superintendent on 1 project. Whether that individual can serve as SSHO on another project is dependent on that project’s specifications. However, the superintendent on this project may act as SSHO on this project.

Please confirm if the site superintendent also be allowed to oversee QC for onsite activities?

The superintendent on this project may only act as superintendent on 1 project. Whether that individual can serve as QC on another project is dependent on that project’s specifications. However, the superintendent on this project may act as QC on this project.

Will the station consider supporting evening shifts (not overnight) to minimize disturbance to client and staff?

Some off shift work will be required based upon impact to normal to normal VA operation. Coordinate with COR.

How many locations can work be performed in simultaneously?

No restrictions. No work in a finished space may be left in an unfinished condition for more than 1 week.

Is there a limit on number of areas that can be worked concurrently?

No.

Will the VA accept fire retardant plastic for ICRA containment walls and doors given the highly transitive nature of the work on this project?

Yes, this is acceptable for dust control purposes.

Is the VA open to the utilization of the project management software Procore for the documentation, meeting minutes and approval processes on this project?

Yes, Procore is acceptable.

Is there any outside boring required for this project?

Boring is permitted in lieu of trenching where feasible.

Have all the complications associated with getting wire to building 6 been resolved? If not, please provide details as to the current existing conditions related to this issue and it’s impacts on this project.

Building 6 is not in project scope.

Can communication wiring be run through the existing tunnels?

Yes

Do the tunnels have existing wiring trays?

Most do. Not all.

What is the level of finish required for restoration of areas affected by the installation of the new PACs?

Level of finish to match adjacent areas. Final appearance of all areas to be approved by VA.

Does the VA expect the entire wall to receive a new coating of paint or is there a standard distance away from the newly installed equipment that finishing will be required? Example- a new PAC install in a 60-foot hallway, how far does the finish work have to cover?

See previous answer.

Will ICRA containment be allowed to remain in work areas from one day to the next as the project proceeds?

No. 1 business shift.

Given the age of the buildings at this station, Can the VA provide a rough estimate of what percentage of the total number of PAC installations will occur in walls of CMU, clay brick or stucco?

All installation locations were available for bidders to view during the pre bid site walk.

Inversely can the VA provide a rough estimate of what percentage of the total number of PAC installations will occur in walls of metal stud and drywall finishes?

All installation locations were available for bidders to view during the pre-bid site walk.

Do the electrical rooms that are the sources for new power runs to the PACs have existing conduits or openings for the new runs or will core drilling be required?

Assume new conduits and conductors for all runs.

Asbestos is a potential hazard be found during this project and an asbestos report was not provided in the solicitation, will the government be issuing modifications on an as needed basis to address abatement when the issue arises?

Specifications were provided in case hazardous materials were encountered during construction. There are no known conflicts with asbestos. These will be treated as unforeseen conditions.

Lead paint is a potential hazard be found during this project and a lead contaminate report was not provided in the solicitation, will the government be issuing modifications on an as needed basis to address abatement when the issue arises?

Specifications were provided in case hazardous materials were encountered during construction. There are no known conflicts with lead. These will be treated as unforeseen conditions.

What make and model are your current PACS controllers?

Lockout project doors are running on Avigilon ACM.

Are all existing PACS controllers to be replaced?

Recent Lockout project doors are to be integrated into this project.

What manufacturers is the current system?

Lockout project doors are running on Avigilon ACM.

Does the low voltage cabling need to be pulled into a dedicated conduit?

Yes. Either pull into new conduit, or existing cable tray unless NEC capacity limit is met.

Can the low voltage cabling be run within the existing cable tray?

See previous answer.

Many of the existing frames are grouted solid. Would the intent then be to trench into the wall with patching and painting required?

Yes.