Attachment 11 - RFI Questions REV 1.docx

668-21-100 Upgrade AHU 18/20/22 RFI Questions:

1) Keynote 40 and 41 on sheet AD-201 states to remove and replace the existing ceiling. Does replacement of existing ceiling also include the grid or just the tiles?

Grid and tiles in entirety.

2) Keynote 76 on sheet AE-102 states to refer to GI-001 for fireproofing requirements. No fireproofing specification was included with the solicitation documents. Will the VA be supplying this specification?

Fireproofing specifications have been included as an amendment.

3) Will an entire phase be able to be turned over to the awarded contractor, i.e. patients and staff relocated etc., or will a phase be turned over in sections?

Phases will be turned over in sections, as the facility has limited free space to relocate. Upon award this can be coordinated.

4) A general note on the phase plan sheet GI-002 states to “relocate users while upgrades occur”. Will the VA be responsible for all relocations? What role will the GC have in relocations?

VA will coordinate and relocate users, contractor’s role will be limited to moving furnishings within the space as necessary to complete the work required.

5) Please confirm per specification section 01 35 26 part 1.9 that the SSHO must be a separate individual and cannot hold other duties such as the QC or Superintendent.

For a project of this size the SSHO must be an individual position, no “dual hatting” will be allowed.

6) Please confirm that per specification section 01 45 00 part 3.4.B. The QC manager shall have no other duties so they must be a separate individual from the project superintendent and SSHO. Confirm this project requires 3 separately qualified individuals to be on site at all times, SSHO, QC and Superintendent.

For a project of this size the SSHO must be an individual position, no “dual hatting” will be allowed. This results in 3 separate individuals on site at all times.

7) Low voltage devices are not shown on the reflected ceiling plans, what devices will be required to be disconnected at demolition time and reconnected once new tile is installed?

See general note D on Sheet A201.

8) For the question above regarding low voltage devices, will the VA provide the names of the VA’s preferred vendors who maintain or are authorized to maintain those systems?

Low voltage systems are maintained by VA staff, see addition questions for HVAC DDC and Fire Life Safety Systems.

9) A wall protection specification section was included in the bidding documents. Also included is a basis of design in the 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes. I am unable to locate any work associated with wall protection on the included plans. Will the VA please provide additional scope information for wall protection? Are there specific quantities the VA wants us to bid?

Wall protection will not be required, except to match existing if necessary.

10) Please confirm swing spaces have been finalized, and the occupants will be relocated while construction is on-going in each phase.

Phases will be turned over in sections, as the facility has limited free space to relocate. Upon award this can be coordinated.

11) Please confirm the government will provide the location of the ACM/Lead materials requiring abatement.

See provided attachment 4 Environmental Report

12) Please confirm only the quantities of materials shown in the summary of work to be abated is all that is required to be completed under this contract.

Quantities represent a best faith estimate based on sampling. Additional quantities or not expected.

13) Please confirm working hours.

Normal station working hours are 0700-1600.

14) Please confirm the current fire alarm contractor.

The current system maintenance contract is held by Fire Systems West.

15) Please confirm the current HVAC DDC contractor performing installation and service work at the facility.

The current HVAC DDC maintenance contract is held by Control Solutions North West.

16) Please confirm the contractor will be provided unfettered access to the work areas.

Access to the work areas will be provided, there will be areas of controlled access, therefore “unfettered” access will not be guaranteed.

17) Please confirm a laydown yard will be provided.

A laydown yard will be provided.

18) Are there temporary power provisions in the laydown yard.

There are not temporary power provisions, but these may be made by the contractor as required.

19) Please confirm the hospital staff and executive team is onboard with the work taking place and will uphold the government’s duty to the contractor to allow the work to take place.

Hospital staff do not have bearing on construction project approval, hospital executive leadership team approves all construction projects.

20) Is a site visit mandatory, and if so, what are the scheduled dates?

The only site visit has been held in accordance with the solicitation, the site visit is not mandatory.

21) Are temporary air handling systems required to be provided by the contractor during phased work?

Only if specified by the construction documents.

22) Will the Government provide any existing as-built drawings or updated mechanical layouts?

The contractor may request additional documents after award should it be deemed necessary.

23) Are there any restrictions on working hours due to patient care operations?

There will be coordination of working hours depending on noise level as several phases are near inpatient areas.

24) Can past performance from subcontractors be submitted in support of the prime contractor?

Yes, in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

25) Are the deducts only for the equipment directly associated with the AHUs? For example on AHU22 would the deduct be for just the RF-22 and OSA louver?

Please see alternates as listed on the drawing cover sheet. These alternates list the alternate (deduct) work scopes in detail.

26) The required Asbestos Abatement Scopes of work in multiple Asbestos Abatement spec sections are not complete and were left unedited by the VA’s DOR. Please advise if the VA intends to have this design error and omission corrected prior to the bid.

Necessary abatement quantities to be determined by contractor based on provided environmental sampling report.

Mechanical Tie-In Shutdown Windows The phasing sheets reference multiple outages with durations listed as “TBD.” Please provide:

27) Maximum allowable shutdown durations by system

To be coordinated based on hospital impact. Generally, 48 hours.

28) Required notification periods Contractually obligated 2 week notice period. VA may require additional time to coordinate outages based on impact.

29) Approved shutdown days/hours To be coordinated based on hospital impacts, generally can be supported during normal working hours.

30) Whether shutdowns must occur during nights/weekends only Generally, nights/weekends are not required, but may be necessary based on hospital impacts.

31) Whether multiple systems may be shut down concurrently In the case where local isolation is available only impacting the work area multiple systems shutdown would be preferred. In the case of inability to locally isolate shorter tie in downtime will be necessary.

32) Whether temporary services are required during tie-ins Temporary services are not generally required, see requirements for AHU 18, but may become necessary should issues arise that take isolations beyond the approved outage.

Temporary AHU-18 Scope Clarification The drawings indicate that a temporary AHU is required during replacement of AHU-18. Please clarify:

33) Required temporary airflow capacity See AHU 18 requirements.

34) Required filtration level See AHU 18 requirements.

35) Temporary heating/cooling requirements See AHU 18 requirements.

36) Whether temporary humidification is required See AHU 18 requirements.

37) Electrical service responsibility for temporary unit Responsibility of contractor.

38) Controls integration requirements for temporary equipment See AHU 18 requirements.

39) Acceptable temporary duct routing locations To be site coordinated based on contractors approved means and methods for AHU 18 replacement.

40) Whether temporary unit must maintain full hospital pressurization relationships Yes, hospital will remain operational, temp unit must maintain existing conditions.

41) Whether TAB is required for temporary operation TAB will not be required, but air flow and temperature control of spaces must be maintained.

Existing Controls System / BAS Integration Please clarify the existing campus BAS manufacturer, communication protocol, and integration requirements for all new AHUs, VAVs, humidifiers, and associated devices. Please confirm:

42) Existing BAS platform/manufacturer Schnider EcoStruxure.

43) Whether controls contractor must be factory authorized Factory authorization is not required but may be necessary to interface with existing system which is required.

44) Whether front-end licensing/software costs shall be included Existing system is licensed, any licenses required for integration will be the responsibility of the contractor.

45) Responsibility for graphics, trending, and alarms Responsibility of contractor for initial set up as required by construction documents.

46) Whether the VA will require owner witness testing Owner witness testing will not be required.

47) Whether existing controllers may remain in service in any locations All existing equipment including controllers to be replaced for contract included AHUs.

Crane / Roof Access / Hoisting Restrictions Please clarify crane and roof access requirements associated with AHU removal and installation. Please provide:

48) Approved crane staging areas To be approved during required lifting plan approvals. Generally, crane staging areas will be provided as required to complete the work.

49) Weight restrictions for roof access paths Will be resolved on case-by-case basis.

50) Allowable crane working hours Lifting plans to be approved, generally limitations on crane working hours will not be enforced.

51) Required hospital evacuation zones during picks Coordination for relocation of employees whose working area is directly below the lift site while the load is on the hook will be required. This will be coordinated through the COR.

52) Whether road closures will be permitted Permitted based on approved lifting plan.

53) Responsibility for permits and traffic control Responsibility of the contractor.

54) Whether multiple crane mobilizations should be anticipated Based on required phasing it is the position of the VA that multiple crane mobilizations should be anticipated. Contractor’s means and methods may prevent multiple mobilizations if coordinated as such.

Existing Conditions Verification. Please clarify how unforeseen concealed conditions will be handled in areas where existing duct, piping, structural, or utility routing differs from contract documents. Please confirm:

55) Acceptable substitution process Or equal substitutions will be considered for approval.

56) Whether dimensional deviations are acceptable Dimensional deviations will be considered based on equal performance and proper maintenance clearances.

57) Whether equivalent fan array arrangements are permitted Fan arrays will be considered if equivalent performance is shown.

58) Whether alternate coil configurations are acceptable Alternate coil configurations will be considered if equivalent performance is shown.

59) Whether phased delivery/storage of equipment onsite is permitted A laydown yard will be provided; phased delivery and storage will be permitted on site. Proper storage and security of stored items will be the responsibility of the contractor.