Atch 1 Narrative Cover Page.pdf

Memorandum Department of Veterans Affairs Date: July 14, 2020

From:

Subj:

To:

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO22-Gilbert Network Contracting 3601 S. 6th Avenue Tucson AZ 85723

Cover Letter for Project Upgrade IT Closet Areas Project 501-17-110 at New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) in Albuquerque, NM

All Bidder

1. Purpose: This memorandum clarifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intent to publicize this Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside construction project.

2. Background: NMVAHCS has a requirement to correct deficiencies in their IT Closets as defined by the PSDM (Physical Security Design Manual) 2015 VA Standard. Like all standards, they are to be implemented to the greatest extent possible within the framework of available budgets and without negatively impacting the overall mission of serving the health and welfare of the veteran population served by the NMVAHCS.

3. Process: This is a sealed bid solicitation in accordance with FAR 14. Bids will be evaluated on only price and the price related factors included in the invitation. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:

For those Bidders traveling from outside New Mexico, it is their responsibility to adhere to the current CDC and VA health guidelines when planning to attend the site visit.

- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

- New Mexico Department of Health: https://cv.nmhealth.org/

- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/

- New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS): https:// www.albuquerque.va.gov/ https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html https://www.albuquerque.va.gov/

Page 2.

Interested contractors interested in attending the pre-bid conference and/or site walk will receive a Skype meeting invitation when they RSVP with the Company Name and Individuals' Names via email to: richard.ortega@va.gov no later than 20 JUL 2020.

In order to meet the social distancing criteria the PRE-BID SITE WALK will be by appointment only. Once all RSVP's are received on 20 JUL 2020, Albuquerque Engineering staff will schedule appointment dates and times.

The appointment invitations will be sent out via email to the individual who sent RSVP no later than 21 JUL 2020 to allow for travel arrangements. No date or time changes allowed. Please allow 45 minutes prior to your appointment time for pre-screening reporting and badging.

Currently, every IT closet in the buildings are accessible except Building 41.

Due to the close proximity of the IT closets to patient care those closets affected will have pictures and Lidar scans available at the pre-bid meeting.

Those contractor that submitted a bid will receive a Skype meeting invitation for the virtual bid opening. Bid opening information is located block 10 of the

SF1442.

NMVAHCS Upgrade IT Closet Areas

10051718 Page 1 July 02, 2019

GENERAL

As described in the VA scope of work (SOW) document, the SOW shall include the following:

Description:

1. The purpose of this project is to provide a designed solution to address deficiencies associated with IT Closet Areas located within multiple buildings at the NMVAHCS. Multiple buildings on campus include Buildings 1,2,3,5-6,8,10,11,18,39,41,43,45 and 46. Priorities for the base bid include: B1, B3, B11, B41 and B45. The remaining building priorities are as follows: B10, B4, B2, B8, B46, B43, B5/6, B39 and B18.

2. The project shall, at a minimum, include considerations for expanding some of the sizes of IT Closet Areas, addressing UPS deficiencies, grounding and bonding conditions within each closet, alarm monitoring, configuration of equipment within the closets such as cable trays/housings, rack configuration, sizing of sleeves for cabling, removing abandoned cable and addressing physical security needs.

Additionally, inclusion of dedicated air conditioning units with monitoring, ensure closets are enclosed (no open ceilings), providing access controls and video surveillance (Physical security requirements), correct emergency power receptacles for UPS systems and monitoring and ensuring cable management trays and removal of old CAT 3 cable infrastructure.

3. Any connections into existing systems such as utility or communications must be verified to ensure compatibility with the systems overall. Any existing systems or utilities that must be moved to accommodate this work must be designed as part of this project.

4. Building access, staging, and phasing should also be addressed and included within the design planning. The A−E shall confirm with the VA and include staging area locations in the design plans. Any construction phasing plans shall be included in the construction documents to enable planning for impacts on the medical center as needed. The intention is to reduce means and methods decisions on the part of the contractor; outline phasing and sequencing of work.

Presentation This project breaks each building out into a separate bid package to provide maximum flexibility for procurement. The cover sheet orients the bidder and identifies the scope of work:

10051718 Page 2 July 02, 2019

Each project has project specific general notes to ensure VA and industry standards are met.

10051718 Page 3 July 02, 2019

Each project has an overall floorplan that places the IT closet in the existing context of the building floor plan for each level.

10051718 Page 4 July 02, 2019

The new IT closet location is placed in context of the building floor to clearly show the scope of work. The reference takes the bidder to the enlarged plan view for detailed information.

Enlarged plans, the standard layout, existing photos or LIDAR scan images, and the deficiencies list are provided for VA and bidder use:

10051718 Page 5 July 02, 2019

Enlarged plans allow the bidder and VA reviewers to understand the new systems being designed into the solution:

10051718 Page 6 July 02, 2019

Minor detailing has been started but not completed for all sites.

10051718 Page 7 July 02, 2019

Development since the previous submission includes system design for the new IT Closets as follows:

Enhancements from the previous submission include:

• Enlarged cable tray plans with Basis of Design (BOD) equipment selection

• Enlarged system plans with Basis of Design (BOD) equipment selection

• Enlarged lighting plans with Basis of Design (BOD) equipment selection

• Enlarged power plans with Basis of Design (BOD) equipment selection

• Selection and cost columns on the Deficiency lists with summary line item costs

• Minor detailing

• Cut sheets with equipment selections

• Updated OPCC (Opinion of Probable Cost)

• Specifications

References The mechanical, plumbing, medical gas, electrical and special system design will adhere to the following codes and criteria in the preparation of the Project [Mechanical and Electrical] Design Documents.

• Owner furnished criteria and guidelines (if applicable).

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

• American Society of Plumbing Engineers

• ASSE 1010 Performance Requirements for Water Hammer Arrestors

• Department of Energy (DOE) Regulations

10051718 Page 8 July 02, 2019

• Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

• Energy Star

• Energy Code/ASHRAE 90.1 2013 Edition as applicable.

• HVAC Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb, 3rd Edition, by Arthur Bell & Larsen Angel

• IEEE STD 143-2012-Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

• Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Handbook – 9th Edition

• International Building Code (IBC – 2012 Edition)

• International Mechanical Code (IMC – 2012 Edition)

• International Plumbing Code (IPC – 2012 Edition)

• JCAHO – Accreditation Manual for Hospitals

• National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC – 2009 Edition)

• International Fire Code (IFC – 2012 Edition)

• National Electric Code (NEC – 2017 Edition)

• National Energy Conservation Policy Act (95-619)

• National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC – 2012 Edition)

• National Fire Protection Association Standards (Latest Editions)

• NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems

• NFPA 14 – Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems

• NFPA 20 – Centrifugal Fire Pumps

• NFPA 54 – Fuel Gas Code

• NFPA 70 – National Electric Code

• NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm Code

• NFPA 90A – Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems

• NFPA 91 – Exhaust Air Systems for Conveying Gases

• NFPA 99 – Health Care Facilities

• NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code

• NFPA 780 – Lightning Protection Systems

• Plumbing Drainage Institute (PDI)

• State of New Mexico Fire Code (Latest Edition)

• State of New Mexico Energy Code (Latest Edition)

• Veterans Administration Design Guidelines

• Veterans Administration Technical Information Library (TIL)

10051718 Page 9 July 02, 2019

MECHANICAL

HVAC System Design Considerations

This project includes many types of IT Closets and, as such, required a systematic approach to the initial survey and condition assessment. To that end, the design team developed the following overall building floor plans, enlarged floor plans, assessment checklist, and survey process.

The Survey Process included LIDAR scanning and Photographic Recording of each space.

While it is acknowledged that funding may not be in place to address all deficiencies in all IT Closets, a review of the proposed priority list and the required renovations will be presented with the next submission.

The existing air handling units and supply and return ductwork will be reutilized. New split system units will be installed to provide cooling if the primary system fails.

Mechanical Design Conditions

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Elevation: 5,315 feet above sea level Mean Daily Range: 25.4 Degree Fahrenheit

*Indoor design dry bulb temperature and relative humidity requirements will be based upon the VA Design Guidelines or the FGI Guidelines for Design & Construction of Hospital & Healthcare Facilities.

***Minimum outside air, air handling units will be designed based upon 1.0 percent summer design conditions per the VA Design Guide requirements.

****Winter design will be based upon the 99.6 percent winter design conditions per the VA Design Guide requirements.

Winter

Dry Bulb Deg F

Summer Dry Bulb/Wet Bulb

Deg F

Relative Humidity

% RH

Outside Cooling 35F 82F DB, 64F WB 50% Inside Design Conditions

70F 75F DB 50%

IT Closet Design Conditions

68F min DB 80F max DB 50%

Electrical Room Design Conditions

60F min DB 85F max DB 50%

10051718 Page 10 July 02, 2019

Ventilation Requirements

Area Air Flow

Min.

Total AC/Hr

Min. OA

100% Exhaust

Temp Range (Note 1)

Humidity

%RH

Noise Criteria

Occupants (SF/Occ)

Lights (w/sf)

Equip-ment (w/sf)

IT - - 0 No 68 – 80 50% 40 - 1.0 TBD

Noise Requirements

Standard acoustical design per ASHRAE has been used. However, ASHRAE 70-2006, requires a deduction of 10 DB of sound energy in all octave bands before the NC value is determined.

This deduction of 10 DB is used as a “room effect” or “space absorption effect” (carpet, wall coverings, etc.). Room effect is not a good assumption for use in surgical spaces or patient rooms due to the acoustically hard surfaces. For a simple and conservative method of estimating the actual space NC levels, the following formula can be used:

IT Closet = 40 NC

Electrical Rooms:

N/A

IT Closets:

IT closets will not be ventilated.

HVAC and Plumbing Insulation

HVAC and plumbing system insulation will meet or exceed the minimum requirements set forth by the industry standards, and/or as summarized as follows:

Building Envelope

Wall "U" Factor <= 0.084 Btuh/sf-Fo

Roof "U" Factor <= 0.048 Btuh/sf-Fo

Glazing U-Factor <= 0.60 Btuh/sf-Fo

Glass "U" Factor (1" Thermopane) 0.57 Btuh/S.F/F.

Glazing Shading Coefficient <= 0.29 (PF < 0.25)

*Note: Actual values to be determined by Architect. Listed values represent IECC minimums. The closets vary greatly in location within the buildings and the construction of the perimeter walls.

HVAC Ductwork Insulation

For supply and return air ductwork, will be 2” thick mineral fiber insulation on the exterior of the ductwork. Outside air intake and exhaust ductwork does not need to be insulated.

10051718 Page 11 July 02, 2019

HVAC Piping Insulation

For HHW piping indoors, 2” pre-formed pipe mineral-fiber insulation with vapor barrier and PVC jacket will be used.

HVAC Ductwork Construction

The supply air from the terminal units will be distributed using galvanized sheet metal ducts that are insulated. Supply ductwork will run within the ceiling interstitial space and have exterior insulation. Acoustical liners will be used inside the ductwork connecting near the terminal units.

Downstream of the terminal units, the ductwork will be SMACNA rated for 1” static pressure.

Vibration Isolation and Seismic Restraint Guidelines

The mechanical systems will be seismically restrained as required by the Building Code.

SMACNA guidelines will be used for ductwork supports and seismic restraints.

LEED Mechanical Credits

N/A.

LEED Plumbing Credits

Mechanical System Summary

The existing HVAC air handling units, terminal units, exhaust fans and duct mains will be reused condition the space. A new split system air conditioning unit will be provided as a back-up cooling system and used to supplement the existing house air for each IT Closet. One two (2) ton split system unit will be provided per IT Closet with associated condensing unit located on the roof.

Building Automation System

The mechanical systems will be designed for fully automatic operation and control through DDC systems. The BAS will annunciate any alarm conditions and will allow for remote monitoring of facility systems. The owner should designate where it would like alarms to be annunciated during both daytime hours and off-hours.

Heating Hot Water System

Modifications to the existing HHW reheat coils are required in Building 11 to provide for the new IT closet. The existing terminal units shall be relocated, and new piping will connect to the existing heating water mains.

Domestic Water System

10051718 Page 12 July 02, 2019

Natural Gas System

Sanitary Sewer System

Roof Drain System

Plumbing Fixtures

ELECTRICAL

Design Conditions and Project Data

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Elevation: 5,315 feet above sea level Mean Daily Range: 25.4 Degree Fahrenheit

ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION

Primary Service

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) serves as the electric utility for the VAMC Albuquerque. Presently there are two service feeds from PNM to the VAMC main hospital building complex. The PNM feeds terminate in a PMH-9 switch (SW3209). The primary feeder extends to a PNM meter enclosure (PM33150) located at the Northwest corner of Building 41.

A 15kV feeder leaves switch SW3209 and terminates on the interior 15kV load interrupter switchgear. From the switchgear feeders #3 terminates on the 3000kVA 12.47kv-480/277 transformer XF41. Feeder #4 leaves the switchgear and is routed to manhole #27C. Feeders #1, #2 and #3 are routed from the 15kV load interrupter switchgear out to the manholes on campus. These feeders serve other buildings on campus.

Normal Power

No existing distribution equipment will be replaced or upgraded under this project.

Emergency Power

Existing critical system panelboards will be utilized to serve equipment in the renovated spaces including rack mounted UPS units where available. Buildings that do not have a critical system, the emergency system will be utilized. Buildings 2 and 18 presently do not

10051718 Page 13 July 02, 2019 have any emergency busses within the facilities. A 15kW, 3 Phase UPS unit will be provided for each building to serve as the emergency source for the IT Closet in these buildings.

General Power Distribution Requirements

The receptacles that are within the architectural renovation area will be removed along with their associated conduit and conductors back to their source panels. New receptacles will be provided in the new renovated area and will be specified and located per the room and equipment layouts.

Grounding System

A new ground bar will be installed in each IT Closet that presently lack a ground bar. The ground bar will be bonded into the existing building grounding system. The equipment in the room will be bonded to the new ground bar per OIT standards.

Panelboards

The existing panelboards will remain and be reused. Circuit requirements for the newly renovated space will be evaluated and if the circuit needs exceed the panel circuit breaker capacity, additional electrical panelboards will be added.

Feeders

Conduit below grade will be poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) and will either be direct buried or encased in concrete. Conduit above grade will either be electrical metallic tubing (EMT) or galvanized rigid steel (GRC). In general, conduit above grade and 2+1/2” diameter or less will be EMT and conduit greater than 2+1/2” will be GRC. However, GRC will be provided in all exposed locations or where subject to damage (interior and exterior). Copper Conductor insulation will be type THHN/THWN. All feeders will include an insulated equipment ground conductor.

Conduit Systems

The following color coding shall be utilized:

Building Management Systems - Blue Colored Conduits Fire Alarm - Red Colored Conduits (All boxes and covers shall be red).

Security Systems – Purple Colored Conduits Nurse Call/Code Blue – Green Colored Conduits Paging – White Colored Conduits Communications – Orange Colored Conduits (When required)

1. All conduits to be a minimum of ¾” diameter.

2. Copper shall be utilized for all electrical components, including, but not limited to transformers, panelboards, switchgear, switchboards, busduct, etc.

3. All rough in conduit to have plaster rings and pull cords (Telecom, Data, Nurse

Call, etc.)

10051718 Page 14 July 02, 2019

4. No armored (MC or AC) cable allowed.

5. No Multi-Branch Circuits Allowed.

6. Junction boxes shall be installed on pre-manufactured brackets that span the back of the box from stud to stud; Erico Telescoping Screw Gun Bracket or equal.

7. Conduits shall be supported using screw type fasteners.

8. Use of flexible metal conduit for connections to motors and vibrating equipment shall be limited to 24”.

Branch Circuits

Individual branch circuits will be used for lighting and receptacle loads. Branch circuits will consist of 90° C insulated (THHN/THWN) copper conductors. Minimum size raceway will be 3/4"“. Minimum wire size for branch circuits will be No. 12 AWG copper. An equipment grounding conductor will be installed in each branch circuit.

Individual neutrals for each dedicated phase conductor will be provided as required by NEC.

Branch circuits serving non-linear electronic loads will have dedicated neutrals for each phase conductor to accommodate harmonic currents.

Loading on lighting and receptacle branch circuits will be limited to 75% or less of the branch breaker rating.

Capacities

All electrical distribution equipment will be sized per National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements. Medium voltage cable, transformers and all 600V distribution equipment are required to be sized per NEC article 220. Because actual demand loads will be substantially less than the NEC connected loads, spare capacity will be built-in to the system.

All feeders and dry type transformers will be loaded to approximately 70% of connected load per NEC, so up to 30% additional capacity will be available.

All Lighting and Receptacle branch panelboards will be loaded to a maximum of 75%, allowing a minimum of 25% spare capacity for future use.

Conduit sizes will be based on NEC Chapter 9 Table 3A for THW and TW wire so that space will be available for additional THHN/THWN wire.

Minimum conduit size will be ¾” on the building interior and a minimum of 1” exterior to the building.

Equipment

All motors larger than ¾ horsepower will be three-phase, unless specified otherwise. The scope of this project does not include the addition of motors at this time.

10051718 Page 15 July 02, 2019

Receptacles

All receptacle outlet boxes will be 4”x4”x2.5” with vertical single-gang device mounting ring and duplex 20 amp grounding type with color as selected by the Architect. Devices shall be Hospital grade single-piece, rivetless, nickel plated with all brass grounding system. Ground fault protected (GFCI) receptacles will be used where required by the NEC. The mounting height for convenience receptacles will be 18” above the finish floor to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Normal Power Wall Plates will be Type 302, Stainless Steel, Ivory and engraved with panel and circuit number in ¼” high black letters at the top of each plate. In electrical rooms, data closets, mechanical rooms, etc. wall plates shall be stainless steel. Emergency Power Wall Plate shall be red smooth nylon and engraved with “EMERGENCY” at the top of each plate and the panel and circuit number at the bottom of the plate with ¼” high white letters.

A swivel lock outlet shall be suspended from the deck above to provide overhead power to the racks.

30A-1P, receptacle will be provided for the rack mounted UPS units. The receptacles will be feed from a ceiling, surface mounted receptacle to a surface mounted 30A receptacle, surface mounted receptacle mounted to the equipment rack. The receptacle provided for the UPS unit will be coordinated with the UPS unit provided, twist lock or otherwise.

Electrical Rooms

No additional electrical rooms are required for this project.

Lighting Systems

Building Interior

Design initial illumination levels for this project will be indicated in the lighting calculations and follow IES standards. In general, LED lamps will be 3500°K color and 82 CRI. Luminaires will be nominal 4', pendant mounted, direct distribution luminaires..

Lighting control will be 20-ampere, dual-technology occupancy sensors with stainless steel face plates.

Lighting levels throughout the facility will be designed in accordance with Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommended practices. The following lighting levels will be provided.

Average Lighting Level

Area at the Work Plane (fc) Offices 40 – 60 Conference 30 – 50 Lobby 20 - 30 General Corridors 10 - 20

10051718 Page 16 July 02, 2019

Storage/Janitor's Rooms 10 - 20 Toilets 20 - 30 Electrical/Mechanical Rooms 20 – 30

ASHRAE 90.1 2016 has been utilized for this project.

Emergency Lighting

Lighting in the IT Closets will be supplied through the existing emergency backup generators emergency systems, Life Safety System where available.

Special Systems

Fire Alarm

New fire alarm devices will be added as required, each device shall be compatible with the existing building fire alarm system. The adequacy of the existing system for device expansion will be determined. The fire alarm system additions will consist of the following:

• Ceiling mounted smoke will be provided in the building 43 IT closet to interface with the clean agent fire suppression system which will interface with the exiting building fire alarm system.

• All devices will be analog addressable.

Nurse Call System

Security and CCTV System

The existing security/CCTV system will remain. New security cameras will be added.

Coordination with the VA is required to determine location of devices. Card readers will be installed at locations defined by the VA.

Telephone and Data System

Telecommunications Outlets (TCO) will be standard 4-11/16”x4-11/16”x2-1/8”” outlet boxes with vertical single-gang device mounting ring and 1-1/4" conduit riser stubbed out above accessible ceiling to a cable tray system. The mounting height for telephone outlets will be 18-inches above the finish floor to match the receptacle heights.

A telephone and data structured cabling system will be provided for the expansion. All cabling shall be CAT6 with cable jacket color per SFVAHCS: Data – White, Voice - Grey. All TCOs shall utilize 6 ports (Data 1, Data 2, Data 3, Phone 1, future LC optical fiber and future F coax).

10051718 Page 17 July 02, 2019

It will be an extension of the existing hospital system. The systems will be specified in accordance with VA requirements and installation will be coordinated with the VA.

Telecommunications outlet data cabling within the project area will be served from the existing Telecommunications Room (IRMS 2B-22) located on the second floor. New patch panels and horizontal wire managers will be installed in an existing rack.

Telecommunications outlet voice cabling within the project area will be served from the existing Telecommunications closet located on the ground floor.

Cable tray systems will be installed throughout the project area to provide pathways for the horizontal cabling. The cable tray systems and conduit will be grounded to the existing telecommunications grounding system in IRMS 2B-22.

Intercom/Paging System

Lightning Protection

END OF NARRATIVE