Questions for NASM Envelope RFP 1-6.pdf

NASM Envelope Improvements and HVAC replacement Questions

1. In regards to the Commissioning Agent required for Solicitation Number F12SOL10019 – AE

Contract for Renovations to NASM, National Mall Building, is Enhanced Commissioning or

Fundamental Commissioning is required for this contract?

Answer: Enhanced commissioning will be required.

2. The mitigation of CBR hazards could entail a variety of efforts. Could you please give an overview of the nature of the CBR mitigation work it expects the selected A/E to perform? We will be subcontracting this service, so any information you can provide about the nature of the work would better help us determine which of our consultants is best suited/qualified to provide those services.

Answer: Mitigation of CBR threats would be limited to planning for protection of exterior envelope from sources of possible CBR threat – such as placement of exhaust and air intakes.

Scope may or may not include more detailed airflow modeling and design for interior of facility;

this will be decided at a later date, after the preliminary planning studies. CBR considerations for the interior HVAC system will be needed at a planning level in the initial building envelope study.

3. What kind of qualifications is acceptable for the “communications and related systems engineer” position? Is the Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) certification acceptable? Is a P.E. registration required?

Answer: PE is preferred

4. We have many LEED APs among the A/E professionals we plan to include in our SF330 as key personnel. Is the “sustainability specialist,” as the Smithsonian sees it, someone who will be heavily involved in executing the design or someone who will be the primary person responsible for coordinating the documentation required to submit the renovation for LEED certification?

Answer: Both. We expect the AE team professionals in the major disciplines to be LEED accredited, for design. Further, the AE will be required to coordinate and document all LEED credits and submit for certification with USGBC.

5. Is a licensed architect or engineer acceptable for the Project Manager role, or is the Smithsonian looking for a particular type of certification other than these?

Answer: Licensure as architect or PE is acceptable as long as Proposed PM can demonstrate direct significant experience in managing comparable projects. Specific degree or certification in project management is not required.

6. Is the Smithsonian looking for a particular type of certification for the Cost Estimator role? Is significant cost estimating experience (e.g. 20+ years) acceptable?

Answer: We do not have any specific qualification or certification requirements for our cost estimators. On a significant project like this we would expect that a professional cost estimating firm be engaged. This firm should have sufficient depth in terms of expertise in the disciplines involved

(HVAC, Envelope etc) and will have the experience and capability to produce detailed and complete cost estimates that meet our needs in properly assessing the costs of the project.