FINAL TQ Tracking Sheet Mental Health 11-24-2020.pdf

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

AND RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET

RFI CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS VA RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

B1 Hydronic Piping Spec 23 21 13 - 12 3.4 A says that the piping should be "Cleaned systems as recommended by the suppliers of chemicals specified in section 23 25 00 HVAC Water Treatment”. Section 23 25 00 was not provided. Will the VA provide Section 23 25 00 if applicable?

Please reference attachment: B1 - 23 25 00_ Revised 10-27-2020

B2 Section 01 91 00 – General Commissioning, part 1.7 denotes several systems to be commissioned that LEED requires to be commissioned to comply with the LEED Fundamental Commissioning pre-requisite. Will the VA clarify if this project will have LEED registration and compliance, and if so, supply the current LEED checklist?

LEED certification is not applicable.

B3 Section 01 91 00 – General Commissioning, part 1.8 states that the Contractor is to hire the Commissioning Agent (CxA). Will the VA confirm the Contractor is to hire the Commissioning Agent?

Confirmed. Contractor is to hire the commissioning agent.

B4 Section 07 84 00 – Firestopping. Part 1.5-C lists the qualifications for the Firestopping Inspector. Will the VA confirm that a 3rd party Firestopping Inspector will be required for this project?

Yes. Per par 1.5C and 3.5B its required.

B5 Section 02 41 00 – Demolition, part J-2 deals with fire sprinklers after the ceiling has been removed. Will the VA clarify whether fire sprinkler heads must be turned up after removal of an existing ceiling?

Yes, it must be turned up per spec section 01 35 26 par 1.13.D.4.

B6 Does the Tucson VA facility have a preferred manufacturer or vendor for following low voltage systems? Will the VA accept alternates?

a. Access Control

b. CCTV

c. Nurse Call a.Lenel b.Stanley Security c.Hillrom d.Notifier

Expand Mental Health Clinic, Building 90 Minor Construct.

36E77620B0008

PROJECT TITLE

SOLICITATION #

d. Fire Alarm

e. DDC

e. Johnson Controls Metasys

B7 Project Schedule Specification 01 32 16.15.1.3 Contractor’s Consultant. This specification indicates that the VA expects the contractor to hire an outside consultant to prepare the project schedule. Can the contractor utilize a current member of the project team (Project Manager) to prepare and update the project schedule instead of hiring a consultant to prepare the schedule?

See spec section 01 35 26 par 1.2.C.

B8 Section 01 35 26 – Safety Requirements, Sub-Part 1.9.B requires the Contractor to hire a Certified Safety Specialist or CSHT to conduct Random Monthly Safety Inspections. In order to determine the project costs, will the VA confirm that this requirement will be enforced?

Confirmed. It will be enforced.

B9 Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), Specification 01 35 26 1.7, assuming that the SSHO is otherwise qualified, will the SSHO be allowed to perform the additional duties of superintendent and quality control manager? Specification Section 01 45 00 part 3.4.B allows the QC manager to also perform duties as the superintendent. Is the VA asking for a separate SSHO & QC/Superintendent or will the VA require these roles to be filled by 2 separate individuals?

Per section 01 45 00 par 3.4.A the SSHO is independent from the CQC Manager. In paragraph 3.4.B it states that the CQC Manager is responsible for quality control, but has duties as the project superintendent in addition to quality control. Therefore the SSHO is a separate individual form the QC/Superintendent.

B10 In specification section 07 84 00 part 1.5.B says the fire stopping “Installer qualifications: a firm that has been approved by FM Global according to FM Global 4991 per equivalent UL” Will the VA allow the contractor to use its own personnel to install the fire stopping if they are certified by the manufacturer of the fire stopping material in lieu of FM Global 4991 or equivalent?

No.

B11 In specification section 11 73 00 part 2.1 the basis of design is ArjoHuntleigh, will the VA accept a patient lift system from another brand as long as it meets the characteristics called for in the specifications?

No.

B12 A controls contractor has asked if the VA would consider a substitution request for JCI Facility Explorer in lieu of JCI Metasys for the HVAC controls. The attached letter (attached to this email) from the controls contractor explains their request and reasoning for JCI Facility Explorer to be added as an acceptable alternate to JCI Metasys. Will the VA please provide a response to this substitution request?

No. Utilize JCI Metasys.

B13 Sheet 90-AE-601, Door Schedule lists a note for Doors C106A and C106B that essentially states replace if necessary. Since this is a subjective instruction, and in the interest of a fair bidding

Note 1 on 90-AE-101 says to reuse. Please reuse them.

process, will the VA clarify whether these doors should be replaced or offer an Option CLIN to include these two doors?

B14 We have the following questions regarding the Ceiling Lift specifications on your solicitation number 36E77620B0008.

11 73 00 – 3

2.2 LIFT UNIT

B. 7 Horizontal axis motor: 24 VDC 62 Watts

1. Is the horizontal axis motor required?

Yes.

B15 B.1 Lifting capacity: 272.155 kg (600 lbs)

If required, is a 550lb lift capacity acceptable for the horizontal axis motor?

No.

B16 Can you please provide guidance on the installation of the Cat 6 cable? Contractor will be required to install a Cat 6A cable vice Cat 6.

All references to Cat 6 should be replaced and seen as Cat 6A.

B17 Sheet E-209 we have multiple questions for the Fiber and Copper scope of work associated with the existing 600 pair copper and 144 strand fiber going from building 90 to building 67.

a. Is the VA asking the contractor to only eliminate the section of cabling between building 90 and MH-13?

b. We understand the only new cables on this sheet for this scope of work are (1) 600 pair copper, (1) single mode fiber, (1) multimode hybrid, and

(1) 25 pair copper please confirm cabling is correct.

c. The new cables in item b above, run from room 1239 in B90 in all conduit to the new MH across Julian Wash, then through new conduit from the new MH to the existing MH-6, then in existing conduit from MH-6 to existing MH-5, please confirm.

d. The 600 pair copper and fiber are spliced into existing copper and fiber in MH-5, please confirm.

See new drawing 90-E-210 and revised drawings 90-ED-109 and 90-E-209.

e. Please confirm the strand count for the (1) single mode fiber and the (1) multimode hybrid fiber, which of these fiber runs are spliced in MH-5?

f. Is the 600 pair copper getting spliced to the existing 200 pair copper (see keynote 7) in MH-5? If so where are the other 400 pair going, is 600 pair really required?

g. If the new fiber is being spliced into existing fiber in MH-5, what fiber is being run back to building 38 room 0A01 (see keynote 9)?

h. If the new 600 pair copper is being spliced in MH-5 what copper is being run into building 38 room 0A01 (see keynote 9)?

i. Where does the 25 pair copper start and where does it terminate?

j. A single line/riser diagram my answer these questions.

B18 Sheet ED-109 keynote 6, is this keynote asking for the contractor to raise the existing manhole or simply stating that it has already been raised and the only work per this note is to label the manhole?

The existing manhole has already been raised.

B19 Regarding patient lift procurement, can you please provide information regarding the patient lift specifications (ie. quantity, track type etc).

There is only one patient lift being installed. See spec section 11 73 00. This is a delegated design. You need to contact Arjo regarding the specifics.

B20 Section 01 91 00 – General Commissioning Requirements, Part 1.8 requires the Contractor to engage the Commissioning Agent. Part 1.7 – Systems To Be Commissioned includes specific commissioning tasks for Division 7, Division 21, Division 22, Division 23, Division 26, Division 27, Division 28, and Division 31. Since this is an extensive list, and in order to control costs for the VA, will the VA clarify if the systems scheduled for formal Commissioning are limited to the new work and installations included in the scope for this project or will the required

Commissioning is limited to new work.

Commissioning extend to include all related existing Building 90 systems and components as well?

B21 See specification section 108113, 2.1 B. Do Bird-X All Steel Spikes qualify as an approved equal and can they used to estimate the cost of the bird spike scope of work? Please see product specification attached (B21 Bird-X_All_Steel_Spike_SPECIFICATION).

Yes if they meet the requiremennts of spec section 10 81 13 listed in Part 2 - Products. Please refer to B21 - Bird- X_All_Steel_Spike_SPECIFICATION.

B22 Can you please confirm if this project is tax exempt? It is the responsibility of the bidder to ascertain tax per local, state, and federal requirements.

B23 Please accept Jeron system as and a substitute for the Hillrom nurse call system. No. Hillrom is the existing nurse call system.

B24 Spec.23 21 13-12 3.4 A. refers to a spec 23 25 00 "Clean systems as recommended by suppliers of chemical specified in section 223 25 00" which does not exist. Please provide additional info or clarify what has to be done.

See new spec section 23 25 00. See B1 for attachment.

B25 Will substitution request determinations be made by the VA during the solicitation period? No. Substitution requests shall be considered after award during the submittal review process.

B26 What existing Access Control system and Camera system (manufacturer, model, etc.) have been installed at this facility?

Access Control – Lenel, Model LNL-1320, LNL-1300, LNL-

1100, LNL-1200, LNL-3300, LNL-CK, LNL2220, ETC…)

Camera – Cisco, Model: CIVS-IPC-8030

B27 There is a note on Sheet 95-C-300 stating “Remove Existing Fencing Around Vegetation” that is pointing to an area. What fencing is being referred to and why is this on the Site plan and not on the Demolition plan 95-C-200?

Note is N/A.

B28 Will this project be tax exempt? See B22.

B29 Are we to include the Arizona Privilege tax? The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) will be granted an exemption to the Arizona Privelege Tax. The exemption document will be provided to the awarded contractor once the documnt is received by the VA in January 2021.

B30 Are we to included furnishing and installing patient lifts? Yes. There’s only one. See spec section 11 73 00 and dwg. 90- AE-103, Keynote 1.

B31 Are we to include the above ceiling steel supports for patient lifts? Yes. See spec section 11 73 00.

B32 Spec section 090600-4, section B. 074000 roofing panels say match existing. Please advise on existing material.

See copy of submittal 07410 from original building construction file dated 01/25/2008. (See attachment: B32 - Submittal 07410 form original B90)

B33 Under Hydronic Piping Spec 23 21 13 - 12 3.4 A, it says that the piping systems should be cleaned as recommended by the suppliers of chemicals specified in section 23 25 00 HVAC Water Treatment. Unfortunately, there isn't a section labeled with this number. Please advise.

See RFI B1.

B34 Translucent panels are noted to match existing. We do not have record of this project, can a spec.

be provided?

See attached submittal 08950 cover sheet for these panels from the original costruction documents. Skywall was the supplier.

B35 What are the specs on the ceiling mounted lift motors? This is a delegated design. See spec section 11 73 00.

B36 How many motors are needed for the patient lift system? See answer to RFI B35.

B37 Are slings required for the ceiling mounted patient lifts? See answer to RFI B35.

B38 Will the VA supply reflected ceiling plans for the patient lift track system? See 90-AE-103, Note 1.

B39 Please clarify the electrical site demolition scope. It appears the electrical site work demolition is existing to remain. Can you clarify?

All existing lightning protection is to remain.

B40 The door schedule lists doors C106A and C106B to be “replaced if necessary”. For bidding purposes, please clarify if the doors are required to be replaced with new.

See RFI B13.

B41 The provided fire protection drawings indicate a new underground connection and 4” riser. Given the fact that there is an existing 6” supply already available, it would seem more cost effective to modify the existing fire riser to support this expansion. Will the VA approve modification to the existing riser and backflow in lieu of installing a new fire riser and underground supply?

No. The square footage of the existing Building 90 is 53,534

sq. ft. and the existing fire riser and backflow is NOT adequate to support the additional expansion of 7,617sq. ft. As such, both the fire riser and the backflow preventer are to be new.

B42 The plans list bid items 1 and 2 on sheet GI-001. Bid item 3 is not listed. Please confirm that bid item 3 is required per the CLIN schedule.

Bid Item 3 is required. See revised cover sheet 90-GI-001.

B43 What is the model and name of the manufacturer of the existing card readers? See spec section 28 13 00 Par 2.4.A.

B44 Please provide specifications for standing seam roofing listed on sheet AE-301 note 10. See RFI B32.

B45 What is the paint color of the existing standing seam roofing? Unknown. Match existing.

B46 Note 3 on sheet AE-304 calls for powder coating on structural decking, please confirm if this is required, or if painting the decking will be acceptable in lieu of powder coating.

The intent is to match the finish of the adjacent existing structural decking. Painting is acceptable, but the appearance must match that of the existing structure as closely as possible.

B47 Please provide the name of the manufacturer, color and type of glass for the existing clerestory windows that are to be matched per the window schedule on sheet AE-601.

See RFI B34 and attached 08524 submittal cover sheet from original building construction. Moduline Windows provided the original windows.

B48 Specification Section 27 05 11 (Requirements For Communications Installations) is referenced in several Divison 27 Specifications which are a part of the overall VHA Master Specifications. However, Spec Section 27 05 11 is not listed in the Table of Contents, and is also not included along with the other Division 27 Specifications.

Is there a reason for this? If it is an oversight, can it be added?

See new spec section 27 05 11 attached.

B49 Specification Section 27 15 00 - Part 2.1.A.1.b.1) (on Page 8) specifies, "...data station cable shall be CAT-6..." However, Project Drawing 90-ET-205, Key Note #1, calls for the installation CAT-6A station cables.

Could a clarification be provided as to which of the two types of cable need to be installed?

See RFI B16.

B50 Where is the origination point and destination point of the existing 200 pair copper cable and existing 144 fiber cable, as referenced in Project Drawing 90-E-209, Keynote #7? Will either of these two existing cables require splicing into new cables, and if so, where is the location of the splices to take place?

See RFI B17.

B51 Project Drawing 90-ED-109, Key Note #1 states, "...the existing 600 pair copper cable and existing 144 fiber cable...will be "pulled back" after the installation of new conduit run with cabling." Key Note #8 states, "Fiber and Copper Cable from MH-13 to Building 67, and terminated in Bldg 38, Room 0A01 to remain till the installation of complete conduit run with wiring..."

Is it the Government's intention to install new copper and fiber cables from Bldg 90, Room 1239 through the new and existing conduit pathways, all the way to Bldg 38, Room 0A01?

See RFI B17.

B52 Project Drawing 90-E-209, Key Note #11 states, "Provide (1) 4" C with 600 pair copper cable and (1) 4" with (1) singlemode and (1) multimode hybrid...and 25 pair copper cable..."

What are the fiber strand counts of the singlemode/multimode hybrid fiber cable? Is the 25 pair copper cable new or existing? Where is the origination and destination points of that 25 pair cable?

See RFI B17.

B53 Project Drawing 90-E-209, Key Note 15, and Step by Step Procedures Note #9, references splicing of all fiber cables serving Bldg 90, to be in MH-5. Additionally, splicing of 600 pair copper cable is also to be performed in MH-5. It is our understanding that there is currently no existing 600 pair copper cable that runs between MH-13 and MH-5 that will allow a 600 pair splice to take place in MH-5.

Could more clarification be provided?

See RFI B17.

B54 Project Drawing 90-E-209, Key Note #14.a. references, "Blue innerduct with (1) singlemode 48 strand & (1) 48 strand, to remain. These feed Bldg #90 thru (E) Manhole called out in Note #6."

Since the new conduit pathway has yet to be established between MH-6 and Bldg 90, Room 1239, how is that possible? Are they fed via another existing conduit back to Bldg 90? Could more clarification be provided?

See RFI B17.

B55 Project Drawing 90-E-209, Step by Step Procedures Note #10 states, "Pull the old existing fiber & copper cables from MH-5 to B90 communication room..."

How many existing copper and fiber cables currently run between MH-5 and Bldg 90?

On a side note...It has been our experience that "salvaging" existing fiber cables is certainly possible provided that they have been pulled inside an innderduct during installation. However, "salvaging" high pair count copper cables (ie; the 600 pair), especially if they were pulled in by applying a cable sheath lubricant such as "yellow 77" or equivalent and have been sitting in that conduit over a long period of time, makes it extremely difficult if not impossible, to pull them back out.

See RFI B17.

B56 We understand that the fire alarm system at the Tucson VA is by Notifier but have heard that there is only one company that the VA will allow to do the final programming onsite. Is there a

We understand that the fire alarm system at the Tucson VA is by Notifier (correct) but have heard that there is only one preferred vendor or 3rd party contractor that we must be used for Installation and final programming or just final programming? Will the VA allow other Fire Alarm contractors who are authorized by the manufacturer to install and perform the final programming of the fire alarm? Opening this portion of the fire alarm scope to other qualified parties will ensure that the VA gets the best price for this scope of work.

company that the VA will allow to do the final programming onsite (incorrect misinformation). Is there a preferred vendor (no) or 3rd party contractor that we must use for Installation and final programming or just final programming (must comply with Division 28 specifications section 28 31 00)? Will the VA allow other Fire Alarm contractors who are authorized by the manufacturer to install and perform the final programming of the fire alarm?

(same response) Opening this portion of the fire alarm scope to other qualified parties will ensure that the VA gets the best price for this scope of work.

B57 Sheet ED-108 is listed as the Lightning Protection Demo Plan, however according to the notes there is no actual demo work. Will the VA please confirm that there is no lightning protection Demo work within the scope of this project?

It is confirmed that there is no lightning protection demo work within this scope of work.

B58 Sheet ED-109 is listed as the Electrical Demo Site Plan, however according to the notes there is no actual electrical demo work on the exterior of the building. Will the VA please confirm that there is no Electrical Site Demo work within the scope of this project?

The demo work includes removing communication conduits and cabling after the new conduits and cabling are fully operational.

B59 Sheet E-209 shows an underground line from room 1239 to parking log Q and is called out as a spare 1” C from room 1239. The plans just show this line stopping in the first row of the parking lot. No additional information is provided. Does this line go to a pedestal, light pole, traffic rated J-box? What work if any is to be with this line?

No work is to be done with this line. Existing to remain.

B60 The provided fire protection drawings indicate a new underground connection and 4" riser. Given the fact there is an existing 6" supply already available, it would seem more cost effective to simply modify the existing fire riser to support this expansion. Will the VA approve modification to the existing riser and backflow as an alternate to installing a new fire line and Riser?

See RFI B41.

B61 Project drawings included with IFB indicate that new copper cabling shall be Category 6A. This conflicts with Specification 27 15 00 (COMMUNICATIONS HORIZONTAL CABLING) provided with IFB, which indicates that new copper cabling shall be Category 6. Please clarify whether Contractor shall provide Category 6 or 6A cabling for this project.

See RFI B16.

B62 Specification 27 15 00 specifies provision of blue and ivory RJ-45 jacks at TCO. Please indicate which color is for use with VOIP and which is for use with data.

Per Par 2.2.C.1.b.the data/VOIP cabling shall be blue in color.

Per Par 2.2.A.5. the cover plate shall be ivory in color.

B63 Specification 27 15 00 specifies that Contractor provide copper patch cables.

a. Shall Contractor provide patch cables for both ends of each cable? (i.e. at MDF and TCO)

b. Is Contractor responsible for installing patch cables at TCO?

a.Yes.

b.Yes

B64 We do not see project requirements for fiber optic cable specified anywhere. Keynote 11 on sheet 90-E-209 references new multi-mode and single-mode fiber optic cables to be pulled but does not specify required strand counts for each cable type, armored/non-armored, etc. Please clarify fiber optic cable SOW and product requirements (including termination connector type) for this project.

See RFI B17.

B65 No fiber optic cable specification was provided in Attachment 3. If project SOW includes new fiber optic cable, please provide a fiber optic cable specification document.

See revised spec section 27 15 00 attached.

B66 Who is manufacturer of existing physical access control system at VA Tucson? What model card reader will be required?

Lenel. See spec section 28 13 00 Par 2.4.A.

B67 In Attachment 3, spec 22 13 00 (FACILITY SANITARY AND VENT PIPING) was provided in place of spec 28 13 00 (PHYSICAL ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM). Please provide a copy of spec 28 13 00.

See attached spec section 28 13 00.

B68 If VA Tucson has a preferred cable manufacturer(s) for copper and fiber optic cable? If so, please specify them.

The VA does not have a preferred manufacturer for cabling.

Belden, General, Berk-Tek are acceptable.

B69 Sheet 90-AD-101 Keynote 27 states to remove existing decorative from as needed to complete demo and construction work. Is the intent to have the contractor, upon completion of the work, spread the decorative rock back on the ground in order to have a completed landscaped appearance?

See Drawing 90-AS-100 note 12 as well as the symbol shown in the legend. It is to be new decorative rock.

B70 Sheet 90-FD-101 states that the existing sprinkler system is to remain in place for fire protection during construction and that heads should be protected. Will the VA require all sprinkler heads to be turned up to within 18” of the roof deck and remain as so throughout construction?

See RFI B5.

B71 The provided fire protection drawings indicate a new underground connection and 4" riser. Given the fact there is an existing 6" supply already available, it would seem more cost effective to simply modify the existing fire riser to support this expansion. Will the VA approve modification to the existing riser and backflow as an alternate to installing a new fire riser and underground supply?

See RFI B41.

B72 No asbestos abatement is noted within bid documents, please confirm. There is no asbestos.

B73 May the same individual serve as SSHO and QC manager? See RFI B9.

B74 Bid documents indicate to confirm that existing automatic doors are operational…should these be deemed as existing or new?

See RFI B13.

B75 Please confirm the Commissioning Agent is hired by the Contractor per Spec Section 01 91 00. See RFI B3

B76 May the Commissioning Manager be the QC and/or SSHO? No.

B77 Can the existing sewer at building 90, drawing number 90-C-200 note 8, be capped and abandoned?

No.

B78 If the existing sewer can be abandoned in place, can the demolition items in notes 1,3,4,6,8,14,17,19,20,and 21 be excluded?

See RFI B77.