QA - Balance of Work - 05.08.2024.pdf

5/8/2024

Balance of Work (Electrical Upgrade)

Pre-Proposal Walk-Thru and Other Inquiries Submi ed

Q&A

1. What is the room located between loca ons 2 & 3 on the walkthrough down the steps and the entry way blocked by a few sandbags?

Response: It’s the exis ng distribu on gear room 0272N for the emergency electrical system.

(Refer to sheet C-ED412)

2. What is the thickness of the slab for substa on 1 in the warehouse?

Response: The slab in the founda on of substa on 1 is composed of a 36” concrete mat slab, 3” of compacted fill, and a 5” topping slab. (Refer to contract drawing C-SB301 for details.)

3. Are contractors responsible for removing the shelving from the warehouse?

Response: Refer to phasing drawings on package A (drawings A-AE004 and A-AE005) for phasing tasks and ac on items that address responsibili es by all par es. The contractor will be responsible for all work in this area as per the drawings and specifica ons.

4. Is the electrical conduit rou ng defined in the warehouse?

Response: No, coordinated shop drawings are the responsibility of the contractor and this applies to all u li es (electrical, Fire alarm, fire protec on, HVAC…etc.) throughout the project and the proposed route and contract drawings are to be used as a guide.

5. Is the electrical equipment to be removed in exis ng substa on 1 to be salvaged?

Response: Contractor is responsible to follow what is shown on the drawings (refer to C- ED411) and specifica ons.

6. What do contractors do if any asbestos is found?

Response: All Asbestos Containing Material and Hazardous Material in interior and exterior construc on areas shall be properly mi gated, as prescribed in the specifica ons. (Reference the Statement of Work a ached to the SF 1442 in the solicita on.) Any asbestos found that is not iden fied in the contract documents should be submi ed as a differing site condi on.

7. Is there space above the ceiling at the southeast corridor?

Response: There is space above the ceiling and the height to the underside of the slab can be seen from within electrical room (0167S) in the corridor. For exis ng condi ons, Contractors were given the opportunity to look above the ceiling in 2 loca ons in the corridor close to electrical room (0167S) for possible conduit rou ng.

8. Are there a erhours work in the south east corridor for running electrical conduits?

Response: For conduit running and other u li es, work can be performed during the day or in the evening. The contractor will need to submit a work plan including all ICRA and ILSM requirements which are subject to review and approval by VA CFM/VAMC and must be coordinated with exis ng daily hospital opera ons and ac vi es. For u lity outage requests, the request must be submi ed 60 days in advance for review and approval and must include the contractor’s work plan in the area including all required documenta on. Refer to specifica ons for further informa on.

9. How long can shutdowns be scheduled (dura on)?

Response: Each shutdown is on a case-by-case basis, depending on the work involved. Each individual outage dura on must be specified for each u lity outage submi ed with the work plan and required documenta on.

10. Whom do contractors no fy for every outage request?

Response: All u lity outage requests need to be submi ed as a complete package to the RE office. U lizing the u lity outage documenta on including all suppor ng documenta ons (ILSM, ICRA, diagrams…etc.) and submissions need to be made to the resident engineering office. Refer to the specifica ons for further informa on on how much me in advance the contractor needs to put in a request and what needs to be included in it.

11. Is there a BIM model available of the exis ng condi ons?

Response: No BIM model exists.

12. Are there any coordina on drawings for exis ng condi ons?

Response: No, the contractor is responsible for preparing all coordina on drawings and verifying exis ng condi ons. Refer to drawings and specifica ons for further informa on.

13. Are the Fire Alarm main feeds to be changed at the south corridor?

Response: We will not be changing the equipment but will be changing the feeders to the panel. Refer to drawings and specifica ons for further informa on.

14. What is the mechanical scope in the future sim center (G614)?

Response: Refer to the mechanical drawings on package B.

15. Are all the conduits from substa on 6 installed in the op on area (future sim center G614)?

Response: Not all of the conduits are installed and some connec ons need to be installed.

Refer to package C drawings and specifica ons. The rou ng shown is for guidance; coordinated shop drawings are required by the contractor.

16. What is the best route to bring in an AHU into the spaces on package B?

Response: The contractor can propose methods to bring the unit into the facility including removal of walls and doors to facilitate the installa on. Restora on of the areas impacted will need to be part of the work plan that will be submi ed and completed by the contractor.

17. How long is the construc on dura on?

Response: 1825 calendar days from NTP.

18. When are RFIs due?

Response: Ques on submission has been extended to 4/1/24

19. When are proposals due?

Response: Extended to 15:00 central standard me on 4/29/24 (See Ques on 39)

20. When is the NTP expected?

Response: It will be expected 30 days a er the award and subject to receiving the required documenta on by the contractor.

21. When is the expected award date?

Response: Es mate August 2024

22. Is this a PLA job?

Response: Yes

23. Is this a service disabled set aside?

Response: No

24. What happened to the last contractor?

Response: This project is the sum of several previous projects that had items deleted from the project scope for various reasons. This project will complete the deleted scope from the previously completed projects.

25. There were no pictures allowed on 3/18/2024 walkthrough, and we were verbally told all work is clearly shown on the drawings. Please confirm.

Response: Yes, Taking pictures were not allowed during the walkthrough on 3/18/2024;

drawings, specifica ons and contract documents cover the scope of work on the project.

26. Does this contract only pertain to PLA for GC’s and is there any clause that the GC’s u lize a certain percentage of SDVOSB?

Response: Subcontrac ng goals are listed within the solicita on, to include a percentage for SDVOSB. For PLA requirements for the GC and subcontractors, please refer to 52.222-33 ALT II and 52.222-34 ALT I.

27. Civil C Package appears to be missing.

Response: This was uploaded as a part of Amendment 0001.

28. We downloaded Volume 1 Specifica ons – Part 1 thru Part 4. Please provide division 23 specifica ons. I see Vol 1 Specifica ons REV 2_ 9-19-23 (Part 1) through (Part 4) which only go up to division 14. Please confirm no other volumes were issued for this project.

Response: Balance of Work IFC Specs Vol 2 REV 2_ 9-19-23 were also uploaded as a part of the original RFP package.

29. Package C – Architecture Part 5 looks to be missing (drawings C-AE515, C-AE516, and C-AE517).

Response: These were uploaded in Amendment 0001 as part of the file tled “Amendment 0001

– Missing and Replacement Documents”

30. Will another walkthrough be setup?

Response: An addi onal site visit will not be held.

31. Will the VA consider nego a ng a uniform Project Labor Agreement prior to the bid so that all bidders can include and acknowledge it as part of their submission?

Response: The VA will not nego ate a uniform agreement prior to the proposal due date. PLA will be submi ed by the successful offeror a er award.

32. We are reques ng an extension of me for both RFI’s and the bid date for the above referenced project. Plans were just released on 3/15/24 and a site walk through was just conducted last week on 3/18/24. We are reques ng that both RFI and bid dates be extended by 30 days.

Response: Proposals extended to 4/29/24; RFIs have been extended to 4/1/24.

33. Looking in SAM.gov, drawings listed and received on 3/15/24 all have “issue date of 9/12/2022” in the tle block, and the word (Deleted) next to each drawing a achment.

Can you please confirm if there is an updated set of drawings that will supersede or if this set is what we use for bidding?

Response: During Amendment 0001, the contract wri ng system pushing documents to SAM.gov resubmi ed the en re package, showing that documents were deleted and re-added.

The only documents changed were those called out in Amendment 0001 itself.

34. Is any equipment being pre-purchased by the Government?

Response: No

35. Is there a fire alarm riser diagram for the Package A fire alarm scope?

Response: Drawing A-FA602 is provided as a guide. Contractor will submit their appropriate shop drawings to detail their proposed work and devices to be installed.

36. How will the project be built in regards to the part A, B & C issued drawings? Is A 1st, followed by B and C? Is the job going to follow the proposed electrical sequence on drawing C-E004?

Response: The project is proposing to follow the sequence on drawing C-E004, C-E005 and phasing drawings under packages A and B but if the contractor can propose a more effec ve phasing method, it will be considered.

37. The Wire Mesh spec calls for electrified hinges, but does not spec the lock to be used for HW-H- 4, HW-SH-5, HW-SH-9 and HW-SH-9A. However, it does call for a HES 5000 electric strike on HW- SH-5 and SH-9A. Please clarify that you do want electrified locksets to correspond with the specified electrified hinges and please specify and manufacturer and or model #.

Response: Please refer to drawings A-AE601, A-AE604, A-EYS101, A-EYS102, A-EYG501 specs sec ons 08 71 00 and 10 22 13, D. Doors: 1.b. “Hardware: ANSI/BHMA A156.1, 1-1/2 pair bu s NRP 101 mm (4 inch). Pick proof mor se type lock, key operated outside with fixed pull and lever actuator inside.” The specific manufacturer and model is up to the contractor to propose and not for the government to request.

38. Will the VA add FAR 52.216-4 Economic Price Adjustment – Labor And Material? Addi onally, will you please advise how risks of infla on will be managed by VA?

Response: Economic Price Adjustment will not be added; awarded contract will be Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

39. Request extension to the proposal due date due to complexity of project as well as request from subcontractors.

Response: Proposal due date is extended un l 3pm Central Daylight Time (CDT) on May 17, 2024. This will be reflected in an amendment.

40. Please provide a set of architectural drawings and spec showing the extend of bird spikes required on the project.

Response: it’s not on the architecture drawings. It’s shown under specs sec on 26 05 33 MEDIUM-VOLTAGE CABLES – 3.4 Exposed work installa on: I. Provide metallic bird spikes on top of the en re length of horizontal, overhead and exposed conduits installed under Building 5, the generator pla orm and outdoor.

41. Please confirm if the lightning protec on scope for this project will require a UL master label cer ficate. We are asking because UL only provides a UL master label cer ficate for a full building lightning protec on system. The issued drawings do not reference the en re building, only the new generator pla orm. UL does provide a UL le er of finding which cer fies only what is installed for a par cular contract. The inspec on process for a UL le er of finding is iden cal to the UL master label cer ficate inspec on in terms of code as both cer ficates must meet UL96A lightning protec on code. The UL le er of finding would be a be er fit for this project. Please clarify how we should proceed with this scope.

Response: Please follow the requirements and notes on the drawings and project specifica ons.

42. Please confirm if the advanced u lity metering system referenced in specifica on 25 10 10 has been provided under the T4C project and is on site for connec on under this balance of work scope. Keynote 22 on Drawing C-EP413 says to provide communica on cabling for switchgear metering per division 25 specifica on. Keynote 20 on the same drawing says to coordinate with VAMC and rearrange to fit the ETR equipment & new equipment provided under this project divisions 25 & 26 specifica ons in this room (1093-C). The drawings do not provide an exact loca on of where the advanced u lity metering system is located, Please advise.

Response: All equipment shall be provided new, as per specifica ons. Regarding the loca on of the equipment, please follow key note #20 on C-EP413.

43. Please provide the quan ty and loca ons of exis ng security devices not shown, that need exis ng wiring to be extended to salvaged Smarterm panel.

Response: Please refer to drawings A-EY001, A-EDY101, A-EDY102, A-EDY103, A-EYS101, A- EYS102, A-EYS103, A-EYG601, A-EYG602, A-EYG603, B-EY001, B-EYS101, B-EYS102, C-EY001, C- EYS115, C-EYG601, C-EP111 and project specifica ons.

44. Please provide the loca on of the Panasonic system and Hirsch system headend equipment and racks.

Response: The HIRSCH system is located in the Police administra on area which located on the 1st floor, room # 1043W (please refer to the security diagram in drawing A-EYG603). The exis ng Panasonic system for the floodwall cameras, headend is located in the Police area in the rear parking lot (Post 7, ground floor, room # 0200S ).

45. Sirina Fire Protec on was the original Fire Alarm vendor and is no longer the Fire Alarm vendor. Can you please confirm who the current Fire Alarm vendor is?

Response: See spec sec on 28 31 00 FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM 1.1 A for the current Fire Alarm Vendor – APA Protec ve Systems Inc.

46. Will the exis ng security and access control device home runs be relocated and extended to the new loca on in security closet room #0258E?

Response: Please refer to drawings A-EY001, A-EDY101, A-EDY102, A-EYS101, A-EYS102, A- EYG601, A-EYG602, A-EYG603 and project specifica ons.

47. Bidders are instructed to relocate exis ng security equipment and security circuit that currently exist in Room 247N to Room 258E per Note #3 on A-EYS102. Please provide list of equipment and exis ng security circuits present at Room 247N. Specifically please list number of racks, power supplies, UPS and worksta ons present along with number of CCTV homeruns, Access homeruns and other security related homeruns that need to be relocated.

Response: Note #3 on drawing A-EYS102 does not instruct to relocate exis ng security equipment and security circuit that currently exist in Room 247N to Room 258E. Note #3 says

“REINSTALL SMARTERM SECURITY PANEL. RECONNECT TO ALL ETR SECURITY CIRCUITS.

48. Please clarify the method in which exis ng “security circuits” present within Room 247N should be extended? What type of cables currently exist? Can a patch panel in that room remain? Are junc on boxes with terminal strips required?

Response: Refer to drawings A-EDY101, A-EDY102, & A-EDY103.

49. Fire Alarm Drawing AFD101 and AFD102 instruct the bidder to remove exis ng Fire Alarm Panels. Please provide details on exis ng equipment that needs to be removed along with the number of exis ng FA circuits that need to be extended to new fire alarm panel.

Response: Refer to the general notes and the key notes on drawings AFD101 & AFD102.

50. The specifica ons make reference to a Liro report dated 5/24/21. Please provide a copy of this report.

Response: Report has been uploaded as a part of Amendment 0006.

51. Spec 028211 makes vague references to certain items that might require abatement. It is required in NY that drawings and specifica ons clearly showing quan es of work to be abated be provided. Addendum #1 makes reference that any asbestos found that is not iden fied can be submi ed as a differing site condi on. Currently there is nothing clearly iden fied and a differing site condi on that requires a lot of abatement will significantly increase the project schedule as no other work can be performed during abatement ac vi es. Please provide this informa on and more clarity, as there is no way to quan fy what to figure for this project.

Response: Report has been uploaded as a part of Amendment 0006.

52. Please provide drawings and specifica ons clearly showing quan es of lead based paint to be abated.

Response: INFORMATION PROVIDED ***Note: ignore any references to 10 West. They are not applicable to this project.

53. Are the primaries on the new substa ons to be Metal Clad MV SWGR or Metal enclosed Load interrupter Switchgear? The specifica ons and drawings are in conflict and clarifica on is required which will affect pricing and lead mes.

Response: There is no conflict between the spec and the drawings. Standard VA specifica ons: MV Circuit Breaker Switchgear spec 26 13 13, not MV Fusible Interrupter Switches spec 26 13 16. It has been used to specify as the primary equipment of the unit substa ons in Vault 1. Spec 26 13 13 calls for metal-clad units. The design drawings have shown the MV CB switchgears, matching the spec. These MV CB switchgears have also been u lized in the already installed Vault 6.

Note: The responses issued here are related to specific ques ons asked during the pre-proposal walkthrough and those submi ed to the Contrac ng Officer, and does not alleviate the contractor’s responsibility to comply with the contract drawings and specifica ons.