QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1 AND 2 - 36C24526Q0654.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 1

1. Multiple Crews / Trucks May the contractor operate multiple trucks and crews simultaneously at different buildings on the Perry Point campus to expedite completion of the work?

2. Supervisor Requirements If multiple crews are operating simultaneously, how many supervisors are required? May one qualified supervisor oversee multiple crews working at different buildings on campus?

3. Lift Supervision When multiple aerial lifts are operating simultaneously, is a separate supervisor required for each lift, or may one qualified supervisor oversee multiple lift/crew operations?

4. Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Please clarify the Occupational Health & Safety Specialist requirement. Is one Safety Specialist sufficient for the entire project, or is a separate Safety Specialist required for each crew/work area? May the OSHA 30-qualified supervisor also serve as the Occupational Health & Safety Specialist if otherwise qualified?

5. Fire Hydrants / Water Source During the site visit, VA personnel indicated that campus fire hydrants may be available for contractor water use. Please confirm whether the awarded contractor is authorized to use VA fire hydrants for pressure-washing operations. If permitted, please identify any requirements for approval, meters, hydrant wrenches, backflow prevention, connection fittings, water-use charges, or designated hydrants. If fire-hydrant use is not permitted, what water sources will be made available to the contractor for performance of the work?

6. Cleaning Chemical Restrictions Are there any restrictions on the cleaning chemicals or surfactants that may be used to perform the exterior building washing?

7. Chemical Delivery and Storage May bulk cleaning chemicals, including sodium hypochlorite, be delivered directly to the Perry Point VAMC campus by the contractor's chemical supplier during contract performance? If permitted, please identify the approved delivery location and any requirements for receiving, temporary storage, secondary containment, or staging. Please also confirm whether chemical tanks, trailers, and related equipment may remain secured on campus between workdays during an active cleaning mobilization.

8. Sodium Hypochlorite / SDS The contractor intends to use sodium hypochlorite as the primary exterior cleaning agent. Please confirm whether 12.5% sodium hypochlorite may be brought onto and stored/staged at the Perry Point campus with the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The 12.5% product would be diluted before application. The contractor anticipates an average application concentration of approximately 2% sodium hypochlorite, with concentrations not exceeding approximately 6% when required for heavier biological growth. Please identify any additional VA approval, SDS, storage, handling, containment, environmental, or application requirements applicable to its use.

9. Equipment Staging / Overnight Storage May contractor trucks, trailers, aerial lifts, water tanks, hoses, and other equipment remain secured on the campus overnight during an active cleaning mobilization? If permitted, is there a designated contractor staging area?

10. Personnel Screening / Background Requirements What background investigation, credentialing, badging, or security requirements apply to contractor employees performing this work? Are there specific criminal convictions that would disqualify an employee from working on this contract?

11. CLIN 0002 - 240 Hours Please clarify the intended use of the 240-hour quantity under CLIN 0002. Does the quantity represent individual labor hours, crew hours, or hours of power-washing service regardless of crew size? Please also clarify the types of additional work anticipated under this CLIN.

12. CLIN 0002 - Ordering and Quantity Is the 240-hour quantity an estimated quantity, maximum quantity, or guaranteed quantity? How will additional work under CLIN 0002 be authorized, ordered, and scheduled?

13. Flatwork / Scope Clarification Please confirm whether sidewalks, stairs, ramps, landings, loading areas, and other horizontal concrete/flatwork surfaces are excluded from the recurring CLIN 0001 building-washing scope unless specifically ordered as additional work.

14. Work Schedule Are weekend operations permitted? Are there specific buildings, departments, patient-care areas, or portions of the campus subject to restricted work hours or blackout periods?

15. Mobilization / Work Sequencing May the contractor perform all scheduled CLIN 0001 building washing during a single continuous mobilization for each required cleaning cycle, subject to coordination with the VA, or does the VA anticipate requiring the work to be divided into multiple mobilizations?

16. Initial Cleaning / Base-Year Schedule Please clarify when the VA expects the first CLIN 0001 campus-wide cleaning to occur following contract award. Given the anticipated contract start date and the proximity to the originally preferred cleaning schedule, does the VA expect the first complete cleaning to be performed during Fall 2026, or may the initial cleaning be scheduled for Spring 2027 in coordination with the COR? Please also clarify whether two complete campus-wide cleanings will still be required during the initial base-year period if the first cleaning does not occur until Spring 2027.

ANSWERS

1. Yes

1. One Supervisor overseeing all crews should suffice

1. No, there should not be a need for a supervisor for each lift. One will suffice to ensure all proper safety protocols are met. Please submit safety plans, Job Hazard analysis, Training Documentations, and Safety data sheets for all hazardous chemical for VAMHCS Safety Review.

1. One Safety Specialist would suffice overseeing the entire project. If the Supervisor would serve as the Safety Specialist. The contractor must provide a competent person to supervise the work, perform hazard assessments, inspections, and administer required hazard control measures.

1. Vendor would be responsible to supply their own tools to connect to Fire Hydrants. I have spoke with the Fire Chief and he concurs use as long as a BackFlow Preventer is utilized. Also understand that in the event of an emergency, all connections to any fire hydrants would need to be disconnected immediately to make available for Fire Department utilization. Dechlorinator will be necessary prior to hydrant water drainage to stormwater discharge points.

1. Chemicals utilized will need to meet the EPA standards for utilization within 500’ of a waterway and be non-toxic. Dechlorinator will be necessary prior to hydrant water drainage to stormwater discharge points. SDS will need to be reviewed. We have a sensitive population that may object to the odors and hypersensitivity reactions associated with corrosive cleaners that may enter HVAC air intakes and failed weather-stripping caulking and glazing. I have some concerns about hazardous chemical use and storage.

1. Chemical Delivery & Storage: we would need to identify an area on campus to allow for the stockpile of deliveries. This would be a warehouse only area (with NO offices) that would also allow for restroom facilities. Submit Chemical storage plan

1. Sodium Hypochlorite: how would we ensure the concentration of the chemical meets the EPA requirements referenced in #6? In raw concentrations at 12/5%, this would require a self-contained storage area (not recommended). Dechlorinator will be necessary prior to hydrant water drainage to stormwater discharge points.

1. To meet this request, we will need to identify the possibility of a larger storage area and yard? I’m not sure we will have sufficient space to secure trucks and trailers? As of current, we have no “available” yards to store such equipment. A review with the COR on use of utilizing Warehouse 15 (by 11W) will be researched. There is already contractors in this area and I’m not 100% sure who is identified as “owner”. This will require some additional research. Safety and Fire will need to see RFI and provide stakeholder input to locations of bulk chemical storage

1. This would need to be vetted through Security/Police. I would suspect any Felony would be immediate justification for disqualification.

1. My thought is crew hours. Any additional anticipated work would include prevention of damaged soils (pulling lifts onto grass) may require placement of “mats” for lifts to drive on?

1. Yet to be Determined after discussions with COR.

1. All horizontal concrete/flatwork surfaces would be excluded from expectation of the scope. Contract would be for physical structures only.

1. Weekend Operations would be permitted as long as there’s no associated increase to labor costs. Buildings to avoid on weekends would be patient care (resident) facilities: 19H, 22H, 23H, 14H, and 364. Operational buildings (such as 23H, 80H, 361, 364, 19H) however would require being done after normal business hours due to patients and staff frequenting entrances for visits/exams.

1. The expectation would be a single continuous mobilization OR multiple Mobilizations. Whatever it takes to meet the requirements of the contract/SOW.

1. I would be okay with starting this contract off in the Spring of 2027 as I don’t believe they’d be able to complete two complete campus-wide cleanings in the remainder of 2026 before weather/temperatures impact capability.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 2

1. Protection of Building Vents Please confirm whether the Government requires all exterior vents on the buildings being cleaned to be covered/tarped during pressure-washing operations. This requirement was discussed during the site walk, and we would like to confirm the intended scope.

I strongly advise this be answered yes to protect the buildings from water intrusion during Washing.

1. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Requirement We understand the requirement for OSHA 10/30 training. Would the Government consider removing the requirement for a dedicated Occupational Health and Safety Specialist to be present on site for the duration of the work?

This OHSS is our eyes on site and Fiduciary to ensure Safety compliance, and I strongly recommend we keep this requirement. However, and preferably, it can be subcontracted as most companies don’t have this employee on staff at the size and scope of these Power Washing Companies.

Due to the specialized nature and relatively limited duration of the pressure-washing work, obtaining a qualified individual to remain on site full-time may significantly limit competition among small-business contractors. If the Government intends to retain this requirement, if permissible, please advise whether the Government is aware of qualified individuals or firms that contractors may contact regarding subcontracting this role.

1. Building 23H – Scope Clarification Please confirm that the portion of Building 23H located directly above the speaker/antenna equipment is excluded from the cleaning scope due to access limitations, as discussed during the site walk.

Correct, the area near the Radio Repeater Antenna cannot be approached due to Risk during Radio operation and is excluded.

Additionally, please confirm that the interior-facing portions of the walls and the top cap located on the roof are excluded from the required cleaning scope.

1. Chapel – Steeple Please confirm that cleaning of the chapel steeple is excluded from the scope of work.

Correct, due to fragility and likelihood of destroying the Frail Paint, the Steeple is Excluded.

1. On-Site Water Supply Please confirm whether the contractor will be permitted to utilize the on-site fire hydrants as a water source for performance of the work.

On Site Fire Hydrant use is Permitted with an approved and certified inspected Backflow Preventer. Backflow Preventer subject to inspection.

1. CLIN 0002 – Pricing and Scope Clarification Please clarify the Government’s intended scope and pricing structure for CLIN 0002. It is unclear whether the Government is requesting an hourly labor rate for one laborer or pricing for additional/as-needed building cleaning services.

Quote per building is likely best. I believe the 240 figure was adapted internally and quote per building gives a much more up-front price expectation for CLIN 0002 If CLIN 0002 is intended for as-needed cleaning of additional buildings, would the Government prefer offerors to provide an individual price for each applicable building rather than a single labor rate?

We believe building-specific pricing would provide a more accurate basis for as-needed work because the size, accessibility, configuration, and level of difficulty may vary significantly between buildings.