RFI and Responses.pdf

July 21, 2023 Renovate Halls and Walls Basement and 1st Floor RFIs and Responses

1. The main corridors are plaster and lathe. When removing the chair rail/bumpers, signage, recessed panels (electrical), will these repairs be required to be plaster and lathe or may drywall patching be acceptable? Not all corridors within the project boundary are plaster and lathe.

Repairs and patching should match the existing finish construction.

2. Plan page GC101 – Detail 3 – Temporary Wall Construction Elevation – 1 hour rated metal door assembly and frame with seals, card reader, hardware, and closer. The card reader will have to be removed and rewired for each temporary door location unless there is a wireless system. Will this be required to be set us at each phase, and if so, will it be required to be active during normal operating hours Monday thru Friday when no construction is under way? 1) Card reader can be wireless vs wired as long as it functions independently. 2) Please bid the plan – installation and removal of temp barriers, card readers, etc. are required at beginning and end of construction period on weekends 5 pm Friday to 5 am Monday for each phase.

3. Where may we store light fixtures, telecommunications, speakers, alarms, signage, water fountains, etc. that is required to be removed, reinstalled, and relocated? The contractor is responsible for storing materials in a climate-controlled location. This could be a storage container or materials could be brought to the site. A suitable location for a storage container as designated/and in coordination the COR.

4. When removing ceiling tile, the security cameras will have to be removed. Will they need to be stored, or replaced with a new tile immediately for security and safety reasons? Camera to be reinstalled by the end of the weekend

5. Will all subcontracted employees need to have a TB test, fingerprints, and a badge? TB test, OSHA 10 and badging are required.

6. The construction security requirements states that the GC must provide an unarmed guard 24/7 after construction hours. Since construction hours are after hours and the hospital is opened during regular hours, will the guard be necessary since there will be hospital security and police present? No

7. It also states the GC shall provide the guard and VA police with a communication device, as well as recording equipment. Is this necessary? No

8. With the working hours being 5pm Friday – 5am Monday, will the subcontractors be allowed to schedule delivery of materials during the regular work week so they are ready to use on site during stated working hours? Will they need to coordinate the delivery times with the COR? Yes, it will need to be coordinated with the COR at a suitable location and managed accordingly by GC – either at pre-approved staging area or in GC air conditioned storage trailer- not in medical or corridor areas.

9. Will there be facility staff on site during stated working hours that can open mechanical and electrical closets/panels, and can shut off power if or as needed? Sometimes it is a necessity to

July 19, 2023 Renovate Halls and Walls Basement and 1st Floor de-energize the power system without prior knowledge. Can that individual make that decision?

No – must be pre-approved via outage request in advance and coordinated with the COR

10. The specs state that any power, gas. Fire protection, water, etc. that needs to be shut off must have prior permission from the COR. In the event it is discovered that a utility must be turned off to complete a task, does that task need to be postponed until the next weekend or will there be facility staff that can make that determination? Mandatory Pre- planning by the contractor to ensure that all utilities are verified off in advance and have prior outage approval and coordination with the COR for corresponding utilities -are mandatory and are required to guarantee patient safety. See Note F of DEMO Notes page E001

11. Dumpsters are not able to be exchanged during stated working hours. Will the GC have to provide staff to coordinate disposal during normal business hours? Yes, and it will need to be coordinated with the COR.

12. Rental equipment will not be able to be delivered or picked up during stated working hours. Will the GC or subcontractor be allowed to accept delivery of equipment and pick up during normal business hours? Yes, and it will need to be coordinated with the COR and staged at the pre-approved staging area or in the Contractor’s storage Trailor.

13. Temporary toilets will not be able to be cleaned during stated working hours. Will the GC have to provide staff to coordinate emptying of the toilet facilities during normal working hours? Yes

14. When resurfacing the elevator doors, will there be staff on site to shut down the elevators or will the contractor have to work with the elevators in operation? Staff will be able to shut down 1 elevator at a time with pre-approval request from GC and in coordination with COR – 1 week min required for all outages. Note F of DEMO Notes page E001

15. Will the mechanical TAB have to be performed during stated working hours? YES

16. The 09 51 00 Acoustic Ceiling spec says that the ceiling tile must be stored in a weathertight conditioned environment. Will our storage trailer need to be conditioned or will the VA have a conditioned room or facility we can use for storage? Storage trailer will need to be air conditioned and removal/reinstallation of tiles will be required to be coordinated with COR.

17. With the need for escorts, will the KTR be limited on the number of workers or hours being worked on the weekends? No minimum or maximum man hours or number of employees – use good superintendent judgement for safety and produc�vity available site hours are specified in Note G -infec�on control sec�on- pg GI101

18. Much of the ACT will need to be replaced due to changes in the ceiling inserts. If only a percentage of �les are replaced, this will give a checkerboard look due to exis�ng and new �les.

Should the KTR’s figure replacing all ACT �les to avoid the checkerboarding. Are we expec�ng all or some ceiling �les replaced? See Note 1 under DEMO Ceiling Plane Notes on Page AD 110 -

REMOVE ACOUSTIC PANEL CEILING ASSEMBLY IN ITS ENTIRETY

July 19, 2023 Renovate Halls and Walls Basement and 1st Floor

19. Is the VA going to provide a clearance/monitoring inspector for any of the asbestos removal or will the contractor have to provide one? No asbestos containing materials are present and no lead-based paint was identified in the areas.

20. Will there be a staging area (Material storage, dumpster, etc.) designated for the contractor? Potential location most likely not immediately adjacent to hospital due to major projects ongoing, request must be submitted from contractor to obtain approval from COR.

21. Will the VA provide specialized keys and fobs, or would we need a VA Chaperone all the times? No -VA escort while employees on site

22. During the walk through, it was observed that a wing on the 1st floor wings had just been newly renovated, please confirm that this area will also be included under this scope? YES- Bid the scope

23. What are we doing with the old equipment? Are they garbage or do we have to turn them in to the hospital? Appears all items are mentioned or referred to in Demolition General notes or Demolition Plan Notes. Please refer to Specification Vol. 1 Pg. 21 section 1.8 Disposal and Retention.

24. Will the VA consider a different approach in phasing of the project if contractor submits a different phasing plan? No, bid the Scope.

25. Is the Superintendent required to be available Monday 06:01 - Friday 16:59 if work is not being completed during those hours? No

26. Can the CQC also fill the position of Superintendent? No – 2 Separate Positions

27. Scope of Work state 20 phases but drawings show 21 phases, which is accurate? 21

28. Can the phases be switched to accommodate project? Reasonable alternatives in the sequencing and/or phasing may be considered by the VA.