RFIs -Responses2.pdf

1. Please clarify how long of a trench would Salisbury VAMC Engineering allow GCs to keep open at one time or clarify if the entire trench would be acceptable to the government.

Refer to Specifications and drawings

2. The project solicitation is missing the soils report. Please provide the soils report for this project. See attached

3. If there is no Geotechnical Engineering Report available for this project, please confirm for GCs to exclude rock excavation or quantify the amount of rock to be excavated and the equipment to be used to ensure all GCs will bid the same scope despite incomplete solicitation documents.

Refer to Specifications

4. Who will pay for the dewatering permit: the government or the GC?

Refer to Specifications

5. Please clarify if NPDES permit will be required on this project and if required, please confirm that the contractor will be the operator, but any permit fees and permit application will be the responsibility of the government.

If an NPDES permit is required, the contractor is responsible for obtaining and paying for it.

The government does not cover the permit fees or application.

6. Please clarify if SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) and subsequent periodic and rain-event inspections will be required on this project.

Refer to Specifications

7. Please clarify Chilled water pipe draining/filling/flushing requirements and any required permits.

Refer to Specifications

8. Please provide civil profile drawings that show the depth of excavation and any interfering utilities to be considered as part of this project.

Contractors must verify utility locations in the field.

9. Detail F4 is a typical detail for bore under paved roads/highways. CU101 shows to trench through 1 roadway and not through another one (assuming this is the location for directional boring). Although CU101 does not explicitly state that, please confirm that the only area that will require directional boring is approximately 50’ long area at the entrance of the parking lot for building 42.

Refer to the Drawings

10. The scope of work for this project will temporarily render some existing sidewalks unusable during the construction. Please confirm the GC can close off existing sidewalks without needing to provide alternative temporary passageways. If temporary passageways are required, please clarify the proposed temporary pedestrian traffic flow and clarify what type of temporary passageway you want GCs to include as part of their scope.

GCs cannot close sidewalks without providing safe alternative pedestrian passageways. The type and flow of temporary passageways must be approved by the VA. Refer to specfications

11. CU101 detail D9 shows a trench detail. Please clarify bedding, shading, and backfill material acceptable for chilled water trenches.

Refer to drawings and specifications

12. General Mechanical Notes Drawings D mentions ICRA. Please clarify ICRA requirements on this project and the level of ICRA that needs to be provided.

ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) is required per General Mechanical Notes. Refer to Specifications

13. The construction of this project will require storage of large piping. Please clarify GCs staging area location.

By Building 42

14. M-001 General Mechanical Notes Execution H mentions maintaining services to critical areas. MD101 General Note D mentions to schedule system shutdowns. Please clarify if any temporary mechanical will be required and outline the extent of temp mechanical or provide necessary plans as needed.

The contractor duty is to do a shutdown so quickly, that it does not interfere with VA operations.

15. MH100 keynote 1 references to civil drawings for the pitch of installation. Civil drawings do not show the pitch of installation. Please provide updated civil drawings or clarify any missing information like the pitch of installation.

Yes — the pitch is shown. Sheet VU101 (Topographical Survey)

16. The SOW states that Buildings 42 and 43 will normally be served by the Building 31 chilled-water system and that the existing Building 42 and Building 43 glycol chillers will serve their respective systems during bypass operation. The Chilled Water Schematic on drawing MH300 appears to connect both sources to the same downstream building piping without a heat exchanger or other means of fluid separation. Please clarify whether glycol-water from the existing Building 42 and Building 43 chillers is intended to circulate through the building chilled-water piping during bypass operation and, if so, how glycol-water is prevented from entering the Building 31 chilled-water system when normal operation is restored.

Switch it around the feeds from Building 31 will be the backups. The existing systems will be retired in place.

17. Please clarify the material for 4” and 8” underground chilled water pipe used on this project.

Refer to Specifications

18. Per drawings, electrical conduit is to have cathodic protection, see EP101, Note General Note D. In order to provide catholic protection, the conduit would have to be electrically isolated from the grounding electrode system. Is that what the VA wants? This is atypical for electrical installation. Conduit would have to transition to PVC as it emerges from the ground on both sides so there is no continuous electrical path from conduit to ground. Alternatively, if PVC conduit can be used underground, no protection would be needed. Please advise if that is acceptable? If PVC not acceptable, is isolating the conduit underground acceptable? Alternatively, instead of a galvanic system, an impressed current system could be installed which would be very expensive. This does not sound like what is desired.

As the note says, refer to Specification 264200 for additional information.

19. For hydronic piping, will the underground pipe have an epoxy coating, insulation, or other coating? Or will it be installed bare?

Refer to the Specifications and Drawings

20. Are there any other objects or services to have cathodic protection besides conduit and hydronic pipe?

Refer to the drawings and specifications

21. EP101 General Note D requires the need for cathodic protection per specification section 26 42 00 to underground conduits. Specification section 26 05 33 does not outlined the material for underground conduit. Please clarify the material for underground conduit and clarify if cathodic protection will be required.

There are only certain materials that require cathodic protection.

22. Specification section 26 05 33 requires cathodic protection. Pease clarify if cathodic protection will be required for any other systems like mechanical underground piping, etc. Please clearly outlined the extent of cathodic protection on this project.

Refer to the drawings and specifications

23. Drawing GI001 – Phasing/Sequencing calls for a Period of Performance (POP) of 423 days, while the solicitation states a POP of 365 days. Which Period of Performance should be used for estimating and bidding purposes?

Refer to Contracting

24. Per Drawing EP601. Are breakers and replacement parts available for the Square D Panel LS1L and the Panel ELGL? If so, please provide the available part numbers and/or equipment information.

Breakers and replacement parts for Square D Panels LS1L and ELGL must match existing style and AIC rating per project specifications. Contractor is required to provide new circuit breakers compatible with these panels. Refer to panel schedules and Square D catalog for part numbers; verify in field for exact model and rating before ordering

25. Specification section 01 45 35 (Special Inspections), 01 45 29 (Testing), and 01 91 00 (Commissioning) are missing. Will commissioning, special inspections, and testing be required for the chilled water piping system? If yes, please provide missing specs including the Schedule and the Statement of Special Inspection and clarify the required testing frequency and applicable standards.

Commissioning, special inspections, and testing are required for the chilled water piping system. See Division 23 specs for hydrostatic testing, flushing, TAB, and commissioning.

Testing must follow ASTM, ASME, and VA standards. Contractor must submit inspection/testing schedules and documentation to VA COR.

26. MH102 keynote 7 mentions controls work. Does the VA require the use of a specific controls contractor for this project? If so, please identify the required contractor and provide their contact information.

Based on the provided drawings and specifications, there is no requirement for a specific controls contractor for this project. The specs require the controls contractor to meet experience and quality standards, but do not mandate a particular company. Contractor selection must comply with Section 23 09 23 requirements

27. Temporary fencing requirements are missing from specification section 01 00 00. Please clarify if a 6’ high temporary fencing panels with t-stand, sandbags, and WITHOUT the privacy screen will be acceptable as a temp fence around the trench and the staging area.

Refer to the drawings and specifications

28. Per Drawing GI003 Phasing Sequencing Phase #3. Will the VA consider cutting and patching in lieu of boring in the parking lot pathway?

Refer to the drawings and specifications

29. The solicitation states that bids are due September 11, 2026, at 4:30 PM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), rather than EST (Eastern Standard Time). Please confirm that the stated deadline and time zone are correct.

Refer to Contracting

30. Will the Government accept Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

We want to use Kahua, but if we don’t have that working, we can use Procore.

31. Will the Government accept the “Primavera P6” for schedule submission and monthly updates?

Yes

32. Please confirm that as per FAR 52.229-2 North Carolina State and Local Sales and Use Tax para (b) that since this is a fixed-price contract, the contract price must include the North Carolina State and local sales and use taxes to be paid on materials Refer to Contracting

33. Many Government campuses are beginning to address tuberculosis protocols on the Government campus projects, including the 90-day screening before assignment to the worksite. This requirement will limit the number of personnel who can immediately perform work right after the award. Although specification section 01 35 26 is missing, will this project be required to follow 01 35 26 1.13 for TB-required protocols, and will it be required to follow the 90-day screening before beginning work on the project?

Refer to the Specification, maybe try doing a word search for Tuberculosis

34. What is the approximate duration between issuing the award and issuing the NTP?

Refer to Contracting

35. For planning the preliminary project schedule, please provide an anticipated award date.

Refer to Contracting

36. How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for the

Government and A/E to review and respond to RFIs?

Refer to Specification

37. How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for Government and A/E submittal review?

Refer to Specification

38. Will the Government provide the 3-D REVIT Design model in native file format for the creation of coordination drawings and use by the contractor?

Refer to Specification

39. Please confirm that the project scope will be completed during normal working hours, not nights and weekends.

For portions, shutdown may have to occur at other times.

40. How many site visits do Government consultants have for MEP and systems coordination with GC, and will the Government have a designated MEP representative available on site?

The VA will have designated reps available as needed.

41. Can you confirm that the Government will be contracting directly with a third-party commissioning agent for commissioning the project and that the Contractor is only to include participation/coordination with the Commissioning Agent?

Refer to the specifications

42. Knowing that the campus is limited on space and parking, it is critical that the contractor's project superintendent have freedom of access and close proximity to the work. Can the Government provide a designated parking spot for the contractor project superintendent?

No

43. Where will the designated parking area be for the GC?

No

44. Where will the designated laydown area be for the GC?

Yes

45. Can the contractor use an existing office inside the building for a temporary construction office during construction instead of setting up a temporary trailer?

No

46. Can the contractor use the existing restroom facilities in the work area or the adjacent ones nearby?

No

47. Can the contractor use the existing on-site utilities for temporary electrical and water free of charge?

Potentially

48. Please provide detailed guidance for noise and vibration operations, including acceptable levels/duration, hours of operations for acceptable levels, and acceptable noise levels after hours.

Refer to the Specifications

49. How long after the award will the Government provide the submittal register?

Refer to Contracting

50. Can the QA/QC dual-hat as the Superintendent?

Refer to the Specifications

51. Can the SSHO dual-hat as a Superintendent?

Refer to the Specifications

52. Can the SSHO dual-hat as the QA/QC?

Refer to the Specifications

53. Will there be ICRA requirements?

Refer to the Drawings and Specifications

54. Can the Government confirm that the General Contractor is not to include any Asbestos abatement or Lead Removal?

The specifications do not require the General Contractor to include asbestos abatement or lead removal. Unless hazardous materials are discovered during construction, these scopes are not part of the contractor’s work. If encountered, notify the VA COR for direction.

55. Has the work area been checked for asbestos, lead-based materials, and/or other hazardous materials? Is there a report available?

See answer 54

56. What is the Government's policy if asbestos products are encountered during construction that are not quantified in the construction documents?

See answer 54

57. Can the existing service and/or public elevators be used for construction activities? Are there any restrictions or time constraints?

No elevator

58. In light of the ambiguity of the excavation scope, can the classification of the excavation be changed from unclassified excavation to classified excavation?

That would require a contract modification, so refer to Contracting

59. How soon after NTP issuance will the Government and/or designer of record provide and confirm the COMPLETE set of contract documents, including all amendments?

Refer to Contracting

60. Will the Government accept candidates with extensive relevant experience and CQM-C certification as meeting the qualification requirements in lieu of a formal degree, consistent with FAR and VA guidelines that allow for equivalent experience for technical roles?

Refer to Contracting

61. Please clarify whether QC Manager candidates with directly relevant QC experience on comparable Federal construction projects will be acceptable if their formal education differs from the degree described in the solicitation/specification/01 45 00, provided their qualifications are documented in the proposal/QC Plan submittal.

Refer to specification

62. Please confirm if the Government will accept a QA/QC organization in which the named QC Manager provides overall program management and decision-making authority, while on-site inspections and documentation are carried out by project-dedicated QC personnel reporting to that individual.

Refer to specification

63. May CQM discipline-specific staff (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, low voltage, civil, etc.)

be provided by trade subcontractors performing the work, rather than directly by the CM, provided they meet the minimum experience requirements?

Refer to specification

64. Please clarify if a pre-demolition (pre-alteration) test and balance of mechanical system will be required on this project.

Refer to specification.