S02 Spec_531-23-105 Upgrade HVAC B85.pdf

Department of Veterans Affairs

Boise, Idaho

“Upgrade HVAC Bldg. 85”

531-23-105

100% Specifications

Contract Number: 36C26018D0040

Delivery Order Number: 36C26023N0443

February 02, 2024

02.01.24 01/24/2024

SIGNED: 02/02/2024

US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 08-01-23

00 01 10-1

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VHA MASTER SPECIFICATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 00 01 10

SECTION NO DIVISION AND SECTION TITLES DATE

DIVISION 01 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

01 00 00 General Requirements 11-21

01 01 50 OSHA Requirements

01 32 16.15 Project Schedules (Small Projects – Design/Bid/Build 11-21

01 33 23 Shop Drawings, Product Data, and Samples 02-23

01 35 26 Safety Requirements 10-22

01 42 19 Reference Standards 11-20

01 45 00 Quality Control 02-21

DIVISION 05 – METALS

05 00 00 Rooftop Support Systems

05 12 00 Structural Steel Framing 11-18

DIVISION 07 - THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION

07 60 00 Flashing and Sheet Metal 01-21

07 72 00 Roof Accessories 01-21

07 84 00 Firestopping 01-21

07 92 00 Joint Sealants 04-22

DIVISION 13 - SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION

13 05 41 Seismic Restraint Requirements for Non-Structural

Components

01-21

DIVISION 23 – HEATING, VENTILATING, AND AIR

CONDITIONING (HVAC)

23 05 11 Common Work Results for HVAC 03-23

23 05 12 General Motor Requirements for HVAC and Steam

Generation Equipment

03-23

23 05 41 Noise and Vibration Control for HVAC Piping and

Equipment

03-23

23 05 93 Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing for HVAC 03-23

23 07 11 HVAC and Boiler Plant Insulation 02-20

23 09 23 Direct-Digital Control System for HVAC 03-23

23 21 13 Hydronic Piping 03-23 23 23 00 Refrigerant Piping 03-23

23 25 00 HVAC Water Treatment 03-23

23 64 00 Packaged Water Chillers 03-23

23 81 29 Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC 03-23

DIVISION 26 – ELECTRICAL

26 05 11 Requirements for Electrical Installations 11-22

26 05 19 Low-Voltage Electrical Power Conductors and Cables 11-22

US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 08-01-23

00 01 10-2

SECTION NO DIVISION AND SECTION TITLES DATE

26 05 26 Grounding and Bonding for Electrical Systems 11-22

26 05 33 Raceway and Boxes for Electrical Systems 11-22

26 05 41 Underground Electrical Construction 11-22

26 27 26 Wiring Devices 11-22

26 29 21 Enclosed Switches and Circuit Breakers 11-22

US Department of Veteran Affairs

01 00 00 -1

SECTION 01 00 00

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 GENERAL INTENTION

A. The contractor shall completely prepare the site and buildings for construction to demolition, remove, and replace specified HVAC equipment. This shall include but not be limited to furnishing the labor and materials to perform the work for project 531-23-105_Upgrade

HVAC Bldg. 85 as required by the drawings and specifications.

B. Visits to the site by Bidders may be made only by appointment with the

Medical Center Contracting Officer.

C. Offices of AESUS Design Group, LLC as Architect-Engineers, will render certain technical services during construction. Such services shall be considered advisory to the Government and shall not be construed as expressing or implying a contractual act of the Government without affirmations by the Contracting Officer or his duly authorized representative.

D. All employees of General Contractor and subcontractors shall comply with Veterans Affairs (VA) security management program and obtain permission of the VA police, be identified by project and employer, and restricted from unauthorized access.

E. Prior to commencing work, the general contractor shall provide proof that a OSHA certified “competent person” (CP) (29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2) will maintain a presence at the work site whenever the general or subcontractors are present.

F. Training:

1. All employees of general contractor or subcontractors shall have the

10-hour OSHA certified Construction Safety course and /or other relevant competency training, as determined by the VA Contracting

Officer with input from the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) team.

2. Submit training records of all such employees for approval before the start of work.

G. Contractor Medical Program:

The Contractor shall have a Medical Program that addresses tuberculosis. The medical program shall include written assurance that each employee has no active tuberculosis. All contract employees assigned to the work site shall have a pre-placement tuberculin

01 00 00 -2 screening within 90 days prior to assignment to the worksite as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This can be the

CDC two-step skin testing, or a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved blood test. Employees manifesting positive screening reactions to the tuberculin shall be examined per current CDC guidelines prior to working on VHA property. If the employee is found without evidence of active (infectious) pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), a statement documenting examination by a physician must be on file with the employer (construction contractor), noting that the employee with a positive tuberculin screening test is without evidence of active

(infectious) pulmonary TB. If the employee is found with evidence of active (infectious) pulmonary TB, the employee would require treatment with a subsequent statement as outlined above before being allowed to return to work on VHA property.

H. Terms used in this contract such as Veterans Affairs (VA) and

Government; Contracting Officer (CO); Architect-Engineer (AE);

Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or resident engineer (RE), Engineering Officer (EO) may be used interchangeably, and refer to the same entity.

I. Schedule:

The following is the Government’s anticipated project schedule, subject to approval of the Contractor’s final project schedule:

Notice to Proceed: Day 1

Safety/Environmental/Schedule Submittals: 30 Calendar Days After Notice to Proceed

Material Submittals: 60 Calendar Days After Notice to Proceed

Project Completion Prior To Final Inspection: 300 Calendar Days After

Notice to Proceed

Overall Project Period: 330 Calendar Days After Notice to Proceed

J. An updated progress schedule is to be provided prior to the submittal of each request for payment. The updated schedule is to show all activities started and/or completed during the reporting period and a projection of the activities that will take place during the following reporting period.

K. It is strongly suggested that the contractor submit long lead items for approval early in the project to avoid project delays due to untimely submission of submittals.

01 00 00 -3

L. All contract work, in each phase, including final inspection and punch list items impacting unobstructed use of the area(s), of that phase, shall be completed by the Contractor prior to turning over the area(s) to the VA for their 21-calendar day equipment relocation and occupancy.

It will be at the discretion of the VA as to which punch list items prevent unobstructed use of the area(s) of phases. All phase work must be completed, including all punch list items, within the overall project period timeframe.

1.2 STATEMENT OF BID ITEM(S)

A. BASE BID: Contractor shall provide all materials, equipment, labor and supervision of every kind to complete the Work indicated, excluding any work needed exclusively to complete the alternate bids, including as necessary temporary construction of electrical systems to maintain uninterrupted electrical power to the existing buildings and other Work for the Medical Center’s electrical distribution system. The Work shall be complete in all respects to accomplish the intent of the

Drawings and Specifications.

1.3 SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS FOR CONTRACTOR

A. AFTER AWARD OF CONTRACT, 1 Compact Disk (CD) with PDF format files of

Specifications and Drawings will be furnished to the Contractor.

B. Additional sets of Drawings may be made by the Contractor, at

Contractor's expense, from prints and specifications in PDF format on a

CD furnished by Issuing Office. Such CDs shall be returned to the

Issuing Office immediately after printing is completed.

1.4 CONSTRUCTION SECURITY REQUIREMENETS

A. Security Plan:

1. The security plan defines both physical and administrative security procedures that will remain effective for the entire duration of the project.

2. The General Contractor is responsible for assuring that all sub-contractors working on the project and their employees also comply with these regulations.

B. Security Procedures:

1. All general contractor’s employees, subcontractors, and material suppliers entering the Medical Center consent to search by VA police at any time. The areas of search shall be all encompassing

01 00 00 -4 including but not limited to: their person; their personal effects;

personal vehicles, as well as any and all contractor vehicles, equipment, trailers, offices, storage shed, tool boxes an any and all containers.

2. For working outside the “regular hours” as defined in the contract, the General Contractor shall give 3 days notice to the Contracting

Officer so that security can be provided for the employees. This notice is separate from any notices required for utility shutdown described later in this section.

3. No photography of VA premises is allowed without written permission of the Contracting Officer.

4. VA reserves the right to close down or shut down the project site and order General Contractor’s employees off the premises in the event of a national emergency. The General Contractor may return to the site only with the written approval of the Contracting Officer.

C. Contractor Identification:

1. The Contractor’s Project Manager shall be issued a badge identifying him/her as an authorized visitor on the medical center. The Project

Manager shall wear the badge displayed prominently at all times when on site. The Contractor shall return the badge at the conclusion of the project. The Contractor shall within 24 hours notify the

Veterans Affairs Police Services and the Contracting Officer if the badge has been lost.

2. The Contractor shall initiate an identification program for each of its employees, subcontractors, and subcontractor employees when on the Medical Center property. Each person will be identified with a unique readily visible badge identifying the person and that the person is under the direction of the General Contractor. Every employee or subcontractor shall wear the badge displayed prominently at all times when on site.

D. Key Control:

1. The General Contractor shall provide duplicate keys and lock combinations to the Resident Engineer for the purpose of security inspections of every area of project including tool boxes and parked machines and take any emergency action as necessary.

E. Document Control:

1. The General Contractor is responsible for safekeeping of all drawings, project manual and other project information. This

01 00 00 -5 information shall be shared only with those with a specific need to accomplish the project.

2. All paper waste or electronic media such as CD’s and diskettes shall be shredded and destroyed in a manner acceptable to the VA.

3. Notify Contracting Officer and Site Security Officer immediately when there is a loss or compromise of “sensitive information”.

4. All electronic information shall be stored in specified location following VA standards and procedures using an Engineering Document

Management Software (EDMS).

a. Security, access and maintenance of all project drawings, both scanned and electronic shall be performed and tracked through the

EDMS system.

b. “Sensitive information” including drawings and other documents may be attached to e-mail provided all VA encryption procedures are followed.

5. At the completion of the project, the Contractor shall secure all copies of drawings and specifications from its office and all subcontractors and return them to the Government.

F. Motor Vehicle Restrictions:

1. Only properly licensed motor vehicles with valid insurance shall enter the Medical Center. Drivers of such vehicles will possess on their person a valid license for the type of vehicle being driven.

Vehicle access to the construction site shall be restricted to active picking up and dropping off materials and supplies.

2. Parking is strictly limited on the Medical Center. Contractor employee/subcontractor employee parking shall be restricted to either Mt. Cove parking lot or Contractor’s row at the North end of the facility specifically excluding parking lots 6 and 10.

Additional restrictions may be enforced based on patient and staff needs as determined by the Contracting Officer.

G. Personal Conduct:

1. Every person who enters the Medical Center’s grounds is expected to conduct themselves in a professional responsible manner without the need to enumerate every expected or prohibited behavior.

2. Weapons, ammunition, explosives, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the Medical Center’s grounds.

3. There shall be no solicitations or sales of any kind on the Medical

Center’s grounds.

01 00 00 -6

4. The Government reserves the right to refuse to permit employment on the Work or require dismissal from the Work of any subcontractor who, by reason of previous unsatisfactory work on Department of

Veterans Affairs project or for any other reason, is considered by the Contracting Officer to be incompetent or otherwise objectionable.

(Reference VAAR 852.236-80)

1.5 FIRE SAFETY

A. Applicable Publications: Publications listed below form part of this

Article to extent referenced. Publications are referenced in text by basic designations only.

1. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):

E84-2007.............Surface Burning Characteristics of Building

Materials

2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

10-2010..............Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

30-2008..............Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

51B-2009.............Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work

70-2008..............National Electrical Code

241-2009.............Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations

3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

29 CFR 1926..........Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

B. Fire Safety Plan: Establish and maintain a fire protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1926. Prior to start of work, prepare a plan detailing project-specific fire safety measures, including periodic status reports, and submit to COTR and Safety Officer for review for compliance with contract requirements in accordance with Section 01 33

23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA AND SAMPLES. The plan shall include as a minimum means of egress, egress routes, assembly area, fire extinguishers, fire alarm notification methods, and job specific fire hazards. Prior to any worker for the contractor or subcontractors beginning work, they shall undergo a safety briefing provided by the general contractor’s competent person per OSHA requirements. This briefing shall include information on the construction limits, VAMC safety guidelines, means of egress, break areas, work hours, locations

01 00 00 -7 of restrooms, use of VAMC equipment, etc. Documentation shall be provided to the Resident Engineer that individuals have undergone contractor’s safety briefing. Contractor is to perform weekly fire hazard and OSHA safety inspections of the entire construction area from the time constructions starts until the building is turned over to the

Government. A copy of these reports, listing all hazards identified and corrective actions taken, is to be provided weekly to the Resident

Engineer.

C. Site and Building Access: Maintain free and unobstructed access to facility emergency services and for fire, police and other emergency response forces in accordance with NFPA 241.

D. Separate temporary facilities, such as trailers, storage sheds and dumpsters, from existing buildings and new construction by distances in accordance with NFPA 241. For small facilities with less than 6 m (20 feet) exposing overall length, separate by 3m (10 feet).

E. Temporary Construction Partitions:

1. Install and maintain temporary construction partitions to provide smoke-tight separations between construction areas and adjoining areas. Construct partitions of gypsum board or treated plywood

(flame spread rating of 25 or less in accordance with ASTM E84) on both sides of fire retardant treated wood or metal steel studs.

Extend the partitions through suspended ceilings to floor slab deck or roof. Seal joints and penetrations. As a minimum at door openings, install Class C, 3/4-hour fire/smoke rated doors with self-closing devices. In all cases, the temporary partition shall meet the minimum fire/smoke barrier requirements for the area affected.

2. Close all openings in smoke barriers and fire-rated construction

(walls, floors and ceilings) to maintain fire ratings. This includes any existing holes as well as Contractor caused holes.

Holes are to be sealed as soon as possible and as a minimum by the end of each workday with temporary or permanent fire sealant. Seal penetrations with listed through-penetration fire stop materials in accordance with Section 07270, FIRESTOPPING SYSTEMS.

F. Temporary Heating and Electrical: Install, use and maintain installations in accordance with 29 CFR 1926, NFPA 241 and NFPA 70.

Open flame heating devices are prohibited on the Medical Center

Grounds.

01 00 00 -8

G. Means of Egress: Do not block exiting for occupied buildings, including paths from exits to roads. Minimize disruptions and coordinate with COTR.

H. Egress Routes for Construction Workers: Maintain free and unobstructed egress. Inspect daily. Report findings and corrective actions weekly

COTR.

I. Fire Extinguishers: Provide and maintain extinguishers in construction areas and temporary storage areas in accordance with 29 CFR 1926, NFPA

241 and NFPA 10.

J. Flammable and Combustible Liquids: Store, dispense and use liquids in accordance with 29 CFR 1926, NFPA 241 and NFPA 30.

K. Existing Fire Protection: Do not impair automatic sprinklers, smoke and heat detection, and fire alarm systems, except for portions immediately under construction, and temporarily for connections.

Provide fire watch for impairments more than 1 hour in a 24-hour period. Request interruptions in accordance with Article, OPERATIONS

AND STORAGE AREAS, and coordinate with COTR. All existing or temporary fire protection systems (fire alarms, sprinklers) located in construction areas shall be tested as coordinated with the medical center. Parameters for the testing and results of any tests performed shall be recorded by the medical center and copies provided to the

COTR.

L. Smoke Detectors: Prevent accidental operation. Remove temporary covers at end of work operations each day. Coordinate with COTR.

M. Hot Work: Perform and safeguard hot work operations in accordance with

NFPA 241 and NFPA 51B. The Contractor shall be responsible for assigning an authorized supervisory representative to issue hot work permits. Before any cutting or welding with open flame is conducted, the subcontractor shall obtain permission from the Contractor’s authorized representative by issuance of this permit. Coordinate with

Project Manager prior to issuing any hot work permits. See Attachment

A at the end of the section, for sample of hot work permit.

N. Fire Hazard Prevention and Safety Inspections: Inspect and provide a written report weekly for fire hazards and safety problems for the entire construction areas. These inspections shall begin from the notice to proceed until the acceptance of the entire project by the

Contracting Officer. Coordinate with, and report findings and corrective actions weekly to COTR.

01 00 00 -9

O. Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in and adjacent to construction areas, inside existing buildings, on building roofs, in crawl spaces, etc. In separate and detached buildings under construction, smoking is prohibited except in designated smoking rest areas.

P. Dispose of waste and debris in accordance with NFPA 241. Remove from buildings daily.

Q. Perform other construction, alteration and demolition operations in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.

1.6 OPERATIONS AND STORAGE AREAS

A. Temporary buildings (e.g., storage sheds, shops, offices) and utilities may be erected by the Contractor only with the approval of the

Contracting Officer and shall be built with labor and materials furnished by the Contractor without expense to the Government. The temporary buildings and utilities shall remain the property of the

Contractor and shall be removed by the Contractor at its expense upon completion of the work. With the written consent of the Contracting

Officer, the buildings and utilities may be abandoned and need not be removed.

B. The Contractor shall, under regulations prescribed by the Contracting

Officer, use only established roadways, or use temporary roadways constructed by the Contractor when and as authorized by the Contracting

Officer. When materials are transported in prosecuting the work, vehicles shall not be loaded beyond the loading capacity recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle or prescribed by any Federal, State or local law or regulation. When it is necessary to cross curbs or sidewalks, the Contractor shall protect them from damage. The

Contractor shall repair or pay for the repair of any damaged curbs, sidewalks or roads.

C. Working space and space available for storing materials shall be as determined by the COTR.

D. Execute work so as to interfere as little as possible with normal functioning of Medical Center as a whole, including operations of utility services, fire protection systems and any existing equipment, and with work being done by others. Keep roads clear of construction materials, debris, standing construction equipment and vehicles at all times. Use of equipment and tools that transmit vibrations and noises through the building structure, are not permitted in buildings that are

01 00 00 -10 occupied, during construction, jointly by patients or medical personnel, and Contractor's personnel, except as permitted by COTR where required by limited working space. Additionally, Contractor may be restricted further than OSHA allowable limits in terms of vehicle and construction emissions, odors, noises, core drilling, hammer drilling, jack hammering, etc.

1. Do not store materials and equipment in other than assigned areas.

2. Schedule delivery of materials and equipment to immediate construction working areas within buildings in use by Department of

Veterans Affairs in quantities sufficient for not more than two work days. Provide unobstructed access to Medical Center areas required to remain in operation.

3. Where access by Medical Center personnel to vacated portions of buildings is not required, storage of Contractor's materials and equipment will be permitted subject to fire and safety requirements.

E. Phasing: To insure such executions, Contractor shall furnish the COTR with a schedule of approximate phasing dates on which the Contractor intends to accomplish work in each specific area of site, building or portion thereof. In addition, Contractor shall notify the COTR two weeks in advance of the proposed date of starting work in each specific area of site, building or portion thereof. Arrange such phasing dates to insure accomplishment of this work in successive phases mutually agreeable to Medical Center Director, COTR and Contractor. Contractor shall take all measures and provide all material necessary for protecting existing equipment and property in affected areas of construction against dust and debris, so that equipment and affected areas to be used in the Medical Centers operations will not be hindered. Contractor shall permit access to Department of Veterans

Affairs personnel and patients through other construction areas which serve as routes of access to such affected areas and equipment.

Coordinate alteration work in areas occupied by Department of Veterans

Affairs so that Medical Center operations will continue during the construction period.

F. Construction Fence: Before construction operations begin, Contractor shall provide a substantial construction fence acceptable to the COTR, around the construction area indicated on the Drawings. Provide gates as required for access with necessary hardware, including hasps and padlocks. Fasten fence fabric to terminal posts with tension bands and

01 00 00 -11 to line posts and top and bottom rails with tie wires spaced at maximum

15 inches. Bottom of fences shall extend to one inch above grade.

Remove the fence when directed by COTR.

G. Utilities Services: Maintain existing utility services for Medical

Center at all times. Provide temporary facilities, labor, materials, equipment, connections, and utilities to assure uninterrupted services.

Where necessary to cut existing water, steam, gases, sewer or air pipes, or conduits, wires, cables, etc. of utility services or of fire protection systems and communications systems (including telephone), they shall be cut and capped at suitable places where shown; or, in absence of such indication, where directed by COTR.

1. No utility service such as water, gas, steam, sewers or electricity, or fire protection systems and communications systems may be interrupted without prior approval of COTR. Electrical work shall be accomplished with all affected circuits or equipment de-energized. When an electrical outage cannot be accomplished, work on any energized circuits or equipment shall not commence without the Medical Center Director’s prior knowledge and written approval.

Refer to Specification Sections 26 05 11, REQUIREMENTS FOR

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, 27 05 11 REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS

INSTALLATIONS and 28 05 00, COMMON WORK RESULTS FOR ELECTRONIC

SAFETY AND SECURITY for additional requirements.

2. Contractor shall submit a request to interrupt any such services to

COTR, in writing, a minimum of 48 hours in advance of proposed interruption. Request shall state reason, date, exact time of, and approximate duration of such interruption.

3. Contractor will be advised (in writing) of approval of request, or of which other date and/or time such interruption will cause least inconvenience to operations of Medical Center. Interruption time approved by Medical Center may occur at other than Contractor's normal working hours.

4. Major interruptions of any system must be requested, in writing, at least 15 calendar days prior to the desired time and shall be performed as directed by the COTR.

5. In case of a contract construction emergency, service will be interrupted on approval of COTR. Such approval will be confirmed in writing as soon as practical.

01 00 00 -12

6. The VA will shut down existing utility system as necessary for the

Contractor to perform required work on the utility. The Contractor shall be responsible for draining existing west systems, such as water, chilled water, heating water etc. as required to accomplish new work. Contractor shall also be responsible for re-filling systems including adding chemicals as required. Contractor shall be further responsible for returning the utility to its proper operating state including but not limited to: removal of air entrainment; re-balancing of throttling valves or dampers;

verification of the proper operation of any control system. It is acceptable to salvage existing treated water in clean storage containers approved by the VA, and re-inject it into the system upon completion of the work. Any treated water not re-injected shall be disposed of in accordance with project specifications.

7. Whenever it is required that a connection fee be paid to a public utility provider for new permanent service to the construction project, for such items as water, sewer, electricity, gas or steam, payment of such fee shall be the responsibility of the Government and not the Contractor.

H. All services to be abandoned such as wires, cables, raceways, ducts, pipes and the like, and their hangers or supports, are to be removed entirely back to the point of connection to the active utility (i.e.

piping and ductwork back to active mains, electrical wires and cables back to active circuitry, and all empty raceways). If items are noted to be abandoned in place, they are to be sealed, capped or plugged.

I. To minimize interference of construction activities with flow of

Medical Center traffic, comply with the following:

1. Keep roads, walks and entrances to grounds, to parking and to occupied areas of buildings clear of construction materials, debris and standing construction equipment and vehicles. Wherever excavation for new utility lines cross existing roads, at least one lane must be open to traffic at all times unless an alternate route is identified and Contractor provides adequate temporary barriers signage and direction for detours.

2. Method and scheduling of required cutting, altering and removal of existing roads, walks, and entrances must be approved by the COTR.

3. The Contractor shall conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic

Control Devices 2009 Edition Part 6 Temporary Traffic Control.

01 00 00 -13

J. Coordinate the work for this Contract with other construction operations as directed by COTR. This includes the scheduling of traffic and the use of roadways, as specified in Article, USE OF

ROADWAYS. (Reference FAR 52.236-10.)

K. The Contractor shall at all times keep the work area, including storage areas, free from accumulation of waste materials. Before completing the Work, the Contractor shall remove from the Work and premises any rubbish, tools, scaffolding, equipment and materials that are not the property of the Government. Upon completing the Work, the Contractor shall leave the work area in a clean, neat and orderly condition satisfactory to the Contracting Officer.

(Reference FAR 52.236-10 in General Conditions)

1.7 ALTERATIONS

A. Survey: Before any work is started, the Contractor shall make a thorough survey with the COTR and Contracting Officer of areas of buildings in which alterations occur and areas which are anticipated routes of access, and furnish a report, signed by both, to the

Contracting Officer. This report shall list by rooms and spaces:

1. Existing condition and types of resilient flooring, doors, windows, walls and other surfaces not required to be altered throughout affected areas of buildings.

2. Existence and conditions of items such as plumbing fixtures and accessories, electrical fixtures, equipment, venetian blinds, shades, etc., required by Drawings to be either reused or relocated, or both.

3. Shall note any discrepancies between Drawings and existing conditions at site.

4. Shall designate areas for working space, materials storage and routes of access to areas within buildings where alterations occur and which have been agreed upon by Contractor and COTR.

B. Any items required by Drawings to be either reused or relocated or both, found during this survey to be nonexistent, or in opinion of COTR and Contracting Officer, to be in such condition that their use is impossible or impractical, shall be furnished and/or replaced by

Contractor with new items in accordance with Specifications which will be furnished by Government. Provided the Contract work is changed by reason of this subparagraph B, the Contract will be modified

01 00 00 -14 accordingly, under provisions of clause entitled "DIFFERING SITE

CONDITIONS" (FAR 52.236-2) and "CHANGES" (FAR 52.243-4 and VAAR

852.236-88).

C. Re-Survey: Thirty days before expected partial or final inspection date, the Contractor and COTR together shall make a thorough re-survey of the areas of buildings involved. They shall furnish a report on conditions then existing, of resilient flooring, doors, windows, walls and other surfaces as compared with conditions of same as noted in first condition survey report:

1. Re-survey report shall also list any damage caused by Contractor to such flooring and other surfaces, despite protection measures; and will form basis for determining extent of repair work required of

Contractor to restore damage caused by Contractor's workmen in executing work of this Contract.

D. Protection: Provide the following protective measures:

1. Wherever existing roof surfaces are disturbed they shall be protected against water infiltration. In case of leaks, they shall be repaired immediately upon discovery.

2. Temporary protection against damage for portions of existing structures and grounds where work is to be done, materials handled and equipment moved and/or relocated.

3. Protection of interior of existing structures at all times, from damage, dust and weather inclemency. Wherever work is performed, floor surfaces that are to remain in place shall be adequately protected prior to starting work, and this protection shall be maintained intact until all work in the area is completed.

1.8 INFECTION PREVENTION MEASURES

A. Implement the requirements of Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s

(VAMC’s) Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) team. ICRA Group may monitor dust in the vicinity of the construction work and require the

Contractor to take corrective action immediately if the safe levels are exceeded.

B. Establish and maintain a dust control program as part of the contractor’s infection preventive measures in accordance with the guidelines provided by ICRA Group. Prior to start of work, prepare a plan detailing project-specific dust protection measures, including periodic status reports, and submit to COTR and Facility ICRA team for

01 00 00 -15 review for compliance with contract requirements in accordance with

Section 01 33 23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA AND SAMPLES.

1. All personnel involved in the construction or renovation activity shall be educated and trained in infection prevention measures established by the Medical Center.

C. Medical Center Infection Control personnel shall monitor for airborne disease (e.g. aspergillosis) as appropriate during construction. A baseline of conditions may be established by the medical center prior to the start of work and periodically during the construction stage to determine impact of construction activities on indoor air quality. In addition:

1. The COTR and VAMC Infection Control personnel shall review pressure differential monitoring documentation to verify that pressure differentials in the construction zone and in the patient-care rooms are appropriate for their settings. The requirement for negative air pressure in the construction zone shall depend on the location and type of activity. Upon notification, the Contractor shall implement corrective measures to restore proper pressure differentials as needed.

2. In case of any problem, the Medical Center, along with assistance from the Contractor, shall conduct an environmental assessment to find and eliminate the source.

D. In general, following preventive measures shall be adopted during construction to keep down dust and prevent mold.

1. Dampen debris to keep down dust and provide temporary construction partitions in existing structures where directed by COTR. Blank off ducts and diffusers to prevent circulation of dust into occupied areas during construction.

2. Do not perform dust producing tasks within occupied areas without the approval of the COTR. For construction in any areas that will remain jointly occupied by the medical Center and Contractor’s workers, the Contractor shall:

a. Provide dust proof two-hour fire-rated temporary drywall construction barriers to completely separate construction from the operational areas of the existing building in order to contain dirt debris and dust. Barriers shall be sealed and made presentable on occupied side. Install a self-closing rated door in a metal frame, commensurate with the partition, to allow

01 00 00 -16 worker access. Maintain negative air at all times. A fire retardant polystyrene, 6-mil thick or greater plastic barrier meeting local fire codes may be used where dust control is the only hazard, and with the prior approval of the COTR, the Medical

Center Safety Officer, and the Medical Center infection control coordinator.

b. HEPA filtration is required where the exhaust dust may reenter the breathing zone. Contractor shall verify that construction exhaust to exterior is not reintroduced to the Medical Center through intake vents, or building openings. Install HEPA (High

Efficiency Particulate Accumulator) filter vacuum system rated at

95% capture of 0.3 microns including pollen, mold spores and dust particles. Insure continuous negative air pressures occurring within the work area. HEPA filters should have ASHRAE 85 or other prefilter to extend the useful life of the HEPA. Provide both primary and secondary filtrations units. Exhaust hoses shall be heavy duty, flexible steel reinforced and exhausted so that dust is not reintroduced to the Medical Center.

c. Adhesive Walk-off/Carpet Walk-off Mats, minimum 600mm x 900mm

(24”x48”), shall be used at all interior transitions from the construction area to occupied medical center area. These mats shall be changed as often as required to maintain clean work areas directly outside construction area at all times.

d. Vacuum and wet mop all transition areas from construction to the occupied medical center at the end of each workday. Vacuum shall utilize HEPA filtration. Maintain surrounding area frequently.

Remove debris as they are created. Transport these outside the construction area in containers with tightly fitting lids.

e. The Contractor shall not haul debris through patient-care areas without prior approval of the COTR. When approved, debris shall be hauled in enclosed dust proof containers or wrapped in plastic and sealed with duct tape. No sharp objects should be allowed to cut through the plastic. Wipe down the exterior of the containers with a damp rag to remove dust. All equipment, tools, material, etc. transported through occupied areas shall be made free from dust and moisture by vacuuming and wipe down.

f. Using a HEPA vacuum, clean inside the barrier and vacuum ceiling tile prior to replacement. Any ceiling access panels opened for

01 00 00 -17 investigation beyond sealed areas shall be sealed immediately when unattended.

g. There shall be no standing water during construction. This includes water in equipment drip pans and open containers within the construction areas. All accidental spills must be cleaned up and dried within 12 hours. Remove and dispose of porous materials that remain damp for more than 72 hours.

h. Seal off all supply and return grilles and diffusers with plastic to prevent any dust or debris from entering the ductwork. Seal any unused doors leading to areas that will not be impacted by the construction.

i. Any ceiling tiles removed outside the construction containment area are to be replaced as soon as possible, and as a minimum at the end of each work day.

j. At completion, remove construction barriers and ceiling protection carefully, outside of normal work hours. Vacuum and clean all surfaces free of dust after the removal.

E. Final Cleanup:

1. Upon completion of Project, or as work progresses, remove all construction debris from above ceiling, vertical shafts and utility chases that have been part of the construction.

2. Perform HEPA vacuum cleaning of all surfaces in the construction area. This includes walls, ceilings, cabinets, furniture (built-in or free standing), partitions, flooring, etc.

3. All new air ducts shall be cleaned prior to final inspection.

F. Also reference Specification 01 57 19 TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS.

1.9 DISPOSAL AND RETENTION

A. Materials and equipment accruing from work removed and from demolition of buildings or structures, or parts thereof, shall be disposed of as follows:

1. Reserved items which are to remain property of the Government include fire extinguishers, signs, tables, trash receptacles, cigarette/trash receptacles, bollards and others as well as items noted on Drawings or in other Specifications. Items that remain property of the Government shall be removed or dislodged from present locations in such a manner as to prevent damage which would

01 00 00 -18 be detrimental to re-installation and reuse. Store such items within Contractor’s storage area as further directed by the COTR.

2. Items not reserved shall become property of the Contractor and be removed by Contractor from Medical Center.

3. Items of portable equipment and furnishings located in rooms and spaces in which work is to be done under this Contract shall remain the property of the Government. When rooms and spaces are vacated by the Department of Veterans Affairs during the alteration period, such items which are NOT required by Drawings and Specifications to be either relocated or reused will be removed by the Government in advance of work to avoid interfering with Contractor's operation.

B. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of transformer(s) and other miscellaneous equipment. None of the materials contain PCBs.

1.10 PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND

IMPROVEMENTS

A. The Contractor shall repair any damage to those facilities, including those that are the property of a third party, resulting from failure to comply with the requirements of this Contract or failure to exercise reasonable care in performing the work. If the Contractor fails or refuses to repair the damage promptly, the Contracting Officer may have the necessary work performed and charge the cost to the Contractor.

B. Refer to Section 01 57 19, TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS, for additional requirements on protecting vegetation, soils and the environment. Refer to Articles, "Alterations", "Restoration", and

"Operations and Storage Areas" for additional instructions concerning repair of damage to structures and site improvements.

(Reference FAR 52.236-9 in General Conditions)

1.11 RESTORATION

A. Remove, cut, alter, replace, patch and repair existing work as necessary to install new work. Except as otherwise shown or specified, do not cut, alter or remove any structural work, and do not disturb any ducts, plumbing, steam, gas, or electric work without approval of the

COTR. Existing work to be altered or extended and that is found to be defective in any way, shall be reported to the COTR before it is disturbed. Materials and workmanship used in restoring work, shall

01 00 00 -19 conform in type and quality to that of original existing construction, except as otherwise shown or specified.

B. Contractor shall saw cut at lines shown on the Drawings all concrete, asphalt and other materials where demolition or alteration is to occur.

Any damage outside of the cut lines shall be cut out by proper saw cutting creating a neat repair at no additional cost to the Government.

C. Upon completion of Contract, deliver work complete and undamaged.

Existing work (walls, ceilings, partitions, floors, mechanical and electrical work, lawns, paving, roads, walks, etc.) disturbed or removed as a result of performing required new work, shall be patched, repaired, reinstalled or replaced with new work, and refinished and left in as good condition as existed before commencing work.

D. At Contractor's own expense, Contractor shall immediately restore to service and repair any damage caused by Contractor's workmen to existing piping and conduits, wires, cables, etc., of utility services or of fire protection systems and communications systems (including telephone) which are indicated on Drawings and which are not scheduled for discontinuance or abandonment.

E. The Drawings show the general location of exiting utilities. The

Contractor shall at its own expense verify exact locations and elevations of utilities and make adjustments of the Work to accommodate such utilities. Expense of repairs to such utilities and systems not shown on Drawings will be covered by adjustment to contract time and price in accordance with clause entitled "CHANGES" (FAR 52.243-4 and

VAAR 852.236-88) and "DIFFERING SITE CONDITIONS" (FAR 52.236-2) of

Section 00 72 00, GENERAL CONDITIONS.

1.12 PHYSICAL DATA

A. Data and information furnished or referred to below is for the

Contractor's information. The Government shall not be responsible for any interpretation of or conclusion drawn from the data or information by the Contractor.

1. Soils Report: The indications of physical conditions on the

Drawings and in the Specifications are the result of <insert title of geotechnical report> dated <insert date of report>, prepared by

<insert name of geotechnical engineering firm>.

2. The soil report is for reference only, but shall not be considered part of the Contract Documents.

01 00 00 -20

3. A copy of the soil report will be made available for inspection by bidders upon request to the Engineering Officer at the VA Medical

Center.

B. Government does not guarantee that other materials will not be encountered nor that proportions, conditions or character of several materials will not vary from those indicated by Drawings. Specifically the Department of Veterans Affairs makes no indication of depth of water levels below grade. Bidders are expected to examine site of work and decide for themselves character of materials and make their bids accordingly. Upon proper application to Department of Veterans

Affairs, bidders will be permitted to make subsurface explorations of their own at site.

1.13 PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES

A. A registered professional land surveyor or registered civil engineer whose services are retained and paid for by the Contractor shall perform services specified herein and in other Specification Sections.

The Contractor shall certify that the land surveyor or civil engineer is not one who is a regular employee of the Contractor, and that the land surveyor or civil engineer has no financial interest in this

Contract.

1.14 LAYOUT OF WORK

A. The Contractor shall lay out the work from Government established base lines and bench marks, indicated on the Drawings, and shall be responsible for all measurements in connection with the layout. The

Contractor shall furnish, at Contractor's own expense, all stakes, templates, platforms, equipment, tools, materials, and labor required to lay out any part of the work. The Contractor shall be responsible for executing the work to the lines and grades that may be established or indicated by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall also be responsible for maintaining and preserving all stakes and other marks established by the Contracting Officer until authorized to remove them.

If such marks are destroyed by the Contractor or through Contractor's negligence before their removal is authorized, the Contracting Officer may replace them and deduct the expense of the replacement from any amounts due or to become due to the Contractor.

(FAR 52.236-17)

01 00 00 -21

B. Establish and plainly mark such other lines and grades that are reasonably necessary to properly assure that location, orientation, and elevations established for each such structure and/or addition, roads, parking lots, are in accordance with lines and elevations shown on

Contract Drawings.

C. Following completion of general mass excavation and before any other permanent work is performed, establish and plainly mark (through use of appropriate batter boards or other means) sufficient additional survey control points or system of points as may be necessary to assure proper alignment, orientation, and grade of all major features of work.

Survey shall include, but not be limited to, location of lines and grades of footings, exterior walls, center lines of columns in both directions, major utilities and elevations of floor slabs:

1. Such additional survey control points or system of points thus established shall be checked and certified by a registered land surveyor or registered civil engineer. Furnish such certification to the COTR before any work (such as footings, floor slabs, columns, walls, utilities and other major controlling features) is placed.

D. Whenever changes from Contract Drawings are made in line or grading requiring certificates, record such changes on a reproducible drawing bearing the registered land surveyor or registered civil engineer seal, and forward these drawings upon completion of work to COTR.

E. The Contractor shall perform the surveying and layout work of this and other articles and specifications in accordance with the provisions of

Article "Professional Surveying Services".

F. The Contractor shall keep on the work site a copy of the Drawings and

Specifications and shall at all times give the Contracting Officer and

COTR access thereto. Anything mentioned in the Specification and not shown on the Drawings, or shown on the Drawings and not mentioned in the Specifications, shall be of like effect as if shown or mentioned in both. In case of difference between Drawings and Specifications, the

Contractor shall issue a Request for Information (RFI) requesting confirmation as to which shall govern. In case of discrepancy in the figures, in the Drawings, or in the Specifications, the matter shall be promptly submitted to the Contracting Officer, who shall promptly make a determination in writing. Any adjustment by the Contractor without such a determination shall be at the Contractor’s own risk and expense.

The Contracting Officer shall furnish from time to time such detailed

01 00 00 -22 drawings and other information as considered necessary unless otherwise provided.

G. Wherever in the Specifications or upon the Drawings the words

“directed”, “required”, “ordered”, “designated”, “prescribed”, or words of like import are used, it shall be understood that the “direction”, “requirement”, “order”, “designation”, or “prescription” of the

Contracting Officer is intended and similarly the words “approved”, “acceptable”, “satisfactory”, or words of the like import shall mean

“approved by”, or “acceptable to”, or “satisfactory to” the Contracting

Officer, unless otherwise expressly stated.

H. Where “as shown”, “as indicated”, “as detailed” or words of similar import are used, it shall be understood that the reference is made to the Drawings accompanying this Contract unless stated otherwise. The word “provided” as used herein shall be understood to mean “provide complete in place”, that is “furnished and installed”.

I. Upon completing the work under this Contract, the…