VA797H-17-R-0015-00003000.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE

OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 00003 04-25-2018 Department of Veterans Affairs OPAL/ National Acquisition Center Building 37 1st Avenue, One Block North of Cermak Hines

IL

60141 Department of Veterans Affairs OPAL/ National Acquisition Center Building 37 1st Avenue, One Block North of Cermak Hines

IL

60141 To all Offerors/Bidders

VA797H-17-R-0015

04-04-2018

X X Monday, June 4, 2018, 3pm CT X The purpose of this amendment of solitation VA797H-17-R-0015, St. Albans is to provide answers to questions and to also extend the closing date of the solicitation. The answers are included in this document.

The closing date of the solicitation has been extended to Monday, June 4, 2018.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Patricia Gibson Contracting Officer ST. Albans Laundry Project

VA797H-17-R-0015

April 24, 2018

1. Can the exhaust ductwork be reused for the dryers or does the VA require new duct and insulation?

ANSWER: The VA requires ALL DUCTWORK for the dryers (Air intake and exhaust ductwork) to be new.

2. Is it a requirement to supply PE stamped drawings by a structural engineer for the rail system if it is not attached to the roof structure?

ANSWER: Yes, it is a requirement to provide PE stamped drawings by a structural engineer for the rail system if rail system is attached to the roof or is floor mounted. It is also a requirement to supply calculations that show the roof or floor mounted rail systems can support the weights.

3. Is it a requirement of the project to perform a structural analysis on the floor in the structure or is it ok to assume that the existing concrete floor will be adequate for the new equipment?

ANSWER: YES, it is a requirement of the project to perform a structural analysis. NO, it is not OK to assume that the existing concrete floor will be adequate for the new equipment. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that the floor will support the equipment that is being offered.

4. Is a structural analysis of the floor/ceiling structure expected to be provided a part of the bidding process or can this be performed post award?

ANSWER: Yes, a structural analysis of the floor/ceiling structure is expected to be provided.

5. If the answer is yes to questions (2), (3), or (4) can structural drawings of the roof and floor/foundation be supplied?

ANSWER: Structural drawings of the roof and floor/foundation can be supplied along with calculations to support drawings.

6. If it is found that the floor or ceiling is found to be deficient and can not support the weight of the rail or equipment, is it the contractor’s responsibility to make facility improvements as part of the bid or can this be handled post award?

ANSWER: If the floor or ceiling are found to be deficient and cannot support the weight of the rail or equipment offered by the contractor, it is the contractor’s responsibility to make facility improvements as part of the proposal that will support the equipment offered.

7. Are we required to replace any flooring in our scope of work?

ANSWER: NO. There is no replacement flooring in the Scope of Work.

8. Is there any asbestos or lead paint on site?

ANSWER: There is no KNOWN asbestos or lead paint on site. However, during the contractors site visit or during installation, if asbestos or lead paint is discovered, the contractor will notify the contracting officer (CO), Contracting Officers Representative (COR) and the St. Albans Engineering Service of findings.

9. Are any changes to the staff barriers anticipated?

ANSWER: Yes. Changes of the staph barriers could be anticipated with this project. It is the contractor’s responsibility to show any changes within the design of their offer if any.

10. During the site visit, it was noted there are many carts and materials that will be in the way during construction. Is it the contractor’s responsibility to move the VA’s materials prior to construction?

ANSWER: NO. Carts and materials that will be in the way during construction will be the VA’s responsibility to move and place away from installation areas.

11. Can you confirm there is no fire alarm, sprinkler, or air conditioning work in the project?

ANSWER: There is no air conditioning work in this project. However, dryers will require fire suppression systems installed for all the dryers (located in the technical specifications) and will be connected to the existing building fire alarm system to alert authorities that a fire exists.

12. On page 17 of 89 in the solicitation, A. Special Requirements, part 1. States the following: It is the contractor’s responsibility for the start-up, training, adjustments/repair of all equipment within the mechanical room and all connections of the hot water heaters, water recycling system, waste water system, heat recovery system and air compressors located in the existing mechanical room to all the offered equipment.

Question: I understand it is our responsibility to connect our new equipment into the existing utilities. However, the above statement states that we are responsible for repairs of all equipment which are not part of this contract.

ANSWER: This is a requirement of this contract and should be included with the contractor’s proposal price. As stated in the Special Requirements on page 17 of 89 in the main solicitation, A. Special Requirements, part 1. States the following: It is the contractor’s responsibility for the start-up, training, adjustments/repair of all equipment within the mechanical room and all connections of the hot water heaters, water recycling system, waste water system, heat recovery system and air compressors located in the existing mechanical room to all the offered equipment.

Phase I of this project required the steam-less water heaters to be installed along with all the other equipment in the mechanical room. Not all of this equipment was capable of being started up since there was no steam-less tunnel included with that phase. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that ALL the above mentioned equipment works with all the proposed new equipment. This includes start-up, training, adjustments/repair of all equipment within the mechanical room and all connections of the hot water heaters, water recycling system, waste water system, and heat recovery system and air compressors.

13. Page 17 of 89 in the main solicitation, A. Special Requirements, part 2. This states that all connections are to be new and connected from the mechanical room.

ANSWER: Yes. All connections are to be new and connected from the mechanical room.

14. Can you confirm that the VA wants all new compressed air lines, water, steam etc. all the way back to the mechanical room regardless of the condition or size of the existing infrastructure.

ANSWER: Yes. VA wants all new compressed air lines, water; steam etc. all the way back to the mechanical room regardless of the condition or size of the existing infrastructure.

15. Also, can you elaborate on where our point of connection should be in the mechanical room?

ANSWER: From equipment in the mechanical room to the new proposed new equipment listed in the solicitation.

16. Page 18 of 89 in the main solicitation, A. Special Requirements, part 3. Can you confirm you actually want new trench covers for the entire laundry facility?

ANSWER: Yes. New trench covers are required for all the new proposed equipment.

17. Page 18 of 89 in the main solicitation, A. Special Requirements, part 3. Some of the trench covers are directly under existing laundry equipment that is not included in this project. In order to changes these covers, the existing tunnel washer would need to be moved. Are we required to change these trench covers as well?

ANSWER: No. The trench covers under the existing tunnel washer are not required to be changed.

18. Page 18 of 89 in the main solicitation, A. Special Requirements, part 8. Does the VA currently have any special permits for the city of St. Albans or State of New York with regard to its laundry equipment?

ANSWER: No.

19. Page 21 of 89 in the main solicitation, item 11. States that gas connection points shall be from the existing gas header to the new equipment. During the site visit, a larger gas pipe was noted directly above the dryers that could considered to be a header. Can you confirm if this an adequate tie in point for the new dryers?

ANSWER: Yes. The large gas header above the dryers can be used as an adequate tie in point for the new dryers if they meet all NFPA 54 Gas requirements. If the existing gas piping does not meet the code requirements, the contractor must bring all gas piping up to current codes.

20. Page 21 of 89 in the main solicitation, item 11. Electrical connections shall be from existing electrical panels. Some of the smaller pieces of equipment have local disconnects within 15’ of the equipment in question.

Can we run new service back to the local disconnect or should we plan running new electric service back to the breaker panels which will be considerably farther away.

ANSWER: The contractor should plan on running new electric service back to the breaker panels. Under Project Special Requirements, number 2 states Electrical shall be connected to the nearest electrical panels and shall be new. Electrical panels shall also be updated and must meet all NFPA electrical requirements.

21. Page 22 of 89 in the main solicitation, item 15. States, all electrical wiring and connections shall be new and installed in new ¾ inch conduit. Is EMT acceptable?

ANSWER: New ¾ inch EMT is acceptable.

22. Page 22 of 89 in the main solicitation, item 17. States, the textile facility will be closed during the project for no more than 90 days. The contractor will have 24-hour access to the laundry facility, seven days a week. Can you confirm there will be no laundry employees in the facility during that time?

ANSWER: Confirmed. No laundry employees will be in the facility with the exception of possibly the COR of the project.

23. Given the size and complexity of this project, will we be permitted to work on aspects of the project prior to the 90-day shutdown providing it does not impact current laundry operations?

ANSWER: The station Contracting Officers Representative (COR) can determine if any work can be performed before shut down.

24. What is the current operating schedule of the laundry facility?

ANSWER: Operating schedule for the textile care laundry there are two shifts. The first is 5:30 am to 1pm. The main operating shift is 8am to 4:30pm Monday thru Friday.

25. Page 31 of 89, acceptance procedures. In the event the equipment is rejected, contractor will be advised as to deficiencies which were cause for rejection. It shall be contractor's responsibility to correct reported deficiencies and to advise the Contracting Officer when all corrections have been made and equipment is ready for re-inspection. Re-inspection(s) will be performed by VACO, Equipment Management Specialist's with all costs incurred chargeable to the contractor's account. Can you define what charges would be back charged to the contractor? Airline tickets? Hotel? Airport transportation? Meals? Labor Charges? I’d like to understand what the typical charges would be or in there are limits?

ANSWER: Charges would include all transportation arrangements, hotel and meals.

26. The specification states that the delivery of new equipment shall be made within 120 calendar days after award. Can this be extended to 150 days for some of the longer lead time equipment that requires design such as the rail system?

ANSWER: NO. 120 calendar days is the maximum allowable time for delivery of new equipment.

27. Page 8 of 31, Tech Spec, Item 21 states that tunnel washer must have access hatches/doors at every other chamber/module for egress into the drum from the outside allowing light and air into the inner drum. Our equipment has access panels every third chamber/module and provides adequate access to the equipment for serviceability. In addition, this equipment has been used at other VA’s in the past. Is this acceptable on this project?

ANSWER: VA Equipment Management Specialists have no knowledge of any equipment in any VA laundry facility that has access panels every third chamber used in past projects. The requirement for every other chamber/modules is the requirement for this project.

28. Can an additional month be granted to prepare our proposals?

ANSWER: Yes. The proposal due date will be extended to June 4, 2018.

29. It was noted during the site visit that some of the smaller pieces of equipment had soft flexible connections. For example, the large piece blanker folder had a plug-in style electric cord and flexible compressed air lines connected to it to allow for movement. Should these connections be duplicated or does the VA want hard connections in conduit for the electrical and compressed air?

ANSWER: For equipment such as Small Piece Folders, Blanket Folder, Folding Tables, power cords are acceptable. All power cords must have strain relief installed and meet all NFPA Standards and safety codes.

30. Is each offeror expected to troubleshoot each piece of mechanical equipment during the bidding process to determine if repairs are required?

ANSWER: Yes, offeror is expected to troubleshoot each piece of mechanical equipment to determine if repairs are required.

31. In addition, the above statement indicates that we are responsible for startup of this equipment as well.

ANSWER: YES. The contractor has the responsibility of start-up of all equipment in the mechanical room.

32. Is any of this equipment still under warranty?

ANSWER: NO. Warranty of all the equipment in the mechanical room has expired.

33. Which pieces of equipment have not been started up yet?

ANSWER: Parker Hot Water heaters, T.E.A. equipment.

34. Since this is a construction project that involves large amounts of electrical, plumbing, structural work, demolition, rigging, HVAC, and general conditions, can the payment terms for the project be changed to progress billing throughout the project?

ANSWER: No, the payment terms will remain as stated.