19-262-RFI Response Clarifications-20230712.pdf

Item # Comment Response

DWG/Spec

Reference

Request a Detail showing the actual Dumbwaiter

Machine Room and the demolition and new construction activities therein? For the chiller booster pump adjacent to the Dumbwaiter Shaft, are we to enclose that CMU wall with fire-rated doorway frame and door? Is the Dumbwaiter’s electrical disconnect switch to be replaced? Are we to epoxy coat the mechanical space floor for the dumbwaiter machine room?

There were no general construction items for scope in the original design. Contractor to remove all old dumbwaiter equipment and replace with new. Existing disconnect is code compliant, if not in the electrical scope retain. This is a basic replacement project that is commonly done on elevators and lifts. If the contractor is not familiar with this type of work for a basic replacement, they need to rely on their elevator subcontractor to review the specifications that have the scope inclusive of all work. (MBA) NA

1a

Sheet E-401 Detail 2 provides the dumbwaiter elevator shaft (hoistway) but not the actual Machine Room, thus no detail on the demolition or new construction elements related to the Dumbwaiter’s Machinery, Electrical Panels. Machine Room Lighting, GFCI

Receptacles, etc.

All existing dumbwaiter equipment is to be removed and directly replaced. No demolition of walls in scope. Minimum code lighting is required along with GFCI receptacle. (MBA) Content is there. Room title is inconsistent, very low liability. (JAV) E-401

1b

Abandoned controls and other electrical items appear to have been left mounted to the wall from a previous modernization. It is unclear if we to remove all old and abandoned equipment in this space.

Dumbwaiter equipment to be removed and replaced. Equipment is not abandoned just not operational. (MBA) Content is there in the spec. Controls are locked out because they were not functioning. (MBA) NA

1c

Key Note 34 states epoxy flooring required for, “ENTIRE FLOOR EXTENT ROOM 600 ONLY.”

We are creating a new elevator machine room - Room 600 within an overall larger space. The intent of this note is that the floor of

Room 600 is to be painted - not the entire larger space.(WVS) On

A-101, keynote 34 - correct epoxy coating is wall to wall. (MBA) A-101

501-19-101 Albuquerque Elevators-B41

RFI Clarifications

2a

DISCUSSION: USACE is requiring this work be priced in our proposal. The RFI Response provides no clarity on what the Contractor is to do with non-elevator conduit passing through the Machine Room and non-elevator mechanical items in the Machine Room. We need to know the acceptable options so we can price accordingly, or alternatively, USACE issue guidance for all Offerors to include a suitable allowance amount

(e.g., $100,000) noting this scope of work will be addressed onsite once work commences.

The plans call for installation of the new elevator equipment and provision for a new enclosure of the caged machine room. I am not sure of any non-related conduit or items, but a drop ceiling can be installed. No elevator conduit was identified during design site visits and survey. If a conduit serving a different purpose is identified during construction the COR and CO must be made aware. (MBA) NA

3a

DISCUSSION: RFI 10262438 response appears errant in design and dictating Contractor Means and Methods in a way that is inconsistent with normal fire / life safety relay implementation. If the Contractor implements this RFI, it both unnecessarily increases cost to the Government while adding unnecessary complexity and components that actually reduce system reliability. It is not in the best interests of

USACE or the VA to mandate the number of relays per system.

Additional relays due to phasing. The contractor should take responsibility for singling to maintain code compliance. (MBA) G-100

4a

DISCUSSION: ASME 17.1-2016 has a known flaw regarding sump pump flow requirements. The flaw was corrected with ASME 17.1-2019. We realize the

Project Specifications and Standards equate to thousands of pages, but the dogmatic adherence to a flawed “Basis of Design” is inconsistent with fundamental Engineering Design Principles in creating unnecessary and onerous electrical and drainage requirements and costs relative to the proper design.

Apogee was contracted to perform this design using ASME 17-1-

2016, which is not "flawed Basis of Design". (RHA)

ASME 17.1-

4a-i

Four - 50 gpm sump pumps instead of four - 145 gpm sump pumps eliminate breaker spaces, wire and electrical panel demand.

The pump selection was made to provide a minimum of 100 GPM per shaft pit (50 GPM per elevator car). The pump selection BOD

(Zoeller) has a capacity of 145 GPM @ 137' TDH. (RHA) NA

4a-ii

The Sump Pumps were not part of the Facility’s original drain system design. Beyond the thousands in material cost avoidance by installing proper Two (2) inch valves and piping instead of oversized three (3) inch valves and piping, the elimination of 380 GPM water injected by sump pumps into the pre-existing drain line goes far in reducing the risk of unanticipated consequences of impacting existing upstream and downstream discharge.

These pumps are required by ASME 17.1-2016. The 3" water piping is required to accommodate 100 GPM. (RHA)

ASME 17.1-

4a-iii

The existing spaces have operated since the hospital was commissioned without sump pumps, with shafts not sprinkled, and no evidence the pits ever incurring water intrusion. Adding sump pumps to meet code requirements is arguably warranted, but requiring almost triple the current code requirement simply doesn’t make sense.

Meeting ASME 17.1-2016 isn't an option. The elevators and associated systems must be brought into compliance with the governing code. Each elevator pit serves two (2) elevators, so a sump pump with a minimum flow capacity of 100 GPM each is required for each pit (total of 4). (RHA) NA

Request a Detail showing the actual Dumbwaiter

Machine Room and the demolition and new construction activities therein? For the chiller booster pump adjacent to the Dumbwaiter Shaft, are we to enclose that CMU wall with fire-rated doorway frame and door? Is the Dumbwaiter’s electrical disconnect switch to be replaced? Are we to epoxy coat the mechanical space floor for the dumbwaiter machine room?

This is the listed formal project description in the solicitation:

THE PROJECT consists of construction services to modernize 10 passenger and service elevators and 1 dumbwaiter for the VA at their NM Healthcare System campus located in Albuquerque, NM.

The scope of work would consist of demolition and removal of old equipment and installation of new equipment in accordance with plans and specifications, structural, mechanical, electrical, architectural, and life safety considerations. The effort will require work in the existing elevators, machinery spaces, elevator cabs, hoist-ways, consideration of fire rating of areas and assemblies, life safety analysis, ventilation, and comprehensive phasing of work to execute the project in an occupied VA Medical Center.

Existing CartLift-Dumbwaiter is to be fully replaced. All existing machinery, components and equipment from the existing cartlift is to be removed per the description. Specifications call out all requirements for new equipment to be installed. (MBA) NA