6145--Install OR Isolation Power and Upgrade Critical (VA-24-00006336)

Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt, can the Government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

A: The tax exemption for this is not authorized. You will have to pay sales tax.

Can the required SSHO and QA/QC positions be fulfilled by the qualified superintendent?

A: There is a reason for having SSHO, QA and a Site Superintendent as individuals. If there is a safety issue, the Super would have to write himself up and it usually is not very effective. Same goes for QA. If he finds the wrong material being used, he d have to write himself up for allowing that to happen.

The Project requires hard ICRA barriers but cannot tie into existing duct work for neg air/hepa ventilation. Is the Government going to specify where we can vent?

A: The way you ll vent is up to you in your proposed solutions. The Gov t will not specify where to vent.

Can the VA clarify requirements to work in the OR? For example, will the workers have to wear operating room clothing covers, head covers, and shoe covers during work.

A: The OR space given to the contractor to work nights/weekends will be the contractor s space. You will not need to gown up once inside this area to get the panels/receptacles installed.

Will the Owner accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

A: We have no issue with ProCore. We use Submittal Exchange and ProCore for managing other projects.

How soon after the award is NTP expected to be issued?

A: We are aiming for a post-award meeting, to include issuing the NTP, no later than two weeks after the bid opening date of 2/29/24.

The SF 1442, page 1, states that electronic bids are due by 2/27/24 at 5 pm, however, RFP page 7, #3 states that electronic bids are due no later than 5 pm EDT one (1) day prior to the established Bid Opening Date identified. Please confirm the correct due date and time for electronic bids.

A: Electronic bids are due by 2/27.24 at 5PM EST.

RFP, page 3, Supplement B Statement of Work references Bid Item 1 and Bid Item 2 (Deduct Alternate 1), however, the specs on pages 3-4 reference Bid Items I and II, and Alternates Deducts 1, 2 and 3. Please confirm the correct Bid Items and Alternate Deducts

A: The correct bid items are references Bid Item 1 and Bid Item 2 (Deduct Alternate 1), as referenced in the SOW in Supplement B.

Please provide the Microsoft Teams information for the virtual bid opening on 2/29/24 at 11 am.

A: A meeting invite will be sent to all parties who submit a proposal on time. Expect an invite the morning of 2/28/24.

Since the proposed work schedule has been changed to primarily weekday night hours, is there a corresponding change for this NOTE? Are these two barriers even still necessary?

A: The detail showing temporary dust barriers near stairway 7 are only there for doing work to install the panel for the isolation power for the laser receptacles yes they re required. If this work is finished in one weekend, the walls can come down.  If this cannot be done on one shift, they would remove them at the end of the shift. If this were me doing the work, I d plan it for starting on a Friday and finishing the work over a weekend and then the dust barriers are removed for the rest of the contract.

Who is responsible for providing clean room apparel, such as suits, shoe covers, etcetera?

A: The VA will not provide gowns. They need to be properly gowned to get into their workspace each day. Once inside, they don t have to stay gowned.

Is the use a self-contained dust collection system an acceptable alternative to utilizing exhaust ducting out of the building?

A: We must have negative air scrubbing machines in the work environment. This can only be done w/ hepafiltered exhaust fans. They will exhaust this filtered air to the outside.

Scope: Provide construction services, alterations necessary for the installation of Operating Rooms isolation power and upgrading of critical panels in Bldg. 110A per included plans and specifications at Hampton, Hampton, VA Veterans Affair Center.