RECOVERY C--Design Services - NRM Recovery Act Correct Safety Deficiencies

This is a Sources Sought Notice for the following services related to "Recovery Act" Project # 503-09-101, "Correct Safety Deficiencies", at the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center, Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Provide professional A/E design services, technical specifications, working drawings, cost estimates, as-built drawings, construction period services, and site visits for NRM Recovery Act Project # 503-09-101, "Correct Safety Deficiencies", at the VA Medical Center in Altoona, PA. The A/E shall provide a design for a construction contract that will correct Safety Deficiencies associated with Building 1. This project corrects a violation of environmental law. The violation is in regard to the medical centers alternate fuel source for the boilers and the fuel source for the emergency generators which are required by the life safety code. It also includes the underground gas storage tank. The project corrects water infiltration to the underground fuel tanks, sumps, spill buckets, and tank probes. This work includes concrete, fiberglass manholes, site work and testing which is required to bring the medical center up to standards.



All work is to be done in Autodesk's Architectural 2010 and MEP 2010 until the 2011 products are available, then all work is to be done with the 2011 products. "All" work is to be done in 3D. The A/E will be required to certify that the A/E regularly uses the two programs mentioned and certify that that the A/E has completed 3D designs. The A/E offices must be within a 250 mile radius of the Altoona VA Medical Center in Altoona, PA, with the exception of any cost estimating consultants used. SF 330's not certifying the requirements of this paragraph won't be considered. Design will be required to have 4 design reviews. The A/E is required to have in their possession and use the above mentioned software. All non-drawing info is required to be in Microsoft word, excel, and project formats.



All work must be designed within a construction price limit. The A/E will provide a cost estimate at each review and a final cost estimate to perform the above work and will design only those items that can be provided within the cost limitation. Submission requirements are the schematic design submission (25%), a design development submission (50%), two construction document submissions (75% and 95%), and a bid document submission, each with refined cost estimates as required. The A/E must possess strong demonstrated architectural and safety competencies and adhere to JCAHO requirements/specifications. This requirement is to provide all labor, transportation and supervision necessary to conduct any required field investigations and complete working design drawings. The Medical Center must be able to remain operational throughout the construction period and a detailed sequence of work will be provided by the A/E to minimize impact of the construction. The A/E shall provide four (4) hard copies consisting of; full size drawings, specifications, cost estimate and Auto-CAD drawings at each of the five (5) submission phases. All information provided as a hard copy shall also be provided on a compact disk (CD). The final submission package shall include two (2) copies of the complete design package to include; 1) final drawings in both Auto-CAD and PDF format, 2) specifications in Microsoft Word, and 3) the cost estimate. This information shall be delivered to the Contracting Officer on Compact Disk (CD's), which will enable the procurement process to take place. Estimated duration of design is to be 5 months (150 Calendar Days), with construction period services expected to be 9 months (270 calendar days). The time between completed design and construction start is expected to be between 6 months and 13 months. Responses must be received no later than 4:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EST) on 22 May 2009. A-E firms which meet the requirements in this announcement are invited to submit completed SF 330 Architect-Engineer qualifications, Parts I and II to the Department of Veteran Affairs, James E. Van Zandt Medical Center, Attn: Mr. Danny R. Sanders (90), 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602.



Please note this IS NOT a request for proposal. Responses received will be evaluated and the most highly qualified will be compiled on a shortlist of candidates who will be contacted for an interview. Shortlisting for interviews will be based on (1) Proximity to Altoona; (2) In-house Capabilities; (3) Previous Hospital Experience; (4) Previous VA Experience; (5) Other Federal Work; and (6) References. Selection after interviews will be based upon the A&E's demonstrated abilities, detailed in the interview to address the following factors respective of the scope identified above and upon the A-E having qualifications in architectural, communications, HVAC, environmental, civil, electrical, and asbestos removal design, construction, and general building remodeling and replacement of hospital systems and associated design experience: (1) Team proposed for this project; (2) Proposed Management Plan (3) Previous experience of Team proposed for this project; (4) Location & Facilities of working offices; (5) Proposed design approach for this project; (6) Project Control; (7) Estimating Effectiveness; (8) Miscellaneous Experience & Capabilities (9) Awards & Recommendations; and (10) Insurance & Litigation.



This acquisition is set-aside 100% for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business's capable of completing work under the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes 541310 and/or 541330. Construction cost for this project is estimated between $25,000. and $100,000. It is anticipated that a Firm Fixed price contract will be awarded from this solicitation resulting from this Sources Sought Notice. Award of the resulting contract is subject to the availability of funds. Point of Contact (POC) is Mr. Danny R. Sanders (814) 943-8164 extension 7237 or danny.sanders@va.gov .