RECOVERY Z--Recovery Act Project -- Renovate Halls and Replace Exit Doors in Building 43

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING

SOLICITATION VA255-09-RA-0646



RECOVERY PROJECT 657A5-08-111



RENOVATE HALLS AND REPLACE EXIT DOORS IN BUILDING 43



AT THE MARION, IL, VA MEDICAL CENTER





NOTE: The following questions have been submitted by interested parties, and the answers are being publically posted in order to make the information available to all potential offerors. This information does not constitute a change in the terms & conditions of the resulting contract. Also added, at the end of this document, is a copy of the sign-in sheet from the site visit for construction that was held on October 7, 2009.







01. QUESTION:

What is the existing wall material type?

ANSWER:

The typical wall material is vinyl wall covering (VWC) or paint over 5/8 gypsum wall board (GWB) on 3 5/8 metal studs.





02. QUESTION:

What is the existing deck height?

ANSWER:

The existing deck varies but is approximately 12-0 to 13-6





03. QUESTION:

Where existing handrail is being removed and replaced with new, does the new go back in at the same elevation?



ANSWER:

New handrails are installed with the top 3-0 above the finished floor. Refer to Handrail Detail 1/A7.





04. QUESTION:

Shall the existing aluminum retainers and other existing hardware be salvaged and re-used or are we to assume new retainers and hardware for the handrail and wall guards?



ANSWER:

The existing 18 gauge hat channel in the wall is reused for attachment (field verify location). Refer to Handrail Detail 1/A7. Refer to General Note 5 for Floor Plans.





05. QUESTION:

Explain general note 2 on page 43-A1 that each phase will have to be completed in an 8 to 10 hour shift. Does this mean that your work day can only be 8 to 10 hours long? Are that you will have to demo and complete the new finishes in 8 to 10 hours.



ANSWER:

The demolition and installation of new finishes will need to be completed in an 8 to 10 hour period.





06. QUESTION:

Will this project require temporary construction partitions per the spec? From floor to roof deck with fire rated plywood or gypsum board on both sides of each small phase? Are will a plastic barrier be allowed?

ANSWER:

Refer to General Notes 6, 7, and 8 for Floor Plans.





07. QUESTION:

If we are to install barrier to the roof deck are there any drawings showing existing conditions above the drop ceiling?

ANSWER:

The VA Facility has original drawings for the building. These can be accessed by contact with the Technical Point-of-Contact, Mr. Jeremiah Benoit.





08. QUESTION:

Does the A/E have pictures of the color board?

ANSWER:

The VA has the color boards. These can be accessed by contact with the Technical Point-of-Contact, Mr. Jeremiah Benoit.





09. QUESTION:

Per sheet 43-A4 the door at corridor 43.1.C11 calls out for door type 42. What is door type 42 to be?

ANSWER:

This area is not part of the work NO WORK THIS AREA (FUTURE PROJECT)





10. QUESTION:

In regards to General Note 4, on sheet 43-A4, how many outside corners should we include in our quote? Are all of the outside corners noted on the plans?

ANSWER:

Refer to Keyed Note 4 and 12 for Floor Plan.





11. QUESTION:

Will all of the ceiling work be completed before the wall, door, and floor work?

ANSWER:

Sequencing of the work is the responsibility of the General Contractor in coordination with the VA.





12. QUESTION:

Is there a concern about the noise that might possibly come from the porcelain tile removal in rooms 150 and 150A?

ANSWER:

Means and methods are the responsibility of the General Contractor. Noise is always a concern in an occupied building.





13. QUESTION:

Will there be a shutdown between the phases of ceiling work? If so, how many days can be expected?

ANSWER:

Scheduling of the work is the responsibility of the General Contractor in coordination with the VA. No shut down is anticipated between phases of the ceiling work.





14. QUESTION:

On sheet 43-A4 the schedule shows to remove the VCT in rooms 161, 161A, and 161B. Per sheet 43-A7 the finish schedule indicates no work in this area. Is this correct?

ANSWER:

This area is not part of work NO WORK THIS AREA (FUTURE PROJECT)





15. QUESTION:

Specification 10-2600-4 indicates protecting aluminum frames. Notes 15 and 16 on sheet 43-A4 indicated protecting existing frames. Some of the frames already have protection on them. What frames are we to protect per specification 102600-4?

ANSWER:

None. Notes 15 and 16 on Sheet 43-A4 does not indicate protecting existing frames. Specification 10-2600-4 does not indicate protection aluminum frames.





16. QUESTION:

On sheet 43-A3 notes 7 and 20 (window treatment) indicate an option 2. What is option 2?

ANSWER:

The VA has Resident Room Option A.





17. QUESTION:

Is the new hardware planned to match with the existing jamb? (Strike plate, closer, etc.)

ANSWER:

New hardware will need to be coordinated with existing jamb prep and jamb modified if required.





NOTE: There have been a few additional quesitons recently received, but there is inadequate time to process them and issue a reply in a timely manner prior to the current closing date for submitting offers on 10-30-2009. Therefore, these late questions cannot be provided a timely answer, and offerors should, therefore, base their proposals on the currently-available information.





SITE VISIT SIGN-IN SHEET LIST:



1. Frank Turbynille Contemporary Hammer

2. Mike Close MDM

3. Nick Looper TL Services

4. Jeremy Putnam Lee & Ryan

5. Jim Browdy CJMS. LLC

6. Scott Berry CJM, LLC

7. Mark Gottlen U.S. Builders

8. Al Varel Poettker Poettker Construction

9. Jan Greer Poettker Construction

10. Steven W. Johnson WTI

11. Rob Markiewilz Hammer

12. Seth Henry Hammer

13. John D. Browning Bruce Electric

14. John K. Browning Bruce Electric

15. R.L. Holmes Holmer Construction





(END OF Q&A DOCUMENTATION)

RECOVERY ACT PROJECT -- The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Heartland Network 15, intends to issue a Solicitation for Construction Services for Project 657A5-08-111, Renovate Halls and Replace Exit Doors in Building 43, which is located at The Marion, IL, VAMC. The general scope of work includes, but is not limited to, Correction of FCA Deficiencies in Bldg-43, NHCU, Halls and Egress Routes. The scope of the project will also replace/upgrade exit doors.



At this time, no PRE-SOLICITATION CONFERENCE is planned for this Solicitation. If the Government does elect to hold a Pre-Solicitation Conference, either the Pre-Solicitation Synopsis, or the resulting issued Solicitation, will be adjusted accordingly.



SITE VISIT: An Organized Site Visit has been scheduled to take place on October 07, 2009, at 2:00 PM, at TMD 4, next to Bldg 13, at the Marion VA Medical Center, located at 2401 West Main St, Marion, IL. NOTE: Any change in the date, time, or location of this site visit will be posted in the resulting issued Solicitation, and/or Solicitation Amendments, as applicable.



KNOWN PRICE SCHEDULE ALTERNATIVES: The resulting Solicitation will include the following known DECUCTIVE ALTERNATES:

0001 BASE BID ITEM. This will include the full scope of work for a single firm fixed price.

0002 DEDUCT-ALT-A. This will include the full scope of work for item 0001, with the Replacement of the Corridor Ceiling Omitted as a price reduction.

0003 DEDUCT-ALT-B. This will include the adjusted scope of item 0002, with the Replacement of Doors Omitted, as a further price reduction.

NOTE: The priority will be to award item 0001 for the full scope of work. If the availability of funds will not permit award of item 0001, award will be made based on Deductive-Alternates A or B, in that order of priority. If the Deduct-Alt Schedule is changed, prior to release of the Solicitation, then the Pre-Solicitation Synopsis will be modified accordingly. If the Deduct-Alt Schedule is changed, after the resulting Solicitation has been issued, then the Solicitation will be Amended accordingly.



ESTIMATED MAGNITUDE: In accordance with FAR 36.204 and VAAR 836.204, the estimated magnitude of this construction project is: "Between $250,000 and $500,000." The resulting Solicitation will be issued as a REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) which will result in the award of a Single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Construction Contract.



CONSTRUCTION PERFORMANCE PERIOD: In accordance with FAR 5.207(C)(12), the estimated performance period for completion of construction is still being technically analyzed. Therefore, the resulting Solicitation will establish the official performance period under the FAR Clause 52.211-10 -- Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work. If the performance period is changed after release of the Solicitation, the Solicitation will be Amended accordingly.



SCHEDULED OPENING & CLOSING DATES. In accordance with FAR 5.207(a)(10), this Solicitation will be available, on or about, 09-30-2009 and the Proposals will be due, on or about, 10-30-2009. The issued Solicitation, including any Amendments, shall establish the official opening and closing dates and times.



NAICS CODE & SBA SIZE STANDARD: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this project is 236220 -- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, with a Small Business Size Standard of $33.5 Million. For the purposes of this procurement, a concern is considered a Small Business if its Annual Average Gross Revenue, taken for the last 3 Fiscal Years, does not exceed the Size Standard as stated above.



THIS RECOVERY ACT SOLICITATIN WILL BE ISSUED AS A TOTAL SERVICED-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (SDVOSB) SET-ASIDE. Therefore, in accordance with Public Law 109-461, as Codified in 38 U.S.C. Section 8127, all responsible SDVOSB sources, that are properly registered in the VetBizRegistry Vendor Information Pages (VIP) located at www.VetBiz.gov , may submit a proposal, which will be considered by the agency. The applicable SDVOSB qualification standards will be listed in the resulting issued Solicitation.



PERFORMANCE OF WORK BY PRIME CONTRACTOR. Because this SDVOSB Set-Aside Solicitation is for General Construction under NAICS Code 236220 (as described above), at least FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel must be spent on the concerns employees or the employees of other service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns.



KNOWN EVALUATION FACTORS. Proposals received in response to this Solicitation will be evaluated in accordance with procedures outlined in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 15 for the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Offer (LPTA). In accordance with FAR 5.207(c)(12), the following significant evaluation factors have been identified as the basis for award:



FACTOR 1: RELEVANT PAST PERFORMANCE. To be Technically Acceptable, SDVOSB offerors must provide past performance information regarding the successful completion of no less than THREE (3) previously-awarded and completed construction contracts that met or exceeded a minimum value of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($ 250,000.000), and was 100% completed within a period of FIVE (5) years of the date of the submitted proposal. NOTE: Work that is still under construction, and is not 100% complete as of the date of the submitted proposal will not be considered as RELEVANT PAST PERFORMANCE.



FACTOR 2: TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE. To be Technically Acceptable, SDVOSB Firms who submit an offer must provide evidence that they have already performed at least ONE (1) construction project that involved:

(a) Work as prime contractor under the same NAICS code as this solicitation (236220);

(b) Work of a dollar magnitude equal to, or greater than $250,000.00;

(c) Work where the offeror self-performed at least FIFTEEN percent (15%) of the project work; and

(d) Work that was of a similar nature to the Scope Of Work (SOW) for this project.



FACTOR 3: TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF PROPOSED PROJECT SUPERINTENDENT. To be technically acceptable, SDVOSB Construction Firms who submit an offer must provide information regarding the technical qualifications of the proposed project Superintendent. To be considered Technically Acceptable, the proposed Superintendent must have worked, as Superintendent, on no less than three other construction projects that were of a dollar amount equal to, or greater than, a minimum value of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($ 250,000.000).



FACTOR 4: PRICE. As a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Source Selection, award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for non-cost factors. Note that offers that are not Technically Acceptable cannot be selected, regardless of Price.



NOTE: The actual issued Solicitation will include a detailed list of all Evaluation Factors, including any Sub-Factors and/or Elements, and will provide instructions for proposal requirements and the basis for award. Any resulting changes to Evaluation Factors may only be issued by amendment.



INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE SOLICITATION. In accordance with FAR 5.207(c)(16), this Solicitation, including all Plans, Specifications, and any Amendments, will be published in electronic format as an Electronic Bid Set (EBS) at the Federal Business Opportunities website, http://www.fbo.gov . There will be no printed hard copies or CD-ROM Disks provided by the agency. Note: various Plan Rooms, Printing Companies, and Construction Trade Associations often obtain such electronic solicitation documents, and then make them available to others in printed hard copy format for a fee. Potential offerors with limited printing or downloading capabilities should consider these alternatives. Interested parties can only access the Solicitation, including any Amendments, at the FBO website (listed above). The Government is not responsible for any loss of Internet connectivity or for an offerors inability to access the document at the referenced website. Firms should also register as Interested Vendors, at the above Internet Site, in order to receive notification, via email, of any new Amendments to the resulting Solicitation, and/or Special Announcements.



INFORMATION ON CCR REQUIREMENTS. In accordance with FAR 4.11, all potential sources must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration, (CCR), in order to be eligible to receive a resulting Government Contract Award. To complete the registration, go to the CCR website at http://www.ccr.gov . Vendors can download the CCR Handbook to use as a guide for completing their registration. If assistance is needed with CCR registration, contact the CCR Helpdesk at 1-888-227-2423.



INFORMATION ON ORCA REQUIREMENTS. There is a Federal initiative called the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). ORCA is a web-based system that centralizes and standardizes the collection, storage, and viewing of most of the Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs) required by the Federal Acquisition Regulations, which were previously included, in full text, in Construction Solicitations. According to FAR case 2002-024, it has been mandatory for Vendors to use ORCA since 01 January 2005. Therefore, to be eligible for a Contract Award, an Offeror MUST be registered in this database prior to submitting a bid and/or proposal. Register your Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs) at

the ORCA Website, http://orca.bpn.gov .



INFORMATION FOR ACCESS TO THE "INTERESTED VENDORS LIST" (ILV) AND "WATCH LIST" FUNCTIONS AT FED BIZ OPPS. It should be noted that plan holder lists are no longer maintained at contracting offices, because of changes in Federal Acquisition Regulations to emphasize the utilization of internet/web-based technology. Interested parties should consider registering themselves at the Interested Vendors List (IVL) at the FBO website. Interested parties can access and view the FBO list of Interested Vendors at the same Solicitation Web Page.



POINTS OF CONTACT.



The point-of-contact for Technical questions is Jeremiah D. Benoit, who may be reached by phone at 618 997-5311 ext 54490, or by email at Jeremiah.Benoit2@va.gov .



The point-of-contact for Contractual questions is Perry D. Marks, Jr., who may be reached by phone at 913-758-4294, or by email at perry.marks@va.gov .



(END OF SYNOPSIS)