Y1DA--NRM-CONST 630A4-17-433 Replace Boiler Plant Main Electrical Switchgear

60. RFI #18 states: Please provide hazardous materials survey information for asbestos, lead paint, refrigerants, contaminated oil, and other regulated materials in demolition areas.

VA Response states: Hazardous sampling and abatement are required. GC to provide abatement service, A/E to provide Air Monitoring service

Since there are no drawings or specifications, please clarify in detail the scope of work for the abatement service, including the quantities for hazardous sampling and abatement. Also, identify the work on drawings. This will help the contractor/GC provide a fair and reasonable price to the government.

Updated VA Response: Please be advised that no pre demolition hazardous materials survey has been performed for asbestos, etc. Accordingly, each bidder shall include a reasonable allowance based on construction perimeter or square foot in their bid for all necessary hazardous materials survey, sampling, testing, and abatement services required to complete the work in compliance with applicable codes and regulations. This allowance shall cover, at a minimum, the costs for engaging qualified environmental consultants conducting field investigations and sampling, laboratory analysis, and performing any required abatement, removal, handling, and proper disposal of identified hazardous/regulated materials encountered within the demolition and construction areas.

The contractor remains responsible for confirming the adequacy of the allowance and for executing all required hazardous materials work in accordance with governing federal standards. Any adjustments to the allowance, if warranted based on actual conditions, will be addressed in accordance with the contract s provisions for changes.

36C24226B0042

Amendment 1

630A4-17-433 Replace Boiler Plant Main Electrical Switchgear

36C24226B0042

Amendment 1

630A4-17-433 Replace Boiler Plant Main Electrical Switchgear

36C24226B0042

Amendment 1

630A4-17-433 Replace Boiler Plant Main Electrical Switchgear

Please confirm the correct Davis-Bacon wage determination. The solicitation currently includes a New York 'Heavy Dredging' wage determination, which appears unrelated to this building electrical project.

VA CO: See attachment

Please clarify whether bidders are pricing Base Bid only, or Base Bid plus Alternate No. 1. If Alternate No. 1 remains, provide a clear bid schedule.

VA COR: Base Bid only

Please confirm whether this is strictly design-bid-build. The solicitation references 100% IFC drawings, but the SOW also states the contractor is responsible for the 'design' of replacement systems.

VA COR: It s considered design-bid-build.

Please provide complete existing equipment data for substations, transformers, MCCs, ATSs, breakers, and feeders (manufacturer, ratings, dimensions, weights, available fault current, trip settings, etc.).

VA COR: VA has limited information from its database. GC to conduct full investigation and field verification before work.

Please confirm whether existing transformers contain PCBs and provide testing documentation. If unknown, confirm whether an allowance will be issued for hazardous disposal.

VA COR: AE shall confirm if the survey was done based on the initial contract. If not, please include service(s) during CPS.

Please define allowable outage windows for each shutdown/load transfer, including permitted days, times, duration limits, and blackout periods.

VA COR: COR to communicate with St. Albans M&O for shutdown coordination. GC to provide phasing plans and area of work.

Please confirm whether shutdowns must occur after hours/weekends and whether premium labor should be included in bids.

VA COR: utility shutdown can be performed during normal business hours, depending on location and time. OFF hours work can be established when affecting facility s normal operation.

Please identify who is responsible for utility switching/LOTO of the 5kV system (VA staff, utility provider, contractor, or third party).

VA COR: Applies to all. Work can be coordinated in between parties, depending on work area and needs.

Please confirm whether new short-circuit, coordination, and arc flash studies are required and whether existing studies are available

VA COR: Yes, it is required since the contractor shall install a complete new equipment AE shall confirm as well.

18. Please provide hazardous materials survey information for asbestos, lead paint, refrigerants, contaminated oil, and other regulated materials in demolition areas.

VA COR: Hazardous sampling and abatement are required. GC to provide abatement service, A/E to provide Air Monitoring service.

20. Please confirm all required permits (NYC DOB, FDNY, utility, environmental, crane permits, etc.) and identify whether the contractor or VA is responsible for obtaining them

VA COR: GC is responsible for work permits. VAMC is a federal facility, however, certain city permit is required i.e.. Asbestos abatement, Fire suppression system related, crane safety .etc.

Please provide complete existing equipment data for substations, transformers, MCCs, ATSs, breakers, and feeders (manufacturer, ratings, dimensions, weights, available fault current, trip settings, etc.)

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 5

Please confirm whether existing transformers contain PCBs and provide testing documentation. If unknown, confirm whether an allowance will be issued for hazardous disposal.

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 6

Please define allowable outage windows for each shutdown/load transfer, including permitted days, times, duration limits, and blackout periods.

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 7

Please confirm whether shutdowns must occur after hours/weekends and whether premium labor should be included in bids.

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 8

28. Please provide temporary power requirements including capacities, connection points, conductor routing, grounding requirements, and acceptable temporary equipment locations.

VA COR: proposed action plan or phasing plan is required before any coordination with the VA.

Please identify who is responsible for utility switching/LOTO of the 5kV system (VA staff, utility provider, contractor, or third party)

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 13

Please confirm whether new short-circuit, coordination, and arc flash studies are required and whether existing studies are available.

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 14

Please provide hazardous materials survey information for asbestos, lead paint, refrigerants, contaminated oil, and other regulated materials in demolition areas

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 18

Please identify rigging/logistics constraints including access routes, crane requirements, loading limitations, door openings, and staging areas for large electrical equipment replacement.

VA COR: staging areas is available. GC to conduct field investigations and condition verification for proper work requirements. COR to establish communication in between parties.

Please confirm all required permits (NYC DOB, FDNY, utility, environmental, crane permits, etc.) and identify whether the contractor or VA is responsible for obtaining them

VA COR: duplicate of question No. 20

Spec section General Requirements page no.2 states ALTERNATE NO.1: BASE BID except minus 2nd switchgear unit. But the Bid pricing sheet does not have any alternate listed. If there is any alternate work, then please modify the bid pricing sheet accordingly

VA COR: Base bid only.

43. Spec section 01 90 00 has General Commissioning Requirements. Please confirm the Commissioning agent will be hired by VA.

VA COR: A/E to cover or responsible for Commissioning service on behalf of the VA.

The time limit to complete this project is 730 calendar days. Why is the agency anticipating such a long time for completion?

VA COR: extended timeline to cover, equipment lead-time/ delivery / contracting and paperwork process in terms of any new proposed work.

The work of demolition of concrete pads, construction of new concrete pads and switchgear replacement is on the lower level. Please advise if there is access at the exterior street from this lower level to haul the construction materials in and out.

VA COR: Multiple exits and stairway are available.

Please confirm work hours are regular M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

VA COR: All work shall be performed under normal business hours, unless otherwise, special circumstances and specific timeline applies.

Is the 5KV wiring being replaced from the substations back to the manhole 2A?

VA COR: No, the 5kV wiring is being replaced from the substation back to the splice enclosure inside the same electrical room.

Where are the starting and the ending points for the feeder s replacement?

VA COR: In accordance with drawings ED-101 and ED-601, the 5KV feeders extending from the splice enclosure to the transformer are to be replaced both located inside the electrical room. Also, see drawing cut below for clarification.

Is the walkthrough sign sheet available?

VA COR-Yes. Will be attached to the Amendment.

Will the concrete bases for substations 1 and 2 need to be replaced, or can they be reused?

VA COR- No, due to differences in dimensions and positioning for the new equipment, the existing pad must be removed and replaced with a new one. Also, conditions and capacities of existing concrete pads are unknown.

52.What is the distance from the substations to the splice point for the 5KV medium voltage wire?

VA COR-: Refer to drawing ED-101 enlarged plan D6. Both the substation and the splice enclosure are located within the electrical room.

Will aluminum conductors be allowed or only copper conductors?

VA COR: Aluminum conductors and materials are strictly prohibited. Refer to the VA specifications and construction manual for compliance requirements, use copper only.

How many floor mounted transformers are being replaced? 54.1. D2X/Ramboll - Refer to drawing ED-101 and ED-601. Two 300KVA transformers, two load interrupter switches and two motor control centers are being replaced.

Can the transformers being replaced be mounted in the air?

VA COR: No, the new transformer is a 300kVA transformer and needs to be floor mounted.

Specifications call for the installation of a chain link fence around the construction area. Is this in addition to the dust barrier?

VA COR: Yes. Chain link fence is in addition to the dust barrier.

Will the duct barrier require venting to the outside of the facility? 57.1. 5/5/26-VA agreed item 9 Will the duct barrier require venting to the outside of the facility? Should read Will the Dust barrier require venting to the outside of the facility?

VA COR: Venting/exhaust to the exterior is not specifically required for the Class II dust-control barrier shown, unless required by the Contractor s approved dust control plan, VA Infection Control, or if work conditions require negative-pressure containment. If exhaust is used, the Contractor must verify that construction exhaust is not reintroduced into the medical center through intakes or openings, and HEPA filtration is required where exhaust dust may reenter the facility. This needs approval by the COR.

Will the facility hoist be allowed to be used to lower equipment to the lower level of the facility? VA COR: No.

What is the required height of the Dust Barrier in the work zone?

VA COR: For the Class II precautions identified on GI-003, provide dust-control barriers as shown and as required by Section 01 35 26. Where a full containment barrier is required or directed by VA Infection Control/COR, the barrier shall extend from floor to ceiling with seams sealed to prevent dust migration. Final barrier limits and door locations shall be coordinated in the field with and approved by the VA COR.

Project Number: 630A4-17-433

Project Title: Replace Boiler Plant Main Electrical Switchgear

Scope of work

Completion time: Seven Hundred thirty (730) Calendar Days

Disclosure of the magnitude of construction: Â Between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

Description of Work:

The general contractor (GC) shall follow Architect/Engineer 100% Issue for Construction (IFC) documents to construct and Replace Boiler Plant Main Electrical Switchgear construction project at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System- St Albans Campus. This work shall include all necessary labor, materials, equipment, and supervision but not limited to:

The project involves the replacement of the main electrical switchgear and transformers, cables, conduits, and associated appurtenances in the Boiler Plant in Building #64 (Boiler Plant). The scope of work is the design of the replacement of Substations #1 and #2, Motor Control Centers #1 and #2, and Transformers A and B. See SOW breakdown by trades as follows.

The Architectural work includes support in building areas affected by the replacement of the main switchgear, which will include firestopping, miscellaneous patching and repair of wall, floor and ceiling finishes and surfaces associated with the proposed electrical work.

The mechanical work includes removing the existing ventilation system and providing a new adequate ventilation system and cooling upgrades to accommodate heat loads generated by new electrical room gear to comply with the VA requirements and the current Mechanical Code of New York State.

The electrical Phased Electrical demolition of switchgear units and associated equipment. Phased installation of new switchgear units and associated equipment. Phasing details are noted with this specification (see section l.6, I.) and on drawings as well. The work phasing sequence of operation was developed to maintain operation of the Boiler Plant during the construction period.

Infection control will be a priority throughout the construction process. Temporary one (1) hour fire-rated or 15 minutes fire-rated plastic barriers will be set up around the work area to prevent dust and debris from spreading to other areas of the hospital. HEPA-filtered negative air machines will be used to maintain negative pressure in the construction zone, ensuring that airborne contaminants are contained. Workers entering the construction zone will be required to pass through an anteroom equipped with HEPA vacuums or wear disposable coveralls that are changed upon exiting. All construction waste will be carefully sealed and removed in accordance with infection control procedures to ensure the cleanliness of the hospital environment.

For construction details, please refer to ATTACHMENT IFC VA Stamped Drawings SA Switchgear Replacement 630A17433 11152023 and IFC VA Master Specs SA Switchgear Replacement 630A17433 11152023 FNL 1 as reference.

Project Management Platform Requirement

Construction contractors and A/E design firms, selected by award to perform work at VISN 2 VA facilities, are required to utilize VISN 2 Autodesk Build Construction management platform, also called Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). Access to the platform and training portal will be provided by VISN 2 through project Contracting Officer Representative (COR) at no cost for the duration of the project. Autodesk Build is the management and collaborative environment that VISN 2 uses for all its Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM), Minor Program projects, Feasibility Studies, Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning contracts. There is no user, license, or subscription fee to the contractor for using this cloud-based platform.

Contractor shall accomplish and complete the following tasks upon award of contract:

Request access to ACC platform and Productivity NOW eLearning Site to project VA COR NLT 14 days from contract award.

Only staff that shall utilize the platform to be granted access. Examples: Project manager, sub-contractors POC, Site manager, Safety officer, etc.

The access request shall be in writing and include a list of staff. The list shall include the following information:

Full Name

Company Name

Email Address

Role/Position on the project (i.e., Project manager, site super)

Upon granting access, staff shall complete required ACC training through Productivity NOW platform within 12 Calendar days.

Upon successful completion of training, contractor shall submit certificates of completion to COR NLT 2 business days.

Access to Productivity NOW eLearning will expire after 12 Calendar days after online access is granted. Contractor shall complete ACC training within that period.

Additional Staff and Subcontractors can be added at any time with a request submission to the project COR as described above.

The contractor shall only use the ACC platform for contract required submissions, official project correspondence to be acknowledged, reviewed, and actioned by the responsible party. No additional time shall be added to the contract, nor an increase in contract amount be provided for the contractor s failure to utilize the ACC platform as the project s official communication and collaboration system. Any correspondence out of platform shall not be the governing authority contradicting direction and will be at the contractor s expense. Official project correspondence and collaboration includes but not limited to: RFIs, submittals, schedules, shutdown requests, actionable tasks, reports, testing, safety inspections, photos, and site surveys.

Contractor must inform the COR of any staff changes NLT 2 business days from the change. Staff changes pertain to staff who was granted access to the ACC platform. Contractor shall request termination of access, replacement of personnel and/or any other action that might impact the contractor ability to maintain required utilization of the platform.

Contractor submission requirements cannot be accepted for work to begin without meeting all ACC Platform requirements outlined herein, including completing required ACC platform training.

General Requirement:

The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions and safety measure to protect all patients and end users from all related activities.

The Contractor shall test and verify all work to ensure proper operation.

The Contractor must have OSHA training, and specialized OSHA training.

In the performance of all work, the workers must be incompliance with safety regulations governing worker safety (OSHA: 29 CFR 1926 Safety and Health Regulations for Construction; NFPA, Life Safety Codes, etc.).

All work shall be done in accordance with NFPA, Life Safety, VA Standards and Regulations, VA Policy and requirements, OSHA regulations, and manufacturer specification.

The Contractor shall guarantee that all work performed will be free from all defects in workmanship and materials and that all installation and repair will provide the capacities and characteristics specified. The contractor shall guarantee that if, during a period of construction from the date of the certificate of completion and acceptance of the work, any such defects shall be repaired by the contractor at his own cost.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to verify all quantities, field conditions and measurements prior to starting work. The contractor shall notify the CO/COR and VA Engineering Team of any differing site conditions prior to starting

All contractor employees and subcontractors participating under this contract are required to complete the VA's Privacy training requirement - VA Privacy Training for Personnel without Access to VA Computer Systems or Direct Access to or the Use of VA Sensitive Information Contractors must provide certifications of completion to the COR during each year of the contract. Training expires 365 days after the training is taken. This requirement is in addition to any other training that may be required of the contractor and subcontractor(s). The COR for the contract is responsible for ensuring the contractor takes the training and to follow up with the annual requirements.

Justification:

The existing boiler plant switchgear needs replacement. The existing switch gear is not code compliant and provides significant risks to the safety of the boiler plant and electrical staff. The existing high voltage switchgear are over 30 years old and require significant maintenance and repair to keep it running. The facility has received a facility condition assessment deficiency for electrical systems for the boiler plant switchgear.