Z1DA--project: 676-20-004 replace chemistry analyzer

SOLICITATION 36C25221B0017

AMENDMENT A0001

February 14, 2022

Project: Replace Chemistry Analyzer

Project Number: 676-20-004

Location: Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, WI

Amendment 0002 hereby incorporates the following clarifications/change(s) into the solicitation package.

Solicitation RFI s/Questions and Answers

A.

Q1. It looks like this bid is to be hand delivered? Or is it intended to be an emailed bid? As of late, most everything in the VA has been email. Bids should be hand delivered or submitted via postal service with postmark, date and time stamped prior to bid opening. No later than 3/3/2022 12:59PM. Electronic submission of bids will NOT be accepted.

Q2. Infection control/ICRA barriers are called out to be the STARC Fireblockwall barrier. There are several issues to using that system in this project.

There needs to be a 1-hour rated soffit assembly above the panel to the deck, as there is no way these can be&C extended to the deck. Would these need to be constructed above every STARC wall in every phase? Steel framing and drywall and fire taped?

There will be functioning fire sprinklers on both sides of these barriers, no long-term sprinkler shutdowns will occur in this project, only short outages during moving of heads.

There are many phases on this project that requires many modifications to the ICRA barriers, including using existing walls to remain as part of the IC barrier. None of these appear to be identified as a fire rated assembly. This would negate the added cost of this system for this project.

Also, regarding the multiple phases, there will be constant adjustments and relocation of panels, the Fireblockwall system is not as easy to customize as other systems from the same manufacturer.

The areas on second floor are also fire sprinkler protected and shorter duration scopes, we will have the same issues as above with this floor.

It is an expensive system.

1-HR is required with the following exceptions. 1-hour is not required if there are functioning sprinklers on both sides with the requirement that there is a smoke barrier up to the deck poly would work for this. Or, if the separations are for a short term of 30 days or less with sprinklers only on one side - the poly would be OK.

Q3. I would offer up a different system to maintain the Infection control/ICRA barrier intent with much greater flexibility for the medical center as intended. The STARC Lite Barrier system combined with Fire Treated poly above the ceiling will I think meet the requirement for barriers between phases. They exceed ICRA Class IV, it is a much more cost-effective system, and is much more flexible to reconfigure and minimal time for barrier moves. We are currently using this system in other locations in the VISN with excellent results.

The Lite Barrier would be acceptable under these exceptions.

B. Revised Bid Schedule

BID Opening DATE / TIME: Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. CST.

LOCATION:

Honey Creek Business Park

115 S. 84th Street - Suite 101

Milwaukee, WI 53214-1476.

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SOLICITATION SHALL BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:

Donita Grace -- Donita.Grace@va.gov

Kristi Kluck --- Kristi.Kluck3@va.gov

This solicitation can be monitored at https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a8d8f6ac82824111870acc5a792b45e2/view?keywords=36C25220B0011&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1&refresh=y

Contractors shall ensure all amendments are acknowledged on Page 2 of the SF-1442.

SOLICITATION 36C25222B0011

AMENDMENT A0001

February 14, 2022

Project: Replace Chemistry Analyzer

Project Number: 676-20-004

Location: Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah, WI

Amendment 0001 hereby incorporates the following clarifications/change(s) into the solicitation package.

Solicitation RFI s/Questions and Answers

A.

How are debris to be removed from the project limits? Â In covered carts via the elevator outside the hours of 0700-1645.

Will the elevators be able to be utilized for moving materials? Normal hours or off-tour hours? Â Yes - outside the hours of 0700-1645.

Will the STARC Systems Fireblockwall system barrier be the only approved Infection control barrier? Other VA sites are allowing the extensive use of lower cost systems such as the STARC LiteBarrier system or the RealWall system. They are fire retardant but the space is covered by fire sprinklers. Â 1-HR is required. VA Fire Protection design guide requires an Hour. The exceptions are as follows: Not required if functioning sprinklers on both sides just need smoke barrier up to deck poly would work for this. Or if short term 30 days or less (NFPA) if sprinklers are only on one side poly OK.

Will the STARC system be required at every location shown? Some of these areas have shorter duration work occurring in them, would poly barriers be sufficient for a 1-3 day operation, for example? Â This is a lab environment and the barrier is required for each phase. Refer to response to question 3.

Can you provide a basis of design or intent for the temporary protective roof boards on the roof to the temporary HVAC unit? Â The protective boards are intended only to protect the roof during construction. It will be removed once the work is completed.

In room 2055C, the reflected ceiling plan shows ACT ceiling, it is currently sheetrock and nothing shows to demo existing and replace with ACT. What is correct, hard ceiling or ACT? Â 2055C has a hard lid ceiling

Bid Schedule

BID Opening DATE / TIME: WednesdayThursday, February 24, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. CST.

LOCATION:

Honey Creek Business Park

115 S. 84th Street - Suite 101

Milwaukee, WI 53214-1476.

ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SOLICITATION SHALL BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:

Donita Grace -- Donita.Grace@va.gov

Kristi Kluck --- Kristi.Kluck3@va.gov

This solicitation can be monitored at https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a8d8f6ac82824111870acc5a792b45e2/view?keywords=36C25220B0011&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1&refresh=y

Contractors shall ensure all amendments are acknowledged on Page 2 of the SF-1442.

ATTACHMENTS