Z1DA--Repair FCA Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators Bldg 77 Repair Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators Bldg 162

REPAIR FCA DEFICIENCIES & UPGRADE ELEVATORS BLDG 77 AND BLDG. 162

PROJECT # 621-19-126 & 621-22-123

36C24922B0006 AMENDMENT 0002

RFI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTION 1:

Is it the intent of the Government that this is a Design/Build project?

ANSWER:

This project is to replace the hydraulic elevator equipment, the controls for the elevators, and the electrical equipment and bring the elevators up to code.

QUESTION 2:

Please provide construction drawings for new construction scopes of work.

ANSWER:

The drawings provided are what is available. This project is replacing equipment. Field verify locations.

QUESTION 3:

With submittal package generation, approval, and equipment fabrication lead-times, work is not expected to be ready to start on site for approximately 84-98 days. With a stated POP of 200 days, please confirm that the POP will not begin until all equipment is ready for work to begin for the first phase.

ANSWER:

Period of Performance (POP) will not begin until equipment is on site. We can issue a Notice-to Proceed (NTP) for the submittals and then suspend the project.

QUESTION 4:

If a delayed or administrative NTP is not provided, we request extension of the POP from 200 days to 300 days.

ANSWER:

The POP will remain at 200 calendar days. We can issue the NTP for the submittals and then suspend until equipment is on site and work is ready to commence.

QUESTION 5:

Can the GC s dedicated Site Superintendent perform the duties of the SSHO, so long as they fulfill all requirements of each role?

ANSWER:

No. They are required to be different people.

QUESTION 6:

Can the GC s dedicated Site Superintendent perform the duties of the Quality Control Manager, so long as they fulfill all requirements of each role?

ANSWER:

No. They are required to be different people.

QUESTION 7:

Specification 14 24 10, under both sets of specifications, has a blank elevator schedule please provide all information for the included elevators.

ANSWER:

Elevator Number P1 and P2 for Bldg. 77

Clear Inside Platform NA

Rated Load 4,000 lb

Contract Speed 100 FPM

Total Travel NA

Floors Served Ground, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors

Number of Openings - NA

Entrance Type and Size NA

Plunger Size NA

Elevator Number P1 and P2 for Bldg. 162

Clear Inside Platform NA

Rated Load 4,000 lb

Contract Speed 100 FPM

Total Travel NA

Floors Served 1st and 2nd floors

Number of Openings - NA

Entrance Type and Size NA

Plunger Size - NA

QUESTION 8:

The scope of work document refers to the inclusion of new electrical power lines to new elevator and HVAC equipment

ANSWERS:

Is the existing electrical conduit and feeders to be removed or abandoned in place? Existing Conduit and wiring are to be removed, if accessible.

What is the routing of the existing electrical feeders? In Bldg. 162, the power wiring is routed in the floor from electrical room to the elevator equipment room.

Are the new feeders to follow the same routing? yes

What size are the existing feeders? NA

What size shall the new feeders be? The new feeders need to be sized for the electrical load.

Are the existing panels to remain? The disconnects are to be replaced. If new equipment requires more power, the breakers will need to be replaced.

QUESTION 9:

Who is the company that currently service the VA s existing fire alarm system?

ANSWER:

Johnson Controls

QUESTION 10:

Will the VA provide storage space inside these two buildings for contractor personnel and new equipment? No.

ANSWERS:

Where can the contractor stage a temporary office trailer (if interior space is not provided)? That will have to be determined at the point construction starts. It is possible, the office trailer may not be next to Buildings 77 and 162.

Please confirm temp electric is available (with connection/disconnection costs to be incurred by GC)? We will make sure electrical power is available when the trailer location is determined.

Where can dumpsters be staged near each building? To be determined when the project starts.

QUESTION 11:

Can temporary partition systems (Edge guard, STARC, etc.) be used for ICRA control?

ANSWER:

Yes. Starc.

QUESTION 12:

Do any ICRA partitions need to be 2-hour fire rated? This depends on the location.

ANSWER:

This depends on the location.

QUESTION 13:

Do ICRA partition walls need to be erected to the finish ceiling or the deck above?

ANSWER:

To the finished ceiling.

QUESTION 14:

How many elevators can be worked on concurrently?

ANSWER:

One at a time in each building 77 and 162. A single elevator in Bldg. 77 and a single elevator in Bldg. 162 can be worked on concurrently.

QUESTION 15:

Will the VA require any work to be completed off-hours (nights and weekends)?

ANSWER:

Yes. There will be times when nights and weekends will be required.

QUESTION 16:

Are finishes to be replaced in the cab interiors or the elevator lobbies?

ANSWER:

The cabs interior only. We would like the interior finishes bid as an add to the overall bid.

QUESTION 17:

Is there any known ACM in the scope of work area?

ANSWER:

If you are referring to asbestos containing material, there is no known asbestos material in the area.

QUESTION 18:

Can the Government please provide a schedule/BOD for the mini split unit?

ANSWER:

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning only with low ambient controls, 15 SEER or greater.

Bldg. 77 size = 48,000 BTU

Bldg. 162 size = 42,000 BTU

QUESTION 19:

Can the Government please provide the location for the condensing unit?

ANSWER:

Yes, see drawings.

QUESTION 20:

Can the Government please provide the routing for the set lines?

ANSWER:

Routing refrigerant lines will need to be determined on site.

QUESTION 21:

Can the Government please provide location of panel, & breaker size for mini split?

ANSWER:

Bldg. 77, Basement, Electrical Room L001A, Panel 77-0-F, Circuits 16,18,20 for the Mini Split and Panel 77-0F Circuit 5 for elevator shaft lighting. See drawings.

Bldg. 162, 2nd floor, Mechanical Room R214, Panel 2B5, circuits 20,22,24 for the Mini Split and Panel 2B5, Circuit 18 for elevator shaft lighting. See drawings,

QUESTION 22:

Can the Government please provide a schedule the led lighting?

ANSWER:

Lithonia - Vapor Tight Fixture, Dimmable Yes, 120/277V, For Bulb Type Integrated LED; Model # FEML486000LMIMAFLWD MVOLT GZ10 40K 80CRI, or equivalent.

QUESTION 23:

Can the Government please provide location of panel and circuit number?

ANSWER:

See Question #21.

QUESTION 24:

Are all disconnects to be replaced with new or can existing be reused?

ANSWER:

Replace disconnects with new.

QUESTION 25:

Do the existing disconnects have shunt-trip breakers?

ANSWER:

Yes, if the area is sprinkler protected.

QUESTION 26:

Some existing disconnects in the elevator equipment rooms are "standard light switches." These will need to be upgraded to lockable disconnects to meet code. Is this upgrade within the SOW for this project?

ANSWER:

Yes, these switches need to be upgraded to meet code.

QUESTION 27:

Can both cars in the same building be shut down at the same time or must 1 car always remain open to the public?

ANSWER:

One (1) car in each the set must be operational and available to the public. So only one elevator is to be worked on at a time in each building.

QUESTION 28:

Is there any fire sprinkler work within the SOW? If yes, can the Government please provide drawings and specs.?

ANSWER:

Yes, if code requires changes or additions to the sprinkler system. No drawings of sprinkler are available.

QUESTION 29:

Who is to employ the elevator inspector the Government or the contractor?

ANSWER:

A 3-part inspector that is selected by the VA and paid for by the Contractor.

QUESTION 30:

Will the inspector need to be a state or federal inspector? Is there a specific inspector that must be retained?

ANSWER:

He will be a 3rd party inspector who must have a QE-1 certification.

QUESTION 31:

Can the Government please provide a complete electrical panel schedule?

ANSWER:

No.

QUESTION 32:

The elevator pit in bldg. 162 has a sump pit but doesn't appear to have a pump or piping installed.

ANSWERS:

a. Is installing a pump within the scope of this project? If it is needed to meet code.

b. If yes, can the government please provide design drawings and specs.? No.

c. Will the sump pit require a grate/cover to be installed? If required by code.

QUESTION 33:

The Vent at the top of the hoist way appears to be closed and is not under control. What, if anything, is to be done with the vent? How is it controlled, sequence of operation and can the Government please provide drawings and specs, detailing any required work at vent?

ANSWER:

If the code requires the vent to be operable, then the vents need to operate per the code.

QUESTION 34:

The Vent at the top of the hoist way appears to be under pneumatic control.

What, if anything, is to be done with the vent and actuator? How is it controlled, sequence of operation and can the Government please provide drawings and specs, detailing any required work at vent?

ANSWER:

See Question #33.

QUESTION 35:

Which Code (year, state federal....) will the elevators be required to meet?

ANSWER:

Federal and the current code.

QUESTION 36:

Are the jacks be retained or replaced?

ANSWER:

Replaced jacks with new.

QUESTION 37:

Will the hydraulic pipe from the equipment room to the jack be retained or reused?

ANSWER:

The hydraulic pipe will be replaced with new.

QUESTION 38:

Will the Government require new cladding on car entrances, or can it be cleaned, polished and be retained?

ANSWER:

The entrances to the elevators are not included in this work.

QUESTION 39:

Pages 106-107 3.25 Reads as if replacing the cabs with entirely new cabs is this what they want? If they want to keep the cabs and have new panels etc. what exactly are they asking for? 3.26 Looks like an alternate to keep existing cabs. All this is unclear on what is wanted with cab enclosures. Can the government please clarify what is to happen (if anything) to the existing cabs to include finishes? I.E flooring, snap cabs (come in many designs and price points) ....

ANSWER:

As an Add to your quote provide pricing for remodeling the ceiling floors and walls for all the cabs in both Building 77 and 162.

QUESTION 40:

Do all parts used need to be nonproprietary or can the parts be company specific? Meaning only Company B can service the equipment including Controllers, door operators, Power units, everything provided.

ANSWER:

All equipment and parts need to be non-proprietary.

QUESTION 41:

Does the elevator contractor need to be able to respond to entrapments during the warranty period in under 30 minutes and Non-emergency calls within 1 hour, to include after hours?

ANSWER:

Emergency response within 2 hours.

QUESTION 42:

Does the elevator contractor need a fully staffed office and parts warehouse within 50 miles of the project to assure timely repairs as they happen?

ANSWER:

Yes.

QUESTION 43:

Is the elevator contractor responsible for cleaning hoist ways and pits during the warranty period?

ANSWER:

Yes.

QUESTION 44:

Is the elevator contractor required to check in with maintenance prior to performing service work during the warranty period? Are they required to sign out?

ANSWER:

Yes. Sign in with Maintenance and sign out with Maintenance.

QUESTION 45:

Does the elevator contractor doing the work need to do weekly walk through and checks of the equipment as the current service contract directs?

ANSWER:

Bi-weekly Examinations.

QUESTION 46:

Page 105 2.34 A. Refinish existing stainless-steel entrance frames or paint existing painted entrance frames or clad existing entrance frames in stainless steel. This Gives several options all making a difference in price. Can the Government please clarify?

ANSWER:

See Question # 38.

QUESTION 47:

Is the work in the hallways limited to any required work to install any required indicators, selectors etc. with only repair of contractor damaged finishes?

ANSWER:

Yes.

QUESTION 48:

Will the Government accept Stark wall system installed tight to ceiling for ICRA containment were required?

ANSWER:

See Question # 11.

QUESTION 49:

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?

ANSWER:

Yes, Procore is the preferred Project Management Software.

QUESTION 50:

As a result of the effect of COVID-19 throughout the U.S., and the resulting Federal, State, and local governments responses / requirements of safe distancing and potential advocations of working remotely and/or complete organization closures, please advise how the Government intends to address delays resulting there as it pertains to the current solicitation schedule for this and all future projects.

ANSWER:

Circumstances, guidelines, and requirements change frequently. The VA is taking measures to keep the VA personnel and contractors safe. When work is delayed due to COVID, work can be suspended.

QUESTION 51:

Is this project tax exempt, and will the CO/COR provide the necessary tax exempt certificates?

ANSWER:

No, we do not provide a tax exemption to the contractor. Per Clause FAR 52.229-3, you are to submit proposal with federal, state and local taxes.Â

QUESTION 52:

Provide 3-D REVIT Design model in native file foreman, for creation of coordination documentations.

ANSWER:

Not required.

QUESTION 53:

For planning the preliminary project schedule, can you please provide an anticipated award date?

ANSWER:

Anticipated award: February 2022

QUESTION 54:

Where will the designated parking & laydown area be for workers accessing the construction site?

ANSWER:

There will be a designated laydown area. There will not be designated parking.

QUESTION 55:

Will the contractor be authorized to build a temporary office inside the space in lieu of renting an office trailer for the duration of the project?

ANSWER:

No.

QUESTION 56:

Can the owner confirm that the General Contractor is to not include any Asbestos or Lead Removal?

ANSWER:

The General Contractor does not include Asbestos or lead removal.

QUESTION 57:

Please confirm that the project is to be completed during nights - will any work be allowed during normal working hours?

ANSWER:

See Question #15.

QUESTION 58:

Does the contract include liquidated damages? If the owner temporarily shuts down or suspends the project (i.e., for noise), will extended general conditions cost and time be added to the contract?

ANSWER:

No Liquidated Damages.

QUESTION 59:

Is any true fire sprinkler work required or are just smoke alarms required?

ANSWER:

This will be determined by what the Code requires.

QUESTION 60:

Please confirm that the contractor will not be responsible for any of the ICRA barriers during construction.

ANSWER:

The contractor is responsible for all ICRA Barriers and air scrubbers, it required by the VA.

QUESTION 61:

Are there detailed plans available showing the elevator location in relation the incoming electrical rooms?

ANSWER:

See drawing.

QUESTION 61A:

Note it says, this project will include demolition and removal of existing elevator equipment located in the elevator equipment room in building 204 s mechanical room L001 Building 77 elevator equipment is in building 204 - are there plans that show this?

ANSWER:

See drawing of Building 77 and 204 that shows the equipment location.

QUESTION 62:

Are the elevators in question passenger elevators or service elevators?

ANSWER:

These 4 elevators in Bldg. 77 and Building 204 are all passenger elevators.

QUESTION 63:

Who will provide the inspector for the final acceptance inspection? Will this be a third-party inspector? Do they have a specific inspector that must be used?

ANSWER:

See Questions #29 and #30.

QUESTION 64:

Will the jacks be retained or replaced?

ANSWER:

See Question # 36.

QUESTION 65:

Will the hydraulic pipe be retained? It is in good condition and replacing is not needed.

ANSWER:

See Question #37.

QUESTION 66:

Will they require new cladding on entrances, or will that be retained?

ANSWER:

See Question # 38.

QUESTION 67:

Do they want cab upgrades? If so, what exactly are they wanting? I would assume a snap cab however, there are many designs.

ANSWER:

See Question # 39.

QUESTION 68:

What code will theses unit be inspected to?

ANSWER:

See Question #35.

QUESTION 69:

Will the duplex units be allowed to take both units out of service or just 1 at a time?

ANSWER:

See Question #27.

QUESTION 70:

Will sump pumps be required?

ANSWER:

See Question #32.

QUESTION 71:

Verify ventilation in Hoist ways to be retained or replaced? Do they need to be tied into the fire service?

ANSWER:

See Question #33.

QUESTION 72:

There is disconnects and smokes needed, this is by others but needs addressing.

ANSWER:

Fire Alarm is done by Johnson Controls. The Code will determine what is needed.

REPAIR FCA DEFICIENCIES & UPGRADE ELEVATORS

JAMES H. QUILLEN VAMC

MTN. HOME, TN

BUILDING 77 PROJECT # 621-19-126

BUILDING 162 PROJECT # 621-22-123

36C24922B0006 - AMENDMENT 0001

ATTACHMENTS:

***Both Projects will be worked concurrently for a total of 200 calendar days

DUNS NUMBER: ______________________ FEDERAL TAX ID NUMBER: ______________________

POC NAME: ______________________EMAIL: _____________________ TELEPHONE: ________________

IMPORTANT BIDDER INFORMATION

BIDDING MATERIALS: All bidding materials consisting of drawings, specifications, contract forms Amendments, and other documents will be posted to the Contract Opportunities (FBO) Government website located at https://beta.sam.gov/. This is the only official location where these documents can be obtained and where updates are posted. No hard copy bidding materials are available.

BID SUBMISSION: The following documents are to be included in the bid submission: (1) an original, fully completed and signed and dated SF 1442 Offer page ( wet ink signature ), (2) acknowledgment of all amendments issued by either completing block 19 of the SF1442 or completing blocks 15a, b, and c of the Amendment(s) and providing them with the SF 1442 Offer page; (3) original completed Bid Schedule if one is provided, otherwise the lump sum bid amount is entered in block 17 of the SF1442 Offer page; (4) an original completed and signed SF 24 Bid Bond or other allowable Bid Security; (5) completed Representations and Certifications section (FAR 52.204-8, 52.209-5 (Deviation), and 52.209-7); and (6) fully completed Contractor Experience Modification Rate (EMR) Certification documents.

Bidders are responsible for ensuring and verifying their offer and all required bid documents are received at the office designated in block 8 of the SF 1442 and by the date and time specified in block 13A of the SF 1442 (subject to amendment).

PROJECT INFORMATION

PROJECT TITLE AND NUMBER:

Project 621-19-126 Repair FCA Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators Bldg. 77

Project 621-22-123 Repair FCA Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators Bldg. 162

PROJECT LOCATION: James H. Quillen VAMC, Mtn. Home, TN

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE: (NAICS): 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARD: $39.5 Million

TYPE OF SET-ASIDE: This solicitation is a 100% set-aside for SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (SDVOSB).

SCOPE OF WORK DESCRIPTION:

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, material, equipment, supervision, and all other necessary items to completely prepare site for building operations as required per drawings, specifications, and Statement of Work (SOW) at the James H. Quillen VAMC, Mtn. Home, TN 37684.

This project will Repair FCA Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators in Bldg. 77 and 162. This project will include demolition and removal of the existing elevator equipment. The contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, materials, equipment, and perform a commissioning of the elevator operations before work will be accepted.

All work including materials will be warranted for a period of one year unless otherwise indicated on specifications.

Normal working hours are Monday thru Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Federal Holidays. Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees: New Year s Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Please note that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

All contractors are required to complete the VA Privacy Training for Personnel without Access to VA Computer Systems or Direct Access or Use to VA Sensitive Information. A copy of the signed training must be submitted to the COR and uploaded into VA Talent Management System (TMS).

Contractor employees shall not be considered government employees for any purpose under this contract.

Changes to any resultant contract may only be made by a written modification which is formally executed by the contractor and the Contracting Officer.

WAGE DETERMINATION: Department of Labor General Decision Number TN20210111 dated 1-01-2021 is included as an attachment to solicitation and is applicable to any resultant contract. If necessary, subsequent revisions will be posted to the solicitation via amendment prior to bid opening. Revision may also be applicable prior to any contract award. Wage decisions are available at Wage Determinations Online (WDOL) at https://beta.sam.gov.

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (RFI): To obtain clarifications and/or additional information concerning the solicitation requirements, specifications and/or drawings, or any other issue pertaining to the advertisement for bids, submit a written RFI utilizing the RFI Form attached to this solicitation and send via email to the attention of the Contracting Officer, Teresa Rogofsky at Teresa.rogofsky@va.gov. The subject line of the email must read RFI # 36C24922B0006 Project # 621-19-126 Repair FCA Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators Bldg. 77 and Project # 621-22-123 Repair FCA Deficiencies & Upgrade Elevators Bldg. 162. RFIs related to the project technical documents must be specific identifying section, paragraph, and page number of the specifications. For questions related to drawings, please cite the drawing number. All questions submitted must be asked in question format. RFIs related to the solicitation or other related documents shall refer to the specific provision, clause, etc. All RFIs submitted shall include the solicitation number and title, contractor name, city, state, telephone, email address, date submitted, and the RFI question(s). RFI responses will be posted to the original solicitation located at https://beta.sam.gov in amendment format. Deadline for submission of RFIs for this solicitation is no later than December 29, 2021 at 1:00 PM Central Time. No questions will be answered after this date unless determined to be in the best interest of the Government as deemed by the Contracting Officer. Telephone requests for information will not be accepted or returned.

DATABASE REGISTRATION INFORMATION

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) REGISTRATION: The System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://beta.sam.gov is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of the Central Contractor Registration (CCR including FedReg), Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). Federal Acquisition Regulations require that federal contractors wishing to do business with the Government and bid on work shall have an active registration in SAM. If the Offeror does not have an active registration in the SAM database at the time of bid submission and are the apparently successful low offeror, the Contracting Officer shall prescribe a time within which the offeror shall have an active registration in SAM; otherwise the Contracting Officer shall deem the offeror s bid non-responsive to the solicitation requirements and proceed to award to the next lowest offer.

THE EXCLUDED PARTIES LIST SYSTEM (EPLS): To ensure that the individuals or businesses providing services under the contract have not engaged in fraud or abuse regarding Sections 1128 and 1128A of the Social Security Act regarding federal health care programs, the contractor is required to check the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) located at https://beta.sam.gov for each person or business providing services under this contract. During the performance of this contract the Contractor is prohibited from using any individual or business listed on the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities.

VETS-4212 REPORTING REQUIREMENT: Contractors are required to submit a required annual Form VETS-4212, Federal Contractor Veterans' Employment Report in all cases where the contractor or subcontractor has received an award of $150,000 or more in any fiscal year. Contracting Officers are prohibited from awarding a contract to a contractor that has not submitted a required VETS-4212 Report with respect to the preceding fiscal year if the contractor was subject to the reporting requirement of 38 U.S.C. 4212(d). Submit this report as soon as possible, if not already submitted, to avoid delays in the contract award process. For more information on this requirement and/or for completing the web-based reporting form, visit the following website https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/vets4212. See FAR provision 52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements (FEB 2016) under the Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors, and FAR clause 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) under the General Conditions.

BONDING INFORMATION

BID GUARANTEE: A bid guarantee is required in an amount not less than 20 percent of the bid price but shall not exceed $3,000,000. Failure to furnish the required bid guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set for opening of bids, shall require rejection of the bid in all cases except those listed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 28.101-4. Bid Bonds must be provided using Standard Form 24 (see FAR 28.106-1) and the form must be provided in original (no white outs, faxed or copied signatures, seals) with wet ink signatures and contain the proper solicitation number, bid opening date, and be from a corporate surety listed in Department of Treasury Circular 570. Individual sureties shall be determined acceptable to the Contracting Officer (see FAR 28.203) and be accompanied by Standard Form 28 Affidavit of Individual Surety. Other forms of bid security may be acceptable as denoted in FAR Part 28.203-2.

PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS: In accordance with Contract Clause 52.228-15, and FAR 28.102, Contractors are reminded that any amount awarded over $35,000.00 shall require a Payment Bond (SF 25A), and awards exceeding $150,000.00 shall require both Payment and Performance Bonds (SF 25). Payment and Performance bonds are due no later than 10 days after notification of award. Bonds must be provided with original wet ink signatures - no white-outs or other corrections are allowable. Copies and facsimiles of bonds shall not be accepted.

SECURITY

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: All contractor employees are subject to the same level of investigation as VA employees who have access to VA Sensitive Information. The level of background investigation is commensurate with the level of access needed to perform the statement of work. This requirement is also applicable to all subcontractor personnel requiring the same level of access.

Levels and associated types of Background Investigations:

If the project requires that workers have only limited physical access to the VA facility for a period of one year or less, a local flash badge with fingerprint check is issued.

If the project requires that workers require un-supervised, logical and/or physical access for 180 consecutive or aggregate days in a 365-day period, over a 3-year period, a background investigation may be required (Special Agency Check (SAC)) which must be completed prior to being allowed access.

If the project requires that workers have access to a VA Network (such as the Building Management System) or un-supervised, full-time, logical, and/or restricted physical access for more than 6 months or more than 180 aggregate days in a one-year period, a background investigation is required (Special Agency Check and National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI)) and access is not allowed until a favorable SAC completion.

All costs for SAC and NACI checks are borne by the contractor. The VA may at its discretion make deductions against the contract in order to recoup the investigation costs. The estimated cost for a SAC is $30.00 per employee and the estimated cost for a NACI check is $408.00 per employee (subject to change at any time).

MEDICAL CENTER ACCESS: Anyone participating in the site visit, or for any other reason that involves visiting the medical center related to this solicitation, must have a valid ID on their person and their vehicle must be properly registered and insured. Masks must be worn on Federal property. Visitors are prohibited from possessing weapons while on a federal installation (See 18 USC 930 Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities). Handheld cellphone usage or texting while driving is also prohibited. All VA Medical Centers and associated properties are Federal Property.

PRIVACY TRAINING: All workers regardless of project length must take VA Privacy Training which will be coordinated after project award with the Contracting Officer s Representative.

E-VERIFY SYSTEM: Companies awarded a contract with the federal government shall enroll in E-Verify within 30 days of the contract award date. They shall also begin using the E-Verify system to confirm that all their new hires and their employees directly working on federal contracts are authorized to legally work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee's Form I-9, to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States. There is no charge to employers to use E-Verify. (FAR 52.222-54).

OTHER IMPORTANT BIDDER INFORMATION

PRIME CONTRACTOR INFORMATION- SAFETY OR ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS AND EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION RATING INFORMATION

All Bidders/Offerors shall submit information pertaining to their past Safety and Environmental record (using the attached EMR information/data form) pertaining to their past Safety and Environmental record. The information must contain a certification that the bidder/offeror has no more than three (3) serious, or one (1) repeat or one (1) willful OSHA or any EPA violation(s) in the past three years. If such certification cannot be made, a Bidder/Offeror shall explain why and submit as much information as possible regarding the circumstances of its past safety and environmental record, including the number of EPA violations and/or the number of serious, repeat, and/or willful OSHA violations, along with a detailed description of those violations.

All Bidders/Offerors shall submit information regarding their current Experience Modification Rate (EMR). This information shall be obtained from the Bidders/Offeror s insurance carrier and be furnished on the insurance carrier s letterhead. If a Bidder/Offeror s EMR is above 1.0, Bidder/Offeror must submit a written explanation of the EMR from its insurance carrier furnished on the insurance carrier s letterhead, describing the reasons for the elevated EMR and the anticipated date the EMR may be reduced to 1.0 or below.

Self-insured contractors or other contractors that cannot provide their EMR rating on insurance letterhead must obtain a rating from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. (NCCI) by completing/submitting form ERM-6 and providing the rating on letterhead from NCCI. Note: Self-insured contractors or other contractors that cannot provide EMR rating on insurance letterhead from the states or territories of CA, DE, MI, NJ, ND, OH, PA, WA, WY, and Puerto Rico shall obtain their EMR rating from their state-run worker s compensation insurance rating bureau.

If the NCCI cannot issue an EMR because the Bidder/Offeror lacks insurance history, Bidder/Offeror shall submit a letter indicating so from its insurance carrier furnished on the insurance carrier s letterhead and include a letter from the NCCI indicating that it has assigned Bidder/Offeror a Unity Rating of 1.0.

The above information, along with other information obtained from Government systems, such as the OSHA and EPA online inspection history databases, will be used to make an initial Determination of Responsibility.

This requirement is applicable to all subcontracting tiers, and prospective prime contractors are responsible for determining the responsibility of their prospective subcontractors.

CONFORMANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: The Contractor shall perform work under this contract consistent with the relevant policy and objectives identified in the agency, organizational, or facility Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) applicable for the contract. The Contractor shall perform work in a manner that conforms to all appropriate Environmental Management Programs and Operational Controls identified by the agency, organizational, or facility GEMS, and provide monitoring and measurement information as necessary for the organization to address environmental performance relative to the environmental, energy, and transportation management goals.  In the event an environmental nonconformance or noncompliance associated with the contracted services is identified, the contractor shall take corrective and/or preventative actions. In the case of a noncompliance, the Contractor shall respond and take corrective action immediately. In the case of a nonconformance, the Contractor shall respond and take corrective action based on the time schedule established by the facility GEMS Coordinator. In addition, the Contractor shall ensure that their employees are aware of the roles and responsibilities identified by the environmental management system and how these requirements affect their work performed under this contract.

All on-site contractor personnel shall complete yearly EPA sponsored environmental training specified for the type of work conducted on-site. Upon inclusion in the contract, the Contracting Officer's Representative will verify that all contractor personnel have acquired EMS Awareness Training at their appropriate site or location.

REFERENCES TO VA ENGINEER, RESIDENT ENGINEER, SENIOR RESIDENT ENGINEER, OR PROJECT MANAGER: Any reference contained within contract specifications and/or drawings to the VA Engineer , Resident Engineer , Senior Resident Engineer , Project Manager , or their abbreviations are to be replaced with Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) .

PAYMENT FOR MATERIALS STORED OFF-SITE: Payment in advance of installation for materials stored off-site is not authorized under this contract unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer.

SCHEDULE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTALS: The submittals contemplated by FAR 52.236-5, Material and Workmanship, are listed on the Schedule of Material Submittals in the Specifications, if provided. The schedule is for reference only the selected contractor is responsible to provide all submittals required by the contract.

REVIEW REQUIRED REGISTRATION WITH CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (CPARS)

As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed $700,000 and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. The FAR requires that the contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, CPARS, which is maintained by the Naval Seal Logistics Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. CPARS has connectivity with the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies. PPIRS is the system used to collect and retrieve performance assessment reports used in source selection determinations and completed CPARS report cards transferred to PPIRS. CPARS also includes access to the federal awardee performance and integrity information system (FAPIIS). FAPIIS is a web-enabled application accessed via CPARS for contractor responsibility determination information.

Each contractor whose contract award is estimated to exceed $700,000 is required to register with CPARS database at the following web address: www.cpars.csd.disa.mil. Help in registering can be obtained by contacting Customer Support Desk at 207-438-1690. Registration should occur no later than thirty days after contract award and must be kept current should there be any change to the contractor's registered representative.Â

For contracts with a period of one year or less, the contracting officer will perform a single evaluation when the contract is complete. For contracts exceeding one year, the contracting officer will evaluate the contractor's performance annually. Interim reports will be filed each year until the last year of the contract, when the final report will be completed. The report shall be assigned in CPARS to the contractor's designated representative for comment. The contractor representative will have thirty days to submit any comments and re-assign the report to the VA contracting officer.Â

Failure to have a current registration in the CPARS database, or to re-assign the report to the VA contracting officer within those thirty days, will result in the Government's evaluation being placed on file in the database with a statement that the contractor failed to respond.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION RECORDS POLICIES

1. Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.Â

2. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.Â

3. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.Â

4. The Government and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Government or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA). Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, the contractor must report it to Government Contracting Officer. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230.

5. The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Government Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the [contract vehicle]. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to the Government s control or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer who awarded the contract. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4).

6. The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by all Government guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information.

7. The Contractor shall only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with the project location VA Medical Center s written policy.Â

8. The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any non-public Government information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.Â

9. The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.Â

10. The Government owns the rights to all data and records produced as part of this contract. All deliverables under the contract are the property of the U.S. Government and shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Any Contractor rights in the data or deliverables must be identified as required by FAR 52.227-11 through FAR 52.227-20.

11. Training. Â All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take VHA-provided records management training, Talent Management System (TMS) Item #3873736, Records Management for Records Officers and Liaisons. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training. Â All training shall be coordinate with the Contracting Officer s Representative assigned to the contract.

END OF IMPORTANT BIDDER INFORMATION SECTION