Y1DA--652-22-704 WIFI NextGen Upgrades

04/29/2026 Site Visit Attendance and Photos

52.222-90 ADDRESSING DEI DISCRIMINATION BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (APR 2026) (DEVIATION) (a) Definitions. As used in this clause Program participation means membership or participation in, or access or admission to: training, mentoring, or leadership development programs; educational opportunities; clubs; associations; or similar opportunities that are sponsored or established by the contractor or subcontractor. Racially discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities means disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in the recruitment, employment (e.g., hiring, promotions), contracting (e.g., vendor agreements), program participation, or allocation or deployment of an entity's resources. (b) In connection with the performance of work under this contract, the Contractor agrees as follows: (1) The Contractor will not engage in any racially discriminatory DEI activities; (2) The Contractor will furnish all information and reports, including providing access to books, records, and accounts, as required by the Contracting Officer, for purposes of ascertaining compliance with this clause; (3) In the event of the Contractor's or a subcontractor's noncompliance with this clause, this contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended in whole or in part, and the Contractor or subcontractor may be declared ineligible for further Government contracts; (4) The Contractor will report any subcontractor's known or reasonably knowable conduct that may violate this clause to the Contracting Officer and take any appropriate remedial actions directed by the Contracting Officer; and (5) The Contractor will inform the Contracting Officer if a subcontractor sues the Contractor and the suit puts at issue, in any way, the validity of this clause. (6) The Contractor recognizes that compliance with the requirements of this clause are material to the Government's payment decisions for purposes of 31 U.S.C. 3729(b)(4). (c) The Contractor must include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts at any tier, including those for commercial products and commercial services, except those where the place of delivery or performance is outside the United States. (End of clause) RFI s Please confirm that the roles of Superintendent and SSHO must be two different individuals. VA Response: As per 01 35 26 1.9 C of the specifications, the SSHO has [to] be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO.
Is this project an RFP or an IFB? VA Response: Neither. This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) under FAR Part 13.
Is Submittal Exchange a requirement for this project? VA Response: Submittals are to be submitted in accordance with section 01 33 24 1.6 SUBMITTAL FORMAT AND TRANSMISSION of the specifications. Submit electronic submittal documents to the COR and cc both the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist. Email addresses will be provided during the kick-off meeting.
Page 5 of the Solicitation states Exclusions must be clearly stated on the quote . Isn t it against FAR to put exclusions on a bid form? Please confirm if exclusions are permitted and how evaluations between quotes can be performed if some firms provide different exclusions. VA Response: This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) under FAR Part 13, not an IFB. There is no bid form.
In areas that conduit cannot be placed behind the wall, is surface mounted conduit acceptable? VA Response: Surface mounted hardware is not the VA standard but may be approved (such as the mall area AP sites) in writing only by the COR when this occurs on a case by case basis.
Are the CAT6 cables to be terminated using CAST6 or RJ-45 s? VA Response: RJ-45 only.
Where there are hard ceilings, is an outlet box required where the AP device will be installed? VA Response: No the AP site brackets mount to the existing ceilings or walls, cat6 cables are to be punched through (3-4 inches exposed for connection) and penetration cleanly sealed to prevent space contamination.
Is the VA providing and installing the actual AP devices? VA Response: Connection to network and AP install is to be accomplished after this AP Site prep project is completed, the VA will handle who accomplishes this.
In the Scope of Work under 507E, 516, and 517 trailers, it states to install watertight ARMORED conduit . Do these locations require armored CAT6 cabling? VA Response: IAW scope, the conduit is intended to have resistance to water and impact, the cabling can be armored as listed in materials to be provided as required.
The SOW shows to install conduit and cable for 39 WiFi locations, however, the WiFi upgrades Phase 2 sheet shows 29 locations in B500, 1 in B507, 13 in the trailers and 1 in Southpoint, which totals 44. Please advise as to which is correct. VA Response: Only the 39 listed locations in the SOW are correct.
Is AP17 at Southpoint part of this install? VA Response: No, Only the 39 listed locations in the SOW are correct.
Where there are multiple AP locations in close proximity, are we allowed to run a larger conduit as the trunk and then run ¾ conduit to the actual locations to save space? VA Response: Pathways are to be approved on a case by case basis if other than listed, typically multiple cat 6 cables can be pulled in a single conduit, in a tray or larger conduit.
Will ICRA be required and if so, to what extent? VA Response: An ICRA is always required for work in patient areas that may cause dust/penetrations as this is a hospital the level of ICRA may vary from 1-4 dependent on location and services impacted.
The Solicitation mentions Fort Harrison. Please confirm Fort Harrison is not a part of this project. VA Response: It is not, Only the 39 listed locations in the SOW are correct.
The Solicitation lists the project number being both 652-22-701 and 652-22-704. So that the quote is correct, which project number should we use? VA Response: 652-22-701.
How can AP sites in store area (34, 65, 66, 68) be connected to the closet in their check out area? VA Response: Surface mounted white cable molds to match existing and approved through submittal process may be used in this instance due to no interstitial space for pathway.
What do we do with unused conduit, cabling that is on the materials list? VA Response: Once completed, all unused materials are to be inventoried and turned over to the VA.
Do all of the materials on the SOW required list have to be delivered and inventoried all at once before construction? VA Response: Not necessarily, it is up to the contractor but expected receipt should match billing line items, or at least by percentages received.
Which Cat 6 cabling is preferred for installation at the VA? VA Response: Cat 6E.
Second floor AP 66 appears to be already completed, what is the expected location for this AP if it already completed or will it descoped? VA Response: Second floor AP 66 is to be located on the Hard ceiling portion of the construction area in 2A as shown in provided clarification pdf drawings with these RFI s.
Are all AP sites in building 500 hard ceiling installations? VA Response: No, but a majority of them are.
For in ground installation are there any extra services required to complete? VA Response: Yes, professional marking servies required (Such as Accumark) before any digging is permitted, and Identification tape must be used for all in ground installations on the VA campus.
How exact are the stickers in relation to final placement of AP sites? VA Response: Stickers considered accurate but may be adjusted due to conditions- any change to the placement from where they are indicated will be approved by COR in writing.
Superintendent Requirement- Please confirm whether the project Superintendent is required to be a direct employee of the Prime Contractor, or if a qualified subcontractor employee may fulfill this role. VA Response: Subcontractor employee may fulfill this role. The Contractor shall furnish in writing the name and contact information of the Project Superintendent who has authority to act on behalf of the Contractor.
Combined Roles (Superintendent / SSHO / QCM)- Please confirm if one individual may serve in multiple roles (Superintendent, SSHO, and/or QCM), provided all qualification and certification requirements are met. VA Response: As per 01 35 26 1.9 C of the specifications, the SSHO has [to] be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO. As per 01 45 00 2.4 C of the specifications, [the] CQC System Manager but may also have duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control.
Competent Person Designation- Can the Superintendent also serve as the OSHA Competent Person for this project if properly qualified? VA Response: The Contractor s Superintendent shall be OSHA-30 certified.
Badging and Access- Are there any citizenship or badging requirements for workers accessing the facility? U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency? VA Response: Contractors are required to verify employment eligibility of all employees assigned to the contract in accordance with FAR 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification, incorporated by reference on page 25. Employees will also require badges in accordance with the facility s security requirements.
Refine Scope- Are you removing the three Aps for Ft. Harrison from this bid as mentioned on the walkthrough? VA Response: Only the 39 listed locations in the SOW are correct.
CAT 6/Conduit- Do we need to run the category 6 cable in conduit in the lower level (basement) or can it be run in the existing cable tray? VA Response: A lot of cables seem to be in cable trays already. Cable tray usage can approved in writing on a case by case basis, though this does alleviate the requirement to provide the conduit as listed in the contract.
AP45- Do we need to put the cable for AP45 on Richmond Building 500 - Floor 1 Section D HD/LBS in conduit? VA Response: The security camera looks to be free-ran already. This is typically not an issue as existing conduit may be used on a case by case basis but must be approved by COR.
Floor Plans- Will you be updating the plans for the change in placement for AP 66, 68, and 35 on the Richmond Building 500 - Floor 1 Section C HD/LBS diagram since those will be moved? VA Response: A new PDF drawing will be provided showing the updated locations for these sites.
Data Drop- AP12 on Richmond Building 500 - Floor 1 Section C HD/LBS has an existing angle bracket and data drop. Will this data drop still be replaced and at the same location as the existing data drop? VA Response: This is typically approved but existing conduit and pathways can used with COR approval on a case by case basis.
Accessibility- Does interstitial space exist for floors 1,2,4, and 5 for conduit to be run in? VA Response: Yes, most spaces in building 500 have some sort of interstitial except in rare occurrences (such as the Lower level or Canteen areas).
Data Drops- Are there any data drop runs that do not require conduit? VA Response: All data cables must be in a conduit or approved tray/raceway, but armored cabling as listed in the materials to be provided in place of conduit may be approved in writing by the COR.
Conduit- Could sleeves be put in from IT rooms into the drop ceiling space and free run the data drop to the AP location in lieu of conduit? VA Response: No, all data cables must be in an approved conduit or tray/raceway, unless armored cabling is approved for use.
ICRA Requirements- Do all areas require ICRA standards and HEPA filtration units? If no, which areas require it? If yes, can we utilize the units that the hospital already has on-site? VA Response: Typically the sites should not require HEPA units but in specific cases such as the OR it is a possible requirement that may include a filtered vacuum for drilling, if containment units are provided by contractor- ICRA requirements are dependent on the areas that they are installed, Contractor must provide HEPA units as required for ICRA compliance.
Armored CAT 6 Cable-The SOW calls for armored CAT6 cable to be used at the outside trailer locations (507E, 516, and 517) and installed in conduit. Is the conduit necessary if we utilize the armored CAT6 cable? VA Response: The scope of work calls for watertight armored conduit- acceptable materials that are within the Means and methods can approved through submittals if they meet contract and material (moisture and impact resistant) requirements.
Conduit Runs- There seems to be above ground conduits ran between the HAS Trailers T516 already. The SOW calls for digging and trenching the conduit runs at this location. Do the new conduits need to be run underground, or can they be placed above ground like the existing conduits are? VA Response: On ground conduit runs are not approved, the conduit runs need to be run underground below the frost layer (18 ) in accordance with the Scope of work. An excavation permit is required from Safety Department.
Digging and Trenching- There are conduits running between each trailer at Telehealth Trailers T517 underneath the wooden decking. Can the new conduits be run and attached to the underside of the decking as well, or do we follow the digging and trenching per the SOW? VA Response: The expected route is in ground but if material approved is specifically weather and impact resistant with a route and suspension under the deck between the trailers- this means and methods can be approved by the COR. Would the VA consider removing the SDVOSB set aside requirements for the solicitation (including the pay percentage restrictions)? VA Response: No, SDVOSB will remain the set-aside.
Alternatively, if the prime SDVOSB set aside is kept, would the VA consider removing the additional small business requirements for the sub consulting described in 4.2 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING on page 26 of the solicitation (including the pay percentage restrictions)? VA Response: SDVOSB set aside remains.
Lastly, would the VA remove the requirements for the Davis-Bacon Act and any other mentions of certified payroll? VA Response: Davis-Bacon Act remains in place; this is a construction related solicitation.
END OF AMENDMENT 36C24626Q0469 0003