Z1DA--CON - Upgrade A Wing & D Wing Elevators - 583-22-101

Questions and Answers: Sheet GI016 ICRA Legend D states that the dashed line is for: Wall Type D, reference GI002. Sheet GI002 wall type D shows metal stud with two layers of drywall to deck. Please confirm which type of barrier is required. The barriers shall be two hours fire rated unless the COR specify/agree to a different plan. Bid Alternate 3 reads; Base bid except all D Wing Elevators. This alternate shall only include work required for the A Wing. I assume this should read: Base bid except delete all D Wing Elevators Bid Alternate 3: Base bid delete all D Wing Elevators. This alternate shall only include work required for the A Wing. Will the owner accept Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? Procore is acceptable. Is this project tax-exempt, and will the CO/COR provide the necessary tax-exempt certificates? Yes Because of COVID-19 throughout the U.S. and the resulting Federal, State, and local governments responses/requirements, are there any new work requirements or mandates that will be required by the VA on this project? At this point there are no new requirements, however if the VA announced any requirement regarding to this in the future, the Contractor shall follow. Will you confirm contractors need to follow the TB policy stated in spec 01 35 26 1.16? Specifications shall be followed unless the VA waive the requirement. What is the approximate duration between issuing the award and issuing the NTP? Typical turnaround time for an NTP after award is approximately 2-3 weeks. For planning the preliminary project schedule, please provide an anticipated award date. The government is currently anticipating an award date sometime around the end of January beginning of February pending any unforeseen circumstances. How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for the owner and A/E to review and respond to RFIs? Response times to be discussed at the pre-construction meeting, post contract award. How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for owner and A/E submittal Review? Response time to be discussed after award during the pre-construction meeting. Will the Government provide the 3-D REVIT Design model in native file format for the creation of coordination drawings and use by contractor? Native files may be requested once construction is underway. Please confirm that the superintendent cannot dual hat as CQC or SSHO. Contractor shall follow the specifications. SSHO cannot be the Superintendent. If the Superintendent have the necessary qualifications of the CQC (proven qualifications), he/she can be however, they must also have to prove/show that the personnel ran two elevators project that are 100% completed at the same capacity or at least one completed project at the same capacity and 5 years of experience of similar MEP projects. Please confirm that the project scope will be completed during normal working hours, not nights and weekends. Contractor shall review drawings, SOW, and Specs to have full understanding. There are work to be done off hours and weekends. Can you confirm that the owner will be contracting directly with a third-party commissioning agent for commissioning the project and that the Contractor is only to include participation/coordination with the Commissioning Agent? The VA will hire a 3rd party for Commissioning. Contractor shall follow all requirements of Commissioning that indicated in the Specifications and all project documents. Knowing that the campus is limited on space and parking, it is critical that the contractor project superintendent have freedom of access and close proximity to the work. Can the VA/Owner provide a designated parking spot for the contractor project superintendent? There will be two permits for parking spots in campus. Has the facility Operation & Maintenance team reviewed the Contract Documents for operability to avoid change orders? Contractor shall follow all drawings, Specs, SOW, and all project documents. Can the contractor use an existing office inside the building for a temporary construction office during construction instead of setting up a temporary trailer? No Can the contractor use the existing restroom facilities in the work area or adjacent ones nearby? Yes but if the bathrooms are assigned for certain people or category, then no. Generally there will be restrooms available close by the work location. They shall not also carry dust and leave footprints on the floor on/from work location to the bathroom. If occurred, contractor shall immediately clean that. If Contractor misuse the bathrooms, they may lose the privilege of using them. Can the contractor use the existing on-sites utilities for temporary electrical and water free of charge? Yes, if they are available and approved by the COR. The VA will not be responsible for labor or materials to get utilities to the work site. The COR will have to approve the source of utility if available. Will the owner provide the fire watch during the period that the fire suppression and/or fire alarm system is not in service? Fire Watch shall be the Contractor s responsibility not the VA. Permits shall be submitted and approved prior to starting the work. Please provide detailed guidance for noise and vibration operations, including acceptable levels/duration, hours of operations for acceptable levels, and acceptable noise levels after hours. Contractors shall follow the Specifications. It appears there is some minor masonry work on this project. Will there be specification for the masonry scope of work, prior to bidding? Reference general notes on sheet SS001 and call outs on details. Can you confirm the time of submission? Sam.gov shows January 7, 10:00 am EST. The original Solicitation shows 2:00 pm EST. The solicitation due date is January 23, 2025, at 2:00 pm EST Please confirm the bid bond will need to be mailed in prior to bid. The VA can accept a scanned copy of the original document with wet signatures as acceptable bond submission. Mailing in physical copies is no longer required. Refer to drawing PL100. Specifically, the left-hand side #2 PLUMBING SANITARY SUB-BASEMENT WING D. The 2 SS line running from OS-D-1 indicates that this line is to be demolished (because it is a dashed line). The note at the end of that line, #3, makes it seem like we are supposed to connect new vent here. Our question is, do we run new vent piping after removing this and what size? The drawing referenced in this RFI is essentially a new work plan and there is no demolition of the piping in question. The dashed linework is intended to indicate vent piping, whereas the solid linework is drainage piping. The new 2 vent is to connect to the existing system as indicated on the drawing and to meet actual site conditions. Refer to the specifications. 22 13 00 | 2.1 B & C - FACILITY SANITARY AND VENT PIPING The specs call for Copper DWV or PVC for this type of piping. Section C says the following; "C. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 1. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and fittings are permitted where the waste temperature is less than 60 degrees C (140 degrees F). 2. PVC piping and fittings shall NOT be used for the following applications: a. Waste collected from steam condensate drains. b. Spaces such as mechanical equipment rooms, kitchens, Sterile Processing Services, sterilizer areas, and areas designated for sleep. c. Vertical waste and soil stacks serving more than two floors. d. Exposed in mechanical equipment rooms. e. Exposed inside of ceiling return plenums." Our question is, does this mean we can't use PVC in this area based on this verbiage? PVC piping is not allowed Are we able to use regrigerant press fittings on this project? Press fittings are not allowed Please confirm the VA s intent for the Prime Contractor to have a full time Superintendent for the entirety of the project. Yes Please confirm the VA s intent for the Prime Contractor to have a full-time SSHO on site for the entirety of the project. Contractor to follow the Specs Please confirm VA s intent for the Prime Contractor to have a full-time QCM on site for the entirety of the project. Contractor to follow the Specs. Can any of the above individuals Double or Triple hat? Contractor shall follow the specifications. SSHO can not be the Superintendent. If the Superintendent have the necessary qualifications of the CQC (proven qualifications), he/she can be however, they must also have to prove/show that the personnel ran two elevators project that are 100% completed at the same capacity or at least one completed project at the same capacity and 5 years of experience of similar MEP projects Can any of the above individuals be an employee of a subcontractor, or will the VA require the above individuals to be a Full-time employee of the Prime Contractor? Contractor to follow the Specs Will Microsoft Project be an acceptable scheduling tool for the project? The VA can accept that. What software will be utilized on the project for submittal transfers? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining? The VA will not purchase or maintain any software, typically the GC provides (purchases) the software and issues user licenses for the A/E and VA. Will the client require any construction management software to be utilized on the project? Will the Prime contractor be responsible for purchasing and maintaining? Contractor to follow the specs and project documents. The VA will not purchase or maintain any software, typically the GC provides (purchases) the software and issues user licenses for the A/E and VA. Do the elevators currently receive a pre-transfer signal from the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch)? The new controllers will require a pre-transfer signal from the ATS. Existing elevators operate on emergency power. Pre-transfer signal wiring may be required. Contractor shall provide all appurtenance to comply with specification §14 21 10 2.9.C If no pre-transfer signal currently exists, does the ATS have the capability to time delay and send a pretransfer signal to the elevators it serves? Additionally, where is the ATS located within the building for each elevator identified in the solicitation? Conductors will need to be run in conduit and programmed to function. Contractor needs to know the length of run, quantity or runs, and potential routing. Existing elevators operate on emergency power. Pre-transfer signal wiring may be required. Contractor verify in-field capabilities of existing ATS with pre-transfer signaling. final connections shall comply with §14 21 10 - 2.9.C. ATSs are located in rooms as indicated below: 'AATS-EQ1' --> Room A-B140 'AATS-EQ4' --> Room A-B140 'ATS1D1' --> Room D-B009 'ATS1D2' --> Room D-B009. Can the VA please identify a lay down area on site where contractors can stage materials and equipment? Please review the SOW and project documents. The VA will not give a space to store materials onsite. CSR will be available for trailers. Can the VA please identify the location of placement for project dumpsters? F lot. Please provide contract information for existing building Fire Alarm Vendor. At this moment Aadco does the testing, and Korsen does the programming. We are currently upgrading the WHOLE system, it will be Siemens, project will be awarded soon. Please provide contact information for existing building Fire Protection vendor. GRUNAU Fire Protections. Granaufire.com. +1 (555) 000-0000 6011 E Hanna Ave, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46203 New 24 x24 sump pit 24 Deep. Would the VA be open to the contractor installing surface mounted sump pumps? SURFACE PUMPS COULD BE CONSIDERED BUT MUST MEET THE ELEVATOR CODE, CAPACITY IN GPM AND HEAD TO BE SUITABLE, AND BE COORDINATED WITH THE SITE CONDITIONS. This is a code allowable approach, however any contractor that uses this approach would have to provide the discharge calculations meet requirements and provide as built for all installation parameters and equipment placement. All roofing work shall be performed by contractor approved by Existing roof manufacturer to patch and repair existing roofing system. Contractor shall be responsible for checking existing roofing system warranty status and furnishing a complete roof rework, repair and patching system that will be in compliance with any existing remaining roof warranties. New work shall provide full new system warranties. Can the VA please identify the existing roof manufacturer? D Wing and A Wing are SPF roofs manufactured by Progressive Materials. Can the VA please verify that the job will be installed under the 2022 code for the elevators? Are any parts of that being deleted for this project? AMSE A17.1-2022 Will all the hoisting of materials need to be done on Sunday? Does this include crane picks on D wing and interior hoisting on A Wing? No. Crane Lift on the D-Wing shall happen on Sunday. Interior hoisting on A Wing does not have to happen on Sunday, you can do that during normal business hours. Can the VA Please clarify the ICRA Wall types for each Elevator? Due to the shading of the cabs on the phasing plan it is difficult to decipher what ICRA wall types are required in what areas. ICRA Forms were provided as part of Design Submission. Contractor needs to fill it out for every area needing enclosed and submit to VA for approval. ICRA barriers are dependent on type of work being done, type of departments surrounding work area, etc. If elevator doors are being remove from elevator shaft then the ICRA barrier needs to meet the same Fire Rating requirements of the adjacent walls/ partitions. Based on the questions and answers we anticipate receiving from the government along with the upcoming holiday, we are requesting additional time to work with our vendors and ensure our pricing is accurate. Will the VA please issue a bid extension? The bid due date has been extended to January 23, 2025 at 14:00 Can the VA please clarify the BAS/BMS scope of work for the project? Will any of the new equipment require BAS/BMS connections? If so, please clarify which equipment will require these connections. Does this equipment currently have BAS/BMS connections fed to them? If there are not existing connections, and the VA is requesting them, can the VA identify the source panels for the new connections? Who is the current BAS/BMS service provider at the facility? Existing are not connected to our building Automation System. Contractor shall review drawing and Specs for new installations. Please clarify if we are to submit 2 or 3 alternate bid deducts. As per Solicitation page 5 or Bid Alternate in DWG GI000. There are three alternates and base bid as noted on the Invitation to Bid. Also please review the SOW for clarifications. Please clarify the locations of the abatement. Environmental drawings detail locations of known or suspected hazardous materials related to scope of work areas. Please confirm if superintendent can satisfy the role of QC? If the superintendent has the necessary qualifications of the CQC (proven qualifications), proposed superintendents can be however, they must also have to prove/show that the personnel ran two elevators project that are 100% completed at the same capacity or at least on completed project at the same capacity and 5 years of experience of similar MEP projects. Solicitation states ALL SUBMITTALS must be sent within 15 days of award. Please clarify? (solicitations page 8) This could be discussed after award. The VA is willing to agree on a reasonable time frame. Will Prime Contractor be required to be in attendance during Fire Watch? (solicitation page 10) Contractor SHALL have a personnel to be the Fire Watch while conducting any work that may require Fire Watch. Drawing GI015, detail 3. Note 10.43 Category C. What is the Risk Group for this containment? Risk Category varies at all locations depending on surrounding departments. Patient Risk Group High Risk designated for all containment enclosures. Deviations where possible to be coordinated with VA. Note 10.45 for different landings state Category B. What is Risk Group for the different landings? Notes state to verify with COR/Hospital Staff? Risk Category varies at all locations depending on surrounding departments. Patient Risk Group High Risk designated for all containment enclosures. Deviations where possible to be coordinated with VA. Drawing GI016, for Vestibule in blood draw areas, where can exhaust be routed from negative air machine? Exhaust to closest adjacent window systems plan north of A2127 Drawing GI017 what is risk group for basement? Risk Category varies at all locations depending on surrounding departments. Patient Risk Group High Risk designated for all containment enclosures. Deviations where possible to be coordinated with VA. Please confirm only elevator S7 Will be required to have an oil water separator? Only elevator S7 requires an oil water separator. Which Code year shall be utilized for the elevators ASME Code A17.1? DISCUSSION: Statement of work references most recent code but refers the ASME A17.1-2010, Specifications reference ASME A17.1-2019 in 14 21 10, Sention 2.7, D, n. The most recent code year is 2022. Please confirm the correct code year for the project. Additionally, the design drawings do not comply with the requirements for 2022 and have several lacking items. It is suspected the design was done for code year 2019. Please advise. ASME A17.1-2022 is the governing code. Do the elevators currently operate on Emergency Power? Do the elevators currently have pretransfer signal wire which initiates the countdown as indicated in items C? DISCUSSION: It is important to know if the current functionality exists for the time delay transfer to emergency power under loss of normal power to appropriately estimate cost. Should new signal wire be needed for the ATS and emergency power functionality the length of run will be critical in estimating the project. Please confirm if the Pre-Transfer signal wire is currently in place for the elevators and if the conduit and conductor may be re-used. Existing elevators operate on emergency power. Pre-transfer signal wiring may be required. Contractor shall provide all appurtenances to comply with specification §14 21 10 2.9.C Do all elevators have existing shunt trip devices and functional shunt trip circuitry tied to the fire alarm system? DISCUSSION: Note 24 on drawing sheet E-201 acknowledges the requirement for all elevators to be shunted. All elevators have sprinkled machine rooms and therefore require shunting. However, during the site visit no shunt trip devices were observed and their location / existence was unclear. Please confirm ALL elevators in the scope of work are currently serviced by shunt trip breakers and the shunt trip functionality is active and connected to the heat detectors in the respective machine spaces. Shunt trip breakers are costly and expected to be retained. Should any device lack shunt trips or require shunt trip breaker replacement it is critical to know prior to bidding. Existing shunt trip devices are present at distribution equipment feeding all elevator controls. What digital monitor is required on the ICRA Enclosure? DISCUSSION: Note 8 is mentioned throughout on ICRA Barrier pages. Shall digital monitors be required to show negative pressure locally? Is there a remote monitoring requirement? Is there a particular required device brand / model that is required? Please expand on the requirement guidelines. (NOTE: Magnehelic is noted in the scope of work, but no model number is given. Google search returns mechanical gauges which conflict with the digital guidance given in the drawings.) For purposes of fair bidding utilize digital monitors with local display. Remote monitoring is not required. No specific brand is required, but reference spec section 02 82 11 for negative air monitoring requirements. Shall remote monitoring be provided for all elevator on 1 monitoring station in the Electric Shop? DISCUSSION: Shall all contract elevators be monitored from the same machine in the Electric Shop? Not required for this project. Shall the car have security override features like lockdown or any special security features? DISCUSSION: Standard features will be provided however if security or lockdown features are required for active shooter type scenarios a detailed description of the desired functionality must be provided so the additional programming and hardware may be quoted with the control system. These additional features are not required. Which seismic zone does the facility lie within? DISCUSSION: Specification 14 21 10, section 1.5, C, 1, c. indicates rail bracket requirements for Seismic Zone 2. It is my understanding that the Indianapolis facility falls within the seismic Zone 1 which encompasses the majority of the state. Please confirm the seismic zone requirement for this project is Zone 1 and the zone 2 note is an error. Per US Dept. of VA Seismic Zone Map, Indianapolis is in an area of Moderate Low seismicity. This facility is Risk Category IV and falls under IBC Seismic Design Category D per RP 10-22 referenced in H-18-8 Seismic Design Requirements. Is the contractor exempt from Indiana Sales Tax as a passthrough for this project? DISCUSSION: States such as New Mexico and South Dakota require contractors to pay local sales tax on projects although the federal entity is exempt. This exemption does not pass through to the contractor. Please confirm whether or not the sales tax exemption for the Richard L . Roudebush VAMC allows passthrough to the contractor. Project is tax-exempt and contracting will provide any necessary certificates. Is the contractor to make the cleared pit space between P8/P9 and P10 pits compliant? DISCUSSION: The drawings lack guidance for electrical or fire installations in the void crawlspace between the P8/P9 and P10 elevator pits. This space being accessible by the elevator pits and open to the other side should be barricaded, Switched, lighted and smoke device controlled. Please advise if any modifications to the crawl space shall be required. Reference keynote 1.02 on AE sheets. Request bid date be extended to 1/31/2025 at minimum to allow contractors to price the job after RFI responses have been answered and to adequately communicate with vendors as the Holiday impact to vendor operations is substantial? DISCUSSION: Please provide, at minimum, 2 weeks after RFI s have been returned before bid due date. This will allow the contractors fair time to appropriately price the project. Additionally, the holiday s make vendor pricing for materials near impossible. The bid due date has been extended to 1/23/2025. Shall a second iteration of RFI s be allowed to follow up on responses to the first set? DISCUSSION: It is generally helpful to allow a follow up round of RFI s to provide further clarification to the answers provided to round 1. It often become necessary to ask a different question when given an unexpected answer to the first set. Please advise. A second round of RFI s will not be accepted.