J041--LOU Refurbish AHU

The purpose of this amendment is to post Revised Questions and Answers to Solicitation 36C24926Q0231 LOU AHU Refurbish Questions and Answers 36C24926Q0231 LOU AHU Refurbish Revised Questions and Answers 36C24926Q0231 LOU AHU Refurbish Questions - Will a site visit be scheduled for this project? ANSWER: Yes, we need a site visit for this project. Email diane.ziegler@va.gov for site visit information. Question: We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number? ANSWER: This is a new contract Question (REFERENCE SOW 1.1.1-.1.1.5) It says to replace the DX coil with a new replacement to match the existing.-We need the size and the specification of the existing in order to match this. ANSWER: Contractor needs to verify this size prior to bid to ensure proper replacement. Question (REFERENCE SOW 1.1.1-.1.1.5) It says to replace the Chilled Water coil with a new one to match the existing.- We need the size and the specification of the existing in order to match this. ANSWER: See #3 Question (REFERENCE SOW 1.2.1-.1.2.9) Define what parts of the AHU are to receive this coating system, is it just the drain pans? ANSWER: This would per 2.1.3. to determine what surfaces are in need of rehabilitation per the SOW. Question (REFERENCE SOW 1.2.1-.1.2.9) Is there a specification for the coating system? ANSWER: The facility has used specific coating systems in the past, Aquis, however as long as the coating system meets the requirements in 4.2. Question (REFERENCE SOW 1.2.1-.1.2.9) What company has the VA used for specialty coatings at this facility for this equipment? Does the Superintendent need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor? ANSWER: See #6. Yes the Superintendent needs to be directly employed by the Prime. Question: What are the required working hours for this project? Nights, weekends, or normal business hours? ANSWER: The contractor would need to submit a schedule per 3.2.1 that is minimally disruptive and approved by the COR. Question: Must the Superintendent be on site at all times while work is commencing? ANSWER: Yes Question: Does the SSHO (Site Safety Health Officer) need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor? ANSWER: There is no requirement for a dedicated SSHO, this would be at the discretion of the contractor on how to address on the job site safety. Question: Must the SSHO be on site at all times while work is commencing? ANSWER: There is no requirement for a specific SSHO, this would be at the discretion of the contractor. Question: Can the Superintendent & SSHO be a dual-hatted individual assuming that individual is qualified for both roles? ANSWER: See #10 Question: Are there any other mandatory on-site roles required in this contract? ANSWER: Unknown, please specify. Question: When does the VA expect the project to start following the award? ANSWER: Per the contractor schedule. Question: Are there any concerns for Asbestos Containing Material or Lead in the areas being worked in? ANSWER: There are no known ACM or Lead concerns the VAMC is aware of. If suspected materials are encountered during the contractor the contractor should notify the COR immediately before proceeding any further. Question: Are there any ICRA requirements for this project? ANSWER: There are ICRA and PCRA requirements. Since all units are in mech rooms or outdoors, they almost entirely deal with odor control and scheduling with the units being offline. Those mitigations will be developed with the contractor & COR after award. Question: Is this contract Tax Exempt? ANSWER: No Question: Please confirm that and all Basis of Design items and materials that the VA has satisfied all Buy American Waivers, if applicable, and sole source requirements as needed. Please provide us any Buy American Act Waivers that would be provided under this contract. This is not currently in the plans, documents, or specifications. ANSWER: No waivers are available. Question: Will the VA pay for the engineering and design submittals, as well as all applicable deposits required by various manufacturers to put equipment into design and/or production? ANSWER: No. Question: Is the new VA memorandum on bolts for steam and hot water systems applicable to this project? To our understanding A307 bolts are no longer allowed. ANSWER: This is correct. For medium steam lines and above A307 bolts are not allowed. Question: Tax Exemption: Is this project sales tax-exempt? If so, can the government provide a tax exemption certificate for materials purchased? ANSWER: No Question: Notice to Proceed (NTP): How soon after a contract award is the NTP expected to be issued? ANSWER: Once the order is awarded, there is no need for an NTP. Question: Submittal Platform: Will the VA accept the use of Procore software or equivalent as the primary submittal platform? ANSWER: No, see ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 for submittal information. Question: Payment for Stored Materials: Will payment applications for materials stored on-site or in a bonded warehouse be approved? ANSWER: No Question: Bid Hold Period: Will the government consider reducing the bid hold period to 90 days due to current inflation risks? ANSWER: No. Question: Economic Price Adjustment Clause: Will the government include an Economic Price Adjustment Clause in the contract to address price fluctuations in materials? ANSWER: No Question: SSHO and Superintendent Roles: Can the SSHO, QCM and superintendent positions be fulfilled by the same individual, provided qualifications are met? If not, can the superintendent double as the SSHO? ANSWER: See #10 Question: Scheduling Consultant: Is an external scheduling consultant required, or can scheduling duties be handled in-house by a qualified team member? ANSWER: This would be at the discretion of the contractor. Question: Temporary Facilities: Are contractors required to provide a temporary site office or trailer, or will space be allocated within the existing facility? ANSWER: No temporary facilities, conexs nor storage facilities will be allowed on campus. Limited staging areas will be allowed and coordinated with the COR for material that is brought on site for prep of immediate work, per 3.1.2. Any long term storage shall be offsite at the contractor s expense. Question: Parking and Staging: Will there be designated parking and staging area for contractor personnel? ANSWER: Parking is limited and no designated parking is available. Staging is per #29 and per 3.1.2. Question: How many parking spaces will be provided if there is on-site parking? ANSWER: Parking will be in general parking. Question: Site Access and Badging: Will the government provide a detailed badging and access protocol for contractor personnel? ANSWER: Yes, per section 10 in SOW. Question: Fire Watch: If impairments to fire alarm systems exceed four hours, will the VA provide support for fire watch personnel, or is the contractor solely responsible? ANSWER: If a fire watch is required it will be the contractor s sole responsibility. Question: Environmental Protection Plan: Are there specific templates or guidelines required for the Environmental Protection Plan, or is a contractor-developed plan sufficient? ANSWER: A NEPA assessment was completed and no specific Environmental Protection Plan was warranted. A contractor developed plan would be sufficient if required. Question: Infection Control: What are the ICRA requirements? Please confirm modular walls (such as STARC) are allowed for ICRA. ANSWER: The assumption is there is no modular walls will be needed. The ICRA/PCRA requirement would consist of fume control. That mitigation plan would be developed in hand with the contractor based off the submitted schedule. Question: As-Built Drawings: Are as-built drawings available for existing conditions, or will the contractor need to verify all dimensions on-site? ANSWER: There are no as-builts. The contractor will need to verify all dimensions on-site prior to bid. Question: For AHU 43: What are the exact dimensions and specifications for the existing DX coil and chilled water coil to be replaced? ANSWER: See #3 & 36 Question: The SOW states refrigeration removal by others, who is handling the refrigeration removal. Will it be completed before contractor mobilization? ANSWER: Refrigeration will be by others prior to the start of the work. Question: Beyond AHU 23 are there any coil replacements or major component replacements expected on the other 7 units? ANSWER: Per the SOW AHU 43 is the only AHU that is getting replacement parts. Question: What are the working hours? Can this work be performed during regular working hours? ANSWER: See answer #8. Question: How long can each AHU be taken offline? Can more than one unit be repaired at a time? ANSWER: See answer #8.