Z1DA--578-18-024 SCI Recreation Area Outdoor Construction Solicitation SOLICITATION 36C25224B0013 AMENDMENT A0004 PROJECT: SCI Reactional Area DATE: October 3, 2024 PROJECT \\ : 578-18-024 LOCATION: Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital RFI \\ RFI REFERENCE RESPONSE Contractor 1 1) Can I find out what the cur 36C25224B0013 America/Chicago VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF Z1DA--578-18-024 SCI Recreation Area Outdoor Construction America/Chicago eMail : donita.grace@va.gov Donita L Grace 36C25224B0013 SOLICITATION 36C25224B0013 AMENDMENT A0004 PROJECT: SCI Reactional Area DATE: October 3, 2024 PROJECT \\ : 578-18-024 LOCATION: Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital RFI \\ RFI REFERENCE RESPONSE Contractor 1 1) Can I find out what the current manufacturer is? Note \\ 1 on E101 highlighted below. Building 221 as the main power provision for the new loads. pull out (3) single pole 20 amp breakers from existing panel 'nlrp-3' (circuit\\ 17, 18, 20) and replace these with (1) new 3 pole 50 amp breaker. furnish and install a new 50 amp loadcenter labeled as 'NLRP-3B' as shown, the new 50 Amp breaker inside panel 'NLRP-3' shall be utilized to feed the new loadcenter, 'NLRP-3B'. The new 50 amp breaker and new loadcenter 'NLRP-3B' shall match the manufacturer and AIC rating of panel 'NLRP'-3. 'NLRP-3B' shall be provided with minimum (8) 20 amp single pole breakers, where (3) breakers shall be used to feed the relocated circuits of the single pole breakers to be removed from panel 'NLRP-3', (3) breakers to feed the new loads as shown on this sheet and (2) breakers to be labeled as spare. Westinghouse PRL1 Pow-R-Line Panelboard 208Y/120V, 200A, 3P 4W See attachments: Att1, Att2 and Att3 Contractor 2 2) Are you able to allow Sikaplan 60 mil PVC to be added as an approved roof system for the project referenced below? See attachments. AE is okay with this substitution; it is more about whether or not the shops are okay with the change and know how to maintain and approve. Contractor 3 3) Can the Superintendent fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role? Super CANNOT be both QCM and SSHO. 4) If the Super cannot fulfill this role, the average ADDITIONAL cost for a dedicated QCM is approximately $26,500 per month (salary, labor burden, per diem, housing, company vehicle, monthly return trips home, company phone, etc). We expect the construction of this project to be 7 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $185,500 Please confirm a dedicated QCM is still required. Super CANNOT be both QCM and SSHO. 5) Is the QCM required to be onsite full-time, or can they make site visits as required for inspections? Yes - Full Time 6) If the QCM is required to be onsite, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well? They need to be present whenever work is taking place. 7) Can a subcontractor (e.g., Terracon or a similar testing firm) fulfill the QCM role? QCM can be a subcontractor 8) Can the Superintendent fulfill the Site Safety & Health (SSHO) role? Super CANNOT be both QCM and SSHO. 9) If the Super cannot fulfill this role, the average ADDITIONAL cost for a dedicated SSHO is approximately $26,500 per month (salary, labor burden, per diem, housing, company vehicle, monthly return trips home, company phone, etc). We expect the construction of this project to be 7 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $185,500. Please confirm a dedicated SSHO is still required. Super CANNOT be both QCM and SSHO. 10) Our interpretation of 01 35 26, 1.7 in its reference to FAR 52.236-6 is that the prime contractor would be in compliance with this section if we have a Superintendent on-site during construction, as FAR 52.236-6 does not require (or mention for that matter) an SSHO and explicitly covers the prime contractor's Superintendent only. In short, an onsite SSHO is not a requirement per FAR 52.236-6. Please confirm. Super CANNOT be both QCM and SSHO. 11) Is the SSHO required to be on-site full-time, or can they be a home office employee (e.g., Safety Director) on the prime contractor's staff? They need to be present whenever work is taking place. 12) If the SSHO is required to be onsite, should they be assigned to this project only, or can they be assigned to another project as well? They need to be present whenever work is taking place. 13) Can a subcontractor fulfill the SSHO role with periodic visits? No 14) Does the VA require any scope of work in this project to be performed outside of regular work hours? No 15) What trades or scopes will be required to perform off-hours work for work scopes that must be performed? None 16) What will the work hours and days be for scopes that require off-hours work? None 17) Please provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet. See Att4 18) In the event of contract modifications, should contractors apply bond premiums to the individual modification or wait until the end of the job where the VA issues a final modification to reimburse contractors for bond overruns for all mods. To be discussed with the bid awardee only. 19) How many hours should the prime contractor and subcontractors budget for on-site badging, safety training, orientation, etc.? This is part of overhead. 20) Is tuberculosis testing required before contractors can commence work onsite? Refer to Specifications 1.13 and SOW attachment ICRA 21) The period of performance (POP) on this project is given to be 240 calendar days (45 calendar days for submittals, 45 days for closeout), leaving only 135 days for construction. However, we estimate the project will take 210 calendar days to construct and 90 days for submittals. We request that the POP be extended by 120 calendar days. No 22) Will the government provide call-in details and instructions for the bid opening to ensure transparency for all bidders? The bid opening will be held in-person only at the Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC), Milwaukee, WI. No call-ins. 23) Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the BMS integration contractor? Yes 24) Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the Fire Alarm integration contractor? Yes 25) Will the VA allow contractors to use water from VA sources? Reference Spec 1.21 F 26) Is temp power available for contractors to connect to? Plan to install a contractor supplied yard pole for a distribution panel and direct bury a feeder to the transformer from the yard pole. The contractor is also responsible for site security for their trailer and yard area they create. Reference Spec 1.21 C 27) If no temp power is available, a generator will be required, which usually adds significant cost to rent and fuel. Please confirm this is necessary if no temp power is available. Reference Spec 1.21 C 28) What are the locations for temp power? Is space available for a 10 x 40 temporary ground-level office near the temporary power source? Space will be provided on McCoy Drive. Location must be approved by COR. Plan to install a contractor supplied yard pole for a distribution panel and direct bury a feeder to the transformer from the yard pole. The contractor is also responsible for site security for their trailer and yard area they create. Refer Spec 1.21 C 29) Are contractors required to set a pole and meter electric usage? Plan to install a contractor supplied yard pole for a distribution panel and direct bury a feeder to the transformer from the yard pole. The contractor is also responsible for site security for their trailer and yard area they create. Reference Spec 1.21 C 30) Will the VA provide a space for the Prime Contractor s Superintendent to set up, or should we add costs to our bid for a mobile office? Contractors will be able to utilize McCoy Drive and provide their own trailer. 31) Where will the staging/laydown area be? Near Contractor's office trailer on McCoy Drive. Otherwise space must be within construction area. 32) Is there enough space in the staging/laydown area for a 10 x 40 ground level office? Space will be provided on McCoy Drive. Location must be approved by COR. 33) Where shall contractor dumpsters be located? Dumpster will be located within Construction area 34) Can the VA accommodate a dumpster near the job site? Yes, within construction area. Location approved by COR. 35) Can Porta Johns be placed within a 100 radius of the job site if required? Yes, bring in Porta Johns and placed within construction zone. 36) Will the VA consider waiving the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) requirement for structural steel fabrication and erection for this project? This requirement makes steel procurement on the project exponentially more difficult and costly. No 37) Are any AISC substitute certifications acceptable instead of AISC certification? No 38) Can contractors perform crane lifts during regular hours?  Yes, must be coordinated with COR and VA Staff 39) Can utility tie-ins be performed during regular hours? Yes, must be coordinated with COR and VA Staff 40) Can system commissioning activities be performed during regular hours? Yes 41) Will the VA allow for stored material so that we can procure and lay down long lead items and/or critical path material/equipment? Contractors responsibility for purchase and storage until they need to be brought onsite for installation. 42) Will the VA fully pay for this material/equipment once it is safely stored onsite? On a case-by-case basis the VA will pay for material/equipment received onsite. Material/equipment must be secured onsite and is GC responsibility until Contract turnover. 43) Where will the Infection Control Barrier (ICB) need to be installed? Outside- Safety fencing around construction site. Specifications 1.7 J Inside - where staff or patient/veteran presence. See SOW G3 for further explanation. Refer to Drawings and specifications for further explanation  44) Will drawings for the location of ICB be provided? No. Location of ICB will be coordinated with COR and service 45) How many linear feet of ICB will be needed? Contractor to determine 46) What is the ceiling height where ICB will be needed? Dimensions and measurements must be verified by contractor in the field 47) Per the plumbing drawing, will the new waterline in Building 221 for the bottle filler be installed in the ceiling? AE Response-The new water line serving the bottle filler will be installed in the ceiling. 48) What types of ceilings will need to be removed to install the waterline in Building 221 for the bottle filler? Contractor must field verify. Reference drawings and specifications 49) Per the electrical drawing, will the new electrical wiring in Building 221 for the bottle filler be installed in the ceiling? AE Response- Yes 50) What types of ceilings will need to be removed to install the electrical wiring in Building 221 for the bottle filler? Contractor must field verify. Reference drawings and specifications 51) In regard to the new circuits that will be ran from the new load center, will the new electrical wiring be ran though the ceiling? AE Response- Inside the building the new circuits shall be ran overhead, but once transitioning outside the building those same new circuits shall be ran underground. 52) Through which rooms or areas should the new circuits be ran from the new load center? AE Response- From the new loadcenter, the new circuits shall be ran through the corridors and shortest route to the best extent as possible, coordinate with existing overhead utilities in field. 53) What types of ceilings will need to be removed for the new electrical wiring circuits? Contractor must field verify. Reference drawings and specifications 54) Drawing notes a 10 x 10 equipment storage shed. There are no specs or manufacturers listed. Finish specification 09 06 00-2.1 noted storage shed in metal fabrication with Exterior Wood Siding . Please provide drawings and details for the construction of the equipment storage shed. The BOD to be Tremont 8 ft. 4-1/2 in. x 10 ft. 2-1/4 in. Plastic Storage Shed with skylights. 55) Can we use 6 tall temporary construction fencing since 7 is not available? 6' is acceptable, contractor is responsible for the safety and security of their construction site. 56) Please provide the electrical panel manufacturer of the panel that will receive the new 50 AMP Breaker. Westinghouse PRL1 Pow-R-Line Panelboard 57) A) Will the other items such as the valve, pipe, and adjustable valve box be reused or will they need to be replaced? B) Is the existing fire hydrant piping connected to the main with a tee or with a tap? C) Will the existing connection to the main (tee or tap) be reused? D) If the existing connection to the main will not be reused, will the new connection to the water main be a Tee fitting or Tap? E) What is the size of the existing water main piping? F) Where is the valve for the water main that will need to be closed to relocate the fire hydrant? G) Who will be responsible for closing and opening the valve to relocate the fire hydrant? Drawing CD101 notes that the hydrant will be removed and reused. A: The intent is to reuse all components from the tee connection to and including the hydrant assembly. B: It is assumed to be a tee. Contractor to confirm. C: No, provide Cap to existing Tee D: New connection shall be a tap. E: It is assumed to be a 6". Contractor to confirm. F: There is a shut off valve 63 feet north of the existing hydrant tee connection. G: Contractor to coordinate with COR to schedule closing of shutoff valve. 58) Please provide details on how the handrail should be attached to the fence post. Revised keynote to indicate that handrail is to be surface mounted. 59) Please provide details on the tree protection materials. Tree Protection detail added to CJ501 60) Should the trees be protected with 2 x 4 Douglas Fir boards tied to their trunks? Tree Protection detail added to CJ501 61) Please confirm that the Epoxy Surface Coating is only at all sports courts and not on the entire new concrete slab from edge to edge. Epoxy coating is only for the sports courts, refer to updated CS101 62) Please confirm that ST-11 Manhole IE=617.00(SW) is at a lower elevation than the IE=618.97 (N) and that the existing (SW) line will not be able to properly drain into ST-11 and will hold water and likely clog and backup until it overflows at another existing location. The outfall point for the site (ST 01) has an invert of 917.40. To ensure the proper function of the proposed drainage system, an approximate 2-foot deep sump will be required at ST 11. 63) Please confirm that the inlet and outlet on the retention tank are both near the bottom of the retention tank, which is contradictory to the detail on drawing CU502. Updated on provided CU502 64) Please confirm to what extent the detail R-Tank Assembly on page CU502 is to be utilized. Updated on provided CU502 65) Please provide a more project-specific retention tank assembly detail. Updated on provided CU502 66) The SOW states Remove storm water drain located in the construction area and store for reuse. Is this in reference to the pipe only? Removing the storm water system will likely damage the equipment. GC shall provide new to replace. Refer Specification 1.8 B 67) Is the existing storm pipe or any other materials intended to be used on this project? If so, the use of existing materials will not have a warranty. Removing the storm water system will likely damage the equipment. GC shall provide new to replace. Refer Specification 1.8 B 68) Will the VA allow Sikaplan 60 mil PVC to be added as an approved roof system for the project? AE is okay with this substitution; it is more about whether or not the shops are okay with the change and know how to maintain and approve. Contractor 4 69) Please confirm the staffing requirements for this project. Can one individual fill the role of Superintendent, SSHO, and QCM? Super CANNOT be both QCM and SSHO. 70) Will the contractor be provided with a laydown area on campus? Please confirm the location where soil for backfill can be stored. Stored within Construction area or delivered just in time / as needed basis. Spec 1.7 G-2 71) Please confirm if this project is tax exempt. If so, will the VA provide the documentation to the prime contractor after award? Yes - document will be given to the awarded prime contractor. Tax exception covers the purchase of materials which will be incorporated into the realty on the grounds at the Hines VAMC. The exemption does not cover tools, fuel, or machinery employed at the Government construction site, or any other items that are not physically incorporated into the realty. 72) Is the GC required to use Submittal Exchange? If so, does the GC need to include the cost as part of their bid? GC must utilize a sharepoint. Does not need to be submittal exchange 73) Please confirm the work hours for this project. Are there any specific tasks or trade divisions that must be on overtime? Are there any areas of work that must be on overtime? Refer to SOW 74) Please confirm the surface for the boccia ball court. Is this to be concrete? Will it receive any finish? Refer to CS501 - Multi-sport Court over Concrete Pavement Section and Joint as well as the Multi-Sport Court Edge detail for the Boccia ball court. 75) Please confirm Period of Performance for Alternate Bid 1. Does it remain 240 calendar days? See Att5 76) Following testing of soil, if soil is found to be contaminated, will this be considered an unforeseen condition, and will a Change Order be issued? CD101 calls out for area of unsuitable soil to be expected by the contractor. Refer to 32 20 00 - 3.2.E Contractor 5 77) 1) Please issue the pre-bid site visit sign in sheets 2) Does the VA have a volume rate spec for the size of the water storage tank? They make different size systems on the Fergusons 240r tank. 1) See Att4 2) Refer to CU502 with additional information Proposal Due DATE / TIME: October 10, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. CST. ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SOLICITATION SHALL BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS: Donita Grace -- Donita.Grace@va.gov This solicitation can be monitored on the https://sam.gov/content/opportunities Contractors shall ensure all amendments are acknowledged on Page 2 of the SF-1442. NAICS Code : 236220 PSC Code : Z1DA Phone : N/A