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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 18, 2008 FBO #2335
MODIFICATION

Z -- 01 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Notice Date
4/16/2008
 
Notice Type
Modification/Amendment/Cancel
 
NAICS
236220 — Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
 
Contracting Office
Department of Veterans Affairs, Martinsburg VAMC, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs;VAMC (613);VISN 5 Contract Satellite Office;510 Butler Avenue, Building 308B;Martinsburg WV 25405
 
ZIP Code
25405
 
Solicitation Number
VA-245-08-RP-0055
 
Response Due
5/8/2008
 
Point of Contact
Karen E ButtsContracting Officer
 
Small Business Set-Aside
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned
 
Description
01 Q&A PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE/SITE VISIT MINUTES VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, NW Washington, DC 20422 April 8, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. & April 9, 2008 - 1:30 p.m. VA Staff in Attendance: Contracting:Joan F. VanMiddlesworth -Contracting Officer Dorrence Carrington-Contract Specialist Fred Harrison-Purchasing Agent Technical:Muhammadali Sami-Facilities Mgmt Service Melvin Widomski-Facilities Mgmt Service Companies in Attendance: Viking301-495-0841 VEG240-446-7987/301-758-0344 Iron Bridge Const804-715-9229 WBLM-LLC410-246-6703 Desbuild301-864-4095 NuTec Design Assoc717-751-0300 Grunley240-399-2060 Argo Systems410-768-2444 Done Deal GC&E301-399-8534/240-468-9130 TC or TL Associates703-822-9629/703-822-8228 Cain Contracting410-740-0805 Miller Building System717-656-2081/800-423-2559 Futron Inc.910-793-6325 Modular Space System609-704-3090 DPR Construction703-795-8379/571-233-5595 Williams Scotsman410-487-8340/410-487-8341 MCC301-899-1600 1st Veterans240-997-0144 Charlie Mann Elec301-262-0105 Essex Construction, LLC240-492-2002/240-492-2013 Parkman/JRDKS/Hyman Jordan JV919-426-7650/973-736-3871/845-709-5673 Warrior Group972-228-9955 Struever Bros Eccles & Rouse443-572-4355/443-573-4426 Daytner Constr. Group301-829-1772 CB Richard Ellis202-368-9956 SekTech Corp301-357-5119 Bowman, Foster & Assoc703-486-2780 MBSI717-656-2081 Triune/DPR/NC301-455-0327 Global Engineering301-216-2871 RBVetCo, LLC412-531-2825 CBRE202-585-5574 CTSI301-982-5836/202-388-0927 NIKA Technologies301-770-3520 AMT301-881-2545 Bell Architects202-548-7570 Market ________240-832-4143 EDT Capitol202-330-5504 Medbuild/Modspace864-517-7621/321-278-1672/215-791-0637 Metropolitan301-870-0906 Schnabel Engineering301-417-2400 Monument/OLBN301-340-0202 OLBN Architectural Service301-340-0202 1. Joan F. VanMiddlesworth, Contracting Officer, opened the meeting on both dates by introducing the VA staff in attendance, passing out the sign-in sheet for the contractors' completion. She also stated that all technical questions must be presented in writing on the index cards distributed. Questions and answers will be recorded on FedBizOpps by end of week April 11, 2008 if possible. 2. The request for proposal solicitation number is VA-245-08-RP-0055. It is a Construction Project titled 4 Story Pre-Engineered (Modular) Admin Building at VAMC, Washington, DC. The building is approximately 40,700 SF. The project is a total set-aside for service-disabled veteran owned small business. 3. Bids are due on 5/8/08 no later than 3:00 PM local timeat the Martinsburg facility in Building 308B. Late bids will not be accepted. 4. The package requires a bid bond in the amount of 20% or a maximum of $3,000,000.00. If a bid bond does not accompany the bid package on 5/8/08 it will be considered nonresponsive. 5. Bids will only be accepted from Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small businesses. To be considered as Service-Disabled Veteran Owned you must be registered with VetBiz.gov (through the VA OSDBU site) and CCR.gov. Failure to register may be grounds for rejection of the bid. 6. This is a construction project so all the terms, conditions and clauses of a construction project apply; such as Buy American Act applicable to purchase of supplies and Davis-Bacon wages that must be paid to anyone working on this project. Even though this is a modular design it still applies as well as all the Labor Standards. 4. Photography: Must be approved by Contracting Officer. 5. Site visit was made at end of meeting. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM 4/8/08 SITE VISIT 1.a.Is there a soil's report? No we don't have one - only recommendation is to presume the existing soil conditions will meet the requirements of the building. 1.b.Is this project funded? Yes pending approval of the final pricing it will be funded. There is no money on station at this time; however, once the project is ready for award it will be funded. 2.a.Reference Pg 13 of 120 D1.B.3 (Design Review) states DB has 10 working days but on page 6 of 120, the duration is in calendar days. Should Page 13 of 120 read 10 calendar days? All times in contracting are calendar days - we will check this and fix it. We will put out a correction on the number of days. SEE AMENDMENT No. 1. 2.b.If not, will days then be added to page 6/120 for DB schedule or construction schedule? No the completion time for the project is 365 days. SEE AMENDMENT No. 1. which amended to 375 calendar days (147calendar days for design and 228 calendar days for construction). 3.Elevators: You indicate only one elevator. Based on number of people why only 1 elevator? That 1 elevator is an internal convenience elevator and has nothing to do with code or load demand. The point of this building is that it will be connected at all levels to the main medical center so there will be other points of access over to the 4 story. 4.Background checks: What is the cost if Government does the checks to be reimbursed? We do local fingerprints here at no cost to you for every employee having access to the building including truck drivers. If something flags up on a particular employee we will advise you. We expect you to have some idea of your employees before you bring them on as we have actually escorted employees from the site. We are not going to do full blown investigations. 5.a.What exterior finish is required? This is an amendment we will have to issue because what we would like is basically two line items. Initially EIFS was the exterior choice of the building. However, we would like to know what a line item cost (ADD ALTERNATE) is to match the white brick you see on the main hospital. The base bid is for EFIS. See Amendment No. 1. 5.b.What type of roof? Flat roof system 5c.Is wood construction acceptable? Yes but you still need to meet all other life safety requirements. 6.Will building take away current parking spaces? Yes but that is already planned. 7.Does the Prime Contractor (SDVOSB) have to have the construction bond themselves or can a team partner (General Contractor) carry the bond? In teaming the prime must have the bond. SEE IL 049-06-4 Joint Venture and Teaming Arrangements for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. http://www1.va.gov/oamm/oa/ars/policyreg/ils/index.cfm 8.Please clarify your meaning of modular construction? We have a very tight site, we have a lot of projects that are going to occur this year and next. As a result, we cannot afford to lose parking space. The reason we opted for modular is because (1) many of the components can be fabricated off site and installed safely minimizing staging and (2) cost reasons. We are not looking at on-site standard construction, we are looking at prefabricated components, panels, etc. that are then shipped to the site and installed with limited on-site modification and connections. But as far as materials, it can be from wood to any other component. 9.Is the pedestrian walkway intended to be modular? It can be but doesn't have to be. In fact in light of the last question we probably prefer it to be modularly constructed. It's basically a four story corridor. 10.Must Joint Venture (JV) proposals be approved before bid due date? Not to my knowledge they don't have to be. I'm just telling you that if you want to be sure, we are not going to be waiting around for corrections to it. If you want to go ahead and get it in and get it approved now that's my offer to you. SEE IL 049-06-4. (above) 11.How much lay down area is available? I can't give you square footage all I can say is there is very little. 12.Is weekend work permitted? Yes. All off hours work we need prior notification so we can alert the Police Department. 13.Can we request monies if we bond a storage facility to expedite payment to subcontractors/vendors? See VAAR clause noted in #18 Q&A of 4/9/08 below. 14.Will there be preference to small disabled veteran contract if picked up by larger company to accomplish bonding requirements? IL 049-06-4, referenced above, clearly requires both parties to be small business. 15.Are as built drawings available for location where building is going? Right now we have CDs available. It is a combination of CADD files that shows site plan, the typical hospital floor plans so you have a sense of connection to the building, and then scanned as-built files of the main hospital building that was built in the 1950's. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM 4/9/08 SITE VISIT 1. Will the loading dock be active during our construction period? The main hospital loading dock will remain open during construction. The kitchen will use that loading dock for the duration of the construction. 2. Are the existing trailers to be demolished, turned over to the VA? They should be demoed and removed at the Contractor's expense. 3. Although the new facility is being built on Government property, will there need to be: (a) a review from the National Capitol Park and Planning Commission - No (b) a historical review from the State Historical Preservation Office - No (c) an environmental study and assessment - No 4. Are there any LEED requirements associated with the construction/fabrication of this facility? No 5. What are the reimbursable fees payable to the VA Medical Center for the badging of construction site employees and subcontractors? There are no fees charged by the VA for the badging services. There is a $5 or $10 replacement fee if a badge needs to be replaced. The fingerprinting is an expense to the VA not to the contractor. 6. What utility services are available within the Main Hospital to utilize to feed the new 4-story modular building? Electric, tel/com, sprinkler and sanitary are available within the Main hospital building. It is recommended that water be connected to the main hospital loop. Will we be required to secure services from PEPCO to provide the required power needed for this new facility? No 7.What permits, if any will we be required to secure from the City of Washington, since the construction of this new facility is being built on Federal Property? With regard to construction permits none required. No permitting required for environmental study. 8.What are the requirements for physical security and is there a requirement for 100% standby power? Physical security - does that question mean does the contract have to provide a perimeter fence? "Fence, the windows". This modular building will not need blast protection requirements nor will the contractor have to provide a perimeter fence. However, during construction if there is the need for a construction fence that is a separate issue. But no, this is not a compound building that needs its own internal security. The question about the 100% standby power once we resolve the answer that regards the electrical feed, again from the shops, where it will be tied into, obviously a portion of it will be tied into emergency power but will all of the building need to be on standby power? No. All building will not need to be on standby power. There will be connection to emergency power for items relating to life-safety. 9.Are we responsible for the site-limits at the construction site area? What is our latitude with the utilization of the existing loading docks and smoking areas for staging of our construction equipment and construction site services? As far as the existing main loading dock going back to receiving area will remain operational. We have a main loading dock but there is also another loading dock adjacent to the forward that feeds the kitchen area. But the main hospital loading dock will remain operational during the life of this construction. The smoking area can be used as a lay-down area, as we will move this westward for the duration of the project. 10.Can we submit our Design Build Drawings in phases? Design submittals are approved at 30%, 60%, 95% and 100%. Or will there be a requirement for 100% completed drawings for all Divisions prior to any construction commencing? Yes Would you give consideration to demo work and utility relocation? No we can't give consideration. 11.The specifications call for (4) copies of the Optional Form 308 with a bid guarantee to be submitted on Bid Day. How many copies of the Technical Proposals do you require? The requirement is to submit Standard Form (SF) 1442 in original. There is no limit to the number of pages at this time that you can put into the technical proposal. No OF308 is needed. SEE Amendment No. 1 for submission requirements. 12. Will the main loading dock be active during construction? Yes. 13. Has Geo tech work been done already? No, we don't have any soil surveys or test borings for the area. For the purpose of the bid you have to presume that the soil meets adequate soil compression requirements. You will have to proceed with that until actual work starts. Once contract is awarded and the borings are done, we will proceed from there. There has been construction done in that area in the past 2 decades but we have been unable to locate any soil reports. For the purpose of the project we will have to presume the soil condition meets, there is nothing unusual. Joan: Unforeseen condition, there is a clause in the contract to cover that. 14. Is this DC Tax Exempt? Construction projects are not tax exempt. Products that we buy for taking care of our patients are tax exempt. Reference 52.229-3 FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES (APR 2003) (Clause Incorporated by Reference) on Page 50. 15. Please clarify A/E contracted with Prime if DB Prime is not JV? Amendment No. 1 redefines the members of the DB team and their association to the Prime Contractor of Joint Venture. SEE IL 049-06-4 (above). 16. Utility Tie-In points for water/sewer/power/datacom raceways in existing building? Is the question where are the points of connection or if it is all being connected to the main Building? As far as the building itself, the intent is for HVAC to be package units for the building. There is a water loop around the hospital and tie-in for water will be at that loop that goes around the perimeter of the facility. But electrical will be fed from within the main hospital as will telecommunication. What we should probably do is clarify and highlight on a site plan the distances where those connections are. SEE ADDED PAGE 121 to AMENDMENT No. 1. 17. Are there modular buildings on-site now? No. 18. Payment terms for stored material (off-site). See Page 42 paragraph d(1) through (6) of 4.19 VAAR 852.236-82 PAYMENTS UNDER FIXED-PRICE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS (WITHOUT NAS) (APR 1984). 19. Which form is the Optional Form 308? Title is Solicitation and Offer - Negotiated Acquisition - SEE Replacement Pages which delete any reference to this form. 20. This four story building is going to be designed for Seismic IBL-2003 & 90 MPH wind? If it is addressed in Seismic IBC-2006 then that is the criteria. 21. Any schematics for building elevation? No 22. Water connection: a. Does VA require separate meter for this building? No b. Is water loop private (Gov't owned) or Public (WASA owned)? Private (Gov't owned - internal tie-ins) 23. Is there any protection or preservation requirement for trees? No. NOTE: IL 049-06-4 Joint Venture and Teaming Arrangements for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business can be found at http://www1.va.gov/oamm/oa/ars/policyreg/ils/index.cfm OTHER QUESTIONS ASKED VIA E-MAIL 1.a.Should the fire alarm system for the new building be connected to the existing building or should it have its own fire alarm panel? Yes the fire alarm system should be connected to the existing building. b.If it is to be connected to the existing building's panel, is there space for additional zoning? Yes there is space for additional zoning. c.Should the sprinkler system connect to the existing building? Yes d.The main building has either a fire pump or is directly connected to the city water, if it has a fire pump the new building will not have enough room for a fire pump. The main building does have a fire pump but it is unclear why the new building would not have enough room for a local pump to accommodate its needs. e.On the space program chart the square footage for the corridor, stairs and bridge corridor by just adding a 20% conversion factor. This factor doesn't account for all stairs, corridor and bridge square footage meaning the total square footage will be much greater than 40,704 SF. The total square footage of the building may not exceed 40,000 SF. A reduction in programme square footage will be acceptable to accommodate necessary circulation, means of egress, etc. 2.Can you advise if any glass coatings or tinting will be needed on this project? No glass coating or tinting will be required. 3.The RFP indicates Offeror is responsible for demolition, but does not indicate what to demolish. During yesterday's Site Visit, Mr. Sami indicated the removal of the existing trailers was required. Con you please confirm this and any other demolition that is required under this RFP? Trailers 7 and 8 are to be included as part of the demolition as well as any of the existing curbs and sidewalks. 4.Please confirm if the finish floor of the new modular office building must match the finish floor of the existing building or can ramps/sloped walkways be used? Yes, the finish floor elevations of all floors of the new modular building must match the finish floor elevations of Building 1. The corridor connection between both structures can not be a sloped ramp. 5.Page 11 of 120, paragraph 1.(6), indicates the RFP is to show where Offeror can have use of site for storage/parking. None is indicated. Please clarify. At the present time storage and parking is limited to the project area as long as access to the main receiving dock is maintained. There is "street" metered parking available along first street south of the medical center campus. 6.Is Progressive Collapse Design in accordance with UFC Requirements required by this RFP? No 7.Offeror is required to design a 4 Story Hallway from the new modular building to the existing building. We were given as built drawings of the existing building. The second and third floor drawings show patient rooms on the wall where the hallway is to connect. Is there any restrictions as to which room we design the hallway to pass through? The design decisions will be reviewed and coordinated by the VAMC. In other words, that would not be a decision that the team would have to make, but a VA direction. 8.Do you anticipate joint ventures with this opportunity? I would like to know if you have any guidelines or limitations for an SDVOSB joint venture with a non SDVOSB partner. SEE IL 049-06-4 (above).
 
Web Link
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=0277a44f1accdf7f24fee5b5b2526afd&tab=core&_cview=1)
 
Record
SN01555359-W 20080418/080416220517-0277a44f1accdf7f24fee5b5b2526afd (fbodaily.com)
 
Source
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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