SOLICITATION NOTICE
Z -- 626-24-204 - Update / Upgrade Steam System Components
- Notice Date
- 8/15/2024 3:02:02 PM
- Notice Type
- Solicitation
- NAICS
- 238220
— Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
- Contracting Office
- 249-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 9 (36C249) MURFREESBORO TN 37129 USA
- ZIP Code
- 37129
- Solicitation Number
- 36C24924B0011
- Response Due
- 8/21/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 09/20/2024
- Point of Contact
- Jen Jamieson, Contract Specialist
- E-Mail Address
-
jen.jamieson@va.gov
(jen.jamieson@va.gov)
- Awardee
- null
- Description
- RFI Questions and Answers 626-24-204 Update Steam System Components Project Location: VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System 1310 24th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212-2637 Q1) Is this a tax-exempt project? A1) No Q2) If tax-exempt, will the government provide the prime contractor with a tax-exempt certificate for use by subcontractors and vendors? A2) See A1 Q3) Can both the bid and bid bond be emailed? A3) Yes Q4) If the bid and/or bid bond must be mailed, will the government consider extending the bid due time to no earlier than 11 a.m.? This request is made because 1030 a.m. is the earliest guaranteed time for overnight delivery, and anything before then risks not being guaranteed and potentially arriving after the current bid due time. Extending the bid s due time would ensure that all bids are received on time and that the process is fair for all parties involved. A4) See A3 Q5) Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects, or should they only be dedicated full-time to this project? A5) No, superintendent must be on site at all time work is being performed. Q6) Can the Superintendent fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role? A6) Yes Q7) 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 this project to be 6 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $150,000. Please confirm a dedicated QCM is still required. A7) See A6 Q8) Is the QCM required to be onsite full-time, or can they make site visits as required for inspections? A8) full time QCM is not required. Q9) 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? A9) See A8 Q10) Can a subcontractor (e.g., Terracon or a similar testing firm) fulfill the QCM role? A10) Yes Q11) Can the Superintendent fulfill the Site Safety & Health (SSHO) role? A11) Yes Q12) 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 this project to be 6 months long, and the bid is expected to increase by $150,000. Please confirm a dedicated SSHO is still required. A12) See A11 Q13) 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. A13) This interpretation is correct. Q14) 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? A14) Site safety should be readily available but is not required to be on site full time. Q15) 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? A15) Please refer to A14. Q16) Can a subcontractor fulfill the SSHO role with periodic visits? A16) Yes. Q17) Does the VA require any scope of work in this project to be performed outside of regular work hours? A17) Only work that will affect services to the hospital or critical areas of the hospital. 18) What trades or scopes will be required to perform off-hours work for work scopes that must be performed? A18) A superintendent and the trades required to complete the task. Q19) What will the work hours and days be for scopes that require off-hours work? A19) After 6 pm or when the final OR case completes for the day any day of the week. Q20) Please provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet. A20) See Amendment 0001 posting in SAM.gov. Q21) 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. A21) Bonds should be adjusted at the time of and per the modification. Q22) Where is the designated contractors' and subcontractors' parking area? A22) The contractor lay down area is behind the boiler plant and between the VA and Vanderbilt UMC. Contractors are permitted to park one (1) necessary vehicle at a time in these areas. Additional parking is the VA parking structure floors 4 and up. Q23) Will the VA allow 2-3 spaces for the prime contractor and each subcontractor? A23) Parking will be arranged on site. Q24) Where shall these people park if the VA cannot make 2-3 spaces available for the prime contractor and each of the subs? A24) Please refer to A22 and A23 Q25) How many hours should the prime contractor and subcontractors budget for on-site badging, safety training, orientation, etc.? A25) Four to six (4-6) hours Q26) Is TB Testing required before contractors can commence work onsite? A26) Yes Q27) The period of performance (POP) on this project is given to be 120 days. However, we estimate the project will take 180 days to construct. Contractors never know when the government will issue an NTP; sometimes, it's immediately after the award; sometimes, we receive an admin NTP to begin submittals, etc. We estimate the time to construct this job is longer than the stated POP, excluding preconstruction activities. We request that the POP be extended by 60 days, assuming NTP is issued after preconstruction activities, which we estimate will take 90 days for this project. A27) The intent is to have this project completed before the start of the heating season. POP extensions will be discussed after award. Q28) In lieu of the provided cost estimate breakdown, will the government accept a printout report from our COTS estimating software that provides the same level of breakdown specified in the government-provided breakdown spreadsheet? A28) No Q29) Is temp power available for contractors to connect their temp office to? A29) No space for an office trailer is available. Q30) 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. A30) See A29 Q31) What are the locations for temp power? A31) See A29 Q32) Are contractors required to set a pole and meter electric usage? A32) See A29 Q33) 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? A33) See A29 Q34) Is space available for a 10 x 40 temporary ground-level office near the temporary power source? A34) See A29 Q35) Will the VA provide space for a 20-yard dumpster? A35) Space for a dumpster will be provided. Q36) Where shall contractor dumpsters be located? A36) The location will be determined at the time of delivery due to the evolving space situation at the VA. Q37) Can the VA accommodate a dumpster near the job site? A37) See A35 Q38) Will the VA allow contractors to use VA indoor restrooms? A38) Contractors are to provide their own restroom facilities. Q39) Can Porta Johns be placed within a 100 radius of the job site if required? A39) Yes, but must be within the laydown area. Q40) Can contractors perform crane lifts during regular hours? A40) Yes, with an approved crane lift plan. Some plans may require afterhours work if it impedes with patient care. Q41) Can utility tie-ins be performed during regular hours? A41) Yes, if there are no service interruptions to the hospital. Q42) Can system commissioning activities be performed during regular hours? A42) Yes, if there are no service interruptions to the hospital. Q43) Will the VA allow for stored material so that we can procure and lay down long lead items and/or critical path material/equipment? A43) Yes, provided space is available. Must be approved by the VA prior to storing. Q44) Will the VA fully pay for this material/equipment if stored onsite? A44) Yes, if material is bonded and insured by the prime contractor. Q45) Many of the drawings and notes are not legible on Attachment 6, Drawing Combined Steam. A45) Attachment 6 will have an AutoCad file attached so it can be read clearly. Q46) Please provide the confined space requirements. A46) See attachment 14 VA TVHS Confined Space Policy. Q47) Please provide a scope for the Test and Balance required. A47) Water side TAB to verify operation, flow, and GPM. Q48) What brand are the boiler controls? A48) Siemens Q49) Spec Section 01 00 00 (1.5)(E)(3) and Spec Section 01 00 00 (1.7)(B) & (D) shown below are unclear. Please provide information on contractor laydown area, including space for office trailer. The specs say that none will be given unless requested prior to the proposal. A lay down/dumpster/office trailers will be vital at getting this project completed timely. The contractor must be allowed storage area. A49) A space will be provided for a dumpster. A space may not be available for a contractor job trailer due to the emergency chiller and generators occupying the space normally reserved for this. Spec Section 01 00 00 (1.5)(E)(3) Spec Section 01 00 00 (1.7)(B)&(D) Q50) Please provide a list of non-working management personnel that will be required on site for this project full-time. A50) Site superintendent Q51) Can the SSHO have collateral duties with the Site Superintendent? A51) Yes Q52) Can the Quality Control Manager have collateral duties with the SSHO? A52) Yes Q53) Can the Quality Control Manager have collateral duties with the Site Superintendent? A53) Yes Q54) Can the Site Superintendent have collateral duties with the SSHO and Quality Control Manager? A54) Yes Q55) Can the contractor obtain access to more than one set of keys as explained in the specifications? A55) Yes. The exact number to be determined by the Chief of Engineering Nashville VA. Q56) How much parking will the contractor be given? Parking must be allowed in order to access the job site. A56) Adequate parking is available. Q57) Spec Section 01 00 00(1.35) Training of VA Personnel: There is not factory witness training available for this equipment. Is the intent for training to be performed on-site? Please clarify the training required. A57) Training for M&O personnel will be conducted for any special maintenance requirements, installation requirements, troubleshooting, and programming on installed equipment by a qualified and competent person. Qualification will be vetted by the COR through the official submittal process. Spec Section 01 00 00(1.35) Q58) The Equipment Record form on page 34 of the Specifications is not clear. Please provide a clear copy. A58) See attachment 16 VA Form 6112 Equipment Record. Q59) The requirements for project schedule conflict. One place indicates the project schedule is due from contractor 10 days from the notice to proceed, another place says 7 days from the notice to proceed. The VA review period also varies from 7 days to 14 days. Please clarify the deadlines for the project schedule, including contractor s submittal deadline and VA review period. A59) Project Schedule are due from the contractor 10 calendar days from the notice to proceed see SF 1442 Statement of Work section, page 11 of 72, para 10, see attached corrected copy of Specification Section 01 32 16.15 pages 2 & 3. Q60) The number of activities required on the schedule is unclear. The solicitation limits the number of activities to 30 items, but the Specifications say The Complete Project Schedule shall contain approximately 90 work activities/events. Please clarify how many work activities are allowed and required for the project schedule. A60) 30 Activities is the correct number of required items. Q61) Specification 01 45 00(3.4)(B) & (C) have missing information regarding CQC Manager requirements. Please amend this section to include requirements. A61) see attached corrected copy of Specification Section 01 45 00 page 7. Spec Section 01 45 00(3.4)(B) & (C) Q62) The Specifications contain many references to Spec Writer Notes , that appear to instruct the VA writer to select appropriate requirements. Additionally, the Specifications are all inclusive of every possible construction project at the facility and include requirements that are well beyond the scope of this project. Please provide project-specific Specifications. A62) Specs were included for all possible scenarios and situations the contractor may encounter during contraction. Refer only to the relevant specs for the assigned task. Q63) Specifically, Spec Section 01 91 00(1.7)(B) beginning at page 128 of the specifications contains a list of systems to be commissioned that is beyond the scope of this job. Please provide a revised list of items that are to be commissioned on this project. A63) Refer to A47 Q64) Is the Contractor or the VA to provide the commissioning agent? A64) Contractor is to supply a commissioning agent. Q65) Specification Section 01 91 00(1.14) is missing valuable dates. Please amend to include relevant deadlines. A65) This should be 14 calendar days. Q66) Specification Section 01 91 00 (3.4) indicates phased commissioning is required. Please provide a phasing schedule anticipated for this project. A66) Phasing will be determine on site and by section through contractor and COR coordination. Q67) Specification Section 01 91 00(3.5) includes a table for DDC controls beginning at page 160 that is beyond the scope of this job. Please clarify which portions are applicable, if any, to this project. A67) CRPS will have the following points; enable/disable. Proof, alarm status Q68) Specification Section 01 91 00(3.6)-(3.9) include testing and training that is far beyond the scope of this job. Please clarify what applies to this project. A68) Testing will consist of testing and verifying proper installation and operation of the equipment. Training will be provided to the VA M&O staff on operation and maintenance of said equipment. Q69) Note 9, Part V of the Bid Solicitation. Provide a stamped QC report and certification prior to requesting final inspection. Please clarify is this stamp from a third-party engineer or will this be by the manufacturer s representative? Who provides the stamp and what are the qualifications required by the stamp holder? A69) Third party or Manufacture s rep for equipment will be sufficient. Q70) Much more information is needed to properly price the work required. I feel like I am missing part of the documents. Is this 100% design build and we need to hire an engineer to design the piping revisions and repairs required. In Part IV note 3 it states that PE stamped drawings are not required for this project, but there is significant missing information. A70) All reports, and available information has been provided. Q71) On Attachment 8 there are some comments and recommendations in the far-right hand column. Are we to perform the work in the Recommended column from Attachment 8 along with the work listed in the scope of work from the Bid Solicitation? If so, please provide more detail on what is required. A71) Attachment 8 is provided for informational purposes only. Refer to the SOW for the contracted tasks. Q72) To perform the work listed in the SOW or the work Recommended on Attachment 8 we need existing and new piping sizes, routing drawings and details to properly price the work. For example, there are several notes in the scope of work that say, Upsize piping as required. I didn t find anything detailing what size the pipe is now and what size the pipe needs to be upsized to. A72) Piping sizes are to be field verified by the contractor. Q73) There are some comments about installing a new condensate pump and I see model and details for some condensate pumps. Which pump is to go in which location? Same with Flash Tanks. Scope notes to install properly sized flash tank at pumping station. What is the proper size for the flash tanks? A73) Condensate pumping station locations are called out in the SOW. Please refer to the SOW. Flash tank sizes are to be installed following industry standard and sizing guidelines. Q74) The scope of work note 3 states to Repair the pumping mechanism on trap and correct piping. Upsize as required. What needs to be repaired and what is the pipe correction required? What is the size of the existing and what is the upsize? A74) Pumping mechanism s operation is to be diagnosed and repaired by contractor. Piping sizes are to be field verified by the contractor. Q75) SOW note 4 separate return lines. Upsize as required. How do they need to be separated? Can you provide more information? A75) low and medium pressure return lines are to be separated from one another from the main condensate return system. Piping to be upsized as determined on site. Q76) SOW note 5 separate high and low-pressure return lines. Upsize as required. How do they need to be separated? What size pipe is the existing and the new upsize? A76) low, med, and high pressure return steam need to be piped separately and the piping configuration upsized as required by code. Q77) The rest of the SOW continues in the same vein. Please provide piping plans, sizes and details with enough information to properly price the work you require. A77) All reports, and available information has been provided. END OF RFI Questions and Answers
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