Inactive

RFI#2 The procedures for submittal of offers say to provide details of 3 similar projects from the last 3 years. Can this be bumped back to 5 years? VA will accept going back 5 years. Is it required t... RFI#2 The procedures for submittal of offers say to provide details of 3 similar projects from the last 3 years. Can this be bumped back to 5 years? VA will accept going back 5 years. Is it required that bidders complete the Bid Form listed as specification 00 41 13? If so, where should this be placed within the proposal? No, bid form in specification 00 41 13 is not required. Offerors shall submit the summary of proposal items on page three of the solicitation. Is it required that bidders complete the Summary of Proposal items beginning on page 3 of the solicitation document? Yes, offerors should quote a price on each item listed. A single award may be made on proposal item based on availability of funding in the event the offer exceeds the funds available. Is it a requirement that bidders complete the Construction Cost Estimate Breakdown which is specification 00 41 13.10? If it is, can this document please be provided in spreadsheet form to bidders? Yes, it is required and will be provided as an Excel template. In general, why are some FAR and VAAR incorporated by text whereas other are incorporated by reference into the solicitation? a. Supplemental provisions or clauses published in agency acquisition regulations shall be in full text and the prescription for the use of each shall be included. The solicitation explicitly says to submit the following documents: VETS-4212, Buy American, Limitations on Subcontracting, Annual Reps and Certs, and Violation of Arms Controls Treaties. Are there any other clauses that must be submitted because they are incorporated into the solicitation even though they aren t explicitly mentioned in the instructions on pages 7-9 of the solicitation? No, they are referenced in the instructions on page 9. Can it be confirmed that the superintendent, CQC system manager and SSHO all must be different individuals and that they all must be on-site? Do not need to be separate individuals, but the individual assigned for task(s) must have the qualifications for each of the requirements. This project is expected to have workers on multiple shifts. Since all three of these functions must be on site whenever workers are present, the VA expects multiple individuals assigned to this project. Will a security plan be required as a submittal for this project? A security plan is required. See Specification 01 00 00 Part 1.6. The security plan can be incorporated into the Safety plan. 010000 paragraph 1.13.C says that contractors should provide as-built drawings within 15 calendar days after each completed phase. Is this a specification the VA is going to follow? As-Builts shall be maintained current at all times, per specification 010000 Part 1.13. The intent is that the GC shall maintain at all times, red-line markup drawings showing all changes that deviate from the design documents. These As Built red-line markup drawings will be made available by the GC in the field for compliance as the project proceeds through construction and verified accurate by the VA COR at each phase. Formal final submittal to the VA at the end of the project. What does the VA expect to have submitted for specification 010000 paragraph 1.13.D? This is a specification that is in all VA projects but is never addressed/asked for? Does the use of Autodesk Construction Cloud make this an irrelevant paragraph? Autodesk Construction Cloud does not eliminate, reduce or otherwise alleviate specification requirements. All provisions in Specification 01 00 00 Part 1.13 will be enforced. The GC shall redline any changes made in the field that deviate from the approved shop drawings. The GC shall make the redline shop drawings available to the VA COR for checking and verification. Does the VA plan to hold contractors accountable to the exact wording of paragraph 1.14.A under specification 010000? Paragraph 1.14.C seems to imply that the requirements of this section are not firm. AE Response: Specification 01 00 00 Part 1.14.C will be enforced. Paragraph 1.14C identifies the Pre-Warranty Conference and should not be construed to imply that the requirements of section 1.14A are not firm. Does the VA want 010000 paragraph 1.14.F submitted as a submittal item? Yes. Which items does the VA require the warranty tags listed in 010000 paragraph 1.14.F for? Warranty Tags are required for all appropriate equipment. Warranty documentation is required for all warrantied items. In addition to warranty documentation, warranty tags are required on MEP equipment for maintenance purposes. Specific equipment requiring a warranty tag will be identified by the VA COR. Regarding 010000, paragraph 1.22, which addresses O&M documentation: Does paragraph A imply that O&M documentation is required only when specified in individual sections? For instance, 260923, paragraph 1.4.2, explicitly calls for manuals, while 260533, paragraph 1.4, does not mention manuals. Does this mean O&M documentation is not needed for 260533? O&M documentation is required as detailed in the various sections of the specifications AND as specified in 01 00 00, Part 1.22. Concerning 010000 paragraph 1.22.B, does the government want 4 hard copies and 1 compact disc of every O&M manual, or is a .pdf acceptable? Upload electronic copies to Autodesk Construction Cloud, and 2 hard copies are to be delivered. Concerning 010000 paragraph 1.22.C, does the government have a list of equipment they would like training on for this project, or should we assume that it is needed only where it is explicitly called for in individual specification sections? O&M documentation and training is required as detailed in the various sections of the specifications AND as specified in 01 00 00, Part 1.22. Concerning 010000 paragraph 1.29 does this paragraph indicate that the VA will not accept photographs taken by the contractor and submitted in a haphazard fashion? We just want to be certain that all contractors will be held to this specification s standards. All contractors shall abide and be held to the same requirements for photographic documentation. The GC must maintain a complete record of all stages and details of existing, as-built, progress and final conditions of construction. There is no requirement for using a professional photographer however the GC must submit electronic photos in a clear, high resolution, suitably lit, concise, and well-organized manner as determined by the VA COR. The photos are to be date, time stamped and categorized and identified in such a way to allow context and clear identification of relevant subject matter, and exact location. All photos shall be uploaded in Autodesk Construction Cloud application (Autodesk Build). Concerning 013323 paragraph 1.3.A, we realize this specification is written to provide wiggle room, but will the VA provide a submittal register that is all inclusive to the best of their ability only leaving off items that must be submitted due to inadvertent oversight? The VA will provide the initial submittal register in electronic format. However, as listed in 1.3 A, the GC is responsible for supplying all submittals required by the contract documents. Are 013323 paragraphs 1.6.D and E obsolete because of the use of Autodesk? Yes, these sections are not applicable. All submittals will be submitted and tracked through Autodesk Build. 013323, paragraph 1.8.A states that O&M documents must be submitted throughout the project. Although this specification has always existed, it has not been consistently followed on VA projects. Will this requirement be strictly enforced? Yes, this section will be enforced. We couldn't find any specification requiring a closeout binder that consolidates all O&M documents. Is the expectation to submit O&M documents per individual spec section within 30 days of equipment arrival and then resubmit reviewed documents as individual submittals? Or does the VA expect a final binder containing all O&M documentation at the project's end? If the latter, where is this requirement specified? Please follow 01 33 23 Part 1.8. For 014500 paragraph 1.3.A.1, please define the government s expectations for what they d like submitted as an Interim CQC Plan, CQC Plan and for Additional Requirements for DQC Plan. See Specification 01 45 00 for CQC requirements. DQC plan is not required. Will contractors be held accountable to provide the Environmental Protection Plan outlined in 015719 paragraph 1.4.A.1? Yes. Will contractors be held accountable to provide the demolition debris management plan called for in 017419 paragraph 1.5.B? Yes. Will contractors be held accountable to provide a Sustainability Action Plan called for in 018113 paragraph 1.5.B? Yes. Will contractors be held accountable to provide an IAQ Management Plan called for in 018113 paragraph 1.5.D? Yes. Will contractors be held accountable for providing the submittals called out in 018113 paragraph 1.5.G? Yes. Can it be confirmed that the VA will provide the commissioning agent for this project? Confirmed. Some specification sections, like 024100, do not include paragraphs listing required submittals. Can the VA confirm that submittals are only required where explicitly specified under a heading or subheading labeled 'Submittals'? If not, could you provide a list of all submittals the VA expects that are not clearly defined under such headings? The contractor is responsible for the Submittal Register. The VA will provide the initial submittal register in electronic format. However, as listed in 1.3 A, the GC is responsible for supplying all submittals required by the contract documents. Paragraphs like 1.4.E in spec section 051200 require certificates confirming that each product complies with the specifications. This requirement appears in multiple spec sections. Is this a submittal the government expects from contractors? If so, could the government provide a more detailed explanation of what is required, beyond the guidance in 013323, paragraph 1.2.G? Yes, these typical submittals are required. A letter from the installer on their company letterhead is common. 083616.13 paragraph 1.3.E is an example of a submittal that rarely if ever is expected by the VA. Is this submittal required? If it is, is the VA asking for a letter from the manufacturer? Yes, and a letter from the manufacturer on their letterhead is sufficient. Is O&M data required for section 117300? The individual specification does not mention the need for O&M data. If it is required, could you specify which section and paragraph indicate this requirement? IMPORTANT: The patient lift equipment will be purchased separately by the VA and is not part of this contract and therefore the GC is not responsible for the O&M data for this item. The GC is responsible for the design and installation of the support structure for the lift system, coordinated with the VA s vendor. See Detail B5 on drawing S-503 for the patient lift system support structure and notes referencing the design and installation requirements. A submittal is required for the design of the support structure. Are hard copies of submittals required for specification 211313 or is a .pdf acceptable? All submittals shall be submitted electronically through Autodesk Construction Cloud. Are O&M documents required for 211313? If they are, what paragraph requires them? Yes, per spec section 211313 paragraph 1.4.6.c Are there any submittals specifically required under specification 220511? While paragraph 1.4 discusses submittals, it seems more like a set of instructions for submissions in individual specification sections for Division 22. Additionally, paragraph 1.4.B adds confusion by mentioning labeling items submitted under this section. Could you clarify whether there are any submittals expected directly under 220511? Yes. Submittals are required in this section. 1.4A gives instruction how the submittals submitted for this section should be in accordance with section 01 33 23. 1.4B is the naming convention of how the submittals should be sent in. All submittals should be sent in with same or similar naming convention. Section number, section name, applicable paragraph identification. 220511 1.4, I and J. Coordinated shop drawings. 220511 1.4, K. Rigging plan, if applicable. 220511 2.8, B and C. ID tags for all division 22 items can be submitted under this label. 220511 2.8, E. Valve tags and valve lists. 220511 2.11. Pipe and equipment supports can be submitted under this label. Note that the requirements of 130541 Seismic Restraint for Non-Structural Components still applies. Important note: all items submitted under other division 22 specs must ALSO be fully compliant with this specification. Does the government expect contractors to follow specification 220511 paragraph 1.4.F? Yes. What is meant by 220511 paragraph 1.4.H? The section defines the specifications to submit the list materials/equipment. However, as long as all items listed are properly submitted, the Albany VA is fine with these items being submitted under 220511. Does the government expect a submittal for 220511 paragraph 1.4.K? If rigging is needed for any division 22 equipment, then a rigging plan must be submitted. What does 220511, paragraph 1.4.K, apply to? Does it imply that all Division 22 specification sections require O&M data submissions, even if not explicitly stated in the specific sections? For example, is an O&M manual required for 220519, even though paragraph 1.4 of 220519 doesn t mention it? This question appears to apply to 220511, 1.4, paragraph L. Submit in accordance with 01 00 00 per Instructions. Does paragraph 1.4.M of spec 220511 apply since the commissioning agent is not a subcontractor of the GC? The Commissioning Agent will have access to Autodesk Build, which will satisfy this requirement. Does paragraph 1.5.G of 220511 apply to all of division 22 or only to 220511? FAR clause 52.246-21 applies to the entire contract. Paragraph 1.7.B of 220511 requires the submission of reviewed copies of O&M data. However, specifications like 220519, 220711, and 221400 don t explicitly require the initial submission of O&M data but do reference compliance with paragraph 1.7 of 220511. How are contractors expected to follow paragraph 1.7 of 220511 by submitting reviewed O&M documents if they weren t initially required? In contrast, 220512, paragraph 1.4.E, does call for O&M documents and references 220511, paragraph 1.7, making it clear that reviewed O&M documents can be provided. Could you please clarify this discrepancy? The point here is that the O&M Manuals for the originally submitted equipment should not be submitted blindly if there are changes during construction. Include the price of updating the manuals in the contract modification negotiation. Ensure only updated O&M Manuals are submitted as as-builts. Is any O&M information needed for 230711? None is listed within the individual spec section. I ve never seen insulation come with an O&M Manual. If you submit on something unusual that does, please provide it. Specification 233400 does not explicitly require as-built documentation in accordance with 230511, paragraph 1.7, but it does mandate the submission of O&M documentation per paragraph 1.4.G of 233400. In contrast, a specification like 232223 clearly calls for both O&M documentation (paragraph 1.3.E) and as-built documentation (paragraph 1.5). Does this imply that no as-built documentation is required per 230511 for 233400? If it is required, why is it not explicitly mentioned, as it is in 232223? 230511 requires coordinated shop drawings for all HVAC systems and does require as-builts. This governs all of division 23. What document is the past Performance Evaluation Questionnaire Do we use the Attachment #1 GENERAL CONTRACTOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE FORM, the EXHIBIT B PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE, or is it a third document? If the latter, please provide. a. Please use the PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE. Is the four-page limit per project or is that the overall page limit for the Factor 2: Past Performance section? a. The overall page limit for factor two. 47. In the original bid s Amendment 4 dated 6/12/24, the Government released the Architect s Addendum 1 dated 5/30/24. This included a summary of changes, eight affected drawings, and six affected specifications. As of Amendment 3 dated 8/14/24, none of these revisions appear to have been reissued as part of 36C24224R0080. a. Architect s Addendum is attached to this amendment. 48. GC300 states, THIS SCHEDULE MUST INCLUDE EACH PHASE BROKEN OUT TO SHOW: A. 2 WEEKS MINIMUM FOR VA TO MOVE PERSONNEL OUT OF THE PHASE AREA. Please confirm if this is limited to the two Phase 1 and Phase 2 phases or to each of the 28-task area sub-phases unless otherwise noted? The note references phases that require major movement of personnel out of an area prior to work commencing. Task 1B (logistics move to the 7C wing) requires the minimum 2-week allowance. There are tasks (which are 1P, 1Q, prep for 2A) that specifically identify a 2-day duration with one week prior notice. See phasing notes on GC-300 for these tasks. 49. GC300 states, 13. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED - ALL WORK MUST BE COMPLETED IN A TASK AREA, INSPECTIONS, COMMISSIONING AND PUNCH LISTS CLOSED OUT, PRIOR TO TURNING THAT AREA OVER TO THE VA FOR USE AND MOVING TO THE NEXT AREA. Please confirm minimum duration in working days for VA testing activities. Ans. Testing requirements identified in the contract are ongoing during construction and cannot be defined with a specific number of days. The VA and GC work together to plan testing and minimize impact on the schedule. Please confirm minimum duration in working days for VA inspection activities including production of punch list and review of punch list for these 28-task area phases . Ans. VA inspects contract work daily and will identify an ongoing work list of deficiencies to be corrected by the GC as the task area work progresses. However, before allowing the GC to move on to the next task, the VA will need to inspect, create a punchlist, and inspect again after corrective work is done and accepted before considering the work complete. There will be several days required for these VA tasks. Therefore, please build 90 days into the schedule for all VA inspection and punch list activities. Note this does not included days needed for the GC to work on the punch list corrections. Will the VA require an inspection activity after or only specific phases? Please specify so that this can be built appropriately into the overall schedule. Ans. The VA will inspect all phases and stages of the construction. The VA and GC must work together to schedule required testing and facilitate the progress of the construction. Providing sufficient lead time to schedule the 3rd party tester for special inspection activities (steel welding, spray-on fireproofing of structural steel, etc.) will expedite the schedule. Does the VA also require the two-week VA personnel relocation activity to commence AFTER the completion of each phase/inspection activity or can that begin in advance and timed so that construction efforts can immediately commence in the next area once the first is accepted by the VA? Ans. The two-week VA personnel relocation in task 1B commences after 1A is completed and accepted.

Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

****THIS NOT A SOLICITATION**** THIS PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE ALBANY VA MEDICAL CENTER, LOCATED AT 113 HOLLAND AVE ALBANY, NY 12208, WILL BE POSTING A SOLICITATION ON OR ABOUT... ****THIS NOT A SOLICITATION**** THIS PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE ALBANY VA MEDICAL CENTER, LOCATED AT 113 HOLLAND AVE ALBANY, NY 12208, WILL BE POSTING A SOLICITATION ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 13, 2024, FOR THE CONSOLIDATE PRIMARY CARE 1ST FLOOR PHASE 1 PROJECT. The Albany VA Medical Center (VAMC) will be soliciting for the Consolidate Primary Care on First Floor project which includes completely prepare project area for operations, including demolition and removal of existing elements, and furnish labor and materials and perform work for the Additions and Renovations to Consolidate Primary Care on the First Floor of the Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center, as required by the drawings and specifications. The work will require construction of two additions at the first-floor level. An 1,807 SF addition on the West side of the old file room (room #108) on the roof of the basement level, and a second mirror image addition (1,807 SF) on the East side of room #108. The remainder of the 1st floor core area (approximately 6,140 SF) shall be renovated. These three areas combine to form a continuous Patient Aligned Care Team Primary Care Unit. This procurement is 100% set-aside for Small Businesses. The NAICS code is 236220. The small business standard is $45 Million. The magnitude of construction is between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000. A 20% Bid Bond must be submitted with the bid. Information regarding the scheduled site visit will be stated in the Solicitation. Solicitation materials consisting of the Information for Bid Details, Specifications, Drawings and Contract Forms will be available on https://beta.sam.gov in electronic format only. The POC for this project will be Les Griffith and can be reach lester.griffith@va.gov.