CONTINUATION PAGE





PRE-BID QUESTIONS

INTERIOR FINISHES PH2





1. NOTE #6 on page G1001 states all work to be done during normal business hours whenever possible, but certain areas of work may need to be done after hours with the approval of the COTR. Can you please clarify as to what areas are designated for after hours work or should the entire project be bid for work during normal business hours? Please reference drawings, specification section 01 00 00 and amendment for information on phasing and hours of work.

2. Sheet AF101 is the only notation to Phasing in this project, is the contractor to create his/hers own phasing plan and incorporate such plan in the project schedule or will the VA provide the phasing plan to us? All areas will require some phasing and will have to be coordinated with the VA COTR. Please reference drawings, specification section 01 00 00 and amendment for information on phasing and hours of work.



3. Will hard wall barriers only be required at the areas shown on the drawings and the balance of the barriers to be 6 mil plastic? If not can the VA please provide the additional areas for hard wall barriers? Reference 01 00 00 1.8 for updated Infection Control and barrier requirements.



4. Detail 1/AF602 shows the temporary hard wall barrier detail being composed of steel stud, " Melamine laminated plywood and then covered with the 6 mil plastic, then caulked to the existing ceiling. Can the walls be erected with a sill seal at the top track and then tape all the seams at the ceiling area within the barricaded space? This would eliminate the need for the caulk joint at the ceiling and therefore reduce costs for replacing the ceiling tiles that have caulk applied to them. A sill seal with tape at the top track is acceptable as it still prevents passage of dust particles.



5. 1/AF102 shows room 2C129 removing the Grid/ACT, can this be done during normal business hours and will the kitchen remain open during the construction and if so what are the ICRA requirements for protection of the equipment and surrounding areas? Reference 01 00 00 1.6 and 1.8.



6. 2/AF102 shows removing and storing the kitchen equipment in this room, where will the storage area be for this equipment and can this be done during normal business hours? Contractor to provide storage. Work can be done during normal business hours in 2C129.



7. 6/AF107 shows P-lam being installed at the sink area; does the P-lam run the entire length of the wall the sink is attached to? If not what are the dimensions of the area? The P-lam should extend the entire length of wall up to a dimension of 5'-0" (sink centered on the 5'-0").



8. Spec. 87100 Door hardware Sec. 2.11 states that the contractor supplies keys for the new locks installed, past experience shows that the VA supplies the cores and the keys can you please clarify? VA supplies the cores and keys. Contractor to furnish and install hardware matching existing key system.



9. 3/AF104 states doors 6C151B & 6C151C new hollow metal fire doors and frames, but the door and frame schedule on sheet AF601 states to re-use the existing door and hardware. Please clarify. Contractor is to provide new hollow metal fire doors and provide new hardware.



10. During the work in the Firm B and Firm A areas where will the furniture and equipment be stored? Contractor to provide storage.



11. AF601 shows (2) 7'x9' sliding doors in room 5A134 but drawings don't reflect it, is this a typo? Please clarify. This is a typo, there is only (1) sliding door (7'x9') to be provided for room 5A134.



12. Detail 9/AF601 shows the bottom track for the sliding doors is to be installed in the concrete flooring but Stanley does provide a bottomless track door system therefore eliminating the cost to saw cut the floor to accommodate such a track. Is this a permissible application? Yes, contractor to provide the Stanly Trackless sliding door.



13. The door and frame schedule on AF601 states that the finish of the frame of the glass sliding doors are to be painted, these are generally left an anodized finish, is this correct? Please clarify. Please provide Anodized finish in lieu of paint for ALL aluminum frames.



14. Drawings ID102 & ID106.1 shows a furniture plan, who purchases and installs such furniture? Please reference to chart on the top right corner of these two sheets. It is noted the furniture in Not In Contract (NIC).



15. Drawing ID102.1 details a handrail but does not show the area the handrail is to be installed, please clarify. Areas that require a new handrail (HR1) are shown with a faint dotted line in the hallways per the legend.



16. We were unable to locate any specifications for the Wainscot or the Handrail, please clarify. Reference Interior Design drawings and specifications included with addendum.



17. The wall details on page AF602 shows using 16 ga. Steel studs, in most non-bearing applications a 20 ga. Steel stud is standard. Is this what the VA wants? Please clarify. 16 GA studs are to be provided at ALL high walls. Wall Types W2, W5, W6, W7, & W8. All other walls can be built using 20 GA. Studs.



18. On drawing AF106 just to the right of room 5A-127 it states to replace the existing monitor shelf, what are we replacing it with? The 'Replace existing monitor shelf" corresponds with the note at the same location on Sheet AF105, "Remove, Salvage and Store Monitor Shelf for Relocation". The contractor is to remove this shelf indicated on sheet AF105, and re-install it at the location shown on sheet AF106.



19. In specification section 210000 (Automatic Sprinkler System) it calls for a new design build distribution system for the following areas:

1. 4/AF101- Firm A Check In

2. 1/AF103- Dishwashing room 2C-129

3. 4/AF104- Firm B Waiting 6C-150

4. 1/AF106- MICU



During the shutdown and installation of the new distribution system will the VA provide a fire watch of the areas affected or is this the contractor's responsibility? Fire Watch will be the contractor's responsibility.



How long can the system be shut down for new work to take place and is it the contractor's responsibility to submit the ISLM documents or will the VA safety prepare these? System shutdown time is during normal work hours unless other arrangements are made. Contractor would be responsible for 24-hour fire watch if system is not operational at the end of each day. VA completes ILSM assessment and documents. Contractor may have some responsibilities such as fire watch, fire extinguisher in vicinity of work, etc.



Once the system is shut down how will the areas downstream of the work area be protected during such construction? System is shutdown by zone. Interim Life Safety Measures are put into place based on assessment by VA Safety Office.



Can the VA provide the existing hydraulic calculations in the above areas to aid in the design of the new distribution system? No.



Is the contractor responsible for draining down the system for new construction tie ins? Yes. VA Plumbing staff can provide assistance with locating proper zone valves.



20. ICRA NOTE on pages: AF101 and AF104 states that there will be a 6 mil plastic barrier around the construction areas, is this in addition to the hard wall barriers or is there another location not designated on the drawings? For these (2) areas, only hardwall barriers are to be provided.



This note also states that the workers will be required to wear VA provided head / foot protection along with coveralls, is this during demolition only or for the entire project? Requirement for head and foot protection is removed.



21. Are there designated work hours for the Director's suite scope of work? Reference Specification 01 00 00 1.6G.



22. During the site visit walk thru it was mentioned that the bid date and time was changed from 3.2.09 @ 4pm to 3.3.09 @ 4pm, is this correct? VA Contracting Officer is issuing amendment with extension until Wednesday 3.4.09 @ 4pm.



23. During the site visit walk thru it was mentioned that the Audiology room phase of this project is to be deleted, should we delete this portion of the project without a formal addendum being issued reflecting such deletion? Work in Audiology is removed from the project scope.



24. Will the VA post the site visit sign in sheet prior to bids being due? Yes.



25. There is NO Specification in Division 9 for the Dur-A-Flex Q28 - 24 Floor Finish Designation on Plan Page ID104 for Dishwashing Room 2C-129. Is there a Division 9 "Resinous" or "Fluid Applied" Flooring Specification, and are other epoxy manufacturers flooring systems acceptable? In Dishwashing area 2C-129 flooring product shall be UCRETE HP with integral, slip-resistant quartz aggregate, by BASF. Integral Flooring Cove shall be UCRETE WR by BASF. Color of UCRETE product shall be as selected by the VA among the manufacturer's standard colors. BASF local representative is Mark Grundmann at (303) 870-7466. Submit product and color chart. Remove existing flooring and clean existing concrete deck pursuant to manufacturer's instructions. Apply new flooring and cove base pursuant to Manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. "Or Equal" may be submitted. Existing floor demolition work shall be done during the hours of 4pm to 8pm only weekdays or 10am to 8 pm weekends.



26. Does this epoxy flooring system require a "epoxy waterproofing membrane" to be placed under it in conjunction with the epoxy flooring system since there are occupied used rooms below the Dishwashing Room? Yes, Electrometric membrane or Epoxy Primer.



27. What type of flooring is in this Dishwash Room currently? Will the General Contractor be required to remove and provide a cleaned acceptable concrete substrate? Currently Tile. YES, existing floor and bedding will need to be removed!



28. Will the owner / architect accept an "alternate epoxy flooring system" to be installed in the Basement - Nutrition Rooms? Alternate "or equal" product may be submitted. Acceptance of alternate is dependent on meeting salient characteristics.



29. There are not specifications in the manual for the finishes. Is the information on the finish plans the extent of the specifications or are there specs that will be issued by addendum? Reference Interior Design (ID) drawings and specifications, including those with the addendum.



30. On the interior design sheet ID101 they have installing ceramic tile and base along with painting the walls, they have no demo or existing conditions. Please Advise. On the architectural demo plan for this area (sheet AF 109) we call out to demo the existing wall base. To clarify, the contractor will need remove the wall base as required to install the new wall base called for on the ID drawings. The wall will have to be prepped for the new base, and repaired as required to provide a smooth transition between the new base and existing wall.

31. Sheet AF102 - Contractor to remove and store all dishwasher equipment

a. What will this entail? The general contractor shall contract with Hobart for the removal of the existing dishwasher from the building and after the dishwashing new floor is ready to accept traffic, shall return the dishwasher to the room. The dishwasher utilities shall be disconnected and reconnected and tested by Hobart (contact Steve Bard or Ralph Klmeish at (303) 294-0784 48 hours before the move). Contractor will need to store the dishwasher in a protected, enclosed and secure area on-site during the period of construction.

i. Storage unit Contractor to furnish.

ii. Kitchen equipment rep to take it apart and put back together See 31a above.

32. Sheet AF105 - What type of sliding doors need to be removed. So I can figure labor and patch back. Aluminum and glass sliding doors.

33. Sheet AF105 - when we demo the tile will we need to replace drywall or install cement backer board? Please Advise. Cement backboard will have to be provided.

34. ID106.1 has a furniture plan - typically we have seen the Owner provide and install the furniture. Please confirm if the contractor is to provide and/or install furniture. Please reference chart at top right of sheet ID106.1. Furniture is Not In Contract (NIC)



35. ID105 has a note to provide signage to match existing. Will you please confirm if the GC is to provide and install. If the VA provides for the GC to install, please confirm quantity. Please confirm GC to demo existing signs. Also, please confirm if any signs require power. Signage will be government furnished, contractor installed. We are only adding (1) new room on the entire job. We will only need a total of (2) new signs. All existing signs that are affected by construction are to be removed, stored and re-installed by the GC. There is no requirement for power at any signs.



36. P103 details the floor drains. Can you please confirm what room is underneath the dishwashing room. We need to factor in impact to the room below - both people and infection control measures. In-patient pharmacy receiving and storage. This is a HIGH IC Area. Provided work area is kept minimal, IC Measures will include covering items in vicinity, maintaining negative HEPA filtered air, walk-off mats, 6-mil fire retardant barriers. If work extends to multiple shifts and a large area of square footage, hardwall barriers will be required.



37. Phasing: can you confirm which areas are required to work on overtime or weekends. Please reference drawings, specification section 01 00 00 and amendment for information on phasing and hours of work.



38. Phasing: In the MICU can you please confirm how many rooms will become available at a time. Also, please confirm how much of the center common area can be taken. In other words, can we take half of the unit at a time, both common and individual rooms and then swap or does it need to be broken down any further. All work in the MICU, as shown on 1 & 2/AF106, 1 & 2/AF105 and 1 & 2/ID105, shall be phased so that no more than 2 patient rooms are under construction at any time. Construction will also need to be phased to allow full operation at the Nurse's station and Telemetry at all times. It is the intent of VA to set up the Nurse's Station and/or telemetry in an adjacent room during construction, however, only one of these functions can be moved at a time due to space constraints. In addition, contractor needs to phase so as to not prevent access to rooms that need to remain open. Work can be done during normal business hours.



39. Bid time: has the bid been officially changed to Tuesday? Do we turn bids into you? What room are you in at the VA? VA Contracting Officer is issuing amendment with extension until 3.4.09 @ 4pm. Bids should be delivered to address on solicitation. This is the VA Medical Center, Building 7, to the Attention of Garry Harris. They can be dropped off at the FMS Customer Service Desk.



40. Sheet AF109-Repair existing Gypsum Wall board, what is the extent of the repair required. The extent of repair of the existing wall board is dependent on how cleanly the existing wall base comes off the wall. The gypsum wall board will have to be prepped for the new base, and repaired as required to provide a smooth transition between the new base and existing wall.



41. In the MICU area there is a Telemetry or some sort of tracking system in the ceiling who and what will be required of this? Contractor should not disturb system. Contractor's scope of work does not include this system. Any required moving of computers or monitors associated with the system will be done by VA staff.



42. In the MICU area there is the Hospital VA Public Address system who and what will be required of this? The same with the camera system. Contractor should not disturb systems. Contractor's scope of work does not include these systems. Any required moving of computers or monitors associated with the systems will be done by VA staff.



43. On Page 48 of the Solicitation, Volume 2 - Technical Factors, a. Factor 1, it states "The offeror shall address in a clear and concise manner their experiences in Mechanical Systems with an emphasis on renovation for HVAC Work similar in size, scope and complexity". This question was addressed in Amendment 1



44. Page 49, d. Factor 4, Past Performance. Does this section only use those projects listed in Factor 1 or can we put other reference names and projects in this location? If so, is there a limit of reference names we can submit and do we just submit reference names or also project names? This section is to identify projects of the same scope and requirements of this solicitation in order to evaluate the Contractors experience in working within a similar environment and working conditions. With that said it is best to provide the experiences that would be closest in comparison to that of this solicitation.

45. Can you please define the phasing requirements in the corridor finishes removal on the 6th Floor.

46. Please confirm the extent of the existing wood paneling to be covered in the Directors suite.

47. There are both 2x2 and 2x4 ceiling tiles shown on the drawings however only a spec for the 2'x'4' tile. Will you please provide a spec for the 2x2? 2x2 specification is the same as the 2x4, with exception of the size.

48. Will there be Specs for the finishes provided? Reference Interior Design (ID) plans as well as the specifications.

49. Please clarify the location of existing Panel LLAA1, referenced on Drawing E102. Panel LLAA1 is in the room adjacent to the transfer fan to be connected to it. See the power plan on sheet E102.

50. Drawing E104 shows new Type C fixtures, but a model number/manufacturer is not specified. Please clarify. These fixtures should be recessed cans, preferable 4" diameter, and should match bulb type and fixture type installed elsewhere in the facility.

51. Drawing E106 shows new Types A and AE fixtures, but a model number/manufacturer is not specified. Please clarify. Fixture types A and AE should match the fixtures demolished in the space. E.C. Should reuse fixtures where possible.



52. Who is the manufacturer of the existing Fire Alarm system? Simplex Grinnell



53. Who will be responsible for Voice/Data cabling and devices? Contractor is responsible for box and conduit to ceiling. VA will install cables.

54. Sheet AF602, Wall types W5, W7, and W8 call for wood blocking and point to the middle of the wall. There is not blocking depicted here. Is plywood full height required to match W5 or additional strips. Please define. The blocking is to be provided at the top of the 1/2 high walls for wall types W5, W6, W7, W8. The arrow was supposed to point to this at wall types W7 and W8. Blocking is required in the middle of the wall where there are countertops. We need the blocking to secure the counter to the wall. The plywood is only required at walls where there is tile.

55. ID104 notes integral cove at the epoxy flooring up 4". Should we go with the detail 10/AF601 which takes it up 8" to the first CMU joint? Yes, we highly recommend tucking it back into the 1st CMU joint.

56. The Drawings call for "medium" weight faster plaster, but it is only available in light #602 and heavy #609. There is a cost difference for both the material and shipping. Please confirm. Light weight plaster is acceptable as it will be painted.



57. Is this project Tax exempt. This item is in the front ends but refers to "applicable" taxes to which there is a degree of interpretation. This is a tax exempt project, meaning that the General should not change any taxes to the government in connection with this contract.



58. Are there building permit requirements? No. Again this is covered as "applicable" in the specifications. We have found one piece of information from Denver that would suggest that this building would be excluded from permitting. Can you confirm this? This is a federal facility and exempt from permitting.



59. Confirm that Door and Frame type D are HM. Typically we see these as aluminum. The track detail appears to be a typical aluminum ICU door. Door frame type D are Aluminum, and need to be factory finished, not painted.







See attached document 010000.





See attached document 000110 REV1 02-27-09.





See attached document 078400.





See attached document 079200.





See attached document 102600.





See attached document DIRECTORS SUITE PANELING.