RFI# 4

OFFEROR’S PROSAL DUE DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 14, 2025@ 2:00PM EST.

1. Should tax be included in our bid? Yes, all taxes should be within proposal price.

2. Please confirm if prevailing wages will be locked in for the duration of the project or should we figure escalation costs?  Confirmed, the current prevailing wages will be consistent for the life of the project with no escalation.

3. Please confirm if there are any domestic steel requirements. Yes, per the Buy American Act regulations.

4. Please confirm that the ASME Code requirements for this project are subject to B31.1, Building Services Piping   Yes, confirmed for ASME B31.9 Building Services Piping.  Work on pressure vessels, Fired and Un-fired, that would require a ASME U, S or R stamp is required to be performed by a contractor that holds a current ASME U, S and/or R stamp under the ASME certification program.

5. Will the mechanical installation contractor be required to hold an ASME U, S, H or R stamp? Yes, confirmed for ASME B31.9 Building Services Piping.  Work on pressure vessels, Fired and Un-fired, that would require a ASME U, S or R stamp is required to be performed by a contractor that holds a current ASME U, S and/or R stamp under the ASME certification program.

6. Will hydrostatic testing be sufficient on all pipe welds or will x-ray be required? Some x-ray is required. Refer to spec section 23 21 11 Paragraph 3.3.H for non-destructive examination requirements.

7. Will chemical flushing of new piping systems be required prior to putting system in service? Some x-ray is required. Refer to spec section 23 21 11 Paragraph 3.3.H for non-destructive examination requirements.

8. Will water for hydrostatic testing of piping systems and boiler boil-out be provided by owner?  Hydrostatic Testing: Yes — as noted in Section 01 00 00, Paragraph 1.17.F. Water is available at no cost to the Contractor.

9. Can discharge water from hydrostatic testing and boil-out be allowed to go into floor drains or do we need to provide a frac tank. Boiler chemically treated Boil-out Water can be discharged to the site sanitary system. It cannot discharge to the site storm water system. Untreated Hydrostatic test water and flushing water can be discharged to either the Site sanitary or the site storm water system.

10. If X-ray is required, what percentage of welds will require x-ray and who will be responsible for the cost of testing?  Refer to spec section 23 21 11 Paragraph 3.3.H for non-destructive examination requirements. The independent testing agency shall be hired by the Contractor.

11. Will tie-in shutdowns need to be done during off hours?   Depends on the where the shut-down occurs and the length of time. If the shut-down is required for the entire Facility, it’s generally done during after-hours or weekends. Shutdowns of steam service to Building 92, the VA nursing home may require the contractor to provide means of supplemental heating and/or domestic hot water if a shutdown is required for more than 4 hours.

12. Will building mechanical/boiler room be cleared of all stored debris prior to us entering those areas?  The contractor shall provide two (2) forty-foot-long standard metal shipping container type storage containers (placement location onsite TBD) and wood dunnage starting from the installation of the project’s contractor provided temporary boilers installation period thru the end of the Project.   The shipping containers shall be placed upon sufficient pressure treated timbers and planking to properly level and support the shipping containers and keep the contents securely above rainwater run-off.  The shipping containers are to be in good condition with all gaskets in good condition to prevent water, insect and vermin infestation.  Some of the equipment will need disassembly from existing piping, equipment and supports, which will be provided by the Contractor.  VA boiler plant operators shall palletize, and plastic wrap the equipment/spare parts/valves/tooling with the assistance of the contractor.  The Contractors assistance will include providing labor, pallets, banding and plastic wrap and fork truck services to relocate the palletized materials to the contractor provided shipping containers.  At the end of the project, the contractor will again provide assistance to the VA in the form of sufficient labor and fork truck services to relocate the materials, equipment and tooling within the shipping containers into the newly renovated boiler plant or other area VA building.  This work will be tracked as a unique series of work activities on the schedule.

13. Pipe Spec on dwg. MP702 references specification 22 31 11 for the soft water piping system.  The specification calls for threaded galvanized up to 3”.  The valves are called out as carbon steel threaded ball valves.  Drawing MP304 shows these valves as flanged gates, please clarify.  Are we to use threaded galvanized pipe with threaded flanges with flanged ball valves or gate valves. Or are we using threaded ball valves with nipples to thread flanges. Provide Schedule 80 stainless steel piping for soft cold-water system. Specification 223111 will be updated to reflect this change. Provide carbon steel threaded ball valves as currently noted in the specification.

14. Please provide company and contact info for the BMS contractor in the boiler plant.

ABLE Company, Mr. Robert Mangiapia, Phone: 203-876-0636; Cell: 203-520-7693.

15. Can you please issue the pre-bid walk-thru sign in sheet?   See attached

16. Please confirm estimated start date for the project.   Date is tentatively schedule for August 29, 2025.

17. Can another site visit be scheduled prior to bid date?  No.

18. Can the RFI deadline be extended an additional one week to allow sufficient time to review project documents?    No.

19. Please also extend the bid date so we have sufficient time to review and prepare our bid after receipt of new RFI responses.  RFPs from Offeror’s will be extended to July 14, 2025 by 2:00pm EST. No other extension will be given.

20. Please provide the VA Standard Detail 32 12 16-04 as noted on detail-7 in drawing C100       See attached PDF of Detail 32 12 16 -04

21. Please provide additional footing enlargement details at grid F-2 and F-3 where the column footing lies on the building perimeter foundation wall and column pier and how the enlargement must tie into the foundation wall and column piers.   See Section 7, Sheet S501.  Dowel into both strip or column footing and into pedestal or continuous wall footing @ 8"oc and install rebar + epoxy.  New footing will be 2-'0" larger than existing column footing on all sides.

22. Are there As-built drawings of the existing building?   See Keynote 18, Sheet C300.

23. Where are the Site Piping Supports located as shown on detail-4 in drawing SB101? See Keynote 18, Sheet C300.

24. There is documentation provided for the Buy American Act. In instances where products or equipment are manufactured elsewhere but assembled in America, does this comply?     No. The BAA requires that products or equipment be manufactured in the U.S. to comply with procurement preferences.

25. Does every product (to a certain extent) must be manufactured in America?    Yes.

26. What are the instances where a substitute is acceptable?   Answered by CO. 

27. Are we able to include substitutes in our proposal if certain American Made products have longer lead times than non-American products?  No

28. Who is responsible for providing the hoist mentioned on S-501, detail #34.  The hoist is contractor furnished and installed. The equipment schedule on AE411 sheet will be revised to reflect this.

29. Please clarify the extent of the slab replacement in the boiler room.   See Keynote 03.13, Sheet SB101 and concrete hatch extents on Section 1, Sheet SB101.

30. Slab on grade (does not include elevated slab above basement) between gridlines 2 and 5 and between A and F is to be replaced.

31. Please clarify the size of the boiler stacks.  The stacks are 36" diameter.

32. The Mechanical Plant schedules do not provide any manufacturer information. Is it possible to provide the basis of design manufacturers for each piece of equipment (Boilers, tanks, etc). 

Boiler - Cleaver Brooks CBCW

Deaerator - Kasas City Deaerator Company Model TC90

Feedwater/Condensate pumps - Scot Pump Vertical Multistage

Blowoff Tank - Penn Separator Corp.

Fuel Oil Pumps - Viking Pump

Temp Boiler - Powerhouse RH-800

33. Please provide contact information for the existing controls BMS Vendor. KLIMA Controls (Johnson Facility Explorer). (212)676-5100 (company main), [email protected] (sales engineer). 

34. In addition, who is responsible for instrumentation & tie-ins to existing Scada system?  The Prime contractor is responsible for the SCADA system (control and any tie - ins and relocations); temporary and permanent power will be provided by the Prime contractors Electrical Contractor.

35. Please provide contact information for the existing Fire Alarm Vendor.  Casey Fire Alarm, John Petersen, Cell: 516-521-3494.

36. Please provide contact information for the existing Nurse call Vendor. No Nurse call.

37. Please provide contact information for the existing Audio Visual/Technology Vendor. The existing CCTV system does not have a service contract. The camera manufacturers are Axis Communications.

38. Please advise if the roof depicted on drawing SF102 is currently under warranty. If the roof is still under warranty, please provide the contact information for the roofer holding the warranty. Roof is being replaced. No warranty is in place.

39. Please advise if the contractor will be responsible for the full-time operator and fuel costs throughout the project’s duration (Phase 2) for the temporary boiler. The Government will provide operators for the temporary and new permanent boiler plant after the continuous proof of performance operation period has been completed and accepted by the VA.  The Contractor is responsible to provide qualified High pressure steam boiler operators for temporary boiler and new permanent boiler plant start-up and thru the continuous proof of performance operational period until accepted by the VA. The Government will provide liquid fuel, propane and Natural Gas for temporary boiler operation.

40. We have reviewed the drawings and specifications for this solicitation and noticed a significant amount of trenching excavation is required. Please provide a geotechnical report for this project. Due to this project’s dewatering contingency in specification section 31 23 19. If this project requires dewatering, the quantity and quality (level of contaminates) of the water is unknown. In the case the water is contaminated, due to designated contaminates, the water cannot be discharged in the sewer systems per DEP rules and regulations. The contaminated water must be disposed legally as a “petroleum” product. The cost of petroleum contaminated water is astronomical (approximately $1 per gallon). Furthermore, a 300 GPM pump running for twelve hours a day will generate 216,000 gallons per day. To allow bidders to bid on equal terms, we are respectfully requesting you designate the dewatering scopes of work as an “Allowance” to be paid per the actual expenses incurred if ground water is encounter.  The cost for disposal of Contaminated ground water if encountered shall be paid for as an unforeseen condition in accordance with FAR Regulations. The VA has not encountered petroleum contaminated groundwater in past excavations within the area noted in the design drawings.

41. If the contractor is responsible for the Temp Emergency Generators, please provide the make and manufacturer.  Electrical contractor is responsible for temporary generator.  Electrical contractor is responsible to provide a suitably listed emergency standby generator of the appropriate size and voltage as indicated on the drawings. Provide appropriate submittals for review.

42. Please provide the boiler flue specs and flue pipe ID. None shown on drawings or specifications.  Boiler stacks are 36" diameter as shown on MP513 - final dimensions will need to be coordinated with the requirements of the burner provided. Materials specifications are included in Spec Section 23 51 00.

43. Who is responsible for salt and chemicals for the temporary boiler system during the 23-day operational proving period?  The contractor.

44. Who is responsible for salt and chemicals for the temporary boiler system during the duration of the contract?  The Northport VA after acceptance of the 23-day operational proving period.

45. Who is responsible for loading salt and chemicals for the temporary boiler system during the duration of the contract? The Northport VA after acceptance of the 23-day operational proving period.

46. Please confirm the Contractor shall provide 24/7 operators for the temporary system during the operational proving period of the temporary system. How many operators does the Contractor need to supply during each shift if it is in fact the contractor’s responsibility?  The contractor shall provide qualified licensed boiler operators during boiler start-up and proof of performance periods.  One (1) operator per shift.

45. Who is responsible for 24/7 operators during the operational proving period of the new boiler system? Will the Government operators’ man the plant during this period of time?  The Contractor shall provide qualified licensed boiler operators during boiler start-up and proof of performance periods.  Minimum one (1) operator per shift.

46. Who is responsible for salt and chemicals for the new boiler system during the operational proving period of the new system?  The contractor.

47. Please confirm the Government will supply all fuel oil for testing both the temporary and new system and for the operational proving periods for both temporary and new systems. Yes, the Northport VA will supply all fuel.  The contractor is responsible for all necessary piping, pumps and leak protection to transfer fuel oil from the underground tanks to the boilers.

48. The temporary boilers are commercially available units that do not come equipped to meet the stringent requirements of the VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual. Please confirm you want the Contractor to modify these commercially available units and account for those costs in their estimate. The temporary boilers are commercially available units that do not come equipped to meet the stringent requirements of the VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual. Please confirm you want the Contractor to modify these commercially available units and account for those costs in their estimate. The Contractor shall provide as many steam safety devices and controls, as contained within the VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual 8th edition and VA Specifications 23 52 13 Fire Tube Boilers and 23 09 11 Instrumentation and Control for Boiler Plant, as as an upgrade to the normal commercial product offering as is reasonably achievable from the boiler manufacturers. The Contractor being responsible for Temporary Boiler and Ancillary Equipment Maintenance and Repair is required to have critical spare parts on hand in order to maintain the boiler system availability up-time required without delays for parts procurement and shipping.  E.g. steam safety relief valves, sensors, servos, actuators, control boards, gaskets, etc.

49. Please confirm the VA Boiler Plant Operators will handle routine maintenance of the temporary boiler units. Maintenance repairs and replacements will be required to be performed by the contractor. Northport VA Operators will monitor and operate the Boilers only. Monitoring includes performing daily water testing.  Any required adjustments to the water treatment system will be performed by the contractor.  The contractor shall provide all necessary piping provisions for the operators to perform daily water chemistry testing.

50. Please confirm the steel contractor shall be AISC certified fabricator/erector. Yes, confirmed.

51. Please confirm the CxA is by the Government.  Yes, confirmed.

52. Are O2 Analyzers required for the temporary boilers?  Yes. Is Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEMS) required for the temporary boilers? This is expensive.  No, continuous Emissions Monitoring is not required.

53. Who is responsible for state/local air permitting for the temporary and new boilers? Temporary     The Northport VA shall be the lead for state/local air permitting/registration for the temporary and new boilers.

54. Confirm the temporary boilers do not need to be ultra-low NOX. Yes Confirmed.  

55. Who is responsible for fuel oil fill of the temporary generator serving the temporary boiler plant?  Northport VA. Who is responsible for refilling during the duration of the contract?  Northport VA. Who is responsible for preventative maintenance and service of the temporary generator?  Contractor.

56. What non-binding date should we utilize for notice to proceed in our project schedule that will be submitted as part of the RFP response?   August 29, 2025.

57. Please advise on the natural gas supply pressure going to the temporary boilers so we can appropriately size the necessary NG PRV at each temp. 15 PSI.

58. Pertaining to SECTION 01 35 26 1.17-J, is a full-time (24x7) fire watch going to be required for the existing Boiler Plant during the renovation project? Every VA interprets/handles this differently, and this can lead to a significant cost adder. Fire watch to be by Northport VA FD.

59. "Section 01 45 00 of the specifications outlines the requirement for a CQC System Manager who may, under certain circumstances, serve as the Superintendent. The section also refers to a list of specialized CQC support personnel to assist in the quality control process. However, the solicitation does not clearly state (please advise):

a. Whether the Government expects the CQC System Manager and Project Superintendent to be two separate full-time onsite personnel, or if a dual-hat approach is acceptable for this project’s scope and complexity. The prime contractor must maintain a directly employed designated responsible individual onsite in order for any work to be performed onsite to coordinate and control that work.  This requirement cannot be subcontracted or delegated to a subcontractor.  To maintain project continuity and to avoid work stoppages due to lack of the Prime Contractors personnel being onsite, the VA recommends that there be two designated responsible individuals onsite as onsite work increases beyond a single trade crew.

b. Whether the CQC support personnel (electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, etc.) are required to be full-time onsite, available on-call, or available periodically during relevant work phases. (Can these be the subcontractor’s foreman/superintendent or directly employed by the Prime?)   Project CQC support personnel can be full-time onsite, available on-call, or available periodically during relevant work phases as necessary to due-diligently support the project’s schedule and provide the inspections required by project specification sections applicable to the project scope of work in a timely manner.  The prime contractor must maintain a directly employed designated responsible individual onsite in order for work to be performed onsite.  The Project Superintendent is responsible for all aspects of the project work quality and shall be subject to removal by the contracting officer if there are demonstrated lapses in quality control of the work required to be performed. Lack of adequate onsite support personnel shall not be an excuse for breakdown in quality control relative to submittal reviews by the contractor completeness and adherence to specification requirements, completion and submission of daily work and inspection reports, timely submission of outage requests, inspection readiness notifications to the VA and submission of required schedule updates.  The CPM schedule will include as unique individual work activities for each system and work phase all required Inspections, including VA witness requirements, for Weld Testing, Welding, Piping Installations (Flushing, Hydrotesting), Equipment Start-ups, Concrete Pours, Boiler Safety Device Testing, masonry tuck pointing, etc.

c. Whether the Government has a minimum expectation for the number of full-time onsite CQC employees directly employed by the Prime Contractor (excluding subcontractor staff) during active construction.   The VA’s expectation as defined in the specification 01 45 00 is that the contractor shall employ, and/or directly contract, during construction installations CQC inspectors with demonstrated experience and expertise providing quality control inspection in the prime scopes of work relative to this project; ASME and AWS welding programs and NDE testing, Steam Piping systems, Condensate Piping Systems, Feedwater Piping systems, Fuel Oil and Fuel Gas piping systems, Large Boiler Installations and Testing, Boiler and Steam System Controls, Boiler Operations, Electric Power Systems and Switchgear, Electric Power Raceway and Wiring, Structural and Miscellaneous Steel, Concrete Installations and testing, Masonry Restoration, Roofing System Installations, Building Envelope systems and Industrial Coating Systems.  Each inspector will be required to read and maintain a copy of the specifications applicable to the work being performed, along with copies of referenced standards, to understand the project requirements and thus to aid in determination if the work is being performed per contract requirements.  The CQC inspectors are required to be onsite when the work applicable to their experience and expertise is ready for inspection and prior to being covered or made in-accessible for inspection without having to perform re-work.  

60. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO?  VA Response – No. Per Specification 01 35 26   1.9 “SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICER” (SSHO) and “COMPETENT PERSON” (CP): The Prime Contractor shall provide a Safety oversight team that includes a minimum of one (1) person at each project site, for each shift, to function as the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO). The Prime Contractor shall provide a minimum of one “Full-Time” SSHO at each project site, for each shift (with no other duties) that holds as current, a professional safety certification with at least 3 years of dedicated construction safety related experience.

61. If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project?  Yes. See Response to Question 60) above.

62. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC? VA Response - Section 01 45 00 of the specifications outlines the education and experience requirements for a CQC System Manager who may, under certain circumstances, serve as the Superintendent. Those circumstances are primarily related to the volume and complexity of work being performed.    The prime contractor must maintain a directly employed designated responsible individual onsite for any work to be performed to coordinate and control that work.  This requirement cannot be subcontracted or delegated to a subcontractor.  To maintain project continuity and to avoid work stoppages due to lack of the Prime Contractors required personnel being onsite, the VA recommends that there be two designated qualified and responsible individuals onsite as onsite work increases beyond a single trade crew.  Per the specification requirements, the experience and education requirements for the designated alternate CQC manager are the same as the Primary designated CGC Manager.

63. If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? See Response to Question 62) above.

64. Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC?  No – See Response to Question 60) above.

65. Who is responsible for contracting the commissioning agent?  Northport VA.

66. Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends? Depends on the where the shut-down occurs and the length of time. If the shut-down is required for the entire Facility, it’s generally done during after-hours or weekends. Shutdowns of steam service to Building 92, the VA nursing home may require the contractor to provide means of supplemental heating and/or domestic hot water if a shutdown is required for more than 4 hours.

67. Please confirm if the code requirements for mechanical piping installation and testing are subject to ASME B31.9 Building Services Piping, and will the mechanical installation contractor be required to hold an ASME U, S, H or R stamp? Yes, confirmed for ASME B31.9 Building Services Piping.  Work on pressure vessels, Fired and Un-fired, that would require a ASME U, S or R stamp is required to be performed by a contractor that holds a current ASME U, S and/or R stamp under the ASME certification program.

68. Please confirm if the code requirements for mechanical piping installation and testing are subject to B31.1 Power Piping and will the mechanical installation contractor be required to hold an ASME U, S, H or R stamp?  Yes, confirmed for B31.1 Power Piping. Work on pressure vessels, Fired and Un-fired, that would require a ASME U, S or R stamp is required to be performed by a contractor that holds a current ASME U, S and/or R stamp under the ASME certification program.

69. Please confirm if there is assumed asbestos on any piping that is to be? Refer to Drawings ASB-1 and ASB-2.

70. Will boiler plant and mechanical rooms etc. be cleared of all stored debris prior to the contractor entering those areas?  The boiler plant and mechanical rooms will have all materials and equipment that the Government wishes to retain tagged for removal and relocation onsite with the assistance of the contractor, and all other remaining materials will be considered ready for removal and disposal by the Contractor.

71. Will a full-time fire watch be required during activities such as cutting and welding? How long after such activities are completed?  Yes, by the Northport VA FD. 30 minutes.

72. Who is responsible for all coordination drawings if required? Who will act as the “Gate Keeper” The prime contractor is responsible for development of coordination drawings where required by specifications. The prime contractor may subcontract the development work to a competent subcontractor or subcontractors.

73. Will it be the responsibility of the mechanical contractor to lead the coordination process?  The prime contractor is responsible to lead the coordination process.

74. Will the mechanical contractor be responsible for clash detection and reporting during the coordination process?    The prime contractor is responsible to lead the coordination process, including clash detection and development of alterations necessary to avoid clashes based on the systems involved.

75. Is there a particular vendor or contractor currently servicing and maintaining the Building Automation System or Temperature Controls System?  The existing facility Building Automation System is the Johnson Facility Explorer (FX). This system is not currently under a contracted service contract.

76. Would alternative vendors for the DDC System such as Siemens be acceptable in lieu of Johnson FX?  No, the VA is transitioning all DDC systems to Johnson Facility Explorer (FX).

77. With regards to underground utility work how much open trenching be allowed at a time? There is no restriction on the amount of open trenching that can be developed within a given time frame.  Open trenches must be contained within effective personnel barrier fencing, be provided with automatic dewatering provisions and stepped back and/or shored to comply with applicable OSHA requirements.

78. After backfilling, topsoil and seed have been applied who is responsible for watering? If the contractor is responsible will water be provided by the facility? The contractor will be responsible for watering. The VA will provide the water supply.

79. On all underground work please confirm if excavated material is acceptable for re-use as backfill? Excavated materials that are free of softball size or larger stones or hard materials may be utilized for as backfill except where graded sand or graded backfills are specifically required by specification and/or drawings. This may require screening of excavated soils if there are rocks and hard materials the size of a softball or larger. 

80. Please confirm if the contractor is responsible for any rock removal that is encountered.  If so, what is the assumed elevations and quantity of rock material?  The soil on Long Island is mainly sand. There is no known bedrock within the limits of the trenching shown on the drawings.

81. Please confirm if a unit price can be established for rock removal as opposed to carrying in bid?  No, unit price cannot be established for rock removal.

82. If an extreme amount of rock is encountered/removed, please confirm if extra time will be added to the contract completion date? This question is hypothetical and cannot be answered at this time but will be addressed on a case-by-case bases. However, the completion of the project is set within the parameters of the period of performance.

83. Please confirm if there is a separate staging area onsite for fill material to be stockpiled for re-use? Yes, this can be arranged with the Northport VA Facility.

84. Please confirm if an onsite arborist is required for any tree removal or tree protection?  The VA-COR shall determine which trees may be removed and what tree protection is required. All trees in construction areas that are not to be removed shall be provided with hard barriers to prevent construction equipment from damaging exposed roots, trunks and limbs.

85. Please advise if the site contains any contaminated soil that needs to be removed. No contaminated soil is known to be present.

86. If the underground site package requires removal of contaminated soils. Will the site contractor be required to have operators trained and certified in all various levels of contamination handling?  Yes.

87. Please confirm if we will be allowed to keep a locked storage container or conex box within the grounds.  Yes, confirmed.