631-19-002 Upgrade Steam Distribution System Phase II Industry Day Recap

631-19-002 Upgrade Steam Distribution System Phase 2 Industry Day Recap Understand Challenges for construction regarding this project from a contractor s perspective. Is there any ability to alter phasing? VA Response: In-short, yes. As a result of your inquiries the project team is proposing phasing to turn over both basement and first floor wings coordinate well in advance to close, relocate, or adjust clinical operations for a fixed period. This includes a lengthy shut down of the canteen in summer months. This will allow more day shift work, more sustained/efficient construction avoiding nightly restoration. With careful planning and temporary heat provision plans by contractor this could also permit work during heating season. The solicitation will contain an updated phasing supplement by wings with permissible down time that shall supersede any specification or drawing phasing plans. We anticipate evaluating proposals with at least 1 factor demonstrating a contractor s utilization of these updates to indicate their time and cost savings relative to off-hours work. This supplement will also include operation constraints such as audiology and pharmacy where noisy work and infection control issues will push to off hours work. When is this project going to be solicited? VA Response: The intention is for this to be solicited late quarter three or quarter four. This presents an excellent opportunity for the awardee to utilize the winter of 26/27 to procure materials, complete admin and detailed coordination drawings for building 1, while utilizing immediately available work in buildings 15 and 16 to establish team dynamics, rhythm, and process to build steam. Are there any specific needs of the facility? Can a contractor utilize temporary heaters? Can a contractor bring in an engineering team to help assist? VA Response: VA would be willing to review these proposed methods. Again, the expectation is for a best value solicitation. The VA is highly motivated to complete this critical infrastructure. We will gladly review RFIs and evaluate tradeoffs. Topics so far we would happy to entertain: Value engineering proposal to change any load to hydronic. Rough sizing calcs demonstrating heating loads are satisfied Advantages: Copper/pluming work vs schedule 80 pipe welding. Significant pipe size reduction in mains, elimination of traps and maintenance costs long term, elimination of gravity dependent pathways. Elimination of smaller condensate pumps such as PTOT, customer care suite, canteen, mech room (still one in sub-basement), elimination of canteen CP by Walk-in. Savings proposals based on phasing supplement and temp heating to allow more winter work. Proposal to include products such as dryers and low maintenance sustainment. Any proposals increasing serviceable and low maintenance sustainment or energy rebate alternative ideas could be considered under best value Rathert than working above drop ceilings propose potential ceiling replacements if phasing supplement turns over. E.G: Canteen just demo drop ceiling to save demo and construction efforts, especially with ACM. Establish new IAW specifications. Propose net savings/cost trade off Canteen store drop ceiling replace Section of hallway leading to canteen, proposed elimination with cosmetic clean up Has the VA confirmed the pipe sizing and gravity of the system? VA Response: The VA has performed a qualitative review and directed drawing updates based on sizing. It is believed the current new work plan is largely oversized without being excessive, but to our knowledge no quantitative analysis exists. Is there any consideration to move away from the non-destructive testing? There are potential pitfalls in utilizing this method. VA Response: VA will look at this and review the methods. The current thought process is to establish minimal surveillance or critical areas where NDT including radiation exclusion radius/sphere will be performed off hours. This will likely be a hybrid between the standard specification and more than B31.1 would typically require. It could also include requirement to document process for items like socket weld (e.g. construction photo showing insertion scribe and back off . Has the VA looked at the potential use of swing spaces? Other VA s have utilized this approach to allow large areas to be vacated in an effort to provide uninterrupted work. VA Response: The utilization of swing spaces is being explored. VA will provide an updated phasing supplement with the solicitation. Is there the ability block off more rooms at a time to avoid the need to restore rooms each day? VA Response: This could be considered. The updated phasing supplement will be provided with the solicitation. Can the Canteen be down for an extended period of time? VA Response: VA is looking into potentially shutting this down for a period of time to allow efficient work. The updated phasing supplement will be provided with the solicitation. How would the VA handle unforeseen asbestos? Is there the ability to utilize a unit price? VA Response: This could be a potential line item for the solicitation. Has the VA looked at reducing the requirement for a degreed engineer for the MEP Coordinator, or all other disciplines? VA Response: VA will take a look at the requirements, but having a qualified MEP Coordinator on this specific job is the intention. Is there the ability for an administrative NTP to be issued? This would allow for more thorough site investigations and planning. It appears that in order to do a proper investigation and coordination drawings the period would need to be longer than the one-hundred and twenty (120) days in the specifications. VA Response: VA will take this under consideration. The intention is that the project will be solicited soon with the target of awarding the project at the beginning of Quarter 1. Historically this period is not well utilized by prime contractors. However, an evaluation factor with major milestones schedule and Proposed Period of Performance would be likely for this project resulting in the intent of this question and maximum flexibility for the prime contractor. The VA would greatly value any commitment that documents the bulk of the administrative data and planning before mobilizing; we believe this is best value for the government and the prime contractor. Understand the major cost drivers. Could a mega-press be used on lower PSI distributions? This has the potential to lower the costs as the need for welders would be minimized VA Response: VA is willing to entertain alternative methods so long as they meet the requirements of the contract and specifications. This would need to be an RFI, there are issues when schedule 80 is called for. If allowed it will likely have size limitations for condensate and smaller for LP steam. Could condensers be stainless steel? They save on weight and performance is similar to what is in the specifications. VA Response: VA would be willing to entertain alternative methods so long as they meet the requirements of the contract and specifications. Deviations or value engineering proposals deviating to above and beyond such as stainless steel can be considered pre award depending on solicitation details What if any value engineering ideas should be considered. Would the VA consider adding moisture separators into the project? Although they are not included adding them in would allow for extended warranties on equipment, there are additional costs associated with adding them in. VA Response: VA would be willing to review any value engineered ideas during the solicitation stage so long as they meet the requirements of the contract and specifications and provide added value to the government for reduced costs, reduced construction time or impact, reduced maintenance, better reliability, or control. What can the VA contribute to provide more clarity. Pneumatic controls, are any remaining or is the VA moving to DDC? VA Response: Any references to Pneumatic controls should be stricken from the specifications and drawings. VA shall try to proactively remove these prior to solicitation. Control air is not currently considered available or within economical repair. VA preference is for BMS controlled DDC. Where less critical loads like stairwell unit heaters would be more cost effective for localized on controls this can be considered. Additionally, 2 position control within steam distribution or occupied spaces shall be avoided; the intent is to avoid transients. Branch lines/ AIV should be opened slowly and end user locations should target steady state modulation vs the swings of on off actuation. Could the VA more clearly define the ICRA requirements? Are there any constraints, does the contractor need to put up an ICRA barrier and then take it down each day? VA Response: VA will review the requirement and try to clarify or add information to address this concern. The updated phasing supplement will be provided with the solicitation. Is there any chance stored materials would be considered for this project? VA Response: VA will look into this and provide a determination in the solicitation. Storage on-site would be the contractor s responsibility and insurance/risk but due to the unique phasing requirements and schedule criticality this should be well supported by VA with contracting restrictions. Offsite storage is possible but less likely to be financially advantageous. Offer should specify necessary acreage etc. Is there the ability to have an extended period of performance? The current duration does not seem long enough. VA Response: VA will review the period of performance and any durations provided by contractors during solicitation. Are there any specific constraints for area, such as the CLC. If so, could the VA provide either a detail showing the constraints in more detail. (i.e. nights only, off-hours work). VA Response: Updated phasing supplement will be provided with the solicitation. SPS has cleaning needs we have to implement after work, pharmacy has access and ICRA concerns, noise impacts to mental health areas and audiology are strong considerations. CLC has common sleeping hours we need to respect for noisy work. Dental will only be off hours but might only really need controls. Has the VA reviewed the sound and vibration requirements? VA Response: Please RFI specific sections or concerns of reasonable attainability . such as now demolition or hammer drilling is less than 10 within a 50 foot perimeter. Sound and vibration or acoustic testing is a niche field, VA admits to limited subject matter expertise.