SAM #36C24126Q0472

VA Steam Distribution System Upgrade Phase II – Construction Solicitation Forthcoming

This opportunity is a planned construction solicitation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for upgrading the steam distribution system (Phase II). - Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract Office 01 (36C241) - Project: Upgrade Steam Distribution System Phase II (project 631-19-002) - Scope: - Construction services to upgrade steam distribution infrastructure - Complex phasing to minimize disruption to clinical operations - Temporary heat provision during construction - Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) barriers required - Value engineering proposals encouraged (e.g., alternative heating methods, materials, equipment) - Potential inclusion of unforeseen asbestos abatement line items - Preference for BMS-controlled DDC systems over pneumatic controls - Consideration for moisture separators, dryers, and low-maintenance equipment - Qualified MEP Coordinator required - Administrative Notice to Proceed (NTP) may be allowed for extended planning - No specific OEMs, products, or part numbers listed at this stage - Storage requirements and period of performance to be clarified in the solicitation - Commercial construction firms with steam system expertise are likely to be competitive - Solicitation will include updated phasing supplement and requirements

Description

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 well in advance to close, relocate, or adjust clinical operations for a fixed period. This includes a lengthy shutdown 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 the contractor, this could also permit work during the heating season. The solicitation will contain an updated phasing supplement by wings with permissible downtime that shall supersede any specification or drawing phasing plans. We anticipate evaluating proposals with at least one 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 operational 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 in 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 be happy to entertain include: Value engineering proposal to change any load to hydronic. Rough sizing calculations demonstrating heating loads are satisfied. Advantages: Copper/plumbing 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 temporary heating to allow more winter work. Proposal to include products such as dryers and low maintenance sustainment. Any proposals increasing serviceability and low maintenance sustainment or energy rebate alternative ideas could be considered under best value. Rather 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 replacement. Section of hallway leading to canteen, proposed elimination with cosmetic cleanup. 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 non-destructive testing? There are potential pitfalls in utilizing this method. VA Response: VA will review these 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 documentation requirements for items like socket welds (e.g., construction photos showing insertion, scribe, and back-off). Has the VA looked at the potential use of swing spaces? Other VA facilities have utilized this approach to allow large areas to be vacated 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 to 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? VA Response: VA is considering shutting down the Canteen for a period 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 other disciplines? VA Response: VA will review these 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 proper investigation and coordination drawings, the period would need to be longer than the 120 days specified. VA Response: VA will consider this. The project is expected to be solicited soon with the goal of awarding at the beginning of Quarter 1. A major milestones schedule and proposed period of performance will likely be an evaluation factor, providing maximum flexibility for the prime contractor. The VA values any commitment to document the bulk of administrative data and planning before mobilization, as this is considered best value for both parties. Understand the major cost drivers. Could a mega-press be used on lower PSI distributions? This has the potential to lower costs as it would minimize the need for welders. VA Response: VA is willing to entertain alternative methods that meet contract and specifications requirements. 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 weight and have similar performance to those in the specifications. VA Response: VA would consider alternative methods, including stainless steel, if they meet contract and specification requirements. Deviations or value engineering proposals 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 not included, adding them could allow for extended warranties on equipment, but there are additional costs. VA Response: VA is willing to review value-engineered ideas during solicitation, provided they meet contract requirements and add value such as reduced costs, construction time, maintenance, or improved reliability. What can the VA contribute to provide more clarity? Pneumatic controls, are any remaining or is the VA moving to DDC? VA Response: References to pneumatic controls should be removed from specifications and drawings. VA prefers BMS-controlled DDC. For less critical loads, localized controls can be considered. Two-position control within steam distribution or occupied spaces should be avoided to prevent transients. Branch lines/AIV should be opened slowly, and end-user locations should target steady-state modulation rather than on/off swings. Could the VA more clearly define the ICRA requirements? Are there constraints, such as needing to put up and take down an ICRA barrier daily? VA Response: VA will review and clarify the ICRA requirements. The updated phasing supplement will include this information. Is there any chance stored materials would be considered for this project? VA Response: VA will evaluate this and include considerations in the solicitation. Storage on-site is the contractor's responsibility and should be supported by VA with contracting restrictions. Offsite storage is less likely to be advantageous. Offerors should specify necessary acreage. 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 areas, such as the CLC? If so, could the VA provide more detailed constraints (e.g., nights only, off-hours work)? VA Response: Updated phasing supplement will be provided. Considerations include SPS cleaning needs, pharmacy access, ICRA concerns, noise impacts on mental health areas and audiology, and CLC sleeping hours. Dental work will be off-hours but may only need controls. Has the VA reviewed the sound and vibration requirements? VA Response: Please submit RFIs for specific sections or concerns. The VA admits limited expertise in sound and vibration testing, but will consider reasonable requests such as demolition or hammer drilling within specified perimeters.

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