RFQ Design - Modify Modify Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) for Negative Air Pressure and EPVA Corrections

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY NOR REIMBURSE ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST. THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified Architect-Engineering (AE) firm to provide design services for Project 526-20-120 Modify Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) for Negative Pressure and EPVA Corrections at the James J. Peters DVA Medical Center located at 130 W. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, New York 10468. This Project will provide design services that will include demolition of existing systems, Architectural, Environmental, HVAC, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Fire/Life Safety and Controls in order to correct EPVA deficiencies that were not included in the original upgrades to the SCI 1D and 1E inpatient care areas. This requirement is being procured in accordance with the Brooks Act as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6. Applicable NAICS code is 541330 and small business size standard of $16.5 Million. Since this is a feasibility study, a construction estimate is not applicable for this procurement. This is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set Aside. The anticipated award date of the proposed A-E Contract is on or before (November 30, 2022). In order to assure compliance with FAR Clauses, 852.219-74 Limitations on Subcontracting (JUL 2018)(DEVIATION) and VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (DEVIATION), all firms submitting a SF 330 for this notice are required to indicate what percentage of the cost of contract performance will be expended on the concerns employees and in which discipline(s) and percentage of cost of contract performance to be expended (and in what disciplines) by any other consultant/subcontractor or otherwise used small or large business entity(s). Any consultant/subcontractor or otherwise business entity(s) used must be identified by name, office location and size/type of business (i.e., SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), small, large, etc.). Failure to provide this information will deem the firm's SF 330 submittal as nonresponsive and preclude further evaluation All A/E firms are advised that in accordance with VAAR 836.606-71 the total cost of the production and delivery of designs, plans, drawings and specifications shall not exceed 6 percent of the estimate cost of construction. Other A-E fees are not included in this 6 percent. Additionally, FAR Clause 52.236-22 (c) - Design Within Funding Limitation, will be applicable to this procurement action. SCOPE OF SERVICE REQUIRED Modify SCI for Negative Pressure Rooms and EPVA Corrections Project 526-20-120 ARCHITECT / ENGINEERING SERVICES 1. GENERAL SCOPE A/E services will include but are not limited to Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Architecture, as well as other design considerations for the modification of the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The modification will include negative air pressure capabilities per twenty-four rooms as well as other Paralyzed Veteran's Association (PVA) corrections. The SCI is located on the 1st floor of Building 100 of the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, New York 10468. The SCI consists of two wings: 1D and 1E. The total square footage of wings 1D and 1E is approximately 35,000 square feet. The intention is for the A/E to devise a plan that allows each of the 24 patient rooms to include negative air pressure capabilities. Alongside that, each of the patient bathrooms must be compliant in accordance with PVA and SCI/D design guide standards. Phasing will need to be developed and coordinated along with any other temporary measures plan. A minimum of 5 site visits during construction period services, not including the final inspection, shall be included. The A/E shall incorporate all VA, NFPA, ADA, local and state code requirements in the design. The A/E services will include but are not limited to various phases of design starting with a site survey and a feasibility design analysis. After acceptance of the feasibility study, the A/E will develop drawings and construction specifications. After completion of all work, the A/E will provide a new set of As-Built Drawings. This submission must be delivered to the VA on CAD, and hardcopy (CAD requirements are attached to this scope). A cost estimate shall be provided for each design review milestone. The A/E shall provide the VA with a list of all submittals required of the construction contractor. The project shall be phased to provide minimum interruption to other occupants of the building and coordinated outage of utility systems during construction. The A/E shall date, certify, and stamp all reports, studies, and submissions. Design criteria shall be VA Master specs, Life Safety Code and VA Fire Protection Manual. One set of drawings at each submission will be sent directly to the VA Regional FPSE, Jeffrey Belczak, for review. 1. The A/E shall develop an appropriate phasing and coordination plan for construction and develop an infection control plan as outlined in the VA infection control policy 00-148. (See attached policy). In addition, the contractor shall provide a detailed Infection Control Drawing. The drawing shall outline construction barriers and detailed requirements for exhaust negative pressure. 2. The A/E design shall also include requirements contained in VA standards. Drawings shall be on standard VA drawing sheets in accordance with VA Construction Standards and VA Standard Details. Construction drawings shall also be provided on AutoCAD Version 2020, on CD ROM with a minimum of 700 mb capability. All CDs shall be furnished by the A/E. The A/E shall provide the VA Master Construction Specifications in the current version of Microsoft Word format. The A/E will edit the specification specific to this project. All cost estimates shall be on VA Form 10-6298. Cost estimates shall be quantitative based on drawings and specifications, indicating labor and materials for each branch of work and reflecting estimated cost for each item. Cost estimates should reflect 10% for overhead and 10% for profit and an allowance for General Conditions. The A/E shall develop bid alternates to keep the final construction cost within the approved budget. To accomplish this, the final construction documents shall have bid alternates so that the lowest bid alternate is 10% less than the approved construction budget, based on the A/E's final cost estimate. I. METHODS AND PROCEDURES 1. The A/E shall make an on-site inspection of all areas in at the site that are within the scope of the project, to familiarize themselves with existing conditions. The A/E shall verify all dimensions including verification of drawings and information obtained by the A/E. 2. Upon appointment with the Chief, Engineering Services, the A/E will be responsible for confirming existing conditions. The VA makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of any as-built drawings obtained. The A/E must verify all conditions. 3. The A/E shall meet various professional staff from the VA to discuss the specific needs of the area. CONSTRUCTION PERIOD SERVICES 1. Review materials, submittals, shop drawings, etc as required in specifications and respond within ten (10) working days. Recommend to Resident Engineer as to the submittal being approved, disapproved, or approved as noted. Include review comments as to appropriateness of submittal and conformance to construction drawings and specifications. 2. Review change orders and provide A/E cost estimate to support VA's negotiations with contractor. 3. Respond to requests for information (RFI) within three (3) working days. 4. Furnish as-built drawings at completion of construction within fifteen (15) working days. 5. Provide construction verification services at significant construction progress milestones and provide punch-list report of findings to the COR. May be conducted as part of the commissioning plan if applicable. 6. Site Visits: a. Pre-bid Conference b. Preconstruction conference c. A minimum of four (4) field visits during construction. d. Provide an expeditor to assist in the approval of applicable NYC DOB approvals. e. One (1) Final Inspection, from all specialties, to include construction punch list/report. X. LOCATION James J. Peters DVA Medical Center, 130 W. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468 COST RANGE Estimated Construction Costs are Between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000. TYPE OF CONTRACT CONTEMPLATED The Department of Veterans Affairs is contemplating awarding a firm fixed price contract. FEASIBILITY STUDY COMPLETION PERIOD: The Department of Veterans Affairs requires complete feasibility studies as indicated in SOW above. The A/E shall deliver a complete design __140__ calendar days from the Notice to Proceed (NTP). The method of contractor selection has not been determined at this time. *The value for this project is based on a financial range. The value is listed as the highest possible cost from the range provided by a stakeholder or official project document.

Division 31 -	Earthwork.
Division 32 -	Exterior Improvements.
Division 33 -	Utilities.
Division 34 -	Transportation.
Division 35 -	Waterway and Marine Construction.