Renovation of a mixed-use development in Northampton, Massachusetts. Conceptual plans call for the renovation of a medical facility.

631-25-002 Renovate Building 2 for Pharmacy RFIs Received Paragraph A. INTRODUCTION on page 1 indicates that the scope to be performed consists of interior spaces, however the design service list on page 3 indicates that Building 2 is part of the Northampton Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District and therefore care must be made with exterior changes to remain close to historical appearances. Please clarify, does scope include exterior improvements or is all work expected to be interior for the Building 2 renovation VA Response: Some exterior work expected. SOW has following line items regarding exterior: Review and design of building egress pathways (i.e., entry doors, rear doors, ADA ramps, emergency egress stair towers, etc.) Review of exterior walls to improve envelope performance. Repairing the building envelope will be a part of this design as there are known issues with the masonry, windowsills and lintels, and other infrastructure. Replacement of existing windows. Professional Qualifications listed on page 6 state that the design firm must provide a Physical Security team member and resume as part of the submission. Please advise if this a low-voltage security designer or otherwise. The role of Physical Security is a bit ambiguous. VA Response: Physical Security team member must be familiar with the PSRDM and meet the qualifications in section 1.8 of the manual: In order to meet the physical security and resiliency requirements of this manual, as appropriate to the scope of the project, the design team must include: (1) a certified physical security specialist with an emphasis on risk and vulnerability assessments, physical security design and CPTED, and anti-terrorism force protection; (2) a control systems cybersecurity specialist with in-depth knowledge of the Risk Management Framework; (3) a certified physical security specialist with an emphasis on Electronic Security Systems; (4) certified information and communications technology (ICT) specialist with an emphasis on networking and cabling; (5) a certified systems integrator specialist with an emphasis on HSPD/PPD-21 integrations; and, (6) a licensed professional structural engineer who has specialized training in blast design and analysis (structural blast specialist). These specialists must be part of the design team during the concept phase of any project. The rA(C)sumA(C) of the specialist must be submitted to the VA Project Manager (PM), local facility equivalent, or Contracting Officer Representative for review and approval prior to the concept phase of the project. The qualifications of the firm for whom the specialist works must also be submitted with the rA(C)sumA(C). The professional qualifications that all specialists must comply with PHYSICAL SECURITY & RESILIENCY DESIGN MANUAL October 1, 2020 Revised 05-01-2024 INTRODUCTION 1-23 are found where their respective disciplines are addressed in Chapters 2, 6, 7, and 10 of this manual. Does the VA hire the Fire Protection engineer for the independent fire review or is that a consultant that should be included VA Response: The VA provides the Fire Protection Engineer for the Independent Fire Review. See section 2.2 which states, [a] complete design including but not limited to determination and evaluation of existing conditions, necessary engineering calculation, necessary design work, independent fire safety/life safety review (Independent Fire Safety Review provided by VA. A/E is required to address comments from this review), IH Services, quantity and cost estimates, bid schedule, construction cost estimates, a proposed construction schedule, design analyses and calculations, a design documentation report, engineering considerations and options report shall be developed for this project.A The Method of Contractor Selection has not been determined at this Time.