Department of Veterans Affairs, Ronald J. Adam, Director, A/E Eval. Service (087A), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420

C -- SEISMIC CORRECTIONS, VAMC, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO SOL 672-083 POC Contact Point, Melvin A. Graham, (202)565-9249, Contracting Officer, Jimmy K. Young, (202)565-4451, Additional Contact, Ronald J. Adam, (202)565-4181 Architect or architect/engineer to provide professional services for the advanced planning and design of a project that may include but is not limited to Seismic Corrections at the San Juan Puerto Rico VA Medical Center. At a minimum, the project may include installing new steel bracing, reinforcing existing structures with steel plates, extensive modification of the existing foundation system, bracing of the external water tower, bracing for ductwork, piping, ceiling and lighting systems, etc., throughout, and asbestos abatement to the extent necessary to implement the seismic corrections. Installation of a fire sprinkler system may also be within the scope of this project. The project will take place throughout an operational hospital building of approximately 720,000 SF. The building is a steel frame structure fireproofed with asbestos containing material throughout. Required services will include a seismic renovation strengthening Engineering Analysis to advise VA as to most practical and economic method of improving the existing building as compared to the cost of new construction. The Engineering analysis shall evaluate specific needs of the existing lateral bracing system and identify the elements and methods of additional strengthening in accordance with current VA seismic criteria. The seismic strengthening study shall include, as a minimum, changes in functional uses necessary for new bracing elements; design of the seismic bracing system, including analysis of overturning forces; stress increases in existing framing and support members; foundation design, verification of floor diaphragms capacity; as well as, bracing requirements for non-structural elements such as architectural ceilings, mechanical and electrical systems. The seismic strengthening system shall be designed with a detailed phasing plan to create minimum changes in existing functional hospital systems and minimum disruption to hospital patient care. A/E services will include schematics for all schemes and design development for the selected scheme, including all appropriate architectural, interior design and engineering disciplines, and a firm estimate of contruction cost. The contract will include a government option for construction preparation and construction period services. Only firms with in-house architectural services, experienced in the design of similar type projects will be considered. Emphasis will be placed on the estimating capabilities of the applicants. Applicants teams must have experience working on projects in Puerto Rico. Teams that include professional architectural and/or engineering consultants with an established working office in Puerto Rico are preferred. No firm will be considered unless an application consisting of a completed SF 255 and such other evidence of experience and capabilities the applicant considers relevant, is received by the VA A/E Evaluation Service within 30 days of the date of this advertisement. A current SF 254, representing and differentiating between the personnel, experience and capabilities of all involved offices, must be included with the application together with current SF 254s for each proposed consultant's office involved. Applications will be rated based on the relevant experience of both the firm(s) and assigned individuals, the applicant's capacity to do the work, record of past performance on VA work, geographic considerations and the inclusion of minority-owned and women-owned consultants. Award of a contract is dependent upon the availability of funds. This is not a request for a proposal. If subcontracting opportunities exist and the submitting firm is not a small business, the small and small disadvantaged business subcontracting goals will be 35% and 15% respectively of the amount of work consulted out. Note: the ''covenant against contingent fees'' clause is applicable to this solicitation. (0236)

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