C--Improve Entryway Building 17 AE Project 595-18-103

This announcement is for the selection of an Architect /Engineer Firm to perform design services, engineering, produce technical specifications, working drawings, and cost estimates, as-built drawings, and provide construction period services, and site visits for the Construction Project: 595-18-103 Improve Entryway Building 17. The Architect / Engineer (A/E) firm shall a full set of construction documents for a project to construct a covered area at the entry of Building 17 and change the grading of the incline approach to the building. The entryway shall separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The current entrance shall be reconfigured to direct pedestrian traffic on distinguished path to patient check-in closing the entryway to Starbucks. The Veterans Administration, Lebanon VA Medical Center (LVAMC), intends to award an Architect/Engineer contract for design services at the Lebanon VA Medical Center, Lebanon, PA for Project # 595-18-103: Improve Entryway Building 17. Competition is sought on a restricted basis. This acquisition is set aside for Service- Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) only. This project involves improving the main entrance of Building 17 to include the following details: Provide a full set of construction documents to improve the entrance of Building 17 with an aesthetically appealing covered entry and grade modifications to lessen the approach incline. The approach shall explore options for a pedestrian elevator to compensate for the grade changes. The approach shall consider future connection to a parking garage. Provide a covered, non-combustible, dry, and tranquil area where patients can exit their vehicle and enter Building 17 allowing ease of traffic flow for patient pick-up and drop off. Protection of entrances and lobbies from vehicle ramming shall be accomplished outside and in front of the entrance. Canopy structure shall be independent of the main building and protected from intentional and unintentional damage by vehicles. The canopies shall extend a minimum of 2 feet (600 mm) beyond the drop-off lane to protect patients from inclement weather. Modifications may be negotiated for entrances to historic buildings, provided such modifications do not impact the safety and comfort of veterans and their families. Maintain soffits under the canopy over truck and public bus traffic areas at a height which shall provide 14 ft. (4.2 m) minimum head room. Maintain a grade either side of the passageway to provide the required head room for the longest wheel base trailer permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation. At a minimum, the canopy shall cover one drop off lane and one drive through lane. Other lanes for deliveries and/or patient drop-off shall be determined by design meetings to enable efficient delivery of service. Provide a queuing area for waiting vehicles, a passing lane for vehicles that are not required to stop, and channelization for left and right turns. The primary access and initial orientation point for the traffic entering the patient pick-up/drop-off area shall accommodate pedestrians as well as vehicles. Provide a prominent but simple entry sign and clear, grouped directional signs guiding traffic flow; moreover, design vehicle circulation to create a readily comprehensible route and easy way-finding for patients, visitors, and building operations. The drop off entrance area shall have a flush curb with the pavement surface that includes tactile warning textures to indicate the vehicle roadway. The pavement surface at all patient entrances shall be of a material which provides a surface that is easily maneuverable for those with mobility difficulties (canes, wheelchairs, etc.). Height differences at curbs along drop off areas shall be colored or marked differently than the surface pavement so that the changes in elevation can be easily seen by those with vision impairments. Provide entry walkways that are physically separated from vehicle traffic lanes. Locate and clearly designate crosswalks to encourage pedestrians to use safe street crossings. Include crosswalks at all street intersections where there is pedestrian traffic and a curb ramp location that includes tactile warning textures to indicate the vehicle roadway. Provide wheelchair access. Ramps or elevators shall be used to accommodate significant changes in grade. Design provisions shall allow for better patient access from the building 17 parking lot with a focus on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to ensure better access to the Building 17 front entrance for people with disabilities. Provide an exterior lighting system to maintain effective safety and security for patients, staff, visitors, and property. Provide a lighting system to maintain sufficient level of lighting for patients, staff, and visitors to effectively perform desired tasks such as driving, parking and walking, as well as wayfinding. Provide a lighting system that is easily maintained and operated using similar components of luminaires from different manufacturers for compatibility and interchangeability. Provide lighting control design strategies with focus on effective patient care and safety, life/fire safety and security, and energy conservation maximizing daylight harvesting where applicable. Safety shall be a major consideration in the design. This primarily involves eliminating physical obstructions, maintaining visibility, and providing traffic control devices and barriers. These actions shall also improve the appearance of the streetscape by reducing clutter and coordinating various streetscape elements. The landscape plan shall reflect the needs of a healthcare environment. It shall be aesthetically pleasing, reflect seasonal changes, be safe for patients, and be easily and inexpensively maintained. The landscape design shall provide a framework for the natural environment, in lieu of a framework for the building. This is the phase of facility development process where landscape elements are integrated with or into the facility to complete the project. Adopt a landscape theme based on the regional character and historical and cultural significance of the facility. The A/E shall reference the VA Physical Security Design Manual when designing the landscape features for the site. Choose plants to open lines of sight, create barriers, screen views and direct the movement of people. Provide fire protection and alarming system as required by all codes and regulations. Develop construction and phasing plan to minimize the interruption to the Building 17 entrance for patient access. Design and construction work shall be coordinated with Medical Center Operations and other construction projects on-going at the hospital. Bid Deducts shall be designed into the project to increase the price of the project twenty percent (20%).