Students may submit Requests For Information (RFI) to obtain clarifications or resolve any ambiguities. RFIs and the answers from the competition committee will be posted as they are received.

Student teams, who directly contact the owner and/or occupants of the building, will be disqualified from the competition.

Submit your RFIs to Catherine Tehan, AEI Director.

Q: Which WELL Building Standard (v1 or v2) do have to use? The addendum we were given specifically states 7 concepts which align with the v1 version, but want to confirm.
A: WELL Building Standard V2 should be used.

Q: Through research, our team has found an associated cost of $86 million for the project cost in 2020. Is this an accurate estimation to reference for our baseline estimates? We would also like to confirm if this price includes fees as well as fixtures, furnishings, and equipment (FFE).

A: The construction cost is $86 million. The cost excludes FFE.

Q: Will we receive more architectural drawings including elevations, sections, and details in addition to the floor plans that we have received?
A: The design teams should utilize the Revit model for anything not shown on the drawings.

Q: Should we consider the new development direction East of the building as within the scope of the project for purposes of additions to the architecture or site design?  What are the hard site boundaries? What area of the site can be disturbed?
A: The other site developments will eventually be there but do not need to be designed explicitly. If you can justify a general move of them to somewhere else on the property, it can be justified. Use your best judgment on hard site boundaries but the golf course cannot be touched.

Q: Are we to assume that the site currently under construction directly to the left of the building is not there? This would allow us to freely use the space to extend the building or place equipment there if deemed necessary. If we are to assume the building is there, could the location in comparison to our project building be provided so we know how much space is between the buildings?
A: You can assume that the parking garage and other building mentions are not under construction or on the site at the time of your project.

Q: Please confirm that it is up to our team to decide if we tie into the current central plant for the hospital or not. Please also confirm that we are to make assumptions about the amount of equipment and its size in the central plant.
A: Design teams should assume the project will not be able to utilize the central plant. The team should design HVAC systems independent of the existing building.

Q: It has been brought to my attention that the VA OMAHA codes, under section one listed applicable codes and standards, are older than the current code. Are we allowed to use the most recent versions of these codes instead? Our team and advisors see this as an opportunity to apply the versions we have been learning in our classes.
A: Teams are allowed to use newer code versions. Teams should provide explanations for following different/newer codes.

Q: For electrical, are there any electrical documents that come with the project that weren't included in the original package of files? If not, are there any specifications for the utility power coming into the site and any information on any utility equipment that would be on site?
A: Design teams should assume that the utility provider is able to provide any voltage that is needed for the building. Teams should provide justification for their voltage selection. Utility transformer location(s) should be determined by the team and should follow the NEC and OPPD (Omaha Public Power District) requirements.

Q: Please provide information on how many hours the generators need to run in the event of normal power failure.
A: Design teams should determine an appropriate level of emergency power (magnitude, connection/usage, and duration) given the usage of the building. Teams should justify their decisions.

Q: Please provide information on the location, voltage levels, available capacity, and other nameplate data (such as impedances) of the utility transformer.
A: Design teams should assume that the utility provider is able to provide any voltage that is needed for the building. Teams should provide justification for their voltage selection. Utility transformer location(s) should be determined by the team and should follow the NEC and OPPD (Omaha Public Power District) requirements.