Level 1 D-B RFP Peer Review – KAL-Team performed a Peer Review of designs for a new extended care facility at the VAMC Des Moines, IA.  This facility consists of a new state-of-the-art 140 bed Extended Care Building on the Des Moines campus.  The project will complete the consolidation of all bed care at a single site resolving the Small Facility and Campus Realignment issues identified in the national CARES process. 

KAL-Team was tasked with providing Facility Condition Assessments (FCA) for selected DVA medical facilities in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, as follows:

KAL-Team performed Facility Condition Assessments for VAMC Medical Facilities in southern CA and NV:

1. Assessment of Condition of Buildings and Grounds    
2. Inspection and Assessment of Building Systems:
• Structural Systems
• Mechanical and Plumbing Systems
• Electrical Systems
3. Site Infrastructure 
• Architectural Finishes
• ADA Accessibility
4. Deficiency Tabulation for “Top Ten” Deficiencies


5. Report of Operational Condition of Building Systems 


6. Special Studies:
• Boiler Plant
• Building Façade
• Physical Security for AT/FP
• HAZMAT Survey
• Review of JACHO SOC Compliance Document

KAL-Team performed Facility Condition Assessments for VAMC Medical Facilities in the central portion of Texas.

Recent changes in VA Space Planning Criteria (PG-18-9) created an urgent need for the review and update of “Room Finishes, Door and Hardware Schedules,” (PG 18-14).  KAL was selected to Revise and update PG 18-14 and coordinate with the new VA Space Planning Criteria (PG 18-9), to match the new room names and departments. Each room was assigned the same room code, as shown in PG 18-9. We determined and revised the room finishes according to the best practices followed by the industry. We closely examined the recommendations for finishes, door sizes and door hardware in other VA Design Guides and advised CFM where conflicts occurred.
We reviewed and assembled all design and technical data in providing First Draft and Final Drafts of the new Program Guide, drawing upon our substantial IDIQ A/E experience and expertise towards the development of this new documentation.  

The OMB 300 includes information related to planning, budgeting, acquisition, and management for the viability of a proposed project. As a part of this evaluation process, the VA retained KAL Architects, Inc. (KAL) for the review of application for Livermore Realignment, California.
As part of the VHA National CARES Plan and in an effort to improve access and create a safe and modern environment in which to treat veterans, Livermore VAMC has been identified for realignment and closure.  As outlined within 2007 CARES stage II decision, following the realignment of the VA inpatient and outpatient services, Livermore VAMC will be closed and the 113-acre campus redeveloped, under VA’s Enhanced-Use Lease (EUL) authority. 

KAL -Team performed electrical system studies for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) at the following locations:

• Salisbury, NC – VISN 6
• Salem, VA – VISN 6
• Erie, PA – VISN 4

Work was accomplished in strict compliance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2008 Edition, NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces, 2004 Edition and IEEE 242-2001, Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems. The Team prepared a complete short circuit and coordination study including voltage drop calculations on the entire electrical system/s (both normal and emergency) at each VAMC. It began at the incoming utility electrical service (for the normal system) and at the emergency generators (for the emergency system) and continued through to each branch circuit panel board, motor control center or motor control panel in each building.

KAL-Team performed Facility Condition Assessments for VAMC Medical Facilities in WA, ID, OR, and AK, as shown below:

• Labor Supply and Strike Potential
• Material Availability
• Planned Projects
• Projects Under Construction
• Cost of Money and “Hunger Factor”
• Open Shop and Union Shop Options
• Prospective General Contractors & Specialty Subcontractors

KAL-Team performed Facility Condition Assessments for VAMC Medical Facilities in Northern CA and NV.  There were 199 structures selected, which included 73 new buildings and 67 requiring a non-structural seismic survey.

• Electrical site plans based on information provided to KAL-Team by each VAMC. 
• Visually surveyed the grounding system and obtain anecdotal evidence from interviews with VAMC staff for inclusion in the reports
• Provided an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
• Site survey related to the VAMC’s medium voltage system
• Delivery of 500 printed, adhesive-backed arc flash labels with the submission of the final report to each VAMC