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Posted: May 18, 2026, 4:13 p.m. EDT
Summary (Newest Update)
Background The Department of Veterans Affairs is issuing this contract to provide new window shades for Building #5 at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN. The goal of this contract is to address ongoing issues with glare and temperature fluctuations in the building, particularly in areas with significant glass exposure. The project aims to enhance the comfort and functionality of workspaces within the facility. Work Details The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, and supervision necessary for the installation of commercial grade window shades at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. The specifications include: - **Item 0001**: 12 Single Manual Roller Shades for 1st & 2nd Floor West - **Item 0002**: 44 Single Manual Roller Shades for 1st and 2nd Floor South - **Item 0003**: Installation Support Services (1 unit) The window shades must be operable and stationary, with light filtering preferred but not entirely opaque. The contractor is responsible for project management, professional installation, waste packaging removal, and maintenance/warranty services. The installation areas include: - South wall of the First Floor: approximately 357.0” width x 120.0” height (two 60.0” height bands) - West wall of the First Floor: approximately 1078.0” width x 120.0” height (two 60.0” height bands) - South wall of the Second Floor: approximately 357.0” width x 116.0” height (two 58.0” height bands) - West wall of the Second Floor: approximately 357.0” width x 116.0” height (two 58.0” height bands) Place of Performance The work will be performed at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center located at 1481 West Tenth Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Current: Posted: June 12, 2026, 4:16 p.m. EDT Background information: The ongoing issue of glare and temperature fluctuations affects the first and second floors in the South-West section of the building, which contains the largest concentration of glass. During the building s development, specifications indicated that high-performance glazing would admit light while minimizing heat transfer, and that window frames would be thermally broken to provide insulation comparable to standard walls. However, adjacent spaces continue to experience excessive heat in the summer and significant cold and afternoon glare in the winter. Question 1: Could you provide any drawings or spec documents that would help us put a bid together? We appreciate any help you can provide. Answer: PDF is what I have available on the building, though it is the same plan as what was provided in SOW/initial solicitation. The site visit was planned to make aware the specific details of the constructed building as often the plans do not reflect what was physically constructed. Question 2: Can you provide access to an AutoCAD drawing and any existing pictures of space? Answer: The As-Builts are attached in PDF form. Question 3: We understand the requirement is for commercial-grade roller shades; however, we did not see a specific fabric, openness percentage, color, or manufacturer listed in the notice. Answer: The VA is requesting quotes for optimal window coverings. The site visit was intended to familiarize vendors with the interior and exterior factors, enabling them to recommend solutions that effectively address glare and solar gain. Question 4: First, could you provide any additional guidance regarding the 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% openness materials referenced in the specifications? We would like to better understand whether there are specific preferences or intended applications for the different openness factors throughout the project. Answer: "The site visit was scheduled to assess the interior space and evaluate how exterior elements affect it. Based on these observations, the vendor can recommend solutions to address glare and solar gain. Question 5: Additionally, during the walkthrough we identified a window where an existing structural element may impact a standard installation approach. Our installer has a potential solution and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the condition with you to ensure our proposed approach aligns with the VA's expectations and project requirements. Answer: That is acceptable. The planned site visit was intended to identify areas that may require different mounting or products to ensure consistency. Please account for these conditions in your bid. If your bid is accepted, we welcome suggestions or reviews, provided that any proposed solutions do not increase costs Question 6: Any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. If a brief call would be helpful, we would be happy to coordinate at your convenience. Are you able to get us roller shade specs/selections? Also, is there any way we can get an actual set of plans? There is a screenshot with an outline of windows, but a full plan set would help ensure the scope and sizes are matched to the quantities provided. It seems you have specific conditions we would need to work around, and I don t believe we can get accurate sizes with what has been provided Answer: Access to the As-Built drawings is currently limited to PDF format. The site visit was scheduled to assess the interior space and to evaluate the impact of exterior elements. Based on these observations, the vendor can recommend solutions to mitigate glare and solar gain.