Newington, Connecticut Enhanced-Use Lease Questions and Answers
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Does VA have an existing survey showing easements, right of ways etc. for the EUL site?
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What approvals are needed for the proposed project?
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With regard to the evaluation criteria, how many veterans are anticipated to be served? Will the evaluation take into account the number of assisted living beds versus community living beds?
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Will the RFP response deadline remain October 6?
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Is there a current environmental report available for the EUL site?
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What are the acceptable length of the EUL?
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Can VA provide what the market rate is for assisted living and community living facilities?
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Will any of the operational costs of the facility be covered by VA?
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Clarify what VA prefers the developer to build and operate as an assisted living and community living facility?
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Which agencies will regulate the facility?
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Is there a specific income level VA anticipates servicing with the proposed facility?
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Will the developer be required to follow historic building standards?
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What are the available funding options for the development and operation of the facility?
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Will this project be eligible for VA's Homeless Grant & Per Diem Program funding?
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Since this facility will be built on VA, will it be exempt from the State moratorium on building/licensing new nursing home beds?
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Can the VA provide additional information regarding access to utilities at the EUL site?
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Will the developer be responsible for applicable taxes?
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Will the application process for Aid and Attendance be streamlined for residence?
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Will this project be eligible for project based HUD VASH vouchers?
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Is the proposed project required to be LEED certified?
1. Does VA have an existing survey showing easements, right of ways etc. for the EUL site?
A new survey will be completed in the near future but not before the RFP due date. The new survey is expected to be completed following the selection of a Preferred Developer.
2. What approvals are needed for the proposed project?
Approvals for this project are the same as for a similar type projects located on private lands. Preferred developer/lessee shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and local requirements including land use, zoning, building permits, certificates of occupancy, licensing etc.
Each developer is responsible for conducting their own due diligence on market data. The ratio of assisted living to community living beds will not be evaluation criteria. Developers must determine the appropriate mix based on their independent market study.
4. Will the RFP response deadline remain October 6?
VA does not anticipate extending the response due date at this time.
5. Is there a current environmental report available for the EUL site?
There is an older Phase I report but it is no longer accurate. A new Phase I is to be conducted prior to the selected developer signing the initial EUL agreement. There are currently no known environmental issues on the EUL site.
6. What are the acceptable length of the EUL?
The term of an EUL may be up to 75 years. A developer may propose fewer years if they believe it is mutually beneficial to them and VA.
7. Can VA provide what the market rate is for assisted living and community living facilities?
No, this is up to the developer to determine.
8. Will any of the operational costs of the facility be covered by VA?
No, however, eligible Veterans will have access to medical services currently provided on the Newington VA Medical Center (VAMC).
Yes, this combination of continuum of care housing facilities is VA’s preference but developers should propose what they believe the market will support.
10. Which agencies will regulate the facility?
The facility must comply with State of Connecticut and local regulations.
11. Is there a specific income level VA anticipates servicing with the proposed facility?
VA’s preference is to have the facility be affordable to Veterans with limited income but VA realizes the developer must rely on financing and available financing options may drive the cost point for the facility occupants.
12. Will the developer be required to follow historic building standards?
No, the campus does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Historic Register. This requirement should be confirmed with the state historic preservation office; but, the proposed facility must be aesthetically compatible and acceptable to the current architecture of the VAMC.
13. What are the available funding options for the development and operation of the facility?
There are several options. Developers should review the information available on the VA’s EUL website at http://www.va.gov/AssetManagement/faqs/eulProjectFinancingInformationFaq.asp and conduct their own research and inquiries.
14. Will this project be eligible for VA's Homeless Grant & Per Diem Program funding?
No, but VA has a program called Aid & Attendance that may be applicable. For information about benefit programs for Veterans such as aid & attendance and housebound benefits, go to http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/pension/vetpen.htm#7.
No. The current RFP requests proposals for the development of an Assisted Living and/or Community Living Center facility. Interested developers should be aware that there is currently a moratorium on licensing of additional Medicaid funded nursing home beds in the state of Connecticut. Developers may still propose building and operating a Community Living facility (nursing home) but they must comply with the Connecticut statute in effect at the time. The full text of the statute can be found at: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/pub/chap319y.htm#Sec17b-354.htm.
16. Can the VA provide additional information regarding access to utilities at the EUL site?
It is the responsibility of the selected developer to pay for the new installation of utility lines and connections to service the EUL site. The utilities shall be separately metered. Access to public utilities may be available to the parcel; however use of VA utilities (by separate meter) is preferred for gas and sanitary sewer. The offeror would need to access existing telephone, fiber optics, municipal water, and electric utilities. The offerors proposed development concept must include a plan for providing utilities and infrastructure needs to the EUL site without disrupting current operations of the VA Newington campus.
17. Will the developer be responsible for applicable taxes?
Yes. In accordance with the pertinent provisions of the EUL Statute (i.e., 38 U.S.C. § 8167), the offeror will be subject to any and all applicable State and local taxes, fees, assessments, and special assessments legally chargeable to the EUL during the EUL term, to include the offeror’s leasehold interest, and the Offeror’s underlying improvements. However, neither VA’s interest in the EUL nor the United States’ fee interest in the underlying property shall be subject, directly or indirectly, to any State or local laws relative to taxation, fees, assessments or special assessments.
18. Will the application process for Aid and Attendance be streamlined for residence?
The Newington VAMC does have a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) office on-site; so residents should have easier access to VBA staff to answer questions. However, the application process will be the same for all Veterans.
19. Will this project be eligible for project based HUD VASH vouchers?
HUD — VASH vouchers are managed at the local level by the local housing authority. The local housing authority will review applications for project-based HUD — VASH vouchers on a case by case basis. Additional information and guidance can be found at: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash.
20. Is the proposed project required to be LEED certified?
The offeror may propose using either the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the Green Globes, or an ANSI-certified equivalent sustainability rating system. VA requires that the project obtain a minimum of either LEED Silver, Two Green Globes or equivalent certification by their respective rating organizations. However, VA encourages innovative thinking in terms of sustainability over and above the current EUL standards found in the VA Sustainable Design Manual.
