This could work but the burden will be on your team to demonstrate that the filter combination is as good or better than MERV 13. Try focusing on the percent efficiency that the filter combination has for removing varying sizes of particles and compare that to the corresponding efficiency of MERV 13 filters.

In order to earn the credit, all of the filters have to be replaced with MERV 13 filters prior to the performance period.

Yes, the requirement for MERV 13 filtration for return air was removed with the November 2010 Addenda.

The total connected lighting power includes all hard-wired lighting within the interior project space. This does not include non-connected plug-in lighting that is not part of the overall lighting design.

For EAc1.2 Option A, decorative fixtures within 15 feet of the building perimeter must have daylighting controls to comply with the requirements. The only exceptions are those defined by ASHRAE 9.2.2.3. Note, however, that task lighting can be excluded whether it meets exception "p" or not.

Plug-in task lighting that is not compliant with exceptions of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 9.2.2.3 cannot be excluded form the lighting power calculations. However, if they are exempted from the calculation, they cannot be counted for IEQc6.1: Controllability of Systems—Lighting.

Yuo can get a lot of good tips in the LEEDuser guidance on this page, and forum discussions below. For more formal guidance, you can submit a Credit Interpretation Ruling through LEED Online to establish whether LEED considers your strategy valid. There is a fee for CIRs. Remember that CIRs do not guarantee that the credit will be awarded; you still have to demonstrate and document achievement through the LEED certification process.

Yes, you can replace that credit with another one that did earn exemplary performance in the preliminary review.

Yes, you can still get credit for meeting the exemplary performance threshold after the preliminary review is complete. You can attempt the credit as a new innovation credit or replace another innovation credit between the preliminary and final reviews.

While you can achieve the exemplary performance threshold for as many credits as you like, the maximum number of points you can receive for exemplary performance under IOc1 is three. The fourth point  in this case must be earned via Path 1: Innovation in Operations or Path 3: Pilot Credit.