Attachment 5 Questions from Industry.pdf

Questions from Industry 1232SA26Q0412 As of 21 April 2026

1. Spec section 013526 par 1.7.1.1.1 says that the SSHO may also serve as the quality control manager.

However spec section 014500.10.20 par 1.5.1.1 states that the quality control manager can have no other duties. Please clarify whether the SSHO can be dual hatted with the QCM or whether these must be independent individuals.

Govt Response: Yes, the SSHO may also serve as the quality control manager (QCM).

2. Spec Section 23 09 23.02 (BACnet DDC for HVAC); Spec Section 23 09 00 (Instrumentation and Control for HVAC). Is there a preferred contractor for the building automation system? Specification calls for Niagara/Tridium.

Govt Response: Specification section 23 09 00 paragraph 1.1 requires extending the existing Siemens system.

3. Spec Section 23 05 93 (Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing for HVAC); SMACNA HVAC Air Duct Leakage Test Manual. On duct air leak testing, contractors are to assume testing will only be required for the new duct work within the mechanical room?

Govt Response: Correct, test only new ductwork within the mechanical rooms where AHU-4 and AHU- 5 are located.

4. Spec Section 21 13 13, Para. 2.2.1.3 (Grooved Mechanical Joints and Fittings); NFPA 13. Are grooved connections allowed for pipes larger than 2-1/2"?

Govt Response: Grooved piping is acceptable.

5. Spec Section 23 08 00 (Commissioning of Mechanical Systems); Spec Section 01 91 00.15 (Total Building Commissioning); Spec Section 01 35 26 — SD-07 Third Party Consultant. Is 3rd party commissioning of the system required?

Govt Response:

3rd party commissioning is required. 01 91 00.15 20 paragraph 1.2 and 1.10 identifies that the government will hire the commissioning provider (CxC). There is no reference to “Third Party Consultant” in 01 35 26.

6. Spec Section 01 14 00, Para. 1.2.a (Special Scheduling Requirements); Drawing G-001, Cover Sheet General Note 1. Can both AHU-4/AHU-5 be worked on simultaneously or phased?

Govt Response: Per Drawing G-001, Cover Sheet Sequencing Note 1: AHU-4 and AHU-5 cannot have outages at the same time. This will require phased work.

7. Spec Sections 02 82 00 (Asbestos Remediation), 02 83 00 (Lead Remediation); AERO EH&S

Hazardous Materials Survey Report (Summer Ref. 212.006). Are there any asbestos and or lead containing materials that will need to be abated?

Govt Response: See the hazardous materials summary on G-001 and accompanying report in the specification. See 02 82 00, paying particular attention to paragraph 1.3.1. Also see 02 83 00, paying particular attention to paragraph 1.3.

8. Spec Section 21 13 13 (Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems, Fire Protection); Drawing FA101 / FX101 (Basement Fire Suppression Plans); Drawing Notes — Sprinkler Protection During Construction. Is temporary sprinkler protection (upright sprinklers during construction) required?

Govt Response: See Drawing FX-001 Fire suppression Requirements for outage requirements.

9. Spec Section 21 13 13, Para. 1.2.1.1 (Fire Hydrant Flow Test, per NFPA 291); Para. 1.2.1.2 (Hydraulic Calculations). The specifications required a fire hydrant flow test for hydraulic calculations.

Is there an existing fire pump test report within the past year?

Govt Response: Yes. Flow test dated 3/30/2026 is added as Attachment 6.

10. Spec Section 21 13 13 (Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems); Drawing FD401 / FD411 (Basement Demolition Plans — Fire Suppression). As hydraulic calculations are required, are there existing sprinkler as-builts?

Govt Response: Yes. Hard copies of the sprinkler drawings are available at NAL for viewing. They are not available electronically.

11. SF-1442, Block 11 (180 Calendar Days); Solicitation p. 3, Optional Form 336 (Period of Performance 05/15/2026–05/14/2027); Statement of Work Section 10 (Period of Performance — 180 Days from NTP). What is the Period of Performance? Statement of Work page 9 of 11 shows 180 days from NTP. SF 1442 shows completion at 180 days. Optional Form 336 shows delivery at 180 days from NTP. Period of Performance is shown 5/15/26–5/14/27.

Govt Response: Our contract writing system forces us to input a date range. Since it’s unknown when the NTP will be issued, the 5/15/26-5/14/27 range is just a placeholder. The period of performance is 180 days from NTP issuance. The NTP will not be issued until all submittals required to be on-site are approved.

12. Spec Section 23 30 00, Para. 2.9.1.2 (Aluminum Ducts — ASTM B209), Para. 2.9.1.3 (Stainless Steel — ASTM A167); Para. 2.9 lists no galvanized steel ductwork for this project. Is Galvanized Sheet Metal acceptable for Ductwork? Spec 23-30-00 only shows Aluminum and Stainless Steel sheet.

Govt Response: Galvanzed ductwork per ASTM A653/A653M is acceptable.

13. Specs 02 82 00, 02 83 00; AERO EH&S Survey Report. Abatement Scope and Contractor Responsibility: The AERO EH&S limited hazardous materials survey confirmed ACM and lead-containing paint in the AHU-4 and AHU-5 work zones, but was not a comprehensive quantification of all ACM/PACM on site. (a) Is abatement of all identified ACM and lead-containing paint included in the contractor's base bid scope, or will a separate Government abatement contractor perform this work prior to our mobilization? (b) Will the complete AERO EH&S report including all appendices (sample results and location diagrams) be provided to the awarded contractor before demolition begins?

Govt Response:

a) See response to RFI 7.

b) The complete report was provided in the Specification. See page 239 of 610 for the asbestos sample reports and locations.

14. Drawing M-601 Note K; M-501 Detail 6. Humidifier Dispersion Manifold — 'By Others': Drawing M-601 Note K states the humidifier dispersion manifold is 'provided by others.' (a) Who does 'others' refer to — Government-furnished, AHU manufacturer, or a separate contractor? (b) What is the precise scope boundary between our humidifier installation work and what is excluded from our contract?

Govt Response: The humidifier dispersion manifold is to be provided as part of the contract per the humidifier schedule shown on M-601 and detail 6 on M-501. The humidifier manifold and humidifier are often provided by another vendor than the AHU.

15. Drawing M-601 Note L; Division 23 Table of Contents. UV Lights — No Performance Specification Provided: Drawing M-601 Note L requires UV lights inside both AHUs with UV-rated access door windows. No Division 23 specification section for UV light systems appears in the project table of contents. Please provide: (a) Performance criteria (UV-C intensity, lamp type, rated life), and

(b) Approved manufacturer list or basis-of-design product. Without this information we cannot accurately price or specify the UV systems.

Govt Response: See attached specifications for the UV system.

A. UV-C Germicidal Emitters: Provide UV-C light fixtures in the cooling coil discharge.

1. Provide sufficient emitters to provide a minimum of 820uW/cm2 on the face of the coil at a point closet to the emitter and 500uW/cm2 at the point furthest from the emitter. Arrange emitters parallel to the coil tubes to provide an equal distribution of UV-C energy to the coil face and drain pan, and that UV-C energy strikes all surfaces of the coil, drain pan and available line of sight of airstream, either directly or indirectly through reflection.

2. Provide sufficient emitters to provide a minimum of 820uW/cm2 on the face of the filter at a point closet to the emitter and 500uW/cm2 at the point furthest from the emitter.

3. Provide emitters and fixtures designed for use inside an HVAC system. Provide lamps with an output at 253.7 nm of a minimum of 10 uW/cm2 per 1 inch of arc length measured at a distance of one meter. Test individual lamp output in an ASME nozzled test apparatus using a 45 deg F. airstream moving at a minimum of 400 fpm and submit test results.

4. Provide high efficiency electronic type power supplies (ballasts) matched to the emitter capable of producing the specified output intensity with a maximum input of 80 watts per lamp.

5. Factory install fixtures. Provide door interlock switch and disconnect switch at each access door to a section containing emitters. Wire emitters to a single point of electrical connection, voltage as indicated.

16. Drawing M-501 Detail 6; Spec 23 22 26.00 20. Steam Supply for Humidifier — Existing System Capacity: Detail 6/M-501 shows a 1.5" LPS steam connection to the humidifier steam generator. Please confirm: (a) Available steam pressure (psig) and flow capacity at the AHU-4 and AHU-5 mechanical room connection points, and (b) Whether isolation valves, branch line upgrades, or steam trap replacements between the existing steam main and the new connection points are included in our scope.

Govt Response: Per Specification 23 22 26.00 20, Paragraph 2.2.1 Provide self-contained, electrode steam humidifiers for distribution of steam vapor into air handling system, using regular potable water.

Also see Note A on Humidifier Schedule on M-601. There is no steam existing in the building.

17. Drawing M-601 AHU Schedule; Spec 23 64 26; Drawings M-402, M-403. Chilled Water System — Available Pressure Differential at AHU Connections: M-601 requires 250 GPM for AHU-4 and 180 GPM for AHU-5 at 45°F EWT. Please confirm: (a) Available chilled water pressure differential at the existing connections in the basement mechanical rooms, (b) That the existing primary chilled water system has sufficient capacity to serve the new loads without modifications, and (c) If modifications are required, whether they are in our scope or a separate contract.

Govt Response:

A) Available pressure is adequate.

B) The existing chilled water system has sufficient capacity to serve the new loads without modifications.

C) Modifications are excluded from contract.

18. Drawing M-601 Fan Schedule; Cover Sheet G-001 Drawing Index. Return Fans RF-6 & RF-8 — Drawing Sheet Location and Support Details: M-601 lists inline return fans RF-6 (17,300 CFM / 10 HP) for AHU-4 and RF-8 (13,300 CFM / 7.5 HP) for AHU-5. Please identify: (a) The specific drawing sheet(s) showing installed locations, duct connections, and structural support/hanging details for RF-6 and RF-8, or (b) Provide supplemental information if these details are not on any current drawing.

Govt Response:

RF-6 is shown on Drawing M-401 Detail 2, along column line 3 between column lines B and C.

RF-8 is shown on Drawing M-403 Detail 2 near column line B16, and M-404 Sections 1 & 3.

19. Drawing M-601 Notes H & J (Rigging Dims); Drawing A-401; Spec 01 35 26. Equipment Access Route and Structural Load Path for AHU Rigging: AHU-4 max rigging dimensions are 60"L x 118"W x 108"H and AHU-5 is 60"L x 100"W x 96"H — both installed in a basement of a 1960s building. Please clarify: (a) The Government's intended equipment access route into the mechanical rooms (existing door, loading dock, new penetration, etc.), (b) Whether any structural opening work is in our scope, and

(c) Whether a structural engineer has confirmed floor/slab load capacity along the rigging path.

Govt Response: The intended rigging access to the mechanical rooms is through the areaways. See MS101 for supporting information.

20. Drawing A-401; Spec 03 30 53. Concrete Equipment Pad Modifications — Structural Adequacy Confirmation: Drawing A-401 shows modifications to existing concrete pads including cutting 8" curbs to 3", epoxying #4 rebar dowels at 2'-0" O.C., and extending pads for new AHU footprints. Please confirm: (a) That the existing basement slab has been structurally evaluated to support the new AHU weights and dynamic fan loads, and (b) Whether any additional geotechnical investigation or reinforcement is required beyond what is shown on A-401.

Govt Response:

A) The existing basement is able to support the new AHU.

B) No additional geotechnical support is required.

21. Spec 28 31 76; NFPA 72; NFPA 90A. Fire Alarm Integration — Existing Panel Compatibility with New Duct Smoke Detectors: The new AHUs require duct smoke detectors integrated into the existing addressable fire alarm system per NFPA 72 and NFPA 90A. Please provide: (a) Make, model, and firmware version of the existing fire alarm control panel, and (b) Confirmation that the existing panel has sufficient addressable points and is compatible with new duct smoke detectors without requiring a panel upgrade beyond our scope.

Govt Response: (a) FA make and model is note 3 on FA001, NOTIFIER NFS2 3030.Building to provide firmware. (b) Existing equipment to be reused.

22. Drawing M-601 Note E (120V/1PH/60Hz); Drawings E-101, E-102. VAV Box Electrical Power — New Circuit Scope Clarification: M-601 Note E specifies 120V/1PH/60Hz for all 18 VAV boxes (Zones Z4-1 through Z4-10 and Z5-1 through Z5-8). Please confirm: (a) Whether existing 120V circuits are already available at each VAV location in the ductwork, or (b) If new homerun circuits are required, whether they are included in our Division 26 scope or under a separate electrical contract.

Govt Response: Provide new 120V circuits consisting of 2#12+1#12G in conduit connected to single phase circuit breaker. Provide 2 circuits per floor for a total of 4.

23. Statement of Work §10.1; Spec 01 14 00 §§1.3.2 & 1.3.3. Work Hours Discrepancy — SOW vs.

Specifications: A conflict exists between two contract documents. The SOW §10.1 specifies Monday– Friday 7:30 AM–4:30 PM. Spec 01 14 00 §1.3.2 specifies 6:00 AM–5:00 PM. Additionally, Spec 01 14 00 §1.3.5 requires utility cutovers after normal hours or on weekends. Please confirm: (a) Which hours govern this contract, and (b) Whether after-hours/weekend utility cutover work is included in the base bid or compensated separately.

Govt Response: Work hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30am – 4:30pm, except on Government Holidays.

All after-hours/weekend work is to be included in the base bid. All after-hours work, downtime and disruptive work (including utility cutovers) must be coordinated and scheduled with the Location Monitor (Jermaine Winstead) in advance and may be after hours or on weekends. Each case must be individually pre-scheduled with Jermaine.

24. Spec 23 09 23.02; Drawings M-700, M-701, M-702. Niagara Framework / Existing BAS Controller

— Version and Integration Requirements: Spec 23 09 23.02 mandates the Niagara Framework exclusively for scheduling, trending, and UMCS communication. New AHU and VAV controllers must integrate into the existing BAS via BACnet ASHRAE 135. Please provide: (a) Current Niagara Framework version (NiagaraAX vs. N4) and existing JACE/supervisory controller model and firmware,

(b) BAS network IP/VLAN scheme, and (c) Available addressable capacity on the existing supervisory controller to confirm no panel upgrade is needed.

Govt Response: See response to RFI-2.

25. AERO EH&S Hazardous Materials Report (Summer Ref. 212.006); Spec 02 82 00. PCB-Containing Materials — Survey Findings and Abatement Scope: The AERO EH&S survey scope included PCB testing, but the report's findings sections address only ACM and lead with no explicit PCB conclusion.

Please confirm: (a) Whether PCB-containing materials were identified in the AHU-4 and AHU-5 work areas, and (b) If present, whether PCB abatement and disposal are included in our base bid scope or performed by the Government or a separate contractor.

Govt Response: No PCB containing material were identified. Not required in scope.

26. Spec 01 14 00 §1.2.a; Cover Sheet G-001 Note 1; SOW §2.2 & §4. Construction Phasing Sequence

— Which AHU is Replaced First: Spec 01 14 00 and G-001 Note 1 confirm AHU-4 and AHU-5 cannot be out of service simultaneously. The building is occupied and the ground-floor data center must remain operational. Please confirm: (a) The Government's required or preferred phasing sequence (AHU-4 first or AHU-5 first), (b) The minimum cooling capacity that must remain online during each phase, and (c) Whether the Government will mandate the sequence or we propose it in our CPM schedule.

Govt Response: The ground floor data center is served by separate cooling equipment. The limitation is that AHU-4 and 5 cannot have a simultaneous outage. See Sequencing Note 2 on G-001 for temporary spot coolers.

27. Spec 23 08 00; Spec 01 91 00.15; Solicitation p. 21 (A&E CM Services). Commissioning Authority Identity and Required Software Platforms: Specs 23 08 00 and 01 91 00.15 require coordination with a Commissioning Authority (CxA) for functional performance testing and Certificate of Readiness. Please identify: (a) The designated CxA for this project (Summer Consultants Inc., separate firm, or USDA A&E CM team), (b) CxA contact information for preconstruction coordination, and (c) Any specific software platforms (Procore, e-Builder, USDA-specific systems) we will be required to use for submittals, commissioning checklists, or construction management reporting.

Govt Response:

USDA will be providing the Commissioning Authority. We anticipate the CxA will use a software platform to track commissioning activities, to include checklists.

28. Would the Government please provide the name of the company that currently maintains the building controls systems? Please also provide a point of contact, if available.

Duplicate question: Who is the controls vendor?

Govt Response: Existing building controls vendor is Siemens, as identified in Specification section 23 09 00, paragraph 1.1.

29. The fencing around the area where the old units will be removed, and the new units will be brought into the building, is current enclosed in chain link fencing. This fencing will need to be removed for the majority of each phase while installing the AHUs. Will a temporary enclosure need to be provided at the end of each workday while the fencing is removed?

Govt Response: The area way will need to be temporarily enclosed and locked at each work day.

Provide in the base bid proposal.

30. Who is the Fire Alarm vendor

Govt Response: See Drawing FA001, Fire Alarm Requirements, item 3. USDA to provide specifics on contractor

31. For the spot coolers, how many rooms need cooling?

Govt Response: See G-001 Sequencing note 2.

32. For the spot coolers, how many Tons per room?

Govt Response: See G-001 Sequencing note 2.

33. Where is the nearest electrical panel to these rooms? What Voltage is available?

Govt Response: See electrical drawings for information. MCC-3 and MCC-4 are located in each mechanical room respectively. See drawings E-602 for voltage and further details.