Questions and Answers_1232SA26Q0459.pdf

Amendment 3

RFQ# 1232SA26Q0459 – Abate & Install New Floor 735, 735a, 735b, & 736 (Athens, GA)

Questions and Answers:

1. Can you confirm whether the project scope is limited to asbestos floor tile abatement and new flooring installation, or if it also includes additional items referenced in the SOW such as sheetrock removal, wall epoxy coating, drip pans, drain piping, and soundproofing panels?

ANSWER: See Attachment 2 – REVISED Statement of Work.

2. The solicitation references work in Rooms 734, 735A, 735B, and 736, while another section references Room 733C. Please confirm the correct rooms included in the scope.

ANSWER: The correct rooms are 735, 735A, 735B, and 736

3. Please confirm whether the abatement scope includes floor tile only or both carpet and floor tile.

ANSWER: Floor tile only

4. Can you provide the approximate square footage for each room or the total project area?

ANSWER: Square footage is shown in final pages of Attachment 2 – REVISED Statement of Work.

5. Are asbestos survey reports, sampling results, or abatement specifications available for review?

ANSWER: No, the building is known to have asbestos tiles and mastic due to its age.

6. Please confirm the required flooring type (e.g., VCT, LVT, etc.) and whether there is a preferred or specified product.

ANSWER VCT in classic white. Armstrong product or equivalent.

7. The instructions reference base and option items. Can you confirm whether there are any option CLINs associated with this project?

ANSWER: There are no option CLINS. Base only.

8. Work Schedule: Please confirm if weekend work is required for the entire project duration or only for specific phases.

ANSWER: Yes, all work must be performed on weekends due to security and occupancy.

9. Will all contents be removed prior to abatement?

ANSWER: No, all items on the floor will be removed prior. Items that cannot be removed should be covered with plastic to protect them.

10. Will cabinets be removed, or are we just doing floors up to them?

ANSWER: No, the cabinetry will stay where it is, with the flooring to the edge of the cabinets.

11. Will heavy-duty equipment/machinery within the work areas be removed by the

Government prior to contractor mobilization, or should this be included in the contractor’s scope?

ANSWER: No, all items on the floor will be removed prior. Items that cannot

12. While the SOW specifies that work is to be performed on weekends with 24-hour notice, could you please confirm the allowable working hours (start and stop times) for weekend work?

ANSWER: 0800-1800

13. Will post-abatement air clearance testing be required, and if so, should this be performed using TEM or PCM methodology?

ANSWER: The government requires a PCM post test.

14. The schedule is to complete all work on the weekends, within 45 days of the notice to proceed. Is this 45 calendar days?

ANSWER: 45 calendar days from NTP

15. Will the project area be shutdown to the USDA staff for the entirety of the 45 days or do we need to do this work in sections that we can complete over a weekend so that the area is accessible during the week?

ANSWER: The area must remain clean and open to occupants during the work day.

16. Are there any specs or description of what the government wants reinstalled after the abatement?

ANSWER: VCT in classic white made by Armstrong or equal.

17. Where will we be allowed to place a dumpster for this work?

ANSWER: To the rear of the building

18. Can we assume parking won’t be an issue since this work will be performed on the weekends?

ANSWER: Correct

19. Will we have access to at least one elevator for the duration of the project?

ANSWER: yes

20. Will there be any clearances performed by a third party?

ANSWER: No

21. What is the expected start date?

ANSWER: TBD based on award date.

22. The rooms currently contain lab equipment, large machinery, cabinetry, paperwork, and other office items. Will the facility remove all contents prior to project start?

ANSWER: no, all items on the floor will be removed prior. Items that cannot

23. The existing flooring scheduled for asbestos abatement extends beneath all cabinetry. Should we include detaching and resetting all cabinetry to allow for full abatement?

ANSWER: No, the cabinetry will stay where it is, with the flooring to the edge of the cabinets.

24. Removal of the cove base and multiple flooring layers may cause minor drywall and paint damage. Should we include a price for a full one-coat repaint of all walls to provide a uniform finish?

ANSWER: yes

25. Flooring: The bid specifies flooring must meet USDA standards for laboratory environments. These typically require seamless, non-porous, sanitary systems resistant to bacteria, thermal shock, moisture, and cleaning chemicals (e.g., cementitious urethane or epoxy systems such as Puma-Crete, Stonclad UT, or antimicrobial epoxy coatings). We have identified two compliant options. Please confirm your selection:

1. Option A: Homogeneous Vinyl Tile (HVT)

1. Similar appearance to existing flooring (tile size may vary)

2. Non-porous and resistant to bacteria, moisture, thermal shock, and cleaning agents

3. Not seamless due to joints

2. Option B: Homogeneous Heat-Welded Sheet Vinyl

1. Fully compliant, including seamless requirement

ANSWER: These are not necessary. Simple VCT tiles made by Armstrong (or equal) in classic white are all that is required.

26. Installation options:

1. Integral Cove Installation: Flooring extends approximately 4 inches up the wall to form a built-in cove base, eliminating gaps and preventing moisture intrusion

2. Standard Installation with Separate Cove Base: Flooring terminates at the wall, with a separate cove base installed over the joint

Please confirm preferred flooring option and installation method.

ANSWER: option 2

27. Asbestos Abatement: To maintain proper negative air pressure and exhaust to the exterior from the seventh floor, the following options are available:

1. Option A: Window Exhaust

1. Removal of a window to vent directly outside

2. Please confirm responsibility for window removal and reinstallation

2. Option B: Stairwell Exhaust Routing

1. Exhaust tubing routed from the seventh floor through the stairwell to an exterior door

2. Please confirm if stairwell access is permitted or if security restrictions apply

3. Option C: Interior Venting System

1. Use of double air scrubbers with water filtration to exhaust into the interior

2. This is a viable alternative; however, exterior venting is preferred given the research environment

Please advise on the preferred exhaust method.

ANSWER: you can use the fume hood through a heppa filter or through the stairwell. There is no security concerns with the stairwells.

28. Will all contents be removed prior to work?

29. Will heavy duty machines be removed prior to work?

30. What are the working hours on the weekend? Start and stop time.

ANSWER: 0800-1800

31. What employee credentials are needed?

ANSWER: government issued ID for access to the campus. An escort will be present at all times.

32. Is this going to be a tem post test vs pcm?

ANSWER: Government requires a PCM post test

33. Is there availability for site visit early next week?

ANSWER: No, there is only one organized site visit, which transpired 10am on 04/28/2026. Site visit attendance is mandatory to quote. The site visit sign-in sheet is posted on Amendment 0002 on SAM.gov

34. Does the government have the new flooring it would like installed? I don't see any details in the SOW.

ANSWER: VCT in classic white made by Armstrong or equal

35. Does the prime contractor have to attend the mandatory site visit, or is it okay if their subcontractor attended?

ANSWER: Key subcontractor attendance is allowable to fulfill site visit attendance requirement.