C04_Attachment 11 - RFI Questions and Answers.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 24 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Construct Sugarcane Research Laboratory
- Solicitation number
- 1232SA26R0027
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document addressing 70 inquiries submitted during the Request for Information (RFI) phase for the Sugarcane Research Laboratory and Office Building construction project in Houma, Louisiana. The responses clarify technical specifications, construction sequencing, material requirements, and contractual responsibilities for this BSL-2 laboratory facility.
Key clarifications include: downspout boots are required; roof drain connector lines match downspout sizes; native sand is acceptable for fill and capillary layer applications per Specification Section 310000; concrete pavement details must follow the drawings; the Prime Contractor must hire an independent commissioning firm; AISC-certified fabricators and erectors are mandatory with no exceptions; temporary measures for existing equipment replacement must match current equipment sizes; third-party inspections are required for compaction, concrete, and steel connections; permitting is the contractor's responsibility; site civil electronic drawings will be provided post-award; all pile cap field adjustments require engineer approval; the roof warranty is 20 years; rebar caps (red, yellow, and blue tops) are required; and fire system testing will proceed with Johnson McAdam's FP engineer oversight despite current water supply deficiency. The project anticipates fourth quarter 2026 start; construction duration is 18 months (2 months pre-construction plus 16 months construction); on-site staffing minimums include a Project Manager, Project Superintendent, QC Manager, and SSHO (Safety and Health Official), with the Superintendent potentially serving dual roles if qualifications permit; and the project requires background checks and Real ID credentials for all on-site personnel. Additional specifications address boiler MAWP ratings (160 psig minimum), biosafety cabinet requirements (Class II Type A2 with NSF/ANSI 49 certification), electrical panel modifications to accommodate new equipment, Lenel PIV card access control systems, and coordination with an ongoing concurrent greenhouse construction project.
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Sheet1
| C04_Attachment 11 - RFI Questions and Answers | ||
| Houma Lab/Office Building | ||
| No. | Question | Response |
| 1 | Please advise if a downspout boot is required at downspout connections to roof underdrains. | Yes, required. |
| 2 | Per note 7 on C-102, roof drain main lines are 12”. Please provide size of the roof drain connector lines from the main 12” trunk line. | Same size as downspouts.. |
| 3 | The building pad will be required to be raised per the grading plan on C-102. The geotechnical report does not provide information on a suitable select fill criteria characteristics to be trucked in? Native sand is recommended due to the availability in the area. | Refer to Spec Section 310000 Earthwork.. |
| 4 | Will a capillary layer be required below slab, if so, will native sand be acceptable in lieu of a stone base course? | Yes a caillary laryer is required as noted on S-101. See #3 above for capillary water barrier requirements. |
| 5 | Please advise if per note 22 on C-101 that the compacted fill referenced for fire access road can be native soil? Please also advise on the grade of geotextile fabric called out. | See # 3 above. |
| 6 | The engineer of record should consider providing a concrete alternative paving detail in lieu of as shown on 11/C300. Concrete pavement will be more cost effective. | Follow the drawing. |
| 7 | Spec 01 91 00.15 Commissioning is contradicting on who hires commissioning firm. Section 1.10 says first tier subcontractor while the spec also notates government hired in section 1.2. Please confirm if prime contractor is supposed to hire an independent commissioning firm? | The Prime Contractor is required to hire the Cx firm. |
| 8 | Spec section 01 91 19 Building Envelope Commissioning, please confirm the prime contractor is to retain this firm as an independent subcontractor or if this firm is government hired? If the firm is hired by the government, will this building commissioning specialist perform the building envelope pressure test? | The Prime Contractor is required to hire the Cx firm. |
| 9 | Spec Section 05 12 00, please confirm there will be no alleviation of the AISC certified fabricator and the AISC certified erector requirement. | No alleviation AISC Certiifed Fabricator and Erectors must be used as specified. |
| 10 | Please provide the existing chiller, chiller water pumps, boilers, and domestic water heaters performance criteria that are being replaced so that the prime contractor can adequately size temporary measures to eliminate outages that could impact existing operations. The temporary measures need to match the existing sizes of the current equipment. | Needed information to be compiled by the contractor and coordinated with the on-site representative during the pre-con period. |
| 11 | Will the project be sales tax exempt? | Refer to RFP pg. 22, Special Contract Requirements 13, "State Taxes and State Tax Exemptions". |
| 12 | Will weekend work or after hours work be allowable to the USDA? | Working hours can be worked out with the site rep. |
| 13 | Is there a badging requirement or REAL ID requirement to work on this project? | Anyone working on gov't property will require a background check through USDA Personnel Security. Real ID will be required. Please refer to FAR Clause 52.222-54 Emplyment Eligiblity Verification. |
| 14 | Can the USDA confirm who the existing controls contractor is for the Headhouse? | Seimens |
| 15 | Can the USDA confirm who the existing fire alarm contractor is for the facility? | Convergient |
| 16 | Please confirm whether asbestos or lead is present on this project, and if so, provide the relevant documentation. | No lead or asbestos is expected on site. |
| 17 | When do you anticipate on site work starting? | 4th Q 2026 |
| 18 | Are third party inspections required? | Yes. Compaction, concrete, steel connections |
| 19 | Is permitting required? | Permitting is by the Contractor. Refer to FAR Clause 52.236-7 Permits and Responsiblities. |
| 20 | Are soil boring reports available? If not, it will be assumed that excavation will be clear of rocks and obstructions | The boring logs are included in the drawing set..The contractor can assume excavation will be clear of rocks and obstructions. During pile driving for the adjacent greenhouse presently under construction, only 2 piles hit refusal. |
| 21 | Is there a bulk water fill i.e. a hydrant or water source we can pump from for grading operations in close proximity? | Yes |
| 22 | Please provide staking data points for the project. | Site civil electronic drawings will be provided after award. |
| 23 | Please confirm all finished top of footing and top of pile cap elevations | Per drawings. |
| 24 | Has pile heads been reviewed for constructability and whether alternate reinforcing layouts will be accepted if field conflicts occur? | Follow drawings. |
| 25 | Will field adjustments for pile caps require Engineer approval? | Yes |
| 26 | Confirm the required roof warranty duration | 20 years per specification. |
| 27 | Are red, yellow, and blue tops required? | If referring to rebar caps, yes. |
| 28 | Sheet FP-001 documents a fire flow test dated 4/16/2026 showing only 520 GPM available at 20 psi, insufficient to test the existing fire pump at its rated 500 GPM/75 psi. Please provide the current status and anticipated resolution date for this water supply deficiency, and clarify how final acceptance testing should proceed if it is not resolved prior to construction. | Johnson McAdam's FP engineer is aware of the water issues and will be on site to for final acceptance testing. |
| 29 | Sheet FP-001 states that Bid Option 1's dry-pipe sprinkler system "can only be executed if [the] utility water supply deficiency is resolved," with no defined timeline. Please clarify how Option 1 should be priced and scheduled given this contingency. | There is not presently sufficient flow to allow the dry pendent system to be constructied. Efforts are being made with the city to address the issue. Price Option 1 as if the issue is solved and construction can proceed at the time of award . If it is not solved by the time the contract is awarded Option 1 will not be awarded. |
| 30 | Sheet FP-001 notes the existing FDC "is not identified per code." Please clarify whether relocation/replacement of the FDC is required, or whether new identification signage alone resolves this. | Follow drawing. Shows in the Key Plan. |
| 31 | The Statement of Work requires one of two existing boilers to remain operational serving the Headhouse and greenhouses during boiler replacement (unless work is performed in summer months). No phasing/cutover sequence, temporary heat requirements, or outage windows appear in Specification Division 23 or Drawing Sets 01, 03, or 04. Please provide this sequencing. | The site needs to maintain hot water to heat the existing greenhouses if the temparture drops.Contractor to determine phasing/cutover plan. Or perform work in summer months. |
| 32 | Specification Section 23 52 00 lists boiler design pressure as 30 psig but operating pressure at the boiler outlet as 100 psig. Please confirm the correct design/MAWP rating. | Boilers shall have a minimum MAWP of 160 psig. The 100 psig operating pressure listed in Section 23 52 00 is a specification error and is deleted. The normal system operating pressure is approximately 30 psig |
| 33 | Specification Section 23 52 00 requires a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) for each packaged boiler (~2.79 MMBtu/hr). Please confirm whether this requirement is intended for boilers of this size, or clarify/delete. | CEMS is not required for the boilers in this project due to their size. |
| 34 | Please provide a sequencing plan for generator replacement (Sheets E-001/E-502) that maintains standby power continuity, including disposition/storage logistics for the existing generator, which is noted for turnover to the Government. | Contractor needs to determine. We would expect a 48 hour downtime. |
| 35 | Specification Section 26 32 15 (Engine-Generator Parameter Schedule) lists frequency as 50 Hz, while all other references in the project (motors, controls, FACP) are 60 Hz. Please confirm 60 Hz is correct. | Yes, 60 is correct. |
| 36 | Specification Section 11 53 00 describes a biosafety cabinet with a removable glove panel and piped natural gas/compressed air/vacuum connections. Please confirm whether a standard Class II, Type A2 biosafety cabinet (as described in the project scope) or a different cabinet class is intended, and reconcile with the thimble exhaust connection shown on the mechanical drawings. | Class II, Type A2 with a thimble connection is correct. |
| 37 | Specification Section 11 53 00 references BMBL 5th Edition (2009). Please confirm whether the current 6th Edition (2020) governs, and whether NSF/ANSI 49 certification is required for the biosafety cabinets. | Biological Safety Cabinets shall comply with the requirements of the contract documents, including the specified CDC/NIH guidance. Class II Biological Safety Cabinets shall be manufacturer-certified in accordance with NSF/ANSI 49 and shall be field certified following installation, HVAC testing, balancing, and commissioning as required by the contract. No change to the contract documents. |
| 38 | Room Finish Schedule (Sheets A-701/A-702) assigns a standard lay-in acoustical ceiling (ACT-2) to the BSL-2 Laboratory (Room 1043). Please confirm whether a sealed/monolithic ceiling is required for decontamination and containment. | Ref to spec 2.2.3 in 095100. ACT-2 has a sealed surface. |
| 39 | Doors 1043A/1043B (BSL-2 Lab) are assigned Hardware Set #8, which includes no weatherstripping, sweep, or threshold. Please confirm the correct door/hardware assembly for this biocontainment space. | This is correct. We want leakage into the BSL Lab. |
| 40 | Please confirm whether the biosafety cabinet exhaust (BSC-1/BSC-2) connects to the redundant fume exhaust fan system (LEF-1A/1B) or the single, non-redundant fan (EF-1), and confirm the containment/pressurization classification intended for Room 1038, which is labeled "Support" on the architectural plans but houses BSC-2. | We need Lenel PIV cards. CAC is DOD, not USDA.. |
| 41 | The Statement of Work requires a security/access control system with cameras and card readers tying into the existing site system, but no security floor plan, device layout, or riser diagram appears anywhere in Drawing Set 04. Please provide these, or confirm where this scope is documented. | Drawing EY-101 Special Systems was included in the bid set. |
| 42 | Specification Section 28 10 05 specifies CAC-compatible card readers. Please confirm whether PIV credentials should govern instead. | We need Lenel PIV cards. CAC is DOD. |
| 43 | Please identify the manufacturer/platform of the existing site access control and video management system referenced in Specification Section 28 10 05, so bidders can price compatible hardware and software licensing. | Lenel System with Bosch intrusion detection System. Video security system shall be equal to Av-costar or Avigilon. |
| 44 | Structural design criteria (Sheet S-001) reference a geotechnical report dated 2005-2006. Please confirm whether a current geotechnical investigation was performed for this building's actual footprint and loads, or whether the referenced report remains the governing basis of design. | The 2005/2006 Geotech Report is the latest document. The building is the same footprint as used in that report. |
| 45 | Sheet S-101 calls out test pile locations with no defined test protocol, acceptance criteria, or indication of separate payment. Please clarify. | Refer to spec Section 316219, 3.3.1. |
| 46 | Please provide allowable tension/uplift pile capacities; Sheet S-001 design criteria give compression capacity only, despite tension piles being called out on Sheet S-101 | For the 75ft piles called out in the drawings the allowable tension pile capacities are 13.3 kips and provide factor of safety of 3 in tension. |
| 47 | Pile Cap "PC9" appears on Sheet S-101 but is not included in the Pile Cap Schedule on Sheet S-401. Please provide dimensions and reinforcing. | PC9 is text from the headhouse project that the text was errantly not removed from lab drawings. On CL V the new piles caps for the lab project are on column lines 25 and 26 all others are existing. |
| 48 | Please define the coordination and utility tie-in responsibility boundary between this contract and the concurrent greenhouse construction contract, including the shared entrance, boiler loop, generator power, and gas | The greenhouse construction will be close to finished if not completey finished when Lab/Office construction is occurring. |
| 49 | Sheet C-101 states that an opening in the existing Headhouse wall "was designed to be removed to accommodate the new laboratory structure." Please clarify whether this opening is to be cut under this contract or has already been completed by others, and provide the schedule/sequence. | There was a wall panel installed when the Headhouse was constructed. Panel needs to be removed under this contract for new walkway connection. |
| 50 | Sheet A-105 notes to "terminate existing gutter" and "match existing soffit framing" at the bridge connection, with no keyed detail. Please provide a detail for this tie-in. | Detail to be by contractor. Match the termination at other end of gutter. |
| 51 | Specification Section 01 35 26 requires 3 days' notice for utility outages, while Section 01 35 29 requires 15 days' notice for the same. Please confirm which governs. | 3 days notice is adequate. |
| 52 | Please confirm whether an acid-neutralization or chemical waste system is required for laboratory sink and autoclave drainage (Sheet P-104), as none is shown. | A separate acid-neutralization or chemical waste system is not required. Laboratory sink and autoclave drainage shall be routed to the facility sanitary drainage system and on-site sanitary wastewater treatment plant as shown in the Contract Documents. |
| 53 | Laboratory Fixture Schedule (Sheet P-601) skips fixture mark "LS-2." Please confirm no fixture was omitted from the drawings. | LS-2 was removed from the drawings set prior to submittal. |
| 54 | Please confirm the existing switchboard SWBD-HDP has adequate spare bus capacity and physical space for the new breakers indicated on Sheet E-602, and provide supporting load calculations | Due to limited physical breaker space inside SWBD HDP, Install 800/3 in bottom space of SWBD HDP and feed a new panel CH located in first floor corridor of the head house. This panel shall feed both new chillers. Utilize existing 400/3 spare in SWBD HDP for new lab building panel HDP-LAB. An addenda will be issued reflecting all required changes. |
| 55 | Sheet E-601 reuses the tag "CH-1" for both a demolished existing chiller circuit and a new chiller shown on Sheet M-601. Please confirm no conflict in submittals or field identification. | CH-1 was used for both existing and new, Intent is to demo circuit for existing chiller. See site plan. |
| 56 | Please confirm this project is subject to LA State sales tax and Terrebonne Parish sales tax and the project is not tax exempt. | See #11 above. |
| 57 | What is the daily Liquidated Damage amount? | There are no associated LDs. The USDA will utilize other measures for late or poor performance (ie CPARS, Witholding progress payments, etc). |
| 58 | 01-91 00.15, 1.10 says to employ a CX firm. 1.11 says the CX firm will be employed by the government. Are we to budget for CX services or will this scope be caried by the government? 01-91-19 refers us to the same CX specification. Who is to perform the CX scope in 01-91-19 and 01-91-00.15? | Please see #7 and #8 above. |
| 59 | Please confirm the project duration listed in the SOW, Part 5.0 of 18 months is correct and not the duration of 425 days listed on the 1442. 540 days is more reasonable considering the process to construct, CX and closeout a BSL-2 laboratory. | Construction duration is 2 months pre-con plus 16 mos. construction for a total of 18 months. |
| 60 | Please confirm the number of mandatory full time onsite managers. 01-45-00 and the SOW says the Superintendent can be the QC. 01-35-29 and the SOW says the QC can be the Safety. 01-45-00 says the QC cannot be the Safety. This is not typical on government projects of this magnitude and complexity. Please confirm the expectation for the roles of Site Superintendent, SSHO and the QCM. | As a minimum, a Project Manager is needed. A Project Superintendent is needed. A QC Manager is needed. .A SSHO is needed. The Superintendent can serve as the QC Manager if he/she meets the required background for each poistion and the contractor choses to go this route, and can perform all required activites. The SSHO shall be a separate person. The Project Superintendent, or his designee, must be on site at all times while construction activies are going on. These are minimum requirements, the contractor shall staff the project as needed for a project of this magnitude, complexity, schedule and accident prevention needs. |
| 61 | Part 7.0 of the SOW discusses the responsibilities of the PM. Is this a full-time onsite position? | Does not have to be. |
| 62 | Are accurate electrical asbuilts of the facility available for our use? | Electrical as-builts are available. Can't confim their accuracy. |
| 63 | Please confirm carrying a Registered Roof Observer is not our responsibility and the 3rd party roof inspections are limited to the manufacturer’s field inspections | The Roof Observer is the manufacturer's technical rep and is the responsibility of the Contractor. |
| 64 | Please clarify the expectation for QFPE onsite surveillance to monitor the fire suppression and fire alarm installation. Is once per month | The QFPE is responsible to establish appropriate milestones necessary to ensure proper installation. With properly qualified installers the QFPE can often inspect the site two times during instalation (such as to verify once wire starts getting pulled and pipe installed, and close to final completion / before pre-testing). This is followed by pre-testing and final government testing. Poorly qualified installers results in many site visits. Minimum requirements are identified on FA-001 and FP-001. |
| 65 | 01-00 11, 1.5 says if there are conflicts, we are to propose a method to solve the issue at no cost to the government. How are we to budget for unknown obstructions or structural design conflicts and the associated delays? | There will be no cost for the contractor to propose a solution. Proposed changes in scope and schedule will be handled per the contract.. |
| 66 | The fire alarm drawings reference an Edwards EST4 fire alarm system in the legend; however, the project specifications do not appear to identify Edwards as a required manufacturer. Please clarify whether the Edwards EST4 system is a required basis-of-design system or if alternate manufacturers are acceptable. If alternates are permitted, will a Siemens FV922 Fire Alarm Control Panel and associated peripherals be accepted as an approved equal, provided the system complies with all project requirements, performance criteria, and applicable codes? | EST-4 is identified in 28 31 76 1.6, paragraph 2. EST is required. |
| 67 | Will the sterilizer require effluent decontamination systems? | No. A separate effluent decontamination system (EDS) is not required for this project. The sterilizer effluent shall discharge to the facility sanitary drainage system and existing on-site wastewater treatment system as shown in the Contract Documents. |
| 68 | The laboratory casework is shown an labeled as metal casework in the drawings. But only spec section 06 41 16 is listed. Section 12.35.53.13 is missing. Please provide this section | See Lab Casework Schedule on Sheet A-603 |
| 69 | Single Line Diagram, E-601, does not include work being installed under the current greenhouse installation project. Have the electrical provisions needed out of Switchboard HDP been confirmed as available once the new greenhouse project is completed? For example, note 2 on E-601 calls for a 450AT/600AF breaker to be replaced to feed Panel HDP-LAB, but that 600AF space is already allocated to feed a new greenhouse panel. Existing panell HEDP has several available spaces, so the project overlap should not be a problem. | Due to limited physical breaker space inside SWBD HDP, Install 800/3 in bottom space of SWBD HDP and feed a new panel CH located in first floor corridor of the head house. This panel shall feed both new chillers. Utilize existing 400/3 spare in SWBD HDP for new lab building panel HDP-LAB. An addenda will be issued reflecting all required changes. |
| 70 | Sheet S-101. Columns are requested to be HSS7x7x3/4. This is not an available size. | This is a typo. Provide HSS7x7x3/8's. |
| Columns are requested to be HSS7x7x3/4. | ||
| This size is not an available size. What size will these columns be changed too? | ||
| Supplier states a 7 x 7 is not made in this thickness. |
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