Q&A_Elevator_Modernization_NAL_12JUL18.pdf

Questions and Responses for - Elevator Modernization NAL Beltsville

7/12/2018

Question 1: Is the State of Maryland, Division of Labor and Industry, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation the Authority Having Jurisdiction for this elevator modernization project? Who will be the inspection authority for all acceptance inspections for this project?

Response 1:

No, the State of Maryland does not have jurisdiction for this elevator modernization project.

These elevators are installed in a building under federal control. Elevator modernization work will be in conformance to the requirements of the A17.1-2016 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators and other codes as referenced.

RD3 will provide an elevator inspector certified under ASME QEI-1. This inspector will provide final alteration acceptance inspection as the Authority Having Jurisdiction designated by the Owner. The inspector will meet the qualification requirements of ASME QEI-1 and shall be certified by an independent, accredited, certifying organization.

Question 2:

Please confirm lighting up the hoistway is to remain and that we are to only rebulb and provide guards?

Response 2:

No alterations are being required for the hoistway lighting other than the machine room, secondary machinery spaces and pit as detailed in the specification. Existing hoistway lighting is to remain, to be rebulbed and to be properly guarded.

Reference Part 1.05 Work by Elevator Contractor, subpart C) Electrical Requirements, sections

7) Machine Room and Secondary Machinery Space Lighting and Receptacles & section 8) Pit Lighting and Receptacle(s).

Question 3:

Is the metal fencing at the pit entrance and secondary machinery space (existing condition) to remain as is?

Response 3:

Yes, those existing conditions are to remain. No alterations are being performed for the pit entrance and secondary machine spaces, therefore there is no requirement to change those existing conditions.

Question 4:

Please confirm if it is the intent to remove the nonfunctioning power switching and metering by Federal Pacific from the machine room, tap the main power, and install a panel in the machine room to supply emergency power to elevator equipment?

Response 4:

Any electrical equipment that is non-functioning should be removed for electrical safety.

Electrical requirements for the elevator modernization project are detailed in Part 1.05 Work by Elevator Contractor, subpart C) Electrical Requirements. The intent is for all electrical work to comply with the requirements for normal power supply and emergency generator supply with conformance to NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) 2017. If this would require tapping the main power and installing a panel in the machine room to supply emergency generator power to the elevator equipment, then it is required.

Question 5:

Are we to assume the existing A/C is sized correctly?

Response 5:

Yes.

Question 6:

Shall the wall vents and wall mounted heaters remain in the machine room as part of the AC / Heating system? Please advise if the old hot water sourced heater is to be removed from the machine room since the electric heater has been installed?

Response 6:

All heating, air conditioning, and ventilating equipment is operational and is to remain, that includes an air-conditioning unit, a hot-water sourced heater (primary), and an electric heater (back-up).

Question 7:

The specification states (page 3) that there shall be a Base bid for Elevator #1, Option 1 for Elevator #2 and Option 2 for Elevator #3. There is a portion of the work in modernizing three elevators that must be completed with Elevator #1 pertaining to the elevator scope and ‘work by others’ scope. Would you prefer that all of this work is included in the base bid?

Response 7:

Yes. The Base Bid must include all work necessary for an alteration acceptance inspection after the first elevator is completed; the first elevator must successfully pass the alteration acceptance inspection in conformance with A17.1-2016.

Elevators 2 and 3 must remain operational, in the event the Options are not awarded or until such time as Elevator # 2 and Elevator # 3 are modernized.

Question 8:

Is the lighting level at the lobby sills 10 candles?

Response 8:

As a part of this project, new lighting is being installed in the head jamb at the First floor. The expectation is that the new lighting will provide 10-foot candles at the First floor sill. No other lighting changes are required at the lobbies of the other floors.

Question 9:

Please confirm lockable 120 V heavy duty disconnect for cab lighting and fan is a requirement?

Response 9:

Reference Part 1.05 Work by Elevator Contractor, subpart C) Electrical Requirements, section 4) Cab Lighting Disconnects. Cab Lighting disconnect(s) are to be verified by Contractor as appropriate size and type for power requirements. If existing disconnecting means are not satisfactory replacement is required.

If the existing circuit breakers are appropriately sized and they are lockable open, then they would be acceptable. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted as the means required to be installed at and remain with the equipment.

Question 10:

Please confirm drywall on first floor hoistway openings is to remain?

Response 10:

Yes.

Question 11:

Are the filters to remain exposed in the machine room?

Response 11:

The air filters, in the existing filter rack, are to remain as part of the existing HVAC system in the elevator machine room.

Question 12:

Referencing section H - Special Contract Requirements of the solicitation, is it the intent of the specification to allow for the Site Superintendent to be a working foreman on the project?

Response 12:

It is possible that the Site Superintendent and the working foreman may be the same individual, so long as that individual has completed the 30-hour OSHA training. It is expected that the Site Superintendent will remain the same for the duration of the project, subject to the Key Personnel clause AGAR 452.237-74 contained in Section H.

It is further expected that the Contractor will assign a Project Manager who will visit the project on a weekly basis (when there is work on-site) and who will participate in bi-weekly project meetings.

Question 13:

Section C, Paragraph C.2.7.3 of the solicitation states: "The job superintendent/OSHA certified competent person needs to be onsite at all times when work is being done." Does this mean in addition to 2 mechanics on site, a third person must be on site at all times or can this role be filled by a lead mechanic who is designated Competent Person and OSHA certified?

Response 13:

All contractor and subcontractor personnel shall complete the 10-hour OSHA certified construction Safety course. The Site Superintendent/working foreman shall provide proof that an OSHA certified “competent person” (CP) (29 CFR 1926.20 (b) (2) will maintain a presence at the worksite whenever the general or subcontractor are present. The Superintendent shall have completed the 30-hour OSHA training.

Question & Response 12 are similar.

Question 14:

It was noted at the site visit that the Fire Alarm system is scheduled to be replaced under a different contract. Is the new fire alarm system compliant for elevator operation in accordance with A17.l?

Who will be responsible for testing during the elevator final acceptance test?

Response 14:

Yes, the new system was designed for compliance with the current A17.1 requirements.

If the Elevator Contractor requires the assistance of a Fire Alarm Subcontractor for testing during the elevator final acceptance testing, then it is the responsibility of the Elevator Contractor.

Reference Part 1.05 Work by Elevator Contractor, subpart 6) “Fire Alarm Subcontractor shall demonstrate at time of elevator inspection, compliance and testing of all alarm initiating devices as required by ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.2 and NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code.”

The National Agricultural Library (NAL) utilizes BFPE International, of Hanover, Maryland, when conducting its annual fire alarm/elevator recall test.

Question 15:

Section C, Paragraph C.2.4 of the solicitation: Service interruptions / Utility Outages states: "if any utility or other services must be discontinued (even temporarily) due to scheduled contract work, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative ten calendar days in advance ... " However, Section H, Paragraph H.4 Utilities Outage states "Permission to make such an interruption (of utilities) shall be requested in writing to the Contracting Officer, at least three (3) days prior to the day of interruption."

Which is correct?

Response 15:

Solicitation Section C.2.4 and Solicitation Section H.4 are amended to include:

“For all requested Service interruptions / Utility Outages, the contractor will notify the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative, and the Location Coordinator, in writing, five (5) calendar days in advance.”

Question 16:

The base bid for this solicitation is for elevator No. 1 only.

Units 1-3 are grouped and it is not possible to modernize these elevators individually.

Is it the intent of this solicitation to award all options as detailed? Please confirm.

Response 16:

Question 7 and Response are similar.

ARS intends to award the Base Bid immediately. Award of base bid, and any options, is subject to availability of funding. It is ARS’ ultimate plan to modernize all three elevators sequentially, subject to availability and timing of federal funds.

The Base Bid must include all work necessary for an alteration acceptance inspection after the first elevator is completed; the first elevator must successfully pass the alteration acceptance inspection in conformance with A17.1-2016.

Elevators 2 and 3 must remain operational, in the event the Options are not awarded or until such time as Elevator # 2 and Elevator # 3 are modernized.

Question 17:

The solicitation offer and award sheet and bidding documents (page 2, paragraph B.3) state a total project duration of 619 calendar days after receiving a notice to proceed to complete the Base and Options 1 & 2, however, the Project Schedule section under the specification section (page 2) lists the total project duration as 18 months (547 days) to complete all three elevators.

Is the total project duration 619 calendar days or 18 months? Please clarify.

Response 17:

For the Base Bid-only, the project duration shall not exceed 286 calendar days. This includes submission and approval of submittals, color selection by the government (concurrent), procurement of long-lead items and not-more-than-140 days (on-site) to modernize Elevator # 1.

For the Options, it is likewise assumed that the renovation time (including modernization, acceptance testing, and correction of any punch list) shall not exceed 140 days per elevator. If the Options are exercised initially, the project duration, including modernization of all 3 elevators shall not exceed 619 days, including project closeout.

END