12405B23R0018 - Q and A.pdf

Reference ues�ons and Answers -Solicita�on #12405B23R0018: Construct Modular Building:

1. Is it acceptable to have the field superintendent cover supervision, QA/QC, and safety duties? Yes, it is acceptable for the Superintendent to cover these duties as long as that person is specifically named and has the requisite qualifications.

2. Are contractors required to issue a contract specific QA/QC Plan? Yes,

3. Are contractors required to issue a contract specific Safety Plan? Yes

4. Is this project tax exempt? The Federal Government is TAX Exempt; contractors are not.

The contractor will be responsible for paying whatever taxes are due.

5. If the original modular building manufacturer does not still have the original design specification for the pre-fab modular building, will the USDA provide this information?

The drawing we have was included with our solicitation as an attachment.

6. Has a specification been developed (outside of the ARS guidelines for Lab Facilities)?

The specification is to duplicate the existing modular building construction and installation. The ARS guidelines for Lab Facilities should be referenced for the air flow requirements (one pass, 8 times in occupied, 4 times if unoccupied, etc.) for the room with the hood.

7. Is it possible to obtain clean copies of the original drawings / prints to base our drawings on? The Drawing we have was posted with the solicitation as an attachment.

Note: Current Modular Building is Indicom Buildings serial number 098508 and 098509.

Project number is 09-087.

8. Does the spec require Chemical resistant drain piping? Yes

9. Will design calculations and stamped architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical drawings of the new Prefab Modular Lab be required as a deliverable?

Yes. Special attention needs to be paid to complying with hurricane wind loading requirements at the State and Local level.

10. Will area lighting and parking area be required for the new location? Wall packs on the modular building at the doors and illuminating the access to the doors is necessary. A four-car parking area that is graveled in the same as the road is required. The gravel shall be laid down so as to provide a suitable base for paving at a later date. The location of the gravel road and parking area shall be laid out, discussed with the RL and agreed upon before any construction work is started.

11. Is the contractor to provide canopies, stairs, gutters, downspouts, and an ADA compliant ramp identical to the existing building as shown in the picture? Yes

12. Is the contractor to provide (2) islands with cabinets, electrical, and plumbing identical to the existing building which the project is being based on? If so, what are the dimensions of the islands, and how many outlets are required. 3 feet tall x 8 feet long x 4 feet wide.

4 112V outlets per side (8 total per island).

13. What is the size of the hood to be provided? 4 foot wide.

14. Will the floor plan for the new modular building be identical to the floor plan of the existing building? Yes, or as close as possible.

15. Will the contractor have to provide internet, fire alarm, phone service, and other communications? Yes, tie into existing infrastructure. The building must be fully functional before it will be accepted.

16. Can the government provide survey drawings of the existing property? Any drawings will be at the site for inspection.

17. Is the finished flood elevation on the new modular building to be at the same finished flood elevation of the existing buildings? Yes If so, what is the required finished flood elevation? Survey in the elevation and include on your as-builts.

18. Will a lift station need to be provided? The building is sited directly beside the WWTP so it’s not anticipated but if one is required for the sanitary to function properly from the installed elevation then yes, one will need to be provided and shown in your submitted design proposal.

19. Will the contractor have to provide natural gas to the modular building? The Contractor will tie into all utility systems on-site for the building to be fully functional.

20. The scope of work states, “The completion of this project shall not exceed 270 days from date of notice to proceed with the repair of the roof of the main building and then the garage taking priority.” Is the contractor responsible for any repairs to the roof of the main building and garage? That verbiage should not be there. There is no garage or roof of the main building involved in this project. The only roof is on the new modular building. Please accept my apologies for this error.

21. Is there a requirement for fabric or geogrid separating the existing road and the new gravel road to be installed? The gravel road will eventually be paved so the gravel should be installed properly with underlayment as necessary for pavement to be laid down on top in the future.

22. What size is the water line the contractor is to tie into? Site utility plans are at the location for inspection.

23. Does this modular lab require chemical resistant drain piping? Yes

24. What are the wall finishes of the new modular building? Vinyl Wall Base board, 5/8”

Type “X” vinyl covered gypsum wall covering.

25. What are the floor finishes in the new modular building? VCT 12x12”

26. Will the government provide exact layout of the corners for the new modular building footprint or is the contractor to field fit the new modular building in the best location.

Location shown on the drawings seem to be on top of a manhole and storm drain.

Contractor will field fit in the general area close to the WWTP and receive approval from the Site Location Monitor that the location is acceptable before any field work is done in this regard.

27. Should the contractor construct the project site to allow sheet following of water over the new extended road? Water should flow away from the modular building to the cropland across the road. Construct the road in such a manner that the gravel will not wash out during hard rain events.

28. The bio based materials specification may be hard to satisfy. Is this a requirement that can be waived? Refer to SECTION C.4 of the Clauses and Provisions.

29. Are local authority permits required or is the work being inspected by USDA? SoW states all required permits are the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain and follow including any required inspections.

30. Design:

a. Does reference to design only pertain to the modular building design? Design to be submitted for approval will include entirety of project from utility hookups to modular building, foundations, etc.

b. Or is a full site utility design required? Existing utilities will be hooked into modular building by Contractor.

c. or can site utilities be documented in an as-built? As built drawings will have to be submitted for approval by lab showing all details of building and utility layout.

d. Is a concrete foundation required beneath the modular units as part of this contract? Yes

e. Are aluminum steps, ramps, and decks acceptable in lieu of wood? Yes

f. Are aluminum canopies provided with the modular unit acceptable in lieu of site built? Yes

g. Please confirm if metal laboratory casework is required. If yes, shall it match the existing layout or what is shown on the drawings in the SOW document.

(There are islands in the current facility not shown in the SOW drawings provided.). Metal casework is required. However, request is for open shelve cabinets not doored cabinets on top.

h. If islands are required, please advise if power shall be fed from power poles or floor outlets. Floor outlets, 8 per island, 112 V, 4 each side of island.

i. During the site walk it was also noted that open shelving for the upper cabinet are desired for the metal laboratory casework, please confirm. Yes, that is correct.

j. There are currently sinks in the existing facility not shown in the SOW drawings, please confirm sinks are required. Sinks are required.

k. During the site walk it was noted that (2) eye wash stations are desired in lieu of (1), please confirm. Two eye-wash stations are required.

l. Is a recent geo technical report available for the site? This is being conducted for another project in the next few weeks (new greenhouse construction) and it will be available.

m. Is lightening protection required on the new modular building? Yes

n. Are access controls required at each entry doorway? Only as required by ADA regulations.

o. Is the intent to provide a lift station for sewer to the existing WWTP? The modular building will be adjacent to the WWTP so no lift station should be required however if one is determined to be necessary then that should be included in bid.

p. Are exhaust hoods provided and installed by others?

i. If yes, please advise who is responsible for flashing the duct work.

We provide the hood, the contractor provides the duct work.

q. Please provide specifications for the exhaust hood for HVAC design. 4-foot-wide chemical hood.

r. Is a desired elevation required, or shall we start at existing grade of the proposed location of the new modular building? At least 3 feet off the existing grade.

s. Is there a specification for the counter tops. Chemical resistant, non-permeable, resin type counter tops.

t. Lab flooring: Drawings indicate roll vinyl flooring with welded seems in the Lab space, but the existing flooring is VCT. Please clarify flooring preferences in the Lab Space. VCT tile 12x12”.

31. There are many references to laboratory specifications throughout the solicitation documents. Is there is a set of laboratory specifications available or is this in reference to the information provided within the solicitation documents such as the SOW, drawings, and photos? The Specifications provided are in the SOW.

32. Section G.2 – Contract Closeout – d-2-a states; “Submit warranties and maintenance bonds prior to final application of payment.” – Can you provide more information on the maintenance bond? If provided; A maintenance bond is a type of surety bond purchased by a contractor as a protection for when work is completed.

33. Are there any specification on the fire protection system in the current modular lab?

Current is a Honeywell fire control system (Panel #MS-9050UD)

34. Is there a fire riser or a separate connection for fire protection in the existing modular lab? It is plumbed in the hot water tank closet from exterior water source same as existing water supply to modular.