Fourth set of RFIs.pdf

October 07, 2024

USDA APHIS MRPBS

250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401-2329 Attn: Jim Roloff

RE: Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture Building 3 Renovation Dorado // Solicitation 12639524R0038 // Additional Inquiries

Mr. Roloff, We would appreciate your assistance with the following inquiries regarding the referenced solicitation above:

1. Could the government please confirm whether Executive Order 14026 applies to this contract, and if so, whether all employees and subcontractor employees are required to be paid at least $17.20 per hour?

a. Response: Yes, see the top of attachment 5--Federal Construction Wage Rates.

2. Supporting Framing – Could the Government please confirm the designed height of the supporting framing for the AHU-ERU B, C & D, from the rooftop to the top of the supporting framing?

a. Response: General Note #3 on S-401 ENLARGED STRUCTURAL PLANS notes that top of steel is at Elevation 14’-6” (above floor elevation at 0’-0”).

i. Per the original structural drawing S-2, the underside of the roof slab is at Elevation 11’-0”, with a nominal thickness of 7”. This sheet is included in REFERENCE F – 1994 LAB DRAWINGS SET 3 issued in Amendment 004.

ii. Per the original architectural drawing A-2 (REFERENCE A), the top of the roof slab slopes up to an additional 4” thick at the highpoints. The framing supports will be mounted on this sloping roof deck.

3. Section 028500, Table 1.0: Renovation Phasing and Drawings (Door/Door Frame Removal) – Could you confirm whether all the doors listed need to be removed as part of the Lead Remediation process?

a. Response: [We presume this refers to Section 02 83 00.] Table 1.0 in Section 02 83 00 lists the rooms involved in the separate renovation phasing when doors and frames associated with those rooms would be addressed. The removal and replacement of doors and frames is done to change the direction of swing and/or to resolve accessibility clearances; removal is not associated with lead paint remediation.

4. Drawing A-131, Corridor 124A, Note 1 – The note states "Salvage existing aluminum frame and door for reinstallation." Do we need to remove the door and reinstall it while implementing the Lead Remediation process?

a. Response: Door X124B.2 between Corridors 124A and Corridor 124B 2 is removed and reinstalled to provide separation between Areas C & D when Area D is being renovated.

Relocation has nothing to do with any lead remediation. The Contractor can choose when the door is relocated.

5. SECTION 01 45 00.00 20 under 1.5.2 Lead Commissioning Specialist (CxC) Provide the Lead Commissioning Specialist (CxC) as key person for the commissioning requirements in Section 01 91 00.15.20 BUILDING COMMISSIONING. Could the government confirm whether a Lead Commissioning Specialist will be required for this project, or if these services will be provided by a government third party?

a. Response: Commissioning services on the project will be provided by a government third party. Specification Section 01 45 00.00 20 incorrectly references the CxC. Specification Section 01 45 00.00 20 – QUALITY CONTROL has been corrected and is issued in Amendment 04.

i. Item 1.5.2 Lead Commissioning Specialist (CxC) is deleted.

ii. Item 1.7.3 Attendees: reference to CxC is deleted.

iii. Item 1.8 QC Meetings: reference to CxC is deleted.

iv. Item 1.9.1 Preparatory Phase: reference to CxC is deleted.

v. Item 1.13.3 Testing Plan and Log: reference to CxC is replaced with “QC

Manager”.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ASSESSMENT ASBESTOS: Could the government confirm whether they will provide the Asbestos Negative Certification required for the demolition permit, or if this must be provided by the contractor? If it is the contractor's responsibility, we would like to inform you that the asbestos sampling must be conducted again by a certified company in Puerto Rico, as one company cannot certify another company’s sampling.

a. Response: Per REFERENCE C – HAZMAT REPORTS, the removal and disposal of asbestos does not apply to this project (Conclusion 3.1, page 77). If asbestos is discovered, the contractor shall contact the government and manage the sampling and disposal certification.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ASSESSMENT – LEAD: Could the government confirm whether they will provide an additional lead sampling performed by a company certified in Puerto Rico? The company that conducted the lead sampling has indicated that they are not certified in Puerto Rico, and this lead sampling assessment cannot be used for the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board. Please advise if it is the contractor's responsibility to provide a lead sampling assessment that complies with Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board requirements. If so, please confirm the Lead Sampling SOW.

a. Response: Per REFERENCE C – HAZMAT REPORTS, the lead sampling was conducted by personnel possessing valid/current US EPA accredited ‘lead inspector’ and ‘lead risk assessor’ accreditations. The project site is a governmental research laboratory. The Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board licensing requirements are applicable to pre-1978 target housing/daycare structures. Should discovery of paint film testing combinations occur during the work (other than those previously evaluated), the contractor shall contact the government and manage the sampling and disposal certification.

8. Will the government require a Data Manager for this project?

a. Response: Per specification Section 01 31 20, a Data Manager is required with the qualifications noted in Item 1.5.2.1 and the responsibilities outlined in Item 1.5.2.1. The Data Manager is a role, not necessarily a dedicated person; there is nothing in the specifications that limits an individual to only being the Data Manager.