RFIs and Responses.docx

RFIs, Solicitation 12639526Q0209

1. Existing Roof Assembly Please identify the existing roof assembly, including the roof membrane type, insulation type and thickness, cover board, attachment method, and structural deck type, if known. All items are unknown.

Please specifically confirm whether the existing asphalt roof membrane is SBS-modified bitumen, APP-modified bitumen, or built-up roofing. Unknown and FMS staff do not have the experience to identify the roofing material.

2. Previously Coated Roof Area During the site visit, portions of the roof appeared to have been previously coated. Please provide any available records identifying:

1. The existing coating manufacturer and product: N/A

1. The date the coating was installed: N/A

1. The substrate preparation performed: N/A

1. Whether a primer or bleed blocker was used: N/A

1. Whether the existing coating is currently covered by a warranty: No

3. Adhesion and Compatibility Testing Our proposed coating manufacturer recommends wet and dry adhesion testing and requires consultation with its Technical Services Department when coating over previously coated asphalt roofing.

Will USDA permit bidders to perform adhesion and compatibility test patches on the previously coated areas before bid? No If testing cannot be completed before bid, please clarify how additional preparation or corrective work will be handled if the existing coating is found to be incompatible, poorly adhered, or unsuitable to receive the new coating system. Include your total testing, removal, and/or preparation of new process in your initial bid.

4. Treatment of the Previously Coated Area If the existing coating is found to be incompatible or inadequately adhered, please clarify whether the affected area is to be:

1. Removed down to the existing asphalt membrane: Yes

1. Cleaned and primed: Yes

1. Treated with a bleed blocker: Yes

1. Repaired or replaced by another approved method: Yes **Include your total testing, removal, and/or preparation of new process in your initial bid** Please also clarify whether this corrective work is to be included in the base bid, carried as an allowance, priced by unit cost, or handled through a contract modification. Include your total testing, removal, and/or preparation of new process in your initial bid.

5. Proposed Coating System Please confirm whether the following proposed system will be considered technically acceptable:

1. GacoFlex S4200 White Elastomeric Silicone Roof Coating installed in accordance with the current Gaco Application Specification ASP-S4200-34-20 and any project-specific written requirements issued by Gaco Technical Services, including substrate repairs, primer or bleed blocker, reinforced flashing treatment, and one field coat applied at the manufacturer’s required coverage rate and film thickness. Approved

6. Required Warranty Please confirm the required manufacturer warranty for the project, including:

1. Required warranty duration: 10 years minimum

1. Whether a manufacturer labor-and-material warranty is required: Yes

1. Whether a no-dollar-limit warranty is specifically required: Yes

1. Whether the entire roof, including the previously coated area, must be included in the warranty: Entire roof

1. Whether manufacturer inspections and warranty fees are to be included in the base bid: Yes The current scope does not appear to state a required warranty term or warranty type. Full Coverage Warranty

7. Moisture Survey and Roof Cores Was an infrared, nuclear, or any other moisture survey performed on the existing roof system? No Were any roof cores taken? N/A If so, please provide the moisture survey report, roof-core information, and the locations of any identified wet roofing materials. N/A If no investigation has been performed, will USDA permit bidders to perform a moisture survey and roof cores before bid? No. Include your total testing, removal, and/or preparation of new process in your initial bid.

8. Wet Roofing Materials and Concealed Conditions All wet roofing materials must be removed and replaced before a coating system is installed.

Please clarify how bidders are to price removal and replacement of concealed wet or deteriorated materials, including:

1. Existing roof membrane: Yes

1. Wet or deteriorated insulation: Yes

1. Cover board, if present: Yes

1. Deteriorated structural decking: Yes

1. Related flashing and tie-in repairs: Yes We recommend establishing an Owner allowance or unit prices for these items. Please confirm that concealed deterioration exceeding any defined base-bid quantity will be handled as additional work. No. Include your total testing, removal, and/or preparation of new process in your initial bid.

9. Existing Leaks and Roof Repairs Please provide the building’s known roof-leak history, including active leak locations, reported interior damage, and previous repair locations. These items were addressed at the solicitation walk-through. The only active leaks are the ones we could noticeably identify at the time of the walk-through.

The Statement of Work requires the contractor to repair roof leaks that are beyond the ability to be corrected by coating but does not define the type or quantity of repairs. Quantity of repairs are unknown. The repair is based on what is known to be noticeable active leaks. These items were addressed at the solicitation walk-through. The only active leaks are the ones we could noticeably identify at the time of the walk-through.

Please identify any repairs that USDA expects bidders to include in the base bid or establish an allowance and unit-price schedule for repair work discovered during construction. These items were addressed at the solicitation walk-through. The only active leaks are the ones we could noticeably identify at the time of the walk-through.

10. Ponding Water and Drainage Please identify any known areas of ponding or standing water. These items were addressed at the solicitation walk-through. The only active leaks are the ones we could noticeably identify at the time of the walk-through.

Will the contractor be required to correct roof slope, drains, scuppers, gutters, downspouts, or other drainage conditions before the coating system is installed? Yes If drainage corrections are required, please define the work and how it is to be priced. Unknown and FMS staff do not have the experience to identify the work or price.

11. Flashings, Penetrations and Edge Conditions Please clarify the contractor’s responsibility for repairing or replacing deficient:

1. Perimeter edge metal: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

1. Base flashings and termination details: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

1. Penetration flashings: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

1. Pitch pans and pitch-pan filler: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

1. Existing sealants and termination caulking: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

1. Drains, gutters, scuppers, and downspouts: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

1. Equipment curb flashings and metal caps: If necessary or damaged due to contractor corrective actions.

Please indicate whether these items are to be repaired as part of the base bid or handled through allowances or unit pricing.

12. Rooftop Equipment

Please confirm whether USDA will provide mechanical, electrical, or plumbing assistance when equipment shutdown or disconnection is required. Include your total testing, removal, and/or preparation of new process in your initial bid.

13. Torch-Applied Roof Repairs and Hot Work The Gaco application specification requires certain asphalt membrane repairs to be completed with granule-surfaced membrane that is torch-applied or heat-fused.

Please confirm whether torch-applied or heat-fused roofing repairs will be permitted at the facility. Yes If permitted, please provide the applicable:

1. Hot-work permit procedures: Safety JSA with Hot Work Permit by contractor- (Mandatory).

1. Fire-watch requirements: Yes

1. Fire extinguisher requirements: Yes

1. Work-hour restrictions: 7:00am – 3:30pm

1. Post-work monitoring requirements: Minimum of 3 hours after all Hot Work.

If open-flame work is prohibited, please identify an acceptable alternate repair method approved by the Owner and coating manufacturer. N/A

14. Manufacturer Inspections and Quality Control Please clarify whether the project requires:

1. A manufacturer pre-installation meeting: N/A. A Contractor awardee Pre-Construction Meeting Mandatory.

1. Manufacturer technical representative involvement: N/A

1. Interim manufacturer inspections: N/A

1. Wet-film thickness documentation: Yes

1. Dry-film thickness verification: Yes

1. Test cuts or other destructive testing: N/A

1. Daily quality-control reports: N/A

Please confirm whether all associated inspection and warranty fees are to be included in the base bid. Yes

15. Building Operations and HVAC Shutdown Please confirm:

1. Whether the building will remain occupied during construction: Occupied with daily operations.

1. Who will coordinate HVAC and air-intake shutdowns: USDA FMS through contractor email requests and coordination.

1. Whether there are any restrictions on coating application near occupied areas: N/A

1. Whether USDA will coordinate relocation of vehicles and protection of nearby property: Yes

1. Whether there are any noise, odor, or operational restrictions: N/A

16. Personnel Security and Site Access Will background checks, security clearances, facility badges, or government-issued identification be required for contractor and subcontractor personnel? Yes. Security guard checks, Facility Badges.

Please also confirm:

1. Whether workers must be U.S. citizens: Must have a form of government identification: (i.e., State Drivers License, Passport, State Issued I.D.)

1. Whether personnel or vehicles will be searched: Yes. Vehicles are subject to random security guard searches. All government facility rules apply.

1. Whether workers must be escorted: Yes

1. Whether employee lists must be submitted before mobilization: Yes

1. The expected processing time for site-access approval: Time can vary

17. Working Hours Please provide the permitted working days and hours. Monday – Friday: 7:00am – 3:30pm Please identify any:

1. Weekend restrictions: Only Sunday

1. Holiday restrictions: Yes

1. Noise restrictions: No

1. Daily access or check-in requirements: Yes

1. Restrictions on starting work before normal facility operating hours: No. Must be communicated by contractor

18. Staging, Storage and Site Logistics Please identify approved areas for:

1. Material storage: On Site at contractors’ risk and contractor provided storage.

1. Equipment staging: On Site

1. Dumpster placement: On Site

1. Delivery truck access: Plenty of access

1. Employee parking: On site

1. Portable restrooms: Must be provided by contractor

1. Temporary fencing or barricades: Must be provided by contractor Please also confirm whether roofing materials may be stored on the roof and whether any limitations apply to roof loading. May be stored on roof

19. Utilities Please confirm whether USDA will provide access to water and electrical power for the work. Yes If available, please identify the locations, available voltage, and any restrictions or charges associated with their use. First available electrical receptacle for power, 120 volts, No Charge.

20. Hazardous Materials Please provide any available asbestos or hazardous-material survey covering the existing roofing membrane, flashings, mastics, insulation, sealants, and related materials. N/A

If no survey has been performed, please clarify responsibility for testing and confirm that hazardous-material identification and abatement are excluded from the base roofing scope unless specifically identified. Contractor responsibility

21. Contract Schedule The solicitation states that the contractor must commence work within five calendar days after receiving the Notice to Proceed but also states that the entire project must be completed within 30 days from the date of award.

Please clarify whether the 30-day completion period begins on the date of award or the date of the Notice to Proceed. Starts at Notice to Proceed Please also confirm whether contract-time extensions will be granted for:

1. Unsuitable weather: Yes

1. Wet or damp roof conditions: Yes

1. Manufacturer-required cure periods: Yes

1. Adhesion or compatibility testing: Yes

1. Material lead times: Yes

1. Manufacturer review and inspections: N/A

1. Owner-caused access delays: Yes

1. Unforeseen wet roofing or deck repairs: Yes