127EAX26Q0107 QA5 Response 09-23-2026.docx

127EAX26Q0107 Bldg 20 Atrium Leak Mitigation Q&A #5

1. Is there any potential litigation component associated with this investigation?

A: No.

2. Does the required investigation include any roof or façade leakage beyond the two atrium systems and the adjacent wall-panel systems identified in the SOW?

A: No.

3. Is removal of interior finishes or other components expected or authorized to access structural connections and observe interior water-entry points? If so, please identify the anticipated areas/extent and restoration responsibility.

A: No, not expected.

4. Are any additional as-built drawings, project specifications, or existing atrium-system product records available beyond Attachment 2?

A: No.

5. What interior rooms/labs will be accessible for the investigation, and will any daytime or overnight equipment-storage/staging area be available?

A: Access to interior rooms/labs is not anticipated. All areas accessed will require a USDA provided escort. The 1st level atriums, penthouses, 3rd floor perimeter walkways and 3rd floor open office areas on the North side of the atrium can be made available with proper notice and scheduling with the COR as required. The first level atrium areas may be used to stage and store equipment with proper COR notification and allowing access paths or alternate paths as required to during active inspections and testing. Outdoor staging can be coordinated with the COR with the anticipated location in the parking lot East of Building 20 depending on other construction related activities.

6. Please confirm whether the required overall performance period is 90 calendar days after notice to proceed, as stated in the solicitation schedule, or 180 days, as stated in SOW Section 12 A: The 90-day window to complete work will not start until the Contracting Officer issues the Notice to Proceed. The total Contract timeframe is 180 days to include time to for final report submittal and project closeout as required.

7. Period of Performance Clarification SF1442 Block 11 states that the work shall be completed within 90 calendar days after Notice to Proceed and identifies this period as mandatory. However, SOW Section 12.0 references 180 days from NTP.

Please confirm which period of performance requirement governs this contract.

A: The 90-day window to complete work will not start until the Contracting Officer issues the Notice to Proceed. The total Contract timeframe is 180 days to include time to for final report submittal and project closeout as required.

8. Weather Conditions and Schedule Impacts The required water-spray testing of the atrium glazing system cannot be safely or accurately performed during freezing temperatures, precipitation, icy conditions, or unsafe wind conditions.

If award occurs during colder weather months, please confirm:

a. Whether testing may be scheduled during suitable weather windows.

b. Whether delays caused by freezing temperatures, precipitation, high winds, or unsafe site conditions will be considered excusable schedule delays.

9. Scope Boundary – Inspection vs. Repair Work The SOW describes an inspection, testing, and reporting requirement. However, the QASP references items such as:

· Metal siding locations to be repaired

· Punch-list completion

· Final inspection of repairs

Additionally, SOW Section 14.0 references warranty documentation, O&M data, and construction warranty requirements.

Please confirm whether this contract includes only inspection, testing, and reporting services, and whether repair-related warranty, O&M, and punch-list requirements apply only if repair work is separately authorized.

A: Correct - the scope of work only included inspection, testing and reporting services.

The punch-list, final inspection of repairs Warranty documentation and O&M data shall not be included in the scope of work unless as stated is separately authorized by the Contracting Officer.

10. Performance and Payment Bonds SF1442 Block 12a references performance and payment bonds within 10 days after award.

Please confirm:

a. Whether bonding requirements apply only to the prime contractor.

b. The required bond amount/penal sum (for example, 100% of contract value or another amount).

A: a. Contracting Officer will need to answer question.

b. Contracting Officer will need to answer question.

11. Wage Determination Classification Wage Determination IA20260074 does not identify a specific classification for glazier or building envelope testing technicians.

For personnel performing water-spray testing and inspection of the glazed atrium system, please advise:

a. Which wage classification should be applied?

b. Alternatively, will the Government process a conformance request under FAR 22.406-3 after award?

A: a. The Contracting Officer will need to answer this question.

b. The Contracting Officer will need to answer this question.

12. Interior Access and Facility Protection The inspection requires manlift access inside the atrium area and water-spray testing within an occupied facility.

Please confirm:

a. Whether the atrium floor area can be cleared and made available during testing activities.

b. Whether contractor-provided floor protection and water containment measures are acceptable.

c. Whether any adjacent areas have biosecurity restrictions or additional access requirements.

A: a. The entire atrium area will not be cleared during the work, however most items in the atrium are palletized and the USDA can move them for access to sections of the atrium as needed during the work with advanced notice and scheduling with the COR.

b. The contractor-provided floor protection and water containment measures will be acceptable if they are not damaging existing building finishes, structure or contained equipment.

c. All areas in Building 20 have access requirements and require a USDA provided escort. Entry into areas with additional biosecurity restrictions is not anticipated.

13. Water Supply Availability SOW Section 6.0 references available 3/4" hose bib connections in the penthouse.

Please provide:

a. Available water pressure and flow information.

b. Confirmation whether contractors may utilize booster pumps and/or temporary water tanks if required for testing.

A: a. 35 psig @ 5 gallons per minute.

b. Booster pumps are allowed to use the existing hose bib connections in the penthouses. Temporary water storage tanks may be allowed depending on the size, weight and location that would need to coordinate with COR in advance.

12. Previous Leak Investigation Records If available, please provide:

A: Photo 004 was a repair completed by Architectural Wall Systems to install new water shed channels under the metal knee walls on both ends of the East-West atrium using blue-skin product and new sealant. No official leak inspection reports to provide. Leaks in photo were taken March 3rd 2026 after the prior evening rainfall. Original skylight and curtain wall are unavailable at such short notice.

13. Crane and Equipment Access Please confirm:

a. Roof load capacity for placement of inspection equipment.

b. Whether crane access adjacent to Building 20 is permitted for equipment/material movement.

c. Any restrictions regarding interior lift type, size, floor loading, or access dimensions.

A: Based on pounds per square foot—location dependent, whether the area is occupied or not, protection provided, etc.

A: a. 20 pounds per square foot live load on the roof. Please see separate Structural attachment with additional loading information.

b. Crane placement adjacent to Building 20 has taken place in the past. The crane size, path, location and protection of underground utilities, pedestrians and building occupants will need to be reviewed with the COR on a case by case basis prior to proceeding in advance of each crane operation.

c. No gasoline or petroleum combustion allowed inside. There are doorways and/or security barriers that must be avoided. The area is a main traffic area. Temporary (i.e., hourly or daily) access restrictions for USDA personnel can occur, but at least two weeks notice must occur.

14. Key Personnel Requirement SOW Section 10.0 requires a minimum of five years of experience investigating leaks on commercial building atrium systems.

Please confirm whether:

a. This requirement applies specifically to the lead investigator.

b. The requirement may be satisfied through a qualified teaming partner or subcontractor performing the inspection role.

A: As long as the partner/subcontractor clearly has 5 years of experience, and it is included in the documents, this is acceptable.

15. Repair Cost Estimate Requirements Please clarify the expected basis and level of detail required for repair cost estimates included in the final report.

For example:

· Contractor/unit pricing

· RSMeans 2026

· Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost

· Other Government-preferred estimating methodology Please also advise the expected detail level required for each repair recommendation.

A: Contractor unit pricing and RSMeans (2026) pricing are both acceptable. The contractor shall breakdown the cost to the most granular unit reasonable to allow the government to evaluate future bids for this scope. Appropriate additional information shall be provided to support the estimate (e.g., cost codes if RSMeans is chosen.)

18. We are assuming the following rough timeline assuming an acceptable proposal is received.

9/25/2026 – solicitation responses due 10/5/2026 – notice of award (10 calendar days) 10/15/2026 – mobilization for testing (10 calendar days)

The current assumption is testing will occur within the time frame of mid-October to the end of November. Weather in Iowa is difficult to project, but rain or cold temperatures will shut down exterior water testing efforts, which could push testing into December. Water testing requirements are for a starting temperature of 40-degrees F. Colder temperatures in the morning hours will either greatly shorten the daily testing window or completely prevent testing efforts. This is especially true due to the context of this project (glass skylights).

Question: With the 90-day period of performance, weather and the notice of award timing may impact the available testing days before weather conditions completely stop exterior efforts due to safety and temperature limitations. Should testing be shut down by weather before all efforts are completed, is it acceptable to restart testing in Spring 2027 or is it mandatory to complete the testing ahead of winter? This will impact crew sizes, equipment rentals, and on-site USDA personnel security escorting.

A: The contractor will need to work with the USDA to ensure that weather conditions are acceptable. The contractor is not to start until the notice to proceed (NTP), which could be in spring, if weather conditions are not appropriate. The 90-day performance window begins after NTP from CO.

19. The Statement of Work (Section 7.0 Submittals) lists item 7.1.4 as a requirement to be submitted within 10-days following award of contract. This item is the Final Report including repair methods and costs estimates. Please clarify this is a required submittal but is not due until the end of the 90-day period of performance.

A: The intent is for the government to receive a sample of the report prior to ensure that the inspection information provided aligns with the needs of the government when the final report is submitted after the inspection.

20. The published September 15 site visit has passed. May an alternate pre-proposal site visit be arranged? If so, please provide available timing and any attendee-registration requirements.

A: No additional site visits are available.

21. Please provide the finished-floor load capacity in the atrium areas and confirm whether a roughly 30,000-lb, 70-ft scissor lift may be used indoors.

A: The contractor is responsible for ensuring that adequate protection for the flooring is available and that means and methods does not damage USDA infrastructure. The USDA is able to provide as-built information if requested by the contractor. The heaviest lift we’ve used in this area is about 6,350 lbs. The lift was rented by Whiting Turner during construction of Building 20 to finish punchlist items for the atrium. The lift was rented from Duke Aerial, Hinowa 226L9IMDX07 on 6/21/2009. The access route should be planned by the contractor.

22. Please provide the skylight design calculations/load rating and confirm whether the skylight is rated for personnel access. The contractor will not assume it is walkable without written confirmation.

A: The information provided by Architectural Wall Systems at the time of construction of Building 20 is as follows: A maximum of 250 pounds including person and tools. The parameter for this person being stationary is that they have to be straddling a rafter (cannot be stationary on a purlin). One person per bay. Bay would be from rafter to rafter and beam to beam that rafter is anchored to. Under no circumstances should amyone walk out to the center of the glass.

23. The drawing packet references details A-B/A7.1.1, A-B/A7.1.2, B/A7.2.6, D/A7.2.3, and B/A7.2.3, but those sheets/details do not appear to be included. Are they available?

A: Please see attachments provided separately.

24. What is the approved route for roof access, and approximately how far is designated contractor parking from the work areas?

A: The roof access varies depending on the atrium section to be inspected. Contractor parking is in the Visitor Parking Lot with check-in at the building 20 security desk approximately 400 feet from visitor parking. USDA escort will meet contractor to get to the rooftop usually with elevators located on East end of Building 20 approximately 250 feet from security desk to penthouse level. Stair access is also available from ground level to each penthouse with walk path on the roof between penthouses on both ends.

25. Can interior 20A/120V power be made available for equipment charging, lighting, and testing where rooftop/penthouse receptacles are insufficient?

A: Yes.

26. May interior scaffold towers remain erected and secured between workdays, subject to an approved protection and egress plan?

A: Yes, with appropriate egress path and overhead protection if required.

27. Are project meetings expected to be remote or onsite, and are weekly progress meetings required?

A: Either is acceptable. The contractor shall meet with the COR during the active phases of this project. Biweekly is acceptable.

28. Are project meetings expected to be remote or onsite, and are weekly progress meetings required?

A: Either is acceptable.