12805B22R0010 Questions and Answers.pdf

12805B22R0010 Grand Forks HNRC Labs Renovation Submitted Questions & Answers Page 1 of 3

General Questions:

1. Is there any existing digital control system (DDC) or is the entire building pneumatic?

The existing system is a combination of pneumatic and DDC controls.

2. If there is an existing DDC system, will the upgraded area have to tie into it or will the upgraded area be a stand-alone system? If we have to integrate to existing DDC please provide manufacturer of existing system to confirm compatibility.

Confirm if there will be any issues connecting with existing control and Honeywell before providing a quote to the mechanical contractors bidding this project.

Answer: The current system is Schneider and the remodeled area controls will need to tie into and function seamlessly with our current system. The GFHNRC does not have the information available nor the resources to determine if Honeywell or any other manufacturers products are compatible with our current system. I would defer that question to each manufacturer’s representatives.

3. Are contractors to remove only what is indicated on demolition plans? Existing casework, desks, cabinets, furnishings, etc. will be removed by government prior to demolition?

Answer: GFHNRC will remove the hanging wall cabinets, doors and bookshelves.

4. Plans do not indicate thickness of existing floor slab that needs to be removed for new plumbing rough ins. Please advise.

Answer: According to the information that I have the concrete floor slab is 8 inches thick.

5. Lead time on Steel Lab Casework is a minimum of 20-30 weeks (140 days) plus install and then associated trades to follow steel casework install. The project duration is 120 days. Please advise Answer: Project duration is 120 days.

6. Elevation 3/Q301 references detail sections of 4 and 5/Q403. I can’t find page Q403 Answer: Sheet Q403 was not included in the drawing set. It will be issued with this response.

7. The specifications are detailed but do not contain manufacturer names. Is any manufacture approved?

Answer: Manufacturers that meet the specifications could be approved.

8. The following pages are listed on the index but missing from the Laboratory section of the drawings

Q002 CASEWORK TYPES

Q003 EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE

Q401 DETAILS

Q402 DETAILS

Q403 DETAILS

Q404 DETAILS

Answer: The sheets listed above were not included in the drawing set. They will be issued with this response.

Please remove all Q Sheets from the original set and replace with the reissued 10 sheets.

8. Proposal Due Date? SAM.Gov shows 6/9/22 and the solicitation shows 6/13/22.

Answer: SAM posting has been updated to 6/13/22 @ 12:00pm Mountain

Submitted Questions & Answers Page 2 of 3

9. On sheet E201 receptacles are shown with a dark black line behind them, what it is the black line? It is not shown in the legend.

Answer: It is a multi-outlet assembly. They are also shown on Q301 and Q302.

10. What is the existing fire alarm system?

Answer: Simplex

11. On sheet E001 note D4 remove existing speakers and reinstall 2 in the corridor and 4 in the lab.

The demo only shows 4 speakers and 4 smoke detectors. Please verify quantity.

Answer: Provide tow new speakers in the corridor similar to existing speakers. Submit information during construction to include mounting details for approval.

12. Sheet E801 shows 5 panels. PP3, PP5, PP8, HNL1, and HEP2. Are these intended to be new panels or are these existing?

Answer: All panelboards are existing, see drawing E301 which shows them in half-tone (existing)

13. Will the GC be able to sign out a key fob for building access?

Answer: Yes

14. What will be COVID-19 requirements? The form contractors had to fill out for the site visit expired and is not up to date. Will all contractors working on-site be required to be vaccinated?

Answer:

Vaccination Self-Certification and Safety Requirements for Federal Contractors Please refer to the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce for additional FAQs on this topic.

53. Are contractors also subject to masking and physical distancing requirements? Yes. Contractors must ensure that their employees and visitors comply with CDC guidance for masking and physical distancing at a covered contractor’s workplace.

54. Will USDA inquire regarding the vaccination status of onsite contractor employees? Yes. When required by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance, USDA will ask about the vaccination status of onsite contractor employees. Onsite contractor employees must attest to the truthfulness of the responses they provide. Onsite contractor employees who are not fully vaccinated or who decline to provide information about their vaccination status must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test from no later than the previous 3 days prior to entry to a federal building or USDA worksite. If a contractor employee is regularly tested pursuant to an agency testing program, then they do not need to provide proof of a negative COVID- 19 test from no later than the previous 3 days prior to entry to a federal building unless required to by the agency testing program.

55. Who is considered “on-site” for purposes of complying with this guidance? “On-site” means contractor personnel, cooperators, volunteers, visiting guests of USDA employees, USDA remote employees, visiting employees of other non-USDA Federal agencies, and elected USDA county committee members who share USDA facilities (which includes vehicles and aircraft) or work at an outdoor site together with Federal employees on a regular basis on activities that make social distancing impractical or is contraindicated by operational needs to complete work to be performed (e.g., FS firefighting crews; county committee meetings and executive sessions). All on-site personnel should complete the non-employee contractor/visitor vaccine certification form. For delivery services where a delivery driver may spend more than 30 minutes delivering packages to various offices, the non-employee contractor/visitor vaccine certification form should be completed. For short drop-offs, the vaccine certification form is not required but these individuals do need to follow the masking requirements.

56. Which form should an “on-site contractor” use? Does USDA need to collect and keep a copy of the form?

When required by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance, all on-site contractors need to complete this form. After the on-site contractor shows USDA staff the completed form, the on-site contractor should

Submitted Questions & Answers Page 3 of 3 retain it on their person while on Federal premises. Onsite contractor can use a previously used form if there is no change in vaccination status. If on-site contractor is not fully vaccinated, they will have to provide new documentation of a negative COVID-19 test in the past 3 days when working in a USDA facility or work site.

15. Will face coverings be required while working in the building?

Answer: If mandated by USDA or CDC guidance. Dependent upon the Covid 19 community levels.

16. Abatement plans were referenced during our site visit kick-off meeting. These plans are not located in the solicitation drawings other than brief verbiage on sheet A001. Has a hazardous material survey been conducted already or is the contractor required to perform tests if awarded the contract?

Answer: No abatement is anticipated for the space being renovated.

17. Will an onsite supervisor be required for the entire duration of the project?

Answer: YES

18. Will the contractor be allowed to jackhammer existing concrete slab for plumbing rough-in during normal business hours? Will cause vibration/loud noise.

Answer: Yes, but I ask for a 24 hour notification since we are a functioning Laboratory.

19. Is gas/diesel powered equipment acceptable to use in this location?

Answer: NO

20. Will current building users be utilizing hallway space during the construction phase?

Answer: Yes, but as little as possible.

21. How long are contractors expected to hold pricing once proposals have been submitted?

Answer: The entirety of the project.

22. What is the distance (feet) the project site is from contractors only point of access?

Answer: 90 feet from room #156 to Door #5

23. Are the door openings (contractors haul route through designated entrance) wide enough to fit debris/new equipment through? If not, will a substitutional P.O.A be designated if needed?

Answer: If the contractor attempts to fit debris/new equipment that is larger than the doorway thru the doorway chances are the contractor will be unsuccessful. Door #5 opening to the exterior is approximately 71” wide X 82” in height. The entrance door opening to room # 156 is approximately 40.5” wide by 83” in height.

24. Is a third-party commissioning agent required?

Answer: Commissioning is not required for this project. General Contractor to ensure systems are function checked with reports provided as indicated in the submittal register.

25. Does the USDA require a specific controls contractor to be used for the monitoring of this facility?

Answer: The controls must integrate with the existing systems.

The contractors are:

A: The GFHNRC uses Energy Tech Systems from Fargo for our HVAC controls and monitoring.

B: The GFHNRC uses Electro Watchman for Fire.