Q_A RFP 12805B23R0024 Office and Lab BRL 200 Wing Remodel.pdf

RFP 12805B23R0024 Office and Lab BRL 200 Wing Remodel

Questions and Answers as of 08/30/2023. Final Questions were due 08/23/2023

NOTE: Questions in italics. Answers in bold.

Will Microsoft project be acceptable for project schedule? Yes

Will Procore be acceptable for file sharing, for example, submittals, RFI’s, transmittals, etc.? Yes

Please clarify how many competent people are needed on site for supervision from the general contractor? One

Can the SSHO dual hat and be the site superintendent? Yes

Can the Superintendent triple hat and cover the QC manager role? Offeror to decide.

Are there any other requirements for supervision? Superintendent must be on site whenever construction work is moving forward; at no time will a construction worker be on site without supervision from superintendent.

Will the USDA please clarify on page 8 of the Design Analysis report the following statement “Furniture, Fittings, and Equipment (FF&E) Package is not part of this design scope and will need to be procured through the USDA”. Design Analysis report is for general knowledge and is not part of the bidding package. Refer to drawings and specifications for bidding purposes.

The contractor is not to provide or install any FF&E for this project, correct? Furniture, fittings, and equipment as it pertains to office furniture are not included in the scope. Window shades are included with the scope.

Drawing 1A403 & 7A403, how will shaft wall secure to top of glass block? This should be a means and methods answer.

Is a fire rating required on this wall with the existing duct? Yes.

If so, will a detail be provided to follow in order to achieve this rating? Provide fire/smoke dampers to existing ducts that would pass through this new shaft wall.

What are the wall types to west and north of emergency shower lab 234? The wall in which the shower is mounted is Type D (in front of tagged wall Type B). The wall north of the shower is already tagged Type A.

Corridor 239 has multiple locations calling for wall type “G” at the columns. How will the “C” type rated wall seal and maintain a 1-hour rating? The gypsum board on both sides of Types C and G will be continuous with each other.

Lab 230 between the two casework islands to the west of grid line “55” calls to be a type “B” wall, but the detail 06 61 16.B1 calls for a ½” solid surface sill is it assumed the “B” type wall runs the length of the lab 230 and a knee wall at the window locations? Correct.

Is there a detail for these locations? No.

Drawing A602 shows two locations in lab 230 along the north wall with gyp @ 6’-8” but no detail, will the USDA provide a detail? This shows a gyp bd lid that closes off the continuation of the wall Type

B framing and the windows. A detail is not required.

Drawing M101 the supply duct in corridor 239 shows the system remaining active. The duct will interfere with head of wall on both sides of the corridor from corridor 201 to grid line 6S. During the site walk this was made clear that there would not be room to install the head of wall detail since there is not enough room between the duct and the wall to facilitate installing the head of wall or sealing the wall to give it a rating. Contractor to coordinate with USDA to drop ductwork and reinstall ductwork, as the Contractor seems fit, to execute the head of wall detailing.

Can the USDA deactivate this system, allowing the contractor to drop the duct to install the head of wall or can the contractor plan to seal from the other side with a different wall system?

Note: This would interfere with Lab 240, 244, and 250 due to construction tasks.

This can be coordinated and approved by with the USDA COR with 2 week advanced notice.

Please clarify if the contractor needs to supply power to the project or if any connections need to be metered? USDA will provide the power source.

Will the USDA be providing badges to all contractor’s employees and subcontractors for security as noted in 01 01 00 sub section 1.5 CONSTRUCTION SECURITY REQUIREMENTS? Building access and parking will be coordinated between the general contractor and USDA after contract award.

Will the USDA provide a list of all equipment that needs to be relocated per specification section 01 01 00 subsection 1.16 RELOCATED EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS? The comprehensive equipment schedule is provided on Sheet Q001.

Will the owner please define where the laydown area will be located? Laydown area will be coordinated after contract award...General Contractor will present (2) options for the USDA to consider.

Can work be done on federal holidays? Work is not to be regularly scheduled on federal holidays.

Work can be accomplished on federal holidays or weekend days with sufficient justification and 2 weeks' notice and approval by the COR.

What are the acceptable working hours for the contractor? Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm.

For special construction activity, other or extended times can be approved with sufficient justification and 2 weeks' notice by the COR.

Is off hours work permitted? This may be allowed on a limited basis to recover lost time in the schedule with 2 weeks' prior notice and approval by the COR.

Is an OSHA 10 certification required for all employees on site? The contractor is responsible for site safety. The site superintendent must have the OSHA 30 training. Other staff are not required to have OSHA 10 certification, but it is highly encouraged. The intent is to ensure that all people on the job site are properly trained in safe working procedures.

If patching a wall, is the requirement to paint from corner to corner on the affected wall or will spot painting be acceptable? Walls will not need to be painted from corner to corner. Match the color of the adjacent wall and blend the patch into the existing wall paint.

Confirm that the Contractor nor the Government holds ownership of schedule float. Not Applicable to this project.

In specification section, 01 33 00 sub section 1.8 PROJECT SUBMITTAL REGISTER states, “A sample

Project Submittal Register showing items of equipment and materials for when submittals are required by the specifications is provided as "Appendix A - Submittal Register." Does the USDA have a submittal Register they would like the contractor to follow? To be determined between the awardee and the USDA post award.

Can the data cable be cat 6 or does it need to be cat 6A? Data cable shall be 6A

Do any new panels need surge suppressors? No.

Does the contractor need to use rain tight compression connectors and couplings? Follow the specification for conduit connectors.

Sheet E001 shows no demo of the existing light fixtures in Corridor 239 & Corridor 201 but on sheet

E101 it shows all new lighting, please confirm there will be no demo to the existing lighting fixtures in either Corridor? Existing corridor light fixtures shall be demolished and new lights added per sheet

E101.

Has Attachment 002 Office and Lab Specifications been updated with the information contained in

Attachment 003 Office and Lab Design Analysis? They were issued at the same time. Specifications are contract documents; the Design Analysis is an exhibit for more explanation of the project.

In section 12 24 13 subsection 2.1.2 Motor Operated Shades with Single Rollers states the basis of design is SWF. Will the USDA accept the MECHO brand on this project? Yes

In section 12 24 13 subsection 2.1.2.6 Installation Accessories, lists off Front Fascia, Exposed Head Box, Endcaps, Recessed Shade Pocket, and Closure Panel and Wall Clip. Will this be the uniform requirement?

This entirely depends on which room and which ceiling condition is being referenced. It’s not a one-size-fits-all project.

CLIN and RFP close and other formal contracting questions have been addressed in the solicitation amendment.