B09_A4_21R0020_QAs_3_0004.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center

Denver Federal Center, Building 50 P. O. Box 25047

Denver, CO 80225-0047

140L0621R0020 Fort Egbert Restoration

Questions and Answers #3

20) Q: The H drawings refer to ALL the existing paint being removed, however the Painting Spec for the exterior prep (H) says to “Remove dust, grit, and foreign matter” and the Removal/Disposal of Materials Containing Lead (A) says “The work may require the disturbance (including cleanup of existing loose paint.”) Neither of these two statements in these spec sections make reference to removing All existing paint. Please clarify if all existing paints are to be removed and if they are, please put in a detailed painting spec section that tells us the means & methods you will allow for these Historical Buildings.

To remove all the existing paint, the wood on all the exteriors will be disturbed by blasting techniques (sand, sponge, baking soda, walnut shells etc.) and chemical stripping of the paints from the wood will leave chemical residues that may interfere with the new paint or may not be allowed by the paint manufactures. Also, the cost of removing all the existing paint will be exponentially higher than performing a surface prep by just removing loose paint, dust, grit and foreign matter.

A: The scope of work per the drawings includes but is not limited to, “AT ALL

PAINTED EXTERIOR SURFACES REMOVE ALL EXISTING PAINT…”.

Typical surface prep instructions in the specifications for painting do not reduce the scope of work clearly stated in the drawings, nor does a statement that the work may require the cleanup of existing loose paint in any way reduce the scope of work stated in the drawings. Means and methods for paint removal, surface prep, and paint application will not be provided for the contractor. Minimum requirements for all of these tasks are provided in the bid documents, which also include as statements limiting the use of ‘Hot Work’ due to historical building considerations.

Additionally, methods for submitting substitution requests, product information, and contractor means & methods, are described where required in the specifications. It is the contractor’s responsibility to select their products, processes, means and methods to complete the scope of work and comply with the project requirements described in the bid documents, as well as the manufacturer recommendations for all processes and products used. Compatibility of processes and products selected to complete the work is the responsibility of the contractor.

21) Q: Will the government put out a detailed paint spec? These are historical buildings and usually there are requirements that the wood surfaces cannot be changed by the paint removal efforts. For all the paint to be removed, the best way is by a blasting method as the paints are below the surface plane and within the wood grains. Blasting will make a new profile of the wood surfaces. Are you going to allow blasting? If not, what removal methods will you allow? Chemical strippers or belt sanding all the paint off the surfaces?

Sanding will disturb the surfaces also and chemicals come with their own set of problems. Please advise.

A: The bid documents provided describe the scope of paint removal, the related requirements applicable for this project, and any methods not allowed such as the use of ‘Hot Work’. Any means and methods which conform with the bid documents are acceptable. It is the contractor’s responsibility per the drawings to, “REPAIR

OR REPLACE IN-KIND DAMAGED SIDING AND TRIM TO MATCH

EXISITING.” This includes existing damage observed in photos and site visits as well as any damage caused by the contractor during the project. The contractors chosen means and methods to perform the work will not excuse the requirement that the exterior finishes shall match the existing conditions once the work is complete.

22) Q: We plan on submitting CPARs reports for certain past performance references.

Should we include the CPARs reports with our proposal?

A: Yes, refer to the instructions set forth within the solicitation under L-9(d).