Attachment_7_-_Questions_and_Answers_-_Amendment_2_0002.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center

Building 50, Denver Federal Center

P.O. Box 2547 https://www.blm.gov

140L0621R0040 Amendment 2

HVAC System Replacement for BLM Farmington District Office

Questions and Answers #1

1)Q: 1. Please provide ceiling heights for all spaces.

A: Ceiling heights can be found in the PDFs of the original construction drawings and specifications that are posted with Amendment 2.

2)Q: 2. Please provide floor plans, product details, and installer information on the raised floor. Per the site visit, the only access panels that could be removed to inspect below the raised floor are 24’’x24’’ panels, and with his limited access to the below floor plenum this is not feasible to demolish the HVAC system because of the confined space and limited entry access. We need more information to determine how to remove this flooring in large portions to access duct and units below to demolish them. Otherwise, please consider allowing Contractor to abandon all below flooring work in place.

A: Raised floor information can be found in the PDFs of the original construction drawings and specifications that are posted with Amendment 2. The requirement to demolish the HVAC system below the raised floor has been deleted from the contract documents – see the Amendment 2 drawing set.

3)Q: 3. Please advise if openings for duct in CMU walls require any steel reinforcement of the openings.

A: No steel reinforcement will be required for any new openings in CMU walls.

4)Q: 4. Please advise if furniture will be removed from all construction prior to work beginning in each phase, or if the Contractor is to move/remove and store furniture. If furniture is to be removed by

Contractor, please provide a furniture plan, if available.

A: PDFs of the furniture plan drawings are posted with Amendment 2. The intent is for the systems furniture to remain in place during construction - however, work surfaces (desktops) in individual cubes may be removed as necessary for access.

5)Q: 5. SOW calls for protecting of existing floors during construction. Will ram board taped down on existing flooring suffice to meet this requirement?

A: Ram board taped down will be sufficient for protecting the existing floors.

6)Q: 6. Please provide structural steel construction and wall type construction as-builts.

A: Structural steel construction and wall type construction can be found in the PDFs of the original construction drawings and specifications that are posted with Amendment 2.

https://www.blm.gov/

7)Q: 7. Please provide an as-built of the fire alarm system and of the fire sprinkler system so we can review potential conflicts with new duct, and also determine if ceiling systems will have to be removed completely in areas to work around fire sprinkler piping.

A: Electronic copies of the fire alarm system and the fire sprinkler system plans are attached with this amendment. However, it is possible the plans and the “as-built” features may differ slightly.

8)Q: 8. We have to remove the ceiling tiles and grid to install the work. It appears that the ceiling grid between multiple phases is tied together (it is all one system). Consequently, we have to remove the entire system, which would mean that ceiling grid in phases 1 and 2 have to be removed at the same time, prior to starting work for phase 1. Please advise if this is acceptable.

A: The intent is to remove existing ceiling tiles as necessary, but to leave the ceiling grid in place during the installation of the new HVAC system – an occasional T-bar cross-piece may be removed as necessary for access. None of the new equipment, ductwork, or piping being installed above the ceiling is so large that it will not fit through the openings in the existing ceiling grid. Also, the ceiling grid T-bar structural members run north-south, and the cross pieces run east-west, so the ceiling grid could be removed in sections between phases 1 and 2 without disturbing the other section of ceiling. Removal of the ceiling grid will necessitate removal of the lighting systems, smoke detectors, blue lights, and Wi-Fi, adding considerable cost and effort to the project. The BLM is not in favor of removing the existing ceiling grid, but the contractor is free to bid the project as they see fit.

9)Q: 9. When the entire acoustic ceiling and hard lid ceiling is removed to install work, please confirm sprinkler heads can remain in place with heads turned down and cages on the heads during construction.

A: The fire sprinklers are intended to remain in place – cages or other protective means can be applied to the fire sprinklers as necessary. The other alternative is to shut the fire sprinkler system off while work is proceeding during each workday and then turn it back on at the end of each workday – this may require coordination with the Farmington Fire Department.

10)Q: 10. We have to remove the gypsum board ceilings to install the work. During the site visit, we were not able to find access into the hard lid ceilings to be able to work from above. Please confirm it is acceptable to remove and replace the hard lid/gypsum board ceilings.

A: The intent is to only remove as much of the gypsum board ceilings as necessary and to leave the ceiling joist structure in place – none of the new ductwork or piping is so large that it will not fit through the openings between the existing ceiling joists. The only modifications required for the ceiling joist structure are any reframing required for the installation of ceiling-mounted fan coils and access doors.

11)Q: 11. Please advise if existing gypsum board and lay in ceilings are seismically braced. If they are not, please advise if they must get seismically braced if they are removed or modified as a part of this project.

A: No seismic bracing has been provided for any of the ceilings nor is any required for the seismic design category for this location (Seismic Design Category A).

12)Q: 12. Please confirm coring of holes for piping and conduit through floors and deck do not require structural engineer approval.

A: No structural engineer approval is required for core drilling.

13)Q: 13. Please advise if fire alarms in areas of active construction can be de-activated during construction so they do not set off the alarms with dust and debris. This will require multiple outages of the FA system.

A: Fire alarm systems in active areas of work may be deactivated during the workday and then turned back on at the end of each workday – this may require coordination with the Farmington Fire Department.

14)Q: 14. Sheet G14 detail A calls for grilles for several doors. Please provide a model number or specs.

A: The door grilles are called out on Drawings M10 through M13 and the notes on those drawings reference Detail A on Drawing G4 – see the Register, Grille & Diffuser Schedule on Drawing M1 for model numbers and Section 15850 for specifications.

15)Q: 15. Sheet G14 detail A calls for a fire rated grille for room 108. Please advise on needed fire rating.

A: See the Register, Grille & Diffuser Schedule on Drawing M1 for model number and Section 15850 for fire-rating specification.

16)Q: 16. Sheet M13 keyed note 18 requires cutting duct into existing room. Please advise on height of this cut.

A: See Section A on Drawing M17 in the Amendment 2 drawing set. In general, all duct penetration heights and duct mounting heights need to be field verified and approved by the Project Inspector (PI) before work proceeds.

17)Q: 17. Sheet M13 keyed notes 19 and 21 requires running duct along the wall, please advise on the height and if they are still hung from the deck over the detail on M11 or if they are anchored to the walls.

A: The intent is to hang the ducts from the structure (deck) above as shown in Detail A, Drawing M11.

See Section A on Drawing M17 in the Amendment 2 drawing set. In general, all exposed duct mounting heights need to be field verified and approved by the Project Inspector (PI) before work proceeds.

18)Q: 18. Security Section X of the SOW requires a minimum of 2 people to get HSPD 12 and serve as escorts for personnel. Will the HSPD 12 be paid for by the Owner or by the Contractor? Can more than 2 people receive HSPD 12 clearance at no additional cost? For the security plan, please advise what parameters must be met to oversee non-HSPD 12 badge holders? Will non HSPD-12 badge holders have to be escorted and supervised by an HSPD-12 holder at all times? Do they need to be in line of site at all times, or can they move freely in the construction site and in between floors as long as they have their own Contractor issued badge?

A: The answer to this question will be addressed in a subsequent amendment.

19)Q: 19. Spec 01351 3 .2 requires Contractor COORDINATION WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT

“Arrange and coordinate a meeting with the local fire department and Contracting Officer to address the construction phases and anticipated occupancy arrangements during construction.” Can this be excluded, if not, please advise which Fire Department to coordinate with and when this meeting needs to occur, and the Contractors role/responsibilities.

A: This is standard language in Section 01351. Coordination with the Contracting Officer regarding the

Life Safety Plan is still required, and coordination with the Farmington Fire Department may be required if the fire sprinkler system or fire alarm systems are going to be shut off for any reason.

20)Q: 20. SOW Section VI, G does not allow for any signage and Spec 01500 2.3 A requires project signage. Please advise.

A: Project signage shall be provided per 01500 2.3.

21)Q: 21. Spec 01500, 2.4 A requires “Furnish temporary heating and cooling systems in the normally occupied portions of the public area [front desk (Room 209), main entry (Room 201A), lobby (Room

201), and public restrooms (Rooms 204 and 206)] as necessary to maintain temperatures in those spaces between 68 degrees F and 78 degrees F during Phase 3 construction activities.” Will space heaters and desk fans suffice to meet this requirement?

A: Depending on the time of year that the work is being done in the public area of the building, electric space heaters and desk fans should be sufficient to maintain temperatures between 68 and 78 degrees F.

If the work is being done in the public area of the building during warmer weather, temporary cooling may need to be provided to maintain temperatures below 78 degrees F.

22)Q: 22. Spec 01500 3.4 has requirements for stormwater control and pest control and environmental protections. Since not work is expected outside of the building footprint, please advise if this can be excluded.

A: This is standard language in Section 01500. Stormwater control, pest control, and environmental protections may be excluded from this project, other than any requirements that may apply to crane operations where damage outside the building might occur.

23)Q: 23. Spec 01500 3.5 requires contractor to “provide temporary standpipes and hoses for fire protection. Hang hoses with a warning sign stating that hoses are for fire-protection purposes only and are not to be removed. Match hose size with outlet size and equip with suitable nozzles.” Please advise if this can be excluded.

A: This is standard language in Section 01500. Temporary standpipes and hoses for fire protection may be excluded from this project as long as the other specified temporary fire protection provisions are maintained.

24)Q: 24. Spec 01518 3.1 B requires providing temporary exhaust during construction isolation and shutting down the return side of the HVAC system during construction, as well as cleaning of the duct.

Please advise if this can be excluded since the existing system will be used during construction and then demolished.

A: This is standard language in Section 01518. Temporary exhaust during construction, isolation and shutting down the return side of the HVAC system during construction, and cleaning of the ducts may be excluded from this project, other than any protection that may be necessary for the new ventilation systems.

25)Q: Spec 01518 H requires an IAQ building flush out. Please advise if this can be excluded. Please also advise if this is a LEED certified project, since this is typically a LEED certification requirement.

A: This is standard language in Section 01518. Due to the fact that the building has been occupied for 9 years and there is a limited amount of new work that will generate particulates and VOCs, building flush out may be excluded from this project.

26)Q: 26. Spec 0158 3.2 requires noise testing and regular monitoring. Please advise if this can be excluded, and if regular demolition and construction work such as 80dB to 110 dB beeping from lifts, saw cutting and coring through CMU walls, noise from hand powered tools and powder actuate tools, during regular business hours will be a problem for nearby occupants since this is the majority of the work and it cannot be conducted only during after hours, per this section.

A: This is standard language in Section 01519. Since there are no close by neighbors that the work of this project will affect, noise management may be excluded from this project unless it materially impacts the day-to-day operations of the BLM inside the building.

27)Q: 27. Spec 01731 requires cut and patch filling of walls and floors and 15050 3.3 B calls for fire barrier at fire walls. Please advise if any of the walls, floors, or ceilings are fire rated and if so, please provide fire rating and fire stopping spec.

A: One-hour fire rating is shown on the original construction documents for Rooms 105, 107, 108, and

283. Fire stopping is specified in 15050 3.3B. 3M Fire Barrier Rated Foam FIP 1-Step is an acceptable firestop material.

28)Q: 28. Spec 01731 requires cut and patch filling of walls and floors, please advise if gypsum board wall penetrations above the ceiling line need to be patched, or only if they are exposed.

A: In addition to the openings to be patched and painted in Room 106 as noted on Drawing M5, see notes on Drawing M7 in the Amendment 2 drawing set for gypsum board wall penetrations above ceilings that need to be patched.

29)Q: 29. Section 01400 1.6 B requires special inspections, tests, and permits to be the responsibility of the contractor. Please advise on anticipated special inspections and permits anticipated for the project.

A: This is standard language in Section 01400. Inspection and testing requirements are specified in individual specification sections.

30)Q: 30. Section 05120 requires minimum recycled content percentages for structural steel. Please advise if this can be excluded.

A: This is standard language in Section 05120. Due to the limited amount of structural steel required, recycled content percentages for structural steel may be excluded from this project.

31)Q: 31. Section 05120 requires 3.2 C requires test and inspection reports. Please advise if these are visual inspections from Contractor or if a third party must be hired for this quality control and provide details on these requirements.

A: This is standard language in Section 05120. Due to the limited amount of structural steel required, visual inspection by the Contractor, Contracting Officer’s Representative, and Project Inspector (PI) will be acceptable in lieu of formal third-party inspection.

32)Q: 32. Section 05400 requires minimum recycled content percentages for cold rolled steel. Please advise if this can be excluded.

A: This is standard language in Section 05400. Due to the limited amount of cold-formed steel framing required, recycled content percentages for cold-formed steel framing may be excluded from this project.

33)Q: 33. Section 09512 2.1 requires contractor to match existing ceiling tile and grid, but existing ceiling grid and tile details are not provided. Please provide sizes, make and model of grid and tile.

A: Per the original specifications, the existing ceiling tiles are Armstrong “CIRRUS Second Look III”, with “Prelude XL” exposed tee grid.

34)Q: 34. Spec 09250 G, I, calls for a level 4 finish for all gypsum board patchwork, but per the site visit level 5 finish seems to be what is existing on ceilings and walls. Please clarify.

A: Per the original specifications and drawings, Level 4 finishes were provided throughout the building on gypsum board walls and ceilings.

35)Q: 35. Spec 09653 for wall base is provided, but it is unclear where new wall base is needed. Please advise.

A: New wall base will only be needed if any existing wall board is removed to floor level.

36)Q: 36. The DDC controls appear to not be operational. What is the owner’s intent to keep the building running?

A: The BLM will be responsible for operating the HVAC systems in those portions of the building where contract work is not actively being performed.