LOWE_189650_Questions_and_Answers_EYP_&_Park_Responses-Final.pdf

Questions and Answers

1. Can the Superintendent act as the QC Representative on the project?

No.

2. May I ask how the proposal will be submitted? Hard copy (if so how many) or email. Also, will a bid bond be necessary for this project? (I understand that, upon award, the contractor will require a performance bond.)

Contracting to Answer

3. Is the existing roof under warranty? What warranty is required at the completion of new roof work?

The Roof is not under warranty.

4. What is the permit requirement for a. building permit, b. fire sprinkler permit, c. fire alarm permit, d.

Sheetmetal ductwork permit, e. hot work permits, and fire watch with Lowell Fire Department requirement?

The Park follows all State and Local codes requiring permits. Contractor shall follow and acquire any permits required through the city of Lowell (City Hall). All welding in the building requires a fire watch by trained personal on fire watch requirements, or the Fire Department.

5. What is the procedure for utility outages? Fire alarm, Sprinkler, Electrical and Plumbing/Heating. How much notice is required? Can this work be done during normal working hours?

All work can be completed during regular hours. Any outages needed are to be coordinated with the COR. Park will require 48 hours for notification of any outages that are needed and approved by the COR.

6. How is noisy work handled? Demolition, steel work, ductwork etc.?

The Park is expecting regular construction noise. Any heavy noise that may interfere with the Parks regular day to day operations (more than normal construction noise) should be coordinated with the COR. Park will require 48 hour notification and approval by COR for work to be completed.

7. Will the performance period change per site meeting?

The period of performance has changed to 365 days.

8. Will the bid due date be changed to allow more time, after questions are answered, for sending proposals to Colorado?

The due date has been amended to 3/16/17

9. Will work within the exhibit spaces be able to be performed during regular business hours? (Museum areas).

Work within visitor use areas (including museums, student workshops, and lunchroom) shall be allowed during normal business hours with the following understanding: the contractor shall maintain traffic pathways to minimize the impact on the visitor and student experience as best as possible. The original pathways may be rerouted to allow work, but the objective shall be to allow visitor access. The Park understands there will be circumstances in which an area shall be closed and visitor access will not be allowed. It is the Park’s preference that this work be performed either after students have departed (generally by 2:00 pm) or after hours. If this is not feasible, the contractor shall inform the park at least 48 hours in advance.

11. Are only the sprinkler heads shown on the plans to be replaced? Drawing F1, General Notes, #3, d, states that all standard response sprinklers within the building are to be replaced, yet, during the walk through there were areas with standard response sprinklers that are not shown on the plans as being replaced.

A count of the sprinkler heads shown on the plans is what shall be priced. A unit price for sprinklers requiring replacement above and beyond those shown on the plans shall be provided.

12. I have attached a photo that shows the transit panels inside the existing Fume Hood scheduled to be removed. I believed that all hazardous materials work are not a part of this job! Please advise.

If the fume hood contains transite panels, the extra cost to dispose of this hazardous material will be covered as a change order to the contract. It is assumed that this non-friable material can be handled without containment.

13. Concerning dust protection and infiltration are we required to use negative air pressure to accomplish our work

Work within the isolated construction areas is to be done under negative air pressure.

14. Due to the nature that we did not have an equipment listing of specific items only items shown as being moved. How to we establish the magnitude of connections, weights, types of equipment protection, etc.?

The furniture plans (A40-A47) indicate furniture, workstations, stored materials and equipment to be relocated under this contract. The indicated items are within the size and weight range that is typically handled by furniture moving contractors, who should also be capable of dismantling and reassembling standard workstations. A qualified moving contractor should be able to provide a price based on the scope of work indicated on the drawings.

15. Please specify hardware for door no 7 and 8 (No. 7 and 8 are the two pairs of doors going into CTD & Mock up 206 from Hall 209.)]

This question does not appear to be related to our project

16. The specifications call for under and acre pollution prevention section 015723. Erosion control, silt fences, etc. is this a requirement and where would this take place on the site?

Silt fences should not be required for this project.

17. Where is Door Tag D225A? Listed on door schedule as a pair, can’t find it on the plans.

Door D226A was incorrectly listed in the schedule as D225A. See part plan 2/A24.

18. When looking I found a single door D226A (Drawing A24). This is not on the door schedule.

Door D226A was incorrectly listed in the schedule as D225A. See part plan 2/A24.

19. Demo plans calls for “REMOVE BADGE READER AND EQUIPMENT.” Floor plan calls for “PROVIDE NEW BADGE READER.” Specs call for “Badge Reader – remove/relocate the existing badge reader operation and access from the door at the north end of the corridor to the new double door at the end of the corridor near the elevator.” Hardware set #1 calls for – “badge reader devices, entrance pad and exit sensors.” It also calls for “auxiliary control as needed to ensure system operates correctly.”

Please Clarify. This question does not appear to be related to our project.

What, if anything, is required by us where a badge reader is required? See above. There is no badge reader system in this building.

21. On the fourth floor it calls for removal of a sound masking system equipment can you give us more specifics on that equipment.

The sound masking system installed in the 1990’s is no longer in use. The note on Dwg. A08 refers to removing the control unit for this abandoned system located in Mech. Rm. 423 to make way for new MEP systems.

22. Since there is no NPS fire inspector, please provide POC information to obtain burn permit and final inspections.

Lowell Fire Department

23. Please provide POC information for trolley operations for coordination purposes.

Charlie Tonetti (COR)

24. Regarding the moving of furniture in the archeology and conservation areas; during the site visit it was seen that some of the larger items (noted for salvage) would need dismantling to fit through doors to staging rooms. Is this acceptable?

Yes

25. Please provide the weight rating for timber bridge over the waterway used to access courtyard are behind buildings.

Weight limit for the bridge is based on the R12-5 sign and is 13 Ton, 20 Ton, and 26 Ton.

26. Please provide controls systems utilized for HVAC. We’ve noticed both Trane systems and Seimens labels on some panels.

Trane Systems

27. Re: sheet 44 of 137 note 3, partial 5th floor framing plan, shows tying in new walls to existing 6”x13.5” beams. The beam on column line 4 has an approx. 6” “C” channel thru bolted (length unknown) while the existing beam on column line 5 did not. Would it not be prudent to install one for additional support on column 5? Please advise.

No additional steel supports are deemed necessary.

29. Please provide POC information for trolley operations for coordination purposes.

Charlie Tonetti (COR)

30. Can previously completed CPARS/PPIRS be used to satisfy the past performance requirement of the solicitation?

Please provide the most current CPARS for review.

31. Section L Instructions, Notices, and Conditions to Offerors states Volume II Business and Price Proposal shall be submitted electronically. Please confirm whether electronically means e-mail or CD/USB drive? If e-mail, will the original bid bond need to be mailed, or will the electronic version with clearly visible seals be accepted?

Contracting will need a hard copy with the raised seal.

32. Does any part of the Volume I Technical Proposal or Volume II Business and Price Proposal have page limitations?

No

33. Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

No

34. Will the Government provide comprehensive written badging requirements for the project if badging is required?

Yes

35. Will all employees need badges or can the super act as an escort for subcontractors?

The Super can escort. All employees should also sign in with the super.

36. Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? The software is compatible with the VA’s networks and is currently in use at many VA locations.

The Park uses SharePoint. Access/logins will be provided.

37. Will the fire sprinkler system and/or the fire alarm system need to be disrupted during construction?

If yes, what if any additional security measures will the government require e.g. fire watch, temporary fire alarms, adjustments to sprinkler heads, etc.

It is likely the system will be disrupted during construction. The contractor shall coordinate with the local fire department and the Park for requirements. The contractor shall follow the requirements as directed in the Specifications (Section 01 50 00 – Temporary Facilities and Controls).

38. Does the Government have a fire alarm and a fire suppression servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

Yes. Charlie Tonetti (COR)

39. Has the work area been checked for asbestos and lead based paint?

The majority of the building was renovated in the mid 1990s, the existence of asbestos and lead based paint is not anticipated.

40. What is the Governments’ policy if asbestos products are encountered during construction? Will the GC get a contract modification to abate?

The contract will be modified.

41. Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

The contract will be modified.

42. Is there a lift plan available showing where a crane to could be positioned for material and equipment access?

The Site Logistics Plan (A05) indicates a proposed location in the courtyard for a stationary vertical hoist.

At the Contractor’s option a crane could be located on the south side of the Eastern Canal as a means of loading materials into the upper level floors. That area is however not owned by the Government, permits for locating and operating a crane would have to be coordinated with the City of Lowell.

43. Has the owner dealt with specialty movers in the past that have handled the museum’s artifacts, and historic books that can recommend to the GC?

No

44. Are there any certifications or special insurance that movers required to move these artifacts/ books/ equipment?

No, but the handling and moving archival and library materials is the work of specialty firms such as those listed in Section 012700. Any subcontracted firm proposed for this work must be approved by the Contracting Officer.

45. How much of the construction area will be given to the contractor at once?

Work should be scheduled by means and methods and phasing all work according to the drawings.

46. Is there a detail of the 30” wide walking pad to be installed on roof?

No.

47. Please confirm that the furniture listed as relocated on sheets A-40 – A-47 is what falls under the two alternates, Ex. Sheet A-47 Note 05 “Relocated Microscopy File Cabinets”?

Correct. Contract Line Items 0002 and 0003 refer to the furniture and materials shown to be moved on sheets A40-A47. Regarding Note 05 on Sheet A47: this refers to file cabinets that are included in this scope of furniture to be moved, but dismantling and reinstalling the wooden Microscopy Lab (522) shelving is included in the base scope (CLIN 0001).

48. Will the GC be allowed to use existing elevator? If so what are the interior dimensions and weight limit?

No, GC will not be allowed to use existing elevators.