Amendment 4 Question response_0004.pdf

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Replace Old Failing Primary Electrical Distribution Infrastructure/Elevators 1 and 2 Steel Repairs and

Replacement, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Eddy County, NM

Solicitation Number: 140P2020R0112

Amendment 004 Questions & Responses

1. Do to the complexity of the solicitation, we respectfully request a three (3) week extension to the proposal due date.

Response: The solicitation due date is extended to 1400 MT August 28, 2020.

2. Please provide as‐built and structural drawings for the elevators and building.

Response: The Visitor Center was originally constructed in 1931; an amendment may be issued if structural drawings exist in the archives. As‐built drawings from the 1976 elevator installation project are attached. Construction drawings from a 2008 Visitor Center renovation project are attached.

3. Section 13 80 00, 1.1 C ‐ Lead Abatement, requires “general housekeeping and pre‐cleaning of horizontal surfaces within the hoistway of loose and flaking LCP, rust, and scale prior to demolition.” Please confirm this in in regard to the currently mark areas, any additional unknown areas encountered will be treated as a change and should not be included in this bid.

Response: Contractor to clean all loose/flaking material from steel prior to removing paint and/or starting demolition of beams. It is important to clean and remove this loose debris to prevent it from being disturbed and dispersed further in the shaft.

4. Please confirm that only the areas of the existing steel to be abated are to be re‐coated with

ZRC Zero VOC Cold Galvanizing Coating.

Response: The existing steel to remain in the shaft shall be abated of LBP and then coated with the specified ZRC Zero VOC Cold Galvanizing Coating. In addition refer to Division 14 which calls out specifically for all the factory hoistway equipment to be coated in accordance with ZRC Zero

VOC Cold Galvanized Coatings.

5. Please confirm the only abatement to be included are the 1300 small orange spot as noted on drawing S0.8. Additional abatement will be treated as a change.

Response: The existing steel to remain in the shaft shall be abated per #4 above, and also the

1300 orange paint spots on the shaft walls are required to both be abated.

6. Section 14 21 00, Please confirm that the Elevator Consultant (Lerch Bates), is being provided by the NPS and is not the responsibility of the contractor.

Response: Confirmed.

7. Please provide a listing of existing materials/equipment to be salvaged and turned over to the owner.

Response: There are no existing materials to be salvaged. However, if the contractor opts to install a gantry system to maneuver the elevator machines into the machine room, the gantry should remain.

8. Please confirm the existing structural steel members be cut with a cut off torch to allow for removal.

Response: A park‐issued hot work permit will be required for the use of a cut off torch. Slag will need to be recovered. A fume mitigation plan for the use of a cut off torch will be required (no fumes in the Visitor Center). OSHA requirements for a cut off torch usage and compressed gas storage shall be adhered to. Torch cutting of steel beams will need to meet the requirements of section 13 80 00, paragraph 1.1E. Ensure compliance with environmental regulations if members to be cut are coated in lead paint.

9. Please provide the current fire rating and label on the retained entrance frames from 1938.

Response: This is an alteration within an existing hoistway per ASME A17.1, 8.7 Alterations UL labeling of a Jamb is not required. The new doors specified should comply with current codes and current UL labeling standards. ASME A17.1, 8.7.2.10.1

10. Typically, the entrance doors and frames will need to be tested together in order to meet code.

If we are to provide new doors and retain the existing frames then the entrances will not be a rated assembly. Please confirm a rated assembly is not required on this project. (142100 – 1.5.E.3) Response: This is an alteration within an existing hoistway per ASME A17.1, 8.7 Alterations UL labeling of a Jamb is not required. The new doors specified should comply with current codes and current UL labeling standards. ASME A17.1, 8.7.2.10.1.

11. Please confirm if the labels on the existing door frames being retained. (142100 – 1.5.E.3)

Response: These are not labeled and are only required to comply with ASME A17.1, 8.7.2.10.1.

12. Please confirm the elevators can be used for temporary construction use. (142100 – 1.2.H.f)

Response: Elevator No.’s 1‐2 will be occupied and utilized by the Elevator Constructors during construction use only. False cars shall be provided under Division 14 during construction and again operated by Elevator Constructors only for the purpose of intermediate structural steel removal, rail removal, structural steel setting and rail installation. Elevator Constructor operator time during the structural steel setting shall be included by the Elevator sub‐contractor as specified in Division 14. All use and running of Elevator No.’s 1/2 and false car operation during the Construction phase until final acceptance will be by Elevator Constructors only. Material movement utilizing Elevator No.’s 1‐2 would need to be coordinated with the Elevator sub‐ contractor and at the expense of the requesting party.

Elevator No.’s 3‐4, any use of 3 & 4 shall be limited to personnel transport and work related to

Shaft 3 & 4 lighting and drainage. No transport of materials and equipment shall be permitted in Elevators 3 & 4.

13. Please confirm there will be a staging area available in the cave for temporary storage of demo and construction materials.

Response: Yes, a staging area will be made available between the underground lunchroom and

Left‐hand Tunnel.

14. Please provide dimensions or area of the staging area in the cave.

Response: Approximately 80’ long by 40’ wide at the entrance to the Left‐Hand Tunnel. While using this staging area, contractors must provide for continued visitor and staff access down

Left‐Hand Tunnel and to the area behind the restrooms.

15. Please confirm rails can be cut inside of the cave using an electric metal cutting chop saw.

Response: Yes, but must be shielded and 100% of cuttings must be captured and properly disposed of. Contractor shall be required to limit noise to minimize disruption to visitors and bats.

16. Please provide the height of the new machine room after the ceiling is removed. Existing is 7’8”.

Response: Refer to section 2/A1.3 which shows the required 6’‐10” minimum height to bottom of new roof support beams, this is based on as‐builts which show a 10’‐2” Floor to Floor height.

The intent is to keep the ceiling height as high as possible; however given the introduction of new steel support beams the clear height within the machine has been effectively reduced.

17. Please confirm a new moisture barrier is required in the elevator hoist way similar to the one that is located in elevator 3 and 4’s hoistway.

Response: The conditions which triggered the use of this EPDM shaft liner material in the elevator 3‐4 hoistway do not exist in the elevator 1‐2 hoistway, as a result we did not specify this material to be utilized; if for any reason this material is provided it must be fire rated material in accordance with code.

18. Please clarify if the moisture barrier is required, will it impede on the clear hoistway dimensions.

Response: Refer to #17 response.

19. Please provide specification and details for the new moisture barrier, if required.

Response: Refer to #17 response.

20. Please confirm the existing holes in the machine room slab are to be used and there is no requirement for the slab to be cut or core drilled. (142100 – 2.5.F)

Response: Drawings state the openings MAY need to be altered based on configuration of new equipment. The intention of the specification would be minimizing any alterations to the slab.

Most likely it will be required to enlarge the existing penetrations in certain instances. This is contingent upon layout and equipment utilized by Elevator sub‐contractor. Alterations that exceed 5% of the original design shall require a structural review as specified. Division 14 requires retention of the existing structural support beams where feasible to be retained and reused. Alteration to the existing beams if required shall be performed by the Elevator sub‐ contractor and certified by a licensed structural engineer where necessary. Spreader beams shall be utilized to redistribute the new machine load across the existing structural beams as specified.

21. Please confirm if the elevator guide rails need to be hot dipped galvanized or can stainless steel guide rails be provided as an alternate. (142100 – 2.6.A)

Response: This is a Buy American project and to our knowledge there are no manufacturers that provide stainless steel elevator rails as an option. This would also raise additional concern regarding the safeties being utilized and the opposing hardness of the metals as it relates to the jaws effectively engaging the rails. Base bid should include hot dipped galvanized and any alternate should be submitted separately for additional consideration.

22. Please consider a MV 12,470V generator in lieu of the 408V. We feel this option would be cost effective in reducing the duct bank size, amount of copper and labor. The proposed generator location is approximately ‘1,700 from the Visitor Center.

Response: The government considered this option but determined that the costs did not considerably decrease. The government determined that the duct bank size would increase slightly due to MV spacing requirements, the generator equipment was significantly more expensive, additional transformers would be required, and the generator enclosure area required expansion.

23. Please consider an alternate method to duct banks; use of direct bury MV cable encased in concrete allowing a much shallower excavation or shallow excavation with concrete encased

PVC. (Trying to avoid the use of large equipment since the terrain is so uncertain/fragile)

Response: Offerors shall bid the duct bank as currently designed. Offeror(s) may submit alternate methods under Clause 52.248‐3 ‐ Value Engineering Construction.

24. Note 11, sheet 5 of 44 Indicates that no tractor mounted rock hammers are permitted. Does this note apply to all excavations or only those near existing structures and sensitive areas?

Response: No track‐mounted rock hammers are allowable at any location due to proximity to cave/karst features.

25. Based on Note 11, sheet 5 of 44 will chemical breaking / demolition be allowed?

Response: No, chemicals could leach into the cave.

26. Section 31 23 00 Section 3.1 B, 4 Indicates maintain free of damage, existing sidewalks, structures, pavement, not indicated to be removed. Is there a removal schedule available for review?

Response: There is no specific removal schedule provided, since the information is already documented on the demo plan identifying the materials to be removed.

27. Sheet 7 of 44 indicates a potential contractor work area but appears to be primarily for the elevator work. Excavation for the new primary will require significant amounts of earth / rock moving operations and large equipment. Are there any areas onsite that can be used for storage of excavation materials (stockpiled topsoil), removals / borrow (stockpiled to be exported), and bedding (imported for backfill) etc.? If so, please provide approximate locations.

Response: Yes, an additional approx. 7,500 sq. ft. can be provided for storage of these materials.

Please note that there is minimal topsoil; the bulk of the excavated material will be rock.

Topsoil should not be transported and inter‐mixed but remain adjacent to the trench for use as backfill.

28. Sheets 18 – 20 of 44 indicate the pathway for the new electrical duct bank in close proximity to existing buildings. Use of the necessary equipment to excavate rock in these areas will introduce significant energy into the surround soils even without the use of tractor mounted breakers. Are structural details of the buildings available for review? Pre‐construction surveys of buildings prior to work is recommended. Does the owner have any specific access requirements or credentials required to perform this work?

Response: Contractor shall provide pre‐construction photo surveys to document existing conditions. NPS does not have structural drawings for all the buildings, but those that exist can be shared with the successful contractor. NPS does not have specific access requirements or required credentials to perform this work.

29. Based on the potential for voids in the pathways shown for the underground electrical; is there any determined energy limits for rock excavation equipment?

Response: No, limits have not been studied or determined.

30. Based on the parameters in the specifications would it be reasonable to expect that a vibration study and vibration monitoring be expected for all excavation; or only those locations near voids and buildings?

Response: There is no requirement for vibration study/monitoring.

31. Electrical pathway locations appear to impact existing rock formations along the ADA pathway near the Superintendents Building. The rock in this area once excavated would be impossible to return to pre‐existing conditions. What is expected in these instances when rock formations in the pathway cannot be fully restored?

Response: There is a notch in the rock where the trench is to be cut. Material will fill the trench to level with rock surface, compact, replace soil, and seeding should allow vegetation to grow, thereby, concealing the rock cut.

32. Section 31 23 00 Section 3.1 Part B indicates that the contractor is responsible for locating and protecting all known and unknown utilities. For the purpose of bidding how will utilities not shown / improperly shown on the project drawings be handled?

Response: See Clause 52.236.3 Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting the Work to determine the offeror’s responsibility to take steps reasonably necessary to ascertain the nature and location of work. For unknowns which differ materially from those indicated in the contract, see Clause 52.236‐2 Differing Site Conditions.

33. Utilities previously bored thru rock are difficult if not impossible to locate thru hydro or other nondestructive means. Does the owner have records indicating whether how the utilities where installed?

Response: No, the park does not have records indicating how existing utilities were installed.

34. Section 31 23 17, Section 2.2 Part C indicates the measurement of Rock for the purpose of payment; however, the bidding documents do not have an item. Will rock excavation be paid by the cubic yard or other method?

Response: No, the contract will be a firm fixed price contract. The corrected spec section 31 23

17 is included in this addendum.

35. In the absence of soil borings, it is difficult to determine the necessary rock sawing equipment will have adequate space in some of the path locations. Example: ADA pathway along

Superintendent’s building will not allow for installation and be able to maintain access to the walkway. Are there additional acceptable ADA routes in place or will the Contractor be required to provide this access?

Response: The ABAAS route at the Superintendent’s Building is primarily used for mobility‐ impaired visitors to access the bat flight amphitheater. Construction closure of the ADA route will be allowed outside of bat flight season. If excavation occurs during bat flight season, contractor shall provide an alternate temporary ABAAS‐accessible route.

36. Specifications indicate that cultural / archeological resources must be contacted if items are encounter for review. Is training required prior to excavation? Does the contractor provide any other resources / monitoring of excavation?

Response: Reference Spec Section 01 35 13.22; Contractor is required to provide archeological monitoring during all excavation work. The park Archeologist will provide initial familiarization training to the Contractor Archeologist and may alert the Contractor Archeologist of sensitive archeological and historic sites. Archeological sites a sensitive sites (protected by law) and are not openly shared with non‐Archeologist contractor staff. Periodically, the park may survey the trenches to look for entrapments of small mammals and reptiles. For example, the park will relocate a rattlesnake out of the trench.