2 - Amend 0001 - Att - Questions and Answers.pdf

FCI SCHUYLKILL – MEDIUM TEMPERATURE HOT WATER LINE REPLACEMENT

PROJECT 23Z2AP6 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SOLICITATION 15BFA023B00000021

1. Please provide photos of existing conditions at appropriate intervals along the new pipe trench alignment.

CLARIFICATION: Photographs of existing conditions will not be provided as part of this solicitation.

2. Please provide photos of existing conditions at each building. It would be very helpful to have photos along the route from each valve box location along the route to each connection point inside the building. Alternately, please consider a second site visit to perform a detailed survey at each building.

CLARIFICATION: Photographs of existing conditions will not be provided as part of this solicitation.

Additional site visits for detailed surveys will not be provided.

3. Please provide architectural and mechanical details for each building’s connection point and the pipe routing inside of each building in order to quantify any demolition and/or new work required. Alternately, please consider a second site visit to perform a detailed survey at each building.

CLARIFICATION: See drawings for all available connection points and pipe routing.

4. What areas are available to use as laydown during construction outside of the fence perimeter?

CLARIFICATION: Laydown areas will be outside the secure perimeter and will be coordinated by the Bidder with the FCI COR at the Pre-Construction Meeting.

5. Will the gravel / asphalt area between the South sally port and Bldgs 5, 6 & 7 be available for material laydown during construction inside the fence perimeter?

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 4.

6. Please clarify the connection point at the Heat Plant.

CLARIFICATION: The new routing will follow the existing routing. The routing within the building is described as entering through the foundation wall above or below the footing with a 90 deg elbow turning up and through the floor with a new floor sleeve. The connection point is at the first existing valve which is less than six feet above the floor adjacent to the north wall.

7. Please provide architectural and mechanical details of the connection point at the Heat Plant in order to quantify any demolition and / or new work required.

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 6.

8. Can excess spoils from the trenches be disposed on site or will it need to be hauled off site?

CLARIFICATION: Excess material disposal off-site will be the responsibility of the Contractor. See Specification Section 311000, paragraph 3.6.

9. Are there any private utilities on this campus? If so, will the BOP mark these or should the contractor include the cost for a 3rd party utility locator?

CLARIFICATION: The utilities are all private utilities in the context that they are owned by the FCI. The FCI utility information shown on the drawings is limited to that shown on prior drawings and verification of utility locations shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

10. Should we provide a unit price for removal of any rock that may be encountered along the trench alignment?

CLARIFICATION: The solicitation is for a firm-fixed price contract for the project. See response to Question 36.

11. How many separate 3-4 worker crews can be supported with BOP escorts on a daily basis?

CLARIFICATION: BOP escorts are available to support 2 individual work crews inside the secure perimeter.

If work is being conducted outside the secure perimeter escorts will not be required, this work will be coordinated with the COR.

12. Should tax be included in our bid.

CLARIFICATION: See solicitation, page 4 - The successful contractor shall be responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes. No exemption certification will be issued by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

13. Please confirm if there are any domestic material requirements.

CLARIFICATION: See solicitation, 52.225-11 Alt I.

14. Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal.

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 12.

15. Please confirm that the ASME Code requirements for this project are subject to B31.9, Building Services Piping CLARIFICATION: Yes.

16. Will the mechanical installation contractor be required to hold an ASME U, S, H or R stamp?

CLARIFICATION: No.

17. Will hydrostatic testing be sufficient on all underground pipe welds and at what pressure?

CLARIFICATION: Yes, see Specification Section 336313, paragraph 3.5 for test pressures.

18. Will hydrostatic testing be sufficient on all above ground pipe welds or will x-ray of welds be required?

CLARIFICATION: Hydrostatic testing will be sufficient. X-ray testing is not required.

19. If X-ray is required, what percentage of welds will require X-ray and who will be responsible for the cost of testing?

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 18.

20. Will chemical flushing of new piping systems be required prior to putting system in service?

CLARIFICATION: See Specification Section 336313, paragraph 3.5 for flushing requirements.

21. Will water for hydrostatic testing and flushing of piping systems be provided.

CLARIFICATION: The owner will provide the water for hydrostatic testing and flushing. The contractor will connect and pipe from the nearest appropriate source as coordinated with the FCI COR.

22. Can discharge water from hydrostatic testing and flushing be allowed to go into storm drains or do we need to provide a frac tank.

CLARIFICATION: If hydrostatic testing and flushing water is domestic water only, it may be discharged to the storm water system. If the Contractor uses chemicals, consult with the FCI COR and State DEP for requirements.

23. Will grooved pipe and fittings be acceptable in leu of welded on hot water systems 2 ½” and larger within the buildings?

24. Will Pro-press fittings be acceptable on all piping 2” and below within the buildings?

25. Will tie-in shutdowns need to be done during off hours?

CLARIFICATION: See Specification Section 011000, paragraph 1.8 and other contract documents for work hours and coordination with operational needs of the institution.

26. With regards to temporary boilers, will an adequate power source be available for each boiler close to the building tie-in location?

CLARIFICATION: The owner will provide electrical power for the temporary boilers. The contractor will connect and wire from the nearest appropriate spare breaker.

27. Will we be required to plan for redundancy of portable boilers to maintain service? This would require two boilers at each location.

CLARIFICATION: The contractor shall be responsible for the full operation and maintenance of the portable boilers including emergency response and temporary connections to the system. The contractor will be responsible for any damages caused by inadequate space heating. The contractor will submit a temporary heating plan that will address reliability. See Drawing C-004, ‘Temporary Heating System Plan’.

28. Please advise how much time should we carry for entering and exiting each time we go through the main gate? Will there be an inspection every time?

CLARIFICATION: The time necessary to enter and exit the secure perimeter area will vary on a daily basis due to weather, site conditions, and size/nature of Contractor’s crew. The Contractor shall factor security requirements in scheduling.

29. Will a guard / escort be required at all work areas including but not limited to buildings, outside areas and when going in and out of sallyport?

CLARIFICATION: A guard / escort will be required for each crew or excavation equipment at all work areas within the secure perimeter and when going in and out of the sallyport.

30. How many guards / escorts will be dedicated to this project daily?

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 11.

31. Please confirm the width, height and distance between fencing at sallyport entrance?

CLARIFICATION: The sallyport entrance has a length of 83 feet between gates, a gate width of 11’-9”, and a gate height of 13’-9”.

32. When performing perimeter fence crossings, will any necessary construction equipment between fences be allowed or are there restrictions?

CLARIFICATION: The Contractor shall be provided access to the secure perimeter fence area to perform the work. The FCI COR will coordinate security until the work is completed.

33. Will equipment need to be removed after each shift?

CLARIFICATION: Excavation equipment will need to be removed from the secure perimeter at the end of the work day.

34. What is the egress for getting equipment in and out between the perimeter fences?

CLARIFICATION: The vehicle sally port will be the Contractor’s access point into the secure perimeter for vehicles, crews, and materials.

35. It will be necessary to leave the excavated areas and/or the 60” dia. RCP under the two perimeter fence sections open for an extended period of time. Is this acceptable or will means of closing and/or securing these areas be required? If so, can you provide a detailed description of what will be required?

CLARIFICATION: The FCI COR will coordinate security for crossings of the secure perimeter until the work is completed. The Contractor shall be expected to perform the work promptly to minimize and limit disturbance of the two perimeter fences.

36. Drawing C-012 detail 3 and 6 indicate that the annular space within the 60” RCP carrier pipe be filled with cushion sand. Will flowable fill be acceptable?

CLARIFICATION: Flowable fill is an acceptable substitute for cushion sand in the RCP carrier pipe.

37. Please confirm if we will be allowed to keep a locked Conex Box within the fenced in grounds.

CLARIFICATION: Locked Conex Boxes may be kept within the secure perimeter as coordinated with the FCI

COR.

38. Please confirm if excavation equipment will be allowed to be kept within the fenced in grounds overnight or will they need to come out daily.

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 33.

39. Please confirm if new piping can be stored within the fenced in grounds or stored outside and brought in daily.

CLARIFICATION: New piping and other materials will be stored outside the secure perimeter and brought in through the sallyport for installation during the work day.

40. Drawing C-002, Note 10 states that all open excavations are to be covered with ½” thick steel plates. Please confirm if this is to be covered after each shift?

CLARIFICATION: Note 10 on Drawing C-002 intends that open excavations be covered at the end of the work day.

41. If plating is required, is it for only restricted areas within the secured fence areas or outside the fence as well? Please identify secured areas?

CLARIFICATION: Notes 10 and 11 on Drawing C-002 identify that all open excavations will be covered at the end of the workday.

42. How much open trenching be allowed at a time?

CLARIFICATION: There is no limit on the distance of trenching that may be open at a time.

43. Please confirm if all existing excavated material is acceptable for re-use as backfill in all areas above the 6” sand cover over piping including any paved areas?

CLARIFICATION: It is intended that the existing excavated material from trenching be re-used as backfill above pipe cover material. The backfill material must meets the requirements of Section 312000, Earth Moving.

44. Does excavated trench material need to be removed from within the security fence at end of each day’s work or can soils be left on side of trenches if knocked down to a height that does not interfere with the security of the facility. To be determined?

CLARIFICATION: Excavated trench material may remain within the secure perimeter at the end of the work day if knocked down to a height that does not interfere with facility operations. The Contractor shall coordinate field conditions with the FCI COR.

45. Please confirm if all excess fill materials including broken concrete and asphalt will be allowed to stay on property or hauled offsite?

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 8.

46. Please confirm if the contractor is responsible for any rock removal that is encountered. If so, what is the assumed elevation and/or quantity of rock material?

CLARIFICATION: The Contractor is responsible for rock removal and disposal as encountered. For bidding purposes, the Contractor shall assume a total of 1,833 cy of trench rock removal for the project.

47. Please confirm if a unit price can be established for rock removal as opposed to carrying in base bid.

CLARIFICATION: The solicitation is for a firm-fixed price contract for the project. See response to Question 46.

48. If an extreme amount of rock is encountered/removed, please confirm if extra time will be added to the contract end date.

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 46.

49. Please confirm if there is a separate staging area onsite for fill material to be stockpiled for re-use.

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 4.

50. If all fill material can stay on property, is it expected that the area will need erosion controls and to be topsoil, raked, and seeded at end of project?

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 8. All disturbed areas will be permanently stabilized at the completion of the contract work.

51. After backfilling, topsoil and seed have been applied who is responsible for watering?

CLARIFICATION: See Specification Section 329200, paragraphs 3.5 and 3.8.

52. Drawing C-013 Valve box details show piping tight to building walls. Drawings do not show below-grade building footings. Please confirm that existing footings will not interfere with new piping runs. If so, will we be required to saw cut footings or offset piping?

CLARIFICATION: Exact footing depths have not been verified. The branch to the building will be allowed to rise to clear the top of footing. Notify the COR if any uncommon conditions are found that will not allow installation of the elbow.

53. Drawings C-010 & C-011 indicate tie-in connections within existing buildings at various locations, can a detail of what type of ceilings exist in each of these buildings?

CLARIFICATION: A detail of what type of ceiling exists in each room is not available.

54. Will building mechanical rooms be cleared of all stored debris before us entering those areas?

CLARIFICATION: The owner will be responsible for clearing any stored debris from mechanical rooms that may interfere with construction. Coordinate with FCI COR.

55. Drawing C-004 “PHASE FOUR” indicates demolition of discontinued pipe and pits as indicated. The quantity of discontinued pipe is unclear. Please confirm what is to be removed other than where new piping is replaced in the exact locations as existing. Confirm that any existing pipe not identified to be removed shall be left in place?

CLARIFICATION: This project connects the existing hydronic system to a new entrance and caps the old entrance. Any hydronic pipes and valves that are no longer in use due to the scope of this project will be removed by the contractor.

56. Can the bid due date be extended so we have sufficient time to review RFI response and prepare our bid.

CLARIFICATION: Any bid due date extension will be provided via amendment to the solicitation.

57. Please provide any information if the pipes on ceiling needs to be painted.

CLARIFICATION: Painting of new pipes is not part of this work.

58. Please provide spec and manufacturer for the temporary boilers.

CLARIFICATION: The contractor shall be responsible for the full operation and maintenance of these plants including emergency response and temporary connections to the system. The contractor will submit a temporary heating plan that will address reliability. The contract documents do not provide details for temporary heating equipment.

59. Please provide clarity on the site access pertaining to the wait time everyday to accurately get in to the secured location.

CLARIFICATION: See response to Question 28.

60. Please provide clarity on the restrictions of the site access CLARIFICATION: See General Notes on Drawing C-002 and Specification Section 011002, Project Security.

61. Please provide pictures of the location where the valve box would be installed in all the buildings.

CLARIFICATION: Pictures of existing buildings are not available.

62. Please provide pictures of the heat at plant with existing supply and return pipes where there is a potential of concrete demo not shown on the plans.

CLARIFICATION: Pictures of existing facilities cannot be provided. See response to Question 6.

63. Please provide the timeline of the construction start date. Also please confirm if this project is only happening after the boiler replacement project is completed.

CLARIFICATION: See solicitation for period of performance and length of time bid proposals are in effect.

The boiler replacement project may or may not be concurrent, however, it is not intended that the boiler project have any effect on this effort.

64. Please provide geotech report of all the areas which will be impacted by the sitework.

CLARIFICATION: There is no geotechnical information available for the site work.

65. Plan only shows one location from the heat plant to secured site to have boring, please provide details on how the utilities are going to be installed when there are internal security fence present. Ref station 11+00-12+00 CLARIFICATION: It is expected that the MTHW piping can be installed under internal fences within the secure perimeter without disturbing the fence. The Contractor will be expected to hold or maintain the fence to perform the trench excavation. Coordinate with FCI COR.

66. Station 84+00 - 86+00, please confirm the trees/bushes are to be removed?

CLARIFICATION: The existing vegetation shown in the vicinity of Station 84+00 to 86+00 is generally bushes and low ground cover and shall be removed for the work. Replacement of this vegetation is not required and permanent stabilization is required.

67. Please provide detail for the dirt gravel road. Ref station 81+00 to 86+00 CLARIFICATION: The area shown as gravel road between Station 81+00 and 86+00 is an informal roadway and does not require restoration as a gravel road.

68. With reference to detail 7/C012 pavement replacement detail, please confirm it is same for road crossing, sta 65+00 to 66+00 and 96+00 to 10+00, and sta 5+00 to 9+00?

CLARIFICATION: It is intended that Detail 7 on Drawing C-012 apply to restoration of all formal paved roadways.

69. Please provide the type of existing heat water pipe that needs to be removed to ensure if it needs to be properly disposed of or not.

CLARIFICATION: The existing below grade pipe is a pre-insulated system with a steel carrier pipe insulation and an outer steel jacket. No hazardous materials are anticipated.