19GE5022R0069 Q and A Volume III.pdf

19GE5022R0069: Questions and Answers Part III

1) On the existing roof, the loose hex head screws needed to be replaced, could you please provide product specification?

Answer: All the available as-built details are incorporated in the solicitation.

2) At this point we are unable Identify how many corrugated sheets are damaged below the existing water proofing system, on the scope of work its mentioned to replace corroded and damaged sheets, please clarify.

Answer: Two site surveys were provided to assess condition of the roof.

3) If multiple sheets are found to be unacceptable due to damages, what is the method of requesting additional funds for the replacement since we are being asked for a fix price quote? – Answer: This is a firm-fixed price contract.

4) What is the produce specification to replace corrugated sheets?

Answer: All the available as-built details are incorporated in the solicitation

5) What is the product specification be for the fiber mesh reinforcement of joints?

Answer: All the available as-built details are incorporated in the solicitation

6) Will advance payment be authorized?

Answer: No advance payment is authorized.

7) What is the length of specified product warranty?

Answer: The contactor shall provide an installation / performance warranty. The product coating shall be done by manufacturer approved contractors or manufacturer trained contactors. Post accepts the warranty terms provided by manufacturer.

8) Virtual Site Visit Answer: Two site surveys were provided.

9) Do you refer to the fasteners around the ridge metal and the ones anchoring the metal sheet?

Answer: Yes.

10) Do you refer to the lose fasteners of the lightning protection system that appeared in the photos, do they form any penetration in the roof? Should they be adhered to the roof on completion of waterproofing?

Answer: Lightening arresters are glued to the system.

11) Can you provide a representation closeup photo of the loose and damaged fasteners?

Answer: Picture attached.

12) What is the roofing sheet material type? Is it galvanized or stainless steel?

Answer: Galvanized

13) Are there any signs of corrosion in any of the roof sheets?

Answer: There are no major sign of corrosion is observed.

14) Would the contractor be required to remove corrosion and conduct any repaint work to the roofing sheets?

Answer: Please refer section C3.2 “Metal systems and preparation for primer application”.

15) Does this solicitation have any requirement for gutters or flashing demolition, fabrication, and installation?

Answer: Please refer section C3.2 “Metal systems and preparation for primer application”.

16) Should there be a need for flashing/gutter/metal fabrication works, please provide description of existing gutter conditions and the requirement?

Answer: Please refer section C3.2 “Metal systems and preparation for primer application”.

17) Does the Buy American Act apply in this solicitation, or can material be procured locally?

Answer: Local sourcing of material are acceptable.

18) What are the key personnel?

Answer: Key Personnel are updated to include only the following:

a. Program Manager

b. Quality Control Manager / Safety Manager Answer: Contractor to submit the above details.

19) The solicitation on page 77 section L.5.5.3.4 (D) requires the contractor to demonstrate relevant experience with Mechanical systems survey and mechanical designs (points 5 and 6). A requirement of Mechanical systems experience is relevant to HVAC solicitations and not for roofing and waterproofing works. Hence, we ask that the government will amend the language in section 5 and 6.

Section 5 modification: from: “The contractor’s ability to perform mechanical systems site surveys;” to:

The contractor ability to perform roofing systems surveys and identify roofing system malfunctions, waterproofing issues, and maintenance of the said systems.

Section 6 modification: from: “The contractor’s ability to produce mechanical designs for construction, additions, upgrades, and demolition;” to: The contractors’ ability to produce roofing designs for construction, additions, upgrades, and demolition.

Answer: This is not part of this project. Relevant work should be related to roofing/roofing repairs.

20) Unlimited Scope of Work

The solicitation, on page 8 specify on C.2 “The proposed roof repair coating includes, but is not limited to, the following” The agency requires a fixed price quote but indicate that the scope of work is unlimited to its requirements. We are puzzled by the agency approach to publish an open-ended solicitation and ask the contracting office to monitor that a well-defined and finite scope of work is drafted.

Furthermore, FAR 1.602-2 (c) requires the contracting officer to “Request and consider the advice of specialists in audit, law, engineering, information security, transportation, and other fields, as appropriate”. I ask you to verify that a Subject Matter Expert will be engaged in the definition of the scope of work so the government will convey clear requirements that cover all aspects of this project.

Answer: Contractor shall highlight any works not mentioned in SOW required for the proper completion of the project. The same shall be brought to the attention of U.S. Consulate for approval.

21) Scope of Work

During the site visit, Mr. Arun Joseph indicated that the entire roof must be stripped of any coating and pointed a lower roof deck.

The scope of work requires on page 9 to clean/pressure wash the roof areas. The scope of work further elaborates on page 9, in the preparation of substrate section: "Surface preparation is the most critical procedural requirement in paint applied coating Remove all loose particles, delaminated paint, oil, grease, laitance, efflorescence, mold, mildew, and other foreign materials. Areas shall be first scraped, swept clean, and then thoroughly power washed. Use high power adjustable pressure washer with a minimum 3500 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) mechanical spray device."

It is not implied from your written requirement that any coating shall be stripped from the entire roof.

The solicitation's written requirements and the verbal explanation conveyed different requirements and established an ambiguity.

a. Do you want to strip the roof from any coating to a bare metal, so corrosion and rust will be fully removed?

b.

Answer: No. If prior coating is removed by power washing that is acceptable. If not, if not, it should be stable for a new application of coating.

22) Question: Does the agency require only a strong wash of the roof to remove dirt, lose particles and recoat the roof over whatever not removed by the pressure washer jet?

Answer: Please refer section C.3.1, which requires a robust power washing (Note: 3500 psi) to prepare the roof for coating.

23) Question: The roof is made of corrugated metal sheets which are installed with an overlap area between the sheets. Do you require the contractor to unassembled the overlap area, strip the coating from the lower metal sheet and later recoat it?

Answer: Correct, the roof is corrugated metal with laps. The contractor is NOT required to disassemble the metal roof. After the first Grey Coat Priming, refer to C.3.5, the overlap seams (in both directions) are to have a applied a fabric tape embedded into the Grey Coat.

24) Question:

Currently the roof has a lightning protection system installed and spanned on top of the entire roof, please identify your requirements regarding this component since it will hinder applying the scope of work.

• Does the agency require the contractor to carefully unassembled the lightning protection system?

• Does the agency require the contractor to re-assemble the lightning protection system at the end of the roof coating work?

• Should the contractor adhere any components of the lightning protection system back to the roof?

Answer: Lightening protection system is to remain in place during coatings. The coating does not affect the Lightening protection performance. Refer to C.2.2.C for Flashing Cement. It should be used to seal around the Lightening protection fasteners into the metal roof.

25) Question:

Application of Coating.

The solicitation requires on page 9 at the Preparation of Substrate section that “Coatings shall be applied in temperatures of fifty degrees Fahrenheit (50°F / 10°C)” such requirements is clearly unrealistic under the hot desert conditions of Dubai; we suggest following the manufacturer recommendations.

Answer: Please follow manufacturer recommendation.

26) Question: Coating thickness The solicitation identifies on pages 9-10 the application of several materials by listing the application of gallons per square feet. These quantities are different between material to another, based on the chemical composition. The solicitation does not define what thickness of base coating and the thickness of elastomeric coating required to apply. Please provide this specification.

Answer: The manufacturer specifies the application rate per gallon or liter for the contractor to judge in the field the correct amounts. Refer to C.3.8.F – the final coating of 2 grey coats + 2 topcoats = 48mm finish thickness. A simple gauge can be used to verify this final thickness.

22) “As-Built” Documents

c. The solicitation requires the submission of As-Built documents on page 28 in section H.4.4. As-Built documents are needed to demonstrate differences between the initial design and the actual construction.

The procurement is for a roof maintenance project; we don’t foresee any structural modification to the roof or warehouse structure. Hence, we ask the agency to remove this requirement.

Answer: Post requires As built to understand installation details and sectional details of roofing system.

Furthermore, post requires O&M details of materials used to recoat the roof.