Preliminary Site Visit Walkthrough Contractor QA.docx

Preliminary Site Visit Walkthrough Q&A

1. Question: Do we need track panels?

a. Response: Yes, this is in the requirements

2. Question: Any specific reason you’ve boarded up the windows in the studio?

a. Response: The windows in the studio were experiencing reverberation and air flow. Therefore, we boarded up the windows to control it.

3. Question: Can we use non-parallel walls in the sound booths?

a. Response: Yes, we do not specify how the design is to be done, you have the freedom to design which would include non-parallel walls.

4. Question: Are you planning on having the floor in the recording booths lifted for vibration control?

a. Response: The floor should be ADA compliant (wheelchair accessible) and you have the freedom to design how this is accomplished.

5. Question: Will the monitor stations be designed with headphones?

a. Response: Yes, we listen via headphones.

6. Question: How do you want the lighting in the booths?

a. Response: Studio C at the Taylor Street Building is how we like the lighting.

7. Question: How should the monitor space be laid out?

a. Response: We are looking for the monitor space to be in the same room but in a separate space.

8. Question: Do we need any windows?

a. Response: Yes, please look to the requirements. “Windows within each isolation enclosure must feature acoustically sealed designs, ensuring no adverse effects on the enclosure’s sound attenuation performance. These windows should enable clear visibility between the enclosure’s interior of the enclosure and the accompanying recording workstation while being strategically angled to minimize glare from light reflection.”

9. Question: Which recording sound booth is being moved?

a. Response: The Eckel recording sound booth.

10. Question: The exterior of the recording sound booths should we keep the office spaces?

a. Response: We prefer lack of distractions and noise this affects the quality sound. The entire suite outside the sound booths rooms is to be considered in the design and office cubicles and distractions could be removed.

11. Question: The studio doors are being propped open, why is this?

a. Response: The door in the studios is being propped open because we are having air circulation issues, the Library would expect the new studios will not have to prop the doors.

12. Question: the way the Eckle booth is raised it creates a boom when moving around, this is something we are concerned about. It appears the floor in the Eckle studio booth is not insulated, we can insulate the floor for you.

a. Response: We have no issues with improving the Eckle sound booth upon relocation.

13. Question: The windows are angled to provide no reflection, maybe suggest window tint?

a. Response: This would be acceptable for we are open many designs ideas.

14. Question: Is the equipment in the Eckle booth also to be removed?

a. Response: Yes, per the requirements.

15. Question: The Eckle booth is not installed into the building, it just circulates air back and forth?

a. Response: Correct, this is a stand-alone sound booth.

16. Question: The Eckle booth does not have a sprinkler but there is a hole for the sprinkler to be installed.

a. Response: The sprinkler shall be installed in the Eckle booth as per the requirements.

17. Question: What is the floor panel of the Eckle booth. How heavy is the Eckle booth?

a. Response: We do not currently have any specifications on the Eckle booth.

18. Question: Are we using the suite space in the Adams Building?

a. Response: We are looking for feasibility with all the space, the 4 rooms and the middle suite. We are not removing the walls, the crown molding, the ventilation systems. It is okay to change the lighting. The lighting could be changed but the contractor would have to document the request and make a formal request in writing because the Architect of the Capitol would have to do the work of changing the lighting. The floor plan will be provided to the selected contractor.

b. We will expect the contractor to provide detailed mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC information. The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is not responsible for planning these drawings and specifications this is expected of the contractors.

19. Question: Will the Library provide a floor plan on space measurements?

a. Response: The Library is working on providing this now.

20. Question: What is the loading dock location and clearance requirements?

a. Response: The plan is to use the loading docks at the Taylor Street Building and the loading dock in the Madison Building of the Library of Congress. Details of building passes are in the solicitation and scheduling the loading docks will be done with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The clearance for both loading docks must be requested in writing.