HMSG Design for Building Envelope Repairs RFIs Part I (1-165).pdf

HMSG Design for Building Envelope Repairs RFI Response Part I Questions 1-165

1 Reference page 34 of the Solicitation, FAR

Clause 52.236-1 - Performance of Work by the

Contractor. (SEP 2006). The requirement states that the contractor will self-perform at least 12% of the total amount of work to be performed under the contract. Will general conditions and general requirements costs count toward the percentage?

Yes.

2 Would Mast Climbing Scaffold be and acceptable alternate to Frame Scaffolding for this project?

Yes, the contractor is responsible for adhering to all of the project requirements

(i.e. load limitations, panel movement etc.)

and must prove as part of solicitation.

Additionally, alternatives must not cause disruption to operations in the lower level.

3 Drawing E1-AS-002 Site Protection Plan indicates that the Southeast museum entrance off of Independence Ave. is to remain available for public use during construction, however, a diagram presented in the Pre-bid Virtual Walk Through shows both the Southeast and Southwest entrances are to remain in use. Please confirm both

Southeast and Southwest entrances are to remain available for public use during construction.

The Southeast entrance needs to remain open and available for public use during construction. The southwest entrance is closed and may remain so.

4 Drawing E1-AS-001 Site Plan – New Work contains the Note: “Site Plan is shown for reference only: no new work is included in

Phase 1 Construction.” This sheet also contains floor plan key notes 30, 31, and 32.

Please confirm these floor plan key notes are to be disregarded as they are not to be performed.

All notes on sheet E1-AS-001 are part of the

SOW.

5 5. Part I. Section E of the Contractor's

Qualification Statement indicates that flash drives with our proposals should be express mailed. Can these flash drives be mailed on the day of the bid for delivery the following day?

Flash drives can be FedEx the next day. The

Bid proposal and Qualification Statements must be in the drop box by the Bid due date/time.

6 Specification Section 010000 Supplementary

Conditions for Construction, Section 21.5.1.

requires that the CQC Representative be a graduate engineer or architect. Please consider allowing other relevant graduate degrees i.e. Historic Preservation.

Will consider, but needs to be a construction professional as documented by their resume.

7 RFP Page 7, Section C indicates that a contract award will be executed for estimated $18K -

$20K. Please confirm that this should be

$18M - $20M.

Confirmed, $18-$20M.

8 Please exclude the following items from the page count: Cover, Title Page, Cover Letter, Table of Contents, Tabs.

Will be excluded from page count.

9 Project-specific QC Plans and Safety Plans are typically dozens of pages, if not hundreds.

Please exclude these two plans from the 50-page maximum limit.

Will be excluded from page count. Add as an addendum.

10 Given the maximum page limit, can the CPM schedule count as 1 page assuming there is no information other than the schedule on the pages.

Will be included from page count.

11 Subcontractor qualifications including work with GC, references and key personnel resumes will be require approximately 3 pages per subcontractor. This will total 27 pages. Please exclude the subcontractor qualifications from the 50-page maximum.

Will be excluded from page count. Add as an addendum.

12 Subcontractor qualifications including work with GC, references and key personnel resumes will be require approximately 3 pages per subcontractor. This will total 27 pages. Please exclude the subcontractor qualifications from the 50-page maximum.

Will be excluded from page count. Add as an addendum.

13 13. Section 4 of the Contractor's

Qualifications Statement requests substantial information from the subcontractor including an organizational chart, multiple resumes, list of their major subcontractors and work with those subs, etc. Please confirm that this information is to describe/illustrate how the

Precast Concrete Fabricators and Installers fit into the overall structure of the project and that we are not required to list all of their subcontractors (second-tier subs) and provide qualifications for those second-tier firms.

Confirmed.

14 Section 4 of the Contractor's Qualifications

Statement requests substantial information from the Precast Concrete Fabricators and

Installers including multiple resumes for a

Project Executive, Project Manager, Superintendent, QC Manager, QC Assistants, Cost Engineers and Subcontractors (second-tier subs). Subcontractors generally do not dedicate all of these positions to a project in which they are not the prime contractor.

Please clarify which resumes are required.

Project Executive, Project Manager, Superintendent, QC Manager, at a minimum

15 Audited Financial Reports, required by Part IV -

Capabilities Section D may easily exceed 50 pages for large firms. Please exclude the

Audited Financial Reports from the 50-page maximum for the submission.

Will be excluded from page count. Add as an addendum.

16 Given the complexity of the Hirshhorn

Museum Envelope Repair project and the extensive information requested, please consider increasing the maximum page limit to 100 pages.

Attached consideration given.

17 Part IV. Organization requests that the offeror

Provide an employment profile for the construction company showing: total employees, total permanent employees, and total professionals in each major category.

Brief resumes of these individuals shall be attached. For a large firm there many be dozens or even hundreds of professionals in each major category. Please clarify which resumes are required.

Staff directly responsible for this project

18 Part IV. Section 3a requires resumes for

Quality Control Assistants. Please confirm that the QC Assistants may be personnel provided by the Key trades (roofing, waterproofing, curtainwall, etc.). If not, please clarify.

They may be provided from specialty trades

19 19. Part IV. Section 3a requires resumes for

Cost Engineer(s). Please confirm that these are project engineers assigned to the project with the responsibility of overseeing and tracking costs, invoices, subcontractor payrolls, etc. If not, please clarify.

Confirmed.

20 Please provide loading restrictions that exist at Jefferson Avenue at the structure that extends beneath the road.

The tunnel between the plaza and garden was designed to support an H20 rating. No crane loads are permitted within 10' of the outside faces of the tunnel.

21 When the existing precast panels and anchors are removed, we are required by

Architectural Demolition Drawing demolition keynote D06 to "demo existing precast panels and attachments patch and repair existing concrete." Please provide details of the existing attachment systems, the extent of removals required and the method of patching required to provide for an acceptable new work substrate.

Remove the anchor bolt and any remaining corrosion, and install grout in the cleaned slot. Corrosion inhibitor and grout shall be applied over existing demolished anchor materials to provide a smooth substrate for the application of a new waterproofing membrane. Surface shall be prepared as described in Section 072726 Fluid-Applied

Membrane Air Barriers, Para. 3.2. Patching materials shall be fully cured prior to covering with the membrane air barrier.

22 Specification Section 010000 Supplementary

Conditions for Construction, Section 21.5.

requires that the CQC Representative. Please define if this individual is a full-time onsite person and clarify if this representative can have any other duties.

Would consider. Need to describe division of labor/ time on project.

23 Specification Section 010000 Supplementary

Conditions for Construction, Section 21.5.4 requires supplemental CQC Representatives.

Please define if these individuals are full-time quality control personnel or can if these representative have any other non-CQC duties.

Would consider. Need to describe division of labor/ time on project.

24 Specification Section 014600 Blast

Specifications indicates that the Exterior

Glazing, Exterior Curtainwall and Architectural

Precast Concrete, are all required to comply with a designated blast load. Is the blast design necessary given the concrete back-up wall construction?

Yes, all components shall be designed to meet the required blast load. The concrete back-up wall protects occupants within the building but the precast anchors must prevent the panels from falling off the building in response to GP1.

25 Do the current contract documents indicated products and designs that adhere to the blast performance requirements indicated in

Section 014600 Blast Specifications?

The proof of concept design in contract documents was analyzed and designed to meet the blast performance requirements.

Delegated design by contractor shall meet the blast criteria per 01 46 00

26 Form 1442 indicates a project duration of 670 calendar days. Supplementary Conditions paragraph 3 indicates a contract time of 23 months. Please define which contract duration is correct.

670 calendar days.

27 The RFP does not provide a bid form that includes the base bid, alternate and unit prices. Please provide.

See attachments in RFP.

28 Section 010000 Paragraph 4.2.1 indicates

Alternate 1 for Stony Creek as an alternate

Aggregate. Will this alternate be considered in the basis of award?

The Basis-of-Design is Millennium

Pink/Swenson Pink granite to match the historic aggregate in the precast concrete panels. Stony Creek is an acceptable

Alternate 1, and can be considered, but is not the Basis-of-Design.

29 Within the pricing form there are a number of requested Unit Prices – would it be permissible to submit the Unit Prices within

24 hours after the proposal submission date.

No.

30 Is it possible for the Smithsonian to provide a list of subcontractors who have worked previously at the Hirshhorn? Are there any subcontractors who are not allowed to work at the Hirshhorn?

No subcontractors are excluded from working in HMSG.

31 Is a bid bond required? No.

32 There is a note on Drawing AS-002 that states

“Two lanes must be kept open on Jefferson

Drive.” It was mentioned in the Pre-bid video that only one lane must be kept open to the public at all times on Jefferson drive. Which statement are we to abide by?

One thru lane for emergency vehicles to be kept open at all times. The North side parking needs to remain available as well.

Refer to the drawings.

33 Section 52.236-1 of the Solicitation requires the Contractor to perform at least 12% of the total cost with its own organization. Can it be confirmed that General Conditions and

General Requirements costs incurred with

Contractor’s own forces count toward this requirement?

Yes.

34 Within Section “G. Project specific Plan of

Accomplishment” of “Part IV – Capabilities” in the Qualification Statement the breakdown of the outline between numbers and letters is somewhat confusing. Could this section be revised to include indentations to indicate more clearly what items are subsets of which topics?

See attachments in RFP, changes to the documents just renumbered.

35 Is there currently an air/vapor barrier and/or insulation on the cast-in-place substrate behind the existing precast panels?

No, there is no air vapor barrier or insulation on the cast in place substrate.

36 Section 14.4 of the “Supplemental Conditions for Construction” states that the Contractor shall reimburse the SI for security and inspection services when choosing to work outside the normal workdays and hours.

Outside of the Holidays listed in section 14.5, what is considered the normal workdays and hours?

Information provided in spec. The museum is open to the public daily, between 10:00

AM and 5:30 PM.

37 Please confirm that low voltage cabling, terminations, wiring and programming of devices & equipment, etc. is by the SI/Owner and that the Contractor is to provide raceways per plan only.

Contractor shall provide all low voltage cabling, equipment and devices as specified.

38 Is there an exemption from paying sales tax on the project?

No.

39 29.3 of Spec Section 01000 says that

“enclosed” trash receptacles must be used.

Does this mean open top dumpsters cannot be used?

Open top dumpsters can be used.

Contractor is responsible for dust control.

40 Keyed Note 24 on A-105, and A4/E1 on A-509, lead us to assume there are new tie-off anchors(PROBEL system) on the project however locations are not indicated on any drawing. After reviewing the roof during a site visit on 08/06/2020 it appears the only fall arrest system in place are parapet mounted anchors, which does not match the construction documents for the PROBEL system. Are new fall arrest anchors required?

If so, please provide locations of new anchors.

Tie off posts indicated on construction documents. See E1 A-105 / Floor Plan Key

Note 24. Construction documents call for installation of tie off posts only.

41 Is there a list of Invited Contractors or

Contractors who have expressed interest for the project?

Interested Contractors list is on Fed Bizz if any firm signed up.

Interested Contractors list is located on https://beta.sam.gov/opp if any firm has disclosed that information.

42 Can we partner with Prime Contractors with an alternative method to the Scaffold and

Custom Winch System assumed for the project?

Yes, the contractor is responsible adhering to all of the project requirements (i.e. load limitations, panel movement etc.) and must prove as part of solicitation.

Additionally, alternatives must not cause disruption to operations in the lower level.

43 Can we use our Custom Access Solutions utilizing our Mast Platform Systems which we believe will offer considerable savings in cost and completion time for the project?

Yes, the contractor is responsible adhering to all of the project requirements (i.e. load limitations, panel movement etc.) and must prove as part of solicitation.

Additionally, alternatives must not cause disruption to operations in the lower level.

44 Is there an expected start date? This calendar year.

45 Has funding been secured? Yes.

46 Please confirm the approximate weight of the existing Precast panels?

Large panel is approximately 6,000lbs and the small panel is approximately 1,700lbs.

47 Please confirm the phases of removal? Will the necessary repairs be made in sections? Or will the entire façade be removed, repaired, and re-installed?

Follow phasing described in documents. It is the intent to document the building without panels. Existing pre-cast panels will be removed and new pre-cast panels will be installed.

48 Will repairs to precast panels be done on or off site?

Existing pre-cast panels will be removed and new pre-cast panels will be installed.

49 Are the existing precast steel connectors to the building to be removed? If so, should they be cut flush with the concrete or removed in its entirety?

Remove the bolt as well as any corrosion and installing grout in the slot. Corrosion inhibitor and grout shall be applied over existing demolished anchor materials to provide a smooth substrate for application of a new waterproofing membrane.

Surface shall be prepared as described in

Section 072726 Fluid-Applied Membrane

Air Barriers, Para. 3.2. Patching materials shall be fully cured prior to covering with membrane air barrier.

50 If existing precast steel connectors or embeds are in alignment with new precast panels, can those existing connections be utilized?

Existing connections are specific slot type embeds that allow bolt heads to slip into the slot. Note that the surface area of this embed is small and so reuse would require similar bolt head slotted connection at the existing location. Note that the existing anchorages were studied and found to be too difficult to coordinate with for design.

The design shown in the contract drawings show anchor locations that should not conflict with existing anchors. Final design shall consider this coordination with existing anchors. Any reuse of existing anchors will require proof testing of each anchor. Note that during investigation number of existing anchor failed testing.

51 15.5.1 of Spec Section 010000 states that the

“The interior shall be protected as necessary” in reference to the sequence of work for re-roofing. Due to the numerous pieces of priceless art stored on the 4th floor, would the SI plan on relocating such artwork while the re-roofing is taking place? If not, is there a preferred method of protection or would that be left up to the Contractor to determine?

The art will not be moved from 4th floor collection storage. The building will remain operational. Artwork cannot be fully protected in place due to the existing painting rack system. Interior protection of affected areas will be required during drain replacement. Refer to 15.5 of Spec Section

010000 for full requirements including coordination required with the museum.

52 27.6.a of Spec Section 010000 outlines specifications for a mesh scrim covering the scaffolding. Would the graphics provided by the SI be something that would involve lining up of specific points along the matchline between rolls of scrim?

Yes, specific points will need to be matched up along the match line.

53 Due to the complex nature of the scope of work involved with this project (the rigorous

QC, tight site utilization, structural weight restrictions, varying working hours, etc.), it would be beneficial to have more time to adequately respond to this RFP. Could the due date for the proposals be extended?

Not considered at this time.

54 Are you able to provide access to the A/E’s

[Revit] Model for the project?

Yes, if the electronic BIM release form is signed by the contractor. The BIM models contains several multiple ongoing projects at the Hirshhorn within the model.

55 Please confirm that no bid bond is required at the time of bid submission.

No Bid Bond Required

56 Is it acceptable to deliver the flash drives the following business day, 9/1/2020? This is advisable as it will ensure we can provide the most competitive pricing, since we receive many prices from key subcontractors moments before the bid is due.

Flash drives can be FedEx the next day. The

Bid proposal and Qualification Statements must be in the drop box by the Bid due date/time.

57 Please confirm that the key personnel resumes indicated in 3a (page 16) of the

Construction Qualification Statement are only needed for the General Contractors’ key personnel and not the Subcontractors key personnel.

Provide information for Key

Subcontractors.

58 Section 4 (page 17) of the Construction

Qualification Statement indicates that we are to submit the proposed organization chart, major subcontractors, key personnel resumes for the Precast Concrete Fabricators and

Installers. Is this correct?

Yes.

59 59. We are concerned that the 50-page limit will be insufficient to be able to include all requested items. We would like to enquire if the page limit can be increased to 75 pages and the following items not be counted towards the 75 pages:

a. Cover letter, table of contents, tabs

b. Bonding and banking letters

c. Financial statements

d. Schedule

e. Subcontractor resumes

Will be excluded from page count. Add as an addendum.

60 Please indicate if a subcontracting plan is required within our submission.

Yes, FAR 52.219-9 Small Business

Subcontracting Plan.

61 Note 1 on drawing MD-105 says to “Submit calculation to the COTR during the elevator modernization project indicating that the hoistway temperature will be within the operating ranges of the submitted equipment.” Shouldn’t this be within the scope of the EOR for the elevator modernization project?

Confirmed, the calculation will be submitted by the EOR for the elevator modernization project. The removal of the hoistway vent will require coordination with the COTR and the elevator modernization project.

62 Are there spares in either ETR Switchgear

'MSB B2', sections 1 or 2, and how many amps are available?

There are the following spare three-pole circuit breakers in Switchboard MSB2: one

150-ampere breaker, two 400-ampere breakers, one 600-ampere breaker, and two 1200-ampere breakers. There is also ample space available for additional circuit breakers. Information about the capacity of the switchboard’s feeder to support additional loads is not currently available.

63 The virtual pre-bid walk through states (at four minutes and fifteen seconds into it) that there is existing electrical in the plaza/garden area at the northwest corner of the property.

What power(amps and volts) is available at this location? What is the source of that power/what other items are fed off of that source?

Existing power: 220A/208V circuit breakers

UPGB4-2, 46.

64 For purposes of designing ground protection and weight distribution systems for the plaza, to ensure the structure is not overloaded, it is crucial to have access to the structural drawings for the plaza level deck. Can the SI provide such information?

SOM Structural Drawings have been provided for informational purposes.

65 Are you able to provide access to the A/E’s

[Revit] Model for the project?

Yes, if the electronic BIM release form is signed by the contractor. The BIM models contains several multiple ongoing projects at the Hirshhorn within the model.

66 Can the Smithsonian provide as-built

[structural] drawings for the building so we can evaluate how to transfer the loads of systems into the existing structure? It’s very important for us to understand the framing at the plaza level so we can look at transferring our loads into the existing structural elements to avoid any re-shoring.

SOM Structural Drawings have been provided for informational purposes.

67 What is the weight of the largest pre-cast stone being removed?

Approximately 6,000lbs

68 Under the existing balcony can we attach our rigging system to the existing structure for removal and installation of lower the pre-cast stones below?

GC shall avoid mechanical attachments to the existing exposed structure. If unavoidable, any proposal would require an engineered solution with signed and sealed drawings and calcs submitted for review and approval.

69 Can we anchor to the existing roof slab? No anchors are permitted to be installed into the roof slab.

70 Reference Specification Section 010000, Subsection 38.1.1. The verbiage in this subsection is very prescriptive. Is the

Smithsonian receptive to alternative means and methods, provided that the loading, attachment, and protection constraints are maintained?

Yes, we are receptive to alternative means and methods, provided that the loading, attachment, and protection constraints are maintained. Additionally, alternatives must not cause disruption to operations in the lower level.

71 With submission of this proposal by dropbox, please confirm that the required physical thumb drive with copy of such proposal may be submitted the day following the due date.

Flash drives can be FedEx the next day. The

Bid proposal and Qualification Statements must be in the drop box by the Bid due date/time.

72 Please refer to page 1 of 64, SF 1442, Section

13.d. Item (d) states that Offers providing less than (0) calendar days for Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and will be rejected.

Please confirm how many calendar days or by what date after award that the Smithsonian intends to make an award as available funding for this project is only through

September 30, 2020.

This project is Incrementally funded.

Funding is made available to cover the anticipated costs through the end of this fiscal year. The Smithsonian's funding obligation beyond this time is contingent upon the availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made.

73 Please refer to Section D – Packaging and

Marking, page 7 of 64 of the RFP. Also stated on page 59 of 64, Section L. Flash Drives are to be delivered to the Smithsonian Institution via FedEX, UPS or Courier. It is not specific if flash drives are to be received by the

Smithsonian on or ahead of the bid date.

Pricing from industry will not be finalized till just before the bid date, therefore proposals from offerors would be finalized the day of and then submitted into DropBox.com.

Therefore, please confirm it is acceptable to

FedEX/UPS/Courier a flash drive (copy of what was submitted by the cutoff time) of the submitted proposals into the Smithsonian after the bid date. Flash drives are to be submitted but the bid due date and time.

Flash drives can be FedEx the next day. The

Bid proposal and Qualification Statements must be in the drop box by the Bid due date/time.

74 Please refer to page 10 of 64, FAR 52.211-

S0025, para 74. Please refer to page 10 of 64, FAR 52.211-S0025, para 6.(b).2. “The SI nor the Architect shall not be obligated to the

Contractor for, and the Contractor hereby expressly waives any claims against the SI an the Architect…. as a result of any delays interference, changes in sequence or the like, which are reasonable, foreseeable, contemplated or avoidable by the Contractor arising from or out of any act or omission of the SI of the Architect, or their agents, employees, consultants separate contractors or any governmental representative…. with the provisions of the Contract Documents”.

Please provide further explanation of what is

“reasonable, foreseeable, contemplated or avoidable” as the contractor would only be permitted time and not cost for acts that are out of Contractor control.

52.211-S0025 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (Jun

2000) (6)(b)(4)(i-iii)

75 Please refer to page 10 of 64, FAR 52.211-

S0025, para 6.(b).3. Last sentence of the paragraph states “The Contract acknowledges and agrees that time extensions will be granted only to the extent that excusable delays exceed the available float in the

Contractor’s Progress Schedule”. In the event that the Contractor gets ahead of schedule, earning float, please confirm that Contractor would own this float and has the right to finish the project early. This currently reads as if the Contractor can be delayed, so long the owner impact does not extend out beyond the current float.

Both have rights to the float

76 Please refer to page 10 of 64, FAR 52.211-

S0025, para 6.(b).4.iii. Abnormal inclement weather. This paragraph states that “The time for performance of this Contract, as stated in the Contract Documents, includes an allowance for calendar days, which may not be available for construction out of doors;…..

the Contractor agrees that said number of calendar days per moth are to be considered as normal inclement weather.” It is further addressed in Section 010000 –

Supplementary Conditions for Construction, Article 61.2.6, which states “Inclement

Weather: The Project Schedule shall include in the time for performance an allotment of thirty (45) days which…” Please confirm if the allowance for inclement weather days is

30 or 45 days and further, please provide number of inclement weather days included for by month that the SI used in their schedule logic to define the “Allowance”, as the Contractor would be required to substantiate to the satisfaction of the SI any days beyond that if needed.

allowance for calendar days, which may not be available for construction out of doors;…..refers to days when there are protests, inaguarions, events in DC, etc.

time for completion will be extended by the number of calendar days neededto include the excess number of calendar days lost.

77 Please refer to page 18 of 64, FAR 52.236-

S0030 Availability and Use of Utility Services

(June 2000). Para (b) states “The Contractor, at its expense and in a workmanlike manner satisfactory to the Contracting Officer, shall install and maintain all necessary temporary connections and distribution lines. Before final acceptance of the work by the

Government, the Contractor shall remove all the temporary connections, distribution lines, and associated paraphernalia.” Please confirm what temporary connections and distribution lines would be required as part of this contract.

Typically power and water to site.

78 Please refer to page 33 of 64, FAR 52.236-1

Performance of Work by the Contractor states

“The Contractor shall perform on the site, and with its own organization, work equivalent to at least twelve percent (12%) percent of the total amount of work to be performed under the contract.” Please confirm that the 12% would include the value of the General conditions and General Requirements in addition to any self-perform activities that each offeror could/may perform.

Correct

79 Please refer to page 36 of 64, FAR 52.215-

S0001 Order of Precedence. Out of the list of

(9) items provided, The Offeror’s Proposal is ninth in the order of precedence. Please confirm that any qualifications and assumptions that each offeror would include with their proposal shall be accepted as a condition of the offerors proposed price.

Agree

80 Please refer page 44 of 64, FAR 52.233-S0006

Disputes, para (e) Appeals. States, “The decision of the Smithsonian Institution

Secretary or his duly authorized representative for the determination of such appeals shall be final and conclusive unless determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been Fraudulent, or capricious, or arbitrary, or so grossly erroneous as necessarily to imply bad faith, or not supported by substantial evidence.”

Please confirm that the Contractor has the right to appeal to a higher court if the final decision of the Smithsonian Institution

Secretary is found not acceptable by the

Contractor. Disputes clause would follow the standard/allowable rights of the Contractor as found in the standard FAR clause of FAR

52.233-1 Disputes.

Disputes are presented to OCON and if needed appealed to the Court of Appeals

82 Please refer to page 44 of 64, FAR 52.236-

S0018 Calculation of Equitable Adjustments for Differing Site Conditions. Paragraph (b) states, “The S.I. shall not be liable or responsible for additional work, costs or changes to the work due to material differences between actual conditions and any geo-technical, soils and other reports, surveys and analyses made available for the

Contractor's review and not specifically incorporated into the Contract Documents.”

Please verify if there are any additional documents available that have not been specifically incorporated into the Contract

Documents.

All document are attached to the RFP

83 Please refer to page 46 of 64, FAR 52.236-

S0027 Superintendent (Jun 2000).

Paragraph (b) states “The Superintendent

Staff shall include but not be limited to:

General Superintendent, Assistant

Superintendent, Scheduling/Cost Engineers and Working Foremen.” Please confirm if these are required positions on the project.

If required positions, are these to be full time on the project?

Contractor is responsible for job staffing limits.

84 Please refer to page 47 of 64, FAR 52.236-

S0052 Correction of Work (Jun 2000). States

“The Contractor shall bear all costs correcting such rejected Work, including compensation for the Architect's and any other additional services made necessary thereby.” Please provide further explanation of what is described as ‘additional services’.

Bear the cost of any additional testing, inspections or security cost associated with rejected work

85 Please provide what the SI will assess as

‘Liquidated Damages’ to the Contractor for failure to meet the defined period of performance.

SI Does not assess Liquidated Damages

86 Please confirm that liquidated damages, as provided in earlier RFI response’ would be the only damages assessed to the contractor for failure to meet the defined period of performance. If other than liquidated damages could be assessed, please define and provide value of those damages.

SI Does not assess Liquidated Damages

87 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Please confirm what date the offeror shall use as an anticipated date of award as General conditions are being requested for (5 months) for the FY2020

Funding Increment. Depending on the date of award, this value would need to take into consideration some portion of the 5 months as escalation.

Follow direction on bid sheet.

88 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Please confirm that the cost for “Mock-ups” are to be included in the

“Submittal and shop drawings $______ “ line item.

Cost of Mock-up should be included in FY that they occur.

89 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Should the contractor be required to terminate due to no available funds beyond the $4,000,000, how many days must the contractor honor their FY2021

Funding Increment total value and FY2022

Funding Increment total value after termination where Smithsonian could reinstate the contract.

December 31 of each fiscal year

90 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Please confirm if the contract is terminated due to no available funds beyond the $4,000,000, all proposed values for FY2021 and FY2022 and conditions of the contract will be renegotiated between the Contractor and Smithsonian, should

Smithsonian acquire funds at a later date.

Open for negotiations

91 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Please confirm that all items from “Panel Demolition through

Balcony and Roof Pavers” that are listed in

FY2021 shall be included in the ‘Historic

Building and Site Protection $________’ line item.

No, should be listed in Demolition.

Contractor should identify work activities in year performed.

92 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Please confirm that the

‘FY2021’ year described in the title ‘FY2021

Funding Increment: (10/1/2021-09/30/2022) is labeled incorrectly and should be FY2022.

Yes, should be FY '22.

93 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Under the assumed

FY2022 Increment, please confirm that the cost for items; Pre-cast Panel fabrication and installation, Landscaping and Site restoration, Plaza and Concrete Cleaning should be included in the ‘Submittals and shop drawings

$_____’ line item.

Contractor should identify work activities in year performed.

94 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Should the Contractor under value the work to be accomplished in a

FY Funding Increment and progress schedule and payments to finish earlier than the next appropriation, will the Contractor be required to demobilize and remobilize at their own cost until further appropriations are available?

Contractor to notify when project costs out pace funding.

95 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. If the Contractor should use up the funding earlier than intended, will the Contractor be required to demobilize and remobilize at their own cost until further appropriations are available?

Contractor to notify when project costs out pace funding.

96 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Cost for Panel Demolition is to be included in FY2021 and does not show up in FY2022, however Panel fabrication and installation show up in both FY2021 and

FY2022. Given this project is incrementally funded, please provide explanation on how

Contractor is to value making the building watertight if all panels are removed in FY2021 and no appropriation is available for FY2022.

Follow phasing described in documents. It is the intent to document the building without panels. Existing pre-cast panels will be removed and new pre-cast panels will be installed.

97 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Please provide explanation of what Contractor is to do with the remaining fabricated precast panels and in what condition the Smithsonian would have for the building exterior as it would not be completed if funding is not available in

FY2022.

It is the Smithsonians's intent to fully fund this project; however if panels are fabricated and we are required to stop work that panels are to be shipped to our facility in Suitland Md, 98 Please refer to B.3 Pricing of the Availability of

Funding Bid Sheet. Termination/Cancellation cost is only being requested in FY2020.

Should Termination Cost be included in

FY2021 and FY2022 as this project is incrementally funded. If so, please provide clarification and detail on what Contractor is to consider in those years for termination cost given the significant progression of the job.

Or would this be handled under the change clause of the contract and the cancellation cost would be negotiated at that time.

Termination Cost will be included in

FY2021 and FY2022. See Revised Bid Sheet

99 Please refer to Availability of Funding Bid

Sheet. It is requested that an Alternate 1

Total Price be provided for the use of Stoney

Creek as an alternate aggregate for precast panels and balcony pavers. Smithsonian provided a full price sheet under this alternate, however only certain division would be impacted by the alternate 1 acceptance. Please verify that the

Smithsonian is requesting an Alternate 1 Total

Price, inclusive of all divisions even if not impacted by the Alternate 1 – stoney creek aggregate to compare against the Base Bid

Total.

Agreed use same sheet twice

100 Please refer to Availability of Funding Bid

Sheet. Should the Smithsonian award only the Base Bid total at time of award, please confirm how many days after award

Contractor must honor their Alternate 1 Total

Price to allow Smithsonian to then accept the

Alternate 1 of using Stoney Creek Aggregate.

Or does the Smithsonian only intend to Award either the Base Bid Total or Alternate 1 Total at time of the award?

Agreed use same sheet twice, We will make decision at time of award

101 Please refer to Availability of Funding Bid

Sheet. Please confirm that the Smithsonian is intending to award a Total Firm Fixed Price

Contract, although a breakout is required of all Divisions plus Overhead and Profit plus

Performance Bond.

Pending funding total Firm Fixed Price

Contract

102 Inconsistency in section headers identified in

Technical Proposal section of Solicitation (p.

65— 1. Firm's Experience and Past

Performance 2. Plan of Accomplishment and

Contract Time 3. Key Personnel and

Subcontractors 4. Precast Concrete

Fabricators and Installers) and This

Qualification Statement section of

Construction Qualification Statement (p.2 –

Part I - General Information, Part II - Entity’s

Background, Part III -

Experience/Performance, and Part IV –

Capabilities). What is the desired Technical

Proposal response format?

Qualification statement requires the four parts only (Part I - General Information, Part II - Entity’s Background, Part III -

Experience/Performance, and Part IV –

Capabilities) . The technical response should reference (1. Firm's Experience and

Past Performance 2. Plan of

Accomplishment and Contract Time 3. Key

Personnel and Subcontractors 4. Precast

Concrete Fabricators and Installers). The qualification statement is a separate tab.

103 Please confirm that Smithsonian will hold a maximum of 10% retainage on progress payments for this contract. FAR 52.216-25

Contract Definitization (Oct 2010) references

FAR 52.232-5 Payments under a Firm Fixed

Price Construction Contract which states “the

Contracting Officer may retain a maximum of

10 percent of the amount of the payment.”

Also, FAR 52.232-S0047 Payments and

Completion (Jun 2000) states “The SI will retain ten percent of the amount of all progress payments until the Work is finally completed and accepted”. However, FAR

52.232-16 Progress Payments (Apr 2012), Paragraph (a)(1) states “Unless the Contractor requests a smaller amount, the Government will compute each progress payment as 80 percent of the Contractor’s total costs incurred under this contract whether or not actually paid, plus financing payment to subcontractors... by the Government under this contract.”

Confirmed. We will hold 10%.

104 Please refer to Page 16 of 64, SF 1442 , Item

52.215-S0063 KEY PERSONNEL, states

“offerors shall also provide this information in their technical proposal.” Please confirm this needs to be included and if required, if so, please verify which Tab of the technical proposal you would like this form to appear.

Yes, Key Personnel information is required in the technical proposal. It should be included in the tab identified “Key

Personnel and Subcontractors”

105 There is a 50-page limit identified in

Construction Qualification Statement but no page limit identified in the Solicitation document. Please clarify the Page limit and what components of the proposal count towards the overall proposal page limit i.e.

section dividers, cover, cover letters, resumes.

Section dividers, cover, cover letters, safety and financial information will not be counted in the 50 page limit. We do want your proposals to be to-the-point, legible and easy to navigate.

106 Please clarify the proposal requirements for font, minimum font size (including for graphics) and margin spacing.

see format section of revised Capabilites

Statatement

107 Please clarify the file size limit for our proposal Dropbox submission.

1GB, if sending large files Zip the files before sending to DropBox.

108 Tab 07 language: Provide an employment profile for the construction company showing: total employees, total permanent employees, and total professionals in each major category. Brief resumes of these individuals shall be attached.

- Please define or provide examples of a major category of work.

- Clarify the statement “Brief resumes of these individuals shall be attached.” For large firms, this would result in hundreds of resumes across each major category. Please specify individuals require resumes and if there is a maximum number of resumes required for this section.

At offerors discretion.

109 109. Under KEY PERSONNEL and

SUBCONTRACTORS / PRECAST CONCRETE

FABRICATORS and INSTALLERS: Repeat below

No response required.

110 Under KEY PERSONNEL and

SUBCONTRACTORS / PRECAST CONCRETE

FABRICATORS and INSTALLERS:

Duplicate information is requested in this section for the following resumes in different sections: Resume for key personnel to include: Proj Exec, PM, General Super, QC assistants, scheduling engineers, cost engineers, and subcontractor personnel. In which section should this information be placed? What resumes do you require under

Precast Concrete Fabricators and Installers section?

It's our desire to get specific information on precast work.

111 Part IV-3-a of the Qualification Statement document asks to provide “resumes for

“subcontractors personnel performing critical elements of the Work.” Please strike this verbiage from section 3-a as Strike section A

Sub Resume portion as the subcontractor resume requirements are listed below in item

#4 Precast Concrete Fabricators & Installers.

Provide subcontractor information as requested in Section III. In Section IV, we are requiring you to pay special attention to precast concrete fabricators and installers.

112 The subcontractor resume and reference requests are very confusing in the

Qualification Statement Document. Please provide clarification on which subcontractor resumes and references are required to be provided with our proposal on this project.

Provide subcontractor information as requested in Section III. In Section IV, we are requiring you to pay special attention to precast concrete fabricators and installers.

113 Testing – Several areas of the specification reference COTR or Owner’s Testing agency and there is no specification for Testing provided in the bid documents. There is one reference to an “Independent Testing

Laboratory retained by the General

Contractor” in the Precast Spec Section

034500-2.3-B. Please clarify what (if any) testing scope(s) are required to be included by the General Contractor.

Required testing listed in individual specifications sections. Note that specifications also require QC inspections, mockup construction and testing.

114 Drawing PD-104 notes 1 and 2 indicate that the storm water main to the roof should be removed. Please confirm the length of the storm water pipe that is to be removed and provide as-built drawings of the existing installation.

The work is occurring on level 4 directly below the roof. The intent is to remove the storm water piping enough to gain access to the under deck clamps on the roof drain

(specific notes clearly describe this). The exact amount of removal is a means and methods for the contractor to gain access to be able to remove and replace the roof drains. The plumbing drawings depict the storm water system.

115 Drawing PD-104 notes 1 and 2 indicate that repair around the ceiling of the fourth floor may need to be done for each of the roof drains. Please confirm ceiling types and materials if it is necessary to remove and replace any ceilings in these areas.

Please See E1 A-104. GC shall patch, repair and paint ceiling affected by roof drain replacement. GC shall repair ceiling to match existing. Existing ceiling in the administrative 4th floor space is gyp board.

116 Detail 2 on drawing E-401 and drawing E-105 have multiple locations for homeruns run under the existing slab or to a new floor.

Please provide the under-slab conduit path or existing as-builts so this scope can be accurately estimated.

The attached drawing (9E-9A) is the best information available on the locations of existing in-slab conduit. Please include in your response.

117 On drawing M-105 a typical duct support is called out to be installed. Please provide a detail showing a typical duct support and associated roof penetration for this assembly.

See architectural and structural plans for details.

118 On Sheet ED-103 there is a note that reads, "raceway embedded in masonry that cannot be reused shall be abandoned." Please provide capping method and material for abandoned raceways in the masonry to meet fire code requirements.

Refer to specifications section 260504

Paragraph 3.2 D1 for requirements.

119 The bid documents do not show a ceiling height or existing ceiling in the Gallery (Lerner

Room) in relation to the partition details on drawing A-590. Please confirm ceiling elevation and ceiling type if any ceiling demolition / replacement is necessary to install the partition wall.

Lerner Room does not have a ceiling.

Temporary partition has to be attached to the existing exposed structure of the floor slab above.

120 Section 024114 – Selective Demolition. Article

1.5.B.2 states: “Do not remove hazardous material. Owner will have hazardous materials removed by a qualified professional under a separate contract.” Please confirm that the Owner is handling all hazardous material abatement and removal.

SI does not anticipate having to remove hazardous materials associated with this project.

121 Section 024114 – Selective Demolition. Article

1.5.B.3 states: “Give special consideration to handling of material that may contain asbestos. Neither asbestos detection nor removal is part of this contract, and direction relating to that type of work will be given by the SI COTR under previously mentioned separate contract.” Again, please confirm that the Owner is handling all hazardous material abatement and removal.

SI does not anticipate having to remove hazardous materials associated with this project.

122 Permits – Per Spec Section 010000-22 “The

Contractor shall obtain and pay for all applicable permits and licenses required by regulating agencies, including but not limited to: permits for pedestrian and road markings, construction fences, sidewalk cuts, utility company connections, elevator certificates, waste containers, scaffold, etc” Is the cost of the building permit itself along with any applicable plan review fees to be included by the General Contractor as well?

No building permit is required through

DCRA. SI acts as their own Authority Having

Jurisdiction.

123 Schedule – Is the General Contractor to provide a dedicated schedule for only the initial limited FY 2020 funding increment of

$4,000,000?

The schedule response should be for the entire project.

124 Schedule – The Qualification Statement document Part IV-G-1 states “Provide a time scaled CPM summary schedule identifying construction logic; activities to be accomplished on a multi-shift basis, weekends or holidays; installation of long lead / key equipment or material; and activities which will interrupt adjacent building operations. The CPM should highlight all scope activities included in

Specification Section 01000. The summary should contain approximately 250 activities that show sequence, duration, and interdependency” Is it acceptable to provide a summary-level schedule with our proposal and provide the detailed 250 activity schedule within 10-days following NTP?

No.

125 Per the Pre-Bid Virtual Tour video there is an opportunity for a small group(s) to attend an in-person site visit. Please clarify the availability of any dates and times along with the group size restriction for a site walk on the project specifically to access the roof, 4th floor and Lerner Room prior to submitting our proposal.

This has already been completed.

126 Please provide spot elevations for the existing roof. This is necessary in order to determine the height of the paver pedestals that are required. This information will also clarify if cross-bracing is required on the pedestals.

The existing top of structural slab at the roof is documented as 104’-2” at its high point on sheet E1 S-300. The existing slab is assumed to slope to drains as indicated on E1 S-105. The difference between the high point and then low point of the existing slab is presumed to be 2 inches based on the original building drawings, sheets 7-6-1A and 3-6A. This condition is a hidden condition and shall field verified by the General Contractor as noted on detail

D1/E1 A-601.

The proposed top of paver for roof assembly RF-01 is 105’-0” as shown on assembly detail D1/E1 A-601. The pedestal is adjustable to accommodate for the existing slab slope.

127 Does the Masonry Cleaning specification 04

5000 apply to any of the remaining precast panels, specifically those at the inner ring façade of the building?

The remaining precast panels at the courtyard façade will not be cleaned. Refer to the drawings for areas of cast-in-place concrete cleaning inlcuding Sheet E1-AS-

001…