S05 Request for Information Responses - Questions 1-34.pdf

Question: 1 – Is it the VA’s intent to leave all the existing foam board and only patch what is currently damaged?

Response: Yes, the VA intends to leave all existing foam boards and patch the damaged areas. The foam boards that are damaged or missing shall be replaced in-kind.

Question: 2 – Is it the VA’s intent to proceed with only repairing the fireproofing on the structural steel vs complete removal?

Response: Yes, the VA intends to proceed with only repairing the existing fireproofing.

Question: 3 – Does the floor deck require spray fireproofing?

Response: The floor deck will not require the cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material.

The foam boards located on the floor deck will receive a light overspray. The foam boards that are damaged or missing shall be replaced in-kind.

Question: 4 – If the floor deck does not require spray fireproofing do the flutes above the beams need to be sprayed and filled with spray fireproofing?

Response: The flutes will be covered by the thermal foam boards, which will then receive the light overspray.

Question: 5 – Will cellulose insulation be required on this project? If so, will it be applied over all fireproofing at the floor deck and beams or just at the floor deck?

Response: No cellulose insulation will be required on this project. See Response to Question

13.

Question: 6 – What color will the spray cellulose insulation need to be?

Response: Not applicable. See Response to Question 5 and Question 13.

Question: 7 – How thick or what R value should the spray cellulose insulation be?

Question: 8 – Will the cellulose insulation require a protective coating applied over it?

Question: 9 – If the cellulose insulation requires a protective coating, the coating only comes in white.

Question: 10 – Will the protective coating need to be painted after applied to match the color of the spray cellulose insulation underneath it?

Question: 11 – If it is the VA’s intent to leave the existing foam boards. Please note that the foam board cannot be sprayed with spray applied fireproofing to achieve a rating. This is not an approved UL system.

Response: The VA intends to leave all existing foam boards and patch the damaged areas.

The foam boards that are damaged or missing shall be replaced in-kind. The foam boards located on the floor deck will receive a light overspray.

Question: 12 – Is it the VA’s intent to only replace the hangers only in the areas where repair work has been done to the existing fireproofing/insulation.

Response: Yes, as stated and in accordance with Section 1.2 of the Amended Statement of

Work.

Question: 13 – Is the VA only looking for fireproofing and a sealer or still wanting fireproofing, insulation and a sealer like what was discussed in site visit.

Response: Cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material with a top coat sealer on the beams.

If the top coat sealer only comes in white, the VA will accept. However, the VA would prefer the color grey, if available, for aesthetic uniformity.

Question: 14 – Does the existing fireproofing at the beams need to be completely scraped off and replaced or just patched? The amended SOW, Section 1.2 appears to indicate that

Contractor to “repair” any damaged fireproofing.

Response: The VA intends to proceed with only repairing the existing fireproofing. The repairs shall be completed with the cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material. After preparation of areas requiring fireproofing, those areas need to meet the applicable codes.

Question: 15 – Does the floor deck require spray fireproofing? Per amended SOW, Section

1.2, again it appears to indicate spraying new fireproofing ONLY where needed.

Response: The floor deck will not require the cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material.

The foam boards located on the floor deck will receive a light overspray. The foam boards that are damaged or missing shall be replaced in-kind.

Question: 16 – If the floor deck does not require spray fireproofing do the flutes above the beams need to be sprayed and filled with spray fireproofing?

Response: The flutes will be covered by the thermal foam boards, which will then receive the light overspray.

Question: 17 – Amended SOW appears to indicate that existing Rigid Board (foam) panels will not be removed. Please confirm.

Similarly, please confirm the manufacturer’s (UL installation standards) require the fireproofing installation process to follow this sequence for valid warranties: cementitious fireproofing spray applied first, then cellulose insulation spray applied 2nd (if required –

NOTE: cellulose spray is not a required spray), then protective sealing coat (in WHITE color) last.

Response: The VA intends to leave all existing foam boards and patch the damaged areas.

The foam boards that are damaged or missing shall be replaced in-kind.

VA intends to proceed with only repairing the existing fireproofing. The repairs shall be completed with the cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material and a top coat sealer on the beams. If the top coat sealer only comes in white, the VA will accept. However, the VA would prefer the color grey, if available, for aesthetic uniformity.

Question: 18 – Please clarify: Will cellulose insulation be required on this project? If so, will it be applied over all fireproofing at the floor deck and beams or just at the floor deck?

Amended SOW appears to be silent regarding cellulose insulation.

Response: No cellulose insulation will be required on this project.

Question: 19 – What color will the spray cellulose insulation need to be? Seal coating (last layer of installation process) is always in WHITE. If Seal coating (protective coating) is required by VA, last coat will only display color in WHITE. Please confirm.

Response: Not applicable. See Response to Question 13 and Question 18.

Question: 20 – How thick or what R value should the spray cellulose insulation be?

Question: 21 – Will the cellulose insulation require a protective coating applied over it?

Question: 22 – If the cellulose insulation requires a protective coating the coating only comes in WHITE (per manufacturer) is this acceptable to the VA?

Question: 23 – Currently, the VA responses to 1st Set of RFIs stipulate Contractor to set up and break down work area on a nightly/daily basis. Please confirm that the government is aware that labor costs will approximately double and the schedule will require approximately twice as long as typical for installation process of fireproofing versus allowing

Contractor and VA to identify reasonable areas to establish a phased construction zone without significantly disrupting the daily operations of the VA facility. Alternatively, in the interests of providing the best value to the government and the best use of VA funds while still allowing for minimal disruption of daily operations, please confirm that Contractor and

VA can determine a suitable phasing plan upon issuance of NTP that does not require a nightly/daily breakdown of all Contractor equipment and materials during construction activities.

Response: Due to the nature of the work and potential safety hazards, set-up and tear down on a nightly basis will be required for this project. The Contractor shall design a phasing plan for the installation to avoid interference with daily operations of the VARO.

Said phasing plan should be approved by the VA Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Question: 24 – The VA responses to the 1st Set of RFIs regarding pipe hangers appeared unclear in some instances.

1st Set of RFIs - Question: 51 – Under Section 1.2.3 Scope, Statement of Work section of the Solicitation, it states that Contractor to “replace any deformed and damaged pipe hangers”. During Site Visit it was not readily obvious, nor pointed out by the VA, which pipe hangers, in particular, were considered “deformed and damaged” by the VA. Please provide an exact count of deformed and damaged pipe hangers to be replaced and general locations and descriptions so Contractor can properly incorporate into bid.

VA Response to 1st Set of RFIs: A damaged and/or deformed pipe hanger would be considered as any pipe hanger that is bent, broken, or rusted. Given the project area and scope, according to Section 1.2 in the Statement of Work, most, if not all, pipe hangers covering the respective square footage of this project will likely be replaced.

1st Set of RFIs - Question: 75 – What constitutes a damaged pipe hanger? Just bent and broken, or rusted? (i.e. slight rust, heavy rust, etc.)

VA Response to 1st Set of RFIs: All of the above would constitute a damaged pipe hanger.

2nd Set of RFIs Question: Amended SOW, Section 1.2, now states that Contractor will

“replace any deformed and damaged pipe hangers in the areas where existing material were patched and repaired or replaced”. This would appear to indicate that the VA has significantly reduced the amount of pipe hangers to be replaced via the amended SOW language to only include those that are 1), in the fireproofing areas that are now being

“patched and repaired” and 2), only those that are “deformed and damaged”. Please confirm. Additionally, if confirmed by VA, does the VA have an approximate count of

“deformed and damaged” pipe hangers that the VA wishes Contractor to replace?

Response: Based upon the Amended Statement of Work, the pipe hangers to be replaced are deformed and damaged as previously defined the first set of Requests for Information

(RFIs), Question 51 and Question 75. These pipe hangers should only be replaced in the areas where existing cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material has been patched, repaired, and/or applied. The VA does not have a count of pipe hangers to be replaced. The state certified engineer shall assist in the pipe hanger determination.

Question: 25 – Please provide a specification for the Spray applied Cellulose Insulation. VA responses to 1st Set of RFIs Questions 23 and 47 indicate that Section 8.7 of the

Specifications provide the required specifications for Cellulose Insulation. However, Contractor can find no reference nor mention of Cellulose Insulation within Section 8.7 of the Specification. Please provide the direct language and specifications of the Cellulose

Insulation within the VA RFI response to remove any confusion.

Response: Not applicable. See Response to Question 13 and or Question 18.

Question: 26 – VA responses to 1st Set of RFIs regarding fireproofing material installation would void the manufacturer warranty as it is not an approved UL installation process.

1st Set of RFIs Question: 55 – Is the application of the spray-applied fire resistive materials being applied only to exposed structural beam and column?

VA Response to 1st Set of RFIs: In addition to the structural beam, between structural beam, and column, fireproofing needs to also be sprayed on decking insulation in the garage.

1st Set of RFIs Question: 77 – What is the scope for the existing insulation board between structural members? Does it need to be demolished? Does it need to be replaced or is

Fireproofing to be sprayed on the ceiling deck above it? Does the Fireproofing need to be covered with an insulation product? If so what is the specification for the insulation?

VA Response to 1st Set of RFIs: All existing fireproofing to be demolished completely as stated and in accordance with Section 1.2 in the Statement of Work. No insulation product is required for the fireproofing.

2nd Set of RFIs Question: for Contractor to adhere to UL approved installation process and provide valid warranties, there are two (2) allowable installation Options:

Option 1: leave Rigid Board (foam) panels in place as they are undamaged. Then spray cementitious fireproofing material on exposed structural beams (I beams and concrete beams), then spray cellulose installation on top of beams for R value, then lastly apply protective seal coating.

Option 2: remove Rigid Board (foam) panels whether damaged or not. Apply cementitious fireproofing materials to not only exposed structural beams AND to floor decking now exposed with the removal of Rigid Board (foam) panels, then spray cellulose installation coat to both structural beams and floor decking, and lastly apply protective seal coating.

Please confirm which installation Option the VA requires Contractor to follow so the government can receive a valid warranty.

Response: Leave Rigid Board (foam) panels in place as they are undamaged. The foam boards that are damaged or missing shall be replaced in-kind. Spray cementitious fireproofing material on exposed structural beams (I beams and concrete beams) and apply top coat sealer.

Question: 27 – VA response to available 220v power available for contractor use – VA

Response, No, 220v power is not available. Please confirm, Contractors are required to provide their electrical power?

Response: The VA can provide electrical power, but not 220v power. If the Contractor requires 220v power, then Contractor must provide own electrical power.

Question: 28 – For the project scope, animal mitigation shall cover and comply with Section

10.1 and Section 10.2 in the Statement of Work.

Are hard ceilings (i.e., ceiling is closed, no exposed beam, no exposed underside of floor) excluded from section 10.1?

Response: Contractor shall install bird netting from end to end on each of the designated buildings.

Question: 29 – Drawings provided of Building 46 and Building 47 do not provide structural drawings for the ground floor overhead ceiling. Can the VA provide drawings of the building

46 & 47 area to be impacted by the project.

Response: The most-recent and only accessible drawings for Building 46 and Building 47 were previously provided.

Question: 30 – Please confirm – protective coating is not to be applied over the cementitious fire resistant?

Response: The cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material will receive a top coat sealer. If the top coat sealer only comes in white, the VA will accept. However, the VA would prefer the color grey, if available, for aesthetic uniformity.

Question: 31 – Will any access panels be required in the netting beneath fire sprinkler heads.

Response: Yes, Contractor shall determine access points with individual zippers based upon location of electrical fixtures and equipment, plumbing, and mechanical.

Question: 32 – The VA provided drawing 46-LS1, titled Life Safety Fire Protection Plan

Legend, Beams 2 hours required (UL#D916) and floor/ceiling assembly 2 hours required

(UL#D916), please confirm?

Response: Yes, UL-D916 beam assembly, Item 4b, is acceptable. As another option, N or O beam assembly, Series 700-899, is also acceptable. Either option must be approved for exterior use. However, this information should be verified by the Contractor’s state certified engineer.

Question: 33 – For the Sprayed Cellulose Insulation is there a specific Manufacturer that the

VA is requesting the Contractor use? For underside of deck is K-13 family of insulation and fire resistance products acceptable, where K-13 thermal insulation is a spray-applied thermal and acoustical insulation with specially prepared cellulose fibers combined with natural fire retardants.

Question: 34 – No damaged pipe hangers were observer – is it acceptable to clean and treat existing hanger system?

Response: A damaged and/or deformed pipe hanger would be considered as any pipe hanger that is bent, broken, or rusted. Any damaged or deformed pipe hangers shall be replaced in the areas where existing cementitious sprayed fire-resistive material has been patched, repaired, and/or replaced.