36C24118R0127-0009001.docx

Project: Perimeter Security Upgrade Project No.: 650-10-127 Response to RFI #1

1. Does the five foot clearing & grubbing limit include removal of all mature trees along the perimeter fencing or will certain areas be restricted from removing mature trees? Currently plans indicate only one tree to be protected (on Wolcott St).

VA Response: The 5 ft. cleared strip in front of the fence, as well as the 20 ft. cleared area and 10 ft. gravel road (where shown) is intended for use by, and was coordinated with, the VA maintenance personnel and VA police to create appropriate access for maintenance and security standoff distances. The 5’ clearing limit, 20 ft. cleared area and 10’ gravel road includes all trees, even mature trees which encroach into the limits. The empty electrical conduits on the VA side of the fence are intended for future use in adding camera or other security systems along the fence line. Note that the cleared space zone at all locations is also vertical: no overhanging tree branches in the cleared space.

2. Does the VA have authority to grant access for equipment along Davis Park, and to utilize the parking lot for access to clear around fencing and install fencing?

VA Response: Access to the existing fence and proposed fence line along the perimeter of Davis Park shall be from VA property, and not from within the park, other than as described as follows. Access to the paved parking lots for storage of equipment and materials, or to perform the work will not be authorized. Access to the unpaved parking lot for the storage of equipment and materials, or to perform the work shall be requested and coordinated through the VA, however access may not be granted. If access is granted, the storage of equipment and materials shall be at the Contractor’s own risk. The Government shall not be held responsible for the loss or damage of equipment and or materials. If access is granted, any work along the fence line and access road performed from the unpaved parking area shall be restricted to the limits of the unpaved parking area. Any work performed beyond the limits of the unpaved parking area shall be accessed and performed from VA property. If access is granted, any damage within Davis Park resulting from construction activities shall be repaired by the contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

Please note that any damage along the construction site, on or off VA property resulting from Construction activities shall be repaired by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

3. Will the VA address the homeless encampment prior to the fencing being installed since the fencing will restrict their access?

VA Response: The VA will coordinate the removal of the encampment with the local authorities having jurisdiction.

4. Will work on Valley Street, Wolcott Street, and Regent Avenue require a police detail?

VA Response: Any work that encroaches within the City of Providence Right of Way will have to be coordinated by the project Contractor with the City. The need for a police detail will be determined by the City based on the Contractors operations, and means and methods. All costs for a police detail shall be borne by the Contractor, shall be included in the Contractors bid, and shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

5. Due to the inability to access the VA property on the Valley Street side, has the VA made an agreement with the property owners to gain access to clear, grub and install perimeter fencing?

VA Response: Access to the area behind the property owners along Valley St. must be via VA property. No agreements are in place with the property owners for access to the VA property. The scope of work on the downhill side of Valley Street, behind the existing property owners, is to remove the existing chain-link fence in its entirety and install a new 10’ high chain link fence to the limits shown on the plans along the VA property line in order to maintain VA ownership and general control of the slope. There is no requirement for a clear limit along the 10’ high chain link fence behind the property owners along Valley St. The contractor may clear an area or path as needed to facilitate construction. The limits of clearing shall be coordinated with the VA. The costs associated with the clearing are to be borne by the Contractor, included within the Contractors bid, and shall be at no any additional cost to the Government.

6. Please confirm if the VA will allow closing down each entrance one at a time in order for paving work to be done or will this be required off hours? If off-hours what will those hours be?

VA Response: Each entrance may be closed for demolition, construction and/or paving purposes. Entrance closures shall be coordinated with, and must be approved by the VA. The duration of the closures shall be limited in duration to minimize impacts to the Hospital. No more than one entrance may be closed at a time.

Infrequent, short term closures (lasting no more than 24 hours in duration for each closure), will be allowed at the Regent Street and Valley Street entrances. These closures shall be coordinated with, and must be approved by the VA. Note that both Regent Street and Valley Street entrances are closed on holidays and weekends (Friday evening until early Monday morning).

Infrequent, short term partial closures (lasting no more than 24 hours in duration for each closure) allowing one-way traffic will be allowed at the Chalkstone East and West entrances. These closures shall be coordinated with, and must be approved by the VA. Traffic must be maintained through these two entrances during short-term partial closures to maintain public transportation services. The public bus must enter the campus at Chalkstone West entrance and exit at the Chalkstone East entrance due to the turning radius of the bus.

7. Chalkstone Ave - East Entrance Plan C-101/C-103 indicates relocate utility pole (#98) and utility box –

a. Does the VA own this utility pole and utility box?

VA Response: No

b. Has there been any determination as to whether the utility company (National Grid) will move this pole and box?

VA Response: A work request has been filed by A/E with National Grid on behalf of the VA. National Grid will relocate the electrical utilities as determined by an onsite coordination meeting. The contractor is responsible for assuming responsibility for the work request and all coordination of this relocation work starting with the onsite coordination meeting.

c. Is the intent to carry the cost for the utility company to move the pole with guy wires?

VA Response: National Grid will provide their relocation costs following an onsite coordination meeting. The contractor shall pass thru all National Grid costs, without markup or any added costs, to the VA for reimbursement. The contractor shall include in his proposal all costs related to coordination of National Grid based on the scope of work shown in the contract documents. This includes all labor and materials to support the relocations by the utility.

8. Chalkstone Ave - West Entrance

a. Does the VA own the hydrant assembly or is this property of the City Water Dept. and will there be any requirement to have City approval, permitting or personnel involved?

VA Response: The hydrant is on VA property and is owned by the VA. No City approval is required. Coordination of the removal with the VA will be necessary however.

9. Regent St - Proposed 22 foot access gate; does this include removal of existing trees?

VA Response: The demolition plan indicates the removal of tree(s). The bushes/ brush / vines along the existing fence, adjacent to the parking north of the entrance shall be cleared to install the gate and the fence.

10. Is there any permitting required by the city to perform work on sidewalk, drain structures etc at entrances?

VA Response: Any work on City property will require a city permit. The contractor is responsible for obtaining all permits and shall bear all costs associated with the permit. These costs shall be included in the Contractors bid and shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

11. Has the City been advised of this work and is their an approval from the city?

VA Response: No city approval is available.

12. Clearing setback is indicated as 5 feet, in most areas, Can clearing be larger than 5 feet due to possible size of necessary equipment?

VA Response: The question did not specify a width of the proposed additional clearing, and providing a response without knowing the requested width is not possible. Clearing a wider area will require coordination with, and approval of the VA. All associated costs related clearing an area greater than that shown on the plans, or not shown on the plans, for the convenience of the Contractor shall be borne by the Contractor at no additional cost to the government.

13. Due to the possible noise of tree clearing/grubbing equipment; Is there noise restriction requirements on the site?

VA Response: There are provisions within the specifications which govern decibel levels and duration. For the purpose of this project, the noise levels and associated durations shall be the level measured at distance of 50 feet from the nearest portion of Building 1.

14. Please confirm all new curbing to be installed is to be cast-in-place concrete, and no new granite curbing is required?

VA Response: All new curbing, and transitions, shall be granite.

15. Please confirm how many guard shelters are required on this project?

VA Response: There are two. They are located at the Chalkstone Ave. East Entrance and the Valley Street Entrance.

16. Please confirm if Federal, state, and local taxes should be included in the pricing?

VA Response: No.

17. Please confirm if there are any known hazardous materials on this project?

VA Response: There are no known or expected hazardous materials that the VA anticipates encountering during the construction of this project.

18. Please confirm what the ballistic level protection is required for the 2 booths? Spec’s refer to N.I.J. Level 2, but this is vague as there are multiple Level 2’s in NIJ. We would prefer the equivalent in UL level as we deal in these standards much more often. Please advise.

VA Response: The bullet resistance standard for the booths is UL 752 Standard for Bullet Resisting Equipment, Level 2.

19. 1.Some of the areas along the VA property existing fence line has a steep slope which will limit safely accesses the areas for equipment etc., (Drwg # C-207), creating a challenge to work from that side. To install fencing it would be ideal to be work from other side of the fencing entering the business parking lots. Would the VA be coordinating the access to those business areas in questions to safely remove existing fence and re install the new fence? Please advise.

VA Response: The VA has not, and will not coordinate access through adjacent privately owned properties. Work must be performed from the VA property.

2. Other side of Marine Corps Trail (Drwg # C-206), there are handicap parking spots approximately 33 handicap parking spots Would the VA be abandoning all those spots at once during the demo and re install of new fence and also be coordinating with the property owners abutting the VA fence line during this process? . Please advise.

VA Response: The contractor shall not block all of the spots in this location in order to perform his work. The contractor shall develop a phasing plan that will temporarily remove certain groups of parking from use while the fence work is being done. The phasing plan must be coordinated with and approved by the VA. The impacts to available parking on the VA campus shall be minimized. This will be a multi-stepped approach with the contractor working in sequence from one end to the other. The VA will determine the length of time and number of parking spots that may be out of service. The contractor shall perform his work from VA property and is responsible for any coordination with abutting property owners.

20. While removing the existing perimeter security fencing, will the new security fence have to be installed at the same time or fencing contractor can install temp fence and follow up with new security fence? Please clarify.

VA Response: A temporary fence shall be installed between the end of the new work and the end of the existing work to secure the fence line and prevent un-authorized access to the campus where the existing fence is place and/or proposed fence will be constructed. The temporary fence shall match height of the existing fence or the proposed fence, whichever is less, but in no case shall be less than 6 feet in height. The fence shall be secured to prevent access to the campus when work in not taking place.