RFI ANSWERS.pdf

PROJECT # 630A4-13-403

VA Brooklyn Replace Condenser Water Piping-Bldg. 4

RFI’s and Responses 2/5/2021

1) Solicitation page 6 of 75 para 9 states ‘The general contractor shall coordinate in advance with VA Project Engineer (COR) regarding pulling of all cabling/wiring/fiber above ceilings within all interior spaces, particularly patient care buildings, including public corridors in patient care buildings, the general contractor shall utilize HEPACART Cabling Access Point (CAP) (or equal) product in the ceiling to feed cable cleanly through a slot in the ceiling with minimal impact. This shall be installed within the HEPACART (or equal) environment ceiling access containment carts, and cabling/wiring/fiber pulling only can then be performed via the HEPACART Cabling Access Point (CAP) (or equal) product. Removal of the cabling access point shall be performed within the environment ceiling access containment cart’. --- IS this a general statement or if there is actual work to be done by contractor then Please identify this work and the route on the drawings so that contractor can determine the cost.

Response: The VA response: “This is a general statement, and no work needs to be completed”

2) Please confirm the bid due date is March 2nd, 2021 as mentioned in the block no.13 of SF1442 of solicitation page.

Response: The VA response: “Bid due date is confirmed for March 2, 2021.”

3) Please advise if temporary chiller is required, if it is required then how long and where can it be installed?

Response: The VA response: “Work is required to be completed from November through March, which is the heating season of the facility. Temporary Chiller is only required if contractor doesn’t meet this timeframe.”

4) Drawing MD-102 shows new piping inside the building interior spaces, please confirm this work can be done in regular hours or it must be done on weekends?

Response: The VA response: “Any work in interior office spaces to be completed during nights and weekends.”

5) Drawing MD-102 shows new piping above the dropped ceilings, for this contractor has to remove the existing ceiling grid, tiles and reinstall back. Most likely the ceiling grid and tiles are old and cannot be reused again. Please advise.

Response: The VA response: “Include new ceiling grid/tile for those that cannot be reused.”

6) Drawing GI-01 note states ‘contractor shall refer to both specifications and drawings to see revisions from original contract drawings’. There were no original contract drawings issued. Please confirm the issued drawings and specifications are to be used for this bid.

Response: The VA response: “The issued drawings and specs are to be used for this bid.”

7) Please advise if painting is required for all the new piping inside the building. Drawings doesn’t state any painting work, but specs indicate painting work but not clear at all. Please clarify if painting is required for new piping and specify which paint and how many coats?

Response: NEI response- “The only application where painting the piping may be beneficial would be for any PVC piping) between the cooling tower basin sweeper and filtration unit) that would be exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, all other condenser piping shall be insulated and jacketed negating the need for painting. Uninsulated PVC piping exposed to sunlight shall be provided with (2) coats of an approved UV resistant coating made specifically for PVC pipe.”

In addition-- Interior, uninsulated condenser water piping (supply and return) shall be painted as per Section 09 91 00 in a color to match the existing condenser water piping and identified in accordance with ASME A13.1 as per section 3.14 from 09 91 00.

8) Drawing MP105 piping schedule and spec sec 23 21 00 para 1.1 states Alternate no.1 The plastic piping system shall be considered only for piping above the roof of the building exposed to the outdoors. --- Why not indoor piping? Same benefits can be achieved using Aquatherm in indoor application also.

Response: The VA response: “Review bid alternatives. They call for Aquatherm piping for indoor also.”

9) Drawing MP-105 piping schedule indicates schedule 40 welded steel pipe for the new condenser water piping. Will groove fittings allowed in lieu of welded joints.

Response: NEI response “Provide schedule 40 welded steel pipe as shown on Drawing and specified.”

10) Drawing MD-102 keynote # 14 states to patch existing wall where piping is being removed as per drawing detail 4/ SF-103. Please advise if this is correct as detail 4/SF-103 is for roof patching and not wall patching.

Response: NEI response “There is a General Note #1, next to this detail that discusses the requirement of patching an existing wall.”

11) Will the VA hire the Certified Industrial Hygienist for the Lead Abatement?

Response: NEI response “NEI (A/E) will provide Certified Industrial Hygienist for Lead Abatement, timing for time on site to be coordinated with successfully bidder.”

12) Will VA do the area and air monitoring?

Response: NEI response “NEI (A/E) will provide Certified Industrial Hygienist for Lead Abatement, timing for time on site to be coordinated with successfully bidder.”

13) As we are not altering any existing equipment’s, what is the scope of balancing?

Response: NEI response “Since the condenser water piping is being removed and replaced with new, all equipment connected to the condenser water piping will need fluid balancing per Specification 23 05 93 including, but not limited to pumps, towers, and chiller. Additionally, it will be necessary to balance the water distribution piping and pump on the new tower sump basin sweeper systems as per the manufacturer.”

14) What is the scope of commissioning? If required, would the VA hire commissioning agent?

Response: NEI response “Numerous sections of specifications cite “commissioning” requirements. Attached are edited specifications and should be issued as an addendum. Specification 01 91 00-General Commissioning Specification and Specification 23 08 00-Commissioning for HVAC systems.”

15) Besides flushing and cleaning of newly installed piping, what is the scope of water treatment? Which company is performing water treatment of an existing system?

Response: NEI response “The contract documents call for the existing tower water treatment system to remain. Therefore, it will be the contractor’s responsibility to retain the services of the VA’s existing water treatment consultant/vendor to disconnect the existing water treatment and to reconnect and re-establish the water chemistry upon condenser water flow to the tower and chiller.”

16) Drawing MD-101 note no.13 states provide new panel on exterior to match existing. – Please specify the size and gauge of this panels.

Response: The VA response: “Contractor to verify on site.”

17) Drawing SF-101 roof framing plan no.3 states ‘approx. outline of cooling tower platform, clean, scrape and paint all platform framing as per the specs section 02 83 33.13’. we have following questions:

Response: NEI responses shown each point in RED

a) Can we use wet blasting inside a constructed containment than using a chemical stripper as specified in the spec section 02 83 33.13, page 17, para 2.1, as it is very time consuming and very expensive using a chemical stripper. NEI comment “Specification calls for Chemical Stripper—if a wet blasting method is chosen, our environmental person would need to address separately-requires face masks for material in the air, wastewater would have to be contained and properly disposed of. VA Response: Wet blasting is okay as long as proper containment is set up and waste water is captured and doesn't go into the roof drain.

b) Does the lead paint on the existing gratings has to be removed too?

No

c) Spec section 02 83 33.13 pg 8, para 3.2.C Lead control area requirements states Establish lead control area by completely enclosing lead-based paint removal work area with containment screens. – Please advise what type of containment screen or structure is required to be built around the platform and issue a proper drawing showing plan, elevation/height of containment. NEI Response: A containment structure will be required to address Lead Abatement as called out in Specification 02 83 33.13.

18) Does the existing welded grating on the platform has to be removed to access the steel beam below the grating line?

Means and methods.

e) Please advise what type of primer and paint is required for painting of existing structural steel of the cooling tower platform as the site is close to water. Does agency require specific manufacturer/brand for the primer and paint.

“Specification 09 91 00, provides list of acceptable paints/primers”

f) Is new painting required for the existing steel gratings?

No

g) Is the existing structural steel rusted and does all the rust have to removed by scrapping or any other method?

Structural steel surface needs to be treated to allow for new paint to be adhered.

18) Is the existing roof under warranty? If yes, then please provide the details of roof manufacturer and contractor.

Response: The VA response: “Minor patch work needed. New separate project is replacing roof.”

19) Drawings MP-101, 102 and 104 notes indicate core drilling of existing roof concrete slab for 18” and 24” dia pipes at various locations. Please advise what is the thickness of existing roof concrete slab, also does the slab has rebars?

Response: NEI response “This is 6” slab with rebar”

20) There is a large quantity of concrete piers to be constructed on the roof for pipe supports. Please confirm agency will allow the use of Sakrete concrete mix bags to cast all these concrete piers.

Response: NEI response “Specification 03 30 53, Section 2.4 Batching and mixing allows for Batch Mix as long as it conforms to ASTM C94/C94M “.

21) Specification section 05 12 00 page 3, para 1.4 states to use a AISC certified fabricator and installer for the work of new structural steel. As this is not a bridge or ground up construction can agency please waive the requirement of this AISC fabricator and erector?

Response: This requirement is In Specification” NEI comment-at Lyons VA this was waived, but there was a need to have installation/fabrication of equipment inspected by a certified inspector. If fabricated off site then inspection was completed prior to equipment brought on site.” VA Response: This can be waived as long as a certified inspector inspects the installation/fabrication.

22) Does the new structural steel (beams and plates) has to be hot-dipped galvanized?

Response: NEI response “YES-Hot dipped galvanized”

23) The erection of new structural steel on roof will require crane. Please confirm if this work must be done on Saturday and Sundays or can be done on weekday, as premium rates apply for the crane rental on weekends.

Response: The VA response: “Weekend work.”

24) Will agency do all the traffic control during the crane operation.

Response: The VA response: “VA police will block off area, but flagger/safety person is required by contractor to ensure no other issues ensue.”

25) The construction estimate amount of $2,913,396 for the base bid item I seems very less/low. Solicitation states range is up to $5 million which seems reasonable. Also because of the CoVid building material prices have increased a lot since last year.

Response: The VA response: “Send out bid according to drawings/specs and alternatives.”

26) Refer to dwg MP-101here is new 18” diameter pipe going through the garage area, there is no structural support in this area so please advise how the pipe will be supported.

Response: NEI response “Note on MP-101 states to support piping from beams. – Additional evaluation is necessary of existing as-built prints, and sketches will be provided.”