Responses to RFI Submission for 36C24221B0019 Replace Roofs.pdf

RFI Submission for 36C24221B0019 Replace Roofs

1. The plans call for Modified Put down in a cold applied. Is it ok if we keep all the insulation the same but use either PVC, TPO, or EPDM?

Response: No. The Approved Basis of Design is Multi-Ply SBS Modified Membrane with new insulation. Equals must be submitted and reviewed on a case by case basis, but no guarantee for approval can be made.

2. Please could you indicate which buildings out of the following list require Lightning Protection on VAMC - East Orange, NJ - Roof Replacement Project?

Building 1 - Wing A Roof 26 Building 1 - Wing B Roof 32 Building 1 - Wing C Roof 30 Building 1 - Wing D Roof 28 Building 5 Building 5A Building 7 Building 1 - Auditorium Roof 74 Building 1 - 11th Floor Roofs 18,19, 22 & 23 Building 15 Building 16 Building 17 Building 18 Building 15A&16A

Please provide confirmation that all Buildings/Roofs listed above need Lightning protection and if not which of the above buildings require Lightning Protection.

Response: As per drawings 1-AS-101, 1-AS-102, and 1-AS-103, Building 1 is the only building that has and existing lightning protection system requiring additions and/or alterations.

3. Please confirm that the following commissioning activities included in the specifications are not required for the project, as they are not relevant to the construction scope shown on the drawings in specification 01 91 00, part 3:

OPR & BOD review and maintenance Testing, Adjusting, & Balancing related activities Review Contractor start-up checklists Factory Testing Functional Testing Training

Systems Manual

Response: Commissioning will be required on: all equipment being disconnected and re-connected during roof replacements, all roof drains and gutter systems (Plumbing), all lightning protection systems, and all other systems being disconnected and reconnected as per Specification 01 91 00 and other applicable specification sections.

4. These buildings do not have an existing lightning protection system. Is a new lightning protection system in the scope of work on these buildings? (#15, ,16, 16A, 17, & 18) Section 26 41 00 of the specifications, "Facility Lightning Protection" does not make reference to any specific roof sections, and whether there is an existing lightning protection system or not.

Response: Only roofs of Building 1 require lightning protection. See drawings 1-AS-101, 1-AS- 102, and 1-AS-103 for location of existing lightning protection to remain in operation.

5. Section 26 41 00 also references a UL "Master Label" certification and a "Letter of Findings" certification. A UL "Master Lebel" ·' designation can only apply to the complete structure as being in compliance.

A UL "Letter of Findings " is a limited scope inspection of the roof sections that are under renovation.

Please confirm if this contract requires that the entire hospital needs to be brought into UL compliance for a "Master Label" inspection, or are we just bringing the roof sections under renovation into UL' compliance with a UL "Letter of Findings".

Response: Roof sections under renovation are required to be brought into UL compliance and have a UL “Letter of Findings” completed as part of this project. Lightning protection that has been disturbed during roof replacement must be re-installed and remain operational during roof replacement. Final inspection and testing shall be done to confirm compliance with UL and the contractor must provide a UL “Letter of Findings” as part of the certification.

6. Spec section 01 00 00 page 7 states Each roof area shall be completed before moving onto the next roof area. --- Please confirm this is correct.

Response: All roof areas must be weather protected at all times. If weather-protection can be achieved, contractor may begin work on another roof area while completion of prior roof is underway. Contractor shall submit phasing schedule for approval by VA COR.

7. Some of the roof levels do not have proper access so contractor will have to set up exterior stair towers, please advise which roof areas will require stair tower construction.

Response: See drawing GI-002 Safety Notes 2 through 4 for roof access information, requirements and limitations.

8. Please advise if VA will hire industrial hygienists to perform the area and air monitoring and testing of all asbestos abatement work.

Response: Asbestos testing has been completed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), see drawings HA-100 - HA-102.

Specification 02 82 13.21 ASBESTOS ROOFING ABATEMENT Section 1.1.2 Extent of Work Q.

states “Roof work areas shall not require clearance air samples”. Abatement contractor must meet all requirements outlined in specification 02 82 13.21, including the hiring CIH personnel and supervisor to certify the proper removal of all Asbestos containing materials.

9. As per the drawings safety notes chutes are not to be used for the removal of material from the roof, so a crane will be required. Please advise crane operation will be allowed on weekdays or weekends as there is a premium rate for crane rentals on Sat and Sundays.

Response: See drawing GI-002 General notes 5 and 12 for work days and hours. All crane activity must take place after hours.

10. Please advise if VA is doing all the traffic control during crane operation.

Response: See drawing GI-002 General notes 14 and 16 for traffic control requirements. All traffic control is responsibility of contractor, no traffic control will be performed by VA.

11. General note no. 12 on drawing no. GI-002 states 'All outside lifts of equipment or material to be performed during the hours after 5:00 PM and before 6:30 AM, Monday thru Friday, or during weekends'. ---- Does this include lowering of the removed roof material to the dumpster too? please clarify in detail as this will have a big impact on our cost.

Response: All crane work must be done off hours. Contractor installed roof hoists approved as part of the access and staging plan can be used during regular hours for lifting material up to the roof or lowering the material down to the ground.

12. Please confirm VA will allow use of suspended scaffold from the roof.

Response: See drawing GI-002 Safety Notes 2 through 7 for the use of scaffolding. There are no restrictions on the use of suspended scaffolding from the roof. Plans for suspended scaffolding must be accompanied with the appropriate professional seal and must be submitted for approval.

13. Please provide detailed drawing for fall protection.

Response: See drawing GI-002, Safety Note 6 states “contractor to provide complete and detailed construction plan including: construction phasing plan, construction schedule, safety plan with fall protection showing all safety measures being taken….”.

14. General note no. 19 on drawing no. GI-002 states 'VA COR or safety officer can stop the use of noise and vibration emitting power tools at anytime if the noise and vibration impacts any hospital function'. --- most of the roof demolition will be performed by power tools which makes noise and vibration, so does contractor has to consider all the demo work after hours? Also contractors will have to include the cost of temporary power. Please clarify as working after hours this will have a big impact on the cost.

Response: General note 18 states the hours of use of noise and vibration emitting power tools may be used. If the noise impacts the hospital function General note 19 further states that “if this occurs, work must be performed off hours, by the use of hand tools or at an alternate time as approved by VA.

Power tools requiring special power connections are the responsibility of the contractor, as such the contractor may need to provide their own power generation equipment. Because the work is on the roof the location for electrical tie-ins cannot be guaranteed. Any general power connections available can be used at the approval of the VA at no cost.

15. Please advise if only Tremco roofing material is to be used or VA will allow equal manufacturer material.

Response: Tremco roofing material is the basis of design. See item #1 for additional information.

16. Key note no.11 on roof plans for all the building states 'replace all deteriorated bricks under existing roof membrane'. --- Drawing does not show the linear feet of this brick replacement, please identify on the drawings the correct linear feet of brick replacement for each building or provide an allowance amount so that all the contractors have the same information.

Response: See dimensions provided on drawings 1-AS-101, Details 1 & 2, 1-AS-102, Details 1 &2 and 7-AS-101 for linear feet of bricks to be replaced.

• Key note 11 – Change to read “Replace all deteriorated bricks under existing roof membrane (9 courses) around building perimeter, see details 1,2&8/AS-700.”

• Provide a separate line item on schedule of values for the replacement of brick.

• Upon inspection by A/E or VA, if bricks are found to be intact, provide credit back to VA.

17. During the site visit it was informed buildings with existing metal decking will not require the vapor barrier. Only buildings with concrete decking will require a vapor barrier. Please confirm this is correct.

Response: Correct. See detail 1B on drawing AS-701 - Metal Roof Typ. Reconstruction Detail, no vapor barrier is shown or required.

18. Please confirm a peel n stick vapor barrier product is acceptable.

Response: Peel and stick vapor barrier is not acceptable as a roof vapor barrier.

19. Is the VA East Orange an outpatient facility or do patients live there overnight? as this will impact after hours work.

Response: Building 1 houses patients 24/7. Buildings 5, 5A & 7 do not house patients. Buildings 15-18 are out-patient facilities.

20. Spec section 01 35 26 page 15 para 1.9B states to provide Certified Safety Professional (CSP).

Please clarify if the contractor has to hire an independent third party CSP for the monthly site visits.

Response: Specification 01 35 26 Section 1.9 Inspection B. states that “The CSP or CSHT can be a corporate safety professional or independently contracted.” Safety Requirements are the responsibility of the contractor.

21. There is spec section 01 91 00 for general commissioning requirements. Please confirm this commissioning work is not applicable for this project.

Response: Commissioning will be required on any system disconnected and reconnected to confirm proper function of said system after reconnection. See individual specification for additional requirements.

22. Does the work of removal and reinstallation have to be done by a licensed lightning protection contractor or licensed electrical contractor? Or a contractor can do this work with his own crew?

Also is certification required that the lightning protection is returned to the existing operation?

Response: Specification 26 41 00 FACILITY LIGHTNING PROTECTION Section 3.1 INSTALLATION states “Installation shall be in accordance with NEC”. Only individuals knowledgeable with NEC requirements shall re-install lightning protection. Section 3.2 ACCEPTANCE CHECK & TESTS B.

states “a UL representative shall inspect the lightning protection system.” All lightning protection renovations are required to be brought into UL compliance and have a UL “Letter of Findings” as part of the compliance certification.

23. Please advise which roofs have existing gravel? a significant amount of labor and equipment will be required for removal and disposal of this gravel.

Response: See photos provided on drawing 1-AS-102 for roof areas with gravel.

24. Please refer to solicitation page 1442, it states to email the bid, also block no.13 states to submit sealed offers in original and 1 copy to the address mentioned in block 8 which is Canandaigua VA Medical Center. This conflicts. Please clarify which is the correct method of bid submission.

VA RESPONSE: All bids are due per the solicitation via email NLT 4/7/2021 @ 11:00am to lisa.lake2@va.gov and all bids will be due in 1(one) hard copy within 2 weeks of bid opening to the address listed in block 8.

25. The Facility Lightning Protection Specification cites the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 780-17 and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 96A-16.

However, the certifications required are to be done without variation. These Inspections will be done to the latest edition of those standards.

Which take precedence; the certification inspection or the cited version of the standard?

Response: All lightning protection renovations are required to be brought into UL compliance with a UL “Letter of Findings” under UL 96A-16.

26. Under section 2-.1.A Aluminum products are expressly not allowed.

Section 3.1.F States, “Make connections of dissimilar metals with bimetallic fitting to prevent electrolytic action.”

These fittings are partly constructed of Aluminum. Also, UL 96 A section 7.4 prohibits the use of copper on aluminum and galvanized steel.

Will Aluminum be permitted to be used on aluminum and steel surfaces?

Response: No – aluminum material is not permitted. As per specification 26 41 00 Facility Lighting Protection Section 2.1A Aluminum materials are not allowed. As per 3.1.F “Make connections of dissimilar metals with bimetallic fitting to prevent electrolytic action.”

Note 21 on drawing AS-704: Remove the phrase “aluminum material shall be used to avoid electrolytic corrosion.”

27. Keyed Notes; Note 8. Calls for the existing fiberglass railing system to be replaced with a new Aluminum railing system. Note 9 calls for new lightning protection to be installed on the new aluminum railing.

Will Aluminum be permitted to be used on new the aluminum railing system?

Response: No – aluminum material is not permitted. As per specification 26 41 00 Facility Lighting Protection Section 2.1A Aluminum materials are not allowed.

28. On roofs where Lightning Protection does not currently exist is lightning protection system being considered as part of this work?

Response: No mailto:lisa.lake2@va.gov

29. Is brick re-pointing limited to the description on AS-700/Detail 3

Response: Repointing areas are identified on detail 3/AS-700. Refer to Key note #11 on drawings 1-AS-101,1-AS-102 and 7-AS-101 as well as drawing 5-AS-101 for dimensions.

Revise note #3 in detail 3/AS-700 to read: “Allow for ~500 sq. ft. of repointing for bldg. 7. If full masonry repair is required, see detail 8/AS-700.

30. Please quantify the amount of brick replacement on Building 18.

Response: None - Drawing 18-AS-101 for Building 18 does not show any brick replacement.

31. Building 5A requires installation of batt insulation between roof joists on the underside of roof deck. How many sq.ft. and how difficult it is to access the ceiling from below?

Response: Insulation is not accessible from the interior of the building. See drawings 5-AS-101 roof REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS for Building 5A, it is recommended that batt insulation shall be replaced during plywood deck removal and replacement. See drawings 5-AS-101 for roof area square footage.

32. Some of the RTU's have very low clearance, are we removing them to replace roof? Please specify which units are to be lifted.

Response: Yes – There are several units that will require lifting to properly install the roofing material and meet the roofing manufacturer’s warranty – Which will require disconnecting and reconnecting the piping, duct and electrical connections. Coordinate any shut downs with VA.

The final determination of which specific units require lifting for proper access is a contractor means and methods decision. For example, the single large RTU on Roof Area 30 drawing 1-AS- 102 will require lifting to properly install the roofing material.

33. Section 1.10 on the warranty. Please clarify manufacture inspection and preventive maintenance that goes with roof warranty.

Response: Contractor is responsible for a 20 year material & labor warranty. In addition, the contractor must provide a continuing maintenance agreement with manufacturer for the first 10 years. The continuing maintenance agreement shall include the following:

Roof Inspections:

A. Roof Inspections consist of the following:

• Visual inspection of the roof membrane and roof surface conditions.

• Visual inspection of the flashing systems including, but not limited to, the metal edge system, base flashings on equipment and adjoining walls, counterflashing and termination details, Soil stacks and vents, and visual inspection of roofing details for rooftop projections and equipment such as pitch pans, HVAC equipment, skylights and access hatches.

B. Preventive Maintenance consists of the following repairs and maintenance:

• Flashing components and details - Patch minor flashing defects and kick holes, reinforce open flashing laps, seal open metal edge laps and open flanges within reason, seal open coping joints, seal expansion joint laps, re-secure and/or seal intermittent fasteners that have backed out, top off pitch pans, caulk storm collars and reseal intermittent voids in termination bar and counter flashing. Owner will be advised of any extensive repairs required.

• Roof membrane - Repair intermittent splits, tears, open laps and breaks in the membrane.

If extensive repairs are required, Owner will be advised. Patch any fractured blisters or those in danger of fracture due to traffic. If extensive repairs are required, owner will be advised.

• Drains, Gutters and Scuppers - Tighten drain bolts and clamping rings (if possible). Owner will be advised of missing drain strainers. Repair strip-in around drains and scuppers, re-secure gutters and seal open gutter joints.

C. General Rooftop Housekeeping consists of the following:

• Removal of debris (i.e., leaves, branches, paper and similar items) from the roof membrane and drainage areas.

• Disposal of debris will be at the Owner's approved on-site location.