Response to RFIs 36C24222B0020 - 561A4-17-108 - Replace Roof- Bldgs. at Lyons.pdf

Requests for Information – IFB No. 36C24222B0020 561A4-17-108 - Replace Roof- Bldgs. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 57

Question 1: I would like to submit my question for review by your team as per building #57 and the connectors.

There is no mention of lightning protection being added to any of the connector buildings.

Although most of the connectors are so short, they would not be required to have an LP system as they would be considered “in the zone of protection” as per UL 96A or NFPA 780, however connector 43-57 and 54-57 would be recommended for LP system as a life safety issue especially since Building 57 LPS is in the scope of work.

• Should any connector, within the scope of work that is considered vulnerable to a potential lightning strike, be included as an alternate, for a lightning protection system?

• Can you confirm that there is no buried ground loop or counterpoise to be installed as part of the lightning protection system?

• Can you confirm that there is no surge protection required as part of the lightning protection system?

Response 1: Contractor to provide a complete design, all materials, all equipment, installation, inspections, and testing of the lighting protection system in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 780 and UL 96A.

Add lightning protection systems on Building Connectors 43-57 and 54-57 meeting the requirements of NFPA 780 and UL 96A.

Any Building Connector, within the scope of work vulnerable to a potential lightning strike according to NFPA 780 and UL 96A, is included as an alternate for that Building Connector.

Utilize multiple ground rods, spaced, and installed as required per NFPA 780 and UL 96A around every Building and Building Connector. A buried ground loop system is not required to be installed as part of the lightning protection system. The lightning protection system is to be independent of any other electrical/grounded system. A surge protection system is not required.

Question 2: Are contractors or subcontractors required to have a NJ-approved apprenticeship program in place?

Response 2: Please reference Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clause 52.222-9 Apprentices and Trainees, incorporated by reference in the solicitation document, on https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-9.

Question 3: There is a spec section of maintenance of masonry, please confirm that only the detail of this on the project is within the reglet flashing details #6 on AE204 or detail #10 on

AE203.

Response 3: In addition to the details listed in Question 3, the Maintenance of Masonry Specification is to be referenced at any other location where the existing conditions require the contractor to interact with the existing brick. For example: Detail 1C/AE202.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-9

Question 4: Fall Protection detail #9 on A203, is this a permanent or temporary guardrail system, and is this only found on the connectors to buildings #57-54, #2-3, #57-143.

Response 4: Detail 9/A203 is a temporary guardrail detail for all connectors. Contractor may provide another type of OSHA approved guardrail system. Contractor to provide an OSHA approved temporary guardrail system based on the existing conditions.

Question 5: On all AE plans, there is a note “GC shall replace up to 10%, 25%, or 50% of the roof deck on this building. Please confirm that the material is plywood, and please indicate an approximate area of the damaged areas of the roof that require replacing?

Response 5: The existing roof deck is 1”x6” nominal planks. Square Footage of deck replacement is an allowance based on the expected condition of the roof. Exact area of damage is unknown. Roof deck replacement quantities will be utilized on the indicated roof or anywhere on any of the roofs within the Scope of Work.

Question 6: Detail #6 on AE201 – Lightening Protection. Please advise as to the required dimensions required, and that each building only has one of these.

Response 6: Contractor to provide a complete design, materials, equipment, installation, inspection, and testing of the lighting protection system in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 780 and UL 96A. There will be more than one as required by NFPA 780 and UL 96A.

Question 7: For scheduling purposes. We must figure doing one roof at time, correct?

Response 7: Multiple roofs can be replaced at one time. Safety and roof system water resistance integrity must always be maintained. The number of roofs being replaced at one time must be approved by the COR based on the contractor’s Schedule of Work and material procurement. If a roof’s system’s material is not on site, the roof replacement work cannot begin on that roof.

Question 8: What is the lbs/sq. ft load the VA requires for decking for the overhead protection. (NJ requires 150lbs./sq. ft but the type of scaffolding shown on the plans only indicate 75lbs./sq. ft)

Response 8: Contractor to provide overhead protection as required by the strictest local, state, Federal and/or VA requirement. If NJ’s 150 lbs/SF is the strictest requirement, follow NJ’s 150 lbs/SF requirement.

Question 9: For scaffolding lighting. Does all the scaffolding require lighting, or just the main entrances?

Response 9: Lighting must be provided above all public walkways under the scaffolding.

Question 10: Is this a tax-exempt project?

Response 10: Please reference FAR clause 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes

Question 11: If tax-exempt, will the government be providing a tax-exempt certificate to the Prime Contractor for use by subcontractors and vendors?

Response 11: Please reference FAR clause 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes

Question 12: Will the VA provide a spot for the Prime Contractor employee(s) to set up an office or should contractors include monies for a temp office, utilities, etc.? We ask this because we know the VA has very little spare real estate.

Response 12: A general location and fence requirements for a staging area is indicated on sheet GC101.

Question 13: Does the VA anticipate this project will require any off-hour’s work?

Response 13: Due to the nature of this work and safety concerns, it is not anticipated that off-hours work will be required, however, if the contractor determines that there is a need for off hour work, they will submit their request to the contracting officer for prior approval. It is understood that if the contractor’s request is approved that this will be at no additional cost to the government.

Question 14: If so, what trades or scopes will be permitted to perform off hours work?

Response 14: Please refer to question 13’s response.

Question 15: Aside from the base work being the Roof Replacement and Lightning Protection. Will Gutter & Downspout work be required to be replaced on this project?

Response 15: New gutters are indicated on Building 2. A new scupper box is indicated on building 4. The existing integrated copper gutters and downspouts on the slopped roofs are to remain in place.

Question 16: The GC series FALLING OBJECT PROTECTION PLANS indicate overhead protection types 5 & 6 which are not detailed on GC-105 FALLING OBJECT PROTECTION SCAFFOLD ELEVATIONS. Please provide these details.

Response 16: Scaffolding details are the responsibility of the contractor based on the system selected. Contractor to provide overhead protection as required by the strictest local, state, Federal and/or VA requirement.

Question 17: How many canopy bridges with light do you need per building? And how many feet out from each building does the VA want them to protrude?

Response 17: Lighting must be provided above all public walkways under the scaffolding.

Canopies must extend a minimum of 10’-0” from the perpendicular face of the building to end of the canopy.

Question 18: Does the VA want the entire building fenced with temporary fencing?

Response 18: There are mental health patients at the hospital. Every worksite, the entire building(s), must be protected by an 8’-0” high temporary fence.

Question 19: Would the VA consider using Firestone APP 180 white granular torch down membrane instead of TPO? We feel it is a more durable membrane and will have a longer longevity. Please note: using fire stone will be more cost effective.

Response 19: A torch down system is not approved.

Question 20: Will the VA be providing a location for area for our operation equipment and storage container for material and parking secured?

Response 20: A general location and fence requirements for a staging area is indicated on sheet GC101.

Question 21: Since this is a federal project, will a local city or state permit be required? From past projects, all federal government projects do not require city or state permits.

Response 21: Permits will be required for asbestos abatement and the disposal of hazardous materials. The contractor will not be required to procure a local city or state building permit.

Question 22: The drawings call for the installation of a Roof Vent Intake along practically the entire edge of every asphalt roof on every building in this project. Details 1, 4, 8, 10, 11 on AE 201, and 1A and 1B on AE 202 call for the contractor to remove existing insulation to allow for the installation of a baffle from the lower roof vent to the upper ridge vent. Additionally, it, Detail 1/AE201, calls for the contractor to install 2x4’s on every 2x10 roof rafter to allow for the installation of new thicker R30 insulation. This would represent nearly 150,000 sf of R30 insulation, reframing almost the entire roof structures with 2x4’s of all the buildings involved in this project. This represents a MAJOR cost impact on the project and can be easily overlooked detail as its scope is not referenced on the drawings, only on the details.

Response 22: Yes, you are reading the drawings correctly. The details are part of the Bid Documents.

Question 23: We can find no reference on the drawings to Detail 1 on AE201 which shows nailing a 2x4 to each rafter to make the rafter bays deeper to accommodate the thicker R30 insulation, however, other details 4, 8, 10, 11 on AE 201 and 1A & B on AE 202 only call for the contractor to replace any insulation encountered with R30 insulation. Is detail 1 on AE 201 (i.e., adding a 2x4 to deepen the rafter bay for R30 insulation) required everywhere the contractor is removing and replacing insulation?

Response 23: Yes. Detail 1/AE201, added 2x4 blocking, is required everywhere the contractor is removing existing batt roof insulation at the roof and installing R30 batt roof insulation.

Question 24: Please confirm details 1, 4, 8, 10, 11 on AE 201, and 1A and 1B on AE 202, regarding the replacement of existing insulation with new R30 insulation and installing a baffle, applies to areas only where there is existing insulation? (Some are shown to have concrete decks or insulated joists).

Response 24: The replacement of the existing batt insulation with new R30 insulation, added 2x4 blocking, and installing continuous ventilation baffles from the lower vent to the ridge applies to all sloped roofs except Buildings 6 and 8. Buildings 6 and 8’s insulation is at the ceiling.

Note: The batt insulation note on Detail 1/AE201 says, “R-38.” Change “R-38” to read “R-30.”