Castle Point Bldg13 Pre-Bid RFIs responses 10-23-26.pdf

Pre‐Bid RFIs — IFB 36C24227B0002 / 620A4‐25‐201 Castle Point Bldg

To: Daniel Barone, Contracting Officer — Daniel.barone@va.gov

From: Dylan Kaminski, Tactical Construction, Inc. (SDVOSB), 5847 County Road 41, Farmington, NY

14425

Re: IFB 36C24227B0002 — Project 620A4‐25‐201, Brick Replacement, Tuckpointing & Roof Replacement at Building 13, VA Castle Point Campus, Hudson Valley HCS

Tactical Construction, Inc. submits the 18 requests for information below, ahead of the 10/14/2026

12:00 PM EDT question deadline. We ask that answers be issued by amendment so all bidders price the same scope. References are to the solicitation, the 100% Construction Documents dated 4/29/2026, and the Specifications Manual dated 4/30/2026.

Procurement & staffing

RFI 1 — SSHO as a collateral duty of the Superintendent

Reference: Section 01 35 26, §1.9.A and §1.9.C.

§1.9.A requires a full‐time SSHO "with no other duties." §1.9.C requires the SSHO to be "a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor's Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager." This project is exterior‐only work on a single building, with a magnitude of $500,000–$1,000,000 and roughly ten weeks of field work.

Question: Will VA permit the Superintendent to serve as SSHO as a collateral duty, provided that person holds the required professional safety certification and 3 years of dedicated construction safety experience? When the Superintendent/SSHO is off site, a qualified Designated Representative would be provided per §1.9.A.

Response: VA confirms that this is acceptable.

Question: If a separate SSHO is still required, please confirm the SSHO must be on site only while construction activities are under way, and not during the submittal and mobilization period.

Response: The Site Safety & Health Officer will only need to be on site while site activities occur. They would not need to be on‐site during the submittal process, but while mobilization activities are occurring, they should be on‐site.

RFI 2 — CQC System Manager

Reference: Section 01 45 00, §3.4.

Question: Given the project size, may the CQC System Manager be a part‐time role or a collateral duty of the Project Manager? Please confirm whether the CQC System Manager must be on site full‐time during construction.

Response: Yes, the CQC role can be provided by project manager and must be onsite during construction activities.

Roofing

RFI 3 — Octagonal Bay roofs: metal roof to remain, or tear off to wood deck?

Reference: AD‐101 and AS‐101 legends; ASB‐100 legend; Section 02 82 13.21, Extent of Work.

AD‐101 and AS‐101 state the existing metal roof at the two octagonal bays is to remain, with the water‐ resistant coating mechanically removed and the roof covered with PVC membrane (500 SF). ASB‐100 states the abatement contractor removes the ACM tar vapor barrier, and that removals include all non‐

ACM roofing and insulation layers down to the wood deck. Section 02 82 13.21 places the ACM tar vapor barrier on the bottom layer of fiberboard on the wood decks of the two small flat roofs at the NW and

SE ends (300 SF).

Questions:

1. Which scope governs at the octagonal bays?

Response: The metal roof shall be removed for abatement of ACM vapor barrier as per drawing

ASB‐100. Mechanical removal and disposal of metal roof coating is no longer required. See attached revised drawings AD‐100, A‐100 & A‐301.

2. If the roofs are removed to the wood deck, please provide the replacement assembly (deck repair, insulation, coverboard, membrane) and state whether the metal roof is removed or reinstalled.

Response: The existing metal roof will be removed and disposed. Remaining assembly shall remain as noted.

3. Is the 300 SF abatement area the same area as the 500 SF metal roof shown on AD‐101?

Response: Yes, these are the same locations. The areas to be abated are approx. 300 SF as stated in the specification, the 500 SF shown on AD‐101 is accounting for extra SF of roof materials.

RFI 4 — EPDM area coverboard and insulation attachment

Reference: AS‐101, Low Sloped Areas – Membrane reconstruction notes; AS‐302 Detail 3.

AS‐101 calls for R‐33 polyiso fully adhered, with a 1/2" coated‐glass‐facer coverboard (SecurShield HD

Plus) mechanically fastened. AS‐302 Detail 3 shows polyiso mechanically fastened at 16 fasteners per board, with a 5/8" DensDeck Prime coverboard adhered in a 4" bead pattern.

Question: Please confirm the coverboard product and thickness, and the attachment method for both the insulation and the coverboard.

Response:

Assembly must meet 30 year warranty at 120mph wind speed. Coverboard shall be 5/8” DensDeck

Prime with 16 fasteners per 4’x8’ board or ½” SecurShield HD Plus with 24 fasteners per 4’x8’ board, or approved equivalent to meet warranty.

RFI 5 — "Corridor roof" line item and the repair allowance

Reference: GI‐003, Project Scope of Work note 6; Bid Pricing Sheet, p. 10.

Note 6 requires an allowance for additional repairs, and a schedule of values with unit prices. It includes

"Corridor roof area — line item bid on new roof assembly — 1,200 SQ. FT." No roof is labeled "corridor" on AD‐101 or AS‐101. The low‐slope EPDM area shown is about 1,000 SF. The Bid Pricing Sheet has a single Base Bid Item I.

Questions:

1. Which roof is the "corridor roof area"? Is it the same as the 1,000 SF EPDM area, or additional scope?

Response: Yes, the corridor area was not called out on AS‐101, but that is for the EPDM “Low

Sloped Area” in the back of building 13.

2. Is the note 6 allowance quantities to be included in the Base Bid Item I price, or provided only as unit prices on the post‐award schedule of values?

Response: Contractor to provide a schedule of values with unit prices for the items and quantities listed in item 6, with the exception of the corridor roof area which is part of the project.

3. Will VA state a fixed allowance dollar amount so all bidders carry the same number?

Response: There are no allowances on this project.

RFI 6 — Shingle roof area, existing layers, and deck planking

Reference: AD‐101 legend and roof replacement notes; AS‐300 Detail 1.

Questions:

1. Is the 9,500 SF (95 SQ) shingle area a plan area or the sloped surface area? The roof is pitched

5:12.

Response: The 9,500 SF accounts for the sloped surface areas.

2. How many layers of existing shingles are on the roof?

Response: To the knowledge of the VA, there is one layer.

3. What is the thickness and width of the existing wood planking? This is needed to price the 10%

FRT plank replacement.

Response:

Thickness is 2 ½”+/‐. See Details 1A Typical Shingles Roof Sections drawing AS‐300.

RFI 7 — New vinyl soffits

Reference: AS‐101, Roof Replacement – Shingled Areas notes; AS‐300 Details 1 and 1A.

AS‐101 calls for "new vinyl soffits (white), where noted." No locations are noted on the drawings. AS‐300

Details 1 and 1A state the existing 6" non‐vented soffit and trim are to remain and not be disturbed.

Question: Are new vinyl soffits required? If so, please identify the locations and square footage.

Response: Soffits are planned to remain and not be disturbed per the details on AS‐300. Provide in bid a cost to replace approx. 100 LFT. of soffits to match the existing building. This will cover any damaged soffits found requiring replacement during construction.

RFI 8 — Existing fall‐protection lifeline

Reference: AS‐001 General Note 6; AS‐101 ("fall protection to remain").

Questions:

1. Please provide the date of the last inspection or certification of the existing horizontal lifeline and anchorages.

Response: Date of last inspection or certification for the horizontal lifeline and anchorage system is unknown. Fall protection to remain, do not disturb.

2. May the contractor use this system as anchorage for personal fall arrest during roofing?

Response: Contractor to supply their own fall protection system. See Safety Notes 7, 9&10

Drawing GI‐002.

3. Who is responsible for recertifying the system after re‐roofing?

Response: Existing fall protection to remain, do not disturb.

Hazardous materials, masonry, structural & drawings

RFI 9 — PACM roof flashing tar at the NW and SE gables

Reference: Section 02 82 13.21, ACM Location Description; ASB‐100 legend.

The specification identifies presumed ACM roof flashing tar along the bottom edges of the NW and SE gables, from wood to non‐ACM shingles. This material is not shown on the ASB‐100 legend, and is not included in the Extent of Work quantities (300 SF roofing, 50 SF flashing).

Questions:

1. Is removal of this material included in the contract?

Response: Yes, the flashing tar in all areas and the tar vapor barrier under the metal roof will be removed as asbestos containing materials. See legend which identifies the two (2) different materials.

2. If so, what is the quantity?

Response: 300 SF of roofing materials and 150 SF of flashing (revise from 50 SF). Replace in kind any disturbed metal flashing.

3. Has the material been sampled? If so, please provide the results.

Response: Yes, the results are in the Pre‐Renovation Asbestos Survey report. Pre‐Renovation

Asbestos Survey report can be provided upon request.

RFI 10 — Lead‐based paint at the gables

Reference: Section 02 83 33.13, §1.1.A.

§1.1.A refers to an "existing conditions report" for about 200 SF of presumed lead‐based paint on the gable wood siding and trim. That report is not included in the bid documents.

Questions:

1. Please provide the existing conditions report, including any XRF or paint chip results.

Response: Pre‐Renovation Asbestos Survey report can be provided upon request. As per

Specification 028331.13 the lead paint is presumed present (not tested) and to be removed and disposed. These areas are at the exterior NW and SE roof gables indicated in Pre‐Renovation

Asbestos Survey Report.

2. Is full removal to bare substrate required, or is stabilization (scraping, priming and repainting under lead‐safe practices) acceptable?

Response: This scope is to scrape, prime and repaint. See general note 5 on AS‐001 for more information.

3. Please confirm the 200 SF quantity.

Response: Yes, please see keyed note 5 on sheets AS‐201 & AS‐202 for locations and legends for quantities.

RFI 11 — Mortar analysis and replacement brick

Reference: AS‐001, General Mortar Notes 1–2; Section 42 11 02 S; AS‐201/AS‐202 Key Note 7.

Questions:

1. Has VA performed any analysis of the existing mortar or brick? If so, please provide the results.

Response: The VA has not performed any brick or mortar analysis for this building. The contractor is responsible for taking the samples and sending off for analysis per General Mortar

Note 1 drawing AS‐001.

2. May sound brick salvaged from the rear stair demolition be used for the Key Note 7 facade brick replacement, subject to COR approval?

Response: Yes, any sound brick salvaged from the rear stair area can be utilized for the façade brick replacement work, provided they match existing. The quantity of salvaged bricks is unknown. Bids must be to provide new replacement brick as indicated on plans.

3. If known, please provide the existing brick manufacturer, size and color designation.

Response: Manufacturer of existing brick is unknown. Bricks are modular type 2‐3/16” +/‐ x 3‐

5/8” +/‐ x 7‐5/8” +/‐. Contractor to confirm size. Color is in “red” range. See Detail 3/AS‐201

Side Wall Flashing. Contractor to supply color variation samples for selection.

RFI 12 — Civil drawings for the sidewalk at the rear stair

Reference: S‐100 Detail 6 ("Concrete sidewalk — see civil drawings"); Section 32 05 23.

No civil drawings are included in the bid set.

Question: Please provide the civil drawings, or define the extent of sidewalk and plaza replacement at the rear stair.

Response: Saw‐cut and remove only the existing plaza asphalt pavement necessary to demolish the existing construction and install the new foundation walls and footings to the elevations shown on the foundation plan. Legally dispose of all removed asphalt. After the footing and foundation walls reach their 28‐day compressive strength, backfill both sides simultaneously to maintain a common elevation on each side of the wall. Use suitable on‐site soil removed during the demolition work or clean aggregate backfill and place the material to match the existing finished‐grade elevation. Patch the area with asphalt pavement to match the existing plaza construction. (This applies to sections 4 and 6 on drawing S‐100 and section 7 on S‐201.)

Parking areas, and any additional areas, impacted by construction activities to be repaired to match existing. Refer to revised drawing GS‐101 for additional information.

RFI 13 — Completeness and status of the drawing set

Reference: GI‐001 drawing list; Section 00 01 15; S‐001, S‐100, S‐201; ASB‐100.

The drawing list shows sheet S‐101, "Structural: Exterior Stairs." The issued sheet is numbered S‐100.

The structural sheets are titled "VA Castle Point Roof Replacement + Facade Repair," while the architectural sheets are titled "Brick Replacement, Tuckpointing + Roof Replacement." The ASB‐100 file also carries "65% Construction Documents — Progress Print Not For Construction 12/03/25" text beneath its 100% title block dated 03/20/26.

Question: Please confirm the issued drawings make up the complete, current 100% Construction

Document set for bidding, and that ASB‐100 is the final version.

Response: The current ASB‐100 drawing are dated 03/20/26 with a stamp above the TB stating “100%

Construction Documents”. See attached drawing ASB‐100 for reference.

The drawing title on GI‐001 should be modified to list drawing S‐100. This was a typographical error on the cover sheet.

The structural drawings title block is different from the others in the set, but these are the current set of drawings for this project.

Schedule & site logistics

RFI 14 — Period of performance, NTP timing and cold weather

Reference: Bid Pricing Sheet, p. 10; GI‐003 Construction Phasing Plan and General Project Phasing

Notes; Sections 07 31 13, 07 53 23, 07 54 19 and 04 05 13.

The period of performance is 180 calendar days from NTP, including 30 days for closeout. GI‐003 allots

Weeks 1–12 to submittals and mobilization, and no site work may occur until the construction kickoff meeting. That leaves about 66 calendar days for field work, with no re‐mobilization cost permitted.

Roofing adhesives and mortar both have minimum installation temperatures.

Questions:

1. What is the anticipated NTP date?

Response: NTP to be issued early in the new year (Jan-Feb 2027)

2. If NTP falls in winter, will VA allow the start of field work to be deferred until weather permits, without counting against the 180 days and without a re‐mobilization penalty?

Response: VA will work with contractor on any days lost due to weather

3. Will VA consider extending the period of performance?

Response: No

RFI 15 — Off‐hours lifts of equipment and material

Reference: GI‐002 General Note 12; AD‐101 / AS‐101 General Note 5; solicitation duty hours of 8:00 AM

– 4:30 PM.

The notes require all outside lifts of equipment or material to occur after 5:00 PM and before 6:30 AM

Monday–Friday, or on weekends.

Question: Does this restriction apply to routine roofing material loading and debris removal by telehandler or boom lift at Building 13? Or does it apply only to lifts over walkways, entrances or occupied areas?

Response: See Safety Note 8 GI‐002 Contractor shall never crane over walkways or pedestrian areas, or over occupied areas of the immediate floor below. Boom lifts and telehandler can be operated during normal construction hours. Loading and removal of items with telehandler and/or boom lift is acceptable with use of flagman/ground spotter, pedestrian exclusion with ground control, overhead & load protection, perimeter barricades as required.

RFI 16 — Roof debris removal and dumpster location

Reference: GI‐002 Safety Notes 1 and 10; GI‐002 legend (proposed staging area).

Chutes may not be used to remove material from the roof. Material may be raised or lowered by a pulley system with COR approval.

Questions:

1. Is an enclosed debris hopper, lowered by telehandler, an acceptable method?

Response: Loading and removal of items with telehandler and/or boom lift is acceptable with use of flagman/ground spotter, pedestrian exclusion with ground control, overhead & load protection, perimeter barricades as required.

2. May roofing dumpsters be placed next to Building 13, or must they stay in the proposed staging area shown on GI‐002?

Response: A dumpster may be placed close to building 13 per staging note on GI‐002, “limited quantity and close proximity building material storage is allowed for current work in progress

(ex. Building 13 materials only to be staged by building 13). Coordinate with VA.”

RFI 17 — Extent of sidewalk bridging

Reference: GI‐002 Safety Note 2 and legend ("bridging" and "door opening to remain operational at all times").

The notes require heavy‐duty bridging (300 psf capacity) at walkways, loading docks and driveways, designed and sealed by a New York‐licensed structural engineer.

Question: Please confirm which entrances and walkways at Building 13 require bridging, and the approximate length at each.

Response: Refer to GI‐002 legend for door openings around building 13 shown as arrows. There are (6) locations where bridging is required that is not behind the proposed temporary fencing. All (6) of these areas are where people may enter or exit the building and needs to be protected from falling debris.

RFI 18 — Contractor parking

Reference: Section 01 00 00 ("a limited number of (2 to 5) permits").

Our crews will travel to the site daily from lodging off campus.

Question: How many parking permits will be issued for this project? May crew vehicles park in or beside the proposed staging area on GI‐002?

Response: Parking in or beside the proposed staging area is limited to one vehicle, and others to be parked in the Newburgh parking lot east of jobsite. Parking permits are not required.

Additional RFI’s 10‐13‐26

1. Please confirm a separate Safety officer, QC and Superintendent are required as individual roles

Response: See RFI 1 response.

2. During work on the entrance stairs there may be required times that the walkway be shut down for concrete pours or setting railings, is this acceptable if coordinated and how much time is required for that coordination. Are there specific restrictions to this like nights or weekends?

Response: The stairs at the rear of the building are currently not in operation as indicated on GI‐

002. See note, “exit currently blocked and not used”. The rear stair work can occur during the regular scheduled times as indicated on GI‐003, Phasing notes. All other entrances to the building as shown on GI‐002, must remain operational at all times. See legend on GI‐002 for specific notes.

3. Please confirm for asbestos abatement who is providing final clearances. IH to be carried but need confirmation who is providing this.

Response: Per specification 02 82 13.21 the Contractor will employ and incur all cost of the

Professional Industrial Hygienist (CPIH/CIH) and Industrial hygienist (IH) technician. See 1.5

Applicable Codes and Regulations B. Contractor Responsibility and 1.6 Project Coordination

A.1.a. In addition, the VA will employ an independent Professional Industrial Hygienist

(VPIH/CIH) per section 2.3 Monitoring, Inspection and Testing A. General: Item 2.

4. Keynotes for roofing details on AD‐101 and AS‐101 appear to be missing. Please provide.

Response: Keyed notes for the project are located on AS‐001.