Phase 2 Q_A.docx

Q1) The Mechanical specification 23 07 11 indicate that alum. Jacket is required on piping exposed to weather. Can you clarify that piping in the tunnel does not require alum. Jacket?

A1) Piping inside of tunnels does NOT require an aluminum jacket. This is based on the standard VA spec. and matches existing steam pipe in the tunnels.

Q2) Is it known what type of contamination is present in the soil beneath the tunnel in the dirt?

A2) The Contractor is to assume there is no asbestos in the steam tunnels. If suspect materials are encountered, this should be brought to the immediate attention of the COR. The COR and VA Safety will determine if material testing is required, and if so, the VA shall be responsible for collecting samples and having them analyzed.

Q3) What is the depth outside the tunnel to which contaminated soil begins?

A3) See response to Q2.

Q4) Can the construction workers use the VA’s or are temporary toilets to be provided by contractor mandatory?

A4) The contractor shall provide temporary toilets per the specifications.

Q5) Can you please confirm the 10-hour OSHA is all that is required for non-competent persons?

A5) The specifications shall be referenced for all requirements. Badging is required for all individuals and 30-hour OSHA cards are required for any designated superintendents.

Q6) Can the SSHO and the Supervisor be one in the same?

A6) They can be if they meet the requirements of the specification.

Q7) Will the site visit sign-in sheet be made available?

A7) Yes

Q8) Please provide all available pictures of the phase 2 tunnel areas of work.

A8) Photos provided with amendment

Q9) What is the allowable limit of disturbance for excavations required for tunnel access?

A9) See drawings and specifications.

Q10) Are any additional excavations for tunnel access allowed?

A10) Not unless approved by the COR

Q11) What area will be available for storage of excavated spoils?

A11) Spoils shall be handled in accordance with the specification and removed from site

Q12) Will the VA provide buried utility ID or can we use a third party locator service?

A12) A third party locator service is required per the specification.

Q13) Who is responsible for abatement if asbestos containing materials are encountered?

A13) See response to A2

Q14) Can existing power be used for temporary ventilation equipment and lighting?

A14) Yes

Q15) What parking area will be provided for contractor vehicles and excavation equipment?

A15) Contractor parking is available in Lots “O” and “Z”

Q16) Will photography as specified in General Requirements 1.16 be required for this project?

A16) Yes

Q17) Are coordination drawings / BIM required for this project?

A17) Refer to the specification for all coordination drawing requirements.

Q18) Regarding the demolition of the existing piping, may we use the interior corridor hatches to remove some of the pipe?

A18) Corridor tunnel access hatches can be used, but the corridors cannot be completely obstructed during normal working hours for extensive periods of time. Proper barricades must be in place, and the corridors must be kept clean.

Q19) Where and how many employees will be allowed to park their personal vehicles?

A19) Contractor parking is not limited and available in Lots “O” and “Z”.

Q20) Will the client authorize off hours work?

A20) The project is scheduled to be completed during normal work hours, however, we understand that there will be times that work during off hours may be required or preferred. Off-hours work may be approved depending the work being performed such as reducing impact to clinical services, utility tie-in’s or other justifiable reasons. Requests for off-hours work shall be made as far in advance as possible and may be dependent on the availability of VA personnel to provide coverage.

Q21) Is the project tax exempt?

A21) No

Q22) What is the requirement for self-performance by set-aside?

A22) See contract general conditions

Q23) Please advise if project dual staffing is allowed: Superintendent / Quality Control; SSHO / Quality Control; Superintendent / SSHO?

A23) Dual staffing for this effort is acceptable if the individual possesses the experience and proper credentials required, however, if during prosecution of the work it is determined that performance in one of those areas are lacking, the VA may request that a separate qualified person be provided in that role.

Q24) Please identify any required permits. Who will be responsible for providing/paying for permits? Please note, any permitting requirements may have an impact on the period of performance needed to perform this work.

A24) The contractor is responsible for all permits required per the specification. No known permits are required for this work except business and licensing permits required by the state.

Q25) Please identify any materials/equipment to be salvaged and returned to the client.

A25) None

Q26) Builder's Risk Insurance. Contractor's or Builder's Risk Insurance shall be provided by the Contractor to the extent of 100 percent of the bid. Please confirm the requirement for builder's risk insurance only applies to the new work included in the contract. If not, please provide specific requirements.

A26) Not sure what this question references. There will be no line item for builders risk insurance

Q27) The Insulated Metal Panel product suggests a design build by the General Contractor. Please provide a basis of design product.

A27) The design will be provided by amendment.

Q28) The new structural slab footing does not shown any sub base stone. Please advise?

A28) Provide a 4” sub base of VA #57 stone.

Q29) The concrete piers shown do not have size. Please confirm what dimension is to be used?

A29) The pier is labeled as “18” pier, these will be 18”x18”x18” piers, typical.

Q30) The typical structural steel support do not show any top of steel elevations of the W-Beam. Please advise? Sheet 2S3.02 detail 3 shown 18'-0" with a 12" height above roof level please confirm?

A30) The bottom of the wide flange beams shall be 12” above the existing rooftops. This will be the controlling factor for the beams height above grade.

Q31) Please provide the HAZMAT Site Report?

A31) See response to Q2 above

Q32) Section 1.5 B Security Requirements number 4. The VA reserves the right to close down the project site for national emergency. Please advise any anticipated schedule of shut downs per year? Any fee required?

A32) No shutdowns are anticipated

Q33) Section 1.5 Construction Security Requirements: Please advise how long is required for the contractor security process for new employees, subcontractors, etc.

A33) Badging timeframes are dependent on submission by the contractor. Typically, the process does not take more than two weeks.

Q34) Please advise if the client will provide all utility services needed during the construction of the Repair of Steam Piping Phase-2

A34) Temporary power will be made available

Q35) Please advise if separate contracts are ongoing with phase -2 outside of the Repair Steam Piping Repair?

A35) No

Q36) Please confirm that the project schedule will be provided by the A/E Firm?

A36) The contractor is responsible for providing the project schedule per the specification. The contractor is responsible for scheduling their working activities and sub-contractors and for assuring the project is completed in a timely manner. Work schedules and updates will be required to be provided from the Contractor. Project schedules and updates will be reviewed by the A/E and VA for conformance with the contract requirements and completion dates.

Q37) Section 2.6 A Elevator Frames, 2.7 A Guards, 2.14 A Ladders, 2.16 A Catwalks. Please advise on the location of these products to be installed?

A37) The items mentioned are part of the VA standard spec and may not be applicable to this project. With the varied metalwork involved with this project, the specification should be used as a guide for fabrication of metal items needed to complete the project as shown.

Q38) Please advise if it is your intent to paint existing piping per the painting schedule page 11? Also spot galvanize paint of the exterior structural steel?

A38) The paint specification is for labeling all piping, as scheduled. It is not the intent of the specification to paint existing piping. If the galvanized coating on metal is damaged during fabrication, it should be protected according to the METALS specification.

Q39) Please advise on the special interior access requirements? Badges, Convit-19, etc.?

A39) Please refer to the specifications for all requirements. Badging must be complete prior to issuance of notice to proceed. COVID-19 screening processes are implemented at the gate requiring 100% ID checks and temperature checks

Q40) There are multiple types of inspection scopes that needs clarification: Fireproof, EIFS, Wood and Light Gage. Please advise if scopes listed are park of Phase-2?

A40) The Structural Steel Inspection scope is for Foundations, Concrete Construction, Steel Construction, Fireproofing, Smoke Control and EIFS. Wood and Light Gage Steel Construction inspection is not required.

Q41) Electrical Scope: Existing conduit will be relocated as needed for new steam and condensate pipe installation. Please advise on a more complete electrical SOW.

A41) An allowance amount shall be made for 4” – 200 ft, 1 ½” to 2” – 500 ft and 1” & down – 500 ft.

Q42) Please advise what fulltime 3rd party special inspectors within the General Contractor scope is required?

A42) All third-party inspection requirements are detailed in the drawings and specification. See 1.3 General Requirements, Section 01 45 35 Special Instructions.

Q43) Building 310 connection point, could the VA supply photos of that tunnel area? There were confined space restrictions and we could not enter the tunnel.

A43)

Q44) If wall openings/patching are required for removing the existing pipe from the tunnel, what is the construction of the tunnel?

A44) The Tunnel walls are 12” to 18” reinforced concrete image1.jpeg image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg