S05_RFI RESPONSES_36C24522R0079.pdf

RFI RESPONSES 36C24522R0079

1. Section 1.2 States that as-built drawings have been supplied to bidders? "As-built drawings have been furnished to the bidder for general information" When will these be supplied? Based on the date of receipt will bid day be extended?

Please note that an amendment P0001 was issued on 06/15/2022 which included the Elevated Storage Tank Construction details and the Drawings.

An extension has been granted under Mod P00002 until Friday July 15th 2022, at 11:00hrs EST.

2. Apologies for redundancy SAM.GOV Description states that "Record drawings have been provided to bidder"? Must these be requested of the KO?

As previously stated, an amendment P0001 was issued on 06/15/2022 which included the Elevated Storage Tank Construction Details and the Drawings.

3. What is the existing MIL Thickness of the coating on the Tank now? It was not stated in the Haz content report?

Mil thickness is not known

4. I see there are 180 completion days. When do you anticipate this project to start, and is there a date it must be completed?

A Notice to Proceed will be issued post-award, and the 180-completion days will begin upon issue of the Notice.

5. The above referenced solicitation type is listed as RFP; however, the solicitation document does not indicate any specific requirements for submission of a proposal. Kindly advise specifically what is desired for a successful submission package.

Please submit a total proposal with a breakdown of costs.

6. The paint listed in the specifications is no longer available. Will an addendum be issued with an updated paint system?

As stated in the SOW, the ext surface to be OCS-5 system and the interior one coat of zinc rich and two component epoxy with stated DFT. Per AWWA

7. The industry standard is to use suspended scaffolding to access the tank at heights. These are similar to what a window washer would use. Is this means acceptable?

Per section of 01 33 23 Site-specific safety Plan to be submitted for review and approval. OSHA requirements to be followed as well as VA site requirements.

8. The Specifications request “Miller SAF-T Climb or approved rail type safety climbs.” Most The industry standard is to use suspended scaffolding to access the tank at heights. These are similar to what a window washer would use. Is this means acceptable?

Section SOW 1.4 sub 4 is a deliverable for VA’s use in the future. This is not a defined method/means of the work.

9. In reference to 3.07 Traditional abrasive blasting or sandblasting is prohibited due to the large quantity of lead dust produced unless otherwise approved or stated. Blastox & Enviroprep are additives used to encapsulate lead waste rendering it non-hazardous. By using either product with the blast media there will not be an issue with hazardous waste. By using one of these products will blasting the traditional method be acceptable?

https://www.blastox.com/blastox-one-step-lead-paint-abatement/ https://www.blastone.com/product/enviroprep-premium-lead-remediation- %20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20coating/?c reative=594504868555&keyword=&matchtype=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu92XnoXO- %20%20%20AIVkrjICh3-egGCEAAYASAAEgJRGfD_BwE The VA does not object, A site specific plan must be submitted and approved by the VA. The VA position is that exposure potential is still apparent, and the contractor will still need to protect employees as per the lead in construction standard; and protect the environment from lead dust migration. Use of this product…. engineering, administrative, and hygiene controls must remain in place in a regulated area to control dust migration. VA would expect that a full containment and hygiene facilities be in place at all times and that wastes be held for TCLP sampling prior to disposal. Documentation of disposal is required. All testing is part of the contractor cost. Material shall be considered hazardous until cleared by testing for disposal.

10. If Blastox and or Enviroprep is allowed and used, will we be required to HEPA vacuum at the end of every day since the dust will be considered non-hazardous?

The VA does not recognize the dust being non-hazardous at this phase.

11. When will the on-site portion of the project start? Late Fall and Winter make for poor conditions to coat the exterior of the tank. Heating the exterior of a tank during colder temperatures is also nearly impossible.

The schedule is found in the SOW section 1.5.1

12. Normal work hours 8am–4:30pm Monday to Friday. For bidding purposes, we need to know if the VA will allow nonrestricted work schedule. We typically work 10-hour days, 6 days a week. Sunday or a bad weather day will be our day off. 8-6 and state Saturday.

Upon award a schedule is required to be provided per the specs. Hours of work shall be reviewed at that time. The VA does have some flexibility.

13. If the work schedule is restricted, please consider adding 30 days to the overall duration.

The schedule is found in the SOW section 1.5.1

14. “The contractor or subcontractor must be EPA certified as a Lead RRP contractor and must also follow 40 CFR 745 for any work affecting painted surfaces.” According to their website “In general, anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified. This includes all firms, even sole proprietorships.” The tank was built in 1980 and is not in housing or a child-occupied facility. This certification is meant for housing contractors. Will you consider removing this certification?

This certification is not necessary if the contractor has state lead abatement certification and licensure.

15. Will you allow a representative from the paint manufacture act as the 3rd party coating inspector?

No

16. Do you have specifications on the Gridbee mixing system? Based on the drawings the manufacture recommended the GS-12 mixer.

Please follow specs section for substitution, contractor to supply required equipment and install to meet required purpose/performance. The system shall perform as required for the application. Contractor shall work with manufacture for sizing and install per manufacture requirements. All water contact surfaces shall be accordance with ANSI/NSF 61. All other material shall be SS 316 (anchor points etc.) All warranties shall be in effect.

17. Is there power available at the base of the tank for final electrical hook up of the mixing system?

VA will provide a properly sized breaker or disconnect within the internal location of the tower. Contractor shall terminate to this breaker and provide required receptables, disconnect, conduit etc. as well as provide all other means for control and safety for a finished product. Contractor shall commission and test to confirm performance.

18. Line item 2 states: “Recoating of all interior surfaces, excepting interior surface of water storage section.”

Does this mean we are to coat the interior dry stem but not the interior wet areas which hold the water?

Correct the entire interior, no end-use wet contact areas

19. Surface prep for the recoating of the interior surfaces states an SSPC-SP3. I assume this is for the interior dry portion. Based on the current condition this is an acceptable means of surface prep. However, to apply Zinc coating the surface should be blasted to an SSPC-SP6 to allow for proper adhesion. We suggest keeping the prep as SSPC-SP3 and changing the coatings to (2) coats of epoxy. If this is referring to the submersed interior wet portion of the tank the surface should be blasted to an SSPC-SP10 and a (3) coat system applied as follows Zinc/Epoxy/Epoxy.

SSPC procedure as recommended by paint manufacture for existing conditions for use per AWWA D102- 21 to be followed

20. Will the logo be the standard “VA” logo on 1 side as seen on most VA tanks?

One side only as observed from facility side as currently located

21. (9.) Reinstall insulation per project specifications. Are you referring to the original drawings or another spec?

Original drw reference is acceptable, replace like in kind

22. 2.5 OPERATIONS AND STORAGE AREAS:

I. Construction Fence: Before construction operations begin, Contractor shall provide a chain link construction fence, 2.1m (seven feet) minimum height, around the construction area indicated on the drawings.

Does the VAMC have a specific project footprint for security fencing requirements as stated or is the contractor responsible for establishing an acceptable perimeter to secure and enclose scaffolding, laydown, and staging areas?

Contractor to determine footprint of fence layout as part of the means and methods.

23. Can the VAMC provide locations of underground utilities within the project footprint, or will the contractor be responsible for locating them prior to mobilization and setup?

VA can provide information on record. The VA does not guarantee the accuracy of the documents. If existing underground utility locations are required, the contractor shall determine location through means and methods as well as abiding by miss utility regulations.

24. Will stamped engineering drawings be required for the erected scaffolding system?

Yes and the stamp must be from an engineer registered in the state of Maryland

25. The SF1442 states:

“The contractor shall furnish all labor, tools, materials, equipment, supplies, and supervision to perform work as described in the statement of work and as required by the contract drawings and specifications.

Please confirm that the contract drawings are the provided reference contract drawings (dated 10/31/80) and that there are no additional construction drawings to bid from.

There are no other drws to reference from.

26. The SF1442 states:

“This is a Full and Open competitive requirement after exclusion of sources.” SAM.gov postings have indicated that this is a SDVOSB Set Aside. Please confirm that the project is Set Aside as SDVOSB.

This is a Full and Open Competitive requirement after exclusion of sources, after SDVOSB’s and VOSB’s and Small Businesses have been ruled out then it is full and open (see FAR subpart 6.2)

27. Will the VAMC grant a bid due date extension to allow for proper review and adjustment to the submitted RFI’s?

An extension has been granted under Mod P00002 until Friday July 15th 2022, at 11:00hrs EST.

28. To confirm each Bid item is to be bid separately as spec section 01 00 00 2.2 STATEMENT OF BID ITEM

(S) State as Item 1 Through Item 8.

Yes and as per RFI#5 listed above

29. The contractor is to install fencing around project with screen. How many linear feet is expected. There’s no drawing to signify requirements of fencing.

Contractor to determine footprint of fence layout as part of the means and methods.

30. Can the contractor take the site photos to fulfill the Photo documentation Specification listed in 01 00 00

1.19 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION?

Yes for this specific project under VA witness of action, no other photographic documentation shall be taken without permission of the VA. In addition, all photographic information is property of the VA.

Contractor shall not use the information for any other purpose (public or private) then to meet specification deliverable.

31. Is Microsoft project professional an acceptable scheduling program approved by the VA?

Yes for this specific project

32. Is COVID task force procedures included in this solicitation?

Please refer to the original solicitation, FAR 52.223-99.

33. Is exterior project name and duration signage required?

As listed in the specs