RFI Responses_512A5-23-311_Demo 9H.pdf

RFI # Subject

Section/Area that caused a RFI(i.e.

SOW Page 2, section 2.1)

Request(explain in detail) VA Response

1 Unarmed Guards 01 00 00.1.5 Will this project require unarmed guards oniste after construction hours?

This project will not require unarmed guards onsite after construction hours. However, contractor will be responsible for security of their material, equipment, and the work site throughout the duration of the project.

2 Disposal and Retention 01 00 00.1.8 Does the VA have a list of items to be removed and stored from Bldg 9H? If so, can the VA provide this list to the contractors along with the location of where these items are to be stored?

The VA does not have a list of items to be removed and stored from Building 9H. All material and equipment that will require removal will be coordinated and removed internally by the VA.

3 Unit Price Bid Form 01 22 00.3.2

Can the VA confirm which Cost Breakdown Sheet/Bid Form the contractor is to include with our proposal? There is a Unit Price Form identified in the referenced section and also a document titled "512A5-23-311_BID SHEET" included in the solicitation bid documents.

Use included cost breakdown. See attached. Disregard Specification Unit Price Bid Form 01 22 00 3.2.

4 SSHO 01 35 26.1.9

Can the VA confirm if the SSHO can dual hat or must only serve the duty of the onsite full time SSHO?

No, the SSHO cannot dual hat. Per the specifications, the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO.

5 CSP/CSHT 01 35 26.1.11 Will a monthly inspection by a CSP or CSHT be required for this project?

Monthly inspections by a CSP/CSHT is encouraged but not required. SSHO can perform monthly inspections. Safety inspections shall be performed daily and documented (e.g. tailgate safety forms, AHAs).

Contractor Quailty

Control 01 45 00.3.4

Can the VA confirm if the CQC can dual hat or must only serve the duty of the onsite full time CQC?

The CQC can dual hat as the Superientendent but not the SSHO.

Please provide the comprehensive hazmat survey dated November 2023 as referenced in the SOW.

The comprehensive hazmat survey dated November 2023 will be included.

Please confirm the contractor is responsible for providing 3rd Party Industrial Hygienist as required in accordance with MDE and EPA regulations.

The Contractor may provide their own CIH if they desire. However, the A/E will be repsonsible for providing the VPIH. All hazmat abatement/clearance must be done under the supervision of the A/E provided VPIH.

Please confirm that asbestos removal is as quantified and identified as per specification 02 82 13.41 – 2.

Reference that attached comprehensive hazmat survey dated NOV 23 and HA series drawings for the quantification and identification of asbestos removal.

Are there any restrictions for ingress and egress of trucks or personnel to enter Perry Point.

All vehicles must enter at the entry gate and provide proper identificaton (driver's license, ID card). All personnel must be properly badged and vetted through the VA before working onsite.

11 Is there any borrowed material for backfill or topsoil available on site. No borrowed material is available on-site or on campus for backfill or topsoil.

Please confirm that recycled concrete from the demolition of buildings can be used for backfilling.

Recycled concrete from demolition of buildings cannot be used for backfilling. Review Earthwork (Short Form) Specification 31 20 11.

13 Please confirm the thickness of the top-soil layer to be placed for site restoration. Per Drawing Sheet LP402, a minimum of 4" of quality topsoil.

14 Can fill dirt be stockpiled onsite prior to use?

Fill dirt may only be stockpiled within the limits of disturbance (as space will allow for safe completion of required construction tasks) and must be managed in accordance with the E&S plan and MDE regulatory guidance.

Specifications state: “An EPA/State certified Project Designer must provide a site-specific specification for asbestos abatement”. So do we design a specification for approval or follow the one included in the bid documents.

Follow the site-specific specification for asbestos abatement included in the bid documents.

The Specifications state: “A 24-hour security system shall be provided at the entrance to the regulated area to assure that all entrants are logged in/out and that only authorized personnel are allowed entrance.” Is the intent to have a security system and/or guard at the decontamination unit? Can the VA confirm is this will be required?

Please disregard this statement. A 24-hour security system is not required. It is not the VA's intent to have a security system and/or guard at the decontamination unit. However, contractor will be responsible for security of their material, equipment, and the work site throughout the duration of the project.

Throughout the specification, reference is made to the use of fire-retardant poly. Is it the intent to utilize fire retardant poly in a building that is getting completely razed?

Yes, fire-retardant poly is required for abatement containment and barriers per specification and NFPA 241, even if the building is to be completely razed. This is to ensure safety during abatement activities prior to demolition.

Solicitation# 36C24525B0005 - Demolish Building 9H

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Throughout the specification, reference is made to critical barriers, walls, floors, ceilings, etc. constructed of poly. Federal, State, and Local regulations call for the use of critical barriers for structures to be razed/demolished. Do they want “full containment” work practices in a building that is being razed?

Yes, full containment is required. However, this is means and methods for the contractor to determine if the entire building must be enclosed all at once, versus safely in sections at a time.

The requirements for the negative air machines are extensive, and expensive to meet the testing standards. We have tried on past projects to obtain negative air machines with all the requirements of the specifications and they are special order.

Is all of the testing and gauges, alarms, etc. necessary if the containment is holding proper negative pressure and monitored by a continuously recording manometer?

Yes, all testing, gauges, alarms, and other requirements for negative air machines are necessary as specified, even if a continuously recording manometer is used. These redundancies are required by VA specifications and cannot be omitted without written approval from the VA.

The specifications state that a CIH must do the final clearance visual inspection. Can this be following all abatement activities and before demolition, or does it need to be done for each individual containment?

The VPIH (subcontracted by the A/E) must perform a final clearance visual inspection for each individual containment area after abatement and prior to demolition, as required by VA specification.

21 Proposal Submission 512A5-23-311 Construction SOW

In the SOW, it states we are required to provide a draft schedule with our bid submission due on 07/10. We just wanted to confirm that is 100% required with our submission. Thank you!

Yes, submission of a draft project schedule with your bid is a mandatory requirement per the Statement of Work and VA specification.

22 Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum? Yes, the sign-in sheet from the site visit will be included.

23 General Requirements Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of

SSHO?

No, the SSHO cannot dual hat. Per the specifications, the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO.

24 General Requirements If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project?

The SSHO cannot dual hat. Per the specifications, the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO.

25 General Requirements Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of

QA/QC?

The CQC can dual hat as the Superientendent but not the SSHO.

26 General Requirements If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project? The CQC can dual hat as the Superientendent but not the SSHO.

27 General Requirements Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC?

No. the superintendent can not be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC? The superintendent can dual hat as the CQC but not the SSHO.

28 General Requirements Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal? Yes, tax should be included in your proposal.

29 General Requirements Please provide the latest wage determination for this project’s county. The latest wage determination for this project’s county (Cecil County) is attached.

30 General Requirements Please confirm if the current prevailing wages will be consistent for the life of the project with no escalation?

Yes, current prevailing wages will be consistent for life of project with no escalation.

31 General Requirements Please confirm the current design documents meet current VA TIL guidelines. Yes, current design meets VA TIL guidelines.

32 General Requirements Please confirm any minority business participation requirements. SDVOSB - 51%.

33 Safety 01 35 26 Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements?

Yes. STARC panels and similar modular wall systems are accepted as compliant alternatives for temporary barriers to meet ICRA requirements.

34 Safety 01 35 26 Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends?

Shutdowns maybe required during off-hours or weekends. Contractor will submit schedule and coordinate shutdowns through COR at least 14 days in advance.

35 Safety 01 35 26 Will a full-time fire watch be required during activities such as cutting and welding?

How long after such activities are completed?

Yes. OSHA and VA standards require a fire watch during all hot work (cutting, welding, etc.) and for at least 30 minutes after completion of such activities to detect and extinguish smoldering fires.

36 Waste Management 01 74 19 Will any existing glycol be required to be removed and disposed of by the contractor? If so, can the total volume of glycol be provided?

Per the VA Integrated Contingency Plan (ICP), there are no regulated amounts of glycol. Inventory of regulated items verified by VA ICP includes only (1) Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) D-344 with tank capacity of 550 Gallons, (2) Transformer No. 004 344 PP with tank capacity of 167 gallons of dielectric fluid, (3) Hydraulic Reservoir 9H-1 with tank capacity of 155 gallons, and (4)Hydraulic Reservoir 9H-2 with tank capacity of 165 gallons. Although glycol is not specifically regulated as a hazardous material for demolition projects at the federal or Maryland state level, and is not listed as a regulated item in the ICP, best practice is to inspect for and manage building fluids, including glycol, during demolition. If glycol is found to be contaminated with hazardous substances, it must be managed as hazardous waste. The VA ICP inventory is based on current site inspections; if additional glycol-containing systems are identified during demolition, contact the COR immediately for evaluation and management per the ICP and federal/MDE regulatory requirements. All findings and management actions should be documented as part of pre-demolition inspection and waste management to ensure transparency and compliance.

37 Earthwork 31 20 11 Confirm if excavated material is acceptable for re-use as backfill?

No, excavated material is not acceptable for re-use as backfill; it does not meet project specifications. Review Earthwork (Short Form) Specification 31 20 11.

38 Earthwork 31 20 11 Please confirm if there is a separate staging area onsite for fill material to be stockpiled for re-use?

Excavated material is not acceptable for re-use as backfill as it does not meet project specifications. Therefore, there is no separate staging area on-site for fill material to be stockpiled for re-use.

39 Earthwork 31 20 11 If all reusable fill material can stay on property, is it expected that the area will need erosion controls and to be topsoil, raked, and seeded at end of project?

No, excavated material is not acceptable for re-use as backfill; it does not meet project specifications. Review Earthwork (Short Form) Specification 31 20 11. However, all disturbed areas are to be stabilized (in accordance with E&S Plan) with erosion controls and restored with topsoil, raking, and seeding to match existing conditions at project completion.

40 Planting 32 90 00 Please confirm if an onsite arborist is required for any tree removal or tree protection?

Review Drawing Sheet LP402. No onsite arborist is required. No trees are to be removed; contractor must protect the two trees that are on the project site.

41 Earthwork 31 20 11 Please advise if the site contains any contaminated soil that needs to be removed.

Review the comprehensive hazmat survey dated November 2023 .Site does not contain contaminated soil; no previous soil contamination has been found.

42 Earthwork 31 20 11 If the underground site package requires removal of contaminated soils. Will the site contractor be required to have operators trained and certified in all various levels of contamination handling?

Review the comprehensive hazmat survey dated November 2023 .Site does not contain contaminated soil; no previous soil contamination has been found.

43 Earthwork 31 20 11 Will all contaminated soils be delivered to a location on site, turned over to Owner for disposal?

Review the comprehensive hazmat survey dated November 2023 .Site does not contain contaminated soil; no previous soil contamination has been found.

44 Earthwork 31 20 11 What are the requirements by the site contractor for the storage of contaminated soil on site?

Review the comprehensive hazmat survey dated November 2023 .Site does not contain contaminated soil; no previous soil contamination has been found.

45 General Requirements Please confirm if we will be allowed to keep a locked storage container or conex box within the grounds.

Yes, a locked storage container or conex box may be kept on-site. Coordinate with COR prior to staging and must provide COR with key.

46 Demolition Please advise volume of fuel that needs to be pumped out from fuel tanks that are called out to be removed. If unknown, could the VA provide an allowance?

Please note that the task to remove the fuel tanks at Building 344 is no longer required. The VA has just awarded a separate contract to remove and manange various ASTs at Perry Point including Building 344. However, the contractor is required to remove the fence and canopy currently covering the exterior fuel tank. See attached revised SOW.

To allow sufficient time to review responses and prepare our bid we kindly request an extension of the bid date.

July 10 will remain the deadline.

48 Commissioning 01 91 00 Is the commissioning agent required to be 3rd party? Please confirm who is The contractor is not responsible for commissioning. No CxAs will be included in the project.

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