S05 Pre-Bid RFIs 36C24621B0020.pdf

Solicitation questions for Replace Building 8, 11, and West Corridors Roofs.

Project # 658-21-106

Solicitation # 36C24621B0020

1. In Spec Sec 07 31 26, Subsect. 2.2: The referenced roofing slate is Vermont Black or equivalent. In the past, VAMC Salem clearly expressed a preference for Buckingham Slate instead of Vermont Black. Is this preference still true for this project? Is Buckingham Slate considered equivalent?

It is up to the contractor discretion what slate to use. Vermont or Buckingham can both be used. The original slate on these buildings was Buckingham Slate.

2. Clarify the duration, in days, for this project. There are several different contract durations included within the RFP, including 360 days each in the Tech Spec (Buildings 8 and 11), 180 days each (corridors 74/75, 75/76, and 76/77) and 720 days in the 1442.

Duration of this project is 720 days to complete all work, work can be done consecutively on different roofs/corridors in accordance with this contract.

3. On pg. 7 of the RFP, it states that the new corridor roofs are to be new synthetic slate.

However, on the drawings, the corridor roofs are specified as new asphalt shingles. Are the corridor roofs to be synthetic slate or asphalt shingles?

The corridor roofs shall be synthetic slate match size of east loop slate shingles.

4. Drawings AD101, for both Buildings 8 & 11, states that bidders must follow phasing plans, and provide work schedules with the bid submission.

a. This is an IFB with a public opening. Is a project schedule required?

b. The phasing stops work on the slate roofs in roof valleys at several points in the plan. Can a new phasing be proposed that would stop the roofing on the ridges instead of the valleys? Stopping in valleys makes it difficult to tie back into the next phase.

Yes, this is a IFB public opening. Schedule is required and should be broken down by the complete process for each phasing area for all building in this project. Contractor can propose a phasing plan stopping at ridges to COR. That is how past roofing contractors have performed phasing here at this station.

5. Drawing AE101 for both Buildings 8 & 11 mention existing handrails - one was intended to match the existing and for the other, the contractor is to verify height in field and adjust to 42”. During the walk thru, it appeared that there were no existing handrails at all on either building. Can you advise on how to proceed with pricing on these items?

Yes, baluster replacement is a part of this project. There, government allows for fiberglass/plastic railings instead of wood baluster. See buildings 74, 75 for example that are acceptable to the Salem VAMC. Balustrade shall be similar or equal too -Belmont 7000 Serious.

6. For Building 8, Drawing AE-304, Detail D-1 and D-4: On the 4th comment line from the bottom (from the D-1 Gutter Section header), it states that up to 100 linear feet of wood cornice should be replaced if it is beyond the ability to be scraped and painted.

Our roofing contractor has interpreted this to mean that all wood cornice - from the point indicated by an arrow marked New Work - should be replaced. Is the selection of wood cornice for replacement the sole discretion of the contractor?

The contractor shall use their discretion for the amount of wood that needs to be replaced.

The specified limits for gutter box 100 LF. 100 LF rake/gable ends. 250 LF for Cornice

7. For Building 11, Drawing AE-304: Detail D-1 and D-4: Same question as Item 5, however, for this building, 250 ft of wood cornice are referenced. Is the selection of wood cornice for replacement the sole discretion of the contractor?

The dotted line delineates what is gutter box and what is considered cornice only. Only deteriorated wood anywhere in this project should be replaced. The contractor shall use their discretion for the amount of wood that needs to be replaced. The specified limits for gutter box 100 LF. 100 LF rake/gable ends. 250 LF for Cornice. All wood used for gutter box/cornice/dormer trim/rake/gable ends must be Southern Yellow Pine.

8. How are old slate roof tiles from Building 8, Building 11 and corridors 74/75, 75/76, and 76/77 to be disposed of?

Bldgs. 8, 11 were built in 1934. Disposal of slate and asphalt shingles must meet state and local codes. (Note: But how they proceed is up to the contractor).

9. In the paint specification, Section 3.4.B, outlines surface preparation procedures that far exceeds a description of just scraping the surface, prime and painting. Among other things, this requires wood surfaces be sanded initially, then sanded again after each coat. Does this section and associated requirements apply to surfaces that the contractor is to paint?

Contractors shall not sand. Painters shall scape cornice and dormer trim. The sanding should have been edited out of the specification section 3.4.B.

10. Will the Bid Form be modified to include Unit Prices?

Will not have a bid breakdown for the Unit Price, we are looking for one (1) base bid.

11. Can the Superintendent and the Quality Control (CQC) Manager be the same person?

The superintendent may not serve as Quality Control Manager.

12. Can the Superintendent and the SSHO be the same person?

The superintendent can serve both superintendent and SSHO manager, note that the SSHO must be on site at all time while construction takes place.

13. Can the CQC Manager and the SSHO be the same person?

The CQC Manager and the SSHO could be the same person, note that the SSHO must be on site at all time while construction takes place.

14. Please clarify the intent of Spec section 01 00 00, 1.6.J and 1.6.K.

1.6.J - Construction work areas around all buildings included in this project must be maintained by the GC. This includes grass cutting, weed eating, trash pick-up, etc. COR to delineate construction work areas.

1.6.K – During execution of the work the GC may require use of alterations to, or shut-down of existing building utilities infrastructure. If this is the case GC shall follow all specification requirements listed in Section 01 00 00, Paragraph 1.6.K.

15. Each building’s Technical Specification includes quantities for wood sheathing replacement, wood cornice and wood cornice at the gabled ends. Please confirm that these quantities are cumulative:

a. Replacement of deteriorated wood sheathing: 1,000 sf + 1,000 sf = 2,000 sf total.

b. Cornice below copper gutter: 250 lf + 250 lf = 500 lf total.

c. Cornice at gabled ends: 100 lf + 100 lf = 200 lf total

Up to 100 SF sheathing total is to be included in project. Up to 250 LF cornice/gutter box combined total.

16. Where is the staging area for this project be located?

The contractor staging area for a contractor trailer shall be located in the contractor’s laydown yard located behind parking lot T. The slate shall be staged in the contractor laydown area also. Dumpster shall be located within the east loop courtyard adjacent to the road with a fence placed around it. The location will be roughly between buildings 8 and 11.

Movement of slate from laydown yard to construction site shall only occur before 7:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.

17. Is scaffolding permitted in the courtyard area of Building 7?

Yes, scaffolding is permitted in the courtyard area of building. 8 and 11.

18. What is the demarcation line for painting? Is it correct to assume it’s all Trim above and including main cornice/brick line, plus specified affected areas below the cornice only?

The limit of painting is the intersection of cornice and the brick siding. Nothing will be painted below that point on this project.

19. Drawing AE304, Details D1 & D2, for both Buildings 8 & 11: The notation describes all work above the dotted line as “New Work”. Is there any new work below this dotted line?

The limit of painting is the intersection of cornice and the brick siding. Nothing will be painted below that point on this project.

20. Buildings 8 & 11, GEN REQ Section 1.3, Pgh. B. “The Contractor’s Base Bid (paragraph A) is to include the removal/replacement of 250 linear feet of wood cornice below the built-in copper gutter to match the existing cornice in profile and finish, (and) the remaining cornice is to be scraped, primed, and painted.”

The response reads up to 250 LF total for cornice/gutter box replacement. If more is evident then contractor must put a RFI into the CO/COR stating the LF needed beyond 250 LF included in the project.

Is the demarcation between copper gutter and wood cornice at the edge of copper or at dotted line denoted in plans?

Dotted line.

21. For both Buildings 8 & 11, Drawings AE304, Details D1 & D2: The note and arrow above the dotted line refers to a gable allowance of “100LF of wood cornice at the gable ends”. Should this note also have referred to details C6 & F6? Should it refer to above or below the dotted line or both?

This is the defining line for gutter box replacement only. Cornice if deteriorated must be replace also not to exceed up to 250 LF of both gutter box/cornice replacement.

22. Is all gutter substrate to be replaced or just in the damaged areas?

Only damaged gutter substrate is to be replaced. All sound gutter substrate is not to be replaced.

23. Is fascia that is not replaced to be scraped and painted?

Yes, fascia on corridors is to be scraped and painted.

24. Both Building 8 & 11, AD203, Note D5: All trim and louvers are to be replaced on selected dormers, however, dormers with windows are not scheduled to have trim replaced. How should unscheduled dormers with windows be treated?

The contract calls for replacing wood louvers with aluminum louvers. Windows are powder-coated and will not be painted.

25. There is a mention in the specifications on Page 06 20 00 -6, Section 2.7.C: Railing and Balusters, Item 3. Install pedestal using existing anchor bolts. Is this Spec Section applicable to this project?

Yes, baluster replacement is a part of this project. There, government allows for fiberglass/plastic railings instead of wood baluster. See buildings 74, 75 for example that are acceptable to the Salem VAMC. Balustrade shall be similar or equal too -Belmont 7000 Serious.

26. Solicitation states Synthetic roofing tiles on corridors. Drawings & Specs have not been changed to reflect synthetic roofing tiles vs asphalt shingles.

The corridors on the west loop shall be roofed with synthetic slate tile.

27. Please specify Corridor Synthetic tile size. Davinci produces a 7” wide tile to replace existing slate/asphalt shingles. Please verify 7” synthetic slate width is desired.

Contractor to match the slate size on the corridors in the east loop.

28. Please verify stainless nails are to be used with synthetic slate.

Copper roofing nail shall be used on west loop corridors.

29. All EPDM flat work on 76-77 other side of pass thru and pass thru not included in SOW. #9 AD101 indicates it is.

The pass thru EPDM roof is to be replaced the flat roof near bldg. 77 is new.

30. Please advise exact name, type and size desired for plastic balustrade for upper flat roof? Intent is to match existing on other buildings.

Contractor shall see response given in question # 25 above.

2. Clarify the duration, in days, for this project. There are several different contract durations included within the RFP, including 360 days each in the Tech Spec (Buildings 8 and 11), 180 days each (corridors 74/75, 75/76, and 76/77) and 720 days i...