RFI masonry project - RESPONSE 08102026.docx

Repair Masonry Structural Issues VA Project #659-24-901 Bidder Questions and Responses, RFI’s 1 - 23

RFI 1 — Confirm Bid Due Date Reference: Solicitation Pages 1 and 6.

Page 1 identifies the bid-opening date as August 13, 2026, while the bid-delivery instructions and the information provided during the pre-bid conference identify August 18, 2026.

We understand the 18th was confirmed in the site walk, but please confirm by amendment the controlling date and time for receipt of bids and the virtual public bid opening.

Aug 18, 2026 10AM EST RFI 2 — Bid Schedule and Deductive Alternates The bid schedule includes Items 0001 through 0006 followed by a Grand Total. Items 0002 through 0006 appear to represent cumulative combinations of the Base Bid and deductive alternates.

Please clarify:

1. Whether Item 0001 is the total Base Bid.

1. Whether Items 0002 through 0006 are the individual deductive amounts or the revised cumulative contract totals.

1. Whether the Grand Total is intended to be completed.

1. Which bid-schedule amount should be used to calculate the bid guarantee.

Please issue a revised bid form if necessary.

Item 00001 is the total base bid and should be input into the grand total. 0002 – 0006 are all individual deducts and fully explained on page 5/6 of solicitation.

RFI 3 — Work Hours, Noise and Required Off-Hours Work The solicitation identifies normal contractor hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the specifications reference hospital business hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and the noise-control provisions reference other permitted time periods.

Please confirm:

1. The normal permitted contractor work hours.

1. Whether exterior mortar removal, pointer grinding, drilling, masonry demolition, pressure washing, scaffold erection and lift operation may be performed during normal work hours when the specified noise-control requirements are satisfied.

1. Whether any of these activities are specifically required to be performed after hours.

1. Whether Saturday and Sunday work is permitted with prior approval.

Response:

1. Normal Contractor hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. No exception to Contractor performing the listed work activities when the specified noise-control requirements are satisfied.

3. No exception to Contractor performing the listed work activities during normal work hours.

4. Saturday and Sunday work is permitted with prior VA approval.

RFI 4 — Phasing, Concurrent Work and Project Staffing The specifications divide the project into two phases and include Building 21 in both phases.

Please clarify:

1. Whether the buildings listed within each phase must be actively worked concurrently or whether the contractor may sequence buildings within the phase.

1. Which portions of Building 21 are assigned to Phase I and Phase II.

1. Whether one qualified SSHO may cover all active work areas on the Salisbury VAMC campus during a single shift.

1. Whether one superintendent and one CQC System Manager may similarly cover the overall project, subject to maintaining the required onsite presence.

Response:

3. The Contractor must work the buildings listed within each phase concurrently, except for Building 21, which spans Phases I and II (010000 par. 1.6.H.2).

3. Building 21 has no portions assigned to a particular phase.

3. One qualified SSHO may cover all active work areas on the Salisbury VAMC campus during a single shift.

3. One Superintendent and one CQC System Manager may cover the overall project.

RFI 5 — Basis of Repair Quantities The drawings identify full, limited and reparative repointing and include individual elevation notes, repair symbols and photograph callouts.

Please confirm:

1. Whether “full repointing” requires repointing all mortar joints within the designated elevation or building areas.

1. For limited and reparative repointing, whether bidders should base quantities on the repair locations specifically identified by the drawings and photographs.

1. Whether the individual repair callouts represent complete repair limits, minimum known locations or representative conditions.

Response:

2. Full repointing equals BR100. Follow the repointing percentages indicated in elevations (Legend: A1/GI001), with exceptions as follows:

a. On Sheet AE203, in elevations A1, C1, C3, and D1, replace all instances of BR2 with brick repointing percentage BR25.

b. On Sheet AE203, in elevation C5, replace CR0 with cast stone masonry repointing percentage CR100.

c. On Sheet AE206, in elevations C1, C2, C3, D1, and D2, replace BR5 with brick repointing percentage BR50.

2. For limited, reparative, and full repointing, the repointing quantities are the repointing percentages. The specific repair locations identified by drawings and photographs must be performed within the overall, base repointing quantities indicated in construction documents. Record repointed areas on the Contractor’s maintained as-builts (010000 par. 1.14).

2. The individual repair callouts are known, required work locations within the overall, required, base bid repointing percentages.

RFI 6 — Scope Limits for Weeps, Sealants, Cleaning and Painting Please clarify the intended limits of the following work:

1. Does “replace all weeps” mean every existing weep on all elevations, only weeps within repointing areas or only damaged/blocked weeps?

1. Is sealant replacement required only where specifically indicated or at all exterior windows, doors, louvers, penetrations and expansion joints?

1. Does exterior cleaning apply to entire building elevations or only the designated project work areas?

1. Does painting apply only to surfaces and items specifically identified on the drawings, or to all existing exterior painted components within the project buildings?

Response:

3. Replace every existing masonry weep on all elevations of masonry veneer cavity wall construction. Note that monolithic masonry walls do not have masonry weeps.

3. Replace sealants at all exterior windows, doors, louvers, penetrations, expansion joints, and other areas with existing sealants.

3. Exterior cleaning applies to entire building elevations (A1/GI001, 072400, 076000).

3. Repainting applies to all existing exterior, painted components with the project buildings, except for items specified to not receive paint.

RFI 7 — Embedded Steel and Concealed Masonry Conditions At locations where lintels, shelf angles or other embedded steel are identified for repair, please confirm:

1. Whether the Base Bid includes exposing, cleaning and coating the existing steel within the limits shown.

1. Whether complete structural-steel replacement is included in the Base Bid.

1. Whether contractor-designed temporary shoring is required for the identified repairs.

1. How concealed deterioration or loss of section extending beyond the indicated repair limits will be addressed.

Please also confirm whether through-wall flashing replacement is required only where specifically indicated or whenever flashing is exposed during identified masonry repairs.

Response:

3. Where lintels, shelf angles, or other embedded steel are identified for repair, base bid includes exposing, cleaning, and coating the existing steel within the limits indicated (D1/AE501).

3. Steel replacement is included where indicated in construction documents.

3. Contractor-designed temporary shoring is required for repairs (024100 par. 1.3.G).

3. Immediately notify VA-COR if existing steel not noted to be replaced appear less than ¼-inch thick, rusted, corroded, or otherwise damaged (055000 par. 3.9.E, 3.10.B).

Through-wall flashing is replaced where masonry units are replaced and flashing is encountered (040100 par. 3.4.G); and elsewhere, as specifically indicated.

RFI 8 — Project-Specific PCRA/ICRA and Hazardous-Material Information The specifications reference project-specific PCRA and ICRA requirements, but separate completed assessments were not apparent in the solicitation package.

Please provide:

1. The available project-specific PCRA and ICRA documentation.

1. Available hazardous-material surveys or test results for existing coatings, sealants, mastics, glazing compounds and other materials expected to be disturbed.

If these documents are not available, please confirm whether the PCRA/ICRA will be finalized after award and identify the bid basis for hazardous-material abatement.

Response:

1. Follow requirements for safety, risk mitigation, and infection control, as stated in construction documents.

1. There are no anticipated hazardous materials. Immediately notify VA-COR if any encountered material is suspected of containing asbestos (013526 par. 1.5.E) and do not disturb the potentially hazardous material.

RFI 9 — Testing, Mockups and Water-Penetration Testing Please clarify:

1. Whether the contractor or the VA is responsible for retaining and paying the testing laboratory.

1. The required number of masonry-repointing mockups.

1. Whether the water-penetration testing requirements in Section 04 20 00 apply to existing exterior walls repaired under this project.

1. If water testing applies, the required number of tests or the basis by which testing locations will be selected.

Response:

3. The Contractor is responsible for retaining and paying the testing laboratory (010000 par. 1.24.A, 014529 par. 1.1).

3. Provide masonry-repointing mockups as indicated in construction documents.

3. Water penetration testing applies to buildings of monolithic, mass masonry exterior walls (042000 par. 3.17). In paragraph 3.17.A.1, replace the phrase “plastering or painting” with the phrase “Final Acceptance Inspection.”

3. Provide one water penetration test at each building except Building 21. Provide two water penetration tests at Building 21. Test locations will be determined by VA-COR.

RFI 10 — Security-Camera Work For security cameras affected by the exterior masonry work, please confirm:

1. Whether a specific VA-approved security integrator is required for disconnection and reinstallation.

1. Whether the contractor’s scope is limited to removal, protected storage, like-for-like reinstallation, aiming and operational testing.

1. Whether VA personnel will perform network programming, licensing and system-level acceptance.

1. Whether temporary camera coverage is required while an existing camera is removed.

Response:

3. Follow requirements as stated in construction documents for camera disconnection and reinstallation (040100 par. 3.1.D.1).

3. Follow requirements as stated in construction documents for camera network programming, licensing and system-level acceptance (040100 par. 3.1.D).

3. Follow requirements as stated in construction documents for camera protected storage, like-for-like reinstallation, aiming, and operational testing (040100 par. 3.1.D).

3. The Contractor is not required to provide temporary cameras (040100 par. 3.1.D).

RFI 11 — Cleaning Wastewater Please confirm the permitted disposal method for wastewater generated by masonry cleaning and pressure washing, including whether filtered or settled wastewater may be discharged to the sanitary sewer at a VA-designated location. Please confirm that discharge to storm drains is prohibited.

Response: Follow requirements for wastewater disposal, as indicated in construction documents (015719 par. 1.5.C.1).

RFI 12 -

Spec 01 00 00 1.31 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION: Would the government accept daily photos uploaded to the construction management system in lieu of the requirements of 01 00 00 1.31 PHOTOGRAPHIC

DOCUMENTATION?

Response: Follow the photographic documentation requirements as stated in construction documents (010000 par. 1.31).

RFI 13-

Spec 01 00 00 1.34 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Would the government consider/accept Procore as an equal to submittal exchange?

Response: The VA takes no exception to Procore.

RFI 14-

Spec 04 01 00 3.1 D. 1 Removal, reinstallation, and testing of all cameras....: Can the government please provide contact information for firm that currently holds the installation/ maintenance contract for the campuses cameras?

Response:

Contacts for Convergint:

James Haun Sr. Account Executive | Convergint Technologies O: 984.204.1988, M: 704.819.6301 1020 Crews Rd, Suite N, Matthews, NC 28105 james.haun@convergint.com

Joseph LeBourdais Security Service Specialist | Convergint Technologies M: 919-437-5663 1020 Crews Road, Suite N, Matthews, NC 28105

RFI 15-

Section 01 45 00, Paragraph 3.4.B requires the CQC System Manager to be a PM or SRE and have five years of similar construction experience. Paragraph 3.4.D separately requires the CQC System Manager to hold current CQM-C certification.

Please clarify whether the requirement for the CQC System Manager to be designated as a PM or SRE may be satisfied by the project superintendent, provided the superintendent has at least five years of relevant construction experience on projects of similar size and scope, holds current USACE CQM-C certification, and meets all other requirements of Section 01 45 00.

Response:

1. In addition to the listed experience and education requirements, the CQC System Manager must have completed the Construction Quality Management for Construction course (014500 par. 3.4.D).

2. The CQC System Manager may dually serve as project superintendent, provided the individual satisfies the requirements of both roles (014500 par. 3.4.B).

RFI 16-

Do you have the manufacturer of the existing brick to be replaced if damaged?

Response: See specifications (042000 par. 2.2.A). The Contractor is responsible for submitting the most appropriate brick unit match for each building (042000 par. 1.4.D). The manufacturer for the large majority of brick was Boral Brick.

RFI 17-

Please confirm location of Dumpster, and Lay down area on a campus map for the contractor and subs.

Response: See sheet AS101 and its callout areas to other plans for dumpster and laydown areas, (A2/AS101).

RFI 18-

Please confirm total number of GC site personnel that will be required to fulfill the roles of GC Superintendent, SSHO, and QC officer.

Response: The Contractor is responsible for staffing these three unique roles. However, the CQC System Manager may dually serve as project superintendent, provided the individual satisfies the requirements of both roles (014500 par. 3.4.B). The SSHO cannot have other duties (013526 par. 1.9.A).

RFI 19-

In Specs 01-45-00 it is stated that the CQC System Manager have experience in several areas. As this project is only brick work on the exterior of buildings, can the Experience Matrix be pared down to just the scope of this project in particular?

Response: Section 014500 does not state the CQC System Manager must have the same qualifications as the Contractor’s CQC Personnel who assist the CQC System Manager individually, as applicable (014500 par. 3.4.C).

RFI 20-

Please confirm that any Testing Laboratory Services will be covered by the VA and not the awarded contractor.

Response: The Contractor is responsible for retaining and paying for the testing laboratory (010000 par. 1.24.A, 014529 par. 1.1).

RFI 21-

Please confirm any Special Inspections will be covered by the VA and not the awarded contractor.

Response: Base bid construction documents do not require Special Inspections.

RFI 22-

Please confirm how long the overall time to obtain a badge should take as described in spec section 01 00 00 from the time the initial paperwork is submitted until the time the badge is in the employees’ hands.

Response: Badging of employees can occur within the same day of arrival, given the required documentation is provided (i.e. 2 forms of ID, required OSHA certification, TB Testing information, flu shot information during flu season, etc…). However, the General Contractor shall give one week’s notice to the VA-COR prior to an employee’s arrival (010000 par. 1.5.B.2). The General Contractor is responsible for reviewing and confirming the accuracy of the information prior to any VA review.

RFI 23-

Will any obstructions be removed prior to start of work on the exterior of the buildings that might be in the way of the work?

Response: The Contractor is responsible for removing existing fixtures and fittings concealing masonry joints to allow repointing and repair (040100 par. 3.1.C).