Attachment 0003A - RFI Answers.docx

RFI Answers – Attachment 0003A

1. The Specifications state that we must provide subcontractor bids under TAB “C” of our Proposal, along with the breakdown of their pricing. What level of breakdown is required? Please advise. At a minimum, a list of subcontractors with their total price is required. A Schedule of Values will be required from the awarded firm.

2. Everywhere they have a "Water Line by Jack & Bore Approval by Local VA" needs to be changed to "directional drilling" instead of a jack & bore. This is not a application for Jack and Boring. Directional drilling with fused joint HDPE pipe or fused joint C900 pipe is acceptable.

3. Can we open cut and patch back the asphalt/concrete in lieu of drilling/boring in certain locations? Yes, but only where approved by VA. All disturbed elements, including curb, must be replaced and fully restored to current grades.

4. All the existing utilities need to be shown. They are not even showing the new water lines that were installed 2 years ago in the plans. After we got started on the last phase they gave us a set of drawings that showed way more utilities than what was in the bid documents. These existing utility drawings along with the as builts from the water project 2 years ago need to be incorporated into this set of plans. They can't put all the liability of damaging unknown utilities all on the contractor. Existing utilities as of the topographic survey and those that could be located with SUE in area of proposed work were shown on the plans. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to verify all utility locations in the project area prior to digging or drilling.

5. The engineer needs to provide a profile of all the bores, especially under the buildings. If you drill/bore into a utility under a building it will be a major issue. They can't put all this liability on the contractor. The only bores under buildings are under connecting corridors. VA will provide if plans are available. There are no basements in the proposed boring areas. The Contractor will provide planned depths prior to drilling and will document depth and location for redline contractor drawings. Directional drilling with fused joint HDPE pipe or fused joint C900 pipe shall be used.

6. Section 02 21 13 Part 2, 3.3 D Utility Survey. The VA's design engineer needs to perform this work and incorporate the existing utility as-builts into the contract documents. The survey provided meets these requirements. Any survey performed by the Contractor to verify utility line locations or other physical elements must adhere to these same standards.

7. Is there any sewer work in this project? No

8. Is compaction testing going to be required in grassed areas? Yes. It will be performed according to the specifications. Also, if settlement occurs the contractor will be required to fill, dress and re-establish grass.

9. Will be VA operate all the existing valves to turn on and off the water on the VA's existing system? The VA needs to be responsible for operating their own valves. The liability of an old existing valve not operating properly or breaking does not need to be on the contractor. We have no way of knowing whether or not the existing valves have been properly maintained or working properly. Yes.

10. Everywhere they have a "Water Line by Jack & Bore Approval by Local VA" needs to be changed to directional drilling instead of a jack & bore. This is not an application for Jack and Boring. See Response #2.

11. Can we open cut and patch back the asphalt/concrete in lieu of drilling/boring in certain locations? See Response #3.

12. Can we get an updated utility drawing before bid date? The VA can provide final record drawings from Fire Water Line and any other changes that have occurred since the date of these project drawings. The proposed project drawings show existing utilities in the area of this proposed project as of when the topographic survey was performed from existing utility drawings and SUE locates. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to verify all utility locations in the project area prior to digging or drilling.

13. Can you provide a profile of all the bores, especially under the buildings. If you drill into a utility under a building it will be a major issue. See Response #5.

14. Section 02 21 13 Part 2, 3.3 D Utility Survey. See question 3, this should be part of existing utility drawings. See Response #6.

15. Will be VA operate all the existing valves to turn on and off the water on the VA's existing system? The liability of an old existing valve not operating properly or breaking does not need to be on the contractor. We have no way of knowing whether or not the existing valves have been properly maintained or working properly. See Response #9.

16. As indicated on the plans, where jack and bore are called out, will this be a cased jack and bore, dry bore with no casing, or Horizontal Directional Drill with HDPE pipe? See Response #2.

17. Can Horizontal Directional Drill be used? Yes

18. Will bores under the buildings need to be a jack and bore with steel casing? Is 16” steel casing and 8” carrier pipe? Can they be horizontal directional drill with HDPE pipe? Same as Response #5. Casing pipe is not required.

19. Will carrier pipe in a cased bore need to be restrained joint ductile iron pipe? No

20. Can a meter/ backflow size schedule be provided per building? I see sizes called out on plans but want verification. Yes. These can be provided.

21. When a tie to existing at the building is a hot tap, will the existing line need to be cut and capped, or will an existing valve be shut off? Service lines will be hot tapped. After new water main is placed into service then each service can be isolated and capped on both sides.

22. Do existing valve boxes need to be removed/ abandoned? Yes, and existing pipes can be abandoned in place and filled with flowable fill once new water systems is operation and accepted by the VA and after all new potable and fire water lines have been isolated from the existing system.

23. Can a geotechnical report(s) be provided from previous site projects? Yes. No rock has been encountered in the area on previous projects observed by the current VA staff.

24. Can architectural drawings, from the buildings to be bored under, be provided? See Response #5.

25. Do those buildings have basements? What are footing details? See Response #5.

26. Can as-built utility drawings be provided? See Response #12.

27. What level of breakout will be required for pricing? Requirements are listed under TAB C: Price Proposal on page 11 of the Solicitation, and see the answer to #1 above as well.

28. Backhoe/Trackhoe/Excavator Wage Determination: $21.48+$11.20, is this accurate? Please verify. Yes. See Attachment 5 with the original solicitation.

29. Can we get a wage determination for bore machine operators? HDD or Jack and bore. No Wage Determination is available other than what was provided in the solicitation. The Department of Labor (DOL) manages the Wage Determinations.

30. Will the VA allow directional boring using HDPE or restrained joint PVC in lieu of jack and bore? See Response #2.

31. Will the VA add an item for "Exploratory Excavation"? No

32. Everywhere they have a "Water Line by Jack & Bore Approval by Local VA" needs to be changed to directional drilling instead of a jack & bore. This is not an application for Jack and Boring. See Response #2.

33. Can we open cut and patch back the asphalt/concrete in lieu of drilling/boring in certain locations? See Response #3.

34. Please provide locations of all known existing utilities. Water lines which were installed 2 years ago are not shown on the plans. During the last phase we were provided a set of drawings that showed additional utilities that are not being shown on the bid documents. It would be helpful if the existing utility drawings, along with the as-builts from the water line project be incorporated or provided as supplement. See Response #12.

35. Please provide a profile of all the bores, especially under the buildings. If you drill into a utility under a building it will be a major issue. See Response #5.

36. Section 02 21 13 Part 2, 3.3 D Utility Survey. Would it be possible for the VA's design engineer to incorporate the existing utility as-builts into the contract documents? See Responses #4 & #6.

37. Is there any sewer work in this project? See Response #7.

38. Is compaction testing going to be required in grassed areas? See Response #8.

39. Will the VA operate all the existing valves to turn on and off the water on the VA's existing system? We have no way of knowing whether or not the existing valves have been properly maintained and/or working properly. See Response #9.

40. Will this project require any permits from the city? No. All work is on VA Water system.

41. Is this project exempt from sales taxes? No.

42. Is the VA's underground utility plan accurate (type of utility, location, etc.)? See Response #4.

43. Are all underground utilities documented in the site utility plan? See response to #4.

44. If the contractor takes all due care to locate underground utilities (ground penetrating radar, pot-holing, using the VA's site utility map, etc), and an underground utility is struck that is NOT accurately documented on the VA's site map, will the government hold the contractor responsible for the repair costs? The Contractor is responsible for locating all utilities prior to digging and is responsible for all damages, except those which are completely an unforeseen condition which adds to the quantity of work performed.

45. If contractors are to be held responsible for damaged underground utilities that are not accurately documented on the VA's site utility map, contractors will be forced to include a contingency amount within their bid for utility repairs. Will the VA consider adding a line item for a "maximum contractor responsibility" amount to be spent repairing "mismarked" utilities? Beyond this amount, the contractor would not be responsible for "mismarked" utilities. See Response #44.

46. What utility locate procedures will be expected from the VA to prevent the contractor from being responsible for damaging a "mismarked / undocumented" underground utility? The VA has provided all existing utility maps, except those changes which have occurred since the current project drawings were produced. Updates since then can be requested from the VA.

47. Are all telecommunication/fiberoptic lines concrete encased? No. They are not.

48. "If an existing utility or improvement is found that was not indicated on the contract drawings, will this condition be handled under FAR 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions, with appropriate equitable adjustments for cost and schedule?" The Contractor is responsible for locating all utilities prior to digging and is responsible for all damages, except those which are completely an unforeseen condition which adds to the quantity of work performed.

49. Perhaps I overlooked it, will the GC be required to provide a Builder’s Risk Policy? See Supplemental Insurance Requirements on page 42 for insurance policy requirements. Also, please take special note of the bonding requirements as outlined within the solicitation.

50. Will the Bid Form be revised to reflect the actual Scope of Work? It states that sanitary sewer, storm sewer and HVAC work is part of the Scope of Work. Note that “Item 1, General Construction” listed under the Price Offer Schedule and in the SOW is intended to be a general description of work/potential work. The full detailed Scope of Work is clearly defined with the project Drawings and Specifications.

51. Fire pump supplier wants to know if swapping the fire pump to a vertical inline in lieu of the vertical split case will be acceptable. Please advise. The existing pump is to be replaced with a pump of like kind and model to ensure a straightforward and seamless replacement with the same flowrate.

52. Where indicated on the plans, jack and bore is called out. Will this be a cased jack and bore, Dry bore with no casing, or Horizontal Directional Drill with HDPE pipe? See as Response #5.

53. Can Horizontal Directional Drill be used? Yes. Directional boring is required.

54. Will bores under buildings need to be a jack and bore with steel casing? Ie 16” steel casing and 8” carrier pipe? Can they be Horizontal directional drill with HDPE pipe? See Response #5

55. Will Carrier pipe in a cased bore need to be restrained joint ductile iron pipe? See Response #5.

56. Can a meter/ backflow size schedule be provided per building? I see sizes called out on plans but want verification. See Response #20.

57. When a tie to existing at the building is a hot tap, will the existing line need to be cut and capped, or will an existing valve be shut off? See Response #21.

58. Do existing valve boxes need to be removed/ abandoned? See Response #22.

59. Can a geotechnical report(s) be provided from previous site projects? See Response #23.

60. Can architectural drawings, from the buildings to be bored under, be provided? See Response #5.

61. Do those buildings have basements? What are footing details? See Response #5.

62. What level of breakout will be required for pricing? See Response #27.

63. Backhoe/Trackhoe/Excavator Wage Determination: $21.48+$11.20, is this accurate? Please verify. See Response #28.

64. Can we get a wage determination for bore machine operators? HDD or Jack and bore. See Response #29.

65. “On sheets C-205-C213 there is a number by the letter that calls out meter and box. Is that number the size of that meter?” Yes. These are the meter sizes.

66. All Water mains 4" and larger shall be PVC C900 Bell and Spigot Pipe (Open Cut) or Fusible C900 with PE C905 as an option for boring...." AWWA C905 is a PVC specification. Is the intent to specify AWWA C906, Polyethylene Pressure Pipe and Fittings? If polyethylene pipe is allowed, can we install by horizontal directional drilling in lieu of jack and bore? Yes. AWWA C906 PE pipe is acceptable.

67. The specifications state that the tracer wire must have soldered connections but the details on the plans show a 3M waterproof wire nut. Please advise if the 3M acceptable? It is acceptable to use 3M waterproof wire nut.

68. The General Notes section on sheet C-001 calls out all piping to be C900 Fusion pipe but then on the same sheet the Utility notes section says Belled or Fusion pipe. Please advise if we can use C900 fusion pipe? Used butt-fused C900 or C906 PE pipe for all bores.

69. Please advise if all bore locations have to use Fusion pipe? Yes

70. Please confirm all bore locations should be jack and bore? Directional drilling is acceptable.

71. Please confirm that all Jack and Bore steel piping should be double the size of the water main? EX. if its an 8" water main the steel sleeving should be 16"? See Response #2.

72. Some of the areas that show bore locations are not in a straight line. Please advise if these be adjusted where it will be a straight shot? If not at each turn there will have to be a break and we will have to install a MJ fitting to turn the pipe. It Is acceptable to bend pipe in bore to manufacturer allowed tolerances.

73. Please advise if the contractor needs to install the tree protection detail on all trees that are not being removed? If so, what is the span of area around our work area that needs the tree protection? Install moveable 6 ft tall chain link fence at drip line.

74. Some of the trees that it calls out for removing will be very difficult to find a replacement of the same size. Please advise if we can figure for 3" caliber replacement trees? Replacement with 3” caliper tree of like kind is acceptable.

75. Please advise if spoils need to be hauled off site or is there an area on site that they can be spread? Haul off all spoil from the project site and dispose of in a legal manner.

76. Please advise if there will be a temporary stockpile location on site? No unless it is surrounded by chain link fence, spoil shall be hauled off and restored with grass (temporary and permanently when finished).

77. Please advise if night or weekend work will be required on this contract? Yes. Both will be required.

78. Please advise if temporary chain link fence have to be installed around any open trench or will the standard orange safety fence be suitable? Yes. Use portable chain link fencing for all open trenches. No safety fencing allowed.

79. Everywhere they have a "Water Line by Jack & Bore Approval by Local VA" needs to be changed to directional drilling instead of a jack & bore. This is not an application for Jack and Boring. Directional drilling is allowed for this project.

80. Can we open cut and patch back the asphalt/concrete in lieu of drilling/boring in certain locations? Yes but only where approved by VA. All disturbed elements, including curb, must be replaced and fully restored to current grades.

81. Can we get an updated utility drawing before bid date? The VA can provide final record drawings from Fire Water Line and any other changes that have occurred since the date of these project drawings. The proposed project drawings show existing utilities in the area of this proposed project as of when the topographic survey was performed from existing utility drawings and SUE locates. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to verify all utility locations in the project area prior to digging or drilling.

82. Can you provide a profile of all the bores, especially under the buildings. If you drill into a utility under a building it will be a major issue. No. VA will provide building plans as available. There are no basements in the proposed boring areas. The Contractor will provide planned depths prior to drilling and will document depth and location for redline contractor drawings. Directional drilling with fused joint HDPE pipe or fused joint C900 pipe shall be used.

83. Section 02 21 13 Part 2, 3.3 D Utility Survey. See question 3, this should be part of existing utility drawings. The survey provided meets these requirements. Any survey performed by the Contractor to verify utility line locations or other physical elements must adhere to these same standards.

84. Will be VA operate all the existing valves to turn on and off the water on the VA's existing system? The liability of an old existing valve not operating properly or breaking does not need to be on the contractor. We have no way of knowing whether or not the existing valves have been properly maintained or working properly. Yes.