36C25020B0010-0003001.docx

Requests for Information (RFIs) Project: 552-19-106 – Replace Elevators (Bldg. 330) Solicitation: 36C25020B0010

1. Drawing AS401shows the flooring drawn as 1-foot square tiles. The tile shown in the finish schedule on this page come as 18” x 18”. Please advise on if the tile in the schedule are correct. If so, please review and advise on the tile layout. Response: The tile shown in the finish schedule is correct. Please refer to revised sheet AS401.

2. Is this project tax exempt? Response: Yes.

3. Confirm that this project will take place during normal working hours. Response: This project will take place during normal working hours.

4. Refer to Spec Section 14 22 00:

0. 1.4 Section A- Approved Contractors: Are the other vendors that attended the site visit (American, Peak, Murphy, Oracle) that are not listed in 14 22 00-4 Section 1.4 eligible to bid this project? Or only the approved contractors listed (Kone, Otis, Schindler, ThyssenKrupp)? Response: Other contractors may be considered at the discretion of the Owner and Consultant.

0. 1.4 Section C: 6- Elevator Motor Control: ACVVF Yaskawa or KEB – will the thyssenkrupp 10K drive be acceptable on this project? Response: Allowable, as long as it is the most recent drive technology, fully maintainable, and meets all conditions of the specification. 18-13

0. 1.4 Section H: 9- Please provide further information on the VA Barrier Free Design Standard PG-18-13. Response: Reference Page 3 of PG

5. If an item not covered in the scope fails acceptance test. What is the procedure for replacement? Example, buffers are to be retained, but if a buffer fails who is responsible for replacement cost? Response: Contractor to document and submit existing condition of equipment. If failure occurs at no fault to contractor, then contractor is not responsible for replacement cost

6. From Delaware Elevator:

a. We have performed work all over the US for the VA and all over the world for the US government. We are interested in this project, however the specifications state:

D. Approved Installers:

1. KONE, Otis, Schindler, ThyssenKrupp. Approval by the Contracting Officer is required for products and services of proposed manufacturers, suppliers and installers and shall be contingent upon submission of certificates by the Contractor stating the following:2. Elevator contractor is currently and regularly engaged in the installation of elevator equipment as one of his principal products.

Please let me know if we would be considered an approved Installer on this project.

Response: Other contractors may be considered at the discretion of the Owner and Consultant. Preference of Lerch Bates is to utilize a contractor with an office and maintenance presence in Dayton.

7. Door operators are specified to be heavy duty linear – Does GAL MOVFRII meet this requirement? It is the heaviest duty operator available. Response: No, Linear per spec.

8. Door Hold button in service car only or service and passenger cars? Response: LB: All Cars

9. Is the completion time frame a 365-work day or calendar day metric? Does that timeline start from award or when materials arrive? Response: 365 calendar days from receipt of notice to Proceed. (re: Solicitation – FAR 52.211-10.) Period of performance is extended to 560 calendar days from receipt of Notice to Proceed (NTP).

10. What are the requirements for the lobby panel? Response: LB: In accordance with Section 2.14 B and 2.15

11. When replacing the hoistway door panels, are you requiring the replacement of the hoistway door only or the hangers, tracks, rollers, etc. as well? Response: LB (Lerch Bates): Provide all new per specification.

12. Are sump pumps required in all elevator pits? Response: LB: Pits appear to be historically dry and will not require sump pumps.

13. In the specifications, Section 14 22 00 “Electric Traction Elevator Modernization” it specifies only Otis, Schindler, Kone, and TKE are approved bidders is Paragraph 1.4, is it possible to get an experienced local independent vendor approved? Response: LB: Would require additional information on local contractor and authorization from the Owner/Consultant.

14. Is it possible to get additional companies approved for cabs and hoistway door panels, i.e. Columbia? Response: LB: Yes, provide list of additional companies for review.

15. Is the Hollister Whitney rope brake required if machine is equipped with auxiliary brake? Response: LB: No.

16. In specification section 14 22 00 - Paragraph 2.9.H indicates the finish of door panels and frames are stainless steel satin. The existing sides of the frames were stainless steel and the top (header) was painted, Paragraph 2.2.I refers to painting of the frames. Is cladding required for the frames in stainless steel, is the header to remain painted? Response: LB: Provide per section 2.9 A. for frames. Retain existing.

17. Where does fire fighters control panel go? Response: LB: Replace where existing.

18. There is a reference to VA Seismic requirements – what will be the VA requirements for this project? The seismic zone maps show Dayton as zone 1. Response: LB: Shall meet the requirement of VA Seismic Design Manual H-18-8.

19. Can the period of performance be extended 180 days? Or is it possible to define the Notice to Proceed (NTP) based on completion of component manufacturing? Response: See question 9.

20. Regarding the Phasing/ICRA plan & notes:

Note 2. States to provide temporary dust barrier between elevator cabs within entire hoistway. Seal all seams and penetrations.

According to elevator contractor: Due to the moving parts and pieces in these elevators, sealing the space completely between the cabs would be impossible. There will be minimum dust created with the work being done on these elevators. Would it be acceptable to drape plastic from the rails/beams separating the elevator cabs & sealing/taping, with the understanding that it will not be 100% dustproof? Response: The intent of the ICRA is to prevent exposing patients/staff to construction dust and VOCs. This is of paramount importance and will be inspected, assessed, and approved by local VA safety and infection control personnel. It is reasonable for the successful bidder to expect daily inspections of containment barriers and potentially hazardous air flow. If at any time the IC and safety personnel determine that an installed barrier is not sufficient to protect patients and staff, construction will not commence until the deficiency is rectified. It is the contractor’s responsibility to develop a construction plan that ensures these standards are met. If the successful bidder proposes an alternate plan that achieves the same result, then that would be acceptable. Without a detailed work plan it is not possible to determine if draping plastic over the rails/beams separating the elevator cabs & sealing/taping is acceptable.

21. Multi-Part Question Below:

· General Items:

· Please confirm if it would be possible for a second site visit, so some of our subcontractors can get on site to see the existing conditions. Response: No

· Is this project tax exempt? Response: See question 2.

· Confirm the ICRA level for the facility? Response: See question 21.

· Clarify specifications that on-site Superintendent can also be both SSHO and QA/QC? Response: No

· Have existing elevator components been tested for ACM / lead? Response: Refer to General Conditions

· Clarify if a Construction Scheduling Firm will be a requirement of the project? Response: No

· What is overall height of building from grade to parapet? Response: Addressed in division 09.

· Will alternate elevator contractors be acceptable for this project? Please confirm if alternate elevator companies would be considered as an approved contractor for this project. Many have performed work all over the US for the VA and all over the world for the US government. We have heard from many who are interested in this project, however the specifications state:

D. Approved Installers:

KONE, Otis, Schindler, ThyssenKrupp. Approval by the Contracting Officer is required for products and services of proposed manufacturers, suppliers and installers and shall be contingent upon submission of certificates by the Contractor stating the following:

Elevator contractor is currently and regularly engaged in the installation of elevator equipment as one of his principal products.

Response: Yes

· Please confirm if any of the crane work need to be done on overtime. Response: Means and Methods are the responsibility of the contractor.

· Please confirm if local permits are required. Response: Means and Methods are the responsibility of the contractor.

· If crane is to be utilized to get HVAC equipment to roof, where is approved crane pad area? Response: Means and Methods are the responsibility of the contractor.

· If existing elevator cabs are to remain, we are assuming that flooring will be replaced? Is this correct or will existing flooring remain? Response: Remove existing flooring.

· If flooring is to be removed, what is underlayment in existing elevator cabs and does this require replacement also? Response: Contractor to field verify

· If new flooring is to be used in existing elevator cabs, will the weight of new flooring be a factor? Response: Contractor to field verify

· If new flooring is to be used in existing elevator cabs, is the thickness of new flooring being taken into account and will elevator cars / sills require adjustment? Response: Contractor to field verify

· Bid documents call for project to be completed in 365 days from NTP. Provide clarification on the following items:

· Will NTP be issued at time of project award or when 1st set of cars being able to be taken out of service? This is being asked based on the following information being provided by several Elevator Companies who are currently bidding on this project.

· Elevator timeframes based on NTP upon award:

· NTP Issued

· Shop drawings ~ 6 weeks

· Approval by AE ~ 3 weeks

· Fabrication ~ 12 weeks (for 1st phase of cars)

· Phase 1 (Elev. P-1 & SE-1) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 2 (Elev. P-2 & SE-2) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 3 (Elev. P-3 & SE-3) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 4 (Elev. P-4 & SE-4) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 5 (Elev. P-5 & P6) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Total duration of work ~ 81 weeks

· Elevator timeframes based NTP at Phase 1 Elevators being taken out of service:

· Shop drawings ~ 6-8 weeks

· Approval by AE ~ 3 weeks

· Fabrication ~ 12 weeks (for 1st phase of cars)

· NTP Issued

· Phase 1 (Elev. P-1 & SE-1) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 2 (Elev. P-2 & SE-2) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 3 (Elev. P-3 & SE-3) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 4 (Elev. P-4 & SE-4) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 5 (Elev. P-5 & P6) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Total duration of work ~ 60 weeks

· Proposed Elevator phasing based on NTP at Phase 1 Elevators being taken out of service:

· Shop drawings ~ 6-8 weeks

· Approval by AE ~ 3 weeks

· Fabrication ~ 12 weeks (for 1st phase of cars)

· NTP Issued

· Phase 1 (Elev. SE-1 & SE-2) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 2 (Elev. SE-3 & SE-4) ~ 11 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 3 (Elev. P-1 & P-2 & P-3) ~ 13 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 4 (Elev. P-4 & P-5 & P-6) ~ 13 weeks + 1 week for testing

· Phase 5 eliminated

· Total duration of work ~ 52 weeks

Response: Refer to question 9

· Division 03: Concrete

· Provide clarification as to where concrete is to be utilized. Plans / details do not reflect concrete. Response: Patching any voids in shaft wall. Contractor to field verify.

· Are there sump pits in all elevator shafts? Response: Yes

· Division 04: Masonry

· Specifications & Plans do not reflect extent of work. Provide clarification of where masonry grouting is to be completed for all elevator shafts. Response: Contractor to field verify exact location and quantities.

· Division 05: Metals

· Provide clarification as to where metal fabrications are to be installed. Details do not reflect metal fabrications. Response: See mechanical details sheet for roofing details.

· Provide details / information if elevator pit ladders will be required? Response: Yes, code compliant ladders required. Refer to detail 5/AS111.

· Under Car Access: Provide permanent ladder and platform for access to under car equipment as required by code. Provide details / information if any elevator pits are in excess of 4’-0 deep and require a safety steel platform? Response: Permanently stored means to access under car will be required in each pit. Refer to detail 5/AS111 for elevator pit ladder detail.

· HVAC systems are indicated on roof (note 5 sheet M110) and roof detail per sheet M002 reflects roof to be concrete. Will steel support systems be required for support of mechanical unit? Response: Equipment support curb shall be installed per detail on sheet M002. Curb shall be WELDED 14 GAUGE EQUIPMENT SUPPORT CURB, MEETING ASTM A-446, 525, 526 AND 527 REQUIREMENTS, WITH WELDED CORNERS WITH SEAMS JOINED BY CONTINUOUS WELDS. CURB SHALL BE INTERNALLY REINFORCED WITH BULKHEADS AND SPREADERS, 24" ON CENTER TO MEET LOAD RATING OF EQUIPMENT. CURB TO EXTEND 6" BEYOND EQUIPMENT. CURB SHALL BE MINIMUM 12" ABOVE FINISHED ROOF.

· Division 07: Thermal & Moisture Protection

· Roofing is not indicated within specification. Response: Existing roofing membrane to remain, patch per roofing manufacturer’s recommendations. Confirm roofing manufacturer with VA (assume EPDM).

· Is existing roofing currently under warranty? If under warranty, who was the contractor who installed roof? Response: Contractor to field verify

· What type of roof is currently in place? Is roof EPDM? TPO? Provide clarification

· Detail for pipe support / sheet M002 reflects a heavy-duty pipe support which appears to be a type utilized to bear on steel joist / beam system. If roof is concrete can a lighter gage unit be utilized? Also, it appears that there is a very small amount of piping on the roof. Can we utilize the roof manufacturers approved component? Please advise Response: Due to amount of piping on roof, lighter gauge may be used or roof manufacturer’s approved component.

· Division 09: Finishes

· Elevator Machine Room:

· What is floor to deck overall height? Response: Overall deck height is 125’-2”, from first floor to top of deck above penthouse.

· Note 2 of area of louver removal. What is stud size to be used for infill? Response: 3-5/8” metal studs

· Is existing room walls and deck to be painted? Provide specifications of required prep and finishes if required? Yes, refer to specification section 09 91 00

· Enlarged Server Room Floor Plan:

· What is wall type for new walls? Wall type could not be located. Response: Refer to sheet AS001 “Wall Types Legend and General Notes”. The wall type is S3.C2, whose detail is shown on sheet AS001.

· What is wall construction fire rating? Door is specified as 60-minute Response: 2 hour

· Are walls to be painted on exterior of room? Response: Yes

· Are existing walls in Server Room to be painted? Response: Yes

· Is existing ceiling / deck to be painted? Response: No

· Is existing rack being utilized and what is extent of protection required? Response: Yes, existing rack to be remain. Take precautions necessary to not damage.

· Are new walls to have diagonal bracing from wall construction to deck above? Response: Yes, as detailed.

· Are new walls constructed on Server Machine Rm floor to have base installed on both sides of new walls? Is base to be installed on existing walls? Response: No

· Where is resilient tile to be installed? Response: In elevator Cabs

· Elevator lobbies:

· Elevator controls and indicator lights are to be removed / replaced. Provide interior elevation reflecting existing work and proposed work modifications. Response: Remove and replace elevator controls

· Are elevator lobby walls to be painted? Provide elevation reflecting extent of work? Response: No

· Are existing elevator lobby walls plaster on masonry or drywall on stud framing? Response: Masonry and Stud framing

· Elevator doors:

· Are doors (existing or new) to have identification of elevator car ? is a vinyl number / letter (1, 2, 3… or A, B, C…. to be applied to each door for all elevators? Provide clarification. Response: No

· Division 14: Conveying Equipment

· Are Class “ABC” fire extinguisher in each elevator machine room existing or will we need to provide new units? Response: LB: Existing can be retained if inspection is current and it meets code.

· Please confirm if Smartrise is an acceptable controller manufacturer. Response: LB: No

· Please confirm if Elevator Controls is an acceptable controller manufacturer. Response: LB: Yes

· Please confirm if IDEC is an acceptable Cab Manufacturer. Response: LB: Yes

· Please confirm if Alternate #3 is providing OEM controllers as referred to in the Specifications, Section 14 22 00-17 Letter B #2, or is Alternate #3 providing non-proprietary controllers as referenced in the Drawing G1000. The OEM controller manufacturers that were listed in the Specifications would refer to Proprietary equipment rather than non-proprietary equipment. Response: LB: Alternate 3 is providing OEM controllers.

· Specifications require all products to be of the same manufacturer, however, the specification also requires and requests products from different manufacturers. Please provide clarification on this discrepancy. Response: LB: Need additional information of exact sections being referred to.

· Please confirm if we are retaining or replacing the existing entrances. Response: LB: Retaining existing entrance frames.

· The Specification, 14 22 00 Electric Traction Elevator Modernization / 1.2 Related Work / B. Architectural and Structural, Machine Room / #2, states that there are to be stairs to the machine room installed. Can you please provide detail for the stairs? Response: LB: Stairs used for means of access to the machine room shall meet code.

· The Specifications 14 22 00 Electric Traction Elevator Modernization / 1.2 Related Work / G. Elevator Contractor Related Work / Under Car Access: Provide permanent ladder and platform for access to under car equipment as required by code. calls for a platform in the pit. Can you please provide information and details for the platform? Also provide total overall depth of these deeper pits. Response: LB: Contractor should determine based on their surveys. Permanent means to access under the car shall meet code.

· Please confirm if the new IT equipment room is required to have HVAC installed?

· Please confirm if the new sump pumps that are specified in Division 14 Electric Traction Elevator Modernization are required to be oil minder type? Where is the drain location to these sump pumps, and how many are required for the project? Quantity cannot be determined from plans. Response: LB: As pits are historically dry, sumps may be removed.

· The Elevator specification requires no more than 3 call backs during the interim maintenance period. Can you please provide a call back report on each elevator for the last 3 years in order to achieve this requirement? Response: Call back requirement is during the interim maintenance period, not past periods. Intent is to ensure operational units during modernization are properly maintained

· The Specification states that elevator contractor is to comply with the terms of the existing maintenance agreement. Can you please provide a copy of those agreements and terms?

· Please provide detail on barricades that may be required i.e. height, product, distance, etc. Response: Barricades shall be Osha and VA approved dimensions.

· Please confirm if you require cross cancellation panels to be installed. Response: Elevator contractor is to ensure all units not being modernized are operational throughout the project, including during the period of migrating from old to new controllers and fixtures

· Division 21: Fire Suppression

· Is existing system on a fire pump? Response: Yes

· What is existing layout to allow for calculation of heads requiring being repositioned for new Server Rm? Response: Contractor to field verify

· What are existing sprinkler head installation details? Are existing sprinkler heads in Warehouse orientation? Response: They are upright, pendant.

· What is the height of existing sprinkler main / sub-mains? Response: Contractor to field verify

· Division 23: HVAC

· Condensing unit on roof per sheet M 110 calls for drain and refrigerant lines to be run from another floor level.

· What is thickness of existing floor / roof which is to be core drilled? Response: Contractor to field verify

· What if any is fire rating from floor construction? Response: Contractor to field verify

· Please confirm if you require any work to fire dampers? Response: No

· Is roof accessible through Server Rm for placement of roof mtd. condensing unit rather than utilizing a crane for the lift? Provide size of existing roof hatch Response: Double door is shown on plans for access.

· Division 26: Electrical

· Sheet ED110 / note 4 calls for removal of existing lighting fixtures from elevator pit thru floor 10. Provide clarification on how many lights are within each shaft and their relative locations? Response: We do not note the location or number of lights during our review, only the requirement to change them. If they are not on an existing as-built we can assist in getting access to the hoist way with the appropriate parties.

· Partial First Floor – Elevator Lobby calls for removal and replacement of existing elevator indicator panel. Is opening in wall currently the correct size for new panel or will wall modifications be required? If wall modifications are required, provide elevator to reflect area of existing wall to be repaired and repainted. Response: Specification calls for replacement, and oversized fixtures to cover existing blockouts. Wall modifications of some degree should be considered though.

· Are GFCI convenience outlets in pit existing? If in only selected pits provide locations and if additional are required and where? Response: Bidding contractor to determine and provide per code and spec.