Attachment I - Questions and Answers.pdf

583-20-103 Parking Garage

Questions and Answers

COR/AE Replies: 6/27/2024

1. Is this a tax-exempt project?

Yes.

2. If tax-exempt, will the government provide the prime contractor with a tax-exempt certificate for use by subcontractors and vendors?

Yes.

3. Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects, or should they only be dedicated full-time to this project and this project only?

The superintendent shall be dedicated to this project only.

4. Can the Superintendent fulfill the Quality Control Manager role?

No, the superintendent cannot fulfill the Quality Control Manager (QCM) role. A dedicated QCM is required to be onsite at least once a week and when work requires (i.e., when items are going to be covered up or sealed and the QCM should inspect and document). The QCM will be required to inspect the site with the COR on a weekly basis for the duration of the project. The QCM shall provide a quality control report to the COR on a weekly basis. The quality control report shall include a description and pictures of the work that was completed that week.

5. Can the Superintendent fulfill the SSHO role?

The SSHO shall be dedicated and present on site while work is ongoing.

6. Does the VA require any scope of work in this project to be performed outside of regular work hours?

The following activities shall be conducted outside of normal business hours:

i. Work that causes vibrations or noise that can be heard or felt on adjacent floors.

ii. Cutting, drilling, demolishing, or fastening onto a portion of the building.

iii. Complete closure of a vehicle access route or entrance.

iv. Work impacting patient care and/or normal facility operations.

The contractor’s means and methods will determine when work needs to be performed outside of regular work hours.

Additionally, construction shutdown work shall be completed during low patient times and performed between Friday 6:00 pm through midnight concluding by 6:00 pm on the following Sunday.

All work performed outside of regular business hours of operation shall be coordinated with the COR.

7. For work scopes that must be performed off hours, what trades or scopes will be required to perform off-hour work?

See the answer for question #6.

8. What will the work hours and days be for scopes that require off-hours work?

This will be determined by the contractor and coordinated with the COR. Off-hours work is weekends and from 4:30 pm to 7:00 am Monday through Friday.

Additionally, construction shutdown work shall be completed during low patient times and performed between Friday 6:00 pm through midnight concluding by 6:00 pm on the following Sunday.

All work performed outside of regular business hours of operation shall be coordinated with the COR.

9. Please provide a copy of the Site Visit Attendance Sheet.

See attached.

10. In the event of a schedule slip, will overtime work be allowed?

A firm-fixed-price contract will be used for this project. The contractor sets the schedule as long as the project is completed in the period of performance. The COR cannot approve an accelerated schedule but may authorize the contractor to work to catch up to the approved schedule.

11. In the event of contract modifications, should contractors apply bond premiums to the individual modification or wait until the end of the job, at which time the VA will issue a final modification to reimburse contractors for bond overruns?

Cost associated with modifications should be submitted for each modification during the negotiation process. Cost associated with those MODs will not be revisited at the end of the contract.

12. Where is the designated contractors' and subcontractors' parking area?

The contractor will be authorized to park two vehicles in the F-lot and three vehicles at the site. All other vehicles will be required to park at the CSR campus. 2669 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, IN

46222.

13. Will the VA allow 2-3 spaces for the prime contractor and each subcontractor?

No, the contractor will be authorized to park two vehicles in the F-lot and three vehicles at the site.

All other vehicles will be required to park at the CSR campus.

14. Where shall these people park if the VA cannot make 2-3 spaces available for the prime contractor and each of the subs?

The contractor will be authorized to park two vehicles in the F-lot and three vehicles at the site. All other vehicles will be required to park at the CSR campus.

15. How many hours should the prime contractor and subcontractors budget for onsite badging, safety training, orientation, etc?

The estimated time is 4 hours.

16. Is TB Testing required before contractors can commence work onsite?

According to the Pre-Construction Risk Assessment, TB testing is not required.

17. Will the VA provide the point of contact information for the BMS integration contractor?

Conserv Building Automation System

814 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 578-9860

18. Will the VA allow contractors to use water from VA sources?

If a water source is available, then the VA will allow contractors to use water. The Contractor shall use the water source responsibly or the contractor will be required to use their own water source. The

Contractor will be required to provide all required equipment and materials to make the connections.

The VA will not use their resources to make the connection or provide the source.

19. Is temp power available for contractors to connect to?

This is depending on the power required. Power is limited. More information will be needed to answer this question.

20. What are the locations for temp power?

This is depending on the power required. Power is limited. More information will be needed to answer this question.

21. Are contractors required to set a pole and meter electric usage?

Electric usage wouldn’t need to be metered.

22. Is space available for a 10’ x 40’ temporary ground-level office near the temporary power source?

The office trailer will need to be located at the CSR campus. Power may not be available depending on the power requirement.

23. Will the VA provide space for a 20-yard dumpster?

The VA will provide space for a dumpster that fits in a single parking space.

24. Where shall contractor dumpsters be located?

F-Lot or I-Lot.

25. Can the VA accommodate a dumpster near the job site?

We allow space for a dumpster in F or I lot.

26. Will the VA allow contractors to use VA indoor restrooms?

No, Porta Johns will be required.

27. Can Porta Johns be placed within a 100’ radius of the job site if required?

Yes.

28. Will the VA consider waiving the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) requirement for structural steel fabrication and erection for this project? This requirement makes steel procurement on the project exponentially more difficult and costly.

The A/E is willing to waive the requirement for AISC Certification for the fabricator/erector, however welding certifications for the welders completing the work should be submitted to the VA. Note that steel detailing, fabrication, and erection shall still conform to AISC specifications and codes, latest edition.

29. Are any AISC substitute certifications acceptable instead of AISC certification?

See the answer for question #28.

30. Can utility tie-ins be performed during regular hours?

If a tie-in or an outage impacts patient care, then it will likely be required to be completed after hours.

31. Will the VA allow for stored material so that we can procure and lay down long lead items and/or critical path material/equipment?

Yes, materials will need to be stored at the CSR campus in a shipping container. The contractor should only store one- or two-days’ worth of materials on site in their designated work area.

32. Will the VA fully pay for this material/equipment if stored onsite?

Yes.

33. Drawing S505 detail 8 provides information on the guardrail; do all the aluminum guardrails need to be replaced?"

No, the drawings detail the new guardrails to be installed and the guardrails that just need to be repaired.

34. Please provide allowable work hours for the project (e.g. 5x10s, 6x10s days/nights/weekends, etc.).

Can we perform nights and weekends?

Construction activities should occur during (or closely around) normal business hours, defined as

7:00AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday. However, the VA may authorize the contractor to work after hours/weekends if required according to the nature of the work or to catch up to the approved schedule. All work performed outside of regular business hours of operation shall be coordinated with the COR.

35. Please clarify the daily workhours when concrete demolition and noisy work can be performed.

This will depend on how disruptive the noise and vibration is and where the work is being completed.

36. Please describe how to address relocations of conduit/piping for repair access where needed.

The contractor will be required to relocate and reinstall any utilities that are in the way of construction. A site walk or attending the pre-bid meeting is recommended.

37. Please describe the requirements for dust control setup at work area.

The contractor shall implement approved measures to suppress silica and dust generation during construction activities. The contractor shall provide a silica and dust suppression plan at least three

(3) weeks before the work start for VA approval.

Please refer to the Scope of Work, the drawings, and the specifications for detailed requirements.

38. Please clarify daily parking locations for our repair crew.

The contractor will be authorized to park two vehicles in the F-lot and three vehicles at the site. All other vehicles will be required to park at the CSR campus and shuttle over to the VA at the contractor’s expense.

39. Please provide detailed description of the weep hole repairs requested on Level A (South).

It is expected that the contractor has completed a field visit to the location to review the work. The weep holes shall be reworked and repaired as necessary so they are in working condition and are an aesthetic part of the lanscaped area. The weep holes shall be unclogged and made decorative with drip edge. The exposed concrete shall be cleaned.

40. Please provide location of laydown/staging areas and dumpster location.

One dumpster will be authorized in F-lot or I-Lot. The exact location will be determined at a later date.

41. Please provide depth of removal and thickness of leveling compound to be used as the basis for this bid proposal.

The leveling compound is indicated on the plans as Mark J and Detail 8/S-504. The quantities are provided as Square Feet (SF). The Civil drawings (CU101 - CU 106) General Note 3 indicates scabbled areas shall be a minimum 1/4" to a maximum of 1 1/2" deep. The Detail 8/S-504 has been revised to indicate the following: provide vertical sawcut at perimeter of 1/4" minimum, remove original surface by scarifying/ scabbling a minimum of 1/4" to a maximum of 1 1/2" deep, basis of design concrete repair material shall be VERASPEED LS 100 (or an approved equal). The thickness of leveling compound to be used would be 1/4" minimum to what is required for a sloped plane area capable of flowing water. Reference the revised detail and sketch provided.

42. Please provide volume of epoxy for crack injection to be used as the basis for this bid proposal (e.g.

volume rate per LF of crack injection).

It is expected that the contractor has completed a field visit to the location to review the work. The unknown variable here is the thickness of the crack that is within the slab or joist and if there are unknown voids within those areas. According to the A/E, the estimate should be based on the contractors experience with similar concrete crack injection projects.

43. Please provide depth of column repair to be used as the basis for this bid proposal.

It is expected that the contractor has completed a field visit to the location to review the work. The column repair quantities are provided as cubic feet (ft^3). The depth of the repair is dependent on the concrete nonconformity within the column, this will be unknown until the contractor removes the existing spalled/unsound material at the column repair area. The depth can also be dependent on where the crack is at the column exterior and where the crack extends to within the column. It is expected that for columns which are not to be shored that minimum demolition is completed, in order that the structural integrity of the column is maintained during repair.

44. Please provide quantity (e.g. width/depth/area) of concrete repair to be performed with expansion joint locations to be used as the basis of this bid proposal.

The A/E is requesting that the contractor clarify/reference locations that pertain to the question. Note that each RFI should have a reference such as a drawing or location, or provide a sketch where the

RFI originates from.

45. Please provide depth of topping slab repair to be used as the basis of this bid proposal.

The A/E is requesting that the contractor clarify/reference locations that pertain to the question. Note that each RFI should have a reference such as a drawing or location, or provide a sketch, where the

RFI originates from.

46. What are the phasing requirements? Is there a limit on the parking lots closed off at any one time? Or entrance/exit?

Refer to the drawings. Phasing notes and details are included in Drawings GC001, and GC101 though

GC113.

At a minimum, 75% of the parking garage system shall be fully functional between 7:00 AM Monday and 4:30 PM Friday.

The phasing plan shown in the drawings is a guide intended to outline the order in which specific portions of the work are to be performed in relation to other portions of the work. However, the contractor can submit an alternative phasing plan for review and approval by the COR, with no associated additional cost to the VA.

47. Are there any hazardous materials such as lead paint or asbestos that will need to be abated as part of the repair scopes.

Not that the VA is aware of.

48. Can the VA please extend the RFI deadline so that as the contractors dig deeper into the project drawings, specifications and requirements over the we can submit any further RFI questions to get answers to? Request COB Friday 6/28/24.

The COR is OK with extending the RFI deadline. The specific due date shall be determined by the

Contracting Officer.

49. A shoring design has been provided for the column and beam concrete repairs. Can the EOR please provide the required shoring design/layout for the slab repair locations? E.g. joist repairs, overhead repairs, full depth slab repairs, wall repairs, etc.

The A/E provided design for shoring for the major repair areas such as columns which support the beams, slabs and joists above. Shoring at supported concrete areas such as slabs or joists would be per the contractors means and methods.

50. Specs 01-00 00-9 call for 7 ft minimum high fence – would 6ft perimeter fence around working areas acceptable.

6 ft would be acceptable.

51. During walk through it was mention that Columns being repaired would need to be repainted. Can the

VA provide a list of specific other items/areas that will require painting (excluding striping already included) along with appropriate painting specifications.

No column or wall painting is included in this project. Only the specific items detailed in the drawings need to be painted.

52. Will this contractor be able to take over the remaining area of Lot # 7 for the office trailer, storage trailer and lull. And minimal parking for Superintendent? As South half of Lot # 7 is already completely fenced in by another contractor.

The office trailer will need to be located at the CSR campus.

Materials will need to be stored at the CSR campus in a shipping container. The contractor should only store one- or two-days’ worth of materials on site in their designated work area.

One dumpster will be authorized in F-lot or I-Lot.

The contractor will be authorized to park two vehicles in the F-lot and three vehicles at the site. All other vehicles will be required to park at the CSR campus.

53. Is it the responsibility of the contractor to determine what class of ICRA will be required?

No, Infection Prevention (VA) determines what class the ICRA will be.

54. Are there existing as-built/or design electrical drawings available?

No electrical drawings are available. A site walk or attending the pre-bid meeting is recommended.

***End of Q&A***