RFIs - Repaint Water Tower 655-26-201.pdf

1) Will the VA will give the contractor room in that parking lot around the tower for staging equipment?

Yes, space will be made available. See attached site plan.

2) If so, do you know how much room will be given?

See attached site plan.

3) Does this area need to be surrounded by temp fence with privacy screens and gates?

No, existing fencing around water tower shall be utilized.

4) Is a containment required for this project prior to painting?

Containment level is at contractor’s discretion provided:

1. No visible emissions cross the property line or reach occupied buildings.

2. All spent abrasive, paint chips, and rinse water are captured and characterized for disposal.

3. Parked vehicles and adjacent structures are protected from overspray.

4. Stormwater is not contaminated.

5) Are there any site photos that can be provided?

Yes, see attached reports.

6) Will the VA be responsible for sterilization following completion of interior coatings?

No, contractor shall be responsible for sterilization. Per Section 22 12 16, Para 3.8 requires 24-hour chlorine contact period, then flush to residual matching supply water

7) Will the VA be responsible for draining the tower?

VA will drain and isolate the tank. Refill water for flushing/disinfection will be provided by VA (per 01 00 00, Para 1.17.C). Contractor is responsible for flushing, disinfection, and third-party water quality testing prior to return to service.

8) Will the VA be responsible for providing temporary pressure to the facility?

VA will operate isolation valves and place the facility on city water pressure during the outage. No temporary pumping or pressurization by the contractor is required. Per Section 01 00 00, Para 1.6.K.2, contractor must submit utility interruption requests in writing 48 hours in advance (15 calendar days for major interruptions per 1.6.K.4).

9) Will the VA be responsible for any water testing?

No, contractor to be responsible for having water tested through a third party.

10) Are there any concerns for Asbestos Containing Material or Lead in the areas being worked in?

No, the existing water tower was installed in 2012. The existing paint and insulation shop drawings are attached.

11) Are there any ICRA requirements for this project?

No ICRA permit is required because work does not occur within or adjacent to occupied patient care areas. A PCRA addressing exterior construction hazards (dust migration toward HVAC intakes, vehicle/pedestrian protection, noise to occupied buildings) is still required per Section 01 35 26, Para 1.14.

12) Are there any concerns for Asbestos Containing Material or Lead in the areas being worked in?

No, the existing water tower was installed in 2012. The existing paint and insulation shop drawings are attached.

13) Are there any ICRA requirements for this project?

No ICRA permit is required because work does not occur within or adjacent to occupied patient care areas. A PCRA addressing exterior construction hazards (dust migration toward HVAC intakes, vehicle/pedestrian protection, noise to occupied buildings) is still required per Section 01 35 26, Para 1.14.

14) Fall Protection Requirements: Please clarify the project-specific fall protection requirements for work on the elevated water tower, including whether engineered fall protection systems, horizontal lifelines, or tie-off anchorage systems currently exist and may be utilized by the contractor. If existing systems are not available, please confirm whether the contractor is responsible for all temporary engineered fall protection systems required to safely complete the work.

See existing shop drawings of water tower. It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to provide all temporary engineered fall protection.

15) Containment Requirements: Please clarify the required level of containment for the exterior washing, surface preparation, and coating operations. Will full containment be required for all exterior work activities, or will localized containment and debris collection methods be acceptable?

It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to prevent damage to any persons, structures, vehicles, vegetation etc., that might be affected by exterior operations. Containment shall be required; the level of containment shall be at the contractor’s discretion.

16) Lead-Based Paint Testing: Please provide any available lead-based paint testing reports, hazardous material surveys, or existing coating analysis for the water tower. If no reports are available, please clarify whether contractors should assume the existing coatings contain lead and bid accordingly.

No lead-based paint testing reports are available. The Water tower was installed around 2012, post- dating the residential lead paint ban and after general industrial transition away from lead-based coatings. Existing pain shop drawings (attached) confirm coating products used. Contractors may rely on this documentation; however, if contractor elects to perform confirmatory XRF or paint chip testing, it shall be at the contractor’s expense and scheduled prior to surface preparation.

17) Interior Tank Access and Dewatering: Please clarify whether the Government will provide draining and isolation of the water tower prior to the contractor mobilizing for interior work.

Additionally, please confirm whether the contractor will have unrestricted access to the interior tank during the full blasting and recoating operations.

VA will provide draining and isolation of the water. Contractor to provide company safety program. Water Tower Tank is deemed a confined space at the facility. Section 01 35 26, Para 1.24 requires a site-specific Confined Space Entry Plan

18) Water Tower Operational Restrictions: Please clarify whether there are any restrictions on outages, shutdown durations, or seasonal limitations associated with taking the water tower out of service for interior rehabilitation work.

No operational restrictions, facility will operate valves to run on city pressure.

19) Coating Inspection and Testing: Please clarify whether the Government will retain an independent coating inspector/testing agency, or whether the contractor is responsible for all coating inspections, testing, and documentation requirements. If contractor responsibility, please specify required certifications for inspectors and testing standards to be followed.

Contractor shall be responsible for all third party coating, inspections, testing, and documentation. Inspector shall be NACE/AMPP Level II minimum (Level III preferred for immersion service per AWWA D102). Inspector shall not be employed by the coating applicator (independent third-party required for immersion coating verification).

Inspection reports shall include all data per Section 09 96 00, Para 1.8.G. Per Section 9 96 00, Para 3.2.C.5 interior reservoir coating system shall be tested for volatile organic compounds. VOC extraction result must be below CPDH RDL for each volatile listed.

20) Existing Coating Thickness and Conditions: Please provide any available information regarding the existing coating system, including approximate dry film thickness (DFT), age of coatings, and known areas of coating failure or corrosion.

See attached shop drawings and tank inspection reports.

21) Environmental Monitoring: Please clarify whether the contractor is responsible for providing environmental monitoring during blasting and coating operations, including air monitoring, dust monitoring, and disposal sampling.

Contractor shall comply with monitoring requirements of Section 01 57 19 including particulate control, noise monitoring (sound levels measured every 5 working days when above 55 dB(A)), and any air monitoring required by Michigan EGLE for abrasive blasting operations.

22) Waste Disposal Requirements: Please clarify the requirements for disposal of blasting debris, spent abrasive materials, wastewater, and paint-related waste generated during the project. If hazardous waste handling is anticipated, please provide applicable disposal requirements and testing protocols.

Contractor shall perform TCLP testing of representative waste streams (spent abrasive, paint chips, wash water) prior to disposal. Hazardous waste is not anticipated based on coating history, but characterization is required by federal and Michigan EGLE regulations regardless. Provide waste manifests and disposal documentation to VA COR.

23) Work Hours and Access: Please clarify allowable working hours for this project and whether weekend work or extended shifts will be permitted. Additionally, please confirm any restrictions related to access routes, staging, or parking at the medical center campus.

See site access routes on attached site plan. Allowable work hours are 6 AM to 6 PM. No weekend work. Noise-producing high-impact work is restricted to 8 AM – 5 PM per Section 01 57 19, Para 1.5.

24) Utility Availability: Please confirm what temporary utilities will be made available to the contractor, including water and electrical power for blasting, ventilation, lighting, and coating operations. Please also clarify whether the contractor is responsible for temporary generators and water storage equipment.

Temp facilities are available. Contractors are required to provide backflow preventers if hooking up to a hydrant. There is a 3-phase, 225A, 208V panel located in the base of the water tower. If equipment requires additional power or any other temporary facilities not available on the site, it shall be the contractor's responsibility to provide.

25) Temporary Staging Areas: Please identify the designated laydown, staging, and material storage areas available for contractor use during the project.

26) Crane Access and Rigging: Please clarify whether there are any restrictions regarding crane placement, ground loading, or rigging operations near the water tower site. Please also confirm whether the Government has any known underground utility concerns within proposed crane set-up areas.

No known underground utility concerns. If a crane is to be utilized contractor is required to provide a lifting plan and to verify the ground bearing capacity for crane outrigger loads.

27) Schedule and Sequencing: Please clarify whether the Government has a preferred sequence or phasing plan for exterior coating work versus interior rehabilitation activities.

Additionally, please confirm whether all work must be completed within one continuous outage period.

The government prefers to minimize the time the tank is empty. Any sequencing/phasing plan to prioritize interior rehabilitation. All interior work to be completed within one continuous outage period.

Existing Coatings & Hazardous Materials

28) Does the Government have a hazardous materials or lead assessment of the existing interior tank coatings? If the spent abrasive from the specified interior full-blast (SSPC-SP

10) is determined to be hazardous (e.g., lead- or chromate-bearing), please clarify responsibility for containment, characterization/testing, and disposal, and whether a contingency or allowance line item will be provided. [Ref: SOW; Spec 09 96 00; Dwg CS1.1, Note 2]

No, the government does not have a hazardous or lead assessment of the existing interior tank coating. Existing tank was installed around 2012, to facilities knowledge no hazardous materials were used. Contractor shall be responsible for testing of spent abrasive prior to disposal and disposing in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations per Spec 01 57 19. No separate allowance line item is provided; bidders shall include all costs in base bid based on the Government's representation that no lead/chromate coatings are anticipated.

29) What level of containment does the Government require for (a) the exterior wash and overcoat and (b) the interior abrasive blast? Are there restrictions on, or permits required for, discharge or disposal of exterior wash water and blast residue? [Ref: Spec 01 57 19; 09 96 00 §1.7.C]

Contractor is responsible for full containment of exterior wash water and interior blast residue per NPDES permit requirements (Spec 01 00 00 Para 1.10.C) and applicable state/local regulations.

Tank Service & Return to Service

30) Does this water tower serve the facility fire-suppression system, domestic/potable water, or both? While the tank is out of service for recoating, will the Government provide redundant supply, or must the Contractor furnish temporary water service? Please identify any outage-duration limits and coordination requirements. [Ref: Dwg G1.1 ("Fully Sprinklered"); SOW] VA will operate isolation valves and place the facility on city water pressure during the outage. No temporary pumping or pressurization by the contractor is required. Per Section 01 00 00, Para 1.6.K.2, contractor must submit utility interruption requests in writing 48 hours in advance (15 calendar days for major interruptions per 1.6.K.4).

31) Following recoating, who is responsible for disinfection, flushing, and bacteriological testing before the tank returns to potable service, and what acceptance criteria apply?

[Ref: Spec 22 11 00; AWWA C652]

Contractor is responsible for disinfection, flushing, and bacteriological testing per Spec 22 12 16 Para 3.7–3.8 and AWWA C652. COR will witness. Acceptance criteria: residual chlorine not greater than supply water, and bacteriological samples meeting state/local potable water standards.

32) Is permanent site electrical power available for dehumidification and heating during interior surface preparation, application, and curing? If not, please confirm the Contractor is to furnish temporary power/generators. [Ref: Spec 09 96 00 §1.10.B]

There is a 3-phase, 225A, 208V panel located in the base of the water tower. If equipment requires additional power or any other temporary facilities not available on the site, it shall be the contractor's responsibility to provide.

Site Conditions & Logistics

33) Will the Government conduct a pre-bid site visit or site walk? If so, please provide the date, time, location, and any registration or security requirements. [Ref: Solicitation]

Yes, June 16th @ 10:30 AM. See attached site plan for contractor entrance.

34) Are there restrictions on contractor working hours, noise, or material laydown/staging at this operating medical center, and what are the badging and security requirements for contractor personnel? [Ref: Spec 01 35 26]

Allowable work hours are 6 AM to 6 PM. No weekend work. Noise-producing high-impact work is restricted to 8 AM – 5 PM per Section 01 57 19, Para 1.5. Contractor to check-in with facility at the beginning of the day at the contractor entrance. See attached site plan for locations.

35) Is the tank interior classified as a permit-required confined space, and does the Government provide any standby/rescue support, or is confined-space rescue entirely the Contractor's responsibility? [Ref: Spec 01 35 26]

Yes, tank interior is a permit-required confined space. Contractor is responsible for all confined space entry permits, atmospheric monitoring, attendants, retrieval equipment, and rescue services per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 and 1926 Subpart AA. VA does not provide standby or rescue support.

Technical & Substitutions

36) Will the Government accept approved-equal coating products in lieu of the specified systems (Macropoxy 646, Hi-Solids Polyurethane 250, Corothane I Galvapak 1K, Duraplate UHS, and Fluorokem HS 100)? If so, please confirm the substitution submittal and approval process. [Ref: Dwg CS1.1; Spec 09 96 00]

Substitutions will be considered per Spec 09 96 00 Para 2.1.C; submit per Section 01 33 23 with side-by-side comparison documenting equal performance for all 12 criteria listed.

37) For bid purposes and fair comparison of bids, how many sq. ft. of spot repairs and touch ups should bidders included to the interior riser.

Provide 300 sq. ft. of spot repairs and touch ups in the interior riser.

38) 2. Can the on site superintendent perform the role of the full-time on site SSHO?

No. Per Spec 01 35 26 Para 1.9.C, the SSHO must be a separate individual from the Superintendent, with SSHO duties only.

39) For exterior paint operations, does the water tower need to be fully enclosed to protect against over-spray?

Full enclosure is not specifically required for exterior overcoat operations; however, Contractor shall provide containment (shrouding, drop cloths, or partial scaffold enclosure with mesh/tarps) sufficient to prevent overspray from impacting vehicles, buildings, landscaping, and personnel per Spec 01 57 19 and 09 96 00. Contractor's containment plan shall be submitted for COR approval. Note that exterior wash water containment IS required.

40) 09 96 00 - Are mock up samples required for the paint?

Yes, provide a mock-up of the VA logo on a representative substrate sample (minimum 2'x2' panel) demonstrating color, gloss, and edge sharpness for COR approval prior to field application. Color samples per Para 1.7.D also required.

41) 09 96 00 - Is the contractor to procure the listed Inspection Testing Devices, or is quality control to be documented with manufacture standard application procedures?

Contractor shall be responsible for all third party coating, inspections, testing, and documentation. Inspector shall be NACE/AMPP Level II minimum (Level III preferred for immersion service per AWWA D102). Inspector shall not be employed by the coating applicator (independent third-party required for immersion coating verification).

Inspection reports shall include all data per Section 09 96 00, Para 1.8.G. Per Section 9 96 00, Para 3.2.C.5 interior reservoir coating system shall be tested for volatile organic compounds. VOC extraction result must be below CPDH RDL for each volatile listed.

42) Who is responsible for emptying and refilling the water tank?

Contractor is responsible for disinfection, flushing, and bacteriological testing per Spec 22 12 16 §3.7–3.8 and AWWA C652. COR will witness. Acceptance criteria: residual chlorine not greater than supply water, and bacteriological samples meeting state/local potable water standards (24 hour and 48 hour tests).

43) Who is responsible for testing the water after the tank has been refilled to ensure potability?

Contractor is responsible for all testing after the tank has been refilled.

44) Please clarify if any testing is required for sections 22 11 00 and 22 12 16, since no new pipe is to be installed.

Hydrostatic pressure testing of distribution piping per Spec 22 11 00 Para 3.1.B is not required since no new pipe is being installed. However, post-recoating flushing and disinfection of the tank per Spec 22 12 16 Para 3.7–3.8 (AWWA C652) IS required, along with bacteriological testing prior to return to potable service.

45) Does the Superintendent need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor?

See FAR Clause 52.236-6 that is listed in the solicitation. Requires that at all times during performance of this contract and until the work is completed and accepted, the Contractor shall directly supervise the work or assign and have on the worksite a competent superintendent who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer and has authority to act for the Contractor. The resume of the job superintendent shall be delivered to the Contracting Officer before start of work for approval. Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer immediately upon any change in the status of the job superintendent. (One superintendent shall not be approved to superintend multiple projects)

46) Must the Superintendent be on site at all times while work is commencing?

See FAR Clause 52.236-6 that is listed in the solicitation.

47) Does the SSHO (Site Safety Health Officer) need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor?

The project COR is the Site Safety Officer.

48) Must the SSHO be on site at all times while work is commencing?

No, the COR will not be on site at all times.

49) Can the Superintendent & SSHO be a dual-hatted individual assuming that individual is qualified for both roles?

No.

50) Are there any other mandatory on-site supervisory roles required in this contract?

Review FAR clauses listed in Solicitation, it calls out all requirements.

51) When does the VA expect the project to start following the award?

Unknown at this time, likely within a month of award.

52) Is this contract Tax Exempt?

Contractor is responsible for tax exemptions and all local, federal and state taxes.

53) SF1442 does not have an option checked for Bid Guarantee. Please clarify if a bid bond is required for this project.

Bid Guarantee is required, see FAR 52.228-1 listed in the Solicitation.

54) Please clarify what is required for bid submission. SF1442 states RFP, but no direction for Technical/Past performance info is requested. Is this a low bid only? Will there be a bid opening? Please advise what is to be included in proposals.

This is a Request for Proposal, no tradeoffs. Offers will be evaluated as Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. This is not a Bid so there is no Bid opening. Offers are to be sent to the listed email in Block 8.

55) I see it is 90 days to complete the project, does this need to be done in 2026 or is this work that can be completed in 2027?

Work is to be completed in 2026.