36C25219B0023-0001001.pdf

Solicitation # 36C25219B0023

550-18-112 Construct Campus Perimeter Fence

Government Responses to Bidder Inquiries

1 There is a plant on Page CS-102, Pinus albicaulis, Whitebark Pine, that is not available in our area. How do I proceed with choosing another variety? Do you pick or do I suggest?

Response: Replace with Pinus Stobus – Eastern White Pine

2 The Pinus albicaulis are not available in this area. Can you provide a substitution?

Response: Replace with Pinus Stobus – Eastern White Pine

3 Is Project Tax Exempt?

Response: Tax Exemption will be provided during Notice-to-Proceed meeting.

4 Is a separate SSHO required?

Response: Yes. The designated Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO), Superintendent, and Quality Control Manager may be the same person if he/she is qualified for each position.

5 Is LEED required and if so, is the A/E setting up and managing LEED?

Response: No.

6 Is COBIE required?

Response: No.

7 Are there any “sole source” items?

Response: See the construction bid documents.

8 Are BIM coordination drawings required? Are BIM AutoCAD as builts required or just red lines?

Response: Just red lines.

9 Are bids to be emailed or delivered in person?

Response: As stated in the solicitation, this is an Invitation for Bid with a public bid opening.

Emailed submissions will not be accepted.

You may mail your bid as long as it can be tracked and gets to the Contracting Officer prior to bid opening date and time. Mail bids to: 3001 Green Bay Rd, Building 1, Rm 329, North Chicago, IL 60064. Please make sure the solicitation number is written on the outside envelope.

Also, the bid opening date and time has been changed with this Amendment to: 3/12/2019 at 2:00PM CST. Location of bid opening is: 3001 Green Bay Rd, Building 3, Rm 114, North Chicago, IL 60064.

10 The documents include some, but not all soil borings, does this mean “differing site conditions” if encountered during earthwork will be considered as an extra?

Response: See Sheet No. B-110. Shall differing site conditions be encountered during earthwork, it shall be immediately reported to the COR. Differing site conditions doesn’t necessarily imply there shall be extra cost.

11 Are there any environmental issues we need to consider in our bid such as endangered birds, insects or reptiles in the overgrowth areas of the perimeter fence that would prohibit work from occurring during certain times of year?

Response: No

12 Is there a desired width of clearing and grubbing limits on both sides of the fence?

Response: The contractor shall crown raise existing trees with a minimum of 20’-0”of the fence and on VA property to a height of 10’-0” clear, to allow for fence removal/installation.

Contractor to field verify.

13 Has the VA made arrangements for it to be permissible for us to be on surrounding property owners land while clearing, grubbing and installing the fence?

Response: No

14 Are the guard houses required to have water, fire alarm and fire protection?

Response: No.

15 The drawings indicate in Phasing Notes on sheet CT-101, that only one phase can be done at a time. To meet the contract schedule, the decorative fence and the chain link fence will have to be installed concurrently, is that acceptable?

Response: Decorative fence and the chain link fence to be installed concurrently is acceptable.

16 Does the entire perimeter require a posted sign every 25 – 50 feet attached to the fence?

If yes, what is the wording to be?

Response: No

17 The ornamental fence specification, 32 31 40 does not describe the ornamental fence detailed. Details seem to be based on the Ameristar Montage Commercial product. Is that what is required?

Response: Revised Section 32 31 40, Paragraph 2.3 (B) to Ameristar Aegis II.

18 There is a concrete mow strip shown in some of the fence details on Drawings l-501 and L-

502. Is a concrete mow strip required for the ornamental and/or chain link fence installation?

Response: Yes

19 Chain-link Fence specs 323113.3.1D requires applying barrier coating (ASTM D1187) to steel or aluminum fence material that come into contact with concrete or different metals. This barrier coating is an asphaltic coating that is hand applied in the field. The chain-link steel posts are required per specification to be zinc-coated (galvanizing). Since there will be a zinc-coating between the steel posts and concrete footers, then please confirm the barrier coating is still required.

Response: Yes. The barrier coating is required and is critical to the long-lasting corrosion resistance of the hot-dip galvanizing.

20 Ornamental Fence specs 323140.2.7B requires applying barrier coating (ASTM D1187) to the fence materials. This barrier coating is an asphaltic coating that is hand applied in the field. The steel ornamental fence is also to be zinc-coated per spec 323140.1.3B and powder-coated per spec 323140.2.6A. It is our assumption the barrier coating requirement is to be applied to the fence material if it is to come in contact with concrete or dissimilar metals similarly to the chain link specification 323113.3.1D. Applying asphaltic coating to powder-coated materials is rare. Please confirm the barrier coating is still required.

Response: Delete the requirements for asphalting coating.

21 Are there clearing and grubbing requirements or are we to clear enough to install the new fence.

Response: The contractor shall crown raise existing trees with a minimum of 20’-0”of the fence and on VA property to a height of 10’-0” clear, to allow for fence removal/installation.

Contractor to field verify.

22 Chain-link Fence specs 323113.2.2.C1 Specifies round steel pipe and rail to be per ASTM 1043, Group IA Heavy Industrial Framework ASTM sch40 galvanized pipe. Would ASTM, Group IC, Galvanized High Strength Material Heavy Duty Industrial Steel Pipe be considered as an acceptable substitution? Both are American made. The Group IC products exceed the strength of the sch40 pipe.

Response: The chain-link fencing and gate product requirements are defined in Section 32 31 13.

23 Is grounding and bonding of fence / gates required for this project?

Response: The contractor shall ensure that the Installation of all electrical work shall conform to the latest edition of the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) VA Facilities Design Standards and all applicable local codes. NFPA 70-2017, Article 250-194 Requires where metal fences are located within 5 m (16 ft) of the exposes electrical conductors or equipment, the fence shall be bounded to the grounding electrode system with wire type bonding jumpers. Also see Sheet E-501, Pole Base Detail. Refer to Specification section 26 05 26 for fence grounding requirements.

24 Will alternates for the ornamental fence be entertained?

Response: No.

25 On spec sheet 32 31 40-3 paragraph 2.4A, the picket dimension is listed as 1 ¾” by ¾” but plan sheet L501 detail C8 shows ¾” x ¾”. Please clarify.

Response: The picket sizes for ornamental security fence, cantilever gate, and single swing gates are clarified on the revised Details C1 and C8 of Sheet L-501 and in Specification Section 32 31 40.

26 What are the access control requirements for the motorized vehicle gates?

Response: The remote (wireless) access control to be operated by the VA Police Office (Building 102). See Sheet E-501 Electrical Notes and Details for RF Receiver Control Enclosure, and LED Flashing Warning Signs.

27 What are the motor requirements for the motorized vehicle gates?

Response: See Response to Bidder Inquiry # 39.

28 Sheet L501 detail C8 show the mow strip being poured between fence footings and pinned with rebar. Will it be acceptable to leave the fence footings low and pour a continuous mow strip over the top of the fence footings?

Response: The dowel may be deleted and the mow strip placed in one continuous placement over the top of the fence footing, but the reduced footing depth must be considered by the professional engineer in their footing and post calculations for wind loads. The mow strip must be have a troweled or saw cut joint every 3’ to control cracking at least ¼ of the thickness of the mow strip.

29 Sheet L501 Detail C8 shows an overall panel height of 8’ but also shows a distance between the mid and bottom rails to be 8’. Please clarify the height of the iron panels and gates required.

Response: See revised details on Sheet L-501. The overall panel height shall be 10’ for ornamental fence panels and gates.

30 Please clarify the wage determination section for both Chain Link Fence Installer and Iron Fence Installer.

Response: The contractor shall comply with Statutory, Executive Order and Regulatory Requirements. See General Conditions Clause 52.222-6 Construction Wage Rate Requirements (Aug 2018).

31 The specifications in section 32 31 13-3 call for the chain link fence pipe to be as per ASTM F1043 group 1A or F1083 sch 40. ASTM F1043 group IC is an accepted federal fence pipe specification. Can you confirm if the ASTM F1043 group IC will be accepted for this project?

Response: No. The chain-link fencing and gate product requirements are defined in Section 32 31 13.

32 Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? The software is compatible with the VA’s networks and is currently in use at many VA locations.

Response: No. Specifications Section 01 33 24, Electronic Submittal Procedures, Paragraph 5 defines the requirements for the web-based service. After contract award, Paragraph 6.B.

states the Contractor may submit any service meeting these requirements for approval. If the software proposed meets the specification requirements, it will be approved. As noted in the paragraph 6.C., Submittal Exchange is the only pre-approved service for this solicitation.

33 Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm work and/or disruptions?

Response: Yes, VAIHCS has a fire alarms servicer Fire Alarm – Eric Podzielinski, (317)826- 2130, Tyco SimplexGrinnell. Security – Joe Mueller, (618)277-3344, Barcom Security;

34 Who is responsible for locating underground utilities?

Response: The contractor shall determine the exact location of all existing utilities before commencing work, and agree to be fully responsible for any and all damages which might be occasioned by the contractor’s failure to exactly locate and preserve any and all underground utilities. The contractor shall also fully comply with Section 01 35 26, Paragraph 1.17 Excavation and Trenches.

35 Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

Response: No, a price escalation will not be considered.

36 Please confirm that the qualified super will be able to fill in roles as the SSHO per specifications?

Response: The designated Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO), Superintendent, and Quality Control Manager may be the same person if he/she is qualified for each position.

37 What is the manufacturer or basis of design for the Bullet resistant panels?

Response: Requirements for bullet resistant design are defined in Section 08 80 00 Glazing.

38 Detail F-6 on drawing S-102 details how to construct the brick column footing and install the decorative fence post. While this can be accomplished, it will be labor intensive and costly, not to mention requiring large excavations that will remain open for some time to accomplish all the various steps. Would the VA consider allowing a 5” square sleeve to be installed, thus allowing the pier footing to be one continuous placement of concrete?

Once the forms are removed, and back filled, the masonry work can be completed then the decorative 2-½” square posts can be grouted in, the full 3’-8” depth of the pier footing. Please advise.

Response: The use of a steel sleeve (6” minimum) is acceptable to allow the footing to be one continuous placement. The contractor shall employ means and methods to ensure that the grout fully surrounds the decorative post and that the post will not pull out. A minimum of 4” of concrete shall be provided outside of the sleeve. The COR shall review and approve the placement of the first foundation to verify the structural adequacy. If the post is not supported adequately, contractor will need to remove and adjust sleeve size, amount of grout, etc. to make the post structurally sound.

39 There are no gate operator specs – please advise.

RESPONSE: Provide and install Viking H-10 Slide Gate Operator (or equivalent).

Commercial/General Access Vehicular Gate Operator Class IV. Capacity to operate gates up to 2200 lbs (1 HP Motor) and 75 ft in length at 100% duty cycle. Options include: Wireless Compatible with Remote Access Control, Obstruction Sensor/Entrapment Protection, Removable Power Supply, Battery Back-Up System (Not Used During Normal Operation), Lightning Protection (20,000V/10,000A), Surge Protection Monitoring, Built-In Heater (Operation to -20 degrees F), G90 Galvanized Enclosure and On-Board LCD Screen Display for Status and Diagnostics.

40 Perimeter fence detail on L503 shows 9ga 1.75” vinyl mesh, but L502 specs out 9ga 2” mesh. Please clarify.

RESPONSE: Fence Details C1 and F1 on Sheet L-503 do not define a “1.75-inch mesh size”.

The fabric mesh size is defined as “2-inch” on Detail F4 on Sheet L-502.

41 In the manual for Ornamental fence 32-31-40-3 2.4 requests Montage with 1 ¾” x ¾” pickets 14 ga. Drawing L502 details for ¾” square picket. Please clarify

RESPONSE: The picket sizes for ornamental security fence, cantilever gate, and single swing gates are clarified on the revised Details C1 and C8 of Sheet L-501 and in Specification Section 32 31 40.

42 Also regarding the Montage fence – please clarify which style of Montage is to be priced. Montage is all Steel fence, not aluminum as requested. ¾” picket 14ga is Montage Commercial, Montage II is a 1” picket 14ga and Montage Plus with ¾” picket 18ga. None of the Montage products are offered in aluminum, only steel.

RESPONSE: Specification Section 32 31 40, Paragraph 2.3 (B) has been revised to Ameristar Aegis II (Majestic).

43 The mow strip under the ornamental and chain link fences. Can the posts all be set first and then the mow strip be a continuous pour, instead of pouring a separate area for each post and still laying rebar attaching into the mow strip laid between each post. This requires much more labor and time to set each individually.

RESPONSE: The dowel may be deleted and the mow strip placed in one continuous placement over the top of the fence footing, but the reduced footing depth must be considered by the professional engineer in their footing and post calculations for wind loads.

The mow strip must be have a troweled or saw cut joint every 3’ to control cracking at least ¼ of the thickness of the mow strip.

44 Will the fence footings and mow strip be one pout or separate. The Details F1 and F4 on Sheet L-502 show it both ways.

RESPONSE: The dowel may be deleted and the mow strip placed in one continuous placement over the top of the fence footing, but the reduced footing depth must be considered by the professional engineer in their footing and post calculations for wind loads.

The mow strip must be have a troweled or saw cut joint every 3’ to control cracking at least ¼ of the thickness of the mow strip.

44 FMS Response: Clarification L-502 Detail C5 single swing gate standard height change to 10’.

Attachment- 1. Revised Drawing Sheet L-501

2. Revised Specification Section 32 31 40.