PreBid Questions COR 2-24-22 1.pdf

695-21-108 Amendment #4 Feb 24, 2022

PreBid Questions/RFIs 695-21-108 Watermain Replacement between Bldg 43 and Bldg 102

1. Per section 01 32 16.15, is the contractor required to hire a scheduling consultant?

Answer: Yes.

2. Reference 01 81 13, is sustainable construction required on this project?

Answer: Yes.

3. Is a submittal log/register required for submission by the contractor for this project? Reference 01 33 23 1.3.C, the VA provides the initial submittal register.

Answer: COR will upload to Opcenter a baseline submittal register, correct. However, Contractors shall allocate resources, time, and effort to create their own so that both registers can be compared to one another. Invariably, there are differences that will be used to adjust the Opcenter document so that submittals are accurately tracked.

4. If after uncovering existing conditions there is a need for subgrade soil repairs, will the work have to stop until an approved Supplemental Agreement is in place or will there be pre-determined unit rates/costs established so the work can proceed accordingly?

Answer: Any change to the contract documents is not legally incorporated into the contract until a modification has been issued by the Contracting Officer (unilaterally or bilaterally depending on the FAR authority used). Any further discussion of changed conditions should occur after contract award and when appropriate such conversations can occur at that time.

5. Per Section 31 20 00 Part 3.6 contaminated soils need to be segregated from all other excavated soils, stockpiled at a designated area. Will the designated area for stockpiling contaminated soils be located with the project boundaries? Is all the soil considered contaminated or is there only isolated areas?

Answer: Contractor shall propose area for stockpiled soil onsite (within project boundaries) for VA review and approval. Consider all soil spoils as contaminated per Specification 31 20 00.

6. Can any of the contaminated soils designated by the Resident Engineer be used as backfill?

Answer: Yes. Other than approved bedding/stone materials, soil spoils may be used as backfill after VA review and approval. VA GEMS and COR will review spoils during excavations and confirm during the project work. If VA GEMS and/or COR feel soil spoils are inadequate to be reused for any reason, a contract modification will be issued for additional backfill materials.

7. Will the VA provide direction as to when the stockpiled contaminated soil is to be removed and where it is to be taken to?

Feb 24, 2022

Answer: Contaminated soil spoils will need to be landfilled and an appropriate and permitted location. This is the responsibility of the Contractor; the VA will not pick the location for the Contractor. Refer to specification 31 20 00 Section 3.6. COR will have formatting of specification fixed in an amendment.

8. Is there a Soil Profile showing the levels of contaminates for this project and will it be provided? If not, where should we figure the contaminated soils need to be hauled too, and will the VA be providing that paperwork showing compliance with all State and Local requirements?

Answer: Soil profile for contaminants specific to this project does not exist. Historical excavations have forced VA GEMS to assume all spoils on this campus have low levels of PAH contamination and therefore all soil not reused on site must be disposed of properly. Contractor – at his own expense – may certainly test spoils for contaminants (provide VA this report if funded and performed), and if spoils test clean, the Contractor may then dispose of clean soils wherever they desire at their cost.

It is up to the contractor to remove and dispose of contaminated or clean soil spoils. Specification 31 20 00 Section 3.6 notes that entire VA is under a WDNR BRRTS # (02-41-563849). VA will provide soil profile document to awarded Contractor at a later date.

9. Will the contractor be responsible to carry in their bid and pay for the tipping fees associated with the disposal of the contaminated soils?

Answer: Please review specification 31 20 00 Section 3.6. Yes – all costs associated with spoil soils removal (clean or contaminated) are owned by the Contractor and shall be in the bid.

10. Can all work be done during normal daytime work shifts?

Answer: Most of the Contractor’s work may be completed during regular daytime shift work hours.

All outages (connections) shall be off shift and have been identified in the Contract Documents for weekend work. Based on the approved schedule and phasing plan, there may be other work items that must take place off shift to reduce impact to the Contractor (i.e. traffic issues).

11. What percent of SDVOSB labor is required for this project, specified NAICS code 237110?

Answer: The awardee shall pay not more than 85% of labor costs to firms not similar situated. The NAICS used is considered a “general construction” NAICS.

12. Do the MEPF contractors need to include an allowance for _____ hours for training as specified?

Answer: Absolutely. Keep these hours for training VA O&M staff in your bid. If determined not required, VA will request a credit to the contract for all training not required.

13. Where fire hydrant work has to be completed, how long can a fire hydrant be out of service?

Answer: Assume each hydrant can be out of service for one 8-hour work period maximum.

Feb 24, 2022

14. There is no specification for Testing services in the contract documents. Please provide a specification for Laboratory Testing Services.

Answer: This specification will be added to the Construction Documents.

15. Is the contractor is required to paint and number the new fire hydrants? Please provide clarification as to what work is needed beside installing a new fire Hydrant.

Answer: Note: hydrants shall be provided by the manufacturer already powder coated red.

Contractors shall be responsible for painting the caps of the hydrants green to match other VA hydrants. Contractors shall be responsible for painting white hydrant numbers as well to match other VA hydrants. Hydrants required two bollards each. Submit color samples of proposed green and white paint during submittal process. Review added hydrant/bollard detail.

16. Page CD-101 “Brine tank to be removed” Can the VA provide details of the construction, size, diameter depth of the brine tank?

Answer: Brine tank is approximately 27ft x 12ft x15ft (deep); about 2ft above ground. There are no existing as-builts. Thickness of concrete walls is assumed to be same top-to-bottom. Contractors are invited to visit site for any other dimensions needed or to have VA open the tank. Contractors shall assume concrete reinforcement (rebar) exists.

17. Are there any piping or service to the Brine tank that should be addressed or removed?

Answer: Yes. Because there are no existing as-builts, Contractors shall assume that there are two services to the Brine Tank. One from the west (as surveyed by the AE) and one from the north (VA utility plans). Ultimately, any water service from the “east-west” watermain north of the brine tank shall be removed in its entirety.

18. Page CS-501 There is no reinforcing materials noted to be used in the concrete sidewalks, or curb and gutter. Is Fiber mesh or W.W.F. required? Please provide clarification to detail 2/CS-501.

Answer: Contract Documents will be updated to reflect required fiber mesh reinforcement required in all new concrete flatwork.

19. Details on CS-501 “refers to VA standard detail 32 12 16-04. Please provide details as referenced as we do not see them.

Answer: VA Standard Detail is included as 6-CS-501 “Utility Trench Patch Notes”.

20. There is a concern with the scope as far as laying new pipe within 5’ of the old pipe at some of the pipe runs. Concern is exposing these runs and having an active watermain under pressure could result in the active main blowing apart. Areas of concern are the following:

• Pipe run J to B.

• Pipe run K to E. Wider trenching may impact a tree in this pipe run.

Feb 24, 2022

• Pipe run H to A.

These (VA assumes “these” refers to the three conditions noted above by bullets) would require separate trenches to lay the new piping and remove the existing piping.

Answer: No change to Contract Documents. Bid the project as currently drawn. VA believes providing two trenches (“H” to “E”) would make the situation worse. VA will certainly entertain phasing/sequencing changes and means/methods with the awarded contractor prior to construction. This includes separate trenches in some areas as noted above.

• Pipe run from F to building 112 would make sense to remove the existing pipe and relay the new water main in the same location.

Answer: No change to the Contract Documents. Bid the project as currently drawn. VA will certainly entertain phasing/sequencing changes and means/methods with the awarded contractor prior to construction. This includes laying new watermain in the same trench for the “F” to “Bldg 112” run as noted above.

• Please review and advise if separate trenches are required.

Answer: See above responses.

21. Is contractor responsible for cost associated with Submittal Exchange or an alternate software for managing submittal review and approval?

Answer: VA FM does not utilize Submittal Exchange. Opcenter is free web-based application used for submittals and RFIs.

22. Please provide a specification section for testing laboratory services required.

Answer: See question #14. Previously answered.

23. Is grass disturbed by construction to be restored with seed or sod (ref CU101)?

Answer: Grass seed and appropriate protection mat/hay restoration are preferred.

24. Please confirm contractor is required to hire a professional geotechnical engineer to inspect conditions throughout construction.

Answer: The earthwork specification 31 20 00 does have testing requirements for soil samples to be provided to the COR (1.7C) as well as requirements for fill (2.1). Additionally, Section 3.2 references shoring and sheeting. If the Contractor uses any temporary shoring, they shall have a Geotechnical Engineer inspect excavations and soil/groundwater conditions throughout construction and submit a monthly (or more frequently as needed) report to the COR providing confirming adherence and any necessary changes to the sheeting and shoring plan. The onus of the design for the plan shall be borne by the Contractor. The Contractor shall design shoring and sheeting, and they shall inspect it

Feb 24, 2022 to make sure it’s adhering to their design and that changing site conditions don’t necessitate changes to the plan.

25. Are contaminated soils anticipated to be present in work areas? If so, can contaminated soils be used as backfill?

Answer: See answers to questions #5, #6, #7, #8 and #9.

26. Please provide a specification section for the landscape and grass areas to be restored.

Answer: A specification will not be added. The Contractor shall restore disturbed areas to existing conditions. VA is satisfied with grass seeding and seed protection mats meeting Wisconsin DOT utility standards.

27. CD101 calls for an existing Brine Tank to be removed. Is this tank located underground or above ground? Please provide the size and dimensions of this tank. If located underground, how deep below grade are we to assume it is located?

Answer: This is a mostly below ground concrete structure… Approximately 15ft below grade and 2ft above ground. See response to Question #16.

28. Please provide a plumbing specification.

Answer: This specification will not be added. With work on this contract terminating 5ft outside the building, this specification is not required. The Facility Water Distribution specification only applies to within the building and 5ft outside.

29. The vertical scale on page CU201 is listed as 1” = 5’, however when scaled and compared to the elevations on the vertical axis, it appears that it is actually supposed to be 1” = 10’. Please confirm that the vertical scale on CU201 is in fact intended to be 1” = 10’.

Answer: There was an issue with the scale on the viewport in AutoCAD. This has been fixed and this sheet will be updated by amendment.

30. What is the thickness of the existing asphalt to be saw cut, removed, and replaced as part of the scope of this project? If thickness is unknown/unavailable, please provide a thickness to assume for bidding purposes to ensure contractors bid evenly.

Answer: Assume all asphaltic pavements are 4-in thick.

31. CD101 General Note 24 states that a temporary chain link fence is required around all work areas.

On CJ101, many barricades are shown to be required throughout the parking lot while work in this area is being performed. If this section of the parking lot is already to be contained within a temporary fence while work is being performed, is it required that these barricades still be placed in locations shown?

Feb 24, 2022

Answer: Yes. COR will review during construction to make any necessary modifications if required.

32. CJ101 General Note 7 states that roadway work is to be completed on Saturdays. Does this note include the parking lot work as well? Or is parking lot work permitted to be performed on regular hours?

Answer: Parking Lot work does not need to be performed on Saturdays. Regular week/shift hours

OK.

33. CU101 General Note 12 states that board insulation is to be provided where depth of pipe is less than 6ft. Please provide a specification section for this insulation.

Answer: A specification will not be included. Insulation shall be rigid, closed cell extruded polystyrene insulation suitable for buried installation. Individual boards shall have minimum dimensions of 8’x4’x2”. Owens Corning, Dow Styrofoam, or approved equal. Provide product data submittal to VA for approval prior to insulation procurement.

34. Please confirm contractor is responsible for hiring a professional land surveyor to survey and benchmark the whole area.

Answer: Correct and confirmed.

35. Please confirm contractor is responsible for costs associated with locating and/or confirming the existing locations of all underground utilities in the work area.

Answer: Confirmed. Contractor responsible for all utility (private/public) locates prior to below grade work.

36. The bid submission is currently called out to be submitted via Mail/Physical Bid Delivery. Due to the current “Covid-19” pandemic, and being that this project is an “IFB”, can we submit the total proposal via email (with the original sealed payment and performance bonds being submitted via USPS prior to the bid due date)?

Answer: No. Though contractors can mail their bid as long as it’s received before opening.

37. Is the project tax exempt or taxable?

Answer: This project is taxable.

38. The Bid Schedule (Page 3 of the Solicitation document), states that the work for the base bid shall be completed in 600 calendar days after receipt of NTP; this is in contradiction to the 480 days specified elsewhere. Please confirm the POP duration.

Answer: The period of performance is 480 days. This was amended and posted to Contract Opportunities on February 8, 2022. Continue to monitor Contract Opportunities for any and all changes to this solicitation.

Feb 24, 2022

39. Please confirm the Supervision requirements for this project. Can the Site Superintendent perform the duties of the QCM if they fulfill the requirements for each role?

Answer: This is satisfactory to the VA for a limited project such as this.

40. Provide information including size, weight, and other relevant information for “Brine” tank to be removed including burial depth, line locations to be terminated / capped.

Answer: See response to Question #16, #17 and #27.

41. Will VA be responsible for all fluid removal from “Brine” tank? If this is GC responsibility, how many gallons are to be removed?

Answer: Brine tank is empty (or at least last time it was opened and inspected during AE investigations). Contractor shall assume it is empty for bidding purposes. Any rainwater/infiltration trapped in the tank can be easily pumped out with VA-provided trash pump.

42. Where are the locations of existing manholes in areas for SWPP protection?

Answer: Stormwater manholes were shown on the drawings. CD101 has been edited to cloud the locations and additionally we have now called out the structure type (i.e., manhole, junction box, grate inlet, curb inlet) as well as rim elevation.

43. Confirm if there are any areas of known contaminated soils for remediation?

Answer: There will be no soils “remediation”. See responses to Questions #4 through #9, and #25.

44. Confirm that local utilities protection will come on VA property?

Answer: Not sure what the Contractor means by “local utilities protection”. If this is a question about utility locates, note that the Contractor is responsible for all utility locates prior to below-ground work commencing. This includes a public utility locate (Diggers Hotline, WE Energies) and private utility locate (VA utilizes a company called Private Lines. Contact Sophie at 715-445-5383 or prlines@yahoo.com). Yes – these agencies will work on VA property at the request of the General Contractor.

45. Existing concrete paving at building 112: what is the thickness of existing concrete to be replaced?

Answer: Unknown. For bidding purposes please assume 6-in.

46. Cast iron class 55 has an extensive lead time. Is it possible to reconsider the timeline of the project?

Answer: The Period of Performance shall not be modified. COR and Contracting Office will work with Contractor during submittal process to mitigate materials delivery issues.

mailto:prlines@yahoo.com