20-B-113 - STL WINDOW REPLACEMENT- RFI Answers.docx

This past week we’ve discussed by email and by meeting the note on the bid drawings stating that a 1 hour rated fire Barrier would need to be constructed in all rooms which had insufficient barriers in order to remove and replace windows. I’ve also had discussions with Keith Vogt, VHASTL Safety Officer, regarding this issue.

From a Safety standpoint, we do not anticipate any “hot work” to remove windows and therefore fire barriers are not required, also if we give thought to this matter of building a barrier to the deck realize the complexity of constructing a barrier through expected utilities, this is not practical.

From an ICRA standpoint, The ICRA remains a III/IV, this has never been the question. The ICRA does allow the containment to made from plastic which is what this project should be allowed to do.

Question #: 01 Sheet:

Spec:

Topic: Work Hours Question: Please confirm the work hours for this project.

ANSWER - PLEASE REFER TO THE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS AND BID SET DRAWING SHEET HA-G FOR PROJECT WORK HOURS.

Question #: 02 Sheet:

Spec:

Topic: Infection Control Question: Are there any infection control requirements for this project?

ANSWER - PLEASE REFER TO THE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS AND BID SET DRAWING SHEET GI-002 FOR INFECTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS.

Question #03 Sheet:

Spec:

Topic: Submittals Question: Is prime contractor responsible for all costs associated with a ‘submittal exchange’ type software for the duration of the project?

ANSWER – YES, THE PRIME CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING THE “SUBMITTAL EXCHANGE” TYPE SOFTWARE THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT DURATION.

Question #: 04 Sheet:

Spec:

Topic: Supervision Question: Please confirm that the superintendent appointed to this project shall be only overseeing this project in its entirety. Please also confirm if there are (2) separate individuals needed to perform the work, one for the SSHO and one being the superintendent?

ANSWER - PER PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS THE SIGHT SUPERINTENDANT AND SSHO SHALL BE TWO SEPARATE INDIVIDUALS.

Question #: 04 Sheet:

Spec:

Topic: Supervision Question: Please confirm that the superintendent appointed to this project shall be only overseeing this project in its entirety. Please also confirm if there are (2) separate individuals needed to perform the work, one for the Quality Control Manager and one being the superintendent?

ANSWER - PER PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS THE SIGHT SUPERINTENDANT AND QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER SHALL BE TWO SEPARATE INDIVIDUALS.

Question #: 05 Sheet:

Spec:

Topic: Infection Control Question: Per the walkthrough it was noted that the parking spaces along Bell Ave are to be rented during construction for contractor parking should all prime contractor include costs for parking in these spaces.

ANSWER – BELL AVENUE BELONGS TO THE CITY OF ST.LOUIS, MO. THE VA DOES NOT CONTRIOL BELL AVENUE AND THE VA WILL NOT BE RENTING SPACES FOR THE CONTRACTOR. THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FURNISHING THEIR PARKING.

6. Are there any permitting requirements for the city of St.Louis on this project, there are major cost implications for permitting.

ANSWER – ALL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIME CONTRACTOR.

7. There is conflicting information on the drawings. How many rooms are given to the contractor at a given time? Please provide phasing requirements.

ANSWER – THE CONTRACTOR WAS INFORMED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BID WALK THAT “SWING SPACE” WILL BE AVAILABLE IN BUILDING #6A TO MOVE OCCUPANTS OF WINDOWED ROOMS INTO.

THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 22 SPACES WITHIN THE SWING SPACE WHICH C AN BE USED.

8. It was mentioned during the walkthrough there will be down time between phases, how many days of down time should the contractor assume between phases. ANSWER - THE VA DID NOT MENTION DURING THE WALKTHROUGH THAT DOWN TIME WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VA EXPECTS THE CONTRACTOR TO MOVE TO THE NEXT PHASE AS QUICKLY AS THE PREVIOUS PHASE IS COMPLETED.

9. Is all existing equipment and furniture to be moved by prime contractor at the beginning of each phase? If prime contractor is to move these items, please provide a temporary storage location.

ANSWER – THE PRIME CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE TO MOVE EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE THAT IS IN THE WAY OF PERFORMING THE WINDOW REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE IS TO REMAIN IN THE AFFECTED SPACE. THE VA WILL NOT PROVIDE TEMPORARY STORAGE SPACE FOR FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT . IF REQUIRED, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE TEMPORARY STORAGE.

10. Are roof tie off points (data systems) in place and accessible for exterior installation?

ANSWER – DURING THE BID WALK THE VA OFFERED TO TAKE BIDDING CONTRACTORS ONTO THE ROOFS FOR A VISUAL INSPECTION, NO CONTRACTOR ACCEPTED THE OFFER. THE VA DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT A BIDDING CONTRACTOR WILL MOBILIZE TO THE PROJECT SITE AND THEREFORE IT IS SOLEY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BIDDING CONTRACTOR TO INSPECT THE CURRENT ROOF CONDITIONS.

11. For building number 1 please provide structural as builts in relation to the roof tie off points and swing stages required. ANSWER – THE CONTRACTOR IS MORE THAN WELCOMED TO COME THE BUILDING 16 AND REVIEW DRAWINGS AS WELL AS INSPECT THE ROOFS, BOTH FOR TIE-OFF INFORMATION.

12. Where is prime contractor to have its lay down area. Is prime contractor to temporary fence in this area for security? ANSWER -THE PRIME CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF THEIR LAY DOWN AREA. THE VA WILL NOT PROVIDE LAY DOWN AREA WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF JOHN COCHRAN I.E. HOSPITAL.

13. Where is prime contractor to provide job site trailer location? Will it be on campus site or will prime contractor need to assume costs for off site trailer. ANSWER – THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THEIR JOB SITE TRAILER LOCATION. THE VA WILL NOT PROVIDE A JOB SITE TRAILER LOCATION WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF JOHN COCHRAN I.E. HOSPITAL.

14. There is a lot of abatement work on windows that has to be performed at night or on weekends. Can we confirm the window installation can be performed during normal work hours when this note A14 occurs on the drawings? ANSWER – NO, ABATEMENT WORK REFERRED TO BY NOTE A14 IS ABATEMENT WORK TO BE DONE DURING NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS.

15. Can multiple phases run concurrently on different floors or areas? ANSWER – THE CONTRACTOR IS REFERRED TO PROJECT DRAWINGS SPECIFICALLY AXON VIEWS AND ELEVATRION VIEWS. WINDOW REMOVAL WILL PROCEED IN AN ORDERLY MANNER BEGGING WITH WALL NUMBER 1 AND ENDING WITH WALL NUMBER 30 PERFORMED IN CONSECUTIVE ORDER. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WORKING ON WALL NUMBER 1 THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE ALLOWED TO WORK ON ALL FLOORS UNTIL ALL WINDOWS ON WALL NUMBER 1 ARE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE WINDOWS ARE REMOVED BY WALL NOT BY FLOOR.

16. Should prime contractor assume a connex container for material storage or will storage be available in the interior of the building. ANSWER – THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIAL STORAGE, THE VA WILL NOT PROVIDE MATERIAL STORAGE OR SPACE TO STORE MATERIAL IN OR MATERIAL ON.

17. Please provide asbestos and lead based paint quantities in the areas of construction? Answer – Asbestos and lead containing materials have been identified and scheduled for removal in accordance with Bid Documents. Since the vast majority of asbestos/lead related work is directly associated with the removal of the windows themselves, the vast majority of asbestos/lead related work has been enumerated on a window unit basis, and should be bid as such, as the precise quantities of asbestos/lead building materials (i.e. caulking beads; etc.) may vary slightly from window to window depending upon original construction conditions. Where asbestos/lead work is required and not associated with the window unit itself, such as lead glazed tile or impacted pipe insulation, quantities have been prescribed by the Bid Documents accordingly.

18. Please confirm head and jamb closure for receptor to be installed on exterior where windows are detailed as “Exterior Install” where there is no infill. ANSWER- Interior and exterior detailing was provided, contractor to select appropriate side to remove and replace window from based on site observations. Exterior install option is assumed to only be used when there are obstructions on the interior limiting access to that window from the interior

19. Please confirm installers will have access to the interior on windows detailed as “Exterior Install”. ANSWER- Interior and exterior detailing was provided, contractor to select appropriate side to remove and replace window from based on site observations. Exterior install option is assumed to only be used when there are obstructions on the interior limiting access to that window from the interior

20. The window elevations appear to show a beveled glazing leg around glazing opening (historic putty glazed look) but the detail show standard flush glazing leg with glass set to exterior face of the window (no set back). Please confirm. ANSWER- Window elevations are graphical in nature and are meant to show window types and critical dimensions. Details were developed from window selected as basis of design.

21. Please confirm minimum thickness at flashing locations above head receptor. Assuming a minimum of 0.0625”. ANSWER Minimum .0625” is acceptable

22. Please confirm PVC blocking acceptable as composite blocking material. PVC Blocking is acceptable – avoid wood products

23. Please confirm plastic decking boards qualify as acceptable composite blocking material. Plastic decking is acceptable, provided it is not a composite material with wood additives – avoid wood products

24. Please confirm Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are acceptable as composite blocking material.

WPCs not acceptable – avoid wood products

25. Please advise other options for composite blocking material. Contractor to propose substitutions as necessary.

26. Please confirm Whole Window U-Value requirements. ANSWER U value requirements are outlined on sheet GI-001

27. Please confirm windows to be dual glazed with Insulated Glass Unit outboard and laminated glass inboard. ANSWER- See updated glazing specification and detail (attached)

28. Please confirm integral 5/8” mini blinds are required between the outboard and inboard glazing. ANSWER Integral blinds were asked to be assessable for repair. See updated detail (attached)

29. Please confirm impact criteria, if any, for inboard glazing. ANSWER- inboard glazing shall have 7-mil think anti shatter film as outlined on sheet GI-001 under existing facility fenestrations and also noted on updated detail (attached)

30. Please confirm outboard Insulated Glass Unit can be less than 1” OA thickness. Specifications call for 1” Insulated Glass Units. The specifications call for 1”, however the Basis of Design and the other manufacturers who bid the project the last 2 times use 5/8” mor 3/4” overall thickness for the outboard Insulated Glass Unit. Outboard insulating glass unit may be less than 1” OA thickness, provided the OA glass unit meets the system performance requirements listed in the specification.

31. Please confirm if the individual glass pane thickness is to be 1/4” as specified. This requires the overall thickness for the outboard Insulated Glass Unit to be 1”. See answer to question 30.

32. The glazing specification calls for all 4 Glass types to be 1” overall thickness Insulated Glass Unit, with no mention of inboard glazing (inboard glazing is required for integral blinds). ANSWER- See updated glazing specification and detail (attached)

33. Please confirm where each of the different glazing types are required. IG#1 is clear annealed (exterior pane) over clear tempered (interior pane). IG#2 is clear annealed (exterior pane) with soft coat LowE #2 over clear tempered (interior pane). IG#3 is clear annealed (exterior pane) with High Performance soft coat LowE over clear tempered (interior pane). IG#4 is the same as IG#2 except has tinted outboard pane. The exterior pane should be at least Heat Strengthened in lieu of annealed, due to combination of tint and LowE on #2 surface. IG#5 is the same as IG#4 but has ceramic frit on surface #4. ANSWER See updated glazing specification and detail (attached)

34. Please confirm the note for “Glazing Types” on sheet AE-114 for 5/16” Laminated Glass with integral Venetian Blinds applies to all windows, except spandrel glass locations. How does this affect the outboard IGU? ANSWER- correct, Integral blinds on all glazed windows. Not needed on spandrel panels. See updated detail (attached)

35. Please confirm finish is to be Class 1 Dark Bronze anodized. If color is to be black, there is a significant increase in price. If color is unknown, manufacturers are likely to quote the more expensive black color. ANSWER- color to be dark bronze anodized.

36. Please confirm if Tapcons are acceptable masonry anchors at blocking, in lieu of expansion or toggle anchors. Anchorage must meet load resistance requirements of ASCE/SEI 7 for height of window above grade, exposure class, and wind load specific to the St. Louis region.

37. Please confirm Field Testing per AAMA 502 (Type A) will test at 2/3 design pressure with all receptor and subsill and perimeter sealant joints isolated from the exposed test surface. Field testing will include all associated components required for complete installation, including receptors, subsills and perimeter sealant joints.

38. Please confirm all windows are non-operable (fixed). ANSWER- all windows except S4 are non-operable, see sheet AE-115

39. Please confirm if steel lintels require lead paint abatement with new paint finish to be applied. Answer – Asbestos and lead containing materials have been identified and scheduled for removal in accordance with Bid Documents. Since the vast majority of asbestos/lead related work is directly associated with the removal of the windows themselves, the vast majority of asbestos/lead related work has been enumerated on a window unit basis, and should be bid as such, as the precise quantities of asbestos/lead building materials (i.e. caulking beads; etc.) may vary slightly from window to window depending upon original construction conditions. Where asbestos/lead work is required and not associated with the window unit itself, such as lead glazed tile or impacted pipe insulation, quantities have been prescribed by the Bid Documents accordingly.

40. Please confirm old existing wood window frames and stools will be removed in their entirety. ANSWER- yes; see instructions provided in drawing HA-G for specific details.

41. Please confirm new drywall returns will extend beyond vertical plane of interior face of existing window. The old “footprint” of the replacement window is about 8-1/2” deep, with the specified window and receptor system making up about 4-3/8”. ANSWER- correct

42. Please confirm the vertical plane of the new replacement window will set back about 1-1/2” from the vertical plane of the existing replacement window. The caulk line at the existing panning is only 3/4” inward from the exterior face of the brick. ANSWER- correct

43. The existing caulk also comes close to burying (does in some cases) the steel lintel, disabling it’s ability to weep condensation. Please confirm the lintels will be opened back up in the demo process. ANSWER- All existing caulk to be removed at windows

44. Please confirm all interior walls with gypsum board or plaster are to be firred out with studs and new drywall and new solid surface window stools. ANSWER correct, texture and color to match existing

45. Please confirm if the roofs have functional davit systems for facade access equipment (staging). ANSWER- The Contractor(s) should have reviewed the existing roof systems while attending the pre-bid. The Contractor(s) were asked by the VA if they wanted to review the roofs. No Contractor accepted the invitation to review the roofs. Without knowing what type of equipment the Contractor expects to bring onto the project site, the VA has no way of knowing whether the existing roof systems will suffice for a Contractor’s needs.

46. Please confirm all 123 windows listed in the “Window Schedule – Infilled Windows” on sheet AE-114 are to be installed from the exterior. Additionally, please confirm this is where IG#5 (spandrel glass) is required. ANSWER- “INILL” means wall over window on the interior so these would need to be replaced from exterior. “IINFILL- EXTERIOR” means wall over window on the exterior so these windows will need to be replaced from interior.

47. Please confirm all board-up from abatement contractor to be removed by abatement contractor. ANSWER - All board-up and/or other building materials used for the construction of regulated areas shall be removed and disposed by the abatement contractor. However, it should be noted that once a given regulated area has been cleared in accordance with the clearance requirements specified for the abatement control option selected by the contractor (requirements vary by option; see HA drawing set for details), the General Contractor may, at their own discretion, make use of building materials installed by abatement contractor as is deemed beneficial and otherwise safe for re-use as-is.

48. Please confirm if window contractor and abatement contractor are ever to occupy the same drop simultaneously. ANSWER- That is up to the contractor, work needs to be coordinate in such a manner that interior spaces are not left open to the elements. Please note however, that only trained, licensed and properly protected workers will be allowed to enter an asbestos/lead regulated work area prior to final clearance inspections/sampling, as required and specified for the selected abatement option (some options carry more stringent clearance protocols than others; see HA drawings for specific differences).

49. Please confirm windows installed from the exterior will be installed vertically. ANSWER- Contractor responsible for determination of best practices for installation

50. Please confirm windows listed on the window schedule as having exterior infill will be replaced. ANSWER All windows on both schedules are marked to be replaces. “Window Schedule- Infilled Windows” are an add/deduct per the VA’s guidelines due to their difficulty. Refer back to 46

51. Please confirm all of the aluminum billet for the aluminum windows has to be made in America. The entire process is made in America but raw aluminum could come from Brazil and raw glass from Mexico. ANSWER – FAR 25.101(a)(2) The cost of domestic components must exceed 50 percent of the cost of all the components.

52. Is this a LEED project? What level? ANSWER This project is not LEED

53. Supposedly, St. Louis city is the only municipality that is not part of a county. I did not find St. Louis City as an option. On the wage determination, do we use St. Louis county for the correct wage rates? ANSWER- This is a U.S. Government project which is governed by Davis and Bacon wage rates and not a municipality or County wage scale.

54. What is the local custom for proper classification when installing windows, carpenter or glazier? Most often glazier is correct. ANSWER- Contractor to determine classification based on work to be performed.

55. Specification 085113 2.1 B 1 a. lists the performance rating for the windows as CW-30, but the basis of design window is AW-100. Which is the desired rating? ANSWER AW-100

56. Specification 085113 2.7 B. lists both Clear anodized and Color anodized for the finish. Which is correct? ANSWER Color anodized on exterior to match existing color & finish. Refer question 35

57. Integral blinds are not mentioned in specification 085113, but are noted on the window schedule drawing AE-114 and in 088000 2.7. Are integral blinds required? ANSWER Specification Section 088000 2.7 calls out integral louver blind and Specification Section 085113 2.6 calls out mounting requirements.

58. Specification 088000 3.8 lists (5) glass makeups, none of which include integral blinds or laminated glass as shown on AE-114. What is the desired glass makeup? ANSWER See updated glazing specification and detail (attached)

59. On G1-001, the notes provide blast rated windows for “mission critical facilities”. Is this a mission critical facility? Is blast rating required? If so, are more complete requirements available? We’ve done multiple VAMC and none required blast rated windows. ANSWER- inboard glazing shall have 7-mil think anti shatter film as outlined on sheet GI-001 under existing facility fenestrations and also noted on updated detail (attached)

60. After reviewing the RFI answers we noticed they are numbered 11,16,20,22,2,1,2,2,4,5,6,7. Where there other RFI’s sent in and if so can we get the responses to those? Attached with this amendment. Those RFI’s were clarifications on original RFI’s.

61. The back grounds on the abatement plan do not match the back grounds on the architectural, which will change the amount of windows being removed or installed. Can you update the drawing that’s wrong?

62. Both amendments that have come out are labeled amendment 0001. Please clarify. There should be the original Solicitation posting, an updated solicitation that includes the wage determination and the pre-bid sign in sheet, and this update that includes the RFI’s.

63. Technical book calls for Factors 1-5, but there is no description on what we need to provide for these. Please clarify. These are the criterias in which the proposals will be reviewed.

64. On page 7 of the solicitation the period of performance on the project is 618 calendar days, but on page 13 it shows 730 days. Please clarify. Period of Performance is 730 days

65. On page 14 of the solicitation it says the payment bond needs to be included in the proposal submittal. Usually it is a bid bond. Please clarify. Yes, only a bid bond shall be submitted with the proposal.

66. Is the RFP to be hand delivered or emailed? We see in the solicitation it has both ways. Both