Contractor Bidding Questions 589-22-465_AE VA Response.docx

Questions/Clarifications and Responses Project 589-22-465 Correct Deficiencies from Physical Security Study Report 1.Drawing A501 Gate & Fencing Details: Details 7 & 8 Show and describe Ameristar Impasse II Stronghold style & 2 Rails. That is not an option from Ameristar. They do offer a 3 Rails on 9ft tall fence. Will that be acceptable? AE Response: Per the manufacturer, three rails are now required when a fence is taller than 8'. Yes, 3 rails are acceptable. This will help the fence be more sturdy and secure.

2. Need to confirm that the standard Impasse II fence panels are required and not the ANTI-SCALE type. AE Response: The premise of this project is to match the Fisher House fence. The Fisher House has Anti-Scale on gates and standard pale airspace on the rest of the fence. A501 Detail 6 describes using Anti-Scale (1.25”) on gates, and A501 Detail 4 shows using standard pale (3.25”) fence spacing.

3. What are the expectations for spacing from top of mow strip to bottom of fence panel; 2" is normal. Actual height of 9ft fence panel 8'-10" + 2" = 9ft fence. Fence panels are rakeable. AE Response: The premise of this project is to match the Fisher House fence. 2” is an acceptable spacing from the top of the mow strip to the bottom of the fence panel. See A501 Detail 3 for a reference.

3b.Gates are not Rakeable. All gates are Manual types and not automated.

All the gate areas have a slope and will create large gaps under gates and may require the double swings gates to have as stair step final look. Unless all driveways are flat & level the length of the gate frames the direction of swing.

Slide gate would have a large gap on one side of driveway. Unless all driveways are flat & level the length of the gate frames including the open direction travel area.

Gates will be ordered after gate posts are set and field measurements taken. 5–8-week lead-time. AE Response: Per the Fisher House fence, the fence is rakeable. The gate areas may need to be leveled to achieve a flush surface for the fence gate to swing. Use the existing fence gate by Building 2 as an example of how to achieve the solution for the fence gate. If the grade needs to be leveled a survey or boundary survey may be needed to understand the topography of the land. The topography was not included in Design Services contract.

4. The table of contents for the specifications list sections 34 71 13 and 34 75 13.13 for Passive Vehicle Barriers and Active Vehicle Barriers but these sections are not included within the specifications. Please advise if these spec sections are a part of this project. AE Response: These specification sections are not applicable for this project.

5. What is relation of the lights poles to the fence? 1/TN400 shows the camera and lights on what appears to be the fence pole based on the labeling of the exterior and interior of the fence line. Please advise AE Response: The cameras are to be installed on the light poles to match detail 1 on sheet TN400. The center of the light poles are 3ft from the fence line. VA to approve light pole distance.

6. Please review and clarify the location of light poles. Clearance to overhead power lines should be 20’ of separation per Evergy. AE Response: The minimum clearance between overhead lines and the light poles is 7.5 feet per Evergy standards. There is a 10-20 foot safety distance for workers when working near active overhead lines. This may need to be coordinated with Evergy during installation of lights and cameras for those that lie within that 20-foot distance if a shutdown will be allowed.

7. Depth of light pole bases is not specified or drawn. Please clarify what the depth of light pole bases needs to be. AE Response: Please install as recommended by the pole manufacturer.

8. The Dimensions of electrical pull boxes are not specified or drawn. Please clarify what the dimensions of pull boxes needs to be. AE Response: This is means and methods and should meet required size and locations per NEC requirements.

9. Please clarify the quantity and location of electrical pull boxes necessary to complete the project. AE Response: This is means and methods and should meet required size and locations per NEC requirements.

10. Will electrical boxes be required at 3-way conduit junctions? AE Response: Yes, provide per the NEC.

11. Will electrical boxes be required at each pole base? AE Response: No.

12. Please clarify the dimension of any required telecom boxes? AE Response: Refer to keynotes on sheet TN002 for handhole box dimensions.

13. The overall duration of 180 calendar days to complete this entire project is unreasonable. Will the government accept an extended duration during review of technical proposals? Yes, the period of performance has been increased from 180 to 300 calendar days. This will be updated in contract award documents.

14. Is demolition of existing pole lights required? AE Response: Any existing light poles that lie along the fence perimeter where new type ‘A’ light fixtures are being installed will need to be removed. Review with VA prior to demolition of light poles. VA would like to keep all the demoed light poles and will store them.

15. The specification for grounding and bonding of the new fencing and components is unclear. Please provide a drawing showing the actual requirements for grounding, bonding, and lightning protection if desired. AE Response: This section is not applicable. There is no electrical equipment located at or around the perimeter of the fence.

16. Mounting of ENC’s will need to be mounted on the side of the pole base. Is this acceptable? AE Response: The ENC’s must not be in close proximity to grade, snow and splattering mud, during inclement weather, could compromise internal components. Mount ENC’s a minimum of 18” above grade to bottom of enclosure. Provide galvanized struts, anchored to pole base to extend the height of the ENC if necessary.

17. Will the specified camera’s be owner supplied? Who will be responsible for integration of the cameras? AE Response: Cameras are not owner supplied. GC shall submit camera selection for approval through the submittal process. Yes, the contractor must mount, connect, and provide necessary programming of the new cameras onto the exiting video management system.

18. Light pole voltage is 277 in the specifications. there is only 120/208 volts in building 2 and 6. If 120volts is used this will increase the wire and conduit size considerably. Please clarify. AE Response: At the time of design, 277V life safety panels were found in building 6, building 26 and Fisher House. If this is no longer the case, reach out architect/engineer. 120V is intended to serve security cameras and lighting controls.

19. There is no duct bank on the north side of building 6. Is it our responsibility to install one? AE Response: The new conduit path is intended to be direct-buried conduit, not installed in a duct bank.

20. There is no time clock shown in building 2. Will this be owner supplied and installed? AE Response: The Fisher House and Building 2 were labeled incorrectly on the electrical drawings. Building 2 is the intended building to have a new time clock and relay for the lighting controls.

21. The required depth/embedment of the light pole and camera pole concrete foundations is not specified on the drawings or in the specifications. Please provide the required foundation depth, diameter, and reinforcement — or, if the foundations are delegated (contractor) design, provide the design loads/criteria and confirm the contractor's design responsibility. AE Response: Please install as recommended by the pole manufacturer.

24. Missing reference sheet. Detail 8/A501 (Typical Decorative Metal Fence Panel and Pilasters) and the corresponding pilaster note on the Site Plan both direct the contractor to “See Sheet CS502 for pilaster details.” No Sheet CS502 is included in the bid drawing set. Please issue Sheet CS502, or identify the sheet that contains the brick pilaster/column construction details (dimensions, reinforcing, coping, and veneer coursing). AE Response: CS502 is not part of the contract documents. The brick pilaster/column construction details are on sheet A501; refer to details 1, 2, & 7.

25. Pilaster brick callout. Detail 8/A501 specifies the pilaster/column veneer as “Old Virginia #24 Red Brick with 10″ black manganese brick randomly placed in pattern,” laid in a running-bond pattern. Please clarify the black accent brick: (a) whether “10″” denotes a unit size or a percentage (i.e., approximately 10% of units); and (b) if a 10-inch (non-modular) unit is intended, how it is to be integrated into a running-bond field of modular red brick without disrupting coursing and bond. Please confirm the brick unit size(s), the intended blend/ratio, and the coursing pattern. AE Response: The premise of this project is to match the Fisher House fence. Per the field investigation, brick pilaster/columns in the Fisher House project are using modular brick for sizing. Follow the best to your ability the Fisher House brick pilaster/columns to achieve the appropriate brick coursing pattern and color.

26. Please provide the required dimensions (size) of the electrical pull boxes. AE Response: Please size per NEC requirements. Size will vary depending on straight conduit pulls or angled conduit pulls, either 6x or 8x the size of the conduit.

27. Please provide the quantity and locations of the electrical pull boxes, or confirm that pull-box placement is to be determined by the contractor in accordance with the NEC. AE Response: Pull boxes will be required whenever wires are being pulled in multiple direction, where splices are needed or when 360 degrees of total bends between pull points occurs.

28. Are pull/junction boxes required at three-way conduit junctions? If so, please specify the required type and size. AE Response: Yes, provide per the NEC.

34. Please provide the required dimensions (size) of the telecom/technology pull boxes. AE Response: Refer to keynotes on sheet TN002 for handhole box dimensions.

37. Alternate No. 1 – application of the 10% deduct. Please provide a clearer explanation of how the approximately 10% deduction under Alternate No. 1 applies to the electrical and technology portions of CLIN 0001. Specifically, please clarify whether the Alternate No. 1 deduct applies proportionally across all scopes (including electrical and technology) or only to the fencing/site scope, so that subcontractors can price the alternate consistently. AE Response: The 10% deduct applies to all scopes across the project.

38. Specification Section 26 05 26 (Grounding and Bonding for Electrical Systems), Paragraph 3.6, “Outdoor Metallic Fences Around Electrical Equipment,” requires fence grounding (a ground rod at each fixed gate post and each corner post, No. 4 AWG copper, exothermic welds, braided strap bonding at gates, etc.) but states fences shall be grounded “as shown on the drawings,” and the drawings do not appear to show fence grounding details or extents. Please clarify: (a) whether the grounding/bonding required by Paragraph 3.6 applies to the entire perimeter security fence, or only to fence segments enclosing electrical equipment; and (b) provide the applicable grounding details and the locations/extents where fence grounding is required. AE Response: This section is not applicable. There is no electrical equipment located at or around the perimeter of the fence.

39. The base-bid Period of Performance is 180 calendar days after Notice to Proceed. Given the combined scope (perimeter fencing, foundations and masonry pilasters, electrical, and technology/electronic-security work), would the Government consider extending the Period of Performance to 365 calendar days? VA Response: The period of performance has been increased to 300 calendar days.

41.Please provide existing panel schedules as well as electrical room locations of panels to be able to provide accurate pricing. AE Response: The approximate locations of the existing panels are near where the new time clocks are shown within the building. The exact locations will need to be field coordinated with the owner during construction.

42. Please confirm that no electrical gate operators, access control power, or card reader/keypad power is required at any of the gates shown. AE Response: They are all manual gates. No power for gates, access controls or card readers are required for this project.

43. Please confirm that a 20’ perimeter light pole is what is desired as the dimensions call for 5’-1/2” height and not 20’ as indicated in the description. AE Response: 20 ft poles are correct, the 5’-1/2” is incorrect.

44. Is standard or anti-scale picket spacing required. Detail sheet A501 calls for both. The details require 3.25” typical and anti-scale spacing is tighter spacing. AE Response: The premise of this project is to match the Fisher House fence. The Fisher House has Anti-Scale on gates and standard pale airspace on the rest of the fence. A501 Detail 6 describes using Anti-Scale (1.25”) on gates, and A501 Detail 4 shows using standard pale (3.25”) fence spacing.

45. What is the I beam post height to be out of the ground? Ameristar standard is 12” shorter than height of fence. Details provided appears to be taller than that, but no post height given. AE Response: The premise of this project is to match the Fisher House fence. The I beam post height is 8’-6”. According to the Fisher House drawings, the top of the fence should be 7.03” from the center of the top rail.

46. Ameristar is not sure if they can offer 9’ tall Impasse II in 2 rail configurations. Are 3 rails acceptable? AE Response: Per the manufacturer, three rails are now required when a fence is taller than 8'. Yes, 3 rails are acceptable. This will help the fence be more sturdy and secure.

47. Will there need to be a temporary fence put in place after working hours to cover for exposed areas? Yes, a temporary fence must be in place at the end of each workday to ensure safety and security on both sides of the fence.

Comply with the requirements of Section 01 00 00, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, and Section 1.9 - PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS.

A. Temporary fencing is to be in place at the end of each workday to maintain security on both sides of the fence overnight to prevent unauthorized access to construction and demolition areas. Ensure all temporary fencing and protective measures remain in place, are structurally sound, and are regularly inspected and maintained throughout the duration of the work.

B. Provide safeguards, including warning signs, barricades, temporary fences, warning lights, and other similar items that are required for protection of all personnel during demolition and removal operations.

C. Protect adjacent structures, utilities, equipment, and site improvements from damage.

D. Comply with all federal, state, local, VA, and project-specific safety requirements, including OSHA standards, to protect workers, patients, staff, visitors, and the public.

The type, location, and extent of temporary fencing and protection shall be determined by the Contractor based on site conditions and the work being performed, with the responsibility to maintain a safe and secure jobsite at all times.

48. In finalizing our price, we identified an inconsistency within the contract documents regarding the required scope of surveying services, and we respectfully request clarification.

The documents describe the survey requirement in two materially different ways:

1. The Drawings (General Note 11) require the Contractor to have a licensed land surveyor perform a boundary survey on the future fence location to determine exact fence placement and avoid conflicts with existing rights-of-way, with final layout approved by the Contracting Officer prior to construction. Division 01 (Layout of Work) is consistent with this, directing layout of the work from Government-established base lines and benchmarks.

2. Specification Section 02 21 13 describes a substantially broader effort — a survey performed to “Accuracy Standards for ALTA-ACSM Land Title Surveys,” comprising a boundary survey, topographic survey, and utility survey of the property, together with an extensive drawing deliverable (recorded legal description, total land area, easements and rights-of-way, encroachments, allSolicitation 36C25526R0141 / Project 589-22-465 — Request for Clarification (Survey Scope) permanent structures and site improvements, pavements, and related items).

These two descriptions represent significantly different levels of effort and cost. Because award is on a Lowest-Price Technically-Acceptable basis, offerors interpreting the survey requirement differently will submit non-comparable prices, which may affect the fairness of the price evaluation.

We respectfully request that the Contracting Officer clarify the following:

a. Which requirement governs the survey scope for this project — the fence-location boundary survey described in Drawings General Note 11, or the full property survey described in Specification Section 02 21 13?

b. If Specification Section 02 21 13 governs, please confirm whether a certified ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey (including a current title commitment and certification to title parties) is required, or whether the referenced accuracy standard is intended to apply to a boundary, topographic, and utility survey without the title-instrument deliverables.

c. The order of precedence that applies between the Drawings and the Specifications for this item.

AE Response: Per drawing A501 General note 11: “Contractor shall have a licensed land surveyor perform a boundary survey on the future fence location to determine exact fence placement location to avoid conflicts with the existing right of ways and other potential obstacles. final layout shall be approved by the co prior to starting construction.” This note should take precedence as it was discussed in the design meetings with the VA. The Specification 02 21 13 is more than the VA would like to achieve for this type of project and would drive costs up exponentially. VA specifications take precedence over drawing information shall a conflict arise. VA will provide final approval of the route to take for the survey.