36C25619R0071-0002001.pdf

Project No. 586-18-118 Project Name: Replace Elevated Water Storage Tank

Pre-Bid Requests for Information (RFI) Responses

1. Is there a specific detail required for the transition from 10” dia. piping under paving to 8” dia. piping outside of pavement?

Connection shall be made with a fusible polyethylene MJ adapter (Harvey adapter).

Adapter shall be of the same DR rating as the pipe. Contractor shall also provide bell restraints for two (2) PVC joints beyond the HDPE connection.

2. Is there a specific detail required for the transition from 10” dia. piping under paving to 8” dia. piping inside the tank pedestal?

See above.

3. Is there a designated concrete washout area?

No washout area is available onsite. Must haul off.

4. Does AWWA D107-16, Section 33 16 11, and industry standards for the composite tank concrete support wall relating to mixes, curing, form removal, placement, finishing, slump, rebar, etc. supersede Section 03 00 00?

Yes; design and construction should comply with the latest edition of AWWA D107.

5. Throughout the Specifications, the Payment sections describe different methods of measurement and payment. Please confirm that the requested Lump Sum Bid Price for CLIN 0001 is compensation for all work described in the Contract and no other measurement/payment applies?

This is a lump sum price. Payments will be made for percentage of work complete / in-place. Special circumstances may apply but at discretion of Contracting Officer.

6. A copy of the referenced Geotechnical Report (33 16 11) is required for the foundation design and cost estimation. Please send or issue as soon as possible?

Yes, will be provided.

7. Is there a noise limit onsite that will restrict driving piles?

No

8. Is removal of the existing Well Electrical enclosures and pad and the Temporary Chlorine Treatment system required at the end of the Project?

Yes

9. During the site visit it was discussed the new electrical service (Mark “4A”, sheet E3) will have to run to the east and not to the west, as shown. Please provide an updated drawing and details for the desired route and termination details?

Visit the site for exact location but the electrical service shall be installed as follows:

“The service feeder for enclosed circuit breaker ECB2 shall be installed as follows:

1. Bore between new Pull Box (Key note 4B/Sheet E3) and manhole located approximately 90’ West/Northwest of new pull box location. Manhole is located in parking lot, west of main drive.

2. Install New conductors from ECB2 to manhole in parking lot, then extend east approximately 280’ to another existing manhole just west of existing transformer bank, via spare conduit. Transformer bank is located east of existing Maintenance Shop.

3. Continue installing conductors from last manhole to Center Transformer via spare conduit. (Approximately 30’)

4. Existing manholes contain primary conductors. Use extreme caution when working inside manholes.”

10. Is there any prohibition for delivery of materials and concrete? Can additional parking spaces be blocked off for deliveries? Will large deliveries be required after-hours or on weekends?

No additional area from what’s noted on drawings will be provided for staging / temporary closure. Large deliveries should be scheduled around normal business areas for access to construction site so that normal operations of VA are not affected.

After hours work and/or weekend work will be allowed. Pricing of bids should reflect accordingly.

11. Is there a limitation on delivery truck weight and concrete truck weight to protect the onsite paved parking?

Contractor shall be responsible for repair and/or replacement of all surfaces disturbed by his activities.

12. Is the west entrance available for contractor deliveries?

University MS Medical Center has closed access to West entrance due to their ongoing construction. This gate will not be available.

13. Is after-hours and weekend work authorized?

14. Is additional Temporary Construction Fencing allowed from the new well location to the area of the new Well Building to protect and contain the remainder of the construction limits to comply with 01 50 00? Indicate limits of Temporary Construction Fencing at the new Well location.

Yes, we can extend temporary fencing to include new well area. We will revise sheet A2

15. Please verify the 500 gpm requirement for the new well is with the existing well off and that all acceptance testing of the new well is also to be performed with the existing well off?

Yes

16. Are there existing solar panels on the covered parking to the west of the project site that will require protection?

There are solar panels and contractor is required to protect from damage.

17. Are any exterior or interior signs required for the Building? Please provide specifications and requirements.

Yes. Chlorine storage and electrical room shall be labeled. Coordinate with hospital and water system operator.

18. The drain from the chlorine room that is called out is not shown. Please provide an updated drawing and any details required, including method of containment required for the drain or the piping.

No drain in chlorine room.

19. Drawing T1 shows the tank diameter as 46.50’. While we will be close to that dimension we will surely vary slightly. Tank diameter is a function of tank volume and head range and will vary between individual tank manufacturers final design.

Please confirm the 46.50’ tank diameter is +/‐.

Dimensions are anticipated to vary between manufacturers. Please submit standard drawings including dimensions with your proposal for review.

20. Drawing T1 shows an outside shaft ladder at the upper landing elevation. This is to access the exterior rigging rail. A ladder is not required by our design as the exterior rigging rail is readily accessible from the upper landing. Please confirm this exterior ladder is only required if needed to reach the exterior rigging rail.

Ladder configurations are anticipated to vary between manufacturers. All ladders shall be OSHA compliant. Please submit standard drawings and details with your proposal for review.

21. Section 33 16 11‐2, Item 2.1 says the foundation design shall be based on the recommendations provided in the Geotechnical Report. Can that report be provided to the Bidders?

22. Section 33 16 11‐5, Item 3.4 specifies stainless steel piping for the riser piping within the pedestal, however no grade or thickness is specified.

Industry standard is 304L 10S for the inlet/outlet piping and 304L 11ga for the overflow pipe. Please confirm this is acceptable.

23. Section 33 16 11‐5, Item 3.4. Does the inlet/outlet piping within the pedestal require insulation?

No

24. Section 33 16 11‐6, Item 3.4.G specifies a 5 ft wide upper platform. Industry standard is 4 ft wide; will this be acceptable?

4 ft is acceptable.

25. Section 33 16 11. Please confirm the tank manufacturer is required to pay for concrete testing associated with the construction of the support pedestal per Section 03 00 00, Item 3‐09.

An allowance will be added as an addendum. See attached.

26. Section 33 16 11 Part 5.0 Coatings. Please confirm any 3rd party coatings inspection costs are not the responsibility of the tank manufacturer or their subcontractor.

An allowance will be added as an addendum. See attached.

27. Solicitation Offer page 22 of 64 lists the working hours as 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can theses hours be expanded for the construction of the Composite Tank to 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.?

Yes. After hours work and/or weekend work will be allowed. Any proposed work should be encompassed in bid amount.

28. Solicitation Offer page 22 of 64 lists the working days as Monday through Friday.

Work on Saturday or Sunday for the Composite Tank may be required to meet the desired completion date. Please confirm weekend work will not be restricted at the Composite Tank location.

See previous response.

29. Section 01 10 00‐3, Item 1‐07. C.1 Permits. Is a building permit required for the

Composite Tank? If required, please confirm any costs will be waived or can a fee schedule be provided to the Prime Contractors so they can include the appropriate costs in their bid.

No building permit is required.

30. Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

No; MPC tax is required.

31. Who is the alarm servicer that the GC will have to tie in?

Please review plans and specs. A new telemetry system is to be provided. Specs call for Control System’s Inc.

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.

Yes, Procore is preferred

33. Will the GC need to hire an engineer to locate underground lines?

Contractor is responsible for locating any existing lines, confirm grades and locate center of tank.

34. 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.

No, this is a firm fixed price.

35. Going through the specs provided, we don't see they include a demolition section.

Please confirm. (i want to make sure i didn't miss it) Demo specification will be provided.

36. It does not indicate a water line capping, are we to assume all water line work will be in

Part 1 (not our scope of work?)

Contractor is to perform all work associated with Part 1 and Part 2. Capping of water lines is the responsibility of Contractor.

37. I also see the tank removal is after the construction of the new, and after Part one. with that said, when do you anticipate the demo to occur? (nearest month / year) Nov 2019?

April 2020?

Demo should occur as soon as new tank is fully functional.

38. Does the existing fence around the old tower remain (drawing C-1 states Part 1 remove and replace)?

It is to remain and be modified and tie into new treatment building.

39. In the CMU walls, What’s the spacing on rebar for grout or everything gets pour solid?

Pour all solid.

40. Was this tank truly built somewhere around the year 2007? And as such are you confident that there is no lead-based paint on it?

Yes, existing tank was installed in 2007. No lead-based paint is anticipated.

41. Please provide the high water level of the existing tank?

Existing tank high water level matches new tank high water level.

42. Please confirm whether the existing tank is to be torn down before the new is built? Or after the new is built?

After new tank is built. See comment on item no. 37

43. Whichever time frame it is to be torn down in. Approximately [to the closest quarter] when you expect the demolition to take place?

See comment on item no. 37

44. Tank demolition of this size routinely takes our crew approximately 11 hours to accomplish. Let's say 6 AM through 5 PM. We see the working hours are listed as 8 AM through 4:30 PM. Can they be extended for the 1 day demolition?

Contractors may work anytime. Normal, afterhours and/or weekends if needed.

45. When we torch cut steel at approximately 150 feet in the air. The wind can easily carry hot sparks 150 – 180 feet away. We are prepared to place our tarps, and lawn sprinklers on any of the permanent structures that need tarps and lawn sprinklers. We are not prepared to tarp every vehicle that chooses to drive through the area, and park in the area. Can all parking, and nonessential vehicles be vacated from the pink circle for the duration of the 1 day demolition? See attached aerial View.

Contractor is responsible for all aspects of construction efforts as well as protecting any area / item(s) from damage. The only space available will be the staging area noted in the drawings. Weekend work will be allowed for concerns such as this.

46. Do any of the subcontractors under the approved GC have to carry a MS contractors license?

If a license is required for a particular trade, then the answer is yes. Questions like this cause concern.

47. The specs for this job are for Capital chlorine equipment, Is the VA open to use Hydro

Instruments distributors, for the chlorine injection equipment? See attached produce specification.

Please follow specifications. Substitutions may be considered but will have to meet or exceed that which has been specified.

48. Specifications, Section 33 16 11, 3.4.G, specifies a 5 ft wide upper platform/walkway.

Would the industry standard 4 ft wide upper walkway be allowed?

49. Specifications, Section 33 16 11, 3.4.F, specifies the industry standard pedestal vent which provides access to the painter’s rails. Therefore, 3.4.J.1 should be deleted with “F” pedestal vent accomplishing the intended use.

Agreed.

50. Plan Sheet T1 depicts an intermediate rest platform. Confirm if we are to include one rest platform equally spaced between interior floor and upper walkway.

Maximum spacing is 50 feet. A minimum of two platforms are required.

51. From the Plan Sheets, it is difficult to determine the final asphalt parking adjacent (or under the tank). We would not recommend parking within 5 feet outside of the tank dripline.

Currently the two spaces adjacent the base will be in the drip line. These can be striped No Parking, if required outside of the drip line. For now, bid per plans.

52. Specifications, Section 33 16 11, 4.2.B, states “The form system shall use curved, prefabricated form segments of the largest practical size to minimize panel joints.

Concrete pour height shall be a minimum of 6 feet and a maximum of 12 feet.” We respectfully request that “6 ft” be revised to “4 ft”. It is important that owners or engineers developing a CET specification should be careful not to restrict the means and methods of construction. CET suppliers own their own forms and equipment, and each have developed different systems for their pedestal construction. Form material, form size, and methods of construction vary greatly between manufacturers. Different equipment requires different construction techniques and a restrictive specification can include sections that are not applicable to some manufacturers. Some competitors in the CET market use form systems that are between 6’ and 12’ tall. Caldwell Tanks, Inc.

has developed a form system specifically designed for the construction of CET’s that utilizes locking steel form panels. Our system is made up of (3) three rings of 4 foot high form panels that provides a 12 foot high form system. However, only 4 feet of concrete is poured per lift and we typically make two pours per day yielding a total of 8 feet per day. Our forming system does not use through wall form ties, and the associated grout patching of form tie holes is therefore not needed. Our rigid forming system allows for efficient concrete consolidation and limits any pour lines. Caldwell’s CET’s reflect an attractive architectural concrete product that is just as good as, or better, than our competitors. Our concrete pedestal has a uniform consistent appearance with the absence of shading and discoloration, no patched form tie holes and no grout leakage streaks.

The only question I see in this comment is a request that “6 ft be revised to 4 ft”. 4 foot high form panels will be allowed.

53. Can you provide the Geo tech report for foundation design? If one doesn’t exists, Will the contractor include a report in the price?

Yes, report will be provided.

54. If one doesn’t exist, what assumptions will the VA and contractor assume for bidding purposes?

See comment on item no. 53.

55. As we interpret the instructions, Exhibit B is to be completed and submitted by the bidder and Exhibit C is to be forwarded to the former Client and be returned by them directly to you. It appears to us, that the same attachments are included with both exhibits.

Exhibit B is to be submitted by the bidder with the proposal. Exhibit C is to be forwarded to the former Client and they return Exhibit C to the Contracting Officer. Bidders may ask their clients to return the exhibit but not all will respond as it is their preference. Exhibits are evaluated by the source selection team prior to award to determine the most responsive, responsible offerors whose offers is in conformance with the solicitation, is fair and reasonable, represents fair market value and offers the best overall value to the Government.