A0003 RFI JLM Front Entry Questions - 6.16.21.pdf

36C25621R0093-JLM Front Entrance Request for Information (RFI) Questions

1. Section 1.2 (A) states that the size of the project schedules should be 30" X 42". I thought it was agreed that 11" X 17" Tabloid size would be fine. Works better with Microsoft project.

A: Provide a 30” x 42” size.

2. Same section as above, it states that the final project schedule shall show no changes or delays but should only show the entire contract duration as defined in the bid documents. Would this not be a incorrect project schedule not showing the exact time for the project other that some made up schedule?

A: This project schedule would reflect the anticipated number of days the contractor thinks he/she can complete the job.

3. Under quality controls section 3.10 the sample form icon will not pull up the forms. This happens throughout the specifications that where ever a icon is printed it will not let you open

it. The special inspections section on sheet 01-45-35-5 the word icon and the excel icon will not open. Can the VA or the Architect provide another means for us to get the information?

A: The icons shown are not intended to be links to the information. The schedule of special inspections, and statement of special inspections worksheet are attached to the end of the 01 45

35 specifications. Located before 01 57 19.

4. Is commissioning to be done by a VA paid for agent or is that something else for the GC to put in it pricing?

A: This service has already been paid by the VA.

5. When will the VA block off the limits of the project and have no civilian vehicles or traffic inside the area so that surveyor can start putting out stakes and markings?

A: Coordinate with COR.

6. On the project overview page 4 it states that all force protection deficiencies in the area of work identified by the physical security assessment are to be corrected. Can the deficiencies shown on pages 5 and 6 be highlighted as to if they area in the area of work or not?

A: They are all in the area of work

7. *Will the Government allow offerors to submit CPARS for prior projects in lieu of PPQs?

Government contracting officers frequently refuse to fill out PPQ requests due to the volume of requests they receive and CPARS existing for the projects.

A. The government will not prohibit the submission of CPARs but that submission will not be accepted in lieu of the required PPQ.

8. *Will the Government allow previously filled out PPQs to be submitted for the project? The

Government requires PPQs on virtually all projects and our clients get tired of continuously filling out the same forms over and over again.

A: I refer you to “Factor 2 – Past Performance” of the solicitation, demonstrate recent performance (w/n the last five years) reflected by Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

9. *Is there a page limit on the volumes or factors?

A: The Offer, including title page, detailed table of contents, preface, for the Phase proposal shall not exceed a total of 25 (twenty-five) pages

Factor/Sub-

Factor

Location Description Page

Limitations

Factor I

Sub-Factor

Volume 1, Tab A

Technical Proposal

Corporate Construction Project

Experience

Sub-Factor

Volume 1, Tab B

Key Project Personnel Construction 25

Sub-Factor

Volume 1, Tab C

Technical/Management Approach 25

Factor II Volume 1, Tab D

Past Performance 25

Factor III Volume 2, Tab A

Price Schedule Include Cost Estimate

Breakdown, list of sub-contractors/discipline Signed SF-1442, Bonding (if applicable), FAR Provision

52.212-3 “Offeror Representations and

Certifications-Commercial Items” to include: DUNS, CAGE, TAX ID, POC, Email and other documents etc.

Certificates, Vetbiz verifications

10. *Should the administrative information (SF 1442, Bid Bond, EMR, etc.) be included in the technical proposal or the pricing proposal? It is not clear how the Government wants this information organized.

A: Refer you to Factor 1 – Technical: Construction Management

11. CD101 – Solar Panels are noted to remove and return to owner. Some of the notes state that frames are to be removed and returned to owner and some are to be discarded by contractor, but the notes are not consistent. Can the government provide a better detailed drawing or narrative of what exactly is to be removed, stored or discarded?

A. Carport 1: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. No PV gear affected unless the combiners must be reallocated/reconnected consistent with demands of existing inverter/transformer system where possible

ii. MODBUS antenna and its receiving antenna must be re-aimed/relocated as needed to restore line-of-sight communication between them.

B. Carport 2: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. No PV gear affected unless the combiners must be reallocated/reconnected consistent with demands of existing inverter/transformer system where possible

C. Carport 3: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. PV panels to be removed and stored per Architect drawings

ii. Strings and PV panels remaining after removal activity to be rewired to feed existing remaining combiner capacity consistent with demands of existing inverter/transformer system where possible

iii. Existing MODBUS antenna must be reconnected to its existing MODBUS

Hopper, and relocated to the east end of the shortened carport. It and its receiving antenna must be re-aimed/relocated as needed to restore line-of-sight communication between them.

D. Carport 4: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. PV panels to be removed and stored per Architect drawings.

ii. Removal of PV panels requires removal of the combiners to which these

PV panels are connected, and the combiner feeders to the existing inverter/transformer system. Contractor confirm that this is Qty (2) combiners

E. Carport 5: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. PV panels to be removed and stored per Architect drawings.

ii. Removal of PV panels requires removal of the combiners to which these

PV panels are connected, and the combiner feeders to the existing inverter/transformer system. Contractor confirm that this is Qty (3) combiners

iii. (4) Cameras, MODBUS antenna, its Hopper, and its antenna, must be removed and returned to COR.

F. Carport 6: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. PV panels to be removed and stored per Architect drawings.

ii. Removal of PV panels requires removal of the combiners to which these

PV panels are connected, and the combiner feeders to the existing inverter/transformer system. Contractor confirm that this is Qty (3) combiners

G. Carport 7: Insight Engineering PLLC

i. No PV gear affected unless the combiners must be reallocated/reconnected consistent with demands of existing inverter/transformer system where possible

ii. MODBUS antenna (B,4) and its receiving antenna must be re-aimed/relocated as needed to restore line-of-sight communication between them.

H. Ignore Keyed Notes 5, 7, and 10, as written

12. Are the solar panels under warranty currently? If so, does the original installer have to disconnect and remove them to prevent voiding the warranty?

A. The solar panels are not under warranty

13. AE101 – there are no notes on this plan page. Was that intentional?

A. Yes. The purpose of the plan was to show the rooms with the center island removed.

14. AS104 – State’s construction fence must be 6’ high. Specs 01 00 00 page 26 states it must be 7’ high. Which is correct? 6’ would be preferrable since the fence must be completely covered with fence fabric and standard fence fabric is 6’ high. Is this acceptable?

A. 6ft is acceptable.

15. AE309 shows a granite monument but there are no specs for it. Please provide specs or a narrative describing the monument.

A. Solid black gabbro granite. Size and dimensions are on the drawings. Text is to be provided by the VA.

16. AE311 shows artwork but there are no specs for the artwork. Please provide specs or a narrative for the artwork.

A. The art work and text on the acrylic panels was to be provided by the VA. The drawings only provide a “holding place” for this design work.

17. AE312 shows a Hackett Stone and Force Protection benches and planters but there are no specs for these items. Please provide specs or narrative for these items.

A. For the Hackett Stones, please consult the following stone providers:

a. Weight: average 150 per CF

b. Sources – Larger Beams:

i. Bluebird Stone

28565 Latham School Road

Shady Point, Oklahoma 74956

ii. Ibison Stone

10520 AR-10

Hackett, Arkansas 72937

Force Protection Benches and Planters:

a. All information for the construction of these benches should be included in the drawing package page AE310 (Planter sections), AE312 (Hackett Bench and

Force Protection Bench Detail), and SJ503 (Planter section). Please consult drawings.

18. 01 00 00, Page 31 – VA will get NPDES permit, and the contractor provides info for permit as an operator and complies with the permit requirements. Will the government send a copy of the permit out in an amendment or at least the requirements of the permit during the construction phase so we can price accordingly?

A. https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/#:~:text=NPDES%20permits%20are%

20required%20for,Air%20Pollution%20Control%20Act%20(Ark

19. 01 00 00, Page 41, 1.21 – Specs state Temporary toilet facilities need water and sewer plumbed.

Will porta-potties be allowed on site?

A. Porta potties are allowed.

20. If no porta-potties, where will the contractor be expected to tie-in the electrical, sewer and water at? A narrative will suffice.

A. See response above.

21. 01 00 00, Page 45 has a requirement for a professional photographer to document project progress. Is this required for this project?

A. Professional not required.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adeq.state.ar.us%2Fwater%2Fpermits%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DNPDES%2520permits%2520are%2520required%2520for%2CAir%2520Pollution%2520Control%2520Act%2520(Ark&data=04%7C01%7C%7C1e83150746f24a6cc13808d930d9b0eb%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C637594533790538078%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Jpjw26ukyTbjBodZFe3%2BnrHhA4wyYRYdmk4wD5h%2BluA%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adeq.state.ar.us%2Fwater%2Fpermits%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DNPDES%2520permits%2520are%2520required%2520for%2CAir%2520Pollution%2520Control%2520Act%2520(Ark&data=04%7C01%7C%7C1e83150746f24a6cc13808d930d9b0eb%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C637594533790538078%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Jpjw26ukyTbjBodZFe3%2BnrHhA4wyYRYdmk4wD5h%2BluA%3D&reserved=0

22. 01 32 16.15, Page 50 Project Schedules – 1.4.A states to provide electronic copies in PDM

Format acceptable to the COR. Will Microsoft Project be acceptable to the COR?

A. Microsoft Project is acceptable

23. 01 32 16.15, Page 50 Project 1.5.A requires 3 hard copies of the schedule to be turned in on

30”x42” pages. Will this sized paper be required for this project?

A. Yes

24. 01 32 16.15, Page 52 1.6.A states to cost load every work activity in the project schedule to add up to the total bid. We’ve never seen schedule cost loading incorporated at the VA. This is more of a US Army Corps of Engineers Requirement. Will this be required for this project?

A. Bid as shown

25. If schedule cost loading is required, must it be delivered with the proposal or later after contract award?

A. Submit with the first schedule submission.

26. 01 35 26, Page 79, 1.7.C states the SSHO can also be the Superintendent. 01 45 00, Page 116, 3.4.B states the CQC Manager can also be the Superintendent. Will the government allow 1 person to fulfill all three roles on this project providing they meet the qualifications?

A. Superintendent can not fulfill all 3 roles. In addition, the Contractor will need the superintendents qualifications to ensure he/she can perform responsibilities associated with SSHO or CQC Manager.

27. 01 45 00, Page 116, states the CQC Manager must have 15 years’ experience and page 117, 3.4.D says they must be CPM certified, and the alternate must have the same qualifications. This is typically a Corps of Engineer requirement. Will these CQCM certification requirements be applicable on this project?

A. Bid as shown.

28. 01 45 00, Page 116, 3.4.A, states the contractor to provide adequate office space for the CQC staff that must be always present at the job site when work is occurring. Will a job site trailer be required on this project or will the VA provide an interior space near the front entrance?

A. The VA is not providing an interior space for contractor trailer. If a workspace trailer is needed the contractor is to provide and have trailer confine within the construction barrier.

29. If portable worksite trailer is required, where will the laydown location be?

A. See question 28

30. 01 45 00, Page 117, 3.4.C states the CQC staff must have the experience level according to the

Experience Matrix listed herein. There is no Experience Matrix included in this section. If this is required, please provide the matrix.

A.

Area Qualifications

Civil

Graduate Civil Engineer or Construction Manager with 2 years experience in the type of work being performed on this project or technician with 5 years related experience.

Mechanical

Graduate Mechanical Engineer with 2 years experience or construction professional with 5 years of experience supervising mechanical features of work in the field with a construction company.

Electrical

Graduate Electrical Engineer with 2 years related experience or construction professional with 5 years of experience supervising electrical features of work in the field with a construction company.

Structural

Graduate Civil Engineer (with Structural Track or Focus), Structural Engineer, or Construction Manager with 2 years experience or construction professional with 5 years experience supervising structural features of work in the field with a construction company.

Architectural Graduate Architect with 2 years experience or construction professional with 5 years of related experience.

Environmental Graduate Environmental Engineer with 3 years experience.

Submittals Submittal Clerk with 1 year experience.

Concrete, Pavement, and Soils Materials Technician with 2 years experience for the appropriate area.

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

(TAB)

Specialist must be a member of AABC or an experienced technician of the firm certified by the

NEBB.

Design Quality Control Manager Registered Architect or Professional Engineer

31. 01 45 00, Page 121, 3.7.C states the government reserves the right to use the contractor’s testing labs onsite to make assurance tests. Will an onsite testing lab be required for onsite testing?

A. Per section 01 45 29, all testing is provided by the General Contractor. If an onsite testing laboratory is required as part of the GCs work, then the VA shall also have access to it per section 01 45 00.

32. Contractors typically contract with a Testing agency and their labs are not mobile. For example, concrete testing samples are taken at the job site during a pour but the samples are taken back to a lab for testing. Compacting testing is done on site with equipment on site. Will the government clarify this requirement?

A. Refer to answer above.

33. 01 45 29, Page 132, 3.8.A Concrete – Batch Plant Inspection and Materials Testing - continuous batch plant testing until concrete quality is established to satisfaction of the COR with concurrence from the contracting officer. Concrete suppliers perform their own internal quality control and batch plant testing. Typically, the contractor engages an Engineering and Testing

Company to test materials that arrive on the job site to ensure the materials meet the specifications for the project. Is this a new requirement for the prime contractor to have testing and inspections conducted at a batch plant?

A. For this size project, this requirement can be waived.

34. GI101 – Can the camera and fiber installer use a HEPA cart on the Ground Level for security camera installation?

A. Yes

35. AE309 – Show a flag pole and monument contractor for the base (engraved polished granite).

There are no specs for this. Will the VA please provide a written narrative J&A, or specs for this requirement?

A. See question 15

36. AE311 – shows the art elevations but there are no specs for them. Will the VA please provide a written narrative or spec section detailing the art?

A. See question 16

37. AE312 has Hackett Stone, Force Protection benches and planters but no specs. Will the VA please provide missing specs for these sections or provide J&A in writing stating a specific type of park bench and planter?

A. See question 17

38. Detail 21B calls for a 1” thick asphalt binder course. Due to aggregate size in binder, it should be laid a minimum of 3” thick. 1” thick will not work, will the VA please modify or update this to reflect a 3” or greater binder.

A. There is a dimensioning error on Detail 21B (Heavy Duty Asphalt Paving). The detail should show a 2” thick asphalt surface course, over a 3” thick binder course, over a 10” thick Class 7 aggregate base course, compacted to 95% Modified Proctor Density. An amended detail is attached to this document for reference and information.

39. CG 103 Note 8 states all drainage structures should be cast in place. Will the owner waive this and allow pre-cast structures? Structurally there’s no difference in the integrity and the pre-cast is cheaper.

A. MCE has no issues with the drainage structures being provided as pre-cast concrete structures; however, again, we will defer to the wishes of the Department of Veterans Affairs in this matter. A cast-in-place structure is easier to match grades in the field.

40. CD 103 includes a note stating no heavy equipment in an area over the basement. Define heavy equipment. Would a mini excavator and compact skid steer be allowed?

A. Submit proposed equipment cuts sheets for approval.

41. CG 103 shows a trench drain @ the handicap parking but it’s missing a detail drawing. Please provide a detail for the trench drain.

A. A detail for the trench drain in the parking lot is shown on drawing sheet number CJ504, under label “33A”.

42. Please provide a spec for the bush hammered concrete.

A. Using surface profile gage provide a concrete surface profile rating of 3-4 as defined by

American Concrete Institute (ACI) . Contractor is to provide as sample prior to beginning full-scale work for architect and owner approval.

43. AS108 shows the bush hammered sidewalk to have a tooled smooth edge. Bushhammers create a

CSP 3-4 (concrete surface profile of 3-4 which is a dimpled rough appearance). You could not maintain that tooled smooth edge when you bush hammer the sidewalk. Would the VA prefer a broom finish instead?

A. There is no smooth tooled edge for this portion of the sidewalk concrete surface work.

44. The picture of the bush hammered side-walk that the VA provided is from Wikipedia, looks like it has some red aggregate in the concrete, which is not available here in our area or anywhere close to us. Will the VA please clarify their intentions for red aggregate in the concrete?

A. The photo was from a product catalog, not Wikipedia, with the purpose of conveying designer intent only. There is no red aggregate requirement.

45. There are no flowline and rim elevations for the nyloplast drain basins shown on sheets CG 103 and CG 104. This is a very important piece of information and without it it’s difficult to know what the VA wants. Will the VA please provide this information?

A. The rim elevation for this drainage inlet (IG#1828) is shown on drawing sheets CG103/104 as

398.50. The Contractor should seek to maintain existing flowlines on all pipes intersecting this inlet junction.

46. CG 104 IG #1828, shows to replace existing concrete structure w/nyloplast. Will owner consider leaving existing in place and adjusting to grade as the others are planned.

A. MCE has no objection to this inlet remaining as a concrete structure, and simply being adjusted to a new grade as required. In hindsight, this may be preferable to a new Nyloplast structure at this location.

47. What are the weight restrictions for the area over the vault, sheet CD 103. Will a mini-ex and skid steer be allowed?

A. Submit proposed equipment cut sheets for approval.

48. Please verify if all underground conduits shall be GRSC as noted on the plans, or is PVC with rigid 90's acceptable. There is a MAJOR cost difference in the two and PVC with rigid 90’s is industry standard.

A. GRSC is required.

49. Sheet "EP301" Camera General Notes - Please Clarify expectations for Analytic purposes for each Camera location. Facial Recognition, LPR, Person Detection. Additional charges for

Analytics may apply.

A. Function of (10) new cameras is already shown in the SURVEILANCE CAMERA

SCHEDULE with notes on SHEET EP301.

50. Sheet "EP301" Keyed Note #6 -"Provide & Install Telephone Outlet and Connect to IT Room

GB108-JM" - Verify Connector Type for Field Side Terminations.

A. Field side connector is weatherproof RJ11 for analog telephone wiring to 110 punch-down blocks specified in RFI 041, blocks in Room 1C144

51. Specification "28 05 00 - 1" Furnish and Install Architect Specified Telephone call boxes. Is this the case or is the GC to provide these?

A. The GC is to install and provide.

52. Please provide Specifications for Architect specified telephone call boxes.

A. Manufacturer: Code Blue

B. Product: ETP-MT/R-OP2 – Fixed Camera-Ready Radius Emergency Phone Tower

C. CB S1 - Enclosure

53. Demo of Current Existing IP Cameras under Parking Lot Canopies – Should the GC include in their proposal?

A. Yes, but selectively. Grid coordinates are general

B. SHEET ED102

i. No IP cameras will be demo’ed under either Carport 1 (grid E,4) or

Carport 3 (grid D,4).

ii. Carports 2 and 4 have no cameras, MODBUS HOPPERS, or HOPPER

Antennas.

iii. Cameras under Carport 5 (grid C,4), the MODBUS HOPPER, and the

HOPPER Antenna must all be removed and returned to COR.

iv. Antenna at grid D,5 which is east end of Carport 3 must be relocated to end of shortened structure and reconnected to its HOPPER, including as necessary any adjustment to it or its receiving antenna to maintain line-of-sight communications between them.

v. Antenna at grid E,5 which is east end of Carport 1, and its receiving antenna, must be re-aimed and/or relocated only as necessary to maintain line-of-sight to its existing receiving antenna that may be obscured by new structure.

vi. Ignore Keyed Notes 5, 7, and 10, as written

54. Specification "28 05 13 - 4" Optical Fiber Cable Hardware. Will Fusion-Splice Connectors be approved as equivalent practice instead of Quick-connect? Verify Connector Type. LC?

A. Yes for single mode fiber and no for multi-mode.

55. In regard to the solar panels, The plans tell us to remove, and STORE, per specifications. is there a spec section that calls out the storage requirements for the solar panels? Please advise on this requirement. A written narrative will suffice.

A. Coordinate with VA and COR.

56. Page 10, 1a – Calls for Corporate Experience involving ground-up/civil site construction for large medical facilities within the last 5 years. Can we rely on our exclusive relationship/teaming agreement with our civil contractor to meet this requirement?

A. The GC needs to have experience managing a ground-up/civil site construction for large medical facilities. In addition, the Civil contractor will have a dedicated superintendent for the duration of the civil site construction.

57. Page 10, 1b – Super has to have 10 years, PM 5 years in above experience. Will the VA waive the experience requirement down to 5 & 5 for PM and site super if our super has worked in that facility and is currently working in the facility and other VA facilities?

A. No. Superintendent must have 10 years, PM 5 years in above experience

58. Page 12 – Exhibit C Subcontractor info and consent form – Exhibit C is supposed to be the

Contractor Evaluation Form, but Exhibit C put out with the solicitation is the OSHA 300 Form.

Possibly Exhibit A form can be used. Will the VA please clarify exhibit C versus exhibit A and modify the requirements in the solicitation 1442?

A. See attach 5- Subcontractor information and Consent Form

59. Will the government allow Prime Contractors to utilize the Past Performance of a subcontractor of which they are in an exclusive teaming agreement with and have worked with on multiple other Federal Projects including VA projects?

A. Past Performance is to come from a prior client and not a subcontractor that would align more with an employee than a client. (pg. 11 of 57)

60. 01 00 00, Page 31 of specs walls for wash down pits with water filtering for equipment and vehicles. 01 57 19, Page 171 4.a calls for Sediment Basins. Page 172, C.1 calls for wastewater retention ponds. Will the VA please confirm where on the JLM campus they intend on the contractor building these pits and facilities?

A. Wash down pits and wastewater retention ponds will need to be built adjacent to the jobsite as required.

61. Page 173, E Reduction of Noise – 1 – noise hours between 8am and 4pm, 2 – Provide sound deadening devices on equipment, continued on Page 174. None of the equipment on the hospital construction site across the street have noise reduction devices. Will the VA please confirm if this requirement is necessary and if so, are they ready to pay the six figure cost to modify the equipment to meet this requirement?

A. Contractor to follow the noise hours unless approved by the COR. Hours will be able to be extended. The noise reduction of equipment is mainly a factor inside the medical research area. If noise making equipment is used noise reduction may be required or hours of use may be limited.

62. 01 00 00, Page 33, 1.12 Professional Surveying Services – Contractor to hire Surveyor or Civil

Engineer to lay out work during pre-con and after mass excavation. 31 63 26, Page 661, 1.9.E –

GC to hire Surveyor or Civil Engineer to perform surveys, layouts and measurements of caissons. Record measurements and locations of caissons installed. 1.10.A – VA will also hire a

Geotech Engineer to monitor caisson installation. Is the VA paying for the Geotech or is the contractor expected to cover this requirement?

A. The GC will need to provide the Geotech services to inspect the caisson installation.

63. 01 00 00, Page 42, GC has to meter and pay for temp power if it is used for welders or any type of hoisting device. If a breaker panel is available can the GC use it?

A. The GC does NOT have to meter and pay for temp power if it is used for welders or any type of hoisting device.

64. 01 35 26 Safety, Page 81, Documented Safety Inspection Every Week.

A.Yes

65. 01 35 26 Safety, Page 82, 1.10.C Summation of all man hours worked each month to be reported to COR as part of OSHA 300 Logs

A.Yes

66. 01 35 26 Safety, Page 90, J, Exterior construction near building intake vents require HEPA filters for the vents that will need to be changed regularly. Is the contractor to pay for these or the VA?

If the contractor, what size, grade, and type of HEPA filters are required?

A. Contractor to provide

67. 01 45 00, Page 116, CQC System Manager has to have 15 yrs experience and on page 117 they have to be CPM Certified. CQC Staff has to be fully manned every day when work is occurring.

Team has to have qualifications outlined in the chart that was not included in the specs. Will the

VA please clarify their intentions with the missing chart and years of experience expectations?

A. See response for question 30.

68. 01 45 29, Page 129 – Testing lab to observe fill and subgrades during proof rolling to identify unsuitable materials. Provide full time observation of fill and compaction. Provide geo technician to inspect excavation, subsurface prep and backfill. Typically, testing agencies are not onsite during all of this, they come out during certain stages and test. Not sure if the testing agencies have geo technicians but they may. Will the VA please clarify their intentions with this spec section?

A. Certified technician to be on-site for continuous inspection and testing of excavation, subsurface prep and backfill.

69. Asphalt – minimum 4 tests on each day’s final compaction on each aggregate course. This is an abnormally high amount of testing and not industry standard. Will the VA please remove this requirement and replace it with one test per batch of asphalt?

A. Please advise where this requirement appears in the project documentation. It does not appear in specification 32 12 16 (Asphalt Paving); we are not aware of a requirement for four tests on each day’s aggregate compaction.

70. 01 45 35, Page 142, E, Special Inspections – Required for Seismic and Wind Load Designs, for

MEP work and canopy tops and cables. GC to hire an independent 3 rd party inspector for each of the special inspection types required. GC to also hire a Special Inspector of Record (Page 143) who is also an independent 3rd party. Page 150 says this person must be a registered professional engineer and page 152 states they will supervise the special inspectors on the site during their inspections and reports and verify qualifications of special inspectors and fabricators. This added cost will significantly skew the total price of the proposal. Does the VA want these PE’s full time on the project?

A. No, only certified inspector is required to be on site. See page 164, it states that SIOR is not required for this project.

71. 01 74 19, Page 176, 1.1.D – Waste Management – Have to Recycle most of the materials leaving job site and divert from landfills. Does the VA want to see recycle receipts from the trucks?

A. Yes

72. 01 91 00, Page 183, Commissioning support to Commissioning Agent. Agent retained by VA as stated on Page 196. Is the VA paying for the commissioning of the systems?

A. See response from question 4.

73. 31 63 26, Page 657, 1.4.A – Drilled Caissons (I am assuming these are drilled piers). Price

Caissons in bid. Page 660, 1.8.F, GC shall retain independent testing agency to document, monitor, and observe caisson installation. Page 661, 1.9.E, GC to hire land surveyor to perform surveys, layout, and measurements for caissons and record those measurements and locations of caissons installed for as-builts. 1.10.A states the VA will hire a Geotech to observe the caissons.

Does the VA want the GC to include the funding for this testing agency to observe the caisson installation?

A. Affirmative

74. 32 11 13.16, Bituminous Pavement Rejuvenation – Page 672, 2.2.A, Performance – bid submittal must include documentation of previous use and test data demonstrating the product has been used successfully for a period of 2 or more years by other agencies. Page 673, Part 3, 3.1 states we have to do test sections for approval (mockups) prior to doing the work. Page 677, Part 5, 5.1

– Manufacturer rep of the system must be onsite during product application. How much of this is applicable on this project?

A. These requirements are fairly standard for a bituminous pavement rejuvenation project.

i. The requirement to show previous performance of the product being submitted for use

(Para. 2.2 A.) is simply to demonstrate that the product has been used successfully elsewhere in the past; any rejuvenation product worthy of purchase will have a track record of previous successful usage.

ii. The requirement for a test section (Para. 3.1) is simply so the penetration depth of the product can be assessed before it gets applied across the remainder of the parking lots;

the product manufacturer (or their rep) should be more than able to guide on the appropriate size of section to use for testing.

iii. The presence of the manufacturer’s representative on site during product application (Para. 5.1) is standard practice for these operations, and is usually a service the leading product manufacturers provide at no charge to the Contractor as long as he is using their product.

75. 32 90 00, Page 722 – Planting – Installer Qualifications – provide contract names, addresses for five completed projects in the past 5 years for references for COR approval. Page 723 has to be a member in good standing with either the Professional Landscape Network or the American

Nursery and Landscape Association. Field Supervisor has to be certified in either Certified

Landscape Technician or Certified Ornamental Landscape Professional. B. Requires a licensed

Arborist and C requires an Independent or university testing lab recognized be the Arkansas

Department of Agriculture for testing. Is a licensed Arborist and a University Testing lab required for this solicitation?

A. A consultant licensed Arborist will be required where applicable for pruning of existing trees. Yes – University testing lab is required.

76. Will the VA please provide the as-builts in an amendment for the parking lot and the buildings being effected by the construction?

A. VA will attempt to locate as built drawings for the parking lot, however they may not be complete and most recent.

77. Will the VA please provide the autocad files for the parking lot and the construction drawings?

A. Yes drawings will be provided, due to their large size the ability to transfer these files are still being addressed.

78. Will the VA please provide a Geotech survey for the effected area of construction?

A. Please refer to the specs.

79. On page 6 of the solicitation there is a price breakout sheet broken down by division. If our estimating software provides a similar breakdown can we substitute ours for the one provided by the VA?

A. For consistency provide the information in the included forms.

80. The deduct alternates list on plans page GI001 differs significantly than the deduction schedule on page 5 of 57 in the solicitation. In fact, they are completely different. Will you please determine which deduct schedule is appropriate and include that in your amendment?

A. Use deducts on GI001 (updated deduct schedule provided)

81. *On page AS 108 there is a bollard schedule and one single bollard detail. There needs to be a detail (similar to that of D7) for each of the bollards in the legend, as they are all different from one another. Can you please ask the Architect if they will add this to the plans and publish it when the RFI answers come out? Reference bollard legend on sheet AS108. The legend indicates the bollard type and associated sheet and detail number.

82. *On AE309 detail F4, there are no elevation drawings or detail drawings for the service seals that will mount to the sides of the granite. Please ask the architect to identify this requirement and add it to a drawing in the addendum. ? GC to submit signage in accordance with TIL guidelines and to be approved by COR. Reference seal details attached. COR to provide selected size per general three on page 1.

83. *On AE311, details B5,7,9 all show a 2’ diameter service department plaque and description to be mounted on top of each of the precast plaque bases. There is no detail regarding the type of plaque and description box that the GC should budget for. Can you please request that the architect clarify this in the published amendment? GC to submit signage in accordance with TIL guidelines and to be approved by COR. Reference seal details attached. COR to provide selected size per general three on page 1.

84. *On AE311, all details, the artwork and the plaques all call for LED lighting but there is no lighting, electrical, wiring, or circuitry detail in AE311 or anywhere in the electrical pages.

Will the VA please reach out to the A&E and ask them to clarify the lighting requirement and provide detail on how they want these monuments illuminated? Reference sheet EP301, keyed note 10 for electrical wiring and circuitry. Also, reference sheet ES202 and EJ401 for the lighting fixture schedule which includes the power, description, and location of each light fixture in the project.