RFI for Fiberglass Piping w Comments - JDa (002).pdf

RFI for 36C25621R0123

1. Refer to CU101. There’s a box that references phasing. Does the VA want the contractor to completely pipe and complete the first 25’ wide strip of the driveway then close it in with asphalt and concrete or leave it open with a steel plate over it for vehicles and trucks to drive over? If left open and covered with a steel plate it will allow easier access to the other half of the pipe. If closed in and sealed it will take twice as long and the asphalt work will be double the cost to the government. Please advise on what is acceptable. The

Contractor may use acceptable means & methods for pipe installation across the drive, providing an acceptable 25’-wide roadway that the VA and Vendor vehicles can access.

If using steel plates, contractor must submit verification that the steel plate can support the load of the design vehicle (AASHTO HL-93, such as a delivery truck) that uses that roadway.

2. MS102 keynote 2 states to install three new condenser water pumps, but during the walk through the VA stated that they were not sure if that was correct. Will the VA please confirm if these pumps are being replaced as stated in the drawings?

The pumps shall be replaced as stated in the drawings

3. The new 18” Schedule 40 chiller lines that are being installed could interfere with the southwest corner of the diesel fuel tank vents. What is the VA’s plan and intent for the contractor regarding the diesel tank or chiller lines if the chiller line path conflicts with the corner of the tank?

The new chiller lines are being installed in the same trench as the existing lines. No conflicts between the chiller lines and the diesel tank or vents have been identified, as per the As-Built Drawings or the Utility Survey.

4. Does the VA have any as-built records of the drawings for the underground diesel tank?

The VA has copies of the original hard copies design drawings but no as-builts.

5. Will the VA provide the as-built drawing?

The VA has copies of the original hard copies design drawings but no as-builts.

6. Will the VA confirm if there is any alternation or work being completed to the lines with the words 1984 As-Builts dates on them? These lines appear to be going to building 89.

There is no planned work on the lines associated with the “1984 As-Builts” reference.

The 1984 As-Builts noted that the lines going to Building 89 were shown as “deleted”.

7. There is a demo note on CU101 that says Demo 2-18” Fiberglass supply and return chiller lines, then right below that there’s a note pointing at the western most 8” line and it says DO NOT REMOVE. To the right of that are the two dashed 8” chiller supply and return lines that run in parallel just east of the 18” fiberglass lines. Are the 8” chiller return and supply pipes associated with these two dashed lines being removed and or replaced?

No, only the 2-18” Fiberglass Supply & Return Lines are being removed & replaced.

8. Note #1 on CU101 suggests to call Arkansas One Call for line locating. Does the COR or VA engineering staff know if one call will have sufficient and up to date records of the Fort Roots campus underground utility lines? Arkansas One Call is required prior to any excavation for locating & marking. Utilities owned by the VA will need to be located & marked by the VA. One Call may not have up to date records of the Fort Roots campus underground utility lines.

9. Does the VA have any as-builts from other projects where a ground penetrating radar was used to identify subterrain utility lines in these areas?

The VA does not have as-builts where GPR were used.

10. If so, will the VA publish that information?

The VA does not have as-builts where GPR were used.

11. Is the VA aware of any fiber or electrical lines transgressing under the soil that are not identified on these drawings?

All known utilities from the As-Builts and an associated Utilities Survey are shown on the drawings.

12. During the site visit a temporary half-sized rental cooling tower or chiller was suggested to be used during the wintertime months. The VA staff thought that would be a good idea.

A temp unit will allow the contractor to complete the underground piping scope of work in one dig and it would reduce or eliminate a phase. Will the VA consider this and if they agree, add the rental chiller or CT into the scope of work?

Temporary cooling shall be coordinated with CAVHS and ESPC. Refer to phasing plan on MH100.

13. Does the VA have a preference of how much of the adjacent and surrounding concrete, asphalt, curb & gutter gets replaced when rebuilding what they tear out?

All concrete, asphalt, curb & gutter that is demolished or damaged by the contractor must be replaced by the contractor. All dimensions for the repair and replacement of asphalt, concrete, curb & gutter associated with the removal and installation of the new pipes are shown on Sheet CU103

21. Any specific detail for temporary cooling during this task? All temporary cooling shall be coordinated with CAVHS and the ESPC to ensure 1800 tons of cooling is available during all phases of construction.

22. Demo drawings AD101 and AE101 notes all the pumps will be removed and replaced. MD101 and MD201 notes four pumps to be replaced. Please verify only the four (4) pumps will be replaced.

23. Drawing MS102 notes (Note 1) to install the new 18” steel piping in the same trench as the demolished fiberglass piping. If we are to avoid down time on the chilled water, we will have to leave the existing piping and run the new piping in a separate trench. Unless I have misunderstood. Please verify or explain the intention.

14. Does the VA want a dedicated full-time SSHO and dedicated full-time Site Superintendent onsite at all times during the course of construction?

The Site Superintendent can be the SSHO but he/she must have the qualifications and certifications for an SSHO if they are to be dual hatters.

15. Will it be required to install a parallel temporary pipe system to provide temporary cooling for the building?

Temporary piping connections should be installed per phasing plan on MH100. All temporary cooling shall be coordinated with CAVHS and ESPC.

16. Any details or specifics for the temporary cooling system to be provided while the work is done?

All temporary cooling shall be coordinated with CAVHS and ESPC to ensure 1800 tons of cooling is available during all phases of construction.

17. Will the contractor be required to perform a site survey for existing lines and pipe on the area to be excavated to remove existing 18” pipe?

Yes, in accordance with Specification 312011, Earthwork, Section E.

18. Will a top side alternative with a pipe rack be considered? No

19. Will the removal of the 18” pipe be done all at once or by sections?

This is a decision for the Contractor on their means and methods, except for the notes on drawings CU101 and CU102, which requires a minimum of a 25’ roadway access to be maintained throughout the parking area between Building 89 and Building 170 to enable continued large vehicle deliveries and parking.

20. Will a shutdown be allowed to remove and install new header pipe for the chilled water pumps? 1800 tons of cooling must be available at all times. Refer to phasing plan on

MH100.

Four pumps shall be replaced according to schedule on MK101.

Yes, place the new pipe back in the same trench as the old pipe, as indicated on the drawings and as specified.