Water Tanks RFIs_Response.docx

ADMINISTRATIVE:

1. Please consider extending the overall project schedule by 180 calendar days.

This question provided no justification for the reasoning of extending by 180 calendar days. POP remains as 365 calendar days.

1. Please provide the Department of VA Design Manuals and Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) Requirements referenced in the bid documents.

These are publicly available online.

SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Section 22 12 17: Please confirm that an interior coating is not required for the tank as this is not typical for AWWA D110 Type III prestressed concrete tanks.

Coating requirements are defined in Specification 22 12 17. The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications.

1. Section 22 12 17, Page 8, Part 5.1.B: Please confirm that Type IL cement is acceptable.

The specifications state that Cement shall be Type I or II. Contractor can submit deviation with reasoning after time award for VA approval.

1. Section 22 12 17, Page 13, Part 6.3: Please confirm that all excavation, select fill and subgrade preparation shall be performed by the General Contractor at the Tank Contractor’s direction.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications. General contractor is responsible for managing subcontractors.

DRAWINGS:

1. Sheet CS 002: Please confirm if the two buried rectangular tanks south of the proposed tank location will be demolished and removed.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications. There is no work referenced on this drawing sheet having to do with existing buried tanks. The existing tanks will remain in place and converted to nonportable after construction completion. Contractor must take all the necessary precautions while working around, near, and above tanks to prevent damaging of tank such as tank concrete shell, piping, and lids.

1. Sheet CS 003: Please confirm if construction traffic may access the site from the west through Fort Street off of Spring Street Service Road.

Partial construction access can utilize Spring Street Service Road. The other access must follow sheet CS 006.

1. Sheets CS 003 and CS 007: Please clarify all pipe diameters as there are several discrepancies of the inlet, outlet, drain and overflow pipe sizes.

Contractor is asked to be more specific in clarifying where they see any discrepancies.

1. Sheet CS 009: Please provide pipe centerline elevations for inlet and outlet pipes.

The successful Contractor will be required to field verify this information for his use during construction.

1. Sheet CS 009: Please confirm the tank manufacturer may determine the minimum overflow pipe size and weir dimensions based on the overflow rates.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications. A submittal must be reviewed by the AE to confirm the need.

1. Sheet CS 009: Please confirm the tank manufacturer may lower the drain pipe elevation slightly to prevent interference with the tank floor reinforcement and perimeter footing.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications. The can be confirmed at the time after award with AE and VA staff.

1. Sheet CS 009: Please provide the quantity of 2-inch diameter ductile iron flange wall pipes above grade required for the tank.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications. Refer to tank manufacturer for more recommendations.

1. Sheet CS 010: Please clarify the exterior ladder bottom height from the exterior finish grade as this is stated to 8-foot in Part 5.10.A.6 on Page 12 of Specification Section 22 12 17.

There is an undefined distance in the design drawings. Contractor to follow the specification requirements.

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT

1. Please provide the geotechnical report referenced in the bid documents.

Report was published in the amendment .

1. Specification Section 31 63 16 provides requirements for an auger cast grout pile deep foundation system. Drawing Sheet S000 provides requirements for a drilled shaft deep foundation system. Please confirm that either system is acceptable to support the tanks. Additionally, please confirm that the design of the deep foundation system is to be the responsibility of the Tank Contractor.

Follow the specification 31 63 16 Auger Cast Grout Piles. The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications.

1. Please confirm if a shallow foundation system is a viable option for this tank. If so, please provide the required vertical and horizontal limits of excavation and engineered fill required to meet the following tank foundation design criteria:

2. 3,000-psf Allowable Bearing Capacity

2. 3-in Maximum Total Settlement

2. ½-in Maximum Differential Settlement (Tank Foundation Center to Edge) The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications. After contract award, the successful Contractor can request changes to the current design subject to review by the AE Designer of Record and with approval by the VA.

1. Please confirm the design groundwater elevation is below the bottom of the tank foundation and neither the tank nor the tank deep foundation system needs to be designed for hydrostatic uplift.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications.

1. Please provide recommendations to reduce PVR to 1-inch or less.

Unclear what recommendation this question is referring to.

6. If deep foundation is required, please clarify if void forms are required below the tank floor. If so, please provide the minimum required void space beneath the tank floor required for a deep foundation system.

The contractor is required to follow the directions provided in the drawings and specifications.