Question and Answer for 36C25727Q0007 - CTX Chapel Window Repair - Replacement.pdf

Question and Answer Document RFQ 36C25727Q0007 – CTX Chapel Windo Repair / Replacement

1. Can the Government consider the past performance of a subcontractor performing substantial technical work? Yes, the Government may consider the past performance of a subcontractor when that subcontractor is proposed to perform a substantial portion of the technical work. This information can be evaluated as part of the prime contractor’s overall proposal, particularly when it is relevant to assessing technical capability and performance risk.

2. Can subcontractor past performance be submitted as references? Or must references come only from the prime’s own past contracts? Subcontractor past performance may be submitted as part of the prime contractor’s proposal, provided it is clearly identified and relevant to the work the subcontractor will perform. However, the prime contractor should also include past performance references from its own contracts, as the

Government must be able to assess the prime’s demonstrated ability to manage and perform federal requirements.

3. Could photos of the existing windows and the damaged concrete lintels be provided to all offerors? The site visit was conducted to facilitate the collection of photographs and measurements. Each offeror was expected to capture their own photographs during the site visit. The Government does not plan to provide additional photos beyond those obtained by vendors during the walkthrough.

4. This project in SAM.GOV and see that is requires pricing in of Class IV ICRA. My company provides temporary ICRA containment to General Contractors. Will containment really be required? I am just trying to work out how that would be feasible with window replacement. LEVEL 2

5. Concrete Lintels: Are dimensions, reinforcement details, or other specifications available for the seven concrete lintels requiring replacement?

Per VA Master Specifications:

1. Openings measuring between 1025 mm (41 inches) and 1600 mm (63 inches) must be reinforced with masonry or concrete lintels.

2. Concrete must have a minimum compressive strength of 25 MPa (3,000 psi).

3. Reinforcements should match the thickness of the partition or wall.

4. Reinforcing bars should include one No. 16 (No. 5) deformed reinforcement placed at the top and bottom of the wall, spaced at approximately every 100 mm (4 inches) of nominal wall thickness.

6. CLIN 0002 – Contingency: Should offerors propose their own contingency amount for unforeseen conditions, or will the Government provide an established allowance? The

Government will provide this amount upon award.

7. ICRA/PCRA: For pricing purposes, should contractors assume full Level 4 containment, including barriers, negative-air machines, HEPA filtration, and associated cleaning requirements? LEVEL 2

8. Stained-Glass Window: Please clarify whether resealing is limited to perimeter sealant or includes glazing compounds/joints or other restoration work. Resealing is limited to the perimeter sealant on the interior and exterior only.

9. Work Hours: Please confirm authorized working hours and any restrictions beyond avoiding interruption of Sunday Chapel services. Monday – Saturday 0800 – as needed. The sanctuary will be set up for Sunday service prior to departure.

10. Wage Determination: The solicitation references Wage Determination No. 2015-5273, Revision 31, which we did not locate in the provided package. Could you please provide or confirm the applicable wage determination?

A. Please view sam.gov for the latest Wage Determination. Use the current wage determination.

11. Period of Performance: Please confirm whether the contractor will have 60 calendar days from Notice of Award/Notice to Proceed if the actual award date differs from the

December 1, 2026 anticipated start date. From the Notice of Award/Notice to

Proceed. Date contract is signed.

12. Could you please provide us the drawings/specifications or plan of the chapel area, as well as photos of the area and the windows to be replaced? The site visit was conducted to facilitate the collection of photographs and measurements. Each offeror was expected to capture their own photographs during the site visit. The Government does not plan to provide additional photos beyond those obtained by vendors during the walkthrough.

13. The SOW specifies fixed/non-functional, white vinyl, double-pane windows with Colonial grids between the panes; however, we did not identify requirements for glass. Please provide the required performance specifications for the new window assemblies and glazing, including any applicable VA standards that bidders are required to include in their pricing. Must comply with VA specifications. Windows for the main chapel will be two tone interior brown exterior white. VA specifications list a size requirement for tempered glass: Any glazing exceeding 2540 mm (100 united inches) triggers tempered-glass handling and installation requirements.

14. Please provide or confirm approximate window elevations/access heights and whether there are restrictions on the use of aerial lifts or scaffolding around Building 99. No restrictions.

15. Please also identify any Government-designated staging/storage area available to the contractor. Staging/laydown yard will be provided by the parking garage. Parking will be available behind the Chapel.

16. The SOW requires removal and replacement of seven (7) damaged concrete lintels with rebar, same as existing; however, dimensions, reinforcing details, concrete strength, bearing requirements, and temporary shoring requirements are not provided.

Per VA Master Specifications:

1. Openings measuring between 1025 mm (41 inches) and 1600 mm (63 inches) must be reinforced with masonry or concrete lintels.

2. Concrete must have a minimum compressive strength of 25 MPa (3,000 psi).

3. Reinforcements should match the thickness of the partition or wall.

4. Reinforcing bars should include one No. 16 (No. 5) deformed reinforcement placed at the top and bottom of the wall, spaced at approximately every 100 mm (4 inches) of nominal wall thickness.

17. Please provide drawings/details for the seven lintels, including dimensions, reinforcing requirements and concrete specifications? Please refer to #16.

18. The SOW requires compliance with VA Infection Control requirements, including barriers, dust control, HEPA-filtered negative-air equipment as required, daily cleaning and terminal cleaning. It also indicates that the final ICRA determination will occur after award. LEVEL 2.

19. For bid-pricing purposes, please identify the minimum ICRA containment level/configuration that all bidders should include so quotations are evaluated on a consistent basis. LEVEL 2.

20. The SOW identifies the existing stained-glass window as “Reseal Only,” but dimensions, existing conditions, required materials and resealing methodology are not specified.

Please provide the dimensions and required resealing specification/details and confirm whether repairs to glass, came, framing, or other stained-glass components are excluded unless separately authorized. Resealing is limited to the perimeter sealant on the interior and exterior only.

21. The SOW states that unforeseen rotten wood is to be presented to the COR/CO for preapproval as a separate line item. Does the VA want bidders to provide unit pricing for potential rotten-wood replacement with their quotations, or should all such work be priced and authorized only after discovery? Provide estimate after discovery.

22. The SOW requires the contractor to avoid interruption of Sunday church services.

Please confirm normal permitted construction hours, Sunday/service blackout periods, and any restrictions applicable to demolition, noisy work, deliveries, lifts/scaffolding, or after-hours work. Monday – Saturday 0800 – as needed. The sanctuary will be set up for Sunday service prior to departure.

23. The SOW requires the contractor to avoid interruption of Sunday church services.

Please confirm normal permitted construction hours, Sunday/service blackout periods, and any restrictions applicable to demolition, noisy work, deliveries, lifts/scaffolding, or after-hours work. Monday – Saturday 0800 – as needed. The sanctuary will be set up for Sunday service prior to departure.

24. Please confirm the required glass thickness and glazing specification, including whether Low-E, gas fill, tempered/safety glazing, or other glass-performance requirements apply.

The SOW specifies double‑pane insulated glass units with colonial grids between the panes. Any glazing areas exceeding 2540 mm (100 united inches) trigger tempered‑glass requirements per VA standards. Contractors must ensure all glazing materials meet current VA standards for energy performance, safety, and durability.

25. Please provide the required concrete strength/specification and reinforcement requirements. Refer to #16.

26. Can the Period of Performance be revised/extended as necessary to allow adequate time for approvals/submittals, manufacturing, and delivery before installation? No.

27. Will the Government establish the amount of Item 0002, or is the offeror expected to propose an amount? Not sure what 0002 is referring to.

28. Are the new vinyl windows to have divided light panels? If so, please provide the required configuration and dimensions of the individual panels. The required grille pattern is Colonial, which consists of evenly spaced vertical and horizontal bars forming symmetrical rectangular “lights.” The specific dimensions of each grid section will correspond to the final approved window sizes but should visually replicate the existing multi‑lite appearance as closely as feasible while using internal grids.

29. In lieu of replacing the seven (7) damaged concrete lintels above the existing windows, would it be acceptable to install steel angle lintels with sandstone lintels/stone facing to match the existing adjacent lintels and the architectural appearance of the building? As outlined in the Statement of Work, the baseline requirement is to replace the damaged lintels with concrete lintels that match the existing construction. The Government is open to evaluating this proposed alternative solution. Please include in your official proposal an alternate design submission for technical review, including the following information:

Structural Engineering Calculations and Details, Interface with Existing Wall Construction, Stone/Sandstone Facing Assemblies, Compliance with VA Requirements and Codes, Constructability and Installation, Performance, Maintenance, Warranty, as well as Cost and Schedule Considerations.

30. What thickness of glass is required for the new windows? Are the new windows required to be safety glazing in accordance with the applicable code requirements? The SOW specifies double‑pane insulated glass units with colonial grids between the panes. Any glazing areas exceeding 2540 mm (100 united inches) trigger tempered‑glass requirements per VA standards. Contractors must ensure all glazing materials meet current VA standards for energy performance, safety, and durability.

31. The large window at the front of the chapel is an aluminum storefront system. Is the intent to match the existing aluminum storefront system in appearance, frame profile, finish, and glazing? The front assembly must remain a storefront system, matching the existing appearance and meeting the structural, performance, and VA specification requirements.

32. Are all of the new double-insulated windows intended to be non-operable (fixed) units, or are any of the windows required to be operable? All windows shall be non-operable.

33. Please provide the site visit sign in sheet. No copy of the sign-in sheet will be provided.

The site visit was intended as an opportunity for networking and exchanging contact information.

34. SOW Section 3.0 – The SOW does not specify thermal or structural performance requirements. Please confirm whether there are minimum requirements for U-factor, SHGC, STC rating, or Design Pressure (DP) rating, or whether manufacturer-standard ENERGY STAR-rated units are acceptable. Manufacturers’ standard ENERGY STAR–rated insulated glazing systems are acceptable if they meet the VA criteria.

35. SOW Section 3.0(e) – The SOW requires "Colonial Grids between the panes." At the site visit, the Government representative indicated a desire to match the existing grille pattern. The Chapel windows currently have exterior bars, while the rest of the building has internal grilles. Please confirm whether grids between the panes are acceptable for all replacement windows, or whether exterior bars (simulated divided lites) are required for the Chapel windows. If exterior bars are required, please specify the grille pattern. All windows shall be double panes, picture frame fixed (non-functional) with Colonial Grids between the panes.