653-24-101 0001 Attachment 1 - RFI Q_A.docx

653-24-101 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Are there some missing Specifications on the Project? I can’t seem to locate the Project Schedules Section in the Specifications. 01 32 16.15.

a. Specification section 01 32 16.15. will not be used for this project and should have been removed from the table of contents. Updated specifications will be provided at time of contract.

2. On page 27 of 43 and page 28 of 43, the verbiage indicates that services, general construction, and special trade construction contractors need to meet the SDVOSB percentage requirements. We noticed none of the boxes were checked by the Contracting Officer as mentioned on page 27 and wanted to confirm that this was the intent. If boxes were meant to be checked, we would appreciate further explanation/clarification.

a. For VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING--CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION), the box at (a)(1)(ii) General Construction at the top of Page 28 should have been checked and was not.

3. Will the building be occupied during the project?

a. At this time, it is anticipated the building will not be occupied full-time, but the armory will not be moved so expect VA police entering the construction area several times a day to access the armory.

4. Is there a phasing plan?

a. No, phasing will not be required since the building will not be occupied. See #3 response above.

5. In the SOW description it mentions replacing the ceiling tiles. Is this correct?

a. The existing ceiling tiles and ceiling grid will remain. That portion of the SOW has been removed.

6. Is the depth of the sewer known or do you have as-builts?

a. The existing sewer depth is not known and the existing as-builts available do not contain this information.

7. Is there any asbestos containing materials in the building?

a. Currently there are assumed asbestos containing materials in the building. The contractor shall provide hazardous material testing of materials prior to demolition. Refer to the specifications for more information.

8. Are we to include any testing in our scope?

a. Hazardous materials testing for items to be removed. Refer to the specifications for more information. See #7.

9. The drawings state to reuse the grab bars in the men’s restroom but it appears they won’t work with the new layout. Should we figure new grab bars?

a. Yes, provide new grab bars to fit the new location. A conformed set of drawings will be provided at time of contract reflecting this change.

10. What items will be let on the wall for removal during painting?

a. Bulletin boards, signs, and pictures will need to be removed prior to painting. Reinstall items after painting.

11. Will the furniture be left in the building during the project?

a. No

12. Sheet A-05 has keynote 10 in the women’s Restroom but no description in the key notes?

a. This keynote should be deleted. A conformed set of drawings will be provided at time of contract reflecting this change.

13. Can you provide a ceiling plan for the women’s restroom to show any new lights, fans, etc? will it be hard lid or acoustical?

a. The existing hard lid ceiling will remain. Remove 1 existing 4’ LED light and replace with 2 new 2x2 LED lights. The existing exhaust fan will remain, but switched to turn on when lights are turned on. A conformed set of drawings will be provided at time of contract.

14. Sheet A-06 finish schedule hall’s have no work or are left blank. During the site walk it sounded like they were getting flooring and paint?

a. See Attachment 2 - Revised A-06 for new finish schedule.

15. Are we to paint the doors and frames?

a. Doors and door frames will be painted an accent color to be determined during construction.

16. Sheet A-00, Note 10 states, “Hazardous materials may exist on this site. Please provide a hazardous materials report.

a. Currently there are assumed asbestos containing materials in the building. The contractor shall provide hazardous material testing of materials prior to demolition. Refer to the specifications for more information.

17. Sheet A-00, Note 8 states, “Repetitive features not noted on the drawings shall be completely provided as is drawn in full. If certain features are not fully shown or called for on the drawings, the construction shall be the same character as for similar conditions that are shown or called for.” Please provide the repetitive features not noted on the drawings so that everyone can bid uniformly. This will also limit confusion once work has started.

a. This is a general note to cover areas that may be repetitive in nature, for example multiple partitions walls in an office remodel, not every wall that is similarly constructed will be detailed and the contractor shall construct the walls in the same manner as those detailed.

18. Sheet A-01 Note 9 states, “The area nearby the construction site will remain in operation. Coordinate with the COR to schedule the work. Demolition work, and noisy work may need to be done after normal business hours. The safety of the public must be guarded carefully at all phases of construction.” The specifications state, “A. Contract Work Hours: All work on the contract shall be performed between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., PST Monday through Friday, excluding National Holidays, unless approved by the contract person. Contractors may request, in writing, approval to work other hours or weekends or may be directed by the COR to have to work other hours.” It is our understanding that this building is occupied 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will also be in and out of the building with tools and materials and making noise due to demolition and construction. Will this project be primarily after 4:30 p.m.?

a. At this time, it is anticipated the building will not be occupied full-time, but the armory will not be moved so expect VA police entering the construction area several times a day to access the armory.

19. Sheet A-01 General Notes: The contractor shall be familiar with the site and conditions there on; and shall not rely solely on review of the bidding documents in determining the extent of work required. Question: If the contractor is to not rely solely on the drawings in determining the extent of work required then how is the contractor and the VA to see eye to eye with what is to bid? This is potentially leaving room for the contractor to not bid exactly what the VA wants/needs and can leave the contractor financially liable for unknown amounts of work. Please provide more details pointing out the extent of work on drawings for contractors to bid on.

a. All work to be completed is depicted on the drawings. As the note begins “These plans delineate the basic scope of work for the removal of existing material. The drawings and notes are provided with the intent to generally describe areas and limits of work.”

20. Sheet A-05 Enlarged Plan A109/A114 has a circled #10 pointing to what looks like a handrail. The circled #10 is a keynote, but keynote #10 is missing. Please provide keynote #10

a. This keynote should be deleted. A conformed set of drawings will be provided at time of contract reflecting this change.

21. Sheet A-01 Legend states to remove flooring and prep for flooring and base in all rooms and hallways except room A102. Sheet A-06 Finish Legend shows no work being done in E100, E101, E102 Halls. Is this correct that these halls will receive floor demo and no flooring being installed? If no, please provide corrections.

a. See Attachment 2 - Revised A-06 for new finish schedule.

22. Sheet A-03 has a shaded Legend that states to provide new flooring and base in the shaded locations. See A05. There are no shaded areas on the sheet A-03 showing new flooring and base. Sheet A05 shows two enlarged plans of A109/A114 and A108. Are these the only areas to receive new flooring and base? Is this a typo and are we to follow the Finish Schedule on sheet A-06?

a. Follow the finish scheduled on A-06. See Attachment 2 - Revised A-06 for new finish schedule.

23. Concrete Specs 03 30 53 1.1 Summary 2. Foundation wall infill. Is this applicable to the scope of work? If yes, please identify where on the drawings this is located along with details as to L X W X H and rebar needs.

a. Specification section 03 30 53 1.1.A.2 Foundation wall infill does not apply to this project.

24. Specs 08 11 13 1.4 Submittals G. Blast design calculations. Being this is a housekeeping closet door and frame I assume there will be no need for blast design? Please confirm.

a. Specification section 08 11 13 1.4.G Blast Design Calculations does not apply to this project.

25. Will the contractor be responsible for providing hazardous materials testing before start of work?

a. Currently there are assumed asbestos containing materials in the building. The contractor shall provide hazardous material testing of materials prior to demolition. Refer to the specifications for more information.

26. Who is responsible for removing all furniture, wall décor, from the building for flooring to be demoed and installed, framing and painting? Where will the furniture be taken, and will the contractor be responsible for storing or will the VA provide a secure area?

a. The VA will remove the furniture and the contractor is required to remove and reinstall wall décor, pictures, bulletin boards, or other items from the walls.

27. Will the flooring be able to be installed during day shift?

a. At this time, it is anticipated the building will not be occupied full-time, but the armory will not be moved so expect VA police entering the construction area several times a day to access the armory.

28. With demo, prep and installation of flooring and base, will the contractor have access to all the rooms at once or will this need to be done in sections? If sections, please provide how many rooms the contractor will have available at a time.

a. At this time, it is anticipated the building will not be occupied full-time, but the armory will not be moved so expect VA police entering the construction area several times a day to access the armory.

29. Will the contractor need to provide a set of final drawings before or after the project is complete?

a. As per specification section 01 00 00 1.14 – As-Builts, the contractor will be required to provide a set of red-lined as-builts.

30. Will the contractor need to provide portable toilet?

a. The contractor will be allowed to use the restroom in B57 up until the restroom is renovated. At such time, the contractor will need to provide their own restroom facilities.

31. Specs 01 35 26 Safety Requirements 1.9 Inspections: B. A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with specialized knowledge in construction safety or a certified Construction Safety and Health Technician (CSHT) shall randomly conduct a monthly site safety inspection. The CSP or CSHT can be a corporate safety professional or independently contracted. The CSP or CSHT will provide their certificate number on the required report for verification as necessary. Question: Will this be required for this project? If Yes, please what are the qualifications needed for a person to be a qualified as a CSP? Or how does a person become qualified?

a. The CSP can be filled by the Contractors site superintendent who is required to also have the OSHA 30 hour certification.

32. At the site walk it was mentioned due to the many numbers of contractors that there would be a second site walk. Will you be issuing a second site walk?

a. No, there will not be a second site walk.

33. Please provide sign in sheets.

a. See Attachment 4.