RFI Responses Install Fall Protection Fresno.pdf

VA Responses to Requests for Information (RFI’s)

Solicitation# 36C26125R0032

Project Title: Install Fall Protection, VA Fresno Medical Center

Project Number: 570- 21-109

RFI # 1: Will the VA clarify if any hazardous materials (ACM, LBP) are expected to be encountered or disturbed during the course of this project?

RFI #1 Response: Please reference 2012 ACM Asbestos Report. There are no lead report. See the attachment in Amendment P0003.

RFI # 2: Will the VA provide the current HAZMAT Survey(s) that cover the various areas of construction.

for this project?

RFI #2 Response: VA will provide 2012 ACM Asbestos Report. See the report attached in Amendment

P0003

RFI # 3: During the Site Visit, it was discovered that a previously awarded project for B32 includes roofing work and that fall protection was added to that project via a solicitation amendment. Will the VA be removing the fall protection work for B32 from this solicitation?

RFI #3 Response: The anticipated completion date for the B32 warehouse project is October 30, 2025.

RFI # 4: Will the VA permit roof access from the building(s) interior or will exterior access be required for all roof areas via cranes, stair towers, scaffolding, etc.?

RFI #4 Response: Access from Interior of floor below will be permitted, but must be coordinated with departments affected in advance.

RFI #5: The current SOW for this solicitation does not depict any work for the roof on Building 25. It was observed during the Site Visit that the low parapet on B25 will not provide OSHA compliant fall protection.

Will the VA be adding fall protection scope to the roof area for Building 25?

RFI #5 Response: Building 25 Does not require any fall protection and is not part of the Bid Plans.

RFI # 6: Will the VA issue rooftop access keys to the contractor for this project? The alternative of seeking out a COR each time roof access is required will impact the project productivity and add additional costs.

RFI #6 Response: COR will be onsite and provide roof access.

RFI #7: Specification Section 01 00 00, Part 1.2-D states that the VA will retain the Material Testing

Laboratory. Will the VA clarify whether the VA or the Contractor will hire the Material Testing Lab?

RFI #7 Response: The VA will provide testing. Please coordinate with the VA in advance.

RFI #8: Will the VA clarify if the Contractor’s Site Superintendent, if duly qualified, may also serve in the roles of SSHO and CQC or will a separate individual be required for either of those two roles?

RFI #8 Response: Refer to 01 35 26 - 1.7, in the Specifications document.

RFI #9: Specification Section 01 00 00, Part 1.9-C requires the Contractor to apply for a NPDES Permit.

Will the VA clarify whether the Contractor or the VA will pay for this permit? If it is the Contractor, will the

VA provide the cost amount for this permit?

RFI #9 Response: Not applicable.

RFI #10: Specification Section 01 35 26, Part 1.13 requires the Contractor to obtain pre-placement TB screening for construction personnel within 90 days of placement on the job. Will the VA clarify if this will be required for this project?

RFI #10 Response: Yes, this will be required.

RFI #11: Specification Section 01 45 00, Part 3.4-A & C requires the Contractor to retain additional specialized individuals who must be present at all times during work in these individual’s specific area of responsibility. For this project, this requirement would mean the Contractor must retain a Structural Engineer, an Architect (or Const. Professional with 5 years’ experience), a Mechanical Engineer, an Electrical Engineer, and an Environmental Engineer, all to be present onsite during activities in their respective areas of responsibility. Since the hiring all of these Architects/Engineers, and having them onsite during any work taking place in their respective areas of expertise, will add significantly high costs to this project, will the VA clarify whether this will be a requirement for this project?

RFI #11 Response: Refer to the text of Part 3.4.C as one person can cover more than one area and these areas are only needed as applicable (mostly Structural & Architectural).

RFI #12: Division 07 Roofing Specification call for patching back the BUR modified roofs with roofing plies in hot asphalt. Some of the roofs are landlocked and getting hot asphalt to them would not be safely feasible.

Also, associated with hot asphalt or cold adhesive is a strong odor, which has been an issue on other projects we have performed at VA Hospital.

Possible Solution: Utilize low/no odor PMMA liquid flashings. All major roofing manufacturers have approved details for the use of the PMMA liquid flashings for any BUR/Modified roof system.

RFI #12 Response: VA takes No exceptions to the presented solution.

RFI #13: Drawing AE-1001, Detail 2, calls for ¾” DEEP SEALANT PER SCHEDULE. On the same drawing, Detail 5 calls for SEALANT PER SCHEDULE AT PERIMETER OF PLATE. After review of the plans and specifications, a SEALANT SCHEDULE is not located. Will the VA provide this SEALANT

SCHEDULE so we have clarification on what sealants to use in each location?

RFI #13 Response: Refer to Specification 07 92 00 provided in the solicitation.

RFI #14: Existing conditions between existing roof deck and interior finished locations. During our review of the cross-section for the steel railing installation on the roof, we observed that a steel plate must be installed below the metal or concrete deck to secure and support the railing above. However, the drawings do not indicate the presence of an acoustic ceiling or drywall ceiling below.

To ensure proper coordination and constructability, we request clarification on the following:

A. Can you confirm whether there is an existing acoustic ceiling, drywall ceiling, or any other interior finish in the areas below the railing installation?

B. If a ceiling is present, what is its height relative to the deck?

C. Can photos be provided of each area? Or can an additional job walk be scheduled to focus on just these areas of concern?

D. Are as-built drawings available that may provide information regarding MEP and other services that could interfere with access to the underside of the roof deck?

RFI #14 Response:

RFI#14 A. Some buildings require accessing from interior to perform work, Vendor should forecast and plan for all costs to perform if the work to get into any spaces if its needed by VA and or nesscesscary.

RFI #14 B. Varies per building.

RFI #14 C. There are no pictures, a site visit/walk was provided for this purpose. No additional site visits will be provided.

RFI #14 D. All vendors are to please provide their proposals based on all documents provided in the solicitation, including drawings, SOW, RFI Responses, Basis of Design, and specifications etc.

RFI #15: Interior Public-Occupied Spaces (i.e., BLGS OPC, 01, 03, 24, 32): At areas where the plans call for construction activities above finished ceilings in locations that are public-occupied, what level of ICRA containment will be required? Will work in such areas be required to follow special work hours (e.g., nights or weekends)?

RFI #15 Response: Refer to 01 35 26 - 1.12 of the specifications in the solicitation

RFI #16: Potential Hazardous Existing Materials: Has an environmental report been conducted to assess the presence of potentially hazardous existing materials (e.g., roofing materials, paints, etc.)? If the presence of hazardous materials is identified, will any required abatement be the responsibility of the contractor?

RFI #16 Response: Please reference the attached ACM Asbestos Report dated 2012

RFI #17: Material Craning Limitations: Are there any limitations to crane staging for loading materials to the various roofs? If so, can a staging plan be provided?

RFI #17 Response: Defer to the VA Staging areas. General Contractor to provide staging plans;

Refer to 01 35 26 - 1.19 for cranes

RFI #18: Interior Finishing Considerations: Should we include a bid package for interior finishing work, such as spray-applied fireproofing, as part of this scope?

RFI #18 Response: Prepare your proposal based on the provided Drawings, plans, SOW, and specifications in the solicitation. The vendor should consider all costs associated with interior finishing work and spray-applied fireproofing as part of the scope of work of this contract.

RFI #19: Is there a laydown area designated?

RFI #19 Response: Please reference plan page GI002 for staging area in the drawings in the solicitation.

RFI #20: Please provide ASBUILD Drawing for Roofing sublayers.

RFI #20 Response: Vendors should provide their proposals per all documents provided in the solicitation, including these RFI responses, plans, specifications, and SOW.

RFI #21: Please provide ASBUILD Drawings for Steele Girders for all Bldgs.

RFI #21 Response: Vendors should provide their proposals per all documents provided in the solicitation, RFI #22: Provide As build drawing of all existing MEP and Fire above ceiling for all bldgs.

RFI #22 Response: Vendors should provide their proposals per all documents provided in the solicitation, RFI #23: Provide As build drawings for type of ceiling for top floor, for all each bldgs.

RFI #23 Response: Vendors should provide their proposals per all documents provided in the solicitation, RFI #24: Please provide pictures of Top floor to confirm access to the roof from the top floor

RFI #24 Response: The below is in the Drawings attached to the solicitation:

Roof access for Building OPC Walkway (See plan GI100 Detail #2 for picture).

Roof access for Building 1 Main Hospital is accessible via stairs. See plan page GI101B detail #4.

Roof access for Building 1 Lower Roof east see Plan page GI101A Detail #9.

Roof access for Building 1 Pharmacy Upper and lower see plan GI101D Detail #8 & 11.

Roof access for Building 2 see plan GI102 Northwest corner ladder.

Roof access for Building 3 will need to access with ladder.

Roof access for Building 28 will need to access with ladder.

Roof access for Building 32 is accessible via freight elevator

Roof access for Building 22 is accessible via stairs from East side of building.

Roof access for Building 24 see plan GI24B Detail 1 exterior stairs.

Roof access for Building 31 is accessible via exterior stairs.

RFI #25: Can you provide information in regards to level of Infectious Control per building.

RFI #25 Response: Please reference attached sample ICRA Template attached to Amendment P0003. This is the process taken to determine the level of infectious control for the building and work to be performed.

RFI #26: Will the government accept similar but not the guard railing product identified on the plans & Specs?

If it meets the Buy American Act.

RFI #26 Response: Proposals should be completed per the Scope of Work and all Drawings & Specifications provided in the solicitation including these RFIs. The Buy American Act (BAA) Applies to this procurement, brand name or equal products are acceptable for guard railing products.

RFI #27: Will the government remove all equipment/furniture from work area prior to start? If not, will the government provide detailed info on what the GC is required to move/relocate.

RFI #27 Response: The VA will remove furniture from work area.

RFI #28: The site Visit list looks like there is only page 1 of 3 and page 2 of 3 of the walk-through participants. Is there a page 3 of 3 or are the site visit sheets incorrect?

RFI #28 Response: There are only a total of two (2) pages of the site visit sign-in sheet; no third page exists, so it wasn’t attached. The document published with Amendment 0001 is the full and complete document.

RFI #29: In looking over the SF1442 this morning we saw on page 9 that you would like (3) Alternates in the bid for various items. Where should these Alternates be shown? Within the body of item 17 is the only place logically to insert this - but it may be confusing. Please advise.

RFI # 29 Response: You would place your three (3) bid deduct alternate prices on the “Price Breakdown

Worksheet” provided attached to the solicitation on SAM.gov. This Price Breakdown Worksheet is attachment

5 of the solicitation its highlighted shown below on sam.gov.

RFI #30: Can one person from the general contractor assume the roles of QCM, SSHO and superintendent?

RFI # 30 Response: Refer to 01 35 26 - 1.7 provided in the Specifications document attached to the solicitation.

RFI #31: Would the VA consider allowing a weighted (non-penetrating) guardrail system as an alternative to the specified fixed guardrail system? A weighted system could potentially offer cost savings while minimizing the number of roof and parapet penetrations, thereby reducing the risk of future leaks and long-term maintenance costs. The system would still meet all applicable OSHA fall protection requirements.

Please advise if this alternative could be considered.

RFI # 31 Response: Proposals are to be completed per the Scope of Work articulated in the Drawings &

Specs, including these RFI responses provided in the solicitation.

RFI #32: Is the guardrail system required to be stainless steel?

RFI # 32 Response: Refer to the plans attached to the solicitation for keynotes for areas to have stainless steel.

RFI #33: Please clarify Deduct Alternate No. 2 Offer: Base offer except remove select guardrails (northside of breezeway) at Building 24 which is listed on Solicitation No. 36C26125R0030 Attachment - Price

Breakdown Worksheet for the above-mentioned bidding project. There are only three (3) stainless steel guardrails on the breezeway (Qty. Of 2 South Of The Breezeway & Qty. Of 1 North Of The Breezeway). That being said, is just one (1) stainless steel guardrail north of the breezeway being removed or are all three (3) south & north guardrails supposed to be deleted.

RFI #33 Response: Remove only the guardrail on the northside of Bldg. 24 where adjacent to the covered breezeway.

END OF RFI RESPONSES

SOLICITATION# 36C26125R0032

PROJECT NUMBER: 570- 21-109