RFI 36-54.docx

RFI #36 – Are the ADA ramps at the end of the walkways in Sections 1 and 2 required to be upgraded with truncated dome detectable warning surfaces as part of this contract? If so, please provide applicable specifications, dimensions, color requirements, and confirm whether this work is already included in the contract scope or if it constitutes additional work requiring a contract modification.

No, they are not required to be upgraded with truncated dome detectable warning surfaces.

RFI #37 – What is the Government’s minimum acceptable concrete curing time before pedestrian traffic is permitted on the new sidewalk? The contractor would prefer a 5-7 day cure. If the government needs to provide public access in a shorter period, would you consider waiving the warranty for that section of sidewalk?

For sidewalks #2 and #3, the minimum acceptable concrete curing time before pedestrian traffic is permitted is 24 hours. No, the warranty will not be waived.

RFI #38 – Can the work schedule for Sections 1 and 2 be clarified to allow for nighttime work hours, given that traffic control and temporary pedestrian walkways are already required under the contract? Nighttime operations would reduce pedestrian and traffic disruption during daytime hours while providing additional time for concrete placement and curing.

Yes, nighttime work is allowed for all sidewalk sections. The facility is not concerned with pedestrian disruption for section 1 (near building 20) as an alternate route can easily be used.

RFI #39 – Is the one-weekend completion requirement a firm constraint, or is there flexibility to extend work over additional nights/days if needed to ensure quality and proper curing, given that traffic control and temporary pedestrian walkways are already required under the contract?

Yes, the one-weekend completion requirement is a firm constraint.

RFI #40 – Please confirm that the existing cast-in-place catch basin in Section 2 is to remain in place and is not part of the demolition or replacement scope.

Yes, that is to remain in place and is not part of the demolition or replacement scope.

RFI #41 – Is the existing curb and gutter in Sections 1 and 2 included in the replacement scope of this contract, or is it to remain in place?

Existing curb and gutter and to remain in place. Section 1 does not have curb or gutters. Section 2 and 3 do not require replacement. Contractor shall replace curb and gutter if damaged during demolition.

RFI #42 – If the curb and gutter is to remain, is saw-cutting the new sidewalk flush to the existing curb and gutter acceptable as the method of termination? Please confirm the required joint detail at the sidewalk-to-curb interface.

Yes, that is acceptable.

RFI #43 – If the existing curb and gutter is in poor condition or unsuitable materials are discovered after demolition, will the contracting officer accept this as a change condition eligible for cost change or equitable adjustment?

Cost changes shall be discussed with VA Contracting team once project is awarded and issues are discovered by contractor. Any unforeseen conditions or out-of-scope work shall be discussed.

RFI #44 – Does the contract require the Contractor to cut and remove the conflicting tree roots in Section 3 as part of the sidewalk replacement scope?

Any tree roots discovered in sidewalk footprint up to 6 inches in depth shall be cut and removed.

RFI #45 – If root cutting is required, will the Government (VA) accept responsibility for any consequent damage, decline, or loss of the affected trees? Please provide confirmation in writing that the Government assumes liability for tree health impacts resulting from root pruning required to complete the contracted sidewalk work.

Yes, the Government will accept responsibility for impact to the trees, unless it is due to extreme negligence of work quality.

RFI #46 – Is arborist involvement required to satisfy tree protection and will the government provide arborist service before work may begin?

No, arborist involvement is not required and the Government will not provide arborist service.

RFI #47 – Are the two damaged concrete bench pads included in the sidewalk replacement scope of this contract?

Yes, the damaged concrete bench pads (page 2 of Attachment 01) are included in the scope.

RFI #48 – If the benches are to be salvaged and re-installed, is the Government responsible for removing and temporarily storing the benches prior to concrete demolition, and for reinstalling them after the new sidewalk has cured? Or is bench removal and reinstallation within the Contractor’s scope?

The benches will be salvaged and re-installed. The bench removal and reinstallation are within the Contractor’s scope.

RFI #49 – Does the Government (VA) have a designated secure staging or storage area on-site where signage, bollards, and benches can be stored safely during construction?

The VA can give the contractor a storage area on-site.

RFI #50 – Is the Contractor responsible for removing, storing, and reinstalling these items, or will the Government coordinate their removal and reinstallation through VA facilities personnel?

The Contractor is responsible for removing, storing, and reinstalling.

RFI #51 – If the Contractor is responsible for removal and reinstallation, will a VA representative be present during removal to document existing conditions, locations, and orientations of all items to ensure correct reinstallation?

Yes, the COR will be present during removal to document existing conditions. However, the Contractor shall conduct its own documentation of existing conditions to ensure that COR and Contractor agree.

RFI #52 – Will the Government issue an amendment to the Price Breakdown form to add line items for scope items raised in the accompanying RFIs (including potential ADA truncated dome upgrades, arborist and tree root removal, and bench replacement)? Or should the Contractor include costs for these items within existing line items?

The contractor shall complete the work included in the SOW, and if it’s determined that something was left out of scope, then Contracting will address. In terms of the examples mentioned – ADA dome upgrades are not needed, arborist is not needed, tree root removal is in scope but arborist is not a requirement, and chairs/benches should be replaced.

RFI #53 – The Statement of Work states that phasing requirements will be discussed between the Contractor and the COR. Will the Government provide phasing constraints, access windows, or a government-imposed sequencing framework prior to the proposal due date? Without this information, the Contractor cannot accurately price crew mobilization, equipment requirements, or schedule-driven costs.

The only constraint is the weekend requirement for sidewalks #2 and #3. Sidewalk #1 is not heavily utilized and should be ok to shut down without constraints – sidewalk #1 does not have the weekend constraint. The contractor shall propose a construction schedule for COR approval. The sidewalks can be completed in any order.

RFI #54 – What is the Government’s anticipated Notice to Proceed (NTP) date? The 45-calendar-day period of performance, combined with the weekend-only work restriction for Sections 2 and 3 near Building 19, significantly compresses the available working schedule. Knowing the NTP date is necessary to determine available working weekends, concrete cure cycles, and overall project feasibility within the contract period.

The anticipated NTP date is unknown. The VA can issue a no-cost time extension if some more time is needed for available working weekends. No-cost time extension means the Government will extend the period of performance at no expense to the Government. The NTP date should be during the summer months, to give a rough estimate.