36C26319R0068-0002000.docx

36C26319R0068 Question and Answers June 13th, 2019

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 36c26319R0068 05-17-2019 656-341 36C263 Department of Veterans Affairs

NETWORK 23 CONTRACTING OFFICE

Attn: Lucas Dahlman/Contract Specialist 316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul

MN

55101 See Block 6

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26319R0068

X X X

See Solicitation

The purpose of this Amendment is to:

1. Answer all Request for Information and Questions posed to date.

2. Contractor is required to acknowledge Amendment with proposal upon proposal submission

3. See attached Doucments

Sharon Spohn Contracting Officer

1. Question: Face brick listed in specification is discontinued. Face brick needs to be reselected.

Answer: Brick needs to match existing building. Brick like Brock White #189792 used in a different project may be used with a slight variation. Pictures attached.

1. Question: The existing waiting room 15 shows VCT in the center of the space, but the existing condition is carpet. This area and the new (elevator) Lobby 15B will receive new carpet.

Answer: See ASI-1 for revised flooring.

1. Question: West double door from Existing Waiting 15 to Corridor CO-4. This is an existing door that doesn’t have auto-operator or magnetic hold open. The door is part of the temporary staff/patient access during construction to the north buildings. Is a method required to keep the door open for patients?

Answer: VA recommends that no magnetic holds or door openers are required if door pull is 5 lbs. or less. Patients will be escorted through the area.

1. Question: Where can the dumpsters be placed?

Answer: Requirement is a 30’ separation from the building. A dumpster containing only non-flammable materials can be stored next to the building.

1. Question: Can the VA provide existing irrigation drawings?

Answer: Contractor can refer to the Civil drawings CD101, CS101-CS301; and will have to field verify as well. VA irrigation drawing is attached as a reference. This drawing is like the Foss drawings mentioned.

1. Question: Will this project receive more project storage areas such as semi-trailers and equipment? We feel the project especially of this magnitude will require more space than anticipated due to the equipment and materials needed to add a second story.

Answer: In the contractor parking area by the wind turbine, one enclosed semi-trailer will be allowed. 15 stalls for contractor parking will also be allowed, however, there is no overnight parking allowed and no exposed tools or materials will be allowed.

1. Question: Also, dumpsters could be a factor for clearances away from building structures. Can a secondary staging area be utilized at the contractor parking area?

Answer: The staging area will be limited to what is allowed on the contract documents.

1. Question: Will submittal exchange be utilized?

Answer: Yes.

1. Question: What kind of load can be put on the front entrance canopy? We need to provide protection and scaffolding for construction.

Answer: 30 psf is the design snow load.

1. Question: Can a 1-hour shaft wall assembly be utilized for temporary walls with the painted shaft wall portion facing the occupied space? This system will provide less disruption and quicker installation in lieu of a level 4 finish.

Answer: Since this wall will be in place long term for the duration of the project, the VA would want a 1-hour finished construction barrier instead of shaft wall construction.

1. Question: Can 8’ high movable chain link panels be utilized in lieu of fence posts?

Answer: No, the fence posts shall be installed in the ground. Areas such as concrete or asphalt can be considered on a case by case basis.

1. Question: Is SWPPP required?

Answer: Not required unless the disturbed area is an acre or more. Area of disturbance is 0.61 acres – reference sheet 111-CS201.

1. Question: Are we to provide Temporary HVAC for the entire ground floor of the unoccupied finished space?

Answer: Space is required to be kept at a minimum temperature of 40 degrees F per Specification Section 01 00 00, 1.6, K, 1.

1. Question: What is the maximum load to cross the utility tunnel?

Answer: Contractors are cautioned that the steam tunnel is directly beneath the existing sidewalk that leads to the North entrance of B111.There is also a steam tunnel that runs east and west south of Building 9. Protection of the existing steam tunnels is means and methods, the contractor will be responsible for the protection of the existing steam tunnels as required to complete the scope of work for the project. The location of the tunnels is identified in the construction documents.

1. Question: What timeframe should be anticipated for occupants to be moved from building 111 so we can begin work on the structure?

Answer: Refer to Specification Section 01 00 00, 1.6, H.

1. Question: RB-3 – What height of Rubber base would you want? 4” and 6” are offered (if you could also clarify the height requested for RB-1 and RB-2 and the C-1a carpet base) Please note: that this Rubber base is only available with a 1” Photoluminescent strip, not the ¾” called out in the color schedule.

Answer: Height of rubber bases as specified per page 2 section 09 65 00 paragraph 2.2, A. 1” photoluminescent strip is acceptable. Height of carpet base C-1a as specified per page 5 section 09 68 00 paragraph 2.2, B.

1. Question: Johnsonite made some changes to their product lines with regards to the Tread and risers. RF-2 Johnsonite only offer the hammered pattern with the Photoluminescent insert in a 1 piece tread and riser combo, Not available in the Microtone #LE4 called out in the spec, but Please note that the LE4 color spec’d has a field color made up of the #80 Fawn which this tread/riser is available in, Also, the riser portion of the 1 piece tread and riser is smooth, while the tread is hammered. Please confirm whether this 1-piece tread and riser combo is suitable, Product Code PVIHTR-80.

Answer: Tarkett product PVIHTR-80 is acceptable.

1. Question: Is the flooring contractor responsible for the Photoluminescent hand rail guard in all stairwells? Along with the Tape to surround the ground floor fire exits? And any Corner Guards? Be it 4’ or 8’ tall?

Answer: Should be GC decision. Coordination with subcontractors. Reference section 10 14 33.

1. Question: The Stringers for the Stairwells, will have to be standard color #80 Fawn stringers with a 1” tape adhered to the top edge. Is this acceptable?

Answer: #80 Fawn is standard VA color.

1. Question: Can the SSHO be the prime Contractors 30-hour superintendent or does it have to be an assigned person onsite every day?

Answer: See specification 01 35 26, 1.7

1. Question: Are we to provide negative air and air exchanges at the existing ground level 24/7 365 days a week from the start of the project to the end? This will determine how many machines are needed for the project.

Answer: Areas of the ground floor where work is not being done may be isolated to keep those areas clean and reduce the number of negative air machines required.

1. Question: Please specify what gypsum type is to be installed at the metal decking at the roof for the base bid and what type is required at deduct alternate 3 below the 5/8” roof sheathing.

Answer: Reference Sheet 111-GI102 for roof type information. Base bid roof type ‘A’ indicates 1/2” gypsum at the metal decking by 07 22 00 – see page 5 section 07 22 00 paragraph 2.3, A. Base bid roof type ‘B’ indicates 5/8” gypsum at the metal decking by 07 54 23 [note this is a typo, reference section 07 54 00] – see page 7 section 07 54 00 paragraph 2.7, A. Deduct alternate #3 roof type ‘C’ indicates 1/2” gypsum below the roof sheathing by 06 10 00 – see page 4 section 06 10 00 paragraph 2.3, A.

1. Question: Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

Answer: No, the contractor is to include all taxes applicable within pricing

1. Question: Will the Government provide comprehensive written badging requirements for the project if badging is required?

Answer: Yes, badging is required. Contractor will provide employee information to receive flash badges.

1. Question: Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? The software is compatible with the VA’s networks and is currently in use at many VA locations.

Answer: No. St. Cloud VA uses Submittal Exchange for tracking Submittals and RFI’s (Requests For Information). Also, Microsoft project is being used for scheduling and tracking of the project’s critical path. Specification Section 01 32 16.15, 1.4, A indicates that the software used will be approved by the contracting officer which is Submittal exchange at this time

1. Question: During construction in an area where the ceilings or fire suppression system will be disrupted, will NFPA 241 apply? Will the government require additional security measures beyond NFPA code such as fire watch, temporary fire alarms, adjustments to sprinkler heads, etc.

Answer: NFPA 241 applies to construction projects. In the project, there are periods of time that the sprinkler system for the ground floor will be out of service to install new fire system risers. Also, western portions of B111 will be temporarily fed from Building 28’s fire system. During the periods that the fire system is out of service, an interim life safety plan will have to be in place. Some ground level smoke detectors could be left in place temporally as a part of that plan.

1. Question: Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

Answer: The VA maintains the fire alarm and security systems. All-State Communications has been the provider for equipment and programming. Pete Helmin, 320-203-1511

1. Question: Has the work area been checked for asbestos, if so can the report be published prior to bid date?

Answer: Original building construction was 2005. No asbestos or lead based paint exists. Building 111 has not been a part of our asbestos surveys. Our asbestos surveys are only done for buildings prior to 1995.

1. Question: What is the Governments’ policy if asbestos products are encountered during construction?

Answer: If a questionable material is found, the VA will submit samples for testing. If found to contain asbestos, a change order would be issued to the contractor for abatement and 3rd party monitoring.

1. Question: Does the Government currently have a 3rd party testing service for those items requiring testing or is the contractor free to locate and hire applicable testing firms?

Answer: If asbestos contain materials are encountered, the contractor would provide abatement services and their own 3rd party Industrial Hygienist (IH). The VA would provide a separate 3rd party IH for monitoring.

1. Question: Who is responsible for the utility locations?

Answer: Contractor shall request utility locates thru the COR, VA staff will locate existing utilities. Contractor shall request utility locates 15 business days in advance of the need. Contractor shall use the VA provided form to request locates. It is the responsibility of the contractor to maintain a coordination document onsite as to reflect located utilities. The contractor shall not unreasonably request excessive amounts (i.e. repeated “refresher”) of locates per the discretion of the contracting officer. Locates shall be requested for each earth penetrating activity other than simple hand tool work. Locate information is approximate, depth of utilities is unknown in some locations. It is recommended to hand dig in close proximity of all utilities. Performing earth penetrating activities without a locate is at the contractor’s risk and is not recommended.

1. Question: Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

Answer: The burden of proof will fall on the Contractor to prove such price increases as this is an FFP type contract

1. Question: Describe all tasks that may be required for this project as it relates to infectious control?

Answer: Infection Control Matrix is attached and is required in any public or patient areas. All levels of infection control will be used depending on the type of exposure. Also, levels can be reduced depending on the type of demolition/construction being done at the time. For example, infection control measures will be more extensive during demolition and less extensive during finishing activities for the same space.

1. Question: Which company is responsible for the HVAC controls for this campus and who is the point of contact?

Answer: The VA HVAC shop is responsible for HVAC controls. Typically, installations are done by Johnson Controls. Shawn Klein, 763-585-5018

1. Question: Can the sign-in sheet from the site visit be published?

Answer: See attached

1. Solicitation review period appears to be 90 days for government acceptance. For future scheduling, can you let the contractor know within the first 30 days if they are being considered for the project?

Answer: Award must be made prior to 30 Sept 19 due to Fiscal constraints. If the award time exceeds that time, a proposal extension will be made to the contractor.

1. With a 90-day acceptance period that could put award off until September which puts project start around November or so. When is award anticipated? Should the contractor consider winter conditions to start the project?

Answer: Award is expected to be made by 30 Sept 19.

See attached document: ASI #1.

See attached document: Question 1, Brock White Brick Sample.

See attached document: Question 1, Existing B111 Brick.

See attached document: B111 Irrigation lines.

See attached document: B111 ICRA Matrix.

See attached document: Site Walk Registration Sheet.