S06 Questions and Responses - Solicitation 36C26326B0007 -3 pages.pdf

Solicitation Number: 36C26326B0007 Project Number: 636A6-22-104 Replace Boiler Plant Brine Tank

Responses to Questions/RFI/Clarifications

Question: Is the original fire protection As-built drawing going to be provided?

Answer: No, the VA does not have a copy of the original fire protection as-builts drawings.

The piping shown in detail 1 on sheet FX101 is diagrammatically as-built; however, the fire sprinkler system beyond this area to the supply will have to be field-verified and as-built to develop NFPA 13-compliant working plans as required by paragraph 1.4.A.2 of Specification Section 21 13 13 and to develop the hydraulic calculations for the renovated area as required by paragraph 1.3.A.1 of Specification Section 21 13 13. Cross mains, branch lines, and sprinklers outside of the scope of work area that do not impact the hydraulic calculations are not required to be field verified nor as-built. Portions of the existing sprinkler system outside of the scope of work area that are as-built only must be as-built to the extent necessary to develop the hydraulic calculations, e.g. existing hanger locations and type are not required to be as-built. Inside of the scope of work area, the drawings must show all applicable information required by the Plans and Calculations chapter of NFPA 13.

Question: Is the bid bond only going to be for the general contractors and not the subcontractors who submit to the general contractors.

Answer: As stated in the solicitation, the offeror shall furnish a bid guarantee (see FAR 52.228- 1). Subcontractors are to work directly with the prime contractor.

Question: What company monitors the VA Fire Alarm system?

Answer: Johnson Controls (JCI)

Question: Do mechanical pads receive the same floor covering as surrounding area?

Answer: Per floor plan keyed note ‘FL2’, the housekeeping pad is to receive the high-performance coating on all surfaces. Floor surface in the Existing Boiler Plant Shop beyond the housekeeping pad does NOT require a high-performance coating.

Question: Can the QCM and Superintendent be the same person?

Answer: Yes. Per the Scope of Work, the superintendent shall be dedicated to this project but Specification Section 01 35 26 paragraph 1.9 C states that competent persons can have collateral duties.

Question: Will the government be posting site visit attendees?

Answer: Yes. The VA will post the pre-bid site visit sign-in sheet with attendees as an amendment.

Question: Sheet GC111 Phase 3 description states to inspect and correct any structural concrete that has been compromised by oxide jacking. The design documents do not provide enough information to allow the contractor to quantify the amount of corrections that may be needed.

Can the VA please clarify that it is the contractor’s responsibility to inspect the condition of the structural concrete and notify VA if any corrections are needed?

Answer: During initial observations, it was apparent that portions of the existing concrete structure have damage due to oxide jacking. The fix is described on S201, keynote 6. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to identify the damaged concrete and patch it up as described in keynote 6.

Question: Hazardous Plan Note 2 on sheet HA101 states to refer to asbestos inspection report dated 9/6/2024 and lead inspection report dated 9/6/2024 for current asbestos and lead findings. Specification section 02 83 33.13 contains information that is from the lead inspection report dated 9/6/24, but the entire report is not included. Can that report be made available in an amendment?

Answer: Please see the attached reports.

• Building 11 Brine Tank Project - Lead Survey Report

• Building 11 Brine Tank Project - Pre-Renovation Asbestos Survey Report

Question: In specification section 01 45 00 – Quality Control paragraph 3.4.B states the CQC System Manager is required to be at minimum a qualified project manager with 10 years construction experience. Can this individual be a dual hat employee that serves as the CQCSM as well as the project superintendent?

Answer: Yes. Per the Scope of Work, the superintendent shall be dedicated to this project but Specification Section 01 35 26 paragraph 1.9 C states that competent persons can have collateral duties.

Question: In specification section 01 35 26 – Safety Requirements paragraph 1.9.A states that the Prime Contractor must provide a minimum of one “Full Time” SSHO at each site and further states that they shall have “no other duties”. Given this paragraph and the language in 01 45 00 can the VA please confirm they are looking for a minimum of 2 full-time individuals on-site for the execution of this project?

Answer: Yes. Specification Section 01 35 26 paragraph 1.9 C, states the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor’s Superintendent and/or Quality Control Manager with duties only as the SSHO. Specification Section 01 45 00 paragraph 3.1, states that the project superintendent maintains a physical presence at the site at all times.

Further the Scope of Work states that the project shall have a dedicated superintendent, and the SSHO shall be present on site when work is being performed and have no other duties.

Question: Over the past several years the state of Iowa has declined to issues sales tax exempt forms for VA projects, can the VA please confirm that they will not be providing a sales tax exempt form for this project?

Answer: Correct, the VA will not provide sales tax exempt forms. See FAR 52.229-12, FAR 52.229-3 and FAR 52.229-11. Also refer to page 36 of the solicitation under “Special Notes regarding FAR 52.229-3: Federal, State and Local Taxes:”

Question: Will the Fire suppression system located within "the limits of construction" outlined in the documents need to remain active for the course of construction?

Answer: In accordance with paragraph 1.17.L of Specification 01 35 26 and Construction Phasing General Notes notes 5 and 6 on Sheet GC111 and Phasing note 3 on Sheet GC111, the fire suppression system within the limits of construction must be installed, tested, and activated prior to removing the existing system, all in Phase 3. As the new work is reliant upon connections to existing piping, it is anticipated the new work will be installed adjacent to the existing fire suppression system, the existing system will remain active throughout Phases 1, 2, and 3 with the exception of a brief impairment during Phase 3 to cut over the existing water supply piping to the new fire suppression system, and then the fire suppression system will remain active during Phase 4, 5, and 6.

Question: Will fire extinguishers placed by GC in these areas be acceptable during construction?

Answer: No, portable fire extinguishers required by paragraph 1.17.I of Specification Section 01 35 26 are required to mitigate the increased fire risk associated with construction activities and are not a substitute for an active fire suppression system. Please also refer to paragraph 1.17.A of Specification Section 01 35 26 and 29 CFR 1926.150(d)(1)(ii). Spec references below.