Attachment C - 656-24-205 Roads repair 2024 Questions and Answers - 6 Pages.pdf

1. Phase 2 Area access – Would the Owner consider splitting Phase 2 into the other two phases? Answer: No. The project must be constructed in three separate phases as shown on the construction drawings. All temporary access roads must be in place prior to closing each phase. (SOW A.3.i and Spec 01 00 00, 1.6J)

2. Any time restrictions for staging and routing concrete and asphalt delivery trucks?

Answer: No specific restrictions listed beyond general requirements to keep roads clear and minimize disruption to VA operations. Deliveries must be coordinated with the COR.

3. Limits on the number of trucks that can be queued on-site or adjacent areas?

Answer: The only limitation to a queue of trucks is that no truck shall interfere with day-to-day operations within the facility. Any disruption, will be considered a violation of the contract requirements to minimize disruptions.

4. Will a temporary staging area be provided for spoils and/or materials? Answer: Not Specified. Any staging/storage areas must be approved by the Contracting Officer (Spec 01 00 00, 1.6A–D). The only staging and storage on-site will be the existing phase the contractor is currently occupying. The contractor can freely use open space within the contractor lot, to a agreed upon limit. Contractor shall request space prior to start of work within phase. Contractor shall not park, store heavy equipment longer than necessary.

5. If Temp Staging area is provided, can you provide this location? Answer: Not Specified. See question 4.

6. Any restrictions on haul times (e.g., to avoid peak pedestrian traffic)? Answer: No specific haul time restrictions stated. Contractor must minimize interference with VA operations and pedestrian traffic.

7. Are after-hours or weekend work shifts permitted? Answer: Yes, but only with prior approval and 15 calendar days advance notice to the COR. Must demonstrate substantial benefit to the government (Spec 01 00 00, 1.6).

8. If after-hours work is permitted, any restrictions on noise, lighting, or nearby occupied facilities? Answer: Yes. Work must not create excessive noise or vibration that can be felt or heard outside the work site without prior approval. Contractor must minimize interference with VA operations and pedestrian traffic.

9. Identification Badge – Can you define the amount of time required for badging?

Answer: Badge request forms and supporting documents must be submitted 25 calendar days in advance of working on site. A separate site visit is expected for badging. (Spec 01 00 00, 1.5H)

10. Parking for Employees – 10 parking permits. Can you define additional parking areas if needed? Answer: Only 10 parking permits will be issued for the east contractor gravel lot.

11. Any known areas within the project scope that previously held archeological, historical or cultural resources? Answer: Not to the knowledge of the facility, this area shall contain import fill that is not native grade until sub-straight is removed.

12. Can the Site Superintendent also perform the SSHO role (dual hat)? Answer:

Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified. SSHO, can be integrated.

13. Is a site safety officer required? There does not appear to be a section for Quality Control? Answer: Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified. SSHO, can be integrated.

14. Can the superintendent perform triple hat role (Superintendent + SSHO + QC)?

Answer: Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified. SSHO, can be integrated.

15. Infection Control – Is any infection control required for this exterior work? Answer:

Exterior work only. Refer to Section 01 35 26 for full Safety and Infection Control requirements. Influenza policy applies to all on-site personnel.

16. Will the VA confirm all required permitting has been acquired from local governments? Yes.

17. Will the VA accept Procore as the primary Project Management platform? Yes.

18. Does the VA approval review period for RFIs and Submittals include the architect and engineering team? Answer: Yes

19. Can you clarify the requirements for commissioning? Answer: There is no commissioning for this project.

20. Has a geotechnical report including borings been conducted on the areas to be worked on? Answer: The latest geotechnical report for the facility has been provided, no other geotechnical report will be available.

21. Can you clarify if there are any rock excavations required? Answer: No rock excavation, hammering is expected.

22. If a site safety officer is required, can the Superintendent also perform the Quality Control role? Answer: Not explicitly addressed. Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified. SSHO, can be integrated.

23. Spec pages 234-256 are blank. Please provide these sections. Answer: Section is not used.

24. Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover SSHO and QA/QC? Answer: Not explicitly addressed. Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified. SSHO, can be integrated. QA/QC shall be dependent upon qualifications of specified individual, the VA reserves the right to reject any unqualified candidate.

25. What contingency percent should be included for “electrical utility unexpected issues”? Please provide allowance amount. Answer: SOW A.3.b states contingencies are needed for potential relocation of electrical street lighting. Expect $25,000 of contingency for electrical needs, however the contractor is to use their desecration, as the depth of all electrical work within the parking lot varies and can not been validated.

26. Will a site visit sign-in sheet be provided? Answer: Yes, Via contracting team.

27. Truncated domes – Please clarify quantity, size, and criteria for replacement.

Answer: Not Specified in text. Drawings note “replace as needed”. Clarification required on quantity and replacement criteria.

28. SWPPP Training – Can certified erosion control supervisor be third party? If the contractor meets the requirement by this preference, the VA has no objection. No increased cost will be considered from the VA for this specified third party. Refer to Section 01 57 19 Temporary Environmental Controls.

29. Clarify scope of work for Spec 33 40 00 Storm Sewer Utilities. Answer: Plans indicate protecting existing storm inlets at existing elevations. Full requirements governed by Spec 33 40 00.

30. Confirm that the contractor should assume the removal of 2,500 cy of unsuitable materials. Answer: Contractor to use their descension, Contractor responsible for removal and disposal of any unsuitable materials encountered.

31. Phasing notes indicate paving on Fridays–Saturdays. Please verify allowable working hours for all work. Answer: Normal hours are 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM M–F. Paving on Fridays–Saturdays noted in phasing plans. Any deviation requires 15-day notice and COR approval, must show there is a primary benefit to the government, the VA retains all rights to reject as necessary to protect normal operations as needed.

32. Is plastic snow fencing adequate or is temporary chain link fencing required?

Answer: Construction fence must be installed at the start of each phase and maintained until completion. Chain link fence is preferred due to the risk of fall, for the excavation needs. Snow fencing shall not be accepted for this project.

33. Have any soil borings been completed within this area? Answer: Yes – see Geotechnical Report (AET 01-20720) included in the specifications. No other geotechnical information can be provided.

34. Please confirm the depth of existing aggregate base to be removed. Answer: Typical sections show 8” compacted MN DOT Class 5 aggregate base. Full vs. partial removal varies by location – contractor to field verify.

35. Is a new aggregate base required under the new sidewalk sections? Answer: Yes, per typical finished section details (8” compacted Class 5 base shown under new pavement and sidewalk areas).

36. Are the truncated domes to be placed in the same locations as existing, or at all pedestrian ramp / handicap stall locations? Answer: Every location that currently exist a dome, shall retain a dome

37. Will a grading plan with established elevations be provided? Answer: No. All work shall match existing elevations. Contractor is responsible for surveying and establishing current elevations (General Notes on drawings). Contractor can provide an adjustment that would benefit water out fall, as needed for a case by case basis.

38. Will an additional staging area be provided? Answer: Not Specified. Must be approved by Contracting Officer. See question 4.

39. Will a trailer stall be provided under this contract? Answer: No.

40. Please confirm the work hours on this project. Answer: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays (SOW A.3.h and Spec 01 00 00). Any additional or deviation from the specified working hours shall be to the benefit of the government and day to day operations, the VA reserves the rights to reject in order to maintain day to day operation.

41. If the project is ready for pavement prior to Friday/Saturday, can we pave M–TH?

Answer: Subject to COR approval. Normal hours are M–F; deviations require 15-day notice.

42. Paving of the entire parking lot in 1 single phase at the end? VA’s plan for parking during/after paving? Answer: Paving shall be completed as best as possible on a weekend in order to give the specified area the best chance to cool down during low traffic times. If parking is impacted for a given period impact to be coordinated per contract with the VA COR. VA COR must approve prior to work commencing.

43. Will the VA be completing the utility locates (along with Gopher One Call)? Answer:

Contractor must coordinate State One Call. VA handles private utilities with notice.

Contractor responsible for overall coordination.

44. Will the VA provide parking lot and traffic signage during construction, or is it on the Contractor? Answer: All existing signs disturbed by construction must be reinstalled by the Contractor.

45. Requirements and credentials needed to obtain a VA badge. Is a REAL ID required?

Answer: Detailed in Spec 01 00 00 1.5H. Requires legal name, DOB, SSN, photo ID (REAL ID compliant or equivalent), OSHA training, and background check may apply.

46. Does the Superintendent need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor?

Answer: Yes, but the Superintendent must be dedicated to this project only.

47. Must the Superintendent be on site at all times while work is commencing?

Answer: Yes. The Superintendent (OSHA 30 CP) must maintain a presence at the work site whenever employees of the GC or subcontractors are present (Spec 01 00 00 1.6F).

48. Does the SSHO need to be directly employed by the Prime Contractor? Answer:

Refer to Section 01 35 26. Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified.

SSHO, can be integrated.

49. Must the SSHO be on site at all times while work is commencing? Answer: Not Specified – See answer to question 47.

50. Can the Superintendent & SSHO be a dual-hatted individual (if qualified)? Answer:

Not explicitly addressed. Superintendent must be dedicated and OSHA 30 certified.

SSHO, can be integrated.

51. Are there any other mandatory on-site roles required? Answer: Dedicated Superintendent (OSHA 30) is required. Others governed by 01 35 26.

52. When does the VA expect the project to start following award? Answer: Anticipated Construction Start: D+100 days after award (SOW Part B).

53. Are there any ICRA requirements for this project? Answer: Refer to Section 01 35 26.

Exterior work only. Dust control as needed.

54. Is this contract Tax Exempt? Answer: No, Federal, state, and local taxes apply and are allowable costs

55. Can the project be broken down into only 2 phases rather than 3? Answer: No. Must follow three phases as shown on the drawings. Contractor to indicate plan or method within proposal if it varies within the SOW. The VA reserves the rights to adhere to the primary plan if it impacts facility day to day operations, The COR can approve alternate plans as suggested as needed, in order to reduce impacts at the governments benefit.

56. Mix not specified – What is the VA’s standard mix designs? Answer: The last batch of AC mix we’ve used recently has been # 3A-2023-010

57. Is there an available Geotechnical Report? Answer: What is provided, no supplemental report shall be provided

58. Is there a Grading Plan? Answer: No. Match existing elevations via contractor survey (General Notes). Make flow/ drainage corrections as needed

59. Can the sidewalk width be confirmed? Answer: Sidewalk width varies (typically 5’–6’ per typical sections and drawings). Contractor to confirm in field prior to demolition.

60. Electrical scope – Reuse, relocate, demo lines? Light poles? Answer: Demolition and relocation of existing utilities as needed. Electrical street lighting requires contingency for potential utility relocation or potential damage. Light poles generally to remain with existing wiring (SOW A.3.b).

61. Information on existing dirt materials, depth layers? Answer: See previous Geotechnical report answers

62. Drawing/map of existing sprinkler lines to salvage & reinstall? Answer: Any sprinklers and or heads that may be in the area of construction shall either be reclaimed and or replaced. No map can be provided at this time.

63. Can the Superintendent carry other roles such as QC or SSHO? Answer: Not explicitly addressed. See previous answers

64. Can the QC also act as the SSHO (and vice-versa)? Answer: Not explicitly addressed. See previous answers

65. Any concern for contaminated soils in the area? Answer: No, no concerns with contaminated soils.