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Vendor Questions and Answers as of 05/22/2026 36C26326B0029, PN: 636A6-26-102, Replace Bldg 2 Condensate Leak {DM}
| 1. |
| What size is the condensate line that will be replaced? |
| The steam condensate piping to be replaced under this project is 4-inch diameter, Schedule 80 carbon steel piping (ASTM A106/A53), consistent with applicable specification requirements. The Contractor shall base all material procurement and installation planning on a 4-inch condensate line, unless a field condition is identified that requires modification and is submitted for review. |
| 2. |
| Is there only one line being replaced in the trench? |
| Yes. |
| 3. |
| Will X-raying of pipe welds be required on this project? |
| Yes, follow the specification 23 22 13 – 24, which states “Perform radiographic examination of 50 percent of the first 10 welds made and 10 percent of all additional welds made. The COR reserves the right to identify individual welds for which the radiographic examination shall be performed. All welds shall be visually inspected by the COR. The VA reserves the right to require testing on additional welds up to 100 percent if greater than 25 percent of the examined welds fail the inspection.” |
| 4. |
| How will leak testing be performed since this is being tied back into existing service? |
| Contractor to provide means and methods, COR to agree upon before commencement of work. The COR suggests the following but is open to discussing alternative means and methods with CO approval: Isolate the new piping from the existing active system using temporary end caps, blind flanges, or COR-approved isolation fittings. Perform the required hydrostatic or pneumatic leak test (as specified within the project specifications) on the new piping segment as a standalone system. Upon successful completion of testing, the Contractor may proceed with the final tie-in to the existing system. |
| 5. |
| Are there any pictures from previous repairs on this line? |
| No. |
| 6. |
| Will this piping need to be installed in a carrier pipe (DDT system) per spec section 33 63 00-11 |
| After reviewing Specification 33 63 00-11 and the associated project requirements, the Government confirms that the replacement steam-condensate piping shall be installed within a carrier (containment) pipe system when routed through the existing trenches. The double-contained (DDT) configuration is required to provide secondary containment, prevent leakage into the trench structure, and maintain compliance with VA standards for corrosion protection, system integrity, and long-term maintainability. Contractor shall incorporate the carrier pipe system into all applicable design, installation, and pricing activities unless a specific written exception is issued by the Contracting Officer. |
| 7. |
| Is it possible to get 21’ sections of piping into the work area? |
| No. 21’ piping will not fit into the station’s elevators nor fit by going directly from exterior doors, through the staircases into basement Corridors. |
| 8. |
| Does VA require welded pipe or is threaded acceptable? |
| For 4-inch (100 mm) Schedule 80 carbon steel piping, all joints must be welded or flanged; threaded joints are not permitted at this size. Reference 23 22 13, 2.3 Fitting for Steel Pipe: “B. 65 mm (2-1/2 inches) and Larger: Welded or flanged joints.” Reference 23 22 13, 2.2 Pipe and Tubing: “B. Steam Condensate and Pumped Condensate Piping: Steel, ASTM A53/A53M, Grade B, seamless or ERW; or ASTM106/A106M Grade B, seamless, Schedule 80.” |
| 9. |
| Is condensate line required to be in carrier pipe DDS system? |
| After reviewing Specification 33 63 00-11 and the associated project requirements, the Government confirms that the replacement steam-condensate piping shall be installed within a carrier (containment) pipe system when routed through the existing trenches. The double-contained (DDT) configuration is required to provide secondary containment, prevent leakage into the trench structure, and maintain compliance with VA standards for corrosion protection, system integrity, and long-term maintainability. Contractor shall incorporate the carrier pipe system into all applicable design, installation, and pricing activities unless a specific written exception is issued by the Contracting Officer. |
| 10. |
| Can you please provide any as-built drawings of existing piping? |
| There are no known as-builts that are currently available. If they become available then they will be provided to the contractor. |
| 11. |
| Can you please provide any as-built drawings or details of the tunnel system used for the piping? |
| There are no known as-builts that are currently available. If they become available then they will be provided to the contractor. |
| 12. |
| Can you please provide a current asbestos study for the tile and mastic. If not, will it be the contractor’s responsibility to have that tested? |
| The contractor is responsible for asbestos sampling, abating, and obtaining a 3rd party monitoring company for validation if asbestos is found. |
| 13. |
| Where the piping is to get replaced in the crawl space will this require a confined space permit? Also, will there need to be additional precautions taken to have adequate air exchanges? |
| This space is considered a confined space so it would warrant a confined space permit. If a space is defined as permit-required confined space by OSHA, permit and confined space controls including air monitoring and ventilation must be implemented by Job Hazard Analysis and Safety Plan. Reference SOW 6.13 JHAs, “…develop and submit JHAs in compliance with 01 35 26…include task steps, identified hazards…, required controls (engineering/administrative/PPE), emergency procedures…” Reference SOW, 6.15 Permits: “Obtain all required permits and notifications in accordance with 01 41 00 Regulatory Requirements, including but not limited to…confined space entry authorizations…” |
| 14. |
| Will 6mil plastic, adjustable poles, and tape be acceptable means for containment? |
| Per the SOW, infection control barriers shall be STARC modular walls or “approved equal.” “Approved equals” shall meet infectious control requirements listed within the SOW and comply with specification 01 35 26. “Approved equals” will be determined after the awarded contractor submits their Safety Plan and JHA proposals for VA review prior to the commencement of active construction. |
| 15. |
| May the Superintendent carry the roll of the SSHO? |
| The Superintendent may serve as the SSHO/Safety Competent Person if they have current OSHA 30-hour training (within 5 years) and provide on-site, continuous oversight per the specification. Documentation must be submitted. Reference SOW 6.12: “designate in writing an OSHA certified Competent Person (CP)..proof of OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety training within past five (5) years…” Reference SOW 7.2: “The CP shall have completed OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety training within the past five (5) years; all other construction workers shall have at least OSHA 10-hour training. Reference 01 35 26 for more details. |
| 16. |
| Are there any drawings that show what this trench looks like. I am a little worried about the pipe fitting in the trench since they are wanting this is a prefabricated carrier pipe system. It will be around 10” in diameter with the insulation and the casing. I don’t believe this is what is installed right now from what I saw from the pre bid walkthrough. |
The trench is approximately 26 inches wide. The existing steam condensate piping within the trench will be removed by the Contractor before installing the new piping. The new piping will sit where the existing was originally placed. During construction, the station’s M&O staff will temporarily reroute steam condensate through existing drains in Building 2. This shall be confirmed by the Contractor prior to demolition of the existing steam condensate piping. This approach will allow the Contractor to remove and replace the condensate piping in phases without disrupting utility service to the station.
| 17. |
| I asked the question about as-builts for the trench, and they said there are not available. It wouldn’t hurt to ask the question if the pipe will fit, they have the ability to answer if they choose. Maybe send them the same diagram you sent me and see if they will respond. They certainly don't have to, but they can amend again and answer any question. |
| The trench is approximately 26 inches wide. See Attachment 1.1 and Attachment 1.2 for tie-in details and trench record documents. Attachment 1.1 is a drawing that originates from an earlier proposed project and provides details for the required tie-ins associated with the steam condensate line replacement. Attachment 1.2 shows the existing trench containing the steam condensate piping. Although the trench is labelled as having a “removable cover,” that no longer exists; the basement flooring has been built over this area. Additionally note that Attachment 1.2 shows the relative size and placement of the trench in years past. Although the trench itself has not been altered, the rooms above it have shifted. On attachment 1.2, there is arrows labelled “A,” “B,” and “C” respectfully. Label “A” indicates the approximate entrance to room B009. Label “B” indicates the approximate entrance into room B007. Label “C” indicates the approximate location of the trench running through Corridor C003. |
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