36C77018R9601-0002002.pdf

A. Solicitation questions and answers:

A.1. SF 1442, Block 10 states that the bid packages will be accepted electronically, and the original Bid Bonds must be received by closing date and time. Will the VA provide the email address for the offer submittal?

Answer: Ralph.Crum@VA.GOV

A.2. If Pima County or the City of Tucson is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for this construction project, will the VA supply and pay for the Construction Permit?

Answer: The pending permit and inspections fees for COT Activity number TCM1804687 are $3,552.09. The activity number is the permit number.

A.3. Section 00 01 10 – Specifications Table of Contents indicates Division 22 & 23 = “N/A”. There are several Mechanical Drawings depicting Division 22 & 23 work for this project. Will the VA issue all of the requisite Specification Sections for the work depicted on the Drawings?

Moved to Section B., A&E design, below.

A.4. Will the VA confirm that this solicitation is limited to CVE accredited Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)?

Answer: Section 10 on page 1 of solicitation 36C7018R9601 states, “This project is being solicited as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSP) set-aside.” Also, please refer to section

4.14 on page 45, which lists VAAR 852.219-10 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE- DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2016) (DEVIATION). Contractors MUST be certified in https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov at the time of bid closing to receive consideration.

A.5. Will the VA provide the Site Visit sign-in roster?

Answer: Site visit roster is included as an attachment in this amendment to solicitation 36C7018R9601.

A.6. I was interested in knowing if this project has any technology needs? I would like to become a pre-qualified partner and resource to you on these opportunities moving forward. What is the best route to reach out and pass along my team’s information to your firm?

Answer: Please review solicitation 36C7018R9601 and its two attachments for any technology requirements.

A.7. A tax exempt certificate was mentioned. What is this for, and how do you use it?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

A.8. Are there any liquidated damages on the project?

https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/

Answer: There are no liquidating damages.

A.9. Project Duration. The solicitation says 140 calendar day duration on page 5 and 458 days on page

33. Please clarify.

Answer: Page 33 should read “The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 140 calendar days bid item 1. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

A.10. Permit Fees. Please confirm the Permits have already been paid for, or provide the amounts that the Contractor is to include in his proposal.

Answer: see question 2 above.

A.11. 2-Year Bond? Plan Sheet MOO1 calls for a 2-Year Warranty. Is a 2-Year Bond also required?

Answer: A 2-year Bond is not required. Plan Sheet M001 is incorrect. Solicitation FAR Clause 52.246- 21 - Warranty of Construction. (b) This warranty shall continue for a period of 1 year from the date of final acceptance of the work. If the Government takes possession of any part of the work before final acceptance, this warranty shall continue for a period of 1 year from the date the Government takes possession.

A.12. Who will be the Authority Having Jurisdiction for this project?

Answer: City of Tucson.

A.13. Will this project require city permits?

Answer: see question 2 above.

A.14. Has the VA already secured a permit for this project?

Answer: see question 2 above.

A.15. Since this facility is not owned by the VA, will the materials still need to meet the Buy American requirements?

Answer: Yes, this is a Federal construction contract; see section 2.6, FAR Clause 52.225-10, on page 19.

A.16. Please confirm that the general contractor must be licensed with the AZROC to be able to perform the project scope.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

A.17. General demolition note 3 on sheet GI001 mentions that the contractor is to provide a phasing schedule, please confirm that this is a post award requirement.

Moved to Section B., A&E design, below.

A.18. Is a "Site Safety and Health Officer" a requirement of this project?

Answer: not required. Construction superintendent is responsible.

A.19. Is a "Certified Safety Professional" or "Construction Safety and Health Technician" a requirement for this project?

Answer: not required. Construction superintendent is responsible.

A.20. Can the Superintendent also fulfill the roles of SSHO and CSHT if they meet the requirements of each?

Answer: see questions A.18 and A.19 above.

A.21. Is TB Screening a requirement of this solicitation?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

A.22. Please confirm that any warranty referenced in the specifications, even if it modifies FAR clause 52.246-21, beyond one year is intended to be a manufacturer's warranty for the product as referenced in the specification section.

Answer: See B.68 below.

A.23. Please clarify the ICRA Level for this solicitation.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

A.24. Please confirm that this project does not require commissioning.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

A.25. Please confirm that this solicitation/project is NOT completely tax exempt, but certain components of the project MAY be tax exempt, and that the VA will provide the appropriate tax exemption letter to the awarded contractor.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

A.26. Please confirm that every bidder must obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax License from the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Answer: Yes, if this is required in the City of Tucson.

B. A&E design questions and answers:

B.1. Seeking clarification on the following questions (010-011). The mechanical duct & insulation notes on M00.1 call for double wall ductwork for both outdoor and indoor ducts. The insulation and jacketing note call for duct wrap insulation on interior single wall and finished with PVC or aluminum jacket.

Which is the correct application double wall or single wall with duct wrap?

Answer: Specifications on sheet M001 read 1" double wall insulated for exposed ductwork in "public" space, if the space is defined as "not public" then ductwork shall be single wall and specifications for single wall to be followed. Note that "public" is defined as being visible to the working occupants of the building. All ductwork on this project is considered "public".

B.2. Seeking clarification on the following questions (010-011). M502 detail B4 shows double wall exterior duct with aluminum crown & aluminum jacket. M00.1 outdoor duct calls for aluminum or galvanized sheet metal crown for water runoff. Which application is to be used?

Answer: Galvanized (G90) sheet metal duct with same galvanized sheet metal crown.

B.3. If Pima County or the City of Tucson is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for this construction project, when will the VA provide the City or County Approved Drawings? Will the Contractor be safe in assuming any changes to the Drawings caused by the AHJ (if needed) will be treated as a Differing Condition?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.4. RFP, Part A.1, Bid Items instructs the Contractor to provide and install a new vertical reciprocating conveyor. Sheet AL111, C1 Mezzanine Level Plan, Clouded Delta #1 states that “Future Equipment Lift will be a Deferred Submittal or will require a NEW PERMIT”. Is the vertical reciprocating conveyor lift in the scope of work for this project or will the VA release that work as a completely separate solicitation?

If the equipment lift will be a separate solicitation, will the foundation, electrical, and other associated work remain in the scope of work for this project?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.5. Will the VA or the City of Tucson require Material Testing for the Concrete, Structural Steel, etc. for this project? If so, will the VA issue the requisite Specification Section for Material Testing Laboratories?

Answer: The special inspections per IBC are noted on Sheet S001.

B.6. New column footings are required to be installed for the new mezzanine. Will the VA confirm that the existing slab does not contain post-tensioned tendons?

Answer: The building record documents show that the existing slab is not post-tensioned.

B.7. Attached please find product information for a Wildeck pre-engineered, prefabricated mezzanine system. These systems are installed in various Government installations throughout the world. Will the VA accept this alternate pre-engineered system in lieu of the welded system depicted on the drawings?

Answer: The requirements of the facility is to have a clear span. The typical pre-engineered systems did not provide this option. Pre-engineered system is not acceptable unless it can provide the exact clear spans and column spacing depicted on the plans without redesign required for any of the other systems. If a pre-engineered system is being proposed then the offeror must provide shop drawings depicting and confirming the clear span to be an accepted offer.

B.8. What is the thickness of the concrete floor that needs to be demoed and removed?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.9. Is the new fire piping going to be required to be paint red?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.10. Are there any flow calculations required for new fire system?

Answer: Please see attachment to amendment 2 labeled “3675 E. Britannia Flow Date Sheet.”

B.11. Is the concrete slab post tension or is it re-bar reinforced?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.12. New Fire Inspectors Test Chase. The new fur-out in the NE corner of the space is not shown large enough to cover the existing Inspectors Test piping. Will the piping be required to be relocated inside the new chase?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.13. Existing Mezzanine Cage. Are the entire upper and lower portions of the existing cage expected to be repainted (in place) after its reconfiguration around the new Mezzanine?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.14. Will there be a specification provided for the Mezzanine Fencing?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.15. Upper Mezzanine Fencing Elevation. If the modified panels are only 7'-6" tall above the mezzanine floor, why does wall section F1/AB211 say "Open above 10'-0"?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.16. Diamond Plate vs. Diamond Mesh. Multiple notes on AB211 refer to "18 GA diamond plate mesh".

Which is actually desired, solid diamond plate steel or open mesh diamond fence?

B.17. Slab Cuts. Will the slab cut pour backs for the new footings need to be doweled into the existing slab, since a keyway isn't possible?

The specifications refer to AISC approved steel fabricators/Erector. An approved fabricator would be a fabricator who builds to the required specifications, as well as AISC standards, on the project. Is it acceptable to use a fabricator that builds to the standards of AISC and the specifications on the project, yet is not certified by AISC, but they provide shop/ field inspection certificates from a respected inspection agency, verifying compliance with project, and AISC standards?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.18. Please provide a specifications section for division 21 fire protection.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.19. Have the provided plans already been approved by the city?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.20. Sheet AL111 shows a note near gridline 1B that states that the lift is future eqp. Please confirm if the lift is to be included as part of this solicitation?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.21. Please provide specifications for the hardwood plywood decking shown on sheet AL111.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.22. Common tongue and groove subfloor plywood is commonly made with pine, which is not hardwood.

B.23. Please confirm the VA requirement for the plywood mezzanine flooring.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.24. Will standard 1-1/8" plywood tongue and groove subfloor type plywood be sufficient to meet the requirement?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.25. Are the hardwood plywood layers required to be 100% hardwood?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.26. Please provide specifications for the 80-mil thick epoxy shown on sheet AL111.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.27. Please provide specifications for the polyurethane sealant shown on sheet AL111.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.28. Please provide specifications for the plywood sheathing shown on the wall schedule, sheet AL111.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.29. Please provide specifications for stainless steel corner guards shown the wall schedule, sheet

AL111.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.30. Structural general note on sheet lists field welding and epoxy as requiring special inspections.

Please confirm that "epoxy" is referring to the epoxy anchors into concrete and not the deck coating.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.31. Will this project require termite treatment?

B.32. What is the thickness of the existing tilt up concrete wall at gridline 5, sheet S301?

B.33. What is the existing warehouse flooring finish?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.34. Please confirm that no floor finishes repairs are required for the new footing locations.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.35. If new floor finishes are required to match existing for areas disturbed by the new footings, please clarify the limits of the refinishing to match the existing floor.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.36. Please provide specifications for division 22 plumbing for the compressed air lines listed on the mechanical plans.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.37. Please provide specifications for division 23 HVAC.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.38. Please confirm that the contractor is not required to place or provide the vehicle barrier listed as note 10 on sheet MH111 "new owner provided vehicle barrier".

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.39. Please provide specifications for division 28 fire alarm.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.40. What is the manufacturer of the existing fire alarm system?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.41. Please provide the contact information for the vendor that currently supports the existing fire alarm system.

B.42. Please provide specification for division 27 communications for fiber optic cabling.

B.43. E-701 lists for the contractor to provide new fiber optic cabling to match existing. Please specify what the existing fiber type is and how many strands.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.44. Please provide a more accurate distance for the new fiber optic cabling. The note on the plan states "assume source is main computer room minimum 200' away". Please provide accurate footage.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.45. Sheet E-701 has a note calling to relocate 120v bus duct power from panel CDSA.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.46. Please confirm that we are only to relocate what appears to be a 1" emt conduit and not "bus duct".

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.47. Does the VA anticipate that the freezer shown on sheet AL111 along gridline 5.5, will be required to be relocated to install the new footings?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.48. Who is the manufacturer of the existing circuit breaker panels?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.49. The panel schedule shown on sheet E701 does not clarify which circuit breakers are new, please clarify.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.50. Please provide a plan view of the main computer room location.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.51. The existing cage photo on sheet AB211 shows the current height at the roof level, however detail

B1/AB211

B.52. Will the entire existing cage structure be required to be dismantled completely to reinstall the new mezzanine?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.53. What is the finish on the existing steel cage?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.54. Will the entire existing cage require refinishing?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.55. Please provide specification section 01 00 00 - General Requirements for this project.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.66. Section 00 01 10 – Specifications Table of Contents indicates Division 22 & 23 = “N/A”. There are several Mechanical Drawings depicting Division 22 & 23 work for this project. Will the VA issue all of the requisite Specification Sections for the work depicted on the Drawings?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.67. General demolition note 3 on sheet GI001 mentions that the contractor is to provide a phasing schedule, please confirm that this is a post award requirement.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

B.68. Plan Sheet MOO1 calls for a 2-Year Warranty.

Answer: This is incorrect. Warranty language in Plan Sheet MOO1 is removed effective this amendment (amendment# 0002). Please refer to solicitation extract below for warranty language:

Solicitation FAR Clause 52.246-21 - Warranty of Construction. (b) This warranty shall continue for a period of 1 year from the date of final acceptance of the work. If the Government takes possession of any part of the work before final acceptance, this warranty shall continue for a period of 1 year from the date the Government takes possession.

B.69. Please confirm that any warranty referenced in the specifications, even if it modifies FAR clause 52.246-21, beyond one year is intended to be a manufacturer's warranty for the product as referenced in the specification section.

Answer: see question B.68 above.

B.70. Please confirm that this project does not require commissioning.

C. CMOP Facility questions and answers:

C.1. Is the Tucson CMOP at 3675 E. Britannia Dr. located on federally-owned property or does Pima County or the City of Tucson have jurisdiction over construction projects at this facility?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.2. If Pima County or the City of Tucson is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for this construction project, and the project is not located on federal property, will not the General Contractor and MP&E subcontractors all need to be licensed with the State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.3. At the Site Visit, we were informed that certain protections were to be installed by VA forces to protect the conveyor system. Will the VA describe the methods and type of protections, that will be installed by the VA CMOP forces, to protect the conveyor system that is located under the area of the new mezzanine construction?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.4. Will the VA specify the work hours for construction activities? Please include contracted personnel security restrictions.

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.5. What is meant by the statement that was made about contractor equipment needs to be "safety checked”?

Answer: Contractors and all equipment must meet and follow all OSHA guidelines. Any unsafe equipment will not be authorized on site nor will unsafe practices.

C.6. Describe how the escort system is to be used. Will every employee need to have an escort every time they leave to go outside to get material or tools? If so then how many escorts are you going to provide?

Answer: The General Contractor and Site Superintendent with primarily be responsible for the contractors on site. There will be a government escort to ensure the security of the facility but this should allow for ease of contractor traffic and ability to retrieve tools and move in and out of the facility.

C.7. Will all of the existing equipment be moved out of the construction area? If not and the equipment is in the way that may cause delays. Is the contractor going to be compensated time for such delays?

Answer: Much of the equipment and conveyor system will remain in place. The shelving will be relocated but as stated in the walk-through, the equipment will need to be covered and protected.

The government will place a plastic barrier over the equipment but will not provide any protection from falling equipment, tools, or other.

C.8. Is temporary badges required? If so what is the process and how long does it take to get badge paperwork returned to contractor?

Answer: Temporary badges will be required by the GC and Superintendent for the site. All other employees will require a name badge be issued unless identified on a uniform. This process should run fairly smooth and not take up much time.

C.9. Will the workers need any kind of security screening/clearances?

Answer: The general contractor and superintendent will require a security screening and clearance.

C.10. Negative Air. Will the construction area need to be sealed off from the rest of the facility and negative air maintained?

Answer: The area will be required to have a temporary wall built to cordon off the construction area and contain the dust and equipment. However; negative air is not a requirement.

C.11. Will welding be allowed inside the building, or will all connections need to be mechanical?

Answer: Welding is allowed on site but will require a burn permit (see Facility Manager or Safety Manager at the CMOP).

C.12. What Holidays and durations will facility staff be taking off during this project?

Answer: The facility will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Fourth of July holidays.

All other holidays either have an evening or day shift present.

C.13. Will screw guns be acceptable noise during regular working hours?

Answer: Yes

C.14. The plans call for photographic documentation of pre-construction existing conditions, but photos were expressly prohibited during the pre-bid walk through. Will the successful bidder be allowed photo documentation?

Answer: Yes, the successful bidder will be authorized photos. All photos will still be required to be viewed by the Facility Manager or representative prior to leaving the facility.

C.15. Salvage to Owner. Please identify any and all salvaged to owner materials, and clarify where the contractor is to deliver them.

Answer: We do not believe there are any items that require salvage to owner at this time.

C.16. Will background checks be required?

Answer: No this is not a requirement.

C.17. Will the VA require any special badging requirements? Please provide details of any badging requirements.

Answer: All employees will be required to have a government issued photo ID, have a name badge and check in with the CMOP front desk upon first arrival on site. The GC and Superintendent will be required to obtain a temporary contractor issued badge from the CMOP for access to administration for meetings and updates.

C.18. Will a laydown area be provided on site for the contractor? Please specify dimensions and location.

Answer: Yes, a laydown area will be available and the size will be determined by the size of steel delivered to site and other equipment. This site will not be allowed to impinge upon current delivery vehicle operations. Contractor will be responsible for securing the area.

C.19. Will the VA remove, store and replace all the existing shelving and furnishings currently located in the project area?

Answer: See Question C.7.

C.20. Please confirm that all temporary utilities, required for completion of the project, will be furnished to the contractor at no cost.

Answer: All temporary utilities that require 110V or water will be provided at the facility. If there is a special requirement for utilities, this will need to be provided by the contractor. Contractor will be responsible for a port-o-john for their employees.

C.21. Please confirm that 24/7 Security Guard presence is NOT a requirement of this solicitation.

Answer: 24/7 security guard is not a requirement. The CMOP is a secure facility and cameras are located throughout the facility inside and out. However; the HVAC penetration will be required to be secured immediately upon opening up prior to leaving that day.

C.22. Please confirm that the contractor is NOT required to install security cameras at the job site.

Answer: Contractor is not required to install security cameras. CMOP has monitoring cameras placed throughout the facility inside and out.

C.23. Are you familiar with the process is for me (CO) to request a tax-exempt certificate in the state of Arizona?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.24. Are you familiar with the requirement that a general contractor must be licensed with the AZROC to be able to perform the project scope?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.25. Is TB Screening a requirement of this solicitation?

Answer: To be published in a follow-on amendment.

C.26. Please clarify the ICRA Level for this solicitation.