AMENDMENT A0001 - Questions and Answers - Hampton Natl Cem - PO No 849-MM24-01 - FY-24.pdf

AMENDMENT NO. A0001 | HAMPTON NATL CEM | RFQ NO. 36C78624Q0078 | FIBER OPTIC EXTENSION| PO. 849-MM24-01

NO. QUESTIONS ANSWERS

1 The requirement for rigid metallic conduit in Spec Section 27 05 33, Part 2-2.1 Material –

Based on past experience and the nature of metallic conduit, and, with the proximity to the salt water and amount of rainfall the area has, would it be acceptable to replace the requirement for rigid metallic conduit with schedule 80 PVC conduit to prevent eminent corrosion and exposure and possible damage to the fiber optic cable?

PVC and or HDPE will be accepted. See attached revised specification sections 260541 and 270533 which now includes updates for additional raceway type.

2 With the narrow limits of construction allowed for the trenching, especially where the curbing and the historic retaining wall are less than 1 foot apart, would directional boring be considered as an option for installing the conduit?

Directional boring would be an acceptable alternative means and methods for installation of the conduit, however, relieve requirement of excavation necessary to complete installation of the conduit if there are conflicts that prevent directional boring.

3 The existing fiber cable entering the building is in a PVC raceway. The specs require rigid, IMC, or EMT for this project. Would it be possible to replace the requirement for metallic conduit with schedule 80 PVC inside the facility?

PVC and or HDPE will be accepted. See attached revised specification sections 260541 and 270533 which now includes updates for additional raceway type.

4 With the majority of the trenching having to be done by hand rather than a machine, the amount of time to dig inside the perimeter wall of the cemetery may be lengthy, and the space to place spoils is limited. Will the roadway alongside the work area be able to be blocked of and covered to place spoils on during excavation? If not, where may spoils be placed during excavation since there is no space alongside the trench to place otherwise?

Due to the layout and traffic routing through cemetery.

The full width of the roadway cannot be fully blocked off to allow for spoils placement. Spoils may be places at Southeast corner of cemetery outside of perimeter wall within section 6.

5 Will the contactor be required to install temporary fencing around the excavation area to keep out pedestrians?

Yes, in accordance with Specification paragraph

010002-1.6.H.

6 Will the entire trench need to be inspected for depth prior to installation of the conduit? Yes, work will be inspected by COR.

7 1. Will the conduit need to be inspected prior to backfilling the trench? Yes, work will be inspected by COR.

8 1. Will the same inspector oversee the installation at the cemetery and on the VA property, or will there be multiple inspectors due to the separation of facilities?

VAMC Engineering Staff will participate in review, inspection and coordination of working within the

Medical Center's grounds.

9 1. Will the VA/National Cemetery Service require traffic controls at the end location where the conduit ties into the manhole in the street?

Yes, traffic control will be necessary for work occurring where public traffic is ongoing (public roads and

Medical Center parking lot).

10 1. With the winter months coming soon, will there be provisions for inclement weather included in the 120-day Period of Performance?

No.

11 1. May wet location/corrosion protection threadless couplings and connectors be used for the raceway if rigid metallic conduit is required, or will each joint have to be mechanically threaded on site?

Conduit fittings shall be in accordance with

Specification Sections 260541 and 270533.

12 Does the VA have recent butterfly drawings of the telecom manhole? If not, has it been confirmed that there is available space to penetrate the manhole on the side designated in the drawing?

We do not have drawings of manhole; however it has been verified that space is available for new penetration.

13 Would VA please provide who owns the telecom manhole and what utility companies occupy it also?

Manhole within Medical Center is owned by the

VAMC.

14 Will the VA or any authority having jurisdiction require a confined space permit to enter the manhole?

yes, Medical Center will require permit required confined space entry.

15 Will the VA or any authority having jurisdiction require a trench permit on any part of the project?

Construction permitting is not required within VA property, however work completed at road would require applicable City of Hampton permitting.

16 Will the VA or any authority having jurisdiction require any building permits for the conduit work inside the building in the cemetery?

Construction permitting is not required within VA property, however work completed at road would require applicable City of Hampton permitting.

17 Would the VA please provide a sign-in sheet for the site visit? Would the VA please provide a prospective bidders list?

No.

18 Would the VA please provide a spec section or specifications for the fabric innerduct?

Maxcell is the main manufacturer. They have many options like Detectable MXED52223 or non-Detectable MXE52223. The thread identification color can vary. Each 3-cell has one stitch holding all the cells together. For example, One 3-cell could be one color, and the other 3-cell could be a different color to assist with troubleshooting and future cable placement.

Basis of design is Maxcell Edge non-detectable 2", 3 cell with standard black identification thread.

Contractors shall provide brand name or equal to product.

19 If Maxcell is the manufacturer to be used, it appears the manufacturers’ specs have a minimum conduit inner diameter of 2-inches for one (1) 2-inch 3-cell maxcell. Would the

VA please confirm one (1) 2-inch galvanized rigid conduit is sufficient space for two (2) 2-inch 3-cell maxcell.

Confirmed.

20 It was discussed during the site visit that Verizon will furnish and install the fiber run.

Please confirm.

Fiber optic installation is not included as part of this contract and will be done after project is complete.

21 It was discussed during the site visit that Horizontal Directional Boring as an alternative method of construction. Would the VA approve of 2-inch HDPE bore pipe installed by horizontal directional drilling in lieu of 2-inch galvanized rigid conduit for certain sections of the conduit placement?

PVC and or HDPE will be accepted. See attached revised specification sections 260541 and 270533 which now includes updates for additional raceway type.

22 Would the VA accept warning tape with Orange with Black letters? Typically, communications warning tape is orange with black letters and more readily available.

Orange warning tape with black letter would be acceptable.

23 To avoid demolition of roadway and sidewalks - Would horizontal directional drilling be allowed in these areas?

Directional boring would be an acceptable alternative means and methods for installation of the conduit, however relieve requirement of excavation necessary to complete installation of the conduit if there are conflicts that prevent directional boring.

24 Would HDPE (high density polyurethane conduit) be allowed as a substitute for the galvanized steel conduit?

PVC and or HDPE will be accepted. See attached revised specification sections 260541 and 270533 which now includes updates for additional raceway type.

25 Would Hydro Excavation along the historic wall be acceptable vs traditional excavation? No, hydro excavation along wall would not be an acceptable alternative.

26 We need a new wage determination scale for utility construction. Wage determination scale provided is for heavy dredging

Please See Attached Wage Determination (Davis

Bacon).

27 Page 4 of 59 of RFQ states that Performance and Payment Bonds are required if price exceeds $150,000. There is no bid bond required. Asking confirmation

Yes Performance & Payment Bond is required & COI for working on Government facility.

28 Is it acceptable to provide boring in Sections 1 and 6 (under streets) as disturbance of these areas is shown to be major for a single 2-inch conduit. It will be necessary to saw cut and

Directional boring would be an acceptable alternative means and methods for installation of the conduit, penetrate Comms Manhole in middle of street in order to penetrate existing underground utility.

however relieve requirement of excavation necessary to complete installation of the conduit if there are conflicts that prevent directional boring.

29 Cross section for Section 6 on this Drawing shows (5) test pits due to high voltage UG Utility

(we were told) - are there as-built drawings available from when this utility was placed?

NCA currently has no as-built drawings of this area, however if we are able to obtain them, we will provide to awarded contractor. Specification Paragraph

260541-3.2 requires a GPR survey prior to trenching to reveal all existing utilities this requirements still stands for contractors that opt to use directional boring.

30 Specification Section 26 and 27 Electrical and Underground Work states the only conduit that can be used is GRS, IMC or EMT. None of these conduits are appropriate for the installation of Fiber Optic Cable. A usual and customary practice is to provide Rigid PVC conduit. There is rigid PVC already run to the cemetery administrative building thru the wall and into the IT Room where new fiber will be terminated. Steel conduits buried underground do not provide sufficient bending radius to pull fiber optic cable (minimum bending radius is 20 times the diameter of the cable)

PVC and or HDPE will be accepted. See attached revised specification sections 260541 and 270533 which now includes updates for additional raceway type.