S05_Attachment - RFI Responses - Updated 9.22.2026.pdf

RFI MASTER LOG

Solicitation 36C78626B0027 — Leavenworth National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion Project

SAFETY & PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

RFI

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response

1 29 CFR

1926.20(b)(2) — "Competent Person"

OSHA

Competent Person

OSHA does not certify anyone as a "competent person." Confirm an OSHA 30 is acceptable.

The Competent Person is only required to hold OSHA-recognized competent person training.

OSHA 30-hour is typical for construction supervisors.

2 Training, Item 1 — 30-hour OSHA Construction Safety course

OSHA Training Levels

Industry practice has foremen/superintendents hold OSHA 30 and crew members hold OSHA 10. Confirm this is acceptable.

Acceptable.

STAFFING & QUALITY CONTROL ORGANIZATION

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 3 Project specifications — QC Manager

Quality Control Oversight

Confirm the superintendent can oversee the Quality Control functions outlined in the specs.

No. Per 3.4 Quality Control Organization – B. CQC System Manager is required to be a project manager (not job superintendent and be on site at all times during construction and employed by the General Contractor.

Please review C. CQC Personnel and D.

Additional Requirements for additional personnel required for CQC.

4 Quality Control Organization, Item A; Spec 01 35 26

Safety & Health Manager

Can the project superintendent also perform the role of Safety and Health Manager?

No. Per 3.4 Quality Control Organization – A.

Personnel Requirements, a Safety and Health Manager

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response is required to be part of the CQC Staff and should be a separate employee (not job superintendent)

5 On-site staffing Staffing / Dual Roles

Confirm required on-site staffing positions, whether Superintendent and/or QC Manager may also serve as Site Safety and Health Officer (if qualified), and whether Superintendent and QC Manager must be full-time on-site.

A superintendent, QC manager and Site Safety and Health Officer shall be three separate staff with the required credentials and are required to be on-site at all times during construction and employed by the General Contractor.

6 Professional Surveying Services

Surveyor/Engineer Licensing

Does the surveyor or engineer need to be licensed in the same state where the project is located?

Yes.

TESTING & PERMITS

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 7 Section 01 00 02

General Requirements, Item D; Spec 01 45 29 Testing Laboratory Services

Testing Laboratory

Confirm whether the VA plans to retain its own Testing Laboratory, as this may impact scheduling of work/production.

No. Contractor to obtain and pay for all required testing.

8 FAR 52.236-7

"Permits and Responsibilities";

NPDES permit

NPDES Permit Has the permit-issuing agency already been presented with the construction plans?

No. Contractor shall submit and retain and pay for all required permits.

SCHEDULE, PHASING & CONTRACT DURATION

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 9 Bid solicitation —

Columbarium ETO NTP Date Provide anticipated date of NTP issuance.

The Government does not provide anticipated NTP issuance dates.

10 SF 1442; Section B.1; Section H.2

Contract Duration / Bid Option

Confirm whether the 540-calendar-day duration includes both Base Bid and Bid Option work if exercised; and whether additional

540-calendar day duration includes both Base and Bid Option work. No additional

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response time is granted if the option is exercised after initial NTP or all option work must fit within the original 540 days.

time will be granted for exercised options.

11 Drawing CO101 Phase Completion & Acceptance

Identify anticipated Gov't/Cemetery inspection, punch-list, review, and written-acceptance duration to include between phases; confirm whether non-conflicting subsequent-phase work may proceed (w/ written COR approval) while minor punch-list items remain outstanding.

The General Contractor shall submit a schedule for review and government acceptance. The schedule prepared by the General Contractor shall outline when work will be completed for government review/inspection to perform a punchlist.

12 Coordination w/ other operations;

Use of Roadways article

Concurrent Contracts

Will any other construction or maintenance contracts be implemented during the project's completion timeline?

Yes, there are concurrent contracts ongoing at the National Cemetery during the project’s completion timeline.

CEMETERY OPERATIONS & SITE ACCESS

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 13 — Daily Interments Provide average number of daily interments, as this may impact construction production.

Leavenworth National Cemetery averages 4 burials per day in 2026.

14 Spec 01 00 02 Committal Service Interruptions

(1)Confirm whether noise-producing construction must cease cemetery-wide during a committal service or only in disruptive areas;

(2)provide anticipated advance notice and typical duration;

(3)confirm whether non-conflicting work may continue during committal services.

1. Only in disruptive areas.

2. Internment schedule will be provided to the contractor weekly.

3. Yes. Non-conflicting work may continue during committal services. Noise-disruption will not be permitted.

15 Unarmed guards clause

Site Security History

Has the project site experienced theft or vandalism in the past?

The National Cemetery is within the VA Medical Center campus and does have VA security police presence. Theft or vandalism may occur and the Government is not responsible for construction site security.

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 16 Motor Vehicle

Restrictions Vehicle Authorization

Confirm the 24-hour vehicle authorization requirement is applicable. If so, to whom are requests directed?

Yes. Requests shall be made to the COR.

17 Spec 01 00 02;

Drawing CO100

Road Access / Traffic Control

Confirm bidders must include all flagging/signage/barricades/traffic-control devices/labor to maintain Cemetery operations; confirm whether at least one travel lane must remain open unless full closure is authorized by COR/Cemetery Director.

Confirmed that the contractor shall provide traffic control to maintain cemetery operations and one travel lane must remain open unless full closure is authorized by the COR/cemetery director and a detour with adequate temporary signage is provided and installed by the contractor. Contractor shall submit a plan for review and approval for any road closure and detours.

18 Drawing CO102 Laydown / Staging Area

Confirm CO102 area is the max Gov't-furnished area for laydown/storage/field facilities/parking/staging; confirm no additional Cemetery property should be assumed available.

Confirmed.

SITE VISIT

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 19 — Site Visit Request Firm was recently made aware of the project and missed the pre-bid meeting. Can a site visit be scheduled to look at the roof prior to bid day?

Yes, the Cemetery is open to Contractor prebid site visits prior to bid day.

TEMPORARY FACILITIES & CONSTRUCTION CONTROLS

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 20 Construction Fence clause Privacy Screens Will privacy screens be required on the temporary fence? If so, what colors are acceptable?

Yes. Black only.

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government

Response 21 Spec 01 00 02;

Dwgs CO101 &

CO103 —

Temporary Trailers/Tanks

Temporary Facilities

Multi-part (a–l): confirm trailer quantities; occupant counts;

restroom user scope;

fixture/ADA/size requirements;

holding-tank quantity/capacity;

single vs. multiple tanks;

Contractor responsibility for furnishing/pumping/hauling/dispos al/removal; pumping frequency/loading criteria;

alarms/containment/freeze protection/venting; bid duration in months; operation through Admin Building renovation until permanent occupancy; and that all temp equipment remains Contractor property to be removed at end of use.

See specification section 01 50 00 Temporary Facilities for trailer(s) requirements.

The contractor is required for complete installation of the trailer(s) including, but not limited to, delivery, setting, connection of utilities and full maintenance of the trailer(s) including, but not limited too, sewer tank pumping, janitorial services, freeze protection, etc. Bid duration is part of the solicitation. All temporary trailer(s) and equipment shall become the contractor’s property and removed from the site at end of use when staff have moved back into the renovated administration building and has been accepted by the government.

22 Spec 01 74 19 Construction Waste Management

Waste Segregation Can wood, metal, cardboard, and plastic be commingled onsite and separated at the recycling facility, or are individual debris containers required onsite?

Per spec section 3.1

COLLECTION – B.

recycled materials shall be separated from trash.

Contractor to provide confirmation during the submittal review process if mixed recycled materials are acceptable by the recycling center.

EARTHWORK, GEOTECHNICAL & DEWATERING

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

23 Geotechnical Report; Spec 31 23 19 Dewatering

Groundwater / Dewatering

Confirm groundwater conditions to use as basis for pricing dewatering;

whether geotech observations represent normal conditions or seasonal elevations differ

Other than what is provided within the geotechnical report, any other groundwater conditions are unknown.

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response materially; confirm materially different conditions will be evaluated under Differing Site Conditions provisions.

24 Admin Building Structural & Demolition Drawings

Excavation / Shoring / Underpinning

Confirm temporary excavation support/shoring/bracing/protection are Contractor means & methods to be included in bid; whether permanent underpinning is anticipated/required; and that underpinning from concealed conditions will be handled via contract change provisions.

Per note 5 under general construction notes on S- 001, the contract structural drawings represent the finished structure and do not indicate the means or method of construction.

The contractor is responsible for the protection of the structure during all phases of demolition, construction, and installation.

25 Division 31 Excess Excavated Material

Confirm whether suitable excess material may be placed/stockpiled on-site at a Gov't-designated location; if not, confirm bidders must include loading/hauling/legal off-site disposal; identify any Gov't-furnished stockpile/spoil area.

Contractor shall load, haul and dispose legally off-site. No location for stockpile/spoil areas on the cemetery will be provided.

PAVING & SUBGRADE (CS501 / CS503)

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

26 Sheet CS503 (roadway typical section); Sheet CS501 (curb detail)

Subgrade Prep Behind Curb

The CS503 roadway typical section shows subgrade prep for pavement extending 3' behind back of curb. Is base rock required to 3' behind back of curb? The CS501 curb detail only shows subgrade prep extending 6" behind back of curb. Please clarify the discrepancy.

Approved subgrade shall extend 3’-0” beyond the back of curb. Compacted aggregate shall extend 6” beyond the back of curb.

27 Sheet CS503 (typical sections);

Geotechnical Report

Subgrade Prep / LVC Material

Clarify subgrade preparation on the CS503 typical sections. The geotech report recommends engineered fill under pavements and specifies 24" thick LVC under floor slabs. (a) Is LVC material required under the proposed roadways, and if so, what thickness? (b) Is LVC material required under existing roadways

See Pavement Subgrade Preparation under Pavement Section in the geotechnical report.

Pavements subgrade to be proofrolled. Once approved, the applicable pavement section shall be installed. See Floor Slabs

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response being removed and replaced? Note AB-3 is already called out in the typical sections for subgrade preparation.

in the geotechnical report.

Floor Slab Support shall have at least 24 inches of low volume change (LVC) material.

EXISTING UTILITIES & AS-BUILTS

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

28 Existing Conditions & Utility Drawings;

Spec 01 00 02

Existing Utilities / As-Builts

Provide VA record/as-built drawings and utility surveys used by A/E; confirm shown underground utilities are approximate and Contractor must field-verify;

identify any comms/CCTV/access-control/security/fire alarm/irrigation systems needing temporary service or special shutdown beyond those identified.

Existing conditions drawings include government provided record/as-built utility information. Underground utilities are approximate and contractor shall field-verify all existing utilities.

NATURAL STONE, MASONRY & LIMESTONE

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

29 Drawing CS105;

Spec 04 01 00 Maintenance of Masonry

Entrance Masonry / Stone Veneer

Confirm the 80% tuckpointing / 40% stone-veneer replacement quantities are what bidders must carry regardless of final field-determined quantity; confirm full tuckpointing of Walls AB & AC is in addition to those percentages;

identify the applicable Bid Item/CLIN.

Confirmed. Contractor shall include 80% of all masonry joints to be tuckpointed and 40% of all stone veneer to be replaced for all walls and piers outlined on sheet CS105 (including AB &

AC).

30 New Columbarium 3 — Limestone Caps / Cut Stone Assemblies

Limestone Cap Resurfacing

Confirm whether post-installation resurfacing/refinishing of new limestone columbarium caps is required; if so, identify method, extent, surface-finish acceptance criteria, and any cleaning/sealing treatment.

Post-installation resurfacing of new limestone caps is not a requirement. The finished product shall meet grade outlined in the specifications and final approved mockup.

31 Stone/masonry material

Stone Material Substitution

Possible inconsistency noted between the specification and

Building 1001 does not require to match existing

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response specification (Valders Buff Limestone) existing conditions (site photos below). Is the design intent to match all existing conditions? If so, the specified Valders Buff Limestone should instead be Cottonwood Limestone, as no Valders Buff is present on the existing site. Also:

where is the formal substitution request form located?

conditions. Use Valders Buff at full height of foundation wall below or near grade.

Photos accompanying RFI 31 (existing site conditions):

[ PHOTO 1 ] [ PHOTO 2 ]

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

32 Spec 04 43 00 Natural Stone Veneer (VA Project No. 897CM3025, dated 10-01-23) — Sturgis Materials, Inc. named as manufacturer for: C.

Natural Thin Stone

Supplier Approval / "Or-Equal"

Supplier requests confirmation they are an approved supplier before preparing a bid. The spec names Sturgis Materials as manufacturer (spec snippets below). Supplier states they have access to and the ability to fabricate all specified stone types, and asks to be cleared to provide a proposal for all natural

The Government takes no exception to the proposed stone supplier. GC is responsible for verifying and submitting data during submittal review and development of the mockup to show the stone's technical testing

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

Veneer (Cottonwood Limestone), D.

Natural Stone Veneer (Valders Buff Limestone), and E. Natural Stone Band (Indiana Limestone), all for Building 1001 stone elements. The specification currently lists Sturgis Materials as the manufacturer. I snipped three areas in the spec that call out Sturgis. We have access and the ability to fabricate all the stone types that are specified. Please let me know if we are clear to provide a proposal for all the natural stone elements – U.S. Stone Industries data, quality, texture, color, etc., regardless of source and shall meet the minimum requirements outlined in the specifications.

Spec snippets accompanying RFI 32:

Section 04 43 00 Natural Stone Veneer (Sturgis Materials call-outs):

FORMAL SUBSTITUTION REQUESTS

Note: The item below is a formal Substitution Request form (bidding stage), not a clarifying RFI. Logged here for completeness of solicitation correspondence.

RFI

Reference / Spec Section Subject Request Government Response

33 Spec Section 105113 Metal Lockers, Page 3, Article/Paragraph 2.2

Product Substitution — Metal Lockers

Formal "or-equal" substitution request during bidding stage (Substitution Request No. Spec- 0012274, dated 09/03/2026).

Proposed substitution: Duralife Lockers (mfr. Scranton Products) in lieu of the specified metal lockers.

Submitter certifies the substitution is equal or superior in all respects, carries the same warranty, has equivalent maintenance/replacement-parts availability, will not adversely affect other trades or the progress schedule, and does not affect dimensions or functional clearances.

A/E review/action section is blank (pending). Form indicates no attachments checked (Drawings / Product Data / Samples / Tests / Reports all unchecked), despite certifying supporting data is attached.

Approved equals can be determined during construction submittals.

The NCA equipment guide specifies lockers to be steel, as written in Specification 10 51 13 Metal Lockers.

MECHANICAL / CONTROLS

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

Spec 230923- G, Note 1 — Control System Integrator

Control System Integrator / Proprietary Controls

Note 1 requires the General Contractor to directly hire the Control System Integrator under a contract separate from the controls contractor.

Is this needed since this is a JCI system and they are the proprietary contractor?

Yes, the requirement to directly hire the Control System Integrator still applies, even if the site uses a Johnson Controls (JCI) proprietary system. In this specification, the "Control System Integrator" is a preselected, campus-standard service entity responsible for the top-end ECC/BAWS programming, graphics, interoperability, and commissioning support, and the General Contractor must retain them under

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response a separate contract from the controls contractor.

DRAWINGS / DIGITAL DELIVERABLES

RFI

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

35 — CAD File Request

Can the CAD files be provided? This will greatly increase the speed and accuracy of a civil work take-off.

No, CAD files will not be provided during solicitation.

EARTHWORK, GEOTECHNICAL & DEWATERING (cont.)

RFI

Reference / Spec Section Subject Question Government Response

Spec 31 20 11- 4; Geotechnical Report; ref.

RFI #27

On-Site Material / Engineered Fill

On-site material does not meet the fill requirements in Spec 31 20 11-4. The geotech report appears to provide different requirements for engineered fill / low-volume-change material (USCS GM or CL, liquid limit > 45, plasticity index > 23), acceptable beneath pavement areas and at depths greater than 24" below building finished grade. RFI #27 partially addresses this by deferring to the geotech report. (1) Should the 31 20 11-4 spec section or the geotech report recommendation be followed?

(2) Can on-site material be used for fill except for the 24" zones outlined in the geotech report?

On-site material may be used for general fill provided that: 1. It meets requirements in 31 20 11 and the Geotechnical Report (the Geotechnical Report governs when these two requirements are in conflict); 2. Testing reports are provided for materials used as fills to verify they meet the requirements above. Note: If onsite soils do not meet the specifications, the contractor shall be responsible for hauling in material from an offsite source approved by the government. Testing shall be submitted and approved prior to procurement.

SUMMARY:

Total: 35 RFIs + 1 formal substitution request = 36 entries.