36E77619B0020-0003001.pdf

36E77619B0020 Cleveland, OH EXPAND PATIENT PARKING GARAGE

36E77619B0020 Cleveland, OH EXPAND PATIENT PARKING GARAGE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET

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1. 10/31/2019 10/31/2019 Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

Bid all applicable taxes.

2. 10/31/2019 11/19/2019 Can the VA provide the name of the original contractor who completed the original garage design? As well as the elevator?

The project was a design/build performed by Carl

Walker Construction. Elevator manufacturer was

Otis. This response is for information only and does not indicate a requirement for bidding.

3. 11/01/2019 11/05/2019 Drawings A420 and A421 refer to deduct alternate 03, however the solicitation/specifications denote

Alternates B, C, D, and E. Please confirm alternate 3 deduct.

Regarding Alternates B, C, D, and E. Those are the Spec

Paragraph Markers not the Alternate Numbers.

Deduct Alternates are labeled correctly as 01, 02, 03…etc

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4. 11/01/2019 11/19/2019 Drawing S-301 notes the requirements for the repair of existing concrete. The current bid documents do not quantify, does not provide perameters regarding what conditions/dimensions are deemed to require repair versus not, nor do the current bid documents designate specifically which existing garage level(s) require repairs. Please specify which level(s) interested bidders should include with pricing. Please also provide specific quantities and measurements for each section that requires repair. If the Government is not willing to provide these specifics then we respectfully request that the Government provide approximate measurements with which contractor's should consider damaged and also provide the opportuntiy for interested bidders to attend another site visit (after specific level(s) are determined in writing to interested bidders) to field measure damaged concrete during a time that the parking garage is fairly empty if contractors are to repair areas that would be covered by parked motor vehicles.

Sheet S-301 will be updated to reflect the required repair types and quantify an amount of repair to be performed.

See attached Addendum.

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5. 11/01/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 01 00 00-32 Section 1.26 VA Tririga

CPMS: The point of contact referenced in the specification section was contacted today and informed us that this requirement is outdated by approximately 3 years. Point of contact informed us that when the Department of Veterans Affairs utilizes the Tririga CPMS system access is provided and paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Does the Government intend to utilize this system for this project? If so, will the Government provide access to the Contractor, will there be training provided prior to issuance of NTP, and will the

Government provide this access throughout the duration of the contract at no cost to the Contractor? If the Government intends to utilize this system and will not provide access at no cost to the Contractor, please provide the exact cost and duration of each license so that this cost can be incorporated in the base bid. Also, if possible, please provide information and standard instructions so that Contractors can become familiar with requirements prior to bid as the website provided is not operating.

Tririga will not be used on this project.

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6. 11/01/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 01 35 26-12 Section 1.7 SSHO & CP: This section specifically subparagraph C requires, "the SSHO has to be a separate qualified individual from the Prime Contractor's Superintendent and/or

Quality Control Manger with duties only as the SSHO."

Please confirm that the VA is requiring a fulltime individual that is seperate from the superintendent/QC to be dedicated to the safety of this project only at all times while work is being performed throughout the duration of the contract.

The Prime’s project superintendent can also be the SSHO. They do not need to be separate people.

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7. 11/01/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 01 45 00 Section 3.4 Quality Control

Organization: This section specifically subparagraph

B QCQ System Managers required to be a graduate engineer, graduate architect, or a graduate of a construction management. Further, the completion of the

Navy's QCQ class is a requirement for the

QC. Also specialized personnel are required to assist the

QCQ Manager for electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, environmental, architectual, materials technicain submittals clerk, Commissioning

Agent/LEED specialist, and low voltage systems. These individuals or specified technical companies are directly employed by the General Contractor and cannot be employed by a supplier or subcontracttor on this project amongst other notes in these sections. Preperatory meetings etc are also referenced in all of these sections to be held by the QCQ.

Verbiage in all of these sections to include the SSHO section are requirements on $10 to $20M projects for USACE with durations upwards of 2 years. Please confirm that the VA is requiring all of these requirements for a QC/Superintendent for this project so that Contractors can plan to staff this project as the specs are currently written.

Section 3.4 Paragraph B has some redundant language and outdated acronyms. Section should read, “The CQC System Manager is required to have 10 years construction experience on construction similar to the scope of this Contract.”

We will not require specialized personnel in the following fields; Civil, Mechanical, electrical, Architectural, Environmental, Submittals, TAB, and Design QCM. However, given the nature of the project and the specialized construction methods, a specialized structural and concrete/pavement/soils personnel should be retained. While it is recommended the CQC manager have taken the CQM for Construction course, we can waive the requirement.

See attached Addendum..

8. 11/02/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 32 31 13 Chain Link Fences & Gates - This spec section is listed in the Table of Contents, however, no specification section exists. Please provide spec section for 32 31 13.

Refer to section 32 31 40 High Security Fence &

Gates

32 31 13 is not part of the project.

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9. 11/02/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 01 90 00 General Commissioning

Requirements - Will the Government contract direct with a Commissioning Agent or should the Contractor include the cost to provide a 3rd party Commissioning

Agent?

There is no contractor requirement for commissioning on this project.

10. 11/02/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 01 00 00: 1.24 Photographic

Documentation - VA specifications has never included these stringent photographic requirements in its minor projects.

Please confirm that this specification section is required. If this specification is applicable we inquire about subparagraph E."Contractor shall provide all on-line domain/web hosting, security measures, and redundant server back-up of the documentation". Please provide specifically how the VA would like to access. We are aware that the VA cannot accept documents by web-based filesharing systems such as Dropbox, etc. We are aware that the VA cannot accept flashdrives. Please advise as to what website/program is secure the the

Government to utilize to access photographs so that the required commercial photographer can include the costs for Government access.

This section is not required.

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11. 11/04/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 01 00 00: 1.12 Contractor Field Office -

Please advise where the VA will permit the

Contractor required field office trailer. This information is needed in order to plan for and include the cost of trailer, mobilization, as well as the the required internet and telephones that the specifications require. Telephone and internet providers are asking specifically where the trailer will sit so that service can be estimated and provided.

See sheet AD100 Level 4 Demolition Key Plan for approximate area of contractor field office.

Exact location will be determined prior to construction by the COR. Contractor field office should be

8’x20’ in order to fit generally within a parking space

12. 11/05/2019 11/19/2019 Please provide the original drawings/shop drawings of the existing elevator.

Drawings are not available.

13. 11/05/2019 11/19/2019 Table of Contents lists specification sections 27, 28, and

32. There are no specification sections for these 3 divisions. Please advise.

Spec sections to be provided.

14. 11/05/2019 11/19/2019 Drawing E001

Electrical General Notes (6) say all conduit size shall be

3/4". Rigid gal. steel or EMT?

RGS

15. 11/05/2019 11/05/2019 If by chance the bid date is extended and additional and/or modified spec sections are published we respectfully request that the Government extend the RFI deadline to allow interested bidders to ask clarifying questions if needed.

The government does not anticipate any extensions, however as stated during the Site

Visit, questions may be submitted after the

Technical Questions deadline. These questions will be reviewed, but the VA makes no commitment to providing answers to these questions. Interested offerors should still submit clarifying questions at any point during the solicitation period. The VA may provide an official response to those questions received after

November 7th, 2019 as time and resources permit.

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16. 11/06/2019 11/19/2019 Can the VA provide the name of the Pre-Caster that performed on the previous contract for this garage?

The original project was a design/build performed by Carl Walker Construction. Pre-Cast

Architectural panels provided by North American

Cast Stone. This response is for information only and does not indicate a requirement for bidding.

17. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Can the superintendent act as the full-time Safety

Representative is his qualifications match the criteria outlined in specification section 013526?

Yes

18. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Specification 014529-6 Subpart 1B indicated that concrete will be measured for levelness and flatness of the deck. We do not believe this specification is intended for a parking structure, where slopes to drains need to be attained. Please advise.

Correct, the slabs slope to drains; however, the sloping slab will require a uniform slope within these requirements.

19. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Structural drawings imply a one-way slab and beam system matching existing structure. Plan note defines structure as 2-way slab. Please Clarify

The 2-way slab symbol is incorrect. It is a 1-way slab span with a bottom mat in each direction for temperature and shrinkage.

See attached Addendum.

20. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Plan note referenced above calls for #4@12” each way at bottom implying continuous reinforcing. Section 12/S-

300 reinforcing is not continuous. Please clarify.

The reinforcement may be continuous through the column but is not required. Minimum requirements shall be detailed to detail 12/S-300

21. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Should section 12/S-300 be used for slab top bar lengths.

Yes, plus the epoxy factor on S-001.

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22. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Plan temperature tendons at spaced 2’-0 on center provide 280 psi compression. Section 3/S-302 calls for

100 psi. Please clarify.

The detail is mislabeled. The plan is correct, detail and space according to the plan.

23. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 General notes call for 2” cover for PT. Slab profiles call for 1-1/2”. Please Clarify.

The cover shall be 1” min. The 1.5 notation is an example in the notes. Provide the CG locations based on the plan.

24. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Please clarify if waterproofing requirements around pit demolition per 7/AD102.

The existing pit is not being demolished. No waterproofing requirements.

25. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 4” expansion joint is called out. Please clarify if this the as-built gap at erection?

Yes, this is correct.

26. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Stair landing slab to be removed is post-tensioned. Will alternate approaches be considered?

We are not removing a post-tensioned slab. Only a steel framed metal deck.

27. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019

Slope to drains is less than generally recommended.

Please confirm as correct.

Slopes match existing garage

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28. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Floor drains do not match locations of floor drains in existing. Please confirm as correct.

M104 shows where the new floor drains are to be installed. Existing floor drawings were not shown on any mechanical sheets because they are remaining as-is. The sanitary riser is to be extended to the 4th floor and the new drains are to run into the sanitary riser as shown on detail 1 on sheet M501.

29. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Detail 8/S305, beam/girder construction joint location does not correlate with pt@ c.g. of p.t. crossing beam/girder neutral axis. Please confirm as correct.

This detail should only be used for cast-in-place beams/walls. The only location this will apply is along Grid ‘nA’ and grid ‘nD’. The post-tensioned beams shall be cast continuously without a construction joint.

30. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019

A crack repair allowance or quantity is not included.

Please provide one for bid purposes.

See response to RFI 4.

31. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 A Repair scope for the existing construction is not defined by plans, specifications, or notes. Please clarify pricing expectations regarding repair of existing issues.

See response to RFI 4.

32. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Specification calls for use of calcium nitrite. What dosage is required?

Provide 2%

33. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Typical construction requires minimum of 2 levels of shores. Confirm existing third level was designed for extra load capacity to not require shoring below third level.

Construction shoring requirements shall be a means and methods decision by the contractor.

However, contractor shall not remove more than

132 parking spaces from service at any time.

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34. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Please confirm location and extent of dowelling into tops of existing columns does not risk compromising the anchorage of the existing column reinforcing.

We recommend ground penetrating radar to verify the location of rebar. Alternatively, remove the top few inches of concrete to verify location of reinforcement and dowel accordingly.

35. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Please clarify structural frame concrete strength as 4,500 psi.

This is correct.

36. 11/07/2019 11/19/2019 Please clarify epoxy coated rebar is not required.

Yes, all conventional reinforcement should be epoxy coated.

37. * 11/08/2019 11/19/2019 The drawings have the sign layouts and locations but no material specs or mounting details. there is no spec section for signage. can we reach out and see if we can get additional information?

Spec Section will be provided.

38. 11/19/2019 11/19/2019 I want to bring to your attention that on the beta.SAM.gov website, it is indicated that there are 29

“Interested Vendors”. When going through the List of

Interested Vendors, only vendors 1 thru 10 are listed.

Even as you select the next page of Vendors, it only lists the same Vendors that were listed on Page 1 of 3. This is an important tool when trying to get subcontractor coverage. Could you provide the complete List of

Interested Vendors?

The VA has officially published the Site Visit

Sign-In sheet via Amendment 0001. We have no interaction with or responsibility to the “interested vendors” list you referenced on the SAM site.

Please see Amendment 0001.

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39. 11/19/2019 There seems to be a few Specification Sections missing.

Please provide Specifications for the following:

Cold Formed Metal Framing as indicated on

Drawing A410

¾” Cement Board Soffit Panel as indicated on

Drawing A410

Schedule of Finishes 090600 as referenced by other Specifications.

40. 11/20/2019 RFI #14 in amendment #2 asks “Electrical General Notes

(6) say all conduit size shall be 3/4". Rigid gal. steel or

EMT?”. RFI response #14 in amendment #2 simply states RGS as a response. The question is confusing because the note actually says “All conduits shall be sized and in accordance with NFPA 70 and project specifications. All conduits shall be a minimum of ¾” unless otherwise noted”. Is the response of “RGS” to mean that the minimum requirement of ¾” only applies to RGS? Or is it to mean that all conduits shall be RGS?

If it is to mean that all conduits shall be RGS, this would contradict the specifications. Spec section 260533 – 8,

3.3 (A) states “3.3 CONCEALED WORK

INSTALLATION A. In Concrete: 1. Conduit: Rigid steel, IMC, or EMT. Do not install EMT in concrete slabs that are in contact with soil, gravel, or vapor barriers.” The concrete will not be in contact with any of these. Can you please clarify the requirements for conduit types?

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41. 11/20/2019 The riser diagram on drawing E401 Detail #9 shows that

Panel LP1A, XFMR T2, and Panel RP1A are new with new feeders. However, drawing E304 states that these are existing as well as E501 panel schedules. Is this equipment supposed to be new or is it existing? If they are existing, are they to be refed per the riser diagram?

Please clarify.

42. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 Is there a Specification for the Perforated Metal Panel

System of the exterior of the Parking Garage? Is there a

Basis of Design? Can we substitute a different system? Can we submit a substitute system to support the Metal Panels?

Specification 05 50 00 covers the Perforated

Metal Panel System. There is no basis of design.

No. No.

43. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 What previsions have been allowed for closing of the parking garage structure below the expansion during the reshore process? We anticipate reshoring to grade for approximately 4-6 weeks during construction.

Contractor may not remove more than 132 parking spaces from service during construction period. Access to stairways, entrances, and exits must be maintained during construction within reason.

44. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 Who will be responsible for sidewalk closure during construction? Will this have to be coordinated with the

VA or local municipality?

Contractor must work with the City of Cleveland and VA Police services for sidewalk closures.

COR will assist with coordination.

45. 11/21/2019 Specification 051213 Architecturally Exposed Structural

Steel (AESS) is included in the Specifications. There is no indication of AESS on any of the Drawings. What is the Extent of AESS?

46. 11/21/2019 It is going to be necessary to remove the existing trees and plantings on the south side of the Garage to facilitate the new construction. It will be very difficult to replace the trees with ones of the same size. For bidding purposes can you please provide a planting schedule for the area to be disturbed.

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47. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 Specs mention Lightweight aggregate/ concrete multiple times, can you tell me what or where is the lightweight concrete?

There is no lightweight concrete on this project

48. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 Specs mention fibers, both synthetic & steel, can you tell me what mixes have fiber and which fiber?

There is no requirement for steel/synthetic fiber

49. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 Specs mention bonding admixture, can you tell me where the bonding agent is needed?

Bonding admixture is not required, but is recommended at grout filled pocket locations

50. 11/21/2019 11/25/2019 Addendum #2, there was mention of calcium nitrate admixture of 2% dosage rate. I have seen this mentioned in specs many times and never used. Is this additive actually necessary, if so for what mixes?

Calcium Nitrite admixture is used as a corrosion inhibitor. It would be used in all concrete mixes

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