Technical Questions - FINAL - St. Cloud Parking 8-26-2020.pdf

SOLICITATION # 36E77620B0006 CONSTRUCT PARKING STRUCTURE FOR PATIENT ACCESS - ST. CLOUD

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1. 7-31-20 8-21-20 We are requesting to use Record USA 8100 Series Automatic Doors as an approved equal.

Approved. Reference Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

2. 8-3-20 8-21-20 We are requesting to use Tubelite's T24650 Series storefront framing as an approved equal in lieu of Kawneer Trifab 601T.

Approved. Reference Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

3. 8-3-20 8-21-20 We are requesting to us DeSCo's i85 Series fixed simulated hung windows as an approved equal in lieu of EFCO's Series 6715 Hung Replica Fixed Window.

Approved. Reference Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

4. 8-14-20 8-21-20 Is this project tax exempt? If it is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

No, this is not exempt of sales tax. Contractors are required to pay sales and excise tax. Offerors shall include all applicable taxes in accordance with FAR By Reference Clause 52.229-3 “Federal, State and Local Taxes.”

5. 8-14-20 8-21-20 Does the contractor need to account for winter conditions costs or is the government planning on issuing a winter exclusion on this project?

There is no planned winter suspension in addition to the 487 calendar day period of performance.

The contractor may choose to pursue work during winter conditions, or build a work stoppage into their schedule.

6. 8-14-20 8-21-20 Can the Site Superintendent also function as the Quality Control Manager and the Site Safety and Health Officer?

Yes.

7. 8-14-20 8-21-20 With the COVID 19 issues, Construction Quality Management (CQM) training and certification courses may not be available. Can this requirement be waived?

Yes.

8. 8-14-20 8-21-20 Can the General Contractor provide the competent person (CP) or does it have to be the sub-contractor’s employee? See: 01 35 26 – 1.7 A: Each subcontractor shall designate a minimum of one CP in compliance with 29 CFR 1926.20 (b)(2) that will be identified as a CP to administer their individual safety programs.

The General Contractor can provide the CP for a subcontractor, provided they are knowledgeable and qualified to act as a CP for that trade. Also, must be familiar with the subcontractors individual safety program and have the authority to enforce it.

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9. 8-14-20 8-21-20 Can the Contractor Quality Control Specialists for each trade be an employee of the subcontractor performing the work?

Yes.

10. 8-17-20 8-21-20 There is no specification section number 07 18 00 - Waterproof Traffic Coatings. This is not typical for a structure such as this. In 07 18 00 we would typically see this as an application above occupied spaces as would occur at the basement roof (Ground level) between column lines 1 and 2 and E and F. Will there be a requirement for traffic coating in this area or others?

The top surface of each deck of the parking structure will have a traffic coating applied.

Reference Specification Section 071800 Traffic Coatings and Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

11. 8-17-20 8-21-20 There is no specification section number 07 19 00 – Water Repellents (This is typically used for extreme cold, moisture, and traffic salts). A penetrating sealer with a possible chloride and corrosion inhibitor is recommended to prevent long term damage to reinforcing within the slabs due to excessive salt corrosion. Not having a sealer in this climate is unusual in such an extreme climate as this. Will the owner be adding this specification to prevent long term damage and repairs?

Reference Specification Section 071916 Silane Water Repellent Sealer and Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002. Any concrete surface exposed to the exterior that is not covered with a Traffic Coating (per Section 071800) or an Elastomeric Coating (per Section 099723) should be covered with a penetrating water repellent sealer (ie. the concrete light pole bases on the ground level parking deck).

Concrete columns and walls on the basement level are to be fully painted white with the same paint that is used for the underside of the concrete deck. A corrosion inhibitor admixture is called out on the concrete mix schedule (5/S301) and is specified in Section 033000 Cast-In-Place Concrete.

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12. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Specification 079200 covers many conditions extensively to the point that some of the described conditions may not exist on site. The specifications do not seem to match what is on the drawings. There appears to me missing details with regard to waterproofing other than the sheet good and air barrier in other specification sections. Will the drawings be updated to reflect the verbiage of 07 92 00?

Reference Section 079200 Joint Sealants which has been revised and re-issued via Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

13. 8-17-20 8-21-20 07 92 00 Sealants - Page 3 para 1.6 B.1. There no dimensions are provided in the drawings for Control Joints in the Slab-On-Grade or Construction Joints in the elevated slabs, what spacing dimension and profile width are we to assume for SOG and elevated deck joints?

See S101A.SOG & S101B.SOG for e control joints requirements.

Contractor’s post-tensioning engineer to determine any pour breaks/construction joints.

14. 8-17-20 8-21-20 07 92 00 Sealants - No paragraph and no drawing details

- Typically, we see cove joints at crash wall, CMU wall, etc. to deck transitions. Are they there any and if so, what profile dimensions are desired?

See structural drawings for concrete joints.

15. 8-17-20 8-21-20 07 92 00 Sealants - Page 4 para 2.1 A. Exterior Sealants:

1. This does not list whether urethane or silicone sealants are preferred. Which is preferred?

Reference Section 079200 Joint Sealants which has been revised and re-issued via Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

Silicone sealants are preferred.

16. 8-17-20 8-21-20 09 95 00 Expansion Joint Assemblies - Drawings show an Emseal joint with elastomeric header material similar to Watson Bowman ME system with Wabocrete and on plan view mention a cover plate. This type of system does not require a cover plate. Does the owner wish to keep this cover plate? Keep in mind it is likely that a cover plate will be destroyed by snow removal efforts.

A cover plate is not required. Deck expansion joint to be as shown in detail 1 on Sheet A-314 (an elastomeric joint such as EMseal Thermoflex or equal.)

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QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

17. 8-17-20 8-21-20 07 95 00 Expansion Joint Assemblies – The Wall section details at basement to Ground level do not reflect an expansion joint system at stairwells (Towers). At 350’ plus in length, does the A/E and VA intend to isolate the towers with an expansion joint system in the ground level deck? If so, what would be the intended EJ system and or cover plate preference?

Per detail 9/S343, 2/S211 and 3/S211 ground level slab slides on tower walls away from shear walls.

18. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Is PVC waterstop required at all construction joints?

• Pg. S002 PVC Waterstop Section. Notes in this section indicate the use of PVC waterstop at all joints.

• Waterstop is not shown in any details except at the base of concrete walls around the elevator pit, 5,6,7/S302

Waterstops required only where indicated in the details.

19. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Typical Wheel Stop detail 3/S343

• Concerned with this detail holding up to freeze/thaw cycles during the winter. Dowel detail will work as a direct route for water/salt to enter into the concrete deck structure.

• Suggest maintaining the elevation of the deck equal to surrounding deck and change the installation design of the wheel stops. Please advise.

Contractor to bid detail as shown.

20. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Note 2, S101A & S101B, Top of footing = 1035’-6”

UNO.

• Are top of grade beams to be 1035’6” also?

Top of grade beam = 1035’-6”

21. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Reference S102A & S102A.R, Note, At Contractors Option: Construction Joint Orientation.

• Is the Engineer to provide pour breaks required (location of N/S construction joint) based on manufactures restrictions for maximum allowable distance tendons can be pulled in a single span. Please advise.

Contractor’s post-tensioning engineer to determine any pour breaks.

22. 8-17-20 8-21-20 What is the maximum required point loading on the 6” SOG areas?

Basement level slab on grade is designed for typical floor load.

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23. 8-17-20 8-21-20 What is the required material above the ground floor drainage system and below subbase directly below SOG.

• Note 1. On Detail 4/S301 States Provide 6” compacted drainage fill sub-base, UNO.

The manufacturer of the drainage storage system will govern for fill around their system.

24. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Please identify which members of the prime contractor and subcontractors will be required to obtain security badges.

All contractor members are required to have a badge while on site. If the employee will be on the site for more than 1 day, they need to obtain a PIV/Flash badge in accordance with spec 01 00 00 part 1.2 I. If it will only be for 1 day, they may check out a day badge from facilities management. Drivers delivering or hauling off materials only (not performing any other work at the site) are not required to have a badge.

25. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Will workers need to be screened for COVID before starting work each day?

All vehicles entering campus must pass through a screening checkpoint where they will be asked some basic questions. If they have any symptoms or possible exposure, they are directed to a secondary screening checkpoint for further evaluation.

26. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Quality spec 01 45 00 reads that the project superintendent is also the QC system manager. Can the project superintendent also serve as the SSHO, if qualified?

Yes.

27. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Page 7 & 8 of spec 01 45 00 list multiple specialized members of the Quality Control organization. Which of these members are required for this project?

All of these members are required, except for the Commissioning Agent/LEED Specialist. These members need not be physically present during all work of their trade, but observe elements of the work frequently enough to ensure compliance with this specification. Requirement for a degreed environmental engineer and QC manager may also be waived in lieu of 10+ years of experience performing this role.

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28. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Sheet CG101 includes a grading wall detail, however we do not find grading walls on the drawings. Where does this detail apply?

This retaining wall detail on sheet CG101 will be removed from the plans.

29. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Keynote G1/CU101 requires the contractor to hire the gas utility company to relocate the gas line. Please identify this utility company.

Xcel Energy is the utility company that owns this line.

30. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Water line is shown to be demolished on sheet CD101.

Bidders need details as to how it is to be left/terminated.

The termination of the waterline shall be cut and capped with mechanical restrained joint.

31. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Parking spaces are shown in the temporary parking lot to the west. Is this gravel lot expected to be striped?

No striping is required in the gravel area – lines are shown for reference only. Contractor to provide fence posts and rope line to delineate a vehicle stop for the island spaces only.

32. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Who pays for the storm water permit? The VA will pay the NPDES construction stormwater permit application fee.

33. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Please confirm aggregate base course is not required under sidewalks per detail on CS502.

Sidewalk shall include 4” of Class 5 base per MnDOT standard specifications.

34. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Please provide an existing paving cross-section for the pavement to the north of the new garage were the power and fiber must be trenched.

Reference the existing pavement sections attachment and Addendum Cover Page posted with this Amendment 0002.

35. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Planting note 5/LP501 requires regular tree root ball watering for two summers. Please confirm the project’s maintenance period for plantings ends after acceptance at the end of the project.

Correct, the maintenance period for plantings will not extend beyond project acceptance.

36. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Asbestos report section 5.1.3 states the asbestos roofing materials are category 1 and do not required abatement before demolition, however table #1 in appendix B lists them as category 2 and requiring abatement. Please clarify which asbestos containing materials found during the survey require abatement before demolition.

The roofing materials are category 1 as stated in the report section 5.1.3. Disregard the mention of category 2 in table #1 of appendix B, that is incorrect.

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37. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Specifications call for a delegated design for the masonry. Drawings appear to have the masonry design included. Please confirm what additional design is required, if any, for the masonry.

No delegated design required.

38. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Specifications call for a delegated design for the structural steel connections. Drawings appear to have the steel connections design included. Please confirm what additional design is required, if any, for the structural steel.

No delegated design required.

39. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Keynote 3/PP103 requires an insulated enclosure for a floor sink. Is this intended to be something prefabricated or built in place? If built in place, what materials are to be used and how shall it be finished?

Either option is acceptable. Generally, wood framed with brushed aluminum exterior.

40. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Is the spraying of paint at both interior and exterior allowed?

For the purposes of bidding, spray application is not allowed per spec.

41. 8-17-20 8-21-20 The exposed underside of concrete deck and beams within the basement level requires painting as per the lower level reflected ceiling plan. Do the exposed mechanical and electrical items attached to the ceiling require painting as well?

No, the exposed mechanical and electrical items will not be painted. Paint the underside of the deck prior to installation of the mechanical and electrical items. The concrete columns and walls on the lower level parking deck are to be painted as well. Factory painted fire alarm and low voltage conduits are still required.

42. 8-17-20 8-21-20 ABAA testing for the air barrier is specified. This particular brand of testing is extremely expensive. Will the VA consider eliminating ABAA testing in lieu of a local independent testing agency?

Yes, a local independent testing agency is acceptable to test the air barrier.

43. 8-17-20 8-21-20 Will there be road restrictions on the VA campus during wet spring conditions, or any other time, that will prevent transport of heavy equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, cranes, cement trucks, etc.?

VA does not enforce any road restrictions locally.

MnDOT seasonal load limits would govern heavy transport to and from the campus.

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