36E77620R0001-0003001.docx

1. Are deduct alternates a part of this project?

No. Deduct alternates have been removed from this project. Please disregard any items refering to deduct alternates. Deduct alternates shall not be bid on.

2. Sheet EY501 calls for workstation "Pelco WS 5080". Is this still current?

No. The Pelco WS 5080 shall not be used for this project. The Aimetis Symphony Enterprise Video Management System shall be used. The Aimetis Symphony Enterprise Video Management System shall be installed by an Aimetis certified dealer/integrator.

3. There is a spec for titled resinous cove base, but descried as the floor and cove. Can we assume that 09 67 23.20 is the spec for RES-2?

Yes, section 09 67 23.20 is the Spec for RES-2. RES-2 is the VA designation for resinous and epoxy flooring and integral cove base and equates to flooring type EPY on the finish schedules and plans. Similarly, spec section 096723.50 is the spec section for RES-5, which is the VA designation for terrazzo flooring and applies to TER-1 and TER-2 on the finish schedules and plans.

4. Can we assume RES-2 is equivalent to EPY?

Yes, see answer to number 3.

5. Is the subsurface prep applied on an as needed basis for leveling purposes-- what areas will receive a trowel down cementitious urethane coating as specified under 09 05 16- Subsurface Prep?

Yes, the floor leveling noted in Section 09 05 16 is to be applied on an as needed basis to meet the installation requirements of each designated flooring type. Trowel down coating should be removed from the specs and all floor leveling required should be self-leveling. All surfaces are to be tested for moisture and PH per the specs, and remediation applied as required.

6. Is the contractor or government responsible for private utility fees? If it is contractor responsibility, is there an allowance amount that we are to include in our bid for bid purposes?

The Contractor is responsible for utility fees and these fees should be included within the bid amount under their appropriate divisions.

7. May the project site be accessed from Wolcott Street?

Yes. Coordination and any requirements (ie. Jersey barriers, security fencing, signage, etc.) shall be required, of the contractor, with the City of Providence. Perimeter security fencing shall be maintained and any modifications for construction shall be approved by the VA.

8. Is there a specific haul route preferred for construction traffic?

No, there is no specific haul route preferred for construction traffic. However, this is an active hospital which at times may require alternate haul routing. This should be bid accordingly.

9. Is a construction entrance required?

Yes. A gated construction entrance is shown on sheet CD101. All construction entrances shall have construction access as detailed in RIDOT Standard 9.9.0

10. I would like to confirm that in the specifications on page 1855, 2.2 Security Management Systems (SMS), it states the SMS will be a Johnson Controls P2000 and a new SMS is not required. Being a new buildout, is this system something your already purchased or will this new building be connected to an existing building? Will an equivalent to Johnson Controls be acceptable?

The Providence VAMC’s existing Security Management System (SMS) is Johnson Controls P2000. The new building will be connected by the Contractor through the campus fiber optic cable via the connection at existing Building 32. An equivalent to Johnson Controls is not acceptable.

11. The spec calls for a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty but does not indicate the required wind speed coverage. Please verify the required warranty wind speed coverage.

See sheet SS-001 for design wind speeds.

12. The spec calls for adhered 90-mil non-reinforced EPDM membrane, however both 45-mil and 60-mil thickness would qualify for the specified 10-year warranty. Please verify if 90-mil membrane thickness is required.

Yes, a 90-mil thickness is required.

13. Regarding Ground Improvements: Sheet CP101 states “ground improvements within building footprint. refer to geotechnical report.” The project specifications include section 31 66 13 Ground Improvement System… which references aggregate piers. Is it the intent to utilize a deep foundation style ground improvement system for the building subgrade preparation? And is the engineering and design of the system is the responsibility of the sub/installer specialty contractor?

Ground improvement will be required for building subgrade preparation. Per section 31 66 13, the design, furnishing, testing and installing of the Ground Improvement System is the responsibility of the GC and their subs/specialty contractors. Multiple options were reviewed during the design phase for feasibility, but the final design is to be by the Ground Improvement contractor, meeting the performance criteria outlined in the specs and drawings. Aggregate piers are one option that meet the criteria, but the design is not limited to aggregate piers.

14. Specification 31 66 13 -11 includes 8.3.14.A. Basis of Payment. Is this breakdown required as part of our cost proposal? If so, is it to be included in CLIN 001 or priced separately?

This breakdown is required as part of the cost proposal. This breakdown is part of Division 31 - Earthwork and as such is to be included in CLIN 0001 - Base Bid Offer.

15. Specification 09 06 00 -5 lists Fiber cement panels under 2.6 Division 7. We are unable to locate a requirement for this product. Where these panels are to be installed on the project?

Fiber cement panels were a deduct alternate and are not to be installed. Deduct alternates were removed from this project.

16. Refer to 2.7 Proposal Requirements, B. Proposal Format, c. Volume II Price under #1 where it states Volume II can only be 3 pages. This section also states in #4 that amendments do not count towards the page count. The SF 1442 is 2 pages, and the A.3 Price Schedule is 1 page, so that totals 3 pages, excluding amendments. However, to comply with B. Proposal Format, item (a) stating that each volume must be labeled and have the Offer’s organization, business address, and VA solicitation number, we had planned to put a cover. This cover would make the PDF file 4 pages, excluding the amendments. Can the cover be excluded from the page count for Volume II?

Yes, Cover pages can be excluded from the page count

17. Refer to sheets AF700 & AF701 Equipment Plans- Item 8 in the Schedule – Bookshelf @ All Offices. This item is shown as Owner supplied and Owner installed but also says Deduct Alternate? We do not see this in the bid schedule and there are no Item 8’s shown on these drawings. Please clarify Deduct Alternates have been removed from the project. As such, all offices shall be provided with built-in book shelfs by the contractor, as indicated on the floor plans (AE100A and AE101A) and detail F3/AE520.

18. Refer to sheet AE520 Interior Details- Detail F1- Tall Cabinet. A reference is made to sheet AE111 but there are no F1 -tall cabinets shown on this drawing nor on the Floor Plans / Equipment Plan Drawings. Please Clarify See interior elevations for locations of all Detail F1/AE520 tall cabinets.

19. Refer to sheet AE100A & AE101A- Item F4 in the schedule – Provide Wall Mounted Shelves. There are no F4- Shelves shown on these drawings nor in the Floor Plans / Equipment Plan Drawings. Please Clarify See sheets AE100A and AE101A for location of all shelves indicated by the F4 tag. These are typically located in storage closets. For example, storage room 021.

20. Is electrical work to be priced and performed in accordance with 2017 National Electric Code(NEC)?

Yes, The drawings were designed and stamped under the 2017 NEC.

21. Are Speakers required in the basement area?

Yes, Fire Alarm speaker/strobes are required on all levels as shown on the Fire Alarm plans.

In addition, speakers for paging/communication should be located in all corridors, staff areas and waiting areas on all levels. This will be clarified in an addendum, but the following should be accounted for:

- speakers ever 20' max in the basement, first floor and penthouse corridors

- one speaker in each staff room, including: PRRC Cubes 012, Staff lounge 032, Communication Center 102, RC Cubes 111, Cubicles 121 and Meeting Room 122

- one speaker in waiting 005 (waiting 102 will be serviced from the corridor speakers)

22. Is the 2.2KVA APC smart UPS units to be included as part of Division 27 00 00?

Yes, this should be included as part of division 27

23. Regarding the Price Schedule on page 6 of the RFP. Do the Divisions listed on the Schedule need to total to the CLIN 0001 value? i.e. Labor plus Materials = Subtotal and all of the Subtotals added equal the bid price?

No, Labor and materials subtotals do not need to equal the overall proposal price.

24. Tree grates are called for in the Specification 09 06 00 finish schedule but none are shown on the plans. Where should they be installed? How many are needed?

There are (2) new granite curb planters in the project, as shown in detail F7/C502. Tree grates were removed from the project and replaced with planters as shown in this detail.