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QUESTION #
QUESTION RECEIVE
DATE
QUESTION ANSWERED
DATE
| CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS |
| VA RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS |
| 1 |
| 7/29/20 |
| 8/3/20 |
| SF 1442 Block 8 states that we should send our proposal to the Address listed, Section (2.7 Proposal Requirements) says that we should submit our proposal via email to your email address. |
Please confirm that the proposal is to be submitted via email and not mailed physically.
Proposals will need to be submitted via email. Physical copies will not be accepted at this time. Please submit all proposals to jason.schultz@va.gov.
| 2 |
| 7/30/20 |
| 8/3/20 |
| For some reason there are three individual pages in the drawings that appear to be corrupt, or not uploaded correctly in SAM. |
1.C101 Potable Water (first page of the file “Drawings 3 of 8) 2.C301 Sanitary Sewer (first page of the file “Drawings 4 of 8) 3.C502 Surface Restoration Plan (second page of the file “Drawings 6 of 8) Attached are the 3 drawings:
| 3 |
| 7/3/20 |
| 8/3/20 |
| Is there a Drawing 8 of 8 that can/will be included? The solicitation has Drawings 1 thru 7 of 8. |
| Drawing 8 of 8 has been posted to Amendment 0001 |
| 4 |
| 8/10/20 |
| 8/14/20 |
| The amendment SF 30’s indicate that the contractor is required to sign and return one copy to the issuing office. In which proposal volume shall we include signed SF 30’s |
| The signed amendment shuld be included in Volume III |
| 5 |
| 8/14/20 |
| 8/14/20 |
| Provide job yard and laydown area per attached sketch “692-16-101 Job yard and laydown area”. |
| Attached is the Job laydown area pdf |
| 6 |
| 8/17/20 |
| 8/17/20 |
| There were several locations shown during walk-thru that discussed trees being in the way, as well as a new duct bank that had been placed since the design was complete. Can you provide more information? |
| A group of trees exists over the storm drain at B202; this will require trenchless methods not shown in drawings. A new duct bank was installed near CC201 (east of B201) which requires the extension of the planned trenchless construction to the west (under the new ductbank). A sewer line goes under a noble spruce in the memorial garden that is important to the facility to save; this will require trenchless methods (whereas the plans show trenched methods). To ensure that these are addressed, and to allow for one additional instance not yet determined, provide 800 additional lineal feet of trenchless methods with up to 4 distinct run locations. This would be in lieu of said lengths being otherwise trenched. |
| The RFP shows no removal of any existing site improvements for the retaining pond construction however, there may be fencing and other driving range related construction in the area. Is the contractor required to remove any existing fencing or other structures not shown on the drawings and if so, what, where and how many? |
| There are 10 wood poles (telephone poles) and netting which all needs to be removed from site. The location of these coincides with the extents of pond excavation. This area was an old driving range and the potential for finding thousands of golf balls being at and below surface is certain. |
| Page 32 of 58 of the RFP, Para. 4.2, FAR 52.211-10, Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984) states 620 calendar days to complete the work after the receipt of notice to proceed. Questions: What triggers the Notice to Proceed (NTP) and when will the VA issue NTP? We request NTP be issued one week prior to mobilization onto the site to start construction. Is this acceptable? |
| Issuance of NTP will be coordinated with Post Award Contracting Officer and COR following award. Within 10 calendar days after NTP issuance, contractor shall begin contract performance and complete the entire work ready for use within 620 calendar days after receipt of notice to proceed. |
| General Conditions 010000-1.6, F. Limits the use of tools and equipment which transmits vibrations and noises through building structures. The pipe bursting method of trenchless installation will most likely transmit vibrations to structures and will also exceed the decibel rating identified in Temporary Environmental Control Section 015719-1.5E. Same goes for the bore and jack trenchless method. Will exceptions to these specifications be allowed? And if not, how is the contractor to accomplish the work as specified? |
| Reasonable exceptions will be made for pipe bursting, and bore and jack trenchless methods. Coordination of timing with VA is required to accommodate facility populations and equipment sensitive to such noises and vibrations. |
| The phasing plan has trenchless construction runs between 2 different phases which this method of installation is not constructible in split phase between runs. In order to construct we would be in violation of the phasing plan work limits. Please adjust phasing plan or method(s) of installation. We assume contractors will be allowed to work across phasing lines to accomplish parts of the project as necessary to complete pipe runs and systems. Is this correct and if not, how will the phasing plan or method(s) of installation be adjusted? |
| Where interaction of construction (trenchless or trenched) at phase extents violates the phasing work plan limits, Contractors are allowed to work across phasing lines to accomplish parts of the project as necessary to complete pipe runs and systems. However, the staging in drawings C601 through C610 shall be maintained. Where interaction of phases occur at different times, the Contractor is permitted to defer some restoration until the final disruption of the affected multiple phase interface is complete. Never-the-less, the localized area that the Contractor needs to re-visit in another phase must be left neat and fully usable until the full restoration at the final disturbance for each affected interface. |
| General Conditions 010000-1.6(L) allows the contractor to have one-way traffic on the roads, with approval. There are instances where one-way traffic will be unobtainable. A specific instance of this will be on Kelly Road during the Water Line installation. If an acceptable Detour is in place will a complete shutdown of roads also be allowable? |
| Yes, if acceptable detours are in place, certain roadways in which one-way traffic is unobtainable will be allowed. Acceptable detours may entail temporary roadways by the Contractor. Refer to requirements in specifications. |
| Section 312011, 1.4, B. describes what rock excavation is. We assume rock as described will be considered a change condition and additional compensation will be available to the contractor. Is this correct and if not, what amount/days/equipment of rock removal should contractors include in their proposal? |
| Rock, as classified in 31 20 11/1.4.B, unless shown in drawings or geotechnical reports made part of the solicitation package and addenda, will be covered under VAAR 852.243-70 “CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGES—SUPPLEMENT (SEP 2019)”. |
| The Specification Section 312011-1.4, B. methods of the rock removal as described will be in violation of the decibel ratings stated in the Temporary Environmental Control Section. Would this work be considered an exception and if not, how is the contractor to proceed through rock? |
| Shovel, backhoe or similar power excavators are acceptable for rock removal. |
| The PBS Geotech Engineering Report dated 04/21/17 only provides 3 bore holes that are near one another at Bldgs. 225 & 226 and PBS’s 12/05/19 infiltration report test pits are in the golf driving range area. This project will require excavating around the entire campus. Is there any more geotechnical information available besides those 3 Bldg. 225 bore holes and two driving range test pits? |
| Geotechnical conditions throughout VA SORCC facility are challenging. During dry periods with inactive irrigation, the top layer (up to 2 feet) can be hard clay. During inclement weather or any condition introducing moisture (irrigation, standing water or other scenarios), the top layer can be mucky and sticky. Below the top layer, a layer of cobbles (sometimes “cemented”) persists at most locations throughout the facility, to an unknown depth. Standing water beginning at 2 to 5 feet below surface is not unusual during wet periods. |
| Section 31 23 19 Dewatering. Additional information regarding the water table and permeability of existing material is needed to figure the proper dewatering needs on the project if we are to comply with dewatering specification of lowering static ground water 1 foot below excavation. Has any draw down tests been performed with monitoring wells? If that information is not available, what should contractors base their dewatering plans and operations on? |
| The ground is not very permeable 2 to 3 feet below grade, yet becomes mucky in the top layer under rainy conditions. Turf areas are often mushy in the wintertime due to rain, and in the summer time due to irrigation. VA will work with Contractor on irrigation schedules to the extent possible. No draw down tests with monitoring wells have been performed. Dewatering means and methods are by the Contractor. VA will accept dewatering to the bottom of trenches prior to setting pipe bedding in lieu of a foot below excavation prior to excavation. Trench stabilization, benching and shoring is by Contractor. |
| There are some trenchless installation methods shown on the plans which will require bypass pumping or temporary facilities to facilitate the work. Typical bypass pumping will include plugging upstream manhole and bypassing to the next downstream manhole or access point with above ground pipe or hoses. What provisions have been made in the plans were bypass pumping is needed when the utility is to be installed under a building? How would the government like the contractor to maintain sanitary sewer function during pipe bursting and replacement under structures and tunnels? |
| Means and methods of bypass piping to meet the specification is by the Contractor. That said, VA has seen instances of rigid piping being routed crosswise through tunnels via the foundation vents from outside (this is acceptable if vents are put back to original condition). VA would allow Contractor coring of concrete stem walls (below grade) as a path for bypass piping provided that the core(s) are patched when bypass is complete. If Contractor means and methods include working within the tunnels, most tunnels are asbestos regulated and the Contractor will need to use appropriate PPE. All access to and from regulated areas shall be from the exterior directly, without entering or coming from an interior space. |
| What is the peak flow rate of the existing 12” sanitary sewer to be replaced? Flows are needed to size bypass pumping equipment. |
| Presume 80% full at peak periods. |
| Asphalt Paving Specification 321216-3.5(B) mentions applying the specified prime coat, and tack coat where required. The standard detail for Asphalt Pavement section makes no mention of a Prime Coat. Is a prime coat required over aggregate prior to asphalt paving? |
| Yes. |
| There are large established tree drip lines that are in the path of some of the indicated pipe runs. Excavating near these trees as indicated will likely kill them. What is the contractor to do in these instances? Will the routing be re-designed to stay away from trees or does the VA understand that some loss of trees may occur? |
| Generally, this is known to occur at B202 and a noble spruce in the memorial garden, for which a previous answer addresses by use of trenchless methods. The specification addresses tree loss. Careful excavation, particularly at major roots, will be required near trees. |
| Does the VA do its own underground locating for projects at this facility or is it the responsibility of the contractor? |
| The Contractor is required to perform all utility locates. Those locates shall use ground penetrating radar (GPR) in addition to traditional non-destructive methods. Located utilities that are not in physical conflict with work shall be worked around, and do not count against the allowances provided in Section 01 00 00, 1.10, E or additional period of performance. |
| There are many inclined concrete ramps which the underground utilities will be crossing under/through which will need to be cut out, removed, and replaced. These are only called out as concrete on the surface restoration plan. These inclined ramps have varying degrees of handrails/guardrails on them, many of which, do not meet current standards. Will the entire rail need to be replaced, or is it acceptable to just cut and remove and reuse the rail necessary to install the utility? Are there any details or specifications for this work? Also, If the entire rail needs to be replaced, we will also need and request drawings and specs for this work too. |
| In addition to the restoration plans and aerial views provided in the soliciation, labels of some features can be found and derived from drawings. Cutting, removing and replacing ramps are not the only means that contractors have used to route utilities at this facility. If cutting, removing and replacing are the contractor means, then the repair shall be to a put back condition at installation time. |
| Regarding camera inspections for existing pipe to be replaced by pipe bursting. Special Specifications Section 00407 - Pipe Bursting Sanitary and Storm Sewer Mains with HDPE Pipe (4-Submittal, C) requires that camera inspections of all pipes to be replaced by pipe bursting shall be performed and the inspection logs turned over to the COR prior to beginning work. The Appendices to the Specifications released with the bid documents include camera inspections for all of the sanitary and storm sewer lines. Will the VA require the storm and sewer lines to be re-inspected by camera prior to beginning work? |
| The specified camera inspections are required per the specifications, regardless of the contents of the appendices. |
| Specification section 31 20 11, 3.5 Lawn Areas - This describes the restoration requirements for new or existing lawn areas affected by construction. It mentions sodding, seeding, and the watering requirements. The watering requirements only identify what is required for sodding. What are the watering requirements for seeding? |
| To 31 20 11, 3.5.F., add “/seed” after any term using “sod”, including any tense or plurality of the combined term “sod/seed”. On this subject, hydroseeding is an acceptable restoration method also. Watering for other than specified for sod shall be by Contractor until the seed is established to take the first mowing (by Contractor) to a mow height not less 2 ½ inches cut height. Temporary irrigation provided by contractor shall not run across vehicle or pedestrian paths. |
| Regarding existing buildings that are supposed to be demolished. Sheets C205 and C301 have notes that Bldgs. 248CT & 250 will be demolished by the VA prior to construction taking place. Have these buildings been demolished, or will they be demolished prior to the NTP being issued for this project? |
| The status of these buildings remains in flux at this time. Contrractor is to bid according to the drawings. If these are obstacles ahead of the affected phase of construction, it will be a differing site condition, but also with potential of being resolved with the addional trenchless methods addressed in question 6. |
| Gas Utilities. Sheet C416 shows an existing gas line that will possibly need to be adjusted. Can this gas line be adjusted by the contractor, or will the local utility entity need to come in and make any needed adjustments? |
| Contractor to coordinate with gas company. In the event that the gas utility allows non-company personnel to perform work on the VA side of the meter, Contractor may perform the work through qualified personnel under the procedures of, and with the coordination of, the gas utility. |
| The specifications state that the maximum length of open trench is 300 ft. Is it acceptable to backfill prior to pipe testing to allow entire sections to be completed and tested at the same time? Contractor understands that if pipe fails testing that additional excavation and backfill will be required at no cost to the government. If this is not allowed, it will be a huge drag on the completion of the project. |
| Backfilling prior to testing is not preferred, but VA will allow it if Contractor understands that if pipe fails testing that additional excavation and backfill (as well as associated compaction tests) will be required at no cost to the government, and at no additional extension to schedule. Also, change 31 20 11/3.2.E.1.d last sentence to read “A maximum of 400 lineal feet of trench per mainline crew shall be open at any time.” |
| The specifications require one phase to be 100% complete before moving to the next phase. Will the VA allow the contractor to start the installation of construction fence, surveying, complete the surface demolition, and begin trench excavation in the next phase once all utilities have been installed, backfilled, and prepped for surface restoration in the prior phase? This allows for a better pace of construction throughout the project. |
| The Contractor is granted a 15 calendar day window to complete the phase they are working in and mobilize, fence, survey, complete surface demolition, and begin trench excavation in the next phase even as they are working in the phase they are leaving. At the end of that 15 calendar day window, the phase the Contractor just came out of shall be fully restored, except that the following allowance is provided for asphalt patching/repair: For restoration pertaining to asphalt patching/repair, Contractor may use a 2 sack flowable slurry flush with surrounding pavement as follows; anytime during which the asphalt batch plant is closed due to off periods (winter for example), and/or for up to 3 additional phases behind the phase the Contractor is currently in, regardless of the status of the batch plant. |
| Filling annular space of casing with sand Detail 3/C707, note 6 states, " Pipe casing installed with 5 feet of cover or greater shall have annular space filled with sand per the specifications." This is an outdated method that was used when wood spacers were used as support for the pipe inside the casing. Now the spacers are made of a poly/stainless-steel material and have a lifespan of approx. 50 years. If this type of spacer is used, will the VA still require the annular space to be filled with sand? |
| The Contractor shall comply with Section 5.9.2.17 of the VA Site Design Guide that states, “The void space between the sewer pipe and the casing will be filled with special aggregates capable of being blown into place, or with commercially available polyethylene or other type of spacers, saddles, and seals.” Note 6 on detail 3/C707 regarding sand filling shall be removed. |
| Pipe Bursting Pipe Sizes. There are two 29 ft sections under the connecting corridors for Building 200 and 220 (Sheet C303) that show 12" pipe. By looking at the invert sizes shown in the profile page C404 for that line it shows an existing 12" line. The camera inspections (appendices to the specifications) from S-44 to S-45 state this is an 8" pipe. There is another area on C306 that shows a 179 ft section to be pipe burst. This is shown as an 8" line and confirmed in the existing profile drawings (C408). The camera inspections from S-30 to S-32 show this as a 6" line. It is sometimes not possible to upsize the pipe depending on the soil conditions, etc. Please confirm that all pipe being replaced by pipe bursting will be of the same size pipe. |
| Some of the pipes to be replaced by bursting method differ in size from the new pipe. The increase in size is within 1-2 pipe sizes that generally can be upsized by this method using appropriate equipment and materials. Existing pipe sizes shown in the plans are best available information from topographic survey, VA records and field verifications by the Engineer. The Contractor shall determine actual sizes prior to construction. The 12” pipe in question was viewed from a manhole and appears to be 12” and not the 8” listed in the camera log. |
| C204 Pipe Bursting Clarification Drawing C204 shows a 29' section of 24" SD pipe that is to be installed by bore and jack. This is running East and West between Bldgs. 220 and 219 (south end of buildings). The same 24" SD line has a manhole at each end. There is a note 10 at each manhole. Note 10 references the pipe bursting method. Please confirm this is a mistake and the 24" SD line is to be installed using open trench methods along with the 29' section of Jack and bore. It would not be possible to pipe burst the new 24" SD line through the existing 12" line (also, the plan shows a 5' offset from the existing line). |
| The 29’ building crossing shall be installed by bore and jack, offset 5’ from the existing pipe as shown on the plans. Provide an additional 25’ of trenchless length (extended to west to total 54’). The remainder of the new 24” pipe between Manhole ST73 and ST78 shall be installed by open trench method. |
| Specification Section 31 20 11, 3.6, D. instructs how to segregate contaminated soil for disposal. Does the SORCC require testing of soil prior to offsite disposal or are we to use sight and smell to detect any potential contaminated soil? |
| Soil testing for contamination is not listed as a requirement in this specification reference of this question. Follow regulatory requirements. All soil piles must be covered. |
| Specification Section 01 00 00, 1.10, E. provides that we are to include a $500,000 allowance to cover costs for unforeseen utilities and systems excluding landscape irrigation repairs. In addition to the allowance, compensable time will need to be added to the contract as unforeseen utilities and systems are encountered, project progress will be slowed. We assume that if we provide a Time Impact Analysis (TIA) with the project schedule indicating extended critical path time to completion related to the unforeseen(s) that the government would provide the appropriate contract time extension. Is this correct and if not, what is the government’s plan for compensating time related to unforeseens? |
| An unforeseen condition does not necessarily indicate an extension of the critical path. Modifications will be according to VAAR 852.243-70 “CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGES—SUPPLEMENT (SEP 2019)” of the solicitation. |
| The provided Amendment 3 Wage Decision is for Jefferson County. The project is in Jackson County. Will the VA provide a wage decision for Jackson County |
| Please disregard the wage rates posted within amendment 0003 as this is the wrong county, amendment 0004 has provided Jackson counties wage rates. |
| Specification Section 01 00 00, 1.10, E. states “The Contractor shall include an allowance of $500,000 in his bid, used for subcontractor materials, labor, and equipment for repairs to utilities and systems (excluding irrigation repairs) which are not shown in the drawings, specifications, or indicated in addendum or pre-bid discovery by the Contractor and/or subcontractors.” This suggests only the subcontractor costs would be included in the Allowance. Where should the prime contractor allocate their markups on the $500,000? Should it be in CLIN 001 or in CLIN 002? If in CLIN 002, should the $500,000 be inclusive of prime contractor markups or in addition to the $500,000? |
| CLIN 002 is $500,000. The costs are inclusive of fees allowed per VAAR 852.243-70 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGES—SUPPLEMENT (SEP 2019) |
| Specification Section 01 00 00, 1.10, E. stipulates the $500,000 allowance for unforeseens. Once an unforeseen is identified will Change Proposals have to be generated, submitted, and approved while work is potentially stopped, awaiting approval or will the contractor be able to notify the COR and move directly into the unforeseens construction, tracking actual costs through completion of the unforeseen work? How will this allowance be administrated by the VA? |
| Modifications will be according to VAAR 852.243-70 “CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGES—SUPPLEMENT (SEP 2019)” of the solicitation. Notify CO (cc COR) of an unforeseen condition. The CO (not the COR) has the authority to modify the contract and/or provide a direction to proceed (on case by case basis) |
| The General Information provided in the beta.SAM.gov website title for this solicitation says the proposal is due @ 2:00 PM EDT (Eastern Time). The SF1442 says the proposal is due @ 2:00 PM local time. On the west coast do we turn in our proposals at 11:00 AM or at 2:00 PM our time? |
| All proposals are due by 2:00 PM EST on September 2, 2020. |
| RFP Page 12 of 58 tells us to “Provided detailed facilitation of VA review and approval of proposed retrofit work in each phase.” What does that mean? Is the VA able to elaborate on what they are expecting here? |
| The work requires coordination of work with the VA. How will the Contractor facilitate this - “Provided detailed facilitation of VA review and approval of proposed retrofit work in each phase.” |
| When does the VA anticipate awarding the project and then the NTP? |
| The Notice to Proceed (NTP) will be issued |
| To meet schedule demands, is it acceptable to work double shifts, overtime, and/or 7-days per week? |
| Subject to FAR 52.236-6, yes. However, inspections and review of work will occur only during normal hours, except when certain work is required to be done in off hours, such as water cut-overs (for example). |
| Please confirm the Superintendent, SSHO, and the QCM can be the same person if their qualifications meet the requirements of the specifications. Specification section 01 45 00 – Quality Control, paragraph 3.4, B, states “The CQC System Manager is assigned as CQC System Manager but has duties as project superintendent in addition to quality control.” |
| The contractor will need to provide designation letters for: |
Superintendent/SSHO (can be same person) and a CQC Manager – separate from Superintendent and different individual. Both are required at project site during all performance of work.
| Will the VA allow the boring, jacking, and pipe bursting to be done outside of the phasing requirements? We would like to dig the entrance/exit pits and complete this work consecutively to minimize the mobilization/demobilization of the equipment required for this. The entrance/exit pits would be backfilled and safed-off as the work was completed so there would not be any safety issues. This would be beneficial to the schedule as well as the budget and would benefit both the contractor and the government. |
| This is acceptable for domestic water piping. The new domestic water piping is offset and would therefore need to be capped for the future in-line work. For storm and sewer piping, the work will need to follow the phases because – though we hope the design is perfect – the reality for gravity flow is that sometimes grades need adjusted, and the pre-placement of peicemeal piping for gravity flow could be problematic. |
| Will security fencing be required around the entire phase being completed, or can it be moved to follow the work until the trenches/areas of work are safe for government employees, visitors, and patients? |
| It can be provided around the entire phase, but it is actually preferred that the fencing follows the work. The fencing shall surround all components of the work, including materials, supplies and equipment during work and off hours. |
| Sheet CP101-Construction Phasing Plan Overall – Construction Phasing Note 1 states that all work within each phase must be complete before moving to the next phase. This includes improvements and surface restoration. Asphalt paving, seal coating, and striping are weather dependent. In order to move forward with the work and to make it possible to meet the contract period of construction, will the VA allow the work in the next phase to begin if the trenches within the road are backfilled to finish grade with rock and usable with a vehicle? Could a 30 day grace period be given for overlap of phases for other surface restoration (landscaping, etc.) as long as it does not cause a safety/access issue? This would allow the excavator/utility contractor to continue with work while wrapping up the surface restoration of the previous phase. |
| The Contractor is granted a 15 calendar day window to complete the phase they are working in and mobilize, fence, survey, complete surface demolition, and begin trench excavation in the next phase even as they are working in the phase they are leaving. At the end of that 15 calendar day window, the phase the Contractor just came out of shall be fully restored, except that the following allowance is provided for asphalt patching/repair: For restoration pertaining to asphalt patching/repair, Contractor may use a 2 sack flowable slurry flush with surrounding pavement as follows; anytime during which the asphalt batch plant is closed due to off periods (winter for example), and/or for up to 3 additional phases behind the phase the Contractor is currently in, regardless of the status of the batch plant. |
| Sheet CP101 – Construction Phasing Plan Overall identifies the bldgs. that are required to have temporary potable water during the lateral reconnection to the new system. In lieu of temporary services, will the contractor be allowed to do the reconnection/shutdown after hours if it can be done in less than 4 hours and is coordinated with the VA? |
| All reconnection/cutover of new domestic water piping shall occur after hours. CP101 provides the remainder of the information. |
| Specification section 32 12 16 Asphalt Paving, paragraph 3.6 – This paragraph describes the application of seal coat. Please confirm a seal coat is required. If so, there are many areas of existing asphalt pavement that do not have any work required near it. Please clarify what pavement will need to have a seal coat applied. |
| Confirmed. Asphalt pavement shall receive a seal coat. |
| Specification section 32 17 23 Pavement Markings list reflective glass beads as a product and describes them being installed in section 3. Typically reflective glass beads are only installed on main roads. Please confirm the reflective glass beads will need to be installed. |
| Confirmed. Reflective glass beads installed on all stripping. |
| Reference Summary of Work: second paragraph states that VA buildings conducting critical services will be required to have temporary water service provisions to avoid disruption of water supply. Please clarify which buildings are conducting critical services and provide the water demand per day for each building requiring temporary water service provisions. |
| To be clear, water is to be provided to all the buildings all the time until cut-over. All cutovers shall occur after hours (Nutrition Food Services between 7p and 5a only). At cutover, the buildings identified with a “YES” in the “Building Activities and Classification” table on sheet CP101 are to be provided temporary domestic water continuously even during cutover. Nutritian and Food Services Building is “YES, IF OUTAGE EXCEEDS 4 HOURS”. As information, building 211A is no longer the classification given at design time and shall be changed from “YES” to “NO”. Building 233 should be “NO” not “YES”. The following are the approximate domestic fixture units (FU) for the buildings: (Example, B202 is 65 fixture units-B202/65FU): B202/65FU, B203A/270FU, B204A/600FU, B205A/600FU, B206A/600FU, B232/65FU, B236A/130FU. The facility water pressure is 60-65 psi. |
| Reference Solicitation Page 9 of 58: Under paragraph B (Proposal Format) it states that the proposal, in its entirety, shall not exceed three (3) emails (one for each volume) of 5MB each. If one or more of the proposal volumes exceeds 5 MB, can we break the volume up and submit through multiple emails to meet the 5 MB email attachment limit? |
| Yes, please refer to the Instructions, conditions, and other statements to bids/ offerors – 2.7(B)(a)(Page 8) Proposal Format of the solicititation, it states “ All sections of the Offerors proposals will be evaluated independently; therefore, the Offeror shall submit the proposal in three (3) Volumes: Volume I Technical, Volume II Price and Volume III Administrative Information. In order that the Volume I Technical Factors may be evaluated strictly on the merit of the material submitted, the contractor shall include NO price information in Volume I. Offeror shall separate Volumes I, II and III. Each volume must be labeled with the Offeror's organization, business address, and VA Solicitation Number. The volumes shall be submitted in electronic format as searchable PDF documents. The proposal, in its entirety, shall not exceed three (3) emails (one email for each volume) of 5MB each. Include page numbers and the company name in the header or footer of each page. |
| With the number of projects currently bidding near the end of August (due to the upcoming Federal fiscal year-end), we could really use a little additional time to prepare our proposal for this project. Will the Government consider extending the bid date by one week? Even a few extra days would be extremely helpful |
| At this time we are not anticipating a an extension to the project, |
| Key Note “15” is used on the Storm Sewer Plans, but there is not a Key Note 15 in the Storm Sewer Key Notes section (see attached jpg as an example). Can the government please provide clarification for Key Note 15 in the Storm Sewer plans. |
| Responder found one instance of note 15 in the drawing of C204 and no reference to it in keyed notes. For the instance on C204, keyed note 11 appears to provide the necessary information that 15 also points to. |
| Plan sheet C204 calls for pipe bursting at the transition between phase 2 and phase 3 (24” pipe) and west of phase 5/phase 2 intersection. However, it also shows bore and jack and that the storm line is being installed offset from existing. Could you please provide clarification on this. |
| Responder does not understand need for clarification except that the storm routing in this area is reconfigured from existing. There is a note that says the existing “STORM TO BE ABANDONED IN PLACE”. |
| The specifications call for temporary fencing around construction areas. Due to the large footprint of this project, can the government provide additional clarification as to what their expectations are (or what the minimal acceptable amount is) in regards to the temporary fencing during construction? We understand that patient and hospital staff safety is paramount, but it would help us to know what the VA’s expectations are during construction. |
| Refer to “692-16-101 Job Yard and laydown area” for construction fencing at storm water facility and laydown areas. For other instances (i.e. the phases), refer to response to question 42. |
| Will the contractor need to provide separate individuals for the Superintendent, Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), and Quality Control Manager; or will the government allow us to “dual-hat” these positions (to two personnel)? |
| Refer to answer to question 40. |
| Sheet CS203 shows 12” of type ‘c’ topsoil while sheet LS101 shows 8” of type ‘a’ topsoil and 3” of compost for pond bottom and 6” of type ‘a’ topsoil for side slopes. Which sheet should we base our bid on? |
| Sheet LS101 is correct. |
| RFP stipulates a 620-calendar day period of performance (PoP) from Notice to Proceed (NTP). This will be too short if the unforeseen work associated with the CLIN 002 allowance is included. Please confirm this duration does not include work associated with CLIN 002. |
| The 620 calendar day does not include additional time that may result from unforeseen conditions. But more addition of time for an unforeseen condition is not the default. It is applicable only when the additional work cannot be completed concurrently with on-going work. |
| RFP requires that bidders sample and test concrete pipe and structures to be removed for Asbestos along with utility tunnel material and soils where work occurs. If Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is discovered during this testing, how will the VA administer the differing site conditions? Will we proceed to abate on a time plus materials basis, or stop work to await an RFP and then price out abatement and wait for a Contract Modification? What will happen once asbestos is encountered? |
| It is not the intent of this project to abate unless neccesary, in such case would be by Contract Modification. Crawlspaces in older buildings and tunnels are asbestos areas. PPE is required. Testing of materials is required if demolition of and affecting PACM occurs. If the material is ACM, abatement will be by Contract Modification. Discover of transite pipe has occurred with excavation. If that occurs, the required exposed material will be abated by Contract Modification. |
| Specification Section 01 00 00, I. Construction Fence. We’re required to fence around construction areas. As we are all around the campus including the retention pond, can this fencing be 4’ tall orange safety barrier fencing? |
| See answers to questions 52 and 42. Use 6 foot high ballasted/braced free-standing chain link fence. In phased areas where t-post can be driven into non-hardscapes, and where trenches are excavated and covered in the same manned work period, 4 foot high orange fence may be used with t-posts at 8 feet max separation. Strikes of underground features by fence posts do not count against the $500,000 allowance nor the irrigation repairs. Properly ballasted delineators at 6 feet max with caution tape may be used inside fenced construction areas only. |
| RFP stipulates a 620-calendar day period of performance (PoP) from Notice to Proceed (NTP) appears too short. We request the 620-day PoP be extended to 720 calendar days from NTP to avoid double shifts, night, and weekend work. Is this acceptable? |
| The period of performance is 620 days. |
| Open Trench Restrictions and Testing: The specifications state that the maximum length of open trench is 300 ft. Is it acceptable to backfill prior to pipe testing to allow entire sections to be completed and tested at the same time? Contractor understands that if pipe fails testing that additional excavation and backfill will be required at no cost to the government. If this is not allowed, it will significantly add to the required time to complete the project. Also, can the open trench limit of 300’ be extended? |
| Refer to response to question 26. |
| Filling annular space of casing with sand: Detail 3/C707, note 6 states, " Pipe casing installed with 5 feet of cover or greater shall have annular space filled with sand per the specifications." This is an outdated method that was used when wood spacers were used as support for the pipe inside the casing. Now the spacers are made of a poly/stainless-steel material and have a lifespan of approx. 50 years. If this type of spacer is used, will the VA still require the annular space to be filled with sand? |
| See response to question 28. |
| C204 Pipe Bursting Clarification: Drawing C204 shows a 29' section of 24" SD pipe that is to be installed by bore and jack. This is running East and West between Bldgs. 220 and 219 (south end of bldgs). The same 24" SD line has a manhole at each end. There is a note 10 at each manhole. Note 10 references the pipe bursting method. Please confirm this is a mistake and the 24" SD line is to be installed using open trench methods along with the 29' section of Jack and bore. It would not be possible to pipe burst the new 24" SD line through the existing 12" line (also, the plan shows a 5' offset from the existing line). |
| See response to question 30. |
| General Conditions 010000-1.6(L) Allows the contractor to have one-way traffic on the roads, with approval. There are instances where one-way traffic will be unobtainable. A specific instance of this will be on Kelly Road during the Water Line installation. If an acceptable Detour is in place will a complete shutdown of roads also be allowable? |
| See response to question 11. |
| The phasing plan has trenchless construction runs between 2 different phases which this method of installation is not constructible in split phase between runs. In order to construct we would be in violation of the phasing plan work limits. Please adjust phasing plan or method(s) of installation. This also creates issues with all the phase pricing requested. We assume contractors be allowed to work across phasing lines to accomplish parts of the project as necessary to complete pipe runs and systems. Is this correct and if not, how will the phasing plan or method(s) of installation be adjusted? |
| See response to question 10. |
| General Conditions 010000-1.6(F) Limits the use of tools and equipment which transmits vibrations and noises through building structures. The pipe bursting method of trenchless installation will most likely transmit vibrations to structures and will also exceed the decibel rating identified in Temporary Environmental Control Section 015719-1.5E. Same goes for the bore and jack trenchless method. Will exceptions to these specifications be allowed? And if not, how is the contractor to accomplish the work as specified? |
| See response to question 9. |
| Block 13 of the SF1442 states that the offers are due in local time. Please clarify what time zone is used for proposal submission. |
| All proposals are due by 2:00 PM EST on Septemner 2, 2020. |
| Will the VA provide the 1200-C permit for this project? |
| Contractor shall apply for permit and pay all fees to obtain it. Application for 1200-C permit is with Rogue Valley Sewer Services: RVSS, 138 W. Vilas Rd., Central Point, OR 97502, phone 541-664-6300 |
| Will the VA provide the Permittee’s site inspector for this project? |
| VA does not have an inspector for the 1200-C permit. This will be the responsibility of the Contractor. See address in response to question 66. |
| Notes 27, 28, 29 are garbled on sheets C102 through C201. Please provide clear notes for the affected plan sheets. |
| It appears that a set of smaller superfluous notes resides under the sized text for those sheets. Responder was able to distiquish the differences, and compares similar situations of overlaying items (text within other notes, lines over text where one must determine the context) as a function (and requirement) of reading the drawings. Responder will request drawings from AE with the notes 27, 28 and 29 cleared up, but they may not be available before bid open. Responder will therefore provide a list of the notes 27, 28 and 29 asap. |
| Please provide additional clarification for the required tennis court concrete, and fencing repairs. sufficient drawings and details have not been provided to bid these items. |
| If a straight-walled trench (non-bench) is employed, assume sawcut and replace 400 SF of 4 inch reinforced concrete slab over compacted crushed based per spec, smooth trowel, no paint except re-establish court boundary lines. Chain link fence is 10 foot high and can use existing fabric, hardware and horizontal posts – assume replacement of 4 posts, assume those are terminal/corner posts for bidding. Move existing 4’x8’ metal shed and put-back after work, anchored to replaced concrete with 6 Simpson Titen HD ½x 3” anchors (or similar). |
| In light of covid 19, will the VA consider accepting electronic proposals? |
| Yes, please refer to the Instructions, conditions, and other statements to bids/ offerors – 2.7(A)(c) Proposal Requirements of the solicititation, (Page 8.) states “ Submit proposals via email to: Jason.schultz@va.gov |
| Are weekly meetings required? |
| Yes. Weekly construction meetings are required starting the week after NTP. The contractor shall lead the meeting and cover the following topics as a minimum FBO the owner. Safety issues, Quality control, 3-week look ahead (which shall follow the master schedule and be for discussion in detail), Issues Log, Submittal and RFI status, Change requests, New items and as-builds (on alternate weeks). Meeting minutes are by the contractor and shall be provided to participants no later than 6 calendar days following each meeting. |
| Specification 010000/1.14 “As-buildt drawings says as-builds shall be available to COR as often as requested. How often is this? |
| Two hard copy sets shall be maintained at all times on site. COR will review during every other weekly meeting. Asbuilds for each phase shall be fully complete at the end of each phase, except that interaction between phases can remain in progress until the completion of the final phase for that impacted area. |
| With CV19, is access to site limited. |
| Yes. See “692-16-101 Access Map” for the blocked accesses and information. |
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