Gignoux CMc RFI Questions.pdf

Gignoux HVAC & FA (VME00005)

CMc Procurement Request For Information (RFI) Questions

Question 1: Past Experience RFI: Factor 1 Past Experience requires projects to be completed in the last

10 years and have a construction cost greater than $10M. Would GSA please consider allowing escalation when evaluating construction costs?

Answer 1: No. After consideration, the GSA declines to adjust the evaluation factor for Past

Performance. GSA reviewed the value of the project and the amount of escalation appropriate in the time frame listed, and we feel as though the $10 million threshold takes all appropriate escalation into account.

Question 2: Please provide electrical information for mechanical equipment to be replaced (volts/ amps/phase)

Answer 2: New mechanical equipment electrical information is not available currently. Where possible, new mechanical equipment will match voltage and phase of similar existing equipment.

Question 3: Will sound liner for new ductwork be specified and if so what areas?

Answer 3: Double wall perforated ductwork will be specified for the first 15’ of ductwork from the unit connections or to the first takeoff. Duct liner may be utilized downstream of VAV boxes, this would be fully encapsulated “hospital grade” mold resistant and fiberglass free.

Question 4: Will sound attenuators for the new AHUs be specified and If so which ones?

Answer 4: Pending evaluation of the acoustical performance of the equipment, it is expected that sound attenuators will be incorporated on the 3 AHUs that will serve the courtrooms.

Question 5: What are the approximate footprint dimensions for the new interior shaft to serve MAU-1 OA and where will it be located?

Answer 5: Approx 26”x28” or equivalent free area and will run vertically in the existing shaft adjacent to the rotunda.

Question 6: Will the new OA plenum routed through Stair 003 and rooms 042, 043 require modifications to any bearing walls or reduce any headroom clearances below code-minimums?

Answer 6: The exterior and interior walls of Stair 03 will need to be modified to accommodate the new duct path.

Question 7: Will the installation of any new air handling modules require removal and replacement of exterior or interior building materials? If yes, please advise how to quantify.

Answer 7: It is the intention at this time that all new mech equipment will be installed utilizing existing building access.

Question 8: Is there adequate vertical clearance in the basement mechanical room to support the height of the new ERVs? Are any significant relocations of overhead utilities anticipated? If yes, please advise how to quantify.

Answer 8: It is anticipated that sufficient vertical clearance exists, and minimal relocation of remaining utilities will be necessary.

Question 9: Will the new fire alarm equipment be installed in a new 100 sq ft room with a 1-hour fire barrier per the GSA P100? If so, where will this room be located?

Answer 9: Yes. The final location of the fire alarm control panel has not yet been determined.

Question 10: Does the new fire alarm system require a redundant system to be installed in the USMS Command and Control Center per the GSA P100?

Answer 10: Yes. P-100 states the USMS panel will not be able to silence or clear alarms/ supervisory/trouble signals.

Question 11: Please confirm if the new fire alarm system will require all new raceways and two vertical building risers to allow the existing fire alarm system to remain operational until the new system is tested and accepted.

Answer 11: Confirmed. If ducts are not replaced as part of this project, then we anticipate a 90% completion before cutting over to install duct detection on new system at the same locations where feasible.

Question 12: The sprinkler system scope of work is listed as "incidental". Can you please clarify the extent of this work?

Answer 12: The scope of work includes removing and replacing any threaded light wall piping discovered within a work area as part of the HVAC upgrades as required by the P-100, IBC, and NFPA 13. Additionally, it has been noted that the building contains sprinkler pipe sized less than 1-inch in diameter. Any 1-inch sprinkler pipe discovered within a work area as part of the HVAC upgrades will be removed and replaced with new piping a minimum of 1-inch in diameter.

Replacement of FS pipe must occur in accordance with the P-100, IBC and NFPA 13.

Question 13: Will this project include patching and repairing of existing shafts, stairwells, and/or fire barriers in the work areas as identified in Work Item 11 in attachment IV.E (PDS Report #2), or just ensuring that new shafts and rated walls are properly constructed?

Answer 13: Yes, at the conclusion of the project this will be a code compliant rated duct shaft.

Question 14: Can more information be provided for the select areas where replacement of supply and return ductwork will not be required?

Answer 14: Assume all ductwork will be replaced.

Question 15: Can updated RCP sketches showing areas of ceiling removal be provided on drawings A120 to A123 in Appendix C of the design concept report? Drawing A122 shows some hatched areas for ceiling removals but this does not appear to be comprehensive for the project. Please advise how to quantify.

Answer 15: Contractor should review the mechanical plans (existing and new) to determine the level of disruption to ceilings necessary to do the work. The goal is to limit disruption to areas identified as historically sensitive, but other area can be removed as needed for means and methods. This is means and methods; the design team will not dictate the extents of removal.

This may also be driven by occupied phased construction.

Question 16: What type of freeze protection will be used for the exterior air-to-water heat pump piping?

Answer 16: System will be a glycol mix.

Question 17: Will the GSA provide swing space to allow phased relocations of occupants in office spaces? (M series drawings note that "sub-phasing TBD based on swing space availability")

Answer 17: As the design progresses, the GSA will coordinate with the current tenant agencies for construction phasing.

Question 18: Is space available outside the building for the contractor and GSA field office trailers specified in 015000 or will space be allocated for interior field offices?

Answer 18: Trailers can be parked along Federal Street. Contractor will be required to coordinate with the city of Portland.

Question 19: Are there areas inside the building that can be used for material laydown, staging and protection of materials?

Answer 19: There is a limited space in the basement for material storage. Contractor is recommended to coordinate the material delivery accordingly.

Question 20: Can building water and power supplies be utilized for construction or are any temporary utilities required?

Answer 20: Yes, provided the normal courthouse operation will not be interrupted.

Question 21: Please confirm any utility, heat, electrical or water consumption costs for construction activities will be covered by GSA and excluded from this estimate.

Answer 21: Confirmed

Question 22: Please confirm the existing masonry type and source, labeled "Material 01", "Material 02" and "Material 03" as they relate to the Building Preservation Plan

Answer 22: Please clarify document and location for Material reference.

Question 23: The ductwork shaft at courtyard utilizing granite matching existing. Please advise what material is to be utilized here. Please advise material thickness and attachment detail requirements.

There is also brick present.

Answer 23: Assume that Deer Isle, quarried in Stonington, ME, will be used. Typical veneer thickness will be 2”. Attachment will be typically stainless still split tap; stone anchors into kerf joints. It is not anticipated that exterior brick will be modified in the Courtyard.

Question 24: Please identify the correct detail for patching plaster and suitable back-up substrate.

Answer 24: Exploratory work will be necessary to confirm the construction of the existing plaster and back-up at each location. In areas that are visible and from documents from previous renovations, we expect wall substrate to be terracotta or brick masonry. Ceilings that will be patched are likely expanded metal back-up.

Question 25: There is reference to a Building Preservation Plan (BPP) via the CMa SOW document as attached appendix U. The Work Study 2 includes a draft version of the BPP. The RFS Concept design does not present it in a way that is quantifiable. It is not possible to verify this at this time with the design information provided. Please confirm we are to exclude scope of work related to the Building Preservation Plan.

Answer 25: The Building Preservation Plan (BPP) for the Gignoux is NOT to be excluded from the CMc SOW - as it identifies which areas of the Courthouse are most historically significant. If not previously provided, a completed BPP will be forwarded and must be used when evaluating installation locations of new /replaced HVAC/FA system components.

Note: The Building Preservation Plan does not identify the scope of work necessary in this renovation. It is a resource guide for what the historic materials are in the building and rates how important areas are to the historic significance of the building. It must be used by the contractors to understand the level of sensitivity necessary to do the contract work in any given area of the building and modify means and methods as appropriate to the sensitivity of the zone. [PK1]

Question 26: Drawing A100 has note "Elevator Cabs/Shafts not confirmed (TYP)". What is the significance of this note? Are we replacing or providing scope of work for this item? Are we to exclude any elevator work?

Answer 26: Note is related to laser scanning and survey work. The Revit model was generated from a laser scan. Elevator shafts are not confirmed in that scan and may be inaccurate. There is no construction scope associated with this.

Question 27: Demolition removals and new material deliveries will be required. Please advise to the security screening protocols for material and personnel if required.

Answer 27: Please refer to Question 7.

Question 28: RFS phasing plans refer to removal of hot water piping, unit heaters and fan coil units for AHU's 1A, 1B, 5 and 6, but there is no similar reference to AHU-2, AHU-3, and AHU-4. Is this on purpose?

Please clarify any significance

Answer 28: Yes, there are no associated unit heaters or fan coils with those AHUs, as they are dedicated to each courtroom.

Question 29: Is the intent that the GSA will permit a variance to not install return ductwork within 50-ft of plenum return grilles wherever significant ceiling plenum congestion blocks the duct path or installation would impact Zone 1 historic finishes? Reference GSA P100 requirement 5.3.2.5 Air Distribution Systems. The current concept design appears to indicate that they will only meet the P100 requirement “where feasible”, without definition as to what is considered feasible. For example, would modification to Zone 1 historic finishes qualify it as infeasible? Would requirement for a new shaft qualify it as infeasible? Would a new soffit qualify it as infeasible?

Answer 29: In addition to being NR-listed, the ME-Gignoux CH is also a R1 Legacy building, deserving of the highest level of historical preservation stewardship, which must be balanced with the need for occupant safety & comfort. Determination whether a specific new HVAC/FA component location is “feasible” will require in-depth study and individual evaluation regarding potential impact vs benefit.

Question 30: Are there any graphic requirements for the DDC user interface?

Answer 30: Yes, refer to the GSA Building Technologies Technical Reference Guide v1.2, and GSA Smart Buildings Implementation Guide_v12

Question 31: Is Niagara N4 an acceptable platform for the DDC system?

Answer 31: It is a requirement to use Niagara N4.

Question 32: Low Voltage work - Is this job 100% conduit job?

Answer 32: Yes, all BAS drops will be in ¾” conduit.

Question 33: What is the work force (small business, minority-owned, woman-owned, etc.) for the project?

Answer 33: Please clarify your question.

Previous CMc Procurement RFI Questions from 6/23/2022

Question 1: Is there a loading dock in the building?

Answer 1: No.

Question 2: Is the project scope to replace all distribution ductwork?

Answer 2: Yes

Question 3: Have any existing building materials tested positive for Asbestos? If yes, will the abatement be part of the project scope?

Answer 3: Yes. Refer to the environmental testing report on the Concept Design Report. The abatement will be part of the project scope.

Question 4: What does the mechanical equipment adjacent to the MAU 1 serve?

Answer 4: Temporary unit to increase ventilation. I believe this was a COVID-driven measure.

Question 5: What is the delivery method for the fire alarm scope?

Answer 5: The CMc contractor will deliver a new fire alarm system via a design-build delivery method.

Question 6: Will all the ceiling be replaced or repaired with the same materials?

Answer 6: The scope is to repair to match existing as required and reuse existing ceiling when possible.

Question 7: Do all workers need to go through the clearance process?

Answer 7: Yes, all construction members who will be physically working on site will be required to go through the HSPD-12 adjudication process. Staff who will be onsite for no more than 15 days within a 6-month period can be escorted by a PIV card holder.

Question 8: Will all work be performed during after-hours?

Answer 8: No. Refer to Specification 011400 for details.

Question 9: Do the entire wall and ceiling need to be repainted?

Answer 9: This will vary by space, and as required to retain the existing level of finish.