Clarification Questions and Answers.pdf

47PF0020R0025

Charles E Chamberlain U.S. Courthouse

Lansing, MI

Passenger and Freight Elevator Modernization Questions and Answers

1. Who will be responsible to provide Interim maintenance and will it be on both units?

Response: Installer / Awarded contractor.

2. Is there a specification for the Passenger Hydraulic Car?

Response: There are two separate specs because of the option. Section 14 22 13 is for the Freight Elevator No. 4 and Section 14 24 21 is for Passenger Elevator No. 3.

3. Please confirm the following is being done as requested:

k. Retain hoistway entrance frames and entrance threshold plates. Provide new and additional steel channels and steel support members necessary to reduce the existing opening size and to facilitate the installation of the new power operated freight door equipment as shown and specified.

Response: For Freight Elevator No. 4, your summary is correct. In answering this question, this does not relieve the Contractor of other work described on the Drawings and in the Specifications. If there is a conflict or question, it should be asked more directly with locations of specific references to such conflicts provided. The intent is to retain and reuse the existing hoistway entrance frames.

However, the contractor is required to provide any and all materials necessary for the installation and mounting of all new equipment and components specified.

4. New controls are usually mounted to the floor or machine room wall, is this acceptable in lieu of mounting in the existing rack?

Response: It’s unclear what this question is based upon. The Freight Drawings show the new controls as wall-mounted. Industry standard mounting methods are acceptable. However, the contractor is responsible for confirming that all required ASME A17.1 and NEC safety code clearance requirements are complied with.

5. Please confirm if new Overhead beams are required or if the existing can be re-used?

Response: For Freight Elevator No.4, re-use the existing beams. Drawing AD-102 and Specification Section 14 22 13 “Modernization of Existing Traction Freight Elevator” Paragraphs 2.03.D (on page 24) and 2.03.J (on page 32) call for the beams to be reused. Note, the intent is to create safe access to the overhead from the elevator cartop as shown and specified and not to utilize the existing access door for routine service upon completion and acceptance of the modernization.

Lansing, MI

6. Are the elevators on a generator?

a. No. There is no generator available.

7. Is this project tax exempt?

Response: General Services Administration (GSA) has no authority to exempt contractors from Federal, State, or Local taxes. GSA can only certify that your firm is presently performing services under contract.

8. Is there on-site parking available?

Response: After Hours yes during normal business hours no. Loading dock available during normal hours for deliveries only (30 minute limit, or per specific request if more time is needed).

9. Have the Existing Hoist/ Machine beams, their connections and supports been analyzed by an engineer to determine if they are adequate for the loads anticipated by the new equipment?

Response: The intent is to retain the existing elevator capacity, car speed and car weight. The existing hoist/machine beams have been surveyed by the elevator consultant for the design team. Based on the stated capacities and sizing of the existing elevator and associated equipment, the beams have been determined to be sufficiently sized for the new work proposed on the construction documents. The intent is for the contractor to install new equipment and components that do not increase the original car weight by more than 5%.

Methods such as, the use of ¼” aluminum checker plate for car flooring instead of steel checker plate are acceptable for maintaining the original car weight.

10. Can the hall button fixtures for Elevator 3 be surface mounted?

The specifications call out for new flush mounted faceplates for the Hall buttons requiring the back box to be recessed into the existing finish. Drawings 10/AD201 and 10/A101 indicate granite wall panels and marble wall panels to remain respectively. This requires field modification of the mounted panels which is not called out on the demolition drawings.

Response: The marble panels shall be cut as required to accept recess mounted boxes and shall be performed in compliance with Specification Section 01 35 10 “Historic Building Treatment Procedures.”

11. Is email submission, drop off, or mailed submission the required method of bid delivery?

Box 8 of the SF 1442 instructs bidders to refer to Section I.H. for instructions on bid submission. Section I.H. indicates email submission.

Box 13 of the SF 1442 indicates 1 copy to be submitted via sealed envelope bid in conflict with Box 8.

Lansing, MI Response: Offerors shall submit their proposals electronically as stated in Section I.H. Please submit electronically to: Della.Ljungkull@gsa.gov and Timothy.Novak@gsa.gov.

12. Are we to assume all three elevator lobby doors are asbestos containing? Are these doors considered friable, or non-friable? The WEC report indicates only 35 sf of elevator door insulation at two doors is present. The architectural drawings show three sets of elevator lobby doors.

Response: Yes, all three elevator lobby doors are presumed to contain asbestos as noted in Specification Section 02 82 00 “Asbestos Abatement.” Per the Pre-Alteration Assessment Report included in the Appendix, the insulation is Friable.

13. Who will be the electrical inspection authority?

Response: GSA

14. Are the ceilings in the basement ACT, Z-spline, or hard ceilings? There's a requirement to run new lines above the ceiling.

Response: The machine rooms are described on documents. On all three floors for Elevator #3, the Lobby has ACT lay-in ceiling tile. For Elevator #4, the Basement Lobby has no ceiling and the 1st Floor Lobby has ACT lay-in ceiling.

15. Anticipated award date?

Response: Typically, we try to award within a few weeks after bids are due but there are many factors that can delay the award.

16. Liquidated damages?

Response: In accordance GSAR 552.211-12, Liquidated Damages Construction, in Section IV of this Agreement, liquidated damages shall be calculated at the rate of $113.39 per calendar day.

17. Are we to also assume the traction brakes, electrical wire, and travel cable are non-asbestos containing? These components, which are not named, typically are found to have asbestos containing components.

Response: For bidding purposes, do not assume that any items not listed are asbestos-containing. The traction brakes were not observed during the survey.

Cloth/woven wire covering, which would be a suspect ACM, was not observed on the elevator control panels in either machine room. Also, observed travel cables were either metal only or did not contain suspect wrap, rather a rubber cable wrap. During construction, should the traction brakes or other materials be suspected to contain asbestos, the testing, analysis and potential abatement costs shall be performed at the Government’s expense.

mailto:Della.Ljungkull@gsa.gov mailto:Timothy.Novak@gsa.gov

Lansing, MI

18. Paragraph 1.1 A indicates the presence of lead paint and lead dust to be addressed.

There is also lead dust present in some areas.

- Is it the intent of this scope of work to abate the lead paint, or stabilize and encapsulate the lead paint to make conditions safe for non-surface disturbing activities?

Response: The intent is to stabilize and encapsulate the lead paint to make safe for non-disturbance activities.

- For lead wipe samples which have tested above the permissible levels, is it the intent of this scope for to abate the lead dust, or clean it to below actionable levels?

Response: The intent is to clean the lead dust to pass the Clearance Sampling as required by Section 02 83 00 “Lead-Based Paint Mitigation” Paragraph 3.13.

- Given the requirement to paint the interior of the hoistway, can testing be done in both elevators to determine the presence of existing lead paint and/ or lead dust on the walls and floors where not tested in the WEC report?

Response: The masonry walls of Elevators No. 3 and No. 4 are not painted inside of the hoistway.

- Have plaster surfaces requiring trenching been tested for the presence of lead based paint?

Response: For bidding purposes, assume that the paint is lead-based.

19. Hoistway Ventilation – Page 3. Does local code require ventilation which would be different from what is existing.

Response: Local codes to not apply. This is Federal property without State or local jurisdiction. Bid the project as shown.

20. Will a dumpster for construction debris be allowed on the property, near the building?

Response: A location on the Federal property will be identified for a dumpster;

size to be determined.

21. Are hall fixtures already at ADA compliant height? If not, how will the Historic preservation be met?

Response: Locations for new hall fixtures are shown on architectural Interior Elevation drawings. Refer to Section 01 35 10 – Historic Building Treatment Procedures.

22. Drawings show fixtures on the left side of the elevator but current fixtures are on the right side, there will be significant work for matching the granite, will the GSA entertain options to keep the fixtures on the same side as they are today using the same box in place?

Response: Bid the project as shown.

23. Division 14 - Section 24 - 21 page 12: What invoicing is this referencing given that interim and 12 months of maintenance is required. Invoice requirements for

Lansing, MI maintenance work: The Contractor may invoice on a monthly basis for 1/12 of the maintenance line item price for any elevators that have been put into service during that month.

Response: Additional contract line items have been added for one year maintenance on each elevator. The invoice requirements will be applicable to those line items.

24. Will drilling and coring work and other noisy work be allowed during regular business hours?

Response: Refer to specification requirements including Section 01 10 00 Paragraph 1.9.B.3 “Hours for Any Noisy Activities such as Hammering and Core Drilling: May not occur during normal business hours.”

25. Does the contractor need to pay for GSA inspection?

Response: Refer to specification requirements including Section 14 24 21 Paragraph 1.14. “The project is located on Federal Property and is therefore outside of the jurisdiction of the State of Michigan and local authorities. The GSA will provide review and approval of all associated submittals and acceptance of the installation. No fees will be paid by GSA for the project.”

26. The spec doesn’t appear to address the need for an oil water separator. How is this being addressed?

Response: Per Specification Section 22 14 29 Sump Pumps Paragraph “A” (should be “I”) Controls on page 4, the Controls require a Stancor, Inc. Oil Minder Sr or Oil Minder Jr. in coordination with the sump pump. No oil water separator is required.

27. The spec references that Elevator 4 would be awarded 200 days after Elevator #3 which suggests one is going to be worked on and then the other in sequence, please clarify.

Response: The specification does not state that it would be awarded rather it may be awarded during the 200 day period. It states,”Additional work is anticipated but funds are not expected to be available at the time of award. This option may be exercised for the following period: 200 days after contract award.”

This means we have up to 200 days after contract award to award option line item 0001 Option for Freight Elevator #4.

28. Is there a removable plywood catwalk in the Mezzanine to remove per AD-102, or will the plaster need to be trenched to hide the lines?

Response: For Elevator No. 3, the intent is to convey that there is a concealed plaster ceiling (above the first floor lay-in ceiling and below the catwalk) that will need to be cut through the conduit.

Lansing, MI Will structural members need to be cut, or cored through in order to accomplish the installation of the refrigerant lines?

Response: There are no structural elements to cut through; only architectural.

Drawing 3/AD102 indicates a removable plywood catwalk following most of the pathway required for the refrigerant line installation.

Response: You may need to drill through the plywood surface if the lines cannot be routed around the platform.

29. The spec references Earthquake operation on 14 24 21 - 26, are earthquake requirements applicable?

Response: The construction of the elevator shall be per International Building Code 2018 Chapter 16 for Site Class D and Risk Category III. This does not mean that an earthquake cannot occur in Lansing, Michigan. Comply with Specifications for earthquake requirements. Strike the reference in Section 14 24 21 Paragraph 2.03.I.1.b.3 to “Earthquake Operation”. The reference is a standard ASME A17.1 Code requirement for “Tenant Security” to be automatically overridden by Fire Service operation or other emergency features.

30. Drawing A601, Elevator 4 | Drawing Reference: 1/A102 | Specification Reference: 08

11 13 paragraph 2.2 F 2: Please provide drawing sheet A601 referenced in the Hollow metal door frames specifications.

Response: Disregard references to Sheet A601 / Door Schedule in Sections 08 11 13 and 08 71 00. Those have not been provided.

31. BAS Panel/ Workstation Location | Specification Reference: 23 09 33 Temperature Controls: Please provide the location of the BAS panel/ workstation. It is not provided in the project documents.

Response: The BAS panel and workstation is located in the very farthest room in the northwest corner of the Basement level. Besides the Lobby area in front of Elevator No. 3 which has a lay-in ACT ceiling, there are no ceilings along the path to reach this room in the corner. Assume all walls are concrete block to deck.

32. Elevator Feeders | Drawing Reference: Note 4 E201 (Elev. 3), E003 both Elev. 3 and 4, E501 (Elev. 4) | Specification Reference: 26 05 33 Raceways Elevator 3 Please provide the location of Panel PP1 in the building.

Drawing Note 4 on page E201 indicates the new elevator feeders are to be fed from panel P1, but no location is provided on drawing E003

Response: Per Drawing Sheet ED-101, the existing Panel PP-1 is shown on the Basement level. It is located in the Mechanical Room north of the Elevator

Lansing, MI Machine Room. Note references in questions are unclear. Panel RP is shown on Drawing Sheet E-003 and Panel PP-1 is shown on Sheet ED-101.

Elevator 4 Please confirm if the existing feeders and conduit for Elevator 3 are to be removed in their entirety, or if the conduit is abandoned in place. If removed, will patching the wall penetrations be required as a part of this contract? If so, what are the details required for patching?

Response: Existing feeders shall be removed. Conduits, except those fully concealed in walls, shall be removed. Assume walls are concrete block and shall be patched with concrete patch as specified in Division 3 or masonry grout.

Touch up paint on the room side of the patch if visible below the ceiling.

Please also confirm that Unnamed RP Panel for Elevator 3 is not the same panel listed for Elevator 4.

Response: Yes, the unnamed RP Panel for Elevator 3 is not the same panel listed for Elevator 4.

33. Wall Types for Cutting and Patching | Drawing Reference: M601 | Specification Reference: 07 84 13 Firestopping:

Where we are to core through a wall, can that wall’s type (masonry vs. gypsum board vs.

plaster) be provided? This information is necessary to determine the level of effort required for coring and patching for the new lines being installed.

Response: All walls are masonry; typically with a plaster finish coat about 1-¼” thick. There is no plaster in either hoistway.

34. Elevator 3 Hoist Beam | Drawing Reference: 1, 2/ A301 | Specification Reference: 01 24 00 Options, Paragraph 3.1 A: Please provide the structural details for installation of an overhead hoist beam for consideration in Option 1. Should Option No. 1 be picked up, the drill rig requires a hoist beam to attach to. There does not appear to be an existing hoist beam, nor is there guidance in the documents for installation of a new hoist beam.

Response: Based on information from well drillers the design team spoke to a hoist beam is not required. For bidding purposes, this is a means and methods item and shall include as required a new hoistway beam, any rigging, beam clamps, rail blocking and other related equipment to rig to accommodate the drilling.

35. Elevator 4 Support Beam | Drawing Reference: 5/A201 | Specification Reference: 05 50 00 Misc. metals: Please provide the following information on the new metal support beam referenced in 5/A021.

Size and type (steel, aluminum, etc.) for the new beam

Lansing, MI Span Anchoring Details to existing column

Response: The existing beam is actually a pair of channels sandwiched on either side of the column. The channels are through-bolted to the flange of the W section. The existing hoist machine deflector sheave support beams may be retained and reused if compatible with the new elevator hoist machine, secondary braking device, deflector sheaves and associated components.

However, industry standards and the majority of hoist machines no longer require the existing deflector sheave arrangement. For bidding purposes, the new beam (or channels) will be the Contractor’s determination if they are needed and sized as required for the machinery the bidder chooses. The pair of existing steel channels are approximately 6 foot long C10x25 channels.

What is the existing column made of (tube steel, W section steel, concrete, etc.?

Response: The existing steel column is a W section. It is shown on the photos provided by GSA. (Painted green.)

How is this beam anchored to the wall?

Response: The beam is hung via threaded bolts to the steel lintel in the masonry opening. It is shown in the photos provided by GSA.

Is there an existing paint coating to be handled as hazardous?

Response: For bidding purposes, assume that the column and channels are painted with lead-based paint. Paint shall be removed from potential cut points (i.e., bolts or cut lines) prior to making cuts with mechanical methods. For bidding purposes, assume the LBP will be disturbed at the bolts. If the support can be dismantled without disturbing the paint using manual tools, then removal of the paint would not be required.

Special considerations when removing it for existing structure? Is there chromium or lead based paint?

Response: See reply above.

Will the beam need to be painted? If so, with what?

Response: Yes, per Specification 09 91 00 Paragraph 3.4.A.

Who as an installer is responsible for this beam?

Response: The elevator contractor.

END