QandA Sheet 6973GH-26-R-00069.pdf

Q&A Sheet

6973GH-26-R-00069: DEN ASDE Tower Painting

Q1. Are there any established load ratings for the structure?

A. Yes, however, historic documentation of the load ratings and structural analysis might not be on hand. Depending on use case, hanging baskets or tarps from the structure, FAA can make a determination to remove liability from contractor.

Q2. Are all the structural members galvanized or are there any other metals to be cleaned and coated?

A. metal is galvanized and coated with paint on top of galvanization. FAA requirement is to remove and abate lead based paint on tower structure, grating, antenna mounts (all metal items that are currently aviation orange and white, excluding conduit and pipes)

Q3. Are all the existing coatings to be fully removed or just loose, non-adherent failing coatings?

A. Contractor should remove paint to galvanization of metal coating.

Q4. What are the allowable working days and hours? Do these differ when working the structure above the 80’ elevation?

A. Contractor should plan for M-F 0700-1800 for working hours. Night work may be possible if local authorities allow it.

Q5. Can you provide any details on accessing the site for performing the work? Being at the airport, and near the flight line, I didn’t know if there were any restrictions to accommodate for.

A. Contractor will be escorted to and from the site by FAA personnel. Material and equipment can be staged on site to reduce bulk movements each day. The contractor should plan for bringing port-a-john and ideally having lunch on site to reduce movement across the runway and taxi areas. It may be possible to get unescorted access but that will require fingerprints, background checks, and airport driving class.

Q6. Is the surface preparation and coating system to follow the product data sheet? Depending on substrate materials, this will affect the coating system. (i.e. galvanized steel requires an epoxy primer per the PDS before top coating, where carbon steel would require (2) coats of XLE-80 to meet the spec required 12mils DFT.)

A. surface preparation should follow manufacturer requirements for coatings. If the contractor provides a suitable substitution that reduces primer coats, while maintaining color code. that would be acceptable.

Q7. Can you help me understand what the “shelters” that are included in the SOW to be cleaned and coated? I didn’t see much information regarding them. Would it just include the exterior or would the interiors be included as well?

A. There are two shelters 1 at ~25 feet and 1 at ~90 feet, both shelters should have exterior prepped to receive the same paint as the white color bands on the tower.

Q8. The SOW states the grating is to be abated and coated, can you confirm all gratings have coatings applied to them? If so, does the grating need to be removed and reinstalled to ensure full coverage of gratings and structure steel or prepped/painted in place?

A. If grating is painted, it should be abated similar to the tower structure. It should not be re-painted to allow for better traction on a walking surface.

Q9. Are there any known permits or fees required for completing this SOW?

A. No city or state permits are required

Q10. Do you have any as-built drawings?

A. We will research for as-built drawings.

Q11. What are the dimensions of the shelter(s)?

A. Shelter are around 10’x10’.

Q12. Will employees and Delivery Drivers (fuel, toilets, etc.) have any issues driving to the tower during normal business hours, or are there restrictions for timing of crossing taxiways?

A. If contractors get unescorted access to the tower they will be able to come and go. If escorted by FAA personnel it will need to be coordinated.

Q13. Are there any drawings for the shelter(s) and/or tower?

A. We are looking for drawings but they may not be available.

Q14. Regarding the requirement in the statement of work specifying that towers and shelters be coated to a 12-mil paint thickness, we strongly recommend adherence to SSPC-PA2 standards, Utilizing this standard will help prevent discrepancies and disputes that may arise during field measurements and inspections.

A. Noted. In our review of the SSPC 12-mil is the upper range of wet film thickness. If you have a different interpretation please provide more information for a standardized requirement.

Q15. Can you supply As-Built Drawings or Plans for the structures in this project so we may get proper measurements?

A. We are searching for drawings but they may not be available.

Q16. What is the full painting scope of work for the shelters? Do we have to paint inside as well? How many shelters are there?

A. Two shelters, only prep and paint the exterior. No access will be allowed to the interior of the shelters.

Q17. On pages 2-3 Other Standards and Requirements, you state the services or products meet the following codes or standards if applicable:

SSPC-3 Power Tool Cleaning and SSPC-SP2 Hand Tool Cleaning will be the surface preparation required for removal of paint or can another method be utilized such as abrasive blasting?

A. Abrasive blasting either sand or liquid slurry maybe used as long as appropriate measures are met to collect debris.

Q18. On page 17 under Clause A, can you specify what the allowable work schedule is so that it does not interfere with flight operations?

A. Contractor should plan for M-F 0700-1800 for working hours. Night work may be possible if local authorities allow it.

Q19. Will you also provide paint specifications for this project?

A. See statement of work paragraph 1 (Requirements)

Q20. If scaffolding is to be utilized for this project, can it be affixed to the structure or will it need to be free standing/self-supported?

A. Scaffolding should be free standing/self-supporting to not interfere with the radar due to vibration.

Q21. Is the grating on the structure to be removed for cleaning and coating areas on this project or left in place?

A. Grating shall remain in place. Contractors should do their best to remove any paint and leave primary walk areas galvanized. Areas of grating that make contact with sections of tower that need to be painted can have paint on them as long as it doesn’t make those areas slick.

Q22. Is the lift on the structure to be included in the SOW for this project?

A. No, minor over spray may be acceptable as long as it doesn’t interfere with the elevator operation.

Q23. After ASDE project site visit today, my primary question relates to what it will look like for our crew to access the work site each day.

Will our crews require any specific security training and what does the approval process look like for our crew to gain access to the work site?

A. Contractor will be escorted to and from the site by FAA personnel. Material and equipment can be staged on site to reduce bulk movements each day. The contractor should plan for bringing port-a-john and ideally having lunch on site to reduce movement across the runway and taxi areas. It may be possible to get unescorted access but that will require fingerprints, background checks, and airport driving class (Expected duration 1 day).

Q24. Please clarify the required extent of paint/coating removal. Is full removal of all existing coating required, or only loose, peeling, or otherwise non-adherent paint that can be readily removed?

A. Contractor should remove paint to galvanization of metal coating.

Q25. To what industry standard should the coating removal/surface preparation conform (e.g., SSPC or other specific standards and cleanliness levels)? The data sheets for the material that has been specified call out “minimum surface preparation is Ultra High-Pressure Water Jetting for Steel per SSPC-SP12, SSPC-SP3, or SSPC-SP2. The scope of work references SSPC SP 2 and SP 3 (power tool and hand tool cleaning). There is a big difference between Ultra High Pressure SP12, SP3, and SP2. Can you confirm which level of preparation we are to use?

A. While the provided paint in the SOW paragraph 1 requires surface prep to SSPC, SP12 for existing metal surfaces prep, there are two options for mitigation also mentioned in the statement of work.

a. Contractor can recommend suitable substitution meeting the FAA AC 70/7460- 1M: that allows different preparation methods.

b. Suitable substitute paint will be applied in accordance with manufacturer's specifications as stated in paragraph 4 of product requirement.

Q26. Are there any concerns or limitations regarding potential damage to the galvanizing during surface preparation or coating removal? If so, please specify acceptable methods and any limitations.

A. If some areas of the structure lose galvanization due to surface prep in accordance with SSPC standards vendor will temporarily coat in protective coating that can be used in conjunction with the specified or substituted coating.

Q27. Are we permitted to use water-based methods (e.g., low or high pressure water washing) as part of the paint/coating removal process?

A. Yes, as long as appropriate measures are met to collect debris.

Q28. Please confirm whether we will be required to use an EPA ID number (or equivalent regulatory identifier) for the disposal of lead containing paint chips and associated waste. If so, will you be providing this ID?

A. Means and methods of disposal should meet any and all regulatory requirements in the locale where paint is being disposed of.

Q29. Are there any project specific requirements for handling, packaging, manifesting, or disposing of lead chips and related waste that we should follow beyond standard regulatory guidance?

A. Follow local guidelines.

Q30. What submittal documentation will be required before, during, and after the work (e.g., surface preparation procedure, waste management plan, safety plan, coating system data sheets, QA/QC documentation, etc.)?

A. Surface preparation procedure, waste management plan, safety plan, coating system data sheets (only if different than specified product), QA/QC documentation, Notional schedule, QP- 2 Certifications

Q31. Are there any specific forms, formats, or templates you require for these submittals?

A. PDF format preferred, no additional format change needed at this time as long as submittals include all required information.

Q32. Please confirm the materials the shelters are constructed from (e.g., steel, aluminum, concrete, composite, or other) and whether there are any special surface-preparation limitations for these substrates

A. The lower shelter is constructed of composite, the upper shelter is galvanized sheet metal.

Q33. Is the existing paint system considered a dry fall type coating? Is there a concern about paint drifting towards the terminals and/or runways? In our experience, while working at height, paint can drift quite long distances.

A. Sherwin Williams Polysiloxane XLE-80 is not a dry fall paint however if you recommend a dry fall paint meets the requirements in the FAA AC 70/7460-1M: it will be considered. Otherwise, methods should be in place to prevent over spray drifting.

Q34. Confirm the specific Polysiloxane XLE-80 coating, as there are several types within this category.

A. See FAA AC 70/7460-1M for paint specifications.

Q35. The scope of work calls for a final dry film thickness of 12 mils, while the product data sheet for the listed coating indicates a dry film thickness of 7 mils per coating. Are you requiring two coats to achieve the specified final thickness?

A. Statement of work specifies 12-mil

Q36. Confirm that all conduit and associated electrical equipment is not to be painted.

A. Don’t paint conduit or associated electrical equipment.

Q37. Do the Elevator and associated components need to be painted?

A. No, minor over spray may be acceptable as long as it doesn’t interfere with the elevator operation.

Q38. Will the safety Rail system need to be removed prior to painting?

A. No, but it will need to be masked off so that no paint will interfere with safety operations.

Q39. Do the top platform and guardrail require abatement and painting? Are there specific outage requirements for when working on the top catwalk?

A. Guardrail and platform abatement (yes), Guardrail painting (yes), Grating painting (no). All work at top platform or above will require an outage.

Q40. Can you confirm length of time between contract award and notice to proceed?

A. There is no set length of time between contract award and notice to proceed. The Notice to Proceed will not be issued until all submittals have been reviewed and accepted. Submittals must be received by the FAA no later than 30 days after award.

Q41. Could you also confirm 45 days is how long we would have to perform the work on site?

A. Yes.

Q42. When does the contract intend to be awarded?

A. There is no set date for the contract to be awarded. It will be awarded after all proposals are reviewed and an award determination is made.

Q43. What is the intended start date? (SOW says May 4th) is this a true projection?

A. May 4th is just the projected start date and is not definite.