RFIs for 697DCK-24-R-00088 - FE.docx

1. Please confirm this is a Small Business Set-aside and not Large Business Proposal shall be considered unless all Small Business Proposals are deemed not technically acceptable?

This procurement is a 100% small business set aside

2. Please confirm whether ASME 17.1 (2022), ASME 17.1 (2019), or ASME 17.1 (2016) is the applicable code Proposals are to be based upon.

DISCUSSION: "Latest Code" doesn’t provide the needed specificity. State of California recognizes 2019 code. 2019 introduced ADA Accessible Phone, Camera, and 2-way text communication require data connections through external servers that may be off putting to Facility management.

2019. However, ADA accessibility is not required if it doesn’t already exist.

3. If ASME 17.1 (2019) or later is required, please identify if the Contractor or the Facility is to provide the second communication line? Also, that the Facility is aware of, and concurs with, off-site duplex data exchange to provide ADA Accessibility Functions necessary to meet ASME 17.1 (2019) and later code?

DISCUSSION: ASME 17.1(2019) introduces a number of ADA Accessibility functions currently accomplished through remote (off-site) servers.

Second communication line is not required.

4. Please identify the Substantial Completion date when the modernization elevators are to be back in service?

Elevators must be operational NLT 1APR24. There is another project starting April 1, 2024 so this project would have to be completed before this date.

5. Please confirm the Passenger elevator can be modernized first due to longer lead time on service/freight elevator parts?

Yes, but freight elevator at this site is priority.

DISCUSSION: The Service/Freight Elevator Door Operators have a late delivery date. We can complete modernizing the Passenger elevator before this critical Service/Freight elevator component becomes available.

6. Please identify the maximum number of days each elevator can be completely non- operational / out of service.

DISCUSSION: The shorter the non-operational period the greater the manpower cost. To ensure an apples-to-apples comparison among technical proposals, the FAA identifying the number of days the elevator can be ‘hard’ down would ensure the FAA receives the best pricing possible by eliminating this uncertainty that is undefined in the SOW of SF1442

FAA prefers the shortest non-operational period as possible.

7. Please identify acceptable workdays and hours given the short turn-around time discussed at the Site Visit. Does FAA require the contractor to comply with the work schedule described in SOW Para 6?

DISCUSSION: SOW Para 6. (Work Schedule) indicates that the work shall be performed during normal business hours and not to exceed 40 hours per week. FAA TRACON projects tend to prefer an accelerated schedule requiring multiple shifts to return the elevator to service.

Working 40-hour work weeks will increase the downtime of the elevator but is more cost effective by reducing overtime pay requirements. Please confirm intent.

Work hours can be more than 40 hours. Please propose 2 schedules, 1. Fastest schedule possible 2. A more streamlined schedule.

8. Please identify if a dedicated Site Superintendent / Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) is Required?

DISCUSSION: As Site-Visit discussion suggests this is a compressed frame project. In similar situations, we typically see Federal Customers require a Dedicated Site Superintendent who is duel hatted as the SSHO to ensure Quality Control and Safety are not compromised during the compressed time frame.

A dedicated superintendent from the prime contractor is required to be on-site during entire project timeline.

9. Request retaining hydraulic pipe embedded in the concrete building slab?

DISCUSSION: Cement protects metal pipes from corrosion and the hydraulic pipe appears serviceable where it enters/exits the concrete slab. With no observed slab cracking or corrosion, replacing this pipe appears unwarranted—it appears serviceable. Likewise, the alternative is running new pipes into the overhead and across spaces. It is an expensive and time-consuming route given everything else in the overhead space. Worse, should a leak occur, the hydraulic fluid will spread from the ceiling down upon equipment and the lobby to create a significantly larger problem than the current path. NOTE: We can optically scope the pipe running through the concrete slab to look for cracks or corrosion if so desired-either as a change order or required work item, so the cost is reflected in all Proposals.

Yes, it can be retained.

10. Do Both Elevators Currently Operate on Emergency Power? If so, does the ATS currently provide a pre-transfer signal via a time delay before initiating a test of the generators? If not present, shall the elevators be provided with battery lowering or shall the contractor be required to run a new ATS signal wire? Is the ATS capable of providing a time delay pretransfer signal? Where is the ATS located in relation to the elevator control room?

DISCUSSION: The Scope of Work does not identify the emergency power operation requirement. The core question is whether the elevators are to operate off of emergency/back-up power or if they simply require a battery lowering device that returns them to the nearest floor and opens the doors in event of main power failure. NOTE: We have never seen an elevator require both emergency power and battery lowering and typically the two systems are incompatible.

Yes. The Auto transfer switch (ATS) is determined and verified in field with the facility, and electrical and fire alarm contractors. No battery lowering device; elevator shall be made to operate on emergency power.

11. Please provide directions on acceptability of capping the Fire Sprinklers in the Elevator Hoistway, or waiving the sump pump requirement?

DISCUSSION: Two Sprinkler heads were recently installed in each elevator hoistway. Sprinkler heads in a hoistway dictate sump pumps and a heat sensor, with additional relay, per applicable ASME 17.1 code. It is further complicated by the California Environmental Code requiring an Oil-Water Separator and Hazardous Material Registration with Annual Fees. At present, neither elevator has a sump pit, pump, oil-water separators, piping, valves, or electrical service. The elevator locations do not make it easy to pipe the sump discharge to a suitable drain.

a. This is a costly modernization element that will likely exceed $45,000 per elevator ($90,000 total), not including the annual maintenance and annual California HAZMAT fees.

b. As it would take over an hour of constant sprinkler flow to sufficiently fill the elevator pit to a level that could impair elevator operations—and no evidence of water previously in the elevator pit—the Federal Government has the latitude to diverge from the Standard either by capping the 2 sprinkler heads in each elevator shaft, or accept the absence of a sump pump, recognizing it shall be noted as a deficiency in any elevator safety inspection.

No existing sump pump at facility. Fire sprinklers can be capped as necessary to work on the elevator. Everything can remain as is.

12. If the FAA wishes to proceed with installing a sump pit and pump, please provide as-built Facility Plumbing Drawings? Please identify if Oil Water Separators are required for the Elevators in the sump pump discharge piping?

No sump pump.

13. Please identify any Building Automation System (BAS) integration with the elevator or elevator-related systems? If BAS integration is required, please clarify if the Contractor or the FAA will schedule and pay for Schneider Electric to perform the BAS integration.

No need for BAS if it isn’t already integrated.

14. Please identify the required type of flooring for the Passenger Elevator per SOW 1.A.xi.?

Roppe flooring with raised rubber tile, or approved equivalent.

15. Please confirm diamond plate in the Freight Elevator requires replacing iaw SOW 1.A.xi?

DISCUSSION: Existing Diamond Plate appears to be in good condition with favorable remaining service life.

If existing flooring is steel diamond plate and in good condition, repaint with non-skid and non-slippery direct to metal paint. If not, replace with steel diamond plate, and paint with non-ski, non-slippery direct to metal paint.

16. Please confirm the Elevator Pits and Machine Room are to be epoxy coated per SOW15.C?

Yes.

17. Please confirm the Hydraulic Fluid requires a flash point above 450 degrees F?

Use standard AW 32 hydraulic oil for elevators.

18. Please confirm no bumpers are required in the Passenger or Freight Elevator?

Not required.

19. Please confirm no pegs, hooks or wall pads are required in either the Passenger Elevator or Freight Elevator?

Not required.

20. Who currently services the Fire Alarm System?

DISCUSSION: It is most advantageous to have modifications to the fire alarm system done by the company currently servicing the fire alarm system. Knowledge of who maintains and services the system allows the contractor to identify potentially overlooked deficiencies that may be encountered.

Verify in field.

21. What is the make and model of the existing fire panel servicing the elevator? Does the current system have available slots or cards to add the specified new devices?

22. Please identify when the fire system was last tested for the elevator and the test results?

DISCUSSION: Please provide results from the last fire test and last test date. This seeks to identify any deficiencies that may currently exist in the fire system in relation to the elevator. If this information cannot be provided the assumption is that all existing elevator related devices are functional, and any integration / replacement / programming is limited to what is explicitly listed in the SOW.

23. What seismic zone is the facility located in, and any seismic requirement?

DISCUSSION: Not addressed in the SOW or SF1442.

Seismic zone 4 code for hydraulic elevators.

1. We understand that the elevator scope of work will need to be coordinated with another major renovation project at the SCT. Please clarify what the preferred period of performance is, along with suggested options, for bidders to shape their proposal around. For example, if 24-hours shifts are to be considered, this should be and Option line item so that proposals may be compared apples to apples.

FAA prefers the shortest non-operational period as possible.

1. There are no design drawings or as-built drawings provided in the project documents. Please provide floor plans, elevations, floor and wall sections that may be relevant to the scope of work, e.g. location of the elevator shafts, lobbies, and machine rooms; structural calculations relating to elevator; egress, loading docks, general access, and any restricted areas within the building.

All available drawings have been provided.

1. P. 3 of 20, item A. xiv. states contractor must replace sump pump, associated piping, electrical service and sump pump controls in the elevator pit. Sump pumps were not visible in either the freight or passenger elevator pits. Please clarify if the scope of work is to include the installation of new sump pumps, in which case specifications and design details should be provided for the demolition of the concrete floor, piping and drainage, electrical service, drainage, etc.

No sump pump required.

1. P. 3 of 20, item A. xvi. states patch all cracks, voids, holes in hoistways. Please provide dimensioned elevations which identify the specific locations and extent of these areas to be patched; or, provide an assumed quantity on which the contractor’s should base their proposal.

Verify in field.

1. P. 3 of 20, item A. xvii. states provide all code required signages. Please provide specifications for signage, including areas where such signage needs to be provided (e.g. just at elevator shaft and cab, or along certain paths of travel within the building).

Elevator code required signage examples include data tags, door jamb rail, push buttons, etc.