Attach_7_IRV Exterior Paint_Q_A_Master.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 34 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 75F40126R00047
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers Master document related to exterior paint specifications for the Building Exterior Repair Project at the FDA Pacific Southwest Laboratory in Irvine, California.
The document addresses technical inquiries and clarifications regarding the exterior paint requirements for the structural steel surface preparation and application of corrosion-resistant coating systems specified in solicitation 75F40126R00047. The Q&A format provides official Government responses to contractor questions submitted during the proposal development phase, ensuring all bidders receive consistent interpretations of the paint specifications, application requirements, material standards, and performance criteria outlined in the original solicitation documents. This master Q&A document serves as an authoritative reference to eliminate ambiguity and support accurate proposal preparation for the competitive 100 percent Small Business Set-Aside, Firm-Fixed-Price construction contract with a 180-calendar-day substantial completion requirement and one-year workmanship warranty following final acceptance.
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Lists
| Solicitation | Open | Yes |
| Attachment 1 - IRV Exterior Repair_Seismic Design_IFC | Under Review | No |
| Attachment 2 - IRV Exterior Repair_Site Plans | Answered | |
| Attachment 3 - Pricing Schedule | Closed | |
| Attachment 4 - Wage Determination CA20260024 | ||
| Attachment 5 - FDA Contractor Security Clearance Standards | ||
| Attachment 6 - Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) |
Questions and Answers IRV Exterior Repair
OC-2026-133499
RFP: 75F40126R00047
Questions and Answers
| Question No. | Solicitation Reference | Vendor Question | Government Response | Solicitation or Document Update Required (Y/N) | What Document Needs Updating | Update Made | Multiple Documents |
| 1 | Solicitation | What is the Government's dollar amount estimated magnitude for this project? | Under the FAR Revolutionary Overhaul (RFO), disclosure of the magnitude of a construction project is no longer required. As a courtesy, the Government is providing the legacy FAR magnitude. The magnitude of this project is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. | No | N/A | ||
| 2 | Solicitation, PWS | Will contractor be provided a lay down area? | Yes, however, contractor will need to coordinate with FDA Facilities Management at Irvine. | No | N/A | ||
| 3 | Solicitation, PWS | Can Superintendent wear all 3 hats? (Superintendent, SSHO, QC) | No. | No | N/A | ||
| 4 | Addendum to 52.212-1(h), Vol I Sec 1(b) AND PWS 11.0 | Schedule Conflict: PWS Section 11.0 requires Substantial Completion within 180 days of NTP. However, the Volume I proposal instructions require a Seasonal Phasing Strategy that "defines which exterior coating activities will be deferred, accelerated, or protected" specifically between "March-October". If award is anticipated in August 2026 and the PoP is 180 days (completing in February 2027), there are no March-October months in the active schedule. Will the Government extend the Period of Performance to allow for spring/summer coating applications, or should our schedule reflect completion entirely within the August-February fall/winter months? | No. The Government does not intend to extend the Period of Performance based solely on seasonal considerations. Offerors shall prepare their proposed project schedules based on the solicitation requirement to achieve substantial completion within 180 calendar days after issuance of the Notice to Proceed. |
The Seasonal Phasing Strategy is intended to demonstrate the Offeror's understanding of how weather-sensitive exterior coating activities will be sequenced and managed should environmental conditions affect performance. Offerors shall account for manufacturer application requirements and the environmental limitations identified in the Performance Work Statement when developing their proposed schedules.
| The references to March through October are provided as planning guidance regarding optimal coating conditions and do not establish a Government-directed performance window or modify the required Period of Performance. | No | N/A | ||||
| 5 | PWS 1.1.2 AND Phase 2 Report (Page 16) | Structural Crack Contingencies: The Phase 2 Report states that if concrete crack widths exceeding 1/16-inch are encountered, the contractor shall submit an RFI for potential structural crack repairs. However, PWS 1.1.2 explicitly states "There is no structural crack repair scope in the project" and removes Section 01 21 00 - Allowances. If structural cracks >1/16" are encountered, please confirm this will be handled as an equitable adjustment / bilateral contract modification rather than requiring contractors to inflate their Firm-Fixed-Price to cover unknown structural contingencies. | Wording in PWS 1.1.2 prevails. No structural crack repair is in the scope of this project. Phase 2 Report is included for reference only. | No | N/A | |
| 6 | PWS 10.4 | Testing Frequencies: PWS 10.4 states that coating adhesion testing (ASTM D3359) will use a vague "tiered approach" (e.g., test at a greater frequency early... if deviation is minor, perform less frequent testing). To ensure all offerors are pricing CLIN 000204 (QC & Testing) equally, can the Government provide a baseline minimum testing frequency (e.g., 1 test per 500 SF of coated area) to use for proposal bidding purposes? | Since this is indicated in a Performance Work Statement, this procedure will not be specified in that detail. Contractor will have to ensure that their method for assuring proper adhesion provides the expected results. If their workmanship, materials and surface preparation bring successful results, it is implied that less frequent testing will be necessary or required by the COR or its representative. | No | N/A | |
| 7 | Section 01 14 00 (1.1.A.4) AND PWS 8.0(E) | Staging and Logistics: Specification 01 14 00 states "there is no location available within the building for storage of materials" and requires contractors to find off-site parking. Conversely, PWS 8.0(E) states the Government will provide "Designated staging and storage areas as coordinated with facility management". Please confirm if the Government will allow the placement of a temporary exterior storage container (e.g., Conex box) on the facility grounds or parking lot for staging equipment, tools, materials, and paints. | Yes, however, contractor will need to coordinate with FDA Facilities Management at Irvine. | No | N/A | |
| 8 | Section 01 14 00 (1.3.D) AND PWS 4.2.2 | Working Hours for Noisy Work: Section 01 14 00 requires noisy, vibration, and/or odor-producing work to be done during "Government Unoccupied Hours" (outside of 6 AM - 4 PM). Given that the interior concrete floor crack repairs require grinding and leveling which generates significant noise and vibration, please confirm if all interior concrete preparation and repair must be performed and priced entirely as after-hours/night work. | Only the noisy, vibration, or odor-producing portions of the interior concrete work, such as grinding and leveling, must be performed during Government Unoccupied Hours. Other interior operations that do not disrupt FDA operations may be performed during Government Occupied Hours. Per Specification 01 14 00, paragraph 1.3, Government Occupied Hours are weekdays, Monday through Friday, typically 6 AM to 4 PM, excluding Government holidays (1.3.A), and Government Unoccupied Hours are all other times (1.3.B). Disruptive work shall be approved in advance (1.3.D.1) and performed at no additional cost to the Government (1.3.E). The 6 AM to 4 PM period in paragraph 1.1.C.6 governs loading dock deliveries only and does not define working hours. |
| The Government's facility and maintenance staff are on site beginning 5:00 AM, and building occupancy is lightest before 9:00 AM. The Contractor may coordinate with the COR to perform disruptive work during these low-occupancy periods, subject to the advance-approval requirements of paragraph 1.3. This does not modify the definition of Government Occupied Hours in paragraph 1.3.A. | No | N/A | |||
| 9 | Attachment 5 (Sections 3 & 6) | Security Badging Locations: Attachment 5 states the Government covers background investigation costs unless fingerprinting is done outside the FDA Personnel Security Office, and notes the Badging Office is located in Silver Spring, MD. Since this project is located at the Pacific Southwest Laboratory in Irvine, CA, please confirm if local contractor employees can complete their fingerprinting and PIV badging on-site in Irvine, CA, or if additional out-of-pocket costs will be required to process clearances locally. | Yes, the fingerprinting can be conducted at the Irvine office. Once the applicants are entered in eArrive, the security specialist will assist with scheduling appointments. | No | |
| 10 | PWS 1.1.2(b) AND Section 01 73 10 (1.2.B) | Existing Resilient Flooring Specification: PWS 1.1.2 requires the "replacement of damaged resilient flooring at cracked slab locations". Specification 01 73 10 requires the contractor to provide samples of this resilient flooring that "match existing". However, the make, model, type, and color of the existing resilient flooring are not provided in the solicitation documents. To ensure all offerors accurately and competitively price CLIN 000303, please identify the specific manufacturer, product name/number, and color of the existing resilient flooring currently installed at the facility. | Refer to Specification 03 01 00 for requirements in concrete. |
Vinyl tile (VT) specified in the project was:
3 mm thick 304.8 x 304.8 vinyl composition tile meeting FS SS-T-312 Type IV.
Manufacturer and Product: Armstrong Imperial Texture, Standard Excelon, installed in a pattern using three colors:
VT-1: "Cool White", No. 51899.
VT-2: "Ash Gray", No. 51925.
VT-3: "Classic Black", No. 51910.
| Contractor shall verify color on site and get sample approval from COR before proceeding. | No | N/A | |||||
| 11 | Section 01 73 20 (3.5.H) AND Section 00 01 10 | Missing Roofing Specifications: Section 01 73 20 (Selective Demolition) paragraph 3.5.H instructs the contractor to "Refer to applicable Division 7 Section for new roofing requirements". However, the Table of Contents (Section 00 01 10) indicates that Divisions 04 through 33 are "NOT USED," and no Division 7 specifications are provided. Is roofing patch/replacement part of this contract scope, and if so, please provide the applicable roofing specifications. | Delete Spectification 01 73 20 paragraph 3.5 H from the project requirement. Roofing selective demolition is not part of concrete repair and exterior painting scope. | Yes | Attachment 1 - Seismic Design_IFC | Closed | |
| 12 | PWS 1.1.2(b) AND Drawings A600-A604 | Unquantifiable Crack Repair Scope: PWS 1.1.2(b) states the contractor must repair "all visible and accessible interior cracks in concrete walls and columns". However, drawings A600-A604 map out exactly 61 specific tagged crack locations (e.g., 01 IW to 61 F) and state the drawings are "NOT INTENDED TO BE COMPREHENSIVE". Will the contractor's Firm-Fixed-Price be held strictly to the 61 specific crack locations identified in the drawings, or is the contractor expected to provide a blank-check FFP for an unknown quantity of "all visible" cracks across the entire 145,967 GSF facility? If the latter, please provide a baseline linear footage allowance for bidding purposes. | Please adhere to the cracks identified on the drawings (A600 to A604). | Yes | Solicitation and Attachment 1_Seismic Design_IFC | Closed | |
| 13 | PWS 4.1, PWS 10.3, AND Spec 09810/09900 | Obsolete/Non-Compliant CA Coatings: PWS 4.1 specifies standard MPI #72, #77, and #98 topcoats, while the reference as-built specs (09810/09900) call out 20-year-old legacy systems. PWS 10.3 also requires compliance with California Air Resources Board and local air quality regulations. Because the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD Rule 1113) enforces strict VOC limits that many legacy or standard MPI industrial coatings exceed, please confirm that if the specified products do not meet SCAQMD rules, contractors are authorized to submit and price equivalent, SCAQMD-compliant low-VOC formulations. | Contractor shall adhere to PWS Section 10.3 "Environmental Controls" where it is stated that all products as well as methods submitted shall comply with CARB regulations as well as local air quality management district. As-built spec 09810/09900 are referenced for part 1 general requirement and part 3 execution. | No | Attachment 2-Site Plans | Closed | |
| 14 | PWS 10.3 AND Section 01 74 19 | Hazardous Waste Assessment (Heavy Metals): PWS 10.3 requires proper disposal of contaminated runoff and hazardous waste. Given that the facility was completed around 2005, have the existing exterior coatings been tested for heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, chromium) that would classify the resulting paint chips, abrasive blasting media, and wash water as Hazardous Waste in the State of California? If no test report is available, should contractors carry a financial allowance for hazardous waste testing and disposal in their proposal? | No coating sampling or hazardous-constituent testing has been performed by the Government. The Contractor shall include all testing, worker protection, containment, waste characterization, and disposal in its proposed price. This building was completed in 2005 and another recoating was done around 2015. The Government does not anticipate the need for the testing. However, if the Offeror determines it is appropriate for its inclusion, incorporate in pricing under CLIN 202. | No | Attachment 3 - Pricing Schedule | Closed | |
| 15 | Section 01 14 00 (1.1.A.18) | Fire Alarm / Smoke Detector Protection: Section 01 14 00 requires coordination for any building system alarms. Given that interior concrete grinding (generating crystalline silica dust) and interior painting (generating fumes) are required, will the Government facility management handle the daily bypassing/bagging of smoke detectors in the work zones, or must the contractor hire a certified fire alarm vendor to isolate and restore the alarm system daily? | If required, this will be coordinated through Facilities Management at Irvine. | No | N/A | ||
| 16 | General | Do rusted fasteners on awnings need to be replaced? | This is not part of the scope. | No | N/A | ||
| 17 | Section 01 73 10 (1.3 C A&B) | Is there a specification for the resilient flooring or architectural concrete finishes? | See response to question #10. | No | N/A | ||
| 18 | General | Is there a way to access the back of the building with a man lift? | There is very limited to no access for this type of equipment | No | N/A | ||
| 19 | General | It was noted during the walk that there were some shifting and cracking at the steel columns at the east window wall. Are these areas to be addressed as they are not specified? | Please refer to PWS Section 4.1 | No | N/A | ||
| 20 | PWS 1.1.1 ( C ) | Discusses stairs at the roof that need to be painted. Are there any details available on this as we did not access the roof? | Refer to Attachment 2_Site Plans, Pages 5 and 16 of 32 on the pdf for details and location of the stair. | No | N/A | ||
| 21 | General | On the walk we went into the Boiler Room. There is nothing indicated on the plans for work to be performed in there. There was discussion of the floor coating being completed. Is this to be included? What is the spec for the floor covering? | This is not part of the scope. | No | N/A | ||
| 22 | PWS 4.1.2 | We assume that all stainless steel is to be protected in place on the canopies and no work is to be performed to them correct? | Correct. Any corrosion on the adjacent steel components needs to be corrected. See also response to question #29. | No | N/A | ||
| 23 | General | Is there a specification for the non structural concrete crack filler and topical treatment? | Please refer to Section 03 01 00 Part 2 "PRODUCTS" | No | N/A | ||
| 24 | PWS 4.1 A,B,C | Is there a preferred paint manufacturer? | Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore or equal products as listed in MPI Approved Products List for this location at www.mpi.net/APL/index.asp | No | N/A | ||
| 25 | PWS 4.0 | Does coating thickness testing need to be performed by a third party? Or is self test documented acceptable? | Coating thickness may be self documented as long as a witness test is performed with the COR or its representative. | No | N/A | ||
| 26 | PWS 9.0 | What permits would be required for this work? | Contractor to identify and procure any and all permits required by the State of California for this type of work. | No | N/A | ||
| 27 | PWS 10.4 | What certification is required by our testing consultant? | The consultant shall be an AMPP Coating Inspector Level 2 (CIP-2) as a minimum. | No | Solicitation, Section 6 - PWS, para 10.4. | Closed | |
| 28 | Solicitation, PWS | Please confirm whether stair treads, grating, walking surfaces, landings, and nosings are to receive the same coating system as the structural stair steel, or whether walking surfaces are excluded or require a slip-resistant/nonskid coating system. Are all visible steel members and screen structure around stairs to be included? | Walking surfaces are excluded from any coating on this project. However, these areas shall be left free of any debris or paint splatter. Galvanized grating to remain as is. | No | N/A | ||
| 29 | Attachment 2 - IRV Exterior Repair_Site Plans | Please confirm the exact steel components included in the coating scope. The drawings identify multiple stair locations, entrance canopy, railing, roof stair, and chemical shed canopy areas. Are all visible steel members, screens, guardrails, handrails, underside members, bolts, brackets, and supports included? Does this include the stainless steel items? | Yes, all visible steel members and related components are included per PWS Section 4.0 "Requirements". Stainless steel items to remain as such. | No | N/A | ||
| 30 | Solicitation, PWS | The frequency of adhesion testing is very vague. Please define the required compatibility and adhesion testing method, frequency, and acceptance criteria. Who is responsible for repairing destructive test locations? Additionally, how can we price the surface prep requirements w/o conducting the test first? | This is described in PWS Section 10.4 "Quality Control and Testing". These tests are meant to evaluate the contractor methods, workmanship and products used. If early tests show satisfactory results, subsequent testing will be less or waived. See answer to Question 6 | No | N/A | ||
| 31 | Solicitation, PWS | Please confirm whether existing coatings on the exterior stairs, sunshades, canopy steel, and chemical shed canopy have been tested for lead, chromium, or other hazardous constituents. If testing has been performed, please provide the reports. If not, please confirm whether hazardous coating testing, containment, worker protection, waste characterization, and disposal are included in the base bid or handled as a change condition. | See response to question #14. | No | N/A | ||
| 32 | Solicitation, PWS | Please confirm inspection hold point response times and whether work may proceed if the COR or Government inspector is not available within the required notice period. The PWS requires 24-hour notice and states work shall not proceed beyond hold points without COR approval. | The COR or its representative will comply with the response time and hold points requirement shall be observed. | No | N/A | ||
| 33 | Solicitation, PWS | Please confirm whether coating inspection/testing must be performed by an independent third-party inspector, a manufacturer-approved applicator, or the Contractor’s internal QC personnel. | Testing shall be performed by a manufacturer approved applicator or an independent third party certified inspector. See answer to Question 27. | No | N/A | ||
| 34 | Attachment 2 - IRV Exterior Repair_Site Plans | Please confirm mockup and color-matching requirements for exterior steel coatings, including the number, size, and locations of field samples, and whether the Government will provide existing color standards. | The Contractor shall follow the as-built specs requirement 09810 1.2 and 1.3 for color match requirements and mockups. The mockup shall be for each components listed in PWS 6.0. | Yes | Solicitation, Section 6 -PWS section and Attachment 2_Site Pans | Closed | |
| 35 | Solicitation, PWS | Please confirm whether galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, prefinished metal, glazing, canopy panels, sunshades, and factory-finished components are excluded from coating and only require protection, unless specifically noted otherwise. | See response to question #29. | No | N/A | ||
| 36 | Attachment 2 - IRV Exterior Repair_Site Plans | Drawing is vague in elevation view for the sunshade canopies “south side”. Please provide total number qty of sunshades. | There is a total of 68 sunshades as shown on Drawings A3.1 Detail 4. Contractor must verify this on the drawing | No | N/A | ||
| 37 | Solicitation, PWS | Please confirm that, under the SSPC-SP2/SP3 surface preparation requirement, existing coating that is sound and well-adhered, may remain in place and be overcoated with the specified MPI system, including MPI #108 intermediate coat and finish coat. Please also confirm that only exposed bare steel/corroded areas require spot priming prior to MPI #108, rather than full coating removal to bare steel. If overcoat is acceptable, please confirm the required DFT verification method for areas where the specified coating system is applied over sound existing coating. | After applying initial cleaning, any area where the existing coating is sound and well-adhered may remain in place and overcoated to a minimum DFT of 4 mils | No | N/A | ||
| 38 | Solicitation, PWS | Can noise, fumes, and dust generating activities (inside and/or outside) be performed during normal business hours? | See answer to Question # 8 | No | N/A | ||
| 39 | Attachment 5 - Security Clearance | Can non-US Citizens work on the project? | Non-US citizens can work on the project as long as they have resided in the U.S. for 3 of the last 5 years | No | N/A | ||
| 40 | Attachment 5 - Security Clearance | Is there a Real ID requirement? | Yes, a Real ID is required. | No | N/A | ||
| 41 | Solicitation | Is this a prevailing wage requirement? | Yes. This procurement is subject to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements (formerly the Davis-Bacon Act). The applicable Construction Wage Determination is CA20260024, Modification 03, dated May 18, 2026, which is incorporated into the solicitation as Attachment 4. | No | N/A |
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