Answers.docx

The proposal response date was inadvertently changed to 05-15-2022 @ 7:00 am on Amendment A002. It is returned back to its original date and time, 05-16-2022 @ 7:00 am

Answers to Questions that were Received against RFP 36C26222R0089

Part 1

1- Bldg. 2 - with the loading dock being needed to access for equipment to reach the upper tower dome and associated elevations. What are the restrictions for the dock to coordinate the completion of this work. Access will be required for the dome with total closure of the area for access.

Access to the loading dock will be coordinated with the facility based around shipment and delivery times.

2 - All Bldgs. - Will weekend completion be allowed or required?

Weekend work will be allowed and required for work on heavy traffic areas such as main entrances, just need to coordinate with the COR.

3 - Bldg. 2 - the west courtyard adjacent to Bldg. 2 has an anti-graffiti coating applied in past painting project as a wear deterrent. This will not allow new coating to be installed. What is the intent for this area?

The anti-graffiti coating will be painted over with the same paint and color as the rest of the wall, just as it is called for in the drawings. Light sanding or a paint thinner are suggestions on how to paint over the coating (we do not require it to be removed, just treated until the new layer can be properly applied).

4 - The RFP states a covered pedestrian walkway is required. Will there be directions from the Safety Department as to the requirements? Will orange fencing be allowed for this purpose?

The use of orange fencing for diverting traffic or blocking work areas will be allowed. If more stringent measures must be taken, like a covered walkway, VA safety will provide directions on the requirements.

5 - All Bldgs. - Entry and exit access door-ways, will these be blocked during coating installation?

Yes, if work is being done on doorways, access to them will have to be blocked and diverted. This work will be done during weekends for minimal disruption if it is the only access point into the area.

6 - All Bldgs. - Existing elevations have custom accent details on beams and overhangs, as this has been a history heritage meaning of the facility and with intended color changes, will the accent details need to be replaced as is or will this be deleted from the RFP?

Accent details will be repainted in matching color. Color is specified in the attached drawings.

7 - All Bldgs. - The RFP documents show an approx. sq. ft. of surface area but does not provide actual detail of the elevations many stop points. Can the facility provide the contractors better stop point information to allow actual measurements.

Attached drawings include shaded areas that identify the partition between buildings and where work is not included.

8 - Bldg. 2 - The Northeast elevation of the building has a temporary mobile imaging trailer lot. Will this area remain available and accessible during construction?

Yes, if trailers are moved in or out, contractor and COR will coordinate appropriately.

9 - Confirm that 3rd Party inspections will be provided by the Prime Contractor?

After internal discussion, VA will NOT require third party inspections of the work performed.

Contractor is still responsible for performing their own contractor quality control plan and inspections. VA personnel will have to accept each building prior to work starting on the next building. Lead survey must be done by a qualified company.

PART 2

Question 1:

Page 8 of the solicitation document states: Contractor shall conduct a lead survey of the old paint on all buildings listed.

During the walkthrough, VA project management indicated the lead survey should include one sample per building. One sample may not be adequate to correctly characterize lead-based paint content on all building components. Many building components with various painting histories were seen. The dates of construction and renovations range from 1927 to present. What type of lead surveys does the VA require?

The VA prefers an XRF test of areas where the paint is visibly peeling off, stucco/wood repairs will be done and said damaged areas are at least 1 square foot in size. If paint chip sampling is found to be cheaper it will also be accepted.

If the contractor finds an area to be suspicious but does not fall under the above area standard, they are encouraged to test for lead (at their own cost).

Question 2:

The project includes disturbance of caulking, various building sealants, window glazing, stucco, and textured finishes. Can the VA verify that no asbestos containing materials will be encountered?

The VA does not have outside asbestos surveys of the facility. The VA in-house construction team has replaced sealants/caulking/stucco throughout the years as needed and asbestos materials have not been encountered working on the outside. If the contractor finds an area/material that is suspicious, they are encouraged to test for asbestos (at their own cost) and discuss abatement options with VA engineering.

Question 3:

For bidding purposes, is there an estimated quantity of wood decay to be replaced?

No, and no major structural replacement that would require an architect/engineer service will be done. We are looking at minor repairs/treatment for a proper coat of paint to be applied.

Question 4:

For bidding purposes, is there an estimated quantity of stucco repair needed on this project?

No, but A/E drawings have call-outs to certain (not all) spots. See drawing 02R-902 picture F3 for an example. We are looking at minor repairs/treatment for a proper coat of paint to be applied.

Question 5:

Is the VA’s intent to award all 10 buildings to a single contractor?

Yes. If the bid prices are too high, we will select which buildings will be done. Therefore, every building will be priced as separate items.

Question 6:

Can the Superintendent serve as the SSHO and QC Manager?

If qualified, the site superintendent can perform the duties of the SSHO and/or CQC.

Question 7:

Are the 3rd party inspection companies listed in Specification Section 01 00 00 paragraph 1.2F the only ones allowed to be used on this project or can the contractor propose another professional service provider for this item?

After internal discussion, VA will NOT require third party inspections of the work performed. Contractor is still responsible for performing their own contractor quality control plan and inspections. VA personnel will have to accept each building prior to work starting on the next building.

Lead survey must be done by a qualified company.

Question 8:

The 3rd party inspections listed in 01 00 00 paragraph 1.2F referring to final acceptance inspections for Painting and Joint Sealants? Are there any additional inspections required to be performed by the 3rd party inspector?

After internal discussion, VA will NOT require third party inspections of the work performed. Contractor is still responsible for performing their own contractor quality control plan and inspections. VA personnel will have to accept each building prior to work starting on the next building.

Lead survey must be done by a qualified company.

Question 9:

Specification Section 01 00 00 paragraph 1.2G lists Submittal Exchange and Autodesk BIM360. How many seats are required by the VA?

After further consideration, we will not require any outside software. Given the project size, submittals and documentation will be exchanged through email between the contractor, COR, and contracting officer/specialist.

Part 3

1. The plans for building 2 specify, “repair existing damaged stucco,” D9&F3/02R02. Please provide plans for the pop out (foam or framed?).

VA in-house construction team recommends using foam and shape to match existing.

1. Every specific repair to wood, and some stucco repairs, referenced in the plans, points to general note “Q”, which states, “[Contractor shall coordinate with COR] to ensure historic preservation requirements are met.” Please provide the historic preservation requirements.

Any small repair done will maintain the overall aesthetic and design of the building. No major reconstruction or re-design will be done to any area.

1. In the statement of work, Section C II: background information states, “[The purpose of this project is to] remove and replace all caulking and sealants… Estimated joint sealants that require demolition and repair is 10,500 linear feet.” Please provide location and plans for the referenced joints and caulking.

Only the plans already provided exist. All caulking/backer rods/sealants associated with the exterior of the buildings in question and the work area covered by this project are expected to be done. The A/E gave a rough estimate of 10,500 linear feet.

Part 4

1. SF1442, Block 12a states that Payment and Performance Bonds are NOT required. will the VA confirm there will be no bonding requirements for this solicitation?

Bonds are not required for this solicitation.

1. The Statement of Work requires the Contractor to provide a Site Safety and Health Officer and a Construction Quality Control System Manager in addition to the Site Superintendent. Will the VA confirm that the Offeror must include the costs for all three of these individual roles or may the Site Superintendent perform as the SSHO and/or the CQC if duly qualified?

If duly qualified, the site superintendent can perform the duties of the SSHO and/or CQC.

1. RFP, Page 8, Objectives states that the Contractor shall perform a Lead-Based Paint Survey prior to painting. Will the VA confirm that a HAZMAT Survey must be performed for the exterior of each building and that any HAZMAT materials discovered will be treated as a differing condition for bidding purposes?

Yes, a HAZMAT Survey for lead-paint must be performed for each building. We only require one sample per building. For bidding purposes the contractor will bid for each building as if there were no lead. If lead is found after the survey, the VA will treat the abatement process as a change order.

1. The RFP mentions Material Testing as a project requirement. Will the VA specify what materials for this project will require testing?

The only material the project requires testing for is lead in the old paint.

1. Specification Section 02 21 13 – Site Surveys was included in the Project Manual. There was no mention of a Land Surveyor being required for this project. Will the VA provide specifics for the Surveying requirements (if needed) for this Project?

There is no land survey required for this project.

Part 5

1. Should we insert the bid bond with Factor 3 Price?

Bonds are not required for this solicitation.

1. Should we insert Reps & Certs with Factor 3 Price?

Please review Section L.11, Submittal Instructions. Include it in Volume II, Price Proposal.

1. Are we required to submit the VAAR_852.219-77 with our proposal?

Yes

1. Can the Superintendent also act as the SSHO?

If duly qualified, the site superintendent can perform the duties of the SSHO and/or CQC.

1. Can the Project Manager also act as the Quality Control Manager?

If qualified, the project manager can perform the duties of the Quality Control Manager. However, they must be on site at all times while the work is being done just as a site superintendent would be.

1. Can workers obtain OSHA 10hr after award or do we need to include certificates with the proposal?

Please review Section L.11, Required Submittals. Proof of training must be submitted with all proposals.

1. If past performance isn’t available on the PPIRS will it be acceptable to include a list of projects with contacts, scope of work and magnitudes under Factor 3? Or even a PPQ form that can be submitted directly to you from our past clients?

Past Performance will be evaluated as it states Section M.1, Evaluation Factors for Award:

The Government will use information obtained from the Government’s System for Award Management (SAM) and the Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) to assess past performance.

In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance (see FAR 15.305 (a)(2)(iv)). Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have neutral or unknown past performance

8. What Factor should the W9 be included in?

Please review Section L.11, Submittal Instructions. Include it in Volume II, Price Proposal.

9. What Factor should the VA Form 10091 included in?

Please review Section L.11, Submittal Instructions. Include it in Volume II, Price Proposal.