Q As for Arecibo JCC.pdf

ARECIBO Job Corps Center New Dormitories, Phase 2.

RFP# DOL110RP20878

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

09-Apr-10.

QUESTIONS FROM:

PHELPS & PHELPS Consulting, LLC.

1) If the Phase I was constructed recently (5-6 years ago) there must be documentation submitted to the PREQB related to the environmental assessment for Phase I. Among the documents, if available, should be the “PLAN de Cierre Sistema de Pozos Septico” prepared by CSA Group. Drawings indicated the closure of five (5) existing septic systems has the plan been submitted to PREQB for approval. 2) Can a copy of the Hydrologic and Hydraulic study for the storm waters of the project be obtained?

ANSWERS:

Yes. The septic tank approvals were initially issued by the EQB contingent on presentation of additional samplings of contaminants. The Phase 1 GC made additional contaminants samplings and conducted meetings with the EQB but EQB has not rendered a final decision to date. The Phase 2 contractor is required to pick up that trail with the EQB and complete the septic tank closure process. All correspondence with the EQB to date will be made available to the Phase 2 contractor upon contract award to facilitate the completion of that unfinished task with that local agency. Refer also to the Scope of Work, Section II/A/3/page 6, last bullet [emphasis added]:

“Obtain from the local Environmental Quality Board (EQB), all appropriate permits and certifications associated with the closure of the Phase 2 septic tanks, as well as complete the closure process for the Phase 1 septic tanks. Conduct all the requisite tests and procure all requisite contaminant samplings in compliance with the EQB’s regulations in order to complete the closures of all septic tanks on both Phases. Liaise with the Center management to transfer all final septic tank closure documentation to the Center as end users.”

2) Yes. A digital version of the original Hydrologic and Hydraulic study may be downloaded from http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/HHStudy.pdf.

QUESTIONS FROM:

HBA

#001 / CONTRACTOR’S REMARKS:Construction inspection (and reports) required for the use permit certification to ARPE shall be done by an independent entity (not contractor). Therefore, please confirm that construction inspection will be excluded from design-build responsibilities under this contract; they will be performed by others contracted by the Owner.

ANSWER: Confirmed. An independent “Designated Inspector” will be hired by the DOL in compliance with ARPE’s permitting and reporting regulations. This will not relieve the DB Contractor from conducting its own due diligence inspections through its AE for QA/QC purposes.

#002 / CONTRACTOR’S REMARKS:Do utilities services (water and electricity) and their point of connection require furhter confirmation from utilities companies for this project (Phase 2); or are they already committed and approved by those agencies.

ANSWER: No. Phase 2 electrical and water utility connections tie into existing lines inside of the Center property line.

#003 / CONTRACTOR’S REMARKS:Does a soils investigation for this building (phase 2) has been performed and is it available for use in the estructural design? If so, can you provide us with this information prior to bid deadline? Does design-build responsibilities by Contractor include securing an independent (new) soils investigation?

ANSWER: Refer to SOW APPENDIX A—Subsurface Exploration & Geotechnical Report of Specifications VolumeII, published as “reference only” documents under this solicitation. Said documentation covers and remains valid for Phase 2. No further geotechnical studies are required.

#004 / CONTRACTOR’S REMARKS:The Construction Documents to be prepared will replicate most aspects of CSA’s original design. Will this not constitute an infrigement of intellectual property? Does the Owner / DOL has a release from the previous designer which would permit to replicate his original conceptual design by another designer?

ANSWER:

Since the Government contracted and paid the A-E 100% to produce the specs and drawings, title and all rights were transferred to the Government upon final payment. Therefore, it is considered Government property to dispense with it as we please.

QUESTIONS FROM:

ARGA / CSA

1. The SOW requires the Design-Build Contractor to verify “all the dimensions and existing system types and conditions”. Visual observation of above ground elements and conditions can be performed, but most likely it would take more than one visit to obtain verification of existing conditions, in addition to the Pre-proposal Walk-thru. Are site visits other than the scheduled Pre-Proposal Walk- thru of March 11 permitted? If so, what is the solicitation process? Will more than one additional visit be permitted?

ANSWER: Contractor’s request is reasonable.Additional visits are allowed, subject to prior coordination with the Center’s Administration Manager, Mr. Ismael Bordoy on (787) 816 55 22.

[Note to DOL only: Recommend DOL allow additional visits. It is in the government’s interest to allow maximum access to the site and ample opportunities to verify existing conditions, specially when the offeror is tasked with “owning” another Architect’s design].

2. Provide new dates in SOW Part VII–PROJECT SCHEDULE (p. 20) ANSWER: The Project Schedule durations remain unchanged. The Proposal Due date has changed per the latest Modification to the solicitation. All subsequent dates will change based on the SOW’s scheduled durations.

3. We understand that the “Constructability Handbook” required in SOW of the Design-Build Contractor, is submitted at the Pre-Construction Meeting at the earliest, or with the Interim Construction Documents Submittal at the latest. Please, confirm or clarify.

ANSWER: The “Constructability Handbook” shall be first submitted with the Interim Construction Documents and updated on the subsequent submission.

4. With respect to the SOW requirement that the Phase II Building shall remain as designed, except for minor requested changes and for compliance with latest edition of various Energy Codes and Standards. To this respect, the Phase II Building is already sited and limited by existing elements such as the property limits, the access road to dormitories, service road, and leaching field. In order to comply with energy codes and standards, as requested by DOL, this situation may force major changes in the design of the building itself, further than what is foreseen. In view of the aforementioned, please clarify the following:

a. In page 5 of the SOW, one of the applicable codes and standards listed is the 10CFR435 Energy Conservation Voluntary Performance Standards for New Buildings (mandatory for Federal buildings). We understand that the title of this CFR is Energy Efficiency Standards for New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings.

Please, clarify.

ANSWER: Delete “10CFR435 Energy Conservation Voluntary Performance Standards for New Buildings” from the SOW’s page 5 list of standards. Instead, ensure compliance with the principles set out in JCH-814—Planning, Design and Construction Administration Guidelines for Architects and Engineers, already published as supporting documentation to this solicitation.

b. The 10CFR435.5-Performance Level determination states that “Each Federal Agency shall determine the energy consumption levels for both the baseline building and the proposed building by using the Simulated Performance Alternative found in section 404 of the ICC International Conservation Code, 2004 Supplement edition January 2005”. Additionally, the 10CFR435.8 Life-cycle costing states that “Each Federal agency shall determine life-cycle cost-effectiveness by using the procedures set out in subpart A of CFR Part 436.” Has the DOL determined the energy consumption levels or the life-cycle cost-effectiveness for the new Phase II Dormitory Building?

ANSWER: Refer to above answer 4.a. Per JCH-814 Section 1.8, the DB GC will determine the energy baseline for the building using either ASHRAE 90.1 or Simulated Performance Alternative found in section 404 of the ICC International Conservation Code, 2004 Supplement edition January 2005 and obtain a 30% reduction in energy usage over the applicable standard. In addition to the sustainability requirements of JCH-814 Section 1.8 comply with the following:

(i) Provide a life cycle cost analysis on the installation of solar hot water heating.

Submit this LCC analysis as part of the Constructability Handbook which is to be issued at the Interim Construction Documents stage.

(ii) The use of harvested rainwater, treated wastewater and air conditioner condensate should also be considered and used where feasible for non-potable use and potable use where allowed.

(iii) To the maximum extent feasible, maintain or restore the predevelopment hydrology of the site with regard to temperature, rate, volume, and duration of flow. See http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/lid/section438/pdf/final_sec438_eisa.pdf

(iv) Use WaterSense labeled products and other water conserving products where feasible.

(v) Use certified sustainable wood products, if these products meet performance requirements and are available at a reasonable cost.

5. In PR, the governmental agency issuing the Construction Permit, ARPE, requires that there is a third-party Designated Inspector, hired by the Owner, but responding to the ARPE with monthly reporting of the construction activities. How is the DOL responding to this governmental agency requirement?

ANSWER: The DOL will comply with ARPE’s “Designated Inspector” requirement to ensure issuance of the appropriate permit is not withheld or delayed.

6. In SOW document, page 12, section B- GENERAL BUILDING DESIGN REQUIREMENTS, 1.a.3.a, the DOL requires the Design-Build Contractor to provide a concrete curb…rising 12 inches above the finished level of the main roof, to serve as a mounting surface for the solar panel frames”. This curbing may create ponding of water on the roof. Please, clarify DOL’s position with respect to this issue.

ANSWER: Standard industry practice calls for the installation of roof crickets when a roof's slope or design does not allow for adequate storm water drainage. Allow for roof crickets between curbs to prevent ponding. A layout and detail of the requisite curbs, as installed on Phase 1 roof, is available at http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/1588-- SolarPanelCurbDetail.pdf as reference, to illustrate the Phase 2 SOW requirement.

7. The Phase I As-Built Drawings are the documents that describe any changes that may have been incorporated into the project design during the Phase I construction process, and become the Existing Conditions for the Phase II design and construction. Are the drawings posted in the FBO, marked “For Reference Only/Not for Construction” the As-Built

Drtawings? If not, will the DOL provide Phase I As-Built Drawings?

ANSWER: No, the documents provided "For Reference Only, Not For Construction" are not the As-Built Drawings". Site-related As-Built information germane to the preparation of proposals may be downloaded from the following sites:

(i) http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/G-1.pdf

(ii) http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/C-9.pdf

(iii) http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/C-10.pdf

(iv) http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/C-12.pdf

(v) http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/C-15.pdf

8. If the drawings posted in the FBO for the Phase II proposal are not the Phase I As-Built Drawings, there are numerous questions with respect to the following, but not limited to, that requires a clarification from DOL so that the bidders provide a quote for a Phase II project with the same set of conditions:

a. The Dwg. G1-Phasing Plan shows a Phase II delimitation which does not contain within its area, the entirety of the Phase II Building. Please, clarify.

ANSWER: The G-1 Phasing Plan shows the extent and limits of Phase 1 only, and was meant to demarcate the extent of Phase 1 site work. The Phase 2 building footprint does overlap the Phase 1 demarcation shown, because most of the Phase 2 site work was accomplished during Phase 1. For Phase 2 demolition refer to referenced drawing C-6.

b. In the G1-Phasing Plan, a temporary sanitary line is shown. Does this line exist with the description as it appears in the referenced drawing? Is DOL’s plan to abandon or remove this temporary line?

ANSWER: The referenced temporary sewer line is currently installed, servicing the Phase 1 building's connection to the leaching field, also constructed in Phase 1. This temporary line was laid in Phase 1 because the existence of Dormitory Building #3 precluded the construction of the permanent connection between Phase 1 building and the leaching field during Phase 1. Under Phase 2, the following needs to occur with respect to the referenced temporary line:

(i) It (the temporary line) needs to be removed to make way for the Phase 2 building footprint.

(ii) Dormitory Building #3 needs to be demolished, and

(iii) The permanent sewer connection between the Phase 1 building and the leaching field, laid.

All of the above is duly annotated and indicated in a revised version of reference drawing C-9, available at http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/C-9.pdf

c. Of the infrastructure shown in Dwg. G1-Phasing Plan, what portions are built to-date and which extent is considered part of the Phase II project?

ANSWER: Everything that is not part of Phase 1. Refer also to As-Built drawings referenced herein.

d. Is the routing and elevations of the access road constructed as shown and described in the Dwgs. C7-Geometric Layout Plan and C8-Grading Plan? Differences in layout and final grading may affect the location and grading of the footprint of the Phase II Building and any other site element which is part of the Phase II project.

ANSWER: The DB GC is responsible for the surveying, layout and construction of all sitework per the project Scope of Work.

e. The site plans that describe the various infrastructure systems, such as but not limited to, Geometric Layout, Grading, Sanitary Sewer Distribution, Storm Sewer Distribution, Fire Water Distribution, Potable Water Distribution, Electrical Distribution, Telephone, Data and CCTV Distributions, show a layout of systems that include the Phase I and Phase II buildings, with no differentiation between what elements were constructed with Phase I project and what extent is left to be constructed during Phase II project. Please, clarify.

ANSWER: Refer to As-Built Drawings and to existing conditions.

9. Please, provide the permits obtained for the Phase I project, including any amendments or extensions. It will shed information as to whether there were conditions established for elements that were constructed and would have implications for the Phase II project;

specifically, but not limited to, such permits dealing with:

a. Tree mitigation

b. Underground Injection System

c. Septic Tanks Closure Plan and Closure itself

d. Utility services systems

ANSWER: Copies of all Phase 1 permits are available for download at http://www.solicitationattachments.com/arecibo/permits. For Septic Tanks Closure Plan, refer to SOW, reference Specification APPENDIX C—Septic Tank System Closure Plan.

Regarding tanks closure, Final septic tank closure documentation is not available due to pending actions from the local Environmental Quality Board (EQB). Regarding closure requirements, refer to the Scope of Work, Section II/A/3/page 6, last bullet [emphasis added]:

“Obtain from the local Environmental Quality Board (EQB), all appropriate permits and certifications associated with the closure of the Phase 2 septic tanks, as well as complete the closure process for the Phase 1 septic tanks. Conduct all the requisite tests and procure all requisite contaminant samplings in compliance with the EQB’s regulations in order to complete the closures of all septic tanks on both Phases. Liaise with the Center management to transfer all final septic tank closure documentation to the Center as end users.”

All correspondence with the EQB to date will be made available to the Phase 2 contractor upon contract award, to facilitate completion of that unfinished task with that local agency.

QUESTIONS FROM:

MAGLEZ Engineering & Contractors Corp.

1. The drawing produced by CSA Architects and Engineers will be supply in electronic format to be edited in Auto CAD like DWG and/or DXF with the relieving letter to authorize the use and editing of the drawings?

ANSWER: Electronic versions of the original design set will be made available to the winning offeror to assist its preparation of the project deliverables. As mentioned before, since the Government contracted and paid the A-E 100% to produce the specs and drawings, title and all rights were transferred to the Government upon final payment. Therefore, it is considered Government property to dispense with it as we please.

2. The users of the existing building have recommendations to improve the operation and the design of the building?

ANSWER: No.

3. Should be necessary more rooms for handicapped persons; like mobility, hearing or blind?

ANSWER: No.

4. The existing building design provides one visitors bathroom. That one in unisex? Should be necessary another one to to divide men and women?

ANSWER: No.

5. The new building should comply with the "green building" standards incorporating solar and/or wind power, water recycling, cisterns, solar protection for the interior spaces, energy efficient equipment etc.

ANSWER: No.

6. The project has soil study?

ANSWER: Yes. Refer to SOW, Specification APPENDIX A—Subsurface Exploration & Geotechnical Report of Specifications Volume II, published as “reference only” documents under this solicitation. Said documentation covers and remains valid for Phase 2.

7. Should be necessary a maternity room?

ANSWER: No.

8. Should be necessary improvements of the site utilities?

ANSWER: No.

9. The existing building to be demolished have lead, is necessary a study, who is going to do de demolition?

ANSWER: Yes, the referenced building does have hazardous materials that need to be removed and disposed of. Refer to SOW, Specification, APPENDIX B—Environmental Investigation for Asbestos Containing Materials. The Design-Build Contractor is responsible for removal and disposal of all hazardous materials, through qualified personnel as called for in the aforesaid APPENDIX B.

END