Power Washing - Questions and Answers.pdf

F2FF250071AW01

Power Washing

Hurlburt Field, FL

Solicitation: F2FF250071AW01

Questions and Answers

May 13, 2020

Question 1

Contract calls for power washing, but discussions during site visit were more of spray chemicals and rinsing buildings. Will the Government please clarify if original scope is in fact power washing of buildings and sidewalks?

Answer: Yes, the overall requirement falls in the category of pressure washing, but the execution would require a soft wash of the building, and a pressure wash of all flat surfaces. Pressure washing this building in its current condition would pull off much of the paint.

Question 2

Can a bleach solution be allowed to perk into the ground if the manhole grates are covered?

Answer: The first preference is for water to be used. If water is not sufficient, then yes the bleach solution may be allowed to perk into the ground. However, the concentration should be low enough that it does not kill any ground cover vegetation.

Question 3

What percentage of bleach is allowed?

Answer: The bleach solution should not exceed a 1 to 3 ratio or 25%. That is one gallon of bleach is mixed with 3 gallons of water. This concentration is regardless of application method. That is if it is applied directly with a sprayer or if it is applied using a mix/chemical feed container on the pressure washer.

Question 4

Removal of existing water stains will result in the removal of the paint underneath the water stains. Will the removal of water stains and most likely the resulting removal of paint underneath the water stains require touch up paint to be performed by the contractor?

(cont.)

No, but it is requirement upon final inspection for those areas to be identified.

Question 5

F2FF250071AW01

Power Washing

Hurlburt Field, FL

Does the roof have all the necessary tie down points to perform the work safely, or will the contractor be required to install tie down points?

No, the building does not have designated tie down points. We expect the contractors to provide for their own safety. However, be advised nothing can be constructed or affixed temporally or permanently to the facility without the approval of the Civil Engineer Squadron.

Question 6

Power washing solution collection would be very time consuming and difficult to perform due to solutions running into white rocks around the building for 5 feet from grass or sidewalks. Would it be acceptable to the Government to use a citrus based cleaner and allow the solution to perk into the ground?

Answer: A citrus based cleaner should be ok for discharge to the ground as long as the concentrations are mixed as directed. There is concern about the full strength applications and the Government requires that this be limited and diluted significantly with pressure washing water.

Bldg 1 is adjacent to wetlands and BMP’s need to be in place to ensure no products or run-off reaches the wetlands, storm water, surface water or storm drains.

Question 7

Concern regarding discharge.

Answer: The Government cannot legally discharge any cleaner or detergent of any type to any part of the storm system, to wetlands or to any other surface waters. However, there is an exemption in our base MS4 permit that does allow us to discharge water from clear water building pressure washing only. If cleaners/chemicals must be used, then in order to prevent a stormwater or surface water discharge, the storm drain can be blocked off temporarily so that the wastewater gets diverted and will be discharged to the ground where it will infiltrate the soil.