Attachment 7) Questions and Answers -RFI.docx

1st Email RFIs and Answers

1. Please confirm joints or identify the location of the joints to be re-sealed. The drawing illustrates 5 interior floor joints running north-South and another 5 interior floor joints running east-west. Are these to be re-sealed? Are the perimeter joints, where floor meets berm wall, to be re-sealed as well?

ANSWER: Correct the 5 interior floor joints running north-South and another 5 interior floor joints running east-west are to be re-sealed. Yes the perimeter joints where floor meets berm need to be re-sealed as well.

2. Are the joints (9’ – 8”) in the berm to be re-sealed? If so, is the interior corner to be resealed as well?

ANSWER: Yes the (9’-8”) inside the berm, as well as the interior corners are to be sealed.

3. What size of cracks are to be routed and repaired? What size of routing bit is required?

ANSWER: Any cracks under 3/8” in width (Sec.4.2 SOW). Minimal size of 3/8” bit, and 1” depth.

4. Is any of the existing seal considered asbestos containing material and requiring abatement?

ANSWER: There has been no records found of any asbestos materials used in this sealant. To the best of the Governments knowledge there is no asbestos material in the existing sealant.

2nd Email RFIs & Answers

A. Please provide any/or all information that would illustrate the design of the existing “Construction Joints”. This information should include the dimensions of the “metal” construction joint currently in place.

NOTE: Reference the Statement of Work, at paragraph 1.2, it reads, “The Contractor shall remove all existing sealant, and filler/backer rod.” This statement is ambiguous. There is no filler/backer rod in any of the wall construction joints observed during the field visit on yesterday.

B. Please clarify the scope of work. Is it the Government’s intent to cut and remove the construction joint, and replace it with an expansion joint? We recommend Professional Engineering Hydrological Analysis, on the effect of joint replacement, if this is the desire.

NOTE: “Construction and Expansion Joints” are to separate and distinct items. The cost to remove a construction joint and replace it with an expansion joint is much higher.

ANSWER: Vertical joints are metal Keyways (Simular to Image Below) full depth of concrete (6”). Metal keyways should not be removed. Sealant should be cleaned out, and joints re-sealed. All other Joints

ANSWER: Joints that run North-South are full depth with asphalt fiber expansion joint board and sealant. Joints running East-West are 1 ½” in depth with backer rod and sealant (Joint wall faces should be clean from all debris, and should be bare concrete). See picture below.

C. Please clarify the Government’s intent to sealant primer on the substrate of the joint surface. Does the Government have any test data that illustrates #4 E primer is sufficient for concrete substrate, when applying EZ-STIK #3, which is a liquid substance.

NOTE: Reference the Statement of Work, at paragraph 3.4.1, it reads, Sealant Primer shall be #4 E primer or equal.” This statement is in addition to the manufacturer’s recommendation. The manufacturer’s product sheets read, ”Properties help promote adhesion of butyl tapes and wraps” In most universal applications, flowable sealants adhere and maintain greater frictional resistance on rough substrates. Using #4 EZ primer, will fill all voids, and thus leave a surface which may be less conducive to the frictional resistance desired to hold the adhesive in place.

ANSWER: Please follow the Manufactures recommendation (Listed below are the Manufactures installation instructions for EZ-STIK #3).

NSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR TROWELABLE #3 EZ-STIK AS A PROTECTIVE COATING

1. Clean and dry the concrete surface to which the sealant will be applied. Remove any dirt and/or mud adhering to the surface. The surface must be dry for the sealant to adhere and bond to the concrete. #4 EZ Primer can be applied to the surface to increase adhesion of the #3 EZ-STIK

2. The sealant should be applied with a smooth-edge trowel. Then it should be applied a minimum of 1/4” thick. The surface to be protected must be totally covered with no surface showing through the sealant. Coverage is 7 square feet per gallon when applied 1/4” thick.

3. When using this sealant as an external chimney seal (Butyl Rubber Backplaster), apply it 6” from below the top cone to the casting. Then it should be applied 1/4” thick with a smooth-edge trowel. After coating the chimney, with the sealant, wrap the applied #3 EZ-STIK with a 6mm polyethylene plastic sheeting by Visqueen or approved equal. Wait 20 minutes before back-filling.

4. The structure should not be back-filled for a minimum of 20 minutes after coating with the sealant. This allows the solvents to dispense throughout the #3 EZ-STIK.

D. Please provide guidance on the Government’s desires for sealing the additional cracks found in the floor of the retention system. See the photo illustrations below;

ANSWER: Reference the Statement of Work, paragraph 4.2 Sec b., The Contractor shall route and seal all cracks under three-eighths inch (3/8”) in width.

3rd Email RFIs & Answers

1. I could see the keyway forms (metal) were left in place on the side walls. Were they used in the foundation, and if so, were they left in place?

ANSWER: There are no keways in the foundation.

2. To what depth were the joints cut?

ANSWER: Joints that run North-South are full depth with asphalt fiber expansion joint board and sealant. Joints running East-West are 1 ½” in depth with backer rod and sealant (See picture below).

3. What is the internal width of the joints?

ANSWER: The joint widths are ½”.

4. Were the side walls and foundation joints cut to the same dimensions?

ANSWER: No the side walls are full depth with metal keyways left in place. Foundation joints that run North-South are full depth with asphalt fiber expansion joint board and sealant. Joints running East-West are 1 ½” in depth with backer rod and sealant.

5. To what thickness do you want the sealant over the backer rod?

ANSWER: A minimum of 1/4“

4th Email RFIs & Answers

A. Please provide a response as to whether the Government will consider an alternate sealant material for the existing retaining wall panel joint’s, to be produced by its specified sealant manufacturer (Press-Seal Corporation)?

ANSWER: Yes, the government will consider an alternate sealant. Sealant must be water tight, chemical resistant, and meet or exceed specifications of sealant in SOW (EZ-STIK #3).

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