QandA2.pdf

FA4626-19-R-A008: Repair Life Safety, Bldg. 500

Questions and Answers:

Q1: For our past performance projects we have projects that are around $900K. Will these be considered relevant and still evaluated or is the $1M a minimum and they would not be evaluated?

A1: Due to the complexity and magnitude of this project, $1M is considered a minimum for relevant projects.

Q2: Wanted to ask about the Bid Bond. The SF 1442 says it is not required and there is no mention of it in Section L. Please clarify if there is a Bid Bond required and if it is, can it be placed as the last item in Volume III?

A2: There is no bid bond required. Please see block 13B on the SF 1442.

Q3: Attachment 9, Section L, paragraph 4.2 instructs Offerors to submit information shown in Attachment 11 for each relevant contract five (5) days prior to the date set for receipt of proposals. Is this information to be submitted in hardcopy or via email? If hardcopies are required, how many copies must be submitted early?

A3: Please see Amendment 2 Attachment 9 – Section L (Updated 1NOV19). This section has been removed.

Q4: Attachment 9, Section L, paragraph 4.1 instructs Offerors to request their clients to complete new PPQs and submit them directly to 341st Contracting Squadron via email? We have found that government clients often refuse to complete new PPQs for projects that have final CPARS evaluations in the government’s PPIRS system, or for projects that they have previously completed PPQS for. Will the government allow Offerors to include CPARS evaluations in their proposals in lieu of sending out new PPQ requests to document past performance? will the government consider allowing Offerors to include previously completed PPQs in their proposals in lieu of sending out new PPQ requests to document past performance?

A4: The individuals who completes the PPQs on behalf of the offerors must submit the PPQs directly to the government to ensure that the offeror is not manipulating the ratings. The purpose of a PPQ is to provide the government with additional information that cannot already be found within the CPARS or PPIRS data system. IAW Table 2.2 of Attachment 9, the offeror shall provide Attachment 11 for no more than 3 citations.

Q5: What is the date and time that Requests for Information will no longer be accepted for this solicitation?

A5: “Offerors are requested to submit questions to the Secondary POC above no later than eight

(8) days after the site visit.” However, the government will do its best effort to answer all RFI’s up to the close of the solicitation.

Q6: Proposal Volumes (including Pricing) are to be provided in hardcopy and on a CD.

Historically, some major trade subcontractors hold their pricing until minutes before a solicitation closes. This makes it very difficult to burn CDs complete with the best pricing available.

Q: In an effort to provide the most competitive pricing, will the government allow the price schedule (Section B) to be completed in the hardcopies only, with the blank bid schedule included in the CD copy of that specific Volume?

A6: Please provide all information in accordance with the solicitation. Pricing information shall also be included in the CD copy.

Q7: Section L & M: Section L requests that the contractor submit past performance using Attachment 8 for each project. Section M notes that the government will evaluated past performance using PPQ's, CPARS, PPIRS ect. Is it acceptable for the contractor to submit CPARS reports or past PPQ's when they exist rather than requesting new project specific PPQ's from past owners. Past owners have been hesitant to repeatedly fill out past performance questioners every time a project is submitted.

A7: Please see the answer to Question 4 above.

Q8: Has there been any building hazardous analysis studies completed on the building? And if so, can the government provide this information?

A8: No, CLIN 0010 has been added in Amendment 2 to complete the hazardous materials tests.

Q9: Drawing Cover Sheet (1 of 54), Project Note #1., States, “Contractor shall be responsible for patching all new and existing penetrations.”

a. Is this refence limited to direct work associated with the removal of existing or installation of new work?

b. Or are we to assume to repair any and all deficiencies exposed during the demolition of all ACT in the ceiling spaces, identified in the demolition sheets?

A9: See A5.1 for unit price and references table..

Q10: Rated Wall Assemblies: The locations of all 1- & 2-hour rated assemblies are reflected on the multiple Code Plan Sheets for each floor. These sheets appear to be a code analysis and for reference, with no direction for actual work.

a. When comparing the scope of work on architectural sheets (A1.0, A1.1, A1.2, A1.3) to these code sheets, the defined scope of work only addresses a fraction of the rated assemblies.

Can we assume that the Architectural sheets represent the limit of scope?

A10: Assume work will be limited to what is shown in architectural drawings. Code plan sheets are for reference only.

Q11: According to Bid Item 0006, we are to provide “All materials, labor, and equipment required to repair stairwells in Building 500.” According to the demolition sheets there is a single door and wall that needs to be adjusted. Please define the actual extent of work required in each staircase.

a. Are we to assume that all staircases need to be made compliant to the defined ratings, as reflected in the Code Plan sheets?

A11: Use what is shown in architectural sheets.

Q12: Bid Item 0008, references work associated with sprinkler corrections in the Arms Vault, and specification 21 13 13 states, “Furnish and install a wet pipe sprinkler system to protect areas in Building 500 as indicated herein and as shown on the drawings.”:

a. Where is the reference in the drawings that defines the actual scope of work?

b. Is there an existing Fire Alarm system in the building? If so, please provide system information and as-built documents so we can define and price the extent of the effort to provide the flow and tamper switch points.

c. If there is an existing sprinkler system, where is the riser assembly located?

d. Can you provide the flow calculation from the original design to determine expansion capability?

e. Will Offerors be required to engage a Fire Protection Engineer to design the alterations?

f. Is there adequate water supply, or fire main in the building?

A12:

a. See sheet FS1.0 for specific areas that require work.

b. As-built documents will not be provided. The existing control panel is a Johnson controls panel, but the contractor is to tie into whatever the current system, at time of actual work, is.

c. Risers leave the main fire pump room in the basement.

d. No, install components as required in contract documents.

e. Install fire protection sprinklers as shown on drawings

f. There is adequate supply.

Q13: In the demolition sheets the ACT area in the corridors reflects a dashed line. This condition is limited to only the corridors and none of the separate rooms. There is no indication or reference to this dashed line. Bid Item 0004 states, “All materials, labor, and equipment required to replace and repair the corridor wall ratings as indicated”.

a. What is the extent of repairs or replacement of the 1- & 2-hour rated assemblies in the corridors and ancillary spaces?

b. If all corridor walls are to be a 1-hour rated assembly, will all doors within the assemblies need to be considered for re-certification or replacement?

A13:

a. See architectural pages for details. Walls have to be extended to deck above suspended ceiling, electrical conduit changes need to be done, etc. Reference all sheets for details.

b. Inspect doors specifically called out in the architectural plans.

Q14: On Sheet A1.3 New Plan Third Floor, the common wall between rooms 386 and 385 has a different wall type, what is it and is there any work associated with it?

A14: This was a mistake in the drawing. Disregard this, drawing was amended in Amendment 2.

Q15: When was the building constructed?

A15: Please be specific on what this question is related to?

Q16: Sheet A1.0 New Plan Basement, Door Schedule; New corridor doors 004, 019 and 028:

a. These appear to be area separation door assemblies, and according to the Code Plan Basement they are all to be installed in new 1-rated wall. The schedule has them as 20 min doors.

Should these be 45min doors?

b. These doors all have hold opens on each leaf and will need to be tied back to the fire alarm system for activation under alarm. Please provide fire alarm system information for tie-in to existing system.

A16:

a. Install 45 minute doors.

b. Tie into the existing panel in place at time of work. Current fire alarm control panel is a Johnson controls panel.

Q17: Sheet C1.0, Code Plan Basement, Stair-2 has the note “34” wide (36” minimum width – not adequate)” are we to reconfigure the width of this staircase from basement to first floor to make the width compliant?

A17: Follow construction as shown on Architecture plans.

Q18: Sheet A1.0 New Plan Basement, detail 4/A1.0 is an enlarged plan for Stair #7:

a. The detail directs us to install 12ga. Formed risers. Is there a detail for this item?

b. What is the existing finish of the treads and stringers?

c. What is the new finish for the stair system complete (stringers, treads, risers)?

A18:

a. There is not a detail for this riser. Install standard formed risers that meet requirements.

b. Stairs are constructed of aluminum.

c. Finish can be painted in field, or factory applied.

Q19: Below each of the Door Schedules on all sheets, there is a note that allows the contractor as an option, to have the door/frame assemblies inspected by Underwriters Laboratories for re-certifications.

a. Are all existing doors currently hollow metal?

b. Are the existing hollow metal frames welded miter corners?

c. Will the government require labeling of both door and frames? Or is letters of certification allowed?

d. If a door/frame assembly meets re-certification, will the existing conditions of the doors also be an indicator for replacement?

e. If existing doors/frames are re-certified is there any other requirements like re-painting?

As all new would have to be painted.

f. If re-certification is successful, will the government require a credit for the cost saving?

A19:

a. The contractor can verify if doors meet requirements. If they cannot verify, assume replacement.

b. See (a) above.

c. Doors and frames must be relabeled.

d. If doors meet certifications, they can be left in place.

e. If doors meet requirements, they do not have to be repainted. If code requires them to be repainted for recertification, then they need to be refinished.

f. Yes.

Q20: Regarding the Phasing Plan to be provided by the Offeror:

1. Can the government provide current occupancy per floor?

2. Where will occupants be relocated when work will be taking place in their spaces during a phase?

3. Is it possible to relocate an entire floor at a time to allow full access for all trades per floor?

4. How much time in between phases will the government need to relocate personnel?

A20:

1. This should not be required, please see Attachment 12 - phasing plan index.

2. Occupants will temporarily relocate out of space if required. Some of the areas will still need to be occupied (ex 040C in basement).

3. No. See phasing plan index (Attachment 12).

4. See phasing plan index (Attachment 12).

Q21: Please provide as-built drawings for Building 500.

A21: As-built drawings will not be provided, use the contract drawings for any references needed.

Q22: No spec was provided for structural or misc. steel. Please provide.

A22: Please match existing, surrounding steel.

Q23: Has a hazardous material survey been performed on the building? Will one be issued?

A23: Please see the answer to Question 3.

Q24: A5.1 has a unit price table for wall penetrations. No unit cost line is included on Section B Price Schedule. Please confirm no unit costs are to be provided as part of this bid proposal.

A24: Contractor shall use the table for quantity of penetrations for pricing.

Q25: M6.0 & M6.2 state the Fire Alarm Contract will be separate from this proposal. Please confirm we are not to include any fire alarm work in our proposal.

A25: There is no fire alarm work in this contract.

Q26: HALL CEILING WILL BE REMOVED IN MANY PLACES. DO LIGHTS HAVE

STRUCTURAL TIRE WIRES TO THEM? IF THE WIRES DO NOT EXIST WE WILL HAVE

TO INSTALL THEM. WILL YOU REQUIRE 2 WIRES OR 4 PER FIXTURE?

A26: Please use 4 wires per fixture.

Q27: WHAT IS WEIGHT LOAD OF ELEVATOR? NEW TRANSFORMER T-1 GOES IN

ROOM 322 AND OLD UNIT IN ROOM 343M IS TO BE REMOVED. TRANSFORMER T-1

MAY WEIGH AROUND 2OOO LBS. IF WE CANNOT USE THE ELEVATOR WHICH

ACCESS CAN WE USE?

A27: Under Review.

Q28: PER 26 22 00 3.1 B. NEW TRANSFORMER T-1 REQUIRES A CONCRETE

HOUSEKEEPING PAD, IS THERE A CONCRETE HOUSKEEPING PAD UNDER THE

EXISTING TRANSFORMER THAT IS TO BE REMOVED?

A28: :If existing housekeeping pad meets requirements of new transformer, it can be reused. If not, it can be expanded.

Q29: THE FIRE ALARM IS TO BE REPLACED UNDER ANOTHER CONTRACT PER

NOTES ON SHEETS M6.0 AND M6.2. IF WE DO NOT TIE THE NEW SYSTEMS/DEVICES

TO THE FIRE ALARM PANEL THEY WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY. WHAT ARE WE

TO DO?

A29: Tie into the existing panel in place at time of work. Current fire alarm control panel is a Johnson controls panel.

Q30: Attachment 01, Page 112, 1.6 – Qualifications – C “Provide Seismic design of suspended ceiling under direct supervision of Professional Engineer experienced in design of this Work and licensed in State of Montana.”

A. Is a NICET endorsement required for the State of Montana?

B. Will a NICET endorsement in the State of Montana for the below listed NICET types qualify for this requirement?

- Fire Protection Engineering Water Based Systems Layout IV

- Special Hazard Suppression Systems IV

- Fire Alarm Systems IV

- Inspection and Testing of Water Based Systems II

C. Will this direct supervisor’s endorsement need to include NFPA seismic standard?

A30: A&B: Contractor installing fire protection shall verify what certifications are required in Montana.

C. Yes.

Q31: Attachment 01, Page 123, 1.5 – Job Conditions – D “All installers shall be competent and shall hold an endorsement by the State of Montana.”

We perceive this statement as a requirement to attain contractors licensing and NICET endorsements in the State of Montana. Is this assumption correct?

A31: Contractor installing fire protection shall verify what certifications are required in Montana.

Q32: The existing walls have an FRP wainscot. Are new FRP panels be required to be installed at new walls? If so, please provide a spec for FRP.

A32: If adjacent walls have wainscot, match surrounding materials.

Q33: It was observed at the site visit that some walls had stainless steel corner guards, where others had something different or none at all. For our new walls, what type of corner guard is required? Please provide spec

A33: If adjacent walls have corner guards, match surrounding to best extent possible.

Q34: Is the existing roof currently under warranty? Please provide contact information for the holder of the warranty. Also, will a roof spec be issued?

A34: The roof is currently under warranty. The roof material is welded PVC, Durolast. Specific vendor POC information can be provided at project award. Roof material shall match existing as to not void warranty.

Q35: Is the government or the contractor responsible for moving furniture between phases? If this is a contractor responsibility, where will the furniture be stored? If the furniture is not to be moved, is the contractor therefore responsible for protection and cleaning?

A35: Contractor shall be responsible for working around, protecting, and cleaning the desks.

Personal effects will be removed prior to the contractor working.

Q36: How much time between phases will be required for the government personnel to move and relocate to their offices?

A36: Users will be given one week to move in and out of the area. The contractor is required to work around furniture, so it’s not anticipated for them to take a lot of time to relocate. Some of the areas will not be vacated. These are the armory and the areas on the second floor, that require EAL’s, mentioned in other questions.

Q37: Please provide a phasing plan so we can provide accurate and competitive pricing. The contract documents indicate the phasing will be floor by floor, but there was talk at the site visit that we would not be getting a whole floor at a time.

A37: Please see Attachment 12, Phasing Index.

Q38: Where is the contractor’s laydown area to be located?

A38: A small area outside the building can be provided. Space is limited due to day to day traffic, so another remote area may be required.

Q39: The basement ceiling has black tiles adhered or fastened to the 1st floor deck. For hazmat, fire rating purposes, etc., please provide information on this material, and how it is attached to the deck.

A39: Please see the answer to question 3.

Q40: It was observed at the site visit that the risers at the steel stairs are existing. Detail 4/A1.0 shows installing new 12ga risers. Is the intent to demo the existing risers and install new?

A40: Yes, demo and install new risers.

Q41: Please confirm drywall walls installed above ceilings are to be fire taped only. Confirm no higher finish level or paint is to be applied at these locations

A41: Walls to be fire taped only. Only walls exposed will need to be finished.

Q42: Will a spec be provided for wall base that is to be installed at new walls?

A42: Match adjacent wall base.

Q43: Please define the limits of painting. When painting a new wall, how far are we to paint over existing paint? Is the Government’s expectation that patched walls will need to be painted from corner to corner?

A43: Yes, please paint to an angle change, corner, etc.

Q44: Note 3/M1.0 calls for new drywall ceiling in Armory 041B, Corridor 022, Conference 034Q & Class Room 034M, but A2.0 shows these rooms receiving new ACT ceilings. Please clarify.

A44: Match ceiling material that is demolished.

Q45: Are the transfer ducts as shown in Rooms 034M & 034Q require fire dampers as these ducts penetrate the new fire walls? Is this typical to similar ductwork throughout the building?

A45: General Sheet note reference to install fire dampers in all duct penetrations coming out of fire rated areas.

Q46: Will existing floor penetrations as observed in mechanical rooms be required to be fire caulked/filled between floors?

A46: Yes, please fire caulk floor penetrations.

Q47: Once answers to the RFI’s have been provided by the government, will the government allow contractors to ask follow up questions? If so, how much time will be allowed for follow up questions?

A47: The government will continue to answer questions to the best of its ability up until solicitation close, but doesn’t guarantee that a question will be answered.

Q48: No spec was provided for structural or misc. steel. Please provide.

A48: Match existing steel.

Q49: Has a hazardous material survey been performed on the building? Will one be issued?

A49: There was not an asbestos or LBP study done in the design. Therefore, contractor must test the homogenous areas in which they are disturbing. Please see the new CLIN 0010 that was added in Amendment 2.

Q50: A5.1 has a unit price table for wall penetrations. No unit cost line is included on Section B Price Schedule. Please confirm no unit costs are to be provided as part of this bid proposal.

A50: Those items are provided for informational/bidding purposes. Although there is not a CLIN item for them, the contractor should take that amount of penetrations into account when bidding.

Q51: What is the government’s intent on testing regarding the ductwork if we are phased by floor, but the ductwork runs vertical between floors?

A51: One final test can be completed at completion.

Q52: With the extent of revisions that are anticipated in the bid package, will the government entertain pushing the bid date two weeks?

A52: Please see Amendment 1.

Q53: Please confirm that Testing & Balancing only involves validation of existing minimum and maximum ventilation supply air at each of the eight air handling units and re-establishment of minimum and maximum rates after the installation of the new AHU-9. Are we correct that TABS for this project will not involve comprehensive testing in each room / space? If comprehensive testing is required will the Government provide the design outputs at each grill/louver in each room or space?

A53: Correct. The TAB will not do specific spaces.

Q54: Are we correct that TABS & Commissioning efforts will be permitted prior to and after the completion of all of the work and not on a floor by floor basis within the project phasing plan as required by the Government?

A54: Yes that is acceptable. It can be done at the end of the project.

Q55: Specification Section 23 05 93, paragraph 1.2, Summary requires calibration of all airflow measuring stations in the building. We can find no indication on the drawings as to location and count, will the Government provide this information to the Contractors prior to the bid?

A55: This question goes with Q53 above, only validate flow rates out of the AHU’s, not every flow device in the building.

Q56: Specification 21 13 13, paragraph 3.3, Testing states “The entire sprinkler system shall be hydrostatically tested at not less than 200 psig pressure for a period of not less than two (2) hours with no pressure drop in the system.” Are we correct that this is only for the newly modified area in the basement Armory or does the Government intend on testing the entire building system?

A56: Yes. Only test the new area prior to connection to the existing system.

Q57: Based upon Specification Section 23 13 13, paragraph 1.1-C that states: “The position is taken that the Government is entitled to a project which meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of nationally recognized fire protection standards. All efforts and installations shall be directed toward this end. Where there is conflict between the Contract Drawings and/or Specifications, and the recommendations of the jurisdictional authorities, the conflict shall be brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer at least ten (10) days prior to bidding or be resolved at no cost to the Government.” Based upon this statement and the absence of other information provided by the Government and the jurisdictional authorities, can the contractor depend upon the contract documents as being accurate? For example, is the existing piping and fire pump system adequate to service the flow rates as required by the contract documents for the Armory?

A57: Construct the system as shown on the plans.

Q58: Specification Section 01 00 00, Paragraph 3.6.4.2 states the following: “List of Equipment- In-Place: In addition to the above requirements, the Contractor shall submit for approval, at the completion of construction, a list of equipment-in-place. This list shall be updated and kept current throughout construction and shall be jointly inspected for accuracy and completeness by the Contracting Officer’s representative and a responsible representative of the contractor prior to submission of each monthly pay estimate. A sample form showing minimum data required is provided at the end of this section.” Is this list intended only for the new equipment installed by the contractor or all existing and new equipment? Also, will the Government provide the sample form as indicated?

A58: This equipment is only for new components added in this contract. Equipment information can be submitted in O&M manuals at the end of the project.

Q59: CLIN 0007 IS FOR LIGHTING, CLIN 0008 IS FOR DATA, DOES THE REST OF THE

ELECTRICAL WORK(ENT REPLACEMENT, TRANSFORMER, PANEL, BREAKERS AND

DISCONNECTS, MANUAL STARTERS) GO UNDER CLIN OOO9?

A59: Place the remaining electrical components mentioned in CLIN 0002, which references HVAC components.

Q60: CLIN 0005 states, “Fire Rated Doors: All materials, labor, and equipment required to complete the replacement of all fire rated doors and frames in Building 500.”

However, the demolition notes on the Plans give the contractor, “the option to verify in field if existing door, frame, and hardware meet code.”

Including the option to allow Underwriters Laboratory to field certify doors and frames for compliance does not level the playing field when it comes to pricing. Some Offerors may choose to price replacement of some doors, while others may choose to price the replacement of none. With such laxity regarding this scope of work combined with unknown status and quantities that cannot be determined until after a field investigation takes place, it will be impossible to make a best value determination since pricing and scope could significantly deviate between offerors.

We offer the following solution to ensure all Offerors are providing equivalent pricing and to aid the government in determining Best Value:

Require all Offerors to submit pricing for the UL field assessment and certification of the doors and frames and provide unit pricing for the replacement of doors and frames (should it be required). Any door and frame replacements will be addressed via contractor modification using the Offeror’s unit price per opening.

Unit prices for replacement per opening type to include:

• Single door 90 min

• Single door with hardware 90 min

• Single door, frame and hardware 90 min

• Double door 90 min

• Double door with hardware 90 min

• Double door, frame and hardware 90 min

• Hardware only 90 min

A60: Remove the reference to “the option to verify in field if existing door, frame, and hardware meet code” in its entirety. The contractor shall plan to replace all doors in their entirety, and not reuse any components.

Q61: Contract Drawing A5.1 says, “Contractor to provide Unit Prices for the Following Wall Penetrations” 7 separate line items to provide unit prices. There is not a CLIN for this item, where do we include the unit prices for conduit, duct and pipe existing penetrations within the Schedule of Prices?

A61: Those items are provided for informational/bidding purposes. Although there is not a CLIN item for them, the contractor should take that amount of penetrations into account when bidding.