Dorm_3508_-_RFI_Responses.pdf

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona FBNV 120028, Rpr Enlisted Dorm, 3508 (DMP Tier 2) 4 Sep2015

FBNV 12-0028, Repair Enlisted Dorm 3508 Requests for Information

1. Are the undersides of balconies, exterior soffits, etc. to be repaired, refinished and/or repainted?

Response to RFI 1: Repairing and replacing damaged soffits is included in the scope. Please refer 1011par 1.6.5.7 for additional details on exterior building repairs and work.

2. Are there any design drawings required to the submitted with this proposal? If so, are 10% design drawings acceptable (Site Plan, Floor Plans, Elevations)?

Response to RFI 2: Please reference 1442 Section L.

3. Is a design or technical narrative required for this proposal? What about a schedule?

What about other “normal” items required?

Response to RFI 3: Please reference 1442 Section L.

4. As information for prospective bidders, the 3509 Dorm utilized only a two-pipe mechanical system. A major challenge involved finding a pathway for the hydronic piping to run from the mechanical building and how it gets into the Dorm building. Be aware that re-use of the original hydronic piping will not be tolerated by DM due to its age and deterioration. From our experience, the pathways used on 3509 were filled to capacity, so the addition of additional piping in these same pathways is not possible. All D/B teams should be aware that a modified or completely different pathways will be necessary. This RFI is submitted only to create a level playing field, as the government response is likely to be that this is means and methods.

Response to RFI 4: This is a design build project. Design Solutions which were employed to meet requirements in the Dorm 3509 project may not be suitable for Dorm 3508. Means and methods for accomplishing project requirements is the contractor’s responsibility.

5. In Dorm 3509, the non-renovated first floor center area allowed for the two little restrooms to be converted into the temperature-controlled fire alarm room. Prospective bidders should note that this will not be feasible, without significant modification, in 3508, as the creation of a suite on the lower level here will render the two existing doors into the restrooms void. Since the roof slope of these restrooms is so severe, there is no viable location to install a new door without raising this roof.

Response to RFI 5: This is a design build project. Final location fire alarm panel will be determined during design. Please see 1011 par 1.6.5.4 for room details.

6. 1.6.5.6.1.3 – Is the intent to replace the entry door / sidelite, consistent with the existing opening size, or is a 3’-0” wide door with sidelite(s) be included with a masonry infill of the existing opening? In other words, is it expected that a new masonry infill to match the masonry infill for bedroom windows be provided.

Response to RFI 6: This is a design build project, final door/window configuration will be determined during design. Infills shall match adjacent construction.

7. This project requires the installation of R-19 insulation on all exterior walls. Prospective bidders should be aware that utilizing R-19 batt insulation and furring the walls out 6” will reduce the size of the rooms beyond the required minimums. In order to achieve the insulation levels while maintaining the mandated room sizes, polyisocyanurate or other high performing insulation is virtually mandated.

Response to RFI 7: This is a design build project. Design Solutions which were employed to meet requirements in Dorm 3509 project may not be suitable for Dorm 3508 project. Means and methods for accomplishing project requirements is the contractor’s responsibility.

8. Here is an excerpt from the Unaccompanied Housing Guide: “The design of Unaccompanied Housing should specifically accommodate the needs of able bodied military residents. Although military dormitory facilities are exempt from accessible requirements per Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), real world requirements necessitate provisions for persons with disabilities in a small percentage of living units on the ground floor of each dormitory facility to assist personnel with specific requirements. Additionally, temporarily disabled airmen can be assigned to accessible lodging units. The number of accessible units will be established on a project by project basis. In all projects, provide access by persons with disabilities to all public spaces on the first floor of a dormitory building.

Provisions to accommodate such access include:

• Access ramps

• Sufficient door widths, appropriate hardware, and controls for ease of opening

• Proper fixtures and clearances in the public toilets

• Mounting height of drinking fountains and public telephones

• Mounting height of fire alarm pull stations and visual alarms for the hearing impaired

• Designated parking spaces with convenient access to the main entrance Specific requirements for providing access and accommodating the special needs of persons with disabilities are published in the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADA/ADAAG). In case of conflicting guidance, the stricter guidance should be followed.”

This section, however, does not provide guidance as to how many bedrooms and/or units must be modified to become accessible in this project. Please quantify the expectations of DM for this project.

Response to RFI 8: Provide access by persons with disabilities to one living unit on the first floor. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.5.5 for additional details.

9. During the site visit, there appeared to be an existing dumpster enclosure that is unused. Is this enclosure to be demolished?

Response to RFI 9: Demolition activities include removal of existing dumpster enclosure, including foundation and slab. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.2.1 for additional demolition requirements.

10. 1.6.5.6.1.2 – Will an operable window be required adjacent to the new entry doors?

Response to RFI 10: All living areas, including shared common areas, must have operable windows. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.5.6.1.7 for additional details.

11. 1.6.5.8.5 – Does “exposed structure” mean that all exterior painted surfaces are to be repainted?

Response to RFI 11: Par 1.6.5.8.5 refers to interior work. Please reference 101 par 1.6.5.7 -

1.6.5.7.3 for exterior work.

12. 1.6.5.9.2 – Is the intent to provide steel privacy screen/panels/railings on the exit side of modules only? Will the screen/panel be full height? If not, how tall is required?

Response to RFI 12: Provide full height steel privacy screen/panels to create private patios and balconies for each module. Please refer to 1011 par 1.6.5.7.2 for additional details.

13. Is it acceptable to install the railings for the first floor patios in the ground adjacent to the sidewalks, or will it be mandatory to exactly match the square footages of the upper level balconies?

Response to RFI 13: This is a design-build contract. Final patio configuration will be determined during design.

14. 1.6.6.4 – The water cooled chiller is presently located in the mechanical building, and the existing mechanical enclosure houses the cooling tower, evaporative cooler and expansion tank. Is the intent to convert to an air cooled chiller and place it in the mechanical enclosure (since the new air cooled chiller will not fit in the mechanical room)?

Response to RFI 14: Provide new chiller. Expand the mechanical yard as necessary to facilitate maintenance clearances of new chiller. Please reference 1.6.7.9 for additional details.

15. 1.6.6.4 – According to the HVAC Matrix in the DM DCG’s, an air cooled chiller system is only indicated up to a 59 ton capacity. With the addition of 2 DOAS AHU’s, the cooling load is almost certain to exceed 60 tons. Please provide direction for purposes of bidding a correct system.

Response to RFI 15: Installation of air cooled chiller is acceptable.

16. 1.6.7.2 - The mechanical room has an existing evaporative cooler. Is the intent to remove or replace this unit? Does the mechanical room require cooling?

Response to RFI 16: Demolition activities include removal of evap cooler. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.2.1 for additional demolition details. The mechanical room shall be ventilated with an exterior wall louver and ceiling exhaust fan discharging the air through an exterior wall louver.

Please refer to par 1.6.7.3 for additional details

17. 1.6.5.6.1.6 – The DCG, Appendix K, does not specify door hardware for the keycard application. Are battery-powered keycard locksets acceptable?

Response to RFI 17: Provide Best B.A.S.I.S. G Keycard access to each module as well as each individual bedroom. Keycard system shall be equipped with a key override.

18. 1.6.9.4 – What size fire extinguisher is required in each kitchen?

Response to RFI 18: Provide 5 Lbs. ABC fire extinguisher for kitchen. Please refer to 1011 par

1.6.9.4 for additional fire extinguisher requirements.

19. 1.6.1.8 – This states that the “contractor will use these As-Builts with the understanding that plans do not meet all requirements of this project.” Since the time allotted for the proposal pricing is very short, please provide a list of the specific requirements of this project that are different from the documents that were provided.

Response RFI 19: All specific requirements are stated in the 1011.

20. 1.6.2.3 – The existing structural floor slab in this building appears to be an 8” pre-stressed concrete hollow core plank. What are the requirements for patching and repairing holes?

Response RFI 20: This is a design-build project. Means and methods are the contractor’s responsibility.

21. 1.6.2.3 – Are shop drawings available from the original construction to document the locations of the existing cored structural planks? If shop drawings are available, extensive field verification and/or x-raying of the floor system may be necessary to coordinate steel locations and new holes/cores/shafts. There is concern that this might have a domino effect of needing to re-design large portions of the facility.

Response to RFI 20: Shop drawings are not available.

22. 1.6.2.3 – With the relocation of all plumbing fixtures, together with new routing for all other utilities, it appears that a tremendous amount of core drilling will be required through the existing pre-stressed concrete floor planks? What is the intention of the design when existing pre-stressed steel reinforcement is severed?

Response to RFI 22: Design and construction shall carefully coordinate slab core-drilling/cutting activities with existing pre-stressed steel reinforcement to avoid severing reinforcement and maintain the integrity of the structure. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.2.4 for additional details.

23. 1.6.3.3 – The existing building does not have a fire sprinkler system. The RFP states that utilities may not be exposed. With virtually no headroom available, what is the intention of the sprinkler system?

Response to RFI 23: Install gypsum soffits as necessary to conceal all fire systems. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.5.6.4.4 for additional details.

24. 1.6.5 – What is a Keycard Kiosk Room? What are the spatial requirements?

Response to RFI 24: Keycard Kiosk Room not required.

25. 1.6.5.9.2 - All existing balcony railings are too short for code compliance. The spacing between the intermediate railings also exceed code limitations. What is the intention for correcting the existing railings?

Response to RFI 25: Modify existing balcony railings as necessary to correct code deficiencies Please reference par 1.6.5.7.1 for additional details.

26. Many code violations exist in the railings for the stairs, such as the lack of extensions at top and/or bottom. What is the intention for correcting the existing stair railings?

Response to RFI 26: Modify existing stair railings as necessary to correct code deficiencies Please reference par 1.6.5.7.1 for additional details.

27. There are no code-required guards at the existing stairs. What is the intention for correcting this code violation?

Response to RFI 27: See response to RFI 26.

28. The capacity of the existing electrical service is going to be greatly exceeded by the addition of numerous electrical appliances and the other renovations requested. The number of appliances requested seems to significantly exceed what was provided in the renovation of Dorm 3509. How large an electrical service should be anticipated for this project, for bidding purposes?

Response to RFI 28: Using Dorm 3509 As-builits, specific requirements identified for Dorm 3508, and contractor’s expertise, the contractors should be able to extrapolate the electrical service require with great deal of certainty.

29. ETL Requirement: Is compliance with ETL 04-3 (change 1): Design Criteria for the

Prevention of Mold in Air Force Facilities required? Among other things, this ETL requires energy recovery and humidity control to be incorporated in the central ventilation/exhaust systems for this building. Is this the intent of this project? The RFP describes a general requirement for complying with the UHDG. In the UHDG section C.3 there is a reference to the ETL.

Response to RFI 29: Compliance to ETL 04-3 is required.

30. 1.6.7.6 - Location of the Central Ventilation System - Is the attic space the desired location for the central ventilation system? Given the space restraints of this building, is it the intent to duplicate that which was used in the recently renovated Dorm 3509 as a reference, and locate central ventilation system above the third floor rooms?

Response to RFI 30: This is a design-build project. Means and methods are the contractor’s

31. Natural Ventilation vs. Central Ventilation System - Are the requested operable windows intended to be used for ventilation? Can we use the windows in lieu of providing the dedicated ventilation system? The RFP describes a requirement to provide “operable windows to provide natural ventilation” (see 1.6.5.6.1.7). The RFP also describes a requirement to provide a “central ventilation system to supply continuous conditioned outside air to each room” (see 1.6.7.6).

Response to RFI 31: Windows will not be used in lieu of providing dedicated ventilation system.

Provide a central ventilation system to supply conditioned outside air to each room.

32. Hydronic Pipe Expansion Devices - Are expansion devices (loops) required in the heating and chilled water piping main runs in the attic? Note that due to the reverse return piping, these multiple loops will require significant space. Do the expansion loops need to be accessible for inspection? Can ASHRAE U-loops be installed or are factory-fabricated expansion loop devices (such as Metraflex) required?

Response to RFI 32: This is a design-build project. Means and methods are the contractor’s responsibility. Access will be required for all systems that need routine maintenance and inspection.

33. Temporary chiller connections - Are temporary chiller stub-outs required? Do they need to terminate outside the mechanical room wall in a particular location?

Response to RFI 33: Temporary chiller stub outs are required. Final location will be determined during design.

34. Hydronic Pump Requirements - Please confirm that two new chilled water pumps and one new heating water pump are required. Are VFD’s required for the chilled water pumps?

Response to RFI 34: New hydronic pumps will be required. VFDs are also required.

35. Chiller Sizing - If the load calculations result in a tonnage requirement greater than 59, then shall the system be changed to a cooling tower/ chiller design with heat exchanger (per DCG) or is there an allowance to exceed the max. 59 tons allowed for air cooled chillers? If so, what will be the maximum tonnage allowed? The RFP describes using an air cooled chiller to replace the existing cooling tower/ water cooled chiller system with the caveat that the air cooled chiller must be below 60-tons (see 7.2.4.1).

Response to RFI 35: See response to RFI 15.

36. Boiler expansion tank and Air Separator Requirement - Since the boiler is going to be re-used, is a new expansion tank and air separator required for the heating water system?

What type of air separator is required? Coalescing type air & dirt (i.e. Spirotherm) or simple tangential type?

Response to RFI 36: New floor mounted bladder tank and air separator are required. New Air separator will be of similar type as existing.

37. Chiller air separator requirement - What type of air separator is required? Coalescing type air & dirt (i.e. Spirotherm) or simple tangential type?

Response to RFI 37: See response to RFI 36.

38. Unit Heater for Mechanical Room - With a separate heating water system in this building and generated with the mechanical room, can a heating water unit heater be used in lieu of electric? The RFP describes using an electric unit heater for the mechanical rooms (see 1.6.7.3).

Response 38: Heating water unit heater is acceptable.

39. 1.6.7.10 - Laundry venting - Can the new dryer vents terminate out the wall (into the walkway area)? How far from the windows do the dryer vents need to terminate?

Response to 39: Venting laundry through the wall is acceptable. Vent should be 3’ from an operable window or door opening. Final location will be determined during design.

40. 7.3.2 - Zone Temperature Control Devices - Are EMCS connected room sensors with occupant set point adjustments functions (+/- 4 degrees F) required for the fan coils? Or, are programmable thermostats allowed for control of the fan coils? This appears to be a discrepancy between the RFP and the Dorm 3509 example.

Response to RFI 40: EMCS room sensors are required.

41. Domestic hot water system scope - Please clarify the domestic hot water scope. The existing heating water boiler has a domestic heating water system integrated into it. The one boiler produces building hot water and domestic hot water that is stored in a tank in the tower yard. Should this entire system be retained and re-used or is a new domestic hot water system required? If the existing system is found to have insufficient capacity, can additional water storage tanks be added or does the system need to be replaced?

Response to RFI 41: Provide new hot water storage tanks. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.8.3.

42. Lint Traps - Are lint traps (required in the IPC) required for each clothes washer drain?

Response to RFI 42: Lint traps are required.

43. Existing Laundry Room Usage - The building currently uses a centrally located laundry room; however, in the RFP, individual laundry appliances will be required in each dwelling unit as part of this remodel. What is the anticipated usage of the existing laundry room in the remodel and what, if any, electrical, plumbing and HVAC provisions shall be provided to serve this room?

Response to RFI 43: Existing laundry room is anticipated to be flex space for the mechanical/electrical/fire equipment. Final configuration will be determined during design.

44. Commissioning Requirement - The RFP describes a general requirement for commissioning of the HVAC and controls systems within this facility in accordance with the current edition of ETL 90-10 (see 7.5). However, according to the latest editions of the ETL index, that standard has been canceled with no apparent substitution. Will commissioning be required for all HVAC systems? If so, please provide to which standard the commissioning should comply with?

Response to RFI 44: Commission HVAC IAW USGS Section 23 08 00.00 10. Please reference 1011 par 7.5 for additional details

45. Is there any roofing scope in this project, for either the SSMR or the BUR on the accessory buildings?

Response to RFI 45: Roof repairs are not anticipated.

46. During the site visit, it was observed that the gutter along the south face of the existing Laundry building (where it connects with the second floor exterior walkway) is severely rusted, does not drain properly, and has failed. Should there be no roofing scope identified in the previous question, is there any requirement in this project to repair/replace the failed drainage gutter?

Response to RFI 46: Incidental repairs necessary to protect new work is required. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.5.7 for exterior building repairs and work.

47. The existing dryers located in the Common Laundry all appear to be gas appliances. Is it intended that all new dryer appliances will also be gas, or will they be electric?

Response to RFI 47: Electric dyers will be used.

48. 1.6.10.4 – Are all exterior light fixtures to be replaced? If so, is the replacement fixture to match the existing fixture? How are the exterior lights to be controlled – are they considered “porch lights” and will be controlled by a switch in each unit, or are they controlled by a building wide controller? What about the light fixtures that will now occur on private balconies/patios?

Response to RFI 48: All exterior light will be replaced. The fixture schedule will be determined during design. Exterior lighting shall be photocell activated located on the north side of the building.

49. 1.6.13.2 – Where is it intended to locate a “conditioned closet” for the CCTV equipment? How big shall this closet be? What is the requirement for running conduit for this system – can it be exposed on the outside of the building, or must it somehow be routed through living spaces?

Response to 49: Final location will be determined during design. Provide approximately 6 SF for the closet. Conceal all conduits.

50. How is “full coverage of all balconies” supposed to be provided, when at the same time, the project specifies that the rear balconies will have privacy screens erected?

Response to RFI 50: Full coverage is limited to public spaces only.

51. 2.8.1 – Is it required, as implied by this section, that SpecsIntact software by utilized for the creation of project specifications?

Response to RFI 51: Use of SpecsIntact software is not required.

52. Is it the intention of this project to provide fire-rated shaft wall construction for all utility and HVAC chases?

Response to RFI 52: Fire rated assemblies will determined by Fire Protection Design Analysis.

Please reference 1011 par 1.6.1.9 for additional details.

53. The drawings from Dorm 3509 show that one wing of the building was separated from the rest of the building with an expansion joint. It appears that various rooms in the center living unit bridged that expansion joint, causing a number of different construction details. Is it expected that the same expansion concerns are present in Dorm 3508?

Response to RFI 53: It reasonable to assume that the same expansion joint exists.

54. Many of the building wide utility systems in Dorm 3509 were distributed above the ceiling of the third floor, then dropped down to serve the floors below. This was done due to the severe headroom restrictions to distribute utilities laterally. This caused a number of access panels to be located on the third floor. Is the location of these maintenance access points acceptable for Dorm 3508?

Response to RFI 54: Location of maintenance access points will be determined during design. If the access points are located within occupied spaces, the access point will be tamper resistant.

Please reference 1011 par 1.6.7.11 for additional details.

55. IPC section 412.4 (referenced by UFC 3-420-01) and also the UHDG requires floor drains for rooms containing clothes washers in multi-family dwellings. Will floor drains be required for the laundry rooms on this project?

Response to RFI 55: Floor drains are required for laundry areas.

56. Is circulated hot water required for this project?

Response to RFI 56: Recirculation pump is required. Please reference 1011 par 1.6.8.3 for additional details.

57. Each shared living area has a couple of fan coil units, and each bedroom also has a fan coil unit. Do all fan coil units require individual condensate drains/pumps?

Response to RFI 57: Fan coil units will require condensate drains/pumps.

58. The DCG’s do not provide guidance on the size, type, configuration, capacity, style, etc.

for any of the appliances. Sizes and types of appliances will impact the layout. Capacity of appliances will impact electrical requirements. What are the requirements for government furnished appliances? Will the contractor be responsible for the installation of some or all of the appliances?

Response to RFI 58: All government provided appliances will be typical residential type.

Contractor will provide and install appliances as indicated in the 1011.

59. Dorm 3509 required significant structural modification in order to counteract the thrust of expansion/contraction of the long runs of hydronic piping above the third floor ceiling. Since this project is a 4-pipe instead of 2-pipe hydronic system, it appears that twice as much thrust resistance must be addressed. It is not clear at this time if there is sufficient structural capacity to resist twice the thrust. The use of factory fabricated loops would alleviate the concern about thrust, as these loops eliminate the need to modify the building, but these loops are expensive. Is the government willing to mandate factory fabricated loops, or will the low-bidder be at jeopardy about guessing if the structure can be modified adequately?

Response to RFI 59: This is a design build contract. Means and methods is the contractor’s

60. Is the intent in the RFP for the Contractor to purchase cameras as part of the CCTV

System? Is there a preferred Camera brand/model typically requested by DM? What special equipment will be required for remote monitoring and to what extent will DM personnel aid/provide equipment in the final commissioning of the system

Response to RFI 60: The intent is to provide infrastructure to support government provided

CCTV system.

61. Since the Dorm 3508 is 3 stories, are progressive collapse calculations required per UFC

4-010-01?

Response to RFI 61: Progressive collapse calculations are required. Please reference UFC 4-023-

03 Design of Buildings to Resist Progressive Collapse for additional details.