Pre_Award_RFI_Ansewrs_1.pdf

FA8601‐15‐R‐0041

Repair Exterior Facility 20033

Pre Award RFIs #1

1. There are discrepancies between the door hardware shown on the Door Schedule on drawing sheet A‐601 and the door hardware shown in Specification Section 08 71 00. On Drawing A‐601, opening 103 is shown to receive hardware set HW‐3, but in specification section 08 71 00, it is noted to receive HW‐1. On Drawing A‐601, openings 101A and 101B are shown to receive HW‐1 and HW‐1A, but in specification section 08 71 00, they are noted to receive hardware set HW‐3. Please clarify the correct hardware set to use for each opening. Please note that there is no hardware set 1A shown in section 08 71 00.

Answer:

The HW sets required for each door are correct in the specifications. An addendum will be issued to remediate the conflict.

2. On drawing Sheet A‐611 there is louver type L‐6 shown in the Louver Schedule. Where is this louver on the building elevations or floor plans?

Type L‐6 louver is not referenced on the drawings or plans and will be deleted in a future addendum.

3. Elevation 4 / AD‐203 shows an existing louver that is to be removed as indicated by note

15A. Elevation 4/A‐203 shows the same louver as being an existing louver. Please clarify if this is an existing louver that will remain or an existing louver that must be removed and replaced with a new louver.

Elevation 4/A‐203 is correct; the louver shown is to remain. An addendum will be issued to remediate the conflict.

4. Specification section 12 21 00 Window Blinds is included in this project specifications. The window schedule on sheet A‐611 says “NO” for all windows in the “BLINDS” column of the schedule. Are blinds required for this project? If so, please indicate which windows are to receive the blinds.

Blinds are required; an addendum will be issued to remediate the conflict.

5. Has an asbestos survey been done for the project to confirm if the window and door caulking contains asbestos?

An environmental survey was performed on all items to be disturbed during this repair project and found no asbestos were detected. A copy of the report will be made available to the awarded contractor. The conflicting “All window and door frame caulking and glazing…” General Demolition Note on sheet AD000 will be revised in a future addendum.

6. The note doesn’t mention the caulking between precast concrete panel joints that must be removed in order to install the new steel bracing or the caulking around the perimeter of the existing louvers. Is this caulking to be treated as asbestos containing too?

7. What is meant by the word “glazing” in the above referenced note? Glazing is usually a reference to glass. What portion of the glass units are to be treated as asbestos containing?

and found no asbestos were detected. A copy of the report will be made available to the awarded contractor. The conflicting “All window and door frame caulking and glazing…” General Demolition Note on sheet AD000 will be revised in a future addendum.

“Glazing” in this instance is in general reference to glazing compound or glazing gaskets. The conflicting “All window and door frame caulking and glazing…” General Demolition Note on sheet AD000 will be revised in a future addendum.

8. Has the caulking on the exterior panels been tested for asbestos?

and found no asbestos were detected. A copy of the report will be made available to the awarded contractor. The conflicting “All window and door frame caulking and glazing…” General Demolition Note on sheet AD000 will be revised in a future addendum.

9. Please provide a specification for the “liquid applied air and moisture barrier” that is shown on the drawings.

Performance requirements will be included in a future addendum.

10. What is the length of the “Strengthen Existing Joist” detail shown in detail 4/S‐501? The reason I ask this question is that part of the ramped section of the walkway is above ground and a portion of it is below ground. Does the joist strengthening extend the entire length of the walkway? If it does, how is the below ground portion to be excavated and installed?

Also. how is the concrete for the joist strengthening and beam strengthening details to be installed? Our thought is that the concrete will need to be poured through several holes cut through the walkway. These holes will be visible after the joist and beam strengthening detail is completed.

An addendum will be issued to confirm the length of the repair is 10 LF of the existing exposed joist and drilled holes will not be permitted.

11. Paragraph 2.12 of section 03 49 00 has several different finishes specified for the GFRC panels. Paragraph 1.3 indicates that there is a design reference sample that has already been approved. It seems to indicate that the panels are to have a custom color, finish, aggregate and texture to match the existing precast on the building. What precast are we matching? The old precast or the newer precast? Can the Design reference sample be provided along with a description of what the desired finish is? Please clarify which finish is required.

All of the methods listed under Paragraph 2.12 are acceptable to achieve the required finish.

The specifications indicate the finish shall be a custom color. The custom color shall match the existing precast concrete panels (to remain) on the attached building at the southwest corner:

Bldg 20248 noted in the key plan on the AD demo elevation sheets. Information on the basis of design custom sample will be included in a future addendum: Basis of Design: Synstone “Custom Bldg 33: white cement & silica sand”.

12. Paragraph 3.6 of Specification Section 04 01 21, says the contracting officer can waive or alter testing frequency. This is an expensive item. Will this requirement be waived or altered?

All bidders shall include testing as indicated in the specifications. Refer to sheet A‐103 where FRP window reinforcement requiring field tests are applicable (Detail 1/S‐301). Refer to detail 1/S‐301 to determine LF of strap reinforcement that will be required for each opening to calculate test samples required. The “waived or altered” reference is applicable to larger projects as a change order credit to the Government should the awarded contractor demonstrate consistent compliance with the minimum strength specified.

13. The Louver Schedule on Drawing A‐611 has dimensions shown for each louver. There are also “Remarks” found under the louver schedule on the same page that indicate that we have to verify the size in the field and match the size of the existing louvers. There are discrepancies in the louver sizes shown on the schedule when compared to the scaled sizes found on the elevation drawings.

a. All three(3) louvers shown as L‐3 on sheet A‐203 West Courtyard Elevation are drawn as 8‐0 x 3‐6 and scheduled as 8‐0 x 2‐0.

b. Louver L‐4 on sheet A‐203 West Courtyard Elevation is drawn as 8‐0 x 3‐6 and is scheduled as 7‐8 x 2‐0.

c. Louver L‐1 on sheet A‐201 North Elevation just below the roof line is drawn at 8‐0 x 4‐0 and is scheduled as 8‐0 x 3‐6.

d. Louver L‐2 on sheet A‐201 North Elevation is drawn as 7‐0 x 2‐6 and is scheduled as 4‐0 x 2‐0.

e. This equates to approximately an additional 60 square feet of louver from what the schedule would indicate. Please provide the dimensions that we should use for bidding purposes.

Provide louver sizes as indicated on the louver schedule. The “remarks” are applicable to the awarded contractor who shall field verify all louver sizes. Drawings should not be scaled for determining dimensions.

14. The notes on Drawings A‐201 through A‐203 seem to indicate that the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc. services that are mounted on the outside of the existing building have to be temporarily relocated and temporarily reconnected while the GFRC panels are being installed. Is this the correct interpretation of these notes or are the notes telling us to remove the existing services and then re‐install them on the face of the GFRC panels once they are installed (no temporary reconnection required)? Please confirm which interpretation is correct.

Per Spec Section 01 01 50, Article 1.9 paragraph B. states: "Relocate" is defined as "remove existing, install existing in different location, and make operational". The note in question and the specifications indicate services shall be maintained throughout the exterior repairs GFRC cladding.

15. Demolition drawing AD‐101 does not seem to shown the removal of the existing sidewalk north of door 103 all the way out to the parking lot. Drawing A‐101 seems to show a new sidewalk out toward the parking lot at this location but it is unclear. What is the extent of the new sidewalk to the north of door 103?

Drawing AD‐101 includes a dashed line indicating the boundary of applicable note 21 “Remove Sidewalk”. Refer to sheet A‐101 and detail 2/A‐401 for extent of new sidewalk.

16. Is it possible to get the mechanical drawings of the existing building so we can see what each louver is connected to?

Answer:

Existing condition mechanical drawings do not exist for the building.

17. On the south elevation, the existing third floor window extends to the west, behind the face of the connector to an adjacent building. Please provide a detail of how the existing window opening is to be filled in.

An addendum will be issued to include a detail at the infill opening to provide 1 ½” exterior sheathing over 3‐5/8” 18 gage metal studs. Provide sealant at perimeter joints. Apply 24 gage black, prefinished metal at exposed area.

18. Is the contractor or the Government responsible for moving and reinstalling furniture in areas where we are replacing windows?

Answer:

The contractor will be responsible for moving and reinstalling furniture in areas where windows are replaced and will be clarified in a future addendum.

19. The east elevation on Drawing A‐201 shows an area that is noted “paint existing panels” and “existing siding remains and is to be painted”. Is the coping at the top of this area to be replaced either in the base bid or in Option 1?

Refer to Coded Note 13A sheet A‐000 for Base Bid scope that states coping is “to remain and be repainted”.

As indicated on the note in question; “Provide New Coping” is included under the Bid Option description. Refer to Coded note 13B sheet A‐000 for additional clarification.

Coded Notes 13A and 13B are referenced on sheets A‐102 and A‐103.

20. No spray foam is indicated behind the new metal panels in Option 1. Please confirm that this is correct.

Spray foam is not specified behind the metal panels in Option 1, refer to Coded note 13B sheet A‐000. Drawing elevation notes indicate the new metal panels to be installed directly over the existing siding.

21. Paragraph 1.2.1 of Section 04 01 21 indicates that we are to include design calculations for the anchorage lengths and bond/adhesion of the FRP composite system. The paragraph goes on to say that the blast loading calculation have already been performed by the designer of record. We need the blast loading calculations to perform our initial design of the system. Please provide the blast loading calculations.

The blast calculations will not be given to the bidders due to the classified nature of the information. The design calculations are for the anchorage length and bond/adhesion of the FRP composite system, and those material characteristics are independent of the blast loads.

The blast calculations will be provided to the awarded contractor.

22. Is a jobsite trailer required?

A jobsite trailer is not required per the drawings or specifications.

23. Will contractor be required to obtain base identification and vehicle passes? Is anything other than paperwork required to obtain the proper identification?

Answer:

If awarded the winning offeror will be required to obtain base identification and passes and the awarded offeror will receive instructions for base pass information after contract award.

24. Can the 5/8” x 3” continuous flat plate at 4’ O.C. be welded to WT sections, L sections, or shims in lieu of a bolted connection?

Answer:

Welded connections are not an acceptable alternative to the drawing details. Adhesive anchors would still be required with welded connections. The washers, nuts and projections of the adhesive anchors would require adjusting the locations of the continuous plates to avoid interference. All those extra field‐welded connection would have to be visually inspected, as required by IBC Chapter 17.