PreAward-RFIs.pdf

DRAFT REPLIES - Woolpert Pre Award RFIs 25 July 2016 Project 051863 – Remove Asbestos High Bay, Building 65 Solicitation # FA8601-16-B-0001

1. Please provide the asbestos survey / report for this project.

REPLY: The Government has performed and will provide asbestos survey / report of the project areas by Amendment.

2. Details 2 and 3 / A-402 shows a new angle welded to “existing frame”. Please address the following:

a. Does the new angle need to be galvanized?

REPLY: No the new angle does not need to be galvanized but the 3 coat painting system specified in Section 09 90 00 must be used after the angles are welded into place. This note will be added by Amendment.

b. It appears that the “frame” that the new angle is to be welded to is the existing steel angle that is shown in details 2 and 3 / A-402. Is this correct?

REPLY: This is correct, the new angle is to be attached by welding. The minimum welding pattern for this attachment is a 2” (2inches) long ¼ inch weld every 12” (12 inches) on both the top and bottom of the angle leg that is in contact with the existing frame. This note will be added by Amendment.

c. Please provide the spacing and length of welds that connect the new angle to the existing frame.

REPLY: The minimum welding pattern for this attachment is a 2” (2inches) long ¼ inch weld every 12” (12 inches) on both the top and bottom of the angle leg that is in contact with the existing frame.

3. Are the windows ATFP compliant, or are they required to have a “blast” rating?

REPLY: Windows are to meet the ATFP requirements listed on Sheet A-401 under the heading ANTI-

TERRORISM/FORCE PROTECTION.

4. Paragraph 2.2.1.b says that panels “must be continuous length to cover entire length of any unbroken wall area with no joints or seam” Paragraph 3.3 says to provide “full 10 foot length metal wall panels”. We assume that paragraph 3.3 is correct. Please confirm that.

REPLY: In SECTION 07 42 13 Paragraph 2.2.1.b the Phrase: “continuous length to cover entire length of any unbroken wall area with no joints or seams and” will be deleted by Amendment.

5. Window details 2, 3, and 5 on Drawing A-402 show a bead of sealant on the exterior side of the new aluminum windows but do not show any sealant on the interior side of the windows. Is any perimeter window caulking required on the interior side of the windows?

REPLY: The note on the detail in question will be changed to read “Sealant Full Perimeter Both Sides TYP”. This note will be changed by Amendment.

6. Several notes on the drawings says to “prime and paint existing south wall tall framed glass hangar doors”. Is this note meant to apply to both in interior and exterior surfaces of the hangar doors or just the interior side?

REPLY: This project requires painting of all interior surfaces only.

7. Note 109 / A-302 says to “prime and paint existing north wall doors to remain”. The elevation indicates only one door to be painted as designated by note 109 on the elevation. Does anything else get painted on the north elevation?

REPLY: Note 105 as show on Sheets A-301 and A303 is intended to cover all wall and structural support areas including the north and south elevations. This note will be added by Amendment.

8. There are new angles to be installed at the perimeter of new windows as indicated in Details 2, 3 and 5 on Drawing A-402. Does the existing structure that the new angles are being attached to have lead based paint on it that would need to be removed prior to welding the new angle to the existing structure.

REPLY: See the provided Hazardous materials assessment report to determine if the paint in question is suspected to contain lead. Any coatings containing lead must be handled in accordance with all applicable standards. Removal or containment must be performed if necessary.

9. Is any metal panel trim required around openings other than what is detailed on the drawings?

REPLY: The details provided are to be used where the metal panels abut window and door openings, main support columns and at the edge nearest the floor. Where the panels meet intermediate structural members the edge trim is not required if cut edges are clean and true.

10. Detail 1/A-402 shows a new vertical metal stud wall supporting new vertical siding on the outside of the building. Similar to the interior siding where 7/8” horizontal hat channel has been specified, this type of siding requires continuous horizontal supports to allow the panels to be fastened to. How will this be accomplished?

REPLY: The details of the metal stud wall shall be determined by the installer to meet the manufacturer’s requirements for the panel provided. Provide horizontal members or channels if required. See image 11/AD 306 for existing condition.

11. What gauge is the horizontal metal hat channel framing that supports the new acoustical panels?

REPLY: Provide the hat channel or manufacture recommended Z Clips at a minimum of 18 gage. This information will be added by Amendment.

12. What gauge are the studs that support the new exterior metal panels located along the north wall of the hangar?

REPLY: A minimum of 16 gauge structural steel studs should be used to support the new exterior metal panels. This information will be added by Amendment

13. The drawings indicate that the new in-wall insulation located behind the perforated metal panels is to have a “Kraft Face”. Paragraph 2.1 of Specification Section 07 21 16 specifies the use of a batt insulation meeting the requirements of ASTM C665, Class 2, blanket with non-reflecting coverings, Class A, with a flame spread of 25 or less and smoke developed rating of 150 or less. Does the “kraft facing” specified on the drawings meet the requirements of this paragraph? Does the insulation covering specified in Paragraph 2.1 provide the sound absorption qualities required to meet the NRC specified in the metal panel specification?

REPLY: The requirement for Kraft Face installation will be deleted by Amendment. The insulation must meet the other technical requirements and provide the sound absorption qualities required by the panel manufacturer to meet the NRC specified.

14. Paragraph 1.5.2 of Specification Section 07 42 13, indicates that the wall system manufacturer must approve and certify the installing contractor. After speaking with several wall panel manufacturers, (including the basis of design) they can provide a recommendation on an installing contractor but do not actually certify or approve the installing contractor. Please clarify what is required.

REPLY: The current Specification Section 07 42 13 Pargraph 1.5.2 will be deleted and replaced wit the following: “The installation contractor must demonstrate experience in installation of metal panel wall systems. The manufacture must provide a technical expert on site for a training session to instruct the installer in the proper installation of their system. “

15. There is no requirement for the contractor to perform a NESHAP ACM survey which would indicate that the Government has performed a NESHAP ACM survey to identify the quantity and locations of ACM. Can the Government provide the NESHAP survey?

REPLY: The Government has performed and will provide a NESHAP survey of the project areas by amendment. The contractor is responsible to determine if any items removed or disturbed by the work contain hazardous materials.

16. General note 7 on Sheet G-001 indicates that any lead containing paint shall be managed in accordance with specification 02 09 00. There is no indication of lead containing paint or its location/quantity/classification as a LBP. Does the Government have a LBP survey of the building or are the contractors expected to perform this task? If there is a high probability of encountering lead containing pain, can the Government provide the above referenced specification since it was omitted from the solicitation?

REPLY: The survey and Section 02 09 00 will be provided by amendment.

17. General Note 14 on Drawing G-001 indicates that “any wood stud replacement due to deterioration shall also include reattachment of exterior fiberglass panel siding to the new wood studs”. There are several different locations indicated on other drawings that indicate locations where we are to do exactly what is stated in General Note 14. For example, note 017 on Drawing AD304 shows certain locations where we are required to inspect and replace deteriorated framing members. I want to be sure that the requirement to inspect and replace existing deteriorated wood framing applies only to the areas that are specifically called on the drawings to do so (like note 017/AD304) and that the requirement is NOT a general requirement. Please clarify.

REPLY: The known areas of deteriorated wood are shown on the drawings. It is impossible to know the extent of the areas affected until the interior panels are removed. The areas indicated are those that are known. Assume an allowance of 10% of the wood bracing behind the new metal panels will need to be replaced. A new Bid Schedule will be issued by Amendment.

18. Keynote 4 on sheet AD101A indicates that existing ACM panels and insulation are to be removed. Is the ACM friable or non-friable?

REPLY: The ACM panels are considered Category II Non-Friable Asbestos Containing Material. The removal and handling process chosen by the contractor will determine the precautions required to meet NESHAP removal standards. Other materials are as indicated in the HAZMAT report to be issued by amendment.

19. Specification 07 42 13, section 2.8 indicates that the salient characteristics of the referenced product are coating type, gage of steel, acoustical performance, and corrugation pattern. The weblink provides specific corrugation pattern but does not indicate what type of perforation pattern is required. Based on discussions with many manufacturers, there are several perforation patterns that can be used to achieve the 0.95 NRC rating. Can the Government provide a perforation pattern?

REPLY: There is no preferred perforation pattern.

20. Specification 07 42 13, section 2.2.2 indicates contractors are to provide interior panels with a Fry-

Reglet “Platinum” finish. There is no information about the “Platinum” finish on the Fry-Reglet website. Given that the contractors may provide panels not manufactured by Fry-Reglet, and a further requirement that we are required to provide panels in a manufacturer standard color (see paragraph 2.2.2.1) can the Government define the objective of the finish color so that we can coordinate with the manufacturers for them to provide a standard color that matches as closely as possible the Fry Reglet color?

REPLY: Fry Reglet lists “Platinum” as one of their standard colors in the currently available on line brochure: http://www.fryreglet.com/downloads/Acoustical%20Panels%20Brochure.pdf

21. Where the ductwork is to be removed, the ductwork is connected at the bottom to what appears to be some sort of blower unit. No mention is made of disconnecting the electrical service to these units or of their removal. Are we required to remove these units?

REPLY: All equipment shown to be removed shall be removed in its entirety including electrical service back to the service panel.

22. Steel columns, beams, etc. are located immediately adjacent to areas that are to receive metal wall panels. There is no mention on the drawings of the need to paint these structural items. Please clarify if these structural items are required to be painted.

REPLY: All existing structural and wall surfaces adjacent to and not covered by the new metal panels is to be painted. See response to Question 7 above.

23. Please provide several photos of each of the interior building elevations. The drawing elevations are very unclear as to what the existing conditions are.

REPLY: Additional photos will be provided.

24. We were not allowed to take photos at the walkthrough but I think I remember seeing some kind of existing horizontal framing members that “broke” the plane of the existing asbestos panels. If these framing members exist, how do the new metal panels “work” with these framing members? Do the new metal panels need to be cut above and below these members, or because of the 7/8” hat channel, will the new perforated panels be able to pass by the existing horizontal framing members?

If the panels have to be discontinuous above and below these members, we will need to know the locations of these framing members. We will also need to know what kind of metal panel trim is required at these locations.

REPLY: The new finish panels when mounted on the hat channels will be nearly in the same plane as the removed asbestos panels. Expect to cut new metal panels above and below currently exposed structural members. Where the panels meet intermediate structural members the edge trim is not required if cut edges are clean and true.

25. The drawings show metal panel trim located along the existing columns and at window openings.

What other metal panel trim is required? Is any trim required at the top, bottom or sides of walls?

REPLY: The details provided are to be used where the metal panels abut window and door openings and at the edge nearest the floor. Where the panels meet structural members the edge trim is not required if cut edges are clean and true.

http://www.fryreglet.com/downloads/Acoustical%20Panels%20Brochure.pdf

26. Please provide drawings of the existing building, including additions so we can see how the exterior walls were constructed and determine our scaffolding needs, access to the work, etc. A roof plan would be especially useful.

REPLY: As built drawings will be provided by addendum as well as copies of publicly available aerial perspectives of each elevation.

27. Note 017 / AD302 says to “inspect existing wood frame for water damage and replace as required”.

My question applies to this note and other notes on other drawings that have similar language.

What percentage of the wood frame are we to assume is damaged? 10%? 90%? The difference in cost is, or could be, huge. Please give us some guidance to base our bid upon. Also, is there continuous horizontal wood blocking installed between the existing studs at each siding attachment point that would need to be reinstalled? If so, what is the vertical spacing of that continuous horizontal blocking?

REPLY: It is impossible to know the extent of the areas affected until the interior panels are removed. The areas indicated are those that are known. Assume an allowance of 10% of the wood bracing behind the new metal panels will need to be replaced. A new Bid Schedule will be issued by Amendment. The exact layout of the wood blocking is unknown. Assume that there is horizontal blocking at each siding attachment point.

28. Several of the subcontractors have requested a subsequent site visit due to the unique challenges of access to areas where wall panels and windows are to be removed/installed. Given the nature of the working height and access concerns, will the Government offer a second site visit so safety concerns can be addressed by the subcontractors and vendors?

REPLY: No additional site visits will be scheduled.

29. In areas where we are required to replace the existing wood studs, what is the dimension of the studs? Are they a full 2 x 4 size (1 ½” x 3 ½”) or will we need to rip the studs to a width other than 3 ½”?

REPLY: The exact size of the wood studs, bracing and blocking is unknown. See the provided as built drawings to determine the likely sections required. Assume that studs will need to be ripped to match existing.

30. Box 10 on Page 1 of the Solicitation says “completely prime and paint all exposed surfaces of walls, structures and appropriate equipment at the walls”.

a. The drawings do not reflect this scope of work. In areas where we are installing new perforated panels, there is no mention of painting the exposed structure. And even if it did say to do that, because of the poor clarity of the drawings, there is no way for us to see what structural items exist that would require painting. Please clarify the scope of the painting work at the new metal panels. If we are required to paint the exposed structure, please provide readable drawings that show the structural member that need to be painted.

REPLY: Note 105 as show on Sheets A-301 and A303 should be extended to all wall and structural support areas including the north elevations. This will be added by Amendment.

b. Please clarify what is meant when it says to paint “appropriate equipment at the walls”.

REPLY: The appropriate equipment to paint is that which is: 1) Attached to the walls and 2) has been previously painted to match the surrounding wall color or items such as unmarked conduit and small diameter piping that is attached directly to the wall surface. For this second type of item painting is optional but is allowed to simplify the painting process.

31. Note 15 / AD304 (and other similar notes on other drawing) says to replace the “wood frame”. We assume the “wood frame” consists of 2 x 4 top and bottom plates and wood studs located at 16” O.C. with no horizontal blocking. Is this the correct assumption? Please provide a drawing that indicates what are the top and bottom plates connected to. Is there any exterior wall sheathing on the “wood frame”? If so, what type of sheathing are we supposed to use to replace the “wood frame”.

REPLY: The wood framing is not a typical wall construction with top and bottom plates. The framing is installed between and attached to the steel members. It fills in the areas between the steel members so that the exterior siding and interior panels can be attached. There is no known secondary sheathing behind the exterior siding or interior wall panels. There should be a felt vapor barrier behind the exterior siding. See the original building as builts and the as builts the of 1990s exterior siding replacement project provided by addendum.

32. Specification 09 90 00, paragraph 3.9.1 indicates that all existing previously painted concrete and what is believed to be new interior metal/ferrous surfaces, shall be painted using a three (3) coat system consisting of a primer, intermediate, and topcoat. The paragraph is not clear as to if existing painted interior metal/ferrous surfaces are to be painted using the three coat system. Are the contractors to assume that any existing painted steel/ferrous structures will be painted using a three

(3) coat system meeting the requirements of Paragraph 3.9.1?

REPLY: Existing painted surfaces are considered to be primed and only spot priming is required if the metal surface is exposed. Two coats of finish are required for a previously painted surfaces.

33. General note 6 on Drawing G-001 says to “remove and dispose of any asbestos containing material

(ACM) associated with the wall, structural elements and equipment: including all water damaged building wall components in accordance with WPAFB specification Section 02 08 10.” Please confirm what wall, structural elements and equipment are considered to be asbestos containing material.

The items identified as asbestos containing include window caulking, window glazing, and perforated interior wall panels. Is this the extent of the asbestos containing material that we are expected to encounter / remove in the performance of this contract?

REPLY: The Government has performed and will provide a NESHAP survey of the project areas by amendment. The contractor is responsible to determine that all items removed or disturbed by the work contain hazardous materials and make the

34. Paragraph 3.4.3 of Section 01 45 00.00 10 identifies several members of the quality control staff.

This paragraph indicates that these staff members must be an employee of the prime contractor.

The positions identified are Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, and Architectural. Given the nature of this project, is it acceptable to identify a subcontract employee as the QC staff member responsible for the QC work in their area of expertise?

REPLY: To clarify Section 01 45 00.00 10, Paragraph 3.4.3 a properly qualified subcontractor employee may perform these duties for this project.

35. Paragraph 3.4.3 of Section 01 45 00.00 10 identifies several members of the quality control staff.

One position identified is an Environmental QC person who is employed by the Prime Contractor and is a graduate Environmental Engineer with 3 years of experience. As general contractors we typically do not employ graduate environmental engineers. Given the nature of this project, is this position necessary? If the Government would like to keep this position as part of the QC team, would an outside environmental consultant making periodic site visits satisfy the Government’s requirement. If so, please state a site visit frequency that the Government would require.

REPLY: : To clarify Section 01 45 00.00 10, Paragraph 3.4.3, a subcontracted environmental consultant may be used to fulfill the requirement for an Environmental Engineer on this project.

That engineer, must visit the site daily during any work involving removal or impact on hazardous materials.

36. Paragraph 3.4.1 of Section 01 45 00.00 10 briefly mentions a Safety and Health Manager. Can the superintendent fulfill the duties of the Safety and Health Manager or is this required to be another fulltime member of the contractor’s staff? If the Superintendent is not allowed to fulfill the duties of the Safety and Health Manager, then please state the required qualifications of this staff member.

REPLY: The Government considers the Prime Contractor to be the "controlling authority" for all work site safety and health of all employees and subcontractors in conformance with the safety requirements of the project specification section 01 01 50. Accordingly the contractor which should indetermine the appropriate assignment of the Safety and Health Manager and his/her appropriate qualifcations. This determination should be included in the required project specific Accident Prevention Plan.

37. Note 008 on Drawing AD303 indicates a vertical door that is to be removed. No electrical disconnection / demolition is mentioned. What is required electrically at this location?

REPLY: All equipment shown to be removed shall be removed in its entirety including electrical service back to the service panel.

38. Keynote 24 on Sheet AD301 indicates that the contractors are to remove existing emergency stop lights and signs along with their respective conduits/conductors back to the service panel. Can the Government provide the total length of the circuit or at least provide a drawing showing the circuit and where it originates?

REPLY: As built drawings are not available for this equipment. Assume 100’ of conduit will need to be removed.

39. Several of the perforated metal wall panel manufacturers have indicated that they do not provide a corrugated profile pattern that matches what is identified as Pattern A in the Noise Control System’s website. Paragraph 2.8 of Specification Section 07 42 13, states the salient characteristics that need to be met for a panel to be considered equal to the basis of design panel. One of those characteristics is the corrugation pattern. Will the Government accept a corrugation pattern that is similar to, but not exactly the same as, Noise Control System’s Pattern “A”?

REPLY: Yes, a similar corrugation pattern will be acceptable. We do not intend to limit the product choices to one manufacturer.

40. Drawings A-101A and A-101B show detail 4/A402 as a typical condition at the north wall. Does this condition occur at the high walls where the new perforated panels are to be installed?

REPLY: Similar details occur at the high walls on all elevations and this detail should also be used in those locations.

41. There are two issues regarding the SSPC QP-1 painter certification that is required as specified in Paragraph 1.3.2 of Section 09 90 00 that we’d like to bring to your attention. First, there are no QP-1 certified companies in the area. Secondly, the QP 1 certification, as indicated on the SSPC website, is meant for complex industrial and marine facilities that include petro/chemical, waste water treatment, bridges, food/beverage facilities, storage tanks, power stations, and off shore drilling facilities, etc. There are no indications on the SSPC website that the need for a QP 1 certified contractor would be necessary for the type of painting that will be included as part of the Building 65 project. Since the QP 1 certification appears to be a certification for much more complex facilities that involve petroleum/food preparation/bridge/water treatment facilities, it would stand to reason that the inclusion of this requirement is more than is necessary given the low complexity of the substrates to be painted and the fact that the majority of the painting is interior. Can the government remove the requirement to provide a QP 1 certified contractor so the local painters, who routinely apply the specified products, can participate in this project?

REPLY: Paragraph 1.3.2 Section 09 90 00 and the requirements it contains will be deleted by Addendum.

42. Note 018 on Drawing AD305 and other drawings says to “protect existing conduit”. The conduit, boxes and electrical panels are mounted to existing perforated panels that are required to be removed. We are required to install 7/8” hat channel and corrugated metal panels (not flat like the existing panels) after the old panels are removed. How can the conduit, boxes, electrical panels, etc.

be “protected”? The electrical items will need to be completely removed in order to install the new panels. Please provide a drawing that shows the extent of the removal and reinstallation of electrical items. This work cannot be discerned from the current drawings.

REPLY: Additional photographs of these areas will be provided so that the extent can determined by the contractor. Regarding the active electrical conduits and equipment that is mounted to the existing perforated ACM panels. The intent is to loosen the conduit, pull it back from the surface, and temporarily support it so that the new wall panels can be installed without disconnecting the conduit and conductors. The government, with in house or other contract resources, will perform the work to temporaily relocate and reinstall the electrical conduits and equipment so the ACM panels can be removed and the new ones installed. The government will perform this work in phases as access to each area is required in coordination with the contractor’s approved schedule.

As work progresses the contractor must update the schedule and notify the user representative, at minimum, 48 hours before activities move to a new area.