Preaward_RFI__1-21_response.docx

RFI 1:

Note 15 on Drawing G102 says that work may not occur on Building 25C windows during the months of April through November (8 months). The Solicitation indicates that the contract duration is 180 calendar days (6 months). I have the following questions:

A. The windows in Building 25C represent about half of the windows that are to be refurbished. When will the contract be awarded in relation to the April through November timeframe? We have to know this so that we can determine if it is possible to perform the work within the constraints of the contract time and the constraints imposed by Note 15.

RESPONSE: Government Response: Period of performance is 180 days from Notice to Proceed. All work needs to be planned to be completed in that timeframe.

B If we are required to perform the work over the winter months we will be required to erect and enclosure scaffolding and provide temporary heat so that the windows can be painted. This is a huge expense. Is this the Government’s intent? If so, was this large expense included in the Government’s estimate?

RESPONSE: Government Response: Means and Methods are contractor’s responsibility.

2:

Note 15 on Drawing G102 says that the work on the west elevation of Building 24A will need to be performed in phases. How many phases does the Government require for the west elevation of Building 24A?

RESPONSE: Government Response: Revise Note 15 to read “NO WORK TO BE PERFORMED WHEN WINDTUNNEL IS IN OPERATION. COORDINATE WITH CE REPRESENTATIVE FOR WINDTUNNEL OPERATION SCHEDULE TO ALLOW FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK. IN BUILDING 24A, TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION FOR EQUIPMENT, PHASE WORK SO THAT WINDOWS ON EAST WALL ARE REFURBISHED AND OPERATIONAL BEFORE BEGININNG WORK ON THE WEST WALL WINDOWS. MAINTAIN EXISTING OPERABILITY OF WEST WALL WINDOWS DURING WORK ON EAST WALL WINDOWS.”

3:

Note #1 on Drawings A201, A202, A401, A402, and A403 says that we are to remove all existing paint and glazing compound. These notes also tell us that we are to provide new glass which makes sense since we have to remove the glazing compound. No mention is made concerning what we are required to do with the perimeter sealant that exists at the perimeter of each window opening. Are we required to remove the perimeter sealant and re-caulk the perimeter of each window after the new painting work is complete? Inside and outside?

REESPONSE: Government Response: Remove and Replace perimeter seal, inside and out.

4:

There are two issues regarding the SSPC QP-1 painter certification that is required as specified in Paragraph 1.3.1 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 Administration Building 34012 renovation. 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?

RESPONSE: Government Response: QP-1 certification required as specified.

5. Note 3 on Drawing A101 says to remove steel panels, steel angles and threshold. The steel panels and steel angles are being replaced with new material per detail 2/A602 and note 9/A402. What about the threshold? Does it need to be replaced? If so, please provide a detail for the replacement.

RESPONSE: Sheet Note 7 on A201 indicated installation of threshold. Revise Sheet A602 to include detail 3/A602 Threshold @ 24A Door and Sidelight. (attached)

6. Please confirm that all of the steel shown in details on Drawings A601 and A602 is existing steel except for the steel shown in Detail 2/A602.

RSPONSE: All steel shown in details is on drawings A601 and A602 is existing steel except for the steel shown in Detail 2/A602. Sheet Note 1 on sheets A201-A403 modifies the detail.

7. In Detail 2/A602, what is the thickness of the steel plate panel?

RESPONSE: Steel plate to be 1/8” thickness.

8. Note 1 on Drawings A201, A202, A401, A402 and A403 indicate that we are to replace any steel members that are “missing or damaged beyond repair”. Paragraph 2.1 of Section 08 51 23 says that we are to “replace steel elements with new material of matching profile only when originals are so deteriorated as to prohibit their useful function”. Paragraph 3.2.3 of the same section states that “where steel cannot be prepped to a SSOC-SP6 due to extensive corrosion, replace with new steel members”. There is no way for us to determine during the bidding period what steel members will need to be replaced. Please provide an allowance for this work or a quantity of repairs to be made.

Response: Less than 5% of members are expected to need replacement.

9. Please schedule another site visit. It was not apparent on the drawings that we need to provide extensive custom scaffolding for the project. The only way to get pricing is to allow scaffolding subs to see the unique spaces where scaffolding is required. Without another visit, we will probably not be able to bid the job. Thanks.

Response: Second site visit is to be scheduled.

10. Section 08 11 13 specifies the following:

Paragraph 2.3.2 – Transom Bars

Paragraph 2.3.3 – Stops and Beads

Where are these items on the drawings?

Response: Delete requirement for transom bars, Stops and Beads.

11. Does the new frame at Door 1 need to be grouted? Or filled with insulation? There is no mention of this.

Response: No requirement for frame to be grouted or filled with insulation.

12. Are exit devices or closers required on either of the doors? None are specified. If so, please specify what is required.

Response: No new closers are required. Per contract documents, hardware currently installed on Door 1 leaf to be retained. If door leaf hardware is connected to existing frame, connect door leaf hardware to new frame.

13. The requirements for the entry pair (Door 2) are for a new pair of 8-panel steel stiffened HM doors to fit into the existing frame. The drawings show the eight panels but the specs don’t discuss paneled doors. In order for a door to be installed in an existing frame, the frame must be field measured and then the door is manufactured (in a custom size) to match the size and hardware requirements of the frame. Ceco, a leading hollow metal manufacturer, can produce an 8 panel door, however they can only provide doors for standard size frames. Those sizes are 2’-8” x 6’-8”, 2’-8” x 7’-0”, 3’-0” x 6’-8”, or 3’-0” x 7’-0”. They can also produce pairs of doors that are double the width of these sizes, with no variations. They also will not provide any type of steel stiffeners in a panel door. We could provide a non-steel stiffened pair of doors from Ceco, however the existing frame would need to be a very exact size to accommodate the new doors, and I seriously doubt the existing frame would be the correct size with zero variation. I also checked with a competing hollow metal manufacturer, and while they have a few more available sizes, they do not offer custom sizing, which is what we will most probably need since we are installing the doors in an existing frame. I have contacted two custom metal houses for custom hollow metal doors. They can provide the steel stiffeners and can provide a custom size that we would need, however they will require the purchase of fifty door skins just to provide the four we would need. So obviously they cannot be considered. Both told me that there is really only one stamping facility for hollow metal panel doors. We cannot find hollow metal doors that will fulfill the project requirements for Door 2. Please provide the basis of design that was used to develop the design or modify the design requirements.

Response: Delete requirement for paneled doors. Provide flush doors with steel stiffeners as specified.

14. Paragraph 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of Section 05 50 13 specify a galvanized finish. Please indicate which items are to receive a galvanized finish.

Response: Delete requirement for galvanized finish.

15. Paragraphs 2.4 and 3.7 of Section 05 50 13 discuss Structural Steel Door Frames. Where are these located?

Response: Delete requirement for structural steel door frames.

16. Section 08 51 23 discusses replacing or repairing existing window hardware that is “so deteriorated as to prohibit their useful function”. And paragraph 3.2.4 says to “install new hardware where original is missing, damaged or unsuitable for new operation”. How are we supposed to be able to price this? We have no idea what existing window hardware is okay to use and what hardware is not. Please establish an allowance for this item. We realize we are required to perform a survey/evaluation of the existing windows but that survey won’t happen until after we have bid the job. We cannot price something that will not be known until after the job bids.

Response: Less than 5% of members/hardware are expected to need replacement.

17. Not all of the windows indicated on Elevation 1 and 2/A401 by Note 2 to receive window operators are shown on Electrical Drawing E101 to receive the operators. Please clarify. Or indicate which drawing takes precedence.

Response: Electrical drawings take precedence. For windows on that do not match between electrical and architectural drawings, revise key note on architectural drawing to indicate sheet note 3.

18. Not all of the windows indicated on Elevation 2/A403 by Note 2 to receive window operators are shown on Electrical Drawing E103 to receive the operators. Please clarify. Or indicate which drawing takes precedence.

Response: Electrical drawings take precedence. For windows on that do not match between electrical and architectural drawings, revise key note on architectural drawing to indicate sheet note 3.

19. The “East” and “West” designations on drawing E103 do not match A403.

Response: A403 is correct. Reverse “East” and “West” designations on drawing E103.

20. Note 2/E101, E102, and E103 says to refer to the “architectural sheets for the platform mounting details and supports for the platform mounting”. These details do not exist on the architectural drawings. Please provide them.

Response: Controller boxes and switches to be mounted on wall near windows being controlled when wooden platform structure is not in the way. Where wooden platform structure obscures wall, provide wood cross members and plywood sheet for mounting controller box and switches near windows being operated.

21. Notes 1 and 2 on drawing E104 state the replacement panels to be installed in place of panels L5D-1 and L5C-1 are to include 200% rated neutrals. Do the existing panels L5D-1 and L5C-1 have 200% rated neutrals?

Response: As this is an electrical question, will include response with questions 22-23, so that questions 11-21 can be processed.