Construction_Industry_Day_Session_1_Q_and_A-April_27,_2017.pdf

Construction Industry Day- Back-Fill Project and Renovation of Floors 16 - 21

Solicitation Number: GS-02-P-17-DT-C-0001

Q. Have drawing been issued?

A. No, the solicitation is not out yet. Late June is the projected date for the RFP issuance.

Q. Does the freight elevator go all the way up to the roof?

A. The freight elevator goes up to the 42nd Floor.

Q. Is the plan is to change from 3 larger generators 4 smaller generators?

A. Generator design is not yet complete.

Q. Is the project team studying the proposed equipment to determine sizes and installation methods?

A. Yes.

Q. Can a helicopter be used for installation of equipment?

A. We don’t believe there are any Federal Building rules against it, but NYC does not allow this.

Q. Why is the work “Backfill” being used in the project title?

A. “Backfill” is referring to the backfilling of tenants within vacant floors within the building. There is no sitework as a part of this project.

Q. Is the lobby part of the scope in addition to the floors 16-21?

A. Yes.

Q. When does the installation of the chiller need to be completed?

A. Needs to be installed by the end of phase 2A. The generator and chiller need to be in operation at the completion of the tenant fit-out of floors 20&21.

Q. For the new generator and chiller, will new risers need to be installed?

A. No, we will be reusing existing risers. These new systems will only serve one tenant - not the entire building.

Q. What type of procurement will this be?

A. Best Value

Q. What are the loading dock hours?

A. Another contractor who works within the building mentioned that it is accessible after 3 pm and the must be scheduled with a 48 hour notice. It was also mentioned that loading dock availability is dependent on how much other work is happening concurrently within the building. Loading dock hours and access information will be provided within the specifications issued with the RFP.

Q. Where is the garbage going to be disposed?

A. Needs to be addressed by the government.

Q. Is the fire alarm limited to the lobby?

A. The lobby will include sprinkler installation. The fire alarm backbone upgrade will include the entire building and the Court of International Trade (CIT), which is connected to the building.

Q. Do the contractors need FBI clearance?

A. In addition to GSA clearance, contractors working on the FBI floors must go thru FBI security clearance and will be escorted. The floors become “FBI space” once new construction is started. Therefore, abatement and demolition prior to new construction can be completed on the future FBI floors without the additional clearance and escorts.

Q. Ratio of contractor to escort provided by the FBI?

A. Past projects have used 1-2 escorts per floor. However, this is something that will need to be coordinated with the FBI, and depends on the type and location of the work being completed. The FBI floors in this project will not be occupied until after construction is complete, so the escorting will not be as strict as it would be on an occupied floor.

Q. Will existing as-built drawings be provided?

A. Yes.

Q. Will Revit Drawings be provided?

A. No, the Construction Documents are being completed in 2D CAD.

Q. Will there be structural revisions to the floor where generators are to be located?

A. A/E is currently analyzing.

Q. Will GSA specify acceptable decibel levels of noise for construction activity?

A. We will look into this and may incorporate in specifications.

Q. What is the ceiling material in the lobby?

A. Plaster ceiling. Details will be provided in design docs.

Q. What type of system is used for the fire alarm backbone.

A. The current system uses a “Notifier” system, but we are open to other manufacturers. Sometimes there are compatibility issues if different systems are used.

Q. What type of fire protection will be required under the scaffolding in the lobby?

A. This will be spelled out in the documents.

Q. Can the scaffolding block security cameras in the lobby?

A. The proposed system should avoid blocking any existing cameras.

Suggestions/ Comments

For the source selection, GSA should request that offerors provide a schedule to show that they understand the project phasing.

GSA should reach out to adjacent tenants to make sure that they are aware of the project in order to limit complaints.

Specifications should include building system shutdown schedules.

Drawings should address how the generators and chillers are going to be installed rather than considering the installation part of the GC’s means and methods.

Working hours should be addressed and specified in the phasing plan.

Drawings/Specs should indicate the size and capacity of the elevators.

If a crane is used for installation of systems, its placement should be provided in the drawings/specs.

GC requested slides of presentation prior to the one on one interviews. GSA to look into this.

Contractor mentioned that this project will most likely require union workers, and clearly defining working hours will affect the bid price.

The demolition drawings should define wall types to be demolished.

Perimeter induction units will be replaced as a part of this project, but the surrounds will remain, aside from replacing the grills.

The fuel pumps for the generators are located in the basement.

UPS’s will be installed on some local floors.

Floors 20 and 21 will not be occupied by the tenants.