Q A 1 - 37.doc

Solicitation Number GS-03P-10-AZ-C-0004

December 3, 2009

Q 1. How many zones are typical for the Air Handler Units (AHUs)? What are the sizes of the zones?

R 1. 5 or 6 zones is typical for the AHUs and the sizes vary. The original construction drawings will be posted.

Q 2. How many copies of the proposal package should be submitted?

R 2. 1 Original and 3 Copies Q 3. What is the code or classification of the project?

R 3. The NAICS code is 236220 - Commercial and Institutional Building Construction Q 4. What is the level of existing building documentation? Are there existing Mechanical drawings for the AHU? Are there existing structural drawings available for the roof?

R 4. GSA will post what we have available.

Q 5. Is the HVAC Distribution original to the building?

R 5. Yes – it is the same as originally in the building existing for approximately 40 years. This answer pertains to the ductwork and AHUs covered under this SOW.

Q 6. Are the AHU replacement project, PV project and the vegetative roof project to be 3 separate projects? Can a proposer submit a bid for 1 or 2 of the projects but not all 3? Or do they need to team up with another contractor?

R 6. This project has 3 components, which will result in 1 award. GSA intends to award one contract encompassing all 3 project components. A contractor subcontracting the work is permissible.

Q 7. Is this a public bid opening?

R 7. No.

Q 8. Is the Chiller plant staying?

R 8. Yes it will remain in place.

Q 9. Will the contractor be granted interior access?

R 9. Yes

Q 10. Is the time for security clearances part of the period of performance?

R 10. Yes – there is usually a 5-6 week turn around time for clearances to be completed. The period of performance begins at issuance of the NTP; however the contractor can begin the process at award. Security Clearance is detailed in the RFP package. DOD clearances are not acceptable. GSA will work to accommodate the contractor’s site requirements before clearances are finalized and will work to expedite the process as much as possible.

Q 11. Are there any working hour restrictions?

R 11. Working hours are to be based on limiting disruption to the tenants. Night, daytime and weekend working hours are available to the contractor. Noisy work and work that will interfere with employees of the building to conduct their daily activities shall be scheduled to occur outside of the building’s normal working hours.

Normal business hours for the Byrne/Green building are considered 6am-6pm.

Q 12. Is a phasing plan required for the proposal?

R 12. Yes. this is to be included as part of the Project Management Plan and will be addressed as an amendment.

Q 13. Is the Wage Determination included as part of the RFP package?

R 13. Yes it is included in Volume 3, Part 5 of the Solicitation Q 14. GSA is specifying sound attenuators on the ductwork in the RFP, but didn't identify where they are to be located. Are these to go on all ductwork and are they internal to the unit or outside? Is there a noise level rating to be followed?

R 14. The Request for Proposal states that sound attenuation for the air handling units is required. Additionally, it states the design build contractor is to design in accordance with Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings – revised March 2005 – PBS-P100. These Standards include a chart listing the noise criteria for various types of spaces and provides the design build team with the final noise levels required. The RFP documents do not indicate sound attenuators in the air handling units because they would most likely make the units too long for the available space therefore they would be installed in the duct system. The air handling units being provided by the design build contractor are the noise sources therefore the sound attenuators provided must attenuate the difference between the generated noise and the noise criteria for the space less the attenuation of the duct system and room effects.

Q 15. Is there a tie in point for the PV system. Where is the closest electrical room?

R 15. This is part of the design. The RFP specifies that there should be a single conduit penetration per roof level of PV. GSA is not specifying the tie in point in this solicitation, but the building drawings issued indicate locations of electrical spaces.

Q 16. Is there a level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for this project?

R 16. This project is not required to achieve LEED certification under this contract; however GSA requires the same documentation as if LEED certification were being pursued. Construction waste management, material selections, on site energy, storm water management, air quality and all other areas being affected by this project should all be approached and documented in the same manner as if LEED certification was being pursued. Documentation should be submitted to GSA.

Q 17. Please clarify the vegetative roof evaluation criteria.

R 17. The offeror must provide two projects demonstrating past performance. Both projects must demonstrate a single-structure roof area of 20,000 square feet each. Both projects must be on an existing structure. At least one of the two projects must be a non-unitized (non-tray based) system. Projects that exceed the stated requirements may receive a higher rating. Projects that do not meet the minimum standards may receive a lower rating. Refer to the Volume 1 of the Soliciation, Technical Evaluation Factors/Minimum Standards, page 8 for the minimum standards required for these two past performance projects.

Q 18. Does 80kW include the 3rd floor?

R 18. The 80 kW minimum is assumed to fit on the 22nd and 18th floor roofs. However, this requirement is not prescriptive with where the PV array is to be located on the Byrne Courthouse. The solicitation makes mention of the 3rd floor roof to merely point out that it is also a south facing roof area that could potentially receive photovoltaics, should the proper sun/shading analysis be conducted by the design/build entity to prove the feasibility. All shading and structural analysis supporting the PV array locations must be provided by the design/builder.

Q 19. What is the timeframe for proposals to remain valid?

R 19. 120 days Q 20. Is there any size and capacity information available for freight elevators and/or restrictions on their use?

R 20. Freight elevator use is permitted but is not limited to this job only. Freight elevators are used on a daily basis after-hours by custodial and mechanical staff, and awardee must realize they are not entitled to exclusive use.

Green Freight Information:

Door Opening Width - 60"

Door Opening Height - 84"

Cab Width (excluding rails) - 72"

Cab Depth (excluding rail) - 112"

Cab Height - 96"

Weight Capacity - 6500 lbs

Byrne Freight Information:

Door Opening Width - 60"

Door Opening Height - 84"

Cab Width (excluding rails) - 70.5"

Cab Depth - 107"

Cab Height - 96"

Weight Capacity - 6500 lbs

Q 21. Is there access to the roof from the freight elevators for materials?

R 21. No. Freight elevators go up to the Byrne CH 22nd floor and Green 10th floor- materials would have to be carried from elevator up another flight of stairs to the roof in both buildings.

Q 22. Will cranes be allowed to be used for the project?

R 22. Yes – this will need to be coordinated through the City of Philadelphia and with sufficient advance notice for building management /GSA Property Management office.

Q 23. Is the contractor responsible for draining and are they expected to shut off valves, etc.?

R 23. The contractor will be responsible for coordinating this work with the onsite O&M staff. This portion of work should be coordinated via project managers (who can discuss with property management). The O&M contractor will be involved with coordination of shutdowns. As far as the physical draining and re-filling of the system, that is the contractor’s responsibility.

Q 24. Are alternate proposals being considered for this project?

R 24. No. There are not specifications included in the solicitation for alternates. Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the RFP package.

Q 25. Is there e-PM system software training required as part of this project?

R 25. Not at this time.

Q 26. Is there an end date for question submittal?

R 26. No. Questions can be submitted up to the proposal due date. If a question does not get answered the offeror should submit their proposal based on the information available. That is not an excuse for late proposals.

Please note that due to end of the year schedules it is advised to submit questions as soon as possible and not wait until the deadline date.

Q 27. Do the references have to be in before the proposal due date and time?

R 27. Yes – complete proposals, including references must be submitted prior to the proposal due date and time.

Q 28. Will the contractor be responsible for coordinating with other project teams in the building?

R 28. Yes – there will be other construction work taking place in the building and if necessary the contractor will have to coordinate with those project teams.

Q 29. To what extent will there be access to the loading dock?

R 29. The loading dock for the complex is extremely busy. Loading dock access is permitted but must be coordinated at least 48 hours in advance with building management (who will coordinate with security). For deliveries, contractor must be on-site for acceptance. Deliveries/access to dock cannot be on-the-spot- security will turn these away.

Q 30. In reference to the temporary heating/cooling units in the hallway, where should these be fed electric from?

R 30. This is left to the discretion of the contractor during the design phase of the project.

Q 31. What are the liquidated damages per day?

R 31. $403.20 as listed in the Solicitation Document.

Q 32. If betterments are included in a proposal, will they be considered for award?

R 32. The proposals are to be based and evaluated solely on the scope of work in the solicitation.

Q 33. Is this project being bid as a prime or can the roofing contractor bid the roofing separately?

R 33. This project has 3 components, which will result in 1 award. GSA intends to award one contractor encompassing all 3 project components. A contractor subcontracting the work is permissible.

Q 34. Are there any noise issues with any component of the project?

R 34. Yes, any work that will cause an audible disruption (core drilling, etc.) to the tenants in the building must be performed during off hours.

Q 35. Do you have an actual weighting for each of the four technical factors that you could provide?

R 35. No – the technical factors are listed in descending order of importance as follows: Past Performance, Key Personnel, Project Management Plan, and Small Disadvantaged Business Factor.

Q 36. You indicate that the NAICS code applicable to this project is 236220. Please confirm that a company without that coding is not excluded from responding.

R 36. Contractors should list this NAICS code in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) if they are submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation.

Q 37. Are allowances permissible?

R 37. Yes, allowances are detailed in Part II of the RFP in Section 01210. This amount should be added to your proposal price sheet under line 5.