POFloor.doc

Pre-Proposal Conference

Phase I Construction and Installation of New Flooring at the US Post Office and Courthouse, (POCH), Pittsburgh, PA.

April 14, 2010

9:00 A.M.

Questions:

1. Are electronic submissions accepted?

Response: Hard copies of both the Technical and Price Proposals are due by April 27, 2010 at 4:00 P.M. Electronic submissions of Techinical Proposals only should be submitted to mark.talarico@gsa.gov by April 28, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. The electronic submission is for the convenience of the Contracting Officer and does not extend the due date of the proposals.

2. Are motorized/gasoline powered tools, i.e. Bobcat, permitted to remove debris from the floors?

Response: Depending on Hazmat regulations. There are hazardous materials under the floor, therefore, no dust and debris can be flowing out of the work space.

3. What is the level of creosote in the wood block? Has this been tested?

Response: According to PSI’s records this material has not been tested.

4. Is a dumpster permitted on the jobsite? If so, in what exact location?

Response: There is limited onsite space, therefore, a dumpster can be used but it would have to be placed in a space that does not affect the postal services. The postal doors where the mail is loaded/off loaded are the same doors used to load trucks. A dumpster would need to be placed and removed prior to the start of the daylight work day. See specification 01140 which provides information on work restrictions. In all cases coordination with POCH is essential.

5. Is there a loading weight limit on the floor?

Response: The allowable floor live load prior to installation of the new concrete topping slab is 120 PSF. After the new concrete topping slab is installed, the allowable floor live load is 95 PSF. Any mechanical equipment (i.e. Bobcat or hand cart) the contractor is planning on using that will operate inside the building and supported by existing floor structure shall be submitted to the Government for review. Contractor shall submit cut sheets of each type of mechanical equipment for moving construction materials to the government providing the following information:

a. Self-weight of the equipment;

b. Maximum load equipment is capable of lifting;

c. Percentage distribution of the self-weight and load to the equipments wheels I tracks;

d. Equipment dimensions, specifically the location of the wheels I tracks. No mechanical equipment to be used for moving construction materials shall be used inside the building without government approval.

6. Who is responsible for air monitoring?

Response: It is a shared responsibility. URS will provide oversight and the contractor will comply.

7. Is the contractor required to follow the sequence of phasing?

Response: The intent of the phasing is providing a guide to facilitate the continuing operations of the Post Office which are the primary concern. Coordination with POCH is essential.

8. Spec 09999, Finish Schedule. This appears to be an existing condition type of finish schedule since it refers to asphalt tile (which is not the new type of flooring to be installed), acoustic ceilings (there are no ceiling plans or ceiling specification), etc. Please confirm this is the case, and that there is no new ceiling work, only repairs due to the required partition work.

Response: The Finish Schedule is a listing of existing finishes to provide guidance for the purpose of restoration. Please read carefully sections 01731-cutting and Patching and 01732-Selective Demolition. The areas identified on the drawings will have a new lightweight concrete topping and resilient floor covering as specified.

9. Also in terms of finishes, please clarify what is to be done about flooring in the rooms adjacent to the corridors where the partition must be removed to demo the wood block. We would assume that new base is required on the room side of the partition as well, but there is no indication of what is to be done about the flooring in those rooms.

Response: Please read Section 01731-Cutting and Patching and 01732-Selective Demolition which govern patching, repair and replacement of items and finishes affected by the work.

10. Spec 01310, Article 1.5D, indicates that the safety & heath officer cannot be the project manager or project superintendent. Given the relatively small scale of this project, please reconsider this requirement and allow these duties to be assigned to either the PM or superintendent.

Response: Due to the nature of the presence of hazardous materials (i.e. asbestos) and to avoid any potential conflict of interest, a separate designated health and safety officer is required.

11. Spec 01500, Article 3.2C, calls for a field office with a private toilet facility and meeting space for the project meetings. Couldn’t the meetings be held in GSA’s current filed office (as being done for the current North Plaza project and as indicated in the North Lobby bid documents)? Also, couldn’t a small area within the building be assigned to the contractor for a field office to avoid having to bring in a trailer to an already congested area?

Response: This article is hereby deleted and accommodations sought with GSA’s field office will be provided.