2017.04.19_Q&A.pdf

Response to Questions Received as of April 18, 2017

Solicitation GS-05P-17-SC-C-0005

Question No. QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1 Please define costs included in General Conditions? The Estimated Cost of the Work (ECW) should include all direct costs of the construction work. All indirect costs, including general conditions and profit, should be included in the fee. Therefore, cost of site & roof protection, shoring, scaffolding, and equipment would all be included in the fee.

2 Please confirm cost of site & roof protection, shoring, & scaffold is considered general conditions cost? Or ECW?

3 Please confirm cost of equipment such as forklifts is considered general conditions cost?

Work over existing standing seam copper presents possibility of damage to existing copper roof panels. Should protection be installed to avoid any possibility of damage? Or is it acceptable to replace damaged panels in kind realizing patina on new copper panels may not match existing panels?

The standing seam copper roof will need to be protected during construction. If the roof is damaged despite the contractor’s effort to protect it, the contractor will need to repair the roof with new copper.

5 Are drawings of existing roof structure available to aid in determining shoring requirements for placement of scaffold system on the main copper roof? Answer is forthcoming.

Project work is stated to be conducted Monday-Friday during normal business hours from 7:00 to 4:30. Specification states in Section 011000, paragraph 1.9.

D.1. Please describe limitations on conducting work after hours and possible expenses so that the successful contractor can anticipate associated costs of after hour work realizing portions of this work may/will require after hour work.

N/A

6a All loud and disruptive work shall be completed after hours and shall be coordinated with the GSA COR.

GSA will provide no more than 40 hours of after hours security for after hours work that will be disruptive to building tenants.

6b All hazardous material remediation shall be completed after normal business hours and shall be coordinated with the GSA COR.

Lead paint mediation can be completed during normal work hours. GSA is not aware of any other hazardous materials that will be disturbed as part of this project.

7 Please confirm if GSA will permit scaffold access to cupola from the ground to avoid daily/hourly foot traffic through the building for access to the cupola?

Answer is forthcoming.

Section 6400 – Paragraph 2.01.A.4 states to match profiles and dimensions as closely as possible in matching species wood or Spanish Cedar. If stock Spanish Cedar is not available in sizes and dimensions specified for replication of new wood components, will laminated Spanish cedar be permitted for use on the project?

The contractor shall make every effort to find the sizes needed without laminting the wood. However GSA realizes that cedar may not be available in the sizes specified. The contractor shall use boards no thinner than 2" thick and shall have proper quality control methods in place to ensure good lamination between boards. Lamination work shall comply with ASTM D3737.

Section 013510, Historic Building Treatment Procedures states requirements for a Historic Treatment Specialist in paragraph 1.4.A. Stated requirements along with qualification forms A & B indicate a third part A/E firm is required to perform fulltime onsite Q/C oversight of historic preservation work. Please confirm this requirement is correct. If fulltime third party A/E Historic Building Treatment Specialist is not required, please clarify role required Historic Treatment Specialist.

Answer is forthcoming.

Construction period is defined in paragraph I.C.(2) as 90 days to substantial completion and another 60 days for final completion. We believe period of construction performance is too short and will not allow enough for staging, rigging of scaffold, execution of work, dismantle of scaffold and project close out/final site restoration. Will GSA consider extending schedule to a more realistic period of construction performance of 210 days to substantial completion and another 60 days to final completion?

GSA is willing to extend the construction period to 180 days (see Amendment 02). This would make the construction period from approximately March to September. Please note GSA does not want to have construction in winter months.

11 Please clarify or state associated anticipated dates of the following: -

11a Design Phase NTP The design phase NTP is anticipated to be given shortly after contract award.

11b Construction Phase NTP Interim NTP for construction will be given when the construction option is exercised. On-site construction NTP is anticipated in Spring 2018.

12 Please confirm it is GSA’s intent to give Construction Phase NTP for work to commence in 2018.

Correct, on-site construction NTP is anticipated in Spring 2018.

Section 015000, Temporary Facilities & Controls, paragraph 1.4.D refers to dust control measures that appear to be intended for interior construction projects.

Please clarify if this paragraph requires revision or deletion.

Confirmed- 1.4.D can be removed. The contractor shall ensure that proper dust control measures are in place to prevent dust infiltration into the building.

Section 015000, paragraph 3.2.D states that temporary heating & cooling is required for construction as needed to provide adequate temperature & humidity for installation/application of construction materials. This requires full containment of the entire cupola structure and adequate equipment to accomplish this requirement. Meeting this requirement if needed will be very expensive. Please confirm requirement applies to this project.

The contractor needs to complete the work within the manufacturer's recommendations and trade standards. If the weather does not allow for the work to be completed within the manufacturers requirements the contractor will need to provide temporary heating/ cooling.

Section 017419, Construction Waste Management & Disposal, designates requirements for recycling on the project. Construction waste/disposal recycling will necessitate multiple dumpsters onsite to meet requirements. Contractors are instructed there is zero staging area permitted for contractor use. This presents a hardship to the contractor to comply with stated recycling requirements. Please state if recycling requirement can be deleted. If not please confirm additional expenses will be incurred to meet these requirements offsite.

Yes recycling is required. GSA will be requesting tipping tickets for all copper waste and recyclable wood (wood without LBP).

1. Special Project Warranty on Roof & Walls contained in Section 01 7810 is problematic for surety companies. Sureties typically do not offer bonds for roofs/walls beyond 2-3 years. Please confirm if this special warranty can be specifically stated to be not bonded or exempt from coverage by surety companies.

Answer is forthcoming.

Drawing Sheet A101, Note 7 states to “Install new fluid applied fabric reinforced membrane roofing per specification 075000. Section 075000 does not contain information on fluid applied membrane roofing system. Please clarify if correct roof system to install per Note 7 is PVC or fluid applied. If fluid applied is to be installed please confirm if Soprema Alsan RS System is acceptable liquid applied system?

Answer is forthcoming.

Design Phase SOW designates CMc shall prepare two mockups in the design phase. Please state or clarify a description of the mock ups to include what they will be, how large they will be and where will they be located or delivered.

This is meant to be an allowance for mockups that the CMc recommends during the design phase. It should be assumed that each mockup will take not more than 8LH by the tradesman responsible for the portion of work and $500 in materials. Assume that the mockups will be onsite at ground level or accessible from the cupola without scaffolding.

Section 064000 provides limited information/instructions regarding paint removal from wood surfaces. Section 064000 refers contractor to 099600 for more information on paint removal. Section 099600 provides no further information on paint removal requirements. Please provide requirements for paint removal.

All paint shall be removed to bare wood. Removal of rust on metal components is described in 09 9600 3.03.

20 Have any tests been performed to verify effectiveness of various chemical stripping agents?

No

Extent of faulty conditions on cupola are shown in photos of Appendix A. Has A/E developed a repair schedule or matrix to identify exact quantities of various types of carpentry repairs for bidding purposes? Or is it up to the contractor to determine quantity of each repair type based off available information supplied in Appendix A and drawing sheets?

Assumptions are given on A101, but more precise quantities can't be determined until paint is removed and closer investigation is undertaken by contractor.

Note 9 on sheet A201 states to repair trim components that are historic. Is there a base quantity of repair of historic material that is assumed for purposes of bidding?

Assumptions are given on A101, but more precise quantities can't be determined until paint is removed and closer investigation is undertaken by contractor.

23 Do unit prices include general conditions, indirect costs, and profit? Yes, unit prices should be all inclusive.

24 Does the bid bond for the base bid, (design phase) need to include the amounts for the construction phase?

The bid bond for the base bid does not need to include the construction phase option. The base bid bond should only be for the design phase services.