Attachment_4_Site_Visit_Notes.pdf

FY16 Rebuild Swissmont deck North Cascades NPS Complex Attachment 4: Site Visit Notes

A pre-proposal site visit was conducted on 1/11/16 at the Swissmont Lodge in Stehekin, WA.

The visit was conducted by Kerri Cook, Contracting Officer’s Representative, assisted by NPS Maria Cook, Inspector, and Annelise Lesmeister, Concessions Specialist.

Kerri Cook welcomed attendees and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to show attendees the existing building, deck, and site. We did not review the Statement of Work (SOW), but after a brief tour entertained questions related to the site and the solicitation. Ms. Cook also stated:

• Nothing said at the site visit changes the terms, conditions, requirements, or specifications of the solicitation and eventual contract. All changes will be formalized and incorporated by formal written amendment(s) to the RFQ and posted at FedBizOpps.

• Notes of today’s discussion will be provided in an amendment, and the SOW and drawings will be updated accordingly. We will endeavor to find answers to each question within the solicitation documents, but if we are unable to, the official answers will be provided in the amendment.

• If you have future questions, e-mail them to Sarah Welch as soon as possible.

• Due date on the RFQ is Monday, January 25, and because of the short timeframe for work and firm completion date, we do not anticipate extending this date by amendment.

The site visit was attended by representatives of the following firms:

• Saybr Contractors, Inc.

• Stryker Construction, Inc.

• Lake Chelan Construction Company, Inc.

• Newalen LLC

• CMEC

• Ridge2river Construction LLC

• JW Custom Construction

• Custom Building

General: Answers below may refer to specific sections of Attachment 1b, Statement of Work (100% final), for quoters’ convenience. Quoters/contractors are strongly encouraged to review in their entirety the Statement of Work (100% final) and Attachment 2a, Drawings (100% final) to ensure complete compliance with project requirements.

Q1: Which rooms in the Swissmont Lodge will be made available for storage and access?

A1: As noted in Section 01510 – Temporary Services, 2.2(A.)1., the Contractor will be provided with a set of building keys that provide access to all rooms in the building. The Contractor is authorized to use any room for access and storage so long as Contractor-provided coverings are used to protect carpet, flooring, and furniture. Contractor shall be responsible for preventing damage to rooms and their contents. If damage occurs, repair or restore to its prior condition or replace it, at no additional expense to the Government.

Q2: The Scope of Work mentions construction of a new shed roof, but this is not shown on the plans. Where does the shed roof go?

A2: Final construction drawings are provided as Attachment 2a, and the location of the shed roof is shown on Page 6 of those drawings.

Q3: Does Option B in Section B: Price Schedule refer to the entire railing on the lower deck, or just sections of railing?

A3: Option B has been removed from the Contract Price Schedule in the revised clauses document.

Q4: Does the window adjacent to the new door location need to be replaced with tempered glass to meet Universal Building Code (UBC) requirements because the nearest exposed edge of the glazing may fall within a 24-inch arc of the vertical edge of the door?

A4: There is approximately 65 inches between the interior wall where the existing door is located and the glazing edge of the window adjacent to the proposed new door location. If the door is installed so that the latch edge is within 24 inches of the window, then the window needs to be replaced with tempered glass in accordance with the UBC (note that the bottom of the window is less than 60 inches above the floor). If the door can be installed so the latch edge is more than 24 inches from the window edge, then this code requirement does not apply. See photo below for clarification.

8’ electric baseboard heater, hard-wired on opposite end

65” from wall to second window edge

Q5: Will the 8-foot long electric baseboard heater need to be relocated to install the door, and if so, on which end is the wiring?

A5: The existing electric baseboard heater is hard-wired on the end opposite the proposed door location (left side) and should be replaced with a new 6-foot long electric baseboard heater. This new work has been incorporated into the SOW in Section 08210 – Doors.

Q6: If you relocate the existing right-hand inswing fiberglass door to the south side of the building as called for in the drawings, the swing will be wrong for the new location. Does this matter?

A6: The SOW has been changed to reflect that the door going into the new location shall be a new fiberglass door with a left-hand inswing. Section 08210 – Doors has been updated to reflect this change.

Q7: Is there a header over the existing window that must be removed to install the new door?

A7: The existing windows were installed during a 2004 building renovation. It is assumed that there is a header over the windows, but no as-constructed drawings or other documentation exists to confirm this assumption. Contractor will need to verify onsite conditions prior to installation of new door.

Q8: The construction drawings show an existing rim joist located in the accessible ‘attic’ space to which the 2x8 ledger can be through-bolted. Does this rim joist exist, and how accessible is the space?

A8: In the accessible attic space, a 1-½” x 11” rim joist supports 1-½” x 9” floor joists and appears to be backed up against a second identical rim joist, which also supports blocking between the floor joists. The rim joist is accessed through a 29” x 22-½” hatch door opening from the second floor covered exterior stairs on the north side of the building.

Once through this opening, a suspended drain pipe bisects the crawl space with only 8-½” clearance between pipe and floor. A cripple wall supports the 16” o.c. floor joists down the center of the building, with a 14-½” x 14-½” clear space opening. There are no additional obstructions limiting access between the hatch opening (north side) and rim joist (south side), see photos for reference.

14-½” x 14-½”clear opening in cripple wall (foreground)

8-½” clearance between suspended pipe and floor (middle)

29” x 22-½” hatch opening to accessible attic space (background)

Q9: I was told by a local Gaco representative that they don’t certify applicators for decking systems. Does the Gaco Western Applicator really need to be certified?

A9: Yes, the Gaco Western Applicator must have a current “Qualified Applicator” certification or proof of training in application of liquid-applied waterproofing or wear surface for deck surfaces. Section 07181 of the SOW has been updated accordingly.

Q10: Could you clarify whether the specifications require GacoFlex or GacoDeck products?

A10: Section 07181 of the SOW has been updated to include more detailed specifications for the preferred GacoFlex products as part of a GacoPedestrianDeck system.

Q11: Does the ¾” tongue and groove deck material need to be water-resistant, outdoor grade plywood?

A11: Plywood decking shall carry the trademark of the American Plywood Association.

Acceptable grades are “Exterior/APA A/C Group I”, “Exterior/APA B/C Group I”, or “Marine” grade plywood. Unsuitable grades are interior grade plywood with or without exterior glue, and underlayment grade plywood, such as “C/C Exterior”, OSB, Waferboard, and Exposure I markings. This information has been incorporated into the SOW in Section 06100 – Rough Carpentry.

Q12: Should we assume that the VERSA-LAM posts are to be primed and painted to match the railing, while the underside of the deck framing should be primed and painted to match the building?

A12: The VERSA-LAM posts and columns shall be stained to finish and protect the wood surface. The underside of the deck framing and plywood decking shall be primed and painted to match adjacent buildings as the entire Swissmont Lodge building will be repainted this color in 2016. Confirm stain color with NPS prior to application.

Information on exact paint color for underside of the deck framing will be provided by the NPS. This information has been incorporated into the SOW in Section 09900 – Painting and Staining.

Q13: Should the composite fascia, top rail, and bottom rail be painted to match the metal railing, or ordered in a color that will match the Gaco deck coating?

A13: Composite components shall be ordered in a color selected by the NPS based on product submittal. A product sample submittal requirement has been incorporated into Section 05521 – Steel Railings for composite products. See Section 01330 – Submittals for additional submittal requirements.

Q14: Can a small tractor or equipment be used to excavate for the new deck footings?

A14: Small equipment may be used for site work, including excavation for new deck footings, as long as natural features are preserved. A corridor of approximately 5 feet is available between the edge of the deck and natural rock and vegetation features that require preservation. The NPS will review any proposal for work beyond this limit of the project and, if approved, will closely supervise work in in accordance with Section 01110, 1.3 E.

Q15: If digging is difficult, can the hole that is dug be used as the form to hold the footing as long as it meets or exceeds the depth and diameter of the required footing?

A15: Yes, as long as the hole meets or exceeds the depth and diameter requirements of the footing per the drawings, the hole can serve as sidewalls for cast-in-place concrete.

Q16: The NPS concessionaire GSI, Inc. annually prunes maples and other shrubby vegetation in front of the lower Swissmont deck. Is it okay to prune or remove this vegetation to improve access for excavating footings?

A16: The Contractor is authorized to prune or remove shrubby vegetation within the 5-foot corridor along the edge of the deck. The NPS will review any proposal for work beyond this limit of the project and, if approved, will closely supervise work in in accordance with Section 01110, 1.3 E.