Attachment_4_Site_Visit_notes.pdf

FY16 Replace windows in historic visitor center, Stehekin WA North Cascades NPS Complex Attachment 4: Site Visit Notes

A pre-proposal site visit was conducted on 7/28/16 at the Golden West Lodge visitor center in Stehekin, WA. The visit was conducted by Kerri Cook, Contracting Officer’s Representative, assisted by NPS Inspector, Maria Cook. The site visit was attended by representatives of Southwest Construction and Medved Global Inc.

Kerri Cook welcomed attendees and stated that the purpose of the site visit was to show attendees the building and site, and to highlight some of the logistical challenges of working in Stehekin.

We did not review the Scope of Work, but after a brief tour entertained questions related to the site and the solicitation. Ms. Kerri 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 RFP and posted at FBO.

• Notes of today’s discussion will be provided in an amendment, which should be posted by August 1st. 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.

• Remember to review the information in Sections L (Instructions to Offerors) and M (Evaluation) before submitting the proposal.

• If you have future questions, e-mail them to Sarah Welch, Contracting Officer, as soon as possible, but no later than August 15th, or 10 days prior to the due date if the RFP is extended.

• Due date is Thursday, August 25th at 2:00 pm unless extended by amendment.

General: Answers below may refer to specific sections of Attachment 1, Specifications, or Attachment 2, Drawings. Offerors are strongly encouraged to review the entire project requirements detailed in the Specifications to ensure complete compliance with project requirements.

Q1: If there is snow during the construction phase, will NPS provide snow removal to ensure access?

A1: NPS is responsible for ensuring snow is removed from roadways and primary access routes in Stehekin. The NPS will clear snow to provide vehicular access from the Stehekin Landing to the Golden West visitor center and contractor staging area identified on the drawings. The NPS will also clear snow to provide pedestrian access to the main entrance and rear (south) stair tower at the Golden West visitor center. Contractor shall be responsible for any additional snow removal required for their operations, or for snow removal if access is required prior to the NPS maintenance employee start-time of 7:00

am. The first snowfall of the season typically occurs in late November.

Q2: Is there a staging area inside the building where replacement windows can be stored during the construction phase?

A2: Yes, there is a non-public area on the third floor of the Golden West visitor center that can be used to store windows or other sensitive materials during the construction phase. The available area measures approximately 10’ x 25’ (see photo). NPS will have this area cleared of items prior to the start of construction.

Q3: Who will be responsible for moving furniture, equipment, computers, displays, etc. away from the windows to ensure adequate access for construction?

A3: The NPS will move items away from windows and doors to provide at least two feet of clear space on either side as well as clear direct access. Contractor shall coordinate with NPS and provide at least two business days advanced notice prior to starting work in a specific location. Employees will temporarily relocate workstations in second floor offices when construction is scheduled for an adjacent window. Coordinate all work with the NPS as this building will be occupied by employees throughout the project.

Q4: Can the elevator be used to move materials between floors?

A4: The elevator at the Golden West visitor center is unreliable and usage may be linked to occasional brownouts in the Stehekin valley given the limited capacity of the electrical power supply system, which consists of a Pelton wheel and backup diesel generator operated by Chelan Public Utility District. Use of the elevator to move materials between floors is not recommended but may be acceptable on occasion.

Approximately 25’ x 10’ staging area on third floor of Golden West visitor center

Q5: How do you expect the Contractor to address trim and window removal and replacement at the third floor northeast double hung window when the balcony rail is in the way?

A5: Contractor shall be responsible for removal and replacement of the existing balcony rail if it impedes access to the window for replacement, see photo below.

Q6: Will the NPS require any painting or caulking of the trim as part of this project?

A6: No painting or caulking of the trim is required unless the Contractor damages trim during removal or reinstallation. Contractor shall repair all damage to existing components caused during project execution.

Q7: Is there access to and space underneath the building to run conduit and electrical wiring from the proposed location of the new double-door actuator to the electrical panel in the basement?

A7: There is an access hatch (approximately 3’ x 4’) located underneath the covered porch and main entrance door of the Golden West visitor center to access the northern half of the basement crawlspace. The electrical panel is located in the boiler room toward the south end of the building. The following photo is taken from inside the crawlspace looking north and shows the area located just below the first floor double entrance doors. The boiler room is accessed from a basement level hallway and is adjacent to the men’s and women’s public restrooms, which are open to the public year-round.

Q8: Is the second floor casement window in the men’s employee restroom on the schedule for window replacement?

A8: Even though the specifications (in Section 01 1100 Summary of Work and Section 01 2700 Definition of Contract Line Items) and project summary on sheet A0.1 of the drawings state that the base work includes replacement of 18 existing double-hung windows on the second floor, one of those windows is actually a casement window (leaving 17 double-hung windows to be replaced on the second floor). This window is identified on the drawings as 211A and is categorized as a casement window in the window/door schedule on sheet A3.1.

Q9: What does the NPS want the Contractor to do with existing window coverings?

A9: Contractor shall remove and replace existing blinds located on 2nd floor windows. If Option A: First Floor Window Removal and Rehabilitation is exercised, Contractor shall remove existing blinds from 1st floor windows and leave them with the NPS upon project completion (no replacement required). Note that there are no window coverings on 3rd floor windows. Typical blind shown here:

Q10: How should we price our proposal for Option line items, specifically with regard to the cost of transporting materials and equipment via barge, if we don’t know whether those options will be exercised at the same time as the base work?

A10: Contractors should price transportation of supplies, equipment, or materials for all Option line items as if transportation were to occur on a scheduled (not chartered) barge run. If an Option is exercised and scheduled barge runs are not frequent enough to meet transportation requirements within a reasonable project schedule, the NPS will make an equitable adjustment to the Option pricing, either increasing the lump sum to cover the cost of a chartered barge run to be paid by the Contractor, or decreasing the lump sum and chartering the barge to be paid by NPS.