Pre-Bid RFIs_Final.pdf

Pre-Bid RFI Log - Stabilize/Improve Building 120 Question Response

1 Referencing Section 08 45 23 - First Section 1.5.B.3. The blast design calculations for skylights aren’t something that we would require. Our standard panel meets the 2018 DOD standard for ATFP for walls. On skylights, there will be the same panels as ATFP walls but skylights aren’t typically blast tested for ATFP as explosions would have to come from above. We would like to eliminate this section entirely given that this is a skylight.

PSRDM 6.5.3 requires the skylights to meet the blast resistance performance conditions.

2 Ref spec section 02 83 33.13 part 3.4 - Per the specification, lead based paint is to be removed in areas indicated on drawings completely exposing substrate. In review of drawings there is no areas called out to remove lead based paint. Are there any areas that require lead-based paint removal? If so will drawings be provided that show areas, respective substrate, and square footages?

LBP is not being purposefully removed because its LBP. But rather, a consequence of other work that may disturb painted building components.

Disturbing paints containing lead (assumed to be all associated with this building), requires compliance with the specification and particularly OSHA

1926.62 (Lead in Construction).

3 Ref 01 45 00 Part 3.4 - Will an onsite QC manager with 20 plus years supervision experience be acceptable in lieu of a graduate engineer, graduate architect, or graduate of construction management QC Manager ?

This is acceptable on a case by case and the person must be compenent.

4 Ref drawing A101 general note E - Scape, sand down and repair all walls as needed.

With the walls containing lead paint, the lead paint would first need to be abated prior to any sanding. I question how many square feet of wall will need to be scraped and sanded down? Will a list of areas with substrates and square footages be provided for basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor and 3rd floor to avoid any misinterpretation of bid documents? Without this information the abatement contractor has no idea what square footage to bid.

Lead paint is a consequence to the wall repair work and lead paint at repair locations to be abated appropriately per specification. Plaster scope to be separate scope, and relates to refinishing the wall only.

5 Ref section 01 00 00 Utility Services - Does the building currently have adequate heating equipment and capability to keep the building above 65 degrees during the winter months? If so how is the building heated?

The building currently has a steam heating system that should be capable of keeping the building above 65 degrees during the winter months;

however, HEAPY is not familiar with the condition or reliability of the existing steam heating system.

6 Ref section 01 00 00 Utility Services - Does the building currently have adequate power supply for all construction related activities?

The existing service should be adequate for consruction related activities;

however, there is a service upgrade included in the project scope that will require a switchover.

7 Please confirm that the general conditions note #3 on sheet G001 Contractor is responsible to visit the site, examine and accept existing conditions prior to bidding, please confirm if this will be enforced.

FAR 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements will be enforced.

8 Note 4/C400 Concrete retaining wall, refer to structural plans for details see C600 for elevations. No details found in structural plans for retaining wall foundation or wall design and requirements, please provide more information.

Retaining wall should be included in structurals scope. The retaining wall is detailed on S201.

9 Note 6/C100 "No additional compensation shall be allowed for expenses incurred due to soil conditions, groundwater, and/or rock excavation, all of these items shall be included in the price bid for the project"; is there a geotechnical report that provides discover of the soils conditions in the work area, if no, is the government willing to provide an allowance for these un-forseen conditions so that all bidding parties are equally covered, please advise.

Geotech report provided in Div 01 of specifications. Unforeseen conditions will be handled on a case by case basis.

10 Note 7/C100 "The cost of all dewatering required for the construction of this project shall be included in the price bid for the project"; is there a geotechnical report that provides discover of the soils conditions in the work area, if no, is the government willing to provide an allowance for these un-forseen conditions so that all bidding parties are equally covered, please advise.

Geotech report provided in Div 01 of specifications. Unforeseen conditions will be handled on a case by case basis.

11 Grading Notes 4 - 6; indicates Geotechnical Engineers recommendations, please provide geotechnical report.

Geotech report provided in Div 01 of specifications.

12 A601, note 9.70 provide intumescent paint on surface of exposed column; please confirm that the exposed columns at curtain wall openings are the only locations for intumescent painting.

Intumescent paint is to be provided at exposed columns in new Lobby addition. See sheet A302.

13 Will the VA provide and hire the commission agent? No commissioning required.

14 Will the Government consider including and Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause to address significant fluctuations in material pricing?

This will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price contract.

15 How soon after contract award does the government anticipate issuing the official notice to proceed?

Awardee will receive the contract documents in a timely manner.

16 Will TB Screening and testing be a requirement for this project? TB screening is not a requirement, since this is not a patient area.

17 Please verify the minimum number of on-site personnel that will be required to fulfill the roles of GC superintendent, SSHO and QCM System Manager.

SSHO is one full time person per Spec Section 01 35 26 1.9A.

18 Can the superintendent take the photos or do we need to hire a commercial photographer to do this work.

Professional photographer is not required.

19 Will the owner pay for stored materials. Payment for stored materials is not authorized.

20 Please confirm if this project is tax exempt, and if so that a tax exempt certificate will be provided.

Awardee must request a tax exempt form.

21 Drawing C500 - The storm installation on this project is 10 feet+ in depth. This will require a wider trench than what is shown here to accept trench boxes. As designed, we see that all of the existing sidewalk and some additional sidewalk/curb/asphalt will be required to be removed and then replaced to accommodate the storm install as shown. An option to avoid this condition would be to relocation the proposed storm sewer to the West to mitigate conflict with the existing sidewalk. Please advise.

Storm depth was driven by the nearest location of storm sewer as determined by the survey and record drawings and existing utilities to be crossed. The sewer to the west on the plans is a sanitary line and can not be connected to with storm lines

22 Spec. Section 01 00 00 - Paragraph 1.6, Operations and Storage Areas - Please indicate the locations where construction field office and storage trailers can be placed.

Laydown area will be determined after award. Location may not be next to the construction site.

23 Spec. Section 01 57 19 - Are there any Historical Reviews of submittals that are required? Please advise.

No, as long as we follow the current plans.

24 Drawings A602 & AF101 - Drawing A602, Note 9.83 denotes the removing of the existing plaster at the underside of stairs, to be replaced by Gypsum Drywall. Drawing AF101, Note 9.24 denotes the existing plaster underneath of staircase & landings to be painted. There is no reference on removing any plaster and replacing it with drywall.

Does the Note 9.83 on Drawing A602 take presidence? Please advise.

Existing plaster at underside of stairs is intended to be removed to provide access for structural scope. New gypsum drywall shall be treated per note

9.24 on sheet AF101.

25 Spec. Section 01 45 00 - Please confirm the number of "hats" that will be required for the GC Field Staff on this Project?

The superintendent cannot be triple hatted. At a minimum, the superintendent may be the QC/Super, but not SSHO (Spec Section 01 35 26 1.9A).

26 Please confirm if it is permissible for a qualified superintendent to assume the roles of both QC and SSHO? Kindly confirm the number of onsite key personnel required for this project.

No, the superintendent cannot be triple hatted. At a minimum, the superintendent may be the QC/Super, but not the SSHO (Spec Section 01 35 26 1.9A).

27 Please specify the designated staging area for the project. To be determined after award.

28 Please provide as-builts of buildings floor plans and electrical plans and structural plans.

Floor plans are all that is available.

29 Could you please clarify if there are any noise, vibration, or delivery restrictions we should take into consideration?

No extraordinary restrictions.

30 G001 General Notes; Spec Division 01 - “Most stringent requirement applies” creates ambiguity. Identify governing code hierarchy.

Specifications take precedence over drawings.

31 Spec 01 00 00 § 1.15 - Multiple overlapping warranties with unclear ownership. Please provide consolidated warranty matrix.

Warranties are as stated in the specifications.

32 Spec 01 45 00 / 23 05 93 - Undefined responsibility for failed tests and retesting. Please clarify cost responsibility for failures.

Contractor is responsible for providing materials and products that pass the testing requirements. Failed tests are the Contractor's responsibility to fix. See specification 01 45 29.

33 Spec 01 33 23 - No clear review durations or sequencing. Please define standard turnaround times.

See spec 01 33 23 section 1.10.

34 Telecommunications Grounding Busbar notes - Existing grounding adequacy unknown.

Confirm if upgrades required.

Upgrades required per plan note 3 on sheet T201.

35 T Sheets - No defined quantities for WAPs, outlets, etc. Provide device schedule Quantities of WAPs and outlets are shown on the floor plans.

36 Electrical Demo Notes - Salvage requirements unclear (documentation, condition).

Provide inventory process and acceptance criteria.

The VA wants a few pieces of old wiring for historical display. Comply with note.

37 Emergency Systems Integration - Electrical + Fire Alarm: UL924, fire alarm interfaces not coordinated. Provide integrated riser diagrams.

Fire alarm riser to be provided by FA manufacturer, refer to 28 31 00- 1.4(B)(3)

38 E Sheets / Spec 26 - Feeder sizes referenced but not defined.Provide full feeder/conduit schedule.

Feeders are sized. Refer to sheets E001 & E701.

39 General Notes / Fire Protection Notes - System shutdown up to 8 hrs conflicts with facility operations : Provide detailed shutdown schedule and restrictions.

Fire protection system shutdowns shall be coordinated with the VA COR and Facility Operations.

40 Plumbing Notes (P Sheets) - Removal vs Abandonment Criteria: Conflicting language on removal vs capping. Define requirement matrix (remove vs abandon).

Abandoned domestic water, sanitary, and vent piping shall be removed where accessible. Piping that is inaccessible or concealed within existing construction may remain in place and shall be disconnected from active systems and capped. All dead legs shall be removed back to within two (2) pipe diameters of active mains and capped.

41 Division 23 / control diagrams - Controls / BAS Scope states “Provide additional points as required.” Provide additional points as required. Provide full I/O list.

Full I/O list depends on purchased equipment and controls contractors approach to accomplishing the detailed controls sequences.

42 Deduct Alternates Impact on HVAC - Removal of FCUs/ducts unclear impact on remaining systems. Provide revised HVAC scope for each alternate scenario.

The mini-split for the telecom room is the only HVAC system to remain. Al HVAC for the building is new and provided under this contract. There are historic grilles that are to remain for visual purposes only.

43 Mechanical Schedule - Equipment Pads / Supports: Pad dimensions, seismic, vibration requirements vague. Define pad dimensions, reinforcement, and responsibility.

Pad dimensions are dependent upon purchased equipment sizes, per the details on the M500 series sheets. Seismic, vibration, and reinforcement are all defined in the specifications. Responsibility is defined by the general contractor as they are responsible for entire contract.

44 S101 / A302 / Spec 14 24 00 - Missing details for pit, sump, rail supports, penetrations.

Provide coordinated structural/elevator shop drawings.

Refer to Plumbing sheets for info on the sump. Per sheet S101, pit to be coordinated with elevator supplier. New elevator system part of project scope. Contractor to provide elevator shop drawings during submittal process. Contractor to coordinate elevator components with shaft assembly.

45 S001 / S201 - Temporary Shoring / Excavation Responsibility: Contractor responsible, but engineer approval required. Confirm delegated design scope and required submittals.

The scope for the shoring/bracing includes the existing masonry bearing walls during the replacement of the floors. Shoring/bracing is to be installed before the floors are removed and remain until the floor replacement is finished. The shoring/bracing method, concept, and sequence are at the contractor's discression and will need to be submitted for the engineering review and approval. Only one floor can be removed at a time to ensure the stabilty of the existing masonry bearing walls while the floors are being replaced. Shoring/bracing shall be engineered by a professional engineer licensed in Ohio. Shoring/bracing layout and calculation package shall be included for review but is ultimately the responsibility of the contractor, subcontractor(s) and separate PE.

No engineer approval needed for excavation support.

46 A603 / A604 - Window Fabrication Tolerances: Field verification required but no tolerance criteria. Define acceptable tolerances and field measurement protocol.

Refer to spec section 085200/3.2/A. Contractor to comply with manufacturer's instructions and ASTM E2112.

47 General Notes; AF101 - Finish Patching & Matching: “Match existing” language without defined quality standards. Provide finish level standards (ASTM/paint level equivalents).

Per sheet G001, General Construction Notes, Contractor to comply with NPS Preservation Briefs where applicable. See specs for finish level standards.

48 AF101 Finish Plans; Demolition Notes - Salvage and Reuse Requirements: Salvage wood trim, shutters, etc. without reuse criteria. Define acceptable salvage percentage and replacement thresholds.

See Demo sheets for salvage and reuse scope.

49 C100 / C500 Utility Notes - Site Balancing / Borrow: Contractor responsible for earthwork balance and borrow pits. Provide quantities or allow unit pricing for earthwork imbalance.

Contractors should account for 150 yards of cut and 32 yards of fill.

50 Spec Div 02 (Asbestos, Lead Removal) - Hazardous Materials Scope: Multiple abatement sections listed without drawing cross-reference. Provide indexed abatement drawings and quantities (ACM/LBP locations).

The asbestos abatement specs lists locations/quantities of ACM. The asbestos survey report also includes drawings showing ACM locations for reference. Lead paint is consequence of other work that may disturb lead paint, thus locations/quantities of lead paint to be distrubed should coincide with other work that disturbs paint.

51 C300 Demolition Plan; Division 02 specs - Notes state demolition may include items not shown and require removal of “incidental” components.Define limits of demolition responsibility and items considered “incidental.”

Limits of demolition for site items are as shown on the demolition plan.

Incidental items are items that are needed to be removed as discovered in the field not shown in the plans.

52 G001 General Construction Notes; Spec 01 00 00 §1.7 - Existing Conditions Discrepancies: Contractor responsible for full field verification with risk of discrepancies post-bid. Define change order process for undisclosed conditions discovered after demolition.

Change order process to be discussed after award.

53 Spec 01 00 00 § Phasing - Phasing required but no defined sequence or area turnover durations. Provide:

Floor-by-floor phasing sequence Duration of partial occupancy Temporary partition/containment requirements

No partial occupancy in the building, and Contractor will have sole occupancy during construction.

54 Ref drawing AD 101 - Is the wood floor in room 204 to remain? Is so will it be refinished or will it be overlayed with white oak as shown on the finishes plan drawing AF101?

Wood flooring in room 204 to be removed.

55 Ref drawing AD101- Keynote 2.89 requires wood flooring to be removed. Is there an existing wood decking under all the wood flooring that will be removed as shown on detail 8 of drawing AF-101?

Existing construction is finish wood tongue and groove over wood sheathing over wood joists. See structural plans for sheathing scope.

Where new sheathing is required, existing wood subfloor to be demolished.

56 Ref drawing S181 - The existing truss reinforcing details requires the contractor to epoxy inject the wood truss checks and splits. Will a spec be provided for the epoxy injection material? How many trusses require the injection? For comparable bidding how many linear feet of checks and splits should the contractor include in the bid?

Upon further investigation, it has been concluded that the epoxy injection of the existing roof trusses can be removed from the scope of the project.

57 Please provide the latest existing fire alarm as-built drawings, riser diagram, device schedule, and current panel programming/configuration report for Building 120.

Coordinate with existing sole sourced manufacturer/representative.

58 Please confirm the exact existing Edwards/EST fire alarm control equipment serving Building 120, including panel model, firmware, installed cards/modules, power supplies, amplifiers, battery configuration, and age of equipment.

Coordinate with existing sole sourced manufacturer/representative.

59 Please confirm available spare capacity in the existing/relocated EST fire alarm system for the new work, including SLC capacity, notification/appliance circuit capacity, amplifier/speaker capacity, power supply capacity, and battery capacity. Identify any additional cards, boosters, NAC extenders, amplifiers, or power supplies required.

Coordinate with existing sole sourced manufacturer/representative.

60 Are there any known existing fire alarm trouble conditions, disabled points, impaired circuits, obsolete components, programming limitations, or deficiencies in Building 120 or the campus fire alarm network that must be corrected as part of this project?

Coordinate with existing sole sourced manufacturer/representative.

61 Please confirm that all fire alarm devices shown on sheets EP100 through EP104 are new unless specifically noted otherwise. Identify any existing fire alarm devices, backboxes, raceways, wiring, or modules that are intended to remain, be reused, or be relocated.

Panel existing to be relocated. Everything else new.

62 Please provide a fire alarm riser diagram, point/device schedule, and input/output matrix for the project. If these are not available, please confirm that the fire alarm contractor is responsible for developing them from the floor plans and specifications.

Refer to specification 28 31 00.

63 Please clarify the required strobe candela design basis. Drawing E001 indicates default strobes are 15 cd in corridors and 30 cd elsewhere, while Specification 28 31 00 indicates 15 cd in toilet rooms and 75 cd in all other areas.

Specifications take precedence over drawings.

64 Please confirm the required fire alarm notification operation: tone-only, voice evacuation, prerecorded voice message, live voice paging, or connection to an existing voice evacuation system. Confirm whether speaker circuits/amplifiers must be added or modified.

Voice/alarm with speakers, tied into the campus graphics system.

65 Please confirm the elevator fire alarm interface requirements for the new hydraulic elevator, including primary recall floor, alternate recall floor, machine room/hoistway/lobby detection requirements, shunt-trip sequence, required monitor/control modules, and whether elevator shunt-trip power monitoring is required.

Elevator interface is required and shown on drawings/specifications.

66 Please provide a consolidated fire alarm interface matrix identifying all HVAC units, fans, duct smoke detectors, smoke/fire-smoke dampers, and control points requiring fire alarm shutdown, supervisory signal, or control relay interface.

Refer to specification 28 31 00.

67 Please identify all doors requiring fire alarm release, including electromagnetic door holders, electric release door closers, delayed-egress/electrically locked doors, and access-control doors that must unlock upon alarm.

See spec section 08 06 71 for door hardware schedule and sheet A601 for door schedule.

68 Please provide the required sprinkler/dry-pipe monitoring point list, including waterflow, pressure, tamper, high/low air pressure, PIV, and any other supervisory points to be connected to the fire alarm system.

Refer to the drawings.

69 Please confirm approved fire alarm routing and mounting methods in historic/public areas, including exposed surface wireway, device backboxes, penetrations through plaster/wood/masonry, and any locations requiring architect/COR approval before installation.

Refer to the general notes on drawings.

70 Please provide fire alarm impairment and cutover requirements, including maximum allowable impairment duration, required advance notice, temporary detection/notification requirements, fire watch requirements, and whether after-hours cutovers are required.

All downtime to be coordinated with the COR.

71 Please confirm whether any third-party commissioning, VA/vendor witnessing, manufacturer inspection, or testing beyond Specification 28 31 00, NFPA 72 acceptance testing, and the specified burn-in period is required.

All requirements are listed in the specifications.

72 Ref drawing S301- several details note floor sheathing, and some details note to see architectural or see plan. Architectural drawings don’t show any floor sheathing. Is new ¾ floor sheathing required and if so which floors and what areas? If new ¾ plywood required on 1st floor at new floor joist, the walls of rooms 307 and 308 would require removal depending on requirements.

There is a ¾” structural sheathing layer attached direction to the top of the floor studs and is specified in the General Notes. The notes on this page will be updated in any future submission. Any flooring system applied on top of the ¾” sheathing would be detailed in Architectural details

73 Ref drawing S301 detail 1- New girders are shown which is to be a 4-ply 1-3/4” x 16” LVL to support floor of room 204. Is there an existing girder that needs to be removed and if so, what size and type is it? Are all girders being removed that currently support floors of rooms 204 and 304?

There are existing girders being removed. The girder sizes were measured to be around 10”x10”. All of the girders in rooms 204 and 304 are being removed. The floor joists will remain and be sistered to reinforce them.

Ref drawing S111, S121, S131- Will all subflooring need to be removed where new ¾” plywood sheathing is required? Is the existing subflooring ¾” lumber? Do the walls that are schedule to remain bear on the sub floor?

Keep the existing flooring and sheathing system. Therefore, most of the sheathing has been removed and only minimal sheating will be needed in the attic space. Contractor to field verify if interior walls are bearing or non-bearing prior to demolition/renovation scope.

75 Ref drawing S131- Keynote 1 requires the hanger rods to be replaced. Drawing S141 keynote 1 shows hanger rods as existing which is assumed to remain. Also detail 1 drawing S181 shows the hanger rods as existing. Are the hanger rods being replaced with new 1-1/2” hanger rods?

Existing hanger rods are to remain but a new bearing washer is to be installed under the existing hanger rod tapered plate washer. These notes will be updated to be more clean in any future submissions.

76 Ref detail AD103- Will all plaster be removed under stairs and landings where new stair structural support beams will be installed?

Existing plaster at underside of stairs is intended to be removed to provide access for structural scope. New gypsum drywall shall be treated per note

9.24 on sheet AF101.

77 Ref drawing S111- Do the north and south 1st floor stairs require new structural stair support beams as shown on detail 1/S401?

This support is shown on the 2nd floor plan as it was above the first floor so this run of the stairs is covered.

78 Ref drawing S111, S121, S131- where is additional 2x6s in wall required per Wood Floor and Roof Framing Plan Note 3?

This blocking is at any architectural guardrails. Locations to be coordinated with Architectural.

79 Ref spec 06 20 00- Will new floor joists, LVLs and floor sheathing require fire retardant treatment?

No fire retardent treatment required.

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