S05_RFI Questions and Answers.pdf

36C10F24R50025 Renovate Building 1 – Biloxi VAMC Pre-Bid RFI Ques ons and Answers

Ques on 1: Reference Detail 2-AE106 & Specifica on 07 21 19 – 2.3 Please confirm that the Intumescent Coa ng is designed ONLY to be an igni on barrier and not a thermal barrier.

Answer 1: The products specified func on as both a thermal and igni on barrier to protect the high-density foam insula on. Provide materials as specified.

Ques on 2: Are Viega Pro Press fi ngs acceptable to be u lized for HVAC & Plumbing piping?

Answer 2: Pro Press fi ngs are not allowed.

Ques on 3: Are Victaulic joints & fi ngs acceptable to be u lized for HVAC piping?

Answer 3: No, Victaulic joints and fi ngs are NOT acceptable to be u lized for HVAC piping and current VA specifica ons do not list mechanical couples.

Ques on 4: Due to the exis ng a c floor condi on, will the exterior of the building be allowed to be removed for air handling unit entry into the building?

Answer 4: Refer to 1/AD202 and keynote U and note on 1/AE202. The design intent is to create an opening in the gable end of the building to facilitate the installa on of the mechanical equipment in the a c and then restore that opening to match the original construc on.

Ques on 5: Details 1, 2 & 3 on S143 are outside of the hatched reference details, implying they will be used for the new FRP scope of work. Detail 1/S143 is referenced within the legend on SF100 for beam shear strengthening. It is not clear if details 2 or 3 are used at any loca ons. Where are details 2 or 3 on S143 to be applied with respect to plans?

Answer 5: Details 2 and 3/S143 are not required at any specific loca ons and should have the hatched region covering them as reference only.

Ques on 6: FRP column reinforcement is specified on the third floor through the a c at all columns iden fied by a black box on the plans. The following ques ons pertain to FRP column reinforcement:

a. What is the intended performance of the FRP strengthening (i.e. shear, flexure, axial load-carrying capacity)?

b. What is the exact addi onal capacity required for FRP strengthening in rela on to ques on a (i.e.

20 kips shear, 50 kips axial load capacity, etc.)?

c. Can the drawing scale be used to obtain the cross-sec onal dimensions of each column?

d. What is the typical height of each column to receive carbon fiber wrapped on each floor?

e. What is the exis ng concrete compressive strength of these columns?

Answer 6: See below for responses:

a. Moment capacity. Column reinforcing required at 5th floor to a c only.

b. For exis ng column size and reinforcing and required addi onal flexural capacity, see Addendum

#1.

c. For exis ng column sizes, see Addendum #1.

d. Floor to floor height is 13’-0” typical, crawl space to ground floor is 6’-0” and 4th to 5th floor is 14’-

0”. Height of reinforcing to be determined by FRP designer to meet addi onal moment capacity.

e. Exis ng concrete compressive strength is listed under the “General Notes” sec on on S001.

Ques on 7: Item 1 within the legend on SF100 states beam shear strengthening with FRP reinforcement is required. What are the typical cross-sec onal dimensions of the beams to be strengthened with FRP reinforcement?

Answer 7: Beams vary in depth from 8” to 12” and in width from 18” to 24”.

Ques on 8: Regarding FAR 52.222-34 Alt I Project Labor Agreement – Has the VA completed market research to determine whether adequate compe on and fair and reasonable pricing will be achieved under the PLA requirement for this project?

Execu ve Order 14063 – Sec on 5(b) provides an excep on to the requirement for a PLA if the requirement would substan ally reduce the number of poten al bidders so as to frustrate full and open compe on.

In turn FAR 22.504(d) allows the senior project execu ve to grant an excep on from the PLA requirement, providing a specific wri en explana on that market research indicates that requiring a PLA would substan ally reduce the number of poten al offerors to such a degree that adequate compe on at a fair and reasonable price could not be achieved.

Addi onally, FAR 36.104(c)(2) directs contrac ng officers to undertake a current and proac ve examina on of the mark condi ons in the project area to determine na onal, regional, and local en ty interest in par cipa ng on a project that requires a PLA, and to understand the availability of unions, and unionized and non-unionized contractors.

Answer 8: Market research has been conducted regarding the use to PLAs for this project. Several poten al contractors indicated no excep on to the PLA requirement and the requirement is not expected to limit compe on or the ability to obtain a fair and reasonable price.

Ques on 9: If market research has been conducted regarding the PLA requirement, please provide a list of Labor Organiza ons (as defined in 29 U.S.C 152(5)), present with the local geographic area, that are available to provide the required building & construc on members to staff this project and are available to enter into this required PLA.

Answer 9: Specific labor organiza ons won’t be provided with this amendment but there are labor organiza ons within the Biloxi market such as electricians, steelworkers, painters, plumbers and pipefi ers.

Ques on 10: Solicita on Sec on – Request for proposal instruc ons – Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Requirement – Partnering (8) (Second Paragraph) states “The PLA shall be submi ed within 30 Calendar a er the contract award date.”

In our opinion, the nego a on of the PLA will likely exceed this meframe. How does the VA intend to account for this extended dura on as it relates to schedule and liquidated damages?

Answer 10: The 30 Calendar Days a er contract award shall remain. An acceptable PLA is a prerequisite to receiving the No ce to Proceed and the Period of Performance (NTP) and liquidated damages begins a er the No ce to Proceed is issued.

Ques on 11: The renova on includes removing items and coa ngs that are known or suspected to contain hazardous materials. The Hazardous Materials Survey and related abatement specifica ons could not be found in Bid Package. Please provide the latest HAZMAT Survey.

Answer 11: Available HAZMAT surveys are attached to this amendment. Remaining black mastic under 12 x 12 floor tile within the construction limits will need to be abated. These areas include the floor tile in the stair enclosures. The coating on the exterior masonry and wood trim and other items, which is known to contain both lead and asbestos will also need to be abated.

Ques on 12: Please confirm all FRP work on 4th floor framing, 5th floor framing, and a c framing has been completed and accepted?

Answer 12: All joist, slab and beam FRP work has been completed and accepted. Column FRP work to be provided at columns indicated on fifth floor plan as shown in addendum.

Ques on 13: Please clarify intent of 5th Floor and A c Framing Plan (SF120 and SF130) notes sta ng:

“FRP reinforcements present at column. FRP Designer to verify if modifica on is required.”

Answer 13: Columns indicated require reinforcing for moment capacity as indicated in addendum.

Some FRP reinforcing was previously installed at some column locations. FRP designer to determine if existing FRP reinforcing is adequate or provide new FRP reinforcing.

Ques on 14: Is all the an cipated 3rd Floor Framing reinforcement work occurring above the ceiling line?

Can any as-builts be made available for MEPs and Technology above Second Floor Ceiling so that we can get some idea of poten al access issues for the work?

Answer 14: Work is above second floor ceiling. See 010000 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS paragraph 1.7.H., Drawing AD102 (Keynote P), and Drawing AE102 (Keynote R) for addi onal informa on.

Building as-builts do not exist.

Ques on 15: Spec 07 81 00 Applied Fireproofing, 3.6 Schedule A. Apply fireproofing material to interior perimeter structural steel tube columns at the fi h floor.

Are these tube columns all the fireproofing scope necessary to complete this project? If not please iden fy the remaining scope.

Answer 15: Yes, the perimeter steel tube columns require fireproofing as specified. In addi on, refer to Drawing GI102. Based on NFPA 101, building has been determined to be classified as Type II (222)

– Non-Combus ble. The floor assemblies must have a 2-hour fire resis ve ra ng. The exis ng floor slab thickness is 2 ½” to 3” and does not meet the required fire ra ng. Therefore, spray applied fireproofing is required in sufficient thickness to achieve the required fire ra ng at the underside of floors 3, 4, 5, and a c, and on other primary suppor ng structural elements. Also see Keynote R on Drawing AE103, and notes on SF100 and S143.

Ques on 16: Drawing AD102, Demoli on Plan Keynote P is essen ally noted on every room of Second Floor and calls out for removal of fireproofing.

a. What structural elements have been sprayed with fireproofing?

b. Any structural elements fireproofed with plaster or drywall?

c. Is this fireproofing asbestos containing?

d. Is the intent to remove all fireproofing or only remove materials impac ng the repair?

e. What, if anything, needs to be sprayed back?

Answer 16: Responses:

a. See response to ques on 15.

b. No.

c. See HazMat reports issued with this amendment.

d. Removal of the fireproofing is required for the FRP Contractor to properly assess and determine the scope of work. See Drawing SF100.

e. See answer to ques on 15 and Drawing S143.

Ques on 17: Sheets PL402, PL403, PL404, and 19/PL501 men on P-809 Dialysis Boxes as part of Deduct Alternate 2 and say refer to General Requirements Specifica on Sec on 01 00 00.1.38 for requirements, however no explana on exists. Please clarify.

Answer 17: Dialysis Boxes are a part of the base CLIN work and the deduct alternate note on Sheets PL402, PL403, PL404 and 19/PL501 can be disregarded. Therefore, price with all work within the base as there is no longer a deduct alternate requirements or General Requirements Specifica on 01 00 00 1.38.

Ques on 18: There are mul ple men ons throughout the drawings of Bid Alternates. However, the Solicita on includes only 1 CLIN. Please clarify.

Answer 18: Disregard any men oning of bid alternates. The scope of the project includes all work and the contractor shall price all work as one price regardless of language deno ng alternates.

Question 19: Due to the extensive experience required of Key Personnel, will the VA consider removing Resumes from the pages count requirement?

Answer 19: The page limit for the Technical Sec on is changed to one hundred and twenty-five (125) pages to accommodate addi onal capacity for key personnel resumes.

Question 20: Will a complete CPARS be acceptable in lieu of PPQs?

Answer 20: Yes, a completed CPARS would be acceptable for a project contained under Evalua on Factor 1: Project Experience in lieu of PPQ. However, PPQ are highly encouraged too. If no CPARS exist, then a completed PPQ should be completed.

Question 21: Which floors of Building 1 are currently occupied?

Answer 21: The first and second floor is currently occupied. Moving will not be required for the 1st floor, however, the 2nd floor will need to be relocated in phases as prescribed by phasing plan on drawing sheet AE102. This will occur during overhead work required on the 2nd floor. The second floor contains the 24-hour pharmacy which is to remain in opera on. Please note that the 2nd floor has a connec on to Building 3.

Question 22: Is the intent to occupy the 1st and 2nd floor for the duration of the project?

Answer 22: Yes

Question 23: Are there temporary provisions that need to be accounted for?

Answer 23: Protec ng exis ng vegeta on is a part of the general specifica ons. The contractor will be responsible.

Question 24: Are there SHPO requirements on the 2nd Floor?

Answer 24: Yes

Ques on 25: Will the 1st floor work need to be accomplished a erhours?

Answer 25: The 1st floor work will be stairwell and crawl space and can be done during normal business hours. Please note: only work in one stairwell can occur at a time (i.e. - between floors 1 and 2).

Ques on 26: Based off the drawings there are 26 pa ent li systems all going into the bathroom. Are there any addi onal pa ent li systems located throughout the facility?

Answer 26: See keynotes 1A and 1B on drawing sheets AE111, AE112 and AE113 for loca ons of pa ent li systems. In addi on to those shown in the pa ent rooms on floors 3 and 4, there are li s shown in dental operatories 5B127 and 5B132.

Ques on 27: Does the ceiling li vendor provide both material and installa on pricing to the GC, so they can add to their bid? Or does the ceiling li vendor provide pricing directly to VA Biloxi?

Answer 27: Ceiling Mounted Pa ent Li system will be provided by VA for General Contractor installa on (VC). Installa on of the en re system shall be performed by installers cer fied and approved by equipment vendor. Therefore, include the price of installing a pa ent li system in the proposal price, not the system material price.

Ques on 28: Please clarify how the ceiling li vendor provides pricing for this solicita on?

Answer 28: see above.

Ques on 29: The EST 3 was at “End of Life” December 2022. Parts for new jobs aren’t available as of December 31, 2023. The drawings indicate FAA (Fire Alarm Annunciator) & LOC (Local Opera ng Console) each of the 2 floors. There is only 1 LOC on the en re campus and that is by Security in Bldg. 3. It has been stated on previous bids for this project that is no need to have a LOC at these loca ons. We may be able to obtain the components for the FAA but I cannot guarantee that (it would be best for the VA to purchase these items ASAP if we can get them). The alterna ve is to replace the EST 3 “Head End” with an EST 4 which would drama cally increase the price for the project and would also entail replacing 2 exis ng FAA’s on the 1st & 2nd Floors. Reference drawings FA101 & FA102.

Answer 29: LOCs are not needed on Floor 3 and Floor 4. Addi onally, the VAMC will supply EST3 parts for the FAA and will provide to the contractor so it will be VA provided, Contractor installed. Updated drawings and specifica ons are forthcoming via another amendment.

Ques on 30: There are currently smoke detectors installed on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors. Will these need to be changed to heat detectors during the construc on?

Answer 30: Smoke detec on required for occupancy type. Refer to the fire alarm device symbol list on FA201. During construc on, the smoke detectors will need to either be swapped out to heat detectors or capped during dust genera ng ac vi es.

Ques on 31: Per note on Drawing MH602, VAV boxes have been previously purchased and are on-site.

During site visit, it was noted that several of the Reheat Coils have lost the 40lb Nitrogen charge. Do these VAV boxes need to be replaced, installed with future Mod for repairs for any damaged/failed VAVs, or does the contractor need to contain in the bid con ngencies for conduc ng repairs.

Answer 31: Contractor shall u lize and install current VAV boxes on site as indicated in the drawings and specifica ons. If any repairs are needed for damaged/failed VAVs including the need to nitrogen recharge, an RFI shall be submi ed immediately so that CFM can determine a path forward via a modifica on for repair, replacement or another resolu on. DO NOT include a bid con ngency for conduc ng repairs as it may not be needed.

Ques on 32: Per note on Drawing MH602, VAV boxes have been previously purchased and are on-site.

During site visit, it was noted that the VAV boxes contain the electronic control equipment. Do these electronic control devices need to be replaced, installed with future Mod for repairs for any damaged/failed VAVs, or does the contractor need to contain in the bid con ngencies for conduc ng repairs.

Answer 32: Contractor shall u lize and install current VAV boxes on site as indicated in the drawings and specifica ons. If any repairs are needed for damaged/failed VAVs including the electronic control equipment, an RFI shall be submi ed immediately so that CFM can determine a path forward via a modifica on for repair, replacement or another resolu on. DO NOT include a bid con ngency for conduc ng repairs as it may not be needed.

Ques on 33: On Drawing MH401, the “VAV Air Handling Unit with Economizer Control Diagram” contains a Global CO2 Sensor to be mounted on the North Face of the building. This sensor input was not found in the sequence of opera on for the AHU. Does this sensor need to be trended only or is there other repor ng requirements for the device.

Answer 33: CO2 sensor is trended and used as baseline for demand control ven la on as noted in line

8.0. Also noted on MH403 in Variable Volume Air Terminal Unit (CO2) control.