Re-posted D Wing RFIs.pdf

D-Wing Roof Repair RFI’s and responses #2

1. There is no information about the bid bond. Will the requirements be 20% NTE $3M?

VA Answer: Yes. Amendment provided this information.

2. There are no instructions for the bid package. Please provide.

VA Answer: Information has been added through an amendment.

3. Due to the amount of Projects the VA has canceled over the course of the past year due to projects being above the VA's estimated cost and budget (including this project when the original budget was 1 to 5 million and the bids submitted to the VA were under the 5 million amount), please provide the actual VA budget for this project and not the budget range as this range has been proven to be highly inaccurate in previous bids.

VA Answer: Providing budget range is what is allowable.

4. The VA is requiring a vast amount of front end documents to be included with this RFP including qualification data, detailed QC and Safety Plan as well as a project schedule. These items are required to be job specific and creating these documents cost the GCs a lot of money to produce prior to the bid. Due to the fact that the VA's scope for the project has not changed and was originally 1 to 5 million dollars we ask that this requirement be deleted since the only change appears to be reducing the budget to 1 to 2 million dollars.

VA Answer: Requirements for project specific personnel and documentations stay as per solicitation indicates.

5. Is the VA planning to cancel this project if the bids submitted are over 3 million dollars since the budget is only 1 to 2 million? Will it be canceled if the bids are over 2.5 million dollars? Will the bids be canceled if the project is over 3.5 million dollars. Due to the amount of upfront paperwork required for this bid and the VA's current track record of canceling projects that are over budget and more recently - canceling projects that are within the budget range provided at the time of bid - we ask that this be clarified so we are able make an informed decision on whether to spend the time and resources that will be required in order to submit a bid for this project. Again, this question is being asked due to the VAST majority of projects being canceled by the VA in recent months due to inaccurate project budgets. It is unfair to request this amount of detailed info from the GC when the VA has made no changes to the scope and has already received pricing for this project unless the VA plans to move forward with the project if over budget. Please provide the VA's intentions of how it will move forward if all bids received are over 2.5 million, if they are over 3 million, and if they are over 3.5 million.

VA Answer: The VA does not plan in advance to cancel a project. The involvement of different decision-makers determines the outcome. As a whole, it is the responsibility to use tax payers money wisely. If projects cannot be determined fair and reasonable, the VA has a responsibility to make a decision in the best interest of taxpayers.

6. If the VA wants to reduce cost, the need for having a separate individual for Site Superintendent, QC manager, and SSHO needs to be eliminated. Per the Q&A responses from the 1st bid it was stated that the Super can also be the QC manager but not all 3 positions. The main duties of a Superintendent include safety and QC on the job. Please also note that the specs indicate that the SSHO can also be the Superintendent (safety spec) and the QC manager cannot serve as the superintendent (per QC spec) but the Q&A responses contradict this and state the Site Superintendent can only share duties of the QC manager. Please confirm that a minimum of 2 full time people will be required on the jobsite as per the original Q&A response to fulfill the roles of Superintendent, SSHO, and QC Manager.

VA Answer: The site superintendent cannot perform all three duties. The site superintendent may be acceptable as QC Manager so long as their resume indicates capability of performing both positions. If the approved Site Superintendent resume reflects the capability to perform QCM duties than the VA will accept two persons to act as SS/QCM and SSHO, but SSHO shall not be the site superintendent.

7. Please provide a drawing showing locations of where the construction fence as detailed in spec 01 00 00 - 1.6 - J is to be installed.

VA Response: Pre-award designated mobilization area will not be provided, but possibilities are indicated in the drawings on sheet A002. Prior to being allowed to mobilize to this site the contractor must submit for VA approval a mobilization plan indicating all mobilization requirements including fencing, fencing details and gate locations. This mobilization plan will be based on a site walk conducted after the pre-construction meeting. If the available designated site allowed for this project is not adequate for the contractors needs, the contractor is responsible for any addition space they may require off-site.

8. In addition to the fulltime SSHO that will be conducting daily safety inspections, the specs also require that a separate 3rd party individual knows as the Certified Safety Professional provide months safety inspections. This individual is required to have certain safety certificates in order to be qualified. Please confirm if this is also going to be required as part of this project.

VA Answer: Yes, it is required.

9. The QC spec requires adequate office space to be provided. Please provide the requirements for office space and job trailer. Please show location of where job trailer can be set if required for this project.

VA Answer: Any job trailer shall be part of the mobilization plan for VA approval. This must indicate all required utilities and services and where the contractor plans to tie-in and details on how tie-ins will be accomplished. Adequate office space shall be determined by the contractor to provide space that will be clean, organized and allow conduct of project business as needed.

10. The QC spec requires that the QC Manager be a Graduate Engineer, graduate architect, or a graduate of construction management with a minimum of 15 years of construction experience.

Please confirm all of these requirements must be met and that the QC manager must be onsite at all times.

VA Answer: 01 45 00 covers quality control and per 4.4 B. The QC System manager requires education as outlined above, but this person also only comes on site as agreed is needed or as requested by VA. A QC System managers is interpreted to be General Contractor admin staff or such and someone overseeing the entire firms QC program.

11. Please provide an existing as-built landscape drawing of existing vegetation, trees, shrubs, etc.

as this will be required in order to comply with spec 01 57 19 and will be needed in order to put the bid package together with all of the technical requirements.

VA Answer: Bidders will not be provided any landscape plans or drawings beyond what is already in the solicitation. All contractors on this facility are required to protect any existing landscape during the performance of this project. A pre-bid site visit was conducted, and bidders were given the opportunity to note existing conditions in the vicinity of possible mobilization sites and the actual project area.

12. In accordance with 13 C.F.R. § 125.8(e), please confirm that the government will accept the experience from either member of an SBA approved Joint Venture with a mentor-protégé agreement to meet the requirements of the solicitation?

VA Answer: Confirmed.

13. Please confirm that the VA is looking for the on site staff to be 4 stand alone individuals; Ie Project Manger, Superintendent, QC manager, & SSHO.

VA Answer: See other responses regarding Site superintendent responsibilities, but On site must have Site Superintendent, QC Manager and SSHO. At a minimum this will be two persons unless the designated site superintendent is not acceptable as also being the QCM.

The Project Manager is not expected to be on site except as the contractor deems necessary or when the VA CO or COR specifically requests.

14. Initial analyzation of the project leads us to believe that the project will go over budget. Does the VA have the ability to award the project if the bid day price exceeds $2 million? Please advise.

VA Answer: If proposal can be determined fair and reasonable, not matter the cost, a project can be awarded.

15. Is VA’s expectation that the project manager will be on site full time?

VA Answer: See response to 13 above.

16. The bid form does not include a spot for the 4 unit prices described in the project solicitation.

VA Answer: As long as they are clearly illustrated but, if necessary, more than one “bid form” can be submitted.

17. The technical package requires the GC to submit a minimum of 3 projects of similar scope (Re-roofing project) and magnitude that have been completed within the past 5 years. What is the purpose of limiting the time frame to 5 years as this seems like it could eliminate competition and other qualified GCs from bidding. There's only so many VA Re-roofing projects that are available to bid in a 5 year period. There may be highly qualified GC's that have completed roofing projects 10 or 15 years ago with the same staff but 0 jobs in the last 5 years. We request the project timeframe of 5 years be eliminated.

VA Answer: Submitted projects do not have to have been accomplished specifically for the VA.

This request is clarified as follows: Submit a minimum of three projects of similar scope and magnitude. Projects within the past five years are considered more relevant.

18. Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

VA Answer: Not a tax exempt project, per FAR 52.229-2 North Carolina State and Local Sales and Use Tax.

19. Can the required SSHO positions be fulfilled by the qualified superintendent?

VA Answer: No. The SSHO shall have no other duties.

20. Will the Government provide comprehensive written badging requirements for the project if badging is required?

VA Answer: Badging requirements vary on site depending on location of work. For this project the contractor and all personnel involved are expected to work on this project when on this facility and no others. So long as this requirement is met and the contractors personnel stay within allowed limits on station the VA will accept personnel with proper PPE including construction vests at all times. Another preference is for firms to wear uniforms indicating firm associated with (minimum shirts designated as such a uniform). Specific details will be discussed and agreed upon during the pre-construction meeting and the VA always reserves the right to require badging if needed due to changing circumstances at federal facilities.

21. Will the Owner or GC be responsible for purchasing testing and lab services?

VA Answer: Per 01 45 00 4.7 A. the contractor shall procure the services of a laboratory.

22. Where will the designated parking area be for workers accessing the construction site?

VA Answer: Parking will be limited to designated mobilization areas. The VA may choose to direct the contractor to use off site parking and transport their workers onto the site if needed.

This is a public accessible facility and the VA cannot prevent specific parking space use but relies on the contractor to help alleviate parking congestion for veterans and service providers during the project duration. Industrial or large commercial vehicles parked in a space clearly not intended will not be allowed.

23. Will the Owner accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

VA Answer: Yes. Procore has been and is currently being used on some projects here.

24. How soon after award is NTP expected to be issued?

VA Answer: When submitting a proposal, potential contractors agree to give the VA 120 days on the pricing. The date is to be determined after award and discussions with the awardee.

25. Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

VA Answer: All such requests are coordinated through the VA COR.

26. Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

VA Answer: Contractors agree that proposals are good for 120 days after submission. This will be a firm-fixed price contract, so the agreed upon pricing is the pricing.

27. Is AISC (American Iron and Steel Certification ) required for the structural steel fabrication and/or erection for this project?

VA Answer: If so designated on the drawings or in the specifications.

28. Will pay applications for materials secured on site or in a bonded warehouse be approved for payment?

VA Answer: Yes, but subject to VA COR inspection and acceptance prior to submitting. Once any such materials are paid for by the government, all such materials are government property as of date of approval for payment.

29. Due to the current economic inflation, Will the government reduce the amount of time that contractors must hold their numbers to 60 days? By reducing the inflation risk, the government will avoid escalations costs that general contractors and subcontractors must account for.

VA Answer: The amount of time remains 120 days.

30. The spec states that the dedicated QC manager is required to be a graduate engineer, graduate architect, or graduate of construction management with a minimum of 15 years construction experience on similar scope. Will the government consider removing the education if the years of experience matches the 15 year requirement?

VA Answer: See response to question 10. QCM and QC System Manager are two different positions.

31. Please clarify exactly what is to be done with the existing roof drains.

VA Answer: Existing roof drain bowls shall be cleaned, flashed per Detail 3/D-1.1 and new cast iron clamping rings, Strainers and stainless steel bolts and washers provided.

32. There is a note for seismic roof curbs; sheet D1.3 note 30. Do we replace all curbs with seismic curbs? Please advise.

VA Answer: No. Detail 30/D-1.3 is a specific flashing detail for existing seismic curbs.

33. Does the scope require any hazardous materials removal?

VA Answer: None is expected based off the asbestos testing of the existing roof materials.

34. Sheet AR 3 general note 4 states that all relief vents shall be replaced with 6 inch diameter relief vents. Sheet AR 5 general note 3 states 6” diameter relief vents shall be provided at a rate of 1 vent per 1000 sf. Does this mean the GC is adding vents that don’t already exist?

VA Answer: Existing relief vents are already properly spaced where existing LWIC will remain, the existing Relief vents will be replaced with new 6" relief vents. On areas D, B and F where new LWIC will be provided, new 6" relief vents will be provided at a rate of 1 per 1000 SF.

35. Please provide a specification for the new Miro bridge crossover stairs. Not included in current specification.

VA Answer: Miro Bridge Crossover stair is specified in Section 077200, 2.3.

36. Please provide a specification for the new guard rail system at the roof perimeter as noted on sheet AR 3 general note 5.

VA Answer: Guard Rail Basis of Design is Leading Edge Safety USM-IBC Guardrail.

37. Sheet EL 1 general renovation note states all new and existing equipment that is to be reinstalled will need to be properly grounded to the new lighting protection system. Please provide a list of new equipment.

VA Answer: New equipment is referring to new equipment that the medical center has placed since these drawings were completed. A site inspection is recommended to be performed by the bidders since time has passed

38. Demolition pages have a note 2 stating to remove and properly dispose of all abandoned penetrations and to patch hole in roof deck with ¼" steel or nested piece of steel decking. More information is needed for this note. Can floor plans be provided indicating what rooms are beneath these areas. Can reflecting ceiling plans and mechanical and electrical dwgs be provided corresponding to these areas of work. Other general notes state that we are to maintain function of the hospital at all times. This type of work is very invasive and can be potentially unquantifiable and therefore unpriceable by the GC without additional information.

Accessing the underside of deck to reapply disturbed fireproofing may be virtually impossible given existing conditions above ceiling. Please advise.

VA Answer: This is referring to Notes 4 and 5 on sheet AD 1. The locations are marked on the roof plan. The location where fireproofing is needed to be reapplied under unit prices is under Roof Area F and is accessible via the drop ceiling.

39. Sheet AD 1 general note 9 states to “raise all mechanical equipment as necessary to provide a minimum 8” of base flashing height. Does this include roof top unit AC? If so, can you provide an indication of size of units and weights? If this is the case, the GC will not be able to perform this scope without taking down HVAC function to whatever space it serves. If we are replacing curbs for these units, this could lead to a multiple day shutdown. Will this be acceptable? Please advise.

VA Answer: This does not apply to the large HVAC Roof Top Units.

40. Specification section 233100 HVAC details new duct materials. What scope does this correspond with? Does this project include new HVAC duct?

VA Answer: If, as a result of roof demo general note 9 on AD1 and roof demo key note 6 on AD1 along with related notes, the ductwork needs to be extended, then this section provides guidance. Contractor may also consider this section as reference if any duct needs to be replaced as a change to the project scope due to unforeseen circumstances.

41. Specification section 230593 testing adjusting and balancing of HVAC is included. What is the GC to test and balance? It does not appear that new mechanical equipment or duct work is included in the scope.

VA Answer: This section provides guidance in case of ductwork modifications that might significantly change the performance of the system. However, we do not believe T&B is required unless for unforeseen circumstances.

42. Can a specification with basis of design be provided for the new equipment curbs mentioned on the project? Please advise.

VA Answer: Concerning detail 22-D1.2, the element of the drawing noted as ‘EQUIPMENT SUPPORT CURB’ shall be as follows: 'NEW PREMANUFACTURERD EQUIPMENT RAIL TO BE MINUMUM height as necessary to provide a min. 8 inches of base flashing height above finished roof, 18 GAUGE GALVANIZED STEEL, INTERNAL ROT RESISTANT NAILABLE BLOCKING, GALVANIZED CAP FLASHING, UNITIZED CONSTRUCTION, INTERNAL REINFORCEMENT, CONTINUOUS WELDED CORNER SEAMS'.

Detail: all existing curbs that have less than 8” of baseflashing height above the finished roof system shall be raised by adding wood blocking as necessary to achieve a minimum base flashing height of 8 inches.

43. The davis bacon wage rate sheet included in word document 36c24623r0051 does not appear to be applicable to construction. Please issue correct wage determination document.

VA Answer: Added to amendment for reference.