Amendment No. 4_RFP-2023-23076.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION

Solicitation No. RFP-2023-23076 Amendment No. 4 Date: 10/31/2023

ISSUED BY:

NREL

Attn: Darcy Montgomery 15013 Denver West Parkway Golden, CO 80401 Email: Darcy.Montgomery@nrel.gov

PROJECT NAME & LOCATION:

Field Test Laboratory Microbial Energetic Laboratory FTLB – NREL South Table Mountain

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth below.

The date specified for receipt of offers [ ] remain unchanged. [ X ] is extended to Friday, November 10, 2023 – 6:00 PM

FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AMENDMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS

TO OFFERORS MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFEROR. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED

HEREIN, ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT REMAIN

UNCHANGED AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

Description:

The purpose of this Amendment No.4 is to:

(1) Extend the proposal submission deadline to Friday, November 10, 2023 – 6:00 PM

(2) Update the applicable construction wage rate determination CO20230023 Building Mod. 8 – dated

Sept. 21, 2023.

(3) Provide related documentation

(download link: https://app.box.com/s/wcmeo1o9rq2nmn3u0tkoleo088vs1vsf) and responses to technical questions as follows:

Responses/Revisions in Red

1. Contractors will be required to use NRELs License of Procore to administer the submittal and construction document processes.

2. NREL current Air Terminal Unit Specification 233600 updates are attached here for clarification and inclusion in the project requirements.

3. Will NREL require that the GC provide pedestrian traffic protection from the exterior building entrances to the Laser Lab and the Office spaces?

GC will need to provide enclosed access from the North entrance to the lab to FTLB 176 during most mailto:Darcy.Montgomery@nrel.gov https://app.box.com/s/wcmeo1o9rq2nmn3u0tkoleo088vs1vsf of construction. It is known that there is some construction in that area, but workers in FLTB 176 anticipate having access to their space for work during the majority of construction.

There is not expected to be any enclosed temporary space constructed outside of the construction area.

4. Will the electrical contractor be required to hire RMH Group to perform Arc Flash/Coordination studies for the new panels associated with this project?

Confirmed. Arc Flash and Coordination studies shall be performed by RMH.

5. Please clarify if the (3) circuit breakers (2-100A & 1-225A) in existing Panel 1PPL2B are existing or if they are to be new breakers for this project to feed the new panels shown on Sheet E6.05; the drawings do not appear to have a panel schedule for this panel and the one-line makes it appear that these are existing breakers?

Design intent is to reuse existing circuit breakers.

6. Sheet E1.43, Notes 1&2 indicates that existing light fixtures are to be removed, cleaned, & re-lamped;

please clarify existing fixture type and how many lamps, and if these are possibly to be retrofitted to LED or re-lamp with similar type?

Existing light fixtures are 2x4 recessed lensed fluorescent troffers. Exact lamp type/quantity shall be field verified. Fixtures shall be re-lamped with similar type.

7. Please clarify conduit sizing for the new 48-Strand fiber identified in General Note 1, Sheet E1.31, or if intent is to install within existing cable tray?

Fiber backbone shall be installed in minimum 2” conduit.

8. Please clarify if new data/comm outlet cabling within the lab is to be installed free-air & plenum rated above ceiling or if it is to be installed in conduit; specs reference it can be installed within plenum, but drawings have details that show conduit?

Data cabling above ceiling is permitted to be plenum rated per specifications but must meet strict installation standards and maintain organized and clean layout that does not impede access to any ceiling maintenance spaces or equipment access.

9. Will NREL require an Industrial Hygienist for this project? If an Industrial Hygienist is required, will they be required on a full-time, part-time, or task specific basis?

Task Specific, part time

• When respiratory protection will be required, to review medical evals, fit testing, and program development;

• Working with chemicals or processes that produce fumes in a confined space

• Any work with substances that have a specific standard e.g., asbestos, lead, beryllium, Chromium, etc. excluding respirable crystalline silica;

• Working in environments with noise exposure expected to be >100dB; and

• Any work involving ionizing radiation (excluding density testing)

10. NREL’s sample subcontract states in the Subcontractor’s Safety Manager section that; The Subcontractor shall have a competent full-time Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Professional Safety Manager on site at all times during the construction phase of the individual task orders and the Subcontractor’s Professional Safety Manager must be an employee of the Subcontractor. However, Item 4.2 Superintendence of the Work in Appendix A, Statement of Work, states that a Qualified Construction Supervisor that has been accepted by NREL may act as the Safety Representative. Can you please clarify if NREL requires a full-time dedicated safety professional for this project or if the subcontractor’s qualified and accepted superintendent can act as the competent full-time EHS?

For high hazard work, i.e., demo, onsite safety professional will be required, other low hazard work, the qualified superintendent can provide safety oversight if they are competent and qualified for the tasks being performed.

11. The sam.gov website search results page for the contract opportunity advertises a current date and time for offers due of October 30, 2023, at 3:00pm; however, the contract opportunity page advertises a date and time for offers due of October 30, 2023, at 5:00pm. Can you please clarify the bid date and time? Extended

12. Can NREL confirm that they will fully decommission all items and components in the drawings identified as contractor to remove, prior to contractor removal.

NREL will decommission and remove the chemical hoods and contaminated exhaust ductwork.

Contractor to remove all other items. All research equipment will be relocated prior to work.

13. It was mentioned during the October 6th site walk that NREL will decommission, abate the asbestos, and remove all existing fume hoods. Can you please confirm?

The only known asbestos is panels in the hood in lab 174 (other testing has been completed and determined not to be ACM. This hood and contaminated ductwork will be removed by NREL. See response to question 11.

14. Room 178 – Center island not elevated. Please provide elevation and define what is required at this location.

Center island is provided by NREL - GFE

15. Room 178 – Elevation 8 – Is this shelving by lab casework supplier, if so, provide type of shelving.

Shelving in Room 178 is provided by NREL - GFE

16. Discrepancies between specifications and drawings, are the required countertops epoxy resin or phenolic resin?

Countertops are 1” black epoxy resin.

17. Are Fume Hoods, FH-01, FH-02, FH-03, new or existing? FH-02 listed on the equipment schedule has a note regarding relocating a hood.

All fume hoods are new. There were, at one time, existing hoods, but they have been used elsewhere.

18. Sheet A-103, note 12, mentions a mobile tall cabinet. Provide elevation. Mobile tall cabinets are not typically recommended for safety concerns.

NREL will provide as GFE. This will be a dishware cart or cabinet that has not been defined.

19. Contractor is wanting to confirm the expectation of a cash flow curve. To this point, it has been neither requested nor provided on any consistent basis, though it is a listed requirement. Please confirm with a yes or no.

This question requires further clarification. To the extent the subcontractor is asking whether a schedule of values is required with the proposal submission package, the answer is no. A schedule of values will be requested of the successful offeror after the award notice is made.

20. The spec section 233113 – Metal Ducts references S&TF for type of construction used on different systems. This project is located in the FTLB. Please provide the spec for the FTLB building, specifically the requirement for general exhaust.

The table in spec section 233113 reflects the intended construction material for this project within the FTLB. The general exhaust section matches the FTLB standard.

PVC Coating: All laboratory exhaust ductwork, fittings and dampers shall be fabricated using galvanized sheet steel as specified with a coating of polyvinyl chloride of not less than 1 mils thickness external and not less than 4 mils thickness internal.

21. Please provide a list of Owner furnished equipment and clarify the mechanical contractor’s responsibility in relation to installation of Equipment or piping not clearly shown on the project documents. Please also clarify if the owner will be providing the Wall Service Outlets, Ceiling panels, any Lab service outlets. If provided by the owner, who is responsible for installation?

The mechanical contractor is responsible for the procurement and installation of all service outlets in ceiling service panels (note 1, detail 4 / P4.01). All other lab service outlets are specified under Lab Casework (123050 – 2.8).

The Mechanical Contractor will be responsible for making final connections to Owner-furnished equipment.

22. Can Hood piping flow diagrams be provided for each Hood (EQ FH-1, EQ FH—02, and EQ FH-03).

Detail 2 – Drawing P4.01 – Note 1 indicates welding should be included within fume hood interstitial space. Please clarify scope.

Specific flow diagrams are not available for each hood. Note 1 on detail 2 / P4.01 requires that tubing for flammable gases must be welded including any tubing concealed within fume hoods.

23. RFI #3: Specification 226313, 2.1 B lists VCR or Weld fittings for all gas installations. Please clarify where VCR Fittings are acceptable and where orbital welded joints must be used on this project.

Per 226313 – 2.2.B.2.b.3., welded joints are required in general lab spaces for all gases. VCR fittings are acceptable for inert gases not located within general lab spaces.

24. Ductwork located in Open Office 180 appears to be designed as exposed. Please clarify if this ductwork needs to be double wall with internal insulation.

Ductwork serving Open Office 180 does not need to be double walled with internal insulation.

25. Is there an exact spec of ceiling tile and grid used for this project? Or can any manufacturer be used as long as it fits the spec requirements.

NREL Specification 095113 attached. Provide non-combustible, vinyl faced panels with sealed edges in fully exposed lay-In suspension system grid, Low-Gloss Vinyl Latex White Finish

26. Vendor question regarding Open Lab 173

a. Can you verify provided numbers on the offset (i.e., TA) for room 173? We’re coming up with different numbers when we add all of the exhaust up. That’s a lot of air that needs to come into the room to make up for the exhaust at -3460 cfm. Even if you shut the 1620 cfm general exhaust down to 0 cfm, that is still -1840 cfm. I see a note that the -450 can reactor is “future” and to set it at 0 cfm, so that drops me down to your -1390 cfm.

Total exhaust airflow for Lab 173 is 6275 cfm at full flow and full buildout (future and day one equipment running). The 1620 EA being served by EV-173A is for room balancing (now at 4655 EA). EV-173F is for future equipment (now at 4205 EA). There is 260 cfm of TA from room 178, 375 cfm of TA from Lab 176, and 200 cfm from doors located at either side of Lab 173 (835 cfm of TA). Private offices 181/182 TA 135 cfm from that zone. 100 cfm of that TA goes to Office 179 and 35 cfm of that TA transfers through Office 180 into Lab 173 via the door (840 cfm of TA). We have an additional 520 cfm of TA from Office 180 (1390 cfm of TA). We have 2,815 cfm of SA to the FCU’s serving Lab 173.

b. Secondly, the min cfm that Accutrol can control the GE to is 260 cfm. Below that, the valve goes to 0 cfm. The only item that I saw on a switch was the snorkel at 200 cfm, which is below the 260 cfm GE valve minimum.

EV-173H B.O.D was AVC6000. Documentation states the minimum airflow was 80 CFM.

c. Please clarify what volumetric offset (i.e., TA) we should program into the Accutrol control system?

There is no single volumetric offset for all of the Accutrol valves. M6-03 clearly states which valves are to be daisy chained together for controllability. All airflows in the schedules shall be used in order to create the air balance between the different rooms.

27. Can a site visit list be provided?

A site visit list is not published for this project.

28. SOW states it may be necessary for some work to be completed outside normal working hours. Can the government please clarify specifically what work will be required to be done after hours?

Work that requires outages that impact other labs in the FTLB will be required to be completed outside of normal working hours. Short outages can typically be completed in early morning hours (e.g., 6-8 am). Longer outages can be completed on Saturdays.

29. For after-hours work, what are the after-hours we are available to work for this site?

6:00-8:00 am, or Saturday 6:00 am – 5:00 pm are standard. Specific coordination can occur if additional time is necessary.

30. Are we able to work over weekends?

Saturdays may be coordinated. Sundays are only allowable during the most critical outages that impact research but require time beyond what can be completed on a Saturday.

31. Is this project required to be done in phases, or can we complete the entire space at one time?

Most of the work can be completed at one time, but specific consideration to FTLB 176 and its ongoing operation, as well as minimized downtime must be taken into account.

32. Can an asbestos report be provided?

Countertops, drywall & mud, floor tiles and mastic have been tested and found to not be ACM in the construction area. See included report from FTLB

ACM has been found in: Cement Board in Laboratory Fume Hoods Rooms 174 (Hood # 211) Cement Board in Chemical Storage Cabinet under Hood Rooms 174 (Hood # 211). NREL will remove prior to construction.

NREL may conduct additional testing if ACM is suspected during demolition/construction.

33. During the site walk the government mentioned they were performing some abatement. Please clarify what the government is abating, and where the contractor is to abate.

NREL will be removing the ACM from the cement panels from hood 211 in FLTB 174.

34. SOW also states NREL has a contract in place for all testing. Will the government provide air clearances on all abated materials, or is that the contractors responsibility for the abatement in our scope?

The cement panels being removed from hood 211 will be done by an NREL third party contractor according to State of Colorado requirements. NREL subcontracts with an independent third-party company for concrete testing, welding inspections including orbital welds, Geo tech, earthwork, etc.

35. There are requirements very specific to utilizing private locates in the SOW page 3. It is our understanding there is no sitework for this project. Please confirm section 2.4 in the SOW is not applicable to this project.

There is no sitework anticipated in the project. Internal penetration permit requirements and GPR for any concrete cuts will be required as per standard NREL requirements.

36. Please confirm red-lined as-builts are acceptable and that no BIM or CAD drawings are required.

Redlines are acceptable and must be maintained on site. NREL will monitor the upkeep of the redlines as reference to external documents will not be accepted as redlines.

37. Is any traffic control required by the contractor on this project?

If there will be any closure of the roads surrounding the project for > 1 hour, such as blocking a fire lane for a delivery, traffic control is required.

38. Is any pedestrian control required by the contractor on this project?

Any work area where the contractors are outside of the construction area and have an interface with the NREL staff at large (e.g., installing new door on south end of new lab space in main corridor, offloading deliveries, utilizing utilities from outside the work area, tying into utility mains in the main corridor, electrical work etc.) will require controlling the contractor work area and preventing access of unauthorized people.

39. Are scissor lifts allowed within both the hallways and lab areas included in this project?

Standard scissor lifts will be allowed in the main corridor and lab. Most of the construction zone is slab on grade. All lifts will require prior approval. There is a small portion of piping chase on the south end of the lab. See attached original construction pdfs for clarification.

40. Drawings sheet 2 states fire sprinkler system to be design build by the fire sprinkler contractor. Are any drawings required to be submitted and approved prior to construction?

Drawings will be required to be submitted to both West Metro and NREL for review and approval prior to construction.

41. Can low volt/IT drawings be provided? Or is what in the electrical drawings the full extent of the communications scope?

Technology scope is indicated on electrical drawings.

42. For demolition, can we assume all existing walls are steel framing and drywall, or are any walls brick? If so, please clarify.

There is no brickwork anticipated in area. Note the North wall of the lab has been furred out, but the original exterior precast of the building exists behind this surface. There is no anticipated construction impact from this but is provided for information only.

43. Please confirm all chemicals, small lab items, personal items, boxes, etc. will be removed prior to contractor mobilizing for demolition. Confirm contractor will only be moving and demolishing large furniture items such as hoods, casework, and anything else connected. No small items and confirm all drawers on casework will be emptied. Will any other furniture moving be required such as printers, computers, etc., by the contractor?

NREL will remove all drawer contents, chemicals and equipment and items on countertops.

44. Please confirm the only item we are salvaging is shown on A-100, keynote 2. Confirm all other items are to be removed from the site.

All existing hoods will be removed and decommissioned by NREL. All project installed fume hoods are new. Strike flagnote.

45. Note 10 on A100 has us cutting in a new door opening. Please confirm this existing wall type and confirm a lintel/header is not required at this new opening.

Lintel is not required. Provide header as required to support new door opening. Wall is anticipated to be fire rated sheet rock/metal stud construction possible utilities may be encountered.

46. Are light fixtures indicated to be salvaged on A101 to be re-installed? Or are these being provided back to the owner?

Light fixtures in Lab 176 shall be re-installed per E1.43.

47. Who is the controls contractor for this site? Can contact information please be provided?

Setpoint Systems 303-733-2300

48. PD1.11 shows floor drain removals which require sawcutting and concrete demolition. No new concrete work or drawings were provided. Can new concrete anticipated locations and specifications please be provided?

Contractor to GPR where the plumbing lines are and demolish as needed. For pour-back match the existing concrete depth (anticipated to be 6” approximately, and reinforcement, and epoxy dowel into the existing slab at each side of the trench at 12” on center. Minimum floor live load is 150 psf plus additional loading for specific lab equipment as required. NREL specification Section 033000 is attached. Minimum compressive strength is 4000 psi.

49. FP1.01 states to coordinate with architect. Please confirm the architect is on staff with the government and no costs will be incurred or need to be carried by the contractor for these coordination’s.

Coordination with the Architect will be typical design and construction related coordination efforts related to placement of sprinkler heads and devices relative to other trade work.

50. FP1.01 also states no service shall be interrupted without permission. Will fire suppression replacements need to be phased or will we be allowed to have the entire space down during construction?

During construction, a zone feeding the sprinkler to the construction area can be removed once necessary, and ready to be replaced within a reasonable window. The entire building system cannot be down unless during off hours during an organized shutdown. No research can be conducted if the building fire suppression is down.

Detection may be disabled during the day when workers are on site to monitor conditions, with the appropriate fire outage permit. It must be returned to monitoring when workers are not on site.

51. Specs 013100 – 1.3 state to provide up to 7 project software user licenses for use by owner. Please confirm this is required and provide further details on software.

This has been updated. Contractors will be required to use NREL Procore licenses.

52. We understand there is a designated parking lot for vehicles, however, is there a staging area in the parking lot adjacent to the building that could be dedicated as a staging area during this project?

Hauling to and from the parking lot designated in the solicitation package will be time consuming and costly.

Limited staging will be available. There is other construction in the area and a flammable gas pad in the location of work. Any staging near the building will need to be organized and maintained.

53. Are restrooms in this building available for contractor use?

Contractors may use the restrooms South of the work area in the FTLB main corridor.

54. How long are we required to warranty this project following substantial completion?

1 year from acceptance of beneficial occupancy from NREL

55. Is the renovation space slab on grade or is there a basement/crawl space under the area?

Microbial lab is slab on grade.

56. What is the thickness of the concrete floor or basis for bid thickness?

Concrete is indicated on original construction drawings to be 6” thick.

57. Please provide appendixes 1-5 listed in the specifications.

Appendix A – Material Specification Sheets will be provided as a supplement to the specifications.

58. Please provide a model and brand for the under-counter refrigerators listed on sheet A500, EQ-82F &

EQ-82R.

Submit product for NREL review and approval. Under counter refrigerators shall qualify for

EPA/DOE Energy Star product-labeling program and shall meet the size/dimension requirements as indicated on the drawings. Freezers shall be auto-defrost. Standard NREL equipment is from Thermo Scientific or Fischer Scientific.

59. For testing, nothing in the specification (226313-6 pages 220 and 227) details if NREL requires testing at each point of use or if each system requires a singular test. Please confirm.

Unclear on question. Page numbers don’t match up. Assume this related to hydrocarbon test? This test is not required. Orbital welded stainless will be tested at all connection (welds and fittings) throughout system. Weld map must be maintained. Each welded system will be tested per question 59 below.

There are no brazed lines on project.

60. For helium leak detection, if we could do an inboard test rather than an outboard test not only would this be much easier to perform but the sensitivity is 100,000 times greater. This is the industry standard for flammable, toxic or corrosive gases. Please confirm.

Inboard helium leak detection shall be completed for all flammable and lab gas lines. A 24-hr.

standing pressure test at 110% of anticipated system pressure, utilizing helium for any flammable gas lines shall also be completed.

Argon (Ar), Forming Gas (H2/N2), Helium (He), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Dioxide/Hydrogen (CO2/H2), Hydrogen (H2), and specialty gasses (toxic).

61. Hydrocarbon testing of stainless-steel lines has not been the industry standard in over 20 years and adds a significant expense. These tests would add an extra lab fee to each test point.

Remove Hydrocarbon testing of orbital welded stainless from project.

62. All the analytical testing for the copper systems can be performed with samples drawn and sent to a lab. Because hydrocarbon testing is industry standard for these.

There are no brazed lines on this project. House Lab Air and House Nitrogen do not require hydrocarbon testing.

63. In the specifications where it’s requires a daily brazing sample to be made and inspected after being pulled apart. That is not typical. Normally once a brazer has been qualified per ASME section IX using their employers brazing procedure (BPS), they no longer have to make test coupons. Can you clarify the project requirements for brazing samples?

There are no brazed lines on this project.

Orbital welded stainless for lab gases, Argon (Ar), Forming Gas (H2/N2), Helium (He), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Dioxide/Hydrogen (CO2/H2), Hydrogen (H2), and specialty gasses (toxic).

Soldered copper for Lab house compressed air and house nitrogen.

64. All stainless-steel orbital welding requires a coupon at the start of shift and if changes are made to the purge source, weld program, power source, etc. This is industry standard.

These must be tagged and documented on the weld map of the lines and coupons will be tested and inspected by NREL third party test agent.

65. With the requirements for coupons, we could not find anything in the specifications as to who will be inspecting these. Will the owner have their representative inspecting these welds?

NREL’s third party test agent will be inspecting, X-raying and possibly destructively testing the samples of orbital welding.

66. This Nora rubber comes in two Thicknesses. It comes in a 2MM and 3 MM. Which one do they want?

SECTION 096519 RESILIENT TILE FLOORING - Rubber Tile 1. 24"x24", 3 mil. thick

67. NREL is calling for rubber base. Is this a 4” (5”) cove base or do they want the rubber flooring to be integral?

SECTION 096519 RESILIENT TILE FLOORING-Rubber Base Nora sanitary base, no substitutions, 5" high x 1/8" thick