VA Miami 546-19-102 Upgrade Water Mains Round 2 RFIs.pdf

PROJECT NAME: 36C24822R0026 --- UPGRADE WATER MAINS BUILDING 1

Question #: 01 Sheet: AB102, AB103, C-2, C-3, D-2, D-3 Spec: 02 82 13.31 Topic: Transite-type Pipe Removal Question: There are major contradictions in the contract documents regarding the sections of underground pipe to be abated and removed. The civil drawings appear to indicate that the section of underground transite pipe to the East of the loading dock beneath the courtyard and crawl space of Building 1, is to be abandoned in place and filled, and no digging is indicated to be required for this section. The Abatement drawings state that this section of pipe has previously been abandoned and filled but does not necessarily state that this section is to be abated and/or removed. The specifications state that this section is currently filled and is be abated and removed.

Please clarify which of these is accurate, as we are not sure whether we are to fill and abandon this section in place, if this section is already filled and abandoned-in-place and we are to leave it alone, or if we are to dig, abate, and remove this section. Being that this section is under a courtyard and within a crawl space of a building, this unanswered clarification would have a major cost impact with removal and restoration costs once awarded.

Response:

Upon review of the Demolition plans and the new installation C4 to C6 plans, please follow the Demolition plans for In- place abandonment of the watermain as shown on D-2 and D-3 Plans. Legend (sawtooth line) depicts the start and stop limits.

Any lines previously abandoned and filled should not be disturbed. Any transite pipe disturbed shall follow the guidelines of Spec Section 02 82 13.31.

Question #: 02 Sheet: N/A Spec: N/A Topic: Block Walls Question: It has come to our attention that all or most of the existing walls within the work area are block walls with plaster finish. Please confirm whether we are to assume block walls with plaster finish for all walls or if we are to assume they are gypsum and stud assemblies. The demolition and replacement of block walls could have a large cost difference when compared to gypsum assemblies and be an unforeseen condition once on site.

Response:

The wall type replacement shall match the wall type being removed. You should not assume all walls are block and plaster.

Question #: 03 Sheet: N/A Spec: N/A Topic: Tile Walls Question: To accurately bid this job, contractors will need to quantify the amount of tile wall to be removed and replaced and there would be substantial price differences between prime contractors.

Please provide a detail or description of the tile walls within the work areas. Are we to assume full height tile walls for all bathrooms, or only half-height tile walls with a new paint finish above?

Response:

Replace in kind to match existing. For reference, no more than 16 SF (typical) should need to be replaced.

Question #: 04 Sheet: N/A Spec: N/A Topic: Mechanical / Electrical Obstructions Question: AMD 0003 RFI #19 states that at the existing valve replacement scope of work for the first, second, third and eleventh floors, ‘valve access may require the removal and replacement of selective building components by licensed trades but not limited to the below: Ceiling Tile, Ceiling Tile Support Grid, Lights, Smoke Detectors, Fire Alarm Devices, Electrical Conduit, Communication Cable, Ductwork, Misc. Piping Systems.”

There is no way to quantify pre-bid the situation at each valve replacement and what costs to quantify and assume. We worry there will be significant unforeseen change orders for the facility if not correctly determined pre-bid. Are there as-builts or existing photos of each valve replacement so we can accurately quantify and understand which trades need to be involved at each valve location? If not, what should all prime contractors assume for work at each location? A certain LF of ductwork, piping and conduit removal? Please confirm as this is extremely vague and can have major cost impacts post award.

Response:

The Pre-bid walk through addressed this issue in general by opening up select valve locations for the contractor’s to review. The contractors on site were able to see typical valve locations and the potential extent of work required to access the valves. The bids shall include cost per valve installation based on the pre-bid observations.

Question #: 05 Sheet: N/A Spec: 22 07 11 Topic: Cold Water Piping Insulation Question: The specifications call for insulation on the new cold-water piping, however, on site during the site visit it was observed that there is no insulation on the existing cold water piping. Please clarify if cold water piping should be insulated per specifications or if this will be omitted to match the existing facilities insulation requirements.

Response:

The new work crawlspace cold water piping shall be insulated.

Question #: 06 Sheet: N/A Spec: 22 11 00 Topic: Galvanized Couplings Question: The specifications call for ductile iron or malleable iron couplings for stainless steel piping, but they are not NSF rated for domestic water use. Please clarify if galvanized couplings ae permitted.

Response:

Ductile iron couplings and malleable iron couplings shall be acceptable for potable water applications when used with an NSF potable water rated gasket material UL Classified in accordance with NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for cold +73°F/+23°C and hot +180°F/+82°C potable water service and NSF/ANSI/CAN

372. It is the gasket material that is in contact with the water; not the coupling.

Question #: 07 Sheet: N/A Spec: Solicitation Topic: Pricing Schedule Question: Question #43 on the AMD 0003 RFI’s lead to some confusion for the pricing schedule. The answer stated ‘The base bid is Bid Item No. 1 deductive alternates will be taken in the order listed in the specifications and deducted from the base bid. **Meaning that each item will be deducted from the base bid. If there are any chose / required, Bid Item No. 2 – Bid Alternate No. 1would be the first item selected. Any subsequent selections would follow the order of items listed and include all the prior items listed before that one. **Meaning that these CLIN items would be a waterfall effect and taken from the one previously. Follow up question: For each CLIN item are we to deduct from the base bid line item No. 1 or are we to include the previous CLIN item in this lump sum cost?

Response:

There will be a Base Bid for all work. If selected, Bid Alternate No. 1 will be deducted from the Base Bid.

If Bid Alternate No. 2 is selected, the amount of Bid Alternate No. 1 AND Bid Alternate No. 2 will be deducted from the Base Bid, and so on….

Responses provided by: P. Boggs – TMM – 01-31-2022