RFI 2 CES Construct BCE Complex.pdf

PROJECT DCFT059018

SOLICITATION/IFB # W50S7U-22-B-0002/CES CONSTRUCT BCE COMPLEX

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) #2 03 AUGUST 2022

Q1. 01 32 33 1.4 Will the site superintendent qualify as photographer if they site super has more than 3 years experience taking construction photos? Does a professional photographer need to be hired to meet this qualification?

A1. The site superintendent qualifies as the photographer.

Q2. 01 40 00 PG 11 1.1 Please confirm OWNER will hire all testing agencies for steel, concrete, masonry, soil testing.

A2. Incorrect. The CONTRACTOR will hire testing agencies for listed inspections and tests.

014000 par 1.11.A “Contractor Responsibilities: Tests and inspections are Contractor's responsibility.”

014000 par 1.12.A “Special Tests and Inspections: Engage a qualified testing agency to conduct special tests and inspections…” is a directive to the Contractor.

014001 par 1.1.A – reference to “owner” will be removed by addendum.

Q3. 01 79 00 Please confirm what trades/products will need demonstration and training video recordings.

A3. Refer to 013300c-PFOIL Form 341 (Schedule of Material Submittals) - Section 211313 and any equipment for which “operation(s) and maintenance data”/ O&M Manual is provided per 017823, 1.4.E. This includes commissioned equipment as training is part of the commissioning process per 019113. The Government may elect demonstration only in some instances – submit a schedule of proposed trainings and recordings to the Government for review.

Q4. Please confirm Project quality-control manager may also serve as Project superintendent.

Please confirm a SSHO will not be required for this project.

A4. Project quality-control manager may also serve as Project superintendent, per 014000 paragraph 1.8.B.1. SSHO (Site Safety and Health Officer) is not explicitly required by the specifications; however, site safety is the contractor’s responsibility – refer to 010000 paragraph

1.4.

Q5. Please provide details and specifications for exterior sunshades desired on the K, K1, G and F window types shown on 58-AE101, sheet note 6.

A5. Spec to be provided in upcoming Addendum.

Q6. Please provide design details and/or specifications for the canopies at the overhead doors.

A6. Spec to be provided in upcoming Addendum.

Q7. Detail 10 | AE603 shows a 1” translucent panel but per specs 4” panels are to be used.

Please advise.

A7. Response to be provided in upcoming Addendum.

Q8. Are the interior K window units intended to be the same as the exterior K units?

A8. Yes, although the corridor windows can be uninsulated glazing if desired.

Q9. Is Sheet Note 7 “chainlink fence enclosure” on 58-AE101 the Wire Mesh Partitions spec section 102213? Specs call for 14’ ceiling, sheet note 7 calls for 10’ ceiling. Please advise.

A9. 10’ ceiling per the drawings is correct.

Q10. Are the exterior precast panels to be painted or sealed?

A10. Sealed.

Q11. Spec Section 323114 is missing from Volume 3 of Project Manual. Also, please clarify that the louvered fence is on three sides of the mechanical equipment yard. BB-CS101 does not seem to depict the fence around the mechanical equipment yard.

A11. Spec section was added with Addendum 6 in Amendment 003. Louvered fence is on 3 sides of mechanical equipment. Dark line shown is a construction joint in the concrete slab.

Q12. 6/C503 – Are Cast Iron downspout boots desired/required?

A12. No. Downspout adaptors shall be HDPE to match the material of the underground storm sewer pipe.

Q13. Spec Section 074113.16 – We assume that the underlayment material serves as the air/vapor barrier…please confirm. Please provide details how the roof air barrier “connects” to the concrete panels on details such as 4 AE501 and 6/AE502. Please provide details of how the roof air barrier “connects” to the wall air/vapor barrier on details such as 6 & 10/AE501 and

7/AE502.

A13. The underlayment is the air/water barrier show and the membrane is mechanically fasted to the roofing deck, not the concrete panels.

Q14. We assume that the membrane roofing serves as the air/vapor barrier. Please provide details how the membrane roofing “connects” to the wall air/vapor barrier on details such as

1/AE501 and 1, 4 & 12/AE502.

A14. Detail 1 it is fluid applied, but roofing details it is mechanically fasted to the roofing deck.

Q15. 58/AE611 & AE610 – Please clarify what material is to be using for the Entrance

Flooring – EF-1.

A15. Interface: Step Repeat Collection SR699 104933 Onyx; CQuest Bio Backing

138840250V

Q16. AE610 – Should the Finish Schedule Notes be noted on the Room Finish Schedule?

A16. Sheet to be provided in upcoming addendum.

Q17. AE610 & AE615 – Is signage to be included in our proposal? If so, should signage be proposed on just the drawings or should there be specifications provided?

A17. Spec to be provided in upcoming addendum.

Q18. Spec Sections 099300 & 099123 – Spec 099300 Part 1.2.B.1 states to see Spec 099123 for finishes on concrete floors. We are unable to find information for the finish on exposed concrete floors, please clarify.

A18. Refer to 03 30 00 paragraph 3.8 and 3.12.

Q19. 58-AE101 – We are unable to find any information on what looks to be casework in the

Northwest corner of Room A103 - Customer Service / Admin, Please clarify.

A19. Information to be provided in upcoming addendum.

Q20. Spec Section 034100 – Part 2.13.B references Thin Brick Faced Precast, Please clarify that there is no thin brick desired/required.

A20. Thin brick is not required on the precast panels.

Q21. Spec Section 102800 and Drawing 58-AE401 – Specs call out for separate surface mounted paper towel dispensers and waste receptacles, drawing calls out a combination paper towel dispenser/waste receptacle that looks to be semi-recessed…please clarify.

A21. Please provide separate surface mounted waste receptacles and paper towel dispensers as noted in the specs.

Q22. Spec Section 102800 Part 2.3.C calls for a Folding Shower Seat, but none are shown on

58-AE401, please clarify if shower seats are required.

A22. Folding shower seats are not required.

Q23. Spec Section 014000 Part 1.1.A states that the owner will engage testing agency and the contractor shall coordinate inspections and testing. Other individual material specifications (ie –

312000, 312010) seem to conflict with spec section 014000. Please clarify who is responsible for the testing agency and the special inspections.

A23. Please see A2 above.

014000 par 1.11.A “Contractor Responsibilities: Tests and inspections are Contractor's responsibility.”

014000 par 1.12.A “Special Tests and Inspections: Engage a qualified testing agency to conduct special tests and inspections…” is a directive to the Contractor.

014001 par 1.1.A – reference to “owner” will be removed by addendum.

Q24. I am unable to find Spec Section 32 31 14 Louvered Fence & Gate within the Project

Manual Vol 3 as indicated in the Vol 3 Table of Contents. Please clarify where I can find the specs for the fence type surrounding the Mechanical Equipment Yard.

A24. Please see A11 above.

Q25. Due to the size of panels shown on the contract documents not being able to be shipped and the procurement time of precast panels, can the concrete wall panels be designed by a design member of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association and be fabricated and erected on-site?

A25. Switching from precast to tilt-up panels cast on site is not recommended for the following reasons:

• Precast is a performance based delegated design element inclusive of embedments supporting structural steel; tilt-up is not and the contract documents do not adequately cover tilt-up construction structural design.

• Quality control in a precast plant is recommended/preferred for the exposed panels

(interior and exterior exposures) and irregular/curved panels. Tilt-up construction requires a certified contractor – central Illinois availability is unknown.

• Weather is a factor for the quality of the finish on the top side of tilt-up panels and this cannot be adequately controlled in the field in the A/E’s opinion for this specific application and region.

• Precast insulation is specified to be sandwiched between concrete wythes; tilt-up commonly exposes the interior face insulation above the durability zone and this is not the Government’s desired finish for the spaces.

• The A/E believes the speed of erection for precast is a benefit in regard to the

Government’s overall site usage during construction rather than accommodating casting slabs for tilt-up construction. Lead time on ordering precast panels may be offset by quicker erection times and precast can be a priority/early submittal for review.

Precast panels over 12 to 13 feet wide may require special permitting to haul or the panel widths can be reviewed by the architect/structural engineer and precast manufacturer to make adjustments to the joint layout if this is of concern.

Q26. Specification Section 087113 – Please clarify where automatic door operators are required. Spec 087113 references Specification Section 084229 which is not included in the project documents.

A26. Doors at the main entry to receive door operators (doors A100A and A101A).

Q27. Details 5 & 9/59-AE302 – There appears to be a concrete lid over the restroom and janitor rooms. If so, please provide concrete and steel details for lid.

A27. For bidding purposes: Provide 3” metal form deck, 18 gauge, with 3” topping (6” total thickness) spanning short direction with 4x4-W4.0xW4.0 welded wire fabric reinforcement with minimum 2 ½” bearing each end. Provide precast wall embedment’s for continuous ledger

L3x3x3/8. For top of CMU wall, provide continuous 5/16” x 3” embedded plate.

Q28. Drawings 58-AE103 & 59-AE104 - General Note F – Please clarify what is required for the fall protection on the standing seam roofs.

A28. According to Section 3-3.8 of UFC 3-110-03 Fall Protection is not required on standing seam roof since there is not any maintenance required. Will be removed in upcoming Addendum.

Q29. Drawing AE610 – Room Finish Schedule – Room #G102 – Restroom – We are unable to find information on the following finishes: CT-1, CTB-1 and WT-1, Please clarify.

A29. Change Floor Finish to PRC-2, Base to PTB-1 and Walls to PRC-1

Q30. Drawing 59-AE102 – Details 2 & 3 – Are we to only supply the toilet accessories that are listed or are there more accessories that we should be providing, please clarify.

A30. Will be addressed in upcoming addendum

Q31. Drawing 58-G-102 - It appears the building has been divided into (5) areas to test. The vestibule (Envelope 1) is one area by itself and the purple line is drawn where there is no wall.

Please clarify if it is the intent to do 5 separate air barrier tests or if the whole building can be tested at one time.

A31. The purple line shows the zones, but it not necessarily the intent to have a membrane.

Some systems contain a built-in barrier.

Q32. Specification 071326 – Self-Adhering Sheet Waterproofing – Please clarify where this material is required.

A32. This is not required and will be removed from the specifications.

Q33. Drawings O1-CD101 and O2-CD101 states: “REMOVE SURPLUS SOIL/BACKFILL

ASSUMED AS CLEAN CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS – CONTRACTOR SHALL TEST

SURPLUS SOIL/BACKFILL FOR CONTAMINATES BEFORE REMOVING FROM SITE

AND, IF FOUND, SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR ADDITIONAL COSTS

ASSOCIATED WITH DISPOSAL AT EITHER A CLASS D NON-HAZARDOUS OR CLASS

C HAZARDOUS LANDFILL BASED UPON SOIL TESTING RESULTS”

Drawings O2-HZ103, O3-HZ104 and 45-HZ102 states: “CONTRACTOR SHALL DISPOSE

OF EXCESS EXCAVATED SOILS AS NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE AT A SUBTITLE D

LANDFILL AS SPECIFIED IN SPECIFICATION SECTION 026100. EXCESS SOIL MAY

NOT BE USED AS FILL MATERIAL ONSITE.”

Please clarify how we are to handle disposal of surplus soils. Also, at other bases we are allowed to reuse non-hazardous soil materials at areas requiring fill as long as the material does not leave the base. Please clarify if this is acceptable.

A33. If soil is not contaminated, surplus can be used at other locations on base within the project parameters.

Excess/surplus soils not used elsewhere on the base are to be removed from the site and bid as clean construction debris but shall be tested prior to removal from site. If found to be contaminated after testing, submit an RFP for additional costs required to dispose off site in a properly classified landfill.

Q34. *Note-Question Answered in RFI1, Additional Info added here*. After reviewing the bidding documents, I am unable to find any information regarding the type of construction or contents left to remain in the existing buildings which are scheduled to be removed and/or demolished. In order to properly estimate the demo scope, any and all information regarding those buildings are very critical. Perhaps another organized site visit would be beneficial to familiarize interested demo contractors with those buildings so a more competitive price can offered for that scope.

A34. Reference As-Built Drawings for Buildings P-2, P-3, P-28, and P-30. This is the most current information for these buildings that the Government has available. As-Built Drawings are posted to https://sam.gov as attachments. *Note* - The as-built drawings have been prepared, in part, based upon information furnished by others. While this information is believe to be reliable, the Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the as-built drawings or for any errors or omissions that may have been incorporated into it as a result of incorrect information provided to the Government. Those relying on these record documents are advised to obtain independent verification of their accuracy.

*Additional Information – Additional site walk of project site locations was held on 02 August

2022. Regarding type of construction, refer to 00 31 19 in regard to viewing available existing building data/Government archives. Unattached materials and equipment are to be removed by the Government prior to demolition. See also 00 31 26.*

Q35. We are looking at this project and noted that Add 1 (See page 2, highlighted in yellow) has some info that we are concerned about. We are not aware of any commercial spray foam on the market that will meet a 75% recycled content. We use Huntsman Building Solutions for our spray foam and a couple of their products “boasts” a 25% recycled content which is supposed to be one of, if not the highest, recycled content in the spray foam industry. We would like to submit an approved equal request for the spray foam but know that we cannot meet the 75% recycled content requirement.

We believe, that somewhere along the line, someone has mixed and matched the requirements for cellulose insulation and spray foam insulation. Cellulose insulation can have 75% + of

(post/pre-consumer) recycled content in it. That is not the case with spray foam. Please advise on what you would like to do as this project is scheduled to bid on Aug 3rd and we are (almost) certain that there is no commercial spray foam product on the market that will meet this 75% recycled requirement.

As an FYI, in Spec Section 072100 at paragraph 2.3, Spray-Applied Cellulosic Insulation, you have one cellulose product listed “Hamilton Manufacturing”. The other two manufacturers listed

(Natural Polymers and WFI Global LLC) are foam insulations – not cellulose. Again, we would like to submit an approved equal for this section as well but not certain cellulose insulation is being used in this project. The partition schedule itself would seem to indicate batts (fiberglass, not cellulose). Please advise and thank you for your kind assistance and consideration.

A35. If 75% can not be achieved as substation will be accepted as long as the recycled content is as close as possible to 75%. Provide justification documentation to submit to GBCI for 3rd party certification.

https://sam.gov/

Q36. One of the overhead coiling door manufacturers has stated that aluminum coiling doors cannot meet the 30 psf rating as stated in the manual. Aluminum can only achieve 21 psf at best.

If 30 psf is truly desired, would stainless or galvanized steel be acceptable? Please advise.

A36. For the 12’x12’ overhead doors, calculated design wind pressure is 28 psf. Therefore, provide galvanized steel per conversation with BCE.

*Substitution Requests*

The following substitution requests have been approved and are listed here to be made available to all bidders:

Section 072726 Fluid-Applied Membrane Air Barrier – Product Substitution Approved =

Carlisle Coating & Waterproofing Barritech NP fluid-applied vapor impermeable membrane air barrier.

Section 075416 Thermoplastic Ketone Ethylene Ester(Kee) Roofing – Product Substitution

Approved = Carlisle Syntec Sure-flex fully-adhered PVC roof system