Q_and_A_contractor_attendance.pdf

Questions and Answers

1. Q: Is coordination required between USACE and the State or the contractor and the State on disposing of PCBs?

A: The State of South Dakota does not regulate PCBs, but it does regulate asbestos. Federal regulations do apply. References as indicated in the solicitation include OSHA and EPA regulations, 29 CFR 1910.1000, 40 CFR 761 and specification Sections such as 02 84 33, Removal and Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

2. Q: Is the contractor allowed use of the crane in the untanking house to provide access?

A: No, the use of the crane in the untanking house for purposes of gaining access to work areas on the walls is not permitted. Lock out tag out procedures shall be used to secure the cranes prior to replacing glass block or set up scaffolding. The contractor shall ensure that project work and means of access to elevated work areas do not interfere with USACE crane operations per Section 02 84 33 Part 1, General.

3. Q: Who was the contractor that performed the work in the 1990s?

A: Dominion Services Inc. 6815 Grove St Denver, CO 80221 (303) 429-5200

4. Q: Will the contractor have access restrictions to the tailrace deck if they put scaffolding in place?

A: Scaffold used on the tailrace deck shall be narrow enough or mobile so as not to inhibit the use of the tailrace deck crane. Any scaffold that is set up restricting the use of the crane on the deck shall be coordinated with the Project’s unit outage schedule so that the Government can use the crane when needed to complete maintenance.

5. Q: Is there a CLIN for the IH to be placed in Measurement and Payment (Bidding Schedule)?

A: There is no separate and distinct CLIN for the Industrial Hygienist. Cost amounts should be distributed accordingly through the applicable CLINs.

6. Q: Confirm that no work will be done on the expansion joint in the floor of the generator floor.

A: No floor joints are included in the scope of work.

7. Q: Confirm work requirement on the ceiling as seen from the generator floor.

A: No ceiling joints are included in the scope of work.

8. Q: If the contractor chooses to remove the access cubicles to perform the work on the north elevation is the contractor making the disconnections of the HVAC and electrical or is it the Government?

A: The Government will disconnect utilities serving each area of alteration or removal upon written request from the Contractor in accordance with Section 02 41 00, Demolition, paragraph

1.3.3, Utility Service. The contractor shall request and coordinate outage(s) for the removal and reinstallation of the access cubicles and associated utilities.

9. Q: Is any powerwashing of the powerhouse façade required before or after caulking?

A: Power washing the powerhouse or untanking house is not permitted due to containment issues and the potential for water to get behind the panels. Note that cleaning new stains or marks on the walls from the joint work is required.

10. Q: Is the cracking of the parapet wall as seen from the roof being addressed?

A: The scope of work does include repairing wall cracks. Cracks will be identified for repair by the

COR.

11. Q: Is it the contractor’s responsibility to protect the communication lines on the roof?

A: The existing utility lines that are shown on the drawings or the locations otherwise made known to the Contractor shall be protected from damage, and if damaged, shall be repaired by the Contractor at no additional expense to the Government in accordance with Section 01 12 00, paragraph 1.3, Protection of Existing Facilities and Works.

12. Q: Provide a copy of the PCB test results and locations of the testing.

A: Refer to CT Laboratories’ Analytical Report located at the end of Section 02 82 14.00 10.

13. Q: On page 9, section 3.4.4 , Sampling Requirements, it states: “Perform post cleanup sampling as required by 40CFR761, Section 130, Sampling Requirements. Do not remove boundaries of the PCB control area until site is determined satisfactorily clean by the Contracting Officer.”

In removing PCB's Per 40 CFR 761 in full containment the Industrial Hygienist clears area after removal and cleanup and then clears area for re-entry?

A: USACE is not aware of any regulatory requirement for full containment to perform this work.

Please cite a specific section of the regulation if it is believed that this is required. Section 3.4.4 of section 02 84 33 contains sampling requirements to demonstrate adequate cleanup in the event that there is a spill of the PCB-containing material being removed. The specification does not require the Industrial Hygienist to perform this sampling.

14. Q: On page 6, Section 1.15; is the following statement: Contractor may use the roof to counterweight and provide access to work areas. Contractor shall spread out counterweights to not overload roof structural members. Submit for approval by the Contracting Officer as a pre-construction submittal.

Question: In removing PCB's per EPA, 40CFR 761, you need to be under full containment, with

Negative Air Pressure, Decontamination with all cleared by the Industrial Hygienist. You cannot achieve this with a suspended scaffold. What is your intended scope to meet this requirement?

A: USACE is not aware of any regulatory requirement for full containment to perform this work.

40 CFR 761.79 is not within the scope of this contract as “decontamination” is not required.

Specification 02 84 33 requires a PCB Control Area using physical boundaries to prevent unauthorized entry of personnel and drop cloths to prevent caulk from falling below the level of the work area. It is expected that the Contractor-developed PCB Removal Work Plan will provide a detailed description of the PCB Control Area.

15. Q: Is it your intent to do this PCB removal project in strict compliance with EPA (TSCA) regulations of 40CFR761?

A: Specification 02 84 33 requires performance of the work in accordance with the applicable portions of 40 CFR 761. The disposal method should be approved in the PCB Abatement Plan and profiles/shipping papers should be provided to the Project ECC within 48 hours of transportation.

16. Q: Is it you intent to dispose of the PCB waste at an approved under 40 CFR 761, EPA (TSCA) site?

A: Specification 02 84 33 requires disposal in accordance with 40 CFR 761.

17. Q: Will the Contractor or Owner provide Industrial Hygienist daily as required?

A: USACE will not provide an industrial hygienist. The Contractor shall provide an Industrial

Hygienist to perform the duties identified in specification 02 84 33.

18. Q: Will PCB removal be under full containment?

a. Will there be a requirement to maintain negative air pressure while removal is occurring?

A: USACE is not aware of any regulatory requirement to perform this work under full containment or to use negative air pressure.

19. Q: Under section 02 84 33, page 4 section 1.4.3, regulation documents, it states;

Maintain at all times one copy each at the office and one copy each in view at the job site 29

CFR 1910.1000, 40 CFR 761, and Contractor work practices for removal, storage and disposal of

PCB's.

How do we interpret this document?

A: The specification requires the Contractor to maintain copies of the cited regulations and the

Contractor’s approved PCB Removal Work Plan at the job site. Additionally the contractor shall document field activities on a daily basis during the abatement project as required by the contract. Copies of this documentation should be maintained in the work trailer and provided to

USACE at conclusion of the work. A final deliverable abatement report should include: a site description, work procedures, documentation that removal criteria was met, daily field notes, photographs of abatement/containment/decontamination work methods, and shipping papers/disposal certifications.