Work Statement - Facade Safety Netting Installation Services - v2.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK – FAÇADE SAFETY NETTING INSTALLATION SERVICES

1. General Introduction: This is a non-personnel services contract to install façade safety mesh netting on the Baltimore, MD Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein.

1.1. Background: The Baltimore VAMC was built in the late 1980’s. It has a total of eight levels above grade (six for medical use with the top two level being for mechanical support systems). The above grade height categorizes the building as a high-rise. There are also four partially or fully below grade levels (one basement level for support services and three parking levels). The existing granite sections range from 50 FT to 150 FT above finish grade. The exterior of the building consists of a combination of glass curtain wall and approximately 114,500 square feet of granite veneer with some precast concrete accents. The backup material for the opaque areas (granite veneer) varies from cast in place concrete to concrete masonry units with much of the back up being framed walls (steel studs with gypsum board sheathing and an external layer of #15 lb. felt). See the LRS Federal Technical Memorandum Excerpt attachment for additional details. The exterior granite veneer at the Baltimore VAMC and bridge connecting to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) has been visibly showing signs of failure for a period with some attempts at repair and stabilization being readily apparent. The exterior granite veneer was inspected and identified damaged granite on all four sides of the Baltimore VAMC and the bridge connecting to UMMC. Most of the damage was primarily identified as chipping at the joints connecting granite panels. It appears that some of the chipping at the joints were patched and repaired. There were large cracks identified in granite near the ground surface in several locations at the Baltimore VAMC. Those larger cracks appear to be caused by vehicles. As a result of the exterior granite veneer inspection, it was recommended that temporary safety mesh netting be installed to provide public protection on all sides of the Baltimore VAMC including the existing bridge connecting to UMMC.

1.2. Objectives: The intent of the safety mesh netting installation is to eliminate sections of the existing granite from spalling off the building and potentially striking pedestrians or vehicles below.

2. Period of Performance: All work shall be completed within 6 months from the date of contract award. This project will be deemed complete when all the required tasks outlined in this work statement are complete and safety mesh netting functions as intended. The VA will complete a final walk through and inspection of all work before final acceptance of the installation services.

3. Place of Performance: Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, located at 10 N Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201.

4. Scope of Work: Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, materials, inspections, and the legal disposal of materials to install temporary safety mesh netting over the existing granite veneer located on the exterior of the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and bridge connecting to the University of Maryland Medical Center. (The removal of this safety mesh netting is not included in the scope of this contract; it will be removed during a later construction project.) Work pertaining to this contract includes:

· Conducting a site survey investigation, preparation of anchoring plan, and anchoring the temporary mesh netting to the existing granite veneer.

· Attending a site visit at a scheduled date with VA representation and conducting a preliminary project meeting and site survey to develop the necessary elements for layout of the proposed façade safety mesh netting with input from the VA’s project team.

· Providing a work plan for the complete safety mesh netting installation service, including an in-place mockup on the building for visual demonstrations after contract award to confirm attachment method and color blending of the safety mesh netting looks acceptable and blends with the building.

· Providing a project schedule including permitting requirements and time to complete the safety mesh netting installation.

· Obtaining all required permitting necessary for the complete installation of the safety mesh netting, including permits for cutting, welding, and soldering. All permits shall be prominently displayed during installation. Permits must be opened at the start of each activity and closed at the end of each workday.

· Providing and maintaining safe public access and exiting on all sides of the building, to include safe vehicular access and exiting where required and pedestrian safety measures at the street/sidewalk level during installation.

4.1. Safety Mesh Netting & Installation Requirements:

· Safety mesh netting shall:

· Have a minimum lifespan of 24 months and be capable of withstanding any weather condition, including high wind, for the Baltimore region.

· Have a maximum opening size of 1” x 1” with a color that blends into the existing granite façade as best as possible.

· Be installed tight to the existing granite façade. All existing openings (windows and louvers) shall remain open with the proposed mesh netting material terminating on all opening sides.

· Have an easy means to remove portions of the mesh netting system including hardware on each building side.

· Have tamper resistant hardware at the pedestrian level.

4.2. Safety and Environmental Precautions: All work shall comply with local, state, and federal rules laws, as well as following guidance as stated in the VA Technical Information Library for all proposed work and technical disciplines. The Design Manuals (PG 18-10) and Design Guides (PG 18-12) are located online on the VA website. The requirements include but are not limited to:

· Those found in Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) statutes and regulations, such as applicable provisions of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1910 and 1926. Contractor is solely responsible for determining the legal requirements that apply to activities and shall ensure safe and healthful working conditions for its employees and for pedestrians near and walking around the area of installation.

· Performing the work in a manner consistent with the area security and fire safety regulations especially regarding exits and exit way access. Utility shutdowns shall not compromise security, communication, or fire safety for occupants.

· Guarding against causing of fires and/or explosions and to protect Government property.

· Preventing accidental operation of any existing building smoke detectors or sprinkler heads.

· Taking operational actions to temporarily reduce the hazard posed by life safety deficiencies created during and until completion of the safety mesh netting installation.

· Ensuring that no flammable liquids are stored or used around the medical center and that the necessary number and appropriate types of portable fire extinguishers required per National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 10 and NFPA 241 are provided.

5.0. Contractor Qualifications: Contractor performing the work must have a minimum of five years of experience in building façade and have completed at least one similar project installing façade safety mesh netting within the past 5 years.