Request for Clarification Responses

Environmental Compliance Center Educational Building

Supplemental Information - Not Part of the Contract Documents

The following list is comprised of paraphrased Requests for Clarification (RFC) submitted by potential bidders or sub-bidders in writing via email, letter, and this form:

24-S-01 Environmental Compliance Center Educational Building

I was curious if this project will require any pre demo/Asbestos or Lead survey? Monitoring? Thanks for your time. (RFC 24S1-2 submitted 8/1/2024)

The project will not require any hazmat survey or monitoring. Response date: 08/13/2024

 

I'm reaching out to confirm the correct person to submit a Substitution Request for the Environmental Compliance Center Educational Building project (Fresno, CA). Please help connect me with the person responsible for reviewing requests for this project. (RFC 24S1-6 submitted 8/12/2024)

Substitution requests can be emailed to designservices@fresnocountyca.gov. Response date: 08/13/2024

 

Per Notice to Bidders, please confirm the bid is either or “Online” or turned in sealed proposal in person? (RFC 24S1-7 submitted 8/12/2024)

Bids and bid bonds can be submitted online through Bid Express or hand delivered to the Public Works Department at 2220 Tulare St. 7th Floor Fresno, CA 93721. More information on bid submission can be found under Instructions to Bidders Section 002113-2 of the Project Manual. Response date: 08/13/2024

 

Liquidated Damages is listed as $5,000 / Cal. Day, please confirm this is correct, seems exceptionally high for this project. (RFC 24S1-8 submitted 8/12/2024)

See Addendum 1. Response date: 08/15/2024

 

Professional Liability Insurance is called out as “if applicable”, please confirm this is not required for contractors. (RFC 24S1-9 submitted 8/12/2024)

Professional Liability Insurance is called out as “if applicable”, please confirm this is not required for contractors. Response date: 08/12/2024

 

I see a Bid Security form, but not a bid bond form to use, is it acceptable to use a bid bond form from our surety agent? (RFC 24S1-10 submitted 8/12/2024)

The bid bond itself can be issued by the bond company. The section of the electronic solicitation or hardcopy bid, “Bid Security Form,” – Section 004313-1 should be filled out with information regarding the bid bond by the bidder. Response date: 08/13/2024

 

Drawing No. Storefront details A8, D8, H4 & HB/A-8.7 Specification No. Div 8
Storefront details show front set storefront, but specs call for center set storefront. Please clarify which system will be required. In absence of a response we will assume center set per spec. Please confirm what the storefront finish color will be. Spec calls for conflicting anodized, etched, matte finish. In absence of a response we will assume dark bronze anodized. (RFC 24S1-11 submitted 8/15/2024)

Please use the Front Set storefront system. The storefront finish color shall be Bronze 740 - Light Range Anodic Coating. Please submit the color chip for verification. Response date: 08/13/2024

 

Specification No. Spec section general conditions 007200-19 19 2.16 (c)
Owner procures & pays for permits, contractor pays for inspections. Please confirm this is correct and what permits would be required by the GC if any? Typically public entities pay for inspections as it would be a conflict of interest for the Contractor to carry the cost of inspections. (RFC 24S1-12 submitted 8/15/2024)

Owner specifically pay/procures permits through Fresno Fire and Development Services (Building Permit). Required permits by contractor is stated per drawings sheet G1.0 section "Deferred Approval" Response date: 08/28/2024

 

There is no site demo plan, please advise. (RFC 24S1-13 submitted 8/15/2024)

See addendum 3. Response date: 08/30/2024

 

The schedule of 120 calendar days is really aggressive, knowing the metal building components could take longer then that to procure once material is approved. (RFC 24S1-14 submitted 8/15/2024)

The number of working days has been increased to 180 days. See Addendum 1. Response date: 08/15/2024

 

Specification No. General Conditions Section 007200-240
Please confirm if all required insurances are to be maintained for 3 years after duration of the project? Limits of liability insurance and auto are higher then what is typical for the size of this project, please confirm these are the right requirements? (RFC 24S1-15 submitted 8/15/2024)

Per General Conditions Section 007200-54, Contractor shall procure and maintain for the duration of the Contract, and for 3 years thereafter, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work hereunder by the Contractor, his agents, representatives, employees, or subcontractors. The cost of such insurance shall be included in the Contractor's bid. See Addendum 2 for adjustments to the insurance limits. Response date: 08/21/2024

 

Are subcontractors required to carry the same insurance limits as the GC? (RFC 24S1-16 submitted 8/15/2024)

The County will monitor the insurance of the Prime Contractor. Response date: 08/21/2024

 

There are only matching grades and contour lines that do not show actual grades, please advise if a grading plan exists. (RFC 24S1-17 submitted 8/19/2024)

The drawings from the previous phase are posted to the website under Supplemental Information and are for reference purposes only. Refer to the Grading Plan, Sheet C3.0 Response date: 08/26/2024

 

When does the working days countdown start? (RFC 24S1-19 submitted 8/14/2024)

From the date of NTP issuance Response date: 08/20/2024

 

How quick is the County going to turn around deferred submittals? (RFC 24S1-20 submitted 8/14/2024)

10 working days. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

Were the plans stamped? (RFC 24S1-21 submitted 8/14/2024)

The contractors will receive a stamped and permitted set of construction documents after the building permit is pulled. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

Are plans fully ready for permits? (RFC 24S1-22 submitted 8/14/2024)

The plans are at the back check and 99% ready for permitting. Any changes to the document shall be clouded with a specific delta and shall be posted as addenda. The plans are at the back check and 99% ready for permitting. Any changes to the document shall be identified with a specific delta and posted as addenda. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

Are there any special permits that will need to be pulled? Is the County pulling all of the permits? (RFC 24S1-23 submitted 8/14/2024)

Refer to "Project Drawings" sheet G1.0 in "Deferred Approval" section. Building permit will be pulled by County. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

Are the fire safety and building permits separate? (RFC 24S1-24 submitted 8/14/2024)

Refer to "Project Drawings" sheet G1.0 in "Deferred Approval" section. Building permit will be pulled by County. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

When is the award date? (RFC 24S1-25 submitted 8/14/2024)

The anticipated award date for the project is October 22, 2024. Response date: 08/21/2024

 

When are RFI's due? (RFC 24S1-26 submitted 8/14/2024)

Requests for Clarification must be received no later than 2:00 P.M. on the tenth (10th) calendar day prior to bid opening. Response date: 08/21/2024

 

Is it Standard Dayshift? (RFC 24S1-27 submitted 8/14/2024)

Yes. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

What licenses are required? (RFC 24S1-28 submitted 8/14/2024)

Per the Notice to Bidders, a Class B (General Building Contractor) license is required. Response date: 08/14/2024

 

Where is the building going to be located? (RFC 24S1-29 submitted 8/14/2024)

Refer to "Project Drawings" sheet G1.0 for vicinity and A1.0 for overall site Response date: 08/20/2024

 

Do you have locations of all utilities? (RFC 24S1-30 submitted 8/14/2024)

Refer to the drawings from the previous phase posted under Supplemental Information. They are for reference only. Refer to Sheet C4.0 Response date: 08/22/2024

 

Will utilities have to be survey verified? (RFC 24S1-31 submitted 8/14/2024)

Utilities will not require an official survey. Utilize the "Reference Sheets" included in the Addendum 3 drawing sets to locate utilities as needed. Response date: 08/30/2024

 

 

Do you have the clearance to the fence? (RFC 24S1-32 submitted 8/14/2024)

Yes. Response date: 08/20/2024

 

General Liability Insurance in the General Conditions Section 007200-52 (2.40.B.1) requires $5,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate of $10,000,000. We talked with our insurance broker and he was saying that the per occurrence and the aggregate can only be bought at a $1,000,000 difference. Are you requiring $5,000,000 per occurrence and $6,000,000 aggregate, or are you requiring $9,000,000 per occurrence and $10,000,000 aggregate? (RFC 24S1-33 submitted 8/21/2024)

See Addendum 2. Response date: 08/14/2024

 

Please confirm the City of Fresno will provide the water connection in the street and all water connection fees are paid for by the County. (RFC 24S1-34 24S1-35 submitted 8/23/2024)

The water connection from the City of Fresno was completed in Phase 1. ECC Phase 1 Sheet L1.0 depicts a stubbed location from the main line that will be utilized for the ECC - Educational Building Project. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Please clarify if the cabinets are plastic laminate or wood species. Please also provide finish and color selections. (RFC 24S1-36 submitted 8/23/2024)

Refer to the "Project Manual" Section 064000 Architectural Woodwork on various surface information. The architect will make color selections upon submission of submittals/samples provided by the contractor. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Plans & Specifications reference a solid surface countertop. Please provide a manufacturer and color selection. (RFC 24S1-37 submitted 8/23/2024)

Formica Everform or Equal. Color: TBD. The contractor shall submit color samples to the Architect for approval. Refer to the North American Architectural Woodwork Standards 4.0 standards for the general, material, and assembly requirements posted under Supplemental Information. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Please confirm any/all special inspections will be provided by and paid for by the County. (RFC 24S1-38 submitted 8/23/2024)

The Contractor is responsible for arranging and paying the costs of any special inspection other than structural. The County shall provide special inspections as needed for the structural portions of the project. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Contractor is required to submit the plans and calculations for the metal building and obtain a permit for this item. Can the County provide a cost for plancheck and permit fees associated with this deferred submittal? (RFC 24S1-39 submitted 8/23/2024)

The County will cover the costs associated with plan checks and permitting, but the Contractor shall submit drawings for the plan check. Response date: 09/03/2024

 

Addendum No. 001 increased the time from 120 to 180 days. We have been told from the metal building manufacturers that it will take roughly four months to engineer and manufacture the building. This leaves two months to erect the building and construct the interior improvements which is arguably unreasonable. Will the County re-evaluate the time in the contract or consider suspending the time while the building is being manufactured? (RFC 24S1-40 submitted 8/23/2024)

In light of this circumstance, the County has decided to extend the previously approved 180 calendar days by an additional 90 calendar days, bringing the total to 270 calendar days to construct the project. See upcoming Addendum 3. Response date: 08/29/2024, updated 08/30/2024

 

The drawings have the roof and wall panels clouded and called out as IMP, but the specs call out single skin panels. Please advise/clarify. (RFC 24S1-41 submitted 8/23/2024)

Refer to Section 074113 and 074213 in project manual. Refer to details A9, F13, J9, and J13 on sheet A-8.8. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Detail F13 says to provide shop drawings for sign permit submittal. Is the sign to be a deferred submittal, and if so, is it the contractor's responsibility to pay for the permit? (RFC 24S1-42 submitted 8/23/2024)

Yes. The Contractor is responsible for producing the required shop drawings, obtaining approval from the architect, submitting them to the relevant authority with the necessary permit fees, and then acquiring the permit. The Contractor is entitled to assume to add these costs to their base bid. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Has a geotechnical report been prepared by the County? If so, will the County please provide a copy of the geotechnical report to all interested parties? (RFC 24S1-43 submitted 8/23/2024)

The Geotech report is posted under Supplemental Information. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Is the LED board single sided? What is the Pixel Pitch? I am being told we cannot backlight sheet metal, so is the face plastic? Aluminum would be a better material then sheet metal. (RFC 24S1-44 submitted 8/23/2024)

LED will be one-sided, preferrable 4.00mm Pixel Pitch. LED sign will a unit of itself attaching to the custom pedestal; backlight will not be against sheet metal. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

On sheet A-2.1, it appears that the contractor provides and installs the recessed wall mounted TV, please provide specifications. (RFC 24S1-45 submitted 8/23/2024)

Refer to keynote #11.01/Sheet A-6.0 Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Since this is a competitive bid, how are you addressing the basis of design for items such as the gutter and scupper systems? (RFC 24S1-46 submitted 8/23/2024)

The gutter and scupper systems shall have a minimum warranty period that matches the warranty period of the metal building system. The gutter design should minimize the need for maintenance. The gutter system shall be made of 20-gauge powder-coated sheet metal and 1/8"" thick steel support systems. The removable stainless steel perforated screen shall be constructed from 20-gauge sheets. The screen shall be attached in a way that allows for easy removal and reinstallation. Refer to Sheets A-8.10 and L/S6.0 for the basis of the design of the scupper system. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Can you send out the soils report as referenced in Div. 31 Report no. T90203 dated 4/22/20? (RFC 24S1-47 submitted 8/23/2024)

Refer to the response to RFC #24S1-43. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Is SWPPP required? It appears the site is under an acre. (RFC 24S1-48 submitted 8/23/2024)

No. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Note 11, Contractor shall obtain and pay for the grading permit? Please advise. (RFC 24S1-49 submitted 8/23/2024)

Contractor will pay and obtain grading permit per note 10 on sheet C3.0 Response date: 08/28/2024

 

S1.02 detail 1, is this the project over excavation we need to follow? (RFC 24S1-50 submitted 8/23/2024)

Yes. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

What material is the roof access pathway around the solar and roof perimeter? (RFC 24S1-51 submitted 8/23/2024)

Insulated Metal Roof Panel. The roof access pathway does NOT have a material different from the roofing. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Door #2-7 Solid core wood door and hollow metal door frames, Section 081416 solid core wood doors is missing from the specifications. Can we get a finish to reference for the plastic laminate finish on the wood doors and manufacturer? (RFC 24S1-52 submitted 8/27/2024)

1-3/4" Structural Composite Lumber Core with High-Pressure Decorative Laminate. Masonite Architectural Aspiro Series Marshfield-Algoma or equal. Submit color samples for selections. Response date: 08/28/2024

 

Sanitary Sewer piping called out per specification for coated cast iron, shielded couplings, where required by soil conditions, this adds cost to the material to figure this way not knowing if it is needed or not. Please advise? (RFC 24S1-53 submitted 8/29/2024)

Cast iron spec is for regular coated cast iron (the tar like black coating), not epoxy coated cast iron. Poly Wrap pipe per soil conditions. Epoxy coated cast iron, such as EdgeHP, could be used instead of standard coated cast iron to forego doing the Poly Wrap. Response date: 09/03/2024

 

Metlspan has informed us that the roof panel specified does not meet FM. This product does not have FM testing because it is a thru fastening system. However, they do have a panel that can be used, CFR standing seam roof has FM. Should we price out an alternate or stay with the specifications ass provided? (RFC 24S1-54 submitted 8/29/2024)

Stay with the specification as provided. Response date: 09/03/2024

 

We have been told from a metal building supplier / manufacturer that lead times for engineered drawings are 4-6 weeks, then once approved, fabrication time is 6-8 weeks. We need to figure a minimum 2 weeks for county approval so that puts us anywhere from 12-14 weeks just to get the metal building. We cannot start the foundation until we have approved drawings and obviously there are a lot of trades to finish up once the metal building gets erected. We do not believe a 6 month schedule is enough time. At $2,500 per calendar day liquidated damages, the project needs to be extended or contractors will have to include LD's in their proposal and that can get expensive. Please advise. (RFC 24S1-55 submitted 8/29/2024)

See Addendum 3. Response date: 09/03/2024

 

The interior elevation for the break room keynotes 12.03 references details D8 & H5 / A8.6 which show a backsplash, however the finish schedule does not specify any material for the backsplash, please advise? (RFC 24S1-56 submitted 8/31/2024)

Formica Everform or Equal. Color: TBD. The contractor shall submit color samples to the Architect for approval. Response date: 09/03/202