Procurement #: 51532>
CITY OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Department: Public Property
RFP Title: Joslin Recreation Center Gym Improvements
Opening Date: 12/15/2025
Addendum #: 2
Issue Date: 12/08/2025
The purpose of this addendum is to respond to bidder RFIs
Providence City Hall
25 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI 02903
Joslin Recreation Center Gym Improvements
Addendum #2 RFI Responses
RFI-01 – Contract Documents & Drawings
The RFP references improvements to flooring, basketball hoops, and wall pads but no drawings, plans, or details
are included in the bid package. Please confirm whether any architectural/engineering drawings, existing as-built
plans, or detailed layouts (including gym dimensions and existing equipment locations) will be issued for bidding
and construction, or if contractors are expected to base their bids solely on field measurements from the
mandatory pre-bid walk.
A reference floor plan was provided in Addendum #1 with overall dimensions. No other plans are
available at this time, all other conditions must be based on field measurements.
RFI-02 – Existing Gym Floor Construction
Please clarify the existing wood flooring species, thickness, subfloor type, and approximate age/condition, as well
as whether any known areas of damage or previous patching exist. Confirm whether the base bid should include
an allowance for localized floor board/subfloor replacement and, if so, provide the assumed quantity or method of
compensation for unforeseen damaged areas discovered during sanding.
Details are unknown on the existing flooring species, thickness, subfloor type, and approximate age. The
condition may be observed visually. There are no known areas of damage or previous patching.
Base bid shall not include any allowance for localized floor board/subfloor replacement. Any such areas
shall be evaluated as they are discovered.
RFI-03 – Flooring Finish System
Bid Package Specifications (page 14) call for drum sanding to bare wood and installation of “new urethane finish
and paint new lines and logos” but do not specify the finish system. Please clarify:
• Oil-based vs water-based urethane system.
• Number of seal and top-coats required.
• Required sheen (e.g., matte, satin, gloss).
• VOC limits or low-odor requirements given that the facility is used by students and the Recreation Department.
• Any specific manufacturer(s) and product lines that are acceptable or preferred.
• Bona Sport All Court Polyurethane is basis of design. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions for
installation.
RFI-04 – Court Layout, Striping Standards, and Colors
The specifications state that the court lines will be shifted toward the school side with space for bleachers on the
Recreation Center side (page 14) but do not define the exact layout. Please provide:
• A dimensioned floor plan showing the new main court alignment and clearances to walls/obstructions.
• The governing play standard (high school, middle school, or other) for court dimensions and three-point line
radius.
• A schedule of all game lines to be installed (basketball only or multi-sport) including colors for each line type.
• Whether existing lines are to be completely removed/obscured or if any will remain in place.
All court lines shall match existing while shifting the bleacher area to the other side of the gym. Final clearances to
be confirmed between selected vendor and City. All existing lines will be removed during the refinishing process.
RFI-05 – Logos on Floor and/or Walls
The flooring scope references “paint new lines and logos” (page 14) and Alternate 1 references “up to one large
logo design covering an area up to 6’ x 6’” on painted surfaces. Please clarify:
• Whether the base bid floor logo(s) are required, and if so, quantity, approximate size, and general location.
• 1 floor logo included in base bid, center court, 12’ in diameter
• Whether the 6’ x 6’ logo under Alternate 1 is to be on the wall, ceiling, or another surface.
• The 6’ x 6’ logo under Alternate 1 is to be located on a wall.
• When and in what file format (vector, high-resolution image) the Owner will provide final logo artwork and color
standards (e.g., Pantone or equivalent).
• A high-resolution image of the logo and Pantone color standard will be provided by the City no later
than February 27, 2026
RFI-06 – Basketball Backboards, Hoops, and Supports
Bid Package Specifications identify a basis-of-design Bison Unbreakable Glass Backboard 72" x 42" (page 14)
but do not clarify whether new support structures and rims are included. Please confirm:
• Whether the scope includes replacement of backboards only or complete goal systems (backboard, breakaway
rim, supports, and any height adjusters).
• Scope includes complete goal system replacement, while re-using existing support structure
• Whether existing support structures are ceiling-suspended, wall-mounted, or a combination, and if they are to
be reused or replaced.
• Existing supports are combination ceiling and wall-mounted. Re-use and relocate existing supports
where possible.
• Any performance requirements (e.g., competition grade, rim flex requirements) beyond the basis-of-design
product.
• No additional performance requirements beyond basis-of-design product
RFI-07 – Hoops Relocation and Structural Requirements
The RFP states that hoops are to be relocated to align with the new court orientation (page 14). Please clarify:
• Whether the City will provide structural engineering for new support locations, or if the contractor must engage a
licensed structural engineer.
• Any required structural engineering for the support structures shall be the responsibility of the bidder.
• Responsibility for patching, painting, and making good any surfaces where existing supports are removed.
• Awarded bidder is responsible for patching and painting any surfaces where existing supports are
removed.
• Any limitations on anchoring into existing roof structure or walls that bidders should be aware of.
• None
RFI-08 – Wall Pad Performance Requirements
The wall pad scope requires removal of existing pads and installation of new pads with 100% coverage of wall
surfaces and doors (page 14) but does not define performance requirements. Please confirm:
• Minimum pad thickness, foam density, and vinyl weight (oz) required.
• Fire performance standards (e.g., NFPA 701 or other) and any required documentation.
• Impact resistance or testing standard, if any.
• Acceptable manufacturers and whether a basis-of-design product exists for pricing.
See response in Addendum #1. Basis of design is DuraSafe 560 wall pad.
RFI-09 – Wall Pad Extent, Heights, and Obstacles
Please provide clarification and/or a sketch defining wall pad limits:
• Required pad height on all walls.
• Pads shall be 6’ high and installed no more than 4” above finished flooring.
• Treatment at doors, windows, electrical devices, fire alarm devices, thermostats, and mechanical grilles within
pad zones.
• Cutouts shall be made around all wall-mounted devices. Doors shall receive padding on flat
surfaces not covering hardware or vision lites.
• Whether door hardware, vision lites, and panic devices are to remain exposed or be padded.
• See above
• Any walls or surfaces intentionally excluded from the “100% coverage” requirement.
• No walls excluded.
RFI-10 – Color Selections and Submittal Timing
Multiple systems require color selections (gym floor game line colors and logos, wall pad vinyl colors, and
Alternate 1 paint colors). Please confirm:
• Whether the City has standard color palettes that must be used (e.g., school colors) and if so, when those will
be provided.
• Color selections will be provided no later than February 27, 2026.
• The anticipated review/approval time for finish/color submittals so that bidders can plan procurement and
schedule durations appropriately.
• Submittals shall be returned within 2 weeks of submission
RFI-11 – Work Hours, Noise Restrictions, and Access
The schedule section notes that the gym is used daily by the school and evenings/weekends by the Recreation
Department and that work will be carefully coordinated with both (page 14). Please clarify:
• Standard allowable work hours during school days, evenings, weekends, and during breaks.
• All work hours and days must receive prior approval by City due to the high-use nature of the space.
Start and end times are negotiable based on the work required and any events or use disruptions of the
space.
• Any restrictions on noisy or dusty work while adjacent spaces are occupied.
• No restrictions on noisy or dusty work, but the space must be broom-cleaned before each turnover back
to City use.
• Requirements for security checks, sign-in procedures, or background checks for workers in an active school
environment.
• For work performed during active school hours, background checks are required for the workers
and workers must sign-in at the lobby of the school.
• Whether contractor access to the building will be available off-hours (early mornings, nights, weekends) during
the main construction window.
• Yes, access will be available off-hours. Refer to answer above that all work hours and days must
receive prior City approval.
RFI-12 – Use of School Breaks vs. Continuous Work
The RFP notes potential work windows during Spring Break (April 20–24, 2026) and early Summer (June 25–July
24, 2026), with final completion no later than July 24, 2026 (page 14 and attached calendar). Please clarify:
• Whether the City intends for all work to occur exclusively during these breaks or if limited work may occur while
school is in session (after hours).
• Limited work may occur outside of the breaks listed, but all work hours and days must receive prior
City approval
• Whether the gym will be fully turned over for contractor’s exclusive use during the June 25–July 24 period, or if
there will be ongoing school or Recreation programs sharing the space.
• There will be no ongoing School or Recreational programming during the above-mentioned period.
Some other construction work may be required within this time frame related to the Recreation
Center renovation project taking place next door. Coordination is required with the contractor
completing that job (Bentley Companies).
• Whether any liquidated damages or other consequences will apply if the July 24, 2026 completion date is not
met.
• Liquidated damages of $500/day will be applied for each day past July 24, 2026
RFI-13 – Laydown Area, Material Storage, and Parking
Please clarify what exterior and interior areas will be available to the contractor for:
• Laydown and staging of materials and equipment.
• Limited layout and staging areas will be available and are highly dependent on School break periods. A
small area may be provided on the Southeast side of the gym exterior, facing Joslin Park.
• Delivery truck access and turning movements.
• During times when School is out of session, parking lots will be available for truck access.
• Worker parking.
• Street parking is available for workers.
• On-site storage of new wall pads, bleachers (if Alternate 2 is accepted), and finish materials prior to installation.
• On-site storage is limited. Equipment may be stored in the City’s facilities at 552 Academy Ave or 1450
Broad St prior to installation
RFI-15 – Hazardous Materials (Lead/Asbestos)
Given the age of the facility, please clarify:
• Whether any hazardous materials survey (lead-based paint, asbestos in flooring or adhesives, etc.) has been
performed in the gym, and if so, whether the report will be made available to bidders.
• No hazardous materials surveying has been performed in the gym
RFI-16 – Alternate 1 Painting Scope Details
Alternate 1 calls for painting walls and ceiling in up to three colors with primer and topcoat and includes painting
of roof trusses, conduit, and structural elements as directed by the Owner (page 7 and 14). Please clarify:
• The existing ceiling and wall substrates and whether any known peeling/failed paint or repairs are anticipated.
• Tectum ceiling panels are excluded from painting. Steel ceiling supports shall be painted. Walls are
glazed block to approximately 8’ and CMU to the ceiling. Areas of failed/peeling paint may be
observed visually.
• Required level of surface preparation (e.g., scrape loose paint only, full removal, patching of cracks and holes).
• Scrape loose paint and patch any cracks or holes
• Whether doors, frames, radiators, exposed ductwork, and other equipment in the gym are included in this
alternate.
• Include doors, frames, window security screens, surface mount conduit and piping, and ductwork
• Required paint system(s) and performance characteristics for each substrate (e.g., epoxy at lower wall zones,
light reflectance on ceilings).
• Materials for use within each paint system shall be compatible with one another and substrates
indicated, under conditions of service and application as demonstrated by manufacturer, based on
This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.