AttachmentJ10_QuestionAnswerSet2.docx

Attachment J-10

RPF 12034320R0001

Question and Answers – Set 2 Answers shown in red.

1. Has the Electrical Engineering with Avista Utilities for electrical service to the site already completed? During the design for the project, the design Electrical Engineer consulted a number of times with both Ken Straw in the Kamiah, ID office (208-935-2201) <ken.straw@avistacorp.com> and he had me contact Todd Cornell in their Spokane, WA office (509-495-2629) <Todd.Cornell@avistacorp.com>. AVISTA utilities reviewed our site plan and gave the Electrical Engineer tips on things to tweak in order to meet their standards. Further, the Electrical Engineer sent correspondence to Tyler Dormquast, <Tyler.Dornquast@avistacorp.com> regarding the Solar PV system and received information back from Lisa Garrett, Renewable Energy Coordinator (509-495-7994) <Solar@avistacorp.com>. The design firm did not fill out any specific forms that would initiate the purchase of the new service. The contractor shall be responsible for all application, coordination, and associated fees necessary for new utility connections. If there is specific service load information that is needed for the form, the Electrical Engineer will provide this information.

2. Has Avista Utilities been alerted to any of the pre planning for the new building? See Answer 1.

3. There appears to be an error on the Green globes pages within Project Manual 1; introduction states that the “INRC building” will be green globed. Is that what we're calling this building? No, the “INRC building” label was an error, it should be the “Kamiah SO” building. See Amendment 2.

4. The height adjustable desk - looks like a power access at the desktop, but it doesn’t describe it in the section of the bid on page 125900-3? Regarding the sit/stand Ology tables, the key didn’t get changed but the drawings and the specs showing no power “inset” are correct. The power inset was removed as it would conflict with the monitor arms. A plug strip attached to the table should be provided as noted on page 5 of the written specification. (125900-5)

5. Should the Box/box file pedestals contain a pencil tray? This is not called out and I just want to be sure since not all pedestals come standard with a pencil tray. Yes, please include a pencil tray in the box/box/file pedestals. See Amendment 2.

6. The steel drawer pedestals do not come with a Nile pull as requested. Choices are: Contemporary, Handle, Jazz, Bar and c:scape. If the idea is to match the pull of the pedestal to the high density storage, Contemporary, Bar and Jazz are compatible; however the latter two are an upcharge. Please advise. The Contemporary pulls are good on the pedestals and the high density storage at no additional cost. Clarified in Amendment 2.

7. Good morning, I am writing to request “Prior Approval” to bid on the HVAC Test & Balance section of the Kamiah Supervisor Building. This is spec section 23 05 93. Your prior approval is required per this spec section. The 1.04 Quality Assurance section requirement for TAB Specialists to meet a minimum qualification standard. As you are NEBB certified, per your qualification statement attached, no further approval from the CO is necessary, just provide proof of your certification to the prime contractor. Under the 2.01 Products section, there is a further prior approval required but this would occur via a submittal after contract award.

8. My question is when placing the 3.5% TERO into the bid schedule, would you like to see it all in general conditions or would you like it proportionately broken out across all pay items? TERO fees assessed by the Nez Perce Tribe on the contractor shall be priced under Pay Item 01 - Division 01 – General Condition. Administrative costs associated with the preparation, approval and management of the TERO Compliance Plan & Agreement shall be broken out across all pay items and invoiced as work is accomplished. See Amendment 2.

9. For the first billing on this project will the selected contractor be able to bill for bonds, insurance and TERO? TERO fees assessed by the Nez Perce Tribe may be invoiced upon payment and shall be approved so long as proof of payment is provided. If the contractor elects to pay the full 3.5% fee up front, the full cost could be included on the first billing. See Amendment 2.

10. I have been asked to provide a quote for Carrier-Toshiba VRF equipment on the above project. Will US Forest Service accept another manufacturer, other than basis of design, if a mechanical contractor submitted on them? Substitution/Prior Approval requests will not be approved or considered prior to contract award. Many items in the specifications and drawings show Brand Name products as a Basis of Design. All products that state “Basis of Design” or have other approved manufacturers listed shall allow for an approved equal. Substitutions for these products may be submitted for review and approval after the contract is awarded. Products that meet all the salient characteristics of the specified “Basis of Design” product will be approved provided they also meet the Buy American requirements. If the Contractor chooses to bid based on a product that has not been approved, there is a possibility that when that product is submitted for approval that it may be rejected if it does not meet the salient characteristic of the Basis of Design product. Refer to Specification Sections 013300 and 016000 for Submittal Procedures and Product Requirements for additional information. Products that state a manufacturer and do not include “Basis of Design” are products that are required to be used to match other products that have currently been installed in the building.

Outside of substitution requests after award, a Value Engineering Change Proposal would also be accepted after award under clause 52.248-3.

11. I just left you a voicemail in regards to these lighting substitutions (email attachment included). Please let me know if you are the correct contact or if they need to go to someone else. Your question was answered within the solicitation Amendment 1 Questions and Answers. The standard response is ... Substitution/Prior Approval requests will not be approved or considered prior to contract award.

12. I have several questions about the aluminum storefront and doors, section 084313.

a. The architect has given a U Value of .36 for commercial, and .32 residential. The .36 is not attainable in the storefront chosen. It would need to be 451UT center glaze storefront, or by using a fourth surface low-glass. Correction required - The required fenestration U value for Kamiah, ID (Zone 5) is 0.38 not 0.36. With a center glazed system 451T and Solarban 60 or similar system assembly should meet the performance required. See Amendment 2.

b. Why would I need to hire a structural engineer to design the storefront? A structural engineer would only be needed when designing outside of the system’s recommended requirements. This project design should not require an engineer it is within the product recommended limits.

c. On the aluminum doors, there is no 4-12” stile of door. It is narrow stile 2.1”, medium stile 3.5”, or wide stile 5”. Wide Stile (5”) for all exterior storefront doors.

d. Do above aluminum doors need to be thermal doors? Required U value for climate zone 5 is .77.

e. I see that there is an aluminum sliding door downstairs in the coffee bar. What is this door supposed to be? The sliding door is a Pella Alum/Clad OXXO door as the basis of design. Section 08 3200.

f. Am I to be responsible for the field testing of my aluminum storefront system? Yes, field testing required per section 08 4313 3.04A.

13. Furniture Design Questions:

a. I see the ‘key’ showing the items on the plan. There is not a summary of how many of what are needed. Such as item 1, 4, 2A, 8, 4, 1A, etc…or are we to rely on our own counts and understanding of how many of each ancillary item are required? In the furniture specification section, some quantities are noted, but not for all items. The contractor is responsible for preparation of their counts; this is particularly important when it comes to the systems furniture parts and pieces. The designer did include quantities when there were more items required than what is shown on the plan (i.e. the large conference room has more tables and chairs specified in order to account for alternative layouts).

b. I see the list of contractors that attended the meeting are in the attachment links. Since we are submitting our bid to contractors as an ‘alternate’, should we contact each of them on the list to see who might be bidding so we can submit a proposal or do you have a recommendation of how to ensure we are able to get our proposal out there? It is your business decision as to whether your firm should contact potential offerors based on the pre-proposal meeting attendance list or the interested vendors list compiled within beta.sam.gov for this solicitation or wait until after award to contact the contract awardee and propose a substitution.

c. Lastly, are you planning to provide a letter of authorization to the awarded contractor to utilize the Steelcase GSA contract? Yes

14. Previously question answered within Amendment 1 further clarified – Permitting/Inspections As a Federal entity and AHJ, USFS is not subject to municipal, county, or state construction inspections. In the case of fire suppression system shop drawings and installation reviews, the Fire Chief will be consulted, under the rationale that Fire Department personnel are responsible to respond to the facility. Also, in the case of elevator submittals and installation, the State Division of Building Safety will be consulted, under the rationale that their involvement acts as a valuable safety and quality assurance check. In the case of elevators, any direct payment for review or inspection by Division of Building Safety shall be made by the contractor and invoiced as an incidental cost under the applicable contract division of work. Under no circumstance shall the Owner pay the State directly for a building inspection.

15. Correction to question answered within Amendment 1 – The can the concrete foundations for the annexes be buried or recycled? Burying the concrete foundations is prohibited by the terms of the solicitation. Drawing Sheet C101, Note 9 calls for the existing concrete basement foundation walls and slabs to be removed.

16. Previously question answered within Amendment 1 further clarified – Submittal Log Section 01 3300, Submittal Procedures, requires the construction contractor to develop the submittal log which is also coordinated with the construction schedule. Each specification section lists required submittal items for the section.