AttachmentJ9_QuestionAnswerSet1.docx

Attachment J-9

RPF 12034320R0001

Question and Answers – Set 1 Answers shown in red.

1. Past Performance - Please consider allowing contractors to provide past performance within the last 5 years in lieu of the last 3 years. Small Business entities often times have a harder time providing relevant past performance within the last three years rather than the last 5. This can be critical in qualifying eligible small businesses. If these terms cannot be modified will the Government consider projects “completed” within the last three years in lieu of awarded? See Amendment 1 for extension of time period.

2. Please confirm that permitting will be obtained and coordinated through Idaho Division of Building Safety, in which all general inspections (not including special inspections) will also be performed and coordinated through? The federal government is the Authority Having Jurisdiction over this project. The Forest Service will inspect and approve the work and will coordinate other inspections as necessary. The only exceptions to this business practice are related to the fire suppression system and elevator inspections required.

3. We respectfully submit for your consideration a request to approve products as an accepted substitute on Nez Perce-Clearwater NFs Kamiah Supervisors Office (20-470585); please find substitution request form attached.

Answer: Product substitutions will only be considered after award. 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.

4. Has the Electrical Engineering with Avista Utilities for electrical service to the site already completed? Answer pending, please see future Amendment.

5. Although the USFS is the AHJ, will State Fire Marshall and/or elevator inspections be required? Yes, inspections by State officials will be required in relation to the fire suppression system and the elevator.

6. Is the conduit between the upper and lower levels of the site empty? No -there is a 50 pair copper line and a fiber line that run between the upper and lower.

7. Will heritage be an issue at the site, do we have to have an archaeologist on our team? No the surveys have not revealed anything significant but if during construction the contractor uncovers something the coarse of work the contractor will stop work in that location and continue to work somewhere else, as we work through our Forest Service archaeologists to determine how we move forward.

8. Are the government employees are going to move out of the annexes? Yes

9. Will the basements of the new annexes be finished under this contract? Yes , basements constructed at the new location(s) for the annexes will be finished under this contract.

10. May the concrete foundations for the annexes be buried or recycled? Yes, the concrete foundations can be buried or recycled in the fill in the new site.

11. Has Avista Utilities been alerted to any of the pre planning for the new building? Answer pending, please see future Amendment.

12. Is there a limitation on subcontracting with large businesses? Yes, per FAR 52.219-8, Limitations on Subcontracting, “(3) General construction. The concern will perform at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.”

13. 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.

14. Is there currently a responsibility matrix required by contract? No

15. Is there a submittal log in this contract? No, but there are submittal requirements.

16. 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? Answer pending, please see future Amendment.

17. 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. Answer pending, please see future Amendment.

18. 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. Answer pending, please see future Amendment.