Questions from Industry - 17 Feb 2022.pdf

Questions from Industry

12305B22Q0037

As of 10 February 2022

1. Will the prime contract holder be required to be a SUE Level "A" entity, or can the prime contract holder be a SUE Level "B" entity that is permitted to subcontract the dig portions to a third-party hydro-vacuum-excavation company?

Govt Response: PWS will be updated to Revision 1 and remove the word ‘dig’.

2. I'm assuming that there are limits on what percentage of the prime contract can be subcontracted as outlined in the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, but not sure if the SAT applies to the base contract period of one year, or if it applies to the total combined amount for all 5 years (base +4 Option).

Govt Response: The Simplified Acquisition Threshold requirement would be established on the base + 4 option years. Based upon our market research and IGE, FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, is not required to be incorporated within FAR Clause 52.212-5.

As of 17 February 2022

3. For an accurate locate, there is something call the SIM (Subsurface Investigation Methodology) that needs to be followed. This is an industry standard for the locate process. Meaning that often times we have to search beyond the initially identified locate boundaries in order to determine utility type of location. It's quite common that our locates are larger than what we expect just for confirmation and verifications. With this said, is it acceptable to price this work as simply half day or whole day rates?

Govt Response: There are occasions, such as energizing a line, when you would be required to leave the area provided by the COR requiring marking. Our pricing is based upon the area needing marked only. The estimated quantities in Exhibit A reflect the percentage of times marking more than 5,000 SF would be required annually. Historically, these locates are completed in less than one-half day.