Questions and Answers_1232SA26Q0146.pdf

Amendment 2

RFQ# 1232SA26Q0146 – Building 2-3 Roof Replacement - USDA-ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory (Morris, MN).

Questions and Answers:

1. Is USDA able to confirm or update the solicitation to provide the Magnitude of Construction. In many cases, federal agencies do this per as allowed by the FAR. If that is not an option for this solicitation, we understand.

o ANSWER: USDA now uses Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO).

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul. Magnitude of Construction is not included in Part 36.

2. With the building drawings dated to 1958, but roof replaced 25 -30 years ago (assume 1995), can USDA confirm if abatement for hazardous material (asbestos, lead, etc) is required to be priced in the bid?

o ANSWER: Hazardous material abatement is not within the scope of work. If it is encountered while performing the scope of work, inform the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) as soon as reasonably practicable.

3. Can you share which contractor or contract number/info for the roof replacement work from 25-30 years ago, we can likely perform a search if you have any info to get us started.

o ANSWER: This information is not available.

4. What is the proposal due date and time (EST)?

o ANSWER: March 4, 2026 12:00 pm CST, unless amended to extend.

5. What is the deadline for submitting questions?

o ANSWER: February 18, 2026 12:00 pm CST

6. Will responses to questions be issued via amendment?

o ANSWER: Yes

7. Is there a scheduled site visit date?

o ANSWER: Yes. February 11, 2026 9:00 am CST

8. If not, may offerors coordinate site visits individually?

o ANSWER: No

9. Is advance RSVP or coordination required, and if so, with whom?

o ANSWER: RSVP instructions in Attachment 6. Page 12

10. What evaluation methodology will be used (e.g., LPTA, best value)?

o ANSWER: LPTA, see Attachment 6 page 15.

11. What factors and relative weights will be applied (technical, price, past performance, etc.)?

o ANSWER: See Attachment 6, page 15-16.

12. What is the required contract duration or number of calendar days for completion after Notice to Proceed?

o ANSWER: 210 Calendar Days after Notice to Proceed.

13. Are there restrictions on work hours, noise, or days of the week due to ongoing research operations?

o ANSWER: Work that requires internal building access needs to be conducted between 8 am and 5:30 pm weekdays, Monday-Friday. If the unit is required to provide on-site supervision for any external activities (that might be performed outside of these day/time limits) the government will require that work also be conducted during normal business hours, 8am to 5:30pm, Monday- Friday, as the government will not have the man power to provide oversite outside these limitations.

Noise should not be a concern as during the spring and summer, most of our activities will be at the farm or the front part of the building.

For other ongoing research operations, the government will require that construction vehicles and materials do not block our overhead garage doors or exit doors. The best place for materials would be either in the middle parking on the east side of the building or elsewhere designated. The government has sensitive equipment and samples throughout the area slated for construction;

therefore we need to be informed of any necessity to have those areas/materials protected, or the equipment moved to more secure areas, which may be at the contractors time and expense.

14. Are there blackout periods when roofing work is not permitted?

o ANSWER: All federally recognized holidays and weekends.

15. Has the existing roof system been tested for asbestos or other hazardous materials?

o ANSWER: No.

16. If discovered during demolition, will this be treated as a differing site condition?

o ANSWER: See Question#2 above.

17. Should bidders assume all HVAC units will require temporary removal and reinstallation, or only if field conditions require it?

o ANSWER: Although means and methods vary, bidders shall include all work items necessary to complete the entire scope.

18. Is temporary conditioning of interior spaces required during HVAC disconnects?

19. Are there specific requirements for temporary dry-in or weatherproofing during phased demolition?

o ANSWER: Demolition (tear-off) shall be performed in a manner that is limited to the new roofing that is installed on the same workday. Temporary tie-ins between the existing roofing system membrane and the new shall be made prior to the end of each workday to ensure the structure remains “dried-in” while work is not actively being performed.

20. Are liquidated damages applicable, and if so, what is the daily rate?

o ANSWER: No liquidated damages.

21. Are there any subcontracting limitations or small business requirements applicable to this procurement?

o ANSWER: No

22. Period of Performance: What is the required period of performance (calendar days), and what is the start trigger (NTP or other)?

o ANSWER: 210 calendar days after Notice-to-Proceed.

23. What is the roof area (SF) and other key quantities (edge metal LF, drains/scuppers count)?

o ANSWER: As this is not a quantities-based contract, the Government is not providing a material takeoff.

24. Is contractor responsible for providing the full tapered insulation layout/design (including crickets), and what minimum slope/drainage performance standard defines “positive drainage”?

o ANSWER: Yes, as required in Specification Section 07 53 23 paragraphs 1.5D and 2.6B.

25. What minimum total roof R-value (or equivalent insulation thickness) is required for this reroof, and is compliance with current energy code required?

o ANSWER: As required in Specification Section 07 53 23 paragraph 2.6. This requirement stands alone and does not include other aspects of the roofing system that have insulation properties (e.g. substrate and cover boards).

26. Are drains/scuppers to be replaced or reused? If replaced, which components are included (bowl, clamping ring, strainer, tie-in limits), and does any leader piping work fall within scope?

o ANSWER: Replaced, per the following:

Removal and replacement of all existing roof drain assemblies with new. Existing roof drain installations include insulated piping and cast iron strainers. New roof drains shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s written instructions and in a manner to obtain roofing manufacturer’s warranty. For bidding purposes:

Contractor shall replace three (3) 4” roof drain assemblies (basis of design is Zurn Z100 with cast iron dome).

Contractor shall include, in their proposal, the removal of four (4) feet of roof drain piping at each drain assembly (including fittings and pipe insulation) and replacement with new. New roof drain and associated piping shall match existing in type and size.

Contractor shall assume existing pipe insulation does not contain asbestos containing material. Pipe insulation (on roof drain piping) that is disturbed by the completion of this project shall be restored to its original intended installation. New pipe insulation shall be fiberglass type, matching thickness of removed pipe insulation, and shall be designed for the application.

27. If deck deterioration is discovered during tear-off, what repair/replacement standard applies and what pricing/authorization mechanism should offerors anticipate (unit price

vs. modification)?

o ANSWER: CLIN 1001 – Option 500ft Steel Decking has been added to the schedule of items. See Revised Attachment 6 – Solicitation Terms and Conditions_1232SA26Q0146.

Quoters shall provide unit price per square foot for repair/replacement of existing roof deck, for a total of 500 square feet of steel decking replacement. This unit price will be used if a modification is needed for steel decking replacement.

28. Are there any known hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos/lead/PCB) in the existing roof system or adjacent materials?

29. Are there any bonds required for this solicitation?

o ANSWER: Yes. See Revised Attachment 6 – Solicitation Terms and

Conditions_1232SA26Q0146. Section “Bonding” and FAR Clauses for Commercial Construction

30. Is EPDM the required membrane? I ask this because ( The Government ) might want to take into account solar reflection and lowered roof temperature with a white color membrane. Either TPO or PVC. Please advise o ANSWER: Yes, as specified.

31. If you’re open to this suggestion or should we just bid according to the requirements listed on the SOW?

o ANSWER: Quote per the requirements.

32. The beige siding we see in the pictures on page 8, can I ask what it is? Or will we have to visit the site on our own to determine what it is?

o ANSWER: The beige siding shown in the pictures on pages 7 and 8 of Attachment 3 is the penthouse of Building 8.

33. There are several rooftop units that need to be raised to correctly adhere roof membrane - Are we responsible for any HVAC temp disconnect and connect, or will that portion of work be handled by the Government?

o ANSWER: See Question#17 above.

34. What is the approximant size of the roof in square footage? I’m asking because it is very difficult to determine those measurements from the 1958 drawings that are provided.

o ANSWER: Provided record drawings show that the roof framing is in excess of 260’ x 33’.

35. What are the soffit, facia and connections, that are referenced, and is a full metal coping cap, requirements? It’s difficult to tell by the drawings o ANSWER: Refer to paragraph 5.E. of the Statement of Work.

36. Is this a prevailing wage job?

o ANSWER: Yes. See Attachment 7.

o

37. Is the intent for all three drains to be replaced as they are quite old?

o ANSWER: See Question#26 above.

o

38. Is the insulation system to be an average R 30 over the whole system or a minimum R 30 in the specifications? It’s speaks to a substrate board but in the execution, it does not state laying the substrate board down.

o ANSWER: Refer to Specification Section 07 53 23, paragraph 2.6 for information on the roofing system insulation.

39. Is it necessary as a 20 year warranty would still be provided without it?

o ANSWER: Substrate board is required per Specification Section 07 53 23, paragraph 2.4.

40. Would a viable substitution be to use a six mil poly for the vapor barrier instead of the self adhered it would be a cost savings and still be a 20 year warranty?

41. Is the securement of the system states using low rise form adhesive for a considerable cost savings. Can it be secured down with fasteners and another cost savings would be to remove the cover board as just the insulation itself would provide a 20 year warranty?

o ANSWER: See Question#31 above.

42. On the insulation/cover board it says max 4' x 4' can be used, they normally come in 4' x 8' panels? Is there a reason for this spec requirement?

o ANSWER: 4’x8’ insulation/cover/substrate boards may be used so long as all other requirements are met.

43. When it says positive 1/4" taper to drains does that just mean to the 4 scuppers or to the bowl drains?

o ANSWER: Scuppers are present to relieve any overflow due to intense rainfall and shall not be considered a primary drain in the tapered insulation design.

44. Is there a requirement to use a certified general contractor or can we bid this project as a prime contractor? If a specific general contractor is required is the a list of general contractors that are invited to bid this project?

o See Revised Attachment 6 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions_1232SA26Q0146 for a complete description of contract requirements, clauses and provisions.

Section “Quote Submission Instructions” describes what information must be submitted to for the prime contractor be considered for award. There is no list of general contractors.

45. Our vendor did attend the site visit however, he would like to have a second look. Can he stop by and walk the roof to inspect it one more time?

o No additional site visits are planned.

46. What is the total lineal footage of the fascia material required for this project?

o See Question# 23