Q-A Doc Ms. State Greenhouse - April 20 2021.pdf

Demolish Existing & Construct New Greenhouse Mississippi State, MS Questions and Answers

1. In reviewing the documents looking for the liquidated damages for this project (for bonding request purposes) but cannot find the data. Could you please tell me where to find it, or how much it is?

Answer: Liquidated Damages have not been recommended for this requirement and are not included.

2. Is this project 8(a) set aside? The advertisement that I received said “The Small Business Administration has approved this 8(a) Competition”?

Answer: This is a competitive 8(a) set-aside, which the SBA is required to approve.

3. Is this project located in Starkville MS or Stoneville, MS?

Answer: The project is located in Mississippi State (Starkville), MS, the main Contracting Office is located in Stoneville, MS.

4. When are you going to have the on site meeting?

Answer: As noted in the original posting, the solicitation will be updated via an amendment to include the site visit details. The amendment with the site visit information was posted April 6, 2021.

5. Factor 2 Experience and Qualifications of Contractor and Key Personnel – Which key personnel positions is the Government looking for specifically (i.e., PM, Superintendent, SSHO, QC, etc).

Answer: Definitely the Site Superintendent, you may include additional personnel as you see fit including subcontractor personnel if it is relevant to showcasing experience/qualifications.

6. Factor 3 Past Performance – Can the past performance of an offeror’s major subcontractor be used in lieu of experience from the Offeror?

Answer: First-tier subcontractor past performance will contribute to the evaluation of past performance of the prime, however, subcontractor past performance should not be the only past performance information submitted for an offeror. In other words, there should be some past performance submitted for the prime.

7. We are a certified SBA/Hubzone business but not 8a. Will we be considered for this project if we are not 8a? Do you have any 8a contractors looking at this project?

Answer: This is an 8a Set-Aside, in order to be considered for award the firm must be an 8a, we have had a significant amount of interest from numerous 8a firms.

8. While trying to download the associated documents from beta.sam.gov, I was able to download all but Attachment III – Construction RFP Provisions. It isn’t an active link (in blue) like the other attachments. Can you recommend a way to view this document or try loading it another way?

Answer: There is an updated Attachment III higher up the attachment list, that is the updated Attachment III that should be referenced. The blacked-out Attachment III was removed as it is outdated. Any time an updated attachment is posted the outdated ones will be removed.

9. Which material is required, aluminum, per specs, or stainless steel, per drawings?

Answer: The greenhouse structure shall be aluminum. Fasteners shall be Stainless Steel.

10. Are the sleeves in place to make these rails removeable?

Answer: No. there to make replacement of rail easier if damaged.

11. Is core drilling an acceptable means of installation, even if sleeves are required to allow the rails to be removeable?

Answer: Yes.

12. If the rails are not to be removeable (which the stair rails cannot be made removeable per code), is core drilling an acceptable means of installation?

Answer: See response to Question 10 above.

13. Some of the potential GH subs have remarked that the design seems to be based on a Rough Brothers design. They are wondering if we are going to be open to alternate systems If they can be shown to be an equal product?

Answer: Yes.

14. Will existing equipment in the Head house not specifically mentioned in drawing package remain as is, or removed and re-installed for use, or be removed only. (i.e. either water heaters, electric steam generator located on the west wall, and stainless steel sink located on the north wall.

Answer: Water Heater is to be removed and put on a pallet; USDA will store it.

Steam Generator gets demo’d Stainless Steel sink gets removed, USDA will store it.

Transfer switch for emergency power remains with USDA.

Large white plastic take to remain with USDA. USDA will store it.

15. If there are any conflicts or discrepancies between the drawings and the specifications which documents take precedence?

Answer: Specifications govern if discrepancies arise. Any discrepancy or ambiguity, not already clarified, would need to be brought to the attention of the CO and COR for their direction.

16. The HVAC system on the plumbing drawings doesn’t match the HVAC system on the mech.

drawings. Which design is correct?

Answer: On the plumbing plan P100, the HVAC system equipment is incorrectly shown.

Disregard FCU-1 & FCU-2 and condensate piping as indicated on sheet P100. The condensate piping indicated by keyed note #6 shall be routed to AHU-1. Refer to sheet M100 for location of AHU-1.

17. Is there a location designated for a lay-down area?

Answer: The parking area on the south end of the greenhouses will serve as lay-down area. If more room is need, Location Points of Contact Greg Porter or Mike Wilson can help find additional space.

18. Are trailers or storage containers able to be left on-site over night during work weeks?

Answer: Yes

19. Would any VE options be acceptable for the demolition or construction phase?

Answer: Value Engineering in the context of the applicable provisions & clauses occurs post award. Prospective contractors are permitted to submit Alternative Proposals in accordance with FAR 52.204-22. The Government would advise submitting one proposal conforming to the design requirements and, if a firm chooses, an additional alternative proposal(s).

20. Would the USDA consider extending the deadline for the bids by 1 or 2 weeks? This would allow contractors the time to produce their best offerings.

Answer: We will extend one week to Monday May 10.

21. Will the sign-in lists for both pre-bid sessions be posted?

Answer: Yes they have been added as attachments within the same amendment as this Q&A.

22. Can the existing Architectural, MEP, and Structural drawings of the head house and greenhouses be made available?

Answer: The existing drawings were minimal and covered in the design.

23. Are any existing drawings showing undergrounds available?

Answer: The existing drawings were minimal and covered in the design.

24. Will the vent drive controller panels be salvaged along with the Wadsworth controllers?

Answer: 3 sets of Vent Drive motors, panels and controllers are to be salvaged and stored by USDA. The remainder will be demo’d. USDA personnel will designate the 3 to be salvaged.

25. Will the contractor be responsible for transporting the salvaged items to a storage location? If so, how far is the storage location from the work site?

Answer: They will be loaded on pallets and USDA ARS personnel will handle them from there.

26. Would the USDA entertain galvanized steel framing as an alternate to all aluminum framing for the greenhouses?

Answer: No.

27. Drawing D100 references a photographic key to be found in the specifications. Will a revised set of specifications containing the photographs be issued?

Answer: See attachment titled Photographs.