Questions and Answers 29 Sep.pdf

GAOA Cordova Outhouse Replacement Chugah NF

1240BH26Q0041

Questions and Answers 18 – 22 eptember 2026

1. Site Access & Visit: The solicitation does not mention a site visit. Given that Cordova, AK is not connected to the state road system, could the Government confirm whether a site visit is available or can be arranged, and clarify the recommended barge/ferry or air routes typically used to transport materials and equipment to the project sites? We typically barge material and equipment from Alaska Marine Highway, with personnel using commercial flight options.

Answer: Yes, a site visit can be arranged. Reach out to the Contracting Officer Representative, Cameron Edwards at Cameron.edwards@usda.gov. It will need to be scheduled as the COR must fly there.

2. Material Logistics: Please confirm whether the Government has a preferred or required method/carrier for shipping materials and equipment to Cordova, and whether there are any staging or laydown areas near the Alaganik Slough, 18 Mile, One-Eyed Pond, or Mile 22 sites that contractors may use. We do not have a preferred or required method/ carrier for shipping things to Cordova, whatever is most beneficial for the project/ government.

Answer: Yes, there will be staging available in the parking areas of these recreation sites.

3. Existing Structures: For the outhouse removal/decommissioning line items, please clarify whether vault contents require pump-out or special disposal prior to removal, and who is responsible for coordinating that service.

Answer: The contractor is required to remove and legally dispose of the waste in the vault before removal.

4. Bid Guarantee: FAR 52.228-1 and 52.228-17 are checked as applicable. Can the Government confirm the required bid guarantee percentage/amount?

Answer: Yes, a bid guarantee is required at the amount of 20% of your quote price.

5. Limitations on Subcontracting: FAR 52.219-14 is checked as applicable. Can the Government confirm the specific self-performance percentage threshold that applies to this contract?

Answer: (3) General construction, it will not pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 85 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded; or

(4) Construction by special trade contractors, it will not pay more than 75 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not mailto:Cameron.edwards@usda.gov similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 75 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.

6. Option Items: Please confirm whether option items 1-5 will be evaluated as part of the total evaluated price, and the anticipated timeline for exercising any options after award.

Answer: Yes, the options will be evaluated as part of the total price. We do not know if the options will be exercised. That depends on available funding.

7. Permits: Please confirm whether the Government or the Contractor is responsible for obtaining any local, state, or federal environmental/land-use permits required for construction at these Forest Service recreation sites.

Answer: The contractor is required to obtain any necessary permits.

8. Specifications: For the double vault outhouse with sheltered entrance and single vault toilets, can the Government confirm whether a specific manufacturer/model is required or if functionally equivalent alternatives will be considered, pending submittal approval?

Answer: For the double vault we want a Romtec Model 1008. The singles we want a Romtec Model 1004. Waterless toilets with precast concrete vaults are not an acceptable alternative as we have had issues with those in the past, but we would be open to other alternatives.

9. This project is listed as a small business set aside, is there a specific NAICS code applicable to the project?

Answer: The NAICS code is on the SAM posting.

10. Is there a dollar amount associated with the small business classification that is applicable?

11. There is no bid guarantee form provided, do we use a generic form or is there is a specific form we need to use?

Answer: Use the SF24

12. What is the bid guarantee percentage? The FAR clauses do not appear to specify, but reference back to the bid documents that do not specify.

Answer: 20%

13. On form 1442, section 17 lists “amounts”. Is this number supposed to include just the base bid or base bid and all alternates?

Answer: As specified in the solicitation instructions, submit the schedule of items with your quote. There is not a requirement to fill out section 17 however, you can annotate the full amount.

14. Is there a required template for the ‘Technical Approach’ bid submittal?

Answer: No

29 September 2026

15. Vault toilet foundation/interface: For the specified Romtec Model 1004 and 1008 vault toilet structures, should bidders treat the vault, foundation, and pad details shown on Government drawing D-04 as controlling without deviation, or may the manufacturer's final sealed/shop drawings revise the foundation geometry, anchoring, or related interface after award if required by the engineered system?

Answer: Unless advised otherwise, we are pricing the current D-04 details as controlling. A manufacturer's final sealed/shop drawings would be an acceptable alternative to the D-04 details.

16. Door/frame material: We do not find an explicit door/frame material requirement in Sections 726/727 or the project drawings we reviewed. Please confirm whether FRP doors/frames are required for the Model 1004/1008 units, or whether the manufacturer's standard door/frame system is acceptable provided the specified model/configuration and all other contract requirements are met.

Answer: Yes, the manufacturer's standard door frame system will be accepted, with the caveat that all fasteners must be stainless steel.

17. Shop drawings at offer time. Will preliminary manufacturer plans/cut sheets with the October 6 offer be accepted, with final sealed Alaska plans after award?

Answer: Yes

18. Doors. FRP is specified. If the manufacturer offers steel: acceptable / acceptable only if flagged / unacceptable?

Answer: Acceptable

19. Picnic species. Is yellow cedar mandatory on Options 2 and 3, or is a disclosed structural equal allowed?

Answer: No, yellow cedar is mandatory.

20. Foundation / D-04. Must pads and anchors match D-04 as issued, or will a manufacturer-engineered foundation that meets or exceeds D-04 be accepted after award?

Answer: Yes, a manufacturer-engineered foundation that meets or exceeds D-04 would be accepted.

21. Design criteria. Confirm governing Cordova snow, wind, seismic, and soil-bearing values so we are not pricing a 25 psf catalog building. Snow load is 149psf using Reliability-Targeted Format. Wind load is 150 mph (3-second gust) wind exposure C.

Answer: The Government does not have seismic or soil-bearing values, but it is expected the contractor to follow IBC and Alaska Building Code Seismic Requirements.

22. Delivery point. Is manufacturer delivery to Anchorage acceptable if the contractor owns the marine/air haul to Cordova and the four sites?

Answer: There are no requirements for delivery as long as manufacturer warranty is maintained and construction is completed on schedule.

23. Buy American. Will a manufacturer certificate with the offer suffice, with mill certs after award?

Answer: We do not need a certificate. However, it would be a good idea for you to have it.

Q8. Option firmness. Through what date must Option 1–5 prices submitted on October 6 remain firm?

Answer: All option prices must be provided when you provide your quote for the base items.