C05a RFI QA Final 1240BH26Q0050.docx

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FORM

1240BH26Q0050

GAOA Star Meadows MEP, Repairs, & utility Installations Flathead National Forest RFI #1 – Is there a prebid or walkthrough for this project?

There is no site visit planned but you can visit between 11am and 2 pm local time during the weekdays. Please email and/or call Patrick Siers at 406-758-5347 or patrick.siers@usda.gov to inform him of your visit and get a key for access.

RFI #2 – The SOW and Section 235513 of the specifications require two propane fireplaces. However, the drawings state that gas-distribution piping must be provided to three propane fireplaces and one boiler. Please confirm the required number of fireplaces and gas connections.

General Note 5.1.4 describes an erroneous number of interior mechanical appliances when the author intended to describe (3) three Gas-Distribution connections and the LPG yardlines.

The Star Meadows project requires:

· (2) two Propane Fireplaces

· Model GDS28 or equal, Direct Vent Cast Iron Gas Stoves and

· (3) three propane Gas-Distribution Connections

· The contractor is required to safely connect a government supplied propane tank to the Cabin and the Bunkhouse by supplying & testing new LPG yardline assemblies with the following features:

· (3) standpipe risers w/ shut-off valves, (1) one first-stage service regulator at the tank, (2) two second stage service regulators at the buildings, runs of underground yellow HDPE pipe, transition fittings, adapters, and safety components of tracer wire and warning tape included w/ excavation trenches.

RFI #3 – The SOW identifies an estimated performance period of September 1 through November 29, 2026, but quotations are due September 2, 2026. The SF1442 requires completion within 120 calendar days after Notice to Proceed (NTP). Please confirm the controlling performance period.

The Period of Performance (PoP) is 120 calendar days after the notice to proceed is issued. The calendar dates will be adjusted to correspond to award and NTP.

RFI #4 – The SOW requires the contractor to notify the Contracting Officer two weeks before entering the worksite, while the SF1442 requires work to begin within 10 calendar days after Notice to Proceed (NTP). Please clarify how these requirements should be reconciled.

Please see Quality Control Plan of section 014100.

A Contractor’s decision as to how required scheduling will be reconciled is wholly their own. While its true work item performance cannot occur prior to the Notice to Proceed, messages and announcements intending to notify the government of the contractor’s plan to start work or date(s) of worksite entry can begin as soon as the contract is awarded. A pre-construction conference is often held prior to issuance of the NTP. Also, immediately after NTP, work under the contract may be performed including those which may be accomplished prior to onsite occupancy such as, submittals, utility locates, permits, and purchasing equipment.

RFI #5 - The SOW states that the propane tank is Government-supplied. Please confirm the tank’s capacity, condition, anticipated availability and delivery responsibility, and whether the contractor is responsible only for the pad, installation and connections.

The tank is 500 gallons, in new condition and available on site. The contractor is responsible for coordinating with the Forest Service’s local supply vendor at the time the tank is moved onto the new concrete pad.

No, the limitation of responsibility is not confirmed, the contract requires assembly of a utility propane service described in the Statement of Work (section C), the Drawing sheets (No.’s 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13), and the Specifications (Sections 01010, 312200, 03300, 23030, 23131, 231126, 235513) which depict specific and miscellaneous items of propane work to be completed in every detail for proper use and operation.

RFI #6 - Please confirm whether the evaluated price for the lowest-price-technically-acceptable determination will include the combined total of Base Schedule A and Option Schedule B.

All items under Base Schedule A and Option Schedule B will be included in the LPTA determination.

RFI #7 - Please confirm whether Star Meadow Road and the project site will remain accessible to construction vehicles and material-delivery trucks throughout the entire performance period, including during winter-weather conditions.

Yes, access to Star Meadows Cabin is available year-round. Star Meadows Road is managed under Flathead County MT jurisdiction. The Road and Bridge Department maintains Star Meadows Road as a public county road which is paved from State Highway 424 to locations beyond Star Meadow Cabin. The cabin is located in a rural area and conditions will vary from the lower sections near MT-424 (Farm to Market Rd) at higher elevation mountain areas.

During winter weather snow removal snow removal by the County begins in the early morning hours (around 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.).

RFI #8 - Please confirm whether the contractor must supply a full-time on-site superintendent or whether the superintendent may serve in another project role while remaining available and present during active construction.

The standard government provision FAR 52.236-6 ("Superintendence by the Contractor"), is incorporated in the Star Meadows project. The Federal Acquisition Regulation requires the contractor to directly supervise the work or assign a competent superintendent to be on the worksite at all times during performance until the work is completed and accepted.