Rev2_QA_240LT26Q0139 McCall Tree Cooler DeferredMaintenance.docx

Questions/Answers for 1240LT26Q0139 McCall & Council Tree Cooler Deferred Maintenance

1. With this project likely being awarded sometime in September, weather would likely prevent a large portion of the project scope from being completed in both McCall and Council. Would the Forest Service consider extending the period of performance to allow the contractor time to complete the exterior scope of work in warmer/dryer conditions in 2027? The contractor will have between award and July 1, 2027 to complete the work.

2. The SF-1442 states that the bid acceptance period is 10 days. Page 22 of the solicitation states the offeror must hold their price for up to 60 days. Please clarify the bid acceptance period. The contractor will need to hold their bid price for up to 60 days.

3. Will the tree cooler facilities be occupied during construction? Yes, the tree cooler will be utilized in September 2026 and again in April-May 2027

4. Will there be noise restrictions at either of these locations during normal business hours? No, there are not noise restrictions.

5. Will the contractor be responsible for removing existing equipment/furniture/miscellaneous items from the facility to allow for concrete floors to be refinished? No, the Forest Service will be responsible for removal of these items.

6. If work is being completed at both McCall and Council tree coolers at the same time, will one superintendent be allowed to drive back and forth between sites, or will the contractor need to have a full-time superintendent at each site? One superintendent is sufficient.

7. Is all work in this solicitation considered base bid? Yes, all work in this solicitation is considered base bid.

8. There are three tabs in the excel SOI. Is the contractor required to complete just the first tab of the SOI or will the second tab need to be completed as well? There should only be one tab in the SOI.

9. The SOI breakout would suggest it’s the same cost to complete the same scope of work at both McCall and Council sites. This may not be the case, especially for contractors located closer to one location vs the other. Please consider an updated SOI that separates pricing of the two tree coolers. The Mobilization line item can be utilized to account for the decrepancy.

10. What is the attachment method for the new rafters to the existing trusses? Yes, the rafters will attach to the existing trusses every 24 inches and will need to be blocked for the rafters between the trusses.

11. Plans show (2) 24"X30" attic vents on the gable. Are these existing or is the government requesting new vents installed in this location? These are existing.

12. Please confirm that the government requires an eight-foot mockup section of the proposed building siding and soffit. The mockup can be as part of the siding installation on the building. Samples of the product will be required before installation.

13. Please confirm that the contractor is to provide a 10-year warranty for materials and workmanship on the siding assembly. The manufacturer would provide a 30-year warranty and the contractor will provide the standard 1-year warranty. The specifications have been updated.

14. The specification section 074646 sections 2.3 and 2.4 call for Colorplus Technology for fiber cement siding and trim and the scope of the contract calls for siding and trim to be painted. If the Colorplus siding and trim is painted, it will void the manufactures warranty. Please clarify if the contractor is to provide Colorplus fiber cement siding and trim, or factory primed material and then paint. The contractor is to provide the factory primed material and then paint.

15. Please confirm that the government requires the siding and trim to be attached with stainless steel screws and not pneumatically fastened with nails as recommended by the manufacture. The siding and trim should be attached as recommended by the manufacturer. The specifications have been updated.

16. Is the existing building roof sheathing 5/8"? The existing building roof sheathing is 5/8”

17. Is the existing roof truss top chord 2X6 or 2X4? The top chord is 2x6.

18. Drawings sheet A4 detail 3: What are the required dimensions for the steel plate at the corbel attachment to the wall? See the updated drawings.

19. Drawings sheet A4 detail 3: Calls for the contractor to verify framing used as backing for the new corbel attachment. Please provide additional clarification for what is required and what the contractor is verifying. The fasteners need to penetrate into wood from all of the holes of the corbel. This needs to be verified.

20. What is the purpose of vented soffit in the new roof addition if there is solid 2X6 blocking between rafters? There is no need for the vented soffit. Non-vented soffit could be utilized here.

21. Scope of contract directs the contractor to repair all cracks in concrete throughout the building. What are the government's expectations for the repair method? Is this simply filling cracks with a polymer filler, epoxy grout, or is there a requirement to cut and chip out cracks and fill with a cementitious material? Please provide a specification/performance requirement for material to be used. The contractor could utilize a grout and/or a joint sealant.

22. For bidding purposes, please provide approximate total lineal footage and size of cracks. N/a

23. Will the salvaged roofing be kept at each specific job site after removal, or will it need to be transported elsewhere? Yes, the roofing will be kept at each site.

24. Do the existing buildings have OSB sheathing under the existing siding? Yes, OSB or plywood is under the existing siding.

25. What level of aggregate (stone) exposure do you prefer where the polished concrete is? Little to no exposure is preferred. See the specification.

26. What level of gloss, reflectivity, and sheen do you expect? See the specification.

27. What is the slip-resistance and safety requirements for this space? Do you want non-slip granules incorporated into the polish? Non-slip granules are not required but are recommended.

28. How many watts are required for the new electric unit heater in the wrapping room for McCall? The unit replacement is called out the in the updated drawings.

29. How many watts are required for the new electric wall heaters in the Council building? The unit replacement is called out the in the updated drawings.

30. How many watts are required for the new electric unit heater in the wrapping room for Council? The unit replacement is called out the in the updated drawings.

31. On which wall is the air handler control box currently located, where does it move to? The air handler control box is on the east wall. It would need to move approximately 15 feet along the same wall.

32. What type of system is the air handler controller, and will it require specialized communication cabling to be able to relocate it? The controller is part of the Larkin refrigeration system. Unknown if specialty wiring is needed.

33. Does the existing gypsum ceiling and insulation get removed in the office, hallway, and restrooms? There is no gypsum ceiling currently. The current batt insulation can remain in place.

34. Is the 1/2" CDX plywood placed over top of the existing gypsum ceiling in the office, hallway, and restrooms? The plywood is placed under the bottom chord of the truss. There is only a foil paper in place holding up the insulation. It can remain in place.

35. Does the 1/2" CDX plywood get painted after installation? The plywood does not need to be painted.

36. Does the 1/2" CDX plywood need to be fire rated? The plywood does not need to be fire rated.

37. What size of storm pipe will be installed? The storm pipe will be approximately 164 feet @ 12 inches and 48 feet @ 18 inches. See the updated drawings.

38. What is the size of the required catch basin, and what is the size of the inlet grate? See the updated drawings.

39. The scope of contract indicates that there could be more than one catch basin for the storm drain system being replaced. Please clarify the quantity and locations of catch basins. (4) catch basins, see the updated drawings.

40. How many linear feet of storm pipe are being replaced and the depth of pipe? The storm pipe will be approximately 164 feet @ 12 inches and 48 feet @ 18 inches. See the updated drawings.

41. What is the size of post and chain required for the loading docks? The size of post will be 1-1/2” and chain would be 1/4 inch grade 30

42. Are the posts to be bolted to the concrete dock? The post can be either be cored into the slab or bolted.

43. What is the size of electrical service to be provided underground to the Council Tree Cooler building, and what is the distance from the power pole to the building? The service is 200 amp 3-phase and the distance is approximately 50 feet.

44. What is the distance from the building north of the tree cooler building to the building east of the tree cooler? Approximately 170 feet.

45. Will Idaho Power need to be involved in the changeover from overhead power to underground power at the tree cooler building? Yes, Idaho Power will be involved in the changeover. The contact person for this project is Jared Kovick, (208) 405-6423.

46. Scope of Contract not "Z" instructs the contractor to install new 2" conduits from Fire Crew office to Woodshop, onto Fire Engine Bay and finish at the Tree Cooler building. Question: How many 2" conduits are required, where are these buildings located on the compound and what is the total distance of trench excavation? One 2 inch conduit is required. See the updated drawings. Total distance is approximately 415ft.

47. Please provide model numbers of the government furnished IT equipment that will require installation. Also, please indicate quantities, buildings, and locations of each piece of equipment to be contractor installed. (4) backboards, IT racks, fiber patch panels, patch panels, PDUs and UPSs will need to be installed total. See the updated drawings and specifications.

48. Is the fiber government furnished? No, the contractor will need to provide the fiber. See the updated specifications.

49. What SOI line is the fiber/communications work to be included in? See the updated SOI.

50. The SOI on page two of the drawings is inconsistent with the SOI provided with bid documents. Which SOI shall the contractor use for bid submission? The SOI has been updated.

51. What is the extent of the repairs required on the railings at each location? Some welds of the mesh between the railings has broken, will need repaired. The railings will need to be repainted. The concrete on the stairs will need to be repaired as well.

52. Sheet A3 detail 3 in the drawings show a railing at the Ramp and landing section. Is this a new railing or existing? The railing is existing though it will need to be modified to accommodate the columns.

53. Will the experience questionnaire serve as the sole metric for determining a contractor’s technical capacity during the proposal evaluation process? Award will be made to the responsible quoter submitting the lowest evaluated price among those quotations determined to be technically acceptable. No tradeoffs will be made between price and non-price factors.

54. Is the contractor required to provide additional information showing their ability to meet the schedule requirements listed in the SOW? No

55. The past performance section of the solicitation doesn’t direct the contractor to provide any past performance information. Does the contractor need to provide past performance references with their proposal, or will the Forest Service utilize information available from past contracts/orders with the USDA and/or any available CPARS? Evaluation Method-All quotations will be evaluated to identify the one presenting the lowest price technically acceptable based on the stated evaluation criteria. Once the lowest price technically acceptable quote is identified, an award determination will be made if the price is determined to be fair and reasonable. Past performance will also be assessed to ensure it is acceptable or neutral.

56. Specification section 055000 include metal ladders, but I don’t see metal ladders anywhere on the plans. Are metal ladders part of this project? No, metal ladders are not part of the project.

57. Specification section 055119 is for Metal Grating Stair Treads and Risers. Is this spec section applicable to this project? This specification was removed.

58. What repairs need to be done with the floor drainpipe penetrating through the stem wall? The pipe will need to be reattached.

59. Are the drainpipe repairs the same at both McCall and Council? Yes, they are the same at both locations

60. The plans call for a new electric heater in the wrapping room. Please provide a specification for the heater. See the updated drawings.

61. At the site visit it was mentioned that the crack in the concrete at the loading dock in McCall was going to be included in the scope for this project. Please confirm. Yes, all cracks on the slabs within the building and on the loading dock will need to be filled.

62. Are concrete crack repairs to be done using grout? If not, please clarify the method of repair. The concrete crack repairs can be done with grout and/or with joint sealants.

63. Is the contractor to include moving the condenser units and associated rack, refrigerant piping and electrical to gain access to the walls behind these units for siding replacement? No, the condenser units and associated rack would remain in place along with the existing siding. New board and batten metal siding will be installed on top of the existing siding on the two walls behind the units and rack.

64. Please clarify the scope associated with the new catch basin in McCall. The plans only ask the contractor to install a new drainage basin, but additional scope was discussed at the site visit. (4) new drainage basins and piping between the basins is included as part of the scope of work.

65. Please provide quantities associated with drainage scope at McCall. (4) drainage basins and ~164 feet of 12-inch and ~48ft of 18-inch SDR35 pipe.

66. At the site visit it was mentioned that the Forest Service would remove all items from each room at both Tree Cooler buildings prior to construction beginning. Please confirm. Yes, the Forest Service will move all items within the tree coolers into the large cooler. The contractor will need to coordinate with the COR for performing the crack sealing and sealing around the edge of the concrete slabs within the building.

67. Is the exterior wood trim only to be repaired/replaced in Council? No, the exterior wood trim will be removed as part of the siding replacement.

68. Is the contractor to figure for exterior wood trim repair or trim replacement at the tree cooler buildings? The contractor is responsible for siding replacement, which includes new fiber cement trim as well.

69. If exterior wood trim repairs are necessary, please describe the extent of these repairs. N/a

70. At the site visit it was discussed that the trap primer at the McCall water heater has just recently been replaced and would not need to be replaced as part of this contract. Please confirm this scope is not included in this contract. The trap primer replacement in McCall is not included within the scope; however, it is included in the scope for Council.

71. The project description on page G2 of the plans states the wall heaters in the offices and restrooms need to be replaced. At the site visit it was mentioned that only the wall heaters at Council will need to be replaced. Please confirm. Yes, only the wall heaters at Council will need to be replaced.

72. Please provide a specification for the new wall heaters in the offices and restrooms. See the updated drawings.

73. At the site visit in Council it was mentioned that the contractor will need to caulk the crack in the acclimation room where the concrete slab and stem wall meet as part of the concrete floor repairs. Please confirm this scope. Yes, the contractor will need to caulk the perimeter of the inside slab around the edge of the building in the large cooler, acclimation room and wrapping room.

74. Are building permits required for this project? No, building permits are not required.

75. Please confirm whether the existing toilets to be replaced at each facility are floor-mounted or wall-mounted. Please also confirm whether the existing fixtures are tank-type toilets or utilize flushometers. The toilets are floor-mounted are are tank-type toilets. See the updated specification.

76. Please provide the capacity (gallons) of the existing water heater at each facility and confirm whether each unit is wall-mounted or floor-mounted. Please also confirm whether the existing water heaters are electric or gas and, if electric, provide the voltage/phase and electrical requirements if available. The existing water heater has a 10-gallon capacity, is floor mounted and is 1-phase on a 30 amp breaker.