Attachment 08 RFIs Croatan Ranger District.docx

Questions Croatan Ranger District Is a Bid Bond required at time of RFP due date: Yes

The 1” mullions that are drawn will not meet large missile impact rating as they would need to be the 2-1/2” sightline to match testing requirements and well as basis of design would be Oldcastle-series FG-5750T system. Please let me know if you would like us to proceed with this instead of what is called for in the drawings. Window elevations A, B & F shall be impact rated and the basis of design shall be Oldcastle FG-5750T. All other window openings receive operable shutters capable of withstanding impacts. Minimum sightline shall be 2” for all exterior openings except for windows A, B & F.

The drawings (part 2 & 3, and the full set. Part 1 is properly sized and prints fine) are not properly sized to print on a full page. Can these drawing be revised so that they print properly? Verified with COR’s that the documents on SAM.GOV are 24x36 (full size). I think it may be a printer driver problem on their end. When I go to print at the default printer which is a copier it says the same thing. When I go to the plotter and check the box for “choose paper source by pdf page size” it defaults to 36x24. Another option is to open SAM.GOV using another internet-based link. Example: Internet Explorer, Chrome, Fire Fox, etc. and see if that might make a difference trying to print.

Is a CAD File available? Yes, a CAD file for the Survey is attached in reference to question 5. Additional CAD files are available upon request.

Can an updated Grading Plan be provided? The only existing grades provided are in the Existing Conditions Survey. This survey only has random spot elevations scattered across the site, with no true contours. Based off of this limited information, it is not possible to accurately determine the amount of earthwork required to build the project. A CAD file will be provided which has all contour elevations.

The Asphalt Paving details on Sheet C7.0 do not reference NCDOT mixes or typical lift thicknesses. Both Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty areas call for 2” of total asphalt pavement. Can these details be revised to call for a single 2” lift of NCDOT S9.5C? asphalt pavement? Light Duty 2” asphalt can be done in a single 2” lift per NCDOT standards. Heavy Duty asphalt section is to be 3”.

Will there be liquidated damages assessed for this project? The Forest Service has not included liquidated damages or performance incentives in this contract.

Please confirm the method and location (if hard copy) for proposal submission. Proposals due via email to penny.zortman@usda.gov

Please confirm that both a Superintendent and a Quality Control Supervisor are required to staff the site during construction activities, as indicated in Sections 013000 – Administrative Requirements and 014000 – Quality Requirements. The technical proposal should thoroughly address Quality Control in a fast paced project. If the Site Superintendent has verifiable quality control experience, a proposal to merge those roles into one may be acceptable.

Please confirm that the Bid Bond required within the Solicitation (.pdf page 32 of 34), may be delivered as part of the proposal submittal package, outlined on page 29 of 34 of the same document. A Bid Bond is required with the proposals

Please confirm that proposals are to be delivered electronically to the address listed in Box 8 of the RFP Standard Form 1442. Proposals are due via email to penny.zortman@usda.gov

No information regarding Special Inspections has been found within the documents provided. Please confirm that there are no anticipated Special Inspections associated with this Project. Special Inspections will be required for Structural items, the requirements are outlined in the attached special inspections document.

Section 015000 – Temporary Facilities and Controls, para. 1.06 – Fencing, states, “Provide 6 foot (1.8 m) high fence around construction site; equip with vehicular and pedestrian gates with locks.” Sheet C.0 – Cover Sheet & General Notes, lists the Disturbed Area as being 21 Acres. Please confirm that the cost of enclosing this entire area is to be accounted for in respondent’s pricing or advise otherwise. Permanent fencing around the airfield as specified is required. Temporary fencing, signage, gates, locked containers, and cameras for site security, safety and loss prevention should be presented as part of the contractor’s proposal according to the risk the contractor chooses to accept. There is not foreseeable issues with theft, and curious neighbors walking dogs are the most likely trespassers. However, our past experience cannot tell the future. According to the contract, materials and equipment on the jobsite belong to the contractor until final inspection and acceptance.

While the Landscape Plans provide types and quantities of plants to be utilized on this project, please confirm that any revisions regarding these metrics will be handled, as appropriate, through the Post Award Modification process. Yes, confirmed.

Please confirm that the stated Period of Performance (POP) will be amended via Post Award Modification to account for Long Lead procurement periods, as necessary. Electrical equipment (GenSets, Switches, Panels) are all still experiencing extending lead-times, as an example of the concern presented here. POP is 365 days from date of Notice to Proceed

We would like to request an extension to the submittal of both the RFIs and the Proposal Due Date(s) to allow for additional input from trade partners and time to assemble the proposal following receipt of RFI Responses. RFI’s remained 7/25/24 by 1pm as discussed at the site visit. No recommendation of extending RFI’s was discussed or brought up at site visit. RFP due date has been extended from 8/16/24 to 8/23/24 by 1pm.

Are any permits needed or required for this project? Local civil approvals have been obtained. The erosion control permit is in process. A Building permit is not required since the owner is a Federal Agency. The project was designed and shall comply with the 2021 International Building Codes.

The soils report mentions pile caps and deep foundation requirements. Do you know what soils mitigation/improvements will be used? Offerors should review the Geotechnical investigation report and the amendment. There are three courses of action for addressing the soil mitigation. Site pre-loading, undercut and engineered backfill, and piling with grade beams are all acceptable solutions. The contractor’s technical proposal should address how the contractor intends to perform. They can choose to price all three options or pick the one they can best perform. The technical proposal should address schedule risk and cost risk associated with the course(s) of action they choose to price.

What type of stone pavers, or the type of brick they are hoping to use on this project? Please refer to the specifications:

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

A. Plastic Tactile and Detectable Warning Surface Tiles:

1. Hanover Pavers; www.hanoverpavers.com .

2. Substitutions: See Section 016000 - Product Requirements.

The foundation/wall brick and porch paver products have not been finalized. The products will be finalized through the contractor submittal process as referenced in the specifications:

1.03 REFERENCE STANDARDS

A. ASTM A153/A153M - Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware; 2023.

B. ASTM A951/A951M - Standard Specification for Steel Wire for Masonry Joint Reinforcement; 2022.

C. ASTM C90 - Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units; 2022.

D. ASTM C216 - Standard Specification for Facing Brick (Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or Shale); 2023.

E. ASTM C1072 - Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Masonry Flexural Bond Strength; 2022.

F. ASTM C1314 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Masonry Prisms; 2023a.

G. ASTM E11 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves; 2022.

H. ASTM E514/E514M - Standard Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage Through Masonry; 2020.

I. BIA Technical Notes No. 7 - Water Penetration Resistance – Design and Detailing; 2017.

J. BIA Technical Notes No. 13 - Ceramic Glazed Brick Exterior Walls; 2017.

K. ICC-ES AC380 - Acceptance Criteria for Termite Physical Barrier Systems; 2021, with Editorial Revision (2022).

1.04 SUBMITTALS

A. See Section 013000 - Administrative Requirements for submittal procedures.

B. Product Data: Provide data for masonry units, fabricated wire reinforcement, mortar, and masonry accessories.

C. Samples: Submit 2 samples of decorative block units to illustrate color, texture, and extremes of color range.

D. Manufacturer's Certificate: Certify that water repellent admixture manufacturer has certified masonry unit manufacturer as an approved user of water repellent admixture in the manufacture of concrete block.

The casework and countertop specs stipulate that materials must be made from wood harvested within a 500-mile radius of the project site. What if casework is manufactured outside the 500-mile radius, is it still acceptable to use their products?

The quality certification requirements are rigorous:

- Comply with AWI (QCP) woodwork association quality certification service/program in accordance with requirements for work specified in this section: www.awiqcp.org/#sle.

- Comply with AWMAC (GIS) woodwork association quality certification service/program in accordance with requirements for work specified in this section: www.awmac.com/#sle.

- Comply with WI (CCP) woodwork association quality certification service/program in accordance with requirements for work specified in this section: https://woodworkinstitute.com/#sle.

· Provide labels or certificates indicating that the installed work complies with AWI/AWMAC/WI (AWS) or AWMAC/WI (NAAWS) requirements for grade or grades specified.

- Provide designated labels on shop drawings as required by certification program.

- Provide designated labels on installed products as required by certification program.

- Submit certifications upon completion of installation that verifies this work is in compliance with specified requirements.

- Replace, repair, or rework all work for which certification is refused.

With High Point, North Carolina (furniture capitol of the world) 216 miles from the jobsite, it is highly likely a qualifying manufacturer and supporting wood conversion industry is available within 500 miles.

All product submittals are subject to the process laid out in section 3.13. Deviations from specifications will be evaluated on a per submittal basis.

Are the carpet tiles a pattern match? Contractors are to provide carpet submittals in accordance with the specifications.

Are the carpet tiles going to be made into a pattern or design? No (*The reason I ask is that in the plans they have many different Style of carpet tiles and alternate styles and colors.)

1. Could you please explain on the bid form (Schedule of items). ITEM-2, 5-A Exterior Brick, Block, Paving. Is that sf for the front and back porch stone pavers. Yes, and the block work fence around the mechanical yard.

Being this location is what I would consider coastal area, are the storefront systems to be Impact Rated? All shutters are to be fully operational storm shutters, and windows not protected by shutters need to be impact rated.

Would this structure house people during and after a hurricane? Yes. If it is an essential service building? Yes I must take into account additional performance requirements if it is similar to Police Stations, Fire Stations, Hospitals etc.