Q_and_A-12445527Q0003.xlsx

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Additionally contractors may schedule a site visit to inspect the conditions at both locations.

Exhibits A-C are provided for reference, but will not be official contract documents in any resulting award.

1. Alternative payment protection only under FAR 52.228-13; or

2. Both a performance bond and payment protection.

Please also confirm whether any bonding/payment-protection requirement is intended solely for the prime contractor or whether the Government expects corresponding bonding from lower-tier subcontractors. Awards exceeding $35,000 and less than $150,000 will only require payment protections IAW 52.228-13.

Alternative Payment Protections are required from the prime contractor.

4 2026-10-06 The specifications state: "Superintendent for prime contractor shall be on site at all times as work is completed if subcontracted." Please clarify:

1. Whether the superintendent must be a direct employee of the prime contractor;

2. Whether a prime-contractor representative must be physically present during every hour subcontractor personnel are performing work;

3. Whether an approved superintendent or representative arrangement may satisfy this requirement; and

4. Whether one superintendent may coordinate both Salem and Doniphan if work occurs concurrently. 1. No, the superintendent is not required to be a direct employee of the prime contractor.

2. The person delegated as the superintendent must be physically on site and present during construction to supervise work. Superintendent will be the COR's onsite POC and will keep the COR informed of work and stages of work. The superintendent must be available to make onsite decisions for the prime contractor. It is at the discretion of the prime contractor if the superintendent delegated by the prime will be sending the COR daily reports w/pictures or if this will be done directly by the prime.

3. Yes, an approved superintendent or representative for the prime contractor will satisfy the superintendent requirement; as long as the delegation authorizes the decision-making, and authorities described for point 2.

4. No, each site must have its own on-site superintendent, for the reasons stated above. If work is to occur at both sites at the same time, each site will require a different superintendent.

5 2026-10-06 The specifications require light fixtures to be independently supported from joists, furring strips, structural framing, or other suitable structural supports and not from ceiling tile. Please confirm whether the ceiling contractor is responsible for:

1. Disconnecting existing light fixtures;

2. Reconnecting fixtures;

3. Relocating fixtures;

4. Modifying wiring;

5. Performing electrical trade work;

or whether the ceiling contractor’s responsibility is limited to required structural support/bracing and ceiling-system coordination. Per the project specifications, light fixtures must be independently supported from joists, furring strips, structural framing, or other suitable structural supports, and shall not rely on the ceiling tile or ceiling grid for support. Please note that it is the awarded contractor’s responsibility to perform and/or coordinate all work necessary to ensure the new ceiling system is installed correctly and that existing fixtures are properly reinstalled and supported. This scope includes, but is not limited to:

1. Disconnecting existing light fixtures as required;

2. Reconnecting and securing the fixtures once the new ceiling grid and tiles are installed;

3. Adjusting or relocating fixture locations within the ceiling layout;

4. Extending, modifying, or adjusting wiring as needed to accommodate fixture placement uniformly;

Performing or coordinating all electrical trade work required to ensure fixtures are safely supported, code‑compliant, and fully functional after installation. The contractor is are expected to manage and schedule any necessary trade work to complete this scope in accordance with the project specifications.

At Salem office fixtures will have to be adjusted.

At the Doniphan office ceiling tile grid system drop can meet the same height as the existing light fixtures if accepted by industry standard. However, light fixture wiring may have to be extended and fixtured lowered to accommodate for covering of the duct work in the Doniphan office areas. Contractors responsibility.

6 2026-10-06 The specifications state that Keith Holland’s office requires fire-rated acoustic ceiling tile because of the mechanical-room features. Please identify:

1. The required fire-resistance/fire-rating classification;

2. The applicable testing standard;

3. Whether a specific UL-listed or other rated ceiling assembly is required; and

Please confirm whether bidders should price the metal direct-mount system as the required base installation, with CeilingMAX PVC or the shortest-practicable suspended/drop-ceiling system considered only when field conditions prevent satisfactory use of the metal direct-mount system.

Additional information:

Salem basement may require modification to duct work as there is four circular ceiling vents. Remove those existing vents and modify duct work if needed to a new square ceiling tile size vent in those locations.

13 2026-10-07 Occupied-space phasing and schedule: How will rooms and work areas be released to the contractor? May field verification, product approvals, material procurement, and the required two-week furniture-move notice occur before the Notice to Proceed? Please confirm whether all three bid items must be completed within the same 30-calendar-day period. During a pre-work meeting discussion to determine the flow at which the rooms are released and/or cleaned out and ready for work to begin will be talked about and finalized. As there is not a lot of space within the building desks may have to be moved from one side of the room to the other during the construction process and can be discussed further once awarded.

Amendment 0001 increases the period of performance to 60 days.

14 2026-10-07 Existing conditions and trim: Are hazardous-material surveys or known substrate-condition reports available for the Salem ceilings? Should existing wood trim be salvaged and reinstalled wherever possible, with new trim supplied where missing or damaged? Is painting or staining that trim included? Ceiling tiles were tested around 1994. The ceiling tiles contain no asbestos. Exhibit D is provided for reference, but will not become an official contract document in any resulting award.

Trim is to be removed and disposed of. Anything that needs to be disconnected or removed for proper installation of the ceiling tiles, must be reconnected/reinstalled. If anything is damaged that should be reinstalled it is the contractors responsibility to fix/replace. This includes wall cabinets in Salem breakroom. Contractor shall remove cabinets, salvage and reinstall after new ceiling tiles are installed.

15 2026-10-07 Prime superintendent: Would a designated local superintendent retained by us satisfy the requirement for the prime contractor’s superintendent to be on site whenever subcontracted work is performed? Could the ceiling subcontractor’s foreman also serve as the prime’s designated superintendent, subject to approval? Please identify any qualifications or approval requirements and the required coverage if both locations are active simultaneously. Refer to response for question #4.

Prime contractor can delegate superintendent. Superintendent must be able to make decisions on behalf of the prime. Preferable to have one location going at a time. If both locations do take place simultaneously, each site shall require a superintendent to be present while work is going on.

16 2026-10-07 Payment protection and bonds: For an award above $35,000 within the stated estimated range, please confirm the required payment-protection amount and whether a payment bond on SF-25A or an irrevocable letter of credit must be furnished within 10 days after award. SF-1442 marks required performance/payment bonds “Yes,” while the detailed clauses identify alternative payment protection and leave 52.228-15 unchecked. Is a separate performance bond required? Performance bonds will not be required for awards below $150,000.

Payment protections must cover 100% of the award price IAW 52.228-13.

Amendment 0001 increases the performance period to 60 days.

Does not have to be a direct employee.

Subcontractor foreman may satisfy the requirement if designated by the prime.

Separate superintendent required at each location if work occurs simultaneously.

23 2026-10-07 The specifications require light fixtures to be secured to joists or furring strips and not supported by the ceiling tile. Please confirm whether the ceiling contractor is responsible only for providing the required structural support/bracing around existing fixtures, or whether the contractor is also responsible for disconnecting, relocating, rewiring, or reconnecting electrical fixtures as necessary for the new ceiling installation. Yes, contractor is responsible for all of those things:

Disconnecting fixtures,Reconnecting fixtures, Relocating fixtures, Modifying wiring,Required electrical work, and providing support/bracing for fixtures and all ancillary work required for a finish and complete installation of the new ceiling installation.

Metal system required.

Direct mount preferred in Salem where feasible.

Maximum 3-inch drop if needed.

Suspension system for Doniphan.

* Could the Government confirm the acceptable base-bid ceiling grid system and whether a compatible metal direct-mount system is mandatory or a PVC alternative is acceptable without prior approval?

* If the specified acoustic tiles are incompatible with the proposed direct-mount system, should bidders include a separate alternate price or incorporate the proposed alternative into their lump-sum quotation? For Salem: quote for metal direct-mounted if applicable to space and acoustic tiles specified. If space does not allow for metal direct mount, contractor is to quote for a max 3" short drop metal T-bar suspension system with specified acoustical tiles.

For Doniphan: quote for suspension system with acoustic tiles to match light fixture height, or lower drop w/ modified light fixture wiring to accommodate for concealing ductwork.

*Contractor is responsible to field verify measurements and determine what is compatible for space.

An amendment [0002] is in process to remove mention of PVC alternative; and correct any reference to a 2" drop maximum, to a 3" maximum.

If specified acoustic tiles are incompatible, incorporate the proposed alternative tile into your lump-sum quotation.

28 2026-10-09 Doniphan — Fire-Rated Ceiling Requirements: The specifications require fire-rated ceiling tiles in Keith Holland's office, approximately 165 SF.

* Could the Government clarify whether this requirement refers to a Class A flame-spread classification or a specific hourly fire-resistance-rated ceiling assembly?

* Could the Government confirm whether the contractor's scope includes electrical disconnection, reconnection, fixture relocation, or wiring modifications, or whether the requirement is limited to providing independent structural support?

* If available, please provide the number and type of fixtures affected at each location. Yes, contractor's scope does include electrical disconnection, reconnection, fixture relocation, and any wire modifications to reinstall existing fixtures on new ceiling tiles.

Salem:

- Upstairs has roughly 53 1'x4' lights. Contractors responsibility to verify measurements and counts.

-Downstairs has 8 1'x4' lights and 4 circular ceiling vents. Contractors responsibility to verify measurements and counts.

Doniphan:

- Keith Holland's office has two 2x4 suspended lights, and a attic access. Along with the ductwork.

- Hallway has two 1x4 suspended lights.

- Small conference room has two 1x4 suspended lights.

Provide a tile that meets the minimum NRC requirement. NRC: not less than 0.55

Refer to RFO 52.236-2 & 52.236-3, for differing site conditions [that could not have been identified during an investigation of the site]. In general, send written notification to the contracting officer [and contract specialist, if applicable] administering the contract.

34 2026-10-09 Submittal Review and Construction Schedule: The contract requires completion within 30 calendar days after Notice to Proceed, and the Government requests two weeks' advance notice to prepare the work areas. Could the Government confirm the anticipated review time for ceiling product data and layout submittals, and whether the two-week furniture relocation notice may be provided before Notice to Proceed? Amendment 0001 increases the period of performance to 60 days.

Yes, the 2-week notice from the contractor to the government may take place before the government issues the notice to proceed.

35 2026-10-09 We understand from the published Q&A that sequential construction at the two facilities is permitted, provided the overall completion period is met. We would appreciate written clarification Sequential construction is preferred. Amendment 0001 increases the performance period to 60 days.

NTPs are not required for ordering of materials, or to submit material data to the government for review. The 60 days is meant to account for all on-site, physical construction.

Yes, this will satisfy the superintendent requirement. Superintendent will be the COR's onsite POC and will keep the COR informed of work and stages of work. It is at the discretion of the prime contractor if the superintendent delegated by the prime will be sending the COR daily reports w/pictures or if this will be done directly by the prime.

38 2026-10-11 Payment protection (FAR 52.228-13): Please confirm which forms of alternative payment protection are acceptable — for example, an irrevocable letter of credit or an escrow agreement in lieu of a payment bond. On Pg 9, 52.228-13(a) lists a payment bond [on SF-25A], and ILC as the 2 acceptable forms of payment protections.