RFIs_and_Responses.docx

RFIs and Responses

1. Covered training area fence quantity. The SOW requires 1,500 LF of livestock grade metal chute fencing in the 80 by 80 ft covered area. Attachment 3 shows four 10 by 10 ft pens and four 4 by 50 ft lanes, which totals roughly 560 LF, or 880 LF if the 80 by 80 outer line is also new fence. Please confirm the governing quantity, and whether that outer line is slab edge, existing fence, or new fence. The 80x80ft on the diagram illustrates the size of the concrete slab and will not require fencing along its perimeter.

2. Pen fencing quantity. The pens as dimensioned, 80 by 190 ft and 60 by 220 ft, produce 1,100 LF of gross perimeter against the stated 1,550 LF. The aerial labels Pen 1 at 18,050 SF where 80 by 190 ft is 15,200 SF, so the flagged perimeter does not appear to be a rectangle. Please confirm whether the field flagged alignment governs, and provide a dimensioned or staked layout. Are the 1,550 LF, the 300 LF chute and the 1,500 LF training fence additive for 3,350 LF total, and is length measured through gate openings? The flags were a visual representation of the holding pens and chute leading to the covered training area and may not be exactly to scale.

3. Fence standard and minimums. The site visit referenced Class 3 galvanizing, 2 by 4 inch mesh, minimum 12.5 gauge top and bottom wires and minimum 14.5 gauge intermediates, which matches the NRCS 382 high tensile woven wire specification. Please confirm whether NRCS 382 and the applicable Georgia fence specification govern, and publish minimum fence height, mesh and stay spacing, maximum line post spacing, post diameter and embedment, and required bracing. We do not have the answer to this question. Contractors’ discretion.

4. Posts. The SOW requires posts set in concrete. NRCS permits driven line posts and reserves concrete for corner, brace and gate assemblies. Please confirm whether driven line posts are acceptable. Driven line posts are acceptable.

5. Animal housing standard and animals to be contained. The SOW requires compliance with USDA livestock housing and training environment standards but does not identify them. If 9 CFR Part 3 Subpart F applies, section 3.127(d) requires a perimeter fence of at least 6 feet, which is above the heights discussed at the site visit. Please confirm whether that applies, and identify the USDA facilities design standards referenced. Please also confirm the species, maximum number and maximum size of animals each enclosure must contain. The site visit indicated 10 to 15 goats while the background discusses cattle, sheep and goats. 10 to 15 goats

6. Completion date and design review durations. Amendment 0001 sets completion at October 30. The Delivery Schedule and Time Critical Performance factor, evaluated pass or fail, still requires October 16. Please correct the criterion, state the anticipated award and NTP dates, state how many calendar days the Government will take to review the 65 percent package, the 100 percent package and shop drawings, and confirm whether fence construction may begin on the approved 65 percent package. Correct date is Oct 30. The evaluation factor will be fixed. Award will be ASAP. NTP after receipt of bonds. Gov’t review ASAP.

7. Utilities. Please identify the water and electrical points of connection serving each pen and shelter, the available capacity, and furnish utility and irrigation record drawings. The site visit was not consistent on whether utilities are available at the second pen. Who performs and pays for a private locate of the irrigation, and who carries the repair cost if unmarked private utilities are damaged? It was explained at the site visit that utilities were available at both holding pens. Utilities can be tied into coming off of the nearest structures, (covered training area and the kennel facility). We do not have the answers on the rest.

8. Concrete. Please confirm whether the full 4 by 125 ft chute route receives concrete or only an adjacent walkway. Please provide the location, length, width, thickness and finish of the required concrete walkways, or an allowance quantity all quoters are to carry. Please confirm the floor construction inside each shelter. The chute leading to the training area is merely a fenced chute. There is no concrete walkway.

9. Existing slab and anchoring. Please provide thickness, strength, reinforcing, joint locations and any embedded services or post tensioning for the 80 by 80 ft covered slab, or confirm the Contractor is to investigate. Are surface mounted flanged or base plate posts acceptable in place of core drilled or embedded posts, and what is required if the slab will not carry the anchor loads? Turn down slab edge. Edge of slab is 12 inches. Bulk of the slab is 6 inches over 4 inches of stone. 4000 PSI.

10. Shelters. The design scope requires 12 by 12 ft enclosed shelters with two front doors. The construction scope requires 12 by 15 ft minimum interior with three enclosed sides, triangular. Please confirm which governs, along with plan shape, number of walls and doors, whether the open side must close, and the required floor and ventilation. 12x15 ft with four sides. Two front doors that can remain open. Floor and ventilation is at contractor’s discretion.

11. Permits. At the site visit the Government indicated it would confirm permitting and route it through the Contracting Officer. Please identify the authority having jurisdiction, and which permits are required for the fencing, shelters, electrical, plumbing and land disturbance. If a federal exemption or waiver applies, please confirm it is documented and provide it. Please state who applies for permits and pays the fees, and whether permit application and review time falls inside the October 30 completion date or is excluded from it. Unknown.

12. Please provide the NAICS code, the small business size standard and the set aside status. None of the three are stated in the solicitation. This is the fourth paragraph of the solicitation: The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 238990. The small business size standard is $19M. This acquisition is a total small business set aside.

13. Do liquidated damages apply, and at what daily rate? No LDs. No one in APHIS can quantify what they should be.

14. Does the estimated magnitude of $100,000 to $250,000 remain current following Amendment 0001? We don’t have a good estimate so if don’t let $250K hinder you from submitting proper pricing.

15. Please confirm the bond forms required, the number of days after award to furnish payment and performance bonds, and whether FAR 52.228-13 alternative payment protection applies if the award falls below the Miller Act threshold. SF 25 and 25A … send ASAP. 52.228-13 doesn’t apply below $150,000.

16. Retainage. AGAR 452.232-71 does not address retainage. Please confirm whether retainage will be withheld from progress payments, at what percentage, and the conditions for release. No retainage will be applied.

17. Payment for materials. AGAR 452.232-71(b) leaves consideration of materials delivered on site and preparatory work to the Contracting Officer. Given the procurement required inside a short performance period, please confirm whether progress payments will include materials delivered and stored on site, what documentation is required, and the invoicing system to be used. Materials stored onsite can be invoiced for.

18. Wage determination GA20260313 modification 2 has no fence erector classification. Please identify the applicable classification or the conformance process and its expected duration, and the certified payroll submission requirements. When a specific trade like fencing is omitted from a General Wage Determination, contractors must follow these guidelines:

- The Default Classification: Standard chain-link, wood, or vinyl commercial fencing installation is typically reported under Laborer: Common or General.

- Specialized Craft Exceptions: If the fence installation requires structural steel welding, heavy concrete foundation construction, or complex electrical access gates, those specific tasks must be segregated and paid under their respective skilled trades (e.g., Welder, Carpenter, or Electrician).

19. Please confirm the total gate count. The SOW counts nineteen. Are chute entry, exit and stop gates included or additional? Is the 10 ft drive opening one leaf or two 5 ft leaves, and are the widths clear openings or nominal leaf sizes? 19 total gates. Two drive through gates (10ft).

20. The site visit indicated existing fencing at the covered area may be used. Please mark which sections remain, which may be reused and which are to be removed, and confirm whether reused fence counts toward the stated lengths. Multiple fencing segments are available for use under the covered training area. This is not required and can be assessed by the contractor.

21. How many water troughs are required per pen? Does the second holding pen require its own chute, alley or fenced transfer route, or will animals be moved between pens by vehicle? Two per pen. The second pen is for holding only.

22. Will the Government accept a lump sum quote supported by a schedule of values, and will quoted unit prices for added or deleted fence length be incorporated into any resulting award? Your pricing must include a complete breakdown of the key elements making up your lump-sum price. The breakdown helps us ensure fair and reasonable pricing only.

23. Please confirm escort or badging requirements, allowable work hours, staging and storage locations, and any periods when work must stop for live canine training. These are topics for the kickoff meeting.

24. Please confirm the FAR 52.225-9 documentation required for wire, posts, fabricated panels, gates, hardware and anchors, and whether substitutions require approval before award. Substitutions require approval by the training center staff.