Attachment 6 - QA Responses.pdf

1. If a successful bidder was not on site, do they forfeit any unforeseen conditions?

a. Sign in sheet will be used for verification of site visit. If offeror is not listened on sign in sheet, their quote will not be accepted.

2. Will Microsoft project be acceptable for project schedule?

a. Yes

3. Please clarify how many competent people are needed on site for supervision from the general contractor? Is a dedicated site superintendent required? Can the SSHO dual hat and be the site superintendent? Can the Superintendent triple hat and cover the QC manager role? Are there any other requirements for supervision?

a. Per statement of work, 1 competent person must maintain a presence at the work site.

Does not need to be from a general contractor.

4. Will the owner please define where the laydown area will be located? Need area to be used for spoils from excavation. Need area to be used for trucking to ship out tank once removed from ground and to bring additional soil/aggregate in for backfill. Need area for parking.

a. Lay down area will be determined after contract award.

5. Will the owner be providing power to the site or is it required to meter the contractor’s connection?

a. Power will be available.

6. Is an OSHA 10 certification required for all employees on site?

a. We only require 1 OSHA certified “competent person” per statement of work.

7. In the solicitation document “RFQ - 12805B24Q0277” section L.7 under offeror submission documents item number 5 (page 51/53), states the following “the offeror shall provide a completed itemized task price breakdown of potential well repair needs per the statement of work.” Is this required?

a. This is an error, it should state “price breakdown for all tank decommission needs per the statement of work”

8. In the solicitation document “RFQ - 12805B24Q0277” section L.7 under offeror submission documents item number 6 (page 51/53), states the following “The offeror will conduct a site visit and provide verification of site visit with submission package per L.6.” What document would the USDA like the contractor to provide for verification they attended the site visit?

a. Sign in sheet will be used for verification of site visit. If offeror is not listened on sign in sheet, their quote will not be accepted.

9. What is the plan for the existing generator on site near the excavation site? Will the USDA be removing the generator? Will removing the generator be in the general contractor’s scope? Will the generator remain on site during the project’s duration? Our concern is with it being near the excavation site sloping the excavation per OSHA requirements may become an issue.

a. The generator is not within the bidder’s scope and will remain on site where currently located.

10. How far is the contractor to demo the existing fuel piping back towards what appears to be marked as building #2?

a. Per the Statement of Work, demo of existing fuel piping back to adjacent building, which is Building #2.

11. How far is the contractor to demo the existing electrical conduit back towards what appears to be marked as building #2?

a. Per the statement of Work, demo “pipe leading from tank into the adjacent building.”

12. Can the full drawing be provided shown in attachment 1? The pictures attached to attachment 1 appear blurry.

a. Existing/original blueprints will be available for reference and review.

13. Will the USDA be removing all of the existing fuel prior to notice to proceed?

a. Fuel tank will be emptied by USDA prior to excavation.

14. Does the existing fuel tank have any leaks that can contaminate the soil? Are there any existing soil reports showing contamination? If so will the USDA please release these reports?

a. There is no reports or indication that the tank has leaked.

15. If there are no reports regarding soil contamination, should the contractor plan for removal of contaminated soil? If so, how many cubic yards of contaminated soil removal and disposal should be included in the proposal?

a. Per the Statement of Work, “collect samples and access site to determine if any substance released” and “collect environmental samples of soil or tank-hold excavation water (or both) from any excavation areas as soon as possible after first exposure to the atmosphere.”

b. There is no indication of a leak. Samples will verify. USDA is unaware of any contamination.

16. What are the dimensions for the concrete cap that requires removal?

a. 10’ X 27’

17. In Attachment 1 - Statement of Work page 1 under technical requirements section (a) it is stated that the contractor should conduct a thorough utility locate and to see attachment 2 for prior locates conducted. Attachment 2 is the Wage Determination information for this project. Will the USDA provide prior locate information?

a. Available on amended Statement of Work (Attachment 1 – Statement of Work).

18. In Attachment 1 - Statement of Work page 2 under deliverables / schedule it shows submittals and testing. Will the USDA please provide what submittals are required? Is the work schedule the only required submittal? Will the USDA please provide what testing is required? Is contamination testing and remediation plan the only required tests as shown?

a. Per the Statement of Work, “collect samples and access site to determine if any substance released” and “collect environmental samples of soil or tank-hold excavation water (or both) from any excavation areas as soon as possible after first exposure to the atmosphere.”

b. Remediation plan is not specified, and not required, under the statement of work.

19. On page 2 of document “Attachment 1 - Statement of Work” Technical Requirements Section

“C” it states, “Be sure to compact the soil at a water content within -3 to +4 percentage points of the optimum water content to at least 95% of the maximum dry density of Standard Proctor, ASTM D698.” Does the USDA require soil compaction testing? If so, to what extent?

a. We will not require soil compaction testing. This item can be struck from the Statement of Work, as current design recommendation has removed the need for soil compaction and testing.

20. On page 2 of document “Attachment 1 - Statement of Work” Technical Requirements Section “C” it states, “If very moist soil exists place a layer of screened crushed aggregate at excavation base”. Please define what “Very Moist” soil means or how is that determined/defined?

a. Screened crushed aggregate is not required. This item can be struck from the Statement of Work, as current design recommendation has removed the need for soil compaction and crushed aggregate at excavation base.

21. Is a North Dakota Contractors License required?

a. Yes

22. The SF 1442 references the PoP to be 75 days, however, Attachment 1 SOW references the PoP to be 60 days. Please clarify which is correct.

a. Period of Performance is 75 days, with project completion to be done 60 days after notice to proceed.

23. Solicitation section B.2 references “Contractor SAMS Number”. Please confirm this is the same as the Unique Entity ID.

a. Yes, SAM UEI is needed.

24. Attachment 1 – SOW – states disconnect electrical components. During the site visit it was discovered that the power is already disconnected. Is there additional information or additional electrical pertaining to this SOW item?

a. The SOW intends to ensure electrical is disconnected prior to excavation.

25. During the site visit, a high voltage power line was noted near the diesel tank and was stated to be removed by another adjacent project. Please confirm that the high voltage power will be removed prior to commencement of work for this solicitation.

a. USDA plans to reroute the 480-volt line prior to this excavation project.