RFI Questions and Responses Furniture BPA.pdf

RFI Questions and Responses - FPAC’s National Furniture BPA

Q1. On page 2 under “Survey Questions” you’ve only called out designations for respondents who are Small Businesses. Are you accepting responses from companies with a “Large Business” designation? Given the short turnaround time for this RFI, I would appreciate your response to this question as soon as possible so we can prepare accordingly.

A1. We are currently conducting market research and accepting RFI responses from both small and large businesses.

Q2. Would the following substitutions be acceptable (all of the following about workstations under workstations and private office desks):

• A 3” thick frame, slightly smaller than requested

• Stacking frames with a height of 95” tall in 15” increments rather than 96” tall in 6” increments

• Connections that do require connectors

• A lowest frame height of 35” rather than 29.5”

• End trim only in painted metal rather than wood

• Workspace without rubber trough, but still with wire management options for the underside of the work surface.

A2. The SOW details are based on best practices

Q3. Will there be a need for reconfiguration of existing furniture?

A3. No

Q4. Can you identify the manufactures of the existing furniture? This is needed as reconfiguration requires ability to procure the parts necessary to preform a reconfiguration.

A4. The BPA is for removing existing and replacing with new.

Q5. What would need to be done with any excess furniture? Stored on site? Taken to GSA Warehouse? Disposal?

A5. Ship to GSA.

Q6. Will an accurate inventory be provided by each office for removal of excess?

A6. Yes

Q7. Will CAD files be available for each building(s) to received new or reconfigured offices?

A7. Yes. Subject to the lessor having CAD drawings.

Q8. Will the RFQ when issued need to have responses be on GSA Contract? Or, will the RFQ be a commercial open market response?

A8. The current intent is to solicit on the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) so items will need to be available on the Schedule contract. We are not currently anticipating soliciting on the open market.

Q9. On the second page, under section D, one of the topics listed as required for RFI response is “Commenter’s Background Information.” Could you elaborate on this? Is the commenter simply whoever is writing the RFI for a given company? Is the commenter a point of contact?

Is this meant to say “Company’s Background Information”?

A9. ???

Q10. What type of sample schedule would you like to see?

A10. Something similar to GSA’s schedule.

Q11. Will you give an example of a project and then we can create a schedule?

A11. Yes.

Q12. The RFI mentions licensing costs, will this BPA require union wages?

A12. This is a nationwide BPA each could have an union wage requirement.

Q13. What is your definitions of Application costs? What applications are required?

A13. ???

Q14. Would you need the awarded contractor(s) to relocate the furniture to a new building in the event that you move?

A14. It is our intent to purchase new FF&E.

Q15. There are specifications in the “Workstations” section that align to one manufacturer and thus eliminate the opportunity of comparable options within this category. i.e. Off-module bracket to start a panel run without using a connector

• Are the specifications for “Workstations” directed to a specific manufacturer line? If so, whom would that be?

• Are such specifications a requirement?

A15. No. The specifications could be adjusted.

Q16. For the “Private Offices” section, a specification addresses the technology modesty panel to provide wall access by allowing the face to fold down. Does the modesty panel have to be closed at all? Meaning, can there be either:

• a cutout within the modesty, or

• a ½ or ¼ modesty panel, or

• open access to the wall without any such fold down component

A16. Either

Q17. For the “Private Offices” section, a specification addresses flexible finishes with the worksurface, rim, drawer fronts and chassis may be specified in different colors. Does this mean a preference allowed for two-tone options or just that the manufacturer has multiple finish options available to choose from?

A17. Multiple finish options

Q18. Under Scope of Needs, the bullet about USDA notifying the contractor of any issues that will affect delivery and that USDA may adjust the completion date. Will the contractor have the ability to charge for storage fees if/when delays of installation do occur on behalf of USDA or their customer?

A18. Yes, only delays caused by the Agency.

Q19. For the “Quality Control” section, does this requirement mean that the contractor has to have one dedicated representative that goes to each site to do the joint walkthrough’s no matter the location or that a contractor would need to designate such a POC per project location? IE. Contractor is located and State A but is doing a project in State B & C, can a designated person for the install teams within State B & C fulfill this requirement or does a designated rep from the contractor in State A have to go to each of these outlying State for the walkthrough?

A19. Yes. The contractor is responsible for QC. If work is performed by a sub, the sub reports to the prime contractor.

Q20. Within the installation scope of these projects, would the contractor be responsible or USDA be responsible for the hardwire electrical connection of any powered solutions/workstations to the buildings power supply?

A20. USDA/ Lessor will be responsible for hardwire electrical

Q21. Within the installation scope of these projects, would the contractor be responsible or USDA be responsible for any running of cabling throughout the new furniture/workstations?

A21. The IT team will run cabling; this would have to be part of the finish to start schedule.

Q22. In confirmation of the provision regarding offices with existing furniture:

• USDA desires the contractor to remove and dispose of existing furniture as directed per office. Is the disposal at the contractor’s discretion or to a warehouse/storing facility of USDA’s direction?

• This would be on a case by case basis and additional costs incurred for such would be understood by USDA, correct?

A22. USDA will provide disposal guidance. Yes.

Q23. Will USDA provide detailed electronic CAD plans of each space, location, facility such that the contractor and readily design within such spaces? This will mean that all walls, doors, windows are accurately located, dimensioned and such plans can be utilized within

CAD acceptable software. (Any instances of hand-drawn, hand-modified, copy of a copy of a copy print are not considered electronic CAD plans.)

A23. Yes. Subject to the Lessor having CAD files. Past experience, Lessors have been able to provide CAD drawings.