S01_Questions Answers.pdf
PDF 67 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 12FPC325Q0002
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for solicitation 12FPC325Q0002 regarding greenhouse renovations at the USDA NRCS Elsberry Plant Materials Center. The Q&A provides detailed specifications for the greenhouse project, including: dimensions of 30' x 48', polycarbonate/Lexan panels (walls 5/16" thick 4'x8', roof 5/8" thick 4'x16'), complete reglazing requirements, concrete floor installation (4" thick with 3" gravel base), drainage system specifications (2.5" continuous trench drain), cooling system details (24' modern system compatible with Wadsworth Control System), and electrical work including light reconfiguration to connect with the Wadsworth Control System.
Key clarifications include: USDA will provide a dumpster and restroom, subcontracting is permitted, the contractor can use on-site electrical outlets, framework reuse is required unless structural issues necessitate replacement (requiring contract amendment), and the project is not tax exempt. Technical specifications were modified for several items including: changing from two doors to one door on the southeast entrance, clarifying drain requirements to a single continuous trench drain, and confirming the electrical panel can remain in its current exterior location with only the mounting board requiring replacement.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
12FPC325Q0002
Q) Can photos be provided and uploaded to SAM
A) Yes. See Attachment D – Greenhouse Photos.
Q) What are the dimensions of the greenhouse?
A) The greenhouse is approximately 30 feet by 48 feet.
Q) What is the thickness of the acrylic?
A) The walls are 5/16” thick and 4’ by 8’ and the roof panels are 5/8” thick and 4’ by approximately 16’, but will need to be cut to fit due to vent panels. The roof and walls are a polycarbonate material believed to be Lexan.
Q) Is the reglaze for the roof only? Or the entire greenhouse?
A) The entire greenhouse will be reglazed.
Q) Will there be a dumpster provided by USDA?
A) Yes, under Execution of Work, #10, USDA to provide a dumpster and restroom.
Q) Will the entire floor of the greenhouse have concrete?
A) Yes, under Scope of Work, #7, Install 4” concrete floor with a 3” compacted gravel base.
Concrete will have ½” rebar on 2’ centers.
Q) How do you want us to address the concrete floor where it meets the lexan wall?
A) The concrete forms will be installed so that they line up with the inside of the square metal framework of the wall. The forms will be removed prior to installing the lexan walls and “pea” gravel will be used to fill in the void left by the forms. This will allow water to drain through the gravel.
Q) Can we sub-contract out this work?
A) Yes. See 52.222-11 Subcontracts (Labor Standards.) (May 2014)
Q) Currently, there are wait times on some materials, like the walk-in door. Will there be an allowance for completion time if this is the case?
A) Yes. Performance begins after the Notice to Proceed is issued. This accommodates preordering of materials and supplies.
Q) With regards to the cooling system, what kind on system does the PMC want?
A) 11. Contractor will install new 24 ft modern cooling system. This will replace existing system and will work with existing Wadsworth Control System. 12. The new system will consist of (25) 6” x 12” x 36” with one side coated. Plumbing package with Rojo valve, one 115-volt submersible pump and an inline tank. 13. Contractor will install 24 ft of pad mounts with
10-inch stringer or similar. The system will be similar to an American Coolair or KUUL evaporative cooling system.
Q) Where will the drain from the greenhouse go?
A) The drain that connects to the Spee-D drain strip will run to the west side of the greenhouse and be trenched in until it reaches the break of the hill and can flow into the retention basin (pond). The drain will need to gravity flow to the basin.
Q) Will any of the framework be replaced?
A) No, the framework will be reused unless there are structural issues or defects that make it not practical to reuse. A request will need to be submitted to Stephen Case, contracting officer, to amend the contract to allow for the purchase of replacement materials.
Q) Will the lights be removed from the greenhouse?
A) No, the 3 banks of grow lights will remain in the greenhouse.
Q) Will the lights be on their own switch or connect to the control panel?
A) Scope of Work #17 Contractor will reconfigure wiring from overhead lights to connect to Wadsworth Control System. The PMC is unsure how compatible the light system is with the Wadsworth Control system, this may require communication with Wadsworth to configure.
Q) What kind of material does the board that the electrical panel connects to need to be made from?
A) The panel board will need to be made of non-conductive material that is waterproof/water resistant.
Q) Will the contractor be responsible for removing the existing tables in the greenhouse? Will they need to be removed without being destroyed?
A) Yes, the contractor will need to remove the tables, and they will need to be reusable. The table legs can be cut off at ground level, but the concrete around the legs will need to be removed from the ground.
Q) Will the garage door be replaced?
A) No, the existing garage door will remain in place.
Q) Does the contractor need to haul off the concrete removed from the greenhouse?
A) Yes, the contractor will be responsible for hauling any concrete from the site.
Q) What size are the acrylic panels?
A) The walls are 5/16” thick and 4’ by 8’ and the roof panels are 5/8” thick and 4’ by approximately 16’ but will need to be cut to fit due to vent panels.
Q) What are the roof and ceiling made from?
A) The roof and walls are a polycarbonate material believed to be Lexan. The last time any panels were replaced, the work was completed by Hummert International (greenhouse supplier in Earth City, MO) and they are located south of Elsberry around 50 miles. They would be a good source for the panels.
Q) How will the hydrants be addressed within the greenhouse?
A) (THIS WAS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE SCOPE OF WORK) The 2 hydrants will be concreted around using a poly valve box with an opening at the top of at least 14” by 14” (can be larger) and box must be deep enough to encompass main water line supply.
Q) In executing this project, can one superintendent fulfill the supervision, safety, and QAQC roles?
A) Yes.
Q) Are contractors required to issue a contract specific QA/QC Plan?
A) No, but see 52.246-21
Q) Are contractors required to issue a contract specific Safety Plan?
A) No.
Q) Is this project tax exempt?
A) No. FAR 29.303 (a) Prime contractors and subcontractors shall not normally be designated as agents of the Government for the purpose of claiming immunity from State or local sales or use taxes.
Q The Southeast door on the greenhouse has room for one door before it meets back mounting board panel for the electrical panel. There is not enough area to have two doors without moving the electrical panel location. On the site walk it was stated that it was a 1 door replacement, please confirm.
A) There was a mistake on the scope of work. The southeast door will just be replaced with one door that is the same dimensions.
Q) Need clarification on item number 10 pertaining to the floor drain installation in the S01_Attachment A - Scope of Work PDF document. Are we to quote both Spee-Dee Trench drain and two other floor drains? It seems that one or the other could be adequate, either one continuous trench drain connected to the 4” drain line or two floor drains connected to the drain line. If it is both please provide lay out or explanation of the installation layout.
A) CORRECTION - The drain in the floor will be one continuous 2 ½” trench drain connected to the (1) - 4” drain line that flows to the west of the greenhouse into the basin.
Q) Overhead Lights look to be on timers not connected to the Wadsworth control system.
Does USDA NRCS need adequate sensors in order to work properly with the EnviroStep system to control the green house lights or will the EnviroStep system be programmed to replace the timers? Will the programming be on Contractor or USDA NRCS? Please advise.
A) This will fall on the contractor to connect to the Wadsworth Control Panel. The lighting system needs to be able to set a timer for the lights to operate.
Q) Item number 3 under EXECUTION OF WORK section of SOW in the S01_Attachment A - Scope of Work PDF document it states, “Contractor is to relocate electrical panel/utilities to new boat board inside of the greenhouse.” Currently the electrical panel is on the outside the greenhouse. Can this electrical panel remain in its current location? Please advise.
A) Yes, the electrical panel can stay in its current location outside of the greenhouse. The board that it is attached to needs to be replaced. Item number 9 under EXECUTION OF WORK section in the S01_Attachment A - Scope of Work PDF document it states, “Contractor is to bring utilities to site and provide final hook ups.”
Q) Can the contractor utilize an outlet on site to use for electrical during construction, or will the Contractor have to use generator or alternative source for power?
A) Yes, the contractor can use an outlet on one of the existing buildings.
Q) There are some signs of rust and corrosion on a few of the existing girts, these degradations will need to be addressed before replacing glazing on greenhouse, but not specifically mentioned in SOW. It would be advisable to clean and recoat or possibly replace and girts degraded excessively.
A) If the framework is still useable then it will need to be used, but if rust or damage is to the point that it needs to be replaced then the contractor will need to request an amendment to the contract to replace affected framework.
Q) Can the site visit sign in sheet be provided to contractors?
A) Yes. See Site Visit Sign in Sheet
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