FKNMS Buoy Pin Installation - Vendor Questions.pdf

FKNMS Buoy Pin Installation Contract Vendor Questions 6-14-21

1. Q: Under the listing “For stainless steel anchor type” it lists a 21-inch long ½” diameter 316 stainless steel rod”. Is the ½” diameter correct?

We have historically used a 5/8” diameter stainless steel pin for this application.

A: We agree with the assessment of the vendor who posed this question and recommend that the SOW is changed to list a stainless steel anchor type from ½” to a ⅝ - ¾” diameter.

2. Q: If any permits become necessary, will NOAA reimburse the Contractor for any fees charged by the permitting agencies as the costs of that is unknown at this point?

A: The contractor would not be reimbursed for fees relating to the permit process. Contractors must be state licensed for performing the work in the SOW. The selected contractor will be given a letter of authorization (LOA) under the “Superintendent’s permit” and will not require any other environmental permits. The LOA will identify FKNMS oversight requirements that pertain to the work under the SOW and would not result in additional fees beyond those required for state licensure, which is a prerequisite for this contract.

3. Q: The installations at Conch Reef that are in over 100 feet of water will require a decompression chamber and operations team to be on-site per Federal Regulations. Will NOAA be confirming that the awarded Contractor meet these mandatory requirements?

A: The government has chosen to exclude the Conch Reef installation sites from this contract as a result of the decompression chamber requirements required by State regulations for diving at depths greater than 100 feet. The government has adjusted Appendix A: Buoy Pin Installation Locations accordingly. Additionally, three additional locations were deemed to have sufficient anchorage. The government has substituted ten new locations in Appendix A. The new total of site locations is 59 geographic positions. (There were 56 geographic positions in the initial RFQ.) All site locations are now located in waters with depths less than 100 feet.

4. Q: What are the exact survey requirements? Strictly GPS type or Lowrance or what?

A: A handheld GPS device (e.g., the accuracy from a phone) provides sufficient accuracy for this contract. A location of the installation should be captured above the anchor via a handheld GPS device following installation as per the deliverables required in the SOW. Geographic positions (GPs) should be provided in the format of “degrees decimal minutes” -- the same format as those listed in Appendix A.

5. Q: Dimensions/pictures of the load locker

A: The load locker must be capable of holding 18,000 lbs. A sample of the load locker used by the government may be viewed at Manta Ray anchor systems.

6. Q: How long is the hold test for 18,000lbs, is there a time it needs to hold that weight?

A: No length of time is required once 18,000 lbs is reached with the load locker.

7. Q: What kind of anchoring options are there for the dive vessel at the specific locations?

A: The contractor may use nearby mooring buoys if they are available at each location. If mooring buoys are not available (e.g., either nearby buoys are also missing, or in use already by other vessels), the contractor may anchor in sand.

8. Q: Outside of the mantas, the u-bolts, the pins, the pea gravel and the cement; what other installation materials is the vendor supplying? i.e.

shackles, cable, buoys, rope, etc.?

A: The contractor is required only to purchase and supply the anchors (mantas, u-bolts, or t-pins), 3M 5200 adhesive, and cement for each installation. The shackles, lines, buoys, and rope will be provided by the government. No cable is required for this contract.

There are some sites on the list that are located in greater than 40 feet of water that would require installation of split lines. For those installations, the government will supply the contractor with a shackle, down line and sub-surface float.

9. Q: What size dock space is being provided at the Key Largo and Key West docks?

A: The government owns or has leased space at dock locations in Key West, FL and Key Largo, FL. At either location, the government will provide space for up to 40 feet length and 20 feet width for vessels to be tied up at any time during the duration of the contract.

10. Q: Can you tell us exactly what kind of permits Vast may need to obtain and where to find the requirements and costs? Is a FL contractor license required? Any special certifications required for divers/workers in the Keys?

A: The State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation oversees state licensure requirements. The contractor must already have or plan to obtain this license in order to perform the work under the SOW. The selected contractor will be given a letter of authorization (LOA) under the “Superintendent’s permit” and will not require any other environmental permits. The LOA will identify FKNMS oversight requirements that pertain to the work under the SOW and would not result in additional fees beyond those required for state licensure, which is a prerequisite for this contract.

11. Q: In lieu of cement, is an epoxy a possible solution? Like a Hilti brand product?

https://www.williamsform.com/soil/manta-ray-anchors/

A: As noted in the SOW, alternatives to cement may be proposed to the government by the contractor. If the contractor would like to propose a solution in lieu of cement, the contractor would need to provide more information to the government about the alternative to cement regarding holding power, toxicity, etc. If the government determines that the alternative would not be sufficient, the government reserves the right to require the contractor to use “Portland Type 2” cement.

12. Q: What size holes are required? Is there a specific hole diameter requirement for the T-pin and the U-bolt anchors? Or does the hole just have to be big enough to handle the 1 ¾” T on the end?

A: Per the SOW:

i. The hole for the T pins shall be 3” in diameter and core drilled to the depth of 20”. Only 2” of the pin must be proud of the surface. Hammer drills may not be used for drilling the holes.

ii. Holes for the U-bolts shall be 3-4" in diameter and core drilled to a depth of 22". The U-bolt must be cemented in place.

Only 3" of the U-bolt should be proud of the substrate. Hammer drills may not be used for drilling the holes.

13. Q: Are there any bonding requirements for this job? Is it a Construction Contract?

A: Vendors will be required to show proof of Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act insurance. (Jones Act)

14. Q: Will there be an FKNMS representative on board with the dive crew during this project?

A: There will not be an FKNMS representative on board daily with the dive crew. The contractor’s crew must operate under their own supervision. However, an FKNMS representative will commit to performing at least two onsite inspections over the course of the contract (either on board the contractor vessel or from a government vessel) in addition to the kickoff meeting and regular (at least once per week) check-ins whose regularity will be determined upon award of the contract. The inspections will be scheduled at the kickoff meeting and would occur once at the beginning of the performance period in order to confirm that the work is being performed adequately and will meet the terms of the SOW, and once again after most or all of the work is complete and would be a “spot check” of at least two buoy anchor installation locations.

15. Q: In the event we pull up on location and another vessel is in the area, are we allowed to run the other vessel off in order to conduct safe diving operations, and what is the protocol for that?

A: The contractor is not allowed to “run the other vessel off” if the other vessel is safely tied up to an FKNMS mooring buoy. If a vessel requests the ability to “raft” off of the contractor’s working vessel, the contractor may refuse that request. It is acceptable to work while other vessels are tied up to another mooring buoy nearby.

16. Q: How are weather/hurricane delays handled?

A: This is a firm-fixed price contract; as such, “weather days” should be incorporated into the price and proposal for the work.

17. Q: Does anyone suggest specific tooling?

A: There are two specified tools for this contract. The first is the requirement for a load locker capable of holding 18,000 lbs. If the contractor does not have a load locker capable of meeting this requirement, one will be provided by the government. The second requirement is for a rotary drill with a core bit for drilling holes in the substrate. No hammer drills are allowed under this contract.

18. Q: Any other unusual areas/things we should be made aware of?

A: Although this activity will take place under an FKNMS Superintendent’s permit, if the contractor injures live corals during the course of this work by not following the guidance provided in the SOW and during the kickoff meeting and any subsequent check-ins, the contractor could be charged with injury to Sanctuary resources under Section 312 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Additionally, no historical and cultural artifacts should be disturbed or removed during the operations. A map of historical and cultural artifact locations near the installation areas will be provided to the contractor at the kickoff meeting. The kickoff meeting will include a briefing on endangered coral identification, as well as locations to be avoided and any other special considerations for the areas of operation.