Questions_and_Answers_(Amendment_0002)_0002.docx

Amendment #0002

RFP# 140F0821R0005

Questions & Answers

1. Box 10 of the SF 1442 indicates the contract type to be Firm Fixed Price. Due to the current market factors for construction materials (e.g. wood, steel, copper, etc.) and the uncertainly and volatility of prices, would the Government consider changing the contract type to Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, or provide a contingency/option under the Firm-Fixed Price contract type to make adjustments for changes in material prices - this could potentially be an FFP with Cost Reimbursable material CLIN(s), or similar?

Response No, the Government will be keeping the current format.

2. Section F.1 states that the work will commence within 15 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP). Section I.3 states that the Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 30 Calendar days of receipt of NTP. Would the Government please clarify the number of days work is to commence after receipt of NTP?

Response Work will commence within 15 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP).

3. Obtaining LEED certification for the project/building is a 2+ month process that cannot be started until everything in the building (including furniture) is installed and the building is air flushed. Can the government please confirm that the 270-day time period to complete construction does not include obtaining the LEED certification, and that obtaining the certification can be obtained within a few months after construction is complete?

Response Yes, LEED Certification may be obtained after construction is complete. See SOW 3.7.5 which states: “After completion of the work and prior to final payment, submit the LEED Silver Certification documents ….” This is after construction is complete.

4. This para discusses encountering "paleontological, archaeological or historical remains (including burials or skeletal material)". On a previous contract, our team was required to provide Archaeology monitoring during the excavation phase. Please clarify if this support is to be provided by the Government, or will the Contractor need to include for this expense in their proposal?

Response Section 3.5.3 states that “If ….“ these items are found. No professional Archaeological monitoring is called for in the SOW or required of the Contractor. However, if Contractor personnel encounter any of these items they shall proceed as called for by 3.5.3. It is not anticipated that the Government will be performing professional Archaeological monitoring. The sites are in the process of being cleared Archaeologically by the Government at this time

5. Building Material availability: There is currently shortage of some building materials nationwide. If we show material was ordered in a timely manner but on back order for an extended period of time, will this be an acceptable delay to an request extension to the schedule?

Response The Construction schedule is set at 270 days. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to make all decisions with regard to staffing, sequencing of activities, and ordering of materials in order to create a construction schedule which meets the 270 day limit. If a diligent effort is made by the Contractor to obtain materials from various suppliers and there is no opportunity to arrange the schedule to accommodate a material shortage, the Government will consider a schedule extension.

6. Will there be a space on the site with Electrical access for a construction office trailer, 50' x 12'?

Response There will be space for a construction office trailer. Utilities during construction are the responsibility of the contractor which is described in SOW 2.8, 3.1.2, 3.1.14, and others. Available utilities are described in the SOW and attachments.

7. Can USFWS provide additional details on the process and timing for price negotiations based on the Phase 1 submission date of June 15th and a POP start date of July 1st ? The bidding documents do not allow sufficient detail for firm fixed pricing from the subcontract market nor does the RFP timeframe allow for sufficient design development to seek these FFPs. However, we would be ready to present budgetary amounts and allowances for specific scopes under the $14M budget, with assumptions and clarifications on material selection and scopes. Thus, we would like to better understand the process upon selection of the preferred technical bidder.

Response The period of performance will not begin July 1st. The date you see was an estimate at the time the project planning started. Selection of preferred bidder is made during Phase II of the selection process. The nature of the Design-Build delivery method is such that design development by the Contractor prior to Phase II proposals is sufficient for the Contractor to guarantee the firm fixed price. Balancing of costs and prices during design and construction is the responsibility of the Contractor in order to meet their firm fixed price proposal.

8. In lieu of past performance questionnaires (PPQs), can offerors use CPARS, ACASS, etc. and/or previously completed PPQS from other proposals?

Response Yes