Ding_Darling_NWR_Q_and_A_8_14_2026_FGA26Q0026_0001.pdf

Solicitation 140FGA26Q0026 _ Ding Darling NWR Rehab Q and A_8.14.2026

RFIs for Rehab of Government quarters/ tower and pavilion.

1. The SOW indicates that roof repair work will be added by modification following the inspection. Please confirm that only the inspection and report are included in the base bid and that all repair work will be issued through a future modification. Yes, the scope is to inspect the roof and provide an itemized list of repairs with prices, that will be put into a modification/change order to make the correct repairs.

2. Please clarify the required finish color for the new entry doors, roofing systems, composite decking, railings, and painted surfaces. Doors are White Exterior Semi Gloss Superpaint. Roof is galvalum metal color. Decking shall be a grey color tone.

3. Please provide the required specifications for the replacement outdoor hose bibs, including size, material, freeze protection (if applicable), and connection type.

Standard residential hose bib outlets are universally 3/4-inch Garden Hose Thread connects to 1/2-inch copper pipe, Designed to be soldered directly onto copper tubing.

4. Please confirm whether replacement of deteriorated rafters, framing members, or structural components discovered during demolition will be handled by contract modification or included in the base scope. All components discovered during demo that is determined that there is a need to be replaced will be handled as a modifcation to the contract.

5. Please provide the required manufacturer, profile, panel width, gauge, finish, and warranty requirements for the standing seam roofing systems. We do not have specific information or design drawings for the quarters. the Roof is a galvalume finish, the inspection should determine the profile, panel width etc.

6. Please clarify whether the existing lightning protection system at the Observation Tower is to remain in service and whether testing or certification is required after reinstallation. lightening protect system shall remain no testing or certification is required

7. Please provide the required specifications for the composite decking material, including manufacturer, color, thickness, fastening system, warranty, and approved equal products. Decking shall be a Island mist (gray) Trex Lineage or equivalent 1” x 6” decking boards, fasted with stainless steel screws grooved edge boards install with our Hidden Fastening System beneath the deck surface, leaving a tidy finish free of screw holes.

8. Please clarify whether all pavilion framing members are to be sealed and painted or only those specifically identified in the SOW. only those Identified in the SOW

9. Please provide the design criteria for the new ADA-compliant entrance ramp, including required width, slope, landing dimensions, handrails, and foundation requirements. Ramp should be 6’ wide with a 4” toe kick on both sides. The maximum slope allowed for an ADA Standards for Accessible Design ramp in new construction is a 1:12 ratio (8.33% grade). This means for every 1 inch of vertical rise, you need at least 12 inches (1 foot) of horizontal ramp run. The landing shall rest at grade of the asphalt trail. Handrials shall be made with a hog panel handrail system using durable, painted or vinly coated, welded-wire mesh panels (typically 3x6 or 3x8 feet with 4x4 inch grid openings) with the top rail being composite material. See photo

10. Please provide the required specifications for the new hog-panel railing system, including panel type, framing dimensions, spacing, finish, and attachment details.

11. Handrials shall be made with A hog panel handrail system using durable, welded-wire mesh panels (typically 3x6 or 3x8 feet with 4x4 inch grid openings) Panels sizes will be custom to fit the size of the structure and fit the entire circumference of the structure except where the egress/ingress ADA ramp is, the wire mesh panels shall be painted black or coated in a black vinyl as appropriate and is framed by composite decking material on both sides of the mesh. A top rail made of composite decking materials will cap of the railings. The clearance between decking and bottom of the railing shall be no more than 4 inches. See photo

12. Please confirm whether discovery of concealed hurricane-related damage beyond what is reasonably observable will be addressed through equitable contract modification. The SOW states concealed hurricane damage should be anticipated but does not define the limit of Contractor responsibility. Any unforeseen circumstances that can’t be reasonably observed will be address in a contract modification with an appropriate cost request.

13. Please clarify whether any work requires temporary closure of public access areas, including the Observation Tower or Cross Dike Pavilion, and whether closures will be coordinated by the Government. The Tower and pavilion will have to be closed to the public while construction is ongoing. Contractor shall supply all fencing/barricades to keep the work zone safe. The residence of the houses will be continuously occupied and must remain open for their access at all times during construction.

14. Please provide any available as-built drawings, plans, specifications, or previous inspection reports for all four facilities. Plans are not available for any of these buildings

15. Is water and electrical power available for contractor use at the government quarters, observation tower, and pavilion locations? Water and electric are available at the quarters but not at the cross dike pavilion or observation tower locations.

16. The SOW requires inspection and a later modification for deficiencies discovered.

Should bidders exclude repair costs from the base bid and only include inspection/reporting? Other than repairs specifically mentioned in the SOW, all other deficiencies found in the inspection or demolishion phase will be handled as a change order and modification to the contract.

17. Can the Government provide roof dimensions and roof area for both residences?

The residences are 2000 SF buildings and the roof square footage is approximately 3510 square feet.

18. How many total storm shutters are located at each residence? 10

19. What percentage of shutter hardware replacement should be anticipated under

"minor components"? Repair or replacement of gears and hardware, not the track or shutter or shutter housing.

20. Are replacement gears, motors, tracks, or hardware included in the maintenance scope? Yes, see number 6 above

21. Please confirm whether the existing sidelites shown in Figure 5 are part of the replacement scope or whether only the active door panel is being replaced. Yes the side lite windows are part of the replacement

22. Is hurricane-rated glazing required in the sidelites? Yes, impact glass

23. Please provide desired finish color and hardware specifications for the entry door.

Match existing, brushed nickle. locks to be Keyed seperately with normal house key

24. Please provide estimated square footage or number of areas requiring concrete spalling repairs at each residence. approximately 20 locations on each residence, each 6-10 inches in size.

25. Can photographs identify all currently known repair locations?

26. What depth of concrete removal should bidders assume?

27. If additional spalling is discovered after demolition, will it be considered a change order? As we approximate 20 locations per residence, this is not an exact number, we will consider a change order on additional spalling only if there is determined if there are significantly more than 20 locations needed repairs

28. Please provide existing transfer switch manufacturer, model number, amperage, voltage, and enclosure rating.

29. Shall bidders include a new transfer switch in the base bid, or removal only?

Removal only

30. Please provide square footage of fiber cement board ceilings to be removed and replaced at each residence. 2000 square feet

31. Please confirm board thickness and material specifications.

32. Will hidden framing damage discovered after ceiling removal be treated as a contract modification? yes it will and we have no way to quantify the amount so it will have to be a modifiaction to the contract.

33. What gate widths are required for both double gates? 6ft double gate

34. What gauge chain link fabric and post sizes are required? Standard gauge and post sizes per code

35. For the Wildlife observation tower, If deteriorated framing members are discovered after roof removal, will these be addressed through modification? yes

36. Do solar panels require contractor reinstallation after roofing work or only delivery to Refuge sta ? No, can be disposed of properly

37. Is fall protection anchorage available at the tower? no

38. For the Cross Dike-pavilion, please provide plan dimensions, deck dimensions, and ramp dimensions.

39. For the Cross Dike-pavilion, please provide exact square footage of decking replacement. This is a close estimate and not exact, 676 square feet of decking required.

40. For the Cross Dike-pavilion, please provide exact linear footage of fascia replacement. This is a close estimate and not exact, 104 linear feet of fascia.

41. For the Cross Dike-pavilion, please provide exact linear footage of railing replacement. This is a close estimate and not exact, 112 linear feet of railing.

42. For the Cross Dike-pavilion, please provide the required composite decking manufacturer or approved equal. No specific composite decking manufacturer has been selected, and it is the responsibility of the vendor to provide product submittals to refuge management for approval or denial.

43. For the Cross Dike-pavilion, please specify colour and style requirements for composite decking. No exact color or style has been selected by the refuge and it is the responsibility of the vendor to provide product submittals to refuge management for approval.

44. Please provide required ramp width, landing sizes, slope requirements, and handrail details.

45. Are bidders responsible for replacing damaged joists, posts, beams, or framing uncovered during demolition? this will be handled as a modifcation,

46. Figure 17 references replacement of compromised rafters. Please clarify whether rafter replacement is included in the base bid and provide an estimated quantity.

47. Please provide roof dimensions. The SOW references approximately 600 SF only.

The dimensions of the roof are 26’x26’ based upon Google Earth measurements and is an accurate estimate, not exact.

48. Is bird screening or insect screening required beneath the pavilion? No

49. The SOW states that concealed hurricane-related damage should be anticipated and included unless explicitly excluded. Please define the limits of contractor responsibility for concealed framing, structural, corrosion, electrical, and roofing damage. Any damage that is discovered in the course of executing the scope of work will be documented, discussed with the Contracting o icer. The government will then decide weather a modification of the contract will be necessary to complete the scope of work or if additional repairs willl be needed in order to execute the SOW.

50. Will concealed structural damage discovered during demolition qualify for an equitable adjustment under FAR 52.236-2 Di ering Site Conditions? Yes

51. Roof dimensions for all structures.

Bird Observation Tower: 13’x13’ Cross Dike Pavillion: 26’x26’ Quarters: The quarters roofs are irregularly shaped with extensions and gables. The refuge has estimated that the total area of roofing material is 3510 square feet but this is an estimate only and this measurement is reflective of one residence.

52. The POP seems rather compressed...especially because there are mockups and color coordination selections required. Can the NTP be issued after the submittals have been reviewed/approved so that procurement and long lead times will not use up the POP. Yes, we can adapt the POP for reasonable delays that include unforeseen conditions that require a modification or material availability.

53. Is the Government Residence front door sidelight glass to be upgraded to impact resistant?

If so, what is the rating for that sidelight glass? Low E Impact glass U-factor less than .30 SHGC between .20 -.40, and a VT between .40-.70

54. Government Residence 950 is to have a roof inspection only and that no work on the roof will be performed unless the inspection report comes back with items needing repair and then those repairs authorized by the government via change order or contract modification...please confirm. any repairs needed following roof inspections will be handled in a modification/change order to the contract.

55. Please confirm that the ATS's at the residences are to be removed and not replaced. Yes removed and electrical to be made safe

56. How are the power feeds from the ATS to the generator to be delt with...boxed at the ATS location or complete demo all the way back to the generator on site? Remove wiring back to the generator, cut and cap o conduit

57. The skim coat that was applied to the concrete beams appears to be failing in many areas.

Can we provide a unit SF price on the concrete patching? There were some spots that appear marginal and its di icult to determine on whether or not to start peeling it o the beams with no end in site and therefore it could end up blowing the entire budget. This is up to each bidder how to determine the cost estimate.

58. The wildlife Observation Tower did not appear to have any type of joist/beam hangers on the existing structure....it does not call out to have any of the missing structural components repaired with our work. Please confirm that we are to focus exclusively on the SOW and make note to the government, if awarded this project, of additional structural repairs, that should be addressed to meet the current local building codes. Only include items in the SOW for the bid, if structural repairs or wood rot is found following the removal of the roof, this will be handled in a modification change order to make those repair.

59. Please confirm that there will be no facia installed at the observation tower. For the purpose of this bid there are no facia boards to be replaced in the SOW, however, if the facia board is determined to be in poor condition with extensive wood rot, then a modification to the contract might be necessary in order to perform the SOW correctly.

60. Please confirm that the government will do the site clearing for proper access at the Cross Dike Pavilion...there were weeds and brush on 3 sides of this structure. We are a full-service GC, but if we have to clear the brush and weeds to get to the workspace we will need to price the labor and removal for that as well. The Gov. Will remove vegetation that is in the way of the Cross Dike prior to work beginning.

61. Cross Dike Pavillion 4.12 indicates to paint the pressure treated lumber. It's usually understood that pressure treated lumber takes months (6-12) to dry out prior to painting. Is this something that will extend the POP out far enough for a return visit to paint the pressure treated lumber after it's completely dried out? Yes, the government is willing to extend the POP if necessary to accommodate this work component to ensure it is fulfilled correctly.

62. Will all the CLINS be awarded, or will the government pick and choose which CLIN if the funding isn't adequate to capture all? All line items in the SOW will be awarded.

63. Can the site superintendent be the same guy as the SSHO and QC...one in three? yes

64. Is there any hazardous abatement work on this project? no

65. Is there any permitting required on this project? No

66. Is this project tax exempt? Yes

67. Other than the residences...Will these facilities be open to the public during construction or can we have exclusive access to each project area? The Contractor will have exclusive access and be responsible for securing or fencing o the facilities for safety. The adjacent trails and wildlife drive will be open every day except friday. The residences are occupied and contractor must allow access to the residences at all times.

68. Can we work on all the project sites simultaneously? yes

69. In execuƟng this project, can one superintendent fulfill the supervision, safety, and QAQC roles?

Yes

70. Are contractors required to issue a contract specific QA/QC Plan? Yes

71. Are contractors required to issue a contract specific Safety Plan? yes

72. Is this project tax exempt? No

73. If any storm shuƩers are damaged to the extent that the most cost effecƟve plan is to replace them, will this work be handled in a contract amendment? Yes, the contractor will provide a proposal and the government will decide if the work will be a modificaƟon to the contract.

74. Should contractors include pricing to inspect storm shuƩers, and give pricing to repair or replace to be done as a contract amendment? yes

75. Are there any specific keying requirements for the door replacement? No, normal house locks are appropriate

76. Should the exisƟng door hardware, locking, and keyed systems be reused on new door? yes

77. “Ensure all remaining wiring systems are code compliant” – Are contractors to ensure that the removed circuits in removing the transfer switch are done according to code? yes

78. If other electrical aside from the transfer switch does not meet code, are contractors required to fix these issues? no

79. Should contractors include building electrical survey to ensure code compliance? not

80. Should roofing metal be .032 aluminum standing seam? Yes, the roofing for the cross dike and observaƟon tower shall be 0.32 aluminum standing seam. The roofing repairs if needed at the quarters shall match what is already exisƟng. We do not have the exact specificaƟons on those roofing systems.