Questions_and_Answers_0001.docx

Questions and Answers

Question: We have completed a project just within seven years ago, however, the project manager is no longer working with the organization, and nobody else is familiar with the project. Can an older PPQ be substituted in lieu of a new one as required in L-9.B in this solicitation?

Answer: The PPQ must be provided from the reference as stated in L-9B.

Question: Can CPARs be substituted in lieu of the PPQ requirement in L-9.B?

Answer: The government will obtain all CPARS for every offeror as stated in M-1C.2.b.

Question: Section L-9 – “Volume 3: Factor II: Past Performance” has nearly identical requirements for Offeror Past Performance as L-8.C (Subfactor C), the only difference being the format in which the Past Performance Projects are submitted. Is it your intent to have offerors submit Past Performance Projects twice in these two sections? Please explain what, if any, differences in requirements of section L-8.C and L-9.A.

Answer: Offerors may submit either different or the same projects for L-8C and L-9A. L-8C submissions provide the government projects to make an assessment of contractor capabilities and shall be rated as stated in M-1C.1.a. Submissions for past performance for L-9A will allow the government to make an assessment of quality for the project which will be used to assign a performance confidence assessment rating (M-1C.2.c).

Question: BLM is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for this project. Will courtesy reviews with the City of Farmington and the local Fire Marshall be recommended/required?

Answer: The City of Farmington will take ownership of the water and sewer utilities up to the buildings and therefore shall be involved with the review and approval of these utilities. The providers of power and phone/cable will also assume ownership of their respective utilities and will be responsible for the site maintenance up to the buildings (normal separation points) and therefore will also require review and approval. It is recommended that the Fire Marshall has an opportunity to review and comment on relevant installation requirements.

Question: Has a hydrant flow test been conducted to verify pressure and volume at or near the site? If not can this be provided to DB teams for Phase II? If pressure or volume is inadequate, an onsite storage tank could be required.

Answer: According to the hydraulic calculations that were performed when the adjacent Field Office was constructed, the static pressure at the site was 105 psi, with a residual pressure of 80 psi at a flow rate of 1,410 GPM as measured on 12/8/2010. The exact location is unknown, but it indicates that the water supply at the site should be more than adequate for fire sprinklers and for a hydrant fire flow of 1,500 GPM with a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi. The city’s water storage capacity should be assumed adequate to handle a flow duration of 2 hours or 180,000 gallons to meet IFC requirements. Given the high static pressure at the site, the contractor will need to include pressure reducing valves for the domestic water supplies to meet code (domestic water supply pressure needs to be less than 80 psi) as stated in D20 1.3A.3. Hydrant flow test at specific hydrants (as the ones located on College Boulevard), are probably available from the city or the local fire department, but ultimately the contractor is required to perform their own test prior to design as stated in D40 1.3A.2.

Question: Who is the responsible party for coordinating utility and access easements on federal property?

Answer: Once the final utility alignments are known, the contractor will notify the Government of the tentative easement requirements and the name and titles of the designated utility easements with associated surveys by a licensed surveyor. Subject to a preliminary review by the government, this information will be forwarded to the BLM State Realty Office who will then contact the various utilities and upon verification, process the required easements with the individual utilities as required.

Question: Is there any known radon in the area? The submittal list included in Attch 1, Specifications mentions soil gas venting system.

Answer: There is no evidence that radon has been an issue on this site, but there is no record of specific testing for radon. BLM intends to install these systems in all new buildings as a preventative measure, per Specification A10 – Foundations.

Question: Attch 1, Specifications states that this project shall meet all the federal sustainability requirements as presented in the BLM Standards. Does this include LEED certification? If so, what level?

Answer: LEED is not required for this project; however, the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings are required to be followed.

Question: Will BLM be specifying the applicable building codes for this project or are we to use the building codes adopted by the City of Farmington?

Answer: See codes listed on sheet G100. The City of Farmington adopted codes would prevail over water and sewer site installation if more stringent requirements are stipulated by the City of Farmington than shown. Additional code references for specific sub-entities are also listed in the specifications where applicable.

Question: Will BLM provide additional geotechnical investigations on this specific site? The report contained in Attch 1, Specifications did not include samples near the proposed new buildings.

Answer: No additional testing is anticipated. As stated in the Geotechnical Report page 5, “The existing onsite inorganic overburden soils are relatively thin (nil to 2 feet thick)” …. “The overburden materials found in our test pits can be easily excavated using conventional excavation equipment. The bedrock will require heavy ripping and may require blasting to loosen for excavation”.

Question: Sheet G200 & CU120 call out for 6” HDD waterline. Can we get some indication on the material needed? Will this be HDPE (DIPS or IPS)?

Answer: The Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) portion of the fire utility line shall be Ductile Iron Pipe as specified on Sheet CU120.

Question: Sheet CU502 Detail C shows water meter assembly. Can you confirm the meter spec? The assembly listed does not match up with the Farmington standard assembly.

Answer: The water meter assembly shown on the drawings is more than adequate to meet the City of Farmington requirements and shall be used on this project.

Question: Can you confirm the water pipe material required? Called out as CL50 Ductile iron, would PVC be an acceptable alternate?

Answer: As stated on Sheet CU120 Water Notes waterlines shall be Class 150 PVC unless otherwise noted and all building Fire Service Lines shall be Ductile Iron Pipe, except lines under 4” may be PVC, as stated in Specification Section G30 – Site Mechanical Utilities.

Question: Reference, L.8 A. Please clarify required key personnel to be included.

Answer: At a minimum, the following are key personnel: Contractors Project Manager, Site Representative, Site Excavation Foreman, Blasting Foreman, Horizontal Drill Foreman, Principal Architect, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Acoustics Consultant, Landscape Consultant. The offeror may also have other personnel considered key for the project that are not provided here. Offerors are encouraged to submit other key personnel they deem necessary if applicable.

Question: Can the building be constructed out of steel instead of being stick built?

Answer: As described in specification Section B20 – Exterior Enclosure, the Crew Quarters may be constructed either way, but the Fire Station shall be a steel structural frame with metal studs.

Question: What percentage is the design build?

Answer: A substantial amount of design has been provided on the site utilities, layout, and topo since designing this as part of the bid development process would be overly time consuming and expensive as well as determining the feasibility for grades and vehicle access. Whereas the building information is essentially provided at a preliminary stage. It is estimated that the site development (design) is at 80% to 90%, while the buildings (design) are approximately 20%. As far as the proportion of the overall contract dedicated to design vs. construction, that is up to the contractor to manage. Different offerors will utilize different business structures, so these numbers will vary.

Question: Will the government provide drawings for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC?

Answer: This is a design-build contract; that is the contractor’s responsibility.

Question: Will the government provide drawings for the footings and foundation?

Answer: This is a design-build contract; that is the contractor’s responsibility.