B09_A1_21R0030_At6_QAs_Amend_1_0001.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center

Denver Federal Center, Building 50 P. O. Box 25047

Denver, CO 80225-0047

140L0621R0030 Klamath Falls Rock Replacement

Questions and Answers #1 – Amendment 1

1) Q: Does the contractor need to have DOT certified traffic controllers, or can the awardee use general laborers?

A: Section 156.03 states a traffic control supervisor certified by a state department of transportation, ATSSA, or other acceptable certification program is to be provided. However, the traffic control supervisor section 156.09 is deleted from the contract specifications (there is a typo in the specs it should read 156.09 instead of 156.08) The superintendent can serve in the role of the ‘traffic control supervisor’ with an acceptable traffic control certification, and general laborers can be used to assist with traffic control.

Due to the remote nature of the work in the contract, traffic interruptions are expected to be infrequent.

2) Q: Can the contractor work outside of the published contract labor hours?

A: In accordance with “H-1,” the contractor can submit a request to the Contracting Officer to work outside of published hours. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

3) Q: Does this contract included liquidated damages?

A: No

4) Q: Does the government anticipate suspensions of work due to weather delays, etc.?

A: The contract period of performance has a built-in allowance for seasonal weather delays. With the duration of the period of performance, the contractor has the ability to finish the project in one or two construction seasons.

5) Q: Will the contractor be required to perform official “fire-watch” duties. What are the fire-watch requirements of the contract?

A: Fire watch duties will be based on the IFPL ratings during construction activities, and will be factored into construction activity, fuel loads where the work is being performed.

6) Q: The contract has specific requirements regarding limited road closures. Can the government clarify whether the awardee will be able to completely close roads or whether steel grates should be used, etc.? Can exceptions be requested during the execution of work?

A: Yes, exceptions can be requested and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Section 635 permits road closures for construction activities where detours are available. Traffic control signs must be place at intersections of the closed road and the detour route.

Due to the remote nature of the work in the contract, traffic interruptions are expected to be infrequent.

7) Q: Can the government clarify whether the stated goals of 52.222-23 are mandatory?

A: In accordance with paragraph “(c),” The Contractor’s compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended, and the regulations in 41 CFR 60-4 shall be based on (1) its implementation of the Equal Opportunity clause (FAR 52.222-26), (2) specific affirmative action obligations required by the clause entitled “Affirmative Action Compliance Requirements for Construction (FAR 52.222-27),” and (3) its efforts to meet the goals.

8) Q: Can the government clarify submittal items 3 and 4?

A: Submittal item (4) applies to asphalt and chip seal operations and does not apply to this contract, please ignore.

Submittal item (3) is intended to require the contractor to submit documentation for compaction of materials place on road surfaces and backfill for culverts.

Documentation of water used for compaction does not specifically call for batch tickets or receipts for water purchased. Documentation of achieved in place densities will also be acceptable.

For road surfacing FP-14 sections 204.11 and 302.05 address compaction requirements, and for backfilling culverts FP-14 section 209 addresses compaction requirements.

9) Q: What is the engineer’s estimate?

A: The government does not disclose this information. Refer to "FAR Magnitude" listed on page 4 of the solicitation continuation document.

10) Q: What are the liquidated damages?

A: This project does not included LDs.

11) Q: What is the retention rate?

A: Refer to FAR 52.232-5 as included in the solicitation.

12) Q: What are the maintenance and warranty term durations?

A: Refer to FAR 52.246-21 as included in the solicitation.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_27 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_232_5 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_246_21

13) Q: Does the government maintain an interested vendors/plan holders list?

A: No, but refer to the site visit attendant roster.

14) Q: Was the pre-construction conference mandatory for this project?

A: No, any eligible offeror can provide a proposal.

15) Q: Are there any requirements for long term fire watch?

A: Fire watch is dictated by IFPL levels and construction activities. Any necessary waivers will contain required mitigation requirements.

16) Q: Please confirm that traffic control can be done in-house, with no need for DOT certified flaggers.

A: Yes, see response for question 1.

17) Q: Please confirm that road closures can be longer than the maximum of 30-minutes allowed in sections where culverts are installed.

A: Yes, see response for question 6.

18) Q: What are the options for getting water in the remote areas? Can a water truck be used and will there be compaction issues?

A: BLM will identify government owned water sources after award. Water trucks can be used. We don’t anticipate compaction issues.

19) Q: Can onsite rock material be used as rip rap?

A: Any acceptable sized material removed from the roadbed can be used as rip-rap.

Any surface rock or scree materials will be considered for use on a case-by-case basis. It is likely that onsite materials will be able to be used for rip-rap.

20) Q: When is the anticipated start date for this project?

A: The period of performance is 517 calendar days from issuance of the notice to proceed. It is assumed that the work will start in the spring of 2022 when weather conditions permit construction. However, some work could be done in the Fall of 2021 after notice to proceed at the awardee’s discretion. The period of performance was chosen to provide two construction seasons to accomplish the work. The work could be completed in one season with enough resources, and early completion of the work is acceptable.

21) Q: Will the government consider “or equal” and/or alternative products for items in the specifications? For example, can the awardee submit alternative geogrid?

A: Yes, but the product will need to be reviewed and approved during the submittal process. Alternate products must meet minimum performance measures as outlined in the specifications.

22) Q: What format should bid guarantees be submitted in?

A: Bid guarantees should be submitted in the value of 20% on a SF24-16d. Refer to the attached example included with this amendment.

23) Q: Can you clarify the submission requirement “(d),” representations and certifications?

A: Offerors shall complete and submit pages 26-30 of the 1442 continuation document with their offer. Complete the red check boxes for 52.204-24, 52.204-26, 52.209-7, and 52.209-13 as applicable.

24) Q: What boxes need to be completed on the SF1442?

Answer:

14 – Name and Address of Offeror 15 – Telephone Number 16 – Remittance Address (only if different than box 14) 17 – Insert offer validity date (90 days) and total offer amount in “amounts” box 19 – List amendment numbers and dates 20(a-c) – Complete the three boxes. An official with authority to contractually bind the offeror’s company must sign (see 4.102 below).

30(a-c) – Complete the three boxes. An official with authority to contractually bind the offeror’s company must sign (see 4.102 below).

4.102 Contractor’s signature (Signature Requirements).

(a) Individuals. A contract with an individual shall be signed by that individual. A contract with an individual doing business as a firm shall be signed by that individual, and the signature shall be followed by the individual’s typed, stamped, or printed name and the words ", an individual doing business as _________" [insert name of firm].

(b) Partnerships. A contract with a partnership shall be signed in the partnership name.

(c) Corporations. A contract with a corporation shall be signed in the corporate name, followed by the word "by" and the signature and title of the person authorized to sign.

(d) Joint venturers. A contract with joint venturers may involve any combination of individuals, partnerships, or corporations. The contract shall be signed by each participant in the joint venture in the manner prescribed in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section for each type of participant.

(e) Agents. When an agent is to sign the contract, other than as stated in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, the agent’s authorization to bind the principal must be established by evidence satisfactory to the contracting officer.