Attachment_16_-_Q_A1_BLM_Responses_0002.pdf

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 1 of 9

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center Denver Federal Center, Building 85

P.O. Box 25047 Denver, Colorado 80225-0047 http://www.blm.gov

140L0624R0009 Amendment 2

GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Questions and Answers #1

1)Q: Spec Section 01 91 13: Is the government retaining and paying for the commissioning agent?

A: Yes, BLM will be responsible for commissioning services.

2)Q: Please confirm that the AISC Certified Erector requirement will be waived for this project. Our company is not currently an AISC Certified Erector (we chose not to renew our certification a few years ago), but we are signatory to the Ironworkers Union (Local 433), so we follow all the same erection procedures as an AISC Certified Erector.

A: Per Specification Section 051200 1.7 B, installer must be AISC certified.

3)Q: AC-1 ceiling specifications on finish schedule and the specifications call for a residential only acoustical ceiling. Please provide a commercial rated specification.

A: An alternative product that would still meet Specification Section 095113 is the Armstrong Optima Tegular line in lieu of the Easy Elegance identified on the Interiors Finish Schedule on I- 602.

4)Q: ACB-1 Ceiling baffles Arktura Linea is on a racking system and cannot match the design intent shown on the plans. Please provide a depth of baffles and thickness so we can provide a product that matches the design intent.

A: An alternative product that would still meet the Design intent is the Arktura SoundEdge line.

Intent was for a product with a depth of 8” and could be affixed to the ceiling without a racking system. In consultation with the manufacturer and since the original design completion in 2021, the Arktura Linea line no longer meets the design intent. Design intent was to affix baffles without a racking system (direct mounting to ceiling). During submittal development contractor must consult with the proposed product representative on installation means and method of the proposed product that meets the design and specifications.

5)Q: We are requesting that the project bid date be pushed back at least 1 day. Monday bids are very difficult to obtain subcontractors bids on time.

A: The closing date of the solicitation has been extended to Apr 16, 2024, at 2:00 PM MDT.

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 2 of 9

6)Q: Please confirm that all FF&E items on drawing I-601 will be separate contract excluded from this bid.

A: FF&E items listed on I-601 are typically excluded from this bid except for the items listed in “Attachment 8 - FF&E Package” provided in the solicitation posting.

7)Q: The solicitation section L-9 states “The offeror shall identify the project manager, site superintendent, quality control manager, and safety manager; qualified individuals may fulfill multiple roles”. Please confirm if one individual can meet all of the requirements that the site supervision (Super/ QCM/ SSHO) may be a single person.

A: The mentioned roles may be fulfilled by a single qualified person.

8)Q: Please confirm that as this is an unrestricted solicitation per section 52.204-8 that a HUBZone pricing preference will apply to the award of this contract.

A: This is a full and open solicitation. No HUBZone pricing preference has been applied.

9)Q: Is the intent for the project to be “certified” or was this section specific to the design aspect only?

A: The intent for the project is to be LEED certified.

10)Q: Section 018113.14 Part 1.2; Part A is one of the only references to LEED Silver but does not direct the contractor to perform certification requirements. Please confirm the contractor is not responsible to submit information and achieve LEED Silver.

A: Contractor must submit the required documentation and follow the necessary procedures for LEED Silver certification.

11)Q: Section 018113.14 Part 1.2; A-3 states that, “a copy of the LEED project checklist is attached at the end of this Section for information only.” Please confirm that the awarded contractor is not to include the costs of LEED certification which includes all administrative costs and costs associated with the certification process.

A: The intent for the project is to be LEED certified.

12)Q: Please confirm that contractors are not to include the costs for LEED commissioning agent.

A: The Government will be responsible for commissioning services under a separate contract.

Contractor is responsible for providing a LEED coordinator agent for quality assurance per Specification Section 018113.14 Part 1.8.

13)Q: Section 018113.14 Part 1.2; Part F Requires that the “contractor” shall hire UL to complete Indoor Air Quality Testing. Brian Wilson is listed as the contract. Please confirm if the Government is requiring all contractors bidding on the project to receive pricing from this person as a sole source requirement or if this only related to the design.

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 3 of 9

A: Contractor is responsible for the Indoor Air Quality Testing as noted in Section 018113.14 Part 1.5.F but is not required to sole source the testing from the listed contact.

14)Q: Section 018113.14 Part 1.2; Part G ”Contractor” to hire UL or STOK to coordinate, complete and upload to LEED-Online all LEED construction credits. Brian Wilson is listed as the contract. Please confirm if the Government is requiring all contractors bidding on the project to receive pricing from this person as a sole source requirement or if this only related to the design.

A: Contractor is responsible for submitting LEED construction credits as noted in Section

018113.14 Part 1.5.G but is not limited to utilizing the listed contacts.

15)Q: Section 018113.14 Part 1.2; Part J- states that the “contractor” is to include LEED certification topics into the ongoing construction meetings and include Jacobs LEED AO, Greg Kight. Please confirm if this person will act as a third party but will have the ability to direct construction efforts to obtain LEED credits. If so, please confirm that any direction from Jacobs will be provided through the KO and compliant with the applicable and referenced FARs.

A: The language for requiring a Jacobs individual in attendance to any meeting should be disregarded. Any attendance by Jacobs personnel would be at the direction of the Contracting Officer and outlined in a separate contract.

16)Q: Per design drawing CD 102 keynote U4 there is an existing underground septic tank to be removed. This tank was not visible during the site visit. Please confirm the information on this drawing is correct.

A: Tank U3 has some piping and equipment inside it and is about 6 ft. in diameter and 8 ft. deep.

Tank U4 has some water inside and is about 9 ft. in diameter and 10 ft. deep. The current assumption is that the drawing is correct and U4 is a septic tank – this will need to be verified in the field along with the measurements. See provided pictures of the tanks. See provided pictures below.

U3 Cover

U3 Interior

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 4 of 9

U4 Cover

U4 Interior

17)Q: Per design drawing CD 102 keynote U8 multiple power poles are to be removed. Please confirm who will coordinate with the utility company and ensure outages are confirmed for the removal of these electrical poles?

A: Contractor is responsible for coordinating with the local utility provider (Imperial Irrigation District).

18)Q: What are the hours and limitations regarding nighttime work, especially during the summer?

A: Normal working hours are 7am-6pm per the Statement of Work. For work performed outside of these hours, contractor must submit a request to the Contracting Officer for approval specifying the desired work times and the period the work will be performed.

19)Q: Can we pull water from the canal to use on the jobsite?

A: Contractor may pull water from the Coachella Branch of the All-American Canal under BLM’s permit with the Coachella Valley Water District, but only as approved by the BLM. It is estimated that there would be a total of 2 acre-feet of water available for contractor’s use for the duration of the project considering the total allowable amount given by the permit and BLM’s own usage.

Please see the amended Statement of Work and the provided copy of the canal encroachment permit for stipulations and requirements.

20)Q: Is the total thickness of the ICF walls 8” including the insulation? See below for core and overall widths:

• Core 4” width 9”

• Core 6” width 11”

• Core 8” width 13”

A: 8” Concrete core as identified on Structural Design sheets does not include insulation form. It’s purely concrete thickness. Thickness of insulating forms is expected to vary based on proposed product. Product proposed is required to meet the R-Values as specified with the Design and Specifications.

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 5 of 9

21)Q: Are there additional attachment details/recommendations for the siding at the panels on the ICF walls, or can the siding be attached to the plastic fox blocks?

A: Based on industry input during design contractors clip the approved panels to the ICF via the plastic stays in the ICF unit. Contractor should consult with the proposed ICF manufacturer and the proposed panel manufacturer on the means and method for attachment.

22)Q: Can we have a Superintendent double as a QC or do we need one person for each role?

A: Please see answer to question #7.

23)Q: Is there a Borrow Site that can be used for the large fill and/or riprap?

A: Borrow pits are identified in the attached Environmental Assessment document.

24)Q: Sheet CD01, Comments 7, 14, 15, 16 and 17 require the removal and crushing of Asphalt and Concrete on Site. The cost of mobilizing the crusher is cost prohibitive. Would it be acceptable to haul the material to a recycling facility and use a return load to haul recycled material in kind back on site?

A: This would be acceptable.

25)Q: Would it be acceptable to utilize recycled material, (Asphalt Grindings or Crushed Concrete) for the fill material?

A: It is acceptable to use the recycled asphalt & concrete in the fill material as long as the fill properties specified in the Geotechnical Report can be met with the recycled material included.

26)Q: Page CG 110 Comment 2, States, “A STAND-BY CREW FOR EMERGENCY WORK SHALL

BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES DURING THE RAINY SEASON (NOVEMBER 1 TO APRIL 15).

NECESSARY MATERIALS SHALL BE AVAILABLE ONSITE AND STOCKPILED AT

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO FACILITATE RAPID CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY

DEVICES WHEN RAIN IS IMMINENT.”

Is there any size requirement of the crew? And for wage purposes, is the crew to be paid for nighttime watch services?

A: Contractor may forego a standby crew for emergency erosion mitigation work if such work can be accomplished with the normal construction crew and materials. If contractor wishes to provide a standby crew, the crew size may be determined by the contractor as needed.

27)Q: Technical Section L-11 VOLUME 4: FACTOR III, SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PARTICIPATION, require a large business prime contractor to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan with the technical. As the Government utilizes this information in the evaluation of the Technical and the prime contractor score is based upon the information submitted in the plan, must the prime contractor utilize the subcontractors listed in the Small Business Plan?

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 6 of 9

A: The small business subcontracting goals listed in the solicitation are not mandatory in the Small Business Plan. However, those that propose small or socio-economic subcontractors that meet or exceed DOI’s subcontracting goals will be evaluated more favorably than those that do not.

28)Q: We noticed that there are some cargo containers at the worksite. Will the government remove these before construction begins or will they be available for contractor use?

A: The government will remove the Conex boxes before work begins onsite, so they will not be available for contractor use.

29)Q: Specification Section 015000 1.3; A, B & C speaks to temporary facilities use charges with water and electrical services being available to the Contractor at no cost. The Statement of Work (1/24/2024) 5.0; Utilities speaks to no utilities being provided and the Contractor is to provide any temporary utilities required. Please clarify.

A: Existing electrical service is available for use by the Contractor; Contractor must provide their own connections to the electrical service as needed. Water is not available for use on- site. See answer to Q#19 regarding pulling water from the canal. Statement of Work has been updated to reflect this.

30)Q: Specification Section 015000 2.3; B speaks to the use of the permanent HVAC System authorization. Will the Government authorize the use of permanent heating and cooling systems per the requirements in 015000 3.3; F?

A: Permanent heating and cooling systems are acceptable for use.

31)Q: Specification Section 0178389 1.3 B speaks to Record Data Files & Format B, 1. Is 0178389 1.3 B, 2 the same digital data software program/operating system?

A: Yes Specification Section 017839 1.3.B #1 and #2 are the same.

32)Q: Specification Section 017900 1.4 B speaks to Training Modules. Training Modules shall be submitted under Section 017823?

A: Per Specification Section 017839 1.5 A, training manuals shall be organized in coordination with requirements in Section 017823.

33)Q: Specification Section 019113 D speaks to the Commissioning Agent. Is the Commissioning Agent contracted to the Government?

A: The Government will be responsible for contracting the Commissioning Agents.

34)Q: Specification Section 051200 1.7 B speaks to Installer Qualifications. Will an Installer who complies with AISC Quality Certification Program be acceptable?

A: Installer must be AISC certified.

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 7 of 9

35)Q: Specification Sections referencing ‘selections’ from a manufacturer’s color ranges: Are the choices to include standard or specialty color ranges?

A: Colors may include both standard and specialty color ranges.

36)Q: Will there be BLM Ranger personnel onsite during/after demolition is complete?

A: BLM personnel will require 24/7 access to the temporarily relocated fuel tanks and may intermittently be onsite to use them. If the contractor prefers these tanks to be relocated offsite, contractor should submit a request to the Contracting Officer.

37)Q: Specification Section 095113 speaks to Acoustical Panels. Please confirm that the dimensions for ACB-1 are 7.5’ x 7.5’ x 10.5”?

A: Yes ACB-1 dimensions (WxLxD) are 7'-6" x 7'-6" x 10.5" (230cm x 230cm x 30cm Metric).

38)Q: Drawing Sheet S505 detail K1 notes bearing plate continuous references 16/S505. Is this the detail for L16 on sheet S505?

A: The detail callout is a typo and should read “L16/S-505”

39)Q: There are multiple references to Installer qualifications requiring Certifications by Trade Organizations. Will adhering to Trade Organizations’ quality program with multiple years of experience meet the Quality Assurance requirements?

A: Adhering to Trade Organizations’ quality program, having applicable certifications as part of that quality program or as standard in the trade industry, and having multiple years of experience meets the Installer Qualifications.

40)Q: As the project progresses and the Government accesses the sites fuel tanks, is the Government responsible for fuel spills resulting from their use and operations at the tanks?

A: Yes the Government is responsible for fuel spills due to Government’s use and operations of the fuel tanks.

41)Q: There are multiple references to Installers needing to be trained and approved by Manufacturers.

Will project experience and years of experience be acceptable for the Qualification Data submittal?

A: Yes past projects and years of experience are acceptable in lieu of Manufacturer certification or training unless the Manufacturer requires such certification or training for installing their product(s) as part of their warranty.

42)Q: Drawing Sheet CG501: Is H1 the correct detail for the drain inlet?

A: H1/CG501 is the correct detail for the drain inlet. Keynote 2/CG101 contains a typo when referring to detail E1/CG501 (should be H1/CG501).

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 8 of 9

43)Q: Is there a responsibility matrix for the project? Will all of the low voltage scope be the responsibility of the general contractor and low voltage subcontractor?

A: A responsibility matrix is not available. The general contractor is responsible for all low voltage scope.

44)Q: Will specifications for the security scope of work be released prior to the bid date?

A: Security system scope of work is not a part of this contract and will be bid separately at a later date. However, conduits, cable trays, and other electrical/other items supporting future installation of security system equipment shall be installed (refer to Telecom sheets).

45)Q: Is there a preferred manufacturer for the access control, IDS, cameras, and video management system?

A: Security system scope of work is not a part of this contract and will be bid separately at a later date.

46)Q: What is the recording storage requirement for the CCTV system?

A: Security system scope of work is not a part of this contract and will be bid separately at a later date.

47)Q: Details show terminal bracing only for the fence, but the specifications call out “the kitchen sink.”

Please confirm which to follow – the plans or the specifications, as the difference between the two is very wide.

A: Specification Section 323113 Part 3.3 F calls for braces at terminal, end, gate, and pull posts.

Please adhere to the Specifications.

48)Q: There are gate operators in the specifications but not called out on the plans. Please clarify.

A: Fence gates are all manually operated. No fence gate operator equipment is present.

49)Q: In Attachment 4 - Price Breakout, the base bid includes Landscape (item 4). However, in the Solicitation 104L0624R009, landscape item is no longer as the base bid and just shown as Additive 3.

Please confirm which one to follow.

A: All Landscaping should be included in Additive 3. Attachment 4A - Price Breakout has been corrected and attached with amendment 2.

50)Q: Please provide the maintenance period for Landscape.

A: No on-going landscape maintenance is required. However, all work (including plants, irrigation, & decorations such as rocks) will fall under the 1-year warranty for construction.

51)Q: We received the Amendment 0001 for the project, which included an additional proposal section Volume 3, Factor II: Past Performance. In my review of this section, we are required to provide no more

140L0624R0009 GAOA Cahuilla Ranger Station Replacement Page 9 of 9 than five (5) recent and relevant projects. We are to provide past performance questionnaire’s to be submitted directly the contract specialist for these projects. Note (d) is where I am requesting clarification. In my review and interpretation of the wording as it is written, it states that “the Government will retrieve all completed Contract Performance Assessment Report (CPARS), therefore, past performance submissions by offerors shall not include any contracts for which a CPARS was accomplished.” We interpret this to read that we are not able to submit as any of the five recent and relevant projects a project that had a CPARS tied to it. We mostly do work that is Government work that have CPARS tied to it. In order for our firm to submit recent and relevant projects, we would need to utilize past performance projects that had CPARS related to them. In many proposals we have done, the CPARS will take place of the questionnaire required within the proposal as an accurate evaluation from the Government on the project’s performance. Please clarify if we will be able to utilize projects for the five recent and relevant projects that have had CPARS evaluations and if we can utilize the CPARS evaluation to take place of the past performance questionnaire provided within Amendment 0001.

A: References of the contractor’s five most recent and relevant projects that have had CPARS evaluations may utilize their respective CPARS evaluations in lieu of the past performance questionnaires.