FabInstContractQuestions_2020August_And_0001.docx

1. What type of delivery trucks would be possible?

The roads, gates and parking area allow for semi sized vehicles to access the area.

2. What type of space is available for storage?

The parking area outside of the Ranger Station can store up to two 40’ conex storage units, which the contractors would have to provide.

3. Will the building be open to visitors during the installation period?

The Ranger Station is currently closed and will remain closed until exhibit installation is completed.

4. Is the construction remodel currently on schedule?

The construction remodel is set to begin August 24th and must be completed within 120 days.

5. When will the project crew be able to begin installation?

The project crew will have to wait to begin exhibit installation until after the construction remodel is completed. The construction remodel is set to begin August 24th and must be completed within 120 days.

6. What are the hours available for the install crew? What are the time restrictions? Available hours for work?

A key can be provided to the installation crew to access the site as needed.

7. Are any specimens available to exhibit fabricators? Example: Do they have a prairie falcon nest available as to aide in re-creation items?

BLM will not provide example specimens for re-creation to the exhibit contractors. Contractors will have to provide their own re-creation example models. The design of the 3D elements will have to be vetted through the BLM prior to fabrication.

8. What are the expectations for the 3D re-creations? What is the degree of realism expected for 3D re-creations?

BLM would like to see fairly visually realistic 3D re-creation models. Some of the touchable models would need to be designed to withstand high amounts of touch.

High touch replicas: Please note that many of the facades on the monoliths require 3D fabrication to replicate lava, sandstone, cave surface, etc.

1. Tree mold in lava replica (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-11)

2. Tree replica (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-11)

3. Pahoehoe replica and A’a replica nested within the lava façade (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-11)

4. Fossil features embedded in sandstone façade (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-18)

5. Lizard replicas (Exhibit Design Document, Page A18)

6. Prairie dog mounds and grassland, prairie dogs in tunnels (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-32)

7. Handheld magnifying glass with panel of fairy shrimp in viewer (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-20)

8. Bear tracks in monolith (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-32)

9. Is there a list of desired 3D re-creations?

Please note that many of the facades on the monoliths require 3D fabrication to replicate lava, sandstone, cave surface, etc. Be sure to refer to the Exhibit Design Document when considering your bid.

Non-surface façade 3D replicas:

1. 3D terrain map (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-09)

2. Tree mold in lava replica (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-11)

3. Tree replica (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-11)

4. Pahoehoe replica and A’a replica embedded and incorporated into within the lava façade (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-11)

5. Collared Lizard and Horned Lizard (dark coloration) replicas, life size (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-18)

6. Recessed cave (shaped organically) (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-18)

7. Prairie falcon nest, prairie falcon, eggs/hatchling (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-18)

8. Fossil features embedded in sandstone façade (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-18)

9. Canyon tree frog and eggs under acrylic (Exhibit Design Document, A-18)

10. Handheld magnifying glass with panel of fairy shrimp in viewer (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-20)

11. Prairie dog mounds and grassland, prairie dogs in tunnels (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-32)

12. Bear tracks in monolith (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-32)

10. What existing artifacts do clients want repurposed/reused for the new exhibit?

1. Artifacts within reader rail display case (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-36)

2. There is an artifact display cabinet with an adobe façade that would need to be included in the design. This cabinet would need to be redesigned in a way that it protects the artifacts within it more than it currently does and to reach the height of the monolith to be flush with it. (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-36, A-37).

3. All pottery items or in-kind items in the adobe façade artifact cabinet (Exhibit Design Document, A-37).

4. Planting stick (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-37 and A-41).

5. Acrylic case and rug/weaving display (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-37)

6. Homestead kitchen cabinet, log wall, and kitchen accessories (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-47)

7. Windmill silhouette (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-47)

8. Wooden fence (Exhibit Design Document, Page A-47)

9. Who is responsible for dismantling of existing artifacts and storage of artifacts or other existing features which are intended to be repurposed?

BLM curators will dismantle and remove all existing artifacts. BLM will be responsible for storage of existing artifacts.

10. Will files be provided for 3D relief terrain map?

Files will not be provided by the BLM for the 3D terrain map. Contractor would be responsible for obtaining those files and vetting map area with BLM staff prior to fabrication.

11. What is the remodel color pallete?

Wall Paint in exhibit area: Sherwin-Williams (SW) interior latex satin finish paint; accent walls up to 96” H – SW 7514 ‘Foothills’, all other walls - SW 7008 ‘Alabaster’, ceiling – N/A Flooring: Mexican Saltillo Tiles

12. Is there a wage decision? Ex. State or Federal wage decision.

No wage determination is applicable as this is considered a supply.

13. Will contractors/crew have access to restroom facilities onsite or is there a need for a porta-potty?

Restroom facilities will be available, but no custodial service will be provided.

14. When does the remodel contract begin?

The construction remodel will begin August 24th, 2020 and must be completed within 120 days.

15. What lighting is in the exhibit area?

Current lighting is track lighting located near ceiling height. The bulbs will be updated during the construction remodel.

16. Can contractor who designed the exhibit bid on the fabrication and installation?

Yes.

17. Will the exhibit contractor have to obtain a permit? If so, what is the permit jurisdiction?

The contractor does not need to obtain a permit, but will need to self-certify that they are completing the job to code. To self-certify, the contractor can write a letter stating that they have met or followed all local codes required by the State of New Mexico, City of Grants, and/or a Federal code, whichever is most stringent.

18. What is the height from floor to the bottom of the ceiling beam by the movie room door?

152”

19. What is the height from the floor to the bottom beam in the corner where Exhibit Area H will be located?

126”

20. What is the height of the inside of the support structure from the floor to the ceiling beam?

146”

21. What is the height and width of the largest set of doors to the area?

83 and 5/8” height, 70 and ¾” width

22. What is the not to exceed cost amount?

BLM will not be providing a not to exceed cost amount.

23. Can contractors submit bids that have different quality range estimates?

Yes, the contractor is encouraged to submit bids with different price ranges and quality ranges to provide the BLM an idea of the different types of renderings with varying materials and the different price ranges associated with these.

24. Can exhibit contractors use actual lava rock from the NCA to work into the exhibit?

Contractors will have to bring any lava rock they intend to use from offsite.

25. Can contractors submit their own price table or do they have to use the one provided by the BLM?

Contractors will have to submit the cost table BLM provided but are encouraged to provide their own cost breakout as well.

26. Is BLM rigid about the design of the exhibit?

BLM is rigid on the exhibit layout and content, but we are open to suggestions from contractor for fabrication ideas on certain features.

27. What content will be provided to the contractors?

Exhibit designs, panel graphics, text content and listed existing exhibit features will be provided by the BLM.

28. Does the sandstone façade have to be real sandstone or sandstone-like?

Sandstone façade can be either replica or sandstone.

29. Are the entry doors being replaced at ranger station under remodel?

It is unclear currently whether the entry doors will be replaced under the remodel contract. When the exhibit fabrication and installation contractor is chosen, this will be clarified for them and the measurement specifics will be relayed to them prior to fabrication.

30. Are detailed specifications pertaining to the construction scope of work available to the public? Yes, detailed specifications on the construction scope of work are available on FedConnect.net.

31. Since this is a supply contract no bond is required, correct?

No bond is required as this is not a construction project.

32. All production graphic files will be provided to awarded exhibit fabricator, the fabricator is only responsible for the topographical map file?

All graphic production files will be provided o the awarded exhibit fabricator, aside from the topographical map file.

33. Do you need printed, physical copies of the proposal or will electronic submission be accepted? Electronic and hard copy submissions will be accepted, preferable electronic copies. Please notify the contracting officer if you intend to mail any hard copies as the CO is teleworking due to Covid19.

34. Where should we send our proposal? Is that something that we can email directly to you or is there another way to submit?

Submit proposals to Eleanor Tippeconnie via email at etippeco@blm.gov.

35. Do you have an estimated date when you will share the answers to questions asked at the site visit? Are you able to share a list of the attendees to the site visit?

a. August 20, 2020 b. No

36. Do you have any budget information you can share? A range? Exhibit fabrication materials and approaches can vary, and we want to make sure we're on the same page in our understanding of how the Ranger Station is envisioning these builds.

BLM will not be providing a budget range for this contract.

37. Are taxidermied specimens desired or acceptable?

BLM would like replicas to be fabricated, rather than taxidermy specimens.

38. Can you clarify the dimensions of the reader rail graphic panels? The typical example measures 40"w x 31/32"h but in the specific call-outs they are listed as 40"w x 10"h.

A-18 - two reader rail panels 40" x 10", see Exhibit Graphics document page 15 and 18.

A-32 one reader rail panel 40" x 10", see Exhibit Graphics document page 31 A-36 one reader rail panel 20" x 10", see Exhibit Graphics document page 37 A-36 five reader rail display case labels 5" diameter circles A-51 one reader rail panel 60" x 10"