Atch_8_Questions_and_Answers_0002.docx

Questions and Answers

1. The solicitation states that the resulting award is expected to be a firm fixed price commercial services contract. Can the Government please clarify whether the Offeror is to include pricing for the procurement of the new tower, antennas, feedline, mounting hardware, foundation materials, and associated equipment, or whether any, or all these items will be Government-furnished?

Everything the Contractor will provide. The only thing they do not provide is all the calibrated equipment that is in the Comm towers housing which sits next to the tower itself. This is the National Park Service and NOAA equipment. The Contractor will connect to the existing equipment building. There is also a NOAA antenna that they will have to remove from the existing tower and install onto the new one.

1. Can the Government please confirm whether a geotechnical investigation has been performed for the proposed Diablo East tower location? If so, is it possible to provide a copy of the geotechnical report to Offerors? If no geotechnical investigation has been performed, please clarify whether the Offeror is responsible for performing one.

No geotechnical report has been done. The Contractor can provide the geo report pricing inclusive of additional time within their solicitation submission for consideration.

1. Can you please provide the Geotech report that is referenced in the tower foundation drawings? (page 9 of Attachment 3) If there has not been one done, will the government be providing it or is the contractor responsible for obtaining one?

The Tower drawings were provided by one of the Comm tower manufacturers. It is unknown what soils they based the engineered foundation on, if you look at the Rohn attachment, it shows the same foundation and it states clay soils (Estimated foundation based on Revision H presumptive clay soil 3rd bullet point on page 3). The Geo report was not included in the specific tower drawings. The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining one since this is stated on page 9 number 20.

1. The SOW Section 3.1.3 states “The foundation shall be replaced according to installers specs to accommodate the new self-supporting tower. Only approved gravel and soil will be used.” Two questions relative to this section:

3. There is an engineer-stamped foundation design included in the drawings provided (Attachment 3). Is this not intended to be a final design?

The design provided is not intended to be a final design and is a reference to a similar design. The height and antennas have a mandatory elevation. SOW 3.0 3.1.1-3.1.2 name the height and antennas needed. Designs presented reference very similar specifications for reference for a self-supporting tower.

3. Please confirm that the statement relative to gravel and soil is related to backfill and compound finish work, not the foundation itself.

The gravels/soil is not for the foundation. Only backfill and compound finish work, if the spoils/cuttings from the excavation are not usable then the approved gravels will apply. This is due to other rock sources not usable at the park due to certain formations and invasive species brought in the imported sand or soil.

1. Please confirm whether there is a tower manufacturer requirement. The provided drawings are by Nello, but there does not appear to be a stated requirement in the provided documents that Nello must manufacture the tower. If the government requires that the project be complete by 12/31/26 as stated in the Solicitation, the lead time is a notable variable and it would benefit the government to allow contractors to choose a supplier that can meet the timeline needs.

No requirement for the use of Nello and is used for reference only, the current tower is ROHN.

1. How tall is the guyed tower?

200-feet is requested as that is where one tower is and the radio propagation analysis we did. If we go lower, we need to do more analysis at the height wanted by AMIS Leadership to make sure it does not negatively affect radio coverage.

1. Do you have a material list showing who is to provide what?

No, Contractor needs to provide all materials.

1. Will an ice bridge need to be installed for lines entering the building? If so, approx. how long?

The current tower does not have one and was not estimated for.

1. Do you have an ice bridge DWG detail?

No.

1. Who is responsible for getting the new tower delivered to the site? If it’s the contractor, where will the tower be picked up from?

The Contractor is responsible for all purchasing, delivery, and installation, of the new tower.

1. Do you anticipate any new fence work/installation? If so, do you have a fence DWG detail, and basic SOW for the fence work?

No.

1. Do you have an existing site layout DWG?

No.

1. Who will be responsible for the compaction/backfilling inspection and testing?

The Contractor.

1. How far below grade does the guy tower foundation have to be removed?

At grade, No need for excavation.

1. Do you know the dimensions of the existing guyed tower foundation and the anchor blocks for the guy wires?

No, the park does not have the old prints or info.

1. Do you have a DWG showing how big the guy tower foundation is?

No

1. The tower DWG does not show a climbing ladder or waveguide ladder. Will these come with the tower? If not, who is to provide them.

Yes, they need to come with the tower. The Contractor will need to verify prior to ordering.

1. Will there be a lightning rod with a down lead? What size ground wire? Who is to supply?

Yes, according to manufacturer, Contractor is responsible for grounding.

1. Assume there will need to be a ground ring installed around the tower. Will this requiring ground rods, what size wire, and do you have a grounding detail DWG?

Grounding will be determined per the Manufacturers recommendations. A ring is not recommended due to increase costs, but not forbidden. Manufacturers recommendation on size, No.

1. Is it possible to install a temporary tower (60’-80’) with temporary antennas and then remove the guy tower before constructing the new tower? There is a safety concern working near the compromised guy tower, in addition to excavating for the new tower foundation.

No, according to our Comms tech it has to be a specific height to be installed next to existing tower prior.

1. What size/type of coax will be installed for the two Omni antennas? Who is to provide the coax?

The antennae are described in the Sow. Use the specific size recommended by manufacturer, The Contractor is responsible for the coax.

1. Will a new lighting system need to be installed on the new tower? Do you have a detail DWG for this? Who will provide new system if required?

Yes, No, the Contractor is responsible for the new lighting system per local, state, and federal requirements.

1. Who is responsible for arranging underground utility locates?

The Contractor.

1. Are permits required and who is responsible for obtaining them? If the contractor is responsible, do you know which specific office to contact for the permits?

No, this area is in Val Verde County, and not within city limits. No know permits are required, but it is the Contractor’s responsibility to confirm with FAA on height requirements or permits.

1. Will it be possible to install the new tower on the opposite side of the shelter from the existing tower?

Yes, but the cables to connect to the hardware in the building are on the existing towers side.

26. Documents state 200’ Self Support tower; however, proposed design provided is 195’ SST. What tower height is required?

200 is required according to our comms tech.

27. Any reserve capacity (or example keep design under 90% capacity utilization) for future growth desired?

Yes, that sounds good another agency might need assistance one day. The park has multiple agencies we work with.

28. Please provide GPS coordinates of proposed tower site for accurate wind speed design.

29°28'05.04"N 101°00'41.53"W

29. Will there be a Geotechnical report provided?

No.

30. Can the old tower be decommissioned prior to the new tower going up, or does it need to remain in service until the new tower is functional? If old tower has to remain while new is constructed, then we need to collaborate with NPS on a cutover plan No, not until new tower is up this is a life and safety issue that requires constant communication. Yes, coordination is required prior to transferring communication to the new tower (Cutover plan).

31. Can old tower foundation and anchors be demolished 18" below grade and covered with back fill?

Yes

32. In regard to removing the existing tower, are we required to remove the concrete under the tower and anchors or can we simply cut everything level with the ground?

Cut at the ground no need for more ground disturbance due to the sensitive archeology sites across the park.

33. Is there room for us to safely fall the old tower? We can safely direct the tower to fall in any direction but need to make sure this is allowed or will a crane be required?

Yes, you should be able to fall the tower except the west side due to the highway.