B09_Amendment0004_Attach_1_Questions&Answers_set1.pdf

MACA 227188

MACA Response to Contractor Pre-Bid Questions

3. SF1442 states the period of performance is 365 days and more specifically that dates of commencement and completion are 9/30/2019 to 9/29/2020 respectively. Project plan sheets G4 & G6 reference date ranges in 2021 as if the project will be performed over two years.

a. What is the correct period of performance?

**Answer a (revised)** – This amendment corrects the previously stated period of performance as date from issuance of Notice to Proceed to a fixed POP end date of 5/27/2021, please provide a schedule in your proposal reflecting a POP start date of 10/30/2019 and a POP end date of 5/27/2021.

b. Is the project to be phased? Or is the project to be performed continuously from start to finish until complete?

**Answer b (revised)** – The Government will not accept a schedule showing a phased project.

Please submit a schedule within the sample time frame of 10/30/2019 to 5/27/2021.

c. What is anticipated award date?

Answer c – Anticipated Award date is before September 30, 2019.

d. What is the anticipated NTP date for onsite construction?

Answer d – Anticipated NTP issue date is standard for most of DSC Construction contracts which is within 30 days from the date of award. Please note that NTP is not issued until after receipt and acceptance of Division 1’s which is a requirement of this contract. If Division 1’s are received earlier than 30 days after award then the NTP can / will be issued earlier than 30 days.

4. There is a fundamental mistake in the information shown in FedBizOPPs. It states in Amendment 3, in FedBizOpps the period of performance is 365 days.

However, on Sheet G6, the “Contractor Access Limitations” states that work can be accomplished from Sept 3, 2019 to September 2, 2021 – with the limitations shown on the notes on this page.

This is a fundamental error that will seriously impact the cost of this project.

We believe this error needs to be corrected, and time the RFP’s are due be extended from July 23, to July 26.

For your information, your answers to Questions 2 through 5, and 10 relate to this error.

**Answer 4 (Revised)** - Interested vendors shall provide a schedule showing a POP start date of 10/30/2019 to a POP end date of 5/27/2021. *NOTE* These dates are sample dates intended for review/evaluation purposes only and may not reflect the actual POP start and end dates, the successful offeror will be held to complete the work no later than Thursday May 27, 2021.

6. Sheet G6 designates Grand Central Station as having limited use by the contractor, except for time period from Sept, 2020 to May 27, 2021 with use only afterhours. During the time period of permitted use the elevator is designated as not being available to the contractor. It must be assumed that all materials, equipment and personnel for work at Grand Central Station must enter and exit through Frozen Niagra Entrance during this time period. Please confirm this is consistent with intended phasing plan for the project.

Answer 6 - This is correct – refer to information related to “Contractor Access Limitations” on Sheet G6.

7. Section 011100 Summary of Work states that contractor is not permitted to disturb cave wildlife in execution of the work. On that basis please respond to the following questions:

d. Section 015719.12, Noise & Acoustics Management, is a general noise specification for a standard construction project and not specific to this project in the cave environment. Please designate specifically what limitations on noise should be expected for construction activities in the cave environment?

**Answer 7d (Revised)** - The noise limitations are contained in spec section 015719.12 NOISE & ACCOUSTICS MANAGEMENT. There are no additional requirements for a cave environment.

8. No reference was found in the specification for limitations on wet cutting in the cave for demolition or core drilling. Please confirm any limitations on wet cutting in the cave?

**Answer 8 (Revised)** - All water from wet cutting shall be disposed of outside the park, in a legal manner, including water and wet cuttings/slag.

9. Section 011100, paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 place restrictions on the contractor for after hour and weekend work.

At the time of preparation of these questions viability of the project schedule has not been evaluated. It is possible that weekend and/or afterhours work will be necessary with split shifts to accomplish all work in the specified period of performance. Please confirm if NPS will permit the contractor access to the construction areas as needed to complete all work in the period of performance if it is demonstrated that such access is vital to completion of the work on time?

Answer 9 - As with other work in the park, we will consider requests to work after normal working hours – in accordance with specification 011100 paragraph 1.6. Requests must be submitted to the CO within advance of at least 48 hours. As stated in the specs, requests will be considered on a case by case basis.

10. At the time of preparation of these questions schedule viability has not been determined for the designated period of performance of this project. If contractors determine after questions and answers that the designated period of performance is a serious risk of the project, meaning it may not be possible to complete in the designated time frame, will NPS consider offering an extended duration or alternate phasing plan to complete the project?

**Answer 10 (Revised)** - Refer to the response to question number 3 of this document. The Contractor’s concern is related to the incorrect period of performance specified in FedBizOpps, which is hereby corrected in this Amendment.

13. Section 015719.11, Indoor Air Quality Management, is a standard specification for general building construction and not specific or applicable to work in the cave environment. If there are specific indoor air quality tests and monitoring required for this project, please designate those tests and/or monitoring specifically?

Answer 13 - Submit the IAQ plan as required per Section 01 5719.11. There are no additional requirements for testing and monitoring.

14. Section 015719.12, Noise & Acoustics Management, is a general noise control specification for general construction and not specific or necessarily applicable to work in a cave environment. If there are specific noise restrictions for work in the cave on this project, please designate those restrictions and how they relate to execution of this specific project?

Answer 14 - The noise limitations are contained in spec section 015719.12 NOISE & ACCOUSTICS MANAGEMENT. There are no additional requirements for a cave environment.

15. Waste management and recycling requirements of Section 017419 will require multiple dumpsters (up to five) for the contractor to comply with recycling requirements. Where should contractor plan to stage all required dumpsters?

Answer 15 - The Contractor must confine their operation to the area within the Limits of Construction and staging area that is shown on the plans.

16. Section 0188113.13, Sustainable Design Requirements for Non-LEED Projects contains requirements for submittals related to an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan that are intended for conventional construction project involving a building and are not applicable for this project in the cave. Please clarify what are specific requirements for submittals or other requirements related to this section that are applicable to this cave project?

Answer 16 - We understand that this specification includes some references to buildings. The contractor shall submit an indoor air quality plan as specified in 01 57 19.11 and coordinate with other specifications to ensure safety and protection of cave resources. For example, use low emitting materials.

20. Detail F/C7.02 designates a slip resistant concrete finish that is achieved by saw cutting a grooved finish into the concrete. If a grooved finish can be tooled into wet concrete and demonstrated to have equal or better slip resistance, will that finishing technique be permitted in lieu of cutting a grooved finish after concrete cure?

Answer 20 - Per the Detail F, on sheet C7.02 – tooling of joints is allowable –

The contractor must do a mock-up of both to demonstrate equal or better. Tooling wet concrete is acceptable but must achieve slip resistance requirements.

21. Section 312000 states requirements for excavation and includes a statement that excavation is to be completed by hand and that no changes in contract will be permitted for rock excavation or obstruction removal is that is required to complete required excavation. On that basis, is use of electric jack hammers and/or rotary hammer demolition permitted for demolition/removal of rock and similar conditions?

Answer 21 – Yes, The use of electric jack hammers and/or rotary hammers is permitted.