Attachment_5_-_Questions_and_Answers_0001.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Solicitation #140P3021Q0027, Project #245021/ 258109 Below are a list of questions and answers for the Great Falls Tavern and Pump House roof bid.

1. Can unit prices be added for additional wood replacement above the 25% for the Tavern and the 65% for the Pump House?

Answer: Offerors may add them to their quote package but will not be included for evaluation purposes and anything over the awarded amount would still need a contract modification before the extra work could begin.

2. Statement of Work: There are references to the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) Manual and the CSSB Sidewall Installation Manual as being "attached." Please provide a copy. In the alternative, please confirm that the correct edition of CSSB is the March 2020 edition which can be found online at the CSSB website.

Answer: Yes, March 2020 is the current edition. The manual can be found here: https://www.cedarbureau.org/installation/roof-installation-manual/

3. Statement of Work: Does the Contracting Officer Representative want the Contractor to use Cedar Breather® or similar product in addition to the underlayment currently specified in the SOW?

Answer: No. Please refer to contract documents, referenced texts, and section 2.3.4 of the Scope of Work.

Please note the COR has no authority to change the contract or contract specifications. Always refer to contract specifications and documents for clarity. If contractor needs further clarification, contractor should submit an RFI (Request for Information) in writing to the Contracting Officer(CO).

4. Section I - FAR 52.228-1 Bid Guarantee Pursuant to L.2 Submission Instructions, "No hardcopy, facsimile or in person proposals/quotes shall be accepted." Given the requirement of FAR 52.228-1 and no mailings accepted, please indicate how the bidder will submit firm commitments such as certified check, cashier's check and the like that normally require actual possession. Should these be mailed? Will the government accept a photocopy of the commitment?

Answer: Due to current COVID-19 protocols, everyone in the contracting office is still teleworking so deliveries are being accepted. Offerors should email an electronic copy of the bid bond and their surety as part of the quote package.

5. Section L - FAR 52.222-23 Goals for minority and female participation – Does the Contractor’s ownership by a minority or female satisfy the requirements under this regulation?

Answer: Per the US Dept. of Labor Appendix P: Participation Goals for Minorities and Females, the goals apply to the contractor’s total on-site construction workforce, regardless of whether or not part of that workforce is performing work on a federal or federally assisted contract or subcontract.

6. Section L - FAR 52.222-23 “As used in this Notice, and in any contract resulting from this solicitation, the "covered area" is the Great Onyx Job Corps Center, Mammoth Cave, KY. “Please clarify "covered area" for this solicitation.

Answer: The typing error is corrected as part of amendment 1 to read “As used in this Notice, and in any contract resulting from this solicitation, the “covered area” is the Great Falls Tavern and Pump House, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854, Montgomery County, Maryland.”

7. L.3 Proposal Format "Volume I- Business and Price Proposal: Volume II shall be submitted in an original and one copy and shall include the following:"

Please clarify if there should be two volumes, Volume I and Volume II, submitted. Should Volume I contain the business and price proposal? Should Volume II contain items 1 through 6?

Answer: Typing error. There is only 1 volume and the language is corrected as part of amendment 1.

8. L.3 Proposal Format Is there a separate requirement for a price proposal to be included in “Volume I – Business and Price Proposal" in addition to the requirement of pricing to be contained in Section B. Contract Price Schedule? In the alternative, does Section B Schedule of Items satisfy the price proposal requirement of Volume I?

Answer: There is no separate price proposal to be submitted. Offerors need to complete and submit the Section B Schedule of Items as part of volume 1.

9. L.3 Proposal Format Requesting an “original and one copy” connotes a hard copy with wet signatures. Please confirm the requirement of electronic copies only. If electronic copies only, should “original and one copy” be construed to mean that the contractor should provide two identical electronic files in its submittal email?

Answer: Language changed to read as follows as part of amendment 1. “ Volume I shall be submitted electronically and shall include the following:”

10. Wage Determination - Are fringe benefits or labor rates mandatory for subcontractors?

Answer: Both rates plus fringe are mandatory.

11. Are permits required to be pulled to perform this work? I understand that in Washington County, permits are not required when replacing roofs with like-materials.

Answer: Because this is a federal contract on federal lands, no permits are usually required. However, contractors must comply with all applicable building codes, safety regulations, and other applicable regulations as outlined in contract documents. The Park Service COR, Project Inspectors, and/or Points of Contact will be monitoring the work project to ensure strict compliance with contract documents.

12. What kind of supporting documentation will be required with each submittal on progress payments?

Reference: 52.232-16, pg. 32 of Solicitation Answer:

0. The Prime Contractor and all Subcontractors shall furnish to the COR one copy of all payrolls covering payments to laborers and mechanics for on-site work within seven days after the regular payment date of each weekly payroll.

0. The contractor shall submit a draft invoice with supporting documents (Pay Estimate Form, Schedule of Values, Certification of Subcontractor Payment, Construction Schedule, Payroll Reports, Subcontracting Percentage Worksheet) to the COR for review.

0. Upon receiving acceptance from the COR, the contractor shall submit the formal invoice, with applicable electronic supporting documents (Pay Estimate Form, Schedule of Values, Certification of Subcontractor Payment, COR Approval Form), via the IPP system. Electronic invoices that do not include these items will be rejected.

13. Will the government accept modification requests if the cost of materials increases from the date the proposal was submitted to the date the contract is awarded and approved to commence?

Answer: No, expected increases need to be built into the quote.

14. Will the Prime Contractor have to submit Weekly Payroll Logs for this contract?

Reference: 52.222-8, pg. 32 of Solicitation Answer: Yes.

15. Will the COR be onsite and available for the duration of the project?

Answer: The COR is not required to be onsite for the project. However, contractor can expect regular and recurring site visits without prior notice. The contractor may arrange additional or different meeting times on site by contacting the COR 24 hours ahead of time. Contact information will be provided to the winning bidder.

16. Will the contractor be granted time extensions in the event of weather delays?

Answer: Expected and normal seasonal weather is to be expected and time is built into the period of performance (90 days from the Notice to Proceed) to complete the work and allow for adverse weather. Weather days MAY be granted for unusually severe weather that delays the project but must be justified in detail.

17. Will the government be utilizing an online system or platform for submission of all documentation, reports, and photographs?

Answer: Yes, the government requires submission of all documentation through email. Documents may include reports and photographs. Awardee will receive email addresses at award of contract.

18. Will the COR require submittals for tier three subcontractors (subcontractor of a subcontractor), if applicable. (i.e., SF1413 docs)?

Reference: C.6 of Solicitation Answer: Yes.

19. Please expand on the Submittal “Schedule of Values”.

Reference: C.6 of Solicitation Answer: Schedule of Values (SOV means the document specified in the construction phase, which divides the contract price into pay items so that the sum of all pay items equals the Contract Price for the construction phase work, or for any portion of the work having a separate specified Contract Price. The SOV may or may not be output from the Progress Schedule depending on whether the Progress Schedule is cost-loaded or not.

20. Will the COR allow for the Contractor to place materials, tool, equipment storage containers onsite? Typically, these are 10x20x12 steel units with a tare weight of up to 5 tons.

Answer: Yes, the contractor may place one container on site that does not exceed 10x20x12. COR will advise as to where it may be placed after award.

21. Will bathroom/restroom facilities be provided, or will Contractor need to have porta-potty included in their bid?

Answer: Sanitary facilities are available to the public, on site. Contractors may use these facilities.

22. If the removal of rotted shingle roof and water damaged skip-sheathing on the Pump House exceeds the assumed 65% or the removal of the wood shingle roof and/or the water-damaged sheathing on the Tavern exceeds 25% upon performance, will an equitable adjustment be granted by the government?

Reference: C.2 of Solicitation Answer: If the allowances for rotted wood are exceeded, the contractor should follow the procedures for contract modification as outlined in contract documents. Contractor will contact the CO in writing regarding the need for additional work outside of the scope. Contractor will provide a written estimate along with supporting documentation and justification to the CO in writing. No additional work outside of the scope of work is authorized until approved in writing from Contracting Officer. Additional work outside the scope, or any other changes to the contract cannot be made by the COR.

23. Attachment 1 indicates a Hotwork Permit will not be required. Please indicate the permits that will be required.

Reference: Section 1.14 of SOW Answer: The Park Service may, at its discretion, require internal permits such as Hotwork Permits. We don’t anticipate the need for any Hotwork Permits on this contract, but If contractor (for example) must braze copper flashings on the roof or braze gutter sections, a Hotwork permit will be required. If a Hotwork Permit is needed, the NPS will provide the permit at no cost. Generally a Hotwork permit requires NPS personnel to be on site during the work, and the contractor to take additional precautions (such as having a fire extinguisher on hand, pre-wetting work surfaces, etc.).

Because this is a federal contract on federal lands, no permits are usually required. However, contractors must comply with all applicable building codes, safety and environmental regulations, and other applicable regulations as outlined in contract documents. The Park Service COR, Project Inspectors, and/or Points of Contact will be monitoring the work project to ensure strict compliance with contract documents.

24. There is currently a material backlog for this shingle resulting in extended delivery timeline of over 6 weeks and materials pricing that may significantly increase from Proposal-to-Proposal Award. 24.a Will the COR extend the expected completion date to account for the material delay? 24.b Will the COR allow for a Modification in Price for the additional material cost, if demonstrated.

Reference: Section 2.2.1 of the SOW Answer: 24.a The COR has no authority to change contract terms, prices, deadlines, or completion dates. The CO (Contracting Officer) may extend the period of performance based on a request in writing from the contractor on a case-by-case basis.

24.b The COR has no authority to modify price or terms of a contract. The contractor should anticipate any material increases and include them in proposal. Expected increases need to be built into the quote.

25. Have the structures been inspected for wood destroying organisms (WDO)? Is there any known evidence of damage to wood by WDO’s?

Answer: The structures have not been inspected for WDOs. There is no known evidence of damage by WDOs.

26. Please provide the precipitation threshold (example: perception trace or greater as measured by a rain gauge affixed to site, perception equal to or greater than the 10 year average as measured by US Corps of Engineers reference guide or equivalent) to qualify for time extensions for the project. Will the COR decide on the dates the site is closed due to precipitation or will the Contractor make those decisions and notify the COR for concurrence?

Reference: Section 3.1.2 of SOW Answer: Contractor will decide if weather is suitable for work. Contractor should notify COR if work is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances. Work can proceed provided it is safe to work, and there is no damage to building. There is no “qualify for time extension” formula based on rainfall. If contractor requires, he may submit a request (in writing) for adjustment to the period of performance, to the CO, prior to the end date of the project. The CO may grant an extension to the period of performance on a case-by-case basis.

27. Due to project size, will the COR accept a single point of contact from the Contractor acting as both the Project Manager and Safety Officer from site or will the COR require that these roles be kept separate?

Answer: it is acceptable for one person to be designated as both PM and SO.

28. Can you please also confirm if background checks or security check ins are required for this project?

Answer: Security check-ins are not required for acquisition and no government background checks are applicable. However, offerors must comply with all provisions and clauses included in the solicitation.

29. Will the COR require the Contractor to issue submittal and certification attesting to the structural soundness of the supporting roof structures outlined in C.2? Reference: C.2 of solicitation.

Answer: Yes. As per building codes, new roofing systems must only be installed on sound roof decks. C.2 has been revised to reflect the change. "Contractor shall issue submittal and certification attesting to the structural soundness of the supporting roof structures outlined in C.2" This means that this contract requires contractor to issue submittal and certification attesting to the structural soundness of the supporting roof structures. In other words, contractor will certify that the supporting roof structures are structurally sound. The submittal and certification do not need to be provided by a structural engineer or local building code inspector.