Amendment_0002_Q_As_0002.pdf

140P4226Q0042

Amendment 0002

RFIs – HOFU Fence Project

1. Post Specifications (Pipe Diameters and Schedules): The SOW lists galvanized fence fabric and steel end bands (3” and 4”), but does not specify the pipe diameters, wall thickness, or schedule (e.g., Schedule 40 or SS40) for the line posts, terminal (end/corner) posts, and gate posts. Please provide the exact post size and weight/schedule specifications to ensure structural compliance.

• Line posts:

• 1.90" OD, Schedule 40

• Terminal posts:

• 2.375" OD, Schedule 40

• Gate posts:

• 4.5" OD, Schedule 40

2. Gate Configuration and Design: SOW Section C.2 specifies "two 9-foot swinging gates and two 20-foot sliding gates."

o For the 9-foot swinging gates, please clarify if this is a double-drive swing gate spanning an 18-foot opening (consisting of two 9-foot leaves), or if there are two separate single-swing 9-foot gate openings.

The swinging gates are two leafs that span the 18’ o For the 20-foot sliding gates, please clarify if these are cantilever slide gates or overhead/ground track roller gates, and specify if latching/locking hardware is to be provided.

One of the 20’ sliding gates has been de-scoped. (At the generator)

The one at the back of the maintenance area straight back from the swinging gates is a cantileverd slide gate

3. Post Hole Excavation vs. SOW "No Excavation" Contradiction: SOW Section C.2 states "with no excavation required as existing posts will be removed and replaced with new posts set in concrete," but Section C.2 Project Requirements states "Line posts shall be placed in the center of the hole... Pour concrete around the line post."

If existing footings are extracted, clearing the remaining holes to accept new footings will inherently require excavation/ground disturbance. Please clarify whether the Government expects the contractor to core-drill existing concrete footings, or if full excavation of new post holes (including diameter and depth, e.g., 36" depth) is required. This is especially critical given the archeological protections of Public Law 93-291 cited in SOW Section C.14.

The existing line posts will be removed and the hole can be cleaned out mechanically. The posts will be placed on top of 4” of stone and the new posts will be placed in a new concrete footing. An auger may be used to achieve the necessary depth.

4. Water and Utility Availability: The SOW lists "Water for concrete" under Material Specs. Is potable water available to the contractor on-site at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, or is the contractor required to haul in all water necessary for concrete mixing? Additionally, is on-site electrical power available for tool usage?

There will be potable water available to the awarded contractor

5. Philadelphia Permitting Conflict: SOW Section C.16(E) notes that "Additional Permitting, fees, and coordination may be required working within the limits of Philadelphia, PA." Since the place of performance is strictly within Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Berks County, PA, please confirm that no Philadelphia city permits or fees are applicable to this contract.

No Philadelphia permit will be required

6. Project Manager / Superintendence On-Site Presence: Section C.2 states that the Project Manager must have a minimum of 5 years of experience managing construction projects and serves as the single point of contact. Does the Government require this Project Manager to be physically present on-site 100% of the time during all field operations to satisfy FAR 52.236-6 (Superintendence by the Contractor), or can daily on-site supervision be delegated to a competent foreman, with the PM managing administrative/quality control functions off-site or through weekly visits?

The project supervision can be delegated to a competent foreman providing they meet the 5 year experience requirement, with the PM doing the administrative offsite. Quality control would have to be the PM with a site visit at the start and again upon project completion.

7. Is a bid bond/guarantee required? What is the percentage? Bid bonds are not required.

Payment Bonds are required for Construction contract awards exceeding $35,000.00. Both Performance and Payment bonds are required for contracts awarded in excess of $150,000.00 and will be due to the government 10 days after contract award.

8. Northeast Sliding Gate Constraint: During our site layout analysis, we noticed there isn't enough interior clearance along the northeast boundary line for the proposed 20-foot sliding gate to open internally. It looks like it would have to be installed as an external slide gate to function properly. Is an external slide gate acceptable, or would the park prefer us to quote a double-swing gate for this opening instead (similar to the gate on the opposite side of the building)?

This gate has been descoped from the poject

9. Unreferenced 4-Foot Man Gate: There is an existing 4-foot man gate near the tree line that is currently part of the fence, but it isn’t mentioned in the SOW or the pricing schedule. Could you clarify what the park would like us to do with this gate?

Should we include a replacement for it, remove it and fill the gap with standard 72-inch fencing fabric, or leave it completely untouched?

This gate will be removed and continuous fence in its place

10. Active Utility Conduit: There is an active utility/electrical conduit running directly along the fence line that connects the main building to the smaller building in the rear corner of the property. This conduit physically blocks the removal of the old fence and the digging of the new concrete footings. Could you please confirm if the park's maintenance team will handle temporarily rerouting or moving this line before we mobilize, or are we expected to coordinate and price this utility work within our bid?

The park will remove the conduit and replace after the fence work is completed.

11. Concrete Footing Removal vs. "No Excavation" Rule: SOW Section C.2 states "no excavation required," but also requires us to remove the existing posts/bases and pour new concrete footings. Since clearing out the old concrete bases to pour new ones in the original alignment will require some hole preparation, we want to confirm that extracting the old footings and preparing the holes is not considered "new excavation" or restricted ground disturbance under the archaeological protections of Public Law 93-291.

The existing line posts will be removed and the hole can be cleaned out mechanically. The posts will be placed on top of 4” of stone and the new posts will be placed in a new concrete footing. An auger may be used to achieve the necessary depth.

12. For the proposed 20' slide gate on the northeast side, there does not appear to be enough space for an internal slide gate. Would an external slide gate be acceptable, or would they prefer a double swing gate?

This gate has been descoped from the project

13. There is an existing 4' man gate near the trees that is not mentioned in the scope.

Should it remain or be removed?

This gate has been descoped from the project

14. There is a conduit and cable running along the fence line between the buildings. This would need to be removed/rerouted before the fence and gate work. Would the government handle this, or should this be coordinated with a third party?

The park will remove the conduit and replace after the fence work is completed.

15. Are the existing signs on the fence to be removed and reinstalled or replaced?

The signs will be removed and reinstalled.

16. The fence to the North has a conduit with single wire within it running along the top of the fence to the auxiliary building. How shall this conduit be addressed within the contract requirements?

The park will remove the conduit and replace after the fence work is completed.

17. The southernmost fence has an adjacent post with electrical box and various conduits that appear to run under the fence. This post would likely interfere with the planned barbed wire when changed to outward direction. Will this post be removed?

Is the existing electrical utilized?

The electrical on the pole will have to be worked around, it is for the fueling operation and the seal-offs would require the system to be reworked.

The park would be ok with the barbed wire lay against the pole.

18. Scope states to remove existing posts and utilize existing holes for new fencing. For installation of slide gates, new posts will be required and likely not align with existing post holes. Will new augured holes be acceptable?

The second line post in from the Southwest corner to the fourth line post is 19’.

If the gate is installed outside the fence it will close past the fourth line post and the park is ok with that.

19. Existing holes are unknown for condition, removal of existing will likely cause debris within the excavation. Will it be acceptable to trim the excavation via auger?

The existing line posts will be removed and the hole can be cleaned out mechanically. The posts will be placed on top of 4” of stone and the new posts will be placed in a new concrete footing. An auger may be used to achieve the necessary depth.

20. Is the expectation for the new post holes to receive 4" stone base and concrete to just below grade?

The existing line posts will be removed and the hole can be cleaned out mechanically. The posts will be placed on top of 4” of stone and the new posts will be placed in a new concrete footing. An auger may be used to achieve the necessary depth.

21. The easternmost fence line sits along the asphalt pavement and is unlikely to be removed without causing damage. Many of these posts are damaged and unusable.

Is it acceptable to cut flush, abandon in place, and install new post holes approximately 1' from asphalt?

In this instance the park requires 24” x 12” sawcut in the asphalt to isolate the asphalt from the post removal.

22. Various posts are located tight to building edges. Can these existing posts be sleeved with a new post and anchored or abandoned in place with new posts offset from the existing? (Note: These posts could be removed via adjacent excavation allowing for a clean pull if acceptable.)

The existing post can be sleeved and anchored. New excavation needs to be kept to an absolute minimum.

23. Existing fence along Southeast corner includes a single 4’-man gate not shown on the new plan. Please confirm if this gate is to be demolished and replaced with fence run.

This gate has been descoped from the project

24. If the 4’-man gate is demolished shall the posts be demolished as well to allow for the continuous chain link fence?

The existing posts will be cut flush and abandoned

25. The 20' slide gate at the eastern edge is assumed to open towards the north, should a stone bed be installed at the slide location to alleviate growth that would inhibit its operation?

This work is not in the scope and will be done inhouse.

26. The proposed 20' slide gate at the western edge of the property currently does not have enough room for a slide direction as south would be inhibited by the generator and building and the north has a turn in the fence line. Is it acceptable to install the slide gate sliding north and installing a receiving post beyond the fence corner to receive the slide gate?

This gate has been descoped from the project.

27. The western slide gate on the outside of fence includes a grass elevation change and curb before entering the parking lot. Is reconstruction of this area expected to allow vehicles through the gate?

This gate has been descoped from the project.

28. Is it expected for the new fence to match the existing post sizes or be brought to fencing standards?

The new fence will meet current fencing standards.

29. Will any permitting be required for this project?

There will be no permits required for this effort

30. The fencing materials are likely to have long lead time, especially with slide gates that will exceed the 30 day POP. How will this be addressed via contract?

The POP will be extended if necessary for material lead times

31. 20' Slide Gate:

A 20' slide gate with an overall length of approximately 30'-6" will require new post holes. The gate would need to be installed outside the existing fence line, and when fully open, the counterbalance would extend past the corner post.

The gate will slide towards the corner when closed making the second line post the termination gate post.

The second line post in from the Southwest corner to the fourth line post is 19’.

If the gate is installed outside the fence it will close past the fourth line post and the park is ok with that.

32. Existing Line Posts:

Can the existing line posts located at the shed and building be sleeved in place instead of removed to avoid potential damage to the adjacent structures?

This will be allowed.