Q_A_-_BLRI_Fencing_0001.pdf

Solicitation No. 140P5126R0012

BLRI - Replace Split Rail Fencing

Questions & Answers

1. Wage Determination Discrepancy: The solicitation package includes SCA Wage Determination No. 2015-4369, which applies to the North Carolina Counties of Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison. However, SOW Section 1-2.A states that the work is proposed to occur in Floyd County, Virginia. Please clarify which wage determination applies to the work performed in Virginia to ensure compliant labor pricing.

a. The applicable wage determination will be Floyd county Virginia.

2. Lump Sum vs. Estimated Quantities Risk: SOW Section 4-2 states this is a lump sum contract and that individual items will not be measured for payment. However, SOW Section 1-6.E.1 notes that the measurements in Attachment 1 are estimated and for information only. If the actual linear feet of fencing required to complete the specified locations significantly exceeds the estimates provided in the Fencing Location Summary, will the Government issue an equitable adjustment, or is the contractor expected to bear 100% of the risk for quantity variances?

a. The measurements in Attachment 1 are not exact to the foot. They were measured with a wheel. There will not be an significant variance. For example, you will not have an additional 100 feet of fencing to do that was not in the SOW.

3. October Blackout Period Demobilization: SOW Section 1-6.B.3 states that no work is permitted during the month of October. During this month-long blackout period, is the Contractor permitted to securely stage equipment and materials in the COR-designated paved areas (per Section 1-6.B.1), or is a complete demobilization of all assets from the Blue Ridge Parkway required?

a. The contractor will NOT be required to remove all equipment and materials during this period. The only restriction is that no work will be performed.

4. Government-Furnished Materials Ambiguity: SOW Section 1-4.A states that "All materials necessary to complete this project are the responsibility of the contractor to furnish." However, SOW Section 1-5.B states the Contractor is responsible for furnishing posts and rails "which were not furnished by the Government." Please clarify if the Government intends to furnish any posts or rails for this project, or if the Contractor must price and supply 100% of the materials.

a. The contractor will be responsible for providing ALL MATERIALS. The government does not have any materials to supply.

5. Livestock Gate Hardware: SOW Section 3-4.B.15 notes that fencing sections may have existing livestock gates that must be removed and reinstalled. Please confirm if the Contractor is only responsible for the labor to remove and re-hang these existing gates, or if the Contractor must also assume the cost of supplying replacement hardware (hinges, latches, mounts) for the reinstallation.

a. The contractor will be responsible for providing any materials that cannot be reused.

6. Can the Government provide estimated linear footage of fencing to be replaced at each project location (Mabry Mill and Rocky Knob Picnic Area)?

a. The SOW has been updated. The only work to be performed is at Mabry Mill

7. Are any as-built drawings, historical quantity records, or previous project measurements available to assist offerors in verifying fence quantities?

a. The SOW has been updated with the measurements and fence types to properly estimate quantities.

8. Are there any known underground utilities, cultural resources, or environmentally sensitive areas within the work limits that may impact fence removal or post installation activities?

a. There are no utilities known in the area that would cause an issue. All in ground posts will be installed in the existing post holes.

9. Does the Government anticipate any temporary lane closures, traffic restrictions, or special traffic control requirements beyond standard MUTCD-compliant traffic control measures?

a. Depending on what equipment is used along the roadway there may be traffic control requirements. Most of the fencing is located at least 8 ft off of a roadway.

The fencing that is located along the walking trails will require some closures and accommodation of the visitors.

10. Are there any restrictions or preferences regarding the sourcing of black locust posts and rails, such as regional sourcing requirements or approved suppliers?

a. We do not have a requirement for a vendor. As long as the material meets the requirements listed in the SOW they will be approved.

11. Will the Government permit partial area closures or phased work zones to facilitate fence replacement operations while maintaining visitor access?

a. Yes temporary closures in the area where the work is actively being performed will be allowed but will need to be reopened at the end of the work day.

12. Can the Government confirm whether all required fencing quantities are included in the solicitation documents and whether any additional fence segments may be added during performance?

a. The SOW was updated with the location and measurements. No additional work will be added during the performance of the work without contract modification.

The government does not anticipate additional work.

13. If black locust material is unavailable in the required quantity or has a lead time that could affect the required period of performance, will the Government consider an approved equal or alternate wood species? If yes, please clarify what alternate species or material characteristics would be acceptable, including any durability, treatment, appearance, or dimensional requirements.

a. The only acceptable material will be locust. All dimensional requirements are listed in the SOW.

14. Could you kindly confirm whether the MP 170 Rocky Knob Picnic Area fence section is included in the current solicitation scope; If included, the estimated linear footage for that MP 170 section; and whether the Government’s intended total linear footage for the current active scope is 1,280 LF or closer to the vendor-verified estimate of approximately 1,690 LF.

a. The Rocky Knob location is no longer included in the SOW. The SOW has been updated to reflect the change.

15. Could you kindly help us confirm the total linear footage required for the current solicitation;

a. The total linear footage has been updated in the SOW.

16. Could you confirm the linear footage for each section separately, including: Restaurant side of mill, Along Mabry Mill Trail, Between The Still and the Mill, MP 170 Rocky Knob Picnic Area, and Any bridge-related fencing/repair area, if applicable.

a. The Rocky Knob portion of this work has been removed. All footage has been updated in the SOW. Each section has the footage included.

17. Could you confirm whether the bridge area shown during the site visit is officially included in the SOW.

a. The only portion of the bridge that is included is the hand rail. Please look at the updated SOW that was posted.

18. Could you confirm whether the MP 170 Rocky Knob Picnic Area section is included in this current scope.

a. The Rocky Knob area is no longer include in the SOW.

19. Could you confirm if any of the areas shown during the site visit are not included in this solicitation, please confirm which areas should be excluded from our pricing.

a. There are a few areas of fencing that are still in good condition and not included in the SOW. See the updated SOW for all areas of fencing that are included along with the measurements.