B09_Questions_and_Answers_0001.pdf

Questions & Answers, 140P8121R0007 Replace Water System Components

May 14, 2021

1. Please verify if a chain trencher is used for the 2" water pipe with a depth of 36" and a width of 6" that the Backfill material may be pushed in and mounded on top of trench line. Would this a suitable backfill method?

Mounding of a 6-inch-wide chain trencher excavated trench for installing 2-inch nominal diameter HDPE water pipe is acceptable. The high point of the mounding needs to be a minimum of 3 inches above the natural grade on either side of the trench. The required depth of the trench to the top of the installed HDPE water pipe is 30 inches in roadways and 24 inches in non-roadway areas.

2. Please clarify that no special permits are required from San Bernardino county as the land is federal.

The scope of work does not include requirements to obtain permits related to the construction from San Bernardino county.

June 3, 2021

3. Is it clear to a layman where the water main stops and start?

The figures provided in the scope of work provide the locations of the items of the base bid. The alignment of the water line covered by the bid option is not shown in a figure but I would expect that a contractor can locate in the field the well location and the existing water tank location without much difficulty and then the existing road alignment between the well and the tank that the water line is to be installed in.

4. Bid Schedule Item 4 - Is the Blow-off hydrant to be frost free and if so, what is the required manufacturer and model number - Possibly Woodford Model U200 or equal?

Blow-off hydrant is to be frost free (aka freezeless.) The blow-off hydrant Model U200 (wheel handle version) manufactured by Woodford is approved and must also include a 2-inch curb stop valve and can with lid installed upstream of the blow-off hydrant.

5. Bid Schedule item 8 - Please provide manufacturer and model number for the 3/4" Frost Free Hydrant - Possibly Woodford Model S-3 or equal?

The sanitary yard hydrant Model S3 (for potable water system) manufactured by Woodford is an approved 3/4-inch frost free (aka freezeless) hydrant.

6. Bid Schedule Item 10 - Calls out a 4" valve. However, specifications page 10 at L. 2. calls out a 2-1/2" valve. Please clarify size needed.

The Bid Schedule Item 10 is revised to read: Water Meter on Storage Tank's Outlet Line (vice:

4-inch Water Meter on Storage Tank's Outlet Line.) The salient features of the water meter to be installed on the storage tank's outlet line are: 1) Electromagnetic flow meter technology for potable water. 2) Flow range of at least 2 gpm for low flow condition and more than 500 gpm for high flow condition. 3) Stainless steel electrodes. 4) Battery powered remote mounted amplifier. 5) Factory calibrated.

7. Could the Government please provide a copy of the site visit sign in sheet?

Sign in sheet is included in amendment 01.

8. Some representations & certifications provided in the RFP (e.g., 52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters) were already filled out. Would the Government please provide a clean copy of the representations & certifications?

Word document version is included in amendment 01.

9. The RFP Section L states that Offerors are to request new past performance evaluations from our references, and that these evaluations must be sent to the KO via email directly from the reference point of contact. This can be an onerous task for reference points of contact, and many reference points of contact will refuse to complete more than one performance evaluation for a given project. Would the Government accept a previously completed PPQ/CPARS evaluation submitted in the Technical Proposal under Factor 4? This will provide the Government with a confirmed and completed evaluation of Offerors’ performance sufficient to gauge their ability to successfully perform similar work.

Alternatively, requiring new past performance evaluations that are emailed directly to the KO will limit the quantity and quality of data received, thereby reducing the Government’s efficacy in proposal evaluation and introducing risk into the evaluation process.

Government will accept a previous PPQ/CPARS evaluation.

10. There is some confusion and conflict between the stated Scope of Work in Section 6 – Tasks and the “Action Notes” on Table 1. Are we to follow only the stated Tasks in Section 6, or are we to include ALL of the work stated in the Action column of Table 1, pages 20-21, as being part of our Scope of Work.

Which document governs?

Section 6 defines the Scope of Work. Table 1 provides a list of the majority of the water system components with their approximate latitude and longitude as an aid for field locating the various water system components.

11. Can the MOJA provide a detail of the typical “curb stop” referred to in the Scope of Work that is being requested for installation?

The Mueller 300 Ball Curb Valve (or approved equal) is an approved curb stop. Please refer to the Mueller 300 Ball Curb Valve product manual for typical for the ball curb valve drawings. A curb stop can and lid are to be included with each curb stop. The specific size of each curb stop and its end connections will be specific to the existing and new water system components that it will be installed with.

12. Can the MOJA provide a detail or better description of the “daylight drain” being requested to clarify what needs to be included in that assembly?

This will have to be provided in an additional amendment, need input from MOJA’s water systems operator.

13. Can the MOJA provide a detail on the “concrete collar” the MOJA is requesting to be installed?

H. Concrete Collars

1. Concrete collar dimensions 18-inches by 18-inches by 6-inches thick for a single can and 18-inches by 36-inches by 6-inches thick for side by side cans.

2. For all below ground new water meters, install concrete collar to protect meter can with curb formed to prevent filling with sediment. (The curb will be 4-inches high by 4-inches wide poured monolithically with the collar along the perimeter of the collar.)

3. Set new valve cans at grade and install protective concrete collars.

4. For existing valve cans not to be replaced, re-set valve can top at grade and install protective concrete collars.

5. For new hydrants, combination air valves, pressure relief valves, install protective concrete collars.

See provided sketches, Concrete Collar Detail and Concrete Collar with Curb.

14. Table 1 lists locations where the hydrant and box are classified as “gone.” Are we to assume that the Contractor has no work in those locations?

Section 6 defines the Scope of Work. Table 1 provides a list of the majority of the water system components with their approximate latitude and longitude as an aid for field locating the various water system components.

15. The descriptions of the valves and fittings are vague and general in nature. There are no specifics as to material requested (bronze, steel, stainless) or format (threaded or flanged). Being more specific will help all Contractors bid the same material so there is no confusion and wild disparity in pricing. Can the MOJA please provide additional details on the desired valves and fittings?

For 2-inch to 6-inch gate valves the Mueller resilient wedge gate valve is approved (or approved equal.) The end connections will be specific to the existing and new water system components that the gate valve will be installed with.

For ball valves Watts 2-piece full port bronze ball valves (or approved equal.)

Blow-off hydrant Model U200 (wheel handle version) manufactured by Woodford (or approved equal.)

The sanitary yard hydrant Model S3 (for potable water system) manufactured by Woodford 3/4-inch frost free (aka freezeless) hydrant (or approved equal.)

16. Is there a place on the Park where the oversize gravel and rock as well as any excess soil can be spread on the Park property rather than hauled off for disposal elsewhere?

NPS will coordinate with contractor to place excess material.

17. What is the Contractor expected to do with the vegetation removed during the trenching and waterline replacement? Can we dispose of it somewhere in the park?

Vegetation removal is not approved. Place waterline alongside road in area free of vegetation.

18. Is there a reason that Contractor personnel cannot use the existing restrooms and is being forced to charge the Park for the additional cost for a commercial porta-pottie service when the onsite rest room facilities can more than accommodate the use by the construction crew working on the two sites for the short time they will be there?

Personnel may not use restrooms at the Fire Center but may use vault toilets at the campground or the Visitor Center.

19. The Bid sheet as now configured makes this a complicated bid in that the CLINs are not tied to a particular location and simply lumped together regardless of location. Are we to assume that all work performed will be paid under one of these CLINs where they apply? Are we to also assume that any work Scope not stated in the primary Scope of Work text (i.e., not in Table 1) will be considered as extra work beyond the stated scope?

Offerors are required to submit an offer that conforms to the Solicitation with pricing for Contract Price Schedule’s Base Line Items - failure to do so may render the offer non-responsive. On lump-sum price items, provide total cost only; on unit price items, provide the unit price and the extended amount of total price for the item. If no price item exists for a portion of the work, include the costs in a related price item. In case of error in extension of prices, unit price governs. In case of error in summation, the total of the corrected price item amount governs. Round totals and extend prices to whole dollars. Pricing will be evaluated based on what is determined to be the best value to the Government.

Price award will be made based upon the following equation.

Equation 1: Base Price

Base Price and Adjustments to Base Price:

Base Price: Price Items 1 through 16.

20. When the Scope of work states “replace hydrant” are we to assume we are only to remove and replace the top hydrant unit? To state it another way, can we assume that the remainder of the vertical and underground piping as well as the nearby shut-off valve are all in satisfactory working order and no other replacement is required at that location?

Replacement of water system components entails replacing the entire unit (both above ground and below ground) along with any integral components such as associated control/isolation valving, valve cans, can lids, with the end connections being specific to the existing and new water system components that the water system component being replaced will be installed with.

21. Are we to assume that all of the existing pipeline (excepting the hydrants) in the Campground area is intact and not leaking, and that it will withstand pressure testing? Can we assume that any breakages or leaks now unknown but currently existing in the Campground pipeline will be considered extra/ change order work to repair?

The contractor will isolate the newly installed components to the extent possible from the existing water system for pressure testing. The condition of the existing water system is to be taken as being water-tight for the range of working pressures of the existing water system. Leakage during pressure testing of the newly installed water system components from any existing water system component would be considered a differing site condition.

22. Is the Contractor expected to retain and provide an outside, third-party Archaeological Monitor, or is the MOJA providing this service and the Contractor is simply required to only coordinate and cooperate with that individual?

Coordinate and cooperate with NPS onsite archaeologist.

23. There are several Joshua Trees in the proposed new pipeline right-of-way. Is the Contractor expected to divert the new pipeline around them (out into the roadway) to prevent damage to these trees?

Removal/damage of vegetation is not allowed.

24. Where is the location of and access to the water fill point to fill a water truck with the day’s allocation of water?

Kelso, CA

25. Where is the area that can be used by the Contractor as a staging area for receiving and storing materials and equipment during the project?

Immediately east of the fire engine bay.

26. Does the “Buy American” clause of the FAR apply to this contract?

Yes

27. Is the Contractor permitted to work a 4 day-per-week, 10 hours-per-day schedule?

Yes