B08_Attachment_7-RFI_Responses_0003.pdf

140P8526Q0061 – Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool (LMRP) Water Treatment Operations

• The SOW requires a Class II Water Treatment Operator (or equivalent ABC-certified operator). May this requirement be satisfied through a qualified subcontractor or consultant retained by the prime contractor, provided all licensing, certification, response-time, and operational requirements are fully met?

Yes. The requirement for a Class II Water Treatment Operator, or an equivalent Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)-certified operator, may be satisfied through a qualified subcontractor or consultant retained by the prime contractor, provided all licensing, certification, availability, response time, and operational requirements of the Statement of Work are fully met.

The prime contractor remains fully responsible for overall contract performance and shall ensure that all required services are provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. The use of subcontractors or consultants does not relieve the prime contractor of its responsibility for meeting all performance requirements.

• Does the STS, OSHA 30, confined space, and water treatment certification need to be held by the same individual?

Yes, all applicable certifications need to be held by any individual who will be considered a water treatment operator.

• How many operators were utilized under the current/previous contract?

2 licensed operators were utilized under the current contract.

• How many emergency callouts occurred during the past 12 months?

During the past 12 months, there were a limited number of emergency or unscheduled callouts. These included one significant event requiring the Reflecting Pool to be drained at the direction of National Park Service leadership, as well as several minor callouts related to leak repairs and pump system maintenance.

These events were infrequent and are not necessarily indicative of future requirements.

Offerors should recognize that unscheduled maintenance and emergency response may be required throughout the period of performance and should propose sufficient staffing, equipment, and operational flexibility to respond to unforeseen conditions in accordance with the requirements of the Statement of Work.

• Are all treatment systems currently fully operational?

As of right now there is one pump down. This pump is to be fully repaired by the end of the current contract and everything will be fully operational.

• What are the expectations during heavy pollen season?

Heavy pollen events are seasonal and may temporarily affect the appearance of the Reflecting Pool. The Contractor is expected to proactively monitor pollen accumulation and implement appropriate cleaning and maintenance measures to minimize its impact on water clarity and the overall appearance of the Reflecting Pool.

During periods of heavy pollen, the Contractor shall increase cleaning activities, staffing, equipment, or work frequency as necessary to maintain the performance standards established in the Statement of Work. This may include more frequent skimming, vacuuming, debris removal, filtration system maintenance, and other operational adjustments necessary to maintain the Reflecting Pool in a clean, clear, and aesthetically acceptable condition.

• What are the expectations following major events such as Independence Day?

Following major events, such as Independence Day celebrations or other large-scale events held on or near the National Mall, the Contractor is expected to conduct a prompt assessment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and implement any additional cleaning and maintenance activities necessary to restore the Reflecting Pool to the required performance standards.

The Contractor should anticipate increased debris, litter, sediment, and other event-related impacts following these events and shall be prepared to provide additional staffing, equipment, extended work hours, or multiple work crews, as necessary, to return the Reflecting Pool to a clean, clear, and aesthetically acceptable condition as quickly as practicable.

• What level of contractor participation is expected during the annual drain and cleaning?

The Contractor is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the pool year-round, there will still be a yearly draining that the contractor will perform where they will handle all draining, cleaning, pipe cleaning, inspection of pool and all lines to and from the pool, providing reports on statuses and issues as well as operational status of all equipment and any water testing required. The Park will pull the permit for the drain and schedule with the contractor the work.

• Who performs sludge removal during the annual cleaning?

Historically, sludge and sediment removal during the annual draining and cleaning of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been performed using vacuum trucks in coordination with National Park Service personnel.

Under the new contract, the Contractor is responsible for draining and cleaning of the pool to include any sludge and sediment removal as needed. This is anticipated to be minor as the requirement is to prevent the build up of sediment and sludge to begin with.

• Is the contractor responsible for pressure washing the entire pool during the annual cleaning?

No. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring the pool is clean, means and methods are on the contractor as protection of the resource is paramount. As stated above, “Under the new contract, the Contractor is responsible for draining and cleaning of the pool to include any sludge and sediment removal as needed. This is anticipated to be minor as the requirement is to prevent the build up of sediment and sludge to begin with.”

• Can NPS provide examples of the required monthly reports and logs?

Yes. Previous logs can be provided at the request of the contractor.

• Is the treatment plant accessible 24/7?

Yes, an access card will be provided to the contractor by Park Police to access the front gate and the pump house.

• Are there any restrictions during special events, demonstrations, or security incidents?

Yes. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is located within a high-profile area of the National Mall that periodically hosts special events, demonstrations, ceremonial activities, and security operations. As a result, temporary access restrictions may occasionally be implemented by the Government or other authorized agencies.

Historically, access restrictions have been limited and infrequent. For example, portions of the Reflecting Pool may be temporarily restricted during preparations for events such as the Fourth of July fireworks celebration or other nationally significant events.

Offerors should anticipate that such restrictions will occur only on occasion and are expected to have a minimal overall impact on contract performance. The Government will provide advance notice whenever practicable, and the Contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer's Representative to adjust work schedules or sequencing as necessary to accommodate temporary access limitations while continuing to meet the performance requirements of the Statement of Work.

• Is there designated contractor parking year-round?

There are 1-2 available spots at the pump house inside the H-1 stables compound.

• Our understanding is that a nano bubbler system may be installed as part of the project. Will factory startup assistance and operator training be provided by the manufacturer? Additionally, what level of technical support, warranty coverage, and ongoing manufacturer assistance will be included following installation?

Yes. The Government anticipates that the nanobubbler system will include factory startup assistance and operator training provided by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's authorized representative following installation and commissioning.

The nanobubbler system is anticipated to include a one-year manufacturer's warranty covering the equipment and associated technical support. During the warranty period, the manufacturer will be available to provide technical assistance, troubleshooting, and operational support as needed.

Training on the operation, monitoring, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting of the nanobubbler system will be provided by the manufacturer's personnel to National Park Service employees and other designated system operators. To ensure continuity of operations, the training will be documented in a written Standard Operating Procedure that will serve as the primary reference for day-to-day operation and maintenance of the system.

Following installation, manufacturer personnel will remain available to provide additional technical guidance and operational support, with reasonable advance notice, as needed. The Contractor should coordinate with the Government and the manufacturer, as appropriate, to ensure proper operation of the nanobubbler system and its integration into the Reflecting Pool's overall water treatment program.

• Can a sea container be placed inside the compound for storage?

At this time, no. The Government does not anticipate allowing the placement of a sea container or similar storage container within the compound for contractor use.

Space within the compound is currently limited due to ongoing operational requirements, including the temporary placement of equipment associated with the nanobubbler system installation. However, storage availability and site conditions may change in the future. If additional space becomes available after the temporary nanobubbler trailer is removed, the Government may consider requests for on-site storage on a case-by-case basis.

• Will chlorine be used at all on this contract?

At this time, the Government does not anticipate the routine use of chlorine as part of the water treatment program for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The current treatment approach does not include chlorination.

However, the Government reserves the right to modify treatment methods during the period of performance if operational conditions, water quality, regulatory requirements, or other circumstances warrant a change. The Contractor shall be capable of implementing or supporting alternative water treatment methods, including the use of chlorine or other approved treatment chemicals, if directed by the Contracting Officer.

• Will the contractor be responsible for repairs to the epoxy coating?

No. The Contractor will not be responsible for repairing the epoxy coating as part of the routine operations and maintenance requirements of this contract.

The Contractor shall take reasonable precautions to protect the epoxy coating during the performance of all work and shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer's Representative of any observed damage, deterioration, or areas requiring repair. Any repairs to the epoxy coating will be the responsibility of the Government unless the damage is determined to have resulted from the Contractor's negligence or failure to comply with the requirements of the contract

• Can we use robotic pool vacuums at night for cleaning?

Yes. The Contractor may utilize robotic pool vacuums during nighttime hours, provided their use is safe, effective, and does not damage the Reflecting Pool, including the liner, coping stones, expansion joints, drains, or other infrastructure.

• Can NPS provide photographs representing the desired appearance standard for the Reflecting Pool?

The government can provide photos at the request of the contractor.

• What water quality parameters are currently monitored by NPS (ORP, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, ozone residual, etc.)?

Under the current operation, the Government routinely monitors water temperature and pH. Under the revised Statement of Work, the Government's expectation is that the Contractor will implement a more comprehensive water quality monitoring program to support proactive operation and maintenance of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Offerors should propose monitoring and management of all relevant water quality parameters necessary to maintain water clarity, control algae growth, and achieve the performance standards established in the SOW. These parameters may include, but are not limited to, pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), turbidity, ozone residual (if applicable), conductivity, and other water quality indicators the Contractor determines are appropriate based on industry best practices and the treatment systems utilized.

• Section 4.1 references weekly pressure washing of coping stones and surrounding walkways, while the Deliverables Table references daily coping stone cleaning.

Please clarify the intended frequency.

Contractor shall inspect and clean the coping stones daily to remove debris, bird droppings, staining, algae, and other contaminants as necessary to maintain the required performance standards. Pressure washing is not required daily.

Pressure washing of the coping stones and surrounding walkways shall be performed at a minimum on a weekly basis and more frequently as necessary to maintain the Reflecting Pool in a clean, safe, and aesthetically acceptable condition in accordance with the performance requirements of the Statement of Work.

• The amendment states the contractor must achieve the desired water quality and aesthetics within 30 days of award. Can NPS provide the current condition assessment and baseline expectations against which this requirement will be evaluated?

A comprehensive condition assessment of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is currently being conducted by the Government. Upon completion, the assessment will establish the current condition of the Reflecting Pool and may be made available to the successful contractor upon request to support transition and performance planning.

The Contractor should not assume that the Reflecting Pool will be in any specific condition at the time of contract award. The 30-day performance requirement is intended to allow the Contractor sufficient time to evaluate site conditions, implement its proposed operational approach, and achieve the performance standards identified in the Statement of Work.

Performance will be evaluated based on the Contractor's ability to restore and maintain the Reflecting Pool in a clean, clear, and aesthetically acceptable condition in accordance with the performance-based requirements of the SOW, rather than against a predetermined numeric baseline.

• To what extent will wildlife-related impacts (duck droppings, geese, feathers, deceased wildlife, etc.) be considered in performance evaluations?

The Contractor is expected to monitor for and address these conditions as part of routine cleaning and maintenance operations. Performance evaluations will consider the Contractor's ability to proactively identify and respond to wildlife-related impacts in accordance with the performance standards and response times established in the Statement of Work. The Government recognizes that wildlife activity cannot be prevented; however, the Contractor is responsible for taking timely corrective action to minimize its impact on the cleanliness, appearance, and visitor experience of the Reflecting Pool.

Performance evaluations will focus on the Contractor's responsiveness and effectiveness in maintaining the Reflecting Pool in a clean, clear, and aesthetically acceptable condition rather than the occurrence of wildlife activity itself.

• Are wildlife management measures currently being utilized by NPS?

The National Park Service currently implements limited wildlife management measures at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Wildlife activity, including ducks, geese, and other waterfowl, is a common and expected condition at the site.

The Contractor should anticipate routine impacts associated with wildlife, including droppings, feathers, deceased wildlife, and debris, and shall address these conditions as part of normal operations in accordance with the performance requirements of the Statement of Work.

The Contractor is not responsible for wildlife control or removal unless specifically directed by the Government or otherwise identified in the contract. Any wildlife management activities remain the responsibility of the Government or other authorized personnel.

• Will NPS consider contractor-provided supplemental treatment systems if they improve water quality and appearance?

Yes. The Government will consider contractor-provided supplemental water treatment systems or technologies that are intended to improve water quality, algae control, water clarity, and the overall appearance of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Any proposed supplemental treatment system must be compatible with the Reflecting Pool's existing infrastructure, including the recently rehabilitated liner and associated equipment, and shall not adversely affect the operation of existing treatment systems or Government assets. The Contractor shall submit sufficient technical information for Government review and approval prior to implementing any supplemental treatment technology.

• Can NPS provide a complete equipment inventory for the Water Treatment Plant

(WTP)?

A PM Inventory list can be provided at the request of the contractor.

• Is cleanup after major public events considered part of the base contract or anticipated as additional effort?

Cleanup following anticipated major public events, such as Independence Day celebrations and other scheduled National Mall events, is considered part of the base contract. Offerors shall account for the labor, equipment, and operational resources necessary to restore and maintain the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in accordance with the performance standards established in the Statement of Work (SOW).

The Contractor shall anticipate increased debris, litter, sediment, and other event-related impacts and be prepared to adjust staffing levels, work hours, equipment, and cleaning frequency as necessary to maintain the required level of service.

• Has NPS performed an analysis of the labor, equipment, and operational resources necessary to achieve the revised performance standards outlined in the amended

SOW?

The solicitation remains performance based. Offerors are responsible for conducting their own assessment of the labor, equipment, staffing, work schedules, and operational resources necessary to meet or exceed the performance standards identified in the Statement of Work. The Government will evaluate proposals based on the offeror's demonstrated ability to successfully perform the required services in accordance with the solicitation requirements.

• Given the increased performance requirements and recent supplemental support provided by NPS personnel, can NPS provide any guidance regarding the anticipated level of staffing and equipment resources expected to maintain compliance with the revised performance standards?

The Government has intentionally structured this requirement as a performance-based contract. Offerors are responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels, work schedules, equipment, vehicles, and other resources necessary to meet or exceed the performance standards identified in the Statement of Work.