Attachment_13_-_Conflicts_in_Specifications__Drawings__and_Answers_0005.pdf

140PS126B0010 Amendment 05 – Conflicts Between Specifications, Drawings, and Q&A Answers

While the due date for Questions has come and gone, some lingering conflicts were brought to the attention of the CO that the CO has determined “should” be addressed, prior to the bid opening, to ensure the most accurate and competitive bids are received under this effort.

EXTENSION OF BID DUE DATE

As a result of the clarifications and conflict resolution provided herein, (and in consideration to several contractors reaching out stating that subcontractors have yet to provide all subcontract pricing) the CO has met with the Park and determined that a final bid due date & opening is extended to 11/10/2026 at 12PM CT. It is the longest extension period the CO can offer, with consideration to the required 12/11/2026 NTP date. Sufficient time must be devoted toward Bid Reviews, careful selection of an awardee IAW solicitation terms & conditions, preparation of Contract Documents, and necessary Legal review of said documents, prior to release.

TIME ZONE POSTING CONFLICTS

Throughout this solicitation, the SAM.Gov posting “Bid Due Date & Time” and the 1442 itself, have stated various Time Zones including Eastern, Mountain, and Central Time. There are various reasons for this, some of which include simple human error by the Contracting Officer (apologies) while others include communication errors between the NPS’s writing system and Sam.Gov itself.

The firm opening Time and Time Zone is 12PM Central

Contractors are reminded that attendance at the bid opening does NOT affect your ability to receive an award, but timeliness of your bids, does.

COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS

The Q&A posted under Amendment 03 includes a Question & Answer (Question 30) involving third party commissioning. The CO erroneously responded that 3rd Party

Commissioning was NOT required, while at the same time, the revised Specifications call for it under particular areas of the construction scope. This is clearly a conflict.

Final Answer and Requirement: A Commissioning Agent will not be supplied by NPS under a separate contract. Contractors are to include this requirement in their bids.

See addendum for Commissioning Specification Section 01 94 14. See Q&A #163. Q&A #30 is rescinded.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS FOR DRILLED PIERS

SECTION 31 63 29 3.6 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

Revise paragraph 3.6.C1 to read “Soil Testing: Bottom elevations, bearing capacities, and lengths of drilled piers indicated have been estimated from available soil data. Actual elevations and drilled-pier lengths are determined by a Geotechnical Engineer retained by the Contractor to meet Geotechnical Report recommendations. Final evaluations are subject to review by the Architect.”

Remove paragraph 3.6.C1A in its entirety.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE CONCERNS

The PoP is a Contract Term & Condition. However, several contractors have voiced concerns about the PoP in relation to the NTP being issued “within 10” days of contract award. It is standard practice for the government to request a Schedule, after award, and prior to the PRECON and NTP whereby the parties can agree on an “actual” timeframe (preferably within the ~700 day PoP requirement stated in this solicitation). The NPS works with contractors on these timeframes when it comes to complex construction – to include delaying the NTP, if necessary, until both parties agree on a good date to start.

The purpose of the solicited PoP is to have an anchor-point from which all bidders can prepare their bid prices under the same performance timeline expectations (apples to apples, if you will); it doesn’t mean the government’s estimated PoP cant be changed as a result of “real life” Construction situations that appear during contract performance.

Contractors are reminded that the CO holds all administrative authority over the contract and will issue Suspensions of Work (due to weather or seasonal delay/downtime) and PoP extensions on an “as-needed” basis.

OTHER POTENTIAL CONFLICTS

Given the complexity of constructing a new visitor center of this magnitude, there may be some remaining minor to moderate conflicts within the drawings and specifications not otherwise addressed under this (or prior) Amendment. The NPS cannot devote any further time to perfecting the Specifications & Drawings with the A&E as Notice to Proceed must be issued by 12/11/2026 (in light of potential Government Shutdown threat around that time).

The CO has carefully considered what they and the Park determined to be “significant” conflicts brought up after the final Q&A posting was issued under Amendment 03. Under normal circumstances, the CO would not address any “additional” questions, however the conflicts bought to light were considered to be significant enough for the CO to take additional action, to resolve conflicts and make clarifications, where possible.

As such, the CO has diligently sought to clarify such conflicts to this point, via additional Amendments and extensions, to ensure interested parties receive the most accurate data, prior to bid opening. As of this Amendment, no further “one-off” conflicts (if any remain) will be addressed. Contractors are directed to prepare their bids using the data at-hand as of Amendment 05 and submit by the extended due date and time of 11/10/2026 at 12PM CT.

COLE JOHNSON

Contracting Officer DOI – National Park Service Cole_Johnson@ios.doi.gov mailto:Cole_Johnson@ios.doi.gov