Q_A_Final_Responses_10_19_2026_0003.xlsx

Sheet1

Drilled Concrete Piers and Shafts Note 3 on Sub Sheet No S0.2 of the contract drawings states, “For bidding purposes only, the Contractor shall assume the bearing stratum elevation, “competent claystone”, to be at civil elevation = 2425.0’.”

Foundation Plan Note 2 on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings states, “All elevations shown on the plans are Architectural elevations. Architectural elevations of 100’-0” = Civil Elevation of 2441.0’.”

Foundation Plan Note 3 on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings states, “Nominal top of floor slab elevation = 100’-0” unless otherwise noted.”

Foundation Plan Note 4 on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings states, “Top of grade beam elevation = 98’-8”, UON.”

The hollow core precast planks and concrete topping (combined) are indicated to have a total depth of 1’-4” on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings.

The grade beams are indicated to have a depth of 3’-0” on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings.

Note 4 within the Typical Drilled Pier Detail 1 / S3.1 on Sub Sheet No. S3.1 of the contract drawings states, “All piers shall be a minimum of 15’-0” in length.”

Based on the information summarized above, will the Government please review and provide clarification to the following discrepancies?

1) What is the correct finish floor elevation of the new building?

a. Is it 2440.5’ per Overall Site Layout Sub Sheet No. C1.2 of the contract drawings, or

b. Is it 2441’ per Foundation Plan Note 2 on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings?

2) What is the bearing stratum elevation (for bidding purposes) of the drilled concrete piers and shafts?

a. Is it 2425.0’ per Drilled Concrete Piers and Shafts Note 3 on Sub Sheet No. S0.2 of the contract drawings, or

b. Is it “minimum of 15’-0” in length” per Note 4 within the Typical Drilled Pier Detail 1 / S3.1 on Sub Sheet No. S3.1 of the contract drawings? Further, if this is correct, then:

i. Is it FF = 2440.5’ (per Overall Site Layout Sub Sheet No. C1.2 of the contract drawings) minus 1’-4” (for hollow core precast planks and concrete topping) minus 3’-0” (for grade beam) minus 15’-0” (for “minimum of 15’-0” in length”) = 2421.17’, or

ii. Is it FF = 2441’ (per Foundation Plan Note 2 on Sub Sheet Nos. S1.1 and S1.2 of the contract drawings) minus 1’-4” (for hollow core precast planks and concrete topping) minus 3’-0” (for grade beam) minus 15’-0” (for “minimum of 15’-0” in length”) = 2421.67’?

It is not possible to base bids on both the “assume[d] . . . bearing stratum elevation . . . of 2425.0’” and a “minimum of 15’-0” in length.”

We appreciate the Government clarifying (1) the correct finish floor elevation of the new building and (2) the bearing stratum elevation of drilled concrete piers and shafts upon which we are to base our bid (“for bidding purposes”). Structural

Sheets C1.2, S0.2, S1.1,

Will the Government please:

1) Confirm that load tests of the drilled piers will in fact be required?

2) Confirm the quantity of drilled piers that will be required to be load tested?

3) Confirm the test standard and acceptance criteria for the required load testing? Structural

Will the Government please provide the bidders with the existing contour elevations?

This information is necessary in order to properly estimate and bid the earthwork-related work activities for this project. Civil

Will the Government please clarify what is to be provided for “MB-2?”

Will the Government please clarify who is to provide (furnish and install) “MB-2” (the Contractor or the Government)? Architectural

However, we are unable to locate any steel specifically indicated on the Architectural drawings to be AESS.

Subpart 1.3C of Section 05 10 00 of the specifications states, “All steel members exposed to view in the completed structure shall conform to all requirements of AESS 1 the AISC Code of Standard Practice for "Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel" (AESS).”

Will the Government please clarify specifically which interior and/or exterior steel members, if any, are required to be AESS for this project? Structural

Sheet S0.3

Section

Further, the Canopy Section detail 4 / A3.4 on Sub Sheet No. A3.4 of the contract drawings indicates that “composite standing seam metal roofing panels” are to be provided for the canopies.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that metal roof deck is not required to be provided for the canopies? If our understanding is not correct, please clarify what type of metal roof deck is to be provided for the canopies.

Additionally, will the Government please clarify what is to be provided for the “composite standing seam metal roof panels” for the canopies? Is the Government describing a type of prefabricated, insulated metal wall panel (sandwich panel)? If so, please provide a specification (including required R-value) for these “composite standing seam metal roof panels.” Structural

Sheets S1.3,

This responsibility is not clear, as there are numerous references throughout the specifications indicating that the Owner (i.e., the Government) will provide special inspection services.

Additionally, separate and distinct from the special inspection services identified above, are we correct in our understanding that the Contractor is responsible for providing the testing laboratory services and inspections required by the specifications? Structural

(SM) = Black Iron (SMSS) = 304 Stainless Steel (SMSS316) - 316 Stainless Steel The type of material required will change the cost of the fountain and needs to be determined prior to bid.

Will the Government please confirm the correct identifier or type of material required for the outdoor drinking fountain. Civil

Will the Government please clarify the following?

1) What type of paving (i.e., concrete sidewalks, gravel, etc.) is to be provided within the mechanical yards?

2) If concrete sidewalks are to be provided, what is the required joint layout?

3) How is the finished surface to be constructed so that surface water is able to drain out of the mechanical yards (as it appears the surface water will be dammed by the architectural precast concrete walls)? Civil

Sheet Nos.

S1.1, C1.2 C1.9, & C1.10 1) Provide concrete sidewalk within the mechanical yards.

2) Provide joints at 8' maximum.

Civil Details Sub Sheet No. C5.7 of the contract drawings includes generic information and details for these curb ramps; however, all of the details state, “Detectable warnings as specified in the plans.”

We are unable to locate where the detectable warning surfaces are specified or indicated within the contract drawings.

Will the Government please provide a specification for the type of detectable warning surfaces that will be required at the curb ramps? Civil

Sheet Nos.

C1.9, C1.10,

Will the Government please provide a photograph (or a marked-up drawing) showing exactly where this “existing primary electrical access point” is located?

Will any cutting and patching of any existing asphalt pavement, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and gutters, or any other existing surfaces be required in order to make connection to the “existing primary electrical access point?” Electrical

Will the Government please provide a photograph of the plan south side of the Existing Visitor Center, showing exactly where this new underground conduit and in-ground pull box are to be located?

Will any cutting and patching of any existing asphalt pavement, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and gutters, or any other existing surfaces be required in order to perform this work? Tele-communications

Since this project is a design-bid-build type project, will the Government please provide the criteria and details for the monument sign footings?

For example:

• Are drilled concrete shafts and piers with grade beams required, or are spread footing foundations sufficient?

• If drilled concrete shafts and piers with grade beams are required:

o How many drilled concrete shafts and piers are required at each monument sign?

o What are the assumed diameters of the drilled concrete shafts and piers?

o What are the assumed depths of the drilled concrete shafts and piers?

o What are the dimensions and layout requirements for the grade beams?

• If spread footing foundations are acceptable:

o Are there any specific subgrade preparation criteria that will be required below the spread footing foundations?

o What are the dimensions and layout requirements for the spread footings?

o Is there a certain depth required to the bottom-of-footing elevation?

o Will a concrete stem wall (between the spread footing and the precast monument sign wall panels) be required at each monument sign?

It would be beneficial to all bidders and the Government if the Government was willing to provide an assumed detail for the monument sign foundations for the purposes of bidding. Structural

We are unable to locate any requirements within the contract documents that require the Contractor to provide any project identification signs, on-the-job safety performance signs, or safety bulletin board signs for this project.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that project identification signs, on-the-job safety performance signs, and/or safety bulletin board signs are not required for this project If our understanding is not correct, please provide the requirements for any temporary signage that is required for this project. General

Section 01 10 00 Division 1 Short Form General

(COR) and utility companies as required to request location services prior to and to coordinate any excavation/digging operations, and/or for demolition if within Scope of Work.”

We understand that the Contractor will be required to contact the CO/COR and utility companies to request location services of the existing underground utilities for this project.

We are unable to locate any requirements within the contract documents that require the Contractor to utilize any third-party utility locating companies to locate the existing underground utilities for this project. It is our understanding that, based on the referenced specification above, the CO/COR and utility companies will be the parties responsible for performing location services, upon the Contractor’s request/notification.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that the Contractor will not be required to utilize any third-party utility locating companies to locate the existing underground utilities for this project? General

Section 01 10 00 Division 1 Short Form General

The scope of work for the plant establishment services prescribed within Section 32 93 50 of the specifications does not include any requirements for the Contractor to provide mowing and/or edging/trimming services of the seeded areas during the establishment period.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that the Government (not the Contractor) will be responsible for mowing and/or edging/trimming services of the seeded areas during the establishment period? Civil

Section 32 93 50 Plant Establishment

Will the Government please clarify what specific stormwater-related permit(s) will be required for this project?

Will the Government obtain the required permit(s) and pay any applicable fees, or will the Contractor be responsible for obtaining the permit(s) and paying any applicable fees?

Are there any fees associated with the required stormwater-related permit(s)? If so, please identify the applicable fees.

Will a Notice of Intent (“NOI”) be required for any stormwater-related permit(s) for this project? General

Sheet C1.3

Section 01 10 00 Division 1 Short Form General

a. Name of Permit.

b. The Agency(ies) with Jurisdiction issuing the permit.

c. Information required from the Government to complete the permit application.”

Will the Government please clarify whether any specific construction permits are required to be obtained by the Contractor for this project?

Additionally, will the Government please clarify whether the Contractor is required to obtain any permits from, and/or pay any permit fees to, Jackson County, the Town of Interior, the State of South Dakota, or any other local or state agency for performance of the work under this contract?

If any such permits or fees are required, please identify the applicable permits, permitting agencies, and fees. General

Section 01 10 00 Division 1 Short Form General

It is unclear as to where this rip-rap material is required, as the referenced detail is providing requirements for the outlets at the flared end sections, not inlets.

Will the Government please clarify where the referenced rip-rap is required to be provided? Civil

Sheet C1.4

Section 31 23 05

It was verbally confirmed by the Government during the virtual pre-bid site visit that there are no borrow areas within the Badlands National Park (BADL) available to the Contractor from which this specified and required material may be obtained.

Will the Government please confirm what was stated during the virtual pre-bid site visit, that there are no borrow areas within the Badlands National Park (BADL) available to the Contractor from which this specified and required material may be obtained? Civil

Sheet C1.4

Section 31 23 05

We are unable to locate any requirements within the contract documents that require the Contractor to perform DALT (duct air leakage testing) for the new HVAC ductwork.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that DALT is not required for this project?

If our understanding is not correct, please provide the specific DALT requirements for this project? Mechanical

Section 23 05 93 Testing, Adjusting & Balancing for

We are unable to locate any requirements within the contract documents requiring the Contractor to utilize an independent, third-party commissioning firm or to provide independent third-party total building commissioning services for this project.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that the Contractor is not required to retain an independent, third-party commissioning firm or perform independent third-party commissioning services for this project?

Additionally, will the Government please confirm that the Contractor and its subcontractors will not be required to participate in any separate commissioning activities performed by a Government-directed or Government-contracted commissioning firm? General

Section 01 10 00 Division 1 Short Form General

A note on Sub Sheet No. F1.1 of the contract drawings states, “out to remote pedestal fire department connection.” However, the contract drawings do not clearly indicate the location of this remote fire department connection (FDC) (other than detail 3 / F2.0 on Sub Sheet No. F2.0 of the contract drawings, which states, “Min. 40-ft from building”).

Will the Government please clarify the required location of the remote pedestal FDC for this project and identify its location on the contract drawings? Fire Protection

Sheet Nos. F1.1, F2.0

Section 21 13 00

Sub Sheet No. F1.1 of the contract drawings identifies two (2) specific exterior areas, indicated by a black line labeled “exterior overhang – see architectural plans,” where “exposed dry head[s]” are required.

Will the Government please confirm that fire sprinkler coverage at exterior overhangs is required only at the two (2) overhang areas specifically identified on Sub Sheet No. F1.1, and is not required at other exterior overhangs located around the remainder of the building perimeter? Fire Protection

Sheet F1.1

Section 21 13 00

The Contractor understands that this project involves construction of a new building on an undeveloped site and that the initial major site activities will include earthwork, installation of the drilled concrete piers, and construction of the cast-in-place concrete grade beam foundations.

Due to the anticipated extremely cold weather and climatic conditions at the project site during the winter months, these major site and foundation activities are not anticipated to be reasonably executable until the Spring of 2027. Consequently, given the anticipated late-season contract award, issuance of an NTP shortly after award would result in approximately four to five months (120 to 150 calendar days) of the 730-calendar-day contract duration occurring before meaningful physical construction activities can reasonably commence.

This seasonal limitation is particularly significant because a substantial amount of work must then be accomplished during the 2027 construction season in order to achieve building enclosure prior to the onset of the subsequent cold-weather season. Building enclosure is necessary to allow the Contractor to proceed with the substantial interior construction activities during late 2027 and into early 2028.

In consideration of these project-specific circumstances, would the Government please consider utilizing a two-part NTP for this project, or otherwise providing an equivalent adjustment to the contract duration to account for the seasonal limitations associated with the anticipated November 2026 award?

Under a two-part NTP approach, the first NTP could authorize the Contractor to immediately commence preconstruction activities, including preparation, review, and submission of required submittals, procurement activities, coordination, and other work that can reasonably be performed prior to physical mobilization. This would allow the Contractor to advance submittals and initiate fabrication and procurement of long-lead materials and equipment as early as practicable.

The second NTP could then be issued in conjunction with the Contractor’s physical mobilization to the project site in Spring 2027, at which time the 730-calendar-day contract performance period would commence. This approach would provide the Contractor with the full 730 calendar days necessary to execute the physical construction work following the period during which weather conditions reasonably preclude commencement of the major site and foundation activities.

Absent an adjustment of this nature, the Contractor would effectively have only approximately 580 to 610 calendar days to perform the physical construction work, despite the solicitation providing a 730-calendar-day contract duration.

The Contractor respectfully requests that the Government consider this approach, or an equivalent extension of the contract duration, to account for the seasonal limitations associated with the anticipated timing of award and NTP.

We appreciate the Government’s consideration. Contracting

However, the Bid Schedule included in Section B – Bid Schedule of the solicitation does not contain a unit price bid item for drilled concrete piers or adjustments to pier elevations.

Fire Protection General Note G on Sub Sheet No. M0.0, however, requires the “Sprinkler contractor to perform fire hydrant flow testing at the project site prior to hydraulic design of the system in order to determine the currently available water pressure and flow at the site.”

Accordingly, the adequacy of the existing water supply for the fire protection system cannot be determined by the Contractor at the time of bidding. The results of the required fire hydrant flow testing and the subsequent hydraulic design will determine whether the available water pressure and flow are sufficient to serve the required fire protection system or whether additional equipment, such as a fire pump, will be necessary.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that, if the required post-award fire hydrant flow testing and hydraulic design determine that a fire pump is necessary to achieve the required fire protection system performance, and such fire pump is not otherwise indicated or required by the contract documents, the addition of the fire pump and associated work will be considered a change to the contract and the Contractor will be entitled to an equitable adjustment for the resulting costs and impacts? Fire Protection Sheets M0.0,

Subpart 1.15D – Coordination of Section 26 04 00 of the specifications states: “Coordinate electrical service connections to components furnished by utility companies. Coordinate installation and connection of exterior underground utilities and services, including provision for electricity-metering components.”

Additionally, Subpart 3.14 – Utility Company Service of Section 26 04 00 states: “The utility company will provide and install the primary cables and transformer and will connect the secondary cables to the transformer.”

Based on the above requirements, it appears that the Contractor is responsible for providing the infrastructure necessary to facilitate the electrical service connection, while the electric “Power Company” / “Utility Company” is responsible for providing and installing the primary cables and transformer and making the secondary connection.

Will the Government please confirm our understanding that the Government will be responsible for directly contracting with and making direct payment to the electric “Power Company” / “Utility Company” for all utility-company-furnished work and materials identified in the contract documents, including the primary cables, transformer, and associated utility-company work?

If our understanding is not correct, and the Contractor is instead required to contract directly with and/or make payment to the electric “Power Company” / “Utility Company” for any portion of the utility-company-furnished work, please identify the specific work and associated costs, fees, charges, or allowances that bidders are required to include in their base bid. Electrical Utility E0.1, E2.1, & E5.1

Section 26 04 00

General Water Line Construction Note 2 on Sub Sheet No. C8.1 states: “A 3” Sensus Cordonel water meter shall be provided and installed in a water meter vault as shown in the plans.”

Additionally, Subpart 3.8 – Service Connections of Section 22 10 05 of the specifications states: “Water meter to be provided by water utility company. Contractor to rough in and install.”

Based on the above requirements, it appears that the Contractor is responsible for coordinating with West River Lyman Jones Rural Water and installing the water meter provided by the water utility company. However, the contract documents do not identify any utility-company fees or other costs associated with the required onsite inspection or the furnishing of the water meter.

Will the Government please clarify whether the Contractor will be responsible for paying any fees, charges, or other costs imposed by West River Lyman Jones Rural Water for:

C8.1

Section 22 10 05

Flag Note 4 on Sub Sheet No. P1.1 of the contract drawings states: “Propane meter location – propane meter, shut-off valves, pressure regulator, etc. located outside and upstream of building by Local Utility Company.”

Subpart 2.12D.11 – Service Meters of Section 22 10 05 of the specifications states: “Propane service and meter will be furnished and set by propane utility company.”

Subpart 3.8 – Service Connections of Section 22 10 05 of the specifications states: “Propane service, meter, and pressure regulator will be furnished by propane utility company. Connect new system to regulator outlet.”

Based on the above requirements, it appears that the propane utility company is responsible for providing the new propane utility line indicated on Sub Sheet No. C8.5 (i.e., new propane service), as well as the propane meter, pressure regulator, and associated utility-company work, and that the Contractor’s scope begins at the outlet of the utility company-furnished pressure regulator and extends into the building.

Will the Government please confirm that the Government will be responsible for directly contracting with and making direct payment to the propane “Local Utility Company” for all utility-company-furnished work and materials identified in the contract documents, including the propane service (i.e., the new propane utility line indicated on Sub Sheet No. C8.5 of the contract drawings), meter, pressure regulator, and associated utility-company work?

If the Contractor is instead required to contract directly with and/or make payment to the propane “Local Utility Company” for any portion of the utility-company-furnished work, please identify the specific work and associated costs, fees, charges, or allowances that bidders are required to include in their base bid. Propane Utility

Section 22 10 05 Plumbing Piping The NPS is the owner of the propane system.

Michael Vetter West River/Lyman-Jones Rural Water PO Box 144 Philip, SD 57567