Questions_and_Answers_Dolores_Reclamation_-_21_Oct_24_0001.pdf

EC – Dolores Powerplants OM&R

Solicitation: 140R4024Q0056, Amendment 0001

Questions/Answers – 21 October 2024

Question 1: FAR 52.223-18 was not listed on Acquisition.gov, please provide information.

Answer 1: Yes, this clause has been replaced by 52.226-8 under the umbrella of clause 52.212-

5 and will be amended/added to solicitation accordingly.

Question 2: There are standard required equipment tests ( arc flash studies, breaker testing, pressure vessel testing and similar) done by outside contractors on multi-year schedules with periods of 3, 5 and 6 years. DWCD would expect these to fall under Non-Routine Operation, Maintenance and Replacement; please confirm.

Answer 2: For proposal purposes, the offeror should only quote the annual, routine O&M costs for each year. The Government will have to consider non-routine costs on a year-by-year and case-by-case basis, and add additional line items for those things, whether doing so while exercising the next year option (for foreseeable things) or via change order mid-year when things become known. Right now, the offeror should not include non-annual costs like 5-year testing, etc.

Question 3: Government Furnished Equipment: How will these be acquired both new and as replacements? As computer technology will require periodic updates and upgrades.

Answer 3: The Government will reserve the option to procure those items separately or to include them as a separate line items to be procured by the contractor. It gets a little tricky with

IT/computer items as these will have to be sorted out on a case-by-case basis.

Question 4: Schedule of Services: There are no specified bid item units. Did you want a lump sum per year on each facility? Or did you want break downs by hourly rates? Or were there other unit breakdowns desired?

Answer 4: A lump sum for the base and each option year should be provided per the schedule of services in the Request for Quote. However, for proposal evaluation and consideration, an itemized breakdown of the time, equipment and materials making up each year’s lump sum should be provided with the proposal.

Question 5: Change Performance Dates: DWCD as a Colorado division of local government follows a January 1 to December 31 required budget cycle. These requirements include prescribed hearings and submittal dates to the State of Colorado of annual budget and subsequent audits, including this contract performance. DWCD would propose moving the performance dates from the federal fiscal year to the calendar year, starting January 1, 2025.

Answer 5: The Government concurs with request to move performance dates from 1 October

2024 – 30 September 2029 to 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2029. This will provide the

Government additional time to approve the budget, evaluate proposed costs for the coming year, and get the option year executed before the start of (their) fiscal year.

Question 6: Wage Determination Specific Benefits: Should the provided health, dental, vision and life insurance plus District retirement contributions be less than the required scale, can they be paid separately as additional wages?

Answer 6: No, according to the Department of Labor regulations, the combined value of health, dental, vision, life insurance, and District retirement contributions provided by an employer cannot be less than the amount specified in the applicable wage determination scale; if the total value falls short, the employer must make up the difference with cash payments to employees to meet the required standard.

Question 7: Is the listed vacation benefit listed in addition to the required Health & Welfare benefits?

Answer 7: Yes, on a wage determination, the listed vacation benefit is typically considered separate from and in addition to the required Health & Welfare (H&W) benefits; meaning you would receive both the vacation time specified and the H&W benefits outlined in the determination.

Question 8: Which Health & Welfare required benefit rate, $5.36 or $4.93 per hour, is required under this contract?

Answer 8: The requirements of the EO apply only to certain categories of contracts with the

Federal Government, and only to contracts that are "new" on or after January 1, 2017. The categories of covered contracts are identical to those covered by the Final Rule implementing EO

13658, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors (Minimum Wage EO). Under the EO and

Final Rule, the paid sick leave requirements apply to a new contract that is: (1) a procurement contract for construction covered by the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA); (2) a contract for services covered by the Service Contract Act (SCA); (3) a contract for concessions, including any concessions contract excluded from coverage under the SCA by Department of Labor regulations at 29 CFR 4.133(b); or (4) a contract in connection with Federal property or lands and related to offering services for Federal employees, their dependents, or the general public. The regulations do not apply to contracts for the manufacturing or furnishing of materials, supplies, articles, or equipment to the Federal Government that are subject to the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act.

The Final Rule only applies to contracts, or portions of contracts, with the Federal Government performed within the United States (defined as the 50 States and the District of Columbia).

Question 9: Where can I find more defined job duties for the listed occupation codes to determine appropriate pay rates?

Answer 9: To find more defined job duties for listed occupation codes on a wage determination, you should consult the Occupational Information Network (ONET)*, which is maintained by the

U.S. Department of Labor and provides detailed information on various occupations, including specific tasks, skills, knowledge required, and work activities associated with each job code.

Key points about using ONET:*

Access: You can access ONET online through the ONET website.

(https://www.onetonline.org/find/result?s=job%20descriptions&a=1)

SOC Codes: Use the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code listed on the wage determination to locate the corresponding occupation on O*NET.

Detailed Information: Once you find the occupation, O*NET provides a comprehensive breakdown of the job duties, including specific tasks, required skills, and knowledge levels.

Important considerations:

Context is key: While O*NET provides a detailed picture of typical job duties, remember to consider the specific context of the project or contract when determining appropriate pay rates.

Local variations: Wage determinations are often specific to a geographic area, so you might need to research local market conditions to further refine your pay rate assessment.

Question 10: Request for solicitation response date extended to Friday November 22, 2024.

Answer 10: The Government concurs with the extension request.

https://www.onetonline.org/find/result?s=job%20descriptions&a=1