161106 Q&A1.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Stephen C. Brich, P.E. 1221 East Broad Street (804) 482-5818 Commissioner Richmond, Virginia 23219

WE KEEP VIRGINIA MOVING

Questions and Answers

UIFB 161106 Rock Asphalt

Question 1:

The solicitation identifies this procurement as a “Proprietary/Brand Name Only purchase,” which indicates only the named proprietary product is acceptable. However, Section R (“Use of Brand Names”) expressly provides that equivalent products shall be accepted unless otherwise provided. The solicitation does not clearly reconcile these provisions or identify whether equivalent products will, or will not, be considered. This ambiguity creates uncertainty regarding bidder eligibility and may unnecessarily restrict competition.

Answer: General Terms And Condition R states "Unless otherwise provided in this solicitation, the name of a certain brand, make or manufacturer does not restrict bidders to the specific brand, make or manufacturer named, but conveys the general style, type, character, and quality of the article desired."

The statement of “Proprietary/Brand Name Only purchase" is providing the VDOT is only looking for Rock Asphalt.

Question 2:

The title of the UIFB indicates that VDOT is soliciting “Rock Asphalt.” This requirement is further stated under Section IV. Specifications, which provides: “The Contractor shall furnish and deliver bags or totes of Rock Asphalt.”

However, the referenced company and/or product does not appear on VDOT’s Approved Materials List, specifically under Section (78) COLD MIX ASPHALT – Asphalt Lab.

Given that the solicitation specifically identifies “Rock Asphalt” as the requested material, clarification is requested as to how a product that does not appear on VDOT’s Approved Materials List satisfies the applicable VDOT material requirements and specifications.

Answer: Correct that it is not on the published approved materials list, but it has been situationally approved for use by the Materials Division.

Question 3:

Please clarify the Unit rate requirements for Line item #1 “ROCK ASPHALT 50 LB BAG *PALLET PRICING*”. Is the request for 1,000 pallets?

Answer: For bidding purposes, it would be 1,000 pallets.

Question 4:

Please clarify the Unit rate requirements for Line item #3 “ROCK ASPHALT 50 LB BAG *TRUCKLOAD PRICING*”. The line description states, “62 bags per pallet, 14 pallets per truckload”

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The line clearly states “Ea.” And the assumption would be that a truckload would contains those 14 pallets, a total of 868 bags, but the language creates confusion and requires clarity on what VDOT is truly requesting to be bid. Is the request for 868 truckloads, or 1 truckload containing 868 bags and you want a unit price for each bag?

Answer: 14 pallets is a full "truckload", the line item is for the cost of each pallet if a "truckload" is purchased.

Question 5:

Please clarify the Unit rate requirements for Line item #4 “ROCK ASPHALT BULK BAG – 1 CUYD *TRUCKLOAD PRICING*”. The line descriptions states, “18 sacks/tot per truckload”, but the unit rate is for “Ea.” Clarification on how this is supposed to be bid is required from VDOT.

Answer: 18 sacks/tote is a full "truckload", the line item is for the cost of each sacks/tote if a "truckload" is purchased.

Question 6:

Under Section 3 – AWARD: The solicitation states that award preference will be given to a DSBSD-certified micro business when the bid is less than $10,000, or otherwise to a DSBSD-certified small business when the bid does not exceed $100,000, provided the applicable requirements are met.

Based on the estimated quantities provided in the solicitation and the anticipated cost of furnishing and delivering the specified material, it appears reasonable to conclude that the total contract value would exceed the $100,000 threshold.

Please confirm the previous questions on the unit rates and the expectations of vendors on how to bid all line items, and whether VDOT anticipates the total award value under this solicitation to exceed $100,000. If so, please confirm that, pursuant to Section 3 – AWARD, the solicitation is open to responsive and responsible bidders of any size, regardless of DSBSD micro or small business certification status, and that award may be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder of any size whose pricing is determined to be fair and reasonable.

Answer: Due to advertisement as a UIFB, it is anticipated to be under $100,000.00. Any vendor may bid on the solicitation. A responsive and responsible bidder who is DSBSD-certified micro or small by gets award priority.