Questions and Answers - 191T7026Q0024.pdf

Questions and Answers – 191T7026Q0024 – Compound Bathrooms

Renovation

Q1: The requirement calls for three completed projects of comparable scope with a minimum project value of EUR 70,000 each. Where a contract or task order includes bathroom/restroom renovation as part of a broader facility renovation, will the EUR 70,000 threshold be evaluated against the total contract/task-order value or only the value attributable to the bathroom/restroom work?

A1: Minimum project-value threshold: Past projects must demonstrate costs specifically attributable to the bathroom/restroom renovation work. The EUR 70,000 threshold will be evaluated based on the value of the bathroom/restroom work itself, not the total contract/task-order value.

Q2: Must each of the three submitted projects independently include material scope in all four listed disciplines - civil, plumbing, electrical, and finishes - or may a project qualify where the overall bathroom/restroom renovation is multi-trade but one of those disciplines is limited or incidental?

A2: The commitment must be substantial across all disciplines required (civil, plumbing, electrical, and finishes). Each project must reflect meaningful, material scope in all four listed disciplines.

Q3: The requirement identifies domestic water distribution, sanitary drainage, water heaters, and accessible fixtures. Must each of the two qualifying projects independently include every listed component, or may the required experience be demonstrated cumulatively across the set of submitted projects?

A3: This is a single project with similar bathrooms located in two different buildings, the required experience may be demonstrated cumulatively across the two buildings. However, all listed components (domestic water distribution, sanitary drainage, water heaters, and accessible fixtures) must still be present and documented with respect to all bathrooms included in the contract, regardless of which building they are located in.

Q4: For purposes of the stated water-heater experience, will the Government accept experience with centralized hot-water or boiler equipment and associated distribution systems as equivalent, or must each cited project include domestic hot-water generation dedicated to, or directly serving, bathroom fixtures?

A4: Experience with centralized hot-water production systems is required.

Q5: For projects performed in Italy that were not governed by U.S. ADA/ABA requirements, will accessible restroom fixtures and layouts completed in compliance with applicable Italian and

European accessibility requirements be accepted as comparable experience?

A5: The standards to be followed for this project are ADA/ABA, with respect to measurements, heights, and installations. Italian/European accessibility standards will not be accepted as equivalent.

Q6: The requirement permits hydronic fan-coil units or equivalent equipment. Please confirm whether VAV terminal units with hydronic reheat coils connected to existing building supply-and-return water circuits, including controls integration, testing, adjusting, balancing, and commissioning, will be considered equivalent experience.

A6: To ensure the system is compatible (coplanar) with the existing system already installed in other rooms of the building, just equivalent equipment is acceptable; however, the overall system type must be maintained as required, without switching to a different system.

Q7: May a mandatory experience requirement in Part II.B be satisfied through a designated subcontractor performing more than 20 percent of the contract or through an ATI member, provided that entity will perform the corresponding scope and submits all required Part I, Part II, and, where applicable, Part III documentation? If so, please identify the required commitment evidence and confirm whether that entity's experience will be evaluated cumulatively with the prime offeror's experience.

A7: All participating firms in the ATI must submit the required documentation outlined in PART

I, PART II and PART III in their respective scopes of work. A formal letter of intent to establish the ATI, signed by all participants, detailing the specific percentage and scope of work assigned to each member firm, must be included in the offer submission.

Q8: Part I, paragraph 2(a)(i) requests brief CVs for Contractor personnel involved in or executing the work, while paragraph 2(a)(ii) requests the last three-month earning statements of any potential worker employed on the project. Please confirm whether (a) brief CVs and (b) the last three-month earning statements must be submitted for every proposed worker, including craft labor, additional specialized personnel, and personnel of ATI members or subcontractors, or whether these documents are required only for the four named Key Personnel in Part III, with

Part III qualification/experience evidence for the additional specialized personnel and a complete personnel roster being sufficient for the remaining workforce. If the required scope differs between CVs and earning statements, please identify the applicable scope for each.

A8: CVs and earning statements are requested for all personnel proposed to perform work.

Q9: Part IV requires the quotation to identify the percentage of on-site work to be performed by the prime contractor's own workforce and, where subcontracting applies, each proposed subcontractor's assigned percentage and work portion. It also states that designated subcontractors shall be approved with the offer submission and are not to be changed at award.

Please clarify whether: (a) an offeror may identify at quotation stage the discrete work packages that may be subcontracted and a maximum aggregate subcontracted percentage, then submit the selected firms' contact details, qualifications, licenses, permits, and final percentages for the

Contracting Officer's and COR's prior written approval after award but before any subcontracted work begins; (b) if not, every subcontractor that may be used during performance must be named and approved in the initial quotation; and (c) the prime self-performance percentage stated in the quotation becomes a binding contractual minimum, and what prior approval process applies to any post-award reduction.

A9: Offerors cannot defer the identification of subcontractors or the submission of their required qualification in the post-award phase. As specified in section J, PART IV, all subcontractors must be identified and named in the initial proposal submission. Designated subcontractors are evaluated as part of the offer submission. Subcontractors cannot be changed at the time of the award.

Q10: To better plan the site logistics, we would appreciate some additional information regarding access to the buildings. In particular, it would be helpful to know whether the buildings are directly accessible from the street or are located further inside the Embassy compound, and whether there are any specific logistical considerations or restrictions that we should be aware of.

A10: The buildings are not accessible from the public street. Access to the Compound requires the necessary security clearances/permits.

Q11: Will it be possible to place a roll-off waste container near the work area for the collection and disposal of demolition debris and construction waste?

A11: A roll-off waste container is not currently planned for this project. A request may be submitted at a later stage; however, it will be subject to approval by the relevant internal offices.

Q12: Will it be permitted to use the building elevators for the transportation of personnel, equipment, and materials during the execution of the works?

A12: Elevator logistics will be coordinated on-site during the execution of the works. The twin elevator in the MSB may not be used, and there is no elevator available at the BCC. If the use of an elevator is approved, it must be properly padded/protected and must not be damaged during transport. The Government will not be responsible for any resulting damage.

Q13: with reference to the renderings included in the tender documentation, we would like to clarify whether it is sufficient to use materials that comply with the required technical and aesthetic specifications, ensuring a final result that is as faithful as possible to the 3D renderings, while allowing bidders the freedom to select their own suppliers. Alternatively, are there any designated suppliers or mandatory materials that must be used?

A13: The 3D renderings and technical specifications provided are intended only as examples of material type and finish. All materials must be submitted to and approved by the COR

(Contracting Officer's Representative) prior to purchase. This process allows bidders to propose similar or higher-quality materials while maintaining the design intent shown in the renderings.

Bidders have full freedom to select their own suppliers; however, submission and approval of proposed materials prior to purchase is mandatory.

Q14: Could you please clarify whether the internal partition walls extend from floor to ceiling

(full-height partitions) or if they are partial-height partitions.

A14: As specified in the Statement of Work (SOW) the partition walls extend from floor to ceiling (full-height partitions).

Q15: Should the quotation be submitted in euros or in U.S. dollars?

A15: Euro is the preferred currency.

Q16: If this information can be disclosed, would it be possible to indicate the number of companies that have been invited to or are participating in the tender?

A16: This solicitation is being conducted under full and open competition. Accordingly, participation is not limited, and any interested and eligible company may submit a bid.