Attachment 3 Response to RFI 36C24124R0058 Manchester Construction SATOC.pdf

Attachment 3 RFI 36C24124R0058 Manchester Construction SATOC

On the price schedule in the solicitation are you just looking for the Coefficient in the pricing?

Offeror’s responses will be ranked and awarded based solely on overall pricing coefficient.

SOW COEFFICIENT/WAGE DETERMINATION paragraph F states that the offeror must include a coefficient cost for work to be performed during standard and premium working hours; the appropriate coefficient will be applied to each task order issued under the contract. A.3 price / cost schedule provided in the solicitation only provides a line for one coefficient. How do you want us to present the two different coefficients? Please advise.

Offerors are to submit only one coefficient, applied to each RS Means line item.

We have reviewed the solicitation and have not found a sample project to bid on. Will there be a sample project?

There will be no sample project.

Will the VA be issuing a tax-exempt certificate for materials and equipment installed in each project?

VA will issue tax-exempt certificates for this contract per project.

The cost for scaffolding will fluctuate based on the job conditions. The building we work on could be 2 stories tall or it could be 12 stories tall. This would be a major cost difference. Will the contractors be allowed to utilize the lift equipment and scaffolding line items in RS Means to cover this cost?

Each individual project awarded under the SATOC will have its own set of RS Means line items.

These line items are to be discussed on a per-project basis and will be chosen with the intent of performing the job as safely, expediently, effectively, and inexpensively as possible.

The cost for engineering will fluctuate based on project size and complexity. According to the scope of work our proposed coefficient is to include engineering. Can this be defined further?

Are any of the task orders going to be design-build? Will the contractor be allowed to utilize the engineering line items in RS Means to cover this cost?

As the coefficient will be applied to each RS Means line item, a possible design-build project will likely have engineering RS Means line-items and the coefficient will subsequently be applied to those, in addition to all others.

The cost for flag persons for traffic control will fluctuate based on the job conditions. A civil project on a parking lot may require several flag persons for several days while a crane pick to the roof may only require 1 person one day. This would be a major cost difference. Will the contractor be allowed to utilize RS Means to cover this cost?

All projects will have a complete and accurate RS Means estimate, accurately representing project requirements and conditions.

Please advise if RS Means sections 011 and 012 can be used. Typical items in these sections include cut & patch to match, dust protection, equipment usage, material handling, protection of existing work, shift requirements. Please advise.

Any and all RS Means sections may be used, provided they are the most up-to-date version of the line-item, and that VA personnel (CO, COR, etc.) agree that they are relevant and accurate to the job.

SOW Coefficient paragraph B states, note: Since award will be made after January 1st, the most current RS Means pricing will be utilized from date of award to January 1, 2025. Annual updates will occur on a yearly basis thereafter, in accordance with RS Means updates, not from the anniversary date of the awarded contract. Our proposal is due June 3, 2024. How can we account for RS Means pricing in 2025 when the information is not available prior to bid? Please advise if we are to utilize 2024 Qtr. 2 for the basis of bid.

In all RS Means pricing, winning bidder is to utilize the most up-to-date versions of line-items possible.

Material handling varies from project to project. Some projects my require handling materials on a ground level building while others may include handling materials in a multi-story building.

Will the government allow the material handling line items in RS means section 016619000000 to be utilized for this?

Any and all RS Means sections may be used, provided they are the most up-to-date version of

Security factors may vary from project to project. Some projects my require working in secured areas. Will the government allow the security factors line items in RS means section 012153600010 to be utilized for this?

Any and all RS Means sections may be used, provided they are the most up-to-date version of

Will the government accept common product submittals such as metal studs, drywall, blocking, fire caulking, electrical conduit, electrical wire, outlet boxes to be submitted globally rather than per project. This would allow quicker service and shorter performance periods.

This is a good idea, but VA still requires a full set of submittals on each project. So while a “common set” of product submittals will expedite the approval process, a full set of submittals is still required.

According to the scope of work, only after all required submittals, shop drawings and coordination plans are approved by Phase may the Contractor then submit an official written request to start construction activities at a minimum of 30 days in advance of the requested start date, to allow the Government time to move staff, furniture, and equipment and/or make space available, both interior and exterior. Can this be changed to allow the 30-day advance notice and the submittal process to run concurrently. This would save the government time and money.

This is a good idea and will help ease schedule issues early on in projects. As long as this doesn’t serve to take shortcuts around other requirements, COR agrees that those processes may run concurrently. Further, CO/COR has the right to waive the 30-day advance requirement, depending on project requirements.