Questions and responses to Request for Information.docx

Request for Information (RFI) Tracking Log Solicitation: 36C24822R0032 Project: 573-18-618 Title: Replace Condensate Tank (DB) – Gainesville VA

Phase I – Questions/Response

1. If the offeror has started the process of obtaining the completed VETS 4212, will a statement attesting to this be accepted in place of the VETS 4212 pending completion. Please advise on how many days the VA will be allowed to review each design phase? If the VA will require the typical 10 to 15 business days, then the project duration will need to be extended beyond the current 30 days?

VA Response: Firms will allow about 30 days to review each phase

2. Phase One – Factor One requires “past performance information for each project submitted on Factor 2 -Experience.” Factor 2 as it appears in the Phase One requirements is listed as “Factor 2: Technical Approach,” and similar projects are not requested. Will the VA clarify the Phase One Factors and/or where to include Similar Project Experience?

NOTE: The offeror may include client or third-party documentation as part of their proposal demonstrating how well they performed on relevant projects. Submit awards, customer letters of commendation, or customer performance evaluations. The offeror must submit this information for past performance evaluation or affirmatively state that it possesses no relevant past performance.

NOTE: Technical Evaluation Board members may also use personal information with that offeror, as well as Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), Dun and Bradstreet, Excluded Parties List System, Central Contractor Registration, Online Representations and Certifications Application, and other publicly accessible databases.

NOTE: Experience provided MUST be verifiable using the Point of Contract (POC) provided on Experience forms. It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure the Government will be able to contact the POCs using the contact information listed on the experience form. Unverifiable POC information may lead to a lower rating for experience.

3. On page 13 of the RFP, requirement (d) of the PHASE ONE – 2nd (TECHNICAL PROPOSAL) package list states that Factor 2 is Technical Approach. Similarly, on page 17 of the RFP, Factor 2 is identified as Technical Approach. In contrast, on page 16 of the RFP, within the description of the Factor 1 requirements, Factor 1 is based on Factor 2 being Experience. Typically, on a Phase I submission, the technical factors would be, based on past solicitations and on this one, something similar to:

PHASE ONE – FACTOR 1: RELEVANT AND RECENT PAST PERFORMANCE

PHASE ONE – FACTOR 2: EXPERIENCE

PHASE ONE – FACTOR 3: PROJECT PLANNING/SAFETY/IC/QC

Historically, a technical factor, such as Technical Approach, would be a requirement in Phase II. Having the Technical Approach as a requirement on Phase I, where there has been no site visit and there are no As-Builts that have been provided, guarantees the write-up to be filled with assumptions and makes it almost impossible for the VA to compare the Technical Approach submissions for identifying the contractors that are invited to Phase II. It would also prevent the VA from having to answer a ton of unnecessary questions focused on the technical aspects of the project in Phase I . . . especially, since a good portion of the questions would be answered by seeing the project, visually, at the site visit. Can the VA, please, provide clarification of whether the Phase One – Factor 2 is intended to be Experience or Technical Approach?

VA Response: Technical Approach: Provide a narrative that details the technical approach that leads to successful performance of the project. The narrative shall demonstrate proven methods and techniques, and the extent to which the offeror’s methods and approach to performing the requirements are expected to result in successful completion of the proposed tasks and technical requirements within the required schedule. This should include all aspects of the scope of work while considering the locations of each portion of the project and where it is being completed.

(2) Submit a preliminary (CPM) Critical Path Method schedule for the construction satisfying the requirements of this project. A practicable schedule showing the order in which the Contractor proposes to perform the work, and the dates on which the Contractor contemplates starting and completing the several salient features of the work (including acquiring materials, plant, and equipment, mobilization, demolition, installation, finalization, etc.). The schedule shall be in the form of a progress chart of suitable scale to indicate appropriately the percentage of work scheduled for completion by any given point during the period. Most importantly, the schedule should show length of downtime required.

*CPM is NOT included in the (07) page maximum count. Ensure CPM schedule is legible.

4. In ATTACHMENT 01 Statement of Work DB - 573-21-803 [12 Pages], on page 2, the first paragraph of I. General Requirements, 1) Project Overview, mentions that the existing tank is a 3,000-gallon tank and due to age and leakage, it needs to be replaced with a tank that has a 25% greater capacity (+750 gallons) than the current 3,000-gallon capacity. On page 3, the first bullet-point states that the awardee’s full design package will address the furnishing and installation of a “new Steam / Condensate Recovery Tank (3000 Gallons)”. Can the VA, please, clarify whether the NEW tank is expected to be a 3,000-gallon tank or a 3,750-gallon tank?

VA Response: The tank needs to be 3750 gallons.

5. Tied in with the earlier question about Factor 2 being Technical Approach, and the previous question concerning the intended tank capacity:

a. If a Technical Approach is the requirement for Factor 2, and the replacement tank is to be a like size of having a 3,000-gallon capacity, can the VA, please, confirm it is their intention that the existing instruments, piping, and ALL other necessary system items (pumps, instruments, controls, electrical, deaerator heating tank, etc.) are to be reused and connected/tied into the new tank?

Response: The tank needs to be 25 percent larger. Everything needs to be replaced as new. All controls, Instruments, Piping, and necessary systems.

i. If the intention is to reuse ALL the above necessary system components, can the VA, please, provide details as to the current condition of ALL these items (photographs or other appropriate means)?

The VA will not reuse the necessary system components. They are in terrible condition.

ii. If the intention is either reuse only what can be reused and to replace items that are necessary to provide a fully functional and efficient system, can the VA, please, identify what items/elements are anticipated to require replacement and quantify those items/elements with the number of each (assuming, if this is the intention and the project being a DB, make/model, etc. are up to the design team)?

Everything needs to be replaced.

b. If a Technical Approach is the requirement for Factor 2, and the replacement tank is to be the pointed out 3,000-gallon + 25% capacity, can the VA, please, confirm it is their intention that the existing instruments, piping, and ALL other necessary system items (pumps, instruments, controls, electrical, deaerator heating tank, etc.) are to be reused and connected/tied into the new tank?

All components need to be replaced. Nothing is to be reused.

i. If the intention is to reuse ALL the above necessary system components, can the VA provide confirmation that ALL existing elements, components, and conditions are able to accommodate the increased tank capacity and size without major alterations?

The VA will not reuse the necessary system components. They are in terrible condition.

ii. If the intention is to reuse ALL the above necessary system components, can the VA, please, provide details as to the current condition of ALL these items (photographs or other appropriate means)?

Everything needs to be replaced.

iii. If the intention is either reuse only what can be reused and to replace items that are necessary to provide a fully functional and efficient system, can the VA, please, identify what items/elements are anticipated to require replacement and quantify those items/elements with the number of each (assuming, if this is the intention and the project being a DB, make/model, etc. are up to the design team)?

6. If Technical Approach is the requirement for Factor 2, can the VA, please, provide any necessary details and information related to the existing BAS?

Everything needs to be replaced.