36C25725Q0023-RFI-Technical Questions.pdf

Request for Information (Technical Questions) NTX Sewer Line Jetting

36C25725Q0023

1. The SOW Section 1 Requirements, paragraph a. states “The contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, tools, and trucks to support sanitary sewer and storm drain jetting service, ……” Additionally the CLIN line xxx1, xxx2, and xxx3 States ” The contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, tools, and trucks to support sanitary sewer and storm drain jetting service…..”

a. When we were in Dallas it was stated Only the Sanitary Sewer. In Garland it was stated Only Sanitary Sewer. In Bonham it was stated Sanitary sewer AND Storm Drains. Can the VA please clarify. The intent is to only cover Sanitary Sewer lines. Removed Storm Drains from SOW and LIN’s.

2. The SOW Section 1 Requirements paragraph b. states “Sanitary sewers shall be maintained per the schedule below. Contractor shall provide two (2) emergency calls per calendar year at each location with a 24-hour response time from time of call.”

a. This paragraph and the balance of the sections paragraphs never mention storm drain cleaning. Please clarify. Storm Drains were not part of the scope, thus not budgeted for. Would it be feasible to have a line item for emergency storm drain cleaning to modify as needed? Past experience has not demonstrated a need for routine cleaning of storm drains.

3. The SOW section 1 Paragraph c. 2. States “Phase 2 Sewer Pipe Cleaning. Based on the Government’s review, he or she will determine if additional work will be required. At the sole discretion of the Government is to either declare the work on the particular sewer segment complete or notify the Contractor of additional work.

a. What are the parameters to declare the work completed? 80% clear. If attaining such as level becomes unfeasible, negotiate new parameter through the CO.

b. Will the government ask the contractor to repeat the work more often than the schedule as identified in the SOW section 2 table? if the section has already been done during the scheduled times? If so how will the contractor charge for such service? One of the callouts could be used for billing. If experience indicates a more frequent service required, probably would need a contract modification to account for it.

4. The SOW Section 2. Place of Performance a chart of manhole locations and specified numbers.

a. Will the VA prior to the commencement of the contract performance number the manholes to ensure the contractor is in the correct location and providing the services as specified by the service schedule? Yes, manhole files have been posted to SAM.Gov.

b. Will the VA confirm since the table only has sanitary sewer locations that this does not include the Strom drain. Only Sanitary Sewer If the VA wants storm drains done that is perfectly acceptable, however they will need to identify them on a chart and map. Additionally, they will need to be numbered separately in a contracting color. Removed Storm Drains from SOW and LIN’s.

5. The CLIN structure is asking for pricing for each location covered under one unit price for all the services needed both quarterly, semiannually, and annually. With Multiple phases of work. And there is a difference between Base year and option years. Base year gives a survey and baseline to know where our system stands, jetting if required, and aa post inspections after jetting. Option years gives us a cleaning and post inspection to ensure our system is still good. Also, inform us if we have to have a system jetted that was not previously jetted.

a. Would the VA consider splitting the CLIN lines to create a sub CLIN xxx1, xxx1A, xxx1B etc., for each phase. NO.

b. If the VA is wanting to have the sanitary sewer and storm drains done and have all phases done on both systems can that also be part of the Sub CLIN lines. N/A.

c. The CLIN calls for Phase 3 as (optional) with this being a flat price for all phases how what mechanism does the VA want the contractor to utilize to charge or omit from the FFP line? Since, its optional not required.

d. The CLIN line for Phase 2 states (Based on Government Review) does that mean that some lines will not be cleaned after phase 1 inspection and again how does the VA want the contractor to do against the FFP line number. Charge for lines surveyed and jetted. If a line is only surveyed, charge for the survey, but not jetting.

6. The CLIN xxx4 calls for “Emergent repairs or callouts. Contractor shall provide two (2) emergency calls per calendar year at each location with a 24-hour response time from time of call…….”

a. This CLIN asks for two (2) each emergency callouts for each location per option year. Is this price simply the price to mobilize to the site? Include camera inspection to determine cause for the callout, jetting, and final inspection to verify effectiveness.

b. What is the expectation of the work to be performed during this emergency callout (i.e. PACP inspection and reporting, hydro jetting of a clogged line, repair of a broken line, etc.) See above.

c. Considering that this is services at a functioning VAMC that operates 24/7/365 and does not close for holidays even though the contract in Section 3.1 b. stated M-F excluding Government holidays. Will this Emergency service fall outside of those parameters? They may and hence pricing will need to be in accordance with being on weekends and holidays? Yes, if outside normal hours.

7. During the site visit in Bonham it was mentioned that certain areas would need to be entered as confined space. A permit would need to be completed by VA Safety prior to work starting. VA does not typically issue confined space permits to contractors. Contractor has to have own program and have it reviewed by Engineering Construction Safety.

a. Since the contract calls for services to be completed at odd hours will the VA make allowances for contractors to delay work based on VA safety hours and availability for confined space operations. Yes, work can be coordinated to best serve the campus.

8. Does the VA have or will it be provided to the awarded contractor a more detailed map and run lengths for each of the manholes and drains included. The best extent possible, we can provide. Manhole files have been posted to SAM.Gov.

9. What is the longest run the VA as determined between the manholes and drains to be serviced. Dallas ~ 700’; Garland ~ 450’, Bonham ~ 400’ using Google maps.

10. What is the construction of the lines (i.e. cat, clay etc.) if during the hydro jetting a pipe collapses or shatters, breaks, cracks, or otherwise cannot withstand the pressures of hydro jetting, whose responsibility is it to repair the piping? It needs to be stated VA will be responsible for repairs. That is as long as the initial video review does not show any damage or deterioration.

11. Garland questions: Will the garland offices be cleaned out where we have to access to flush lines along the U Shaped section? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

12. How will we prevent water damage and blowback in this area? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

13. Also along the u shape under offices, how soft are the turns (90 degrees/45degrees/soft turns)? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

14. Also what size diameter are all the lines? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

15. Bonham questions: there is a plaza area between the buildings that is receiving new sod.

How do we mitigate damage to new sod considering the size (40-75K pounds of a Jetter truck). My concern is ruts on fresh sod. Once the sod has been rooted in and is dry, I don’t expect problems. Just curious about weight restrictions on walkways/sidewalks and fresh sod? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

16. General question concerning all jobs- are you allowing bids utilizing trailer mount units?

Our trucks are much more effective at cleaning long runs at About 110gpm @ 2450psi.

The smaller trailer mount units may not have the pressure for the longer runs. No details provided by NTX Engineers.

17. There were a couple of opening (manhole) that could not be located. Could we get clarification of the locations. No details provided by NTX Engineers.

18. Was there an incumbent if yes how much did it cost them to perform the job previously and what the contract number? No incumbent

19. What is the condition of the pipes or structures we’ll be hydrojetting? Camera inspection to establish.

20. Are there any known hazards or obstructions in the area? None known.

21. What type of material is in the pipes (grease, roots, sediment, etc.)? Sewage

22. Respectfully suggest that pricing in solicitation section “B.2 Price/Cost Schedule” be converted to Linear Foot measure, by diameter, for cleaning & for inspection, and provide an estimated quantity of each. Items 0001-0003 provide a single unit price “JB”, assumed to mean “Job”, and to represent payment for all Base Year services. Phase 3 “Additional Sewer Pipe Cleaning (Optional)” is not quantified, and we must assume the entire system is to be cleaned. The VA may realize substantial cost savings on the pricing from any Contractor by eliminating this risk of optional work ordered under a single fixed fee, and over-estimation of pipe length due to uncertainty in pricing. Yes, “JB” means “Job”, and to represent payment for all Base Year services and option periods. Phase 3 “Additional Sewer Pipe Cleaning (Optional)” is optional, not required for now.

23. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule Items 0004, 1004, 2004, 3004, and 4004. To provide best pricing to the Government, can the emergent repairs or callouts be limited to a single pipe segment, single crew day, other limit, or set of unit prices? No.

24. Drawing of the Garland VAMC titled “Garland+SS+manholes.pdf” does not appear to show sanitary sewer or storm drains. The drawing shows water (W), overhead electrical (OH), and buried electrical (E) only. Is a map of Garland VAMC sanitary sewer and storm drains available? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

a. If none available, can a linear footage by diameter be provided as basis of price?

25. Drawing of Dallas VAMC titled “Dallas+SS+manholes.pdf” shows sanitary sewer, but no storm drains. Is a map of Dallas VAMC storm drains available? Storm drains not part of package.

a. If none available, can a linear footage by diameter be provided as basis of price?

26. Drawing of Sam Rayburn VAMC titled “Bonham+San+Sewer+Manholes+Model.pdf” shows structures for both sanitary sewer and storm drainage, but not pipes. Drawing “Bonham+Sanitary+Manholes.pdf” provides sanitary sewer pipes and diameters. Is a map of the storm drain pipes at Sam Rayburn VAMC in Bonham available? No details provided by NTX Engineers.

27. Solicitation Section B.3 “Statement of Work” Paragraph 3.2 b, (1b) states in part “…..solid and semi-solid material removed at the manholes shall be disposed of at a designated site as approved by the City of Regina.”

a. “City of Regina” is assumed to be leftover from a previous project, and to not apply, correct? Cut and paste error. Removed from SOW.

b. Does the VA have a designated site to dispose of debris? No, contractor has to determine site. Provide VA copies of waste manifest if disposed of.

c. Has the VA or past Contractor used a landfill local to each site for sanitary waste previously? If yes, which landfill? If not, for a new waste stream, any landfill will require sampling and laboratory analysis prior to disposal, which can take up to 60 days. New requirement, never been done.

28. Will the VA provide water for jetting to Contractor at no cost from a fire hydrant or fill stand at each site? Yes.

29. B.3 Statement of Work, Paragraph 2 Place of Performance. Cleaning and inspection is understood to be via manholes accessible by trucks, and that no entry to buildings is required, correct? Exception is in Dallas from San-I-Pak to sewer line.

End of Request for Information (Technical Questions)