36C78618R0100-00004001.docx

3678618R0100 – Maine Rural Initiative, Phase 2 – Amendment 00004

Question: Is a Title Commitment report available? The unsigned ALTA survey property does not reference a title report. Please confirm all easements of record are illustrated on the ALTA survey provided with the solicitation.

Answer: VA NCA cannot confirm this, we expect that this to be part of this design/build contract investigation and survey work for new site development at this site.

Question: SOW Page 66, #4 references a heated building. Is the building a requirement or would an alternate method using an appropriate NEMA utility cabinet to house well controls be acceptable provided underground well connections can be blown out for winterization?

Answer: VA NCA prefers a pump house building

Question: If the building is a requirement, please provide minimum size and materials expectations. (CMU vs. wood framed, shingled versus standing seam roof, roof hatch, door sizes, etc.)

Answer: This is what VA NCA is hiring a design build team to determine, wood frame is a bad idea, building needs to last an eternity.

Question: SOW Page 65 references cost estimates. What is the purpose of cost estimates at interim submittals given this is a firm fixed fee project.

Answer: Cost estimates are required as stated in the SOW

Question: Is grading beyond that required to accommodate Phase 1 improvements required?

Answer: It may be in order to balance cut and fill as required to accommodate new burial section within grading slope parameters.

Question: How many options are to be presented during Master Planning?

Answer: VA NCA typically sees 3 informal master plan concepts prior to master plan development.

Question: How many master plan review submittals are required? Will the entire PG18-15 series of MP-1 through MP-5 be followed or will this be abbreviated to accommodate the time durations provided in the SOW.

Answer: Task 1 which includes the master plan work will require VA NCA input and approval on master plan concepts, other than that follow the SOW.

Question: SOW 7.8, Page 69 references the VA NCA design guide for Cortege Assembly. Page 2-9 of design guide dictates placement of one or more lanes adjacent to the PIC and public restrooms, which the SOW indicates are not in present or future scope.

Answer: The design guide is for all cemeteries large, medium, and small, this is a small rural cemetery, some guide parameters do not apply, interpret guide accordingly

3678618R0100 – Maine Rural Initiative, Phase 2 – Amendment 00004

Question: Is the construction of lanes separate from the main roadway desired?

Answer: Not necessary.

Question: Will parallel parking on main roadway for 30 cars suffice for cortege parking?

Answer: Visitors attending internment ceremony at committal shelter will parallel park along the roadway, the roadway for a rural cemetery is typically a two way road 26’ wide with rolled curb and gutter with a loop at the end like a cudesac.

Question: SOW 7.6, Page 68 references the VA NCA Design Guide. Design guide page 2-6 directs the designer to provide accommodation for a 40 piece band and a raised platform for 20 dignitaries. Please clarify the number of persons to be accommodated in this rural initiative so preliminary design can balance this use with maximization of interments in the acreage available.

Answer: This will be a paved gathering area around the flag pole, typically located inside the loop of the cemetery road.

Question: SOW 7.18 , Page 71 references VA NCA Design Guide. VA NCA design guide page 2-8 directs designer to provide a loop for 30 vehicle separate from the main roadway. Is a separate loop required?

Answer: No

Question: Is a ceiling fan or lights required?

Answer: Yes, lights. Don’t need fan.

Question: Is any electrical service at committal shelter required?

Answer: Yes, for lighting and we will be adding a Minimac taps playing system to the committal shelter which will require power.

Question: Is there a preferred size? 20x 20’?

Answer: 24’x24’

Question: Are benches to be mounted in the shelter? If so, how many?

Answer: Provide benches to seat 8 people

Question: If separate maintenance roadways are required to access well or rear of interment areas, can these roadways be gravel surface or should they be paved with asphalt or concrete?

Answer: Roads required for maintenance access only can be gravel

Question: How tall is the US Flag to be? Design Guide states 60-80’.

Answer: 60’ 3678618R0100 – Maine Rural Initiative, Phase 2 – Amendment 00004

Question: How tall is the POW/MIA Flag to be? Design Guide states 15-30’

Answer: 20’

Question: How tall is are the avenue of flags and how many are desired?

Answer: 15’ – 20 poles, at 15’ apart.

Question: Is the DB contractor to install the holders only, or furnish the flags and poles as well?

Answer: DB contractor to install foundations and tube holders, ensure tube holders accommodate standard 15’ poles.

Question: Are the VA supplied memorial wall and columbaria markers to be marble or granite? (inquiring as it relates to proposed materials for veneer)

Answer: Marble

Question: Section 7.21, Bullet point 4 - Camera coverage solution requires design for non-camera movements of a maximum of 15 feet. Meeting this requirement of complete coverage will likely require the installation of additional poles of 15 to 20 foot height to mount cameras. Reasonable coverage of the site could likely be obtained without additional poles by utilizing mounts on Service Shelter and gates. Please advise if there is flexibility in this requirement to avoid installation of pole mounted cameras.

Answer: There is flexibility, but would rather not have cameras mounted on committal shelter if it can be avoided

Question: Section 7.21, Bullet point 1 directs video surveillance of all phase 1 development areas, while specifically mentioning the main roadway and gate. Please advise if all phase 1 development is intended to include all gravesites, all faces of columbaria walls and the memorial walkway as these outlying elements may require installation of poles for complete coverage.

Answer: Cover all phase 1 development areas as stated in the SOW

Question: How many copies of the Price Proposal and Technical Proposal are required in the Phase II submission?

Answer: Only one (1) price proposal is required and three (3) technical proposals.

The solicitation has been extended from June 4, 2018, to June 11, 2018, at the same location and time indicated on Page 1 of the solicitation.

The cut off for questions has passed. No additional questions will be taken.