S02 ONC GSE Bid Questions and Answer.pdf

The Purpose of this modification is to:

1. Answer Questions posed for IFB 36C78622B0017

2. Add Additional Documents requested for IFB 36C78622B0017

a. Geotech Report 05215016R01 Final

b. ONC Gravesite Expansion Schedule Finishes

c. Grave Site Expansion Sheet C505

d. Wage determination for the expansion

e. Addendum #1 Narrative

3. Bid date is Hereby Change from 8/5/200 10:00 AM EST to 8/15/2022 10:00 AM EST.

Questions for the Omaha National Cemetery Gravesite Expansion Project IFB

36C78622B0017

Question 1. Are all headstones intentionally omitted from the scope of this contract? Please confirm that the Contractor is not to provide or install headstones.

Response 1: Headstones are not included in the contract, see detail 1 on plan sheet C502.

Question 2. In Section 09 06 00 Schedule of Finishes the job specification lists Sitescapes model numbers CV2-2000-OW (Powder Coat) and CV2-3004 (Powder Coat). These products will not match the existing products on site. Previous products have required a higher-grade finish:

Sitescapes CV2-2000-ON-DF (Duracoat) and CV2-2004-ON-DF (Duracoat). Please advise which is desired.

Response 2: See the attached revised plan sheet C505, revised specification section 090600, and associated narrative.

Question 3. Are there existing XML CAD files for the Omaha Gravesite Expansion Project that can be provided to bidders?

Response 3: DWG files can be provided after award, XML files could be produced from the CAD files

Question 4. Section 01 57 19-9, F. Noise Control a. Perform construction activities involving repetitive, high-level impact noise only between 6:00a.m. and 6:00p.m unless otherwise permitted by local ordinance or the RE/COR.”

States: “Minimize noise using every action possible. Perform noise-producing work in less sensitive hours of the day or week as directed by the Resident Engineer/COR. Maintain noise-produced work at or below the decibel levels and within the time periods specified.

Section 01 00 02-11 Section N.

States: “Coordination of Construction with Cemetery Director: The burial activities at a National

Cemetery shall take precedence over construction activities. The Contractor must cooperate and coordinate with the Cemetery Director, through the RE/COR, in arranging construction schedule to cause the least possible interference with Cemetery activities in actual burial areas.

Construction noise during the committal services shall not disturb the service. Trucks and workmen shall not pass through the service area during this period.”

Can “sensitive hours of the day” be further defined? Are funeral services held during certain hours? Will construction be permitted during services? How is the Contractor to know if construction noise is disturbing the service?

Response 4: The intent is for the contractor to communicate with the Cemetery Director daily to get an understanding of what burial activities would be occurring that day / week, when, and where. Any high decibel construction activities will not be allowed during the service.

Question 5. 04 73 00 -2 Part 3.1 NICHE COVERS (GOVERNMENT PROVIDED) -

CONTRACTOR ACCEPTANCE A. Niche covers that have been inspected and accepted as being in compliance with manufacturing tolerances for size, hole size and placement, perpendicularity, finish, and product stone quality shall be furnished by the Government and delivered to the site on pallets. They shall be of size, type, manufacturing, finish and quantities required for this project. The covers shall be delivered to the site Freight on Board (FOB) and the

Contractor shall be responsible to offload and secure them at the job site. The general quantity and condition shall be observed and an adequate count to cover all the installed columbarium units, plus required spares shall be verified by the Contractor prior to accepting the units and performing the offloading operations. Note any shipping damage and reject any damaged covers before the delivery truck leaves the site. Once satisfied, take ownership of the acceptable covers, as all being approved as meeting the government specifications and being suitable for installation at this project. Once the niche covers are accepted at the site, they shall become the Contractors responsibility until installed and the installation is accepted by the Resident

Engineer/Contracting Officer’s Representative (RE/COR).

If broken niche covers are discovered after the niche covers are off loaded, will the VA assume the contractor is responsible for the damage? Is the Contractor expected to visually inspect each niche cover within the pallets?

Response 5: The contractor is expected to inspect the niche cover shipment per the specification, after the contractor takes ownership of the niche covers, the contractor is responsible for protecting the niche covers from damage.

Question 6. Would it be more prudent to task the RE/COR with inspecting the niche covers for damage and compliance with specifications prior to turning them over to the contractor for installation?

Response 6: The contractor is expected to inspect the niche cover shipment per the specification

Question 7. Is it possible for the VA to maintain possession of the niche covers on site until they are ready for installation?

Response 7: No

Question 8. The Project Geotechnical report provided by Terracon Consultants Inc. is listed as an appendix to Section 31 20 00 but is not included. Can the Geotechnical Report be provided?

Response 8: See the attached Final Report of Geotechnical Exploration (November 19, 2021)

Question 9. Note 17 on Sheet O100 says that the contractor is responsible for lawn maintenance on the construction site. Can the areas where the contractor is expected mow and maintain be specifically identified in the drawings?

Response 9: Lawn maintenance is to occur in those areas contained within construction fencing, all newly graded areas, and any other turf areas impacted by construction.

Question 10. When is the Contractor to begin mowing and maintenance of these areas? When work is being performed in the area or all areas of the project when work begins?

Response 10: The expectation is that the contractor begins maintenance as soon as they take control of an area, (e.g. the contractor should begin maintenance as soon as the

Omaha National Cemetery maintenance staff is no longer allowed to access that area).

Question 11. Would the contractor be expected to trim and edge the base of the construction fence, including outside the fence?

Response 11: Yes, the contractor would be expected to maintain the area around both sides of the fence in a condition acceptable to the cemetery.

Question 12. What is brand of irrigation system is existing?

Response 12: Recommend contractor visit site and investigate existing equipment.

Question 13. Is the Contractor to install the same brand of irrigation system that is existing?

Response 13: See plans and specifications.

Question 14. In Specifications there is a section that shows an Appendices that indicate there is a

Geotechnical Report, the Appendices are not provided (in either SPEC link) – please provide:

Final Report of Geotechnical Exploration (November 19, 2021)

Response 14: See response to question 8

Question 15. Please provide wage rates for project.

Response 15: Wage will be posted with the amendment.

Question 16. The deadline to submit RFI’s is 7/18/22. The contractor and potential subcontractors have not been able to review the Geotechnical Report since it was not provided at time of solicitation.

We respectfully request that the RFI/Question period deadline be extended so all parties can consider recommendations made in the Geotechnical Report as it pertains to all site work that is to be performed and ask any questions that may result from this report.

Response 16: We will extend RFI time frame to 7/25/2022 given Geotechnical Report is needed and available to permit contractor review time.

Question 17. (Plan Sheet B100) Many areas of the project require fill areas to be surcharged

(after fill placement and prior to performing the remaining construction activities). Can you please provide a detailed process for the surcharge? Additionally, what is the anticipated time frame for the areas to be under the surcharged load? This is vital information for scheduling purposes due to a seasonal restriction on construction activities (winter shutdown, etc.).

Response 17: The surcharge process is described within the geotechnical report and summarized on Sheet O100.

Question 18. (Plan Sheet D101-103) Contractor is required to remove existing curb. Please provide the type of existing curb that is currently in place.

Response 18: Existing curb is similar to the mountable curb shown in detail 3/C-501. It is recommended that the contractor visit the site to familiarize themselves with the existing conditions of the site.

Question 19. Please confirm all material excavated from the site is suitable for placement.

Response 19: It is assumed that existing material is generally suitable as described within the geotechnical report, plans, and specifications. It cannot be confirmed that all in-situ material will be suitable

Question 20. Can you please provide a permit matrix clearly identifying what (if any) permits will be the responsibility of the contractor?

Response 20: Required permits are described in specification section 01 00 02

Question 21. (Plan Sheet C502-C503) Is it permissible to utilize general fill in-lieu of 4” sand layer over the PPC’s & Urn Crypts? There are many VA National Cemeteries that have allowed for this change.

Response 21: Please follow the details (including the 4” sand layer) shown on Sheet C502-

C503

Question 22. Would it be possible to construct all Mock-ups in situ (in the actual proposed area of permanent placement)?

Response 22: Please follow the mock-up construction as specified in section - 04 43 00 1.4 –

Mockups. In-situ mockups are not allowed.

Question 23. Are there any restrictions to working at night? If so, please provide working hours that are allowable.

Response 23: Contractors are generally restricted from working at the facility when

Government personnel are not present, the cemetery hours are 8:00 am to 4:30pm. Work outside those hours, night and weekend work may be allowed on a case by case basis with prior approval from the CO.

Question 24. Are there any seasonal working restrictions as it relates to clearing & grubbing activities and additional site work activities?

Response 24: No

Question 25. It appears that Davis Bacon Wage Rates were not provided at time of solicitation.

Will these wage rates be provided prior to the bid date? If not, please provide a reasonable explanation as to why.

Response 25: See response to question 15

Question 26. Is there an available water source on site that will be made available to the contractor? If so, please clarify the exact location.

Response 26: See Specification 01 00 02 – General Requirements

Question 27. Will the federal government consider adding a material escalation clause to the contract based on recent supply chain issues and availability of material?

Response 27: 16.203-4 Contract clauses.

Question 28. (Plan Sheet O100) The contractor is expected to construct a rather long temporary access road beginning at Schram Road to the northerly portion of the project. To construct this road, we will generate almost 2 acres of stripping’s.

If you account for the rest of the site coupled with these additional stripping’s, will the VA allow surplus material to be stockpiled on site, or will we be required to remove excess material from the site? If onsite stockpiling of all excess fill/topsoil is allowed, please identify the areas?

Response 28: Excess material to be hauled off-site.

Question 29. (Plan Sheet IR-107) A sleeve is required to go under the existing roadway. Is it permissible to bore this as opposed to performing an open cut in the existing road?

Response 29: Yes

Question 30. (Plan Sheet O101) Plan sheet O101 states that the gravel used for the Temporary

Access Road is to be in accordance with NDOR Section 1028. This callout is somewhat confusing as Section 1028 speaks specifically to Superpave Asphaltic Concrete. Additionally, the aggregates called out in this specification relates to the type of aggregate that can be mixed with the asphalt.

Can you please clarify the intent with calling out this NDOR Section and what type of gravel can be used to construct the Temporary Access Road?

Response 30: Utilize crushed aggregate base material NDOR 1033.08 or 1033.10

Question 31. (Plan Sheet O101) Plan sheet O101 states that the subgrade for the gravel access road will be constructed following NDOR Section 302. After further review of this section, it is the contractors understanding that the road, once brought to the proper grade, shall then be scarified, mixed and finally proof rolled prior to placement of gravel. Can you please clarify who will be responsible for reworking any unsuitable areas that do not pass the proofroll?

Response 31: The contractor would be responsible for reworking any areas that do not pass the proof roll

Question 32. (Plan Sheet O101) Our understanding of the intent for this Access Road is to allow construction traffic to access the site on a stable road that will ultimately be removed. Please confirm this road and all associated drainage is removed and restored at project completion?

Response 32: That is correct as shown on Sheets LP101 – LP104

Question 33. (Plan Sheet O101) In-lieu of scarifying, mixing and proof rolling the subgrade will the VA consider allowing the contractor to place 12” of gravel for the subgrade once the proposed areas have been stripped and brought to a proper grade? Once 12” of gravel is placed in

(2) 6” lifts an additional 8” of gravel will be placed for the top layer. To add to the durability, we would be open to placing another 12” of gravel in-lieu of the 8” top layer.

Is this an acceptable option?

Response 33: Contractor to provide firm and stable surface capable of supporting construction traffic. AE’s recommended section is shown on Sheet O100.

Question 34. (SOW )In Section 09 06 00 Schedule of Finishes the spec's list Sitescapes model numbers CV2-2000-OW (Powder Coat) and CV2-3004 (Powder Coat). These products will not match the existing products on site. Previous products have required a higher grade finish:

Sitescapes CV2-2000-ON-DF (Duracoat) and CV2-2004-ON-DF (Duracoat). Drawings attached.

Please advise on what needs to be quoted.

Response 34: See the response to question 2

Question 35. In Specifications there is a section that shows an Appendices that indicate there is a

Geotechnical Report, the Appendices are not provided (in either SPEC link) – please provide:

Final Report of Geotechnical Exploration (November 19, 2021) ( CO Comment: If the answer is yes, Please call out where they can be found in the specification (section and page number) and on the drawings. (Call the drawing number and page out) Or If the answer is Government furnished, is there any responsibilities from the contractor and if so, what are they. )

Where on the drawings can these be found?

Response 35: See response to question 8

Question 36. Are all headstones intentionally omitted from the scope of this contract? Please confirm that the Contractor is not to provide or install headstones.

Response 36: See response to question 1

Question 37. Will tax exempt certificates be issued for this project or is tax to be included?

Response 37: The Tax-exempt certification is provided upon request, However the idea is to provided quotes with the taxes included IAW FAR 2.229-3 federal, state, and local taxes

b. (1)

Question 38. Do you have an anticipated award date for this contract?

Response 38: Anticipated award date is on or about the end of August 2022.

Question 39. Will there be a Limited Notice to Proceed issued to allow for administrative submittals, procurement of any long lead items and to account for the winter months where work will not be able to be performed onsite? Or does the 540 day period of performance account for shutdowns during winter months? If a Limited NTP is issued does that start the 540 day Period of Performance?

Response 39: The total performance period is 540 calendar days, see specification 01 32 17

Network Schedule Analysis for schedule development requirements. Request for winter shutdown can be made to the contracting officer.