Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers RFP 36C78622R0001 On-sites for 9 locations

1) Packaging and shipping is not part of the statement of work, and does not affect the performance of the contract. Also, shipping damage is often random with a small percentage of packages arriving damaged in the U.S. regardless of the diligence taken in packaging, especially when the item is long, narrow and fragile like the U1 sample. If the contractor is willing to take the extra diligence and time to hand deliver the samples to ensure safe arrival will they be accepted?

The packages can be hand delivered to the address noted in the solicitation. The individuals at the noted address will not be able to answer any questions concerning the solicitation or the sample reviews. If a receipt is required, the potential bidder will need to supply for a receiving signature.

2) The solicitation says that an employee must work 5 days a week and 8 hours per day. Some of the locations have very low volumes and would traditionally not be selected for the on-site inscription program since there is only enough work to keep an employee busy for 2-3 days a week doing inscription work. Is it likely that the employee on these sites will be allowed to work less than the 40 hours required in the solicitation?

RFP will be revised to state, if the on-site contractor employee is meeting the contract performance period of 10 business days, there may not be a requirement for a contractor to be on-site 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.

3) If we are bidding on multiple sites can we submit multiple samples of similar specifications ( sample requirements are exactly the same ) or are we limited to 1 sample per stone specification ?

See #5 and see past year FAQ in the solicitation.

4) In the “Attachment 4 Sample Review Form for (L1) Small, Flat Granite Marker” ,can you confirm the specifications ? Should it be: L1 Letter height of 1-1/8 inch or L3 with a height of 7/8 inch ?

As noted in the technical drawings, (L3) and (L4) are commonly used when engraving an (L1), small, flat granite marker depending upon inscription content.

5) The sample text for the Florida National W1 and Quantico National W1 is two lines longer than the Abraham Lincoln National W1. If we intend to bid on all three (3) Cemeteries should we proceed with both samples, or will one suffice?

One sample (W1) will suffice as long as ALL cemeteries are noted on the back the sample.

6) The grading sheet for the U1/W1 sample requests the emblem height to be 3 inches, however, the General Notes Number 1 on the Emblem Drawings (A/EM-1) states, “ALL

EMBLEMS WHEN USED ON STONE NICHE COVERS SHALL BE 2" AT THEIR LARGEST POINT

TO POINT MEASUREMENT AND ALL OTHER AREAS IN EQUAL PROPORTION. ALL

EMBLEMS ON FLAT MARKERS AND UPRIGHT HEADSTONES SHALL BE 3" AT THEIR

LARGEST POINT TO POINT MEASUREMENT AND ALL OTHER AREAS SHALL BE IN EQUAL

PROPORTION.” Because this emblem is wider than it is tall my question is do we refer to the emblem drawing sheet specifications, with 3 inches being the largest point to point part of the emblem making the emblem shorter than 3 inches tall, or the grading sheet requesting a 3 inch tall emblem making it wider than 3 inches for this specific emblem.

Emblems of Belief should be able to fit within a 3” or 2” circle. The General Notes quoted in the question is correct.

7) Will we receive a J1 grading sheet?

The missing J1 sample review form is attached. After the award decisions are made, scored forms with be returned

8) The L1 grading sheet does not match the specifications listed under the L1 Drawing for a four line layout on an L1. Should we use the Four Line Layout vs look at the grading sheet?

The L1 grading sheet has been upgraded and is attached.

9) Do all marble and granite samples get lithochrome?

Requirements for lithichrome is dependent upon the specs given in the write up for each cemetery. If you propose for a cemetery which has lithichrome used in it then you will have to provide one sample with it. This sample would be an A1 if the specs call for it, or if the specs call for lithichrome on a different type, then your C1 sample shall have the lithichrome.

10) While looking over the price schedule page for Great Lakes National Cemetery we noticed the estimated quantity for the I1 marble niches is at 700 for Fiscal Year 2022, but then the estimated quantity is at 1,700 I1 marble niches for Fiscal Year 2023 and continually growing in the following. Is the estimated quantity in the solicitation provided for Great Lakes NC Fiscal Year 2022 correct?

Great Lakes has a new columbarium project underway which is slated for completion causing the increase in numbers.

11) Can the due date please be extended to at least 9/20 so that there are at least 10 business days to work on the solicitation and submit?

The contracts must be ready for award for 10/1/21. There is no time in the schedule to allow for an extension of the solicitation period.

12) The solicitation refences evaluating a Safety Manual on page 115 “(6) Technical Safety/Accident prevention Manual “, but we do not see where to include a Safety Manual in the submission. Do you require a safety manual in our response. If so, can we put in in Volume IV ?

Yes.

13) If we have pertinent references to more than 3 cemeteries in this solicitation can we submit more than 3 references ?

No.

14) For the references, can we delete the Instructions at the top of the page to create more room for detail ?

No.

Sample Review Form for G1, J1, L1 and maps for ALNC, JBNC and GLNC with vendor work area marked follow. Please note that GLNC has moved the area from the present location and set up should be faster.

Sample Review Form for G1, J1, L1

DATE: PREPARED BY:

OFFEROR: CEMETERY:

SOLICITATION #: DATE RECEIVED:

QUARRY: SHIPPED BY:

TEST RESULTS

INCLUDED: YES NO SHIPPING TRACKING

#'S:

CRITERIA SPECIFICATION SAMPLE ACCEPTED /

UNACCEPTED COMMENTS

DIMENSIONS

Sample Size for G1 & J1 & F1

12" x 24" x 3/4" (± 1/16") □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

Sample Size for L1 Flat

12" x 18" x 3/4" (± 1/16") □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

Corner radius (rounding) 3/8" ±1/16" □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

INSCRIPTION (Line by Line)

L1 letter height 1-1/8" □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

L1 letter depth 7/32"-9/32 granite;

6/32"-8/32" marble □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

L3 letter height 7/8" □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

L3 depth 6/32"-7/32" granite;

4/32"-6/32" marble □ Accepted

L4 letter height 3/4" □ Accepted

L4 depth 6/32"-7/32" granite;

4/32"-6/32" marble □ Accepted

Emblem height 3" □ Accepted

Emblem depth 7/32"-9/32 granite;

6/32"-8/32" marble □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

Rank & BOS 2 spaces as per lettering size (Refer to Drawing) □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

DOB & DOD 5 spaces as per lettering size (Refer to Drawing) □ Accepted

Inter-Line Spacing Refer to the Drawing □ Accepted

□ Unaccepted Inscription layout Centered □ Accepted

FINISH (not applicable if only inscription is provided)

Stone Coloration

N6 to N7.75 for Granite; N8.5 for

Marble, N6 or higher for marble veining

□ Accepted

Finish (Front & Sides) Smooth satin □ Accepted

Grit used 80 □ Accepted

Pad used specify type used □ Accepted

DRAWING #(s) REF: A-G1, dtd 06/05/03; A-J1, dtd 06/05/03; A-L1, dtd 06/05/03, A-F1, and A-LFN & OC - 1 thru 3, A-EM -1 thru 6

SAMPLE RECOMMENDATION: □ APPROVED □ DISAPPROVED

REVIEWED BY: (e-sig)

CONCURRENCE: (e-sig)