S05_Vendor Questions and Answers.pdf

Electrical relocation clarification. For bidding purposes the contractor is to price installing all electrical from the future transformer location to the rest of the project. The awarded construction contractor (after award) will contract with Rocky Mountain Power for the existing power line relocation project. Rocky Mountain power at that time will give the contractor the price to relocate the electrical lines and the VA will reimburse the construction contractor for the work with a MOD to the construction contract.

1. Why was this moved from a SDVOSB solicita on the previous two mes, one of them being awarded to an SDVOSB. To a Total Small Business Solicita on?

This requirement was previously solicited as an SDVOSB set‐aside but we were unable to obtain fair and reasonable pricing. As a result, this solicita on has been set‐aside as a 100% Small Business Set‐Aside

2. Why was the Pre‐solicita on moved from a technical proposal to a low‐price proposal?

This requirement was previously solicited as an SDVOSB set‐aside but we were unable to obtain fair and reasonable pricing. As a result, this project needed to be re‐solicited. We considered multiple approaches and determined that soliciting as an IFB was the most advantageous for the

Government.

3. Will this solicita on be awarded this me?

It is the Government’s intent to award a contract as a result of this solicita on.

4. What is the official name of the name of the cemetery? Contractors need to know as the entrance sign le ers are on a “per le er” pricing so knowing how many le ers will be used will affect the pricing.

See ques on 5

5. The Dedica on Plaque supplier that is listed in the solicita on is asking for an official mock‐up for them to provide pricing. Can you please provide this?

It is already provided on detail F6/A‐506.

6. How will the 700 cubic yard of rock be quan fied?

There will be a full me construc on inspector hired by the NCA on site full me. The inspector will work with the contractor and agree on the quan es of rock being removed via truck sizes and counts.

7. Since this is site is built on a basalt mountain top and the size of the rock when removed is larger then the size specified. How will this be addressed? Also, once this rock is removed, the rock is not cer fied as backfill and new soil will need to be brought in. Will this be addressed via a change order? See the a ached Report and the Highlighted areas. SEE

PAGE 9 “STRATIFICATION” SEE PAGE 35 “IGNEOUS ROCK”

The contractor is to supply cer fied backfill as required in the Construc on Documents along with 700 addi onal CY of fill for the rock removal listed in CLIN 002. Backfill removed over or under the addi onal 700CY will be added or removed by Contract Modifica on.

At contractor op on, they can supply an onsite crushing and screening plant to get as much cer fied backfill as possible from the exis ng site soils.

8. The requirement for the Qualified Biologist, are they do be onsite from start to finish as there will be ground disturbance during the en re project. We will need them onsite full me?

The biologist only has to do the preconstruc on verifica on that the prairie dogs are not within the 1000’ buffer of the construc on zone in the construc on bid. If they are found to be within 350’ then a biologist needs to be hired full me during construc on which will be added as a Modifica on to the contract.

9. As the exis ng ground has no reusable topsoil, is it the gov’ts inten on that the contractor is going to supply approved top soil 12” in depth throughout en re site.

Yes, wherever there are final landscape plan ngs.

10. Are there any specs on the ornamental fence for this one yet?

The spec section 32 31 19 DecoMetalFencesGates is included in the bid package.

11. There is no Electrician wage in the Wage Determination doc published with the solicitation – Please Advise?

If the rate for electrician does not exist on the Wage Determina on, one can be requested from DOL once the contract has been awarded. DOL will assign the rate to the specific contract.

12. In reference to the slide gate, Ameristar is unable to include the solid panels on the bottom half of the gates? They will only produce with vertical pickets. Please advise.

There are other manufacturers that offer a solid panel on sections of their gates. If they can do the pickets at 2” O.C. that will work also.

13. The drawings show fence with slats on all 4 sides of the maintenance yard. The mesh will have to be 2” to accept the slats and two lines are within the perimeter which is ó” mesh.

Is the 2” with slats acceptable?

North and East are to be 2” with slats. The South and West need to be ½” mesh for prairie dog protection.

14. The plans and specs do not refer to post sizes for the fence. Please advise.

Posts shall be 2 7/8”.

15. The specs call for bottom rail, but the plans show tension wire. Please advise.

The bottom shall be a tension wire.

16. It has come to our attention that the specified 2 oz galvanized and vinyl coated mesh is not available. The mesh is only available in 1.2 oz if it is to be vinyl coated. Please advise that this is acceptable.

1.2 oz is acceptable.

17. Based on the original email, if work starts in Nov, Dec or Jan, we will need to complete the surveys 7 days prior to start of construction, correct? If yes, the survey would have to be done outside of the approved survey window for UPD. Will we need approval from USFWS to conduct surveys that late in winter? Please Advise.

Yes, the contractor is to verify with the USFWS when the best time to do the survey is.

18. We are being told by multiple manufacturers that they will not provide a 2.0 oz. mesh for the fencing scope. Only a 1.2 oz. mesh is available. Please advise.

1.2 oz is acceptable.

19. We are being told by multiple manufacturers that they will not provide a 2.0 oz. mesh for the fencing scope. Only a 1.2 oz. mesh is available. There are two types of 1.2 oz galvanized mesh fencing available with significantly different price points. Which does the government prefer:

A. 1/2” 10ga finish/11 core 1.2oz FB 14’ B. 1/2” 8ga finish/9 core 1.2oz FB 14’

1/2” 10ga finish/11 core 1.2oz FB 14’ is acceptable.

20. There is a note in the specs that refer to the posts for the chain link as “square”.

Industry standard for chain link posts and associated fi ngs is round. We plan to use 4” OD for terminals and corners and 2 7/8” for line posts.

This is acceptable.

21. Ll503 Pump House Equipment Keyed Notes ‐ What is the suction pressure entering the pump house? The plan indicates the water enters from a water meter. What is the pressure at this point?

City water pressure was reported by the City of Cedar City to be approximately 40 psi static pressure at the meter. See Irrigation Note F, Sheet LI101 which requires the contractor to verify the actual psi prior to construction.

22. Ll503 Pump House Equipment Keyed Notes ‐ Items 7 &9 call for 3" discharge headers. We can provide 3" headers however we believe 2" headers are more than adequate for the service, saving money. May we offer 2" headers?

The specified packaged booster pump system includes 3” headers to accommodate the anticipated flow and minimize friction loss through the system components. Per spec section 328400, 2.10.A.2. The complete packaged booster pump system (including pumps and pump logic controller) shall be a standard product of a single pump manufacturer; designed, built, and tested by the same manufacturer. An alternative packaged booster pump system will be considered, provided it meets all of the performance specifications of the specified packaged booster pump system. If an alternative packaged booster pump system with 2” headers can demonstrate equal performance characteristics, then the smaller headers would be considered. During the construction submittal stage, not prior to bid.

23. Ll101 Irrigation Legend ‐ Calls for each pump to deliver 50 GPM @ 100 psi using 3HP.

This cannot be achieved with the specified Grundfos 3 CR10‐3, called for in specification 32 84 00‐19 2.10 A1. We believe the 100 psi should be 100 ft. This would support the 3 HP limitations. See the attached Grundfos curve with our comments.

The specified packaged booster pump system is designed for a boosted output pressure of 100psi which includes the inlet pressure from the City system. The total boosted pressure is designed with a set point of 100psi output which the specified Grundfos 3HP pumps can provide.

24. Section 32 84 00‐20 5. Calls for manifolds to be 316 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel is standard and would work well for this application, saving you money. May we use 304 stainless steel?

The specified packaged booster pump system includes 316 stainless steel manifolds as a standard feature. Per spec section 328400, 2.10.A.2. The complete packaged booster pump system (including pumps and pump logic controller) shall be a standard product of a single pump manufacturer; designed, built, and tested by the same manufacturer. An alternative packaged booster pump system will be considered, provided it meets all of the performance specifications of the specified packaged booster pump system. If an alternative packaged booster pump system with 304 stainless steel manifolds can demonstrate equal performance characteristics, then the 304 stainless steel manifolds would be considered. During the construction submittal stage, not prior to bid.

25. Section 32 84 00‐20 5 Calls for male threaded manifolds. The drawing on Ll503 illustrates flanged connections. To offer the installer flexibility we suggest you allow us to have our suction and discharge points of connection to be grooved. This way the installer can transition to flanged pipe easily with a fitting. Threaded pipe terminations are subject to damage in shipping and grooved fittings are more versatile.

The specified packaged booster pump system includes male threaded manifolds as a standard feature. Per spec section 328400, 2.10.A.2. The complete packaged booster pump system (including pumps and pump logic controller) shall be a standard product of a single pump manufacturer; designed, built, and tested by the same manufacturer. An alternative packaged booster pump system will be considered, provided it meets all of the performance specifications of the specified packaged booster pump system. If an alternative packaged booster pump system with grooved fittings can demonstrate equal performance characteristics, then the grooved fittings would be considered. During the construction submittal stage, not prior to bid. Note that per spec section 328400, 2.10.A.6. Connections to spool piping at suction and discharge ends shall be made with concentric flexible connectors with flanged ends (Proco RC or equal).

26. Our standard manifolds are schedule 10 stainless steel. Is schedule 10 acceptable?

Yes, 316 Stainless Steel, Schedule 10 manifolds are acceptable

27. We are not aware of any need to monitor or operate the pump station remotely. If this is a requirement, please advise the type of protocol, IE: BacNet, ModBus, etc. We supplied the Tucson AZ VA a similar package that used a Proprietary Johnson Control communication system. It required the general contractor to provide a system integrator to complete the communication connection which was not understood pre bid and cost additional time and money. It is helpful and a significant savings if this is understood beforehand.

There is no an cipated need to monitor or operate the pump sta on remotely at this me and no addi onal monitoring equipment is required.

Chain Link:

28. What are the specs/sizes for the Terminal Posts, Line Posts, Top Rail and Bracing?

4” OD for terminals and corners, 2 7/8” for line posts and top rail and 3/8” truss rod for bracing.

29. The Plans call for privacy Slats. Is that for the maintenance yard only or the whole chain link fence?

For the maintenance yard North and East fencing only with 2” slats

30. The mesh calls for ½” Mesh is there an op on to go with 1” mesh?

½” mesh is specified to limit visibility into the cemetery.

31. Does the materials have to be Buy American?

This project does include Buy American requirements. Please review the solci a on clauses for more informa on.

32. The plans call for Vinyl coated posts would they be opposed to black powder coat?

Black powder coat is acceptable.

Ornamental Iron Fence:

33. The plans show fence with face mount pickets but spec sheet calls for picket in center with rubber grommets. Which one do I go with?

Face mounted pickets

34. They Also call for Ameristar Exodus. Is this for the whole fence or just the pedestrian gate?

Ameristar is only the basis of design. Contractor can select an “or equal” manufacturer.

35. Is there op ons to other manufactures for aluminum Fence?

Contractor can select an “or equal” manufacturer.

36. Does materials need to be Buy American?

This project does include Buy American requirements. Please review the solci a on clauses for more informa on.

Sliding gates:

37. On the plans it shows the bo om to have a solid panel. Is this the case or does the gates have a picket through to the bo om?

A solid bo om panel is preferred as detailed, but pickets at 2” O.C. is acceptable.

38. What type is the Access control system that the card reader es into at the pump house? Does that need to be supplied, If so what are the specs?

The contractor is to supply an access control system that can be controlled remotely via the internet. The access control system is to be compa ble with the gate motor controls. Access control system is to be installed in the equipment rack in the pump house and then the VA will hook it up to their IT systems.

39. Will electrical run conduit to the pump house for wiring and power to the operators?

Contractors discre on who runs the conduit.

40. Is there a specific on slide gate operator‐ Brand/ ba ery back up?

There is no specific brand of operator specified. Contractor op on. Per spec sec on 32 31 19 2.3.B.6.5; 5) Gates must be able to be operated manually in case of power outage.

41. Would cast stone veneer and caps be acceptable as a VE op on for the limestone on this project.

Caps are to be natural cut limestone as specified.