RFI Q_As.docx

1. We will hand excavate down to find the water line. Once found, can the water line be pulled out with the use of an excavator, or must the line be hand exposed for the whole length before it is removed?

The ¾” water line would need to be excavated by hand before it is removed. I only prefer this since we do not know 100% where the actual remains are placed in this cemetery.

2. Para 1. Scope of Work Sub para. 5 States, “Provide and install lighting for flagpole on the northeastern portion of the cemetery and in alignment with the obelisk.”

2a. Will this lighting be solar powered due to no electricity on site?

Yes, Solar is the preferred method of lighting.

2b. Is the amount of lighting dictated or at the discretion of the contractor?

As of now, Discretion of the contractor.

2c. Is the desired lighting only towards the flag or also the obelisk?

Just the flagpole.

3. Does the contractor need to provide U.S. Flag for flagpole? If so, what size or specifications are required? Yes

4. Is the 6ft distance for flagpole to existing monument a mandatory distance? During site visit we determined it may be better suited to place flagpole centered between NE property line and monument to provide more distance and symmetry.

We will stay with the distance of 6’ measured from the monument.

5. Will the exact location of flagpole be identified by the VA prior to start of work, and if so, what is the method of marking?

Yes, the COR will have the site marked with flags or paint.

6. Is the Period of Performance based on 45 calendar days after award notice or notice to proceed?

Notice to proceed

7. Where do we tie in power for flagpole lighting? What is location of lighting? How many lights? Do electric cabling trenches also need to be hand excavated?

Solar is the preferred method of lighting.

8. The requested flagpole with specifications of 35’, 12” butt diameter, .375” wall thickness unfortunately isn’t available in the flagpole industry. In order to accommodate a pole with those specs, you would need to move up to a 70’ pole, with a recommended flag size of 12x18’. Matching the NAAMM FP 1001-97 wind ratings guide, we can recommend a Concord Xtreme Series flagpole that will work in your area with the specs of 35’, 8” butt diameter, .250” wall thickness, rated at 181 mph with flag, 249 mph without flag. Would that be acceptable? I have attached a flagpole spec sheet here for your review.

Cemetery concurs with the recommendation to use a 35’ Flagpole for this project.

9. Would you happen to know how far down in the ground the water line sits?

The existing ¾” water line is currently inactive and about 20’ away from the proposed location for the new flagpole.

10. We didn’t see the following specs for the new pole: pole finish, butt diameter, wall thickness, wind speed rating, ok if it’s 2 pieces vs. 1 piece? (will be easier to transport from our location in Colorado)

1.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

A. Structural Performance: Provide flagpoles capable of withstanding the effects of wind loads as determined according to NAAMM FP 1001-97, Guide Specifications for Design of Metal Flagpoles; or to flagpole wind speed chart for the area, whichever is more stringent.

B. Base flagpole design on flying a 6’x 10’ garrison size nylon flag suitable for use with pole.

1.5 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING:

A. General: Spiral wrap flagpoles with a heavy Kraft paper or other lightweight wrapping and enclose in a hard fiber tube or other protective means. Store bare flagpoles in a dry location, protected from the weather and moisture, as recommended by the manufacturer.

B. Ship to project site in one piece or as specified. If more than one piece is necessary, provide snug fitting precision joints with self-aligning, internal splicing sleeve arrangements for weather tight, hairline field joints.

Part 2 Products

2.1 FLAGPOLE TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION:

A. Aluminum Flagpole Construction: Fabricate from seamless, extruded tubing complying with ASTM B 221, alloy 6063-T6, having a tensile strength not less than 30,000 psi with a yield point of 25,000 psi. Heat treat after fabrication to comply with ASTM B 597, temper T6.

1. Provide cone-tapered flagpoles, per manufacturers standard rate of taper.

B. Assembly Construction: Internal Halyard Winch System flagpole, 35 ft. nominal mounting height, with a minimum base wall thickness of 0.375 in., and a 12 in. butt diameter at base, 5” top diameter. Ship to project site in pieces, ground set in accordance with manufacturer installation requirements.

2.5 FINISHES

A. Metal Finishes, General: Comply with NAAMM;Metal Finishes Manual for Architectural and Metal Products; for recommendations for applying and designating finishes.

B. Aluminum: Finish designations prefixed by AA conform to the system established by the Aluminum Association for designating aluminum finishes.

1. Natural Satin Finish: Provide directional-sanded satin finish (AA-M33); buff complying with AA-M20.

11. Internal rope or cable?

2.3 FITTINGS

A. Internal Halyard, Winch System: 1/8 (3mm) stainless steel aircraft cable with plastic coated counterweight and beaded sling assembly. Manually operated mechanical winch having automatic brake system and operated with a removable hand crank. Winch shall be concealed inside the flagpole behind a flush access door having a cylinder lock and continuous piano hinge.

B. Halyard Flag Snaps: Provide 2 swivel snap hooks per halyard as follows: Chrome plated bronze C. Collar: Manufacturer’ standard spun aluminum flash collar to match flagpole.

12. Are there any impediments with the 160 linear ft of ¾” water line or does it run the edge of the cemetery?

Extreme caution must be taken during all excavations due to the lack of records documenting the depth and location of any of the burials on the property. All excavations will be dug by hand. No equipment is permitted for use for excavations at this time.

13. Can you please define the lighting you are looking for? Our techs are not licensed electricians, so wondering if solar lights are ok? We can still complete the lighting, would just need to sub-contract to a lighting electrician for that portion Unfortunately, I do not have the specs for the lighting at this time. Electricity is not available at the site, so solar lighting would be ideal. I will reach out to the engineers for this information. Subcontracting is allowed.

14. Para 1. Scope of Work Sub para. 1. States, “To ensure no possible disturbance of remains, a Ground Penetrating Radar Inspection shall be performed prior to any excavation.” Is this still a requirement prior to the start of any work to proceed?

Excavation by hand is recommended to avoid the use of GPR.

14b. If so, is the requirement to only conduct GPR inspection of location where flagpole will be installed or also over ¾” waterline to be removed? See question 9

15. Para 1. Scope of Work Sub para. 3. States, “Removal/disposal of approx. 160 LF of an existing ¾” waterline (not connected).” Is there any reason to remove the waterline outside of installation of the flagpole? With the waterline being abandoned we do not see any significant purpose to remove this line and potentially disturb remains of these soldiers. The flagpole can be installed in desired location without removing the waterline.

Waterline does not need to be removed for this project due to the requested location of the Flagpole.

16. Will this waterline be required to be hand excavated, without the use of machinery, in the same manner as the flagpole foundation? We are estimating the ¾” water line is ~4-6ft deep from the manhole at monument all the way to the street, ~160ft in length. This is a substantial undertaking if hand excavated and the risk to disturb remains does not appear to be worth removing.

Water line can be abandoned /capped off or rendered useless by the contractor. Hand digging will be required for this. Once abandoned, the water line will not need to be removed.

17. Will the water line at the street be marked prior to the start of any work? During site visit we could not locate the waterline near the street as it is likely several feet deep underground Please refer to above responses.

18. If waterline is required to be removed, will re-sodding area where work was performed be added into the contract?

Water line can be abandoned /capped off or rendered useless by the contractor. Hand digging will be required for this. Once abandoned, the water line will not need to be removed.