36C78625B0011 0002.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7.

ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF

PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO:

Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF

CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF

SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 04-16-2025

Funds Assurance

821CM3032

36C786 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 18434 Joplin Road Triangle VA 22172 36C786 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 18434 Joplin Road Triangle VA 22172 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C78625B0011

X X X ** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 05-01-2025 2:00 PM

EDT

X This amendment to solicitation number 36C78625B0011 is to issued response to prebid RFIs submitted by interested bidders.

Refer to the continuation page for the responses to the prebid RFIs.

Bids due and opening date is extended to Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Bids must be emailed to Richard.Adu@va.gov.

All the terms and conditions of solicitation number 36C78625B0011 remains unchanged.

Richard Adu Contracting Officer Response to PreBid RFIs 36C78625B0011 for 821CM3032 Irrigation Expansion at Rock Island National Cemetery Question 1 Is this project tax exempt and if so, will a certificate be issued?

Response 1 Project is not tax exempt, and a certificate will not be issued.

Refer to FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes in the solicitation.

Question 2 Payment for materials: FAR 52.232-5(b)(2) states, “In the preparation of estimates, the Contracting Officer may authorize material…” VAAR 852.232-70(d) states: “The Contracting Officer will consider for monthly progress payments material and/or equipment procured by the Contractor…” We have seen contract officers refuse payment for materials because their interpretation is that payment is optional and they simply prefer not to pay for materials. Question - will payments for uninstalled materials be approved on this project? If the answer is no, contractors need to know this at time of bid so they can include storage and carrying costs.

Response 2 Such material payment will be in accordance with stipulation in VAAR 852.232-70 PAYMENTS UNDER FIXED-PRICE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS (WITHOUT NAS– CPM) (NOV 2018)

Question 3 CQCM - Is the Contractor Quality Control Manager required to be onsite full-time with no other duties?

Response 3 No

Question 4 CQCS - The individual Quality Control Specialists that are required for each trade and for Structural, Civil, and Environmental, etc., are to work directly for the Prime Contractor. Can they be part-time employees?

Response 4 No

Question 5 SSHO – Is the Site Safety and Health Officer required to be onsite full time with no other duties?

Response 5 Provide per 01 00 02 General Requirements, 1.21 Project Health and Safety Plan

Question 6 Sustainable Construction Requirements – This is very comprehensive and costly. Will the government consider scaling this back to fit the scope of the project?

Response 6 Comply with specification 01 81 13 Sustainable Construction Requirements as applicable to the statement of work

Question 7 Change order pricing – will change orders be approved with the standard 10% OH +10% profit?

Response 7 Refer to VAAR 852.243-70 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGES—SUPPLEMENT (SEP 2019)

Question 8 Solicitation page 17, A.8 Scope of Work states – “The actual and spirit of intent of this project outcome is clearly indicated upon the drawing sheets and within the specification documents. The contractor shall, at no additional cost to the Government, make necessary adjustments to sprinkler locations as required to achieve full coverage of irrigated areas.” Does this mean the drawing sheets are only illustrative in nature and the design responsibility is on the contractor to ensure coverage?

Response 8 No, install irrigation per the provided plans and specifications.

Question 9 Solicitation page 18, III Scope 1.b states – “Conduct appropriate records research, investigate site conditions and identify applicable project limits…” How can the contractor be responsible for this when it the Rock Island Arsenal and National Cemetery Association that possesses the documents and determines project limits?

Response 9 Ignore the reference section in your question and refer to the specification requirements.

Question 10 Solicitation page 23, XIV, 2 Use of Cemetery Facilities states – “The Government will NOT furnish a storage building or area at the Cemetery site for use by the Contractor to store supplies and equipment. Contractor shall be responsible and required to provide and remove the material, equipment, tools and supplies to perform operations daily.” Does this mean ALL materials and equipment must be hauled in each morning and hauled out at the end of each day?

Response 10 Ignore the reference section in your question and refer to the specification requirements.

Question 11 Is the Contractor expected to create the SWPPP with erosion control plan, obtain NPDES Permit, and perform SWPPP inspections, install all erosion/sediment control items and maintenance with this bid?

Response 11 No NPDES permit and therefore no SWPPP is required because the disturbed area is less than 1 acre.

Question 12 Time to acquire an NPDES Permit in Illinois typically exceeds 90 days, will the anticipated start/substantial completion dates be adjusted if the NPDES permit is delayed?

Response 12 No NPDES permit and therefore no SWPPP is required because the disturbed area is less than 1 acre.

Question 13 Can you provide a location for overnight equipment staging on site?

Response 13 Staging and storage area will be in the fenced storage yard on the northwest side of the cemetery. See area circled in red on the below map.

Question 14 Will there be a quantity issued for the amount of turf restoration is anticipated, or we need to assume that number based on areas disturbed by irrigation contractor?

Response 14 Bidders are responsible for their own quantity takeoff.

Question 15 Can you provide a location for disposal of topsoil/sod spoil on site as discussed at the pre-bid meeting?

Response 15 Topsoil and sod spoils will be disposed at the southeast area of the cemetery circled in blue on the below map.

Question 16 As discussed at the pre-bid meeting, the time between excavation/backfill and turf restoration should not exceed 60 calendar days, is this correct?

Response 16 Turf restoration should not exceed 45 calendar days.

Question 17 At the pre-bid meeting, it was discussed that the new irrigation system will not be operational during the turf establishment period, due to an existing issue with the pump, so we need to assume having to water all sod with a water truck during the establishment period?

Response 17 Assume system is fully operational

Question 18 Will it be possible to leave garden hoses/sprinklers in place during the establishment period (typically 2 weeks), directly on top of new sod/irrigation trench?

Response 18 Assume system is fully operational

Question 19 During turf establishment period, it will be required to work on Saturdays and Sundays to keep sod watered.

Response 19 Assume system is fully operational

Question 20 The Wage determination included with the solicitation only includes one category, “heavy Dredging”. Can we get a complete wage determination for this project?

Response 20 A new Wage determination was issued with amendment 0001 published on 04/07/2025

Question 21 We would like to use HDPE DR-11 200psi pipe for the mainlines in lieu of PVC SDR-21 200psi pipe. All size and pressure requirements shall be as plan and spec.

Response 21 HDPE DR-11 is acceptable

Question 22 Will the VA take on the testing activities, or should testing be included in the Base Bid? (Spec Section 01 00 02 Pg 7 section D)

Response 22 Testing will be retained and paid for by the contractor, per spec 01 00 02 and 01 45 29.

Question 23 If the VA does not take on testing activities, will the VA be the third-party verifier while contractor provides testing services? (Spec Section 01 00 02 Pg 7 section D)

Response 23 See response 22.

Question 24 Bullet point 2 states “Quick Coupling Valve Assembly (QCV) - Provides the connection for the manual watering or other maintenance operations. QCVs to be spaced 200-feet apart. Rain Bird 5-RC to match existing” Plans do not show Quick Couplers every 200’, indicating only 6 for the entire project. Please verify if the Plans or the Specifications are correct. (RE: Spec Section 01 00 02-3)

Response 24 Plans are correct

Question 25 Please verify which areas contain existing Rainbird or Hunter or both? There are significant cost differences between each brand. For consistency of bidding, could a quantity for each be provided? (RE: Spec Section 01 00 02-3)

Response 25 Hunter sprinklers, Rain Bird controllers and remote-control valves per the drawings and specifications section 32 84 00

Question 26 Are remote smartphone replacement controllers for existing controllers to be included in base bid? (RE: Spec Section 01 00 02-3)

Response 26 Cellular communication Only for the new controller in this contract.

Question 27 RE: Spec Section 01 00 02-18 Section 1.12 SOW indicates no dry toilets or facilities may be placed on site. Please clarify. Will restroom facilities be allowed to be placed on cemetery property?

Response 27 Provide per Spec Section 01 00 02, 1.12 Temporary Toilets

Question 28 RE: Spec Section 01 00 02-19 SOW claims utilities (electricity and water) will be at the cost of the contractor, and no connection will be provided for them. Specifications state otherwise. Please provide clarity concerning if water or electricity will be provided, under what conditions, and where the connections are located?

Response 28 Use per Spec Section 01 00 02, 1.13 Availability and Use of Utilities Services

Question 29 RE: Spec Section 01 00 02 - 17 B.

Specifications page 23, SOW page 19/112 states a professional camera is required. There are differences in performance standards when compared to this section of the Specifications. Please verify the Specifications are correct.

Response 29 Provide per Spec Section 01 00 02, 1.17

Question 30 RE: Spec Section 01 32 17 Can other scheduling software be used other than Microsoft Project to produce Gantt Charts?

Response 30 No

Question 31 RE: Spec Section 02 41 10 – 2 Section 1.4 PG 76 Drawing number LI101, Irrigation Coversheet Legend indicate existing mainlines to be abandoned in place. Specifications call for them to be demolished and removed. Please clarify the correct method is to be applied. If both, please indicate location of mainlines to be demolished in lieu of abandonment.

Response 31 Abandon mainline per plans.

Question 32 RE: Drawing Number LI101, Irrigation Coversheet Flag Note Number 5 suggests there are electrical plans that show power connection at a Satellite Bathroom. Please provide electrical drawings and indicate the location of the Satellite Bathroom. Also, are there specifications for electrical work?

Response 32 Use the existing power at the pump station for the new controller.

Question 33 RE: Site Visit Some concerns were brought up during the pre-bid conference regarding water quality to the existing Irrigation Pump. It appears there is a significant amount of sand getting into the existing wet well and ultimately pumped into the existing system. There are concerns that sand and debris from the water source will be pumped into the new system. Sand and other debris can cause significant damage to new valves and sprinklers and could potentially void warranties required by this solicitation. How does the Government propose to handle this debris in order to protect the new system? If filtration is desired, please provide details and specifications.

Response 33 Assume no debris is in the system.

Question 34 RE: Wage Determination Please provide a Wage Determination Letter for plant irrigation, earthwork, and electrical trades not included with the Wage Determination Letter provided with the solicitation documents.

Response 34 A new Wage determination was issued with amendment 0001 published on 04/07/2025

Question 35 It is likely that this project will need to be shut down due to the frost levels in the ground. Assuming this project will be awarded in the area of May 1, By the 1, A post award conference is held, 2, the notice to proceed is issued, 3, the submittals is submitted and reviewed, 4, The material is allocated (approximately 8 weeks after ordering) we will be in the latter part of the summer. The underlying question here is: Will the awarded contractor be able to do a winter shut down once there is frost in the ground and will days to perform the contract continue to accumulate during the shutdown due to frost?

Response 35 The awarded contractor will be able to do a winter shutdown once there is frost in the ground and the period of the shutdown will be added back to the contract as a NO COST TIME EXTENSION once the shutdown is over.

A public bid opening will occur by Telephone/Teams conference using the following:

Call Line: 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 568 579 315#

Join the meeting now

This amendment to solicitation number 36C78625B0011 is to issues prebid RFI responses.

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