36C78626B0021 0001.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)

4-54-2026

788-MM26-0003

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

36C78626B0021

X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to:

The purpose of this modification is to answer questions posed during the RFI period.

The Bid opening remains the same.

All terms and conditions remain the same.

Please see Continuation page for the questions and answer.

Clarelle Sylvain Contract Specialist

Project #: 788-MM26-0003 Project Name: Well Septic Repairs Location: Florida National Cemetery

Pre-bid RFIs – Submission #1

1. RFI-01

Please confirm whether the contractor’s responsibility is limited to obtaining permits for the systems described in the solicitation, or whether the contractor is also responsible for full engineering redesign of existing well and septic systems if required by permitting agencies for approval. Has the government verified whether permits are required for this project from FDEP or any other source?

The Government confirms that the potable water wells at Florida National Cemetery are active public water systems that report regularly to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). No full engineering redesign of the existing well or PIC septic system is anticipated under this contract. The contractor's responsibility is limited to obtaining all permits necessary to perform the work as described in the SOW, ensuring all replaced equipment and installation methods comply with Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-555 and all other applicable FDEP regulations, using a Florida-licensed well contractor per FAC Chapters 62-531 and 62-532. Any conditions discovered during permitting that require work beyond the stated SOW scope shall be immediately reported to the COR and may be addressed under the applicable Changes and Differing Site Conditions clauses of the contract.

2. RFI-02

Please provide any available existing documents relevant to the project, including prior permits, well logs, septic permits, as-built drawings, inspection reports, utility maps, repair history, pump records, or agency correspondence.

Prior permits, well logs, and all related documentation are maintained by cemetery staff and will be made available to the awarded contractor upon request after contract award. This information is not available for distribution during the pre-bid period. Bidders are encouraged to conduct a thorough site visit prior to submission to familiarize themselves with existing conditions. Failure to inspect the site prior to bid submission shall not constitute grounds for any claim against the Government after award.

3. RFI-03

If required permitting approvals exceed anticipated review durations due solely to agency processing times outside contractor control, will contract time extensions be considered?

No time extensions will be granted for delays attributable solely to agency processing times. The SOW explicitly states that Florida State permitting can take a maximum of 90 days and that the contractor shall account for all permitting lead times within the project schedule. No additional compensation will be provided for permitting-related delays. Contractors are expected to price and schedule accordingly.

4. RFI-04

Please provide available information for Well Pump #1, including well depth, pump setting depth, drop pipe size/material, static water level, pump curve data, and any recent maintenance/service records.

Some well information is maintained by cemetery staff and will be provided to the awarded contractor as needed after contract award. This information is not available for distribution during the pre-bid period. Bidders are encouraged to conduct a thorough site visit to assess existing conditions prior to bid submission. Failure to inspect the site prior to bid shall not constitute grounds for any claim against the Government after award.

5. RFI-05

Please clarify whether replacement of Pump #1 requires matching the existing horsepower/flow/head configuration, or whether the contractor may size replacement equipment based on actual field conditions and system demand.

The replacement pump for Well Pump #1 shall match or exceed the performance specifications of the existing CentriPro M50432 (5HP, 4-inch, 3-phase, 230V, 60Hz, NSF/ANSI 61 compliant) as specified in the SOW. The contractor may propose an equivalent or superior unit provided all electrical ratings, material standards, and certifications meet or exceed those specified. Any proposed substitute must be submitted as a product data submittal for Government review and approval prior to procurement.

6. RFI-06

Please clarify generator replacement criteria, including required kW rating, voltage, phase, automatic transfer expectations, fuel type, runtime requirements, and whether the generator must serve full building load or emergency loads only.

Generator sizing criteria are indicated on the existing data plate (Cummins DNAD-5696997) and existing connection points at the Main Pump House, which serve as the basis of design for the replacement unit. The existing Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is anticipated to be operational; however, the contractor shall inspect and verify ATS functionality upon mobilization. If the existing ATS is found to be non-operational, repair or replacement to restore full automatic transfer capability is within the contractor's scope under this contract. Generator runtime cannot be predetermined as it functions as a backup system; runtime is fuel-dependent and the existing fuel system infrastructure shall be utilized. The replacement generator shall be Kohler brand (preferred) or approved equivalent of equal or greater capacity to the existing unit

7. RFI-07

Please confirm whether the contractor is required to furnish temporary monitoring/data logging equipment for the 30-day electrical load studies, and whether any specific reporting format is required.

Yes, the contractor is responsible for furnishing all temporary monitoring and data logging equipment necessary to conduct the 30-day electrical load study on both the Main Pump House and the adjacent Maintenance Building concurrently. Recording shall capture 15-minute averaging intervals over the full 30-day period per NEC 220 standards. The preferred reporting format is PDF. All submitted documents must be compatible with and openable on VA IT systems. Contractors shall confirm compatibility prior to submission.

8. RFI-08

Well #2 and #3 “Overhaul” Scope Definition. Please clarify the minimum intended scope of “overhaul” for Well Pumps #2 and #3. Does this include pump pulling, motor replacement, controls, tanks, chlorination equipment, piping, electrical upgrades, or only code-compliance corrections identified during inspection? Please provide an exact scope as to what the government wants replaced so that all bidders have the same playing field.

The SOW provides the complete scope for Wells 2 and 3 as follows: all existing site equipment, including tanks, valves, pumps, controls, piping, and related appurtenances, shall be completely removed and replaced with new equipment of equal or superior quality, fully compliant with current Florida Statutes governing public water systems. Water meters may be reused provided new gaskets are installed. All replacement equipment shall meet the design, construction, and material standards outlined in FAC Rule 62-555.320 and shall be NSF/ANSI 61 compliant. The contractor shall coordinate with the Maintenance Supervisor at the cemetery to determine which specific removed items are to be retained by the Government prior to disposal. All other removed equipment shall be properly disposed of in accordance with Section 01 74 19, Construction Waste Management.

9. RFI-09

Please provide acceptable manufacturers, structural loading criteria, wind design criteria, and any architectural finish/color requirements for the specified insulated prefabricated well enclosures. At a minimum, please provide product specifications required for the panels.

The Government will not specify a particular manufacturer for the SIP enclosures. The SOW provides sufficient technical detail to allow open competition among multiple qualified manufacturers. The enclosures shall meet all applicable local building code requirements for commercial storage structures in Sumter County, Florida, including all applicable wind load design criteria. Contractors are responsible for ensuring the selected product meets all SOW requirements including SIP panel construction, insulation, weather-tight sealing, and structural integrity. Product data submittals for Government review and approval are required prior to procurement.

10. RFI-10

Please provide anticipated occupancy count, fixture count, and wastewater flow assumptions for sizing the new septic system serving the office trailer.

The new septic system serving the office trailer shall be designed for a maximum of 8 persons using only the fixtures present inside the trailer as observed during the site visit. The minimum system sizing shall be a 1,060-gallon septic tank with a minimum 250 square feet of drain field. All design and installation shall comply with FAC Chapter 64E-6 and all applicable Florida onsite sewage regulations.

11. RFI-11

Please provide any available soils reports, perc tests, groundwater data, prior failures, or environmental constraints relevant to the new septic system and drain field work.

No soils reports, percolation tests, groundwater data, or environmental constraint documents are available for the septic work areas. The Government has conducted preliminary market research and has reason to believe the selected area is suitable for a properly designed and installed septic system in accordance with applicable Florida regulations. However, the contractor remains solely responsible for independently verifying soil conditions, percolation rates, and all design parameters prior to bid submission. No additional compensation will be provided for changes in system size or design due to soil conditions or regulatory requirements discovered after award.

12. RFI-12.

Please provide approximate quantity or extent of existing drain field piping, chambers, or area anticipated for replacement at the PIC Building.

The SOW is explicit in its scope for the PIC Building drain field: all piping from the distribution box to the leach chambers shall be removed and replaced with new piping. The distribution box and all piping to the leach field chambers are the defined scope of replacement. If additional components are found to require replacement due to conditions discovered during excavation, those items will be addressed under the applicable Changes clause (FAR 52.243-4).

13. RFI-13

Please confirm the anticipated duration for portable toilet, ADA unit, and handwashing station requirements during septic system shutdowns.

Portable toilet, ADA-accessible unit, and handwashing station requirements shall remain in place for the full duration of all septic system work affecting active facilities. A minimum of two standard units, one ADA-accessible unit, and one handwashing station are required, located per COR direction. Pumping and cleaning schedules shall be coordinated with the COR given the high daily visitor volume at this cemetery. These facilities shall be maintained until all affected septic systems are restored to full operation and accepted by the Government.

14. RFI-14

Please confirm standard allowable work hours, anticipated blackout periods for interments, and whether weekend work may be permitted if requested.

Standard allowable work hours are Monday through Friday during cemetery operating hours, excluding Federal Holidays. Weekend or holiday work requires prior written Contracting Officer approval. The COR will provide a weekly schedule of ceremonies and a daily schedule of committal services. The contractor is solely responsible for ensuring no work activity disturbs or impacts any committal service, ceremony, or visitation. Noise-generating activities and equipment operation are prohibited during active interment services. The contractor shall proactively coordinate with COR staff and must ask when in doubt before proceeding.

15. RFI-15

Please identify designated staging, parking, laydown, dumpster, and temporary trailer/storage locations available to the contractor.

Designated staging, parking, laydown, dumpster, and temporary storage locations will be confirmed by the COR and Cemetery Director and discussed at the mandatory kickoff meeting to be held within 7 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed. Note that the cemetery has no dedicated contractor parking. Contractor vehicles shall not obstruct visitors, services, or cemetery traffic at any time.

16. RFI-16

Please clarify temporary service expectations if water or sewer outages are required during construction, including any required temporary bypass or alternate service provisions.

Temporary bypass systems are not required under this contract. Portable toilet facilities provided by the contractor per the SOW serve as the temporary sanitary solution during septic system outages. All utility outages shall be coordinated in advance with the COR per the applicable notice requirements in the SOW and Section 01 00 02 of the General Requirements.

17. RFI-17

Please confirm whether sealed AutoCAD as-built drawings are required, or whether scaled field sketches / redlines are acceptable as final as-built documentation.

Sealed AutoCAD as-built drawings are not required. The SOW explicitly states that a sketch to scale showing pertinent features and connections is acceptable per Florida Rural Water Association standards. The sketch must include actual field measurements and show all facilities and connections installed by the contractor. As-built drawings shall be submitted to Cemetery Staff, the District Engineer, and the Contracting Officer prior to final inspection. They must be determined to be legible by the COR not the contractor.

18. RFI-18

Please clarify whether required bacteriological, electrical, startup, and septic testing may be performed by contractor-selected qualified vendors or must be performed by independent third-party laboratories.

All testing and inspections shall be performed in full compliance with applicable local and state codes and regulations. This includes but is not limited to bacteriological clearance testing per AWWA C651 standards, FDEP and County Health Department inspection requirements, electrical testing, and septic system compliance inspections. All required third-party testing and inspections are the sole responsibility of the contractor. See also RFI-24 response.

19. RFI-19

Please identify any removed pumps, generators, tanks, controls, or appurtenances currently known to be retained by the Government versus contractor disposal.

The SOW clearly states that the existing Cummins generator (Model DNAD-5696997, S/N K048713036) at the Main Pump House shall be returned to the Government for disposal. For all other removed equipment across all well and septic locations, the contractor shall coordinate directly with the Maintenance Supervisor at the cemetery to determine which items are to be retained by the Government versus disposed of by the contractor. All disposal shall be in accordance with Section 01 74 19, Construction Waste Management.

20. RFI-20

Please confirm that concealed underground or concealed existing conditions requiring additional replacement beyond visible scope will be handled under applicable changes/differing site condition clauses.

Confirmed. FAR clause 52.236-2 (Differing Site Conditions) and FAR 52.243-4 (Changes) apply to this contract as referenced in Section 01 00 02 of the General Requirements. Concealed or unknown conditions encountered during construction that differ materially from those indicated in the contract documents shall be reported to the COR immediately and prior to disturbance. Cost and time impacts will be evaluated under the applicable contract clauses.

21. RFI-21

Have there been any violations, fines or infractions with regard to any of the wells from any municipalities, county or state agencies regarding these wells? If so can they be furnished to bidders?

Florida National Cemetery meets all current Florida State regulations. Any active compliance information required by FDEP is maintained by FDEP directly and is publicly accessible through FDEP records. No active violations, fines, or notices of non-compliance are known to exist that would affect this solicitation.

22. RFI-22

Are there as built drawings that can be provided to bidders regarding any of the 3 wells and septic systems?

No as-built drawings are available for the well systems or the septic systems included in this contract. The well heads are not being removed; only the pumps and above-ground fixtures are within scope. For the septic systems, sufficient existing conditions information has been provided through the solicitation attachments and the pre-bid site visit to allow bidders to develop accurate pricing. Bidders are encouraged to conduct thorough site visits prior to submission. Failure to inspect the site prior to bid shall not constitute grounds for any claim against the Government after award.

23. RFI-23

The scope of work calls for “Distribution box replacement if needed.” Is this something that bidders should include in their bid or should this be handled by a contract modification if it is not clearly evident that it needs to be replaced during site visit inspection?

It is anticipated that the distribution box will require replacement. The contractor shall include distribution box replacement in the base bid price. If additional components beyond the defined scope are discovered to require replacement during excavation, those items will be addressed under FAR 52.243-4 (Changes).

24. RFI-24

Please outline what 3rd party testing and/or inspections will be required with regards to this solicitation and. its scope of work?

All required third-party testing and inspections are the sole responsibility of the contractor, including but not limited to: bacteriological clearance testing per AWWA C651, electrical load study documentation, FDEP and County Health Department inspections and approvals, lightning protection system inspection and certification, generator startup and commissioning, septic system compliance inspections, and any other agency sign-offs required for final acceptance and project closeout. All associated costs are included in the contract price.

25. RFI-25

Please confirm that the scope requires replacement of one existing backup generator only, and provide the required generator basis of design including kW rating, voltage, phase, fuel type, transfer requirements, and whether the generator is intended to serve full building load or emergency loads only.

Confirmed. One backup generator replacement is required at the Main Pump House only. The existing unit is a Cummins diesel generator, Model DNAD-5696997, approximately 11.5 kW standby, 3-phase. Generator sizing and connection requirements are defined by the existing data plate and existing connection points. The Kohler brand is preferred; approved equivalents will be considered with proper submittal documentation. The existing generator shall be returned to the Government for disposal. See also RFI-06 response.

26. RFI-26

What is the expectation of watering the site restoration after the contactor is finished laying sod and or seeding? After an initial watering, can we turn it over to cemetery staff to continue the watering or must we stay there and water until the sod and or seed is established?

For sod installed within areas served by the cemetery's existing irrigation system, the contractor shall be responsible for establishment for a minimum of 7 days, after which responsibility for continued watering may be transferred to cemetery staff upon COR approval. For sod installed in areas not served by the cemetery irrigation system, the contractor is responsible for daily watering and full establishment for a minimum of 30 days. The contractor shall confirm irrigation coverage of all restoration areas with the COR prior to sod installation.

RFI – 27 – Electrical Service Capacity Please confirm existing electrical service capacity, available amperage, and whether any utility upgrades or service modifications are anticipated or required under this contract.

Existing electrical service capacity information is not specified beyond what is visible in the solicitation photographs and panel schedule provided. No utility upgrades or service modifications are anticipated under this contract. The contractor is responsible for field-verifying existing service capacity as part of the pre-bid site visit and prior to commencement of work.

RFI – 28 – Generator Design Basis Please confirm generator sizing criteria, including required load coverage, runtime duration, fuel type, and automatic transfer switch requirements.

This is a duplicate of RFI-06 and RFI-25. Refer to those responses. No additional response provided.

RFI – 29 – Well Structural Condition Please provide any available information regarding well casing condition, structural integrity, and prior rehabilitation history for all wells included in this project.

Well casing condition, structural integrity, and prior rehabilitation history information is not available for distribution at this time. The contractor is responsible for field-verifying existing well conditions as part of the pre-bid site visit. The well heads are not being removed under this contract. Any conditions discovered during work that differ materially from those reasonably anticipated will be addressed under the applicable FAR clauses.

RFI – 30 – Utility Outage Limitations Please define allowable durations for water and electrical outages during construction and any restrictions on shutdown windows.

All utility outages must be coordinated in advance with the COR. Outage durations shall be only as long as operationally necessary to complete the specific work activity and shall not interfere with cemetery operations. Florida National Cemetery is a high-capacity active cemetery and cemetery operations have absolute priority over construction activities at all times. The contractor is solely responsible for planning and executing all work in a manner that does not disrupt cemetery operations. No specific maximum outage duration is defined; the contractor is expected to minimize all outages to the shortest practicable duration through proper planning and sequencing.

RFI-31 – Phasing Requirements Please provide required sequencing or phasing constraints for performing work on multiple wells and septic systems while maintaining facility operations.

General phasing constraints per the SOW require that replacement of each water well be coordinated to minimize downtime and disruption to cemetery operations. Some systems are independent while others share redundancy; the contractor shall coordinate with cemetery staff to understand system interdependencies before scheduling any outages. Water outages expected to exceed 24 hours require advance coordination with cemetery maintenance staff. Septic system shutdowns require 5-day advance notice. Detailed sequencing and phasing will be established at the mandatory kickoff meeting within 7 days of NTP. The contractor shall submit a formal phasing plan as a required submittal prior to commencement of any work.

RFI – 32 – Filtration Responsibility Please confirm whether the well contractor is expected to design and install filtration systems or if this will be treated as a separate specialty scope.

Filtration systems are not within the scope of this contract. The SOW addresses chlorination only. Chlorination equipment and all associated components are included within the scope of the word "ALL" as used in the SOW regarding equipment replacement. See also RFI-64 response.

RFI – 33 – Restoration Limits Please clarify limits of site restoration, including turf, irrigation, and landscaping requirements following excavation and installation work.

All areas disturbed by construction, excavation, or installation activities shall be restored to original or better condition in accordance with National Shrine Standards as defined in the SOW. This includes turf, landscaping, hardscape, and any other site features disturbed during work. Restoration shall present a neat, finished appearance with no visible evidence of construction disturbance. All restoration is the contractor's responsibility at no additional cost to the Government.

RFI – 34 – Temporary Utilities Requirements Please confirm whether temporary water supply, bypass pumping, or temporary sanitary systems are required during septic system replacement and outages.

Temporary bypass systems are not required under this contract. Refer to RFI-16 response. All utility outages shall be coordinated in advance per SOW requirements and Section 01 00 02 of the General Requirements. Bypasses in lieu of Portable Toilets will be means and methods of the contractor and be exclusively included in the cost of the project.

RFI – 35 – Septic System Design and Existing Conditions Please provide septic tank sizes, quantities, current conditions, whether pump-out is required prior to removal, responsibility for disposal, and basis of design for the new system including occupancy and flow construction activities, prior to completion of the load study

This is a triplicate question. Refer to RFI-10, RFI-11, and RFI-12 responses for septic system design basis, soil conditions, and drain field scope information. No additional response provided.

RFI – 36 – Electrical Load Study & Project Completion Rates.

1. Whether interim acceptance or partial payment will be considered upon completion of

2. Whether the 30-day monitoring period may occur concurrently with project closeout activities and acceptance of its results

3. Whether project closeout and final payment are contingent upon completion of the 30-day study final completion

4. Whether the 30-day load study must be fully completed and submitted prior to substantial or Please clarify:

Standard FAR payment clauses govern the payment process under this contract. Final payment will not be made until the 30-day electrical load study is fully completed, submitted, and accepted by the Government. Contractors shall account for this requirement in their project scheduling and cash flow planning. Closeout activities may proceed concurrently with the monitoring period; however, final acceptance and final payment are contingent upon receipt and Government acceptance of the completed load study report.

RFI – 37 – Water System Performance Requirements Please provide the required performance criteria for the water well systems, including minimum and peak flow rates (GPM), pressure requirements (PSI), storage capacity, and demand conditions.

Confirm whether the contractor is responsible for designing systems to meet these criteria and whether any redundancy requirements apply.

Florida National Cemetery operates four independent water systems. A single performance criteria response cannot be provided without reference to a specific location. The SOW establishes a one-for-one replacement requirement at each well location, meaning the replacement systems shall match or exceed the performance of the existing equipment at each respective site. Contractors shall field-verify existing system performance parameters during the pre-bid site visit and size replacement equipment accordingly.

RFI – 38 – Design Approval and Engineering Responsibility Please confirm whether contractor-developed designs for well systems, filtration systems, septic systems, and electrical systems require formal review and approval by the Government or an Engineer of Record prior to procurement and installation. Clarify whether the contractor assumes full design liability and whether stamped engineering documents are required for permitting and construction.

All designs, plans, and submissions to county, state, or other regulatory entities require Government review and concurrence prior to submission. State and local codes will determine whether Florida-stamped engineering drawings are required for permitting; the contractor is responsible for complying with all such requirements. All engineering design associated with this contract is the sole responsibility of the contractor. The Government will not provide engineering design services or design criteria documents beyond what is included in the solicitation package.

RFI – 39 – Existing Utility Locates and Unknown Conditions Please provide all available existing underground utility information, including electrical, water, irrigation, septic, and abandoned systems. Clarify responsibility for locating utilities and confirm how unknown or unmarked utilities encountered during construction will be handled under the contract.

Known and existing utility information will be provided to the awarded contractor as needed following the kickoff meeting. Any utilities not clearly marked that are encountered during construction will be addressed under the applicable FAR Differing Site Conditions and Changes clauses. The contractor is required to contact Florida's Sunshine 811 utility locate service prior to any excavation. Call before you dig.

RFI – 40 – Irrigation System Identification and Restoration Please identify the extent and layout of existing irrigation systems within project work areas.

Confirm contractor responsibility for protection, repair, or replacement of irrigation systems impacted by construction, including requirements for restoration and testing.

Irrigation system locations and extents within project work areas will be coordinated at the kickoff meeting. The contractor is responsible for protecting all existing irrigation systems within and adjacent to work areas. Any irrigation systems damaged by the contractor shall be repaired or replaced and tested for full operational functionality by the contractor at no cost to the Government.

RFI – 41 – Dewatering Requirements and Discharge Compliance Please clarify whether dewatering operations are anticipated or required for this project. If required, identify discharge requirements, permitted discharge locations, water quality testing requirements, and any associated regulatory permits or restrictions.

The contractor is responsible for meeting all applicable state and federal requirements for the installation of below-grade septic system components. If groundwater is encountered during excavation, the contractor is required to remove the water in accordance with all applicable state and federal dewatering regulations. All associated costs are the contractor's responsibility and shall be included in the bid price.

RFI – 42 – Contaminated Soil and Disposal Requirements Please identify any known contaminated soils, hazardous materials, or environmental concerns within the project areas. Clarify contractor responsibility for testing, handling, transportation, and disposal of contaminated materials, including applicable standards and disposal locations.

The Government is not aware of any contaminated soils, hazardous materials, or environmental concerns within the project work areas. If contaminated materials are encountered during construction, the contractor shall immediately notify the COR and proceed in accordance with applicable FAR clauses and all local, state, and federal environmental regulations.

RFI – 43 – Inspection, Testing, and Final Acceptance Authority Please identify all agencies and authorities responsible for inspection, testing, and final acceptance of the well, septic, and electrical systems. Clarify the required sequence of inspections and approvals and whether acceptance by multiple agencies is required prior to project closeout.

Final project acceptance will require coordination among all applicable authorities including FDEP or the County Health Department for well and septic system approvals, the VA COR and Southeast District Engineer for construction quality and National Shrine Standards compliance, and any applicable local building or electrical inspection authorities. All required agency inspections and sign-offs are the contractor's responsibility. Refer to RFI-24 response for the full list of required third-party testing and inspections.

RFI – 44 – Warranty Requirements for Installed Systems Please confirm required warranty durations and coverage for all installed systems, including well pumps, electrical systems, generators, septic systems, and filtration equipment. Clarify whether manufacturer warranties alone are acceptable or if additional contractor warranties are required.

FAR clause 52.246-21 Warranty of Construction applies and requires a minimum one-year contractor workmanship warranty from the date of final Government acceptance. Manufacturer warranties for all installed equipment are required in addition to and not in lieu of the FAR warranty. All warranty documentation shall be submitted to the Government as part of project closeout deliverables. Warranties requiring proof of purchase must be registered by the contractor with a transfer letter to the Government.

RFI – 45 – Site Security, Access, and Personnel Requirements Please confirm any site security requirements applicable to contractor personnel, including background checks, badging, escorts, restricted access zones, or work hour limitations. Clarify any impact these requirements may have on scheduling and manpower.

All contractor and subcontractor personnel must comply with VA National Cemetery conduct and appearance standards as outlined in the SOW under Standards of Employee Conduct, enforced under Title 38 U.S.C. Section 218. Personnel must maintain professional appearance and wear High Visibility Safety Apparel and ANSI-approved head protection at all times while on cemetery grounds. Contractors shall discuss all conduct requirements with their employees and subcontractors prior to mobilization. Any questions regarding specific access requirements shall be directed to the COR and Cemetery Director at the kickoff meeting.

RFI – 46 – Full System Replacement Clarification Please confirm whether the requirement stating that all existing site equipment shall be completely removed and replaced applies to all components of each well system, including piping, controls, electrical, tanks, and appurtenances, or only to specific identified equipment.

Confirmed. The SOW requirement that all existing site equipment shall be completely removed and replaced means ALL equipment in its entirety — all tanks, valves, pumps, controls, piping, electrical components, and related appurtenances at each well location. The sole exception is water meters, which may be reused with new gaskets installed. The contractor shall coordinate with the Maintenance Supervisor to identify any specific items to be retained by the Government prior to disposal.

RFI – 47 – Filtration System Design Criteria Please provide required water quality targets, treatment parameters, and basis of design for the filtration systems, including contaminant removal requirements, flow rates, and acceptable system Types.

Filtration systems are not within the scope of this contract. The SOW does not reference filtration. Refer to RFI-32 response.

RFI 48 – Fiber Optic Conflict in Septic Area Please confirm the exact location of any existing fiber optic lines within or adjacent to the proposed septic work areas.

Additionally, clarify:

· Whether the contractor is responsible for locating, potholing, protecting, or relocating the fiber optic line

· Ownership of the fiber optic utility

· Responsibility for costs associated with damage, relocation, or protection

All utility locate information including fiber optic and telecommunications infrastructure will be discussed and provided at the mandatory kickoff meeting following contract award. The contractor is required to contact Sunshine 811 prior to any excavation. Any utilities encountered during construction that were not identified will be addressed under the applicable FAR clauses. Contractor is required to perform locates with or without the services of 811.

RFI 49 – Septic System Layout / Header Relocation During the site visit, discussion included relocating the septic header to the opposite side.

Please confirm:

· Final approved septic layout

· Whether relocation of the header is required

· Whether updated drawings reflecting this change will be issued Septic system layout, header placement, and all means and methods of construction are the contractor's responsibility. The Government will not provide direction on construction methodology. The contractor is responsible for completing the work as described in the SOW in full compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. How the contractor achieves that result is within the contractor's professional discretion.

RFI 50 – SIP Building Requirements (Roof & Access) Please confirm the required design criteria for the SIP buildings, including:

· Requirement for sloped/slanted roof

· Requirement for roof access to remove/maintain pumps

· Minimum access opening size

· Requirement for access door sized for pump removal

The SIP enclosure roof shall be designed with a minimum 3/12 pitch or greater. Roof access for pump removal or maintenance is not required. The well pumps at Wells 2 and 3 are accessed from grade level through the personnel access door. The personnel access door shall have a minimum clear width of 42 inches as specified in the SOW, which shall accommodate all maintenance access requirements. Style of roof pitch must be identical on both buildings.

RFI 51 – Number and Locations of SIP Buildings Please confirm:

· Total number of SIP buildings required under this contract

· Locations for each structure

· Whether all structures require identical configurations

Two SIP enclosures are required under this contract — one at Well Pump 2 and one at Well Pump 3. Well Pump 1 is located within the existing Main Pump House, which is not being replaced. Both enclosures shall be identical in configuration as specified in the SOW: 8'x8'x8', SIP panel construction, with all required ventilation, lighting, electrical, and access door components.

RFI 52 – Electrical Panel Removal Scope Please confirm whether the contractor is responsible for:

· Complete removal of existing electrical panels at well locations

· Disposal of removed equipment

· Replacement with new panels under this contract

Confirmed. The contractor is responsible for complete removal and disposal of all existing electrical panels, controls, and wiring at the well enclosure locations being replaced. All new electrical components shall be mounted on the new enclosure walls using rigid conduit, be weather-tight, and meet all NEC requirements, local building codes, and cemetery requirements. All electrical connections shall be performed by a licensed electrician.

RFI 53 – Well 1 Potable Water Requirements Please confirm whether Well 1 is classified as a potable/public water system and clarify:

· Applicable regulatory requirements (FDEP, AWWA, etc.)

· Required treatment systems, including filtration and/or chlorination

· Testing and certification requirements

All well systems at Florida National Cemetery are maintained with the State of Florida as public potable water systems. The contractor shall comply with all applicable FDEP regulations governing public potable water systems, including but not limited to FAC Chapter 62-555, NSF/ANSI 61 material compliance, bacteriological clearance testing per AWWA C651, and all associated FDEP permitting and inspection requirements.

RFI 54 – Septic System Design Basis (Two Trailers) Please provide the design criteria for the septic system serving the two trailers, including:

· Number of occupants/users

· Average daily flow

· Fixture count

· Required tank and drain field sizing basis

Duplicate of RFI-10. Refer to RFI-10 response. No additional response provided.

RFI 55 – Tree Clearing Responsibility Please confirm whether the cemetery will perform clearing of trees and vegetation within septic and well work areas, or if this is the responsibility of the contractor.

If contractor responsibility, please define:

· Limits of clearing

· Disposal requirements

The contractor is responsible for clearing all vegetation and debris within the immediate work area for each construction activity and a minimum of 4 feet beyond the work area boundary. All cleared material shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 01 74 19, Construction Waste Management. Clearing shall be coordinated with the COR prior to commencement.

RFI 56 – Septic Engineering & Permitting Requirements Please confirm that the contractor is responsible for:

· Preparation of septic plans and drawings

· Obtaining certifications

· Providing state-stamped engineering documents Also clarify if any existing plans or design criteria will be provided by the Owner.

The contractor is responsible for all engineering, design, permitting, and certification required to install compliant well and septic systems under this contract. This includes preparation of all required plans and drawings, obtaining all necessary state and local permits, and providing stamped engineering documents as required by FDEP or the applicable County Health Department. All permitting fees and engineering costs are included in the contract price as stated in the SOW. No design documents or engineering criteria will be provided by the Government beyond what is included in the solicitation package. All designs require Government review and concurrence prior to submission to regulatory agencies.

RFI 57 – Soil Conditions / Tree Root Impact Please confirm whether any geotechnical data, soil reports, or percolation tests are available.

Additionally, clarify:

· Whether tree root systems are expected to impact installation

· Whether removal of root systems is included in contractor scope

No geotechnical data, soils reports, or percolation tests are available. Refer to RFI-11 response. The contractor is responsible for assessing all site conditions including potential tree root impacts prior to bid submission. Clearing of the immediate work area and 4 feet beyond is included in the contractor's scope per RFI-55 response. Root removal within the defined clearing limits is the contractor's responsibility.

RFI 58 – Concrete Access & Placement Please confirm:

· Whether site access will be cleared for direct concrete truck placement

· Whether contractor should assume use of concrete pump truck

· Responsibility for clearing access paths if required

Concrete placement method is the contractor's means and methods. The contractor shall assess site access conditions during the pre-bid site visit and determine whether direct truck placement or a concrete pump truck is required. No unnecessary site clearing will be performed by the Government or required of the contractor beyond what is needed for the defined work areas. Use of a wheelbarrow or concrete pump truck as needed is within the contractor's professional discretion.

RFI 59 – Brush Clearing for Well 3 Please confirm whether brush and vegetation around Well 3 will be cleared by the cemetery or if this is the contractor’s responsibility.

The contractor is responsible for brush and vegetation clearing around Well 3 within the immediate work area and 4 feet beyond, under the direction of the COR. Refer to RFI-55 response.

RFI 60 – Lightning Protection Requirements Please confirm whether lightning protection systems are required at all wells and clarify:

· Scope of work (new installation vs repair/upgrade)

· Design standards and required components

· Whether grounding system upgrades are required

Lightning protection inspection and all required repairs are included in the SOW scope for the Main Pump House and Well 1 system. The inspection shall include surge protection device testing, grounding and bonding verification, and down conductor resistance testing. Written verification of findings shall be submitted to the Government. All necessary repairs identified during the inspection shall be completed by the contractor at no additional cost to the Government. Lightning protection requirements at Wells 2 and 3 are addressed through the requirement to install a grounding electrode system per NEC Article 250 at each new SIP enclosure as specified in the SOW.

RFI 61 – Maintenance Building Septic Pumps Please confirm requirements for replacement of septic pumps at the maintenance building, including:

· Quantity (assumed 2)

· Pump capacity (assumed 1 HP each)

· Electrical/control requirements

Only the two lift station pumps at the Maintenance Building are required to be replaced as directed in the SOW. The existing lift station controls were recently replaced and are fully operational; no control work is required or included in this scope. Pump specifications shall match or exceed the existing pump capacity and performance. The contractor shall coordinate with the Maintenance Supervisor to obtain existing pump model information for sizing replacement units. Pumps must be compatible with existing controls and operational test performed when installed set to a timer defined by the COR.

RFI 62 – 36-Inch Door Installation at Maintenance Building Please confirm:

· Whether contractor is responsible for demolition of existing wall/opening in cinder block

· Extent of structural modification required

· Whether finishing, framing, and reinforcement are included

The contractor is responsible for all activities required to install the solid wood personnel access door at the Maintenance Building to Office connection. This includes but is not limited to: demolition of the existing wall opening as required, installation of all necessary headers and lintels, structural framing and reinforcement, door hardware keyed to match existing building locks, threshold, fire-rated assembly as required by applicable code, and all finishing inside and out to a complete and professional condition meeting National Shrine Standards.

RFI 63 – Conduit Responsibility for Door Installation Please confirm whether conduit associated with the new door installation is part of the contractor’s scope or will be provided by the cemetery.

The Government is not aware of any conduit work associated with the new door installation at the Maintenance Building. If the contractor encounters conduit or electrical components that require relocation or modification as part of the door installation, the contractor shall coordinate with the COR prior to proceeding.

RFI 64 – Chlorination Requirements Please confirm whether chlorination systems or chlorinated connections are required for the potable well system.

If required, please specify:

·…