Bakersfield Pre-Bid RFIs-1.docx

Pre-Bid RFI’s [Sol. No.36C7862B0029:] – [Bakersfield National Cemetery Expansion]

Question/Clarification

L.11 VAAR 852.223-70 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—SUSTAINABLE ACQUISITION PLAN (SEP 2019) includes requirement to provide a Sustainable Acquisition Plan with our Technical Proposals. Please confirm that both a Technical Proposal and a Sustainable Acquisition Plan is not required with our bid.

RESPONSE: No Sustainable Acquisiition plan required nor is a technical proposal needed. This is only for a bid

Specification section 32 33 00 Site Furnishings, subsection 2.5 Flower Vase Receptacle calls out Victor Stanley Model S-124. Model S-124 is a bench, and not a flower vase receptacle. Please provide the desired Victor Stanley model number for these flower vase receptacles.

RESPONSE: The spec should read Victor Stanley Model S-424 Special Ironsites series. As the spec notes, this is a “customized” receptacle regularly manufactured for VA Cemeteries.

The Cover Sheet (GI001) of the drawings lists "58. CP101 SITE PAVEMENT REPAIR PLAN (BID OPTION 2)", but sheet CP101 is titled with "OPTION 3". Please clarify, is this work Option 2 or 3?

RESPONSE: Pavement repair work is in Bid Option 2.

Keynote 1 on ES101 states, "Provide power for new automated gate opener…" The power is called out to be provided, but please clarify if the gate opener itself is also intended to be provided within this work. If so, please confirm that the new gate opener is to be included within Bid Option 3.

RESPONSE: Electrical work and installation of automated entrance gate opener work is in Bid Option 3.

What are the liquidated damages on this project? Response: No liquidated damages

Flower watering spigot posts are called out as pre-cast throughout the plans (CI501, CI502, etc.), but specification section 04 72 00 Cast Stone Masonry lists these same posts within 1.1 Description as being cast stone. Please clarify, are the flower watering spigot posts pre-cast or cast stone?

RESPONSE: “Pre-cast” & “Cast Stone” are interchangeable terms regarding this element. The flower watering station posts are to be manufactured per specification 04 72 00.

Detail 5/CI511 calls out the post collar to be "cast stone" within the Plan View, but then calls out the post collar to be "concrete" within the Elevation View. Please clarify, are the post collars of the pylon street signs to be precast concrete or cast stone?

RESPONSE: The sign post collars are to be manufactured per specification 04 72 00.

Looking at the legend on the CI136-CI140 sheets, please confirm: "FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT" means replacement of the panel, post, and footing in its entirety, correct?

RESPONSE: Correct, “FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT” includes full removal and disposal of the existing sign, and installation of new signage in accordance with the signage designations identified on sheet CI141 and associated signage details on sheets CI510-CI512 (which includes new footings, posts, panels and collars as appropriate).

On the CI136 - CI140 Site Signage & Furnishings Replacement Key Photos, various wood posts are called out to be replaced as part of "FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT" (#s: 1, 31, 50, 169-172). Please provide desired specs for wood posts; sizes, treatments, finishes, etc.

RESPONSE: “FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT” does not equate to replacement in-kind. Photos of existing signage have been provided for reference purposes only. All signage replacements shall be in accordance with the signage designations identified on sheet CI141 and associated signage details on sheets CI510-CI512 (which typically includes a pre-cast/cast stone post(s)).

On the CI136 - CI140 Site Signage & Furnishings Replacement Key Photos, a steel pipe post is called out to be replaced as part of "FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT" (#: 5). Please provide desired specs for steel pipe post; size, finish, etc.

RESPONSE: “FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT” does not equate to replacement in-kind. Photos of existing signage have been provided for reference purposes only. All signage replacements shall be in accordance with the signage designations identified on sheet CI141 and associated signage details on sheets CI510-CI512 (which typically includes a pre-cast/cast stone post(s)).

On the CI136 - CI140 Site Signage & Furnishings Replacement Key Photos, various wood & vinyl sleeve posts are called out to be replaced as part of "FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT" (#s: 80, 95). Please confirm, these vinyl sleeves and caps are to be replaced in kind, correct?

RESPONSE: “FULL SIGN REPLACEMENT” does not equate to replacement in-kind. Photos of existing signage have been provided for reference purposes only. All signage replacements shall be in accordance with the signage designations identified on sheet CI141 and associated signage details on sheets CI510-CI512 (which typically includes a pre-cast/cast stone post(s)).

CI103 is titled as "(BASE BID)", and has a note for "CEMETARY I.D. SIGN; LITHICHROME LETTERS TO BE REPAINTED", however, C141 lists lithichrome painting as "(BID OPTION3)". Please clarify, is the lithichrome repainting at both the cemetery ID and the honor wall locations to be included in Base Bid, or Bid Option 3?

RESPONSE: Lithichrome repainting at Cemetery ID sign and Honor wall shall be included in the Base Bid.

Specification section 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes, subsection 2.2, A. lists C1, C2, and C3 types of cast-in-place concrete. Only type C1 seems to appear within the plans. Please confirm cast-in-place concrete types C2 and C3 do not occur and are not part of the scope.

RESPONSE: Type C1 is used. Type C2 and C3 are for reference only and not used

Specification section 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes, subsection 2.2, B. lists Unit Masonry. No CMU scope appears within the plans. Please confirm, there is no CMU scope on this project and this portion of the finish schedule does not apply.

RESPONSE: Correct there is no CMU scope on this project and this portion of the finish schedule does not apply.

Specification section 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes, subsection 2.2, B. lists Rinker as the manufacturer for split face and burnished & polished masonry. Rinker no longer makes architectural masonry. Please clarify what manufacturer we are to use.

RESPONSE: CMU split face is not in the project scope and this portion of the finish schedule does not apply.

Specification section 09 06 00 Schedule for Finishes, subsection 2.2, C. lists Stone Facing materials. Please clarify, is this Kasota Valley Limestone material intended to refer to the columbarium stone caps? If not, what does this Stone Facing item pertain to?

RESPONSE: Columbarium caps shall be "Indiana Limestone Company, Empire Quarry, Standard Grade, Buff, Smooth finish" per specification section 04 40 10. Section 09 06 00, Stone Facing material is for reference only and not used.

Specification section 09 06 00, subsection 2.2, C. lists, "Cold Springs Granite, Kasota Valley Limestone, Natural, Honed finish." Specification section 04 40 10, subsection 2.2, A.1.a. lists, "Indiana Limestone Company, Empire Quarry, Standard Grade, Buff, Smooth finish." Please clarify which manufacturer/product is the intended and acceptable manufacturer/product for the limestone columbarium caps.

RESPONSE: Columbarium caps shall be "Indiana Limestone Company, Empire Quarry, Standard Grade, Buff, Smooth finish" per specification section 04 40 10. Section 09 06 00, Stone Facing material is for reference only and not used.

Specification section 04 72 00, subsection 1.7, A.2. states that the manufacturer for cast stone items "must be a member of the Cast Stone Institute." Per the Cast Stone Institute's website, the nearest member is located in Tucson, AZ. Please confirm, is this the intention?

RESPONSE: The requirement to be a member of the Cast Stone Institute is a standard VA requirement to ensure quality control for these elements. Bidders shall account for this requirement in their bids and construction teams.

Specification section 32 33 00 Site Furnishings, subsection 2.5 Flower Vase Receptacle calls out Victor Stanley Model S-124. Model S-124 is a bench, and not a flower vase receptacle. Please provide the desired Victor Stanley model number for these flower vase receptacles.

RESPONSE: The spec should read Victor Stanley Model S-424 Special Ironsites series. As the spec notes, this is a “customized” receptacle regularly manufactured for VA Cemeteries.

The Cover Sheet (GI001) of the drawings lists "58. CP101 SITE PAVEMENT REPAIR PLAN (BID OPTION 2)", but sheet CP101 is titled with "OPTION 3". Please clarify, is this work Option 2 or 3?

RESPONSE: Pavement repair work is in Bid Option 2.

Are we required to submit the Joint Venture Agreement, amendment(s), or certificate of compliance with the proposal? Per FAR 4.102, contractual documents, for the joint venture signature, Please clarify what a-d is referencing.

Correction of Section L Contractors Signature:

(a) Individuals. A contract with an individual shall be signed by that individual. A contract with an individual doing business as a firm shall be signed by that individual, and the signature shall be followed by the individual’s typed, stamped, or printed name and the words ", an individual doing business as _________" [insert name of firm].

(b) Partnerships. A contract with a partnership shall be signed in the partnership name. Before signing for the Government, the contracting officer shall obtain a list of all partners and ensure that the individual(s) signing for the partnership have authority to bind the partnership.

(c) Corporations. A contract with a corporation shall be signed in the corporate name, followed by the word "by" and the signature and title of the person authorized to sign. The contracting officer shall ensure that the person signing for the corporation has authority to bind the corporation.

(d) Joint venturers. A contract with joint venturers may involve any combination of individuals, partnerships, or corporations. The contract shall be signed by each participant in the joint venture in the manner prescribed in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section for each type of participant. When a corporation is participating, the contracting officer shall verify that the corporation is authorized to participate in the joint venture.

(e) Agents. When an agent is to sign the contract, other than as stated in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, the agent’s authorization to bind the principal must be established by evidence satisfactory to the contracting officer.

Construction Management Staffing Requirements Please confirm whether NCI/VA requires: Three separate individuals serving as Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, and Site Safety Officer; Or if dual hat or tri hat staffing is acceptable. If dual hat or tri hat roles are permitted, please specify any limitations or required certifications.

RESPONSE: Dual Hat is acceptable

Will NCI/VA provide temporary construction power and water at no cost to the contractor? If charges apply, please provide the applicable rates or cost structure.

Response: NO

Please identify the power and water connection points available for contractor use. Requesting a site plan or marked drawing showing the exact locations Response: NO power and no water connection point available for contractor use.

Does NCI/VA have an approved on‑site or local material source for soil import/export at the cemetery? If not, should the contractor assume all import/export materials must be sourced from off‑site commercial suppliers?

Response: On-site material within the limits of construction can be used for fill and backfill contingent on submittal of test reports demonstrating the material complies with Specification Section 31 20 00 Paragraph 2.1.B for general fill and 2.1.C for engineered fill. No on-site or local material sources can be approved without demonstration of compliance with specifications by testing provided by the Contractor’s third-party testing lab. The project Geotechnical Report indicates suitable soil (ASTM D2487 Group SC) is present on the site within the limits of construction. Excess satisfactory soil should be placed within the limits of construction in the graded areas south and west of proposed Burial Sections 19 & 20 and north and west of proposed Columbarium Complex D. Waste material, including unsatisfactory soil, trash, and debris, shall be removed and legally disposed of off Cemetery property.

Is the contractor permitted to operate a drone (UAS) for supplemental site investigation and documentation? If allowed, please confirm any restrictions, required approvals, or VA security protocols.

Response There is no approval process but must follow local and state laws. Please review VA regulations as they may change. Certain drones may not be allowed please adhere to federal regulations

Will there be any other chances for subcontractors to visit the site after the GC-mandatory site visit? Will they be able to visit during public open hours?

Response The cemetery open to public, anybody you can walk see around, no NCA employee will walk with the sub.

See attached sign in sheet from the site visit