Tomochichi CMc Questions and Answers 10.07.2020.pdf

Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) Contract for:

Alteration of the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 125 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401

Questions and Answers- Solicitation # 47PF0020R0071

1. Q. would you consider changing the minimum requirement for a “similar” project to one (1)? Renovation of historic projects both commercial and governmental are rare outside of certain urban areas of the country.

A. See answer to question # 5.

2. Q. RFP section II.A Proposal Contents includes six (6) specific items. Item 4 List of items included within the offeror's home office overhead and Item 5 Subcontracting Plan are not noted among the submission requirements under II.C Price Proposal, II.D Technical Proposal, or II.E Other Information. Please confirm (or provide alternative direction) the following:

a. Item 4 List of items included within the offeror's home office overhead is to be included as part of the disclosure information provided in II.E Other Information per FAR 52.230-1.

b. Item 5 Subcontracting Plan is to be included as part of II.E Other Information

A. Yes. Items 4 and 5 of the Solicitation section II.A may be submitted as part of

Solicitation section II.E Other information. They may also be submitted as stand alone documents.

3. Q. A PPQ form is provided with the RFP. The is significantly different from other PBS Past Performance Questionnaires that are being used across GSA on other recent solicitations. Will the Government consider allowing offerors to utilize the PBS Past Performance Questionnaire (attached for reference) in lieu of the form provided with the RFP?

A. No. Please review Factor # 4, Past Performance in Providing Design Assist Phase Services and Construction Phase Services on Similar Projects in the Solicitation. No. Please have your references complete the Past Performance Questionnaire supplied with the Solicitation packet. “The Offeror must coordinate the submittal of a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (included in the solicitation as an Attachment, to be completed by the applicable client, for each project included in its proposal for Factor 1, Past Experience. The client must submit the questionnaire directly to the Government's point of contact, via email at helen.dimonte@gsa.gov & daniel.ramirez@gsa.gov prior to proposal closing date. Ensure correct phone numbers and email addresses are provided for the client point of contact.

Offerors should follow-up with clients/references to ensure timely submittal of questionnaires.

The Offeror should complete and submit with the proposal a list of the references tasked with submitting the PPQ to the government, with contact information for each supplied reference.”

4. Q. RFP section VI.A Factor 1 Experience in Providing Design Assist and Construction Phase Services on Similar Projects. A “similar” project is currently stipulated by the RFP as having construction cost “ between $50 million and $60 million .” The construction cost range, limited to a $10 million window, is very restrictive, and may limit competition. Will the Government consider adopting parameters more aligned with other, recent Region 4 GSA solicitations? For example: 1) similar projects include those that have a minimum project cost of 75% of the Government’s cost range; 2) 100% Design Phase completion and 65% Construction Phase completion. An example of another active solicitation including a historic US Courthouse with Repair and Alteration work within Region 4 GSA is referenced in the following link:

https://beta.sam.gov/opp/8179e3b007944a12b87bbbbfda0a8d74/view?keywords=%22alton% 20lennon%22&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1 (see also attached solicitation page 9 of 34 of the solicitation / 75 of 121 of the overall PDF document) . Please consider adjusting the minimum threshold for similar project to be $40 million as this value represents a significant construction effort, remove the upper limit from the cost threshold, allow for 100% Design Phase and 70% Construction Phase completion and this adjustment in order to increase competition without detrimental impact on the selection process.

The requirements for “similar” projects under evaluation Factor 1 are updated as follows:

A. The previous minimum of two (2), but no more than five (5), similar historic projects is updated to one (1) but no more than five (5) similar historic projects as defined in that section of the Solicitation. Submitting more than one (1) similar project will be evaluated more favorably.

B. Projects submitted as “similar” must be at least 80% constructed, instead of the previous 100% completed requirement.

C. Year limitation - “similar” projects submitted may have been completed within the past ten (10) years, as opposed to the previous requirement of completed within six (6) years.

D. “Similar” projects with construction costs over $40M may be submitted, as opposed to the previous requirement of between $50M to $60M.

The requirements for Evaluation Factor # 4 are updated as follows:

A. The Offeror shall provide references (a person or persons who may be contacted regarding the quality of the Offeror’s past performance) for the projects submitted under evaluation factor number 1, Past Experience, which were comparable projects substantially completed within the last ten (10) years , as opposed to the previously required six (6) years.

5. Q. There is no mention in the drawings or design narrative about sprayed insulation. Please either (1) confirm that this scope is not required; or (2) provide details for pricing.

A. The scope is not required.

6. Q. There is no mention in the drawings or design narrative about spray-applied or intumescent fireproofing. Please either (1) confirm that this scope is not required; or (2) provide details for pricing.

A. All new work/building additions shall be Type IIA construction. Provide as a separate line item to carry in the GMP proposal an allowance of $100,000 for cementitious fireproofing of existing building components to Type IIA protected construction IAW the International Building Code. Also provide a Unit Price for cementitious fireproofing required for 1- hour protection material and installation to cover a 100 square foot area.

7. Q.The structural 1st floor plan (S101) does not show any modifications to the loading dock area for the covered judges and USMS parking areas. Please confirm that structural improvements according to the parking configuration shown on A101 should be priced as part of the ECW.

A. There is no structural modification required in the loading dock area. The raised section of the existing loading dock is being removed to provide more depth and there will be a new slab on grade. (LHC)

8. Q. Please confirm that there are no access flooring requirements for this project.

A. There is no access flooring requirement for the well of the courtrooms.

9. Q. Please confirm that there is not an asbestos survey. If not, is there any general guidance that can be provided to help offerors establish a responsible budget for this scope of work (e.g.

an established allowance value)?

A. We will provide the limited hazardous materials report as an appendix. There has been an established allowance for hazardous material removal in the Division 1 specifications provided.

10. Q. Go/no-go Requirements (page 26). CAS disclosures are required in accordance with FAR 52.230-1, Cost Accounting Standards Notice and Certifications and FAR 52.230-7. Please confirm the disclosures are to be provided in concert with Federal Acquisition Regulations FAR 52.230-1 Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certification (Jun 2020).

A. Yes, as specified in section II.E of the Solicitation, as well as in page 26 of the document as go/no-go requirements, - “The Offeror must submit all disclosures in accordance with FAR 52.230-1, Cost Accounting Standards Notice and Certifications and FAR 52.230-7, Proposal Disclosure – Cost Accounting Practice Changes.”

11. Q. General Contract Clauses inquiry. There is another historic US Courthouse in procurement within GSA Region 4 where the Agreement includes provisions of the FAR not specifically included in this procurement. The procurement Agreement documents were recently updated to reflect many clauses affected by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 and also addressing new provisions related to Covered Equipment within FAR 52.204- 26 and 52.204-25. A copy of the recent updated (red text indicates modified text) is attached for reference. Will any of the clauses and/or updates included within the attached reference document be included within this solicitation and agreement?

A. All appropriate Section 889 clauses are included in the Agreement, Representations and Certifications, and or as part of the latest SAM registration requirements.

Review section IV. B. 17 of the Agreement.

12. Q. Please confirm the Government intends to issue a firm-fixed price contract for Design Phase Services as the basis of award.

A. Yes. The Base portion of the contract will be awarded at a FFP. Please review the Solicitation Pricing Sheet (1442 Attachment) for the contract cost structure.

13. Q. Please confirm performance and payment bonds (1442, box 12a) are not required on response to the solicitation, but are required if the Government exercises the Construction Option.

A. Review section III.I of the Agreement. Performance and Payment Bonds. “The Contractor shall furnish required performance and payment bonds within 14 days of exercise of the GMP Option.”

14. Q. Please confirm that an offer guarantee (1442, box 13 b.) “is not required” in response to the solicitation.

A. Per FAR 28.101-2 & 52.228-1, a Bid Bond is required. The value is to be 20% of the Bid, or $3M, whichever is less.

15. Q. Please confirm the CMc is responsible for the infrastructure for Telecommunications, Data, Audio/Visual and other non-security related low voltage systems and that the costs for the infrastructure for these systems is included in the maximum budget amount.

A. To clarify: The US Courts Audio/Visual portion of the contract, wiring and equipment are outside the GMP and will be defined and handled as a contract modification at the appropriate time.

The US Courts Tele/Data wire and equipment is outside the GMP and will be handled as a contract modification at the appropriate time.

The USMS audio/visual wiring and equipment is outside the GMP and may be handled as a contract modification at the appropriate time.

All infrastructure, low voltage wiring and tele/data terminations unless otherwise noted above are within the GMP and scope of services.

16. Q.Section 012100 – Allowances lists a $500,000 allowance in part 3.3-C for “interior and exterior demolition as part of project funding for hazardous material abatement.” Please confirm that this allowance is only for hazardous material abatement and does not include any demolition Work.

A. This allowance is for hazardous material abatement only and not for general demolition.

17. Q.Page 7 of the Design Narrative calls for stairs and a lift to connect the Judges parking to the first floor level, but this is not shown on A101. Please confirm that the stairs and lift are required within the Judges Parking space.

A. Drawing A101 shows stairs and lift in the alcove from the Judges parking area.

18. Q. Page 16 of the Design Narrative lists all marble cleaning and repairs as a bullet-point sub-set under tower repairs. Is the scope of marble cleaning and repairs limited to the tower, or should we anticipate cleaning and repairs to the marble at all locations/elevations around the Building?

A. The design Narrative is correct.

19.Q. Page 17 of the Design Narrative calls for anchoring of the new storm windows to the existing frames but suggests alterations to the existing frames/trim if they are not sufficient to meet force protection requirements (which would have a significant impact on the project budget). For pricing purposes, please clarify the scope of work offerors should anticipate for anchoring new storm windows at existing window frames/openings.

A. The 1898 - south wing inset balcony wall and windows areas will require additional structural reinforcing for blast - See answer to RFI 23. For the remainder of the building there are a range of existing window conditions that need field verification and development of attachment details. For the purposes of pricing, please provide a unit cost to reinforce one window as follows:

1. Remove the interior window casing.

2. Channel out the plaster and terra-cotta interior facing - the exterior walls typically have 4” thick terra-cotta tile interior partition/furring.

3. Install a 3” x 4” x 3/16” HSS steel tube (assume 12’ long HSS tubes as typical) on either side of the window jamb that extends from the floor to approximately 24” above the window head. Fasten to the interior face of masonry below and above the window with three (six total including 3-top and 3-bottom) with 3/8” adhesive anchors and a minimum 8” imbed.

4. Install wire lath and 3 coat gypsum plaster to patch the channel areas.

5. Reinstall the jamb casing

5. Install the interior storms - fastened to the HSS frames through the plaster.

(LHC)

20. Q.Page 17 of the Design Narrative says the following about the new storm windows: “USMS is evaluating the sight lines to determine if additional chambers require the same level of protection (UL Level 3 ballistic) and will provide guidance in the future.” Please advise if we should price windows at any locations other than 1 st FL Judges Chambers as Level 3 ballistic.

A. The price proposal should only include the ballistic windows in the first floor chamber.

21. Q. The Courtroom Waiting section (DN page 29) calls for 2’ GFRG crown/frieze. Is this only at the new 2 nd FL waiting room, or do the Courtroom Waiting areas at all 3 floors require new crown/frieze?

A. Second floor only. Existing crown/frieze in first floor and third floor are to be preserved and retained. (LHC)

22. Q.Please confirm that the exterior portion of the south open stair will remain open-air (and that the 2-hour enclosure mentioned on page 36 of the Design Narrative is only referring to the interior partitions enclosing this stair).

A. Exterior stair is to be retained open air. And only the interior stair is being enclosed.

23. Q. Sections 6.0 (page 42) and 7.0 (page 44) of the Design Narrative call for new light-gauge metal studs with tube steel frames behind existing exterior balcony walls spanning from floor to floor to provide blast resistance at the recessed balconies.

a. Please confirm that the only locations requiring this scope are: the (2) balcony sections at the east elevation, the (4) balcony sections at the south elevation, and the (2) balcony sections at the light court on the 2 nd &; 3 rd floors.

A. The 1898 - south wing inset balcony areas are single wythe back up masonry and will require additional structural reinforcing for blast. Additional wall reinforcing for other areas of the masonry exterior walls is not anticipated. (LHC)

24.Q. Section II of the Statement of Work notes CMc Key Team Members. This list makes note of a “registered fire protection engineer”, among other Major Consultants. The CMc does not have design responsibility. With this being the case, does the Government expect the CMc team to provide a registered fire protection engineer?

A. The trade partner for fire annunciation and suppression will be required to have an RFPE as a member of their team.

25. Q. The submission requirements in RFP section II.C Price Proposal indicates “the Price Proposal shall consist of the SF 1442 and Agreement…” Does the Government wish for offerors to include the full 67-page Agreement in the Price Proposal?

A. No. This was an error. The Agreement does not need to be submitted with the Price Proposal. The original text is replaced with the below:

II.C. Price Proposal

(1) Contents The Price Proposal shall consist of the SF 1442 and the Agreement and attached Price Form, with prices and/or rates indicated for each price element shown on the pricing form included in Section II of the Agreement. Indicate the Base Contract Price, or if no such distinction is made, the Contract Price, in Block 17 of the SF 1442, which must be fully executed by the Offeror.

26. Q.The Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) are 4 pages. Do the PPQs count against the 60-page limit for the Technical Proposal? Typically, PPQs are excluded from page counts in GSA RFPs.

A. PPQs are to be excluded from the 60 digital page limitation.

27. Q. Please confirm if Past Performance documents are excluded from the overall page limit (with up to 5 projects and multiple pages encompassing some past performance documents, the page count can quickly grow for this section)?

A. See answer to Question #26.

28. Q. Are Offerors required to provide a Bid Bond (SF 24) with their responses (the SF 24 was provided as an attachment to the solicitation documents)? If so, which section should it be included in (Other Documents As Required or Price Proposal)?

A. See answer to question # 14. Additionally, The Bid Bond may be submitted as part of Solicitation section II.E Other information. It may also be submitted as a stand alone document.

29. Q. If Offerors are required to provide a Bid Bond (SF 24) with their responses what scope of work does the Bid Bond cover? Just the Design Phase Services cost? Or the ECW also?

A. See FAR 28.101-2 & 52.228-1. The entire price proposal should be covered by the bid, up to 20% of the bid value, or $3M, whichever is less.

30. Q. Please confirm if 11x17 pages can be used to depict charts/graphics/etc. and whether they count as a single page.

A. Digital pages submitted with the proposal must be 8 ½ x 11, up to the 60 digital page limitation. Since the table of contents, charts, exhibits, resumes and PPQ’s are excluded from the 60 page limitation, they may be larger than 8 ½ x 11.

31. Q. What are the submission requirements for item 4. List of items included within the offeror’s home office overhead under Section II. Proposals, II.A. Proposal Contents?

A. The requirement is for a detailed breakdown of the offeror’s home office overhead costs.

32. Q. Please confirm if item 5. Subcontracting Plan is to be submitted as part of the “Other Documents As Required” submission.

A. See the answer to question # 2.

33. Q. Where might we obtain a copy of the Hazardous Materials Report?

A. See answer to question # 9.

34. Q. Are Offerors required to provide names/resumes for all individuals listed under this section within the Factor 2 Management Approach (Staffing Plan) and Factor 3 Qualifications of Key Personnel?

A. No, resumes are not required for Factor # 2. However, resumes are required for the Key Personnel submitted for Factor # 3. Please read the description of that section carefully.

35. Q. The Agreement states if the GMP Option is exercised, the work must be completed in 913 calendar days of receiving Notice to Proceed for Construction Phase Services. The SF 1442 states work must be completed within 913 calendar days from Notice to Proceed as well, but does the SF 1442 period of performance start upon Notice to Proceed for Design Phase services since that is the scope initially being awarded? Assuming the Construction Phase Services period of performance is 913 calendar days as stated in the Agreement, can you please clarify/confirm the period of performance durations for the Design Phase services?

A. The design period is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.The construction period (of 913 calendar days) will start counting from issuance of the construction Full Notice to Proceed as specified in Section I.C. of the Agreement.

36. Q. Section IV lists the AE SOW as a referenced document. Please provide this document.

B. This document will only be provided upon request to the successful offeror. This document is not required for pricing submission.

37. Q. Section IV lists the Pre-Renovation Survey as a referenced document. Please provide this document

A. This document will be provided as an attachment via amendment.

38. Q. Section IV lists the CMa/CxA SOW as a referenced document. Please provide this document.

A. This document will only be provided upon request to the successful offeror. This

39. Q. TOC lists Appendix B - Design Phase Tests. Please provide this document

A. This document will only be provided upon request to the successful offeror. This

40. Q. TOC lists Appendix I -Energy Model Calculations. Please provide this document.

A. This document will only be provided upon request to the successful offeror. This

41. Q. TOC lists Appendix K - Final Concept Design Cost Estimate. Please provide this document.

A. This reference will be removed from TOC. This document will not be made available to offerors.

42. Q. Please provide the A/E Design Schedule thru 75% CD's.

A. This document will be provided as an attachment via amendment.

The schedule highlights are as follows:

DD Submission: January 13, 2021 65% Submission: May 17, 2021 95% Submission: August 25, 2021 100% Submission: November 29, 2021

43. Q. Please provide the proposed Tenant Move Out schedule/Phasing Plan.

A. The Swing Space location becomes available for buildout Nov 29, 2020 when the Social Security Administration vacates the building. Documents for the Courts & USMS buildout are in progress. The expectation is for the buildout to be completed by May 1, 2021 and at that time the Courts & USMS will move vacating the building. This will be seven months prior to the 100% CDs being completed by the Tomochichi Design team.

This would create an opportunity to do some limited work in the Tomochichi under a limited NTP.

44. Q. Please provide a structural framing plan for the new in-fill addition between the North & South wings.

A. Exact framing and sizing has not been developed at this concept stage.

45. Q. Reference is made to a BPE Report, dated Feb 6, 2020, for the renovation and reconstruction of the Tower. Please provide this report.

B. This document will be provided as an attachment via amendment.

46. Q. Reference is made to a window survey that was completed in June 2020. Please provide this survey.

C. This document will only be provided upon request to the successful offeror. This

47. Q. Statement is made as follows: "interior storm windows will be laminated and anchored to the existing frames if they are found to be sufficient to meet force protection requirements."

Should the referenced window survey not provide this information, please provide direction on how to proceed with pricing these new windows.

A. Refer to the answer to RFI 19 (LHC).

48.Q. Agreement, III.K. Administrative Matters, (5) Security Clearances. With the understanding that the current tenants are relocating from the building and the project will not be occupied by the Government for the majority of the Construction Phase, please confirm that only personnel performing work within the building after occupancy by the Government and/or those persons who are required to have PIV credential for GSA network access are required to complete security clearance submittals and obtain an HSPD-12 / EOD determination during the performance of the work.

A. No security clearances are required for working on a vacant building. Security clearances would be required for an occupied building.

49. Q.Please provide a list of anticipated Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), Contractor Installed items as well any Owner required dumpster / haul services anticipated to be provided by and/or managed by CMc under the scope of work. If not yet available, please provide an allowance value acceptable to the Government to carry for this scope of services.

A. There is nothing anticipated outside the items indicated in the documents.

50.Q. We observe requirements for certain virtual mock-ups in the SOW. Given the building will include new courts space, are any site line and/or quality control mock-ups required to be performed by CMc as part of its services in Design and/or Construction Phases (if this will be determined later, please advise)?

A. There will be physical mockups required for courtroom, color selection, finishes and millwork. Exact requirements to be determined. Costs for mockups are inside the scope of the GMP.

51.Q. II.B. Contract Price Form and CMc Pricing Sheet (attachment to SF 1442). Please provide the anticipated number of cycles of Design Phase services for this scope of work (e.g. one cycle for Design Development, once cycle for 65%/75% Construction Documents, one cycle for GMP and a final reconciliation of documents).

A. See question # 42 for design submissions.

52. Q.II.B. Contract Price Form and CMc Pricing Sheet (attachment to SF 1442). The current Price Form and CMc Pricing Sheet outlines the following pricing items:

● 1) Base – Design Phase Services (Firm- Fixed Price);

● 2) Option 1 – Estimated Cost of Work (ECW);

● 3) Option 1 – CMc Contingency Allowance (CCA) Percentage [fixed at 3% by the

Government;

● 4) Option 1 – CCA Dollar Value (2x3);

● 5) Option 1 – Fee Percentage as a percent (%);

● 6) Option 1 – Fee as a Dollar value (2x5);

● 7) Option 1 – GMP for Construction Services (2+4+6) and8) Total Evaluated Price (1+7).

Prior GSA CMc procurements (including those within GSA Region 4) have included the following, additional cost proposal elements:

● 1) Proposed Overhead Rate for;

● 2) proposed Profit Rate for Changes [Additive];

● 3) Changes proposed daily rates for the CMc Contractor (in the event of a compensable adjustment to the time for performance). - Including the items above in addition to those already noted on the pricing form gives the offeror more flexibility to offer best value to the Government with the initial offer. Will the Government consider adding these items to the pricing form for this solicitation?

A. A revised pricing sheet will be incorporated via amendment. Proposed Overhead Rate and proposed Profit Rate on contract changes are requested. Please review the Tomochichi CMc Pricing Sheet (Attachment to SF1442) - Final R1.

53.Q. Please provide the Government’s anticipated dates for issuance of the various design submittals? This would assist offerors in preparing their proposals and more accurately projecting costs for design phase Services.

A. See question 42 for design submittal schedule.

54.Q. SD105 calls for disassembly of the existing tower structure and façade to 1’ below the 7th floor level, but S105 does not show a new slab/structure at the 7th floor level. Is the intent to disassemble and rebuild the structure from the top down to 1’ below the 7th floor level (approx.

elevation 83’-3”), or from the top down to 1’ below the 8th floor level (approx. elevation 104’-3”)?

A. The 7th floor floor structure is scheduled to remain and the extent of disassembly anticipated at this time is illustrated on Sheet D302, which is approximately 4 feet below the 8th floor level. (LHC)

55. Q.S104 notes that the shear walls at the new southwest stair shaft stop at the 4th floor level.

Please confirm that these shear walls do not extend up beyond the 4th floor level to the roof structure and that the existing masonry walls at this location are to remain.

A. With the exception of the new elevators which serve the fourth level, none of the shear walls extend above the fourth floor - floor structure elevation. (LHC)

56.Q. S104 notes the 6 locations of new 12” shear walls along the south (1899) wing as stopping at the 4th floor level. Please confirm that these shear walls do not extent up beyond the 4th floor level to the roof structure.

A. See answer to RFI 55. (LHC)