Tab 16 SIR Attach 10 RFI Responses w Clarifications for 6973GH-23-R-00166.pdf

RFI for 6973GH-23-R-00166 Requirement at Klondike Washington

1. What are the measurements of the footprint we will be able to work within?

Answer: The site dimensions are provided on the drawings. An area can be specified as a staging area in a nearby location that is available, and up to 2500 sq. ft.

2. How long can the radio service be down during the transition?

Answer: Need to ask CBP before work is to be performed. I have seen as long as 48 hours, but they typically request comms be back up within 8 hours. The sooner the better.

3. Will fire protection be required during construction?

Answer: Yes

4. When is anticipated start and end date?

Answer: We would like to start as soon as possible. I know that it may be difficult to get up the mountain in the winter. If we needed to delay some work due to weather conditions, we are not opposed to that.

5. Who is providing new tower, shelter, generator, and LP tank? Is it the contractor's responsibility?

Answer: Contractor’s Responsibility

6. Are there any special inspections required? (land surveying and staking, PIM and sweep testing, etc.)

Answer: Yes, surveying and utility locates will be required, and other information

7. Can we get LP tank specifications?

Answer: 1000 gallon tank is the only requirement.

8. Who is filling LP tank once installed?

Answer: That is up to CBP. They choose the vendor they want.

9. Will this be prevailing wage?

Answer: Yes.

10. Do we need to have an escort every day, to and from site?

Answer: Yes

11. Is 48 hours maximum cutover time?

Answer: Yes

12. Are there any fire control requirements during construction?

Answer: A prevention and control plan needs to be in place. A safety officer needs to be present during high-risk tasks such as welding, electrical work, etc.

13. Do we need to demo existing tower concrete pad? Can we use existing concrete pad for new tower to help lower costs?

Answer: We do not know the structural integrity of the existing pad, a new pad is required.

14. Project control – what are the expectations on management and is there a certain portal for reporting? Daily, weekly, or monthly reporting?

Answer: Daily emails with pictures.

15. Who provides all coax, cable wire, supports and steel?

Answer: Contractor's responsibility.

16. Do you have a specific tower model to use and/or a tower design?

Answer: The requirement is to replace the tower in like and kind.

17. Who is the Contracting Office Representative (COR)

Answer: Will be provided after Award is made.

18. Is there a specific quote form to follow?

Answer: No

19. Is there generator commissioning?

Answer: Yes.

20. Who is providing billing permit? Is it already paid for?

Answer: Contractor's responsibility.

21. Are we providing future tower extension?

Answer: No, that will be a future project.

22. According to the drawings, tower grounding requirements call out cad-welding at height, posing a potential wildfire hazard. Can we install buss bars, in place of the proposed cad-welding on the tower?

Answer: Preferably not, but it can be discussed.

23. Typical ground ring requires solid #2 instead of 4/0 wire. Is 4/0 required for the ground ring and grounding to the tower?

Answer: Yes, we require 4/0.

24. Ground ring - How will tower be grounded? Bend rods? Use plates? Horizontal? Documentation only allows for ¾” Ø 10’ long copper clad ground rods. As we know there is solid rock a few feet below grade, so I would like to know what the requirement is for that? We can bend the rods for more of a horizontal installation, or we could use ground plates. Also, from my experience with lightening protection in rocky soil conditions – it is more than likely not going to be under the 5-ohm requirement.

Typically, we would install lincole XIT chemical rods in bentonite. Has there been a ground resistivity test here so we know?

Answer: The design can be flexible and site specific to meet the target requirement of 5 ohms or less.

25. Site Grounding Plan not specific.

a. What is the grounding requirement for this locations (5 ohms or less)

Answer: 5 ohms or less.

b. Ground Ring Installation (Site area has bed rock at grade)

Answer: What is the question?

i. Can we use chemical ground rods installed Horizontally? Saw cut rock for ground ring installation.

Answer: Yes, the design can be flexible and site specific to achieve the target requirement.

ii. If Saw Cutting what is the backfill requirement

Answer: To be determined.

iii. Drilled Anchor Rods with chemicals installed vertically?

Answer: Yes, this is an option.

iv. Best effort to obtain grounding

Answer: What is the question? Yes seems to be the answer, see previous responses.

26. Site Communications

a. Are we to keep services on air entire time of construction (if so)

Answer: Yes, for as long as possible.

i. Cellular on Wheels (lease area question for temp location) (FAA provided or include in pricing)

Answer: Include in your price proposal.

ii. Fueling of COW included in pricing or FAA provided

Answer: Include in your price proposal.

27. Fencing

a. Drilled Posts holes and Concrete.

Answer: Yes

b. Rock Anchor fence post

Answer: See above

28. Electrical Service

a. FAA to obtain new meter or include in pricing

Answer: Include in pricing.

b. Temp Construction Electrical service for COW? FAA to provide or include in pricing

Answer: Include in pricing.

29. Drawing S100: Are specifications available for the RFS-BA-101-2 & Sinclair S4206-SFBSNM antennas?

If so, please provide.

Answer: Will be provided at a later date, if deemed necessary

30. Will there need to be a temp solution to keep the site online while construction is happening?

Vaughn did say he thought there would need to be.

Answer: Yes.

31. For the two towers, shelter and propane tank we are removing, will there need to be a "dump ticket" requested at the close of the job?

Answer: Yes, disposal receipt(s)

32. The existing generator will not be used in the new shelter, is this to be disposed of and "dump ticket" obtained?

Answer: Yes

33. Are we allowed to do any improvements to the access road to allow for deliveries of equipment and material?

Answer: Temporary measures may be discussed/taken. Road remediation efforts are not included in this SOW though.

34. There is not a fence currently at the site. There is a fence build in our SOW. We will need to know where to install the fence. We will need to know the lease area of the adjacent American Tower site so we do not encroach on their lease space as well. Can there be a survey taken and the lease area steak off?

Answer: Yes

33. With this site having bedrock at 36" below grade(per the design), what grounding is required for the equipment on site(tower, shelter, IB, Propane tank)?

Answer: The equipment grounds need to be tied into the site grounding halo.

34. Is there any specific type or manufacturer of the shelter needed on this site? The CDs call out one maker but they are months out for a shelter build.

Answer: A shelter from a different manufacturer may be procured as long as it meets the requirements

35. Can we install a refurbished shelter?

Answer: CBP to decide

36. Can the spoils dump location be specifically marked?

Answer: To be determined.

37. We will need a day where the site is down to "cut over" the new site when it is ready to be put online. Is this possible?

Answer: Needs to be coordinated with CBP.

38. What testing on the antennas will need to be done for the final install?

Answer: CBP will notify if all comms are up and running.

39. Is there a specific maker of the generator and ATS needed?

Answer: No.

40. What is the timeframe of award?

Answer: Mid September 2023

41. What is the timeframe of construction start and finish?(I am being told the weather can get bad at the end of October through April.)

Answer: We would like to start as soon as possible. I know that it may be difficult to get up the mountain in the winter. If we needed to delay some work due to weather conditions, we are not opposed to that.

42. If weather rolls in, what are our options for pausing and returning after the winter season? If there is a temp solution, the site will remain online.

Answer: We would like to start as soon as possible. I know that it may be difficult to get up the mountain in the winter. If we needed to delay some work due to weather conditions, we are not opposed to that.

43. Will there be a need for FAA/ CBP escort daily while we are on site?

Answer: Yes.

44. What are the feelings of making camp on the site during the week?

Answer: Not possible.

45. If need be, can we use a concrete company out of Canada?(Concrete is pretty far away otherwise).

Answer: Yes.

46. Are we to provide a site survey/stakeout? I don’t see exact coordinates for the tower, shelter, LP tank stated, which makes me assume someone else will be provide the stake out.

Answer: Yes.

47. Along with the question above, I assume we would have to provide a private utility locate? Can you confirm?

Answer: Yes.

48. In the SOW pdf it states all materials are to be procured by the contractor for installation. Those are listed on page 72 of the construction report. Do you have that report? I don’t see it in the pdf’s.

Answer: Final Klondike, WA Specifications.pdf

49. Can you provide a list of Government Furnished Materials? (ex. Antennas & mounts, etc.)

Answer: Yes on award.

50. Can you confirm Permits are not required since it’s a Federal Site?

Answer: No, permits are required.

51. Do you have additional antenna cabling information? (Hookup details, polyphasers, connectors) Spec states 7/8” Foam PE Corrugated, is that applicable to all antennas?

Answer: We do not.

52. Tab+16+SIR+Attach+1+Klondike+SOW+updated, pg 1, 1.0 Scope of Work states that a "liquid propane (LP) generator and tank" are to be provided and installed. Drawing C000, Scope of Work states that a "Back-up generator and natural gas fuel supply" are to be provided and installed. Please clarify.

Answer: The requirement will be for LP generator and tank.

53. Drawing C200 note states that "Contractor shall obtain all required permits and comply with all provisions of the state of Minnesota storm water construction general permit." Please clarify.

Answer: Typo, should say state of Washington.

54. Drawing S000 states that the contractor shall provide a complete set of tower calculations to the owner sealed by an engineer registered in the state of Minnesota. Please clarify.

Answer: Typo, should say state of Washington.

55.Drawing S000 states that the Tower contractor shall be responsible for mounting all antennas, whether new or existing on the completed tower. Please clarify all antennas to be mounted on the tower as well as all leg mounting locations.

Answer: Known antennae for this constructed is currently presented on S100. Contractor will be updated if/when any changes are made to this list.

56. Please provide a list of equipment with mfr/model numbers (or product descriptions) to be relocated and/or installed in the new shelter racks.

Answer: Can be obtained during site survey by contractor.

57. SECTION 26 05 00.00 50: Who is responsible for recommissioning radio functionality?

Answer: Contractor’s responsibility. Can get assistance/direction from OIT.

58. If the contractor is responsible for recommissioning the radios in the new shelter, please provide the manufacturers, model numbers, and all technical specifications for all radios.

Answer: Can be obtained by contractor during site survey.

59. Are the drawings to be provided contractor red-lines or stamped as-builts?

Answer: Stamped as-builts.

60. There appears to be a guy wire from an adjacent tower in very close proximity to the site. Please clarify?

Answer: There are other nearby facilities and towers.

61. Relative to the E101 Drawings Page. Note C says “Pay all utility company charges” – Are we supposed to include pricing in our proposal for the wood pole, meter base, and the primary power that the utility company is installing/hooking up?

Answer: After the utilities have been setup that bill can be passed to us/CBP for payment to the electric company.

62. Relative to the E101 Drawings Page. Note 2 says coordinate with the telco utility company. What company is that and who is their point of contact? Are we to include their pricing in our proposal as well?

Answer: POC will be provided at a later date, after the award. Cost not to be included in the contractor proposal, this will be covered by the gov’t.

63. What size generator is needed? Assumption is 25Kw.

Answer: Yes

64. What voltage does the generator need to be?

Answer: 240

65. For the Shelter, may we substitute a solution for the shelter other than the prefab concrete building? It may be very difficult to get the requested building to the location.

Answer: Fiberglass may be considered depending on the logistics of the prefab concrete transport issue.

To be determined.

66. Can we receive an overlay of the requested equipment location in relation to the new equipment?

Answer: N/A.

67. Will the lease area be surveyed to determine the exact location of the fencing?

Answer: Yes.

68. Is the entire 80’ tower to be purchased and only 60’ installed? Or are only purchasing the bottom 60’?

Answer: Only the bottom 60’.

69. As this property is not controlled, do we need to abide by the specified work hours of 7am to 5pm?

Answer: Yes.

70. Fiberbond has indicated that they are delayed on the shelters for 11 to 15 months due to issues related to the State of Washington. Will we be penalized for the shelter delays as the project is listed as being completed within 6 months of NTP?

Answer: The NTP will not be issued until ready to mobilize on the project and all submittals have been completed and approved.

71. If the shelter and tower cannot be delivered until winter, is it acceptable to start construction once the snow clears? Or will we need to construct during the winter on the mountain top?

Answer: We would like to start as soon as possible. I know that it may be difficult to get up the mountain in the winter. If we needed to delay some work due to weather conditions, I am not opposed to that.

72. Please confirm that contractor is to supply all materials for the project, including shelter, tower, generator, propane tank, feedlines and associated installation material for antenna moves to new tower.

Answer: Correct.

73. Please confirm whether contractor is to fill the propane tank with fuel, or if government will contract this directly to propane supplier.

Answer: Gov’t to contract this to fuel supplier.

74. Please confirm the following as indicated by Von at the site walk:

a. A temporary solution will need to be provided to keep the existing equipment on air during the construction process.

Answer: Yes.

b. GC will need to provide a small COW to transfer the antennas and temporarily relocate the existing shelter / radio equipment.

Answer: Yes.

c. An outage of up to (1) day to transfer the equipment to the COW and then from the COW to the permanent solution is allowed.

Answer: Yes.

75. Will government have the site surveyed and staked prior to construction, or will contractor need to provide this?

Answer: Contractor.

76. Tab+16+SIR+Attach+1+Klondike+SOW+updated references a construction report. Please provide construction report.

Answer: Final Klondike, WA Specifications.pdf

Last Clarifications of RFI’s

1. The responses to Questions 48 & 76 reference “Final Klondike, WA Specifications.pdf” which appears to be a file name. This file does not appear by this name in SAM, nor was it attached to your email. Can you please provide this document?

Answer: The one provided on SAM named Tab 16 SIR Attach 2 Specifications is the same as Final Klondike, WA Specifications.pdf…sorry for any confusion.

2. Can you please confirm the propane tank size? The drawings say 500 gallon, but response on Q&A Question 7 says 1000 gallon.

Answer: 1000 gallons

3. For question 34 asking about the survey. I assume we will be given documents for the survey company to determine where CBPs lease area is actually located if we are awarded. Is this correct?

Answer: vendor will set up site survey, so yes, they will get the documents needed

4. For question 35 asking about the refurbished shelter, this is needed to be known, the cost is different as well as “ready date”.

Answer: no, we will need a new shelter

5. For question 48 on what material contractors are providing, I do not see the called out document in SAMS from the answer. Answer: Final Klondike, WA Specifications.pdf?

Answer: See Clarification Number 1, the document has already been provided.