Answers to Questions 3.pdf

1. Technical Qualifications — May the prime demonstrate specialized athletic hardwood floor refinishing capability through a qualified subcontractor? Are any minimum experience, certification, or manufacturer-authorization requirements applicable beyond those stated in the PWS?

ANSWER: Yes. The prime contractor may use a qualified subcontractor provided the prime contractor remains responsible for contract performance and the completed work complies with all PWS and acceptance requirements. The solicitation does not impose minimum experience years, certifications, or manufacturer-authorization requirements beyond the PWS requirement to provide qualified and experienced personnel, use commercial-grade athletic-floor finishes, and comply with applicable manufacturer recommendations and PWS requirements

2. Limitations on Subcontracting — Does FAR 52.219-14 apply to this 100% small-business set-aside? If so, is the work classified as services or construction for calculating the limitation, and how are similarly situated small-business subcontractors treated?

ANSWER: Clause 52.219-14 applies. The work is classified as services. No construction will be involved. Clauses section in solicitation document updated.

3. Labor Classification — Is this acquisition classified as services or construction/alteration/repair? Do SCLS or Davis-Bacon requirements apply, and what wage determination and clauses govern?

ANSWER: The work is classified as services. The current solicitation does not identify this acquisition as subject to SCLS or Davis-Bacon requirements and does not incorporate an associated wage determination or labor-standards clause. The requirement is described as hardwood-floor refinishing services under NAICS 238330.

4. Bonding and Payment Protection — Are bid, performance, or payment bonds, alternative payment protection, or other surety instruments required? If so, specify amounts and deadlines.

ANSWER: No bid bond, performance bond, payment bond, alternative payment protection, or other surety instrument is required under the current solicitation.

Accordingly, no bond amount or bond-submission deadline applies.

5. Insurance — What coverages, limits, endorsements, and certificate submission deadlines apply, including general liability, workers compensation, employers liability, and auto liability?

ANSWER: There are no specific insurance coverages, limits, endorsements, or certificate-of-insurance submission deadlines. Contractors remain responsible for maintaining any insurance required by applicable federal, state, or local law and for complying with the PWS safety, hazardous-material, and environmental requirements.

6. Scheduling Deadlines — Which deadline controls between PWS 5.2 coordination at least 10 business days ahead and PWS 6.0 schedule submission within 10 days before work?

ANSWER: PWS section 5.2 controls. The contractor shall coordinate the proposed work with the COR and submit the required work-schedule information at least 10 business days before the proposed start date. The PWS section 6.0 reference to ‘within 10 days prior to starting any work’ will be clarified to read ‘at least 10 business days before starting work.

7. Invoicing — May the contractor invoice following acceptance of each individual scheduled refinishing service? What supporting documentation is required?

ANSWER: Yes. The contractor may submit an invoice through IPP following completion and Government acceptance of each scheduled, authorized refinishing service, unless otherwise directed by the Contracting OƯicer. Each invoice must comply with FAR 32.905(b), the contract payment clause, and IPP requirements. For optional additional-floor work, the invoice must identify the written authorization, applicable CLIN and unit price, and actual square footage accepted by the Government. The Government may request reasonable supporting documentation necessary to verify completion and acceptance

8. Technical Submission — Is a separate technical narrative, methodology, qualifications, product data, quality plan, or subcontractor commitment required? If so, what formats and page limits apply?

ANSWER: The Government intends to award without discussions. Therefore, oƯerors should submit their best terms from both a price and technical standpoint in their initial quote. The solicitation does not require a separate technical narrative, methodology, qualifications package, quality plan, product-data package, or subcontractor commitment letter. OƯerors may include additional technical information necessary to demonstrate compliance with the solicitation requirements.

9. Representations — Which representations or disclosures must accompany the quote versus being satisfied in SAM? Please clarify the apparent FAR 52.212-3 description discrepancy in the provisions listing.

ANSWER: FAR 52.212-3 has been removed from the FAR under the FAR Overhaul.

Accordingly, the reference to FAR 52.212-3 in the solicitation provisions listing is inapplicable and will be removed by amendment. Quoters must maintain an active SAM registration and complete any applicable representations and certifications required through SAM. The solicitation’s required cover sheet information and acknowledgment of the solicitation and all amendments must still accompany the quote.

10. Site Visit, Validity, and Volumes — What proof of mandatory site visit attendance must accompany the quote? Is there a minimum quote validity period, and must technical and pricing volumes be separate?

ANSWER: Site-visit attendance is mandatory and must be completed by November 12, 2026. The solicitation does not currently require a particular attendance document to accompany the quote; the Government will verify attendance through its technical representative site-visit records.

11. Access to the Facility says that personnel are required to have a “real” ID (Driver’s License) with the star. For the sake of visiting the site Thursday to conduct a field evaluation, I have confirmed that providing a passport with license would suƯice. Is this also an acceptable means of Identification for installers sent to the site or will they be required to have a Real ID with no exception? PWS 7.2 mentions Contractors should be able to present a REAL ID and/or driver’s license.

ANSWER: Yes, anyone coming onto the United States Coast Guard Academy for any reason must have/be able to present a real ID and/or driver’s license.

12. Existing Coatings — If known, what are the existing coating manufacturer, chemistry, and last refinishing dates? Are specific coating systems, minimum coats, or certifications required?

ANSWER: The existing coating is understood to be oil-based. The manufacturer, specific chemistry, and prior refinishing dates are unknown.

13. Optional Floor Sanding — Does the Q&A screen-and-recoat clarification apply to optional additional flooring under PWS 4.0? If full sanding might be required, how should bidders price the single per-square-foot rate?

ANSWER: No. The screen-and-recoat clarification does not apply to the optional additional flooring under PWS Section 4.0. OƯerors shall price the optional CLIN as a firm-fixed per-square-foot rate for full hardwood floor refinishing, including required sanding, preparation, finish application, protection, cleanup, labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and all other associated costs.

14. Court Markings — Must base CLINs include line, logo, or graphic repainting/restoration? If so, what extent and diagrams are available?

ANSWER: Base CLINs shall include protection of existing court markings during refinishing. Repainting or restoration will be required only if markings are damaged during performance. Contractors shall not sand to a depth that compromises existing court markings or the hardwood floor’s integrity. Existing marking layouts and diagrams can be provided if needed.

15. Minor Repairs — Which minor repairs are included in the fixed-price base work? Will out-of-scope repairs require separate written authorization and pricing approval?

ANSWER: No minor repairs are included in the fixed-price base work, except repairs required to correct damage caused by the Contractor during performance. Any other repairs are outside the base scope and require separate written Government authorization and pricing approval through a task order before work begins.

16. Electrical and Environmental Controls — What power voltage, amperage, phase and outlets are available, if known? May contractor-provided ventilation or dehumidification be used?

ANSWER: Electrical service details, including available voltage, amperage, phase, and outlet configurations, will be available for contractor review during the required site visit. Contractor-provided dehumidification is not permitted. Any proposed ventilation measures must be coordinated with and approved by the COR before use.

17. Work Windows — Are there seasonal or athletic-event restrictions, anticipated closure durations, or limits on evening/weekend/holiday work?

ANSWER: Yes. Seasonal, athletic-event, facility closure, and any limits on evening, weekend, or holiday work will be coordinated with the successful contractor after award. The contractor must coordinate the work schedule with the COR to minimize disruption to Academy operations.

18. Inspection Clause — Is FAR 52.246-2 intentionally included for this services requirement? Are additional objective acceptance tests required beyond the PWS?

ANSWER: No additional objective acceptance tests are required beyond the inspection and acceptance requirements in the PWS and solicitation.

19. RFI #5’s answer indicates you have suƯicient power requirement for our machinery.

Would we be required to hook-up our equipment to your power, or will you have an electrician on site to hook-up and unplug our equipment to your system?

Additionally, how far away from the working areas is the power box located?

ANSWER: Electrical service is available through standard 110-volt outlets.

Contractors are responsible for reviewing outlet locations, access, and suitability for their equipment during the required site visit. No electrician support or special equipment hook-up is anticipated.

20. PWS section 3.10.1 does not specify whether the athletic hardwood floor finish should be waterbased or oil-based. Oil based finish generally has a longer dry/cure time with a heavier odor/ Higher VOC rating, vs. waterborne finish which has both a faster dry/cure time and strict Low VOC rating/odor. To ensure we are pricing consistently among oƯerors while meeting your expectations, Is there a specific finish type that is desired, or is the finish type at the OƯeror’s discretion?

ANSWER: The existing floor finish is oil-based. OƯerors shall propose an oil-based, commercial-grade athletic hardwood floor finish compatible with the existing coating system and suitable for indoor basketball court use. The finish shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements, including recommended drying and curing times.