Attachment_1_to_Amendment_No._1_to_RFP_72044019R00004__-_USAID_First_Interim_Measures_for_Dioxin_Remediation_at_Bien_Hoa_Airbase_Area.DOC.pdf

Attachment No. 1 Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase

Questions Received Pertaining to RFP No. 72044019R00004 and Corresponding USAID Answers:

1. C5.1.1.2 Mobilization Plan We understand that the prime contract has been awarded for this project. Have they performed any security improvements and if so, will the IM contractor be able to avail from them?

USAID: The A&E contract has been awarded; however, there are no security arrangements at this time. The GVN has installed fencing, constructed a gate accessing the Pacer Ivy area from the outside of the airbase, and made improvements to select roadways within the project work area as summarized on Attachment J2. Offerors who are invited for Phase two proposal submission will have the opportunity to view the improvements during the site walk.

2. C5.1.1.2 Health and Safety Plan Does USAID or the prime have a list of local physicians and a blood monitoring lab that have been identified from prior work? Also, can USAID make the site-wide HASP available now?

USAID: No and no.

3. C5.1.1.2 Sampling and Analysis Plan/Quality Control Project Plan Can USAID make the SAP/QAPP available now?

USAID: No.

4. C5.1.1.3 Design Requirements Can USAID indicate whether there is a gate currently operating at the edge of PI, where the haul road is indicated? If there is a gate, is it currently under the control of Viet Nam Air Force (VAF) or the A&E contractor, or should we budget for guards?

USAID: There is a gate into the Pacer Ivy area and is the anticipated primary entrance to be used by the IM1 contractor. See also response to Question No. 1.

5. C5.1.1.3 Design Requirements Figure 2-1 Areas of known & potential Dioxin contamination from the EIA seems to indicate that the DU may be partially contaminated? Can you please confirm or deny this?

USAID: It is unclear which DU you are referring to from your question. Available data for the DUs included in the IM1 SOW is presented in the 2016 EA. The data in the 2016 EA suggest that DUs are not uniformly contaminated.

6. C5.1.1.5 Existing Conditions Can USAID estimate the length of time it will take for GVN to clear staff for routine entry to the base? Would you anticipate that it will take longer for expatriates to gain clearance and if so how much longer?

USAID: GVN typically requires a minimum of 10 working days to process requests for access to the airbase.

7. C5.1.1.6 Subcontractor licenses Can USAID please confirm that the IM1 prime does not need to hold the licenses discussed in this section?

USAID: Not necessarily. The RFP has been amended.

8. C5.1.2.3 Requirements; Mobilization… We understand that there are or may be unexploded ordnance in the area. Can USAID provide documentation that UXO clearance has been performed in this area or should its removal to be included in this work?

USAID: The GVN will provide UXO clearance in advance of the contractor’s intrusive work.

9. C5.1.2.3 Requirements; Mobilization… Does USAID anticipate a requirement to sample this plant material?

USAID: The contractor is required to comply with all standards and requirements in the contract, which covers this issue.

Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase

10. C5.1.2.3 Requirements; Excavation… We noted that the total volume in the table and the volume provided in this section do not match. Please indicate which to use. We also are unclear on the 80 percent value USAID provides.

Please clarify the 80 percent calculation.

USAID: We have corrected the discrepancy in the amended RFP. The 80 percent value refers to 80% of the total 34,805 cubic meters and therefore equal to 27,844 cubic meters.

11. C5.1.2.3 Requirements; Excavation… Will the A&E contractor have facilities to manage IDW or should that cost be included in planning?

USAID: As indicated in this section, the IM1 contractor must manage investigation derived waste (IDW). Offerors must include the IDW management cost in its price.

12. C5.1.2.3 Requirements; Site Restoration… Can USAID confirm that the soils available from the borrow-pit meet, or at least approximate these standards?

USAID: USAID confirms that the soils from the borrow area are naturally occurring materials. However, offerors must confirm backfill material chemical and physical properties.

13. L5 Past Performance Proposal… Is there a page limitation to the past performance proposal or limitation of the number of past performance information sheets that may be submitted?

USAID: For those contracts not in CPARS and meeting the requirements in Section L.5, Offerors must submit only one form of the filled out Excel file. For example, if an offeror has five relevant contracts meeting the requirements in Section L.5, all five would be included in the one Excel file and submitted.

14. C.3 Background, Pg. 3, second bullet.

Question: This section of the RFP mentions “A&E Contractor’s plans and specifications.”

What specifications/designs will the A&E Contractor be providing since we are assuming that the Construction Contractor for the Bien Hoa IM is providing plans and specifications via design/build delivery and Pg. 8 states the Contractor is the Engineer of Record.

USAID: This refers to plans and specifications that are not for this contract. The IM1 Contractor must provide the specifications/designs as specified in C.5.1.1 Design Phase.

15. C.4 Objectives, Pg. 3, Halt migration of dioxin contaminated soil from… Question: Is this a performance requirement, and if so, how will it be measured? C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Site Restoration, Erosion Controls and Recontamination Control (Pg. 11) states the DUs should be stabilized to prevent recontamination. We assume that best management practices would be applied per a stormwater design – does USAID envision any other/different specific method for measuring achievement of this objective?

USAID: Yes, this is a performance requirement. The IM1 contractor must stabilize work areas in conformance with the standards and requirements specified in the RFP and will be approved as part of the design work. The IM contractor must further document that work areas are fully stabilized as specified in C.5.1.1.3 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS and must use best management practices to include design elements/features that prevent/mitigate the potential for soil erosion from and to IM1 work areas.

16. C.5 Statement of Work, Pg. 3, Obtaining all approvals to initiate construction. And C.5.1.1.4 Design Review and Approval, Pg. 12, Note that COR approval will be contingent on MND review and acceptance of the designs.

Question: What is USAID's expected level of effort for the Contractor to assist in obtaining design approvals from GVN entities and what timeline (i.e., number of days after submittal) is expected for those GVN/MND approvals?

USAID: USAID anticipates that the IM1 contractor will participate in meetings and workshops with USAID and GVN representatives to present and discuss the IM1 contractor’s proposed designs. The level of effort for this engagement may vary depending on the specifics of the design. In general, GVN approval will require 20 to 60 days.

Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase

17. C.5.1.1.1 Standards for Design and Construction, Pg. 6, Health and Safety Standards (USG), 29 CFR 1904, OSHA Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

Question: This OSHA standard requires the reporting of injuries to OSHA/US Department of Labor. Is this a requirement of this project?

USAID: No. However, the IM1 contractor must report injuries to the USAID CO and COR. This detail will be developed and reviewed during the Health and Safety plan development and approval.

18. C.5.1.1 Design Phase Standards and Methods, Pg. 6, Health and Safety Standards (GVN).

Question: A new GVN regulation – Circular 17/2018/TT-BLDTBXH – became effective on January 1, 2019. This regulation requires self-inspection of labor law compliance and requires a substantial amount of documentation.

Will this new regulation be a requirement for this project?

USAID: Yes. The Circular 17/2018/TT-BLDTBXH has been added to sub-section C.5.1.1.1 STANDARDS FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION in the amended RFP.

19. C.5.1.1 Design Phase Standards and Methods, Pg. 7, Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Standards

(GVN).

Question: Will monitoring frequency requirements contained in QCVN 24:2017/BTNMT be the minimum frequency required under this contract?

USAID: Yes.

20. C.5.1.1.2 Plans, Pg. 7-8. The A&E Contractor will prepare site-wide plans (HASP, SAP/QAPP, SWPPP, EMMP) separately, and the Contractor’s HASP, SAP/QCPP, SWPPP, and EMMP will need to be modified to be consistent with the site-wide plans.

Question: Will the A&E Contractor be making these plans available prior to contract award in consideration of potential impacts to the Contractor’s development of these plans?

USAID: If available, yes. Offerors should anticipate that they will not be available prior to contract award.

21. C.5.1.1.2 Plans, Pg. 7, HASP, Dioxin Blood Monitoring Program.

Question: If individuals working on the project exceed the blood monitoring levels during the project and continue to have results over the blood monitoring limit when the project ends, who is responsible for continued monitoring/care?

USAID: Not the USG, but other than that, it is up to Offerors to determine.

22. C.5.1.1.2 Plans, SAP/QCPP, Pg. 7. Samples must be analyzed by an accredited laboratory.

Question: Accredited by who? Please define what is appropriate/acceptable accreditation.

USAID: As stated in the RFP, the laboratory must use EPA analytical methods. Labs must be accredited by the competent accrediting authorities where the labs are based and/or international accreditation organizations.

23. C.5.1.1.2 Plans, WMP, Pg. 8. The contractor must decontaminate and test all waste material for residual dioxin contamination on a volumetric basis before seeking approval from the COR to place material in the disposal area.

Question: Please clarify if there are required decontamination levels for dioxin or if the intent is to characterize the material and sort/segregate accordingly.

USAID: Please refer to Decontamination Standards specified on Page 7 of this RFP. The intent is to minimize residual dioxin on equipment and materials used/remaining from the work, characterize the equipment and materials, and sort/segregate the materials accordingly.

24. C.5.1.1.2 Plans, Decontamination and Demobilization Plan, Pg. 8.

Question: The RFP appears to imply that the establishment of decontamination criteria for equipment/materials is up to the Contractor to establish/recommend. Does this criterion need to be approved by USAID/GVN?

USAID: At a minimum, the IM1 contractor must comply with ASTM D5088-15a or most current standard, as

Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase specified on Page 7 of theRFP or a more stringent standard. The Decontamination and Demobilization Plan must include the decontamination criteria and must be approved by USAID.

25. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Pg. 9, General. Contractor must take all reasonable precautions to secure the work area against such potential damages due to rainfall.

Question: Please clarify “reasonable precautions to secure the work area against such potential damages due to rainfall from extreme weather events”.

USAID: Complying with all of the requirements of the RFP/resultant contract, this is up to the offeror/resultant contractor to propose.

26. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, General, Pg. 9.

Question: EIA Table 2.3 is referenced, but not provided in Attachment J.1 EIA Summary. Can USAID provide this table?

USAID: Yes. Table 2.3 EIA is included in the revised Attachment J.1.

27. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Pg. 10, Site Layout. Utilizing areas identified in Attachments J.2 and J.3.

Question: As it is so near taxiway and runways, will there be any expected work restrictions or closures of the PI-5 area for Airbase activities during implementation?

28. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Site Layout, Pg. 10. The Contractor must locate the office/laydown area in the EA-identified decision unit (DU) PI-5.

Question: C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Site Restoration, Erosion Controls and Recontamination Control, Pg.

11 identifies PI-5 as an area containing contaminated soil. Please clarify the correct location of the office/laydown area.

USAID: The location of the office/laydown area is in PI-5, an area with documented dioxin contamination below the Vietnamese industrial land-use standard.

29. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Pg. 10, Staging. The contractor must design a staging plan to safely store excavated soil while the contractor confirms its dioxin concentration… Question: Is there going to be enough space for staging to allow for continued excavation while waiting for sample results?

USAID: This is up to offerors to consider during the site walk and when preparing price proposals. The contractor is required to do the design to meet these requirements.

30. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, Staging, Pg. 10.

Question: Are there any height restrictions for staging/storing material in the proposed areas?

USAID: Yes, four meters above current elevation. The RFP has been amended.

31. C.5.1.1.3 Design Requirements, HCSA, Pg. 11. The HCSA design must ensure that after completion stored soil will be effectively protected from erosion if stored in that location for up to 5 years, provided proper maintenance.

Question: The RFP states the period of performance for this contract is anticipated to be approximately 3 years.

Therefore, should the contractor assume that the maintenance will be provided by others beyond the 3 years?

USAID: Yes.

32. C.5.1.1.5 Existing Conditions, Pg. 12. GVN has completed additional construction in the area including ...pervious cofferdams at the southern boundary of the EA DU PI-8… Question: What will need to be done with the cofferdams to facilitate excavation in the PI-8 area?

USAID: This is up to offerors to consider and propose to meet the requirements of the RFP and resultant contract.

Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase

33. C.5.1.1.5 Existing Conditions, Pg. 12. USAID will facilitate through GVN site access for Contractor personnel.

Question: How long is site access approval expected to take for Contractor personnel?

USAID: See response to Question No. 6.

34. C.5.1.2.3 Requirements, Pg. 13. The Contractor must validate each laboratory data report.

Question: What level/standards of data validation will be required?

USAID: Offerors must assume data must be validated according to EPA level 3 standards using raw data.

35. C.5.1.2.3 Design Requirements, Site Restoration, Erosion and Recontamination Control, Pg. 13.

a) Question: Has testing been performed on material from this borrow source area to confirm that the criteria listed in this section can be met? If not, what frequency/methodology will be required?

USAID: See response to Question No. 12.

b) Question: Is material from the borrow source area free to use for the project or will there be a cost to be paid to the Airbase by the Contractor?

USAID: Free.

c) Question: Will sufficient quantities of borrow material be available to facilitate both site preparation and backfill of excavations, or will the Contractor have to purchase additional fill material from an offsite source?

USAID: There are sufficient quantities.

d) Question: Attachment J.2 identifies the location of the borrow source area; please clarify whether this area is located within the Bien Hoa Airbase boundaries. Will the contractor be required to construct a haul road to the borrow site? Will the contractor also be required to clear the vegetation, excavate, process, and load the material from the borrow site?

USAID: The borrow source area is within Bien Hoa Airbase boundaries. The IM1 contractor must upgrade the part as specified in Attachment J.2. Please refer to the backfill material requirement in C.5.1.2.3 REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor is required to confirm properties, excavate, load, haul and place backfill material into excavated areas as specified in C.5.1.2.3 REQUIREMENTS.

36. C.5.1.2.3 Requirements, Pg. 13, Excavation. The contractor must excavate soil containing dioxin at concentrations exceeding standards according to the approved excavation plan up to a total of 38,517 cubic meters. The quantity must be measured as bank volume, based on comparison of post-excavation topographic surveys with the design stage topographic survey. The contractor must halt excavation after 37,477 cubic meters (80% of the estimated volume).

Question: Table 1 Estimated Excavation Volumes (Pg. 10) identifies the excavation volumes as 26,995 m3 (low concentration) + 7,810 m3 (high concentration) = 34,805 m³ (EA-based estimates plus an additional 20%). What is the basis for the 38,517 m3 volume listed on page 13 (i.e., why is the page 13 estimated volume 3,712 m3 more than the page 10 estimated volume)?

USAID: We have corrected the discrepancy. Please see the amended RFP.

37. C.5.1.2.4 Submittals, Pg. 16, Submittal Review Time.

Question: Is this 15 calendar or working days?

USAID: Please refer to FAR 52.202-1.

38. F.2 Deliverables and Deliverables Schedule, Pg. 20-21.

a) Question: Are the days listed in this schedule calendar or working days?

USAID: Please refer to FAR 52.202-1.

Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase

b) Question: There is no mention of the design submittals (30%, 60%, 90%, 100%). When will these items be required to be submitted? At what time from NTP does USAID expect an approved design?

USAID: This will be based on the baseline schedule. This offers flexibility to the contractor but also incentivizes them to get the designs done quickly given the contract type and requirements (e.g. no construction can begin until all designs have been approved).

39. F.7 Coordination with A&E Contractor and Bien Hoa Airbase, Pg. 22.

Question: The section only identifies what the A&E Contractor’s authority does not include. Please provide information on what the A&E Contractor’s scope/authority does include and what coordination will be required of the Contractor with Bien Hoa Airbase.

USAID: In general, the A&E supports USAID in overall project implementation including conducting third party review and oversight of the Project contractor(s)’s work and making recommendations to USAID to accept, reject, or request changes to design documents or work processes/procedures. The A&E contractor serves as USAID’s eyes and ears on site.

40. L.5 Instructions for the Preparation of Phase One Proposal, Pg. 61-62.

a) Question: Can information presented in tables, figures, or graphics use font sizes less than 12-point font for the technical proposal?

b) Question: To better present the Past Performance Information, may we use A3 paper?

USAID: No, the past performance information for contracts not in CPARS and meeting the requirements, is submitted using the MS Excel spreadsheet.

c) Question: The 4th paragraph on page 62 states that “All applicable fields in Attachment 3….”. Please clarify if the RFP is referring to Attachment J.7 instead of Attachment 3.

USAID: Thank you. This actually refers to Attachment J.7. This has been amended.

d) Question: The Past Performance Proposal, includes the following statement: “Offerors must not submit past performance information for contracts in CPARs.” As this is a US government procurement, past performance under US government contracts is critical information to evaluate as a component of Offerors’ proposals. If Offerors are not being asked to submit past performance information for contracts in CPARS in order to limit the amount of material sent to USAID and because contracting officers already have access to CPARS, this request is understood. Please confirm that relevant CPARS information for the prime contractor and major subcontractors will be duly considered as part of the past performance evaluation for Phase One. If so, may the prime contractor and major subcontractors provide a list of relevant contract numbers to assist in the review?

USAID: Confirmed and no.

e) Question: For the prime contractor it states that “for all contracts meeting all three of the below criteria:” We would like to present the full breath of our relevant past performance for the benefit of the upcoming project.

However, to meet all three parameters for non-federal projects (i.e., non-CPARS) appear to be restrictive.

Would USAID consider easing the restrictions as long as the scope of work is relevant to the project (e.g., expanding contract value range or meeting just one or more of the parameters, but not all three)?

f) Question: For the major subcontractors it states that “for all contracts meeting all three of the below criteria:”

We would like to present our major subcontractors’ full breath of relevant past performance. Would USAID also consider easing the restrictions for major subcontractors as long as the scope of work is relevant to the project (e.g., expanding contract value range or meeting just one or more of the parameters, but not all three)?

Amendment No. 1 to RFP No. 72044019R00004 USAID First Interim Measures for Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase

41. L.6 Instructions for the Preparation of Phase Two Proposal, Pg. 62.

Question: Will there be another round of questions for the preparation of the Phase II proposal for the Phase I shortlisted offerors?

USAID: It is likely the case. However, USAID will make final decision on this during Phase two proposal submission as appropriate.

42. Section C-5 of the Statement of Work indicates that the contractor will be “working closely with USAID and representatives of the GVN.” The Statement of Work is clear as to interaction with USAID. In Section F.7 COORDINATION WITH A&E CONTRACTOR AND BIEN HOA AIRBASE the RFP states, “The USAID has an A&E Contractor to provide construction management and quality assurance services. The Contractor must attend at minimum weekly meetings organized by the A&E Contractor”. Are you able to elaborate as to specifically what is meant by “working closely with representatives of the GVN?”, especially since the airbase appears to have an active military installation, along with civilian activities inclusive of agricultural facilities, on the base or nearby?

USAID: Other than what is in the requirements of the RFP, no.

43. In Further in Section F-7, we ECC understands that USAID has an A&E Contractor providing construction management and quality assurance services. This section of the Statement of Work lists a number of elements that are NOT included in the A&E Contractor’s authority. Are you able to provide more information on specifically what the contractor’s relationship will be to the A&E Contractor, beyond the weekly meetings noted in the Statement of Work?

USAID: Please see response to Question No. 39.

44. Sub-section C.5.1.1.3 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS General requires the contractor to consider historic weather patterns and “predicted climate change related increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.” Does USAID have a particular reference in mind as to predicted climate change related weather events?

USAID: References are available at https://www.climatelinks.org/countries/vietnam.

45. In Attachment J.1, APPROVED EIA SUMMARY, certain designs in accordance with specific stages of the project are provided, as follows:

1. “Investment preparation and consultation (EIA, Feasibility Technical Design and Total Cost Estimation), UXO clearance 2018 – 2019 Project Owner

2. Infrastructure Construction, Dig & Haul, Soil/Sediment Analysis, IPTD Construction, Environmental Monitoring 2020 – 2021 Project Owner”

Are these items included in the Scope of Work for this phase? For example, are “Feasibility Technical Design, Total Cost Estimation & UXO Clearance” expected under IR1? Is some preliminary form of “IPTD Construction & Environmental Monitoring” envisioned in IR1 to reduce material handling, cross-contamination & overall costs at this time?

Further, how do the specifications found in J.1 align with the designs found in Attachment J.6, ADAFC

DESIGN DRAWINGS OF STSA?

USAID: The EIA covers the envisioned overall project work at Bien Hoa Airbase area and is not specific to the IM1 scope of work. The requirements for this particular work are laid out in the RFP.

- End of Attachment 1 -https://www.climatelinks.org/countries/vietnam