J02b Consolidated QA RLSC 25Feb2025.pdf

Consolidated List of Questions and Answers 02/24/2026

Project Title: Rosebud Lift Station Construction, GP25RB500Z10, PA#141890 Solicitation #: 75H70126R00018

Below are the questions received in response to this solicitation and their respective answers:

1. Past Performance. Can a small business offeror use past performance information from an affiliate if it was a small business at the time of project award and completion but has since graduated to large business status? We are seeking clarification on whether such past performance is considered acceptable and relevant under USACE evaluation criteria, particularly when the affiliate maintains a corporate relationship with the offeror and will contribute meaningfully to the performance of the proposed contract. DFARS 215.305(a)(2)(C) allows a small business concern to use relevant past performance information provided by affiliates. However, we would appreciate confirmation on whether the change in the affiliate’s size status affects the eligibility of its past performance for evaluation purposes.

- Answer: Refer to FAR RFO 15.202 (c) Past performance evaluation.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-15

Remember that there are other considerations, not related to past performance, that affect the evaluation, such as the rules for Joint Ventures, self-performance, ISBEE rules.

- Refer to M.2, Factor 2. Notice that this RFP will use a LPTA source selection, so the past performance evaluation will be rated as Acceptable/Unacceptable. Ensure the past performance record reflects how the past performance record of the proposed organization applies to this project.

2. Reps and Certs. Could you please confirm whether you would like offerors to include their representations and certifications within the proposal package, or if it is sufficient that our representations and certifications are current and active in SAM.gov?

- Answer: Refer to B01 RFP RLSC 75H70126R00018, page 55, VOLUME II – PRICE PROPOSAL, FACTOR 3: Price, 4. Certifications and Representations.

Offeror’s Certifications and Representations will be obtained from the United States federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM) database, prior to award.

3. Key Personnel. Section H.6 identifies certain positions as Key Personnel and states that these individuals are those “whose résumés were submitted for evaluation of the proposal.”

However, the Section L “What to Submit” instructions do not reference submitting résumés or identifying Key Personnel.

Could you please clarify whether résumés for Key Personnel are required as part of the proposal submission? If so, could you specify which positions you consider Key Personnel for this solicitation?

- Answer: Resumes are not required. The required technical approach narrative is a good place to the offeror’s approach to the key personnel requirement.

H.6.b identifies the following key personnel: (1) Project Manager, (2) Superintendent and the (3) Safety Officer.

- Refer to M.2, Factor 1. Ensure your technical approach is appropriate for this project.

4. Funding. Could you please confirm whether this project has received funding?

- Answer: While the RFO does not explicitly require funds to be available prior to solicitation issuance, the Contracting Officer must ensure compliance with fiscal law and agency funds-control procedures. Accordingly, solicitations are issued only when there is a reasonable expectation that funds will be available for award within the anticipated timeframe, consistent with RFO Part 32 and HHS/IHS policy.

5. Security. Is a full 6’ chain link temp fence required for site security?

- Answer: A 6' chain link temporary fence is not specifically required. Site security is the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be addressed through the Contractor’s means and methods in accordance with applicable safety standards. If excavations or trenches will remain open after work hours, particularly due to the lift station’s proximity to occupied quarters and pedestrian traffic, the Contractor shall provide appropriate protective measures, which may include a 6' chain link fence. If all excavations are backfilled or otherwise secured daily, a standard temporary construction fence may be acceptable.

6. Project Start Date. We were unable to locate a project start date in the documents provided.

Could you please advise if a planned start date has been established?

- Answer: No, as of today, there is no official planned start date. With that said, the offers are due in the beginning of March; the Government has 60 days to accept the proposal unilaterally, placing us at the beginning of May; then there will be some post-award admin tasks (post-award conference, kick-off meeting, etc.) so, I expect the actual construction phase to start around the beginning of June.

7. Price Schedule. Is there a bid schedule or what is the preferred way to estimate this project?

- Answer: It is up to each contractor to provide quantity and price of each item with the information given of the project (SOW, Plans, Technical Specifications, etc.). After award, the Contractor will provide a schedule of values per G.5, G.6, H.13, and H.14.

8. Testing. Are compaction and concrete testing performed by the owner or the contractor?

- Answer: Performed by the contractor.

9. Performance Period. Considering the time required for approvals and anticipated equipment lead times, the current performance period appears very tight. Would the Government consider extending the performance period to 240 days?

- Answer: A POP change to 240 days is included as part of this amendment.

10. Geotechnical Information. Is a geotechnical report available for the project site or for nearby comparable locations?

- Answer: The hospital does have a geotechnical report that was performed approximately 300’ away in the old solar array/new maintenance shop area. This report is included as part of this amendment.

11. Paving Material. For the small pavement restoration area (approximately 16 square feet) shown on Sheet 4, would the Government permit the use of concrete in lieu of asphalt?

- Answer: The primary difference between these sections of hard surface is that one is the hospital quarters (concrete) and the other is a tribal road (asphalt). Replacing material with like material will minimize future discussions if the condition of the tribal road dilapidates significantly around where the concrete patch extends into the road.

The concrete patch will only need to be joined with adjacent concrete via rebar tie-in to reduce concrete patch floating vertically from the existing road. No connection via rebar tie-in is necessary for the asphalt.

12. Consolidated Amendment. Will the Government release all offeror questions and corresponding responses in a single, consolidated amendment?

- Answer: All the questions and answers are included in this amendment.

13. Base Course Thickness. The drawings indicate both 12 inches and 24 inches of base course beneath the concrete. Could the Government confirm which thickness is correct?

- Answer: 12-inches of base course underneath the concrete pad is sufficient.

14. Key Personnel – Superintendent, SSHO, and Quality Control Manager Roles. The solicitation outlines the requirements for the Job Site Superintendent, SSHO, and Quality Control Manager. Will the Government allow one individual to serve in more than one key role (e.g., Superintendent also serving as SSHO and/or Quality Control Manager), or does the Government require these positions to be filled by separate personnel?

- Answer: Refer to M.2, Factor 1. Ensure your technical approach is appropriate for this project. The Government has no additional requirements other than what is stated in the solicitation.

15. Per Section 02538 – Community Lift Station Part 2.4 we plan to bid a Model #### as an equal to the specified Vaughan Model V3V/V3VR Chopper pump. I have attached the datasheets for this pump. I wanted to seek your approval as this pump would deviate from the Vaughan.

- Answer: This amendment includes an addition to Section C to add paragraph I Notes on the Vaughan Model V3V/V3VR brand name or equal requirement.

- You may propose this alternative as part of your offer and the Government may then decide to do a deeper assessment if yours is the lowest offer being evaluated;

remember that this is an LPTA solicitation. In your offer, I suggest you address the stated requirements to ensure your offered product is fully compatible.

16. I am bidding out the fence portion of Rosebud lift station project. Are there any size specs for the terminal posts and line posts for this project? Also, I just want to confirm that the double gate opening is 12'. The detailed part for the fence shows it at 15'.

- Answer:

A. Section 02821, Page 2, Section 2.1.C & E specifies the following:

1. C. Line Posts.

1. 2 ½ inch nominal diameter SS40 galvanized steel tubing.

2. Drive type.

3. Minimum outside diameter: 2.375 inch.

4. Minimum weight: 3.12 pounds per foot.

5. Minimum bending strength: 338 pounds

6. Minimum length: 11 feet.

2. Terminal, Corner, Gate, and Pull Posts.

1. 4” nominal diameter SS40 galvanized steel tubing.

2. Minimum outside diameter: 4.0 inch.

3. Minimum weight: 6.56 pounds per foot.

4. Minimum bending strength: 1187 pounds

5. Minimum length: 12 feet 6 inches.

6. Supplied with Galvanized post tops.

B. Section 02821, Page 3, Section 2.6.A & B indicate a 12-foot swing gate or a 15-foot rolling cantilever gate. Based upon this information and comparing it to the plan details on sheet 12 of 12 use 12’ for the total length of the double swing gate.

17. Does this job have Buy America requirements?

This project does have “Buy America” requirements.

- Answer: Yes.

18. Do you want core blue bolts or 304SS bolts on the force main line for the fittings?

- Answer: Both are acceptable.

19. Are there any 4” gate valves on the force main line?

- Answer: Within the existing dry-well there are 2-4” Gate Valves however, the existing lift station plans do not indicate another gate valve until a “line-vault” approximately half a mile away from the lift station. Will include the original plans for this question.

20. Where can I find the dimensions of the precast double box structure on the plans? I see the elevations, but would like to know length and width.

- Answer: On sheet 5 of 12 of the plans the profile view labeled, “PROPOSED LIFT STATION PROFILE STA 0+00 to 1+23” Indicates that the wet well and dry well are both 84”x84” with a center wall separating them.

21. Do you know if the pump access doors need to be 36” x 60” or 42” x 60”? The drawing and spec are contradictory.

- Answer: 42”x60” is the correct size.

22. We cannot do a punched bar screen basket for a 12” influent pipe. Would it be ok to quote our standard bar screen basket in T316 SS to fit a 12” influent pipe?

- Answer: This is acceptable given the influent size being 12”.

23. I see on the plans the line posts are driven 5' down with no concrete. Could that be changed to just drilling holes and fastening them in concrete like the terminal posts will be?

- Answer: This is acceptable.

24. One of our employees was advised by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission that an Individual and Small On-Site Wastewater System Installer License is required for this scope of work. Could you please confirm whether this specific license meets IHS requirements and expectations for the project?

- Answer: The solicitation is amended to remove the licensing requirement.

Typically, we like to have licensed plumbers to install septic systems but, on the Reservation, the state rules do not govern. Local or state health districts cannot require a permit for systems on the reservation nor govern how they are installed. The only body that governs on site systems on the reservation is EPA and there really is nothing from oversight from EPA. DSFC does don't require this licensure when within the Reservation boundaries.