QandA.pdf

Q&A

Question 1: Please consider extending the solicitation due date by two (2) weeks.

Answer 1: Yes, we will extend the solicitation through 10/22/2021.

Question 2: Although our firm holds the NAICS code 238290, our firm is certified as a small business under the NAICS codes 236210 and 236220. Will AFRH consider qualifying our firm as a small business under the NAICS codes 236210 and 236220 for this solicitation?

Answer 2: No.

Question 3: Is it mandatory that the bidder meet the small business contracting goals to be considered?

Answer 3: No, it is not mandatory. Large businesses will receive a neutral rating on the socio-economic evaluation factor.

Question 4: Will this project require full-time on-site supervision?

Answer 4: The company that is awarded the contract must have an on-site POC while work is being performed and a contract representative that is available 24/7 by phone for emergencies or for other major issues.

Question 5: What are the QA/QC and safety requirements for this project?

Answer 5: We abide by the stricter between National Standards and DC Standards for safety requirements. For the QA/QC, the elevators must pass elevator inspections by a DC certified third party elevator inspector. In addition, the interiors will be inspected at the completion for cleanliness and proper installation of finishes per manufacture guidelines and standards.

Question 6: Will the contractor have access to AFRH bathrooms?

Answer 6: Yes, but only specified bathrooms.

Question 7: Are building permits per DCRA required?

Answer 7: No, AFRH is a federal property with exclusive jurisdiction, but per AFRH policy, AFRH requires the elevators to pass an inspection by a 3rd party inspector certified by DC, which AFRH will employ.

Question 8: Is this project tax exempt?

Answer 8: Yes

Question 9: Is builder’s risk insurance required?

Answer 9: Yes

Question 10: Please confirm if there are liquidated damages associated with this project.

Answer 10: There is no liquidated damages, but an electronic performance evaluation (CPAR) will be processed, which is standard for federal contracts. A bad performance review will affect the company’s ability to obtain work from other agencies (including some state agencies) in the future.

Question 11: The specifications state to comply with all federal and DC requirements for elevator operation and installation. Per ASME 17.1, the building related work must be completed along with the elevator upgrades for a code compliant final product. This is the industry standard for elevator modernizations as the elevators will not be released until they pass final inspection. Please confirm that all “elevator-related” HVAC, electrical, fire alarm, and architectural work will be required as a part of this contract.

Answer 11: The AFRH maintenance contractor or other pertinent contractors, which are under contract with AFRH, will perform “Elevator-related” work. The Offeror should make clear in their proposal what is excluded, and as work is performed, they should inform AFRH in writing of any need; just as they would do for any GC. AFRH is acting as the GC in this project.

Question 12: Please confirm that the elevator machine rooms will require new HVAC systems as a part of our bid submission.

Answer 12: If a new HVAC system is required, AFRH will install through a separate contract. AFRH has newly engineered Chiller and HVAC designs. A solicitation is currently out on the market to have these designs installed.

Question 13: Please confirm that access control / CCTV work is to be completed by AFRH.

Answer 13: Confirmed.

Question 14: Will new lighting within the elevator lobbies be required?

Answer 14: The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the AFRH Corporate Facility Manager. The AHJ may provide waivers depending on the need and safety impact. If required by code and the AHJ believes the lack of lighting impacts the safety of users, AFRH will install. The contractor is to present all issues and concerns to the AFRH AHJ with written justification (Code section reference) in a timely manner so as not to significantly affect elevator installation work.

Question 15: Please confirm new elevator pit sump pumps will be required to be installed to conform with code requirements.

Answer 15: The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the AFRH Corporate Facility Manager. The AHJ may provide waivers depending on the need and safety impact. If required by code and the AHJ believes the lack of a sump pump affects the safety of users or the equipment, AFRH will install. The contractor is to present all issues and concerns to the AFRH AHJ with written justification (Code section reference) in a timely manner so as not to significantly affect elevator installation work.

Question 16: For Elevators #1-4 within the Sheridan Building:

a. There is a non-elevator related electrical panel within the elevator machine room. Per code this should be relocated to an area outside of the machine room. Please advise.

b. There is non-elevator related communications equipment located within the elevator machine room.

This equipment should not share a room with the elevator equipment per code. Please advise.

c. Are the existing ceiling vents/dampers to be removed and infilled?

d. Please confirm the contractor is to replace the existing two (2) elevator pit access doors.

e. Please confirm that new lighting will be required for the lower “secondary” machine room areas.

f. Will new entrances be required for the lower “secondary” machine room areas?

Answer 16: The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the AFRH Corporate Facility Manager. The AHJ may provide waivers depending on the need and safety impact. If required by code and the AHJ believes the lack of element impacts the safety of users, the equipment, or contract workers, AFRH will install. The contractor is to present all issues and concerns to the AFRH AHJ with written justification (Code section reference) in a timely manner so as not to significantly affect elevator installation work.

Question 17: Please clarify if a bid bond is required for this solicitation.

Answer 17: Yes, the bid bond is required to be completed.

Question 18: Please confirm engineered design drawings are not required from the contractor.

Answer 18: Stamped Shop Drawings for the elevator equipment is required.

Question 19: Regarding the Stanley Chapel elevator, would it be acceptable to utilize the same in-ground elevator system design instead of the suggested telescopic holeless? By using the same in-ground system design, a majority of the major hoistway components could be retained. Retaining the major hoistway components will reduce the cost of modernizing the elevator.

Answer 19: Yes, it is acceptable to utilize the same in-ground elevator system design IF the new installation is safe and meets industry standards and codes.

Question 20: Per the RFP it is stated that at the very least the elevator hoist machines should be replaced with new geared machines. During the project site visit it was noted that elevators #1 - #4 machines are gearless. Should the existing traction machines be replaced with machines of similar deign or should they be replaced with the specified geared design? A gearless traction machine application is more suitable for this type of design due to the current elevator contract speed and building requirements. It is our recommendation to utilize gearless traction machines for these elevators as they are more advantageous than the geared machines.

Answer 20: The Contractor may utilize either geared or gearless. AFRH is looking for the best value (Reliability and good performance at moderate cost)

Question 21: Per the RFP the elevator cabs are to be replaced or the interiors can be refurbished as part of the value engineering request. During the project site visit it was noted that three of the 5 elevators located in the Sheridan building have new cab interiors. Should these newly upgraded cab finishes be retained?

Answer 21: No, being in a retirement community with residents in motorized vehicles has caused some damage already due to impacts. With that said, AFRH would appreciate a finish that helps protect against such impacts.

Question 22: Please identify desired number of past references/ projects for FACTOR 2 – Past Performance.

Answer 22: 3+ but no more than 7.

Question 23: Please confirm for FACTOR 2 – Past performance if references/ projects can be ongoing, substantially complete, or entirely complete.

Answer 23: Only substantially complete or entirely complete.

Question 24: Please identify if form GSA 527 is to be completed and sent in with the proposal and if so, is it to be submitted within the Technical or Price proposal.

Answer 24: We do not require the GSA 527 form to be completed.

Question 25: Please identify if the Bid Bond is to be in the Technical or Price Proposal.

Answer 25: With the Price Proposal.

Question 26: Please confirm if offerors need to acknowledge amendments and if so, where in the proposal do offerors acknowledge amendments.

Answer 26: No, offerors do not need to acknowledge amendments.

Question 27: Please confirm if an SF1442 will be issued for this proposal for Offerors to complete and include with the proposal, as one was issued the previous times this project has been put out to bid. If an SF1442 is to be issued, please identify if Offerors are to include it in the price or technical proposal.

Answer 27: An SF 1442 will not be issued this time.

Question 28: FACTOR 3 – Small Business Participation Section B: Small Business Subcontracting Plan states that “Treasury goals should be considered by the Offeror in developing its small business approach”. Please confirm if this is a set goal or a target to get close to.

Answer 28: This is a target goal.

Question 29: Factor 3 – Small Business Participation. We have a subcontractor who can qualify for multiple small business concerns. Can we use their contract value towards multiple concerns so long as the total percentage goal is achieved?

Answer 29: Yes, that is acceptable.

Question 30: The RFP documents do not detail any information regarding the existing hydraulic jack & pistons assembly scope in the Sherman Building. Should the cost to replace the existing assemblies with new be included in the base bid or should a separate add alternate be provided?

Answer 30: The cost to replace the existing assemblies with new should be included in the base bid.

Question 31: The RFP document have no defined work scope detail regarding the existing residential lift install in the Quarter 1 building. During the recent site visit it was observed that this unit does not meet the code requirement of ASME A17.1. Can a defined/detailed scope of work be provided to convey the owner’s intent regarding this lift.

Answer 31: Quarters 1 was designated by Congress as a National Landmark. Because this is a Historic National Landmark, the AFRH AHJ has some leeway on how strict to be with compliance to ADA. Our intent is to provide ADA compliance without affecting the surrounding envelope of the lift shaft. In other words, we wish to install new equipment that attempts to meet the intent of ADA with little changes to the surrounding structure. The contractor is to propose a lift system that meets the confines of the structure that can provide vertical transportation service between floors for the disabled even if the only acceptable system that may fit within the structure is a residential system. In short, we want a system that comes as close as possible to meeting ADA requirements that will have little impact on the historic structure. For clarification, we are willing to do some minor modifications performed by AFRH contractors to the surrounding structure to install the equipment, but it cannot affect the historical character of the structure. At this time, the contractor is to propose a lift that they are confident will fit, but they are to note whether the system is residential or commercial grade in their proposal. Once on site, if the contractor believes that another system would be better suited to meet ADA requirements with a few modifications, AFRH will entertain a possible modification to the contract.

Question 32: Provided the proper identification of the use and occupancy of the Quarter 1 building.

Please define whether this building will have public access and require ADA code compliancy or if it will be designated as a private resident with no public access.

Answer 32: Our intent is to provide ADA compliance without affecting the surrounding envelope of the lift shaft. (Reference longer answer in Question 31) From time to time, AFRH retired residents utilize Q1.

We would like to provide access to the upper floors to our residents and similar individuals on an irregular basis, meaning once or so each year.

Question 33: Section 4.C state that the elevators in the Sherman building do not require sprinklers. Due to the presence of combustible hydraulic fluid in the elevator pit, please confirm that this statement is correct.

Answer 33: If during installation the contractor believes an element of the building or its systems will cause the contractor to fail inspection or be a safety hazard, they are to inform the AFRH AHJ with their concern and written justification for the concern (Code section reference). The Authority Having

Jurisdiction (AHJ) is the AFRH Corporate Facility Manager. If required by code and the AHJ believes the lack of element impacts the safety of users, the equipment, or contract workers, AFRH will install.

Question 34: Please confirm if sump pits and pumps will need to be required in the elevator pit areas that do not currently have them installed.

Answer 34: The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the AFRH Corporate Facility Manager. The AHJ may provide waivers depending on the need and safety impact. If required by code and the AHJ believes the lack of a sump pump impacts the safety of users or the equipment. AFRH will install. The contractor is to present all issues and concerns to the AFRH AHJ with written justification (Code section reference) in a timely manner so as not to significantly affect elevator installation work.

Question 35: Please confirm if an oil minding system will be required to monitor sump pits of the hydraulic elevators located in the Sheridan building and the Stanly Chapel.

Answer 35: The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the AFRH Corporate Facility Manager. The AHJ may provide waivers depending on the need and safety impact. If required by code and the AHJ believes the lack of an oil minding system impacts the safety of users or the equipment or environment. AFRH will install. The contractor is to present all issues and concerns to the AFRH AHJ with written justification (Code section reference) in a timely manner so as not to significantly affect elevator installation work.

Question 36: Will AFRH consider extending the project duration to 80 weeks? The specified duration does not appear to be sufficient for the required scope of work.

Answer 36: Yes. Proposals will be evaluated on time, cost, and product just like most projects.

Whichever proposal is accepted, the timeline proposed will also be accepted.

Question 37: On the solicitation’s SAM webpage, there is identified Amendment 2 and Amendment 3, but there is no Amendment 1. Please advise.

Answer 37: Amendment 1 extended the closing date to September 29, 2021. I have noted it in the text on Sam.gov.