Pre-Bid Conference Site Visit Questions.doc

AG-3142-S-09-0077

PRE-BID CONFERENCE/SITE VISIT QUESTIONS/OTHER RFIs

PROJECT: PHASE 4A MODERNIZATION OF THE SOUTH BUILDING, WASHINGTON, DC

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009

10:00 A.M.

JEFFERSON AUDITORIUM

1. QUESTION: Can you direct me to the POC who could provide the estimated budget information for the solicitation? If available, an estimated budget breakdown worksheet would be helpful.

ANSWER: The contract magnitude for this procurement is greater than $10M. No other information on estimated cost can be provided.

2. Please reference SF 1442 (page 1 of 78) and the Contractor Past Performance Questionnaire (page 45 of 78). The solicitation documents do not include any specific information regarding the requirements associated with these past performance questionnaires. Please clarify the following:

Question A: Is the past performance questionnaire to be filled out by the Offeror with the reference name and contact information only, and returned directly by the Offeror to the USDA/OPPM Procurement office no later than seven (7) days prior to bid day? In this case, we understand that USDA intends to contact the references directly for an interview. If this is not the case, is the Offeror to send them out to our references and have them fill them out and sent directly to the USDA/OPPM Procurement office no later than seven (7) days prior to bid day?

ANSWER: The offeror must submit the past performance questionnaire to its references for completion and have the references return said references to the contracting officer of record within the timeframe shown in the announcement.

Question B: Please advise how many projects the offeror shall provide past performance questionnaires for and how many references per project are required.

ANSWER: The offeror shall provide a minimum of one (1) reference for at least four (4) different projects.

Question C: Please advise of the criteria for the selection of the projects for which references are to be provided (i.e., similar projects including historic, phased/occupied & urban, completion dates, size, etc.).

ANSWER: It is up to the offeror to determine which projects best depict its past performance/relevancy for the advertised project. However, past performance referenced projects shall not be older than five (5) years.

Question D: Please advise how these questionnaires are to be submitted to USDA (i.e., via email, fax, mail, etc.). Please provide an email address and/or a fax number if necessary.

ANSWER: Electronic submissions from offerors are not authorized under this procurement . However, those public and private agencies and companies completing the past performance questionnaires on behalf of any offeror may faxed their responses to 202-720-9226, attn: Jodey Barnes-Edwards.

3. Please specify the evaluation criteria for the award of the contract.

ANSWER: Please refer to Section M of the solicitation.

4. Please reference Section L, paragraph entitled "Important" at the top of page 75 of 78. Under line item 1(a), the following is stated: "Sign and return one copy of the entire solicitation form and all pages." Please clarify what is meant by "entire solicitation form and all pages."

ANSWER: The solicitation form is as shown; it includes the SF 1442 and Optional Form 336. These form numbers are located in the lower right corner of each form and are pages 1-4 of 78. However each offeror is required to thoroughly review the solicitation package to determine those items required to be submitted.

Further, please clarify whether or not each of the 78 pages of the solicitation are required to be signed and submitted as part of the bid proposal.

ANSWER: There are parts of the 78 pages that must be submitted. In addition to the answer given in question 3, the offeror is also required to submit the “Representations & Certifications” shown in Section K, the bid bond SF24 and the subcontracting plan shown in Section J as well as the past performance questionnaires. Once again, it is the offerors responsibility to thoroughly review/read the entire solicitation for ALL required submissions.

5. Please reference Section 01031 "Unit Prices" and the SF1442. Section 01031 includes an extensive list of unit prices to be provided as part of the bid; however, the SF1442 does not include any reference to these unit prices. Please advise whether unit prices are required to be submitted as part of this bid.

Additionally, if unit prices are to be submitted, please provide the missing estimated quantities in Section 01031 and modify the bid schedule to incorporate the unit prices.

ANSWER: Section 01031 is removed from this solicitation.

6. Please reference FAR 52.228-1 "Bid Guarantee" on page 14 of 78 of the solicitation; and Section L, paragraph entitled "Important" at the top of page 75 of 78. The first reference indicates that the amount of the bid bond shall be 20% of the bid price or $3M, whichever is less. However, the second reference requires a 20% bid bond. These two requirements appear to be conflicting. Please clarify the correct bid bond requirements associated with this solicitation.

ANSWER: A bid bond/guarantee in the amount of 20% of the offer or $3M whichever is less is required to be submitted with your offer.

7. Section I of the solicitation identifies contract clause number 52.219-16 titled Liquidated Damages - Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999). Please provide the text for this clause including the amount of liquidated damages that will be applied to this project.

ANSWER: This is not a clause/provision requiring a fill-in.

8. I wanted to find out if the South Building project will require new Headsets or Conferencing equipment.

ANSWER: Businesses desiring subcontracting and/or supplier opportunities, must contact those on the plan-holders list to express their interests and capabilities. The USDA will not purchase these items directly for implementation into the subject project.

9. Is the bid due date going to be extended?

ANSWER: The bid opening date is not being extended.

10. We could not find the Amendment # 2 on the Website. Has it been posted already?

ANSWER: This is amendment #2.

11. Contractor cost for LincPass?

ANSWER: There is no direct cost to the contractor for the LincPass.

Omit the sentences from 01541 1.3.B.3.a, which states, “When an individual reports to the site for work the first time, a period of 24 hours will be required for security processing, to include a review of identification forms and fabrication of a permanent badge. Contractor personnel will then be permitted to go to work immediately and without any further processing of identification forms by the Government.” Processing time for badges cannot be guaranteed. Physical Security will issue the appropriate badge.

Omit the sentence from 01541 1.3.B.3.b.1 which directs, “Complete security identification form, for each individual who is to work in the building for a period of ninety (90) calendar days.” Complete security identification forms for each individual scheduled to work in the building for a period of more than one calendar day.

12. Status of permit if required?

ANSWER: A building permit is not required; however, other permits are required as described in the construction documents.

13.

Will there be any more site visits?

ANSWER: There will be no additional site visits conducted.

14. When can we see the transformer vault?

ANSWER: There will be no additional site visits conducted.

15. Found voice wiring closets: What are the room numbers and location of data closets and computer rooms?

ANSWER: Rooms are not labeled as data closets or computer rooms. Telecom closets contain both voice and data. The telecom closets are located at each end of the wing; two per floor. See the construction documents for the telecom closet room numbers.

16. 18200-3 2.2C: Calls for low smoke Teflon Jacket Cable. Confirm that you want limited combustible cable?

ANSWER: Cables shall be plenum rated and do not need to be limited combustible.

17. 18200 2.2.M.3 Say blocks that require rotation will not be allowed. BIX require rotation for proper termination. Clarification?

ANSWER: This is no longer a requirement and will be removed from the specification.

18. 18200 2.20 Page 6: What is “Employees Cross talk?”

ANSWER: This is not required and should be removed from the specification.

19. Can a badge person escort temporary labor or does everyone have to be badged?

ANSWER: While a badged person is allowed to escort a non-badged person; this is allowed on a limited/temporary basis. All employees expected to be in the building more than one (1) day will be required to have the appropriate USDA badge as determined by Physical Security. Entry is through Court 4.

20. Is there attic stock of previous salvaged glass and wood?

ANSWER: While attic stock may exist, offerors shall bid the job as if new materials are purchased. Omit Schedule of Government Furnished Property 01010 1.6.A.

21. How will we get materials in-out of building?

ANSWER:

1.) Route - Refer to the construction documents. Materials are received and removed through Court 4.

2.) Elevator - Refer to the construction documents. An exterior temporary hoist/elevator must be constructed in Court 4. Existing building elevators are not to be used.

3.) Hours - Refer to the construction documents; 01010.

22. Are the unit costs in the general conditions part of the bid forms?

ANSWER: Omit Section 01031.

23. Can you tell us what the existing Building Automation System (BAS) is?

ANSWER: METASYS is the existing BAS.

24. Please clarify the Spec calls for two inch blinds but the reflected ceiling plans call for one inch blinds.

ANSWER: Use one inch blinds.

25. There is a spec for roller window shades but there are no details in the architectural drawings for shades. Please indicate whether shades are required or not.

ANSWER: Omit Section 12492.

26. Please indicate where blinds are required and where shades are required.

ANSWER: Provide blinds in all offices (both open and private), conference rooms, copy rooms and coffee break rooms.

27. I wanted to find out if the South Building project will require new Headsets or conferencing equipment.

ANSWER: The government will not be procuring the supplies and/or materials for this project directly. You are encouraged to contact those on the plan-holders list for any subcontracting or supplier opportunities. I refer you the plans and specs shown in FEDBIZOPPs to determine whether headsets and/or conferencing equipment is required under this project.