PreBidMeetingNotes.doc

Pre-Bid Conference Notes Construction of the Chattooga River District Office Building

This non-mandatory meeting was held February 13, 2008, starting at 9:30am in the Ranger District office in Clayton, GA and afterward moved to the construction site in Tallulah Falls. Twenty-one contractors attended the meeting. A copy of the sign-in sheets will be posted to the FedBizOpps site.

The following information was covered.

General Information:

Bid opening: 2:00pm, March 6, 2008. If date is changed, an amendment will be issued.

Bid opening location: Supervisor’s Office at 1755 Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, GA. It will be a public bid opening.

Faxed bids are NOT authorized.

Bid must be accompanied by a 20% Bid Bond on the Government’s SF-24 form.

Do NOT use the AIA bid guarantee format. It contains language which will cause your bid to be rejected.

Bid Schedule consists of a single lump sum price. Successful bidder will be required to provide a schedule of values.

Contractor must be registered in CCR and have completed representations and certifications in ORCA.

Advertised as full-and-open competition, meaning all size businesses are allowed to submit bids. There is a 10% price preference for certified HubZone businesses, but it is not applied against small businesses, only large businesses.

Contract does not include liquidated damages, but actual damages, including excess administrative costs, will be assessed for delinquent performance.

Special Information:

Merchantable timber: contractor will be required to buy the merchantable timber on the site, execute a timber sale contract, pay up front, and comply with cutting and disposal requirements. More information in Section H, and attached FS-2400-4 forest products contract.

The timber sale contract can be executed as soon as acceptable construction payment and performance bonds have been received. Once payment has been received by the Forest Service, timber removal can begin. This can be in advance of the official Notice to Proceed date for construction.

LEED certification: The Chattooga River District Office has been designed as a Silver Level LEED Certified building. The contract contains special requirements for waste management, indoor air quality, and products to be used. Contractors are NOT required to be LEED certified; full compliance with the plans and specifications will achieve the desired certification. The Forest Service will prepare the certification submittals required by the U.S. Green Building Council. See the LEED Briefing Paper for more information.

Questions and Answers:

Q: Is there an alternate for office furniture?

A: No, office furniture is not included in this contract.

Q: Will the contractor be responsible for permits?

A: The contractor will be responsible for all permits, with the exception of the city building permit which is not required.

Q: Will the contractor be required to have an erosion control plan? What about the SWP (Storm Water Permit)?

A: Plan Sheet C1.3 is the Sediment and Erosion Control Plan. Plan Sheet C1.7 is the Comprehensive Monitoring Plan. As the operator and primary permitee, the contractor shall obtain the Storm Water Permit and pay any permit fees.

Q: Has any Geo testing been done at the site?

A: Yes, testing had been done and the result will be added by amendment to the solicitation and posted on the FedBizOpps site.

Q: Sheet C3.2 is missing.

A: It will be added by amendment.

For further questions, e-mail moconnor@fs.fed.us at least two weeks before scheduled bid opening date.