032-1 RFQ Amendment QA.docx

Questions and Answers NIST Solicitation No. AMDTCRQ2300623 Amendment No. 001 TITLE: Invasive Testing and Evaluation of Concrete Quality via Petrographic Analysis for Champlain Tower South Investigation

1. All analysis as described in Task 1 is required to be completed within 30 days of the receipt of the first 20 cores. Please confirm the draft and final report deliverable schedule.

· The Deliverables Table in the Statement of Work is amended to include Task 1.4 as a deliverable.

2. The analysis schedule for Tasks 2.A-2.D (up to 50 additional cores) appears to be required in 2 weeks. This is 2.5 times the work scope in half the time as Task 1. Please clarify.

· The SOW is revised to change the timelines associated with these tasks. The revised SOW now states that the analysis schedule for Task 2 on the first 20 cores is “four weeks from COR direction for Tasks 2.B-2.D.” The schedule for petrographic analysis for Task 2.A, for any additional cores, if requested, is subject in its entirety to the revised timeframe schedule for petrographic analysis, which is now two (2) months.

3. Section 13.0 indicates “The period of performance shall be three (3) years…” Given the short turnaround time for the laboratory analysis, please confirm the anticipated scope of work / labor hour budget during this additional time frame.

· The initial set of 20 cores is anticipated to be delivered to the contractor within the first 30 days of the contract. Any additional cores under Task 2: Additional Core Analysis, Inclusive of Alternative Analysis Methods, are anticipated to be provided to the contractor on an as needed basis and would require contractor services throughout the remaining period of the 3-year performance period.

4. The scope of work in Task 3 states that “up to one weekly status meeting may be required to be performed at the NIST campus…” Given the time frame for the laboratory analysis, please clarify that this on-site meeting will occur following the laboratory services period to avoid resources/schedule disruption.

· The SOW is revised to delete the travel requirement for the weekly meetings. The contractor shall be required to attend the weekly meetings virtually. However, the Travel NTE CLIN remains that is applicable for up to one visit to NIST during the performance period.

5. We request that the price quote for CLIN 0002 (specifically Tasks 2A-2D) will be based on a unit price per analysis/core vs hourly rates. It is typical in the materials testing sector to provide prices on a per sample basis, and not on an hourly rate. Converting will be an unnecessary burden.

CLIN 0002 is hereby revised from a Labor Hour type CLIN to a Fixed Unit Price with Ceiling type CLIN. The Statement of Work has been revised to reflect this change. The RFQ has also been amended to reflect changes to the requirements for price quotations being submitted and any other related changes.

Please also see the changes made to the table in the Task 2 description of the Statement of Work.

6. How many different mix designs will NIST supply?

· NIST is unable to accurately specify the number of different mix designs, due to the nature of the investigation; however, NIST anticipates it to be 2 to 3.

7. Can NIST confirm the anticipated core dimensions?

· NIST expects the cores to be 3”- 4” in diameter with length varying from 6” – 12”. However, this may vary.

8. Does NIST require the proposal response to include 2 volumes? For example, a Technical Response and a Price Quotation.

· The Instructions to Offerors section in the RFQ is amended to include the following instruction:

Technical quotations shall not exceed 20 pages using font 11- or 12-point size, excluding a Cover Letter, table of contents, resume(s) and any supporting attachments. Technical quotations shall be submitted in a readable PDF or Word document. Technical quotations must be submitted in a separate volume from the Price Quotation.

9. Can the government clarify the analysis method requiring the paste content under Task 1.2 - Estimation of original mix design for concrete(s)? This can be determined qualitatively via ASTM C856, or quantitatively vias ASTM C457.

· The analysis method of the paste content shall be performed qualitatively via ASTM C856. The Statement of work is amended to reflect this.

10. The timeline of 1 month to complete a full petrographic examination of 20 cores may be unreasonable. Can NIST provide clarification?

· The SOW is revised to extend the due dates for the petrographic analyses from one month to two months.