ANNEXURE-1-Responses to Contractor Questions.pdf

Question 1: “Demolition of existing structure and removal of Debris to be in scope of US Embassy or Contractor.”

Answer: The demolition of the existing facility is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for notifying and conducting Pre-Construction meetings with the required city agencies and utility companies before commencement of demolition, excavation, or mobilization.

The contractor is responsible for the disposal of waste and debris. A Waste Disposal Plan shall be included in the Work Plan that must be accepted prior to Notice to Proceed.

Question 2: “Will GPR survey be conducted by US Embassy?”

Answer: Verification of the existing utilities is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor is required to conduct test pits to locate the locations of the utilities prior to construction.

This is a Design Build project. The design documents must reflect the existing utilities. The Design Build Contractor must include in their bid the credentials of the AE firm that they partner with. The AE firm must approve all submittals to be included the schedule and products. The utilities shown on the drawings are approximate. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to verify the locations. The Contractor shall notify the COR/Project Director immediately if any conflicts are encountered.

Existing Electrical Service includes one 6 AWG feeder at 415 Volts, 3 Phase, 63 AMP Breaker feeding the existing police barracks, to be verified by the Contractor.

Question 3: “Who will apply for approvals from NDMC and other government departments?”

Answer: Any approvals from the NDMC, the Police Department and any other government department is the responsibility of the Contractor and their respective Architect. The Embassy will support and do their best to provide requested documents as they are available. This construction area is not in US Embassy property.

Question 4: “Will the US Embassy pay official fees to NDMC and other government departments for Building/Fire/Sewer/water supply approvals?”

Answer: No, the proposal and pricing shall include any fees or duties imposed by NDMC or other government departments. The contractor is responsible for procuring and paying the cost of temporary and permanent utilities.

Question 5: “Will the contractor need to engage their own architectural firm or will complete drawings along with schedule of finishes be provided by the US Embassy?”

Answer: This is a Design Build Contract. The Contractor shall partner with an Architectural Firm.

The contractor shall include the cost of supplemental design to complete the work. The contractor is responsible for the design documents required for permits and construction. The contractor shall adhere to the design intent as shown on the bid documents.

Question 6: “Does US Embassy have the land ownership document available with them?”

Answer: No, the construction area is not on USG property, and it does not have diplomatic exemptions from VAT, CESS, etc.

Question 7: “Will temporary water and electrical connection during construction phase be provided by the US Embassy?”

Answer: Yes, however the existing utilities are to be verified by the Contractor.

Question 8: “Permanent water and electrical connection after handover of site will be taken by the US Embassy?”

Answer: This will be determined at a later date. The contractor is responsible for paying for water and power consumption directly to the utility provider.

Question 9: “As the work is outside the embassy premises so will escort or security personal be required, and will there be any restriction on the working hours?”

Answer: There are no escort requirements for workers outside of the perimeter wall. The exterior perimeter wall of the Embassy must remain free of tools and/or materials three meters from the outside of the wall. The contractor is required to erect a fence to establish the perimeter of the construction area prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed. This fence shall be at least three meters away from the Embassy’s perimeter wall.

Question 10: “Will partial or complete site be handed over to the contractor before start of work?”

Answer: This site is not US Government property. The contractor must obtain permission from the local municipality and the occupants before they start work. The Embassy will assist in parallel via the Ministry of External Affairs when necessary.

Question 11: “Rehabilitation of existing police personal from Delhi Police and IRB Sikkim to be in the scope of US Embassy if required.”

Answer: No, the relocation of the personnel that are currently occupying this facility is not the responsibility of the US Embassy.

Question 12: “Time of 365 days for completion of work should be taken from complete handover of site or approval of drawing and permissions from NDMC whichever is later.”

Answer: The winning contractor will be awarded a Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) upon request for select activities to commence. The LNTP is to allow the contractor to initiate design efforts, permitting process, mobilization of temporary facilities, erection of construction perimeter fence, etc. The contractor must include an Initial Schedule for all the work leading up to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). The contractor is required to meet the requirements of the NTP within six months from contract award and issuance of the LNTP.

The NTP starts the period of performance.

• The period of performance will start after the permits are in hand,

• The USG has approved the design.

• Occupants have vacated the existing facility.

• The detailed Schedule along with a Cost Loaded Schedule of Values must be accepted.

• Resumes of the critical personnel has been accepted by the USG.

• A Safety Plan has been accepted by the USG – See attachment with the requirements of a Safety Plan.

• A work plan on how the work will be performed.

Question 13: “During the site visit, we observed that an existing police facility is situated on the proposed construction site. Please confirm whether the Government will furnish the demolished site to the Contractor at one time."

Answer: No, the contractor is responsible to obtain permission from its occupants and NDMC for the occupants to vacate and demolish the existing structure.

Question 14: “Could you provide the Existing Site Utilities Plan for the construction area, including the sanitary sewer pipe connections to the mains?”

Answer: Verification of the existing utilities is the responsibility of the Contractor.

Question 15: “Please confirm that the Contractor is not required to provide new asphalt/concrete pavement under this contract."

Answer: Please refer to the RFP Documents.

Question 16: “Please designate a specific area on-site for the storage of construction materials."

Answer: The contractor is responsible for proposing an area for storage and for obtaining permission from local government.

Question 17: “Confirm whether the Government will provide water and electricity for the Contractor’s use during the construction period."

Answer: Temporary and permanent connections for water and electricity are the responsibility of the Contractor. Payment of temporary utilities is also the responsibility of the Contractor.

Question 18: “Since the work is outside the embassy grounds, do we need an escort for our workers?”

Answer: No. If a guard is required by the US Embassy it will be provided at no cost to the contractor.

Question 19: “Are there any restrictions on the number of personnel that can be mobilized for the construction?”

Answer: The contract does not restrict the contractor on how much personnel to use. However, the contractor must not affect embassy operations or existing traffic flow. Contractor shall adhere to local regulations.

Question 20: “Will the Contractor be allowed to work under lights during nighttime hours, specifically from 8 PM to 8 AM?"

Answer: Yes, but the contractor must include a safety plan and shall adhere to local requirements.

The contractor must notify the Project Director prior to starting work outside of the regular business hours.

Question 21: “Please confirm that the Project Construction Plans will be uploaded by the U.S.

Embassy's engaged Architect (by Others) to the Online Portal of the NDMC Website for approvals.”

Answer: No, any design efforts are by the contractor. This is a Design Build project.

Question 22: “Please confirm that SOW Sub-Clause 4.3.7 Painting is not applicable for Sandwich Panels and GFRC Panels."

Answer: A protective layer of Poly Resin with Sand Finish for the Sandwich Panels. The narrative that is attached to this amendment contains additional information on the panels.

Question 23: “During the site visit it was observed that at the proposed location, there is already barracks for IRB Sikkim and Delhi Police. Please clarify whether we have to do the demolition as well or not because in SOW demolition is not there."

Answer: Demolition is required. See Demolition notes in the drawings:

Question 24: “As per the SOW G.9.0 all the zoning approvals and permit shall be government responsibility, please confirm the same."

Answer: This is not correct. All zoning approvals and permits shall be the Contractors responsibility.

Question 25: “As built drawings for the existing facility and underground services (electrical/plumbing/gas pipes, etc.) are required."

Answer: The verification of the utilities shown on the drawings is the responsibility of the contractor.

RFP Drawings indicate only an approximate location for the existing underground utilities.

Question 26: “NDMC approval fee will be borne by Government appointed architect or contractor?"

Answer: Any fees, taxes, permits, etc. are the responsibility of the contractor.

Question 27: “Please clarify whether for working escort is required or not as the proposed site is located outside the Embassy premise?"

Answer: No escorts are required.

Question 28: “During the site visit it was mentioned that Power and water supply for the proposed facility will be tapped off from the existing embassy connection. Please confirm the same."

Answer: No, see drawings for new power connection that will require a new meter. The embassy will not provide power or water to the construction area. The cost of meters and installation is by the contractor.

Question 29: “Please clarify whether temporary water and power for construction shall be provided by government or not?"

Answer: The Embassy will not provide water to the construction area. The contractor is responsible for water and power connection from local service providers.

Question 30: “Internal Partition of the Porta Cabins will be of sandwich panel, or we can provide Gypsum board Partitions?"

Answer: No.

Question 31: “Please provide the Thermal Insulation requirements as mentioned in the SOW."

Answer:

Question 32: “Will the site storage area will be provided during the execution period? and whether the storage area provided will be inside the US Embassy Compound or on NDMC area?"

Answer: The Embassy will not provide storage area. The contractor shall coordinate with NDMC for storage area. Any permits or cost for permits are the responsibility of the contractor.

Question 33: “In the SOW it's mentioned that 15mm thick marine plywood shall be used for flooring. Please clarify whether any other finishes are required or not?"

Answer: Yes, other finishes will be required. Please refer to the RFP Documents.

Question 34: “Awning window will only have mesh or glass as well in the shutter?"

Answer: Glass.

Question 35: “In the Drawing it is mentioned that doors shall be of Steel, but in SOW it is mentioned Flush door. Please clarify the same and also please suggest the make for door hardware and thickness of flush door if flush door is required."

Answer: Steel Doors to be installed. Hardware to be selected by the Contractor as part of the Design Build Contract.

Question 36: “Water tank will be PVC or Concrete?"

Answer: Concrete.

Question 37: “The water connection from the Municipal Corporation will be in client's scope and we have to tap off the supply to the facility or do we have to get a water connection from Municipal corporation?"

Answer: No, the connections are the responsibility of the contractor.

Question 38: “Please clarify the top wearing finish of the flooring?"

Answer: This is to be verified by the Contractor.

Question 39: “For internal wiring PVC conduits or flexible PVC reinforced steel flexible tubing to be used? All wiring shall be concealed in PVC, reinforced steel flexible tubing with suitable electrical fittings of standard makes and models. Please clarify"

Answer: PVC conduits or flexible PVC reinforced steel flexible tubing are acceptable.

Question 40: “If taking new connection, please clarify whether getting approvals from the authorities for the electrical connection is in our scope?"

Answer: This is the responsibility of the contractor prior to submitting their bid.

Question 41: “What sort of permissions and approvals will be in contractor's scope?"

Answer: All permissions, approvals, connection fees, and deposits are the responsibility of the contractor unless specifically stated in the bid documents.

Question 42: “What is the distance of the local network up to where we need to draw the cables."

Answer: The distance is to be verified by Contractor.

Question 43: “Any limitations in the working hours or project durations. "

Answer: No