B.07 DY-BO131-4P_Questionnaire - with answers_24June2026.pdf

OFFICIAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&A)

Projects: DY-BO131-4P (Bldg. 8404 & 8405) Location: Baumholder Military Community, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz

Question 1: We recommend a construction performance time of 460 calendar days after NTP.

Government Response: Similar projects have been completed within a timeframe of 365 days.

This is only a façade repair project, not a complete building renovation. Performance time will be 365 days.

Question 2: Since no soil reports are available, how many quantities of removal of polluted soil shall the contractor calculate/consider for the bid for each building?

Government Response: Existing soil shall be re-used. No disposal of soil. Wording was changed in chapter B3.01 of the SOW. Deliverables schedule was changed accordingly.

Question 3: Please confirm if UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) surveys are part of the scope of work.

Government Response: Following wording was added to the SOW, chapter B3.01:

An explosive ordnance survey and explosive ordnance cleanup during construction must be carried out. Due to the proximity of the excavation sites to existing structural elements (e.g., metal stairs, foundations with metal parts, metal supports for canopies, sheet-metal storage containers, etc.), these interfering factors will prevent a meaningful result from being obtained. A survey conducted during construction will be necessary. The construction schedule for the explosive ordnance survey must therefore be coordinated with the expert. No ground disturbances may take place until it has been confirmed that the area is free of explosive ordnance. Groundwork and excavation may only be carried out after approval has been granted or in the presence of the expert.

Question 4: How many damaged roof tiles should the contractor calculate for each building for the bid? Please advise.

Government Response:

The Contractor's lump-sum price shall include the repair/replacement of 15% of the total roof surface. Any actual variation from this 15% baseline encountered during performance might be adjusted via contract modification upon the Contracting Officer's determination of reasonableness.

Question 5: Please confirm that the replacement of the existing PV (photovoltaic) systems themselves is not part of the scope.

Government Response: Do not perform any work on the PV system. No repairs, no replacements, no cleaning. No repair or replacement of slate under the PV system.

Question 6: Please confirm that damaged roof tiles under both existing PV systems on each building will not be replaced.

Question 7: Can we assume that progress can be started and executed on both buildings at the same time?

Government Response: Yes, work can be done parallel on both buildings.

Question 8: Please confirm that both buildings will be awarded under the same contract.

Government Response: We will proceed with consolidating both projects into a single solicitation.

Question 9: Is the photovoltaic system (PV system) at buildings #8404 and #8405 to be dismantled and reinstalled in order to carry out repair works on the roof surface or to repair damaged lightning protection systems?

Question 10: Should the concrete window sills at buildings #8404 and #8405, described as severely damaged, be demolished and replaced with new ones, or can refurbishment be considered, given that the existing window sills are integrated into the masonry and their removal may cause damage to the facade (e.g., settlement cracks)?

Government Response: For bidding purposes, the Contractor's lump-sum price shall include the complete replacement of 5 concrete window sills per building. However, the contractor MUST verify existing conditions during the site visit or before work begins. If a joint inspection determines that sills can be repaired rather than replaced, the Government may execute a deductive contract modification for the difference in effort.

Replacement shall be done with a pre-cast concrete sill. New window sill made of aluminum or similar is not acceptable.

Question 11: The description requires the basement of buildings #8404 and #8405 to be fully waterproofed. In this context, how should the gable sides be treated, particularly the concrete walls in the basement access areas? Should these also be included in the waterproofing works?

Government Response: The waterproofing and drainage work was marked in the attached plans. Areas that are out-of-scope due to their location (inaccessible due to existing stairs) are also marked.

Question 12: At building #8404, there is an external concrete staircase providing access to the basement. Should this be removed as part of the waterproofing works in order to ensure proper waterproofing? Additionally, on the opposite gable sides of buildings #8404 and #8405, there are ramps with a slope. Should these also be removed in order to allow proper waterproofing, particularly considering the required extension of the waterproofing of approximately 30 cm above ground level in accordance with DIN 18533?

Government Response: The waterproofing and drainage work was marked in the attached plans. Ramps and walkways made of paver stones shall be removed to carry out the waterproofing. Concrete stairs, stair towers and concrete retention walls will remain in place.

Question 13: The specification requires that for newly installed external doors of buildings #8404 and #8405, the threshold height must not exceed 13 mm according to NFPA. However, in the existing buildings, higher thresholds are partially present. How should this be handled? Are the existing heights to be adjusted, or can deviations in the existing structure be accepted?

Government Response:

Where existing structural constraints prevent a 13mm threshold, the existing threshold height shall be maintained, and a deviation is authorized. Otherwise, all newly installed external doors must strictly comply with the 13mm NFPA standard

Question 14: The description does not clearly specify whether the existing interior window sills, for example in bedrooms of buildings #8404 and #8405, are to be removed. How should this be handled? Are the existing interior window sills to be dismantled and replaced, or can they remain in place?

Government Response: All existing interior window sills shall be completely removed and replaced as specified in section B4.03. Retaining the existing interior sills is not authorized

Question 15: The description states that concrete walls are to be replaced. Which specific walls are concerned? Please provide a more detailed specification of the affected areas.

Government Response: I cannot find that the SOW states that concrete walls shall be replaced.

Section B2.01 says “Partial demolition of existing retaining walls”. Partial demolition of concrete wall underneath the terrain surface is needed in order to connect the drainage lines around the building. The locations have been marked in the attachment. Partial demolition, creation of an opening or a core drilling shall be included in the bid price.

Wording was added to B2.01 to make it clear that only penetrations are needed.

Location was added in the attached plans.

Question 16: In the weapons storage rooms of buildings #8404 and #8405, an alarm system is installed at the basement windows. How should this be handled during window replacement works?

Government Response: Installation of basement windows in weapons storage room must be coordinated with the COR. COR will coordinate with the MP the decommissioning of the Hirsch alarm system and the commissioning of the system. The contractor is responsible to disassemble the contact from the window and for the re-installation.

Wording was added to SOW chapter B4.03.

Question 17: On page 35 of 42 it is mentioned that we have to provide As-Built drawings containing waterlines, heating pipes communication cable etc. The scope does not ask to perform such trades. Please clarify if the drawings shall be developed only for the trades contained in the scope!

Government Response: On page 35 the shop drawings are described, not the as-built documents. The as-built documents are described on page 37.

The description on page 35 is a standard description for all projects where the contractor must submit shop drawings as part of their performance. The contractor shall submit all shop drawings for all trades that apply for this project.

No change of SOW.

Question 18: In building 8405 in the basement hallway was a pipe leaking and dropped down. Is this repair part of the scope ?

Government Response: The leaking pipe was on the first floor. It is not described in the SOW and as DPW PM stated during the site visit, the repair of the leak is not part of the scope.

No change of SOW.

Question 19: On page 37 of 42 it is mentioned that the proofing time / review time from DPW of the design will take at least 2 weeks. What is the maximum proofing time by DPW? If the review will take longer will the Government extend the construction period ?

Government Response: The Government's estimated review and processing time for submittals is 14 to 30 calendar days. Bidders shall develop their progress schedules based on these standard planning estimates. The Government's review period is a target and does not constitute a guaranteed turnaround time. The Contractor is solely responsible for coordinating and submitting all technical submittals far enough in advance to prevent delays to critical-path construction activities."

Question 20: Are there any additional requirements regarding the windows (fire safety and soundproofing)?

Government Response: No fire safety requirements for the windows, if so it would be a fixed glazing and not a window.

The Contractor shall provide windows that meet the exact soundproofing requirement of SSK3 Rw ≥ 35 dB for bedrooms. All other windows shall comply with the applicable DIN/VDI standards for commercial office space. Bidders shall provide product data sheets with their technical proposals demonstrating compliance with these standards.

Question 21: What needs to be taken into account when replacing the basement windows in the weapons room? Will the weapons room be empty?

Government Response: Installation of basement windows in weapons storage room must be coordinated with the COR. No, the weapons room will not be empty. A military escort will be present during work. See question 16.

Question 22: What special considerations are there for work in the occupied rooms? Will you have a representative present?

Government Response: COR, barracks manager, an assigned person or resident will be present.

Question 23: Cracks are visible in the building's facade. Do these cracks require a special treatment (such as epoxy injection or similar), or is a simple repair using embedded fabric sufficient?

Government Response: A technical solution appropriate to the nature of the damage should be proposed by the contractor that permanently resolves the damage. All needed work to correct that damage shall be included in the bid price. Contractor shall submit the proposed technical solution to the COR for approval.

Question 24: What special considerations are there for work in the occupied rooms? Will you have a representative present?

Government Response: COR, barracks manager, an assigned person or resident will be present.

Question 25: Due to the inaccessibility of the roof surface, it is not possible to use a cost estimate for replacing the slate tiles that is comparable to those of competitors. Could the government please specify a quantity (number of pieces or square meters) for pricing purposes?

This would ensure fair competition!

Government Response:

The Contractor's lump-sum price shall include the repair/replacement of 15% of the total roof surface. Any actual variation from this 15% baseline encountered during performance might be adjusted via contract modification upon the Contracting Officer's determination of reasonableness.

Question 26: Is there unrestricted access to all rooms for the window replacement, or does a detailed schedule need to be prepared in advance?

Government Response: As described in the section A1.02, the building is occupied. Therefore an unrestricted access to all rooms is NOT possible. Contractor must prepare a schedule as described in B6.01 so that COR can coordinate access with the barracks manager.

No change of wording in SOW, was already described.

Question 27: Can the bidder be assured that all rooms are furnished in the same way as the rooms that were viewed during the site visit?

Government Response: The type of furniture and amount is standard, it is provided by the Government for the soldiers. It is possible, that some soldiers have additional smaller personal furniture or that the arrangement of the furniture in the room is different. The contractor must submit a schedule that shows where the work in the upcoming week/s will be done. COR and facility manager will inform residents beforehand and will ensure that the window area will be accessible for construction work.

Question 28: During the site visit, no parts of the snow guard that required significant replacement were identified. Could the bidder please be provided with a quantity to bid on in order to ensure fair competition?

Government Response The Contractor's lump-sum price shall include the replacement of 20% of the snow guards. Any actual variation from this 20% baseline might be adjusted via contract modification upon the Contracting Officer's determination of reasonableness."

Question 29: Stones for Melaphyr masonry are very hard to find or no longer available at all. Is there a similar product we can use instead?

Government Response: Stone similar looking to the existing shall be used. There is only an area of less than 1 m² at Bldg. 8404 where stones are missing and must be added. I am sure that the contractor will be able to find this small amount of Melaphyr masonry for installation.

If the contractor is unable to find this small amount of masonry, the following alternative is also acceptable:

-Standard masonry shall be added.

-Plaster shall be added, and the surface texture of the plaster should be adapted to match that of the surrounding stones.

-Joints shall be carved into the plaster surface to match the joints of the surrounding plaster.

-Plaster and joints shall be painted in various different grey color shaded matching the surrounding stones so that it is not possible to see the difference between stones and plaster from distance.

Wording was added to SOW chapter B4.04

Question 30: It is stated that the building will remain occupied throughout the construction period and that the additional costs for this should be calculated. We assume that only the single coordination meeting with the COR is to be priced here and that the residents will comply with the resulting agreement! Any additional call-outs resulting from non-compliance with the coordination agreement would lead to change orders! Can this be confirmed?

Government Response: The contractor will submit a schedule that shows the exact day for the window replacement for each apartment and bathroom window. COR will coordinate access to the personal rooms with the barracks manager. Kitchen, laundry, basement and attic windows must be shown on the schedule as well but for these non-private rooms a change of schedule (if needed for any reason) is less complicated.

In past projects the schedule needed to be updated during the process since the progress of the contractor did not match with the previous submitted schedule. Sometimes there have been delays due to weather, sometimes due to sickness of contractor’s personnel, absence of appropriate construction material etc. Schedule must be updated as needed.

The barracks manager has access to all soldiers rooms and if the soldier is not available, the barracks manager will open the room that is scheduled for that day.

Schedule coordination will be one significant part of the construction meetings, section B6.03.

One fact that must be taken into account when calculating: the contractor can only remove the windows of the rooms that can be re-installed on THE SAME DAY! It is not possible to leave wall openings without a new window or door over night.

Wording was added to SOW chapter B6.01.

Question 31: Are there expansion joints due to the length of the building?

Government Response: No expansion joints are currently visible in the façade. No expansion joints shall be created during the façade work.

Note was added to SOW chapter B4.04.

Question 32: Section B6.02 deviates from the courtesy translation in both projects. The English version describes fire damage restoration work on an apartment (~120 m², classification GB1/GB2). Please confirm whether the fire damage restoration described is part of the project. If not, please delete this section or clarify it, as there is no obvious connection to the renovation of the facade, windows, and drainage system.

Government Response: This is a copy error. Section was updated.

Question 33: Drainage system with either open drainage or connection to a storm sewer – please specify clearly: Connection to a storm sewer or open drainage (soak away/gradient); Since both options differ in terms of both cost and installation, a clear specification is required.

Government Response: No open drainage. Underground connection to storm sewer shall be made. Therefore the attachment “Atta003_stormwater” is part of the solicitation so that the contractor can see where the existing storm sewer is routed. Routing of new lines, connection details, slope etc. must be checked by the contractor, these factors are basis for the shop drawings and they must be prepared by the contractor.

Wording was clarified in SOW chapter B3.01.

Question 34: Can a quantity estimate be given for the repair work required for the damaged mortar joints in the melaphyre Masonry?

Government Response The Contractor's lump-sum price shall include the replacement of 30% of the mortar joints. Any actual variation from this 30% baseline might be adjusted via contract modification upon the Contracting Officer's determination of reasonableness.

Question 35: Photovoltaic modules are installed on both roofs on the south side. How should repairs to the slate roof beneath the photovoltaic system be handled?

Question 36: Where can the excavated soil be stored if it is reusable?

Government Response: COR will determine where excavated soil can be stored. Bidders shall include an one-way driving distance of max. 5 km within Smith Barracks into their bid.

Wording was added to SOW chapter B3.01