10. YXTK 13-1806 TDX Services (20231115) Govt Responses.pdf

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•Communications: Is there star link, internet or other form of communication back to the United

States for emails, etc.

Government Response: Starlink resources are currently being used on Ascension. The responsibility for setup and maintenance would be the construction contractor. The other local cellular and internet provider is Sure. https://www.sure.co.ac

•Electricity: do we have access to electricity for recharging hand tools etc. How much does electricity cost.

Government Response: Electric and water hook-up are available and shall be furnished without charge. The construction contractor shall carefully conserve use of these utilities.

•Operating Fuel Station: Where do we purchase fuel (diesel and gas) for our construction equipment. Is there a military or private entity offering gas station services? Do we bring our own fuel to the island? What is a good price per gallon for both diesel and gas for estimating purposes?

Government Response: Only diesel is available through station support. This is provided at no cost to the contractor. Mogas or Unleaded fuel must be purchased on the local economy. There is only one source on Ascension located near Two Boats Village. Fuel prices are set at £1.50 per litre at this time and opening hours are 1630hrs to 1830hrs on Mondays and Thursdays.

•Gravel Pit: There is a fair amount of concrete on the project for road crossings and around each concrete utility pole that require gravel including the #57 stone base (Sheet C-502, Detail Pole setting and sheet C-501 Road Crossings). There appears to be a concrete plant near the airport.

Do we have access to concrete, cement and gravel to utilize for this project including building ecology blocks? Is there a vendor on island that mixes concrete, can we visit the gravel pit and concrete batching plant?

•Cement. Do we need to bring in cement for concrete or replace cement quantities utilized for this project?

Government Response: Reference Attachment 15. These are two concrete mixes using Portland

Type IL and Portland Type II cement. These mix designs have demonstrated the ability to achieve

3,500 - 4,000 PSI. It will still be the construction contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the mix design used achieves the strength requirements as stated in project documents.

Government Response: Elements to be provided by the Government at no cost to the construction contractor identified as station support furnished through the base support contractor (ABOS /

Yang Enterprises) areas are:

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-Transport of concrete poles from the material staging area to the installation locations

-#57 Stone for concrete (local aggregate)

-Red Hill Fill (local fill material. mining and stockpiling only)

For remaining elements, refer to Specification 01 00 00, Para 1.4.2., whereas all equipment shall be furnished by the construction contractor. Access to Government equipment will be very limited.

•Heavy Equipment Rentals: This project will require a number of pieces of heavy equipment such as excavator, compaction, concrete mixer truck, etc. Can we go to the rental shop to get a rate sheet.

Government Response: No commercial rental sources exist on Ascension. An alternative approach may be to contact the Asension Island Government for availability. That arrangement is at the discretion of the construction contractor and is made directly between the construction contractor and AIG. Their resources are limited for outsourcing. Contact for AIG is Kitty George, Shipping and Operations Officer, kitty.george@ascension.gov.ac

•Small tools rental: Is there a small tool rental shop, can we visit.

Government Response: No commercial rental sources exist on Ascension. All items like this

(small tools) must be furnished by the construction contractor.

•Contractor Staging Ground and port/harbor off-loading. Can we see the contractor staging ground, access, port/barge off-load and space for setting up an office trailer, small maintenance shop or a central staging area for concrete pole and wooden demolition waste? Does the contractor staging area have internet, phone or electricity available, for a site trailer? Who is responsible for off-loading the concrete poles, wire rolls, and conex with small materials from the docks to the contractor staging? Is there a harbor fee, off load fee or other harbor fees.

Government Response.

-There is a centralized staging area for materials that are offloaded from the vessel located near the softball fields.

-Accommodations can be made for a contractor laydown area to include spacing for an office trailer. Location will need to be requested by the construction contractor and approved by the

Government. All utility/communication connections to the trailer will need to be made by the construction contractor.

-All material shipped on the vessel is offloaded by the base operations support contractor and transported to the staging area at no cost to the construction contractors. No customs or other fees are assessed to cargo utilizing the Government vessel.

148 concrete holes are required for this project. They will be 50 feet in length and weigh approximately 4,340 to 5,650 pounds per pole. Total weight will be 322 to 418 tons plus bunk weights for holding the poles. How much room on a barge, do we need to schedule two barge trips.

Government Response: No cargo restrictions exist for downrange vessel shipments.

Material/equipment shipment will need to be forecasted within the contractor construction schedule. This will allow the Shipping & Receiving Section to identify the next vessel according to the current schedule and coordinate with the carrier to ensure a vessel is used that can meet the capacity of shipments.

•Hotel, or sleeping quarters for employees, where located, how many bed(s) are available, shower facilities, bathroom facilities, what do our employees need to provide/bring etc. Also, where do employees eat, available kitchen facilities, etc. do we need to bring food in by barge.

Government Response: Lodging is provided to construction contractor personnel at no cost.

Rooms are in dormitory style facilities that include sinks/showers/toilets. Dependent on mission requirements will dictate room occupancy. Every effort is made to have rooms as single occupancy, but there may be times when double occupancy is required.

•Potable water for concrete mixing, if required.

Government Response: water hook-up is available and furnished without charge. The construction contractor shall carefully conserve use of these utilities.

Question & Answer Template

Solicitation: FA252123B0008

Project Number: YXTK 13-1806 Repair Electrical Distribution Lines

Feeder 5, AAAF

Contractor Name: ___TDX Power Services__________________________

POC: ___Loren Jalbert ___________________________________

IFB Section __L________ Paragraph __L-4_______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ___________

Other (Specify) __Bid Submission Forms _________________________

Question:

Cost Estimate Breakdown (Form CECC 3052), it would appear that we can submit a similar computer-generated form. Is this acceptable.

Government Response: Similar computer generated forms are acceptable that contain the same information as reflected in the CECC 3052

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IFB Section __Plan Set ________ Paragraph ___Flag Notes ______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page _____Demolition ______

Other (Specify) ____Wooden Pole removal_______________________

Question:

Two Questions on this subject

1. Per Flag notes, various plan sheets, Demolish wood utility poles and associated guy wires.

Do we excavate the entire pole out of the ground, or do we cut the wooden pole flush with the ground with a chain saw?

Government Response: Wooden poles may be cut 12 inches minimum below grade and backfilled to match existing grade.

2. Are we placing the wooden poles in the land fill cell or at a location by the incinerator to be used as fuel for the burning?

Government Response: All waste debris will be disposed of locally in the landfill.

Contractor will be instructed where to place the poles. Poles are to be stripped of all attachments.

IFB Section ___N/A_______ Paragraph ___N/A______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ____N/A_______

Other (Specify) __Small tools and consumables _________________________

Question:

For this project, the general contractor will be bringing in a large amount of small tools and consumables (blades, drill bits, grease, etc.) Can we leave these items with the military after this project is completed, verses shipping it back to Florida?

Government Response: Yes under the condition the items left behind are in good working condition. All items determined unserviceable for future use will need to be properly disposed of.

IFB Section __N/A________ Paragraph __N/A_______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ______N/A_____

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

1. In the site walk it was mentioned that the Government would furnish gravel, diesel, non-potable water for compaction and barging costs. Are there any other associated costs that the Government will provide in preparing our bid response?

2. Will the Government have any utility maps for utility identification and blue staking for underground utilities, especially at Facility 12240, tank farm facility. Per the specifications we understand that we need to provide our own utility locating, but any as-built maps will assist in this effort.

3. Can the contractor pay for meals and rooms on an invoice basis utilizing either on a credit card, or sending us a invoice at the end of each month based on the sign in sheet at the cafeteria, verses our team carrying large amounts of cash to Ascension Island for meals.

4. It was noted that Amazon and other products are delivered in the Air Cargo, can a contractor utilize air cargo for delivery of small items, products, or construction equipment consumables that may be utilized.

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Government Responses:

1a. Elements to be provided by the Government at no cost to the construction contractor identified as station support furnished through the base support contractor (ABOS / Yang

Enterprises) areas are:

-Transport of concrete poles from the material staging area to the installation locations

-#57 Stone for concrete (local aggregate)

-Red Hill Fill (local fill material. mining and stockpiling only)

For remaining elements, refer to Specification 01 00 00, Para 1.4.2., whereas all equipment shall be furnished by the construction contractor. Access to Government equipment will be very limited.

1b. Elements to be provided by the Government at no cost to the construction contractor (SF 1442, Section C)

-Para 4. Transportation of contractor furnished materials and equipment from Patrick SFB to

Ascension Island, including loading and offloading along with return shipments (retrograde) from

Ascension Island to Port Canaveral

-Para 8.2 Housing.

-Para 8.3 Fuel (diesel only)

-Para 8.4 Utilities (electric and water)

2. Locates will be done by the Government prior to the start of construction. Currently as-builts are not available for this area.

3. Rooms are furnished at no cost as station support. Meal charges can be consolidated and paid for on a weekly or monthly basis using the sign in sheets to calculate the amount due. Payment can be made by credit card.

4. Para 4.2 Air shipment of material to Ascension using the Government Transportation Account

Code (TAC) where shipping costs are paid for by the Government is restricted to construction material/equipment only and must be approved on a case-by-case basis through the Contracting

Officer. Personal effects must be paid for by the construction contractor.

IFB Section ___Section 01 00 00_______ Paragraph ____1.25 Salvageable Materials_____

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ___Page 15 of 264________

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

All demolished electrical conduit, hardware, etc. will be salvageable. Will the government provide a bin, local collection conex, etc. for metal(s).

Government Response: Contractor will be directed where to place demolished material that is determined salvageable. Collection containers will be provided.

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IFB Section _Site visit _________ Paragraph __SURE Communication Facility_______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ___________

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

During the site visit, we were told that we will need to get permits from the Ascension Government to access this facility and that there may be permits. Do we need know what permits are required.

Will the U.S. Federal Government assist the general contractor with the Ascension Island

Government with the SURE facility connection.

The asphalt at this location looks very beaten up. Is the contractor required to provide asphalt for the top of the trench or can we put a concrete cap, or lease as is with compacted soil?

Government Response: Install according to C-501 Communication Cable Trench Detail.

IFB Section __01 00 00_____ Paragraph __Working Hours _______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page _____Page 12 of 264______

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

Working hours are defined as 7:30 AM to 4 PM, with no work on Sundays. Can the contractor work a longer day, starting at 7:00 AM and stopping at 5:00 PM. Once our team is on-island, and in the interest of time, schedule, we would like to work a 10 hour day – six days a week to rapidly complete this project. We would give advance notice as outlined in Section 01 00 00.

Government Response: A Mon-Sat, 10 hour day work schedule has been approved in the past and should be acceptable for this effort. Consideration will need to be made once on site activities start to accommodate the schedule of the assigned Construction Contract Inspector.

IFB Section ____Sheet C-106_& C-425_____ Paragraph ___Facility 16547______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ___________

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

In this section of overhead line replacement (sheet C106 & C 425), we may have some field conflicts with the British RA overhead electrical lines with possible conflicts with the excavation for the guy wire blocks (See Detail BH C-106) on Sheet C425). Can we potentially field fit the guy wire excavation to not conflict with the active overhead line that will be demolished, or can we utilize an above ground concrete block, similar to the guy wire connection at Cross Hill Road

(see picture below)

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Government Response: Guy anchors may be installed as required provided all proposed guy anchors and medium voltage cabling are tensioned in accordance with Specification Section 33

71 01.00 40 Section 2.2.2 and Section 1.3.2 Sag and Tension Calculations.

If above grade anchorage is proposed, ensure the engineer of record for the pole is in agreement with the method of anchoring and that the location of the proposed anchor does not conflict with or obstruct existing to remain infrastructure or pathways and is not located within five-feet or a buried utility.

IFB Section __01 45 00________ Paragraph __3.4.1 Personnel Requirements _______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ____Page 6 and 7 of Section 01 45

00_______

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

Personnel Requirements: Per this paragraph, the general contractor will require to have the following personnel on site 1) CQC system manager, 2) a safety and health manager, and 3) a superintendent. These are the prime senior management team that will be on site. However in

Section 3.4.3 the CQC organization outlines the individuals or specialized technical employees that need to be on Ascension Island during construction, per this paragraph, These individuals or specialized technical companies are employees of the prime or subcontractor; be responsible to the CQC System Manager; be physically present at the construction site during work on the specialized personnel's areas of responsibility; have the necessary education or experience in accordance with the experience matrix listed herein.

• Civil engineer

• Mechanical Engineer

• Electrical Engineer

• Structural Engineer

• Environmental Engineer

• Submittal Clerk

• Family Housing coordinator

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• Materials testing Technician

• Testing, Adjusting and Balance Personnel

Per Section 3.4.5 - Do we need all these people on Ascension Island during construction activities?

Government Response: Personnel to be provided based on the scope of work.

IFB Section ___01 45 00_______ Paragraph __3.7.3 Onsite Laboratory_______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ____Page 11_______

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

Does the contractor need an on-site laboratory for material testing? As outlined in Part 2 Products

Section 31 00 00, Offsite soils. We can provide a total hydrocarbon for the bedding sand that is imported. Is the #57 Stone base, from Ascension Island gravel pit at the airport considered “off-site”.

Government Response: Onsite laboratory is not required. Laboratory tests from materials vendors will suffice, ensure materials are free of hazardous and deleterious materials.

IFB Section _31 00 00 _________ Paragraph __3.9.2.1 compaction of subgrade_______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page __Page 12_________

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

It notes under 3.9.2.1 that compaction of subgrade has to be 95%, but as the soils on the island are primarily volcanic in nature with very little fines, are we required to hit a 95% compaction? The compacted #57 aggregate from the Ascension Island gravel pit, will be able to meet the 95% compaction. As Ascension is an island, it will be difficult to get a nuclear testing gauge to the island. Does the contractor need to show 95% compaction?

Government Response: Specification 31 00 00 assumes a portion of subgrade soil is fine aggregate material. If fines are not present, compact subgrade in accordance with C-001 Foundation General

Note #5. Perform all other testing as required in the specifications and drawings.

IFB Section ___01 33 00_______ Paragraph __1.2 Submittals _______

SOW/Technical Specification/Drawings paragraph/page ___Page 5 or (28 of 264 on PDF)___

Other (Specify) ___________________________

Question:

The specifications are written similar to the Army Corp of Engineers. Does Space Force utilize

RMS for submittals?

As noted under Section 1.2 Submittals – 5 copies of submittals information for listed items. For bidding purposes we assume that these five copies (of each submittal) will be fedex or mailed to

Space Force.

The Army Corp of Engineers also has their own submittal codes. Does Space Force have a submittal code for approved submittals.

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Government Response: Reference SF 1442, Section C, Para 3 for procedures to follow regarding material submittals. The USSF does not follow the practices in place by USACE. For the purposes of submittals for this project, they will be submitted using the Air Force Form 3000 in electronic format. No hard copy submissions will be required.

Supplemental Question:

E-101 Flag note 1 states all direct buried comm lines need to be removed in their entirety. Can you confirm that means digging up and disposing of the full length of all buried comm lines, throughout their full length?

Government Response: Design team believes there is direct buried communications at the following locations:

- From existing HH-11 at Catherine Point Road and Gannet Road Junction to Facility 12240 at

RAF POL site and SURE Facility.

- From existing pole 52A at command control to Facility 12225

- From existing pole 72 to Facility 41011

- From MH-53 to Facility 16545