Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Solicitation # FA441719RA013

Questions and Answers Solicitation # FA441719RA013

Repair Command Post Bldg. 90208 29 August 2019

1. Is this project sales tax exempt? If the project is sales tax exempt can the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate?

Answer: Section I of the solicitation includes by reference Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.229-3, Federal, State, and Local Taxes. In accordance with FAR 52.229-3(h), “The Government shall, without liability, furnish evidence appropriate to establish exemption from any Federal, State, or local tax when the Contractor requests such evidence and a reasonable basis exists to sustain the exemption”.

2. Will the Government provide comprehensive written badging requirements for the project if badging is required?

Answer: A list of personnel that has been authorized for Base Access through the Contracting Officer will be used to validate each worker, each morning before entering the building.

Furthermore, Solicitation Attachment 6 – Additional Contractor Information, Section “CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS (IAW AFFARS 5352.242-9000)”, paragraph a states “Contractor personnel are required to wear or prominently display installation identification badges or contractor-furnished, contractor identification badges while visiting or performing work on the installation”.

3. Where will the designated parking area be for workers accessing the construction site?

Answer: Workers will be authorized to park in the adjacent lots near the construction site. More information about designated parking area and contractor “lay-down areas” will be available on the Pre-Construction Conference.

4. Will the government accept the use of the industry leading Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project?

Answer: No, Solicitation Section L, paragraph 3.1.1 SUBFACTOR 1 – Project Schedule states “The submitted schedule must be developed using project scheduling software such as MS Project, Primavera, or any other comparable form. The AF Form 3064, Contract Progress Schedule may also be used for submission of this item, and is recommended”.

5. During construction in an area where the ceilings or fire suppression system will be disrupted, will NFPA 241 apply? Will the government require additional security measures beyond NFPA code such as fire watch, temporary fire alarms, adjustments to sprinkler heads, etc.

Answer: The contractor shall comply with NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 241, the APP, the AHA, Federal & State OSHA regulations, and other related submittals and activity fire and safety regulations. The most stringent standard prevails.

Look to solicitation Attachment 1 – Specifications under the following Sections:

Section 01 50 00 Temporary Construction Facilities and Controls, paragraph 2.1.4 Temporary Wiring, states “Provide temporary wiring in accordance with NFPA 241 and NFPA 70. Include frequent inspection of all equipment and apparatus”.

Section 21 13 13.00 10 Wet Pipe Sprinkler System, Fire Protection, paragraph 1.4 Quality Assurance, states “Compliance with referenced NFPA standards is mandatory. In the event of a conflict between specific provisions of this specification and applicable NFPA standards, this specification governs. Interpret reference to "authority having jurisdiction" to mean the Contracting Officer”.

Section 28 31 64.00 10 Fire Detection and Alarm System, paragraph 2.1 System Description, states “The existing fire detection and alarm system and the central reporting system shall be utilized to provide a complete, supervised fire alarm reporting system configured in accordance with NFPA 72; exceptions are acceptable as directed by the Contracting Officer. Furnish equipment compatible and UL listed, FM approved, or approved or listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory in accordance with the applicable NFPA standards.

6. Does the Government have a fire alarm servicer that they currently work with? What is the name and contact information of the person or persons that will need to be coordinated with for security and fire alarm and suppression systems work and/or disruptions?

Answer: CE maintains fire alarms. The POC is the CE Inspector/Contracting Officer Representative.

7. Has the work area been checked for asbestos?

Answer: No, there are no toxic substance concerns or ACM/LBP surveys on record. The building was constructed in 2002.

8. What is the Governments’ policy if asbestos products are encountered during construction?

Answer: Solicitation Attachment 1 – Specifications, Section 01 35 26, paragraph 3.1.3 Unforeseen Hazardous Material, states “Contract documents identify materials such as PCB, lead paint, and friable and non-friable asbestos and other OSHA regulated chemicals (i.e. 29 CFR Part 1910.1000). If material(s) that may be hazardous to human health upon disturbance are encountered during construction operations, stop that portion of work and notify the Contracting Officer immediately. The Government will determine if the material is hazardous. If material is not hazardous or poses no danger, the Government will direct the Contractor to proceed without change. If material is hazardous and handling of the material is necessary to accomplish the work, the Government may issue a modification”.

Additional procedures are included in FAR clause 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions, which can be found in solicitation Section I by reference.

9. Does the Government currently have a 3rd party testing service for those items requiring testing or is the contractor free to locate and hire applicable testing firms?

Answer: 3rd party testing is the responsibility of the contractor for more information please see answer to question 8 above.

10. Who is responsible for the utility locations?

Answer: The contractor shall follow the AF103 BCE Work Clearance Request process. Moreover, Solicitation Attachment 1 – Specifications, Section 01 35 26, paragraph 3.2.1 Utility Location Verification, states “Physically verify underground utility locations, including utility depth, by hand digging using wood or fiberglass handled tools when any adjacent construction work is expected to come within 3 feet of the underground system”.

11. Due to current potentially significant tariffs being placed on the importation of building materials such as wood or steel by the current Presidential Executive Branch, if a tariff is placed after bid time and before award will the government consider a price escalation on a contract value for products such as steel or wood should the executive branch levee tariffs effecting such materials? Most of these materials would still have been Buy American compliant as the tariffs would increase pricing on all steel or wood materials, regardless of origin.

Answer: Solicitation Section M, paragraph 6.0 Clarifications, Discussions, and Negotiations, states “The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offerors initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint”.

FAR clause 52.225-9, Buy American – Construction Materials, as well as 52.225-10, Notice of Buy American Requirement – Construction Materials, are included by full text in Section I of the solicitation.

Furthermore, included in solicitation Section I by reference is FAR clause 52.229-3, Federal, State, and Local Taxes. Procedures in this clause apply to after-imposed Federal tax.

12. Which company is responsible for the HVAC controls for this campus and who is the point of contact for this company?

Answer: CE maintains HVAC controls. The POC is the CE Inspector/Contracting Officer Representative.

13. Is a dedicated SSHO or QCM or can either position be dual hatted with another onsite position?

Answer: Contractor’s Option.

14. Can a copy of the sign-in sheet for the site visit be published prior to the bid response date?

Answer: The pre-proposal site visit sign-in sheet conducted 15 August 2019 was added/published the same day to the solicitation package on www.fbo.gov.

15. Is there any phasing on this project?

Answer: Construction will need to occur in 2 phases. Phase one will be Construction of the new JPG area with construction separation for the existing adjacent Battle Staff area which will need to remain fully functional. Phase 1 will include the reconfiguration of the wall of the Command Post. Phase 2 will include the NCIOS office and north corridor work which will need to be coordinate with other areas of the building which are to remain operational throughout construction. Both interior HVAC Air Handlers are to be replaced. Coordination of duration of areas without A/C will need to occur prior to construction start. In addition, Solicitation Attachment 2 – Drawings, illustrates the phasing on the project. Within the drawings, Sheet Reference A-111 illustrates Phase I and Phase 2.

16. What are the work hours for this project?

Answer: Solicitation Attachment 1 – Specifications, Section 01 14 00, paragraph 1.2.2 Working Hours, states “Regular working hours must consist of a period between 7 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Government holidays”. Work outside of these hours may be accomplished with coordination with CE and written approval of the contracting officer.

17. Can Superintendent also serve as QCM/SSHO?

Answer: See answer to Question 13 above.

18. Is cell phone/two-radio use allowed inside building?

Answer: No, cell phone/two-way radio use is not allowed inside the building.

19. Will temporary fencing be required for laydown/office area?

Answer: Yes, provide temporary fencing around the laydown/office area.

20. Will there be a cost for temporary utilities and what utilities will be made available?

Answer: The use of electricity, water, and sanitary sewer is available for use by the contractor at no cost. The contractor must provide, install, and remove all components for connectivity from each utility source.

21. Will there be separate inspections/testing/training (pre-final/final) be made for each phase?

Answer: Inspections and testing must be accomplished prior to a phase being accepted for Government use. Training may occur at the end of the project

22. Is there any GOV salvage/recyclables/equipment/furnishings to be turned over to the GOV?

Answer: No, there are no Government items identified to be turned over to the Government.

http://www.fbo.gov/

23. Is there any requirements for storage of any GOV equipment/furnishings? If so, approximately how many cubic feet?

Answer: Demolition note #1, The Government will remove equipment prior to the building demolition.

24. Will escorts be provided as needed for work inside the building at no cost to the contractor and if so, how many?

Answer: The Government will provide escorts as required for the number of contractor personnel inside the building at no cost.

25. If escorts are not provided at no cost, can the GOV please provide information on obtaining escorts and limitations that may affect production?

Answer: Not Applicable; the Government will provide escorts as required for the number of contractor personnel inside the building at no cost.

26. Can you provide product information (brand/model) on existing raised floor?

Answer: This information is not currently available.