Questions and Answers FA441720R0009.docx

Solicitation # FA441720R0009

Questions and Answers Solicitation # FA441720R0009 Water Tower Maintenance Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) 30 July 2020

1. How many tanks are there and what sizes are they?

Answer: The number of water tanks and their corresponding sizes are located on attachment 2.

2. Will there be a mandatory pre bid meeting?

Answer: There are no “mandatory” pre bid meetings, however, there will be a site visit held on 9 July at 1PM CST. Please refer to the solicitation for instructions regarding attendance.

3. I read that this project will be set aside for small businesses only- does that mean if you are not a SBE you are unable to bid this?

Answer: Correct, this requirement is explicitly set-aside for women-owned small businesses. If your company is not a qualifying women-owned small business, the company is ineligible for award.

4. Can you give me site locations for each of these tanks?

Answer: Site locations are annotated in attachments 13 through 16.

5. What is the project start and completion dates?

Answer: This solicitation is intending to establish an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. There are associated period of performances (ordering periods) where the Government may order services from the awardee. These orders, or task orders, will identify a specific period of performance for a specific project. The listed period of performances in the solicitation may vary depending on date of award.

6. Is it possible to get a list of plan holders or a list of companies that will be submitting proposals for this project?

Answer: On the beta.sam website where the solicitation is posted, there is an attachment from the site visit with companies who were interested in the project and attended the site visit. Their information is on the attachment “Site Visit SIGN-IN ROSTER 9 July 2020”. Additionally, once the contract is awarded, the award notice will be posted to beta.sam which will have the prime contractor’s information on it.

7. Will the exterior of the tanks receive a pressure wash and overcoat or sandblast to SSPC SP10, contained, and painted? There are conflicting sections that state both in the master specification.

Answer: Both are permitted on water towers. Sandblasting was included in specs for rust removal if area was too large for grinder.

8. Will weekend work be allowed if no inspections are required?

Answer: Weekend work is permitted and shall be scheduled 72 hours in advance for approval by Contracting Officer. All work on towers will be inspected.

9. The (SOW 18 June 2020) – mentioned that the contractor should paint the exterior surface and shall remove failed paint and corrosion from the metal surface. Please clarify if abrasive blasting is required. The Technical Specification includes two (2) process, one with abrasive blasting and one with just pressure washer.

Answer: See question 7 for answer

10. The Water Towers are close to existing occupied buildings and parking lots. If abrasive blasting is required, please clarify if containment system for exterior blasting need to be considered to prevent dust contamination around the premises. It is important to clarify because a proposal that includes the containment system cost is considerably different.

Answer: If abrasive blasting is used, containment shall be utilized for protection of surrounding areas.

11. Are any tanks known to contain lead?

Answer: Interior of water containment areas have no lead and exterior survey has been attached.

12. Will there be access to power and water at each of the sites during the project?

Answer: Yes, if fire hydrant is used, backflow preventer inspected this year shall be utilized.

13. Will any license or permits be required for the project?

Answer: A burn permit will be required for any welding accomplished. The Government will obtain burn permits; Contractor to provide 72 hrs notice prior.

14. Specifications state that work can be performed Monday through Friday from 7 am to 4 pm, Will Saturday or Sunday work be approved?

Answer: Information on working hours, including the approval process to work weekends is located in paragraph 6 of Attachment 3, Master Statement of Work (SOW).

15. Do any of the tanks contain antenna or communication equipment? If so and they are in the way of painting that is to be done, can the owner remove them or relocate?

Answer: The Government will not remove any existing communication equipment. Any surface prep or painting shall be done around equipment.

16. What years were the tanks built?

Answer: Bldg. 90335 -1955, Bldg. 90354 - 1968, Bldg. 91134 - 1986, Bldg. 90808 - 1993

17. Are all the tanks located within the fenced secure area of the base?

Answer: All tanks are located within the fenced secure area of the base. The location of the tanks are located in attachments 13 through 16.

18. What will be the requirements for getting on base to work daily?

Answer: Requirements for getting on base to work daily are contained in Section H of the Solicitation. Please refer to paragraphs under Section H such as Required Insurance, Contractor Access to Air Force Installations, and Valid ID.

19. Will workers require a background check? What will preclude a worker from being allowed on base?

Answer: Please refer to Section H of the Solicitation, as mentioned in the answer to question 18 above.

20. Is the project (Hurlburt) tax exempt on sales tax?

Answer: Obtaining a Government contract does not constitute agency. Unless otherwise exempted by law, this contract will not preclude the contractor from any taxes.

21. The SOW for the interior lists surface preparation and painting details however, then states “Attached specification section 12200 covers work to be done on the interior of the tank.” Please confirm the paint details are per the SOW and NOT Section 12200 or other paint sections. Also, please confirm this hold for all interior paint line items within each option. See pages 18-19 of the attached.

Answer: All interior preparation and paint shall be accomplished per SOW to include option year line items. 12200 specification is included to address additional conditions that may be encountered.

22. Same for the exterior. The SOW provides details for an overcoat, then states, “Blasting and containment are to be accomplished in accordance with Section 12400, Exterior Tank Painting.” Please confirm the paint details are per the SOW and NOT Section 12400 or other paint sections. Also, please confirm this hold for all exterior paint line items within each option. See pages 18-19 of the attached.

Answer: All exterior preparation and paint shall be accomplished per SOW to include option year line items. 12400 specification is included to address additional conditions that may be encountered.

23. For Tower #7 is the inside dry area to be painted when/if the interior paint is selected or will that include only the interior wet/water compartment?

Answer: Dry area shall be included with exterior painting. Interior only includes wet/water compartment.

24. Please confirm on the years specified the intent is to contain & blast the entire exterior of all four tanks before applying the coatings as specified in section 12400 Part 1.11.

Answer: Intent is to blast and/or grind failed paint and corrosion from tower surfaces, prime and paint. Entire exterior is not required to be sand blasted.

25. Specifications state that the interior coatings are to be in accordance with section 12200. This section does not specify the types of coatings or the required thickness.

Answer: Please refer to Section 01 10 00 of Specification, paragraph 1.03.1

26. Section 12400 Part 1.10 states the we must maintain temperatures of 60 to 80 F while applying coating. Is this an accidental carry over from another project? Being outside and depending on timing, this could be very costly. Instead would you allow us to follow the coating manufactures recommendations from the data sheet?

Answer: This equipment is only required if dew point cannot be maintained. Tnemec coating data sheets are approved however, if an or equal product is used, contractor shall follow mfg recommendations from data sheets.

27. Will non-rigid containment with be allowed.

Answer: Yes. Contractor may use rigid or non-rigid containment method.

28. Can we use coal slag for adhesive instead of sika sand or steel grit?

Answer: Coal slag is allowed as suitable abrasive but not adhesive which I believe was a spelling error. This change should be added to 12200 Section 1.04 E. Abrasives as one of the approved abrasives for blasting.