Questions_ _Answers__1.pdf

QUESTION & ANSWER #1

FOR

SOLICITATION – FA4418-13-R-0004

SAMPLE PROJECT

Q1. The wall height in the bathrooms is not denoted in SOW, please confirm wall height for accurate square footage calculations.

A1. 9’-10-1/2”

Q2. What type of lavatory, water closet, and urinal valves are required (i.e. hard wired sensor valves vs. manually operated valves). No specifications are provided.

A2. Manual flush valves

Q3. The SOW states to paint the ceilings, doors, and frames. What is the material and condition of the surfaces to be painted and refinished and are there any lead paint concerns?

A3. All surfaces are sound. Include minimal surface preparation. Propose a two coat paint system on ceilings and door frames. The doors are wood with a natural polyurethane finish. There is no lead based paint in the building.

Q4. Assuming all new bathroom accessories are to be stainless steel, please confirm.

A4. Correct.

Q5. What size and type are the existing light fixtures to be replaced (2 x 4 surface mounted fluorescent, 2 x 2 recessed fluorescent, etc.)? Are they to be replaced with high efficiency fixtures?

A5. The existing fixtures are 2x4 surface mounted fluorescent. You may propose a high efficiency fixture. See A27 Attachment

Q6. Are the light switches to be replaced with occupancy sensors? .

A6. Light switches are not to be replaced per the Statement of Work.

Q7. What are the size and quantity of the HVAC registers (supply and return) to be replaced?

A7. See A27 Attachment

Q8. What is the construction of the existing ceiling(s); i.e. drywall, plaster, etc.? Is there any friable asbestos concerns with removing light fixtures and HVAC registers from the ceiling?

A8. The ceiling is 5/8” drywall. There is no asbestos in the building.

Q9. What is the access to the building (how far to exterior door where dumpster and material deliveries can be staged)?

A9. Access to the work area in Bldg 108 will be from an entrance at the rear of the building were the parking lot is located. Parking spaces will be provided to the contractor for dumpster and a lay down area as he deems appropriate. The 1st floor rest rooms are 140’ from this entrance. The elevator is 12’ from this entrance and the 2nd floor rest rooms are 50’ from the elevator.

Q10. What type of access is there to the existing chillers to be replaced?

A10. The chillers are located at the end of a service drive. They are located behind a screening fence. A crane should be used to lift old and new equipment in place. The closest chiller is 20’ from the edge of pavement. The furthest is 40’.

Q11. How are the existing chillers controlled? Is there any new connection to a building or base wide DDC control system or are the existing controls assumed to be able to control the new units?

A11. The existing self contained controls operate the chillers.

Q12. Where are the existing chiller unit electrical disconnects located?

A12. Adjacent to the equipment at the edge of the concrete pad.

Q13. Will a site visit be held to review the Sample Project?

A13. No

Q14. Are we to replace the chiller lines? If yes, how far back do we replace the chiller lines (at the nearest union) or at a point further back in the system?

A14. Pipe the new chillers to the nearest union. For this exercise assume that the line sizes are the same.

Q15. Is the Chilled Water System glycol or water?

A15. Water

Q16. Is the heat trace system existing to remain?

A16. Yes

Q17. Does the concrete chiller pad get replaced or re-used?

A17. Reused

Q18. Can the chiller be down for any period of time? If yes, for what duration? If no, do we need to provide temporary cooling or chiller?

A18. The building can operate on one chiller. Plan your project accordingly.

Q19. The plumbing fixtures appear to be wall mounted on elevations. Should we assume we will re-use the existing wall carriers? Is as-built information available to detail the fixture mounting layout?

A19. Assume that this is a straight change out and existing wall carriers will be used.

Q20. Are plumbing fixtures and sink rough-ins to remain? If so, please provide detail of existing water and waste rough-ins so we can coordinate with new fixtures (i.e. waste line size and location and water line size and location).

A.20 Assume that this is a straight change out and existing rough in will be used.

Q21. Should we assume re-using the countertop supports or should we replace?

A21. Either way you propose is OK. The intention is to minimize disturbing the ceramic tile finish.

Q22. Are any Fire Alarm devices present? If yes, are we to replace or protect during renovation? Or should we assume for the Sample Project proposal, none is present.

A22. Alarm devices are present. These are to be protected, not replaced.

Q23. Are any Sprinkler heads present? If yes, are we to replace or protect during renovation? Or should we assume for the Sample Project proposal, none is present.

A23. Sprinkler heads are present, these are to be protected, not replaced.

Q24. Please provide as-built information on the plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire alarm and fire suppression system, if available. If the information is unavailable, please provide details (quantity, type, manufacturer and sizes) or photos of the existing ceiling/wall devices we are to replace (i.e. light fixtures, FA devices, HVAC diffusers or grilles, sprinkler head locations, etc.).

A24. Fire protection see A22 & A23. Ceiling layout see A27 Attachment

Q25. Are hazardous materials present (i.e. lead paint or asbestos)? Or should we assume for the Sample Project proposal, none is present.

A25. None are present.

Q26. Would the government provide pictures of the interiors of the rooms(132, 134, 204, and 206) to be renovated including ceilings and also pictures of the chillers that are to be replaced ?

A26. No. On a real deliver order this would be addressed in the submittals.

Q27. Are as-builts available for Building 108 showing a more complete picture of the area and the area around which is to be renovated ? Specifically existing floor plan, reflected ceiling plan, electrical power and lighting plans and mechanical plan showing the location of the chillers to be replaced.

A27. See Attachment #11 added as part of Addendum #0001

Q28. If those as-builts are available can they be provided in CAD format ?

A28. Drawings were produced before AutoCAD

Q29. The restroom details shown in attachment # 7 indicate the toilets as wall mounted. Please confirm the toilets are wall mount..

A29. Toilets are wall mount.

Q30. The Statement of Work (attachment 8) in item 6 of page 2 indicates to replace all light fixtures and HVAC registers. The floor plan on page 2 may indicate 1 wall mounted light fixture (or mirror) above the lavatory in the women's restroom. Please clarify. Are there any overhead light fixtures? What type and how many ? Also, can we assume that there is 1 exhaust grill and 1 supply grill? Are the ceiling light fixtures surface or recessed mounted?

A30. See Q27.

Q31. The statement of work (attachment 8) in item 6 of page 2 indicates to replace all light fixtures and HVAC registers. The floor plan on page 2 may indicate 3 wall mounted light fixtures(or mirrors) above the lavatories in the men's restroom. Please clarify. Are there any overhead light fixtures? What type and how many? Also, can we assume that there is 1 exhaust grill and 2 supply grills? Are the ceiling light fixtures surface or recessed mounted?

A31. See Q27.

Q32. Are the existing chillers PAC-1 and PAC-2 enabled by the building DDC control system? If so, can the base provide the name brand of the DDC controls?

A32. Trane

Q33. Question: Attachment #7 indicates ceramic tile types are available in the Finish Schedule on Drawing Sheet A8. Can that sheet be provided ?

If not, please clarify the existing ceramic tile condition or provide as follows;

a. Size of the floor and wall tile

b. Color of the existing grout A33. The SOW calls for reconditioning of the ceramic tile with the SaniGLAZE system.

Grout color to match existing. The quantities can be estimated from the plans provided.

Q34. Are the drawings available to us in Auto CADD format? If so, where and when may we gain access to them?

A34. See Q28.

Q35. Under Packaged Air Cooler Chiller Schedule Remarks: Referenced in item #2 – Provide a microprocessor Control Module – See Specs. How do we gain access to the Specs referenced in item #2?

A35. The Specs are no longer available but this is typical of a SABER project.

Q36. SOW Item 9: are the chiller units being replaced to have new DDC Controls/Valves?

A36. No

Q37. What is the Performance period for the project?

A37. Contractor is to provide this.

Q38. Do the restrooms need to be renovated in two phases or can both restrooms be renovated simultaneously?

A38. One set must be available as this is an occupied building

Q39. Are the new partitions to be floor mounted or hanged from the ceiling?

A39. Floor mounted.

Q40. Are as-built drawings available showing location of the existing PAC units 1 and 2; in order to quantify lighting fixtures; and to reflect the location of the sprinkler heads, etc?

A40. See A27 Attachment

Q41. Are there any requirements to update the existing mass notification system or to install a new mass notification system and/or devices?

A41. There is no requirement for work on the Mass Notification System.

Q42. Is the existing door hardware to be removed and reinstalled or removed and replaced?

A42. The hardware is to be re-used.

Q43. Although the Packaged Air-cooled chiller schedule was provided in the SOW, can you please provide the required specifications?

A43. Size the unit to the Schedule provided.

Q44. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 12 Mar 2013, at 9:30 a.m. (Please note that only one pre-proposal conference will be conducted.) The conference will be conducted at the 628 Contracting Office, 101 E. Hill Blvd, Building 503, Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, North Charleston, SC 29404. There will be no site visit.

Can arrangements be made so that the attending contractors can visit the seed project building 108 Toilet Rooms and existing Mechanical. If not possible, will the government make as built drawings for Building 108’s complete Architectural, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Drawings available in Adobe ( .pdf) and/or AutoCAD (.dwg) formats for the contractors use?

A44. Use the data provided and A27. See Attachment

Q45. What type of plumbing fixtures will be installed to replace the existing (Flush valve wall mount, floor mount, tank, etc.)?

A45. Porcelon fixtures with flush valves.

Q46. Will new sink be integral solid surface or drop in?

A46. Contractor’s choice, either will work.

Q47. Regarding the toilet partitions, are they floor mount with overhead brace or just floor mount?

A47. Floor mount.

Q48. New ceiling paint to be epoxy?

A48. Latex.

Q49. Is the Janitor closet on each floor included in the Scope, or just the Restrooms?

A49. Only restrooms.

Q50. Regarding the existing recessed sanitary napkin dispensers in each of the Women's Rooms. Were these are similar to the trash receptacles, will they also remain?

A50. Built in trash receptacles are to remain. All other accessories are surface mount units and they are to be replaced.

Q51. Please take lots of pictures. In many cases, pictures will answer the question - if we are to replace-in-kind.

A51. Cameras are not allowed in this facility. The cost proposal is not the place to match brand and model of items. The RS Means line item is all that is needed to define the item proposed.

Q52. We will need pictures of the ceiling to do a reflected ceiling plan and lighting replacement.

A52. The ceiling is painted drywall, A27. See Attachment for lighting and grills.

Q53. For the seed project, item #9 has a line about replacing chiller units PAC-1 and PAC-2. This seems to be overkill seeing that the other parts of the project involve small bathrooms. Can you confirm that this is part of the project?

A53. The scope of work is to renovate four rest rooms and replace two chillers.

Q54. If the PAC’s are part of the project, does JBC have preferred manufacturer/vendor?

A54. The cost proposal is not the place to match brand and model of items. The RS Means line item is all that is needed to define the item proposed.

Q55. Can we get a drawing mark-up from one of the government’s site visits to Bldg.

108 showing the existing electrical conditions in these bathrooms, if as built drawings are unavailable?

A55. See A27 Attachment

Q56. Can we get a drawing mark-up from one of the government’s site visits to Bldg.

108 showing the existing plumbing and mechanical conditions in these bathrooms, if as built drawings are unavailable?

A56. See A27 Attachment

Q57. What type of plumbing fixtures will be installed to replace the existing (Flushvalve wall mount, floor mount, tank, etc.)?

A57. Attachment #7 shows wall mount fixtures. Propose wall mount fixtures. The SOW says replace flush valves. Propose flush valves.

Q58. There are no floor drains noted on the plans. Are we to assume there will be none required as part of the renovation?

A58. No floor drains required.

Q59. Please provide 6 photos per room (4 rooms) (4 walls, ceiling, and floor), panel boards that service the project area, and all HVAC components involved in the project.

A59. Cameras are not allowed in this facility.

Q60. Please provide photos of the ceiling so that a reflected ceiling plan and lighting replacement plan can be prepared.

A60. See A27 Attachment

Q61. Item #9 has a line about replacing chiller units PAC-1 and PAC-2. Can you confirm that this is part of the sample project?

A61. It is

Q62. If the PACs are part of the sample project, does the Government have a preferred manufacturer/vendor?

A62. The cost proposal is not the place to match brand and model of items. The RS Means line item is all that is needed to define the item proposed.

Q63. Please prove photos of the existing exterior HVAC installation and name plate information.

A63. Cameras are not allowed in this facility. The cost proposal is not the place to match brand and model of items. The RS Means line item is all that is needed to define the item proposed.

Q64. Please provide dimensions of the existing concrete pad the existing chillers are installed on.

A64. Assume that the existing pads will work.

Q65. Referencing Att #8 Statement of Work; Section B, line item #9 stipulates replacing PAC-1 & PAC-2. Will PAC-3 (defined within the Package Air –Cooled Chiller Schedule) also be replaced?

A65. PAC-3 is not required.

Q66. Line Item #6 on Sample Project SOW required all light fixtures to be replaced, but there is not an existing reflective ceiling plan provided showing lighting. Please provide a drawings showing lighting size, location, quantity, and emergency lights.

A66. See A27 and Attachment

SOW & TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (Attachment #6)

Q67. SOW and Technical Specifications, 3.4 indicates “the Government anticipates less than five percent (5%) of the designs will require” an Engineer’s stamp. Will the Government compensate the Contractor for Engineer Stamped designs or shop drawings? An Engineer’s Stamp is typically applied to documents developed beyond the 35% design noted as part of the coefficient(s).

A67. Typically a SABER project may require incidental Professional Engineering support such as providing a fire sprinkler system, regulatory permitting, soil borings, or structural changes to an existing load bearing wall. A line item will be negotiated in the proposal to cover this cost.

Q68. SOW and Technical Specifications, 4.1 please provide copies of the Base Facilities Standard Design Guide, Base Architectural Compatibility Plan, and Air Mobility Command Design Guides.

A68. The Demonstration Project calls for replacement of existing components. The unit price line items should accurately describe to item. The Guides do not give such detail.

The Guides will be issued after award.

Q71. Attachment #6 paragraph 2.2.3, Project superintendence Reference is made that the Contractor shall provide at least (2) PS for the duration of the contract and shall increase the number as necessary, is there a certain $ value that we need to consider for the requirement of 2 persons and also for the additional , would we be required to employ 2 persons regardless of work activities?

A71. No dollar value. Yes.

Q72. Attachment # 6-9.1.7.2, Coefficient Is the superintendence of the task orders a direct charge to the task or is superintendence a part of the coefficient?

A72. The superintendence is a part of the coefficient.

Q73. Attachment #6 Technical Specification , Paragraph 2.2.1 requires the Contract Manager to “have a bachelor’s degree in civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering, a bachelor’s degree in architecture or at least 15 years of documented applicable construction experience with…..”

Is a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management acceptable to fulfill the education requirement for this position ?

A73. Yes

Q74. The requirements for Contract Manager read:

“The contract manager shall have a bachelor’s degree in civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering, a bachelor’s degree in architecture or at least 15 years of documented applicable construction experience with at least 5 of the 15 years being in a relevant construction management position.”

Would person with a B.A. in Construction Engineering / Building Science or a B.S. in Building Construction also be acceptable to perform the role of Contract Manager? If so, would a candidate with these qualifications be ranked lower than one that has a bachelor’s degree in civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering?

A74. Yes, No

Q75. Attachment #6, para 4.1 Items 7, 8 and 9 reference various local design guides. Can these design guides or a link to these design guides be provided?

A75. Guides will be provided after award.

Q76. Paragraph 25.3, of the SOW & Technical Specifications (p33 of 53) indicates the contractor will provide as-builts on “Mylar film”. In lieu of mylar, should the contractor submit as-builts on cdrom (AutoCad 2010 format) and a paper hardcopy?

A76. As builts are to be submitted on CD in AutoCad 2010 format with a copy on Mylar film.

Q77. Reference SOW 9.1.3/9.3.1/10.4 - Please confirm that only the RS Means Facilities Construction electronic database is to be provided with e4Clicks.

Q77. RS Means Facilities Construction database (current year) is the requirement.

Q78. Solicitation Page 9 Note 4: states, “The following Subdivisions/Major Classifications as contained in RS MEANS shall not be used as line items in pricing task orders issued under this contract. These costs shall be covered in the coefficients:

01 11 Summary of Work 01 21 Allowances 01 31 Project Management & Coordination 01 32 Construction Progress Documentation 01 41 Regulatory Requirements 01 45 Quality Control 01 51 Temporary Utilities 01 52 Construction Facilities 01 54 09.50 Personnel Protective Equipment 01 54 23.80 Staging Aids 01 54 36 Equipment Mobilization 01 54 39 Construction Equipment 01 56 32 Temporary Security 01 71 Examination & Preparation 01 74 Cleaning & Waste Management 01 91 Commissioning 01 93 Facility Maintenance 02 21 Surveys 02 32 Geotechnical Investigation 02 42 Removal & Salvage of Construction Materials”

Attachment #6, Paragraph 22.1, Page 31 of 53 indicates that material or systems tests may be “charges as a direct TO expense”, which indicates that TO specific test requirements may be included in the line item estimate from Division 01 45, however this section is excluded from use. Please clarify if all Material Testing Line Items in Division 01 45 are excluded from use on Task Order Estimates?

If an equipment item, such as an aerial lift or scaffolding, is not included in the crew listed for an individual line item, please clarify if the line item from 01 54 39 can be included in the proposal if the equipment is necessary to complete the work.

A78. Specific tests required for quality control for specific delivery orders will be negotiated into the proposal and the appropriate pre-priced line items will be included.

EQUIPMENT: If specialized rental equipment is needed to perform the work, and it is not included in the crew cost, appropriate line items will be negotiated into the proposal to cover that cost i.e. hydraulic lifts, crane, forklift, etc. Pickup trucks, incidental hand and power tools required for mechanics to perform their normal work is part of overhead costs.

Can line items for project specific temporary facilities, such as portable toilets and dumpsters, be utilized in task order proposals, or are they considered part of the coefficient?

A78. (continued) Cost of portable toilets and dumpsters will be negotiated in each task order. The contractor field office is overhead cost.

Q79. In Attachment #6 STATEMENT OF WORK & TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS,

2.2 Contractor Personnel directs that the contractor will provide: (1) Contract Manager;

(1) QCM up to $3 Million total orders in 1 year or (2) QCM’s for cumulative total of orders over $3 million (per contract year). Project Superintendents for each task order.

Environmental Manager(s) and Safety Managers(s).

1. Will the government consider allowing the contractors Project Superintendent to cover multiple task order projects, to be determined at negotiation, based on geographic location and project complexity?

2. Can the Contractor’s Quality Control Manager act as the Environmental Manager and the Site Safety Manager?

A79. Yes to both

Q80. Attachment 6, 10.8 Computer Requirements, states, “The Contractor shall provide, install, and maintain the Contractor’s computer hardware and software. As a minimum, the Contractor shall maintain equipment and software throughout the term of this contract to operate the specified AES and AutoCAD.” Please clarify if the Contractor has to provide AutoCAD software or updates for the Government.

A80. AutoCAD software is not furnished to the Government.

Q81. Attachment 6, page 6 identifies requirement for Safety Managers (SM) and indicate that EM385-1-1 paragraph 01.A.17 must be met. 01.A.17 (a) out of EM 385-1- 1 states the following:

01.A.17 Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO). The Contractor shall employ a minimum of one Competent Person at each project site to function as the SSHO, depending on job complexity, size and any other pertinent factors.

(a) The SSHO shall be a full-time responsibility unless specified differently in the contract. The SSHO shall report to a senior project (or corporate) official.

The requirements in Attachment 6 indicate that the SM cannot be the Project Superintendent. However Attachment 6 does not state that the SM cannot perform other duties or be dual hatted. Does the SM need to be a full time responsibility or can for example the Quality Control Manager act as both SM and QCM?

A81. The SM and the QCM can be one and the same if they are qualified in both areas.

Q82. Statement of Work & Technical Specifications, page 20 of 50, 10.6 – What is the Custom Price Book?

A82. Custom Price Book is a compilation of any negotiated line items, referred to as Non Priced Items, which cannot be found in RS Means. These items may be used in subsequent option years with the inflation factor applied.

Q83. Statement of Work & Technical Specifications, page 20 of 53, 10.6 – Please confirm that the Contractor is to provide a Unit Price Book (combined Custom Price Book and RS MEANS).

A83. These are two separate books. One is a copy of the RS Means unit price book and the other, the CPR, a compilation of non pre-priced line items if developed.

Q84. Statement of Work & Technical Specifications, page 20 of 53, 10.7 – States “Annually, the contractor shall provide at no additional cost the Government, six (6) hard copies of the current RS MEANS Facilities Construction Cost Data book and the unit price update.” The electronic version is already included as part of the e4Clicks updates. Please confirm hard copies are required annually.

Q84. Six copies are required

Q85. Statement of Work & Technical Specifications, page 19 of 53, 10.3 – Must Microsoft Project Software be used? Will other scheduling software be allowed (e.g., Primavera)?

A85. Generally AF Form 3064 and AF Form 3065 will be used for scheduling.

However, scheduling software may be required depending upon complexity of the project.

Q86. In the SOW it reads 2.5 Licensing: The contractor and all subcontractor firms shall be licensed in the State of South Carolina in their specialty where required. I could not find where the General Contractor is required to be licensed in South Carolina. I did see the "Business License Tax". All our trades are licensed but they are not all licensed in the state of South Carolina and our General Contractor license is in the state of Florida. All our project in other states on Federal property has not required us be licensed in the specific state but it did require us to be licensed.

A86. An amendment (#0002) is forthcoming to revise the SOW to read, “All subcontractor firms shall be licensed in the State of South Carolina in their specialty where required. They shall have a minimum of two (2) years experience in related projects of similar size, scope and complexity."

Q87. Section 2.5 Licensing, of the Statement of Work and Technical Specifications, states, “The contractor and all subcontractor firms shall be licensed in the State of South Carolina in their specialty where required.” Because the licensing process may take longer than the time for submitting proposals, and because this is a national buy, will you allow the licensing to be in place before award rather than before submission?

A87. Licensing of proposed subcontractors does not have to be completed prior to award, however, any subcontractor which the Prime proposes to use on a given task order must meet the requirements of being licensed in the State of South Carolina in their specialization and have a minimum of two (2) years experience in related projects of similar size, scope and complexity prior to commencement of work on the given task order.

Q88. Attachment 6 Page 7 of 53 states “The contractor and all subcontractor firms shall be licensed in the State of South Carolina in their specialty where required.” Is the Prime Contractor required to hold a South Carolina General Contractor’s license, or is this licensing requirement only applicable to specialty trades (i.e. electrical, mechanical, and plumbing)?

A88. See A26.

SOLICITATION

Q89. SECTION B, Page 10; Is the table referencing min/max amounts per task order or contract year?

A89. The amounts are per year. The typical min/max amounts per task order are referenced in Section H-008, Page 22.

Q90. SECTION A, Page 3, Paragraph 2; To develop 35% design for the sample project we will need to visit the site and review your record drawings. It was noted on the pre-proposal conference that there will be no site visit. Will there be a special site visit for the sample project?

A90. No, the government feels that the Sample Project SOW and Supporting Details provide sufficient information for the contractor to submit what is required. Therefore, no site visit for the sample project will be conducted.

Q91. Where within the Price Proposal do you wish us to insert proof of bonding?

A91. The government does not have a preference for the location of the Proposal Bond.

Q92. What is the number of decimal places that may be proposed for the coefficient?

A92. Two decimal places.

Q93. Reference Section L, paragraph 3.,(b) - Are there any specific preferred Past Performance questionnaires to be completed by our clients that the Government desires to be submitted with the proposal?

A93. No.

Q94. Reference Schedule B – There are three categories of Coefficient Schedule numbers indicated (less than $3 million, between $3 and $5 million, and over $5 million) and each further indicates that these are “cumulative totals”. Our interpretation of this is that the initial coefficient in 1-AA thru 1-AF will be utilized until the total amount of all negotiated task orders exceeds $3 million, when at that time the next coefficient will be used until the $5 million limit is reached, etc. Could the Government verify that our interpretation is correct?

A94. The “cumulative” totals reset at the beginning of each option year.

Q95. Please provide historical data on existing / expiring SABER – including annual volume contracted and number of task orders issued annually A95. Historical data is provided in Section H-008 (page 22 of the solicitation).

Q96. Is a Bid Guarantee required with the submission? Section I – Contract Clauses refers to clause 52.228-1 which reads the following: (c) The amount of the bid guarantee shall be ______ percent of the bid price or $________, whichever is less.

If a Bid Guarantee is required would you like this to be included in the Price Proposal?

And what percent of the bid price or dollar amount should we request?

A96. Bid Guarantee information can be found in Section H-001 (page 19 of the solicitation).

Q97. Solicitation, Page 19 of 66, Section H – Special Contract Requirements: Please clarify the value of the Bid Bond. Letter (a) references $1,800,000 and letter (c) references $3,000,000.

A97. Letter (a) references the Proposal Bond. Letter (c) references the Performance and Payment Bonds in Letter (b).

Q98. Reference, 3. PART III – Past Performance Information – Past Performance information submission includes Attachment 9 (Past Performance Project Listing) and supplemental information in paragraphs 3(a), 3 (b), and 3(c) below. Only references for relevant past efforts/contracts are desired. Submit original plus three (3) copies.

Are we to assume that Part III-Past Performance has no page limitation similar to the Part I and Part II?

A98. Yes.

Q99. Reference, 4. PART IV - DOCUMENTS - Documents submitted in response to this RFP must be fully responsive to and consistent with the following:

(d) Format for proposal Parts II and III shall be as follows:

(i) The proposals will be 8 1/2” x 11” paper except for fold-outs used for charts, tables, or diagrams, which may not exceed 11” x 17”.

Are any seed project drawings required limited to 11” x 17”?

A99. Demonstration Project drawings are limited to 11” x 17”. Seed project, after award, will be in standard drawing formats.

Q100. Reference, 4. PART IV - DOCUMENTS - Documents submitted in response to this RFP must be fully responsive to and consistent with the following:

(d) Format for proposal Parts II and III shall be as follows:

(iii) Typing shall not be less than 12 pitch

Can the pitch within a graph or table be at a smaller size?

A100. Yes, but must be legible to the naked eye.

Q101. Reference RFP Section L, subsections C & D, page 52. Please provide clarification with regards to the electronic proposal requirement. We assume the government is requiring three separate CDs: one containing the Price Proposal, one containing the Technical Proposal, and one containing the Past Performance Information proposal.

Please confirm that three separate CDs are required as opposed to one CD containing all three proposal parts.

A101. Yes, three separate CD’s are required.

Q102. Reference RFP Section L, subsection D.1.f., page 53. The requirement states:

“Do NOT submit any documents in PDF format that are copied as “images”.

(a) The SF1442 will have an original, wet signature on it and will therefore need to be scanned in as an image as part of the price proposal. The letter from SBA may also be an image.

Is it acceptable for the price proposal to contain PDF images?

A102. Yes.

Q103. Reference RFP Section L, subsection D.1.f., page 53. The requirement states:

“Do NOT submit any documents in PDF format that are copied as “images”.

(b) The supplemental information for the past performance (e.g., letters, metrics, customer surveys, etc.) also may not be available for textual search and copy functions.

Is it acceptable to include supplemental documents as images within the PDF?

A103. Yes

Q104. Attachment #9, Past Performance Project Listing, was provided by the government on FBO as a PDF file.

Is there a Word or Excel version of this file available so that information can be entered more easily? If not, it is acceptable for offerors to create an exact copy of this form in Word or Excel and then convert it to a PDF file for inclusion on the electronic proposal submittal?

A104. Yes. The word version will be posted on FBO as part of Amendment #0001.

Q105. Does the government have a preference for the location of the proposal bond within the Price Proposal? (e.g., behind the SF1442, at the end, etc.)

A105. No.

Q106. Section L, Part IV(d)(iii) states: “Typing shall not be less than 12 pitch.” It is our understanding that the term “pitch” means the number of characters per horizontal inch, and it only applies to monospaced or fixed-pitched fonts (e.g., Courier and Courier New), whose characters each occupy the same amount of horizontal space. Therefore, the government is currently requiring the typing to be no less than 12 characters per horizontal inch using a fixed-pitch font. This means offerors could type more than 12 characters per inch if they desired, therefore fitting as much text on a line or page as they wish. Please provide the following clarifications:

(a) Point size, rather than pitch, is typically used for proportional fonts like Times New Roman and Arial (fonts having characters with different widths). These fonts have no pitch value. Will the government allow use of Times New Roman or Arial font, and if the answer is “yes” would the government consider changing the requirement to a certain point size font for Times New Roman or Arial (e.g., 10 point or 12 point)?

(b) If pitch is the only acceptable typing measurement, then please clarify: was it the government’s intent to require no more than 12 pitch rather than no less than 12 pitch?

This would mean that offerors proposals must not exceed 12 characters per inch.

A106. By “pitch” the government intended to mean “font size”.

Q107. Reference L, Part 2(c) Element 3-1.

Element 3-1 does not specify requested drawing size for the 35% submission. For the initial proposal, can these drawings (prepared in CAD as 24x36 sheets) be submitted on 11x17 paper.

A107. See answer to Question 42.

Q108. Element 1-4: Subcontract Management, item (iv) of the Technical Proposal states “Describe plan for normal and contingency response times using subcontractors.”

By “contingency”, do you mean “emergency”? If not, please explain the meaning of “contingency response times” under subcontract management.

A108. Contingency means an event (as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur.

Q109. The address on Block 7 of the SF 1442 provides a building number in addition to the street address (101 E. Hill Blvd, B503). This building number is not shown in the address provided in the instructions in Section L, “Part V – Proposal Submissions” (pg 59). TO be sure that our package arrives at the correct location on time, please clarify whether “Building 503” should be included in the address.

A109. You may include B503 in the street address. Your intended delivery carrier may/or may not require it.

Q110. In reference to Section L, Part III – Past Performance Information, section 3.(b), “Quality and Satisfaction Rating for Contracts Completed or Substantially Complete in the Past Five Years”: Please confirm that his supplemental information(letters, metrics, surveys, etc.) is to be provided only for the projects included in the Past Performance Project Listing form.

A110. We do not restrict the supplemental information to the Past Performance Listing.

However, supplemental information must be from relevant past efforts/contracts.

Q111. In reference to Section L, part III – Past Performance Information Part of this section states that offerors are to “Explain what aspects of each contract are deemed relevant to the proposed effort.” This seems repetitive to requirement 3.(a)(ix). Does the government wish to see this relevancy explanation in both of these proposal sections or just one of them?

A111. One explanation per project will suffice.

Q112. The solicitation Sample Project element 3-1 states “35% level of design of the project scope. Written proposal shall include: (i) Preliminary mechanical and electrical equipment plans, details, schedules, table, and any other information required to clearly illustrate and describe the design.” However, during the pre-proposal conference on 12 March we were told that 35% level of design drawings were not required. Are the 35% level of design drawings required or not?

A112. Design drawings are required as necessary to clearly illustrate and describe the proposed design.

Q113. The solicitation contains no quantity limitation for past performance citations, only a time limitation. However, solicitation attachment 9 has only 11 PP spaces on it.

Is there a quantity limit to the number of PP citations we can submit?

A113. No. The form may be used more than once.

Q114. Are offerors prohibited from including sub-contractor past performance citations?

A114. No.

Q115. If offerors can include sub-contractor PP citations, are they included in or excluded from the numerical limitations?

A115. There is not numerical limitation.

Q116. Since this is an 8(a) set aside contract, if the 8(a) enters into a Teaming Agreement with a HUBZone company because the 8(a) does not have relevant and adequate experience, will the HUBZone’s experience and past performance be considered/eligible for the evaluation process? Or will only the 8(a) Prime Contractor’s experience and past performance be considered?

A116. Refer to page 59 paragraph 3(e) and page 66 paragraph D. of the solicitation document.

Q117. Solicitation, Section L, Part 3 – Past Performance (b)Quality and Satisfaction Rating for Contracts Completed or Substantially Complete in the Past Five Years states “Provide any supplemental information currently available (letter, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc.) which demonstrates customer satisfaction with overall job performance and quality of completed product for relevant past efforts/contracts…” Do CCASS Evaluations and past performance questionnaires completed for other solicitations qualify as “supplemental information”?

A117. Yes. However, the government has access to your CCASS evaluations.

Q118. Part II - Technical Proposal, Subfactor 3: Sample Project, Element 3-3:

Detailed proposal indicates that a detailed price breakout, using RS MEANS to show the price to accomplish the effort needs to be completed. Please clarify if the statement implies that the actual software must be used in doing such price breakout or if some other software can be used in lieu of

RS MEANS.

A118. RS Means is the cost data required to be used for the Sample Project Proposal.

Any software may be used that uses RS Means as the data base. Some examples are Microsoft Excel, E4Clicks, Progen, Cost Works, Etc.