Questions_and_Answers_-_25Jul13.pdf

#1 Questions and Answers FA4418-13-R-0012 Repair and Maintain Electrical Distribution System IDIQ

Q1. It was mentioned this morning that there is a rate for Electrical Lineman that is not shown on any of the Davis Bacon Schedules in the RFP. We would like to know the Davis Bacon rate for Electrical Lineman in the geographical area of the solicitation.

A1. No, there isn’t a Davis Bacon Wage Rate for an Electrical Lineman in this geographical area. Attached (see Page 4 of 4) for your information is a letter from Department of Labor prevailing the minimum rate for a High Voltage Electrician approved by DOL for this locality.

Q2. The question was asked about the mix of work for the areas covered by this solicitation. In the past, on IDIQ contracts at the Charleston AFB, there was a percentage provided for work at the various locations. If you can provide a percentage of work by area, this would be very helpful to Contractors and the Government in obtaining quality pricing.

A2. Estimate 80% of the work will be at the Weapons Station, 18% at Air Base and less than 2% at Short Stay and North Auxiliary Airfield.

Q3. The question about having a separate office (and equipment) at the NWS and the CAFB, is of interest to us as well. Because of the close proximity of CAFB and the NWS, it would seem to us that one location would be suitable and cost effective. Please clarify what is required for referenced RFP.

A3. Contractor is not required to maintain an office at either location but if desired the contractor will be afforded space to locate an office at Weapons Station pending approval of Contracting Officer.

Q4. Are we to assume that there will be enough work under this IDIQ to allow the contractor to keep a crew of people and the associated equipment busy full time? Will a location for lay down/office be provided?

A4. No. See A3.

Q5. Material pricing, especially for steel, copper, etc, is very volatile and is experiencing significant changes in pricing. Steel has gone up more than 8% since January of this year. It is possible to provide an index that would be a basis for escalation for the option years? Please consider this. Without the index, it is very difficult to judge what the price of materials such as steel and copper are going to be.

A5. There will not be an index provided.

Q6. Can this IDIQ bid list be amended to include airfield lighting work? We would also recommend that services of an electrical engineer be included to assist in the preparation of plans or calculations for potential design-build projects.

A6. Airfield lighting work will not be added to this IDIQ. Joint Base Charleston has electrical engineers on site and do not foresee any design-build projects.

Q7. This solicitation contains a Davis Bacon Wage determination for each county where work may be required. However, the solicitation does not specify the amount of work to be completed in each location. Therefore, are we to assume that the cost of an Electrician is $32.64 for Berkley county or $15.86 for Charleston county in our bid calculation? Since the Wage Determination allows for such a wide spread in wage rates, can the bid documents be modified to specify how much work will be required at each location or implement a Section J attachment 2 "Price Schedule" for each location of work?

A7. Amount of work to be completed at each location is estimated in A2. The Wage Determination will be corrected as follows: Construction Type: Building will be deleted and Construction Type: Heavy will be added to Section J also see A1. Amendment forth coming.

Q8. Are we to assume that the items listed as "unit installation costs" or "unit demolition cost" include all mobilization, material, labor, equipment, overhead, profit, etc. to complete each task?

A8. Yes.

Q9. Will a full-time office and staff be necessary at each of the required areas of work or will our staff be located in one area and work the additional areas as remote locations?

A9. No. Contractor will not be required to maintain full time office and staff on Joint Base Charleston. See A3.

Q10. Could you please clarify the following line item descriptions:

- E027-05 - TRANSFER TYPE "A" METER (GOVT. OWNED)

- E027-06 - TRANSFER TYPE "B" METER (GOVT. OWNED)

- E027-07 - TRANSFER TYPE "C" METER (GOVT. OWNED)

- E026-08 - TRANSFER TYPE "D" METER (GOVT. OWNED)

A10. Delete Line Items E027-05 thru E026-08 in its entirety (including option years).

Amendment forthcoming.

Q11. Are the metal enclosure for items EO18, EO19, EO23, & EO24 required to be made with mild steel or stainless steel? Section 33 71 02.00 20 does not specify the material of which the underground equipment is to be manufactured (i.e. mild steel or stainless steel). Please clarify.

A11. Mild Steel

Q12. The specs require testing of a number of different components. The price schedule only asks for DC cable testing. The spec section 33 71 02.00 20 only specified VLF cable testing. The following is a list of testing required by the specifications:

SECTION 33 71 01 - Overhead Transmission and Distribution PARA 3.6.3 Medium Voltage Preassembled Cable Test - requires visual, mechanical inspections and electrical test including a DC High Potential Cable Test PARA 3.6.7.1 Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers - requires visual, mechanical inspections and electrical tests PARA 3.6.7.2 Pole Top Interrupter Switches - requires visual, mechanical inspections and electrical tests PARA 3.6.7.3 Reclosers - requires visual, mechanical inspections and electrical tests PARA 3.6.7.4 Sectionalizers - requires visual, mechanical inspections and electrical tests PARA 3.6.7.8 Grounding System - requires visual, mechanical inspections and electrical tests

A12. All specified testing shall be inclusive of the installation of line items. Delete Section E028 CABLE TESTING and Delete Line Item E028-01 High Voltage DC in its entirety (including option years). Amendment forthcoming.