Site_Visit_Questions_DKFX_04-10607_Repair_Base_Water_Lines_Hydrants_01_MAY_19.pdf

FA4418-19-R-A022

REPAIR BASE WATER LINES & HYDRANTS

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question 1: Line 11 of the solicitation states performance within 45 calendar day and complete within 123 calendar days after receiving notice to proceed. However, FAR Clause incorporated by Full Text states the Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within __10__ [Contracting Officer insert number] calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed. Which statement takes precedence? Note: Specification 1.6.2 requires utility outage notifications at least 21 days prior to the desired outage, which will preclude any excavation work until at least 21 days after the notice to proceed.

Answer 1: Performance to begin within 45 calendar days from issuance of notice to proceed.

The clause cannot be updated due to a system error.

Question 2: Line 13b – Does the Proposal Bond requirements of Section C satisfy the requirement for an offer guarantee?

Answer 2: Yes

Question 3: Section B – Is the Item 0002 Bid Option required or optional? Based on Section M, Factor 1, it appears that the 0002 Bid Option is mandatory and the exclusion of an Item 0002 Bid Option would result in the proposal not being accepted. Is this understanding of Sections B and M correct?

Answer 3: Item 0002 is required. Exclusion of Item 0002 Bid Option will result in the proposal not being accepted.

Question 4: Specification para 1.2.1 specifies replacement with new C-900 or ductile iron. These materials have a significant price differential. Is it desired that the proposal contain separate bids? One proposal bid for replacement with C-900, and a second bid for replacement with ductile iron?

Answer 4: C-900 is acceptable and separate bids are not needed.

Question 5: Section E – Is Mr. Howard Reeder (howard.reeder.1@us.af.mil) the POC for post construction acceptance?

Answer 5: Yes

Question 6: Section F – reference Q1 regarding the actual commencement of work performance requirement.

Answer 6: Performance to begin within 45 calendar days from issuance of notice to proceed.

The clause cannot be updated due to a system error.

Question 7: Section I – 52.211-11 was incorporated by full text; however, a value has not been provided by the Contracting Officer for Liquidated Damage-Supplies, Service or Research and Development.

Should this section be removed from the solicitation, or amended to include a value from the contracting officer?

Answer 7: Clause 52.211-11 is not applicable to this solicitation but cannot be removed due to a system error. Clause 52.211-12 is included and applicable to this solicitation.

Question 8: Section I – 52.211-19-4: Contractor is a VOSB (veteran owned small business). Due this VOSB status of Contractor, does the evaluation preference exception of subsection (1)((b)(ii) apply (in other words, adding a factor of 10 percent to the price of the Contractor offer does not apply because Contractor is a small business concern)? Additionally, due to this preference exception, subsections (2) and (3) should also not apply to the Contractor. Is this a correct reading of the solicitation?

Answer 8: 52.219-4 is the proper clause reference. The factor of 10 percent shall not be added to the price offeror is a small business concern.

Question 9: Section I – 52-246-20: No value has been entered by the contracting officer for written notice of defect/nonconformance. What is the intended value or is this blank due to the nature of the contract scope of work (i.e. construction)? Should this section be removed from the solicitation, or amended to include a value from the Contracting Officer?

Answer 9: Clause 52.246-20 is not applicable to this solicitation but cannot be removed due to a system error. Clause 52.246-21 is included and applicable to this solicitation.

Question 10: Section K – 52.222-23: Participation goals and covered area are blank. Should this section be amended to include values from the Contracting Officer?

Answer 10: The participation goals for this clause are as follows: Minority Participation for Each Trade- 30%. Goals for Female Participation for Each Trade- 6.9%. The clause cannot be updated due to a system error.

Question 11: How would the contractor be allowed to address an extension in the completion of performance date if STOPPAGE of work is required due to identification of Asbestos Cement pipe (reference C-501, General Notes, Item 13)?

Answer 11: If an extension to the period of performance is required, the Contractor shall request an extension (in writing) to the Contracting Officer. Request shall include requested number days and sufficient justification for extension.

Question 12: What is the depth of the water line?

Answer 12: Depth of the existing water line is unknown. Per spec section 01 35 26, paragraph 3.6.2, the contractor is to verify underground utility locations, including depth.

Question 13: What is the height of the riser?

Answer 13: The height of the riser is unknown.

Question 14: Are we also replacing asphalt or concrete?

Answer 14: Follow drawings/plans.

Question 15: What is the payment schedule? Are there any funds allotted for material and labor costs upfront?

Answer 15: Payments are based off of progress completed. No funds are allotted upfront.

Question 16: What is the type of pressurized hydrant that we are putting back? Wet barrel or Dry barrel?

Answer 16: Per specs section 33 11 00, 2.4.1.1 provide Dry- Barrel type fire hydrants.

Question 17: Specification Section 01 35 26, paragraph 1.5.1.1.1. states “The Contractor Quality Control Person cannot be the SSHO on this project.” Additionally, Specification Section 01 45 00, paragraph

1.5.1.1 states “The QC Manager may not perform the duties of project superintendent.” Just to clarify, this project requires a minimum of three (3) separate individuals – Project Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, & Site Safety & Health Office (SSHO), correct? Also, during the pre-proposal conference, the slideshow indicated that a project manager was required on this contract - is this position required?

Answer 17: The specifications are correct. This project requires three (3) separate individuals- Project Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, & Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO).

However, the project superintendent & project manager can be the same person.

Question 18: Is there a contingency budget for unforeseen site conditions?

Answer 18: No

Question 19: Is the 123-day Period of Performance inclusive of subcontractor buyout time, submittal review periods, concrete & asphalt cure times?

Answer 19: Yes, the 123-day period of performance includes buyout time, submittal review period, concrete/asphalt curing time, and closeout period, except the inclement weather days.

Question 20: Specification Section 01 14 00, paragraph 1.2.1.2. states “Furnish a completed Employment Eligibility Verification form for all personnel requesting badges.” Just to clarify, does this mean the General Contractor is required to submit an USCIS Form I-9 “Employment Eligibility Verification” with EVERY individual pass application for this contract, including subcontractors?

Answer 20: Employment Eligibility Verification is not required. Contractor will need to submit completed Joint Base Charleston Worksheet for Base Access for each individual requiring access.

Question 21: Specification Section 01 57 19, paragraph 3.4.1. states “A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)/application/NOI has been prepared, the contractor is required to complete/sign NOI form and submit to the MS4 as the Project Owner/Operator. The contractor must obtain approval before land disturbance activities begin.” Are there additional SWPPP requirements in the permit that are not-identified in Drawings for this project? How long will it take to receive approval before activities can begin? Does the 123-day Period of Performance include the length of time to receive approval?

Answer 21: Yes, A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)/application/NOI has been prepared, the contractor is required to complete/sign NOI form and submit to the MS4 as the Project Owner/Operator. The contractor must obtain approval before land disturbance activities begin. There are SCDHEC Standards for the Storm water and Erosion control plan, and is a part of SWPPP. Since the project requires MS4 approval (in-house), so it does not take a longer time. Therefore, the 123-day does include the length of time to receive approval.

Question 22: Specification 01 30 00, paragraph 1.3. states “provide monthly, and within one month of the completion of work, digital photographs, 1600x1200x24 bit true color 5 Megapixel minimum resolution in JPEG file format showing the sequence and progress of work. Take a minimum of 20 digital photographs each week throughout the entire project.” Will Security Forces or Public Affairs be required to review all photographs prior submitting to the Government each week? Additionally, will this be required to be submitted via Submittal Form AF3000 or will an email each week suffice?

Answer 22: Security Forces or Public Affairs are not required to review all photographs of the construction site prior submitting to the Government. This will be required to be submitted via submittal form AF3000.

Question 23: Drawing Sheet C-504, Detail 1 indicates the new water main to be wet-tapped to the existing water line. Multiple locations on the utility plans (CU101-CU104) do not indicate the size of the existing water line to be tapped. What is the size of the existing water line at the following locations (i.e.

6-inch, 8-inch, or 10-inch)? (See Below)

Answer 23: Size of the existing water line varies; the contractor is to verify the size of the water line in advance.

Question 24: Drawing Sheet CU101, Utility Plan Area A indicates a wet tap at “STA 3+11” - this station number does not match with the location shown along that line. Should this station number read “STA 3+61” or is the wet tap location at a different point along that line?

Answer 24: The Station number should be “STA 3+61” instead of “STA 3+11”.

Question 25: The drawings (C-503) indicates thrust-blocking at bends & tees as well as restraint joints (reference detail 4, sheet C-503) to be used when restraining. Using restraint joints combined with concrete thrust blocks will make maintenance & repairs of the water line extremely complex. Typically, thrust blocking voids the warranty on the restraints per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Will restraint joints be used or thrust blocking?

Answer 25: Please follow plan and specs.

Question 26: CS101, Area A (between STA 0+00 to 1+00) indicates concrete replacement at Graves Street. Drawing Sheet C-505, Detail 2 states “Concrete sections to match existing sections.” What is the existing concrete thickness at this location on Graves Street?

Answer 26: The existing concrete thickness at Graves Street is unknown.

Question 27: During the Site Visit, it was discovered that between STA 1+00 to 3+40 (Area A) has “No Parking” & White Paint Striping on the existing asphalt that will be demolished and replaced (See Below Picture). Will it be required to paint-stripe this area after asphalt replacement? Does the Period of Performance include the length of time for asphalt cure time before it can be permanently striped?

Answer 27: Yes, it will be required to paint-stripe this area after asphalt replacement. The Period of Performance does include the length of time for asphalt cure time before it can be permanently striped.

Question 28: Drawing Sheet C505, Detail 1 states “all concrete shall be 4000 psi.” Specification Section 32 16 13, para 2.1. states “Concrete shall have a minimum compressive strength of 3500 psi at 28 days.”

Which of these will apply to this contract? 3500 psi or 4000 psi?

Answer 28: Per Spec, Concrete shall have a minimum compressive strength of 3500 psi at 28 days.

Question 29: Drawing Sheet C503, Detail 4 indicates the design pressure is 150-psi; with a safety factor of 1.5. However, Specification Section 33 11 00 makes multiple references to the PVC pipe to be minimum pressure of 250 psi (paragraph 2.2.2, 2.3.1, & 2.5.1.). What is the design pressure for this water line?

Answer 29: Per Specification Section 33 11 00, the minimum pressure is to be 250 psi.

Question 30: Drawing Sheet C-501, Environmental Requirements for JB Charleston, note 4 states “Soil at the proposed site is contaminated. The quantity of soil to be removed from the site has yet to be determined. Any soil to be removed from the site should be excavated, contained in 55-gallon drums or plastic-lined roll-off binds, covered, labeled with hold pending analysis stickers, and stored on base until the soil has been sampled and characterized.” Does this note apply to all areas of this contract or only specific locations on base? Is the contractor to estimate testing this soil or will the Government test each 55-gallon drum?

Answer 30: Above statement does not apply to all areas of this contract, this is only specific locations on base, and particularly the government do not anticipate contaminated soil on this project. Yes, if discovered, the contractor is responsible for testing and disposing of contaminated soil.

Question 31: Will a laydown area be provided for this project? If so, where is the location of the proposed laydown area?

Answer 31: Yes, a laydown area will be provided for this project, but it has yet to be determined; possibly near to the section A of the project.

Question 32: Specification Section 01 50 00, paragraph 3.4.1.b. states “conduct work so as to minimize obstruction of traffic, and maintain traffic on at least half of the roadway width at all times.” Specifically, at STA 3+03, 5+58, 10+30, 15+12, 19+01, & 20+71, it would be unsafe to make these taps to the existing water main half way into the road way while maintaining traffic on the other half. Would the Government be willing to close Bates Street during construction of these areas and detour traffic to other roads?

Answer 32: Government wants that the contractor to implement a traffic control plan by keeping one lane open during construction when the work is not at the intersection. The government cannot completely close the Bates St during construction.

Question 33: Drawing Sheet CS104 indicates a road cut along range road between STA 0+23 & STA 0+49

- Can Range Road be closed during this work?

Answer 33: Yes, Range Rd can be closed during work, but a road closure request along with a traffic control plan must be submitted to JBC in advance, and be approved prior to closing the road.

Question 34: Drawing Sheet G-002, General Note 13 states “All existing water lines are to be abandoned in place, some material maybe asbestos cement (transite) pipe.” Should all contractors assume that all existing water lines are asbestos cement pipe?

Answer 34: Yes, all existing water lines are to be abandoned in place (no remove/replace).

The contractor should not assume that all existing water lines are asbestos cement pipe.

Question 35: Drawing Sheet CS-102, between STA 16+50 to 19+50, it states to “remove and replace flush concrete sidewalk.” During the site visit, it was discovered that this concrete sidewalk is currently approximately 2” above the asphalt pavement - Does the Government want this stretch of sidewalk to be flush with the asphalt or have a curb and gutter?

Answer 35: Match the existing sidewalk, and curb & gutter. The government does not want sidewalk to be flush.