GeoTech QA.pdf

Technical Questions

1. Drilling method & borehole size – Is a specific method (rotary, percussion, hollow-stem auger) or diameter required, or may the contractor propose the most suitable approach (SOW §3.2)?

ANSWER: Contractor choice that will meet project objectives.

2. Testing requirements – Besides Atterberg Limits and bearing capacity, are there any additional laboratory tests required, such as seismic classification per IBC 202

(SOW §4.1)?

ANSWER: Seismic classification required.

3. Laboratory certification – Must laboratory results be signed by a geotechnical engineer licensed in Arkansas (SOW §4.3)?

ANSWER: Engineer’s certification required.

4. Access to drilling sites – Will there be direct heavy-equipment access to borehole locations, or will portable rigs be required in certain areas?

ANSWER: Heavy equipment will be allowed.

5. Unexpected subsurface conditions – If rock or contamination is encountered, should additional testing be performed, and will the Government issue a modification to cover it (SOW §5.4)?

ANSWER: Geotechnical bore locations shall be determined by the Geotechnical Firm and can be moved to avoid stated issues with no additional cost to Government.

6. Waste disposal – Please confirm the required procedures for disposal of drill cuttings and drilling fluids, including any base-specific environmental requirements

(SOW §6.1).

ANSWER: The base will provide an area for all waste material.

7. Groundwater measurements – If groundwater is encountered, should depth measurements be recorded in all boreholes (SOW §4.4)?

ANSWER: Yes.

8. Work schedule – Are weekend or after-hours operations permitted, and are there any weather-related restrictions for drilling activities (COMBOSOL §Site Visit Notes)?

ANSWER: No.

9. Is interval sampling acceptable or is continuous sampling required?

ANSWER: Follow geotechnical standards to meet project objectives.

10. Should we provide foundation recommendations based on shallow footings, deep foundations, or both?

ANSWER: Both.

11. Are design loads or building weights available to guide bearing pressure analysis?

ANSWER: Not available.

Administrative Questions

1. Base access process – Please confirm the process and lead time for obtaining base access for personnel, vehicles, and equipment (SOW §5.1).

ANSWER: This will be coordinated with the Mission Owner upon award of contract.

2. What identification or access credentials must we provide in advance?

ANSWER: This will be coordinated with the Mission Owner upon award of contract.

3. Will a pass or badge be issued and where is it picked up?

ANSWER: A pass will be coordinated and issued with the Mission Owner upon award of contract.

4. Can we stage equipment inside the base the day before mobilization?

ANSWER: Once the contract is awarded, you can coordinate with the Government

POC.

5. Partial invoicing – Will partial invoicing be allowed, e.g., upon initial report and final report delivery (Addendum 52.212-1, Submission Instructions)?

ANSWER: Contractor will only be able to bill once, at the completion of the project.

6. Performance period start – Will the 60-day performance period start from contract award date or from Notice to Proceed (NTP) (COMBOSOL §Performance Schedule)?

ANSWER: Performance will begin when contract is awarded. No notice to proceed will be given. Contractor will be expected to coordinate with 19 CES for entry and to perform the required work.

7. Delays caused by Government – If Government actions delay the work (e.g., access issues, utility marking delays), will the performance period be extended and/or an equitable adjustment granted (FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms)?

ANSWER: If the Government delays the work, the period of performance will be extended.

8. Government review time – How many days will the Government take to review and approve each deliverable (SOW §Deliverables)?

ANSWER: The Government will review each deliverable within three business days.

Legal & Contractual Questions

1. Termination clauses – Please confirm applicable clauses for contract termination (convenience and default) and any specific procedures under this solicitation (Clauses.pdf – FAR 52.212-4 & FAR 52.249).

ANSWER: FAR 52.212-4 (l), Termination for the Government’s Convenience, and (m), Termination for Cause, apply to this acquisition.

2. Additional environmental regulations – Are there any base-specific environmental regulations for drilling and soil handling beyond those stated in the SOW (SOW §6.1 + Clauses.pdf)?

3. Warranty obligations – Is there any post-acceptance warranty period or obligation to re-perform work at no cost if deficiencies are found later (FAR 52.246-20, Warranty of Services)?

4. Are we required to calibrate our drilling/lab equipment to any standard?

ANSWER: Meet all professional geotechnical standards.

5. Is there any intellectual property clause related to the data we collect?

6. Who owns the data after submission?

ANSWER: The Government.

7. Are liquidated damages or penalties defined for missed deadlines?

ANSWER: Liquidated damages do not apply to this acquisition.

Site Specific Logistics & Restoration

1. Will the Government provide a designated staging area on base for storing equipment and materials before and during drilling operations?

2. Are there any base-specific requirements for dust control, noise mitigation, or vibration limits during drilling?

3. Will the contractor be responsible for reseeding or restoring grass areas after drilling, and are there preferred restoration methods or materials?

ANSWER: Yes, use 4” topsoil and Bermuda sod.

4. Can spoil material be disposed of at an on-base location, or must it be removed from the installation?

ANSWER: We can accommodate an on-base location.

5. Are there any restrictions on the type of vehicles or weight limits for equipment entering the site?

6. Please confirm the exact borehole locations for B772 and B718, or provide final coordinates if available.

ANSWER: Bore locations shall be determined by Geotechnical Firm and shall meet all Project requirements.

Coordination & Safety

1. Will utility locates be coordinated by the Government, or must the contractor contact Arkansas 811 directly?

ANSWER: Both.

2. If utilities must be exposed for verification, will excavation be done by the contractor or another party?

ANSWER: Contractor is responsible for ensuring that no utilities are damaged.

3. Are there any active or planned construction projects near B772 or B718 during the performance period that may restrict access?

4. Will a base safety orientation be required for all crew members, and how far in advance must it be scheduled?

ANSWER: Contractor is responsible for all safety regulations and requirements.

5. Are escorts required for all personnel at all times, or only during specific activities?

ANSWER: No, base pass is required.

6. Is there a base POC for daily coordination during execution?

ANSWER: Yes, Sean Calhoun. Phone# 501-425-3048; 501-772-4036.

7. Who approves field modifications if a borehole needs to be relocated or changed?

ANSWER: If additional costs are involved, the Contracting Officer must approve any modifications to the work. Otherwise, the Government POC can approve field modifications.

Documentation & Deliverables

1. Are there any specific CAD, GIS, or digital format requirements for boring logs and site maps in the final report?

2. Should the report include photographs of borehole locations and sampling activities?

3. Will the Government require sealed hard copies of reports in addition to digital submission?

ANSWER: Both, digital and 2 hard copies.

4. Are there preferred templates for soil classification logs or laboratory test reports?

5. Should the report include signed/sealed engineering conclusions?

6. Should the report include lab certifications?

ANSWER: Follow all professional geotechnical guidelines and requirements.

7. Should the report include soil classification logs and diagrams?

ANSWER: Follow all professional geotechnical guidelines and requirements.

8. How many copies are required—digital, physical, or both?

ANSWER: Both, digital and 2 hard copies.

Permits & Compliance

1. Who issues the drilling permit, and how long does it typically take?

ANSWER: Base will issue a digging permit. Typically takes 2 weeks once requested.

2. Are we required to file any Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) or environmental documentation?

3. Are there base-specific forms or compliance documents that must be submitted before work begins?

ANSWER: Digging permit must be completed prior to boring.

Existing Data

1. Are there any geological or topographical studies available from previous base projects?

Contractual Clarifications

1. Will the government extend the due date of offers to August 20, 2025 to allow offerors the time to respond to the amendment that publishes the answers to the submitted questions?

ANSWER: At this time, the Government will not be extending the solicitation due date.

2. Will the government confirm that the line items annotated in the pricing schedule of the combined synopsis – solicitation are in error and publish an amendment describing the actual required info for the pricing schedule?

ANSWER: The amendment was posted to SAM on 5 August 2025.

3. Will the government confirm there are no page limitations, or requirements for resumes or projects, within an offer. Each offer only needs to have the administrative data required in the addendum, the technical proposal on the two deliverables, and the price.

ANSWER: There are no page limitations. Please refer to the combo and review FAR 52.212-1 and FAR 52.212-2 for what is required with your response.

4. Can the government confirm it expects to see price per line item, and not costs, within the offer?

ANSWER: The Government expects offerors to submit unit prices, multiplied by the quantity per line item, to equal the extended price. No cost breakout is expected.