Attachment 7 - Questions and Answers.pdf

FA461026Q9994 – Attachment 7 (Amendment 0001)

Solicitation FA461026Q9994 | Page 1 of 6

30TH CONTRACTING SQUADRON

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

Date: 9 September 2026

Solicitation Number: FA461026Q9994

Requirement Title: Third-Party Structural Engineering Study, SLC-3 Tower

Document Subject: Vendor Questions and Answers (Q&A) – Amendment 0001

1. OVERVIEW AND GENERAL INFORMATION

This document incorporates official Government responses to prospective offeror Requests for Information (RFIs) submitted under Request for Quotation (RFQ) FA461026Q9994 for the Third-Party Structural Engineering Study of the SLC-3 Tower at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

This Attachment 7 is hereby incorporated into Solicitation FA461026Q9994 as part of Amendment 0001. All terms, conditions, specifications, and deliverables set forth in the original Performance Work Statement (PWS) and solicitation package remain in full force and effect except as explicitly clarified herein.

Key Procurement Details:

Issuing Office: 30th Contracting Squadron (30 CONS/PKB), Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437

Requiring Activity: Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30/PM)

NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services)

PSC Code: R425 (Professional Engineering/Technical)

Socioeconomic Program: 100% Small Business Set-Aside

Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

Period of Performance: 90 Calendar Days ARO

2. SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL CLARIFICATIONS (AMENDMENT 0001)

1. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Baseline Quantity: For price quoting purposes, offerors shall base their firm-fixed-price proposal on a baseline quantity of twenty-four (24) distinct NDT locations. Quotes shall also include a per-unit price for any additional NDT locations that may be authorized by the Government during performance.

2. Personnel Certifications: The requirement for "Competent Climber" / "Authorized Climber" certification conforming to ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 and OSHA Title 29 CFR standards remains mandatory for all personnel climbing the tower structure.

3. Deadman Anchor Scope: Earth excavation of buried concrete deadman anchor footings is not included in the initial contract scope. Non-destructive visual and hardware evaluation at grade is required.

4. Sampling Methodology: 100% NDT inspection of all splices/welds is not required. The contractor’s California-licensed Structural Engineer shall develop a sampling inspection plan for Range Safety approval.

Solicitation FA461026Q9994 | Page 2 of 6

5. Geotechnical Investigation: Detailed foundation drawings and geotechnical soil investigations are not within the scope of this PWS. Analysis shall proceed under the assumption of foundation adequacy, with assumptions documented in the final report.

3. CONSOLIDATED VENDOR QUESTIONS AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

Reference Vendor Question Official Government Response

Reference 3.1

Accelerated Field

Investigation &

Condition Profiling

This paragraph states that The Contractor shall execute on-site visual observations and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) at Government-directed areas of concern. For price quote purposes, can the government provide the quantity of Non- Destructive Testing (NDT) locations?

If not, will the government redefine the NDT scope so that accurate pricing can be determined.

Per PWS section 3.1, the final locations for NDT will be determined on-site at the Government's direction based on visual observations. For bidding purposes, vendors shall provide a price for a baseline quantity of twenty-four (24) distinct NDT locations. Pricing for this line item should also include a per-unit cost for any additional NDT locations identified and authorized by the Government. Tower inspection may require a sampling method for inspections be employed due to the access and number of members and connection types and shall be determine by the licensed structural engineer and approved by Range Safety. Visual inspection will typically require paint/coating removal. For visual findings, the use of dye-pen or other NDI technique determined applicable by the licensed structural engineer will be required to verify type of discrepancy (extent and depth of crack for example). Visual inspections shall also include dimensional measurements to determine material loss.

Reference 3.2

Structural Analysis

& Code Compliance

Evaluation, paragraph 5, Tower

Climbing Inspector;

Since the tower is a cuplock scaffold stair tower where no harness and lanyards are necessary to climb stairs, is the “Competent Climber” certification necessary?

Yes, the "Competent Climber" certification is necessary. Per PWS section 3.2, the requirement for personnel to be certified in accordance with ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 and OSHA standards is mandatory for any individual climbing the tower to perform inspections, regardless of the structure's type. This remains a firm requirement. The competent climber certification is necessary due to the need to access tower structural components for inspection

Solicitation FA461026Q9994 | Page 3 of 6

Reference Vendor Question Official Government Response that are not accessible from the tower’s stairway system.

Reference 3.2

Structural Analysis

& Code Compliance

Evaluation, paragraph 6, Tower

Non-Destructive

Testing;

Since the cable dead man concrete blocks are buried, is it the government’s intention for the contractor to excavate earth to expose the dean man anchors?

Is it the government’s intention that every splice, flange plate, and weld be inspected using Ultrasonic or Magnetic particle testing methods?

If so, can the government provide the quantity of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) locations?

If not, will the government redefine the NDT scope so that accurate pricing can be determined.

No. The intent of the requirement is to determine the condition of the deadman anchors without excavating. An example of this would be to inspect for signs of cracked or spalled concrete and damaged or degraded anchor hardware. If warranted, then a plan to perform excavation would be submitted based on findings.

No. Inspection method up to the licensed structural engineer. We expect an inspection plan submitted for Range Safety’s approval. The plan shall include prioritizing inspection of the structural members that are under great loading as well as critical connections. A methodology that provides inspection of the whole tower using a sampling methodology is acceptable but must be presented for approval.

See previous answer.

No. See previous answers.

Does the Government know the manufacturer of the tower?

No, the Government does not have a record of the tower manufacturer.

Per PWS section 2.0, no formal record drawings exist.

Has there been a recent condition assessment of the tower, guys, and guy anchors?

Are there specific areas of concern or issues?

There has not been a recent formal condition assessment by a licensed engineer, which is the purpose of this

PWS.

Specific areas of concern will be identified by Government personnel during the on-site visit as described in PWS section 3.1.

Solicitation FA461026Q9994 | Page 4 of 6

Reference Vendor Question Official Government Response

What is the purpose of NDE?

Are there suspected weld cracks, or is it for thickness measurements of hollow members to evaluate corrosion?

To what extent does the Government want NDE to be used, or is this up to the discretion of the inspector?

The primary purpose of NDE is to quantify structural degradation as stated in PWS section 3.1, including but not limited to corrosion, section loss, and potential weld defects in areas identified by the Government.

Removal of paint/coatings is required unless visual inspection indicates corrosion is present, then paint/coating removal and NDI performed as warranted and determined by the licensed structural engineer.

The specific NDE method and extent of use at each location shall be at the discretion of the vendor's CA-licensed Structural Engineer to satisfy the requirements of the analysis.

Are there photos available of the guy anchors?

The RFQ mentions belowgrade anchors – are they buried?

Can they be accessed?

Photo attached (pg. 6)

The concrete deadman anchors are buried as stated in PWS section 2.0.

The guy wire termination points at the anchors are accessible for inspection.

Are there any details available on the foundations?

If not, is foundation verification and geotechnical scope expected as a part of the bid?

That would be required to qualify as a rigorous analysis per the TIA-222.

No, detailed foundation drawings are not available.

A geotechnical investigation is not within the scope of this PWS. The vendor's analysis should proceed with the assumption that the foundations are adequate.

This assumption, and any associated limitations on the analysis, must be clearly documented in the final report as required by PWS section 3.3.

Are there any more photos of the tower available?

No additional photos are available at this time. The contractor will have the opportunity for a full site visit as part of the field investigation.

Solicitation FA461026Q9994 | Page 5 of 6

4. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

All quotes must be submitted in writing via email to the primary contracting points of contact prior to the closing deadline specified on SAM.gov:

Contract Specialist: Guenevere Lastimoza-Williston (guenevere.lastimoza@spaceforce.mil)

Contracting Officer: Vincente Mills (vincente.mills.2@spaceforce.mil)

Location of Performance: Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30), Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA 93437

Issuing Authority: 30th Contracting Squadron (30 CONS/PKB)

Solicitation FA461026Q9994 | Page 6 of 6

(End of Attachment 7 / Amendment 0001)