Fiber Optic - Multiple Bldgs - Additional Questions and Answers V2.pdf

FA461324Q1008 - Site Visit Questions & Answers

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

90th Missile Wing (AFGSC)

Fiber Upgrade – Multiple Buildings - Additional Questions & Answers

1. Question: The solicitation states that I should request Initial Task Order details via email as indicated in section 5.1.2.1.3. What are the Initial Task Order details?

Response: Attachment 7 is the information being referenced in this section and was posted to SAM.gov. A request for this information is no longer necessary.

2. Question: Attachment 1 is based on 365-day time periods, and Attachment 2f is based on the first Task Order only. Are the quantities in Attachment 1 meant to correlate in any way to estimated quantities for the first Task Order, or are we meant to estimate quantities for Attachment 2f ourselves and submit both sheets, copying over our Attachment 1 Price/Unit? Since we were unable to make these estimates at the site visit, are we meant to rely on the drawings for this?

Response: The quantities in Attachment 1 should not correlate in any way to the quantities for the first Task Order in attachment 2f. Attachment 1quantities are pre-established estimates from the government for the entire contract (all fiber runs) and attachment 2f quantities are offeror’s proposed quantities for the first fiber run only.

Attachment 1 prices are offeror’s proposed prices for the entire contract (all fiber runs) and must be utilized on the attachment 2f corresponding CLIN’s. It is the responsibility of each offeror to determine how they will propose quantities and prices for each

CLIN.

3. Question: In Attachment #2.f. - CLIN 0001 asks for a per foot price for "SM, Loose Tube, Armored OSP Fiber", but does not specify STRAND Count. Please clarify whether this is for a 12-strand , 24, 36, 48, 96, 144 or 288-strand.

Response: Added CLINs to the spreadsheet to allow for variable strand counts.

4. Question: In Attachment #2.f - CLIN 0005 asks for a "Per Case" Price for a Splice Case, but provides no details about the size or capacity of the Splice Case. - please provide sufficient details to identify the capacity/size of the Splice Case and additional details about the composition (stainless steel, polypropolene, etc).

Response: Added CLINs to allow for variable size splice cases. Due to the harsh temperature fluctuations a stainless steel case must be used.

5. Question: In Attachment #2.f - CLIN 0017 asks for a Linear Foot price for Installation of HDPE Rollpipe by Directional Boring. The cost for directional boring for a SINGLE 4" HDPE Roll pipe is different that the per foot price for a bore suitable for 2 or 4 each, 4" HDPE Rollpipes. Please add additional categories, for example CLIN 0017 through 0020 would be "Installation of ONE 4" HDPE Rollpipe by Directional Boring", the next group of CLINS would be "Installation of TWO 4" HDPE Rollpipes by Directional Boring" and the next group of CLINS would be for FOUR 4".

Response: Added CLINs to allow for the variable number of roll pipes.

6. Question: In Attachment #2.f - CLIN 0036 asks for a Unit Price for a "12 port FO Distribution Panel, Rack/Wall Mount, w/ Pigtail Connectors". Suggest the Government instead list the different sizes of FO Distribution Panel expected to be required for this Contract (12, 24, 48, 72, 144 and 288), and add separate CLIN's for 12-Port Pigtail Connectors and Bulkhead Fittings.

Response: Added CLINs to allow for the variation of strand count. Pigtail connectors and bulkhead fittings should be incorporated into the price of the panels.

7. Question: In Attachment #2.f, throughout the CLIN List, there are line items for Equipment Rental per hour. The Rental Cost for Rental Equipment can vary widely - a Mechanical Tamper may cost $25/day, while a 12K Reach Forklift to place Manholes may cost upwards of $1,100/day. Some items, like Manholes/Handholes will require multiple pieces of Rental Equipment - excavators, forklifts and/or telehandlers. Please either identify specific Rental Equipment, or add additional Line Items under the Rental Equipment Category for Bidders to provide specific Rental Prices for multiple items under each Category.

Response: The CLIN structure has been modified to eliminate the cost of equipment CLINs. The proposed price for installing a manhole or handhole should include all costs for that installation (i.e. labor, equipment, materials, G&A, overhead, profit, etc..). This approach to pricing each CLIN is to be applied for all CLINs. All cost for performance of this contract must be incorporated into the CLIN structure. No costs outside of the CLIN structure are allowable.

8. Question: In Attachment #2.b, Page 1 of 12 - the Drawing indicates that NEW Duct and Geotextile Fabric Innerduct (Maxcell) is required from Facility "WGF" to "CD B02- CMM06 and CD-B01-CMH03, but provides no detail about the NUMBER of new Ducts required. Please clarify how many ducts are required for EACH New Duct Segment in this Attachment.

Response: 4 ducts.

9. Question: In Attachment #2.b, Page 2 of 12 - the Drawing indicates that GREEN Duct sections are Shared Primary/Alternate Ducts. Are these GREEN Duct Sections EXISTING or "NEW" (to be provided by Contractors)?

Response: Green duct indicates existing duct installed by building construction project.

10. Question: In Attachment #2.b, Page 6 of 12 - According to the Legend, the SAME Symbol is used for New Manholes and New 2-way 4" SCH40 Ductbank. Please confirm that the RED Lines between the Red Boxes is the New Ductbank sections.

Response: Red MH/HH and Red Duct indicate new MH/HH and new Duct.

11. Please describe what the gov’t envisions being allocated to the Engineering CLINS (i.e.

XXX2, XX11, XX15, XX18, XX28, XX33, XX37, XX43, XX47, XX50, XX53 (all periods)) Response: These CLINs have been removed. See response to question 7 above.

12. Please describe what the gov’t intends bidders to use the Miscellaneous sections for (items XX50 through XX55 (all periods).

Response: These CLINs have been removed. See response to question 7 above.

13. I see you list description of Services for Task Order 1 which was part of Site Survey on 3/14. Are we still required to submit quote for the rest of project.

Response: Yes. Attachment 1 is to provide pricing for the entire project and includes three sheets for each of the three-year periods. Attachment 2f is for the initial task order only. Attachment 2f unit pricing must match the unit pricing on Attachment 1 and Attachment 2f quantities are your proposed quantities for full performance of the initial task order. See response to question 17 below as well.

Previously answered Questions are below

14. Question: The Contract Line Items (CLINs) in attachment 1 are not adequate to cover every variable on all fiber runs. Can we expand/change the CLIN structure to include more variables?

Response: Yes. Please submit your proposed CLIN additions, subtractions & changes as soon as possible to avoid delays, but no later than 1 April, 2024. The CLIN structure in attachment 1 will be used to price every fiber run under this contract. This is your opportunity to let us know if you believe there is a missing element of material, labor, administrative, or other.

15. Question: We can bid the First phase of the project, but we are concerned about the rest of the project without a survey. There are too many unknowns to make assumptions on the rest of the project. The prints are very blurry and do not clearly define the SOW, we cannot tell what work will be needed at the buildings where conduit will be installed from the new underground into the buildings. We also cannot define where concrete, asphalt and landscaping will be disturbed doing trenching and boring for the new conduit and manholes. Thus, we are unable to quote the replacement of those items to return the site to its original condition. We would suggest your staff coordinate another site survey for the rest of the project.

Response: We recognize that you will not be able to know exact quantities of required conduit, concrete, asphalt, landscaping, trenching, boring and a host of other required elements of work under this indefinite quantity contract. These quantities will be established before each fiber run is awarded as a task order. This is why we are not asking you to estimate quantities on Attachment 1, but we are asking you to propose your pricing on each element of work for the three, one-year periods (see separate sheets in attachment 1) to account for price escalation. In addition, if the CLINs are not adequate to describe all anticipated elements of work as written, we have asked for your input to make the necessary adjustments. See response to question #1 above.

16. Since we were not able to access the building that will be connected (WGF), we cannot estimate anything with regards to a specific building. Should our proposal therefore be based solely on the itemized pricing schedule provided?

Response: Yes. See responses to Questions 1 & 2 above.

17. Question: Attachment (tab 1), and Attachment 2f appear to be the same CLIN schedule.

Please confirm the only attachment required with our proposal is Attachment 1? If this is incorrect, please clarify:

Response: Attachment 1 and attachment 2f are intentionally the same and for different purposes. Attachment 1 is for the purpose of providing unit pricing for all CLINs for all fiber runs for this Indefinite Quantity contract. There are three tabs on this spreadsheet for three one-year periods starting at contract award to allow for any proposed escalation of pricing. Attachment 2f is specifically for the first fiber run project from building 232 to the WGF building (this fiber run was the primary focus of the site visit). The pricing proposed by the vendor in attachment 1 is to be populated on attachment 2f, as well as the estimated quantities for each CLIN for this first fiber run.

Future fiber runs will require completion of attachment 2f as well and pricing will be pulled directly from attachment 1 of the awardee’s accepted proposal.

18. Question: If our representations and certifications have been completed on SAM.GOV, does the government required inclusion of the provisions listed under Attachment 3 to be completed with submission?

Response: Yes. As part of your proposal, the offeror is required to submit the completed representations and certifications as required in attachment 3. The SAM.gov representations and certifications alone are not adequate to be considered responsive to this solicitation.

19. Question: Does the government require one submission package to include both the price and technical criteria listed in the solicitation?

Response: Yes, both the price and technical shall be submitted together as one complete proposal package.

20. Question: Are the Provisions, Price, and Technical documents provided by the government deducted from the 5 page limit?

Response: Only the pages unique to your proposal count against the 5-page limitation (i.e. response to technical). Completing the CLIN structure pages does not count against the 5-page limit.

21. Question: What is the valuation for the primary seed project?

Response: The estimated price range for the first fiber run is between $300K and $550K.

22. Question: Is the bid due on April 2nd for the whole project or this first phase which we surveyed?

Response: The bid due date is being extended; however, when the new due date is determined, the bid for the whole project is due at the same time as the bid for the first fiber run.

23. Question: Attachment 2f includes a tab for the primary path but appears to be missing a tab for the alternate path from WGF to ITN 333. Do you want contractors to add a second tab to attachment 2f?

Response: No. The estimated quantities for all effort under this first task order should be included in the completed attachment 2f. The path leaves the WGF going into ITN 333 and ITN 232. The fiber will begin with one continuous fiber line then splits off to each of the 2 buildings.

24. Question: Are restrooms available for contractor use?

Response: Yes

25. Question: Per 2.2.1.5, it appears splicing is acceptable. However, 2.2.2.1.3 states that the intent is to install the cable in one continuous length. Please confirm if splicing is allowed. If allowed, is there a limit on number of splices allowed on this project?

Response: The government strongly discourages splices on any fiber runs; however, there may be situations that require a splice. The government has estimated a total of only 5 splices for the entire project, to include all fiber run task orders awarded under this contract. The contractor will be required to identify proposed splice locations in advance starting work performance.

26. Is a fish line already in the existing piping?

Response: Our maintainers estimated about 90 to 95% have existing fishing device available. If this is a substantial cost consideration, please submit a proposed CLIN to account for this potential cost.

27. Question: I have a question regarding the manholes and trench piping. At the visit, we were told that this work was completed, however, the documents we have requested us to include 2 miles of trenching and manholes into our estimate. Is there an updated scope of work? We want to make sure what we are estimating aligns exactly with what you are looking for.

Response: During the site visit the discussion was only about the primary route in which the pathway already exists (no trenching). There are some sketches that require trenching, and it is clearly identified on the route sketches with estimated distances between manholes. In addition, you will not be required to know exact distances (quantities) since you are only pricing each line item per unit (linear ft, each, etc…) on attachment 1 and the quantities for each fiber run will be determined after your inspection and the government’s acceptance on attachment 2f.

28. Question: Should handholes and manholes be protected with a fiber optic-based intrusion detection system or manhole shields with locks?

Response: Protection with manhole shields with locks is adequate.

29. Question: What is the required performance period for the first fiber run to the WGF?

Response: The first fiber run must be finished within 120 days of performance start.

30. Question: What is the likelihood of funding more fiber runs this fiscal year?

Response: There is a very high likelihood of funding more fiber runs before 30 Sep 2024.