Feb 6 Questions and Answers.docx

Initial Pre-Proposal Questions Submitted by 6 February 2020 FA4621-12-R-0001 Sunflower SABER 6 February 2020

1. Q: Section L.6.0 says that “… all questions must be submitted to the individual(s) listed in para L.1.1.2 no later than close of business five (5) business days after the site visit.” However, Block 10 of the SF 1442 says that “Bidders/Offerors are requested to submit questions in advance to the point of contact noted above not later than 6 February 2020 at 3:00 p.m. CST.” Five business days after the site visit would be around February 20. Is February 20 the deadline for questions on this RFP?

A: There are two (2) separate question and answer periods. The first question period of 6 February 2020 is to receive questions in advance of the pre-proposal conference so those questions may be addressed as early as possible in the process. The second question period of 5 business days after the site visit is intended to allow the contractor to ask additional questions that were noted during the site visit. The final deadline for questions is 20 February 2020. Any questions submitted after this period may not be answered.

2. Q: Section L.1.2.2 says that “Pages shall be typed with 1.5 line spacing.” Please confirm that this is the correct requirement. For reference, this would mean that the narrative portions of the 35-page management approach sections that offerors prepare in 2020 would have +/- 67% of the words contained in the narrative portions of the 35-page management approach sections that offerors wrote in 2015 in response to FA4621-15-R-0002.

A: It is noted that 1.5 line spacing provides for less narrative than 1.0 line spacing. It has been determined that 1.5 line spacing at the page count allotted provides adequate content area for a contractor to convey the pertinent information in a concise manner.

3. Q: Please confirm that single line spacing is acceptable for tables and resumes.

A: Tables, charts, graphs and figures are the only exception, as stated in Section L.1.2.2 they "…shall be uncomplicated, legible, and shall not exceed 11"x17" inch in size." It goes on to additionally allow "...text shall be no smaller than 10 point." This allows for adjustment in the line spacing as long as the table, chart, graph, or figure is legible.

4. Q: Does the requirement for 1.5 line spacing apply to the 1-page contract descriptions in Volume II?

A: Yes, the 1.5 line spacing applies to the entire Volume II.

5. Q: Is a bid bond required for the seed project?

A: The basic contract solicitation requires a bid bond per FAR Clause 52.228-1 Bid Guarantee. The bidder shall furnish a bid guarantee by the time set for opening of bids. Bid guarantee shall be 20 percent of the bid price or $5,000,000, whichever is less. Task orders do not require additional bid bonds.

6. Q: Section 1.23.5 of the Technical Specifications, Fort Riley, KS General Conditions says: ”The QC Manager shall have a multi-discipline in commercial construction with specialized experience and lead awareness certification, asbestos inspector trained and certified, have HAZCOM train the trainer training, OSHA safety training, and complete the Corps of Engineers Contractor Quality Management (QCM) training. The Quality Control Manager shall have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the management of a construction quality control program, and five (5) years in construction. The Quality Control Manager shall have commercial construction experience in multiple construction disciplines. At a minimum shall be lead awareness certified, asbestos inspector trained and certified, have HAZCOM train the trainer training, OSHA safety training, and complete the Corps of Engineers Contractor Quality Management (QCM) training.” If an offeror has a proposed QC Manager who has all of the required experience and some but not all of the required training, would it be acceptable for this QC Manager to receive the remaining required training within 4 months after contract award?

A: No, the Government has determined that these are the requirements that must be met by the contractor.

7. Q: Page 22, 52.211-12 Liquidated Damages. Please confirm that these amounts are for the seed project only and that during contract performance LD’s will be determined at the task order level.

A: Liquidated Damage amounts are adjusted annually. There are 2 levels of liquidated damages per option year. This is the initial level of liquidated Damages.

8. Q: Please confirm that questions are due five (5) business days after the site visit.

A: There are two (2) separate question and answer periods. The first question period of 6 February 2020 is to receive questions in advance of the pre-proposal conference so those questions may be addressed as early as possible in the process. The second question period of 5 business days after the site visit is intended to allow the contractor to ask additional questions that were noted during the site visit. The final deadline for questions is 20 February 2020. Any questions submitted after this period may not be answered.

9. Q: Would the Government please confirm that we are to include only pages 2 and 3 of the PPPQ in our proposal as our references will send the full PPPQs separately.

A: Per L.3.1.4, "PPPQs will not be accepted from Prime Contractors, Subcontractors, or Manufacturers. Offerors are responsible to ensure questionnaires are transmitted to their references, and to indicate which references the questionnaire was sent to (see paragraph L.3.1.3 above)." Per L.3.1.3, the prime contractor is to "Provide a summary of the previous contracts described above, not to exceed 1 page of past performance information per reference." There is no requirement to include pages 2 and 3 of the PPPQ in the proposal volume. Pages 2 and 3 will be received as part of the PPPQ package from the evaluator.

10. Q: Page 70, L.3.1.3, In light of GAO rulings, please confirm that the Government will permit the use of sister company experience and past performance if a meaningful relationship is documented in a commitment letter. If yes, would the Government exclude the commitment letter from page count?

A: Per L.3.1.6.1 the requirements of the RFP can be met in a teaming arrangement or joint venture. The teaming arrangement agreement or Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) and consent letters are required. Consent letters and agreements are not considered part of the 20 page limitation of Volume II. Since these documents do not apply to every contractor, it is not fair to include them as part of the page limitation of Volume II.

11. Q: Page 66, L.1.2.1, Are title pages, tabs, and tables of contents also excluded from the page count?

A: No, the only items excluded from the page count as indicated in section L.1.2.2 are "Pages titled as "Left Intentionally Blank" and cover sheets". Additionally, PPPQs, Teaming Arrangement and Joint Venture Agreements, and Consent letters, are not considered in the page limit count.

12. Q: Page 66, L.1.2.2, Are title pages, tabs, tables of contents, headers and footers excluded from this font/type requirement?

A: Tables, charts, graphs and figures are the only exception, as stated in Section L.1.2.2 they "…shall be uncomplicated, legible, and shall not exceed 11"x17" inch in size." It goes on to additionally allow "...text shall be no smaller than 10 point." This allows for adjustment in the line spacing as long as the table, chart, graph, or figure is legible.

13. Q: It looks like attachment 9 is needed after award. Please confirm that we are not required to submit this attachment with our proposal?

A: The purpose of Attachment 9, the iRAPT document is to provide contractors with information regarding the processing of invoices/requests for payment. The use of the iRAPT system is mandatory. The Attachment is not required to be submitted.

14. Q: Page 68 L.2.2.1a, Would the Government please exclude resumes from the page count?

A: No, the only items excluded from the page count are "Pages titled as "Left Intentionally Blank" and cover sheets", PPPQs, Teaming Arrangement and Joint Venture Agreements, and Consent letters.

15. Q: Technical Specifications, Section 1.23.2 states, “Key personnel at a minimum consists of the Project Manager, Quality Control Manager, Quality Control Inspector, and Superintendent.” Section 1.23.4 lists the qualifications for a Task Order Manager. Please confirm is a Task Order Manager is considered part of the required key personnel.

A: Task Order managers are not one of the minimum required Key personnel, but are not limited from being included as key personnel.

16. Q: RFP Section L.3.1.6.1 states, “If the offeror intends to fulfill the requirements of this RFP in a teaming arrangement or joint venture, the offeror must provide complete information as to the arrangement…” If offerors are to provide a copy of our Joint Venture Agreement (JVA), can our JVA be excluded from Volume II’s 20-page limitation?

A: A brief/concise teaming arrangement agreement or Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) is not considered part of the 20 page limitation of Volume II. Since these agreements do not apply to every contractor, it is not fair to include them as part of the page limitation of Volume II.

17. Q: RFP Section L.3.1.6.1 states, “The offeror shall submit a consent letter executed by each teaming partner and/or joint venture partner authorizing release of adverse past performance information.” Are consent letters required if there is no adverse past performance information?

A: Consent letters are required from each teaming partner/Joint Venture partner

18. Q: If consent letters are required, can they be excluded from Volume II’s 20-page limitation?

A: Consent letters are not considered part of the 20 page limitation of Volume II. Since these consent letters do not apply to every contractor, it is not fair to include them as part of the page limitation of Volume II.

19. Q: RFP Section L.4.4 states, “The offeror must provide evidence it is able to obtain the maximum single award/task order performance and payment bonding capacity of $2,000,000 and a minimum aggregate bonding capacity of $15,000,000. Bonding capacity documents shall meet the minimum and aggregate amounts and be backed by a bonding surety attesting to bondability. The document must also include the surety company’s name, address, phone number, and points of contact.” Page 46 of the Solicitation, Section 52.228-1 states, “The amount of the bid guarantee shall be 20 percent of the bid price or $5,000,000, whichever is less.” Please confirm that offerors are only to provide a letter from their surety company as evidence of our bonding capacity.

A: There are two (2) bonding type requirements for this effort. The bonding requirement in section L.4.4 is the performance bond, and is required after award. The other bonding type requirement is the bid guarantee, which is to be submitted with the offeror's proposal. The bid guarantee shall be as explained in 52.228-1 (b).

20. Q: Would the government please provide electronic AutoCAD (i.e.,*.dwg) files for the drawings provided in Attachment 5?

A: AutoCAD drawings provided in amendment 1.

21. Q: Section B.4.0 – Solicitation states that “incidental engineering and architectural services” are to be included in the offeror’s coefficient. What is the definition of “incidental”? And how does “incidental engineering and architectural services” relate to “minimum design” services under Section B.7.0?

A: Incidental engineering and architectural services would be whatever is necessary to define the scope of work so that the contractor can reasonably price the project without any anticipated modifications later. Another way to think of incidental engineering and architectural services would be scope development support. Incidental engineering and architectural services would not include services that require an architect or engineer’s stamp.

22. Q: Section B.4.0 – Solicitation states that “all taxes” are to be included in the offeror’s coefficient. Will the government provide a sales tax exemption certificate for the SABER and/or for individual task orders?

A: Yes, a Kansas Tax Exemption certificate will be provided. Any and all taxes that are not covered by the Kansas Tax Exemption are to be included in the coefficient.

23. Q: Section B.4.0 – Solicitation states that “working in extreme temperatures or adverse conditions such as excessive rain, etc.” are to be included in the offeror’s coefficient. Does that include temporary space heating/cooling in the winter/summer (phased construction of occupied space)? Or is temporary space heating/cooling a direct cost to be itemized in the contractor’s estimate for the applicable TO?

A: If the government directs the contractor to provide temporary space heating/cooling in the winter/summer in the scope of work or per the specification, then the contractor may propose items as a direct cost for the applicable task order.

24. Q: Section B.4.0 – Solicitation states that “working in extreme temperatures or adverse conditions such as excessive rain, etc.” are to be included in the offeror’s coefficient. Does this mean the contractor will not be awarded any rain/weather days during the course of an TO taking place outdoors?

A: No, this does not mean that the contractor will not receive rain/weather days when appropriate. See Technical Specification Section 1.11 which addresses delays. Please note though that these types of delays are considered noncompensable and therefore any costs associated should be accounted for in the coefficient.

25. Q: Section B.4.0 – Solicitation states that “removing and returning Owner’s furniture and furnishings” are to be included in the offeror’s coefficient. The costs for this task can vary widely. Rather than be included in the coefficient, should this task be considered a direct cost to be itemized in the contractor’s estimate for the applicable TO?

A: No, incidental removing and returning of owner's furniture and furnishings (i.e. distances less than 125' or less than 2 stories, just to name a few) should not be considered a direct cost and therefore should be accounted for in the offeror's coefficient.

26. Q: Section B.7.0 – Solicitation states “Minimal Design: The government will require a conventional design developed up to 35% stage for renovation and repair projects (project dependent).” The costs for design services can vary widely. Is “minimal design” services considered a direct cost to be itemized in the contractor’s estimate for the applicable TO A: Minimal design services do not constitute a direct cost to the government unless the services of a registered architect or engineer (i.e. require an architect or engineer's stamp) are required by the SOW or specification

27. Q: Section L.2.2.1 - The chart on page 66 indicates that only Volume 1 needs to have the CD but then on the following page (67) in paragraph L.1.3 the solicitation states “The offeror shall submit all volumes in electronic format, using CDs, in addition to the hard copies.” Is it all volumes or just Volume 1 that need to be copied to a CD?

A: Each Volume shall be submitted in electronic format. There should be 3 CDS, one per volume.

28. Q: Section L.2.2.1 – Solicitation states that “the proposal shall include a complete staffing matrix … (see below for a sample matrix).” Does the sample matrix on page 68 need to be filled out and included in the proposal? What data is requested under “$Range” – hourly rates, annual salaries, or other?

A: The proposal must include a complete staffing matrix. The sample matrix is not a required format, but a representative format to communicate what sort of information the government is expecting to be communicated in the staffing matrix. The $ Range indicates the Dollar Value of projects awarded.

29. Q: Section L.3.1.1 – Can the Past Performance definition of “RECENT” be changed from 3 years to 5 years?

A: No, the Government has determined that a recency period of 3 years is appropriate.

30. Q: Section L.3.1.4 (PPPQs) – The government is asking for new PPPQs for all past performance projects (except those with completed CPARS) using the 8-page form provided in Attachment 8. Whereas many, if not most, companies proposing on the SABER will already have PPQs (in NAVFAC/USACE format, Form PPQ-0) on file for these same projects. From experience, the customer representatives for these projects consider PPQs a burden and typically do not want to fill them out multiple times for the same project. Accordingly, would the government consider accepting previously completed PPQs that were filled out AND signed by the customer representative for other, recent proposals?

A: No. Altered or substituted questionnaires will not be evaluated. Additionally only those from Project Owners or their authorized representatives will be accepted.

31. Q: Section M.5.1.2 states “To be recent, the effort must be ongoing with substantial progress or must have been performed during the past three (3) years from the date of issuance of this solicitation.” Please define what is considered “substantial progress”?

A: The intent of substantial progress is to convey that there should be enough work occurring during this period so as to provide a meaningful basis for evaluation.

32. Q: Section M.5.1.2 references “past performance information forms” (PIFs). But PIFs are not otherwise mentioned in Section L.3.1.1, nor was this form included in the solicitation attachments. Please clarify whether or not PIFs are required.

A: For the purpose of this solicitation, PIFs and PPPQs are interchangeable.

33. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Please clarify which lot is Lot A and which is Lot B.

A: AutoCAD drawings provided in amendment 1 further clarify Lot A and Lot B.

34. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – In the south lot, is the project to extend from 2nd street to 3rd or to 4th street (north to south) and between H street and I street (west to east)?

A: Please refer to AutoCAD drawings provided in amendment 1.

35. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – In the north lot, is the project to extend from 1st street to 2nd street (north to south) and between H street and I street (west to east)?

A: Please refer to AutoCAD drawings provided in amendment 1.

36. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Will government deliver millings to site, or will contractor be responsible for loading and hauling? If the latter, what is the location of current stockpile?

A: The stockpile of millings is located at the corner of 12th and F St.

37. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – What is the required depth of millings?

A: The depth of the millings are to be determined by the contractor, and should provide a stable surface for a long term laydown area.

38. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Please confirm that cleared vegetation is to be disposed of at DES Compost Area and excess soil can be taken to Public Works Construction & Demolition Landfill per Demolition Specification 02 41 16 13 (Demolition), paragraph 1.3.A.3.

A: Cleared Vegetation and excess soil if segregated from construction debris can be taken to the CD landfill and placed in designated areas.

39. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – What specification, under Section 32 of the Technical Specifications (Attachment 2), would identify the necessary depth of the asphalt millings?

A: The contractor shall determine which required specifications are necessary for use on the project.

40. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – How many linear feet of new water line is anticipated for the project?

A: The footage requirement for the new water line will be provided in the proposal from the privatized utility

41. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Does the Government have a desired location for the water line connection (tie-ins)?

A: The locations of the new water lines will be provided with the design from the government

42. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – What are the materials for water and sewer piping?

A: The material requirements will be described in the proposal from the privatized utility

43. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Does the Government anticipate each of the 13 contractor storage areas to need individual water and sewer end-user service or will shared service be acceptable?

A: Taps for the water and sewer lines are not part of this SOW or the responsibility of the contractor. Any taps needed by the contractor receiving the award should be included in the mobilization costs of the contract

44. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – How many linear feet of new sewer line is anticipated for the project?

A: The footage requirement for the new sewer line will be provided in the proposal from the privatized utility

45. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Please identify the size of water and sewer connections for each storage area.

A: The sizing of the water and sewer lines will be provided in the proposal from the privatized utility

46. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Please provide a legend that define all symbols for the provided construction drawings (Attachment 5). Also please provide the scale for the drawings. Otherwise, the contractor will not be able to make reliable measurements from the drawings.

A: Unsure of what symbols are being referred to as there are no symbols on the provided construction drawings. AutoCAD drawings are provided in Amendment 1. Contractor shall make their measurements at the site visit, as no specific scale will be provided.

47. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Please identify the limits of perimeter fence (each contractor lot, entire lot A, entire lot B, or entire project). A: Fence shall be installed around lots A and B.

48. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – How many gates are required on each lot and is there a specific type desired, (i.e. single, double, etc.)? A: The number and size of gates are to be determined by the contractor in order to provide the best value.

49. Q: Attachments 4 & 5 (Seed Project) – Is contractor responsible to remove the existing storm shelters in the south lot? Are these to be stored in laydown yard or hauled to another location?

A: The contractor is not responsible to remove the storm shelters in the south lot. The contractor is only allowed to work within the limits of the project.