Fourth Q&A Responses 25 Feb 20.docx

Final Question and Answers FA4621-12-R-0001 Sunflower SABER 20 February 2020

1. Q: Can you clarify if a bid bond is required? If so, is that amount based on the seed project price or the total contract?

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 proposals are due. The bid guarantee shall be 20 percent of the bid price or $5,000,000, whichever is less. The bid price is the price of the seed project. Additional task orders do not require bid bonds.

2. Q: Can you please provide an AF Form 3064 for the progress scheduling?

A: AF IMT 3064 is included in the attachments section.

3. Q: Section L.1.2.3 states “All cost or pricing data shall be addressed ONLY in the Price Proposal and Contract Forms (Volume III). Section L.2.2.2 states “Project Cost Estimate: Provide a proposal showing material, labor and equipment…” Would the Government please confirm that we are to submit a cost estimate in the Technical Volume?

A: The “cost estimate” is the seed project proposal in the eGordian format. The purpose of submitting this information in the Technical volume is not to assess the cost, but to assess the use of the eGordian system and the overall development process of the proposal. This is to ensure that the contractor properly includes the line item numbers, description of items, unit of measure, quantity of units required, cost per unit and total costs for all units per line item utilizing the proper contractor’s proposed coefficient. The cost in this section is not utilized in the cost/price analysis for the award of the contract.

4. Q: Section L.2.2.2. states “The cost estimate should show a detailed listing of the eGordian line item numbers, description of items, unit of measure, quantity of units required, cost per unit and total costs for all units per line item reflecting the contractor’s proposed coefficient. The contractor shall use the Fort Riley, KS eGordian System for preparing and submitting the project cost estimate.” Please confirm that the eGordian cost estimate for the seed project will include a coefficient (factor) of 1 and that the contractor’s proposed coefficient will only be included in Volume III.

A: The coefficient should be reflected in the eGordian cost estimate and should be the contractor’s proposed coefficient reflecting the appropriate SLIN for that workload (i.e. Standard Working Hours Not Requiring Escort, or Standard working Hours Escort Required, Non-Standard Working Hours Not Requiring Escort, and or Non-Standard Working Hours Escort Required). If the workload requires it, different line items in the eGordian cost estimate could require different coefficients.

5. Q: Can the Government please confirm when we will receive pricing, scope and design intent or drawings from the base utility contractor?

A: Government will provide information from the base utility contractor as soon as it is available. At that time, the Government will determine if additional time to complete proposals is necessary.

6. Q: Will the Government please allow 5 working days from distribution of base utility contractor proposal to RFP due date to allow adequate time to include the information within a hardcopy proposal?

A: Government will ensure contractors have adequate time to include the information within a hardcopy of the proposal documentation.

7. Q: When would the Government provide a CADD drawing showing project requirements?

A: AutoCAD drawings are available and will be provided upon request. Please contact the Contracting office for the AutoCAD version if necessary at christina.muth.1@us.af.mil or derek.owen.1@us.af.mil as noted in Amendment 1.

8. Q: Section L.2.2.2. a. of Amendment 1 of the RFP states that the Government will provide quote and design information from Utility Service Provider ASUS. Will another Amendment be issued to include this information?

A: The quote and design information from the Fort Riley Utility Service Provider ASUS will be provided via an Amendment(s) when available. At that time, the Government will determine if additional time to complete proposals is necessary.

9. Q: In accordance with Section 1.23 of the Technical Specifications (Attachment 2), Project Managers and Task Order Managers must have a 4-year engineering degree. Will the government accept other 4-year degrees such as construction management, science fields, etc.?

A: The Government has determined the requirements indicated in the technical specifications are necessary and appropriate, and no adjustments will be made to consider additional degrees.

10. Q: In accordance with Section 1.23 of the Technical Specifications (Attachment 2), the Quality Control Manager shall have “specialized experience: in lead awareness certification, asbestos inspector trained and certified, HAZCOM train the trainer training, and OSHA safety training. In light of the training requirements, is it the government’s intention for the QCM to double as the Site Safety & Health Officer?

A: It is up to the contractor to propose the duties and responsibilities of each of their key personnel as part of the management approach.

11. Q: Fort Riley CTC – How does the Fort Riley CTC account for two different Wage Determinations since Fort Riley spans across two different counties?

A: The Labor in a CTC is a burdened labor rate based upon Prevailing Wages that uses Davis Bacon wage rates as a floor. The prevailing wages in the area exceed the Davis Bacon Wage rates for both counties.

12. Q: Section B.4.0 – instructs the Contractor to include “removing and returning Government Furniture and Furnishings”.

· Is the Contractor expected to store the items?

· Is the Contractor responsible for the items’ security/maintenance during storage?

- Is the Contractor to ensure condition prior to removal and prior to reinstallation if not responsible for storage?

- How are damages resolved?

- Without knowing how many task orders will require this effort and the magnitude of task orders that have this requirement make it challenging for a Contractor to assign a cost for this to include in a Coefficient. Would the Government allow for this effort to be reflected in a line item at the time of negotiation per appropriate task order?

A: Please review Section 1.7.4. of the Technical Specifications. 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, not as a separate line item in the proposal.

13. Q: Does the Government have a preference or requirement for Font used in an offeror’s proposal response?

A: Requirement is for 12 point font. Per L.1.2.2, “Except for any reproduced sections of the solicitation document, the text sized shall not be less than 12 point font…” Style (i.e. Times New Roman, Calibri, etc.) is at the discretion of the contractor.

14. Q: RFP Section B.2.0 Non Pre-priced Items (NPI) – states that the NPI will be a total cost then multiplied by the Contractor’s coefficient. Thus, the NPI would change depending (up/down) depending on the Contractor’s coefficient, significantly. Will the Government confirm if this is understanding is accurate/correct or if the NPI will be calculated separately and then added to the other line items that are subject to the coefficient?

A: It is correct that the NPI will be a total cost then multiplied by the Contractor’s coefficient. As Section B.2.0 states “Non-prepriced Items (NPIs) shall be at cost and will be multiplied times the coefficient to allow for all General & Administrative (G&A) expenses and Profit.”

15. Q: For Task Order Negotiations – will there be one designated Government POC that the Contractor negotiates line items with on all projects? (For example – USAF CONs) Or, will there be different persons representing the Government for projects at Riley vs. McConnell? Are negotiations conducted face to face or via email/phone? Who is present during negotiations?

A: There may be multiple Government representatives involved in the negotiations. Negotiations can be held face-to-face or via email depending on the number of line items in question or the complexity of the project. At a minimum, the government project manager will be present at negotiations, but other government personnel may be present as well. The contracting officer or representative will attend in person or via phone if needed.

16. Q: Tech Specs 1.2 Ordering Procedures – the turnaround of three days to provide a 35% design and corresponding estimate can be a logistical challenge without having sufficient time to define the scope with the Government stakeholders. How long is a typical gestation (days) from the time the Government issues a SOW to the point where site visit is held and a refined through further defining work requirements and defining the SOW? Is it the Government’s expectation that a Contractor provide an estimate and 35% design from the time the issuance of a formal RFP?

A: Typically, an informal site visit with the contractor is held early in the process. Once a SOW is developed, a formal site visit is held to discuss any questions about the work. At that formal site visit, a proposal due date is discussed and agreed upon. The due date is determined by the complexity of the project. Three days would be the absolute minimum and only required for simple proposals. A 35% design and proposal will be required by the agreed upon task order proposal due date.

17. Q: Tech Specs 1.10 Record Drawings – Require the Contractor produce two sets of record drawings. Can the Government confirm the Contractors understanding that this means producing the 35% Design for the purposes of construction documents and the As-Builts as required for project closeout Can the Government confirm that a CD-ROM will be required as a deliverable of each closeout for each task order? Will a CD-ROM with the Record Drawings be required for work at both installations? (McConnell and Riley)? If so, will the Mylar requirement be in addition to this?

A: Mylars and CD-ROM copies of the As Builts are required at Fort Riley as part of the Final As Builts. McConnell AFB does not utilize Mylars any longer, and requests that the Final As Builts be submitted in a paper format along with the CD-ROM.

18. Q: Tech Specs 1.12 Equipment Identification Barcoding Requirements. The Government references the ‘BUILDER’ website as the means to inventory the barcodes for the installed equipment that is applicable to this requirement. Will there be an expectation that the Contractor access the BUILDER site to input data on installed equipment or the information provided to the Government for entry into the BUILDER database? Depending on the answer above – will there be a cost associated to access the BUILDER database to make required entries?

A: The Government will be responsible for accessing BUILDER and inputting data. The contractor is responsible for providing a spreadsheet with the installed equipment data needed by the Government to input into BUILDER.

19. Q: Tech Specs 1.12 Mandatory Weekly Face to Face Meetings. Weekly Meetings on Wednesdays Does the Government intend to have 1 weekly meeting to cover all construction activity at both McConnell and Riley or a weekly meeting at each location?

A: The Government requires a weekly meeting at each location with the appropriate personnel from each location.

20. Q: Tech Specs 1.13.1 – States that “all utility work and service interruptions are to paid by the Contractor” Is the Contractor responsible for providing temporary power (Generators) for any service interruptions to an affected facility? If so, is this cost to be captured in a line item in Gordian on a per project basis?

A: It would be the contractor’s responsibility to provide temporary utilities if required in the SOW or technical specifications. There are line items to capture these costs in the Gordian construction task catalog.

21. Q: Tech Specs 1.14.3 – As-Built Drawings provided to the Government need to be on (4m) Mylar. Please confirm that the Government requires As-Builts to be submitted on Mylar format? If so, does the Government require all As-Builts to be produced on Mylar, for both McConnell and Riley?

A: Mylars and CD-ROM copies of the As Builts are required at Fort Riley as part of the Final As Builts. McConnell AFB does not utilize Mylars any longer, and request that the Final As Builts be submitted in a paper format along with the CD-ROM.

22. Q: Tech Specs 1.15 – Operation and Maintenance Documents. Please confirm that the Government wants 4 copies (Printed) of all O&M books in a 3-ring binder? If so, is this requirement applied consistently across both McConnell and Riley?

A: The Government requires the stated documentation to be submitted before each project’s final completion date.

23. Q: Tech Specs 1.21.1 Testing Procedures - requires the Contractor procure the services of an independent third party testing company/laboratory for the testing of asbestos. On other military facilities, if we encounter material that could be asbestos- we notify Contracting and provide testing and abatement (if needed). In this event, will the Contractor be able to price this effort in a line item or NPI as part of a modification to the contract?

A: Line items are in the CTC for asbestos testing requirements.

24. Q: Tech Specs 1.24 – Submittals – states that the Contractor must maintain a submittal register through Primavera Submittal Exchange Cloud Service or equivalent software that is approved/compatible by the Government. Can the Government confirm its intent to utilize this Cloud Based Submittal platform on the SABER? Can the Government state alternative Submittal Exchange software/services that are approved (accessible by the Government)? Will the Government approve the use of ProCoreÒ as a submittal registry and exchange platform: https://support.procore.com/products/online/userguide/ project-level/specifications/tutorials/generate-submittal-log

A: The Government’s intent is to use this platform or equivalent that is approved for government systems. It is up to the contractor to show that any software submitted is equivalent. The contractor is allowed to describe any software they feel is equivalent in their proposal, and the Government will determine if that is an acceptable alternative.

25. Q: Tech Specs 2.012.1 – states that the Government will not provide office or storage buildings to the Contractor. During the site visit it was stated that the Contractor would be allowed to use vacant office space at McConnell AFB as a base of operations. Can the Government confirm if this will or will not be available to the Contractor at McConnell, specifically?

A: The Government will provide a small office space for the contractor to work out of at McConnell AFB. Additionally, a laydown yard is available on McConnell AFB.

26. Q: Section L.2.2.1 General Conditions 1.23 – Requirements for personnel minimums – states that the Project Manager (Program General Manager) is required to have a 4-year engineering or architecture degree and 2-years’ task order contract experience and 5 years of vertical/horizontal construction experience. Would the Government consider allowing for commensurate experience in lieu of a 4-year engineering/architecture degree? More specifically 8 years of documented task order contract experience and 10 years of documented horizontal/vertical construction experience. Is the requirement for an engineering/architecture degree requirement a new requirement compared to the previous SABER in 2015?

A: No, the Project Manager (Program General Manager) must meet the specified requirements. The previous contract requirements are not a consideration for this solicitation.

27. Q: Section 1.23.4 – Task Order Manager minimum experience calls for 5-years’ experience with horizontal/vertical construction experience and a 4-year degree in engineering or architecture. Would the Government consider allowing for commensurate experience in lieu of a 4-year engineering/architecture degree? More specifically 8 years of documented task order contract experience and 5 years of documented horizontal/vertical construction experience. Is the requirement for an engineering/architecture degree requirement a new requirement compared to the previous SABER in 2015?

A: No, the Task Order Managers must meet the specified requirements. The previous contract requirements are not a consideration for this solicitation.

28. Q: Section 1.23.6 – Quality Control Inspector minimum experience calls for 5-years’ experience, graduation from an accredited trades school/program with a journeyman level or a business owner in the specific field. Would the Government consider allowing for additional years of experience in lieu of graduation from a trade school or business ownership? Specifically, would the government allow for 7 years of documented experience in a Quality Inspector role?

A: No, the Quality Control Inspector must meet the specified requirements.

29. Q: Self-performance of Prime Contractor – is there a defined self-performance minimum requirement that must be performed by a Prime Contractor? If so, how is this measured and audited? Does the Contractors indirect staff costs (Project Manager, Task Order Manager, Administrative, etc.) count towards the requirement? Is there a trade labor self-performance requirement?

A: A Deviation to FAR Clause 52.219-14 occurred in January 2019, (Deviation 2019-O0003). This deviation now requires, for General Construction, that the contractor agrees it will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. It also includes a 75% limit for construction by special trade contractors. Contractors need to have an in-house work force at a minimum to manage the contracts/contract work and respond to Government requests. There is no trade labor self-performance requirement.

30. Q: Past Performance References – for a 5 year contract that is measuring a contractor’s ability to perform similar contracts- a longer reference period seems appropriate to better evaluate managerial history and performance. Will the Government consider amending the past performance recency to projects/contracts completed within the last 5 years vs. the current 3-year time frame?

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

31. Q: Contractor Manpower Reporting – on contracts with the US Army, we have been required to provide a price (CLIN) for Contractor Manpower Reporting (CMPR). Does the Government intend to have any specific accounting, pricing, or other documentation regarding a requirement to provide Contractor Manpower Reporting?

A: The Government does not anticipate the need for manpower reporting on this contract.

32. Q: Subcontractor Base/Post Access How long should a Contractor plan for getting a subcontractor (new to working on Base/Post) to get a Pass? (from the time of submitting all paperwork to the Government)? Is there an avenue for the Contractor to escort subcontractor’s onto McConnell or Riley before they have received their EAL or Base Access?

A: As advised in the pre-proposal conference, for McConnell AFB, a base access request must be provided at least five duty days in advance, and be submitted on the latest Contractor/Vendor Access Request/Authorization (CVAR V5/21 Nov 2019). Requests submitted with less than five duty days to process may not be approved on time due to processing constraints. Certain individuals may be granted escort privileges to escort subcontractors onto the base. Please note though that once a badge request has been submitted, the individual may not be escorted, they must await approval of the badge request. For Fort Riley, the contractor should allow at least one week for personnel to get a long-term pass. Anyone that meets the guidelines (i.e. proper identification, pass criminal background check) for accessing Fort Riley can get a day or weeklong pass.

33. Q: Seed Project Is the site free of any hazardous materials or should testing be included in the proposal?

A: There are no known hazardous materials on the site. Should the contractor find any materials they consider hazardous they should follow Section 1.18.7 of the Technical Specifications.

34. Q: Seed Project Is the site free of any known subterranean debris?

A: There is no known subterranean debris. Should the contractor discover any debris the contractor should follow Section 1.17.8 of the Technical Specifications.

35. Q: Seed Project Will reports such as density testing reports be required to be submitted to the Government?

A: All testing shall be performed in accordance with the Technical Specifications.

36. Q: Seed Project Please define “FE” type fence as stated in the SOW.

A: Facilities engineered fence type is defined by the Corps of Engineers. Please see UFC 4-022-03, Security Fences and Gates, referenced in page 5,404 of the Technical Specifications (https://www.wbdg.org/FFC/DOD/UFC/ufc_4_022_03_2013.pdf).

37. Q: Seed Project Will the quote from ASUS (On Post Utility Provider) be treated as a Non Pre-priced Item in the seed project proposal?

A: Yes, it should be NPI in the proposal.

38. Q: Seed Project Will the quote from ASUS (On Post Utility Provider) be provided to all prospective offers by a certain date?

A: As soon as the Government obtains an approved plan and quote from ASUS, it will be provided to prospective offerors. At that time a determination will be made if additional time for questions and a later due date is appropriate.

39. Q: Seed Project Will ASUS (On Post Utility Provider) be responsible for all required permitting and fees associated with their installed utilities?

A: ASUS will work as a subcontractor on this task order and ultimate responsibility will be with the prime contractor.

40. Q: Seed Project Please confirm that the wage decision for this seed project will be considered Heavy Construction.

A: The Government anticipates the wage determination for the seed project to be Heavy Construction.

41. Q: Seed Project Would non-segregated spoils generated from sitework need to be transported off base?

A: All soils will need to be segregated and placed in the C&D landfill on post.

42. Q: Seed Project Who is the owner / operator of the current storm water and power services? Is it privatized?

A: Storm water is not privatized and is owned by Fort Riley. All privatized utilities are identified in the technical specifications section 1.13.

43. Q: Seed Project Will the Ogden gate ACP be allowed for use for construction equipment and personnel to gain access to the post/ jobsite for mobilization and daily operations?

A: Contractor access to Fort Riley is the 12th Street gate.

44. Q: Seed Project Is there a specific desired period of performance to complete the requirements of the seed project?

A: The seed project period of performance is to be proposed by the contractor.

45. Q: L.1.2.2. Page Size and Format – Currently states: “Pages shall be typed with 1.5 line spacing.” Would the government accept single space instead of 1.5?

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.