Solicitation Q and A for FA462625Q0017.pdf

Solicitation Questions

FY25 Potable Water Backflow Prevention Survey (FA462425Q0017)

1. Question: We are performing independent research on the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (FA462625Q0017). We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Answer: FA462620P0028

2. Question: No instructions were provided for submitting the proposal listed at Notice # FA462625Q0017. Should proposals be emailed to both jennifer.lodmell.1@us.af.mil and ricardo.dominguez@us.af.mil by 12pm MDT on March 12th?

Answer: Yes, submit both jennifer.lodmell.1@us.af.mil and ricardo.dominguez@us.af.mil by 12pm MDT on March 12th

3. Question: How many buildings must be surveyed on the main base?

Answer: Approximately 140 buildings. Things like campgrounds and ball fields are counted as a “building” so there’s some ambiguity. Please reference the inventory documents.

4. Question: How many buildings must be surveyed at the 15 remote location for the Missile Alert Facilities (MAF’s)?

Answer: Two buildings at each MAF. The main MAF building and the pump house.

5. Question: Total number of buildings for this survey?

Answer: 170 buildings

6. Question: Will a pre-meeting be required for this solicitation or a teleconference over the phone be arranged before the start of the cross-connection survey?

Answer: A teleconference is acceptable to 341 CES.

mailto:jennifer.lodmell.1@us.af.mil mailto:ricardo.dominguez@us.af.mil mailto:jennifer.lodmell.1@us.af.mil mailto:ricardo.dominguez@us.af.mil

7. Question: Will an escort be provided to allow the contractor to gain access to each building on the base and in remote locations?

Answer: Yes. An escort will be provided during the specified work hours.

8. Question: What form should be used for the cross-connection survey?

Answer: 341 CES prefers the PDF Form 848 (included with the solicitation) be used.

9. Question: What are the certifications and licenses needed to meet the qualifications to conduct the Backflow Prevention/Cross-Connection Survey?

Answer:

Per AFMAN 32-1067 3.4.2, “Proper certification must be a condition of employment for new civilians or contractors.”

Per Montana Administrative Code r.17.38.301 (7) “Certified backflow prevention tester” means a person who holds a current certificate issued by any state authorizing the person to test backflow prevention assemblies or who holds a current certificate from the American Society of Sanitary Engineers or the American Backflow Prevention Association.

10. Question: According to the statement in the SOW, non-testable devices will not be performed during this survey? Hose bibbs, AVB, mop sinks will not be surveyed or counted for the cross-connection survey so only backflow assemblies will need to be surveyed to containment or isolation protection?

Answer: Correct. The contractor is responsible to inventory testable devices only.

11. Question: Section 1.3 of the SOW states that non-testable devices are not included in the scope of work for the survey; however, the provided inventory appears to list numerous non-testable devices based on the model number. Can the Air Force provide an inventory of testable devices or can an estimated number of testable devices be provided?

Answer: 341 CES does not have a separate list of testable devices. Please use the inventory documents to estimate the number of testable devices.

12. Question: Will the survey be restricted to the hours and days specified in Section 2.1 of the PWS? Specifically, must work conclude by 1600 each day and is access to the missile alert facilities unavailable on Fridays?

Answer: On the main base, work hours may be extended if the contractor is able to work independently. Escorts will not be available outside the specified hours. Access to the missile alert facilities should be planned Monday-Thursday as escorts will likely be unavailable on Fridays.

13. Question: Does the Base have a Cross Connection Backflow Prevention Management Plan? If so, will this be made available upon award?

Answer: The Base plan is a collection of paper records contained in multiple binders. The contractor can review the plan documents at the plumbing shop after award but cannot remove the paper documents from the shop. No electronic plan is available.

14. Question: Does the Base have testing records that can be made available upon award?

Answer: Yes. Testing records can be reviewed at the plumbing shop after award. Testing records are paper documents only. No electronic records are available.

15. Question: Is Base housing excluded from the survey?

Answer: Yes. Base housing not included in this survey.

16. Question: The Base map provided is dated 2018. Is a more current map available or can the Air Force provide a summary of the number of buildings added or removed since 2018?

Answer: Yes, a current map has been included in the solicitation. The 2018 map includes buildings that have been demolished. Buildings that have been demolished include (but may not be limited to) B1150, B1192, B1702 and B1705. B1150 appears to have one device still in place for the irrigation system. Please include this device. The 2018 map shows the location of B1150. No survey associated with B1192, B1702 and B1705 is needed.

Buildings that have been constructed since 2018 include B1455 and B1470. Please bid to collect data for 4 devices each at B1455 and B1470. An updated Base side inventory list is attached. Missile Field inventory should remain accurate, with additions noted in the pump houses on the inventory spreadsheet.

17. Question: Will the survey team be escorted at all times or will keys be provided for the team to gain access to various buildings?

Answer: Escorts will be available during the hours listed. Mechanical room keys may be provided at contractor request. Secure areas will need to be surveyed with an escort present.

18. Question: Should the bid be in SF1449 format with only the line item included in the solicitation?

Answer: RFQ FA462625Q0017 was solicited as a combined synopsis/solicitation. Quotes do not have to be on a SF1449. The CLIN structure of the contract will only have one line item, therefor the quote should include one price for the single line item. However, your quote should cover qualifications, ability to complete the requirement, and how the entity plans on completing the requirement.

19. Question: Should a technical capability section be included?

a. Is there are required format for the technical capability section?

b. Is there a page limit for the technical capability section?

Answer: 341 CES expectation was that the backflow survey leader would have a certification from the American Backflow Prevention Assn or the American Society of Sanitary Engineers—that was searchable/verifiable online. Per state law in Montana, a person with a certification from another state is also authorized to test backflow devices.

a. There is not a required format for the technical capability section.

b. 341 CONS strongly encourages that you keep the entire quote under 10 pages.

20. Question: Should the bid only include the items listed in the spreadsheets or should the bid include a full survey to find others that may be located during survey?

Answer: The bid should include only the items and locations listed on the inventory spreadsheets.