Questions Answers 26 March 2012.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

7TH CONTRACTING SQUADRON (ACC)

381 3RD STREET

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS 79607-1589

Global Power For America

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD 30 March 2012

FROM: 7 CONS/LGCA

381 Third Street

Dyess AFB, Texas 79607

SUBJECT: Solicitation FA4661-12-R-0010, Airfield Pavements Requirement

1. The following questions were submitted to our office for the Dyess Airfield Solicitation. Our responses/answers follow.

a. Question: What are the requirements for over-cutting the joints?

Answer: Contractor will avoid over cutting joints. Maximum tolerance for overcutting joints is 6-inches. Contractor will replace joint sealant within the over-cut joint. Any overcuts beyond 6-inches will be reviewed on site and existing slab conditions will be assessed for load transfer mechanism and possible repair of the same if deem necessary by the CO. Contractor is responsible for performing demolition of existing slabs to be removed with due care, without damaging the existing, adjacent slabs to remain. We have included saw cutting a buffer zone inside the joints (See demolition details on sheet “C1”) to minimize the impact on the adjacent slabs during the demolition operation.

b. Question: What is the estimated start date?

Answer: 1 June 2012; actual construction work will depend on the availability of funds and award of individual task order(s).

c. Question: What is the type of aggregate in the concrete? Hard rock or limestone?

Answer: All aggregate will be per the contract specifications.

d. Question: How spread out are the removals?

Answer: We will use the funds made available to us to repair the most critical slabs within the area most transited by the aircrafts. It may be a group of slabs within a hundred feet radius or spread several hundred feet apart. It varies with each task order and the location of the repair (ramp, taxiway or runway).

e. Question: Do we have a yard or just mobilization in and mobilization out?

Answer: There is a staging area south east of the airfield that has historically been set aside for the airfield contractor.

f. Question: At the site visit, it was stated this is an IDIQ with NTP per task order. On the

SF 1442, it states this is a firm-fixed price contract. Please clarify contract type and if it is an IDIQ, how many contracts do you intend to award?

Answer: It is an Indefinite Delivery Requirements Contract comprised of Firm-Fixed Price Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs). Work will be released on individual task orders that will include liquidated damages and period of performance. There will be one award as a result of this solicitation.

g. Question: Are the panels for replacement consecutive or are they six independent panels spread throughout?

Answer: All the slabs here at Dyess AFB are 25 feet by 25 feet. The scope of work for each task order may require replacing several slabs of which there may be a mix of groups of 2, 3, 4, 5 etc consecutive slabs within a 500 feet radius and individual slabs spread several hundred feet apart. For runway and taxiway “A” task orders it will most likely be spread along the length of the runway or taxiway as applicable and for parking ramp task orders it may be more close together.

h. Question: Attach. 3, Sheet C1: Demo detail 2 shows three runway and taxiway panels and 3 B1, C130, and transient ramp panels. Are these the six panels for replacement?

Answer: The details only show typical demolition requirements that will apply to all slab repair task orders. There is no specific quantity of slabs to be repaired at this moment. Scope of work for each task order will be submitted to the successful contractor if and when funds are made available to us.

i. Question: Is a Bid Bond Guarantee required?

Answer: No, refer to SF 1442, section 13 (b).

j. Question: Can the contractor place a concrete crusher on base to process the concrete for disposal?

Answer: We don’t have enough information or time at this moment to review this request consequently the answer will be no you can’t place a concrete crusher for processing concrete for disposal.

k. Question: Are electronic copies of bid proposal required on CD?

Answer: Yes, please reference Section L of the solicitation, in particular the paragraphs on Proposal Submission and Electronic Material.

l. Question: Attachment 1, Specification Section 32 01 1959, Specifications: Which type of joint sealant is be used for crack repairs?

Answer: Same sealant used at slab joints. Refer to specifications.

m. Question: Attachment 1, Specification Section 32 01 1961: Can single component cold applied silicone be substituted for jet fuel resistant hot applied joint sealant?

Answer: Contractor is free to use any of the sealants specified in the specifications following all the requirements therein.

n. Question: Attachment 1, Specification Section 32 01 29.55, para. 2: May the runway slabs be pre-sawed prior to Friday at 1800?

Answer: Yes.

o. Question: How many mobilizations shall we assume for each bid item and how will the

Gov’t reimburse us for each one?

Answer: This is an Indefinite Delivery Requirements contract. The government does not guarantee nor know how many task orders will be awarded. There is not a contract line item for mobilization in the contract and no, the government will not reimburse for mobilizations. The government will provide a staging area to the successful contractor for setting up an office trailer, storing materials and equipment.

p. Question: Page 31, Items 56-61: It is not clear to us in the documents does the 6” base material & 6” cement stabilized base (bid items (56-61) to be install under?

Answer: These items may be used to repair damaged areas at the existing “dirt strip”/”Dirt Landing Zone” (Runway 16A/34A) and at other airfield locations at our discretion. The PCC replacement items are all inclusive (demolition and removal of existing pavement section and installing new pavement section). Refer to detail #5 in contract drawing sheet “C2” for typical PCC pavement section replacement.

q. Question: Page 35, Items 62-67: Please clarify where the 2” & 4” Asphalt Stabilized Base get installed? Does it also go under the PCC panel replacements?

Answer: These items may be used when repairing load bearing asphalt pavement sections in the runway as a substitute for compacted base material for quicker turn around repair.

r. Question: It is not clear to us in the documents does the excavation & fill go under the

PCC replacement slab and HMAC pavement?

Answer: The excavation and fill items may be used at other areas in the airfield (e.g storm drains). The PCC and HMAC replacement items are all inclusive (demolition and removal of existing pavement section and installing new pavement section). Refer to details in contract drawing sheet “C2” for typical PCC and HMAC pavement section replacement.

s. Question: We have received drawings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9. Are there any additional drawings or details?

Answer: All drawings are available as attachment to the solicitation posted on FBO, they range from sequence #1-9. Sequence #6 is available on FBO and was posted with the original solicitation documents. No additional drawings or details. Each future task order will have a set of drawings indicating the repair areas and additional details and will include scope of work.

t. Question: Specification 32 01 29.63 APU slab repairs: What is the company name & contact information for the Basalt Aggregate to be used for the master builder SET 45 mix to repair APU slabs that you refer to in your specifications?

Answer: Texas Architectural Aggregates/P.O. Box 608/San Saba, TX 76877/325-372- 5105 (Mrs. Williams) Texas Aggregate/Bastrop, TX/512-303-4212

u. Question: Sheet 3 of 9, Plan Set/Drawings Details 2, 3 and 4: Is the 44” & 10” flexible base and 6” cement stabilized base for both aircraft and non-aircraft rated HMAC pavement incidental to the asphalt paving bid item as shown on details 2, 3, 4 on sheet 3?

Answer: Yes. The HMAC replacement items are all inclusive (demolition and removal of existing pavement section and installing new pavement section). Refer to details #2 and #3 in contract drawing sheet “C2” for typical HMAC pavement section replacement.

v. Question: Is there geotechnical information available?

Answer: As-built drawings of the airfield are available for review by request. Dyess AFB was built in the mid-fifties. Airfield pavement evaluations (most recent report is dated 2007) are also available for review.

w. Question: Can we assume all onsite excavation is acceptable for reuse as backfill?

Answer: No.

x. Question: Does the base have an embankment source for this project? If so, where?

Answer: No.

y. Question: Does the base have an on-site stockpile location for excess excavation?

Answer: There may be some locations for temporary stockpiling material but this will be discussed on a case by case basis. Contractor is always responsible for proper disposal of all excess material.

z. Question: Are there any bid tabulations from previous bids available for contractor viewing?

Answer: You may request this information through the Freedom of Information Act.

aa. Question: Is the PowerPoint presentation and attendee’s list from the pre-bid meeting available to the contractors viewing?

Answer: Yes, it has been posted to FBO.

bb. Question: Is a construction trailer required for both contractor & owner? If so, is electricity, utilities, etc. available and who pays for this? And how far from a usable electrical, water, sewer & phone source?

aside for the airfield contractor. The successful contractor is responsible for providing all facilities required for their operation. There is water and power available at this site.

Refer to specifications section 01 14 10 Utilities.

cc. Question: What is expected from the surveying services bid item? Are plan & profile drawings produced from surveying results required? Is the contractor only required to survey areas in which we work and will not include entire runway or taxiways?

Answer: Refer to specification section 32 01 26.73.

dd. Question: In the past at other USAF Bases when available barracks were made available to contractors at no cost in lieu of a hotel rooms?

Answer: No, our dormitories are reserved for our assigned Airmen, likewise, Billeting is reserved for those personnel authorized its use. Housing or billeting of contractor personnel is a contractor responsibility, not the governments.

ee. Question: Is a Payment & Performance Bond required?

Answer: Yes, see section 12A of the solicitation (SF 1442).

ff. Question: Considering the ambiguities in this RFP and in an effort to provide the Gov’t with a best value submittal, will the Gov’t consider a meeting to discuss these issues in lieu of Q&A? If so would March 30 th at Dyess be acceptable?

Answer: No, a second pre-proposal conference will not be held. The RFP has all the information to submit a proposal. Discussions are not expected but the government reserves the right to conduct if it is determined in its best interest.

gg. Question: Pages 5 thru 173, Solicitation: There are approximately 94 bid items for the calendar year listed in this solicitation; however, many of them are duplicate items in identical scope, where only the quantities are changed. Would the Gov’t consider eliminating the duplicate items in this solicitation and reissuing the unit cost pages?

Answer: There are no duplicate line items, there are quantity increase pricing CLIN that are broken down into several due to a quantity factor/thresholds. Please utilize the bid schedule as requested per the solicitation.

hh. Question: Per the solicitation, the contract performance period begins June 1, 2012. Does the Gov’t expect the contractor to be mobilized, on-site and begin work on this date?

Answer: The base year CLINs will become effective on or about 1 June 2012 (estimated). As stated earlier, work will be awarded on individual task orders with a Notice-To-Proceed (NTP) given for each with a performance period specific to that task order.

ii. Question: The RFP is silent on the subject of Job Site, Storage & Lay Down areas. The establishment of a Job Site Trailer, a place to lay down and store safety equipment, tools & materials, signs, barricades, a place for workers and supervisors to meet and discuss work flow, production schedule, etc. enables an efficient and safe progression of work is critical.

What is the GOVT’s intent with respect to a trailer for this contract? Where will we be able to lay down, store equipment, meet, have our employee’s meet, receive deliveries, make phone calls, have meetings, use the restrooms, etc?

aside for the airfield IDIQ contractor. The successful contractor is responsible for providing all facilities required for their operation.

jj. Question: The RFP requires the Contractor provide their own restroom facilities. Will the

GOVT then pay to maintain this facility for the entire year, regardless of the level of work afforded by each Task Order?

Answer: No. Refer to specifications section 01 14 10 Utilities.

kk. Question: What is the Minimum Guaranteed level or scope of work being offered by the

GOVT under this Solicitation? As this directly effects distributed overhead.

Answer: None, there is no minimum, as stated in the solicitation a maximum of 36 months or $35,000,000.00, whichever occurs first.

ll. Question: Page 4, Item 0001 FFP Downtime: The GOVT is asking for an ESTIMATED

NET AMOUNT (LUMP SUM) for “80 Hours” of down time. A unit Price is requested;

however, the RFP is silent on how many people. Is this 80 hrs per person or per crew?

Should it include equipment, overhead & profit? If by crew, what size, mix and type crew is requested? Concrete, painters, laborers, etc.? What type of equipment shall we assume?

What material resources will be required to be on-site during this “downtime”?

Answer: Refer to specification section 01 14 00 General. This is a contractor’s decision to determine the cost of downtime per the above reference.

mm. Question: Page 4, Bid item 0001 “Downtime; FFP”: Will there be Down Time between each Task Order? If so, how many Employees and at what level, does the GOVT expect to have “On Call” for its 72 hour response window mentioned in the RFP?

Answer: Yes there is a possibility of no work between task orders. Downtime due to no active task orders will not be paid. Downtime is factored into each task order as identified in specification 01 14 00 genera, per the main contract CLIN. If a new task order is awarded, the contractor will be given a Notice-to-Proceed and a Period of Performance for that individual task order. On call 72 hour response time could not be located in the RFP, as the reference (bid item 0001) utilized doesn’t have any reference to a 72 hour “On Call” response window.

nn. Question: What will be the Scope of work beginning on June 1 st , 2012?

Answer: Unknown, there are projects ready (designed) and waiting for funding. Level of work will be contingent on funding of the various projects and award of individual task orders.

oo. Question: Page 52, Bid items 92-94: The GOVT is directing “high pressure water blast removal of rubber.” Our experience has shown that this can damage and weaken existing runway surfaces and grooves. We have utilized a much more efficient, proven and effective way of removing marking paint that minimizes potential damage to the existing pavement. Will the GOVT consider Value Engineered solutions to this Solicitation, after award?

Answer: Our environmental flight does not allow the use of chemicals for rubber removal. Contractor shall follow all requirements as specified in the contract drawings and specifications.

pp. Question: Page 51, Bid Items 89-91: Surveying. The Solicitation calls out Pricing by the

“LINEAR FOOT.” Surveying cannot be priced by the Linear Foot. This is usually an hourly rate, crew rate or firm price. What is the GOVT asking for?

Answer: Refer to contract specifications section 32 01 26.73 “Surveying”

qq. Question: Page 52, Items 92-94: Joint Repair is requested by “the Square Foot”, joints are measured by the Linear Foot, not Square Foot. What is the GOVT’s intent with this Unit

Price?

Answer: Please refer to Joint Seal, CLIN 0046-0048 (base); CLIN 1046-1048 and 2046- 2048 as the appropriate reference for Joint Seal, as these are with a unit of issue of Linear Foot. Your reference was identifying High Pressure Steam Cleaning. Posted bid schedule shows unit as linear foot.

rr. Question: Page 4, Bid Item 0001 “Downtime FFP”: Will the GOVT require the

Contractor to maintain a Full Time Presence on site for the year? What is the expectation during “Downtime?”

Answer: Please reference Attachment 1, Specifications Para 3.1, page 01 14 00-2 for downtime description.

ss. Question: Page 26, Bid Items 46-48 Preformed Joints: It has been our experience that gluing a preformed joint into an existing joint crack produces underisible results.

Answer: Agree. We will only require the use of preformed joint material on new and re-constructed joints; at our discretion.

tt. Question: As the GOVT Engineer is aware, concrete & HMAC loads have finite life expectancies once batched. If a load is delayed by Security at the Contractor’s entrance, thru no fault of the Contractor, is the GOVT prepared to pay for expired batches that either harden or cool below Spec while waiting for base or ramp entry at a Security check point.

Or, will the Base be willing to expedite perishable deliveries such as concrete and asphalt?

Answer: There is no quick access gate at Dyess AFB. The government is aware of this possibility and will make every effort within the current base security requirements to get these materials through the gate as quick as possible. Any issues with deliveries of these materials shall be brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer immediately for proper resolution.

uu. Question: Since this is a “Unit Price Contract” with ambiguous & duplicated Bid Items defined, several that cannot be meaningfully or accurately Bid by ANY Contractor as

Written, is it the GOVT’s intent to mathematically ADD the 94 Bid Items (some of erroneous units), and call THAT the Unit Price? If yes, then it appears that the Selection process is significantly flawed. Is that the GOVT’s intent?

Answer: As previously stated there are no duplicate bid items or unit of issue errors.

Please refer to section L & M when preparing your proposal and utilize the bid schedule contained in the SF 1442. The Government will utilize the procedures in Lowest Price Technically Acceptable to determine the awardee.

vv. Question: Will the GOVT entertain meaningful feedback on how to close the numerous gaps on this Solicitation, and eliminate and clarify errors & omissions that we are seeing upon thorough review of the technical plans, specifications and solicitation?

Answer: The government maintains the right to hold discussions if the Contracting Officer deems necessary. The government position is the RFP is sufficient to provide a competitive proposal.

ww. Question: Will the GOVT provide additional opportunity to obtain clarification on the answers to the above questions, as required painting a clear picture of GOVT plans, requirements and expectations?

Answer: No, answers will be provided to questions that have been asked. It is the government’s position the RFP is sufficient to submit a proposal. The Government maintains the right to hold discussions if the Contracting Officer deems.

xx. Question: If fuel prices and inflation continue to rise at current unpredictable rates, then the Unit Pricing for Years 2 & 3 will potentially not be valid in Fy13 or Fy14. How does the GOVT plan to address significant inflation & fuel costs to adjust future Contract

Values?

Answer: The requirement is being solicited as an Indefinite-Delivery Requirement Contract with firm-fixed price CLINs, please propose accordingly.

yy. Question: It is unusual, and the GOVT is paying for unnecessary/ unrequired “RPLS”

Service of routine “Repair, Remove & Replace” to match existing in concrete & asphalt work. Will the GOVT consider saving significant Survey related expenses, and a Value

Engineered solution to use experienced Construction Surveyors and Supervisors to perform typical “R, R&R” site work?

Answer: The professional surveying services will be used at the government discretion and it is not intended for typical site work which is incidental to the pavement replacement items.

zz. Question: What are the requirements, if any, for weekly or monthly meetings? If so, what, where, when and by whom?

Answer: We will conduct pre-construction meetings at the beginning of the contract and for each subsequent task order. Additionally, there may arise a need for meeting(s) to work out the details of a phasing plan, so forth. They would be conducted with our

Maintenance Personnel, Airfield Operations, Contracting, and Civil Engineers (possible other base personnel). Each task order and subsequent performance by the contractor will dictate the need for meetings to ensure the effective contract compliance and progress. Majority of meetings will be held in the Contracting Office, but this is not to be taken as all inclusive.

aaa. Question: Page 211, section L, L3: Can a combination of Prime and Subcontractor projects be used for past performance.

Answer: Only the Prime, or past performance from a binding Joint Venture project.

bbb. Question: It would appear you are trying to hold onto the spirit of classification. No large firm bidding will be accepted. We firmly applaud you and your staff. In the last ten years large business has practically done away with 8a, Vet owned small business, woman owned, hubzone, etc. Big business simply gets a small firm of whatever type and backs them, essentially taking over all bids. It is very hard to compete in today’s market because the system has been kidnapped and unlike Dyess AFB, other bases are not following the spirit of contract law. If any large business is allowed to join the process at Dyess AFB for any reason then you might as well just say large businesses come on and bid. What is it going to be?

Answer: Thank you and we are committed to our Total Small Business Set-Aside as there is a strong indication of enough competition to ensure the government receives “Best Value”.

ccc. Question: Page 3 thru 179, Bid Item 0001 thru 2094: The term LPTA (Lowest Price

Technically Acceptable). Since this is a Unit Price Contract, WHICH Price (By Item #) will be the LPTA? If Contractor A has Lower Prices on Items 1, 2, 3, 20, 25, &30, 49, 62 but Contractor B has Lowest Unit Price on Items 4, 5, 19, 57, 74, 88 & 92-94, and

Contractor C has Lowest Unit Prices on the other Bid Items, then WHO holds the “Lowest

Price?” And, how exactly is “lowest price” determined on what appears to be on individually priced, 94 Bid Item price list? If it is the Lump Sum at the bottom of the list, then is it the GOVT’s intent to fund and award ALL 94 Bid Items on June 1 st , 2012?

Answer: For those contractors who are determined to be acceptable in the evaluation factors of Past Performance and Technical Approach, the total of all CLINs per your proposal, base year plus two options years, will be the evaluated price to determine LPTA. No funding will be attached to the base contract, all work will be funded through individual task orders, utilizing the base contracts CLINs pricing.

ddd. Question: It appears that the structure of this Solicitation AS WRITTEN prohibits a clear picture of any defined or meaningful work. The Unit Prices of a significant number of Bid

Items can only be given in a vacuum, making this solicitation virtually impossible to respond too accurately or meaningfully. The questions above only scratch the surface.

When can the GOVT meet to clarify the specific Intent of this Solicitation so that responsive, meaningful values may be assigned to EACH Bid Item, 1 thru 94?

Answer: As stated earlier, the government will not hold another pre-proposal conference. It is the opinion of the government enough information is supplied in the RFP to adequately propose on this requirement.

eee. Question: Sheet 3 of 9 Page 5 (solicitation), Note #3 Bid Items GOVT specifies that “PCC

Slab Actual Thickness Varies between 16” & 25”; however, no Bid Item references Slab

Thickness. Clearly, the cost to R&R 16” deep slabs will differ significantly from the cost to

R&R 25” slabs, and makes providing a single dollar valued UNIT PRICE a meaningless value, without specific depths being referenced. We will price for the thinner of the two sections, and adjust the Unit Price accordingly, if/ when that thickness changes. Does the

GOVT want a price for the 16” section? Or, for the 25” section? Or, a Unit Price for each?

If so, how will these variable thicknesses be reflected in the Unit Price Tabulations?

Answer: It is very unusual to find slabs over 20 inches thick but it has happened in the past that one of the slabs in a group to be replaced has been thicker than expected. The contractor is responsible for removing all existing materials to the required depth to allow for the construction of the specified pavement section replacement.

2. The requests for proposals are due to 7 th

Contracting on 9 April 2012 at 2PM, CST. Late offers will not be accepted.