Railroad_Q&A.pdf

Questions and Answers, Rail Road Inspection RFQ FA4803-18-R-0008

1. Are the five electric crossings out of service or currently active and working?

- All crossings are active and working.

2. When was the last time the crossings were inspected per FRA standards?

- In October 2017, the track was inspected by the current contractor. In the spring of 2016 the track was inspected by the Army Corps of Engineers.

3. Are the signal design drawings available or in the shelters for each of the crossings?

- Manuals are in the Cabinets.

4. Are there records available for the relay testing?

- No

5. Are there records available for the control cables testing?

- No

6. What type of control circuitry activates the crossings? C, DC, or motion.

- The crossings are activated by train motion (Insulated Joints)

7. What type of warning equipment is at each crossing?

- Standard signal and drop arms

8. Are the ties buried?

- Crossties are buried on three sides in ballast rock leaving the top side exposed. Crossties are tamped and installed to AREMA standards.

9. Are we able to work from both sides of the track?

-Yes

10. If available, can the government provide an aerial map of the railroad tracks covered within this contract?

- Yes, upon award

11. Is a Bid Bond required and to be accompanied with this proposal?

- No

12. Are Payment & Performance Bonds required for task orders associated with this contract?

- No

13. Is permanent material incorporated into this contract sales tax exempt?

- A tax exemption form for Shaw AFB can be provided as needed.

14. Is there an existing contract currently in place? If so, who is the incumbent contractor?

- Current contract (FA4803-13-P-0015) is being performed by Bundrick Grading and Construction Company.

15. What is the anticipated or approximate annual contract amount?

- The Government’s expectation is each interested contractor will price their offer accordingly.

16. Excluding the routine inspections and emergency service, approximately how many task orders are anticipated annually?

- The type of contract will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, with a base plus four option year periods, for a total period of five years (if all options are exercised). Task orders will not be issued for this contract.

17. Approximately how many crossties are replaced annually based on historical quantities?

- Approximately 50 to 100 ties are replaced annually.

18. What FRA Classification of Railroad are we maintaining to?

- The main line and all side tracks would be considered as Category A track and are Fully operational.

19. What do we do if we exceed quantities of the components listed on the price schedule?

- The Government will make a determination if the increased quantity repairs are necessary, with the assistance of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Civil Engineer. If there is a need for above and beyond quantity repairs, the Contracting Officer will make the final determination and issue a Bi-lateral modification.

20. What about ditch clearing and maintenance.

- This is not applicable

21. In 5.3 miles of rail, we only have pricing "not to exceed" 200 feet of track. We will need to line a lot more than that to keep track in shape. How do we get paid for this?

- The Government will make a determination if the increased quantity repairs are necessary, with the assistance of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Civil Engineer. If there is a need for above and beyond quantity repairs, the Contracting Officer will make the final determination and issue a Bi-lateral modification. Based on recent history, this has not been required.

22. Reference Section SF 1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, Item- Emergency service, 2 EACH:

Please clarify what type of service is to be provided under this line item, i.e. miscellaneous turnout repairs and adjustments, derailment assistance, etc.

- Historically, lightning strikes have caused power loss and required the contractor to respond.

Also, Field panels on HWY 378 have broken and needed replacement.

23. Reference: RFP – Basis for Award – Factor 2 – Past Performance: Relevant past performance includes performance of efforts involving washer/dryer lease and maintenance services that are similar or greater in scope magnitude and complexity than the effort described in this solicitation.

We are under the assumption this description is in error and not pertinent to the subject solicitation.

As such, please clarify the extent of relevant past performance, which accurately pertains to the subject solicitation.

- The relevant past performance is any past performance with railroad maintenance and inspection. This is an administration error in the solicitation and will be amended.

24. Reference: RFP - Buy America: Will the government require domestic material for ALL permanent material incorporated into this contract, i.e. track bolts, nuts, washers, joint bars, rail?

- All materials will be required to be Domestic, unless otherwise approved by the COR, Civil Engineer and the Contracting Officer.

25. Is all rail (system-wide) 115#RE?

- Yes.

26. Are the 7ea. turnouts Self-Guarded or Rail-bound?

- Turnouts are Self Guarded

27. Reference: FA480318R0008_Attach_1_SOW_Dated_25_Oct_17 - 1.1.4. Cross Ties: Shall be hardwood and meet the requirements specified in the AREA Manual for Engineering, Chapter 3, Part 1 for 6-inch grade and 7-inch grade ties: This verbiage indicates two different size crossties.

Please confirm what specified sized crosstie the government will require, i.e. 6”x8”x8’6”, 7”x8”x8’6”, 7”x9”x8’6”. A significant cost difference exists between a 6” crosstie and a 7” crosstie.

- All crossties should be 7”x9”x8’6”, Grade 5.

28. Will the crossties furnished need to be 100% end-plated?

- Yes, unless plastic is permitted.

29. Will the crosstie treatment require 7# or 8# creosote retention?

- All crossties will require 8# treatment

30. Will the government require third party inspection for treatment of crossties?

- No, but submittal will be required before installation stating specifications and manufacture and origin of ties provided.

31. Reference Section SF 1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, Item- Purchase and replacement of rail, 2 EACH: Is No.1 Relay Rail acceptable or is new rail required? If new rail is required, is Industrial Quality (IQ) acceptable? Is the contractor to assume 2 EACH is 2 pieces of rail at standard 40’0” lengths?

-Yes, 2 each means “2 pieces of 40 foot rail”. Replacement rail shall be “NEW”. Replacement rail shall be the same size and weight as the piece that was taken out (115 Lb.).

32. Reference Section SF 1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, Item- Purchase and replace crossties:

Is tamping and regulating ballast for crossties after installation considered incidental to this line item? If so, will tamping with a production tamper be required or is backhoe tamping sufficient?

- Production tamper will be required; a backhoe is not to be used in installation of crossties.

33. Reference Section SF 1449 – CONTINUATION SHEET, Item- Line/Gauge track: Are spikes and tie plug materials required for re-gauging existing track to be considered incidental to this line item?

-Yes, they should be included as incidental.

End of Questions and Answers.