Attachment 7 Q_A Sheet 18 July 2023.docx

Wastewater Treatment Plant Questions and Answers

1. Can we get the DOD link for photos? Do we need to send a separate email?

Answer: DoD Safe links for pictures are provided on an ‘as-requested’ basis.

2. RFP states we need to provide a DUNS number - recent changes now require the UEI to be included which is part of the sam.gov profile. Do we need to provide just the DUNS, or do we need to include the UEI as well?

Answer: Offerors are required to provide UEI number.

3. Factor 2: Past Performance states to offerors need to provide a list of similar projects completed by the firm over the past three years. Is there a minimum number of projects we need to include?

Answer: There is no minimum number of projects.

4. Under Factor 2: Past Performance - can we use key subcontractor past performance to support this section for similar projects required? (can a contractor use a prospective subcontractor’s past performance to show relevant/recent past performance in addition to the past performance provided).

Answer: No, the offeror must provide its own past performance to be considered relevant/recent.

5. Under Factor 2: Past Performance - are we required to include signed and completed PPQ from other clients in the proposal response?

Answer: Offerors should not submit the PPQ. The government has provided the PPQ so interested parties understand the document that will be sent out to those identified in the list of similar projects.

6. Under Factor 1: Technical - there are 8 subfactors listed. Are we limited to a number of pages for addressing our technical approach involving these subfactors?

Answer: 20-page limit for technical proposals

7. Can the government clarify what they mean by Best 5 Date in the sentence included in the RFP _ Annotate: Quote Expiration Date, Best 5 Date, and any Discount Terms?

Answer: This sentence should read “Quote, Expiration Date and Discount Terms”

8. Do we need to provide a quote expiration date in our proposal, or can we just provide a statement that the proposal will remain valid for a minimum of 90 days?

Answer: Proposals should provide a validity date through the end of the fiscal year 30 Sep 2023.

9. Is the contractor supposed to budget for the quantity listed (275,000 & 50,000) for sludge hauling at each facility?

Answer: The 275,000 gallons is sludge disposal from Shaw AFB Wastewater Treatment Plant. The 50,000 gallons is the amount pumped from Wateree and deposited into the aerobic digestors at the Shaw AFB Wastewater Treatment Plant. The NPDES permits, for Shaw WWTP and Wateree WWTP require all sludge to be disposed of from Shaw AFB WWTP to the City of Sumter’s Pocotaligo River WWTP.

10. Can you explain the monthly billing process for the sludge hauling/disposal?

Answer: The contractor will provide tickets for the total amounts of gallons of sludge hauled and disposed. Once received, the contractor may invoice and will be paid at the disposal/haul rates per gallon established in the CLIN (up to the NTE).

11. Is the contractor supposed to list the pricing per gallon for sludge hauling?

Answer: Yes, offerors are to provide a price per gallon up to the NTE gallons as identified in the bid schedule. The number of gallons identified is based on averages of annual historical actuals.

12. What happens to the funds if the contractor exceeds or hauls less than the quantity in the PWS, is the sludge disposal part of the base fee or an additional service fee?

Answer: The sludge disposal and pump and haul CLINS firm fixed price per gallon. A contractor will be paid for the actual amounts disposed/hauled up to the established NTE amounts.

13. Is a copy of an executed teaming agreement needed for this proposal?

Answer: The only team agreement the environmental compliance office is aware of is the agreements between the contractor and subcontracted laboratories. If a teaming arrangement is contemplated, provide complete information as to the arrangement, including any relevant and recent past/present performance information on previous teaming arrangements with the same partner. If this is a first-time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past and present relevant contracts. An “executed” teaming agreement is not required for a proposal submission.

14. Are we able to get a preview of permit requirements?

Answer: We can provide copies of the NPDES permits for Shaw and Wateree WWTPs.

15. What DHEC required sampling is analyzed on site and which ones are sent off to contract labs?

Answer: From 17 July 2023 until the on-site lab is recertified, all samples are analyzed by subcontracted laboratories.

Historically, the on-site lab was certified to analyze the following samples: dissolved oxygen, pH, total residual chlorine, total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand. The following samples were sent to a subcontracted lab for analysis: Chronic toxicity, total phosphorus, ammonia, and coliform bacteria.

16. Is there separate operations for laboratory and wastewater operations? Or are the operators analyzing all lab parameters?

Answer: Historically, The operators and the lab director work together to analyze samples. It is up to the on-site lab director to assign analytical duties.

17. Is there mechanical and electrical support readily available?

Answer: The Shaw AFB and Wateree WWTP are each equipped with backup electrical generators. It is the responsibility of the contractor or subcontractors to perform mechanical repairs to the WWTPs and sewage lift stations.

18. Historically, what has been the staff size to successfully operate the facility?

Answer: Historically there have been two operators per shift and one lab director. It is the responsibility of the contractor to propose in an appropriate manner to satisfy the requirements of the PWS, certifications, permits and manning requirements.

19. What is the status of the intake equipment at the facility? Example, the screw lift, current issues with basins and tanks, etc.

Answer: The influent comminutor and influent screw pumps are operating properly. The current contractor is repairing the influent grit removal system.

20. What is the current chlorination system in place?

Answer: Tablets, feeder system or ozone system? Liquid 12.5% liquid chlorine bleach.

21. What are the recent problematic areas in regard to violations? Have there been any recent violations in the past 6 months?

Answer: Due to an emergency contract action in the past, the onsite lab was consequently de-certified and a third-party lab currently conducts all analyses.

22. Will the new regime have an overlapping period with the current regime to evaluate the current plant operations and structure in place?

Answer: Overlap will depend on the date of contract award. Typically, there is a phase in/out period; however, due to issues with a previous contract that was terminated and running an extension of services NTE 6 months on the current emergency contract, any anticipated overlap will be brief.

23. Is there office space and equipment for the operator of record?

Answer: Yes, the lab and offices are in the same building with separate office space provided in the building.

24. What type of record keeping system is currently in place? Are there physical files kept on site or are there electronic versions available? For trending purposes will prior records be available to access.

Answer: Paper, hard copy files and electronic records are utilized. Past lab records and discharge monitoring reports are and will be available.