Questions_-_Answers_-MAFR_Land_Gift_Fence_Project.docx

Questions from MAFR Fence Gift Project site visit:

1. What is a realistic start date for this contract? Is November too late? Is the Notice to Proceed negotiable?

--Gov’t Response: Depending on the award date and the mission schedule at the range, the project could start as early as October. However, notice to proceed date is flexible.

2. Is the pipe for bracing both galvanized and painted? Are only the gate bracings galvanized? Is the gate bracing painted?

--Gov’t Response: Yes, all bracing is galvanized and painted green to match the color of the T-posts.

3. Is it the contractor’s responsibility to dispose of all demolished fence off-site?

--Gov’t Response: Yes the KTR is responsible to dispose of all demolished fence items, barbed wire, steel post, concrete etc. Any items that are recycled, the gov’t will required a receipt.

4. Can the contractor mix the concrete on-site? Who is responsible for testing the concrete and who pays for the testing?

--Gov’t Response: Yes follow ready mix guidance in UFGS Section 03 30 53 part 2.3. Contractor is responsible for conducting/coordinating the concrete tests, price should be in proposal.

5. Does Canon Air Force Base furnish warning signs?

--Gov’t Response: Contractor is responsible ordering and installing signs.

6. Who pays for the third party survey?

--Gov’t Response: Contractor is responsible for conducting/coordinating the third party survey.

7. Is an engineering firm required for Quality Control, or can it be done in house?

--Gov’t Response: Quality Control is determined by the Contractor, however it must meet specification requirements of 01 45 00.00 10

8. Have the property corners for the Canon Air Force Base/ Melrose Gift Land Fence Project been established by a Professional Land Surveyor in the field? Or will the Contractor be responsible for establishing or re-establishing the project’s property corners?

--Gov’t Response: Yes, and the Contractor is responsible for a full survey, per 3.4 of SOW.

9. Will there be any Bench Mark (BM) monument data control already existing within Canon Air Force Base, provided to the Contractor?

--Gov’t Response: Yes: Coordinate system based on the New Mexico State Plain Coordinate Eastern Zone and elevations are NAVD 1988:

B/M control:

PS11463

Northing: 1211610.9487 Easting: 690822.7010 Elevation: 5320.00

10. Would each of the proposed corner fence posts of this project installed by the Contractor be the established and defined property boundary on record?

--Gov’t Response: Yes. The intent of this project is the final product will provide the property boundary lines.

11. Will the Melrose Gift Land Fence Project property corners, bearing and distances, be provided in NAD 83 State Plane Coordinate system?

--Gov’t Response: The Contractor is required to conduct/coordinate survey Per 3.4 of SOW. The Gov’t prefers DATUM –WGS84 Coordinate System, however if notated the Contractor can utilize NAD 83 State Plane New Mexico East Coordinate System.

12. If a recorded boundary survey AND field monumentation has already been completed for this project, how much additional records research will need to be completed by the Contractor for this project?

--Gov’t Response: The survey is to ensure the fence is installed at the correct location to avoid encroachment onto nearby landowners’ property.

13. For this project, will the Contractor be permitted access through an alternative base gate or will all Contractor personnel have to enter through the Main Gate entrance for the duration of this project?

--Gov’t Response: Plan to have to use the Main Gate exclusively, however it will depend on the activities of the Range. Contractor will have to coordinate with RMO through Mission Numbers.

14. Will the sign in sheet of all of the attendees participating in the Canon Air Force Base/ Melrose Gift Land Fence Project site visit on 7/11/16 be provided?

--Gov’t Response:

15. May we receive clarification on the hours of operation for the duration of the Canon Air Force Base/ Melrose Gift Land Fence Project? And, if permitted, may a Contractor submit a proposal for extended work hours on the base?

--Gov’t Response: Hours of Operations is 0700-1600 Monday through Friday, excluding federal holiday. Should the Contractor desire to work other than these hours, the Contractor must request approval in writing at least 14 calendar days prior to the period of intended deviation. The Contractor shall not deviate from standard work hours unless permitted to do so in writing by the Contracting Officer.

16. What type of ATV will be permitted by base personnel for the Canon Air Force Base/ Melrose Gift Land Fence Project?

--Gov’t Response: Contractor will be required to turn in all Safety Certifications for each person that will be driving the ATV, prior to utilizing on the Range.

17. It is understood that established Wage Rates, as recognized at either the state or federal level, are applicable to the Contractor for the labor installation portion of this project. However, our experience has been with other military installations, that they are not applicable to professional services (i.e., Professional Engineers, Licensed Land Surveyors, etc.). Will that be the case for the Canon Air Force Base/ Melrose Gift Land Fence Project?

--Gov’t Response: Salaried workers do not fall under the Davis-Bacon constraints, so long as this is annotated in the weekly payrolls.

18. Are there any union requirements for performing this fencing construction work?

--Gov’t Response: None identified.

19. Will dig permits be required for fence corner posts, stabilizers and gate openings (holes are 18” X 18” X 3’)? If required, will one dig permit be allowed for the entire fence line, or will multiple dig permits be required for each gate, corner and stabilizer location?

--Gov’t Response: AF 103 Work Clearance (Dig permit) is required. AF 103 Work Clearance meetings are held every Thursday at 0730 in Base Civil Engineering Building. The form will be provided by the Gov’t to the Contractor.

20. Has an Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) or an Environmental Assessment (EA) been completed for this work and can it be provided?

--Gov’t Response: An EBS and EA were both completed, and can be provided to the contractor upon request.

21. Will Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) clearance be required for the fence line project or will the AF provide evidence to the contractor that this has been completed?

--Gov’t Response: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) clearance is not required for the MAFR Land Gift Area.

22. Are there any known or suspected historical or current spill or hazardous waste release sites located within the areas of fence construction? Although we understand that this may be determined during the Dig Permit process, this information needs to be known to estimate safety requirements.

--Gov’t Response: No hazardous waste sites exist in the area where the fence will be constructed.

23. Are there any known or suspected archaeological/cultural sites located within the areas of fence construction? Although we understand that this may be determined during the Dig Permit process, this information needs to be known to estimate safety requirements.

--Gov’t Response: Yes there are approximately 4 cultural sites in the area. Therefore, the level of disturbance to the surrounding soil needs to be kept to a minimum.

24. Are there any known or suspected Endangered or Threatened Species located within the areas of fence construction? Although we understand that this may be determined during the Dig Permit process, this information needs to be known to estimate safety requirements.

--Gov’t Response: The Lesser Prairie-chicken, a federal candidate and New Mexico sensitive species, has been observed at MAFR.

25. Are there any specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training requirements? OSHA 10 Hour Construction, General Industry, OSHA 30 Hour General Industry or OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER?

--Gov’t Response: Typically OSHA Training Certs are turned in per the Contractor’s Safety and Health Plan/Program. Please see Specifications 01 35 26 for qualified person and the Site Safety Health Officers.

26. Please verify that Contractor will be required to purchase laser safe glasses for field personnel and glasses are to be turned into CAFB at the end of the project, as government property. If so, please provide the required “make and model” that is required.

--Gov’t Response: Yes the Contractor is required to purchase Laser Safety Glasses, glasses must meet ANSI Z136.1 and CE EN207 – any make or model that meets this requirement is acceptable.

27. Is “Range Lead Training” required for each person on the field crew, or only one person onsite?

--Gov’t Response: Range Lead is the only person allowed to move around the Range. All members shall either be escorted by a Range Lead or be a Range Lead.

28. Will there be any likely Air Force training or mission conflicts on portions of the Range where fencing is to be installed, that may affect the construction project timeline?

--Gov’t Response: AF training/mission may affect construction, but Contractor will have to coordinate with RMO through Mission Numbers.

29. Attachment 1 (page 5) specifies that architectural scale should be 1” = 1”. Please confirm.

--Gov’t Response: For As-Builts yes, the Contractor is required to provide As-Builts in both CAD and PDF format utilizing this scale.

30. Attachment 1 (page 6) specifies Lighting Units should be American. Please clarify if lighting units are to be installed as part of this project.

--Gov’t Response: No lighting units are included in this contract.

31. Does the current Melrose AFR Operations Contractor have a Conflict of Interest (COI) and thus conflicted out of competing for this solicitation?

--Gov’t Response: So long as they fit the “small business” set-aside requirements for this acquisition, they are not excluded from competition.

32. If required to use the Main Gate (Sundale Valley Road) will work crews have access to the proposed fencing locations through Krider Gate (northwest gate near job site) or will access to the project site be limited to the Sundale Valley Road entrance (east side of the Range) thus creating a practical working schedule of approximately 0800 to 1500 due to commute times across the Range?

--Gov’t Response: Plan to have to use the Main Gate exclusively, however it will depend on the activities of the Range. Contractor will have to coordinate with RMO through Mission Numbers. Also, hours of work schedule is 0700-1600 Monday through Friday, excluding federal holiday. Should the Contractor desire to work other than these hours, the Contractor must request approval in writing at least 14 calendar days prior to the period of intended deviation. The Contractor shall not deviate from standard work hours unless permitted to do so in writing by the Contracting Officer.

33. Please clarify standard size and materials for fence signs (eg. aluminum, gauge, corners, etc.).

--Gov’t Response: Steel (material) is 19.5” x 23”, 20 gauge, corners do not have to be rounded.

34. Is it appropriate to assume one “Hot Works Permit” will be acceptable for the entire duration of the project and not multiple permits?

--Gov’t Response: No, hot work permits need to be resubmitted weekly.

35. For welding activities, please clarify if welding shield (blanket) is acceptable or if there is a required vegetation distance for welding activities?

--Gov’t Response: If vegetation is too close to the work area, remove the necessary amount to weld safely without causing a fire. Please try to limit the extent of grubbing and utilize welding blankets where possible.

36. We assume that underbrush shielding of all vehicles engine and exhaust is required?

--Gov’t Response: Yes underbrush shielding of all vehicles engines and exhaust is required.

37. Is there an estimated volume of fence line to de demolished, or will personnel have an opportunity to calculate that total volume of fence to be demolished during the site visit?

--Gov’t Response: This information should have been calculated at the time of the site visit.

38. Will Cannon AFB recycling (DRMO) accept recycled materials from the construction effort?

--Gov’t Response: No, the Contractor is responsible to dispose of all demolished fence items, barbed wire, steel post, concrete etc. Any items that are recycled, the gov’t will required a receipt.

39. If the installation does not accept recycled materials, is the value of the materials to be recycled to be reduced from the overall cost of the project, to be returned to the installation as part of the project requirements or retained by the contractor?

--Gov’t Response: The Contractor is responsible to dispose of all demolished fence items, barbed wire, steel post, concrete etc. Any items that are recycled, the gov’t will required a receipt.

40. Please clarify requirements and standards (ASTM Standard C 42) for concrete testing.

41. Please identify requirement for concrete, mixed by hand or delivered to specification.

42. Please verify concrete specification if applicable.

--Gov’t Response (41-43): Follow ready mix guidance for concrete in UFGS Section 03 30 53 part 2.3.

43. Please verify 20% Performance and Payment Bond is required.

--Gov’t Response: The solicitation has since been amended requiring 100% Performance and Payment bonds no later than 10 days following award, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

44. It is our understanding that there are new installation requirements that require vehicles to stay on paved roads and/or improved dirt roads during “High Wind Events”. With 18 miles of off-road fence installation, this needs to be known and accounted for in the contractors estimate.

--Gov’t Response: Contractor will be required to communicate and follow the directions of the Range Management Officer during “High Wind Events”.

More Questions from 20 July 2016:

45. How many gate openings are there? We understand that there are 2 gates per opening required.

--Gov’t Response: There are seventeen gates in this area. Some of the gates may require coordination with the range management office to open. Please see provided map.

46. Please provide a drawing that shows all gate locations.

--Gov’t Response: Please see provided map.

47. Can we use a pre-mixed concrete, like Quick Crete, if we meet or exceed the PSI that is required?

--Gov’t Response: Yes follow ready mix guidance in UFGS Section 03 30 53 part 2.3. Contractor is responsible for conducting/coordinating the concrete tests and providing the material submittals for the product.

48. How far is it to the water well?

--Gov’t Response: Multiple wells exist on the range. Coordination through the range management office will be required to identify which well can be utilized. Well 14 located near the north end of this fence project may be a viable alternative to pull water from.

49. Is it acceptable to clear & grub an 8' wide swath down the new fence lines?

--Gov’t Response: No, multiple cultural sites are located within the near vicinity of the fenceline, and we want to avoid disrupting the sites.

50. I find no mention of vertical water-gaps for arroyos. Is there a detail for these?

--Gov’t Response: No detail for vertical water-gaps because they will not be needed. Fence is to follow the curvature of the natural topography.

51. Warning sign details on attached drawing and sample warning sign available upon request.

--Gov’t Response: Yes, these are available upon request.

52. Is a Project Schedule that is built in MS Project, and converted to a PDF doc. Acceptable?

--Gov’t Response: Yes, however an AF 3064 is required as well.

53. In the SOW at Paragraph 26.3, The Architectural Scale: 1" = 1" Is this meant to be 1” = 1 mile?

--Gov’t Response: Yes, 1”= 1 mile. The new fence will be approximate 18 miles.

54. A record of the conference shall be made and furnished to all prospective bidders/offerors. The record should include minutes of the meeting, including questions (on a non-attribution basis) and answers. Will this information be posted to FBO? Will a copy of the sign-in sheet accompany this document?

--Gov’t Response: This document serves as a record of the site visit, as the questions contained in this document were the questions that were addressed at the site visit. The sign-in sheet is also contained within this document.

55. Please confirm the diameter of the gate posts footings, we think it is meant to be 18"

--Gov’t Response: Yes, the footings are to be 18” in depth by 18” in width for the gate posts.

56. What is the gage, or thickness of the gate Posts, and the line posts?

--Gov’t Response: The gauge and thicknesses of the metal needs to be a close match the existing style of metal gate posts already installed.

57. Will the contractor be allowed to access the new fence line from the east side (on MAFR)?

--Gov’t Response: Yes the contractor will have access from this area once mission numbers have been coordinated through the range management office.

58. How frequent are range blocks and are these blocks posted at the end of each week?

--Gov’t Response: Range training varies with the mission requirement. Checking with the range management office weekly to find the schedule will be necessary for attaining the most accurate exercise schedule.

59. Will the contractor be allowed to stage/store materials along the fence line? Will the contractor be allowed to place a conex near the fence line?

--Gov’t Response: Yes, this will need to be coordinated through the range management office.

60. Will the welding/cutting/brazing permit last the duration of the project or will the contractor be required to resubmit periodically?

--Gov’t Response: The hot work permits are valid for a week at the longest. Therefore, if the welding, cutting, and brazing work will span longer than one week, the contractor will have to renew the permit weekly.

61. How much existing fence must be removed and disposed of?

--Gov’t Response: Only terminate enough of the existing infringing fence line to ensure the new fence follows the surveyed property line unimpeded. The old fence that imposes on the new boundary line needs to be enclosed to the new fence on the non-Air Force property side of the new fence.

62. The SOW states that contractors may visit the site to gather information about the project. Is this referring to the site visit that occurred on July 13 or may contractors schedule a time to access the fence line at any time before the bids are due? If so, who are we to schedule this visit with?

--Gov’t Response: This was referring to the site visit that was on 11 July.