Attachment 14 - B1643 - RFI QA.pdf

FA6675-22-R-00011 Q&A from RFI’s Dated: 12 September 2022

RFI#01

Question 1: Volume I - Cost/Price Proposal Volume requirements Item (f). requires inclusion of a Bid Bond in accordance with FAR Clause 52.228-1 Bid Guarantee. Item (g.) Financial Resources requires a Financial Stability Letter from the financial institution and a letter from the Bonding Company confirming bonding capacity and maximum dollar threshold. The provision of all three appear to provide some redundancy. Is it possible to provide either Item (f) - Bid Guarantee only, or the Item (g) letters only? With the Offeror's ability to provide a Bid Guarantee, the Surety has performed their due diligence to confirm adequate financial resources to perform the contract and and will be eligible for issuance of the subsequent Performance and Payment Bonds as required upon award, if so selected by the Government for award of the solicited project.

Government Answer: It is not possible to provide either Item (f) - Bid Guarantee only, or the Item (g) letters only.

Offerors shall submit a completed financial capability letter from their financial institution IAW Section L and a Bid Guarantee IAW with 52.228-1.

RFI#02

Question 1: Reference VOLUME III - PAST PERFORMANCE, item b. Past Performance Questionnaire (pg 45 of 61) – please confirm that PPQs/CPARs are required only for the projects provided in VOLUME II – TECHNICAL, Sub Factor 2: Company Experience.

Government Answer: No. VOLUME III - PAST PERFORMANCE, item b. Past Performance Questionnaire (pg 45 of

61) – PPQs/CPARs are not required only for the projects provided in VOLUME II – TECHNICAL, Sub Factor 2:

Company Experience.

RFI#03

Question 1: Reference Section M-4 EVALUATION CRITERIA, Sub factor 2: Company Experience. The paragraph labeled "Recency Assessment" states: "To be recent, the effort must be completed or substantially completed (90%) with at least twelve (12) months of performance history and must have been performed during the past five

(5) years preceding the issuance date of this solicitation (see Block 3 of Standard Form 1442). For contracts that began more than five years from the date of solicitation issuance, only the year(s) that were partially or completely performed within past 5 years from the issuance date of this solicitation will be evaluated as recent." We request a change to this evaluation criteria so that if a contract was completed within the past 5 years, then all work for that project should be considered recent regardless of if the contract began more than 5 years from the date of this solicitation's issuance. Alternate evaluation criteria seen on other Federal solicitations, "Submit projects that have been completed and turned over no longer than five (5) years preceding the proposal submission date."

Government Answer: Request denied. For contracts that began more than five years from the date of solicitation issuance, only the year(s) that were partially or completely performed within past 5 years from the issuance date of this solicitation will be evaluated as recent."

RFI#04

Question 1: Reference Section M-4 EVALUATION CRITERIA, Sub factor 2: Company Experience. The paragraph "Relevancy Assessment" states: "Efforts are considered relevant for recent projects with the same magnitude for new or renovation commercial or industrial building construction involving multiple phases and disciplines or full renovation of commercial or industrial building(s) from award through project completion." We suggest changing the building type from "commercial or industrial building" to "Federal Government facility" or "work on an active, operational military facility" as this experience would seem more relevant than commercial or industrial construction.

Government Answer: Request denied to restrict Relevancy Assessment to work on an active, operational military facility.

RFI#05

Question 1: Reference Section M-4 EVALUATION CRITERIA, Sub factor 2: Company Experience, paragraph "Relevancy Assessment." Given the project scope of work, we recommend the following evaluation criteria be added, "Prime Contractor must submit at least one project involving renovation of an existing Federal Government facility with a value of $5 million or greater and at least one project that invoves Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 construction of $5 million or greater."

Government Answer: Request denied to restrict Relevancy Assessment to "Prime Contractor must submit at least one project involving renovation of an existing Federal Government facility with a value of $5 million or greater and at least one project that invoves Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 construction of $5 million or greater."

RFI#06

Question 1: Reference Volume II - Technical, the first paragraph states "Font shall be a minimum of 12 pt." Is it allowable to use a reduced font size (e.g., 10 pt) for figures/tables/exhibits?

Government Answer: No. Font shall be a minimum of 12 pt.

RFI#07

Question 1: Reference the Construction Security Plan (CSP) dated 16 May 2022 (Attachment 6).

The CSP is silent on what phase(s) of the project the CSP is applicable to. Part N 1 refers to the "controlled area" but the plans and specifications do not clearly define the "controlled area."

Define the "controlled area."

Contractors price and schedule will be significantly affected if they have to provide US citizens, access controls, construction material control, Secure Storage Area (SSA), etc. for the entire project versus just the Phase 3 area.

Limit the application of the CSP to the Phase 3 work only.

Government Answer:

1. According to your construction plan to renovate Bldg 1643, the construction of the controlled areas will not occur until phase 3 of the project.

2. The controlled area refers to Rooms 141/142. The use of U.S Citizens and a SSA are only required for Phase 3 of the projects (ie...Rooms 141/142).

RFI#08

Question 1: Reference the Construction Security Plan (CSP) dated 16 May 2022 (Attachment 6).

M (4) a states "the SSA will be located within the secured perimeter of the construction site".

Please describe:

1) where will the SSA be located? Provide a revised drawing showing the location.

2) how will the SSA be constructed (fencing, gates, lights, cameras, alarms, guard booths, etc.)?

3) what size will be allowed for the SSA?

4) are shipping containers acceptable for storing materials? how many shipping containers can be placed within the SSA?

4) who will be responsible for construction and maintenance of the SSA?

5) what are the Governments requirements/procedures for controlling access of personnel & materials in to and out of the SSA?

6) will the Government provide a guard to control access?

Government Answer: The SSA can be within the secured perimeter, or an area identified by the contractor to the SSM and approved by the A/O. The contractor will coordinate with the SSM to request an approval for an SSA change. Securable shipping containers are acceptable as the SSA, and the number and size aren’t limited by the CSP but they shall not be stacked at the installation.

The SSM staff and SF sentries are responsible for opening and closing of the construction of the controlled area and approved Secure Storage Areas (SSA). Maintenance of the SSA is the Contractor’s responsibility, and any construction (if necessary) is also the Contractor’s responsibility.

The objective of the SSA is to secure materials, ensure the contractor has unimpeded access to materials, and ensure the construction of the secure space is not compromised though the use of unsecured construction materials.

RFI#09

Question 1: Reference the Construction Security Plan (CSP) dated 16 May 2022 (Attachment 6).

Procurement: M(1) speaks to randomly selecting up to 35% of building materials from non-specific construction materials on the project (random selection is typically reserved for OCONUS construction projects per ICD/ICS 705 Chapter 4; Chapter 3 is typically the reference for CONUS construction).

Is it the intent of the Government to require the contractor to randomly select construction materials for use within the Controlled Area from that of the other construction materials being used on the project?

What will the procedure be for procuring materials for the Controlled Area that are not present in other areas of the project or are not present in a large enough quantity to allow for the 35% ratio to produce the quantity required for the Controlled Area?

Government Answer:

1. The contractor should follow the guidelines approved by the contracting officer in-accordance with the FAR clause 52.225-11 Buy American-Construction Materials under Trade Agreements.

2. SSM will document inspections of all construction materials utilizing the "Inspectable Construction Materials Checklist” (ICMS), regardless of the origin of construction materials (IC Tech Spec- for ICD/ICS 705, Chap 14).

Completed ICMC forms will be retained and shall become part of the facility accreditation files.

4. The SSM staff will inspect and document the construction materials. Once inspected the materials can be used/stored in an approved SSA at the discretion of the contractor.

5. The CSP > Procurement: Any Buy American Act waivered construction materials require amendment to M(1) in the CSP.

RFI#10

Question 1: Reference the Construction Security Plan (CSP) dated 16 May 2022 (Attachment 6).

Shipping of Inspectable Materials: M (2) does not require secure shipping of inspectable materials, but does require inspection of construction materials. This section typically applies to the secure procurement and secure OCONUS shipping of construction materials, and not the delivery and handling of domestic materials to a CONUS construction site.

Is it the intent of the Government to require all construction materials to be inspected prior to placement into the SSA or use in the Controlled Area?

If so, describe the inspection process and delineate between the Government and Contractors responsibilities.

Otherwise please clarify the Governments intent of this section.

Provide a list of inspectable and non-inspectable materials.

What will the procedures be for procuring non-inspectable materials?

Government Answer:

1. Controlled Area: SSM will document inspections of all construction materials utilizing the "Inspectable Construction Materials Checklist” (ICMS), regardless of the origin of construction materials (IC Tech Spec- for ICD/ICS 705, Chap 14).

2. Completed ICMC forms will be retained and shall become part of the facility accreditation files.

3. After the delivery process is concluded, the SSM staff will inspect and document the construction materials.

Once inspected the materials can be used/stored in an approved SSA at the discretion of the contractor.

4. Overall objective is to inspect materials, not imped the contractor, while ensuring the construction of the controlled area is not compromised.

RFI#11

Question 1: Reference the Construction Security Plan (CSP) dated 16 May 2022 (Attachment 6).

Escorts: A (e) indicates the Government will provide escorts. For what portion of the work will these escorts be provided?

How will the escorts interact with the contractor while the Contractor is performing work?

Government Answer:

1. An un-cleared visitor will require an escort when there is an immediate need to access the controlled construction area for a specific purpose (FEDEX, Delivery Drivers...etc.).

2. Contractors working the controlled area are U.S citizens and do not require an escort.

RFI#12

Question 1: The RFP documents made available to the Contractor in the RFP package contained CUI. In order for the Contractor to gain access to these CUI documents, the Contractor needed to execute Attachment 1 (B1643 Non-Disclosure Agreement) in order to download the files.

The RFP documents themselves are silent as to how the Contractor should manage the redistribution of the CUI documents to their subcontractors and trade partners to solicit pricing.

Is the Contractor required to ask the Government for permission (via the Attachment 1- NDA) to approve every subcontractor/trade partner prior to distributing the CUI marked drawings to them?

Government approval of each distribution will be onerous on both the Contractor and the Government.

Contractor suggests that the Attachment 1 NDA be executed by the Contractor to each of their subcontractors/trade partners and kept on file by the Contractor prior to the release of the CUI documents.

Government Answer: Reference 252.204-7000 Disclosure of Information. Oct 2016.

RFI#13

Question 1: Specification 01 33 00 Submittal Procedures, section 1.9 Project Submittal Register states, "A sample Project Submittal Register showing items of equipment and materials for when submittals are required by the specifications is provided as Appendix A - Submittal Register." Appendix A - Submittal Register is not included in the bid documents. Please provide Appendix A - Submittal Register as referenced in specification 01 33 00 Submittal Procedures, section 1.9.

Government Answer: Appendix A does not exist as stated in 01 33 00 Submittal Procedures, section 1.9 Project Submittal Register. The submittal register will be provided via amendment to the solicitation.

RFI#14

Question 1: ET101 shows installation of cable tray in the base bid area, as well as Bid Option 001 and 002 areas.

ET102 shows installation of cable tray in the base bid comm room and Bid Option 003 areas. Cable tray shown in all areas is bold and Contractor seeks clarification of what areas cable tray is required to be installed as part of the contract to complete the installation of cabling. ET101 - Install cable tray in Base Bid area only. Bid Option 001 and 002 areas NIC. ET102 - Install cable tray in Base Bid Comm Room only. Bid Option 003 area NIC.

Government Answer: Install all cable trays under the base bid.

RFI#15

Question 1: We request a 2-week extension to the proposal due date due to the difficulty of distributing the controlled solicitation files to subcontractors. A 2-week extension will enable the Contractor to obtain competitive pricing from the various trade partners which benefits the Government in awarding the project within the estimated construction cost.

Government Answer: Request is denied due to fiscal end of year time limitations.

RFI#16

Question 1: Please provide an anticipated contract award date to be used in the Construction Schedule required in Volume II-Technical, Sub Factor 1.

Government Answer: The contract award date is unknown. 30-September 2022 can be used as an anticipated contract award date in the Construction Schedule required in Volume II-Technical, Sub Factor 1. Reference Funding information at Block 10 of SF 1442.

RFI#17

Question 1: Please advise if Contractor is to connect new base bid HVAC controls to the existing BAS or if the Contractor is to install at new BAS and connect the existing HVAC controls in Bid Option areas to the new system?

If Contractor is installing a new BAS and connecting the existing HVAC in the Bid Option areas, is the existing HVAC equipment compatible with the new BAS system specified?

Government Answer: The Contractor is to connect new base bid HVAC controls to the existing Building Automation System (BAS). Existing control system was manufactured by Wattmaster. The Contractor is to provide new equipment that is compatible with the existing control system.