Snow Q A.pdf

Snow Removal Services VT, NH, & ME August 23, 2012

GSA Response to Questions

Note: Questions from contractors are in black text and answers provided by GSA are in red.

1. How many contractors are you expecting to bid on the referenced buildings? The teleconference (site visit) only had a few participants?

The pre-proposal conference was not mandatory. Please provide a competitive offer for the services you are interested in providing.

2. Please provide the previous price paid for these services? I have been told line item pricing is available.

Previously these services were provided for using the facilities contractor at the respective location. While there may have been a line item price in those contracts for snow services, the pricing would not be an accurate indicator of the value of the services now solicited. There are multiple components of the scope of services that are different in addition to the method of procurement. It is the opinion of the Contracting Officer that providing previous pricing would serve no value to either the contractor or the government in determining the value of the current solicited services.

3. Will the Vermont Solicitation be amended to include sidewalks at the Highgate Facility?

Yes, 4,100 square ft of walkways will be added to the scope of services for the Highgate facility only.

4. In the contract it states zero square footage for sidewalks (including entrances) and entrance steps. Does this mean we are not responsible for any snow removal services including de-icing in these areas? If so would we coordinate with the service contractor for removing snow that they may or may not put in the roadway?

Each facility is different for what is required. If, in the RFP it states that there is zero square footage for the walkways and entrances then snow removal services including de-icing is not required as part of this contract.

5. Snow removal from canopies and flat roofs. What is the determination for amount of snow build up to require these to be cleaned? On average how many times would be estimated per season?

Shoveling of Roofs and Canopies is no longer required in the scope of this contract.

6. Stock piling at the Swanton site is not allowed according to the contract, but two of the storage areas are on the grass. In the spring & early fall we tend to get wet snow the same time the ground is thawing. In trying to cut down on landscape damage would there be any exceptions at these times of year?

True stockpiling is only until it can be picked up. There are not exception areas onsite currently.

7. Is there a specific De-Icing Agent the government would like to see used in performance of this contract?

Please see revised environmental language. Chemicals and/or sand shall be used to reduce safety hazards due to ice and snow. All chemicals used shall at a minimum comply with State environmental regulations and local codes. The Contractor shall ensure there is an adequate supply of chemicals and sand on site or readily available to cover unexpected snow and ice occurrences. Note: The only acceptable product for the Highgate Facility is Potassium Acetate; The Parking deck at St

Albans requires calcium chloride.

8. Does the GSA know the additional cost associated with the referenced environmentally preferred products?

Please see revised environmental language. Chemicals and/or sand shall be used to reduce safety hazards due to ice and snow. All chemicals used shall at a minimum comply with State environmental regulations and local codes. The Contractor shall ensure there is an adequate supply of chemicals and sand on site or is readily available to cover unexpected snow and ice occurrences.

9. Is this item available in Bulk? There is one bulk supplier in the state of Vermont. Treated Salt is available.

GSA is reliant on the technical solution proposed by the contractor

10. Sodium Chloride is not ok, but is it ok to use treated salt? Treated salt is available in high bulk. Reference Environmental

Plan.

Please see revised environmental language. Chemicals and/or sand shall be used to reduce safety hazards due to ice and snow. All chemicals used shall at a minimum comply with State environmental regulations and local codes. The Contractor shall ensure there is an adequate supply of chemicals and sand on site or is readily available to cover unexpected snow and ice occurrences.

11. Referencing Page 27 of the Vermont solicitation. Paragraph 5 of the statement of work calls out Highgate Springs LPOE as requiring Canopy Ice removal. Would the contractor be responsible for clearing the canopies in other Vermont locations that are not specifically listed in this section?

This section is being deleted from the scope of services with this amendment.

12. The solicitation describes the variation in estimated quantity based on annual snowfall. However, the contractor is required to clear ice as it accumulates on paved services. Will any consideration be given to the contractor for their level of effort rather than snowfall amount?

The variation in estimated quantities will only make adjustments based on snowfall amounts.

13. Is the financial disclosure required? I do not want to furnish this information to the government and don’t see why this is relevant as I have been performing the work at the facility for 7 years and have never been asked to provide this information in the past. If I do not provide will my bid then not be considered?

The information is required in order for the GSA to determine that your firm is not at risk of defaulting on contract. Please disclose sufficient information so that a determination can be made that your firm will not go bankrupt after contract award.

Failure to provide will result in your bid not being considered for a contract award.

14. This document is very lengthy. I am not able to understand what is required for bid submission. How do I know what I need to submit?

Please refer to the section of the solicitation entitled Solicitation provisions contained you will find detailed instructions stating what is required in the proposal detailed by volume.

15. The solicitation states the proposals are required to be on a disc. Is this required or will hard copies suffice?

We will accept and consider your proposal if you are unable to provide on CD.

16. The past performance requires we provide square footage of other parking lots we have plowed. I don’t know the square feet of other parking lots I currently clear; does the GSA expect me to measure other parking lots?

The intent of the past performance and experience section is that we are able to determine that 1) you performed similar work in the past and 2) you provide a reference that is willing to refer your firm for the services.

17. The SOW states an amount of square feet of parking lot and 0 square feet of walkways requiring services. How are we supposed to know what is included and what is not included? It appears there are areas in the parking lot that may require shoveling, yet walkways are listed as zero square feet. In the past we have shoveled these areas.

Where the SOW states 0 sq ft for walkways please assume that shoveling of these areas is not required under this contract.

18. The business proposal section states “See FAR Clause 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items) for submission” What does this mean?

This provision is listed in its full text on the last 10 pages of the solicitation. Please ensure to read instructions in first paragraph.