Final_Consolidated_RFP_Questions_TSSC_20240719.pdf

Final_Consolidated_RFP_Questions_TSSC_20240719.xlsx

# Question Response

Are there any RSO restrictions on lodging for contractors to utilize during this renovation?

There are no restrictions on lodging.

Confirm that contractors will be permitted to walk to and from the project location and local housing.

Confirmed. Contractors are permitted to walk from project location to local housing.

3 Confirm Buy American does not apply to this task order. The constraints of the Buy American Act are not applicable to this project.

Please confirm that secure shipping must adhere to Transit Security guidelines and inspection. MARAD has been strictly enforcing the US flagged carrier requirements (P1 or P2) on recent projects. Will the contractor be required to use P1 or P2 service even if the routing does not meet the shipping and construction schedule requirements of the project (i.e. ship through Europe for a South American destination)?

The shipping shall adhere to the MARAD Transit Security guidelines and inspection. When secure shipping is required, US military, US flag carriers and foreign flag carriers may be utilized in that order for secure transport. Foreign flag carriers will require more robust security measures to protect the construction materials. The shipping shall adhere to the MARAD Transit Security guidelines and inspection.

Please confirm if the shipping containers will be treated as diplomatic cargo and if contractors will be getting support from the USA Embassy GSO department to assist with expedited customs clearance on arrival in country. What is the expected time required for containers to clear customs in the destination country (so that all bidders may assume the same timeline)?

Shipping containers will not be treated as diplomatic cargo and do not have USA Embassy GSO department lined up to assist with expedited customs clearance. Expectation is for the cargo to clear Japanese customs in under 5 days.

Please confirm if the project is located in Seismic Zone D, or provide any specific seismic design requirements for suspended ceilings.

Confirmed. Tokyo is seismic Zone D. The Government does not have specific suspended ceiling requests.

SOW 3.2 Deliverables lists CSP as a submission requirement, please confirm that the contractor is NOT required to create a Construction Security Plan.

The requirement for contractors to provide a CSP as a deliverable has been removed. Please refer to Amendment 0002 of HM047624R0029.

Can bulk trash service be utilized for construction waste on this project? Does the client have a recommended or contracting trash removal company contact?

Trash dumpsters can be brought and set up at the embassy property to dispose of construction debris. The contractor is responsible for removing the trash dumpster from site and disposing of the trash in accordance with local regulations. The Government does not have trash removal company recommendations at this time.

SOW 1.4 notes that TS cleared employees may provide escort, please confirm that per site discussions escorting uncleared contractors will not be permitted on site.

All contractors engaged in construction activities shall be legal citizens of the US. All contractors shall posess a Top Secret (TS) clearance in accordance with ICD 705 or be escorted by a Construction Security Technician (CST) provided by the contractor. A TS-cleared construction team is preferred.

SOW 1.3.A notes that all existing conditions must be verified by the contractor prior to beginning work. Upon completion of the pre-bid survey, it was thought that a multi-day site survey was still required after bid. Please confirm that the Contractor should include pricing for a post-award site survey, survey to be conducted by 4 people over 3 days.

It is up to each bidder to determine what resources shall be allocated to complete a post-award site survey by the bidder, if necessary.

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

Please confirm if TS/SCI cleared personnel will be required to gain NGA adjudication and if personnel will be required to sit Counterintelligence-Scope Polygraph examination.

TS/SCI is not required for this contract. In accordance with ICD 705, a Top Secret (TS) clearance is all that is required. All contractors engaged in construction activities shall be legal citizens of the US. All contractors shall posess a Top Secret (TS) clearance in accordance with ICD 705 or be escorted by a Construction Security Technician (CST) provided by the contractor. A TS-cleared construction team is preferred.

SOW 5 Period of Performance is noted as 14 months, please confirm when NTP is expected to be issued and other expected dates for award etc.

The projected award date for the contract resulting from this solicitation is on or before 9/30/2024.

The awardee will be authorized to begin working on the date of contract award.

13 Please confirm the expected work hours on site for this project.

The expected on-site construction work hours will be outside the embassy's normal business hours of Monday – Friday, 0700-1600. Ref. para 2.3.H of the SOW.

Please confirm if there is an existing route for the IDS Communications to Post 1, or if a new 1" EMT will need to be installed from the suite down to Post 1.

Rooms 721A/722 already have existing conduit running to Post 1; the contractor will be required to provide conduit to support installation of all IDS related devices that will support this suite (i.e. pin pad, badge reader, PIR).

Please confirm fire alarm design and construction services will need to be created for the fire alarm system and that new devices need to be programmed into the existing building system by a NICET Level 3 contractor.

Confirmed. Fire alarm and fire protection must be included in the design and construction services with new device installation and programming to be provided by the contractor. NICET Level 3 contractor is desired.

Please confirm that fire protection will be required to comply with the OBO's requirement that the lead fire protection installer needs to have 5 years of documented experience. Please confirm if contractor will have to make submissions for current certification for lead installer and all fire protection system workers.

The contractor shall comply with all OBO requirements related to design and installation of fire protection systems. Current certifications for lead installer and fire protection system workers shall be submitted upon request from the OBO.

Per the pre-bid survey, the SSA is to consist of (1) 40-foot container (existing onsite currently) that will be emptied prior to contractor arrival and (1) additional 20-foot container that contractor will ship to site (2 total onsite). Additional shipments will be required to be live offloaded into these containers.

Confirmed

Please provide contractors with a copy of the Embassies HAZMAT inspection report for the building for incorporation into proposals.

HAZMAT inspection report will be provided as soon as it becomes available. Please refer to SOW 2.3.I for the current HAZMAT parameters.

Please confirm contractors can assume that the existing perimeter light gauge studs can remain in place and be used as the framing for the new perimeter wall.

Confirmed. Contractors may anticipate that and a waiver will be requested to allow a lighter gauge studs instead of what ICD/ICS 705 requires. ICD/ICS 705 Chapter 3 wall types B and C requires a 16 gauge metal framing at 16 inch o.c with a 16 gauge continuous track (top and bottom w/ anchors at 32 inches o.c. maximum).

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

Please confirm power does not need to be separated and all power inside the suite will run through the filter.

Two separate power feeds will need to be installed; red power and black power. Power isolation will need to comply with 12 FAH-6, which specifies that a power transformer is to be used.

Please confirm that an isolation transformer will not be required for power entering the suite and that a power filter is all that will be required.

OBO requires an isolation transformer as a way to comply with 12 FAH-6 H624.7-3 "Power, Signal and Grounding", which states that Electrical power and signals entering a shielded enclosure must be isolated in accordance with NSA Specifications 94-106 or 89-01, as appropriate. The contractor shall design and install power system in accordance with OBO requirements.

During the site survey, it was determined that ceiling mounted cassetes would be the best option given the limited head room in the suite. Please confirm that ceiling mounted cassete units will allowed for installation within the new suite and used as cooling for the neighboring suite to replace the existing wall unit.

The existing spaces use a four-pipe fan coil units (FCU) that run on the building chilled water and heating-hot water services. Cassettes are allowed, but, it is preferable that new four-pipe FCUs are used in the design and construction of this project.

TBD Please confirm that the organizational chart does not count toward the 10-page limit for the Factor 2 Technical Volume.

The technical volume limit is 10 pages. If an organizational chart is submitted as part of a company's technical approach, the organizational chart must be included within the 10 pages. Any additional pages beyond the 10 page limit will not be evaluated.

Due to extensive RFIs, we request an extension of the solicitation due date of 14 days, from 26 July to 09 August.

The submission date for proposals submitted in response to HM047622R0029 has been changed to 02 August 2024.

Weston does not currently have the ability to download classified documents. Is it possible for Weston to pickup a disc/USB containing the documents and/or pickup or receive a hard copy of the documents?

The current guidance for classified document retrieval is provided in HM047622R0029, Amendment 0002.

The bid schedule in Section B of the solicitation has each CLIN with a quantity in units of "MO" (Months), However Section L 1.1 notes FFP for each CLIN. Please confirm the pricing units.

FFP refers to the type of CLIN. MO identifies the unit of measure for the costs assigned to the CLIN.

The pricing unit of measure is MO.

The project period of performance is 14.5 Mo. Duration. If the permitting phase takes longer than anticipated, how will this be handled post award?

Via an assessment of previous projects that are similar and scope and complexity to this project, the Government determined that 14.5 months is a more than sufficient window to accomplish all project tasks, provided a contractor has the requisite past experiece with navigating the permitting process.

Please confirm the clearance or clearance escort requirements for onsite labor personnel. Are all workers required to have TS clearance?

All contractors engaged in construction activities shall be legal citizens of the US. All contractors shall posess a Top Secret (TS) clearance in accordance with ICD 705 or be escorted by a Construction Security Technician (CST) provided by the contractor. A TS-cleared construction team is preferred.

Section L 2.8 Price Volume references a detailed quote breakout that is required in Microsoft excel format. Is there a pricing template the offerors should utilize to provide this breakdown?

There is no mandatory pricing template.

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

Please confirm that the use of foil backed acoustic ceiling tiles is an acceptable ceiling type to achieve the acoustic and technical barriers required.

Foil-backed acoustic ceiling tiles have been deemed an acceptable technical barrier by OBO in the past. Its use in this case hinges on overall design and OBO approval. Per ICD/ICS Technical Specification for Construction and Management of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, Chapter 3 wall types B and C require a 16 gauge metal framing at 16 inch o.c with a 16 gauge continuous track (top and bottom w/ anchors at 32 inches o.c. maximum) -bed in continuous bead of acoustical sealant.

Please confirm that the contractors shall assume that the corridor side of the corridor partition will remain and any new construction can be assumed inside that finished surface.

Confirmed

Please confirm that it will be acceptable for the contractor to do repairs to the existing corridor wall on the corridor side toward achieving ICD 705 while working around the building services & infrastructure in the ceiling. The improvements observed at the site visit showed incontinuous conditions above the corridor ceiling.

Confirmed

Existing studs in the corridor wall look to be less than the required gauge to meet ICD 705 requirements. Please confirm the acceptable wall construction/improvement assembly at the interior side of the corridor wall within rooms 721A & 722 to comply with project requirements.

Confirmed; Anticipate that and a waiver will be requested to allow a lighter gauge studs instead of what ICD/ICS 705 requires. ICD/ICS 705 Chapter 3 wall types B and C requires a 16 gauge metal framing at 16 inch o.c with a 16 gauge continuous track (top and bottom w/ anchors at 32 inches o.c.

maximum)

Please confirm that the government will be finalizing the CSP vs the Contractor during the design period. This is typically something provided by the government

Confirmed. The Government will finalize the CSP. The contractor shall provide any requisite input needed to finalize the document.

Please confirm that the contractor should assume all construction work should occur outside of normal business hours per Section 2.3 - H.

Confirmed. Construction work must occur outside of normal business hours, per Section 2.3.H of the

SOW.

Is room 711 required to meet ICD 705 per Section 2.5.6? Or is construction to an STC 50 level acceptable?

Room 711 does not need to meet ICD 705 standard but it does need to comply with OSPB 12 FAH-6 requirements for CAA Restricted spaces. OSPB 12 FAH-6 does have requirements for acoustic protection (STC 50).

37 Will room 711 require an RF Window Treatment? Is a shade or film required?

The contractor shall provide design that is acceptable by the OBO. The OSPB 12-FAH-6 does require for CAA restricted rooms to have RF/IR window protection, which can be a film. Provide a shade in addition to the window protection. The shade does not need to have RF/IR protection features.

Section 2.10.11 Notes a 2 pipe FCU system, however the FCU Upgrade drawings by Mason Hanger note a 4 pipe configuration. Please confirm which is applicable.

2-pipe FCU system was mentioned in error; the contractor shall provide a 4-pipe FCU that can provide cooling and heating.

Please confirm the location where we will be tying into existing IT communications.

Section 2.8 E describes that it may come from another floor and require core drilling.

The contractor shall provide two (2) 1-inch conduit runs with a pull string between rooms 730D and 721A/722. The conduit shall be run through the corridor between the two areas. Core drilling shall not be required.

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

Please confirm that the government will decertify the spaces in preparation for the work to occur and that the contractor does not need to include work associated with decertification.

Confirmed

41 Is asbestos present in the building? If so, please provide the applicable report. Yes, asbestos has been found in the building and HAZMAT report will be provided as soon as possible.

42 If ACM is present is the contractor required to include abatement?

Should asbestos be discovered and abatement be deemed necessary, the contractor shall be required to provide the requisite abatement support. However, as the presence of abestos has not been confirmed in the work areas for this project, offerors should not include abatement response/costs in their proposals to HM047624R0029.

Section 2.10.12 requires TAB. May all spaces be TABd at the completion of the job or will a separate TAB activity need to occur after the completion of room 711 as the first phase of the project.

All spaces may be TABd at the completion of the job.

Is it anticipated that all building services/mains/infrastructure will be removed and rerouted into the corridor as a result of max demolition?

The expectation is to max demo and/or relocate all services/infrastructure that is relocatable without significant interruptions to neighboring areas and overall building operations. Waivers will be requested with OBO for any services/infrastrucutre that cannot be relocated along with remediation measures that would be taken by the contractor to ensure compliance with the intent for max demo.

The overall scope objective is for the contractor to deliver a design that is approved by OBO permit department.

Section 2.10.6 - Notes providing new FCUs tapping off of existing branch connections. Are any existing branch/service lines permitted to be reused?

Existing branch/service lines that are outside of the room boundaries can be reused. Given the max demo requirement a waiver may or may not be granted by OBO to reuse any of the existing lines that are inside the room boundary.

Large sprinkler mains were observed running across 721A & 722. If the intention is max demolition to reroute those mains, space may not be available within the corridor ceiling to accommodate relocating. Is the contractor required to assume rerouting or provide means of separation (i.e. dielectric breaks) as these run above the ceiling?

A waver will be requested with OBO to exclude sprinkler lines from max demo and relocation requirement. Any utilities remaining in the room will have to be properly grounded by the contractor in accordance with OSPB 12-FAH-6 guidelines

Note calls for the Contractor to provide Construction Security Plan (CSP).

Please confirm this is a contractor requirement.

Per Amendment 0002, the contractor is no longer required to furnish a CSP, although the contractor will be expected to make the requisite contributions (as requested) to update and complete the CSP (as necessary).

Contractor will ship GFE. Please provide additional detail to ensure that contractor can estimate secure container space requirements for the shipment. Furniture vendor/type and any other information available would be helpful.

The contractor must receive Government-furnished equipment (GFE) and Government-furnished property (GFP) at their CONUS storage facility. The GFE/GFP will be shipped together with office materials and equipment to the OCONUS construction site. GFE/GFP will include the following: office furniture (1500 lbs) and an IT TEMPEST enclosure cabinet (1200 lbs). Furniture will be packaged in boxes and assembled and installed by the bidding contractor on site.

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

49 Please confirm Room 711 to receive window film only.

The contractor shall provide design that is acceptable by the OBO. The OSPB 12-FAH-6 outlines requirements for shielding and electromagnetic countermeasures of CAA spaces. The OSPB 12-FAH-6 requires for CAA restricted rooms to have RF/IR window protection, which can be a film. The contractor shall comply with all OSPB 12-FAH-6 requirements. An exception may be requrested from OBO if any of the requirements cannot be met.

50 Confirm dielectric breaks will be required in Room 711. Confirmed. Nonconductive breaks are required per OSPB 12 FAH-6 guidelines.

Confirm new lighting circuit will be fed from the new sub panel and not the lighting panel supporting the entire floor, as discussed during the pre-bid site survey.

Confirmed. Feed lights from the new sub-panel

Please confirm number of receptacles per workstation and total number of anticipated workstations included in this section are correct.

SOW sections 2.6.5.G and 2.6.8.A outline general requirements for power. The requirements are driven by the need to power up to three (3) IT workstations and monitors per work desk. There will be six work desks and a conference area in 721A/722 and one workdesk in 711. Each work desk circuits will be powered by a dedicated RED circuit for computer power quad receptacles and a shared BLACK circuit powering quad receptacles for accessories. Each BLACK shared circuit will power no more than two (2) work desks. Each area will have up to three (3) printers and 721A/722 will have an IT comms rack with up to a 1000W load.

53 Please confirm if ISP Safe should be included in the project.

The IPS Safe requirement has been removed from this project. The Government will furnish an IT TEMPEST enclosure cabinet and is part of the governement furnished equipment (GFE) package.

During the pre-bid site survey, the team discussed conveyance of new IT pathway and the potential requirement for core drilling through various spaces. Please confirm routing.

The contractor shall provide two (2) 1-inch EMT runs with a pull string between rooms 730D and 721A/722. The conduit shall be run through the corridor between the two areas. Core drilling shall not be required.

55 Please confirm TAB by TS-cleared personnel will be required for this project.

All contractors (includeing TAB team) engaged in construction activities shall be legal citizens of the US who possess a Top Secret (TS) clearance in accordance with ICD 705. Construction Security Technicians (CST) shall be provided by the contractor to escort any US citizens who do not possess a TS clearance. A TS-cleared TAB team is preferred.

For timing of the work, how long should contractor plan for NGA’s inspection of the space after complete demolition? Field personnel are typically standing by at site during this activity.

Gov't travel is based from construction timeline. TSCM teams require up to five (5) days to complete the evaluation. Plan for an up to two (2) day period for evaluating room 711 and another three (3) day period for 721A/722, which will be treated as a single area.

USG Responses to Contractor-Submitted HM047624R0029 RFIs, 7/19/2024

11.Per OBO IBC Sec on 107 – Design Submi al Standards, a Code Analysis is required for each project to document the location and rating or fire resistive construction, occupant loads and egress. Additionally, a special wall plan is required to document the security hardline walls and doors with security ratings to include the areas around the project space. Please confirm site can accommodate including a life safety engineer on the field survey to capture the necessary information to complete the code analysis and that site security personnel will be available to review the drawings with the design team to document existing security walls and doors.

Confirmed; site shall support a field survey by a life safety engineer and that a site security personnel shall be available to review the drawings with the design team.