E1. M0026426Q0134 Sherman Transportation & Salvage Q&A.docx

SOLICITATION NO. M0026426Q0134

AMENDMENT 0001 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&As)

PROJECT TITLE: NMMC Sherman Tank Salvage and Transportation

CUSTOMER: National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC)

ISSUING OFFICE: Marine Corps Installations - National Capital Region, Regional Contracting Office (MCINCR-RCO), Quantico, VA

INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to publish the formal Government responses to questions submitted by industry regarding Request for Quotation (RFQ) No. M0026426Q0134. These responses constitute the official position of the Government and amend the solicitation and Performance Work Statement (PWS) where explicitly indicated.

Q1: What exactly are yall looking for? Experience? Low price? Technical approach?

A1: This commercial procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12 . As detailed in the solicitation (Addendum to 52.212-2), the Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote conforming to the solicitation is the most advantageous and provides the greatest overall benefit (best value) to the Government.

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote conforms to the solicitation.

(a)(1) The basis for award is PRICE per FAR 12.204(a).

(a)(2) Evaluation procedures per FAR 12.203(a).

All quotations or offers will be ranked in order of lowest price to highest price.. To be eligible for award, quoters must be rated as "Acceptable" in both the Technical / Conforming and Past Performance factors.

Q2: My biggest concern/question would be if there was clear access to the job site?

A2: Physical access to both range sites at MCB Twentynine Palms is restricted and lies within active military training boundaries. The route to Tank s/n 50296 (Range 106) consists of a gravel parking lot and gravel roads. The route to the salvage tank s/n 62179 is deeper in the range complex and includes approximately 500 meters of unimproved dirt roads and loose sand. All on-site activities must be coordinated daily through MCB Twentynine Palms Range Control (BEARMAT) and require continuous Government escorts.

Q3: Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.

A3: This is a brand-new, one-time historical artifact salvage and transportation requirement. There is no incumbent contractor, and no prior contract award number exists for this specific scope of work.

Q4: Section 3.1 states a crane capable of lifting a "34-ton" (68,000 lb) tank, while Section 4.13.1 lists the tank's empty weight as 63,000 lb. Please confirm which figure should be used for crane sizing.

A4: Quoters must size their crane, rigging gear, and outrigger pads based on the combat weight of 34 tons (68,000 lbs) to ensure an appropriate safety factor during lift operations. The empty weight (55,000 lbs) is provided for shipping/freight-hauling weight considerations once the vehicle has been secured to the trailer.

Q5: Section 2 (Background) references "six return rollers" as part of the salvage scope, but these do not appear in Section 3.1 (Tasks) or the Deliverables list in Section 4.5. Please confirm whether return rollers remain part of the required salvage scope.

A5: Yes. The salvage, palletization, and transportation of the Road Wheels, return rollers (track support rollers in this diagram) are all connected to the bogey truck assembly. The four complete bogey trucks will have the return rollers and road wheels attached and so the requirement is the three complete bogey trucks on the left side and the forward bogey truck on the right side. The remaining two bogey trucks that are not being salvaged do not have return rollers, so the return roller requirement is just four. The road wheels associated with the two damaged bogey trucks do need to be salvaged. Bolts holding the bogey trucks on to the tank may be removed or if necessary, torch cut. However, the bogey truck itself may not be cut. Section 3.1 and the Deliverables table are updated via amendment to resolve this administrative omission.

Q6: Section 2 references "all ten road wheels," while Section 3.1.5.4 limits recovery to right-side road wheels only. Please confirm the total quantity and side(s) of road wheels required for salvage.

A6: The contractor is required to salvage and transport a total of twelve (12) road wheels and their associated road wheel arms from Tank s/n 62179. On site inspection revealed that all twelve wheels are present and need to be recovered. This includes the road wheels / arms that are part of the three complete bogey trucks on the left side, the forward bogey truck on the right side, and any road wheels/arms present on the two damaged rear bogey trucks on the right side.

Q7: Please confirm approximate dimensions and weight for the bulldozer mounting arm and the engine deck door stop, if available, to support rigging and crating planning.

A7: The dimensions and weights of these specific historical components are as follows:

· Engine Deck Door Stop: Approximately 5” x 7” x 2”, weighing approximately 10 lbs.

· Bulldozer Mounting Arm: Single steel assembly, approximately 60” in length, weighing approximately 150 lbs.

Q8: What is the closest commercial airport to 29 palms?

A8: The closest commercial airport is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), located approximately 1 hour (55 miles) south of MCB Twentynine Palms.

Q9: Do you have an estimated price range you can share?

A9: In accordance with federal procurement regulations, the Government's Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) is proprietary and will not be disclosed. Quoters must submit their most competitive commercial rates based on their own analyses.

Q10: Can you share how much interest you have had with the pre-solicitation/solicitation?

A10: The Government requested and received active feedback from small business firms during the Request for Information (RFI) phase. Interest remains competitive and all qualified small businesses that attended the mandatory site visit as per the instructions to offerors in the RFQ are encouraged to submit quotes.

Q11: Any hazardous materials?

A11: The paint on both tanks is lead-based. There are no engines in either tank, meaning petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POLs) are minimal and restricted strictly to the gear housings, transmission, or final drive compartments, if any remain. No asbestos is present as the engine compartments are completely empty. Quoters must account for lead-based paint safety during all torch-cutting operations.

Q12: Would having both tanks moved to Quantico be more advantageous to NMMC?

A12: The Government has evaluated this approach and determined that it is not advantageous. The Government does not require the second hull (s/n 62179) for NMMC's collections or restoration. The requirement remains strictly as written: recover and transport Tank s/n 50296, and perform targeted salvage, palletization, and transport of specified components from s/n 62179. The salvaged hull of s/n 62179 will remain on-site as a landmark.

Q13: To confirm the equipment requirements for the additional trucks, could you please provide the dimensions and approximate weights of the components listed in item 6? This includes the track runs, bogey trucks, road wheels and arms, drive sprockets, idler wheel, bulldozer mount, return rollers, and engine-deck door stop. Once we have those details, we can determine the appropriate trailer types and whether any of the additional loads will require permits.

A13: For shipping, trailer allocation, and permitting planning, the estimated weights and dimensions of the salvaged parts from s/n 62179 are summarized in the table below:

Faces are roughly 50lbs, drum weight unknown.

28" diameter

Q14: I wanted to clarify the project timeline. We understand that everything needs to be moved by December 31, but do you have a preferred start date or time frame in mind?

A14: The performance period is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2026 (the anticipated award date). All work, including final delivery and offloading at the Dumfries MSF, must be completed and accepted no later than December 31, 2026. The contractor may schedule their on-site operations at MCB Twentynine Palms anytime within this window, subject to Range Control coordination. Note: Range Control has currently confirmed availability of 31 October – 07 December 2026, subject to change.

Q15: RETURN ROLLERS: PWS 2 requires "six return rollers (with mounting hardware and retaining brackets)." No return rollers appear in the task breakdown at 3.1.5.1 through 3.1.5.8 or in the Deliverables table at 4.5. Please confirm whether the six return rollers and their mounting hardware and retaining brackets are within scope.

A15: Yes, they are within scope. See answer A5. The PWS and Deliverables table are updated via Amendment 0001 to explicitly include these items.

Q16: BELLY / ESCAPE HATCH ON HULL S/N 62179: At the 14 August site visit the NMMC curator identified a belly (escape) hatch on the underside of hull s/n 62179 as an item of interest, describing it as loose and heavy. No belly or escape hatch appears in PWS 2, in the task breakdown at 3.1.5, or in the Deliverables table at 4.5. Please confirm whether it is within scope; if it is, its approximate weight and whether the hull must be lifted or supported to release it, noting that 4.13.4 reserves the 35,000 lb forklift for track and road wheel removal; and whether any resulting change will be issued by amendment with a corresponding adjustment to the 3 September quote due date.

A16: Yes. The salvage, packaging, and transportation of the belly/escape hatch plate from the underside of hull s/n 62179 is within the scope of this contract and is added to the deliverables list via Amendment 0001.

During the site visit on 14 August, the NMMC curator verified that the belly plate is already loose and completely detached from the tank hull. It can be recovered directly from the sand beneath the hull structure.

· Estimated Weight: Approximately 50 lbs.

· Estimated Dimensions: ~24" x 20" x 1.5".

· Packaging: The contractor shall secure the belly plate onto a standard pallet, banded with steel strapping, and transport it alongside the other salvaged parts (under CLIN 0003).

· Schedule Impact: Because this is a simple pick-and-pack operation requiring no hull-lifting machinery, there is no change to the technical complexity of the requirement. The quote due date remains September 3, 2026.

Q17: OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL LINE AT M4A3 S/N 50296: PWS 3.1.3 states there are power lines within the vicinity of the tank, and 4.13.5 requires a 120-ton or larger crane. Absent a stated voltage, offerors will apply the 20-foot minimum clearance of 29 CFR 1926.1408. Please confirm whether that line can be de-energized, or temporarily lifted, through Range Control during the performance period, or whether offerors are to assume it remains energized and in place throughout the lift.

A17: The overhead utility lines in the vicinity of Range 106 will remain fully energized and in place throughout performance. They cannot be de-energized or lifted. Quoters must assume the lines are hot and must plan their rigging, crane setup, and boom swing radius to fully comply with the minimum safety clearances required by 29 CFR 1926.1408.

Q18: UXO CLEARANCE OVER THE EXCAVATION FOOTPRINT: PWS 4.13.2 states that UXO risk "has been mitigated for both tank locations," while 3.1.5.1 and 3.1.5.1.1 require excavating track runs buried in sand. Please confirm whether that mitigation included a documented subsurface clearance over the excavation footprint at s/n 62179, and if so to what depth, or whether it addressed surface conditions only.

A18: The Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) mitigation conducted at s/n 62179 is a surface-only clearance of the immediate area. While both target sites are situated outside active live-fire target areas, there is always an inherent risk on active military installations. The tracks are buried under approximately 2 to 3 inches of loose sand. Standard hand tools (shovels) and light equipment are sufficient, but contractors must remain vigilant and report any suspicious subsurface objects to the escort immediately.

Q19: ACCESS ROUTE TO S/N 62179 - GRADING AND GROUND DISTURBANCE: PWS 4.3 places s/n 62179 several miles into the range complex, Picture 2 places it approximately 500 metres off the main road and 30 metres off the dirt access road, 4.13.5 requires a crane "capable of operating on unimproved road," and 4.13.3 states no site surveys exist. The Government Furnished Equipment and Support list at 4.7 includes no site preparation. On 14 August the access route was loose sand and one of the Government-furnished visit vehicles became stuck on it. Please confirm:

(a) whether MCAGCC Range Management or Base Facilities will blade, grade, compact or provide water-truck dust control of the access route at Government expense; and

(b) if not, whether contractor-performed grading and the placement of temporary crane mats and road base within the range training area are authorized, through what approval path, and whether site restoration is required and to what standard.

A19:

· (a) No. The Government will not perform any grading, blading, or road preparation of the access routes at Government expense.

· (b) Contractor-performed grading, road-building, or placement of permanent road base is strictly prohibited inside the training ranges. However, the use of temporary crane mats, wood dunnage, or track-pads to stabilize heavy rigging and support vehicles is authorized and highly encouraged. Any temporary mats must be removed upon completion, and the site must be restored to its natural, undisturbed desert state.

Q20: ESCORT AVAILABILITY DURING PERFORMANCE: PWS 4.10.3 requires that all Contractor staff be escorted by Range Control and/or the Cultural Resource Officer, and 4.3 states access is granted only through MCAGCC Range Management coordination. Please confirm how many escorts the Government will provide during the performance period, and whether Contractor crews may work at the s/n 50296 and s/n 62179 locations simultaneously, or whether a single escort requires the two locations to be worked sequentially.

A20: The Government will provide one (1) designated escort officer during active working hours. Because escort resources are limited, the contractor cannot work at both locations simultaneously. Operations at Range 106 (s/n 50296) and the salvage site (s/n 62179) must be conducted sequentially.

Q21: RANGE AVAILABILITY AND MANDATORY PRE-ENTRY BRIEFINGS: Both locations lie within the active range complex, and 4.2 requires delivery within 90 days of award. Please confirm:

(a) the expected number of days Range 106 and the s/n 62179 location will be unavailable to the Contractor during the 15 September - 31December 2026 period of performance, and the notification lead time the Contractor should expect for range closures; and

(b) how frequently the mandatory desert survival, range safety and desert tortoise awareness briefings are offered, given that every Contractor employee must complete them before range entry.

A21:

· (a) Active ranges are subject to training closures. While major service-level exercises are not scheduled during the performance period, the contractor must coordinate and submit all range access requests through the TPOC to Range Scheduling a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the first day of intended use, in accordance with Combat Center Order 3500.4N. Range Control reserves the right to cancel or alter range access at any time due to safety, training conflicts, or emergency operational requirements.

· (b) The Desert Survival/UXO/Environmental Briefings are conducted daily in-person, There is a series of 3 videos all contractor personnel must view on-site before being granted range access. These videos play Mon-Fri 0600-1600 at building 1707, Range Safety Classroom. All contractor personnel must complete these briefings within the last six months before being granted range access.

Q22: LEAD-BEARING WASTE: PWS 4.11.1 states the paint on both tanks is lead based, and 3.1.5.5 requires a component to be torch-cut. Please confirm whether the installation will accept lead-bearing debris and abrasives generated from Government-owned property at its own facility, or whether the Contractor is the generator of record and must characterize, manifest and transport the waste off the installation.

A22: The contractor is the generator of record for all lead-bearing debris, slag, and hazardous waste generated during the torch-cutting and salvage operations. The base will not accept or store any waste. The contractor is responsible for capturing, containerizing, manifesting, and legally transporting all waste off the military installation in strict accordance with California EPA and federal regulations.

Q23: ADVANCE STAGING OF PALLETS AND MATERIALS: May pallets, cradles, dunnage and banding materials be delivered to the installation and staged in advance of the salvage crew's mobilization, and if so, is a secured staging area available? Confirming this would allow a single mobilization rather than two.

A23: No. There are no secured or authorized staging areas available on the ranges or within Mainside to store contractor materials prior to performance. All pallets, banding, and shipping materials must be brought onto the base by the crew at the time of active mobilization.

Q24: GOVERNING COMPLETION DATE IF AWARD SLIPS: PWS 4.2 requires delivery "within 90 days of contract award," while the Schedule states a period of performance of 15 September 2026 through 31 December 2026. If award occurs after 1 October 2026, please confirm which requirement governs.

A24: The contract Period of Performance (90 days from award) takes precedence and remains the governing timeline, and no later than 31 December 2026.

Q25: CONTROLLING WEIGHT FOR LIFT ENGINEERING AND PERMITTING: PWS 2 states a "30-ton tank," 3.1 and 3.1.3 state "34 tons, 68,000 lbs," and 4.13.1 lists an Empty Weight of 68,000 lbs. Please confirm the controlling weight to be used for lift engineering and for oversize/overweight permit applications.

A25: The controlling weight for lift engineering, crane sizing, and rigging calculations is the combat weight of 55,000 lbs (27.5 tons). For DOT highway permitting and truck axle-weight calculations, the vehicle shipping weight is the empty weight of 55,000 lbs.

Q26: CENTER OF GRAVITY, M4A3 S/N 50296: The "Center of gravity" field at PWS 4.13.1 is blank. Is this data available? If not, please confirm that the Contractor is to determine center of gravity on site as part of rigging engineering.

A26: Exact center of gravity data is not available from historical museum archives. The contractor is solely responsible for determining the center of gravity on-site as part of their professional rigging and lift engineering plan.

Q27: GRADE AND FLOORING SUPPORT AT THE MUSEUM SUPPORT FACILITY: PWS 4.13.6, "Grade and flooring support specifications at MSF," is blank, while 3.1.4 requires the Contractor to furnish a crane to offload the tank at Dumfries, Virginia. Please provide the grade, surface type and load-bearing conditions at the MSF offload area, or confirm that a pre-performance site visit to the MSF may be arranged.

A27: The offload area at the NMMC Museum Support Facility (MSF) in Dumfries, Virginia, consists of a flat, level, reinforced commercial blacktop apron rated for standard heavy commercial truck and rigging operations. The contractor must utilize appropriate outrigger pads to protect the concrete surface during offloading and will be lowered onto dollies so NMMC can tow into the building. Post-award, a site visit to the MSF can be arranged with the TPOC to inspect the offload footprint prior to vehicle arrival.

Q28: What facilities will be available to our crews, like restrooms, etc? If no restrooms are to be made available, can a portable temporary facility be brought on base?

A28: There are no facilities (restrooms, shelter, power, or potable water) available at Range 106 or the salvage site. The nearest facilities are located on Mainside (approximately 5 to 15 miles away depending on the site).

The contractor is required to mobilize temporary portable sanitation facilities (e.g., portable toilets) to support their crews and solely the responsibility of the unit/company working on site. USMC does not provide portable toilets. Contractor must call and arrange for portable toilets to be delivered to the work site. The delivery, positioning, and servicing of these facilities must be coordinated in advance through the TPOC and Range Control. The contractor is responsible for securing these temporary facilities against high winds and must completely remove them from the installation immediately upon completion of on-site work.

Q29: Can or will minor grading of the road and/or path to tank be completed to improve access? Will a water source be available should it be needed to stabilize the road?

A29: No. As noted in A19, the Government will not perform or fund any grading, blading, compacting, or road stabilization. Furthermore, no government water source or water trucks will be provided to the contractor for dust control or sand stabilization on the ranges.

Contractors must utilize equipment specifically rated for off-road/unimproved desert terrain and must assume that access routes to s/n 62179 will remain loose sand. Any stabilization needed for rigging footprint safety is the sole responsibility and expense of the contractor, utilizing approved temporary crane mats or wood dunnage.

Q30: Should any unforeseen and unavoidable delays occur, especially those delays not caused by us, will that be billable? Specifically concerned with weather events or base restrictions, live fire drills, etc.

A30: No. This is a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) commercial services contract. Under this contract structure, the contractor assumes all pricing and scheduling risks. Unforeseen or unavoidable delays—including extreme weather events, tactical base lock-downs, range closure extensions, or sudden live-fire training schedule shifts—are not billable to the Government, and the contractor is not authorized to invoice for idle equipment, standby labor, or demurrage.

However, in accordance with standard commercial contract clauses (e.g., FAR 52.212-4(f), Excusable Delays), if such a delay occurs, the contractor may be granted an equitable, non-compensable extension to the Period of Performance. Quoters must factor these local environmental and range scheduling risks into their FFP commercial rate.

Q31: Are there weather/climate restrictions for work on base that may limit our active time onsite?

A31: Yes. MCB Twentynine Palms operates under strict thermal/heat stress safety regulations. During the performance window (especially September), the base frequently enters Black Flag conditions (when the wet-bulb globe temperature reaches 90°F and above). Under Black Flag rules, strenuous physical labor must be limited or suspended to prevent heat casualties.

The contractor is solely responsible for monitoring on-site weather conditions, enforcing mandatory safety rest cycles, and planning active labor hours around daily thermal peaks. Early morning work shifts (commencing as early as 0700) are highly encouraged to maximize working time before daily temperatures peak.

Q32: In the event of a medical emergency occurring on the job site, how do we get aid?

A32: Due to the remote location of active training ranges, commercial cellular telephone service is highly unreliable and should not be relied upon as a primary means of emergency communication.

In the event of a medical emergency on-site:

1. The mandatory Government Escort Officer will immediately utilize their active military tactical radio to contact Range Control (BEARMAT) to report the emergency and coordinate dispatch of military first responders, emergency medical services (EMS), or MEDEVAC flight support to the range grid coordinates.

2. If cellular service is active and available, the contractor should dial the base emergency dispatch directly at (760) 830-3333 (or dial 911 and clearly state they are on MCB Twentynine Palms ranges).

3. The contractor must maintain a fully-stocked first aid kit on-site during all operations, and at least one (1) member of the active on-site work crew must be certified in First Aid and CPR in accordance with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.50(c) / 1910.151(b).

Q33: Would the Government consider posting the 14 August site visit attendance list as an amendment to the solicitation? A released list would help interested contractors identify subcontracting and teaming partners for the specialty trades this requirement calls for — crane, rigging, salvage and over-dimensional transport.

A33: To promote competition to the maximum extent practicable and to facilitate subcontracting and teaming opportunities for the specialized trades required by this contract, the Government is releasing the list of the business entities represented at the mandatory site visit held on 14 August 2026.

To protect personal privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and FAR 24.1, individual representative names, signatures, phone numbers, and email addresses are withheld.

The following business entities were confirmed as attendees:

a. Wild Companies, Inc.

b. Aetna Forwarding

c. Psalms Freightline

d. Reliable Crane Service

e. Hill Crane Service

f. Bragg Crane Service

g. Bastion Supply & Logistics

h. Cream of Freight Brokerage LLC

i. Cooke's Crating and Fine Arts Transportation

j. LSH Limited Company

k. KB John LLC

l. Skyline Cranes Government Disclaimer: The publication of this list is strictly for informational and teaming purposes. The listing of these firms does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or representation of capability by the United States Marine Corps or the Regional Contracting Office. Quoters are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence when establishing teaming or subcontracting arrangements.

END OF AMENDMENT 0001 - Q&A

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