23R1302_Notice7-Final.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND PACIFIC

258 MAKALAPA DR STE 100

PEARL HARBOR HI 96860-3134

RFP N62742-23-R-1302

Notice No. 7

8 August 2023

PRE-PROPOSAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

WON 1663847, FY24 MCAF PROJECT PAF180500, BOMBER APRON,

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (RAAF) BASE TINDAL,

AUSTRALIA

NOTE: The following questions and answers are provided for INFORMATION ONLY. The RFP remains unchanged unless it is amended in writing on a Standard Form 30.

RESPONSE DEFERRED FROM NOTICE NO. 5 DATED JULY 26, 2023:

94. Regarding Specification Section 01 35 26, Page 10, Paragraph 1.7.1.2.1, is the position for a Works Safety Officer allowed to work remotely, fulfilling the responsibilities from an off-site location? If required to be present on-site, can this be a collateral position with other project roles and responsibilities?

ANSWER: A WSO is an independent, qualified, and approved Works Safety Officer who is responsible for liaising with Base Management and will have complete authority to direct the contractor on airfield operational requirements and issues. The WSO must be on site over the full duration of all airside works. The WSO must not be a collateral position with other project roles and responsibilities.

RESPONSE DEFERRED FROM NOTICE NO. 6 DATED JULY 31, 2023:

116. Drawing S-512 (Pole Cradle Pad Footing): Drawing S-512 Detail B4 shows a pole cradle pad footing that appears to have been designed for a specific purpose. However, upon review of the electrical drawings and the floodlighting, it cannot be determined where or if these footings are incorporated.

Please clarify the location and number of these footings so we may price accordingly.

ANSWER: Make allowance for a pole cradle and footing at each floodlighting pole. Base bids on Sheets C167 and C168 for quantity (with basic locations) of the floodlighting poles and Sheet S512 for detail of floodlight pole footing. Confirmation on location and any adjustments to floodlight pole footings will be provided in construction.

160. Section 32 13 14.13, Paragraph 2.3.1.3 Combined Aggregate Gradation: Concerning Wet

Strength requirements on coarse aggregate, our current average Wet Strength is 150kN on 40mm aggregate, and higher on other aggregates (but not greater than 200kN). We request this requirement be relaxed based on the proven performance of our aggregates for similar pavement works at RAAF Tindal.

ANSWER: Section 32 13 14.13 Paragraph 2.3.1.3 will be amended to specify a Wet Strength of

150kN on 40mm aggregate. See Amendment No. 0003.

RESPONSES FOR NOTICE NO. 7:

180. Section 01 30 00, Paragraph 1.15, Waiver of Defense Base Act (DBA) for Australian

Workers, has been identified on the US Department of Labor website to expire in July 2023. Please advise if the Navy has knowledge of any progress by the DOL to extend this waiver. If the waiver is not extended, we understand there will be a significant cost increase by the Australian workforce at every level of the contracting, which will greatly impact the subcontractor pricing. If the Australian community of contractors will need sufficient additional time to update their labor rates to include the US DBA insurance for their labor pricing for the three-year duration of this contract, we ask the following: 1) Is the Navy aware of whether this waiver is in process to be extended for utilization for this contract? 2) If there is no waiver extension, will this bid date be extended by a month to allow the subcontractors to coordinate with their insurance company on the US DBA coverage to update their labor pricing?

ANSWER: The new Defense of Base Act Waiver for Australia was issued on the U.S.

Department of Labor website.

181. We request that the PCC paving finishing equipment rate be reduced to coincide with the production rate of the Telebelt placement. In Section 32 13 14.13, Paragraph 3.5.1 requires

0.8 lineal meter per minute, which is inconsistent with the concrete with the Telebelt placement rate in Paragraph 3.5.2.2 (almost double). Will the rate in Paragraph 3.5.1 be adjusted to be equal to a maximum of 0.4m per minute?

ANSWER: Paragraph 3.5.2.2 does not specify placement rates. These are specified in Paragraph 3.4 Concrete Production. Paragraph 3.5.1 will be amended to 0.7m per minute for mechanical pavers and 10 metres per hour (0.167m per minute) for Telebelt placement. See Amendment No. 0003.

182. Australian personnel and resources have PCC paving experience without a local certification that is equivalent with the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Can the ACI references in Section 32 13 14.13 be removed from the contract? In particular, could the ACI Inspector required by Paragraph 1.5.1.b Contractor Quality Control Staff be changed to: “Airfield Paving Engineer to be present for inspection of preparation and paving procedure; where not possible, a minimum of a graduate engineer to be present to inspect and liaise with the Senior Airfield Paving Engineer for final approvals”?

ANSWER: ACI certification for Contractor Quality Control Staff assigned to the concrete construction is required as per specification Paragraph 1.5.1.

183. Please confirm that the CQC System Manager found in Section 32 13 14.13-8, Paragraph

1.5.1.a is a requirement for the concrete batching plant operation to monitor the quality of the mix used for the PCC placement. We understand from past DOD projects that the Section 01 45 00 1.5.1.2 QC Manager for the overall project is a separate individual with different qualifications.

ANSWER: The CQC System Manager in 32 13 14.13 Paragraph 1.5.1.a is the overall QC manager as per 01 45 00.00 20. The requirements for concrete specific QC staff are stipulated in 32 13 14.13 Paragraphs 1.5.1.b to 1.5.1.g.

184. Section 32 13 14.13-8, Paragraph 1.5.1.a identifies a CQC System Manager that is understood to be responsible for the PCC concrete batching. Australian resources in this remote location are not available to meet the qualifications. Can the wording be adjusted to: “Airfield Paving Engineer to review and approve all concrete mixes, batching procedures and delivery procedures.” Please clarify if this can be a collateral position and whether the role is expected to be present at the batch plant.

ANSWER: The CQC System Manager in 32 13 14.13 Paragraph 1.5.1.a is the overall QC manager as per 01 45 00.00 20. The requirements for concrete specific QC staff are stipulated in 32 13 14.13 Paragraphs 1.5.1.b to 1.5.1.g. Certification requirements cannot be revised. The CQC System Manager is a full-time, on-site role as per 01 45 00.00 20.

185. Document 00 45 00, Paragraph 1.12 calls out DFARS 252.204-7019 requirements. Please confirm there will be no CMMC requirements under this contract.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

186. Please confirm NIST 800-171 assessment (from Section 00 45 00, Paragraph 1.122

DFARS 252.204-7020) meets all requirements for handling of CUI identified as created by the Contractor on 1.6.1 Table 1(Section 01 31 23.13 20).

ANSWER: Response deferred.

187. Dwg. No. CS104 - Reference to drawing CS104, provide size of existing combined water/fire service to connect new flamed trap water supply services requirement.

ANSWER: Refer to detail C2 on Drawing CS502 for details of connection to existing combined water/fire service. Contractor must confirm size of combined water/fire service on site. No requirement to make allowance for upgrade of existing service, allow to connect into existing only.

188. General - Given the remote location in Australia and the rapidly escalating materials and labor, please include FAR 52.216-4 Economic Price Adjustment-Labor and Material.

ANSWER: See response to Question 99.

189. Form DCMA Form 1620 RFP Requirement “Newly-formed entities (e.g. limited liability companies (“LLC’s”), limited partnerships (“LTD’s”) and newly created corporate subsidiaries) that is the entity liable for the contract ordinarily have no financial capability to support a responsibility determination. In such cases, the offeror may rely on the resources of the LLC member, parent, limited partner, or other entities related to the offeror for responsibility purposes where the offer submits a guaranty from the entity providing the resources. The offeror shall provide a guaranty agreement (See Form DCMA Form 1620 attached) for the contract price.” Please provide a copy of the DCMA Form 1620 referenced in this paragraph.

ANSWER: See Amendment No. 0002.

190. SECTION 01 35 29.13 - HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PROCEDURES FOR CONTAMINATED SITES

Is the intent of this section to apply to lead based paint and asbestos abatement from the buildings to be demolished, for the work associated with PFAS and PFOS, or for in the case of unforeseen contaminants? Is it the Government’s intent to treat (portions of) this project as a remedial construction project under U.S. OSHA regulations? If so, it is critical that any document or study which delineates contaminants be made available to properly determine the size and scope of those impacts.

ANSWER: The Government confirms that it is not the intent to treat portions of this project as remedial construction project, but to address contamination where it has been documented and when encountered onsite. Accordingly, Section 01 35 29.13 is applicable to the scope of work. The Contractor must operate under the Work Health Safety Act as stipulated in Paragraph 2.1. The Contractor must assess and provide appropriate safety measures to suit the potential contaminants on the site.

Relevant information has been provided on documentation, including but not limited to, demolition drawings CD101 to CD502, Civil General Notes on drawing C-002, and Contractor Site Facilities drawing G-105. Section 02 61 13 contains specific requirements for excavation and handling of contaminated material

(PFAS).

191. SECTION 01 35 29.13 - HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PROCEDURES FOR CONTAMINATED SITES

Will PFAS and PFOS uncovered during excavation be handled under this section? Will this then require exclusion zones and decontamination stations? How are rinseates, and other materials contaminated with HW to be disposed of or managed?

ANSWER: The Contractor must undertake work, including excavation and handling of

PFAS/PFOS in accordance with Section 01 35 29.13. Specific requirements for excavation and handling of PFAS/PFOS material, including work plan, regulatory requirements and execution, must be as per Section 02 41 00. Demolition drawings CD101 to CD502, Civil General Notes on drawing C-002, and Contractor Site Facilities drawing G-105 document the extent of works and requirements for reuse/management of spoil.

192. SECTION 01 35 29.13 - HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PROCEDURES FOR CONTAMINATED SITES §3.1.1

The Government is asking for any worker whose duties with the potential for exposure to onsite contaminants have U.S. OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER training. To what onsite contaminants does this reference?

ANSWER: The known contaminates are as per documentation, including Demolition drawings

CD101 to CD502, Civil General Notes on drawing C002 and Contractor Site Facilities drawing G105. The contractor must assess and provide appropriate safety measures to suit the contaminants on site.

193. SECTION 01 35 29.13- HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PROCEDURES FOR CONTAMINATED SITES §1.5.5

One of the roles of the Safety and Health Technicians is to perform air monitoring. The only requirement for air monitoring indicated in the specifications is for asbestos. Is it correct that Technicians will be performing air monitoring for asbestos only? Are there any other air monitoring requirements?

ANSWER: Air monitoring is required to determine if airborne concentration of contaminated substance or mixture exceeds relevant exposure standards. Levels of airborne contaminated substance will be dependent on the construction works, work practices, and preventative measure implemented by the Contractor. Paragraph 3.3 states it is the responsibility of the Contractor to implement an exposure monitoring/air sampling program, which must comply with Work Health Safety Act. Asbestos dust is stated explicitly as a known contaminant requiring air monitoring, however the Contractor is responsible to satisfy itself and ensure all airborne contaminate substances are contained within Safe Work Australia exposure limits.

194. Drawing C-002 Note RE-USE OF SITE WON MATERIALS. We noticed you are not showing any category for the aggregate subbase we are to remove. Is this intentional and are we not to consider any reuse of the aggregate subbase we are removing?

ANSWER: Reuse of aggregate subbase will depend on the quality of the material and may be used as Common (Unclassified) Fill or Classified Fill if the requirements of 31 23

00.00 20 are satisfied.

195. Drawing C-002 Note RE-USE OF SITE WON MATERIALS. In the crushed concrete item

a. 1 you state aggregate within lean mix backfills of service excavations. 1) Please define service excavations. 2) We also feel that this crushed concrete would be best suited for the use of select fill materials under all types of pavement surfaces. Please let us know if this would be acceptable.

ANSWER: 1) Service excavations include excavations for the fuel hydrant line, stormwater drains, culverts and pipes. 2) The primary use of the crushed concrete must be as per Note EW13 on C-002. This methodology must be implemented to immobilize PFAS to the maximum extent achievable.

196. Please provide the specification for the keystone and rock fill materials we are to use in the

Karstic Void treatment areas as shown on Drawing CR521.

ANSWER: 31 23 00.00 20 to be revised to include specifications for rock fill and keystone.

Revised Section 31 23 00.00 20 issued in Amendment No. 0003.

197. The RFP Section 00 21 16 Instructions to Proposers, subsection 1.3 Instructions for

Submitting Questions Regarding Solicitation states that, “The Government may not respond to questions submitted less than 10 business days before the proposal receipt due date.” As a result, we presume that the question period is still open and the new cut-off per Amendment 2 is August 16. Can you please confirm this?

ANSWER: Confirmed.

198. Specification Section 32 13 14.13, clause 2.3.1.3 - Please confirm the combined aggregate gradation is a one-off requirement.

ANSWER: Refer to Question 158 answer.

199. Specification Section 32 12 14.13, clause 2.3.2.1 - The specification requirement is a maximum 25% for the Los Angeles Abrasion test for coarse aggregates. The proposed concrete supplier currently being used for concrete pavement supply is averaging a 26% loss. This requirement has been amended for the current apron projects at Tindal to allow use of this local resource given there is no local alternative. Please confirm if the same amendment can be used on this project.

ANSWER: Refer to Question 159 answer.

200. Specification Section 32 12 14.13, clause 2.3.2.6 - The proposed supplier for airfield concrete is averaging 150KN wet strength for their coarse aggregates and is unable to achieve the 200KN requirement. This requirement has been amended to suit on the current airfield concrete supply projects at Tindal to allow use of this local resource given there is no local alternative. Please confirm if the same amendment can be used on this project.

ANSWER: Refer to Question 160 answer.

201. Specification Section 32 12 14.13, clause 2.4 - Please confirm the client will allow the inclusion of a retarder to the concrete mix. Working in hot and humid weather conditions, the concrete will lose slump quickly and decrease the set time. The retarder will help to retain the slump and achieve a reasonable set time of the concrete.

ANSWER: Refer to Question 161 answer.

202. Specification 32 12 14.13, Clause 2.12.4 - Please confirm if the client will accept a maximum slump requirement of 70mm to improve workability and placement speed as is currently in use on other base projects.

ANSWER: Refer to Question 163 answer.