24R1308 Note 7.pdf

Notice No. 7 2 May 2024

PRE-PROPOSAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

RFP N62742-24-R-1308

FY23 MCON P-923 AIRCRAFT PARKING APRON, FY25 MCON P-941 MAINTENANCE

SUPPORT FACILITY, AND FY25 MCON P-949 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR,

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE, DARWIN, 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.

RESPONSES DEFERRED FROM NOTICE NO. 2 DATED 28 MARCH 2024

104. P941/P949 - Drawings AA621 - All acoustic doors and fire doors are nominated with a 20 year warranty however industry standard for doors is 2 years. Please advise if 2 year warranty is acceptable?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

107. P949 - Drawings 17311336 (EA001), 17311355 (EA123) - P4 Light fitting has not been detailed on the lighting fixtures schedule on drawing EA001 however is nominated on drawing EA123. Please provide details of light fittings?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

108. Section 09 Architectural Finishes and Components Schedule Page 37/38 and Section 31 31 16.13 ‘Chemical Termite Control' For P941 and P949 - There appears to be a discrepancy between Section 09 Architectural Finishes and Components Schedule Page 37/38 and Section 31 31 16.13 ‘Chemical Termite Control' for termite management. Section 31 of the specification nominates ‘Soil Chemical application as well as Stainless Steel Mesh Barriers’ with no mention of a plastic TMB (Termite Moisture Barrier.), however, Section 09 Architectural Finishes and Components Schedule nominates plastic TMB.

It is our understanding that stainless steel mesh barriers are not approved for use in the Top End due to the Termite varieties present here including Masto Termes, so the option here would be soil chemical application. The specification requires a 5-year warranty which can’t be supplied on any soil chemical application in the Top End due to reduced chemical lifespans.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

143. P949-Drawing AB701- Where is the security screen MW13 located in the building?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND, PACIFIC

258 MAKALAPA DRIVE, SUITE 100

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, HAWAII 96860-3134

RESPONSES DEFERRED FROM NOTICE NO. 3 DATED 10 APRIL 2024

174. General, Site Walk. During the site walk, it was noted that there is currently a contractor occupying the area assigned for this contract. In discussion with this contractor, they indicated that they were currently negotiating a follow-on contract to their current airfield rehabilitation project that will extend their duration on site until mid to late 2025. The contractor's office area, laydown area, asphalt batch plant, and aggregate stockpile areas are within the footprint of the base bid item on this project. Does the Government expect this RFP to receive a delayed NTP to account for contractors already on-site? If so, how will this affect the bid and award schedule for this NAVFAC project?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

175. General, Site Walk. During the site walk, substantial differences were noted between the design drawings and actual conditions within the parking apron and at the hangar location, apparently made by the contractor already on site. This was most notable by the site clearing and fill operations performed by the on-site contractor to establish their laydown, offices, batch plant areas, etc. After reviewing the topographical drawings for this project, it looks as though the levels have adjusted considerably, which will result in additional work for the winning bidder.

How does the Government intend to manage this changed condition? Please confirm that any changes in topographical line and level that result in additional work for the awardee will be addressed and compensated through FAR 52.243-1 Changes Fixed Price Construction.

ANSWER: Claim for differing site conditions will comply with RFP Document 007000, FAR 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions. FAR 52.243-1 Changes-Fixed-Price, does not apply to this contract.

176. General, Site Walk. During the site walk, several very large stockpiles were noted in the area assigned for the construction of the parking apron. These stockpiles are not noted in the contract documents. Further, the stockpiles were identified by localized signage as contaminated waste. Please confirm that the awardee will not be responsible for the testing or disposal of these contaminated stockpiles.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

180. Section 01 11 00, para 1.11. The host nation requirements identified in this section will take considerable time to prepare, submit, and obtain approval for. Considering the already tight period of performance, please amend the NTP date from 21 days after the award to after the host nation's administrative requirements are complete.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

182. Section 01 11 00.01 Para 1.1.10. This paragraph identifies the requirements for the HOTO on multiple delivery stages/or sites. As this project is split into 3 CLINS/Options, is it considered a multiple delivery in terms of HOTO or will a single HOTO plan be sufficient to meet the intent?

185. Section 01 30 00, para 1.13.1, sub para f. In this paragraph the Government states that followon partnering sessions are required at 3-month to-6-month intervals. Facilitator costs are extremely expensive and are likely to run at approx. $70,000 USD per trip. Please advise if the Government will require the facilitator at 3 months or 6 months, and also can the follow-on sessions be performed with the facilitator remotely? This would lower the overall partnering cost considerably.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

187. Section 01 31 20 para 1.1.1. This section includes the requirements for the technical data management system. It is unclear what the objective of this section is in relation to the project. Is this section intended to be used in lieu of ECMS? Is the intent to require the contractor to establish a data processing site for storage of documents, document updates, as-built documentation, submittal transfer etc., but on a more detailed level than ECMS? Please provide a summary of what the intended outcomes of this section are and how they apply to this project.

ANSWER: Specification Section 01 31 20 to be removed. Amendment is forthcoming.

188. Section 01 31 20 para 1.6. This paragraph identifies the person and qualifications of the data management team. Please advise if these people are to be onsite or if they can be an off-site function.

ANSWER: Specification Section 01 31 20 to be removed. Amendment is forthcoming.

189. Section 01 32 17.00 20, para 1.2.2. This section states that the NAS baseline must be submitted within 30 days of notice of award. Usually, on projects of this magnitude and complexity, the Government requests an interim 90-day schedule within 30 days of award, then the NAS baseline schedule within 90 days of contract award. It will be extremely difficult to prepare and submit the NAS baseline schedule within 30 days of contract award, considering that NTP will be approx. 21 days after the award, partnering kick-off will be within 35 days of the award, and between these, the contractor is expected to arrange a meeting with the KO to discuss scheduling requirements per paragraph 1.2.1. We request that the 30 days be revised to at least 90 days in line with normal NAVFAC NAS requirements.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

190. Section 01 33 29, para 1.4.2.2 sub para a. Please confirm that the Government has obtained a third-party certification design compliance report in accordance with this paragraph requirement. Given that this is a design-bid-build project, the government is responsible for the design.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

252. Regarding allowable cement types:

SECTION 32 11 36.13 Lean Concrete Base Concrete Clause 2.2.1 allow cement Types GP, GL and GB.

SECTIONS 32 13 13.43 and 32 13 14.13 allow cement Types GP and GB however are silent on Type GL.

Type GL and GP are both available in Darwin. Type GL with 15% limestone offers significant carbon reduction.

Due to paving program and changing of concrete mixes, the cement type for lean concrete and high strength concrete must be the same. Would Type GL be acceptable for High Temperature (SECTIONS 32 13 13.43) and High Strength Concrete (SECTION 32 13 14.13) if all concrete properties are achieved?

ANSWER: Type GL cement is not acceptable for use in High strength and High temperature resistant concretes. Bid in accordance with the RFP.

RESPONSES DEFERRED FROM NOTICE NO. 4 DATED 15 APRIL 2024

257. P-941, Drawing CE0001. Please supply the Light pole footing design for the LP1 to LP5 lights.

ANSWER: It is expected that the light pole footing will vary in design, size, and material requirements depending on the column and fitting selected by the vendor. Therefore, this shall be designed by the manufacturer of the selected column.

260. Part B P-923 Specification Section 21 13 13, para 1.4.3 Regulatory Requirements.

Paragraph 1.4.3 states, interpret reference to "authority having jurisdiction" and/or AHJ in referenced standards to mean the Head or Acting Head of the office of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Fire Protection Engineering as well as applicable Australian local authorities who will review and approve the work included in this specification section.

Advisory provision, recommendation, interim technical amendment, and appendix explanatory material in referenced standards are mandatory requirements; wherever the word "should" appears in referenced standards must be substituted with "shall".

Under this paragraph, it appears the template UFGS paragraph has not been amended or deleted as part of the specification design process. Please confirm that the above paragraph is not applicable to the project. If not, please clarify the paragraph and amend it accordingly utilizing the bracketing process.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

261. General design statement. Is there a design statement from the designers that their design complies with the specification?

ANSWER: No design statement will be provided.

262. Aircraft Hangar-Architecturals-AA115. Are bollards required for the sides of double doors for protection from forklifts? If yes, please identify bollard type and locations.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

263. Hangar - TR2 Roof Trusses- Structural. The large section of the TR2 trusses is 5.1 m wide, which is too wide to transport without police escort etc. Can splices be added to reduce the width of the truss?

ANSWER: Contractor must make allowance for oversized transport requirements, for truss TR2 as documented, without additional splices. In accordance with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics requirements, approval from relevant authorities is required for oversized loads. However, a police escort may only be required for wider loads than this. It is the contractor's responsibility to make allowance for the appropriate transport requirements.

265. P949 Aircraft Hangar-Architectural DWG-AA521. Details C1 appears to be missing the supports for the cladding. Please advise what supports are required in the missing location.

Detail C2 appears to show a detail that cannot be built, further there is a lack of fixing details for the cladding and flashing and the purlins are extending into a solid wall piece. Please clarify the detail.

Detail C3 shows the adjoining lower roof where it meets the vertical wall. There does not appear to be any structural member in place to catch the roof. Please clarify these details.

Detail B1 shows the canopy along the front of the rolling doors. The canopy appears to be missing safety mesh and the correct detail for capping. It is also missing the guttering system.

Please clarify this detail.

Detail A 1 shows the hanger door bottom assembly. This assembly is missing a drain location, please confirm if a drain is required and if so where to connect the drain. Also, the plate that holds the rails appears to be floating on two anchor bolts. Please provide the structural calculation for the plate size and bolt details.

ANSWER:

C1 connection detail to be revised.

Acknowledged. Detail to be revised.

Acknowledged. Connection detail will be revised.

Canopy section detail will be revised. No gutter to be provided to the canopies.

Drain is required. Details to be provided.

Amendment is forthcoming.

267. P949 Aircraft Hangar-Architectural- DWG AA524. Detail C1 shows the purling extending into the structural steel. The block work that the steel sits on is at a set height that is the same as the building roof fixed height. To correct the purling member clash, either the blockwork would need to be lowered or the roof made higher. Please clarify which option should be considered.

Detail Al shows the block work wall to foundation detail. Please advise why a full block was not considered in the detail and advise on missing weep holes. Further, the availability of masons in the region is extremely low; therefore, the market has adapted to utilizing pre-cast concrete for wall details. Would the Government consider revising the scope to change the block work walls to pre-cast concrete? This would significantly benefit the schedule and project quality.

Detail A3 shows the lower wall transition to vertical steel-clad wall. The detail is missing the girt that allows the roof to be structurally fixed to the wall. It also shows the roof member protruding through the wall frame. Please clarify these points in the detail to avoid contractor confusion.

ANSWER:

Detail will be revised. Blockwork will be lowered.

The purpose of the half block is to provide a step footing with flashing to prevent water infiltration.

Weepholes will also be added in the details.

Precast concrete in lieu of blockworks is acceptable. Contractor must submit a variation request in accordance with the project specifications.

Acknowledged. Detail will be revised. This includes adding girts to allow the roof to be structurally fixed to the wall.

Amendment is forthcoming.

273. General Enquiry Acoustic Report. Please advise if an acoustic report has been completed for the project. Under normal Australian building practices, the acoustic report is completed at the design stage and gives details required for the bidder to meet the building envelope requirements. If no report has been performed, what acoustic and envelope requirements/Australian standards are to be followed and achieved.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

276. General Enquiry Room Data Sheets. In Australian Defence projects contracts, room data sheets are provided. These sheets document every item in that room, such as lights, sinks, tables, projects etc. Please provide them to ensure all items are covered. Also, please advise if the contractor is to provide these upon project completion.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

278. General Enquiry Section marks. There seems to be no consistency in the section cut outs in the various plan drawings. Normally, we would see a detail drawing for each identified section from the plan drawings but in these documents, the section drawings are limited. Also of the limited section drawings, they are not constant across the disciplines. This causes confusion, especially in the modeling process. Please provide all section drawings as noted in the project drawings.

ANSWER: Concur. Section drawings will be provided. Amendment is forthcoming.

285. DWG SA 113 and SB 101 Structural blockwall types. Please clarify the structural loading information requirements for each of the block wall detail types as the information is not clear in the documents. Also, some walls are shown as block in the structural drawings and not in the architectural drawings. Please clarify on the drawings, which detail takes precedence.

ANSWER: The structural blockwork walls are not a design and construct element and hence the contractor does not require loading information. The reinforcement and grouting requirements have been documented on SA113 Note 4, Quality of Concrete Elements Table on S-004, and in the Wall Schedule on SB-103. Construct in accordance with the documentation.

286. Construction Environmental Management Plan - Cl10.8. Excess spoil has been identified while undertaking earthworks modelling for the cut to fill operation. The Construction Environmental Management Plan - Cl10.8 Identifies a permanent spoil location for Category 3 and 4 PFAS soils at a location adjacent to the solar farm, please confirm permanent spoil location for non PFAS contaminated material and identify the location of the stockpile adjacent to the solar farm.

ANSWER: As noted on drawing C-002 Site Preparation Notes, C-003 Pre-Development Notes, and the CEMP the site material is to be reused on project site subject to testing. As noted in the design documentation it is expected that non PFAS contaminated material may be re-used within the Project in accordance with the RFP.

292. P941 - Dwg FA105 and FA106, can the designer provide clarification for what i.e.

M102, M103, M104 is reference too on the drawing? There is no legend or reference associated with this?

ANSWER: These are hydraulic nodes associated with the preliminary hydraulic calculation.

294. P941/P949 - Specification 09 Finishes - Architectural Finishes and Components Schedule (T-Sheet) - External windows have been nominated with Aluminum frames with GL01 & GL02: These window systems are not blast-resistant, but they are required to be blast-resistant, as shown in the schedule.

The standard that is referenced for Storm is an American standard 16-CFR 1201. It has no relevance to the Australian market. ASTM C1172 is an international manufacturing standard for laminated products.

Please advise on the above and provide the below requested information to establish product type and conformity:

o A load rating of what resistance is required. (What size blast are we protecting against)?

o An individual destructive blast test using TNT to measuring resistance to the same and product impact on protecting the internal environment?

o The Blast resistant glass needs to be installed with a steel frame?

Please clarify?

ANSWER: There is no requirement for glazing to be “blast resistant”, the reference to “blast resistant” film in the Tee Sheet for GL01 and GL02 was to set a performance standard requirement for the 0.76mm interlayer laminate. As there is no higher Australian Standard for this requirement, the references to the US codes were used.

295. P941/P949 - Specification 08 71 00 Door Hardware Schedule - Item OT2 is shown within the Building Door Hardware schedule however is not listed or described within the Door Hardware Notes & Legend

ANSWER: Building Door Hardware Schedules do not call up OT-2.

296. P941/P949 - Specification 08 71 00 Door Hardware Schedule - Please advise if the Project Master Keying is to be an Australian System Master Keying or an American System Master Keying system?

ANSWER: Project Master Keying is to be an Australian Master Keying System.

297. P941 - Dwg AA153 & AA411 - Wall type to rooms 050 to 053 - Lobby, Male / shower/ lockers, Female / shower/ lockers and DDA PWD rooms:

· Drawing AA153 nominates the wall types within the Building.

· The wall types to these rooms are not shown with these rooms referencing to drawing AA411 for further details. The wall types however are not noted on AA411. Please advise what wall types are to these rooms?

ANSWER: Partition types are located on drawing AA126, which will be revised in a forthcoming amendment to include the wall types for rooms 050 to 053.

RESPONSES DEFERRED FROM NOTICE NO. 6 DATED 29 APRIL 2024

299. No Division 2 specification has been provided for demolition works and potential asbestos remediation works to be encountered. Will the Government provide Division 2 specification for this project?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

304. Drawing no. CW001. Note 28 requires the existing water distribution system to be operational at all times.

Note 29 requires continuous water service and fire protection to existing facilities.

There is insufficient information available to enable these notes to be addressed.

Please provide further information (e.g., source of water supply or ring main system for each existing facility). Is the full extent of the new water and fire water lines required to be operational prior to the removal of any existing water or fire water?

ANSWER: Drawings CV101, CV110-CV123 show the extent of existing water mains including watermains to be demolished on the project. CW Series drawings show the new watermains and tie ins to the existing water main.

Per sheet general note #15 on drawing CV101, new hydrants serving existing buildings 365 and G08789 must be installed and commissioned prior to demolition/removal of existing hydrants.

New water mains are required to be operational prior to removal of the existing watermains to the ensure continuous water services to the existing facilities.

Tenderer should refer to Specification 01 14 00 section 1.3.7, Utility Cutovers and interruptions.

305. P-923 - Drawings C-002. Note EW.7 details that EW Notes 1 to 6 are applicable for P- 949 and P-941. Please confirm that the earthworks scope within the footprint of P-941 and P-949 is included in the scope of work for Base Item P-923.

ANSWER: Notes EW.1 to EW.6 refer to the bulk earthworks and site shaping scope documented under the P923 contract as shown within the P923 drawings. The bulk earthworks and general site grading undertaken in P923 will occur in areas within the P941/949 footprints where P941/949 buildings, pavements and hardstands will be located subsequent to. Therefore, these notes apply to the P923 earthworks scope within those areas. A separate set of notes and specification is provided for the 941/949 scope and should be referred to for final earthworks shaping and boxing that may be required to form the finished building pad and road level subgrades.

306. General- Scope Delineation. Please advise if the fence should be extended in front of the Hangar in the Base Price for P923 in the case that P941 and P949 are not awarded? Noting that there would be a gap in the fence in the scenario where the Hangar is not constructed.

See below purple permanent fence alignment that ties into the sides of the hangar.

ANSWER: No, the base price should only include the fencing as documented.

307. P949-AA124 - Wall types. Please confirm the internal wall detail are PC 13C for Room 035 Comsec Room and 048 Armament.

ANSWER:

From north: M02+P11, East: M02+P11, South: M02+P13, West: M02+P11 for Room 035 Comsec Room

P12C for Room 048 Armament

308. P949-Hangar Building - Dwg TA503. Please advise who is responsible for supplying the new Communications cabinet as noted in Building 64. If under this contract, please advise what type (classification and size) of cabinet and what requirements will it have including power feeds?

ANSWER: New communication cabinet at Building 64 shown in drawing "CT401" to be supplied and installed under this contract. Cabinet type to be “CC1”. Power requirements is to have 2 x 20A Captive outlet with flat earth pin and to be mounted within the cabinet, to be fed from existing electrical distribution board and to have dedicated circuit for each outlet.

309. General. Are there any RF requirements for this project as there are no RF drawings or specifications. If so, please provide the RF drawings and specifications.

ANSWER: There are RF requirements on P941/949. Active devices for RF are NAVFAC supplied and installed. For RF passive infrastructure (in scope) requirement refer to drawing T- 505, TA122, TA104, TA105, TA109, TA110, TA154, TA155, TA159, TA160, TA167, TA168, TA172, TA304, TA405, TA505, TA601, TA605, TB101, TB103, TB-601, and specification.

310. P941-Architectural MSFB. Elevations drawings shows 190 mm thick block wall externally (types M01 & MA04); however, detail sections AA511, AA512, AA513, AA514 show 140 thick block wall external (types MA02 and M02).

Exterior face:

- Elevation M01, i.e., MA02 – shows 140 mm thick as per specification and detail drawings AA511 to AA514

- Elevation MA04 shows 190 mm thick as per specification

Please advise which detail is correct.

ANSWER: The external wall at the MSFB is 140mm thick (MA02). Amendment is forthcoming.

311. P-941-Architectural MSFB- Section 04 20 00. Please advise the cement mortar class under AS 3700 for MA01 to MA04/ M01 to M02.

312. P-941-Architectural MSFB - AA511. Please clarify which insulation detail is correct as the detail shows both IN01 or IN30 within the cavity detail.

ANSWER: The correct insulation detail is IN30. Amendment is forthcoming.

313. P-941 Architectural MSFB- AA621. AR3s doors are not found in door specification, please clarify if AR2s can be used instead of AR3, if not please provide the details for AR3s.

ANSWER: AR3s - Acoustic core consisting of mineral wool and elastomeric granules steel faced. 73mm thick min. acoustic performance rw40. SLG/DBL Leaf. Amendment is forthcoming.

314. P941-Architectural MSFB. After review of the door schedule, there are several discrepancies found in acoustic rating between the Specification and Door schedule, please confirm that the specification will take precedence over the door schedule.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

315. P941 and 949-Architectural General. There are no architectural corner details for the external cladding system. sidings. Please provide external wall cladding corner details, including material and size of wall trim/flashing.

ANSWER: Amendment is forthcoming to update P941 AA722 & P949 AA530, AB722.

316. P941-Architectural Drawings AA514 - Detail Wall Sections - Sheet 5. Drawing AA514 code legend notes IN20 Roof Rockwool.

This does not appear on any of the section details within the drawings, please advise where this is required and associated specification.

ANSWER: IN20 is the insulation found in between the roof sheeting insulated core (RF01) and the structural plywood (PL01). Amendment is forthcoming.

317. Architectural Drawings AA103 and AA514. After review of the drawings, a discrepancy was found between AA103 overall roof plan of S-6SHOP, which is showing RFB1 as the capping to the edge of roof above S-6 SHOP, whereas AA514 Wall Section -11 suggests MT02 instead. Please clarify which detail is correct.

ANSWER: MT02 is correct - 3mm aluminum flashing. Amendment is forthcoming.

318. P949 Drawing AA502 P02. Drawing AA502 P02 - Partition notes 92 mm wide stud but detail shows 150 mm wide stud. Assume 150 mm stud is correct, please confirm.

ANSWER: Partition note is incorrect, stud should be 150mm. Amendment is forthcoming.

319. P949 P949 Drawing AA503 P26. Drawing AA503 P26 - Wall notes 92 mm wide stud but detail shows 150 mm wide stud. Assume 150 mm stud is correct, please confirm.

ANSWER: Partition note is incorrect, stud should be 150mm. Amendment is forthcoming.

320. P949 Drawing AA504 P31. Drawing AA504 P31 - Secure wall notes 92 mm wide stud but detail shows 150 mm wide stud. Assume 150 mm stud is correct, please confirm.

ANSWER: Partition note is incorrect, stud should be 150mm. Amendment is forthcoming.

321. P949 Drawing AA502. Drawing AA502 - Wall Type P11 - detail shows insulation hatching on the detail however no insulation type tag is noted. Is wall insultation need and if so what type?

ANSWER: Insulation should be IN03 - 75mm ACOUSTIC GLASS WOOL INSULATION R2.0. Amendment is forthcoming.

322. P949 Drawing AA502. Drawing AA502 - Wall Type P14 - detail shows insulation hatching on the detail however no insulation type tag is noted. Is wall insultation need and if so what type?

ANSWER: Insulation should be IN03 - 75mm ACOUSTIC GLASS WOOL INSULATION R2.0. Amendment is forthcoming.

323. P949 Drawing AA123. Drawing AA123 notes wall type W03 - Wall Combination 03 - Refer to wall type Details. Wall type W03 does not appear on wall type drawings AA502, AA503, AA504, AA505. Please provide wall type buildup.

ANSWER: AA505 - W03 detail and schedule added to sheet. Amendment Forthcoming.

324. P949 Drawing AA503 P28. Drawing AA503 P28 - Wall notes 92 mm wide stud but detail shows 150 mm wide stud. Assume 150 mm stud is correct, please confirm.

ANSWER: Partition note is incorrect, stud should be 150mm. Amendment is forthcoming.

325. P949 Drawing AA503. Drawing AA503 - Wall Type P28 - detail shows insulation hatching on the detail however no insulation type tag is noted. Is wall insultation need and if so what type?

ANSWER: Insulation should be IN06 - 120mm ACOUSTIC GLASS WOOL INSULATION R4.0. Amendment is forthcoming.

326. P941 Drawing AA503. Drawing AA503 - Partition type P21 shows insulation on the detail but not identification tag. Please confirm type of insulation required.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

327. P941 Drawing AA503. Drawing AA503 - Partition type P24 shows insulation on the detail but not identification tag. Please confirm type of insulation required.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

328. P941 Drawing AA503. Drawing AA503 - Secure Wall Partition type P30 notes 2xVP01 to each side of the wall but description notes 2 layers of 13 mm plasterboard. please confirm what lining is required to the partition.

ANSWER: It should be 2x layers of 13mm plasterboard (PB01) either side as noted in the schedule. Amendment is forthcoming.

329. P941 Drawing AA503. Drawing AA503 - Secure Wall Partition type P31 notes VP01 to each side of the wall but description notes 13 mm plasterboard. please confirm what lining is required to the partition.

ANSWER: It should be 13mm plasterboard (PB01) either side as noted in the schedule.

330. P941 Drawing AA503. Drawing AA503 - Secure Wall Partition type P11 notes VP01 to each side of the wall but description notes 13 mm plasterboard. please confirm what lining is required to the partition.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

331. RFP Doc 4 of 21 Period of Performance.

• The base bid POP is set at 970 calendar days

• Option 1 is set at 830 calendar days after NTP

• Option 3 (or if options 1 and 3 are awarded) the POP for all projects will increase to 1005 calendar days.

• Contractors are requested to hold pricing for the options for up to 365 calendar days.

Q1- If the NTP is given for option 1 on day 365, then the POP should be extended 830 calendar days from that day, which would mean the new POP would be 830+365= 1195 calendar days. In order for the POP to stay within the combined 1005 calendar days, then option 1 and 3 would need to be awarded no later than 140 calendar days after award of the base bid. Can the Government please advise if the overall POP will be extended to 1195 calendar days or if the bid validity for the options will be reduced to 140 calendar days?

Q2. The current bid validity for the options is 365 calendar days. This duration is extremely long and poses significant financial risk to the contractor and Government. For example, if the POPs for each CLIN and Option remain unchanged and the contractor assumes the Government will award the options on day 365 and then the Gov awards them on day 180, the contractor could be significantly financially damaged not having budgeted for that additional time (between 180 and 365). Likewise, if he budgeted for award on day 180 and award does not come until day 365, those cost increases would work the opposite way. For the bid clarity, could the Government please specify an actual option award date, which would level the field for all bidders. Any adjustment up or down from the option award date could be handled through the changes clauses once contract was awarded.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

332. Section 32 11 20 for Subbase Material, Item 3.5.1, Page 11-12: Item 3.5. and Section 32 11 26.19, Item 3.5, Page 11-13 for Crushed Rock Base Courses, Can NAVFAC provide approval to spread using a motor grader given the small sections of pavements?

ANSWER: This is contractor’s means and methods. Comply with RFP specifications.

333. Governmental Safety Requirements (Specs 01 35 26), Clause 1.8.1.1 Site Safety and Health Officers requiring minimum qualification of Diploma of Work Health and Safety

(BSB51319).

We note that suitably experienced project Site Safety Officers performing such roles on similar size and scale projects in Australia can have a number of different qualifications in Australia to perform Site Safety and Health Officer roles. Can NAVFAC confirm if a proposed Site Safety and Health Officer can have a minimum qualification of a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety that will satisfy this specification minimum qualification requirement?

We note people wanting to obtain Diploma in Work Health and Safety typically takes 12 months to obtain the current ‘minimum’ qualifications for this role and excludes a significant number of suitably experienced Site Safety and Health Officers in the construction industry?

ANSWER: Yes, a minimum qualification of a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety will be accepted. Amendment forthcoming.

334. Section 31 13 13.43 Item 2.14 - Could NAVFAC please nominate an epoxy resin surface sealer product that complies with the specification?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

335. General: Can NAVFAC confirm that DFARS 252.225-7045 - Balance of Payments Program--Construction Material Under Trade Agreements applies? Typically in Australia, Structural Steel Fabricators utilize imported steel from China to provide a better value for money option to the client. Can NAVFAC confirm that DFARS 252.225-7045 - Balance of Payments Program applies and steel being supplied by China is prohibited and cannot be used?

ANSWER: Confirmed. DFARS 252.225-7045 BALANCE OF PAYMENT PROGRAM-- CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL UNDER TRADE AGREEMENTS—BASIC is applicable to this project. Confirm. This clause implements the Balance of Payments Program by providing a preference for domestic construction material.

336. Section 44 41 00 Clause 2.1.8.2 - Please confirm that penstock actuators do not need to be hazardous area compliant.

ANSWER: Response deferred.

337. Section 44 41 00 Clause 2.1.3 - Specification nominates penstock to be manufactured from grade 304 stainless steel. The penstock supplier would typically supply in grade 316 stainless steel for these types of applications in order to achieve the 30-year design life. Please confirm material grade required?

ANSWER: Response deferred.

338. Please confirm that, with the exception of restrictions in 1.145 DFARS 252.225-7060, PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PROCUREMENTS FROM THE XINJIANG UYGHUR

AUTONOMOUS REGION (JUN 2023), there are no other restrictions on use of People’s Republic of China construction materials, components and equipment in the construction of these MILCON projects.

ANSWER: Bid must comply with DFARS 252.225-7045 BALANCE OF PAYMENT PROGRAM--CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL UNDER TRADE AGREEMENTS—BASIC is applicable to this project.

339. Thank you for providing Note 5, it has been helpful. One additional question it raised was with respect to GST. On PDF Page 5, of Note 5, the government answer at the top of the page in blue text reads, in part:

“The DTMO agrees that the US Government is not liable for GST in accordance with the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and on this basis has no obligation to pay GST included in a contractor's invoice. However, it is a requirement of Australian law that contractors include GST in their invoice and pay such amounts to the Australian Government. DTMO will process the GST payment and the contractor will subsequently be reimbursed the GST. Therefore, it is a net

$0 GST.”

This answer seems to suggest that even though the US Navy will not pay GST as part of the Firm Fixed Price charged by the Contractor, the Contractor is still responsible for remitting a GST payment to the Australian Government for the same amount it would have collected from the US Navy. After doing so, the Contractor would then need to seek reimbursement for the GST paid, on behalf of the US Navy, from the DTMO. Is this a correct understanding of the government response at the top of PDF Page 5 of Note 5?

If so, please understand that we have consulted with local tax professionals who have warned that this unique and unusual process can take 6+ months before reimbursement is received. In other words, the Contractor must account for the time value of money associated with the GST outlay before reimbursement months later. This will definitely result in a measurable cost that any contractor must consider.

ANSWER: Seeking reimbursement for GST paid is the responsibility of the contractor.

340. Regarding the Deed Poll requirement, we have attempted to contact the Australian government twice over the past 3 weeks using the email address provided in this RFP (usfpi.facilities.infrastructure@defence.gov.au) and have not received any response.

Additionally, we have attempted to find a relevant Deed Poll document online with no success.

Can NAVFAC please provide an alternative method by which to obtain the Deed Poll so that offerors can execute and include them within our proposals?

ANSWER: USFPI has confirmed that the email provided is the correct way to obtain the Deed Poll and Australian Schedule of Requirements. The requested information was sent in response to the inquiries.

NOTICE NO. 7

341. Specification SECTION 44 41 00 WATER POLLUTION CONAINMENT AND

CLEANUP EQUIPMENT

This section calls for two PRODUCTS that of the many suppliers contacted, none have been able to comply with the specification and drawings.

2.1 PENSTOCK SYSTEM

2.2 STORMWATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT DEVICES (SQIDs)

Will the designer please advise what supplier(s) were the basis of design for these products?

End of Notice