Solicitation_Q A.docx

P16PS00614 Q&A Repair and Rehabilitate Barn Ramps-TAPR Page 1 of 2 Q: I only see one ramp on the drawings. Is the one ramp in two sections or is there two ramps.

A: There are 2 ramps Q: Is there any bonds associated with this project.

A: Per the solicitation, the project is subject to the Davis-Bacon Act. Bonds will be required as follows: Bid Guarantee 20% of the contract price, Performance and Payment bonds - 100% of the contract price and Insurance will be required for this project.

Q: Section 13 b of Standard Form 1442 is marked indicating that an offer guarantee is required. On Page 3, under required quote submission documents, an offer guarantee is not mentioned. Is an offer guarantee required? On Page 38 it states that quotes should be e-mailed. If an offer guarantee is required, is an e-mailed offer guarantee acceptable?

A: Yes, an offer grantee is required and it needs to be mailed in because of the raised seal that come on it. Most vendors that I have worked with make a copy to submit with the proposal package while the original gets mailed out.

Q: On Page 37 there is some language regarding evaluation factors, i.e., technical/key personnel and past performance. Is this information submitted with the quote or at some later date? Again, this information was not listed with the required quote submission documents.

A: All the evaluation factor supporting documents need to be emailed with the SF-1442 and other supporting documents as a complete proposal package.

Q: Please Clarify, are Past Performance and Technical (when combined) significantly more important than cost/price? In L, Proposal Submission Instructions and Limitations, it states “Evaluation of quotes will be performed to determine the lowest price, responsive and responsible quote.” In M - Evaluation Factors for Award, it states “When combined, the past performance and technical are significantly more important than cost/price.”

A: Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation factors set forth in Section M of the solicitation and When combined, the past performance and technical are significantly more important than cost/price. And based on the evaluation of the quotes the government will award a contract to the lowest price, responsive and responsible quote.

Q: We understand that proposals are to be submitted by email. There is a requirement for an offer guarantee. Do you require a bid bond to be sent in hard copy, or will a scan of the bid bond be acceptable?

A: Yes, an offer grantee is required and it needs to be mailed in because of the raised seal that come on it. Most vendors that I have worked with make a copy to submit with the proposal package while the original gets mailed out.

Q: Would the government accept the use of Cypress or Douglas fir for the ramp? It appears fir or cypress would be a far superior material for the barn ramps at Tallgrass Prairie NP. Both remain straight without twisting or warping and after looking at the full-dimension lumber on one of the ramps it looks as though it is probably old-growth, kiln dried yellow pine or fir. Most of today’s yellow pine is farm-grown new growth and tends to twist and warp badly; the likelihood that it will not warp is very small.

A: The Contractor that is awarded the contract for this project may propose an alternative wood product for approval as an Approved Equal (see Specification Section 013323, Part 1.3 D). For the wood decking material, it would be necessary to show that the propose alternative wood product has characteristics that are comparable to the specified Southern Yellow Pine, including hardness, strength, elastic modulus, penetration of the specified wood preservatives when pressure treated, and certification by the Forest Stewardship Council as FSC 100%.