Questions and Answers RFP 040ADV-25-R-0001 - Responses.pdf

U.S. GOVERNMENT

PUBLISHING OFFICE

KEEPING AMERICA INFORMED

February 11, 2025

040ADV-25-R-0001-004 Attachment Q&A

• Attachment new AHU Service Areas

• Floor Plan Transformer Room

• GPO Electrical Distribution System One Line

Questions and Answers

GPO 5

th

Floor SID Smartcard Room Design Build Construction

1. Is a Bid Bond Required?

Answer: Yes.

2. Please confirm which areas are to receive new carpet (See Attached Drawing)

Answer: All offices are to receive new carpet at present in addition to the southern mantrap.

3. Does the building have a standard regarding Finishes? If so, can you please provide it?

Answer: GPO has no standards for finishes.

4. Who is the existing building fire alarm company? Please provide contact information.

Answer: Fire Alarms are handled internally. Contact information can be shared upon contract award.

5. Who is the existing building BAS (HVAC Controls) contractor? Please provide contact information.

Answer: HVAC is handled internally. Contact Information can be shared upon contract award.

6. Mechanical (i) -Confirm that GPO will ABATE Bridge 51 and that the contractor will reinsulate the ductwork.

Answer: All abatement is handled by GPO. The contractor will not be responsible for the abatement. The contractor is responsible for providing new insulation for the ductwork.

7. Has GPO identified if there is an abatement need as part of this project? Please provide test reports. The scope only identifies 4 windows containing lead. Section V (D) i, ii & iii states GC is responsible for abate. - will another be allowed to check for asbestos?

Answer: Abatement is outside the scope of work for this project.

8. There are discrepancies on Attached 2 New Lay on pages 1 and 2 (See attached mark-up drawings for clarification)

Answer: Page 2-4 of attachment two are part of an older draft of the conceptual drawing which means some elements have been updated. Wherever discrepancies exist between pages 2-4 and page 1, please use page 1 to resolve them.

For instance, the northern mantrap has been expanded to take up all of Bridge 51 and will now double as a visitors’ center.

9. Please clarify (Scope of Work) III. Project Item (xii) Where is A-501 with a concrete floor

Answer: The present carpet is laid on top of concrete. All carpets are to be demolished and the areas outside of the offices and the southern mantrap are to remain concrete. The visitors entrance floor will also be demolished and replaced with concrete.

10. Please clarify (xii) what type of finish is to go on top of the concrete.

Answer: GPO has no standard on what finish to use on concrete. GPO wants something that will provide protection and functionality above what bare concrete can.

11. It mentioned using Cat 5 E cable? Even though Cat 6 is the latest Level of cable? please confirm

Answer: GPO systems currently utilize Cat 5E cables. GPO wants to update the SOW to include the installation of Cat 6E cable instead of Cat 5E.

12. Per the scope it only talks about cabling for Security Camera’s? Is the cabling contractor re-sponsible for the Camera and head end equipment?

Answer: Contactor will install all cabling and rough-ins and GPO will install security hardware

13. Its not mentioned in SOW but is

Answer: Question was incomplete.

14. No WIFI noted on Drawing?

Answer: WIFI will be handled internally.

15. Please clarify if the attached drawings is the correct for pricing this project (See Attached)

Answer: Attached drawing uses outdated design. Please use page one of Attachment 2 to price out design elements. Wherever discrepancies exist between pages 2-4 and page 1, please use page 1 to resolve them.

All offices and the southern mantrap will have carpet flooring. All other areas in the scope of work will use concrete with a finish.

16. Is there an existing card reader company at GPO, can you provide their contact for pricing?

Answer: Card reader acquisition and installation will be handled internally. Contact can be shared upon contract award.

17. Will there be another site walk to examine the HVAC and Plumbing systems?

Answer: Additional Site walks are not scheduled during solicitation.

18. Will GPO post the site walk contact list?

Answer: Site Visit list provided in Amendment 003.

19. Confirm if the visitor entrance requires storefront doors or wood doors.

Answer: GPO wants both mantraps to feature doors with windows. However, the visitor’s center is located on a bridge between two buildings so the offeror should also account for NFPA and other relevant codes.

20. Are these man traps doors to be HW or Wood

Answer: GPO wants the mantrap doors to have windows so it’s possible to see into the space. The doors must also be fire rated for 90 minutes at minimum.

21. Please confirm the areas which require a security cage page 1 and 2 show it different on attachment 2.

Answer: Page 1 of attachment 2 has the most updated drawings. Pages 2-4 were made from a previous iteration of the conceptual drawings. Wherever discrepancies exist between pages 2-4 and page 1, please use page 1 to resolve them.

22. Page 2 arch of attachment 2 show new windows please confirm if this is required as it doesn't match page 1.

Answer: Windows are outside of the scope. Please also see previous answer.

23. Do these windows have any special requirements? can they be either storefront or tempered glass incase with drywall.

Answer: Please see previous answer.

24. Please confirm if CAD as-built drawings will be provided for use in the design development.

Answer: CAD as-built drawings will be provided after award.

25. The Contractor must attend 4 interim review project meetings at 35%, 65%, 95% and

100%. Please confirm if these are in person or virtual meetings.

Answer: Either option is acceptable.

26. Please confirm if AHU 15 is existing to remain or will be a new unit.

Answer: GPO wants the contractor to design/install two AHUs. One AHU will service the space defined in the scope of work and will require all new, oval ductwork. The second new AHU will replace AHU 15A and service the same area minus the space defined in the scope of work since that will be handled by the first new AHU. The ductwork not servicing the smartcard operation is existing to remain unless a modification is necessary for the separation of ductwork between the two new AHUs.

The contractor is also responsible for rebalancing the floor encompassed by both new AHUs.

27. Please confirm if new controls are required.

Answer: New controls will be required for both AHUs proposed.

28. Please provide the name / provider of the existing controls.

Answer: Information can be shared after contract award.

29. Please confirm if we will need to procure the services of an Industrial Hygienist.

Answer: Abatement is not in the scope of work.

30. Please confirm if IT Room will need a dedicated HVAC unit.

Answer: A dedicated HVAC unit for the IT room is not a requirement.

31. Please confirm if GPO will obtain the services of the commissioning agent.

Answer: The offeror is required to obtain commissioning services. GPO will bring on their own commissioning agent.

32. Please confirm if all ceilings will be replaced.

Answer: GPO would like cloud ceilings as described in the SOW. Please see a later response as to what we mean by “Cloud ceiling”.

There may be certain sections where we’d want to retain the drop ceiling but otherwise, most of the existing drop ceiling will need to be demolished. Specifics can be figured out during the Design process.

33. Please confirm FE is representing new Fire Extinguishers.

Answer: FE stands for Fire Extinguishers.

34. Please confirm a Basis of Design for the flooring materials to be used.

Answer: GPO has no standards for this.

35. Please confirm the existing flooring below the carpet is concrete and that shall receive a new finish.

Answer: The floor underneath the carpet is concrete and it shall receive a new finish.

36. Please confirm all existing to remain offices and new offices will be provided with new carpet.

Answer: All offices to receive new carpet.

37. Please confirm all walls to receive new base.

Answer: Such decisions will be made during the design process.

38. Please confirm a Basis of Design for the base materials to be used.

Answer: GPO has no specific requirements for base materials.

39. Please confirm if GC is to include cost to abate ductwork insulation.

Answer: Abatement is outside the scope of work.

40. Please confirm that abatement is not required of the lead in the casement window caulk if those areas will not be disturbed during construction.

Answer: Correct.

41. Please confirm when the abatement in Bridge 51, being performed by others, will be completed.

Answer: The abatement in Bridge 51 will be completed by others before the contractor needs this space.

42. Please provide the basis of design for the security cage for entry.

43. Please provide the basis of design for the small security caged area.

44. Please confirm what we are doing with the mixed flooring in the Bridge area.

Answer: Offeror to propose flooring options.

45. Can you please provide color coding notes on the conceptual drawings.

Answer: The conceptual drawings provided do not follow a standard color code.

46. The contractor will take the plumbing fixtures into consideration. The condition and useful life of the existing ones are not expected to be good. Please confirm which plumbing fixtures are being referred to.

Answer: Plumbing is not expected to be within scope. That clause was included as a precaution in case something was discovered during the period of performance.

47. Please confirm where the new condenser unit will be placed for the IT Server Room unit.

Answer: GPO uses chilled water for cooling. The Contractor can coordinate with GPO to supply chilled water to the space.

48. Please confirm the main AHU that serves the entire floor is to be used for the means of conditioning.

Answer: AHU 15A is to be replaced completely.

GPO wants the contractor to design/install two AHUs. One AHU will service the space defined in the scope of work and will require all new, oval ductwork. The second new AHU will replace

AHU 15A and service the same area minus the space defined in the scope of work since that will be handled by the first new AHU. The ductwork not servicing the smartcard operation is existing to remain unless a modification is necessary for the separation of ductwork between the two new

AHUs.

The contractor is also responsible for rebalancing the floor encompassed by both new AHUs

49. Are we changing the HW coils and humidifiers for this 501 area only?

Answer: The contractor is responsible for replacing all existing HVAC equipment in the 501 space. Ductwork and equipment outside of the area defined in the scope of work is existing to remain unless modification is required to fulfill contract requirements.

50. Please confirm we are not changing HW coils & humidifiers for the area outside of our work.

Answer: See answer 49.

51. Please confirm if we are balancing the entire floor or our space only.

Answer: The contractor will be responsible for balancing the entire floor serviced by AHU 15A.

52. Please provide the name of the Security Vendor.

Answer: Security is handled internally.

53. Please provide the name of the existing Fire Alarm Vendor.

Answer: Fire Alarms are managed internally.

54. Please confirm new lights are to be installed in the space.

Answer: The contract states in Article III, Section 4, Clause (i) that the space needs energy efficient

LEDs.

55. The contractor shall upgrade the existing electrical panel with one that can support all the planned machinery plus some spare slots for future proofing. Please provide the location of the existing panel.

Answer: On the 5th floor, existing 120/208V electrical panels are located in SHAFTs 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, and 39. If the planned machinery requires 277/480V service, further evaluation is needed, as the 480V panels are located farther from the project area.

56. Please provide amperage of the existing panel.

Answer: Please see attachment for more information. Below are the nearest panels listed.

• A-P-2 (225A Main) – Fed from 4-D-P-6

• A-L-5-10 – Fed from 1-D-P-6 (Sub #4, Cir. #4)

• A-P-4 (225A Main) – Fed from 4-D-P-6

Still on the 5th floor of Building A but slightly farther:

• A-L-5-3 – Fed from 1-D-P-6 (Sub #4, Cir. #3)

• A-L-5-2 – Fed from 1-D-P-6 (Sub #4, Cir. #3)

• P-3-4 (225A Main)

57. Please provide where the existing panel is being fed from.

Answer: 4-D-P-6, 1-D-P-6 ( Substation #4: Cir #3,4 )

Please see attachment for more information.

58. Please confirm if there is an existing lighting control system.

Answer: No.

59. Contractor shall redesign the current lighting system to deliver even and bright light interest such as machines and workstations. Please confirm what is being classified as “machines” and provide the number of workstations.

Answer: The intended units referred to as “machine” are the New Card Issuance Systems, Card

Inspection Machines, and Laser engraving Robotic depicted in Attachment 2. However, this is not a complete list of what may be considered a machine. Final decisions will be made during the design process.

60. Contractor shall connect all security systems to a centrally located Security closet. Please confirm final connections & testing will be performed by others.

Answer: Final connections and testing of security equipment will be conducted by GPO

61. The contractor shall provide Telecommunications for the facility. The bandwidth requirements are 50 Mb/s per person, and the potential for up to 50 devices in use at a time will be needed. Please confirm if there is an existing telecommunications system in place.

Answer: A Telecommunication system exists but isn’t up to date. The contractor is responsible for replacing the existing Telecommunications system.

62. Please confirm reference to “facility” is for Room 501 only or the entire building.

Answer: Facility refers to the Smartcard Manufacturing Facility which will be housed in Room 501.

63. Please confirm if the contractor is responsible for any other TC device installs or ring & string.

Answer: Device installs are handled internally by our IT. Contractor is responsible for rough-in and cabling from devices to telecom closet and other points of interest.

64. The Contractor is not responsible for independently supplying the smoke detectors to be used in the space. The contractor shall work with GPO’s Fire Guard to fulfill this need instead. Please provide contact for GPO’s Fire Guard.

Answer: Contact information will be shared upon contract award. Contractor is responsible for cabling and rough in. GPO is responsible for alarm connection and program.

65. Are there any fees the contractor should carry in their proposal for GPO’s Fire Guard?

66. These plans must include, but is not limited to, methods to verify the leveling and vibrational tolerances of the machine. The Contractor will work with the Machine

Manufacturer to validate the acceptance of the 8-Color press foundation. Please provide

Machine Manufacturer contact information.

Answer: Specific mentions for an “8-color press” should be ignored. Please consider the following the correction to that paragraph in Article IV, Section C.

These plans must include, but are not limited to, methods to verify the environmental requirements of the Smartcard machines. The Contractor will work with GPO and COR to outline these requirements.

67. Please confirm what permits may the contractor need to obtain and if they are GPO permits.

Answer: Generally, GPO requires permits as dictated by local and national law. Specifically, GPO only has a permit for Hot Work which can be provided prior to construction.

68. Please confirm if the Quality Control Lead and Safety Lead personnel must remain on site.

Answer: A Quality control representative must be present during working shifts.

Continuous attendance of the Safety lead is not required but they must maintain regular presence on site. The Offeror’s safety plan shall dictate this frequency.

69. Please confirm if the Quality Control Lead / Safety Lead personnel can serve as the Project

Superintendent.

Answer: This is unacceptable.

70. Please confirm if the QCL / SL must be standalone positions.

Answer: A separate QCL and SL is required.

71. Please confirm if the Project Manager is to be on site or if a Project Superintendent can remain on site with Project Manager oversight.

Answer: This is acceptable. It should be noted that the project Manager should make periodic on-site appearances.

Please provide the Wage Determination to be used for this project.

Answer: A wage determination was provided with Solicitation Amendment 003

Architectural:

72. Confirm whether Design Submissions may be submitted in ACAD format.

Answer: Article VIII, Section C, Clause 1 of the SOW states this is an acceptable format.

73. Confirm whether Design Submissions be required to be submitted in 3D.

Answer: Please refer to Article IV. Sections B for submission requirements.

74. Confirm whether electronic Drawing files for the SOW areas are available and will be issued the DB Contractor awarded the project for use as background drawings.

Answer: CAD files for the building exist and can be provided upon award of the contract.

75. Confirm the number of required Design Submissions for this project.

Answer: Please refer to Article IV. Section A for Design Requirements

76. Confirm what SOW is required for the exterior of the building.

Answer: The exterior of the building is outside the scope of work.

77. Confirm what SOW is required for the Bridge.

Answer: Please review Article III, Section A for a description of the tasks required for this project.

Several mentions of Bridge 51 can be found in this section.

78. Confirm whether the existing ceiling system for the SOW areas, including tiles, grid, SA&RA grilles, and lighting is to be replaced.

Answer: A ceiling redesign is included within the scope of work.

79. Confirm whether the equipment for the space is new or existing.

Answer: A combination of both new and existing. Equipment being the machines that make-up the smartcard manufacturing process. More information can be shared after award.

80. Confirm whether new equipment will be provided by GPO.

Answer: All present and future manufacturing equipment will be handled by GPO.

81. Confirm whether new UPS Room is to be created within the SID Smartcard suite or located in other parts of the floor.

Answer: Please refer to page 1 of Attachment 2.

82. Confirm whether there are any STC requirements for the SOW space.

Answer: There are no requirements for STC.

83. Confirm whether there are any fire protection requirements for the SOW spaces.

Answer: Article III, Section 5 of the SOW lists fire protection requirements for this project.

Article V, Section B lists the fire protection requirements during construction. Anything not found in these sections should reference local and national laws and codes.

84. Confirm the project budget for this project.

Answer: As identified in the Solicitation page 24, and In accordance with (MMAR) 36.204(h) the disclosure of magnitude is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

Mechanical:

85. Provide cut sheets of all the equipment to be installed in the space to determine exact electrical loads and BTU for electrical and mechanical design requirements. Also to determine if the capacity of existing electrical and mechanical systems if it can handle the new required loads.

Answer: Electrical information for the machines can be found in Attachment 2 of the solicitation.

Any further information can be shared after contract award.

86. On page-7 item #4, there is a mention that the existing AHU-15A is old and at the end of its life. Is replacing AHU is part of this scope of work?

Answer: GPO wants the contractor to design/install two AHUs. One AHU will service the space defined in the scope of work and will require all new, oval ductwork. The second new AHU will replace AHU 15A and service the same area minus the space defined in the scope of work since that will be handled by the first new AHU. The ductwork not servicing the smartcard operation is

87. Provide the existing MEP system risers and schedules are needed to determine if the existing MEP system has the enough capacity to meet the requirements of the new space renovation.

Answer: AHU 15A currently supplies the space but the manufacturing facility cannot remain dependent on it due to its age. Attachment 4 should have enough information on CFM for the capacity for be reverse calculated. Additional documentation has been provided which highlights the area of the 2 AHUs which will replace AHU 15A.

88. Provide Mechanical and Electrical CAD files of existing As-Built drawings.

Answer: Those can be provided after contract award.

89. Need electrical and BTU loads of the equipment to be installed in IT server room to determine the size of the new electrical and mechanical systems.

Answer: The current IT room has 2 racks with 6 HP servers a piece. The capacity will not change in the future space. The contractor can assume each rack uses 6kW of power for a total of 12 kW.

90. On page 8 item v, it states that a UPS room is to be created. Is UPS design is part this scope.

Answer: The contractor is only responsible for the construction of the room. Design and manufacture of the UPS is outside the scope of work.

FPE/Fire Protection:

91. The existing space is equipped with a wet fire-suppression system. The RFP requests the design of a dry system for the space which is atypical. Please confirm whether the desire is to provide a dry system or a pre-action system.

Answer: GPO wants the offeror to design and construct a double interlocked pre-action system.

92. A dry pipe valve or pre-action valve will require a space with a floor drain. Is there an existing valve located on the floor? If not, is their space to host a new valve or will a new space be required to be added with a new floor drain?

Answer: Space for additional facilities, such as a floor drain, is available in the building.

93. Provide some guidance which room outside of the room being modified is suitable for a dry valve.

Answer: This is a localized fire suppression upgrade. Only the areas described within the scope of work as the “Smartcard Manufacturing Facility” are in need of these specialized upgrades. At maximum, this includes Room A-501, its present and future offices/rooms, and bridge 51. Areas outside the secure area are not to be considered unless required to meet a specification.

Telecomm/Security:

94. Confirm whether IT Design is required for the space or only infrastructure for IT installed by others.

Answer: IT Design work will be conducted by others internally. Contractor should work with IT to make sure their needs are met in the architecture design. Offeror is responsible for IT infrastructure such as installing cabling.

95. Provide SOW for IT Design if included in this project.

Answer: IT design is not within the scope of work.

96. Confirm whether there are any Intrusion Detection System (IDS) requirements for this project.

Answer: IDS is not within the scope of work.

97. Is the requirement for the EC to be pulling Low Voltage cables or is a Low Voltage

Contractor responsible for Low Voltage cabling?

Answer: Contractor’s means and methods.

98. Who is responsible for running the Teledata for phones and data into closet? EC or LV

Contractor?

Answer: Contractor’s means and methods.

99. Who is responsible for installing cameras & Access Control Readers?

Answer: Final Connections to security equipment such as cameras and access control readers will be handled internally.

100. Does GPO currently have a Low Voltage / security integrator?

101. When it references "others" does GPO mean a separate low voltage contractor and/or under a separate contract? Or do they mean installation of cameras and ACS will be handled by the IT personnel (GPO)?

Answer: Others refers to parties outside the purview of the contract.

102. If Access Control is to be performed (Installing Readers, door controllers, etc) what type of access control system / panel / model is currently in use?

Answer: Not applicable

103. If installed by low voltage security integrator, what type of Bio Readers (Make & model) is required?

Answer: Not Applicable

104. Does the current camera system have the capacity to add additional cameras?

105. How many cameras can be added?

106. What is the current storage space of the CCTV NVR and what is required?

107. Is a bid bond required? There wasn’t any mention of it in the RFP.

108. Is this project wage scale? If so, please provide wage scale.

Answer: A wage determination was provided with Solicitation Amendment 003

109. Please provide a sign in sheet from the site visit.

Answer: Provided with Solicitation Amendment 003

110. Price Proposal - Is the price narrative supposed to be included on the excel form provided under notes/comments? Or should it be a separate section that provides the narrative for each item?

Answer: Narrative can be separate but must be in the Price Volume.

111. Bid Bond - Please confirm a bid bond is not required.

Answer: Bid Bond is required.

112. Key Personnel - Do we have to submit Special requirement H for Key Personnel?

Answer: Section H includes the Special Contract Requirements, all requirements must be met.

113. Technical - Section L has elements divided by Volume making Past Performance Volume

3. But in section M, they are named by Factor, making past performance Factor 2. Please confirm how we should label these elements in our technical proposal.

Answer: Section L.2 gives specific proposal preparation instructions. Follow Section L for proposal submission labeling.

114. Past Performance - Can we use previously completed PPQs to satisfy past performance?

Answer: PPQ’s shall be sent directly to the CO/CS, so previously filled out PPQ’s would not be considered.

115. Price Proposal - It is instructed to make price proposal a separate attachment in evaluation but elsewhere it says to make all attachment under one portfolio. Please advise how these sections should be divided for submission.

Answer: Price proposal will be accepted as a separate attachment or part of the portfolio.

116. Attachment J.8 – The next few questions are being asked to make sure we understand how to fill out Attachment J.8 excel worksheet. The from was provided with 1 tab. Is this tab supposed to be the “Extended Cost Summary Tab”?

Answer: Yes, this will be the extended cost summary tab

117. Attachment J.8 – If subcontractors are supposed to fill out the tab on the excel file, are we supposed to include these as different tabs under the same excel file? Or submit different excel files?

Answer: The prime can add a tab for subcontractors on the J.8 excel

118. Attachment J.8 – Are we supposed to make a summary tab with our budget data and our subcontractor budget data all shown on the same tab?

Answer: Prime contractor budget data and subcontractor data can be on the same tab or separate tabs, as long as all data is FFP and accounted for under the rows shown in J.8

119. Attachment J.8 – Instructions say that the Excel file should include the following:

a. Tab (i) Price and Cost Summary

b. Tab (ii) Section B of the RFP table Prime

c. Tab (iii) Section B of the RFP table Sub(x) one tab for each subcontractor (if applicable)

Section B is a PDF sheet that does not match with the excel file. For example, Section B has unit price and extended unit price but the excel form does not have these same items.

Please advise how we are supposed to include section B into the excel form.

Answer: Pricing submitted will be evaluated using attachment J.8 for ACCURACY AND

COMPLETENESS. The pricing in Schedule B shall match the J.8 attachment for each Contract

Line item (CLIN), 0001, 0002 and 0003.

120. Section B – Are we just supposed to fill out section B from the RFP (in PDF format on page 4) for the prime? And submit excel files for subs instead of section B PDF? Or are we supposed to include PDF versions of Section B for the prime and subs and also include excel files for the prime and sub. Please advise.

Answer: Attachment J.8 shall be submitted with the proposal and match the Schedule B for each

CLIN. Schedule B, will be part of the resultant contract and attachment J.8 is for Price evaluation as described in the RFP.

121. Attachment J.8 – Instructions say: “The offeror must use the Price Matrix (Attachment

J.8) to format its price proposal. The Matrix must be developed using the MS Excel spreadsheet format, .xls file.”

Are we supposed to develop a matrix in this excel file that shows our budget information with our subcontractors? Please advise what is required.

Answer: Yes, Subcontractor pricing is also used to determine a fair and reasonable price as described in the RFP.

122. Solicitation Page 48 – It says instructions will be given if subs don’t want to disclose proprietary data but there are no instructions for submitting a sealed package as mentioned in the solicitation.

Answer: Proprietary data does not have to be disclosed to the prime, redacted subcontracting pricing information and be submitted separately to the Contracting Officer if needed.

123. Solicitation Page 48 – Please also confirm what “redacted information” they can give the

GC to satisfy this requirement if they don’t want to disclose this information.

Answer: The question is too broad and hypothetical, it depends on what the subcontractor is considering to be proprietary data. The GPO needs to determine fair and reasonableness in the pricing.

124. Excel – Please confirm we submit excel file and not PDF of excel tabs.

Answer: Excel attachment J.8 needs to be submitted.

125. RFI – Will Government consider giving another RFI due date for more questions?

Answer: After the RFP amendment is posted and if relevant additional questions are received, GPO will consider issuing another amendment to answer additional questions.

126. Breakers - Can Government provide pictures of existing breakers to show how many empty spots there are.

Answer: GPO will provide the contractor with an electrical tour, allowing them to take pictures of the panels planned for power connection.

127. Is this project Tax exempt

Answer:

When purchases are not made by the Government itself, but by a prime contractor or by a subcontractor under a prime contract, the right to an exemption of the transaction from a sales or use tax may not rest on the Government’s immunity from direct taxation by States and localities. It may rest instead on provisions of the particular State or local law involved, or, in some cases, the transaction may not in fact be expressly exempt from the tax.

128. The RFP section III "Project" sub section A.2 "Architectural" states that the manufacturing space will utilize a cloud ceiling. The concept plan provided in Attachment J-2 Reflected

Ceiling Plan shows a complete drop ceiling in the space. Please provide direction on the type of ceiling required and please provide a sketch to show extents if a cloud ceiling is required.

Answer: The conceptual drawings should serve as proof of concept rather than binding documentation of the final design of the space. The SOW and conceptual drawings were created at different times so elements might differ between the two. Consider the SOW the most updated design documents. Even within the conceptual drawings, consider the 1 st page as the most updated version of the space in contrast with pages 2-4.

“Cloud ceiling” refers to the architectural style of leaving the original ceiling exposed while having certain elements drop down to a lower level in the space, like clouds in the sky. More common names for this style are “Exposed Ceiling” or “Open Ceiling”.

The intent was to have a space where there could be sections of drop ceiling to make a space feel more intimate or lowering certain light fixtures to provide better lighting for tasks. Further specifics will be discussed during design development.

129. If a drop ceiling is required, is the contractor permitted to reuse the existing grid?

Answer: Existing grid is 4 by 2. Redesign should reconfigure this 4 by 2 grid into a 2 by 2 grid as needed. Drop ceilings will be utilized in the offices and mantraps and main manufacturing area with utilize exposed ceilings.

130. Are there STC requirements for the office spaces?

Answer: No present requirements exist.

131. The existing office space walls look to stop at the height of the drop ceiling. Are these walls anticipated to remain? If so, please confirm these existing walls will meet or be exempt from meeting STC requirements.

Answer: The existing office walls can remain at their current height. New walls can e built to meet this height wherever drop ceilings are requested such as in the mantraps. There are no STC requirements for the walls.

132. If a "cloud ceiling" is required, per Section C, III. Project., please provide a BOD product per Section C, III.Project. Additional Imagery, performance, or aesthetic criteria is needed for clarification.

Answer: “Cloud ceiling” refers to the architectural style of leaving the original ceiling exposed while having certain elements drop down to a lower level in the space, like clouds in the sky. More common names for this style are “Exposed Ceiling” or “Open Ceiling”.

The intent was to have a space where there could be sections of drop ceiling to make a space feel more intimate or lowering certain light fixtures to provide better lighting for tasks. Further specifics will be discussed during design development.

133. Is there a design guide or a GPO standards document for reference.

Answer: GPO has a standard color palette which will be provided after award.

134. What type of doors (wood, hollow metal..etc) should be provided for the new doors? The bi-part entry/exit doors, mantrap doors, office doors, etc?

Answer: GPO wants the mantrap doors to have windows so it’s possible to see into the space.

These doors must also be fire rated for 90 minutes at minimum.

The office doors don’t need to feature windows but maintain the same fire rating. Material is not important for doors so long as the fire rating can be met.

135. Are the Key Personnel: Project Manager, Quality Control Lead, and Safety Lead required to be full-time onsite once the project is mobilized and construction is ongoing?

Answer: As discussed in a previous question, having a Project Superintendent on-site full time with

Project Manager oversight is acceptable. Continuous attendance of the Project Manager is not required but they should make periodic on-site appearances at a frequency deemed appropriate by the offeror.

A Quality control representative must be present during all working shifts.

Continuous attendance of the Safety lead is not required but they must maintain regular presence on site. The Offeror’s safety plan shall dictate this frequency.

136. Will the contractor be provided an off street location for a project trailer?

Answer: GPO offers no onsite parking for trailers. The offeror is responsible for making arrangements with local government to procure street parking for trailers.

137. Is BR51, The new Visitors Entrance, required to receive new flooring?

Answer: GPO would like leveled concrete with a protective finish for the visitor’s center.

138. Is the existing drop-in grid to be removed in order to accommodate the new "cloud ceiling?"

Answer: The offeror will demolish all the existing drop in grid. Any drop in grid in the final design will be reconstructed on a 2 by 2 grid, as opposed to the original 2 by 4 grids. Drop Ceiling will remain in the offices and the mantraps.

139. Is BR51 required to receive a new ceiling treatment?

Answer: GPO wants the BR51 visitors center to feature drop ceiling.

140. If the underside of the deck/slab above is visible, is it required to be wholistically painted?

Answer: For aesthetics, GPO would like the exposed ceiling to be painted a consistent color along with any utilities.

141. Please provide photos of the Transformer Room that provides service to the space.

Answer: GPO will provide the contractor with an electrical tour, allowing them to take pictures of the Transformer room. An attachment has been provided highlighting the location of the 480v transformer room.

142. Can we assume that our connection will be to the existing transformer in the Transformer

Room and that this does not need to be replaced/upgraded?

Answer: Connections will be made to the existing transformer. The current transformer room does not need upgrades or replacements.

143. Are the existing window frames required to be painted?

Answer: There are no requirements.

144. Please confirm the contractor is not required to service the window to ensure they function property? This could cause HAZMAT requirements based on the SOW.

Answer: Servicing the window is not a requirement.

145. Section F: 8. Security mentions that contractors shall be escorted at all times. Is this in reference to being under the oversite of the contractor or is there a different type of escort required?

Answer: Offeror must be escorted at all times by Badged GPO employees or by select members of the Offeror’s team approved by security to escort. These select individuals are given unique badges to designate their escorting capabilities.

Whether or not an offeror can receive a badge is dependent on a variety of factors and is by no means guaranteed.

146. If escorts are required outside of contractor personnel, is this service/oversight provided by GPO?

Answer: Escorting is the responsibility of GPO.

147. Is third party commissioning going to be required?

148. Is a building permit required? Will this be provided by GPO?

Answer: GPO has no special permits other than hot work permits. Otherwise, GPO follows local and national law for permitting requirements.

149. Section D - Code compliance lists a general item that "The Facilities Guidelines Institute

(FGI) 2022 Guidelines" are applicable to this project. The FGI has several 2022 standards for different types of buildings. It is not clear what document would govern this project as

FGI is more closely related to Healthcare facilities. Please provide additional guidance on what design standards are to be followed for this project.

Answer: Disregard this standard.

150. Section E - Government Furnishings, states for number 1 and number 2 that GPO will provide power, water, and will oversee matters with HVAC equipment. It is unclear what these two line items are referring to. Is GPO doing the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work for the project?

Answer: The offeror is expected to coordinate outages with GPO. GPO Staff will shut off valves, drains systems, and actions of that nature to support the offeror. The offeror is still responsible for the electrical, plumbing and HVAC work for this contract

151. Section 4 "Electrical" of the RFP, note (i) states that a lighting redesign should be provided for the floor plan. It also states that there should be "more" lights around points of interest such as the machines and workstations. Typically a design standard would tell us what lighting levels are required in certain areas and the design team would provide a design that meets that requirement. We want to ensure the customer needs are met and that all bidding contractors are interpreting the same requirement.

Answer: The lighting system redesign will consist of two major components. Firstly, A conversion of the current 2 by 4 grid into a 2 by 2 grid in sections where drop ceiling are to remain. Secondly, a replacement of all current lighting with energy efficient LEDs.

The intent behind the “more lights around points of interest” is to indicate that there may be sections where the lighting drops down to a lower height to provide more direct lighting around certain workstations.

152. The RFP also provides attachment J-2 "Conceptual Drawings of the Overall Space

Design". This document has a reflected ceiling plan that shows light fixtures within a drop ceiling. Has GPO confirmed that the lighting layout in the J-2 reflected ceiling plan meets the requirement stated in Section C: III.Project, 4. Electrical, note (i) of the scope of work?

Answer: Much of the space will not have ceiling grid and the drop ceiling to remain will be 2 by 2 instead of 2 by 4. However, the general lighting plan is acceptable.

153. Section 4 "electrical" of the RFP, note (ix) states that the contractor shall upgrade the existing electrical panel with one that can support all the planned equipment plus spare.

The scope of work did not include a one line diagram of the existing facility to fully understand the impact of this scope item. If the current electrical panel feeder cannot accommodate the new power requirement, the contractor and design team would need to understand how far back the upgrades need to go to right size the equipment to feed our renovation area. Can GPO provide more information on the existing electrical system, such as an as built one line diagram, to help account for this scope?

Answer: GPO has provided an attachment with additional information on the electricity.

154. Section C II. Background & Facility, A. Existing Site Conditions, 11 - references that the existing area is supplied power from C531A Transformer Room. This room is not shown on the J-5 Power Plan and no other information is provided. Can photos of this space be provided?

Answer: GPO has provided an attachment with the Transformer room highlighted. GPO will provide the offeror with an electrical tour upon contract award, allowing them to take pictures.

155. Can the Design-Build team assume that the existing transformer supplying power to the space is sufficient for the new work and will not need to be upgraded or replaced?

Answer: Yes. Upgrade and replacement of the transformer room is outside the scope of work.

156. Are design team members required to be licensed in the District of Columbia for this project?

Answer: GPO requires designers to be professionally licensed, but GPO has no requirements on where they obtain said license. However, designers should still be familiar with DC codes and regulations.

157. Section II. Background and Facility, subsection A.7 states that the AHU 15A is in working condition but near the end of its life cycle. The scope does not say if its required to be replaced. Please confirm if the existing AHU is to be reused for this project.

Answer: GPO wants the contractor to design/install two AHUs. One AHU will service the space defined in the scope of work and will require all new, oval ductwork. The second new AHU will replace AHU 15A and service the same area minus the space defined in the scope of work since that will be handled by the first new AHU. The ductwork not servicing the smartcard operation is

The contractor is also responsible for rebalancing the floor encompassed by both new AHUs.

158. Please confirm that the government is responsible for the purchase, movement, installation, and setup of all New Card Issuance Systems, Card Inspection Machine, Laser

Engraving Robot, card counter, furniture, and printers.

Answer: Correct. GPO is responsible for matters mentioned.

159. Do the two new mantraps (vestibules) require any special construction for forced entry requirements? Please provide requirements.

Answer: GPO is responsible for fulfilling forced entry requirements.

160. If a cloud ceiling is required, please confirm if all existing walls will need to be extended up to structure above.

Answer: Office walls can remain at their current height. The main manufacturing space can have exposed ceilings while the offices can maintain a drop ceiling for aesthetics and comfort.

161. Please confirm that the manufacturing space can have wall mounted electrical panels and a new electrical room within the space is not required for power distribution.

Answer: A wall mounted electrical panel for the space is acceptable.

162. The concept plans shows an existing bank of offices on the plan north east (A531A through A531D). What is the scope for finishes within these spaces?

Answer: Offices are to have new furnishings. This includes but is not limited to new paint, new carpets, new outlets, fixtures, ceilings, and other features as requested by GPO.

163. The concept plans shows existing offices and existing doors for A531A and A531B.

Please confirm the doors and hardware into these offices are existing to remain

Answer: GPO cannot confirm the office doors are existing to remain. Doors may be subject to change according to a design master plan.

164. What door hardware is required for each new office, entry, exit, and work area door.

Answer: There are no requirements other than a fire rating of 90 minute.

165. Please confirm if power poles are acceptable to serve the new manufacturing equipment that are not directly adjacent to a wall (floating equipment).

Answer: Offerors are allowed to consider vertical power arrangements. GPO prefers power poles or Support racks for conduits to distribute power to all the machinery as opposed to through the floor solutions.

166. The scope of work, section 5 "Fire & Safety" item (vii) states that the contractor shall design and provide a dry fire suppression system for the facility". Please confirm the intent is only for a new sprinkler pipe design within our renovated suite for SID (Room A-501).

Answer: GPO desires a double interlocked pre-action sprinkler system. This is a localized fire suppression upgrade. Only the areas described within the scope of work as the “Smartcard

Manufacturing Facility” are in need of these specialized upgrades. At Maximum, this includes

Room A-501, its present and future offices/rooms, and bridge 51. Areas outside the secure area are not to be considered unless required to meet a specification.

167. During design, will the government/user be able to provide the design team with manufacturer information on the card producing equipment that this space is to be outfitted with. Specifically, the heat produced from these machines will need to be known in order to properly calculate the heating and cooling needs of the space and to maintain desired temperature/humidity. Same question applies to the IT room.

Answer: Yes, the government would be willing to furnish such information post-award.

168. AHU-15A serves most of FL5, not just our renovated suite space. Is the intent of this scope to replace AHU-15A with two new systems, one to serve the new space, and one to serve the existing to remain (appropriately sized to serve the existing to remain)?

Answer: GPO wants the contractor to design/install two AHUs. One AHU will service the space defined in the scope of work and will require all new, oval ductwork. The second new AHU will replace AHU 15A and service the same area minus the space defined in the scope of work since that will be handled by the first new AHU. The ductwork not servicing the smartcard operation is

169. Will the remainder of the HVAC system associated with AHU-15A be included in this scope? The system is outdated, at the end of its life, and would not meet current code.

This would require design and construction for the entire area currently served by AHU-

15A.

Answer: See Previous Answer.

170. Does the government have information on the base building mechanical capabilities: i.e.

chilled water capacity, hot water capacity, pump performance?

Answer: GPO can furnish this information after contract award.

171. The way the scope of work is written, it appears that the HVAC scope of the project is limited to the new SID area of renovation within A-501. However, if you look at the existing HVAC plans, the air handler that serves the A-501 area also feeds many other areas that are outside the SID renovation. Modifying the existing AHU and ductwork would have significant impacts on large areas of the rest of the floor. Can the government provide a statement that delineates the contractor scope for HVAC system design and installation?

Answer: GPO wants the contractor to design/install two AHUs. One AHU will service the space defined in the scope of work and will require all new, oval ductwork. The second new AHU will replace AHU 15A and service the same area minus the space defined in the scope of work since that will be handled by the first new AHU. The ductwork not servicing the smartcard operation is

172. If the contractor is modifying the existing ductwork from existing AHU-15A and providing a new AHU to feed the renovated SID suite, is the contractor also responsible to modify existing AHU-15A to bring it up to code to support all other adjacent areas that

AHU-15A serves?

Answer: Please see answer to previous question.

Division 01 - General Requirements:

173. The codes compliance section in the scope of work indicates compliance with FGI

2022 guidelines. These guidelines are geared for medical facilities. Please confirm that this standard is not required for this project.

Answer: Disregard this standard.

174. Please confirm whether GSA P100 standard is part of the applicable codes/standards.

Answer: This is an acceptable standard

175. Please confirm that AIA master specs is acceptable and that Specs Intact is not required for this project.

Answer: Specifications are required, and AIA master specs are acceptable for this project.

Specs intact is allowed but is not required.

176. On page 9, under Architectural tasks, item (ix) states "Entrance into the area should be secured. To this end, the Contractor shall design two mantraps at the north and southern walls of the facility." However, on page 8, it mentions "The northern entrance will serve as the visitor's entrance and will take up the entire space of Bridge

51." Please clarify if the northern entrance should be a mantrap or take up the entire space of Bridge 51.

Answer: The northern entrance should be a mantrap that takes up the entirety of Bridge

51. The mantrap is sized like this so it can double as a visitor’s center as well.

177. On page 17, under Government Furnishings, item 4 states "Use of freight elevators for the transportation of materials and equipment is provided. The max specifications of the freight elevators are as follows: (a) Height - 7' 6" (b) Width - 7' 0" (c) Length -

10' 0" (d) Weight - 20,000 lbs." However, on page 8, under Existing Site Conditions, item 13 mentions "Results of lead testing done in Room…