Contractor_Questions_-_CEFOP_Cucuta.doc

Contractor Questions For

Solicitation No. SWHARC-15-R-N0010 Fusion and Operations Center (CEFOP) Construction - Cucuta, Colombia Following is a list of the questions that were submitted by prospective offerors for the above solicitation. Each question is followed by the Government’s response.

CIVIL:

Question #1: In dwgs C-101 and C-102 an existing water supply line (“Acueducto 1”al Lavadero de carros provisional”) is located in the footprint of the building. What is the scope of works related with this line (to remain, or to be removed, or to be relocated, etc)?

Answer: This water supply line shall be relocated if it goes through the foundation.

Question #2: As per dwg C-101 the storm drains (“SD” lines) are crossing an existing sidewalk and then discharge to surface. Please clarify the type of drain that shall be used in the sidewalk crossing (i.e. concrete embedded storm pipe, trench with cover)?

Answer: The pipe shall be PVC type and installed in a trench under the concrete sidewalk.

Question #3: As per detail 2 in C-501 sidewalk thickness is 125 mm; however, in dwg A-101 the legend apparently indicates that sidewalk is 0.1 m thick. Please confirm sidewalk thickness.

Answer: The sidewalk thickness is 125 mm.

ARCHITECTURAL:

Question #4: As per dwg A-102 Toilets, Electrical, Technical, File and Supplies Rooms have suspended water-resistant gypsum board ceiling. Water-resistance seems to be adequate for toilets but unnecessary for the other rooms. Please indicate if regular gypsum board ceiling is acceptable for Electrical, Technical, File and Supplies Rooms.

Answer: The contractor shall install the ceiling according to drawings.

Question #5: As per dwg A-102 soffits are stucco on metal lath; however, as per dwgs A-110, A-302 soffits are stucco on gypsum board. Please clarify.

Answer: The soffits shall be built in cementious board with exterior plaster and exterior paint.

Question #6: Technical (115) and Electrical Room (114) are not included in the “Room and finish schedule” in dwg A-601. Please provide missing information.

Answer: The finish in technical room (115) and electrical room (114) shall be polished concrete floor.

Question #7: As per keynote 21 in dwg A-302 the exterior finish of CMU walls is integrally colored stucco; however, “exterior finish/material index” in dwg A-601 indicates that CMU walls are “integrally-colored stucco; painted color TBD”. Please clarify if CMU walls are to be integrally-colored or painted.

Answer: The CMU walls are to be integrally-colored and with final paint coat. The color shall be defined by the End User.

Question #8: A stove is shown in coffee/break area in dwg A-101. Please indicate if supply and installation of this stove is included in the contract. If it’s included, please include specifications.

Answer: The contractor shall supply and install a stove Challenger brand, reference SP 5002 or equivalent.

Question #9: Paragraph 1.6.1 in Section 06 20 00 states: “Identify each piece or each bundle of lumber, millwork, and trim by the grade mark of a recognized association or independent inspection agency that is certified by the Board of Review, American Lumber Standards Committee, to grade the species”. This would require imported lumber from US to be used. Please confirm this requirement.

Answer: Yes, if the contractor cannot find the material that meets the standards in the project specifications locally, this material shall be imported.

Question #10: Paragraph 1.2 in Section 07 41 63 lists “Performance Requirements” (i.e. “Wind-Uplift Resistance: Provide roof panel assemblies that comply with the requirements of the roof systems and attachments in accordance with ASTM E1592 and UL 580” and “ and “Provide fabricated roof panel assemblies conforming to and AISC 341 with test data”). It’s very likely that only imported roof panels comply with this requirement. Please confirm these Performance Requirements.

Answer: Yes, if the contractor cannot find the material that meets the standards in the project specifications locally, this material shall be imported.

Question #11: Paragraph 2.1 in Section 08 51 13 states: “provide prime windows that comply with AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440”. It’s likely that only imported windows comply with this requirement. Please confirm these Performance Requirements.

Answer: Yes, if the contractor cannot find the material that meets the standards in the project specifications locally, this material shall be imported.

Question #12: As the future contract includes the furniture, there do not exist planes of details of the furniture to be quoted. (colors, materials, filing cabinets, accessories etc.) Only a plane shows something of the possible furniture, but we believe that it is not sufficient to quote them. This item is very important at the moment of presenting the economic proposal. For such a motive we request there is delivered a major detail of the furniture to be quoted.

Answer: The furniture is not included within the scope of this contract.

Question #13: Section 09 30 00: marble retail .30 x .30m would be similar to Granite Tile .30 x .30, Alfa Type to level and polish? Price difference between marble and granite would be high.

Answer: The marble retail 30x30 to be supplied and installed is reference PISOS ALFA named “Perlato Claro” or equivalent.

STRUCTURAL:

Question #14: Width of strip footing isn’t shown in dwg S-101. Please indicate width of strip footing.

Answer: The width of strip is 800 mm.

Question #15: As per paragraph 3.7.1.1 in Section 05 12 00 the contractor shall “Furnish the services of AWS-certified welding inspectors for fabrication and erection inspection and testing and verification inspections”. Please confirm this requirement.

Answer: Yes, this requirement shall be accomplished.

Question #16: Paragraph 1.3 in Section 05 50 13 (Miscellaneous Metal Fabrications) states: “Qualify welders in accordance with AWS D1.1/D1.1M”. Please confirm this requirement.

Answer: Yes, this requirement shall be accomplished.

Question #17: As per Paragraph 3.7 in Section 05 50 13 (Miscellaneous Metal Fabrications) the contractor shall “Install a removable access panel not less than 12 by 12 inches directly below each valve, flow indicator, damper, or air splitter that is located above the ceiling, other than an acoustical ceiling”. However, access panels are not shown in dwg A-102 “Reflected ceiling plan”. Please clarify.

Answer: Even if not shown in the drawings the access panels shall be installed as per the specifications.

Question #18: Drawings S501 - Considering vertical reinforcement is indicated every 80 cm, but in accordance with block size is showing every 60 cm, could you clarify?

Answer: The vertical reinforcement shall be installed according to layout showed in drawing S-102

MECHANICAL:

Question #19: As per dwg M-101 the end of drain lines from fan coils are under the sidewalk and discharge to surface. Please confirm this assumption.

Answer: For drain line installation refer to Detail on Drawing 103 and common drain pipe distribution in Drawing M-101. Down pipes are embedded in the walls and the final drain piping is installed under the sidewalk.

PLUMBING:

Question #20: Please indicate location of the box for backflow preventer shown in detail 6 of dwg P-101.

Answer: The backflow preventer does not apply to this project.

Question #21: General note 3 and 4 in dwg P-200 refer to water pumps; however, no water pumps are shown in drawings. Please confirm water pumps are not required for this project.

Answer: The pumps do not apply to this project.

Question #22: As per dwgs P-110 and P-200 two (2) 1-1/4” valves are located just outside the building. However, no valve boxes are indicated for them. Please indicate if boxes are required for these two valves.

Answer: Yes, the valve boxes are required and shall be built as shown in drawing P-101, detail 5.

ELECTRICAL:

Question #23: According to the electrical plans, the technical specification of the caliber of the medium voltage power cord is (XLPE 15kV 133% caliber #6). This caliber is not easy to acquire commercially, therefore, we request clarification on this specification.

Answer: Provide as indicated.

Question #24: The Electrical Plane E-501 shows an automatic transfer within the same Main Distribution PanelBoard, however in the details of the E-601 plane we find two independent PanelBoards.

Answer: Provide the Automatic Transfer Switch in a separate enclosure.

Question #25: On Plane E-601 the Electrical Transfer is identified as Not Automatic Transfer Switch (NATS) but the detail 2 and detail 3 is identified as (ATS) Automatic Transfer, please define the final specification.

Answer: Provide Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS).

Question #26: Drawing E101 and T101 - Electrical and Communications: Please confirm the location of the connection to the electrical and communications for the CEFOP in Cucuta.

Answer: Provide New Underground Primary Electrical connection as shown in drawing E101 connecting to the existing medium voltage aerial line. Provide Telecom connection as per site visit instructions underground connection to existing comms box that has available spare duct bank crossing the parking lot and into the second floor rack of the existing west building from there to the ISP aerial line in the existing outside electrical poles.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Question #27: Please indicate if “technical raised floor” is required in some spaces of the building.

Answer: Technical raised floor is not required.

Question #28: Connection to Base communications is not clear in drawings. Please elaborate distances, means and details.

Answer: See question 26, as per specifications it is up to the contractor to field verify the distances.

Question #29: Please indicate whether for Communications system, CCTV System, Access Control System, and A/V System will be shared the same tray for the different wiring.

Answer: The cable tray shall be used for all data-comm wiring. Wiring shall be clearly marked to distinguish each system throughout the entire length of the cable tray.

Question #30: The Specification Document in the paragraph 2.1.6 of Section 28 it is mention the installation of 15KVA UPS which is not found in the Single Line Diagram or in calculation reports, verify if it is an error in the specifications Document or the UPS should be offered..

Answer: Specification section is for UPS 15KVA and up, provide UPS sized as shown in the drawings.

Question #31: Please indicate if there is any special requirements regarding to the brand of fire detection, access control and CCTV equipment.

Answer: There is no requirement for a specific brand or model number; contractor shall provide equipment with equivalent or superior specifications as those reflected in the drawings and specifications.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Question #32: As per L.5.2.2 “B. Key personnel” of Solicitation “The Government considers the offeror’s Project Manager and Construction Site Superintendent, and Electrical Engineer to be Key Personnel under the contract”. Questions about these personnel are:

a. Is the Project Manager required to be full time on site? If answer is “not”, how often the PM will be required to visit the project site?

b. What are roles and responsibilities of the Electrical Engineer?

c. Is the Electrical Engineer required to be full time on site? If answer is “not”, how often the EE will be required to visit the project site?

Answer:

a. The project manager will be required by 50% time and also shall attend site visit when the COR visit the job site.

b. The electrical Engineer shall supervise and accept the electrical and communications works

c. The Electrical Engineer shall attend site visit when the COR/GTM visits the job site.

Question #33: As per L.5.2.2 “B. Key personnel” of Solicitation “The Government considers the offeror’s Project Manager and Construction Site Superintendent, and Electrical Engineer to be Key Personnel under the contract”. In another paragraph is stated that “Although not listed under Key Personnel, data cabling and electrical work shall be performed by an electrical/electronic or systems engineer with at least two (2) years of experience in the field”. Please indicate if the Electrical Engineer required to perform data cabling and electrical work can be the same individual included in the key personnel as “electrical engineer”.

Answer: Yes, if the electrical engineer fulfills the requirements.

Question #34: As per QAP requirements in E.2.1.3 of Solicitation a Security Manager and QAP Manager shall be identified. However, L.5.2.2 states that “The Government considers the offeror’s Project Manager and Construction Site Superintendent, and Electrical Engineer to be Key Personnel under the contract”. Are Security Manager and QAP Manager included in the key personnel? If answer is “yes”, then:

a. What are their required qualifications, roles and responsibilities?

b. Are they required to be present full time on site?

c. Can the Site Superintendent play the role as Security Manager, or QAP Manager, or both?

d. Can the Project Manager play the role as Security Manager, or QAP Manager, or both?

Answer:

a. No, they are not included in the key personnel, but the QAP organizational structure shall be submitted within fifteen (15) calendar days of contract award, including charts and a description of responsibilities of key persons who will perform Quality Control and Quality Assurance services.

b. Yes, the safety manager shall be on site full time.

c. The site Superintendent can be QAP Manager and Superintendent.

d. The project manger could not be Security Manager nor QAP manager because these positions require full time on job site.

Question #35: As per subsection M.3 “the Government will consider offers in either U.S. Dollars or Colombian Pesos”. Please indicate the exchange rate to be used for comparison between offers in USD and COP.

Answer: The exchange rate to be used will be the due date for delivery proposals.

The USG will use Google Finance to determine the appropriate exchange rate. Currently 1 Colombian Peso is Equal to 0.00037 US Dollars.

Question #36: As per 01 50 00 the Contractor shall provide the Government Resident Engineer with an office, approximately 200 square feet in floor area, and other characteristics indicated in paragraph 3.5.1. Please confirm this requirement.

Answer: In lieu of this requirement the contractor can provide a meeting room (110sqf) for 6 persons, this space can also be used by the contractor when the government personnel is not on site.

Question #37: Permits: are the required by local government? Who is responsible to get them?

Answer: Yes, these permits will be processed by the Colombian National Police.

Question #38: Will US Embassy assist with the tax importation duty free to country?

Answer: Yes, but the contractor shall pay all expenses during importation process. These costs should be captured in the contractor’s proposal. The USG will work to get the VAT recovered.

Question #39: Are there any work hours restrictions?

Answer: Please, see section F.8 Working hours. If the contractor is going to work after working hours or Colombian holiday, he shall obtain the permits from the Commander Base, but the approval depend of him only.

Question #40: Material cost to include the VAT Tax is not disclosed on the bid schedule. It’s our assumption that the Government wants the offerors to consider the VAT as a direct material cost. Please confirm or reject this assumption.

Answer: Please, see section G.4VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT or IVA)- Yes this is confirmed.

Question #41: Is there tax exemption on the procurement of materials (i.e. tax exemption certificate)?

Answer: Please, see sections B.1CONTRACT PRICE and G.4VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT or IVA) Question #42: Does the “Percy Amendment” apply to this project? If so, are US firms able to get 10% as per the mentioned Amendment?

Answer: No, as this requirement is not expected to exceed the threshold for the Percy amendment.

Question #43: Request a copy of Autocad Drawings?

Answer: According to Cover letter the AutoCAD Drawings should be requested in a separate email until June 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm.

Question #44: Request a copy of Soil Study; is the filling with demolition materials included? If not, could you inform the depth of this material?

Answer: This is a Construction contract; no design is required so the soil Study would not be furnished. The filling activity shall be according to specifications. The depth and final levels are indicated in drawing C-101.

Question #45: Considering, that answer to questions would be answered one week after questions are submitted, is possible to postpone the date to submit the proposals?

Answer: This is not possible due to end user schedule requirements.

Question #46: The due time for the proposal states 11AM local (Fort Lauderdale) time. This is the correct time.

Answer: This is the correct time.

Question #47: What is the distance between automatic transfer electrical connection and switchboard?

Answer: Please refer to electrical drawings.

Question #48: What is the distance of the gas pipe?

Answer: The project does not include gas piping.

Question #49: Must be installed soundproof booth?

Answer: The contractor shall follow the architectural drawings.

Question #50: Number of visit per year for maintenance?

Answer: Provide maintenance as per the specifications for each of the systems.

Question #51: L.5.1.3/B (pg 51 of 59) Cover Letter. The due time for the proposal states 11AM local (Fort Lauderdale) time. The cover letter states the due time is 4PM local (Fort Lauderdale) time. Which is correct?

Answer: Proposals are due at 11AM.

SITE VISIT:

Question #52: Request a copy of Autocad Drawings Answer: Please, see answer to question #43

BONDS:

Question #53: The option of providing a surety bond as a form of guarantee is not obtainable for non- US firms. Therefore when preforming contracts for US government agencies, contractors provide performances guarantees in a form of bank guarantees. Is that acceptable?

Answer: Yes, DOS will accept bank guarantees as long as it is it states that it is irrevocable in the amount of 15%.

Contractor Questions – Solicitation No. WHARC-15-R-N0010 – CEFOP Cucuta