RFI Responses (version 3).pdf

RFI # Question Response

The SF 1449 identifies July 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. local time, while the solicitation notice identifies July 31, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Which deadline controls? Please utilize the later time frame offered by the SAM.gov posting.

The SF 1449 identifies September 24, 2026, the solicitation notice states 90 days after notice of award, and the SOW states that the period of performance is negotiable. Which completion requirement controls? The PoP is negotiable.

The solicitation documents identify the following addresses:

-970 Petercheff Street -800 S. Peterchef Street -8001 Reinoehl Road Please identify the exact physical installation site, delivery address, and inspection and acceptance location.

The physical site location does not have a specific address. The coordinates are 39 27 31.41N 87 17 25.82W. Please see attached map for reference.

Is the contractor responsible for furnishing the twelve factory-coated aluminum panels measuring 4 feet by 8 feet by 1/4 inch, or will the panels be Government-furnished or procured separately?

The panels were procured separately. The only responsibility of the contractor is to ensure they can be secured in the configuration presented. The physical securement of the panels will be handled by the government.

Will the Government provide an optional site visit before quotations are due? If a site visit is unavailable, can the Government provide site photographs, a site plan, utility information, or other information showing access, staging, terrain, and existing conditions?

A site visit can be offered but due to the timeline, please see attached maps for reference. There is limited road access to the site but the terrain is flat. There is a ditch that will need to be crossed if the install requires vehicular traffic to the site. A crane may be placed on the roadway near the site to faciliate install. There is a known fiber optic line near the site but the disturbance should not interfere.

The contractor is responsible for public and private locates which should be included in the bid proposal.

Does the Government have soil-bearing-capacity data, frost-depth requirements, subsurface information, or a geotechnical report for the installation site? If this information is unavailable, may the contractor state reasonable design assumptions in its quotation, subject to verification after award?

Please see attached soil boring report for further information. Borings were taken within relative distance of the approved site location. Soil classification was determined to be CL.

Please provide or confirm the required:

-Design wind speed -Wind exposure category -Risk category -Importance factor -Frost depth -Allowable soil-bearing capacity

An ASCE Hazards Report is provided but contractor is required to verify all requirements prior to submittal review by the government after contract award.

Must the structural calculations and drawings be signed and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in Indiana?

The calculations and shop drawings will be submitted as a part of the submittal process for approval by the government. AE services or stamped drawing are not required for this proposal.

Are preliminary structural drawings and calculations required with the quotation, or will final engineered drawings be submitted after award? What Government review period should the contractor include in its schedule?

Final drawings will be submitted for government review after award. Government review periods for submittals are typically seven business days.

Are bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, alternative payment protection, permits, or project-specific insurance limits required? Not required

Who is responsible for arranging and paying for slump testing, air-content testing, cylinder preparation, laboratory testing, and any required retesting? Contractor is required for all testing and verification of proposed structure and it's components.

The SOW specifies a one-foot perimeter offset but does not state the required slab thickness, footing configuration, or foundation dimensions. Should these elements be determined entirely by the contractor’s structural engineer based on the applicable UFC, ACI, and ASCE requirements?

Yes, the contractor shall propose the required configuration based on the proposed structure and should adhere to all UFC, UFGS, ACI, and ASCE requirements.

Please confirm the required warranty period, response time, repair obligations, and acceptance criteria for:

-Concrete cracking or spalling -Foundation settlement or shifting -Structural-steel deformation -Coating failure -Installation defects

-Concrete Cracking or Spalling: 1 year warranty; 10 day response time; expoxy injection/stuctural grouting for cracks/complete removal & partial/full-depth patch for spalls; Structural: No cracks exceeding 1/16 inch (0.06 in) wide unless localized. Pavement: Zero loose aggregate; pass ASTM D4541 adhesion testing (>400 psi) -Foundation settlement or shifting: 1 year; 24-32 hours; geotechnical remediation, pressure grouting, underpinning, or complete structural reconstruction to restore the level; Must align with UFC 3-301-01 (Structural Engineering). Total differential settlement must not exceed 1/2 inch to 1 inch (structure-dependent) over designated spans.

-Structural-steel deformation: 1 year; 32 hours; repair or complete replacement of damaged framing member and structural welding must be performed by AWS certified welders; Zero visible permanent deformation outside of allowable tolerances specified in the AISC Code of Standard Practice -Coating failure: 5 year; 10 days; clean, abrasive blast, prime, and recoat failed areas to match original specs; Zero blistering, softening, lifting, or peeling. Standard adhesion testing must yield >400 psi or 100% cohesive concrete failure Installation defects: 1 year; 10 days; contractor must immediately supply all labor, materials, and equipment to repair/replace defective installations at no cost; 100% compliance with design specs, approved shop drawings, and applicable UFGS trade execution guidelines

The solicitation identifies price, technical acceptability, and delivery as the evaluation factors. Are these factors equally important, ranked in order of importance, or evaluated using a technically acceptable approach followed by a best-value comparison?

This requirement is beng evaluated evaluated using a technically acceptable followed by a best-value comparison where price is more important than delivery.

The notice states that shipping and handling must be independently identifiable. Should shipping be shown as an informational breakout within CLIN 0001, or does the Government require a separate pricing line?

Please show as informal breakout within CLIN 0001 for review purposes only. Upon award this will be included within CLIN 0001.

What country-of-origin, Buy American, steel-origin, or qualifying-country documentation should be submitted with the quotation or provided after award? The Buy American Act does apply.

What is the OAH of the sign?

If asking for the overall height, the dimensions were provided in the SOW along with the stipulation that the bottom most portion of the sign structure must not exceed 1.5 feet. Therefore the maximum height allowance should be between 13.5 - 16 feet depending on the contractor's proposed billboard face height.

18 What are the soil conditions? Soil report attached for reference.

19 Is the installation area flatt or on a hill of any sort?

The installation area is flat, however access to the area requires crossing a drainage ditch.

Is there an exact location figured out and approved? Please see attached map and coordinates. Site is approved as it resides on government property.

Has the city and ODOT already approved the location? The site location is on military owned property and does not require approval from either entity.

Do we need to do a baseplate with J-bolts OR can we bid as direct bury steel poles? The contractor will use anchor-bolt mounting onto an engineered concrete foundation.

Is there an expectation for steel, square tube vs round pole vs I-Beam? The contractor will use a round steel pole/circular hollow section.

Can we have / do progress billing to have down payments? - This is neccessary because of high costs for steel concrete, rebar ect...

No, under the current structure of the 1449 only one invoice can be submitted upon completion of the requirement.

25 Can change orders be issued for needing micropilling shallow footings will be change orders?

If needed, the government may issue a change order to a contract only at the discretion of the Contracting Officer. As this requirement is expected to result in a Firm-Fixed-Priced Contract, no additional funds are being resevered for pontential Change Orders at this time.

26 Is this single or double-sided? Single

27 Who is supplying the aluminum panels?

Panels are supplied and installed by the government. Contractor must ensure the panels can be secured.

28 Will there be artwork on the panels or does this need to be able to have billboard banner faces attached? The panels will be painted.

Is the brick masonry part of the bid or a later contract? masonry is not included in this contract.

30 Is there to be any electrical or lighting? no 31 Are cat walks wanted or needed? no

What is site access like and is it in a field or in existing stone or parking lot? Please see attached maps. The current site area is a maintained grass field.

By Signing, you acknowledge, understand, and will abide by all the above RFI questions and their responses for this solicitation and any eventual contract action resulting/relating to this RFI.

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