QA Shades Update 2.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 13 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Installation of four Exterior Shading Systems
- Solicitation number
- W911QY-26-R-SHAD
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers document providing clarifications on the solicitation W911QY-26-R-SHAD for the installation of four exterior shading systems at Natick Soldiers Systems Center in Massachusetts. Key technical requirements clarified include: posts, foundations, structural supports, and hardware must be designed as permanent structures per IBC/ASCE 7 standards, while fabric shade sails are designed for seasonal removal prior to winter conditions and do not require engineering for snow loads or year-round exposure. The government will provide removable/tensioning hardware and installation instructions for seasonal fabric removal and reinstallation by government personnel. Engineer drawings are not required in the bid proposal but must be submitted during contract performance; contractors may include a line item cost for stamped drawings. The contract is firm fixed-price with no cost adjustments permitted post-award, and the government will not extend the 180-day performance period beyond that timeframe. Site designs must include multiple pieces with gaps allowed, maintain minimum 10-foot clearance, be located at least 15 feet from buildings, and use open-weave fabric in standard basic colors.
The solicitation is a 100% small business set-aside issued as a Request for Proposals with a deadline of August 24, 2026 at 1600 EST. Both the Buy America Act and Berry Amendment apply completely to this requirement with applicable DFARS clauses incorporated. Contractors must hold a Massachusetts general contractors license, submit separate price proposals on the provided "Sail Shade Bid Form" and technical proposals, and contact the utility survey company to identify potential underground utilities. The F.O.B. destination is 15 General Green Ave, Natick, MA 01760, ATTN: Joshua Bulotsky, with inspection and acceptance conducted by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Developmental Command – Soldier Center. Sites do not require ADA accessibility, and contractors should not assume a specific start date, instead planning for 180-day completion assuming uninterrupted ground conditions without snow interference during fabric installation.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sail Shade Bid Form.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| QA Shades Update 1.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| QandA Shaders.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Install Shaders Combined Synopsis Solicitation.pdf | ||
| Sail Shade SOW Attachments 07 22 2026.pdf | ||
| SOW Sail Shades 08 03 2026.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1
| Questions | Answers |
| Should the posts, foundations, structural supports, and hardware be designed as permanent structures in accordance with IBC/ASCE 7, while the fabric shade sails are designed to be removed seasonally? | Posts, foundations, structural supports, and hardware be designed as permanent structures in accordance with IBC/ASCE 7. -Fabric shade sails are designed to be removed seasonally. |
| If the fabric is intended to be removed during the winter season, may the design assume that the fabric will be removed prior to snow/ice conditions, or must the installed fabric system also be engineered for applicable snow loads/year-round exposure? | The fabric is intended to be removed prior to the winter season, it is not required to be engineered to accept snow loads/year round. |
| Is the Government expecting the contractor to provide the necessary removable/tensioning hardware and instructions so Government personnel can remove and reinstall the fabric seasonally? | The Government is expecting the contractor to provide the necessary removable/tensioning hardware and instructions so Government personnel can remove and reinstall the fabric seasonally. |
| Are engineer drawings required as part of the bid proposal? | No, engineer drawings are not requried to be submitted as part of the proposal. They are required to be submitted during the performance of the contract. |
| Should the contractor put a line item cost for engineering services based on what stamped drawings would cost? | The contractor may include a line item cost for stamped drawings in their proposal. |
| Is the government willing to amend the solicitation timeline to allow contractors to get drawings from an engineering firm? | The government will amend the due date of the solicitation on an as needed basis. |
| Will the government allow the contractor a few weeks to review subcontractor drawings and check for cost changes after award? | No, this contract will be firm fixed price. A firm-fixed-price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s experience in performing the contract. |
| Can the government publish a list of interested vendors/vendors who attended the site visit? | No, the government cannot provide this information. |
| Is the shading system designed to be broken down seasonally, or to stay on permanently? | Designed to be broken down seasonally |
| Does the Buy America Act and the Berry Amendment apply to this requirement? | Yes, both the Buy America Act and the Berry Amendment will apply completely to this requirement. The required DFARS clauses have been incorporated into the solicitation. |
| Is the fabric open weave? | The government requests the fabric be open-weave, rain protection is not a priority. |
| Does the shading structure need to be in one piece, or multiple pieces? Are gaps allowed? | Multiple pieces, must satisfy scope of work requirements for shading, etc |
| What is the lowest height clearance needed? | 10 feet |
| Does the government have site drawings/plans of the proposed construction sites? | Contractor will need to contact utility survey company in order to identify utility that may be encountered during construction |
| Is another states general contracting license valid for this requirement? (Ex: Is a Texas GC license valid in MA) | No, a Massachussetts general contractors license is required |
| How far away from the buildings will these shading systems be? What is the required standoff from the buildings? | Shading systems will be at minimum, 15 feet from the building |
| Do the sites need to be ADA accessible? | No, site does not need to be ADA accessible |
| When does the site need to be open? (Ex: Ready by the start of spring) | Refer to period of performance. If winter weather conditions can be expected, do not set up the shades, the government will take care of that once warmer weather is expected. |
| Do we need to submit separate price and technical proposals? | Yes, the government requests that a price proposal be submitted on the provided bid form "Sail Shade Bid Form". A separate technical proposal is requested. |
| Can the governements budget be provided? | No |
| Can the contract POP be extended to 210 days? | Bidders should not assume a start date. The proposed contractor schedule should be based on completing the project within 180 days, assuming that the ground conditions will allow for construction to proceed without interruption and that snow would not hinder fabric install. |
| Can bidders assume that any fabric colors would be standard basic colors? | Yes, fabric colors would be selected from standard basic colors. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .