RFI Answers B2474.pdf

Reference No. SOLICITATION W911SG26BA006 – B2474 Kitchenettes

RFI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

W911SG26BA006

B2474 Kitchenettes

1. Will the government issue minutes or a Q&A summary from the July 2 pre-bid conference and site visit to all offerors? If a second site walk is possible for offerors who did not attend, we would welcome it.

RESPONSE: All questions were to be written and submitted as an RFI. Answers are on this sheet and posted on SAM.gov

2. The scope includes abatement if needed. How should offerors price that line: as a fixed price based on the survey documents provided, as a unit-price allowance, or by another method? What quantity assumptions should offerors use?

RESPONSE: Yes, please price it as fixed price based on the surveys and site visit. The quantity is on the CLIN as 1 Job.

3. Are there minimum qualification or certification requirements for the full-time superintendent (for example OSHA 30 or USACE Construction Quality Management)?

COR RESPONSE: In accordance with the FAR 52.236-6, the Contractor is responsible for assigning and authorizing a competent superintendent to act for the Contractor and who is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer.

4. What are the allowed working hours in the occupied building, and does the government require floor-by-floor phasing or another occupancy coordination sequence?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 2.4.1 and 1.4.11.1.1.

5. What is the notice and approval process for water and power shutdowns in the occupied building?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 2.3.1. A minimum advance notice of fourteen (14) calendar days shall be provided by the Contractor through the

COR.

6. For the hand-delivered bid on July 24: what gate should offerors use, what visitor access processing time should we plan for to reach Room 220 by 11:00 AM, and is a base visitor pass arranged in advance or at the gate that morning?

RESPONSE: All installation passes need to be obtained at the visitor center (at the Buffalo soldier gate) prior to the bid opening. Please arrive early as processing times vary. All bids need to be delivered by 11 am MST on the day of the bid.

7. Is contractor staging and laydown space available at or near Building 2474?

COR RESPONSE: Yes. COR to determine laydown area in coordination with the User.

8. For the Tab D bonding capability letter: is a letter from the surety agency on behalf of the surety acceptable, or must it come from the surety company directly?

RESPONSE: Yes, the bonds must come from the surety company directly. They will be original copies with the seal.

9. Does the Government anticipate that performance of the base contract scope will require disturbance of any asbestos-containing or lead-containing materials identified in the environmental surveys? If yes, please identify the material, location, and anticipated quantity.

RESPONSE: Surveys have been uploaded to SAM.gov.

10. If hazardous materials outside the identified contract scope, or previously unidentified asbestos-containing or lead-containing materials, must be disturbed to complete the work, will the Contractor receive written direction from the Contracting Officer and an executed contract modification addressing the additional scope, contract price, and contract time before proceeding with the affected additional work?

RESPONSE: Yes, an RFI would have to be submitted for further review and approval.

11. Please identify any locations within the project work area where the Government currently anticipates licensed asbestos or lead abatement will be required as part of the base contract.

RESPONSE: Please refer to the surveys that have been uploaded to SAM.gov

12. Will DPW Environmental Division perform or coordinate required asbestos and/or lead testing of previously untested materials?

COR RESPONSE: No, DPW Environmental Division will not perform nor coordinate hazardous material testing. Review the existing surveys for all asbestos and lead-containing materials to verify if they will be impacted by this project and Bid accordingly. If the project scope includes disturbing asbestos or lead-containing materials, work must be conducted by a Licensed Abatement Company. Any suspected hazardous materials found during construction shall be tested by the Contractor. Contractor shall notify the COR of the findings via email. Any required abatement shall be performed by the Contractor.

Failure to manage present hazardous materials may expose workers, building occupants, and their families to toxic substances, which include carcinogens.

13. Is the Contractor expected to procure or pay for environmental testing before receiving written Government direction?

COR RESPONSE: Review the existing surveys for all asbestos and lead-containing materials to verify if they will be impacted by this project and Bid accordingly. If the project scope includes disturbing asbestos or lead-containing materials, work must be conducted by a Licensed Abatement Company. Any suspected hazardous materials found during construction shall be tested by the Contractor. Any required abatement shall be performed by the Contractor.

14. If previously unidentified hazardous materials affect the work, will Government-directed testing, abatement, additional labor, materials, delays, and schedule impacts be incorporated into the contract through an executed contract modification before the affected additional work proceeds?

RESPONSE: The solicitation includes CLIN 0002 for abatement work. If contractor feels that it is needed, based on surveys and site visit, they may add an amount to the second CLIN. All CLINs will be added as the final bid price.

15. Should work in the affected area be suspended until the Government evaluates the condition and provides written direction?

COR RESPONSE: Any suspected hazardous materials found during construction shall be tested by the Contractor. Contractor shall notify the COR of the findings via email. Any required abatement shall be performed by the Contractor. Failure to manage present hazardous materials may expose workers, building occupants, and their families to toxic substances, which include carcinogens.

16. Does the Government consider the existing electrical infrastructure serving Building 2474 to have sufficient capacity for the contract work without upgrades to existing utility service, transformers, switchgear, distribution equipment, or other infrastructure not specifically identified in the contract documents?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor is responsible for field verifying the existing conditions including existing panel capacity, new panel capacity considering new electrical equipment, and existing transformers and switchgears and Bid accordingly.

17. If available, will the Government provide electrical one-line diagrams, panel schedules, load studies, service calculations, or other existing electrical distribution documentation to assist bidders in verifying capacity?

COR RESPONSE: As-Built drawings are included as part of this solicitation. Contractor is responsible for field verifying the existing conditions including existing panel schedules and existing transformers and Bid accordingly.

18. Will the individual work areas be vacated before construction activities begin in those areas?

COR RESPONSE: For this project, Work Areas are not currently occupied but used by the occupants. Phasing shall be included as part of this project. Refer to Statement of Work Section 1.4.11.1.1.

19. Will the Contractor have unrestricted access to the designated work areas during normal working hours?

COR RESPONSE: Once Contract is Awarded, Contractor shall provide a list of all employees and subcontractors to COR/KS. Although the Work Area is under the control of the Contractor, Contractor will be required to sign in and out each day with the Barracks Manager. Certain areas are restricted and will require an escort. This can be coordinated in advance through the COR with the Barracks Manager. This Barracks will be occupied during construction.

20. Will the Government provide a point of contact for required occupant coordination?

COR RESPONSE: Yes, once Contract is Awarded.

21. What restrictions apply to noise-producing activities?

COR RESPONSE: This will have to be coordinated with the User after Award.

22. What dates, hours, notification periods, or approval procedures apply to utility outages?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor determines what type of utility shutdowns would be anticipated for this project. Refer to Statement of Work Section 2.3.1. A minimum advance notice of fourteen (14) calendar days shall be provided by the Contractor through COR.

23. Is any work expected to be performed outside normal working hours?

COR RESPONSE: Off-hour and weekend shutdowns shall be requested and considered on a case-by-case basis.

24. Are there mission-related operational constraints that will affect access, sequencing, or production?

COR RESPONSE: Although the Work Area is under the control of the Contractor, Contractor will be required to sign in and out each day with the Barracks Manager. Certain areas are restricted and will require an escort. This can be coordinated in advance through the COR with the Barracks Manager. This Barracks will be occupied during construction.

25. Does “simultaneously” require active construction on the first-, second-, and third-floor kitchenette areas at the same time?

RESPONSE: The contractor may work the floors as they wish as long as the overall project is completed by the stated period of performance in the SOW.

26. May the Contractor phase work by floor or area if the overall project is completed within the required period of performance?

RESPONSE: Yes, as long as the project is completed within the stated period of performance.

27. Is the intent that major trades and work activities be coordinated concurrently to maintain the project schedule?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor to determine means and methods of construction required for this project and schedule trades according. All work must be completed within the Period of Performance.

28. Are there minimum staffing, sequencing, or production requirements associated with the simultaneous-work requirement?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor to determine means and methods of construction required for this project and schedule trades according. All work must be completed within the Period of Performance.

29. Will the Government provide available manufacturer, color, sheen, profile, model, or finish information for existing paint, cabinet stain, cabinet hardware, countertops, ceiling tile, and resilient wall base?

COR RESPONSE: Finish and material Submittals shall be submitted to the COR for review.

COR to determine paint color and finish as part of review. Submittal for all finishes and materials shall be submitted for review and shall include color fan decks and physical samples to determine final colors.

30. If this information is unavailable, may the Contractor provide commercially available products that closely match the existing appearance and satisfy the contract requirements, subject to the submittal and approval process?

COR RESPONSE: Finish and material Submittals shall be submitted to the COR for review.

COR to determine paint color and finish as part of review. Submittal for all finishes and materials shall be submitted for review and shall include color fan decks and physical samples to determine final colors.

31. Will the Government provide the available invert elevations, pipe sizes, and locations of the existing sanitary sewer lines serving the affected work areas?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor is responsible for field verifying the existing conditions, studying As-Builts and Bid accordingly.

32. Will the Government provide available information regarding existing domestic water pressure?

COR RESPONSE: Water pressure tests can be requested via email and coordinated through the COR.

33. Does the Government consider the existing plumbing system capable of supporting the fixtures shown without upgrades beyond those specifically identified?

COR RESPONSE: The Contractor shall inform the COR via an RFI (Request for Information) of any unforeseen conditions found during construction. If there is a cost associated with the unforeseen condition/issue, no work shall be performed until the Contracting Officer has approved a Modification to the Contract and said Modification has been funded for any additional work not in the Contract Scope.

34. Are there known plumbing deficiencies, leaks, restrictions, or other conditions that may affect the work?

COR RESPONSE: The Government is not aware of any plumbing deficiencies, leaks, restrictions, or other conditions that may affect the Work. The Contractor shall inform the COR via an RFI (Request for Information) of any unforeseen conditions found during construction. If there is a cost associated with the unforeseen condition/issue, no work shall be performed until the Contracting Officer has approved a Modification to the Contract and said Modification has been funded for any additional work not in the Contract Scope.

35. What shutdown procedures, notification periods, approvals, or operational limitations apply to connections to existing plumbing systems?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor determines what type of utility shutdowns would be anticipated for this project. Refer to Statement of Work Section 2.3.1. A minimum advance notice of fourteen (14) calendar days shall be provided by the Contractor through COR.

Work Area shall be isolated to allow for construction.

36. May one qualified individual serve in more than one key-personnel role when all applicable qualification, availability, and performance requirements are satisfied?

RESPONSE: No, it all depends on the role they serve.

37. May the Superintendent also serve as QCM?

RESPONSE: No, Superintendent cannot be the QCM.

38. May the Superintendent also serve as SSHO?

RESPONSE: No, the superintendent must be a different person from SSHO

39. May the QCM also serve as SSHO?

RESPONSE: The SSHO and QCM can be the same person.

40. May the Project Manager serve in another key-personnel role if fully qualified?

RESPONSE: Yes but cannot serve as the superintendent.

41. Other than the Superintendent requirement stated in the solicitation, must the SSHO or QCM be W-2 employees of the Prime Contractor, or may qualified 1099 personnel serve in those roles?

RESPONSE: Yes, the superintendent is the only one that cannot be subcontracted.

42. Are there certifications, licenses, or training requirements for the Project Manager, Superintendent, SSHO, or QCM beyond those expressly identified in the solicitation and

SOW?

RESPONSE: No, please refer back to the SOW for the requirements.

43. If Fort Bliss-specific training is required, must it be completed before bid submission, after award but before NTP, or before commencement of on-site work?

COR RESPONSE: All specified training shall be completed prior after Award and before NTP. Contractor shall submit all certificates to COR for record purposes.

44. Does the Government provide required Fort Bliss-specific training? If yes, please identify any cost, typical scheduling timeframe, and class-availability limitations bidders should consider.

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 2.9.6. iWATCH Trng for DA Civ- Contractors 23Aug22 was included as an attachment as part of this solicitation.

45. Has the Government performed recent utility investigations, field verification, utility locating, or existing-condition verification within the project work areas?

COR RESPONSE: No.

46. If available, will the Government provide utility-location drawings or other existing-condition documentation?

COR RESPONSE: As-Built drawings have been provided as part of this solicitation.

Contractor shall request utility location drawings shall be requested via RFI (Request for Information) to the COR.

47. If concealed utilities or existing conditions differ materially from the contract documents or provided as-built drawings, will the Contractor be directed to proceed in accordance with the applicable Differing Site Conditions and Changes clauses?

COR RESPONSE: The Contractor shall inform the COR via an RFI (Request for Information) of any unforeseen conditions found during construction. If there is a cost associated with the unforeseen condition/issue, no work shall be performed until the Contracting Officer has approved a Modification to the Contract and said Modification has been funded for any additional work not in the Contract Scope.

48. Are new range hoods required only for the first-floor kitchenette, or are new range hoods required at all three kitchenette locations?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 1.4.16.6.

49. What are the required exhaust-duct routing, duct diameter, termination location, and exterior wall-vent requirements for each new range hood?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor to determine means and methods of construction required for this project based on specified equipment and existing conditions. As-Builts are included as part of this solicitation and shall be reviewed to determine existing construction systems.

50. Is the specified or scheduled range-hood equipment designed to provide the required airflow through the indicated duct length and configuration?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 1.4.16.1. Specified hood range is 600

CFM.

51. Is the Contractor responsible for exterior wall penetrations, weatherproof terminations, louvers, dampers, and associated patching and sealing?

COR RESPONSE: The Contractor shall provide all work, labor, materials, related fees, and related services for construction requested herein until completion and acceptance of the entire work, except for any completed unit of work which may have been accepted under the Contract, by the Government in a professional and collaborative environment to sustain mission requirements. Construction services and finished products shall be delivered on schedule, safely, and compliant with regulatory codes and standards.

52. Does the contract require new electric drinking fountains, new bottle fillers, or combined electric drinking fountain/bottle-filler units?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 1.4.16.5 and Drawings.

53. What are the required quantity and locations of these units? Are new units required on the first floor only, on the first and third floors, or on all three floors?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 1.4.16.5 and Drawings.

54. Is the existing first-floor electric drinking fountain outside the Dayroom required to be removed and replaced with a new combined electric drinking fountain/bottle-filler unit?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work Section 1.4.16.5 and Drawings.

55. What are the intended or preferred locations for all required slab penetrations or core drilling associated with the new plumbing and drain connections?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor to field verify the existing conditions and determine the best location for slab penetrations and associated route to neared drain lines for connection.

Contractor shall request additional access to the building by contacting the COR.

56. Will any required slab penetration or core drilling disturb existing floor tile, floor-tile mastic, or other asbestos-containing material identified in the asbestos survey?

COR RESPONSE: Review the existing surveys for all asbestos and lead-containing materials to verify if they will be impacted by this project and Bid accordingly. If the project scope includes disturbing asbestos or lead-containing materials, work must be conducted by a Licensed Abatement Company. Any suspected hazardous materials found during construction shall be tested by the Contractor. Contractor shall notify the COR of the findings via email. Any required abatement shall be performed by the Contractor. Failure to manage present hazardous materials may expose workers, building occupants, and their families to toxic substances, which include carcinogens.

57. If a required slab penetration or core-drill location would disturb asbestos-containing floor tile, floor-tile mastic, or other identified ACM, will the Government provide an alternate penetration location outside the ACM area, or is asbestos abatement required as part of the base contract scope?

COR RESPONSE: Review the existing surveys for all asbestos and lead-containing materials to verify if they will be impacted by this project and Bid accordingly. If the project scope includes disturbing asbestos or lead-containing materials, work must be conducted by a Licensed Abatement Company. Any suspected hazardous materials found during construction shall be tested by the Contractor. Contractor shall notify the COR of the findings via email. Any required abatement shall be performed by the Contractor. Failure to manage present hazardous materials may expose workers, building occupants, and their families to toxic substances, which include carcinogens.

58. If concealed piping encountered during construction is deteriorated, damaged, or unsuitable for the specified connection, shall the Contractor stop the affected work, notify the Contracting Officer, and await written direction before performing work outside the defined contract scope?

COR RESPONSE: The Contractor shall inform the COR via an RFI (Request for Information) of any unforeseen conditions found during construction. If there is a cost associated with the unforeseen condition/issue, no work shall be performed until the Contracting Officer has approved a Modification to the Contract and said Modification has been funded for any additional work not in the Contract Scope.

59. If an unforeseen condition or Government-directed change requires work outside the existing contract scope, shall the Contractor suspend only the affected work, continue unaffected contract work when practicable, and receive written direction from the Contracting Officer and an executed contract modification addressing the additional scope, contract price, and contract time before proceeding with the affected additional work?

RESPONSE: The COR should be notified immediately and an RFI would have to be submitted for further review and approval.

60. Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum?

RESPONSE: Sign in sheet was uploaded to SAM.gov on July 2nd.

61. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO?

RESPONSE: Superintendent and SSHO must be two different people.

62. If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project?

RESPONSE: Yes, SSHO must be full time.

63. Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC?

RESPONSE: No, Superintendent cannot be the QA/ QC.

64. If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project?

RESPONSE: Yes, QA/QC will be full-time.

65. Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC?

RESPONSE: No, the superintendent must be a different person from SSHO and QA/QC.

The SSHO and QA/QC can be the same person.

66. Please confirm what taxes should be included in our proposal?

RESPONSE: Yes, proposal should include tax.

67. Confirm if work area should be contained during renovation activities unrelated to abatement. Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as Zipwalls or STARC panels) acceptable to meet these requirements?

COR RESPONSE: Refer to Statement of Work 1.4.5.

68. Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends?

COR RESPONSE: Contractor to determine what type of utility shutdowns would be anticipated for this project. Off hour and weekend shutdowns shall be requested and considered on a case by case basis.

69. Will work areas/rooms be cleared of all stored items prior to the contractor entering those areas?

COR RESPONSE: Yes, the COR will coordinate with the User to move and store furniture and/or equipment located within the Work Area.

70. Confirm existing ceiling type throughout the building. Is an as-built reflected ceiling plan available for review?

COR RESPONSE: The existing ceiling on the first level in the Work Area is acoustical ceiling tiles including a suspension grid system (2’ x 4’) tiles. The second and third level ceiling in the Work Area are hard ceilings, gypsum board ceilings.

71. To allow sufficient time to review responses and prepare our bid we kindly request that you please extend the bid date one week.

RESPONSE: Bid due date will not be extended and will remain as is.