Atch_006_-_Questions-Answers_R3.pdf

would be regarding the standing seam roofing being a snap lock or mechanically fastened.

Answer: Drawings provided are all we have, questions 11‐21 indicate the type roof system to match.

108. Question: On page 37 of the conformed solicitation document, Part 12, Item 12.1 indicates that the Contractor is responsible for relocating Government equipment and materials. Question 12, 54 and 94 of the Q&A document attempts to define this for the bidders as it relates to the seed project/task order currently under consideration, however, the government provided an answer that seemed a little generalized, to the question, without clearly defining the requirements of clear access for all offerors. The current task order is also silent on the relocation of furniture, the disposition of the space (Occupied or Unoccupied) along with other information critical to developing a responsive and responsible proposal.

Answer: The Statement of Work (SOW) in Section C of the solicitation is the IDIQ SOW and bears that title on Page 6. The IDIQ SOW defines the scope and provides general guidelines for task orders issued under this contract. Paragraph 12.1 of the IDIQ SOW states that relocation of government property will be specified at the task order level. Questions 12, 54, and 94 clearly address the questions being asked and clearly state that the contractor is required to move the furniture for window access.

109. Question: Per the requirements of the Section L, Instructions, Conditions and Notice to Offerors, in the section titled Instruction to Offerors, the Government is currently requiring offerors to submit in Volume IV Factor 3, the “fully loaded labor rates, G&A and profit rates shall be utilized as maximum allowable rates on subsequent task order proposals for the entire contract ordering period” and also providing that for the Seed Project bidders are to submit “proposal for the Task Order SOW (Exhibit B001) utilizing the proposed fully burdened labor rates, G&A and profit rates without discounts.”. Question 35, 57, 58 and 59 of the Q&A document attempt to define the requirement and address the issue of requiring bidders to formulate “Maximum Allowable Rates” for the duration of a potentially five year contract lifecycle. However the Government response did not address the risk presented to bidders and offer an equitable approach to the unforeseeable events which dictate labor costs over the likely duration of the contract. It also runs afoul of the purported purpose of soliciting this requirement as Low Price Technically Acceptable approach (which only works when the requirement is clearly defined).

Answer: Questions 35, 57, 58, and 59 clearly address the questions being asked. Offerors are responsible for assessing their own organizational risk. Please review the answers to these questions.

110. Question: The revised Task Order as described in Exhibit B 001 does not provide sufficient information for bidders to respond to the requirement. Numerous questions including, but not limited to, questions; 52, 56, 86, 89, 94, 106, and 107 attempt to define the requirements for the Task Order; however, the government provides an answer that leaves reasonably defining the requirements for the offerors at a level that would not ensure pricing efforts fell within a reasonable range of price based on a defined scope.

Answer: Each response clearly and specifically addressed the question asked. If information was requested, it was provided. All question regarding the revised task order have been answered as well as posted/provided to all offerors.

111. Question: The Government has not adequately addressed the issue related to compliance with Part 28 of the Solicitation which requires compliance with the Unified Facilities Criteria. Offerors attempted in numerous questions, including but not limited to, questions; 73, 74. 89, and 96 to attempt to have the government clearly define the requirements as it relates specifically to UFC 4‐ 010‐01 DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings. To date, the responses to the questions indicate that due to the age of the structure these requirements do not apply to the current Task Order. Based on experience, this statement may need to be reexamined, as detailed in the below analysis of the UFC requirements in their totality. Using specifically, question 73, which is the most direct inquiry regarding the issue, the logic as used by the Government in the past is detailed up until the point that the current solicitation fails to define the requirement.

Answer: DPW will obtain necessary waivers. Contractor is to install windows as specified.

112. Question: The original question as Presented in the Q&A document reads: Question: In accordance with UFC 4‐010‐01 the windows and framing that the windows mount to need to be brought into compliance with current standards. This includes the provision for blast rated windows to be provided as a function of the project and the associated mounting substrate being of sufficient structural integrity to support the loads transferred from the windows. There is no discussion of this in the SOW however as part of the IDIQ requirements in Part 28 Applicable Codes and Regulations this would be a requirement of the project. Please confirm this is a requirement. The following Answer was provided by the Government: Answer: This is a WWII structure with the project value less than 50% of the replacement value therefore this is not required.

Answer: The contractor is not required to install windows or modify framing to comply with UFC.

It is the designer's responsibility to assess ATFP requirements and make determination of what is applicable.

113. Question: This appears to be based off of the requirements as stated in Item 1‐8.2.1 Major Investments of the UFC. Which qualifies that window replacement projects should not be used to trigger “whole building compliance with these standards” however it does not exempt the project from the requirements as expressed later in the UFC. It only exempts the project from full compliance with all of the standards within the UFC.

Answer: DPW will obtain necessary waivers. Contractor is to install windows as specified.

114. Question: As such we believe the above response from the government to be erroneous and does not reflect the totality of the requirements expressed in the UFC. In accordance with UFC 04‐010‐ 01, this project falls under the purview of Chapter 1, Section 1.8, Item 1‐8.2.3 Window, Skylight, and Glazed Door Replacement and Installation. This item states: Because of the significance of glazing hazards in a blast environment, implementation of all provisions of the paragraphs in Appendix B, under Standard 10 and Standard 12 of these standards is mandatory for existing inhabited buildings any time a window, skylight, or glazed door is being replaced. \1\ This also applies to installation of supplemental windows behind existing windows and to installation of windows in new openings /1/, Note that the window replacement and glazing costs should not be used to cause any building to exceed 50% of the plant replacement value where only this trigger applies to the building as described in the paragraph above entitled, “Major Investments”.

Answer: Contractor is to install windows as specified.

115. Question: As such if Item 1‐8.2.3 is applicable to the project needs to address specifically, the requirements of Appendix B Standard 10 and 12, which address Windows and Skylights as well as Doors respectively. As such, the standards would apply to this project, and as such, the answer to the previous question implies that the requirements as a whole are not applicable. It is only allowing for relief from the entirety of the Standards addressed in Appendix B which would include complete compliance of the existing structure and would be significant cost for a facility such as the one we are addressing now. Therefore as the standards do appear to apply to the windows we see there are two potential paths within Standard 10 and are detailed as follows:

First potential option: full compliance with standard 10 of the UFC which requires the window system be brought into compliance inclusive of the framed opening. Second potential option:

compliance with only Standard 10 B‐3.1.7, this means that we will need to provide window constructed to minimize the fragmentation of material into the space. The selection of paths is something which only the Government acting in their contracting capacity can make a final determination on, based on the multiple variables related to the occupancy, the critical nature of the facility and the threat assessment of the building, which we simply are not aware of, or in a position to make an assumption on, at this phase in the procurement. Normally, this is something which needs to be defined prior to the solicitation being issued. This leaves the potential for bidders to either plan for compliance, which puts their bids at a competitive disadvantage to someone who lacks sufficient knowledge of the intricacies of ATFP requirements as they apply to Department of Defense Facilities, or play ignorant and submit a low bid hoping to win and file a change order for compliance later.

Answer: The Government is the designer of record. This is not a Design / Build project.

Contractor is to install windows as specified.

116. Question: Question 77 specifically details concerns related to the Period of Performance (PoP) as expressed in Exhibit B0001 “the Statement of Work for the Seed Project/Task Order.” While the offer indicates that there are potential conflicts with the PoP of 180 days which seems to be arbitrarily derived without consideration for the market conditions as it relates to material lead times for windows which at this time in some cases are in the range of 112 days after approval of shop drawings which have a lead time of 28 days in a best case scenario. This leaves only 40 days for selected offeror field verify all openings, the government to review and approve the shop drawing submittal and then to install 79 windows in an existing structure which may or may not be occupied as mentioned above.. This simply does not account for the scope of the project and the likely market conditions to be encounter in the execution of the project.

Answer: The Performance of Period of 180 has been established by the government. The contractor shall prepare their cost proposal based upon stated duration.