A.2.11.3_Request_for_Information_2.docx

The coordinates of the site are: 40.460028N, 49.763806E.

1. Will the non Azerbaijan key personnel will be acceptable that the offerer will submit with his proposal?

Answer: Page 18 of 197 of the solicitation requires "The Designer(s) of Record must be able to certify designs based on local construction laws, or describe how designs will be certified under local construction laws." The key players have to be able to comply with Azerbaijan laws and be able to turn over the project to the local Government at the end of Construction. The nationality of the people is not relevant.

2. Can the contractors designer discuss after award (during the providing design) with Azerbaijani local government for any specific or standard design because every government have a specific design?

Answer: This is a lump sum Design-Build contract. No additional funding will be provided for the design after award on the bid items.

3. In the scope of work did not cleared the dimension and thickness of Asphalt Walkways and Pedestrian surfaces and Asphalt Athletic Surface could you please give us information?

Answer: This is a Design-Build Contract the dimensions of the walkways and Asphalt Athletic Surface is up to the designer. As long as it complies with the host nation standards. The thickness of the asphalt should comply with the host nation standards.

4. We have contacted the Azerbaijan Ministry Of Education. We have measured the available space at the school yard and prepared the layout for the concept school layout. The following concerns arise;

a. The school standards the Azerbaijan Ministry Of Education as well as those of Ministry of Emergency Situations and SNIP school standards dictate a minimum class size of 53 sq. meters for a 30 students and 43 sq. meters for 24 students. However ,the concept class sizes proposed by USACE scope are 43 sq. meters per 30 students and 33 sq. meters per 24 students respectively. The given concept school can accommodate maximum 214 students, not 270 students.

Answer: The Azerbaijan standards call for 2 square meters per student for the entire building. This is what is provided with the layout and will accommodate the 270 students required by the project.

b. The distance between the old school and the new school presently turned out to be 2 meters. Standards dictate minimum 4 meters.

Answer: How the building is laid out to meet the square meters is up to the Designer of Record. See page 18 of 197 paragraph 4, "The Designer(s) of Record must be able to certify designs based on local construction laws, or describe how designs will be certified under local construction laws."

c. According to the standards, the minimum corridor width should be 4 meters..

Answer: It is up to the Designer of Record to layout the building per standards. However, the current building has a hallway less than 2 meters. Wheel Chair standards in the U.S. only require 1.1176 meters to pass in a hallway. So it appears that 2.5 meters is excessive. See page 18 of 197 paragraph 4, "The Designer(s) of Record must be able to certify designs based on local construction laws, or describe how designs will be certified under local construction laws."

d. Will the USACE lower the target student number or change the concept (maybe a two floor building) or find another solution ?

Answer: No. See page 18 of 197 paragraph 4, "The Designer(s) of Record must be able to certify designs based on local construction laws, or describe how designs will be certified under local construction laws."

2. For the subcontractors which will be submitted with the offer for executing the school building in Azerbaijan , should they have the related classification code or/and NAICS codes?

Answer: It would benefit them to have one, but the prime codes are the ones required for this solicitation.

5. Project General Requirements pp 1.4 : " The definition of a “major piece of equipment” shall be at the discretion of the COR. ... Provide two (2) each of any unique tools required to operate or maintain each piece of equipment."

Please identify which items are "major piece of equipment" and which tools are necessary for those.

Answer: Anything with an O&M manual shall be submitted for use by the end user. Anything that requires training for maintenance is a "Major piece of equipment". Anything that requires unique tools that cannot be easily and cheaply bought on the open market is unique.

6. 5.2.2 SITE POWER The existing transformer supplying the existing school complex is unsatisfactory to provide acceptable power to the new school. The Contractor shall calculate and coordinate the installation of a new functional air transformer including all primary lines, switching devices and connections to provide power to the buildings associated with this project (new school, boiler/custodian building and toilet facility) or coordinate with the local power utility company as stated in paragraph 5.2.1 above.

Please clarify whether a new transformer is needed or not, since we received mixed answers during site visit.

Answer: The new school needs sufficient power. The contractor cannot supply the transformer as the transformer is owned by the power utility. However, the contractor has to coordinate with the power utility to make sure that the facility has sufficient power prior to turn over to the End-User. This is what the paragraph is stating.

7. Project documents do not cover any work on the existing walls on three sides of the schoolyard ( except entrance side where 1.8 m height fence and a pedestrian gate are the only scope thereupon).

Please clarify.

Answer: See Item 0002 Fences and Gates page 5 of 197 of the solicitation.

8. Can be MS Project be used instead of Primavera software?

Answer: Yes.