Attachment 5 - Questions and Answers - 26 AUG 2021.pdf

Aggregate of Various Sizes, Railroad Ballast, and Hot-Mix Asphalt Solicitation W912GY-21-Q-0012

Questions & Answers 26 August 2021

Question 1: Is this a new IDIQ requirement or recurring? If recurring, please provide solicitation and contract numbers of previous.

Answer 1: There is no incumbent contract or contractor. This requirement was previously awarded in 2016 under contract W912GY-16-D-0001.

Question 2: Are you looking for a price per ton on the aggregate and then you will request the tonnages on a need for basis?

Answer 2: Please provide unit prices per net ton on the Quote Sheet (Solicitation Attachment 1) for all CLINs 0001 - 4008. Performance will be authorized on an as-needed basis through the issuance of delivery orders at the prices set for each ordering period. The CLINs are Firm Fixed Price to include all third party testing in the unit prices as applicable.

Question 3: Per the Statement of Work’s Attachment 4 - SC HMA Division 400 and Attachment 5 – SC HMA Division 300, the specifications for all rock and gravel are South Carolina standards. Since this requirement is in California, we request that the standards be modified to either federal highway specifications or Caltrans specifications.

Answer 3: Hot Mix Asphalt specifications are revised in the Statement of Work section 2.4 (see revised section in red). Caltrans specifications added (see Attachment 4 – Caltrans – SOW Hot Mix Asphalt). SOW’s Attachment 4 – South Carolina HMA Division 400 and Attachment 5 – South Carolina HMA Division 300 specification for Hot Mix Asphalt are removed.

Question 4: We understand this solicitation to be a fixed 5-year award. However, both the costs of creating the material and delivery are tied closely to the cost of fuel. Projecting fuel costs over 5 years is not something our vendors have expressed an interest in doing. We recommend some escalation clause, perhaps tied to a measure of fuel costs in this area. Also, with the current economic conditions, there is a concern of diesel fuel and petroleum/propane price fluctuation and even more price spikes. We know to increase prices for each ordering year but what happens if within the year there is an unmanageable increase? Will there be an amendment to increase the price, or is there a clause that can be added, or something else?

Answer 4: The CLINs are Firm Fixed Price. Include all costs such as fuel costs and third party testing in the unit prices as applicable

Question 5: The solicitation includes FAR 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting which we understand would mean that as a Small Business ourselves, we would need to use vendors who are also Small Businesses. We believe the only vendor located close enough to perform some or all aspects of this solicitation is not a Small Business which would prevent a competitive quote. We request that this limitation be removed, perhaps using the justification that no Small Businesses are able to comply.

Answer 5: Requirement is 100% set-aside for Small Business. Government anticipates competition for this requirement.

End of Questions & Answers