B.08.03 19R4000 Amendment 2 E-Mail Bidder Inquiries and Responses 1-6-2020.pdf

FJNC Gravesite Expansion Phase 2 E-Mail Questions and Responses

1. Information pertaining to the subgrade and pavement thicknesses from Phase 1 was previously requested. In response, the geotechnical report and a redacted version of the Phase 1 plans was provided. Neither addresses the subgrade and pavement thicknesses utilized in Phase 1. I think this information is likely found on sheets C-500 – C-507 from the Phase 1 plans. Can this information please be provided?

Response: Sheet C127 is included in the reduced set of Phase 1 plans that were provided by solicitation amendment. Sheet C127 includes multiple subgrade and asphalt paving sections, including reference to required curb details. Sheet C505 will be added by solicitation amendment. The D-B A-E remains responsible for determining subgrade and asphalt paving requirements for the new perimeter road and service roads required to support the Phase 2 expansion.

2. Re: Question 15 / ID 8304453: The topography shown on Appendix B sheet C-0 plainly differs from the topography shown in Appendix F. Please confirm that offerors are to base earthwork quantities based on the topography shown on Appendix B sheet C-0.

Response: The Appendix B drawings are not intended to be construction drawings and are provided to depict Phase 2 cemetery expansion requirements. The drawings provide a representation of the final Phase 2 site layout. The topography that is shown on Sheet C-0 is based on existing data that was not field verified during development of the Phase 2 expansion requirements. Final grading and sloping depicted in Appendix B (Sheets C-2 through C-2.3) should be considered in the D-B A-E design. Appendix F resulted from a contracted survey to establish the Phase 2 boundary and may not be inclusive of all topography required to support the Phase 2 expansion. Offerors are advised that the D-B A-E is required to develop a design package that meets the intent of the solicitation requirements and supports construction execution. This may require that an additional topographic survey(s) be completed to confirm or supplement the completed boundary survey.

3. Re: Question 41 / ID 8313207: The DGN file to be provided to the awarded contractor; is this the survey data depicted on Appendix B sheet C-0 or Appendix F? If the survey data provided by the Government is not accurate, the entire site will need to be resurveyed. Is that grounds for a change? Will the DGN file to be provided to the awarded contractor match the topo data that offerors have been instructed to utilize for earthwork quantities (question 15 / ID 8304453)?

Response: The .dgn files for the Phase 1 record drawings and the boundary survey will be provided to the awarded contractor. Offerors are responsible to determine if additional survey data is required and develop their proposals accordingly. The Government is not directing Offerors to determine earthwork quantities from the solicitation package. Offerors are advised that the D-B A-E is responsible for developing a Phase 2 design package that meets the solicitation requirements, to be submitted for Government review and approval to support Phase 2 construction, from which earthwork quantities would be calculated.

4. Multiple previous answers reference updated “Tab” forms from the solicitation document to be utilized in the proposal. These updated forms were not found in Amendment 1. Can the government please supply these forms?

Response: Revised Tabs will be provided by solicitation amendment.

5. Re: Question 44 / ID 8313219: Is the DB-contractor required to submit a 60% design submittal?

Response: Offerors are advised that they should include a 60% - 65% in-progress review of the design package by electronic submittal for Government review and comment, to be supported by a conference call. The purpose of the in-progress review is to provide Government assurance that the intent if the Phase 2 expansion addressed during the design charrette is being met prior to submittal of the 95% design package.

6. Re: Question 50 / ID 8317082: In summary of this question and answer, is additional landscaping not shown in the Appendix B drawings now required? Will any additional landscaping in these buffer areas be consistent with the proposed species and sizes as listed in the Plant Schedules? What about irrigation in these areas, is that also now required?

Response: The Section L sheets of Appendix B depict the landscaping requirements for the Phase 2 expansion. The Section I sheets of Appendix B depict the irrigation requirements for the Phase 2 expansion. Offerors are advised that the D-B A-E is responsible for developing the full design package to meet these requirements, including the planned buffer areas between the cemetery sections, to be reviewed and approved by the Government during design development.

Offerors’ proposals should be developed accordingly.

7. With Amendment 1, specification section 01 45 35 (Special Inspections) was added. This specification references the International Building Code. Paragraph 1704.2 of the International Building Code states:

In summary, it is the responsibility of the owner or owner’s authorized agent and specifically NOT the contractor to employ Special Inspectors. Please confirm that in accordance with the International Building Code, the government is not requiring the contractor to supply Special Inspectors.

Response: It is the intent of the Government that the Contractor will provide 3rd party inspectors for Special Inspections in accordance with Spec Section 01 45 35, para. 1.3.5. An updated version of Spec Section 01 45 35 is included in the current solicitation amendment, to replace the previous version of the Spec Section released by the 1st solicitation amendment. The Government will not provide these Special Inspectors. Offerors are advised that, at a minimum, the Government expects independent 3rd party testing for soil compaction and concrete and that the D-B A-E, as the Designer of Record (DOR), will identify any additional Special Inspections as part of their technical specifications development.

8. On Tab J item 3, is that limited to the Prime Contractor? Is the Design A/E and/or other team members required to complete this section as well?

Response: Offerors should complete Tab J based on the D-B solicitation requirements, to support response to Factor 1, Specialized Corporate Experience. Amendment 1 bidder inquiry responses addressed providing Design A-E experience under Factor 1. Tab J, Item 3 should be completed to include both D-B A-E and Construction Contractor information.

9. Based on the timing of Amendment 1 and the outstanding issues that remain, offeror does not have enough time to assemble a competitive offer. This offer not only involves price, but also a complex technical proposal involving multiple team members. This technical proposal utilizes numerous forms that per previous answers are being updated, but offeror to date has not received these updated forms. Offeror recommends that the government consider an extension.

Response: The next solicitation amendment will address a proposal submittal extension, if deemed necessary.

10. Specification Section 03 48 21 Pre Cast Concrete Burial Crypts included in Amendment 1 makes reference to the use of “fine fill (sand or pea gravel)” into the gaps between crypts leaving no void and the use of “rod or water” to ensure no bridging occurs. Upon comparing this specification with the same specification found in the NCA Master Construction set, sand is not allowed and use of water to prevent bridging is not referenced. Please clarify which specification is correct and should be used in the design.

Response: Pea gravel should be used in the gap between PPCs (reference Section A-A on Sheet C-3.1 in Appendix B). If pea gravel is not readily available, then the Spec allows for cut aggregate of equal gradation as a substitute, with rodding compaction. Offerors should ensure that the D-B A-E edits the NCA Master Construction specs to the FJNC Phase 2 expansion requirements.

11. Specification Section 03 48 21 Pre Cast Concrete Burial Crypts Section 3.7 Backfilling and Material Storage Subsection B. states “Install approved backfill”. Upon review of the Specification Table of Contents and the Design and Construction Criteria in the RFP, no reference is made to an applicable “Earth Moving” specification section to define the parameters of material meeting the “approved fill” criteria. Since the NCA Master Construction Specification sections 31 20 11 Earth Moving (Short Form) and 31 20 00 Earthmoving vary on the soil classifications and plasticity indexes for material to be used as approved fill, please clarify which section should be incorporated into the design.

Response: Technical specifications were not included in the solicitation RFP. The D-B A-E is responsible to develop the full design package for the Phase 2 Expansion project, including required Div 01 USACE Construction Management specifications (represented in the solicitation RFP) and applicable Div 02 and later NCA Master Construction technical specifications that are edited to meet project-specific requirements. An updated version of Spec Section 03 48 21 is included with the current solicitation amendment, to replace the previous version released with solicitation amendment #1. The updated Spec is consistent with the NCA Master Spec. For this project, the Government recommends that Spec Section 31 20 00, Earth Moving, be used. The Phase 1 Geotech report has been provided by solicitation amendment to support soil classification and approved fill requirements. Offerors are advised to consider temporary protective fencing around the PPC fields in their proposals and, to preclude damage to the PPCS, to not use the PPC fields for stockpiling material or transport routes for construction equipment and materials.

12. Upon review of the Geo Technical Report included with Amendment 1, it appears as though only 1 to 2 inches of topsoil may be present in the existing project area. The Specification Table of Contents and the List of Design and Construction Criteria from the RFP reference no specification sections that include amendment or imported topsoil requirements. Will the project design criteria be required to satisfy the requirements of Division 32 Exterior Improvements Section 32 90 00 Planting from the NCA Master Construction Specifications?

Response: Technical specifications were not included in the solicitation RFP. The D-B A-E is responsible to develop the full design package for the Phase 2 Expansion project, including required Div 01 USACE Construction Management specifications (represented in the solicitation RFP) and applicable Div 02 and later NCA Master Construction technical specifications that are edited to meet project-specific requirements. The Phase 1 Geotech report indicates that topsoil may be present in the existing project area. The solicitation documents also identify that imported topsoil may be required to meet solicitation requirements (reference detail 1 on sheet L- 2). The D-B A-E will be required to identify and review NCA Master Construction specifications to include in the design package for this project. Offerors are advised to allow for stockpiling existing topsoil and providing imported topsoil in their proposals to meet solicitation requirements.

13. Another question has come up, in regards to the existing cul-de-sacs. Seems like conflicts between through traffic and those doing u-turns would be a safety issue. Should the cul-de-sacs be removed, or islands added to help direct traffic?

Response: The intent of the solicitation requirement is to retain the cul-de-sacs for limited parking availability while maintaining access to the Phase 2 perimeter road. Offerers should include this requirement in their proposals. The D-B A-E should consider use of the cul-de-sacs in their design development, with appropriate curbing/islands and signage to minimize traffic conflicts while maintaining access to the Phase 2 perimeter road at both locations.

14. Electrical loads and landing information.

Response: Available electrical drawings applicable for Phase 2 design development, including panelboard schedules, have been provided in the Appendix C (Phase 2 Reference) drawing set released with solicitation amendment #1. The D-B A-E will be required to confirm power requirements and sources for the new committal shelter and new irrigation well.

15. ID 8321266: Spec section 01 33 16 paragraph 1.20 states that we must use the Unified Facilities Guide Specifications in SpecsIntact format. The VA typically requires we use their standards specs from the TIL for cemetery projects. Please confirm which will be required for this project.

Response: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District is acting as the design and construction agent for the NCA for the FJNC Phase 2 Gravesite Expansion project. Div 01 construction management specs represented in the solicitation RFP have been provided for use by the D-B A-E during design development to address USACE D-B management and administration requirements for the project. The D-B A-E shall use the VA Master Construction Specs for all other Div 01 specs and all Div 02 and later technical specs that are included in their design package, some of which are represented in the solicitation RFP. Spec Section 01 33 16, para. 1.20 will be amended accordingly.

16. ID 8321290: Most of the VA cemetery projects we have worked on lately require GIS mapping of the new work at a minimum. Will GIS equipment or integration be required for this project?

Response: Offerors should address GIS mapping of the new work in their proposals. The D-B A-E will be responsible for ensuring that GIS mapping is tracked as a project completion deliverable.

17. Reference response to question #31 ID 8311198: Is the offer guarantee/bid bond required to be physically mailed in – or can it be emailed with our proposal?

Response: The bid bond can be e-mailed with the proposal as Tab E of the Price Proposal, consistent with para. 2.5.1 of the solicitation Instructions to Offerors.