Questions and Answers 2.docx

W912J2-22-R-0001 Wisconsin National Guard MATOC for Construction Questions and Answers #2 (Q&A #2) 11 May 2022

1. Gantt Chart Size: In the Solicitation on page 16, Section 2. PROPOSAL FORMAT, paragraph 2.4.4, “charts may be landscaped but must be on 8.5 x 11-inch paper”. Will the Government allow the Gantt Chart to be on 11x17?

If necessary, the Gantt Chart version of the Project Schedule can be formatted for a 11”x17” print. I understand the 8.5” x 11” may be very hard to fit. Our intention is to read the schedule electronically be the ability to print on paper is a requirement.

1. Email vs Hard Copies: Exhibit D lists that “Email submissions of offers WILL be accepted.” However, the Solicitation on page 16, Section 2 Proposal Content, subsection 2.1 states, “Prospective offerors shall submit the proposal in two separate binders:

· Submit Volume 1, Price proposal, pro forma documents, in one (1) original, three (3) hard copies, and one (1) electronic copy on a CD in accordance with the instructions contained herein.

· Submit Volume 2 in one (1) original, three (3) hard copies, and one (1) electronic copy on a CD in accordance with the instructions contained herein.”

Are originals and hard copies with cds required, or just an electronic submittal via email? If just an electronic submittal is required, how should we provide the required sealed Confirmation of Financial Resources information?

For evaluation purposes, my intention is to handle all of the submitted documents electronically. However, I need a hard copy delivered with a copy on CD. I can provide, on an individual basis, an online drop off location for electronic files. The sealed confirmation and financial resource information needs to be post marked by the solicitation due date.

3. Reps & Certs & FAR Provisions: Per page 18 of the Solicitation, section 3.1. VOLUME 1, PRICE/COST INFORMATION AND PRO FORMA DOCUMENTS, paragraph 3.1.3, it is understood that we are to “Return the entire Section 00600 with your proposal”. However, Exhibit D (revised 5/2/22) pages 2 & 3 also contain FAR Provisions FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020) & 252.204-7016 Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation (Dec 2019) with fill-in boxes. Are we supposed to complete the boxes and include these 2 pages in addition to our completed Section 00600? Or should we disregard them because the information has already been provided in our completed Section 00600?

I would like Exhibit D pages 2&3 completed in addition to the completed Section 00600 of the SF1442 solicitation. It is redundant, however, this will be a requirement on the follow on task order offerings once contracts are issued and projects become available.

4. Confirmation of Financial Resources: In the Solicitation, on page 16, Section 2.

PROPOSAL FORMAT, paragraph 2.1.2, “Documentation of adequate financial resources: Provide letters of reference from financial institutions(s) concerning credit worthiness and from bonding companies indicating capability to bond to, at a minimum, the price proposed.” Then, in the Solicitation, on page 18, Section 3.1 VOLUME 1, PRICE COST INFORMATION AND PRO FORMA DOCUMENTS, paragraph 3.1.5.2, we are to provide “One copy in a sealed envelope of documentation of adequate financial resources.”

Please clarify whether sealed envelopes containing Financial Resources information are required to be submitted with Volume 1 and with Volume 2, or just with Volume 1.

Sealed envelopes containing Financial Resources information are required to be submitted with Volume 1. I need hard copies post dated by the due date. However, an electronic copy should also be submitted by the due date and time if the hard copy will not arrive in time.

6. Pricing Adjustments: Will the government consider allowing final price adjustments by email on bid day?

Yes. However, the price adjustments must be emailed via a revised Exhibit D by the date and time of solicitation closing.

7. Confirmation of Delivery Address: Just to confirm, per page 17 of the solicitation, paragraph 2.3, our hand-delivered proposal package should be labeled with the address of: USPFO for Wisconsin, Attn: Zach Tevis, 1 Williams Street, Camp Douglas, WI 54618-5002. Then, per page 8 of the solicitation, Section 1.8. HAND CARRIED PROPOSALS/INVITATIONS, paragraph 1.8.1., we will be dropping off our proposals to “A bid repository is provided for hand carried proposals and is located at the Main Gate guard shack, Volk Field ANGB, Camp Douglas, WI 54618-5002.” Please confirm that this labeling and drop-off information is correct, and do we need to register/get clearance to drop off our proposal at the bid repository?

You will not need clearance to drop off your proposal to the front gate of Volk Field, however, please notify me of your intentions prior to dropping off. All drop off documents should be labeled with the address stated above so there is no confusion where the documents should be delivered.

8. CLINS: Please confirm that all three CLINS located on Pages 4 & 5 of the solicitation are to remain blank but should still be included along with our completed SF1442.

CLINs on the SF 1442 should remain blank and the only pricing and CLIN information evaluated will be provided on your signed Exhibit D.

9. Acknowledgment of Amendments: Do the updated documents that were posted on May 2, 2022, need to be acknowledged in any way since an official SF30 form was not issued?

Please confirm that the items posted do not count as Amendment 0001.

The items posted on sam.gov do not count as Amendment 0001. I do intend to issue Amendment 0001 to capture all additions prior to closing. Please keep checking sam.gov in the event Amendment 0001 is posted prior to closing. I will not issue an Amendment any later than 24 hours prior to solicitation closing.

10. The PEMB manufacturers state there is approximately a one year lead time on metal buildings currently. Per the task order notice the seed project is supposed to be complete and ready for use by January 2023. With the lead time on the PEMB, that date is not possible. What is the government’s position on this?

Per FAR 52.249-14 Excusable Delays - If the failure to perform is caused by the failure of a subcontractor at any tier to perform or make progress, and if the cause of the failure was beyond the control of both the Contractor and subcontractor, and without the fault or negligence of either, the Contractor shall not be deemed to be in default. The government is unable to address all possible lead time concerns during pre-award and will address these issues with the successful offeror during post award administration. Lastly, Per Section 00120, “The schedule narrative should demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of a schedule as well as an understanding that an appropriate schedule will result in successful completion of projects.” The understanding of limitations include current market conditions, which should be reflected in ALL offerors proposals if unable to find solutions to any limitations.

11. The structural drawings show one less bollard at two of the doors compared to the civil drawings. Which one is correct?

Refer to the Structural sheets for bollard final locations. The A/E will be made aware of this discrepancy.

12. Sheet A-701 finish schedule states to paint ceiling to match existing. The existing ceiling did not appear to be painted. Please clarify that painting required is only the steel columns and beams, and not purlins on the ceiling.

Within the FINISH LEGEND – BASIS OF DESIGN EEQUIVALENT on Sheet A701, PA-1 in Rm 100 COLD STORAGE refers to the steel structure only (columns, beams, purlins, etc.). This is to ensure the new structural members match the existing structural members.

13. Please confirm electronic bid submission is acceptable. Withing the RFP documents and during the pre-bid presentation, states three different delivery methods: Page 1 of Exhibit D states offers can send their proposal in via email, within the solicitation document on page 17 of 98 item 2.3 states our proposal are to be submitted via hand delivery, and during the Prebid meeting the option of either hand, email or fax are acceptable methods of bid submission.

Fax submissions will not be accepted. Hand delivery and mail delivery are both an option for the required hard copies. I apologize for the confusion. The most important thing to remember is I need a submission by the closing date and time. So, the safest method is to email/electronic drop off your proposal by the closing date and time while ensuring the hard copies are post dated by the closing date and time.

14. Please specify who the Obligee is to be on the bid bond , along with their full legal address according to page 12 of the Solicitation W912J2-22-R-0001 Wisconsin MATOC 22-27 document section 52.228-1 BID GUARANTEE (SEP 1996).

Obligee: Wisconsin National Guard, Attn: Zach Tevis, 1 Williams Street, Camp Douglas, WI 54618-5002

15. Please confirm how contractors will be evaluated based on the required 120 minutes response notice time listed in Solicitation documents, section 001000, part 4.d.1 for emergency conditions.

In the event of an emergency where ethe 120 minute response time is put into effect, a task order offering similar to Exhibit D will still be issued to the email address(es) you provide at time of award. The task order offering form will state the evaluation specifics. However, in emergency, it is normal to only evaluate price and a brief project plan.

16. Will the project example given in EXHIBIT D MATOC Task Order OFFERING FORM Seed Project B426 revised 2May2022 document PROJECT TITLE: F-35: Construct A/SE Cold Storage (B426) become an actual project issued for award under this IDIQ MATOC.

Project B426 is an actual project and a task order to the winning offeror will be awarded at the same time as the IDIQ contract to the awardee.

17. Is there base access for construction M-F (5 days) per week?

Yes

18. Please provide a start date (i.e. NTP Date) to accomplish the stipulated 1-29-2023 completion date For the purposes of the project schedule, please use a notice to proceed date of 1 August 2022. Also, please understand this date may be pushed out to as long as 15 September 2022.

19. When does the government anticipate issuing an NTP for the Seed project. The Solicitation stipulates proposals must be valid for 120 days and the Task order stipulates work must be complete by January 29, 2023. There is an approximate lead time of 12 weeks for the procurement of the PEMB with a 4-6 week design time. If NTP is given 120 after proposals are submitted there will not be enough time to procure the PEMB prior to Jan 29, 2023.

For the purposes of the project schedule, please use a notice to proceed date of 1 August 2022. Also, please understand this date may be pushed out to as long as 15 September 2022. Lead times will be discussed at the pre-construction meeting and an appropriate completion date will be agreed upon.

20. Is the delivery location changing from Volk Field to Truax Field? If so, what are the instructions for 3rd party delivery companies, like “UPS”. The original solicitation documents provided specific instructions about delivery for Volk field- how to deliver without having base access issues even stated where the depository box for bids was located.

No, delivery must be made electronically and to Volk Field as specified.

21. The new Exhibit D issued May 2 2022 indicates in the section on page 1 under “Performance Period” the seed project completion date must be ready for use no later than 01/29/2023. For purpose of developing a construction schedule as a required deliverable to be deemed responsive bidder, what date shall bidders use for the NTP (notice to proceed)?

For the purposes of the project schedule, please use a notice to proceed date of 1 August 2022. Also, please understand this date may be pushed out to as long as 15 September 2022.

22. Can the size of the font be larger than 10? In instructions to bidders indicates font size must be 10, which is awfully small.

Yes.

23. Is the new Exhibit D issued on May 2 2022 considered an amendment that must be listed on the second page of the SF 1442?

No.

24. Is the published set #1 of the Questions & Answers considered an amendment that must be listed on the second page of the SF1442?

No.

25. Due to the overburden of work for many of the Government’s Contracting Officers, will the Government waive the following requirement and allow our project Contract Officers to submit previously completed PPQs in the proposal?

No.

26. Sec 00110, Paragraph 3.1.4 requires the return of the entire Section 00600 with the proposal. All other required representations and certifications are to be completed on line in the System for Award Management (SAM), Caution-https://sam.gov.

Paragraph 3.1.4 states to insert the required certifications and representations and return only those shown in section 00600 AND return the entire Section 00600.

Please provide clarification if only relevant representations and certifications should be included in the proposal OR if the entire Section 00600 should be submitted.

Please submit the entire completed section 00600.

27. Sec 00110, 2.4.4 states that “charts may be landscaped but must be on 8.5 x 11 inch paper”. Will the Government allow the Gantt Chart to be on 11x17?

Yes.

28. Please confirm that the Financial Resources information is required in both Volume 1 and Volume 2.

I only need the Financial Resources information provided once in Volume 1.

29. Please confirm only a Surety Letter from the Bonding Agent is required with submission of the proposal.

That is not the requirement. For the seed project, the bidder shall furnish a bid guarantee in the form of a firm commitment, e.g., bid bond supported by good and sufficient surety or sureties acceptable to the Government, postal money order, certified check, cashier’s check, irrevocable letter of credit, or, under Treasury Department regulations, certain bonds or notes of the United States…

30. Please confirm a Bid Bond is not required with submission of the proposal.

I cannot confirm that. A bid guarantee is required and a bid bond is the most common form of that guarantee.

31. MATOC Pre-Proposal Conference Slides #12, 14 and 17 provide different instructions for the preparation and format of Technical Capability and Past Performance.

Please confirm that Offerors should proceed with the guidance contained in RFP Section 00110 Para 2.0 for the preparation and format of Technical Capability and Past Performance.

I apologize for the confusion. Offerors should proceed with the guidance contained in RFP Section 00110 Para 2.0 for the preparation and format of Technical Capability and Past Performance.

32. RFP Instructions for the Volume 1 Price Proposal states that “All offerors shall price the prototypical project for evaluation purposes. Failure to provide a priced Exhibit D will be considered non-compliant with the solicitation requirements and grounds for elimination from consideration/evaluation.”

However, the 28 April 2022 MATOC Pre-Proposal Conference Slide #17 states that the Volume 3 Technical Proposal shall include a completed Exhibit D, which shall be limited to 20 single pages.”

Please confirm that the completed Exhibit D forms (price and amendment confirmation) shall be included ONLY in the Price Proposal.

The completed Exhibit D shall be included ONLY in the Price Proposal.

33. RFP Exhibit A Part 2 Section 2B states that “Each major subcontractor and/or Teaming Partner must complete an Exhibit B, “Subcontractor Information and Consent Form” to be considered.”

RFP Section 3.3.9.1 states that “Each proposed subcontractor/Teaming Partner must complete an Exhibit B, “Subcontractor/Team/Key Personnel Information and Consent Form”, to be considered” Please confirm that Exhibit B is required ONLY for “major subcontractors/teaming partners” AND that a major subcontractor/teaming partner is defined as 20% or more of the total value of the work.

Exhibit B should be completed by subcontractors/teams/key personnel (not part of your company) who will perform not only on the seed project, but prospective MATOC work that your company will not self-perform. It is common for general contractors to submit an Exhibit B to cover every major discipline of construction. It is a good way to show existing relationships with the subcontractors you have worked with and will be working with on our projects.

34. The Task Order indicates funding is not currently available but states "Currently, the Government anticipates funds will become available prior to but no later than midnight 30 September 2022."

The period of performance is stated:

"PERFORMANCE PERIOD (FAR 52.211-10): The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 120 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 29 January, 2023. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises."

If the Task Order is not issued until 30 September 2022 will the completion date be amended to accommodate the work to commence within the 120 days after Notice to Proceed?

Yes.

35. Can the government provide a Seed Project Task Order Start Date?

Please anticipate a NTP date of 1 August 2022.

36. Volume 2 Past Performance guidance includes RFP Section 3.3.8 that states that Offeror may provide “past performance experience information for subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement.” RFP Section 3.3.9.1 states that “each proposed subcontractor and/or Teaming Partner must also complete an Exhibit B, “Subcontractor Information and Consent Form” to be considered.”

RFP Exhibit A Part 2 Section 2B requires Offeror to “Name subcontractors and/or Teaming Partners to be utilized on this contract”. Section 2B goes on to say “Each major subcontractor and/or Teaming Partner must also complete an Exhibit B, “Subcontractor Information and Consent Form” to be considered.”

Is it the Government’s intention that information to be provided by Offeror pertinent to RFP Exhibit A Part 2 Section 2B only applies to “major subcontractors” or is the intention for the Offeror to also provide information on “small subcontractors providing design support or minor construction support”?

Exhibit Bs allow you to show companies you have worked with in the past and plan to work with in the future on our projects. You may submit Exhibit Bs for small subcontractors if you feel that helps show your companies past performance and project capabilities.

37. On Drawing GC004 under the heading Traffic Control item 1 it states, "PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION, CONTRACTOR SHALL CORDON OFF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK AREA AND ASSOCIATED ROADWAYS BY USING BARRICADES APPROVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER."

Question, does the haul road coming from the main gate to the construction site, as shown on drawing GC 001, need to be barricaded?

The Government does not anticipate any temporary traffic control devices to extend outside the project area.

38. Top Running Crane and Rail Beam are not shown in the design documents but are specified in Truax B426 IFB Specs, Section 1.4.3.2, page 308/588.

Please confirm that the Top Running Crane and Rail Beam are not required as part of the scope and will be installed by others.

The Top Running Crane and Rail Beam are not required as part of the scope. This Specification Paragraph is likely copied over from another project.

39. My fire suppression subcontractor was questioning about the sprinkler report.

Do you have a copy of that, that we can obtain?

See Supplemental Information Document:

219000.02 Fire Suppression System - Pressure Test

219000.04 Fire Suppression System - Record Drawings

40. Per the solicitation we are to hold pricing for 120 days. With the volatility in the market, material pricing is changing monthly. Suppliers have stated they cannot hold pricing for more than 30-45 days. Obviously, the general contractor will have to make assumptions on price escalations that suppliers do not give and assume the risk. What is the government’s position on holding pricing for that long in this current market?

The Contracting Officer is aware of the situation and risk a 120 day pricing guarantee places on the general contractor. However, there are several factors that can delay the award of a contract. The 120 day pricing guarantee reduces the probability of having to resolicit the requirement. After award of the MATOC, task order offerings can require significantly shorter pricing guarantees.

41. Is Exhibit B – Subcontractor Information and Consent Form required to be submitted for all of our key subcontractors or only if we are submitting their past experience to meet the requirements of Subfactor 1?

Submit Exhibit Bs for all of your key subcontractors.

42. 1If hard copy bids are required, does the government want only two binders containing 1 original and 3 copies of each of the 3 volumes (Binder 1 contains 4 copies total and Binder 2 contains a total of 8 copies – 4 of Vol 2 and 4 of Vol 3) or 1 original and 3 copies of Volume 1 each in its own binder and 1 original and 3 copies of Vol2/Vol3 each in its own binder for a total of 8 binders?

Two binders with all copies are sufficient.

43. The Power Point presentation (slide 17) states Vol 3 is the Technical Proposal and it has a page limit of 20 single sided pages. However, the RFP states (pg. 16/98) the Technical proposal is supposed to be Vol 2, Part I and does not mention a Vol 3. The RFP also states that the Past Performance is required to be submitted in Vol 2, Part II. Please confirm the correct number of volumes and which volumes are to contain what information.

Please disregard slide 17. The RFP is correct.

44. The RFP states that a electronic copy of Volume 1 and 2 are to be provided with the proposal in the form of a CD, however the Power Point presentation does not mention this at all. Please confirm that a CD is needed.

A CD/DVD is required.

45. Insulation shown on the section drawings has no information, (thickness or facing type). I also didn’t see anything in the specifications. Do you have any info on this? Is it insulated or not? I seen that the existing ceiling was insulated but not the walls.

Neither the existing PEMB walls nor standing seam roof are insulated.

Rm 102 FIRE RISER ROOM is insulated.

46. The two doors on either sidewall, closest to the existing building will not fit in that bay. The minimum requirements are not met. Please advise as how to bid this. Smaller door widths?

Refer to the DOOR SCHEDULE on Sheet A-601.

47. This building calls for an expansion joint where the buildings connect. My steel building supplier has not seen this design before. Can this building be quoted by connecting the new and old together with a hard connection?

Bid as shown in the plans and specification.

48. In Section 13 34 19 page 27 3.13.2 it says CONTRACTOR’S WARRANTY for INSTALLATION – Submit warranty for installation to the Contracting Officer prior to final commissioning and acceptance. My question is what are the requirements of the Installation Warranty?

The Government understands the requirement to cover any defects determined after installation that are a result of construction practices. (i.e. loose/missing hardware, rusting members, leaks, etc.)

49. Please confirm if the superintendent, Quality Control Manager and Site Safety Health Officer need to be three separate positions of if the Superintendent can serve as either the QC manager or the Site Safety Health Officer?

Refer to Solicitation W912J2-22-R-0001 Wisconsin MATOC 22-27 Section 00800 - Special Contract Requirements, Paragraph 8.2 Key Personnel Descriptions: "An individual Key Team Member may not hold more than one key role."

50. Please confirm there are no mechanical or HVAC equipment required. There are no Mechanical Drawings provided.

No new mechanical or HVAC equipment is included in the scope of this project.

51. Please confirm the project completion date is January 29, 2023? With the current market conditions, the Pre-Engineered Metal Building has a 7 to 9 month lead time and with the 120 day government review period would have this project being done later than the January 29, 2023 date.

Per FAR 52.249-14 Excusable Delays - If the failure to perform is caused by the failure of a subcontractor at any tier to perform or make progress, and if the cause of the failure was beyond the control of both the Contractor and subcontractor, and without the fault or negligence of either, the Contractor shall not be deemed to be in default. The government is unable to address all possible lead time concerns during pre-award and will address these issues with the successful offeror during post award administration. Lastly, Per Section 00120, “The schedule narrative should demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of a schedule as well as an understanding that an appropriate schedule will result in successful completion of projects.” The understanding of limitations include current market conditions, which should be reflected in ALL offerors proposals if unable to find solutions to any limitations.

52. Please confirm which Exhibits are to be used for what subfactors. For example, Exhibit A is listed in Vol 2 Part 1 Subfactor 1 and Volume 2, Part 2.

Exhibit A will be considered in both Vol 2 Part 1 Subfactor 1 and Volume 2, Part 2.

53. Is Section 3.3.9 only required if the Offeror lacks relevant present/past performance experience? a. 3.3.9. Provide three (3) references, for each Predecessor Company, Subcontractor or Key Personnel. Clearly identify the contractor/individual for whom the reference information concerns.

The offeror “may” submit 3.3.9 references. It is not required. Yes, you should only consider 3.3.9 if you lack relevant present/past performance experience as the offering entity.