Administrative or Contract Questions and Answers.doc

1. Will the Regional Training Institute project require concrete to be tested (e.g. cylinders broken) at a US Army Corps of Engineers-approved laboratory, similar to what is required at the Human Performance Wing at WPAFB?

RESPONSE: The laboratory does not need to be a Corps of Engineers approved laboratory, but testing must be done as required by the specifications.

2. Page 104 of W91364-09-B-0004 says “Contractor is required to submit all shop drawings and material submittals for this contract within 10 Days of issue of the Notice to Proceed, or as directed by the Contracting Officer.” 10 days is unreasonable for many of the trades. Will there be a Letter of Intent prior to Notice to Proceed so that the contractor could release subcontractor’s for shop drawing preparation sooner than the Notice to Proceed date? Or could we expect the phrase “…or as directed by the Contracting Officer” to be utilized by the Officer in order to extend the 10 day requirement?

RESPONSE: No Letter of Intent will be issued. The Notice to Proceed will be issued upon contract award and receipt of required documents from the contract awardee. The phrase “…as directed by the Contracting Officer” is applicable to this situation.

3. Have there been any buildings on this site previously?

RESPONSE: Yes.

4. I am unclear what amount of security for the offer guarantee (bid bond) is required. FAR Clause 52.228-1 has blanks that the offerer is to fill out.

REPONSE: The Bid Bond security amount must be for 20% of the total amount of all bid(s) submitted for any project(s).

5. a. There is one bid form which allows separate bids for each of 3 buildings as well as bid for all three. My question is about the bid bond. Would one bid bond serve for any offer awarded? Or are separate bid bonds required for each possible award?

RESPONSE: Yes, one bid bond can serve if the amount covers all projects you are bidding on.

b. If one bid bond, then the line labeled BID IDENTIFICATION would have to list all three bid ID numbers, correct?

RESPONSE: Yes.

c. Further, the “Penal Sum not to exceed” on the bid bond would have to reflect the highest possible award, all three buildings, but if just one building is awarded then the “Penal Sum” would be too great .

RESPONSE: Once the contract is signed by both parties, the bid bond is not used and the performance bond is in effect.

d. Please clarify the bid bond requirement as relates to the multiple bid scenario.

RESPONSE: Please see the above answers to the various scenarios.

6. a. Did Amendment 1 issue a replacement Solicitation Contract form or is it a supplement to the original? Some item numbers match on both versions, some do not.

RESPONSE: Amendment 1 replaces the line items in the original solicitation.

Use the line items from the amendment.

b. The one issued as amendment 1 does not have an item number for CSMS separately nor USPFP separately. Further, I do not see the opportunity to bid a CSMS and USPFO combination although that combination is mentioned in the body of MULTIPLE BID COMBINATIONS. Please clarify the use of the two Solicitation Contract Forms.

RESPONSE: If you wish to bid on the CSMS and USPFO Warehouse combination, you must complete the appropriate line items on those solicitations (W91364-09-B-00002 and W91364-09-B-0003). If you wish to bid on only the CSMS, you would complete the appropriate line items on solicitation number W91364-09-B-0002. The same applies for the USPFO Warehouse, solicitation number W91364-09-B-0003.

7. Section 3.2 D in the Sustainable Design Requirements (specification 01811 for the RTI) discusses that the measurement and verification is to happen at least 1 year after occupancy. The contract will be closed out by then. We assume that this scope of work will be by the owner and not part of this contract, please confirm.

RESPONSE: The contract will not be closed out until all requirements have been met. Measurements and verifications required after occupancy remain within the scope of the contract and will be performed by the contractor.

8. Section 3.3 B (specification 01811 for the RTI) discusses air quality testing if the government’s occupancy requirements preclude a two week building flush out. There is a cost implication to this decision. Is there a way that the government can make this decision now for bidding purposes?

RESPONSE: No, the government cannot determine if the 2 week flush out period will be precluded at this time.

9. There is a sheet in the bid documents (following the No Offer Response Sheet) entitled, “NOTICE TO BIDDERS”. Are we to fill this out and return with our proposal?

RESPONSE: Yes, if you are a partnership or corporation, you must fill out the form appropriately.

10. If we have completed the ORCA electronically, is 52.204-8 the only clause that we have to return with our offer? If we do turn in 52.204-8 with our offer, what do we do (if anything) with 252.204.7007 Alternate A which is also included in our bid documents?

RESPONSE: FAR Clause 52.204-8 applies to contractors who are not CCR registered or whose registration is over 12 months old. DFAR clause 252.204-7007 is applicable if your CCR registration was done within 12 months and the information remains current.

11. F.A.R. 52.236-7 Permits and Responsibilities indicate that the contractor is responsible for obtaining any permits. Is there a State of Ohio building permit required for these projects? If yes, are we responsible to obtain and pay for that permit?

RESPONSE: This is a federal construction project on a federal installation.

State permits are not required.

12. A large number of subcontractors and suppliers have just begun looking at this project. They undoubtedly will have questions through next week. Are we really not allowed to ask any more questions after the 14th?

RESPONSE: The question cut off date will not be extended. That information was clearly posted in the solicitation. The drawings and specifications have been posted and available for review since 17 Apr 09. The government has no control over when subcontractors and suppliers decide to review the drawings and specifications. Questions could have been submitted as soon as the drawings and specifications were posted online.

13. Who is responsible to provide builders risk insurance for these projects?

RESPONSE: The contractor.