BLM, BC-660, Bldg #50, Denver Federal Center, P.O. Box 25047, Denver, CO 80225-0047

56 -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION, FENCING MATERIALS DUE 011698 POC John Sherman, Contracting Officer, 303 236-9441 WEB: RFI- Fencing Materials -Including "Draft" Specifications, http://www.blm.gov/natacq/fence.html. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contracting officer via-e-mail, ilmncb01.jsherman@nc1155wp.sc.blm.gov. The purpose of this Request for Information (FRI) is to conduct market research to determine that both the specifications the Bureau is requiring and the contracting method proposed meets commercial practices. In order to answer these questions, we are asking that fencing contractors respond to the following questions: 1. Are the attached specifications what you would consider to be "commercially" available? Are the shipping quantities in the same quantities as you supply to your commercial customers? 2. What are the commercial standards for packaging. Examples might: Barbed-wire 80-rod (1,320 ft.) Rolls or reels; Stays in bundles of 100; and Clips 50 per package, etc.. 3. Would you be interested in being awarded a long-term contract (one year base periods and four 1 year options total of(5) years)? Does a long-term arrangement like this require use of an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause based on an agreeable steel index? 4. What would minimum order quantities be as well as shipping cost practices, if we made this or these contracts available for the entire BLM, including other federal land management agencies. Could you meet a one week delivery requirement? 5. Do you accept purchase cards? Would you allow ordering directly from BLM field personnel? By fax, phone, mail, or e-mail? 6. Would you be willing to bid out fencing supplies with and w/o freight costs. This would be for the purposes of comparing our freight costs to your freight costs and going with the one the is of the best value to the BLM. 7. Are solid green tips on the steel fence posts commercially available and are adequate quantities stocked to cover potential orders? Is there a premium on price associated with the green tips verses the gray and white tips? 8. What is the industry standard(s) on the lbs per ft on the steel posts? Is it 1.25, 1.33 or some other lbs per ft.? 9. We are contemplating soliciting this requirement under the commercial item practices, in addition to using the simplified acquisition process Pilot program as a request for quote. The following are our "draft" spcifications: WIRE FENCE MATERIALS PART 1: GENERAL 1.1 SUMMARY A.Section Includes: Supplying wire fence materials. 1.2 REFERENCES A. American Society of Testing and Materials ASTM A 53-96 Pipe, Steel, Black, and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless ASTM A 121 REV A-92 Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Barbed Wire ASTM A 702-89 Steel Fence Posts and Assemblies, Hot Wrought PART 2: PRODUCTS 2.1 MATERIALS A. Barbed Wire: Two twisted wires of 12 gauge-galvanized wire with 2-point barbs of 14-gauge wire spaced 4 inches apart. Wire and barbs shall be zinc-coated steel, with a zinc coating of at least 0.3 oz per sq. Ft. of surface area. The minimum breaking strength of each wire hall be 950 lb-force. Barbed wire shall conform to ASTM A 121. Supply in 80-rod 1,320 foot) rolls or reels. B. Barbless Wire: Two twisted wires of Class 1,12 -gauge galvanized wire. Wire shall be zinc-coated steel, with a zinc coating of at least 0.3 oz. Per sq. Ft. of surface area. The minimum breaking strength of each wire shall be 950 lb-force. Barbless wire shall conform to ASTM A 121. Supply in 80-rod (1,320 foot) rolls or reels. C. Wire Fence Stays: Shall be one of the following: 1. Twisted wire stays manufactured from smooth galvanized 9 -- gauge (minimum) wire. 2. Two-piece twisted wire stays manufactured from smooth galvanized 9 gauge (minimum) wire. 3. The government requires stays in 32" and 36" lengths. Stays shall be in accordance with ASTM A 702. Supply in bundles of 100. D. Steel Fence Posts: Steel posts shall be painted solid green "T" bar type, with welded or riveted anchor plate, attached so the top of the plate is not more than 18 inches from the bottom of the post. Posts shall have rounded knobs spaced 2.0" (+ or _ 0.20") apart along the length of the post. Punched tabs will not be accepted. Posts shall be manufactured from wrought, rail, or new billet steel and shall weigh a minimum of 1.25 pounds per foot exclusive of the anchor plate, which shall weigh a minimum of 0.67 pounds, and shall be a minimum of 18 square inches in area. Steel posts shall be in accordance with ASTM A 702. The Government requires steel posts in the following lengths: 5 feet, 6 feet, 6 feet E. Miscellaneous Wire: Wire for ties, gate loops and fastening wood stays shall be 9 or 12-1/2-ga galvanized wire. F. Steel Pipe Posts: ASTM A 53. Seven feet long, galvanized, 2 inch diameter (2.375 inch O.D.), Schedule 40 or 2 inch SS-40 (2.375 inch O.D.). G. Steel Pipe Braces: ASTM A 53. Seven foot long, galvanized 1-1/4 inch diameter SS-40 (1.660 inch O.D.). H. Brace Bands: Domestic heavy duty galvanized steel sized to fit [1.660] [2.375] inch O.D. pipe. I. Rail Cups: Domestic heavy duty galvanized steel sized to fit 2.375 inch O.D. pipe J. Carriage Bolts: Galvanized 5/16 inch x 1 1/4 inch packed 100 per box supplied with the nuts. K. Fence Clips: Shall be clip-type with a zinc coating of at least 0.3 oz per square foot and designed to fit the steel posts. Clips shall be in accordance with ASTM A 702. 50 per package. Based upon an examination of the RFI responses, it is anticipated that BLM will complete it's statement of work and issue a request for quotations. However, the Government does not intend to make contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise reimburse for information provided. (0342)

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