• May we access the Sign-In Sheet from the February 6, 2015 Pre-Bid Meeting?
  Yes, the Sign-In Sheet is available to read and download.
• Where in the RFP does it state the construction completion date?
  Refer to page 9 of the RFP, "All homes must have CO issued on or before September 30, 2015."
• Are separate water meters required for irrigation?
  Consideration will be given for the addition of a separate irrigation meter. Please provide an alternate quote for the additional irrigation meter.
• Which landscaping codes should we use?
  Although there is a new/revised proposed landscaping code going to the board for approval and should be in effect before the landscaping phase of the project, the bid should include the price for the current code in effect and an alternate price for the future proposed code.
• What are the tile specifications?
  The minimum tile size for all flooring is 18"x18". The bathroom wall tiles should be a minimum of 8"x10" and floor shower tiles a minimum 2"x2" (neutral colors to be selected by the County).
• Is the HFA responsible for all permit and impact fees?
  It is the intent of the HFA to be responsible for permit and impact fees. If there are any fees related to impact or permitting, that for some reason are not paid, it will be paid to Developer/General Contractor through a change order.
• Should we include the cost of water meter installation in the budget? If so, please provide water meter size.
  Yes, the cost of the water meter/installation must be included in the bid.
• Should the developer install a separate water meter for irrigation?
  Please refer to question #3.
• Will the HFA remove the existing guard rails prior to awarding the contract, or will it be the developer’s responsibility to remove?
  The guard rails will be removed by the County.
• Will the HFA remove the existing focus and palm trees prior to awarding contract, or will it be the developer’s responsibility to remove?
  It is the responsibility of the Developer/General Contractor to remove, relocate and/or replace trees on the lots. Any palms located in the area were the perimeter wall will be located, we are in communications with County’s Highway & Bridge Maintenance Division and will post the answer as soon as possible.
• Does the HFA elevation certificates for the lots establish the amount of fill required?
  Your bid should include a minimum of 36” of fill. The HFA will attempt to provide surveys, elevations and soil boring tests before the bid closing.
• Has the HFA established house setbacks for the oversized lots to determine length of the concrete driveway?
  The setbacks have not changed; they are 25' on the front, 5' on the sides and 15' in the rear. HFA is working with the architect for placement. All information can be found at Municode.com, at Florida, Broward County, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 39 (Central County Community Overlay District and for more information please call (954) 765-4400 Ext 5, "zoning"
• Is the developer responsible for removing the existing sidewalks?
  Yes.
• Will there be more specifications made available for size, flooring, plumbing and electrical fixtures?
  All specifications, details, and information provided, both in the RFP and the preliminary plans, are sufficient to provide an accurate bid. The HFA also posted a complete set of plans for model III.
• Should the developer include “Other Engineering” costs, for special inspectors for masonry and steel, in their budget?
  The Developer should include costs that are anticipated as “normal” building costs.
• When will the HFA complete the soil testing? When will the results be available?
  HFA will attempt to have the results available before the deadline; however, HFA advises developers to include a minimum of 36” of fill.
• When will the architectural plans be available for review with the electrical specifications?
  The HFA posted a complete set of plans for model III.
• Is the developer responsible for carrying Professional Liability insurance since the HFA is managing all of the transactions with architect?
  Professional Liability insurance with minimum limits of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence shall be provided for any design, architectural, construction project management, engineering, surveying work. This can be found on page 20 of the RFP.
• Were the lots previously built on septic tanks? If so, have the septic tanks been abandoned?
  HFA is not aware of any lots built on septic tanks.
• Where are the services (electrical, water line, sewer services) originating from on the property? Are they located in the front or back of the property?
  There are variables to be considered for oversize lots, such as sod, irrigation, driveway length, water line, sewer & electrical service. Please refer to the handouts given at the pre-bid meeting regarding utilities. The City of Fort Lauderdale has indicated that it will mark the water/sewer by Monday. Please refer to the complete set of plans for model III.
• Dose the HFA require the General Contractor to contract a certified architect as part of the proposed staff?
  The County provided a complete set of approved plans for model III. If the Developer/General Contractor wishes to contract an architect for their own use, they may, however, the architect on record and the architectural firm in charge of implementing any changes, corrections etc. will be the firm who prepared and holds the designs. All communication is to be made through the County.
• What are the clarifications as to whether the lots have access to sewer and water?
  Please refer to question #20.
• Will the HFA post a link to an addendum to these questions?
  All questions and answers will be posted on this page, please check often for updates.
• Please provide a full set of plans for each model. Or at least as a minimum to get an approximate idea of the design, a clean version of the model hand-outs with legible measurements.
  A set of plans was available at pre-bid meeting and the set is also available online and at the Housing Finance & Community Development (HFCDD) offices.
• Please provide wall insulation details such as R4.2 foil or Rigid board R5.
  Please refer to the plans online.
• Please provide structural plans with information such as:  bond or tie beam, foundation or monolithic slab, needed steel columns, and truss layout.
  Please refer to the plans online.
• Please provide the specification of the mechanical equipment SEER 16, 7.5 KW heaters.
  Please refer to the plans online.
• How many shrubs do we assume per lot for initial pricing, 250 or 300?
  Please refer to question #4.
  
• Can we install one fence between the properties instead of installing two, one on each side of the property?
  The side yard fences will be as follows all posts will be placed on the property line.  There will be two fence sections on each post.
• Should the carpet be FHA approved?
  *HUD has a Minimum Property Standards handbook which refers to the UM 72-80/ UM 44C-78. The carpet should be at a ‘minimum” of what the handbook requires, however, we expect samples of higher quality carpeting, which should exceed these minimum requirements.
• The sewer laterals are hard to identify on the hand-out and not all the properties are on it.  Can we assume that all lots have an existing sewer lateral?  In addition, can we assume that all of the lots have a water service lateral?
  No, we cannot assume that all lots have existing laterals. The City of Fort Lauderdale has begun to mark the areas. The City has communicated that lots 12 to 17 do not have sewer laterals.
  Please DO NOT include the price of the water and sewer laterals in the base bid, instead, please provide a per-house water and sewer connection fee, including meter set, as an alternate cost for each model (one price per model/house). This will provide the cost for each home/model. When the information id fully available, we will add the cost submitted and apply it to each home/model.
• Page 14, section 6 of the RFP asks for audited financials and/or audited tax returns.  Audited financials or tax returns are typically only done by non-profits or large companies. Can we submit an "Independent Accountant's Review Report" for financials?
  Independent Accountant's Review Report is acceptable.
• Please provide the preliminary list of items that will be required for submission to the HFA for the Credit Underwriter.
  Please make a note that the HFA credit underwriting information/documents were sent via email to ALL attendees of the Friday, February 6, 2015, 10 00 a.m. mandatory pre-bid meeting. If you have not received this email with the information, please contact the HFA.
• On Page 18, section 9, 20 points are potentially given for wall design methodology, time frame and price.  At the pre-bid meeting, the County stated that the design will be provided by the county.  So, will the points be awarded for schedule and pricing alone?
  The County will provide the design for the wall. The Developer/General Contractor will need to provide options for sign (a minimum of two) and lighting (both external and internal lighting), including solar and hard wire lighting.
• On Page 20, the insurance requirements include "Professional Liability" which is typically for errors and omissions of design.  Since the design is being provided by the HFA, is this insurance still required?
  Please refer to question #18.
• Regarding the FAQ's posted here, #10 states that it is the Developer/Contractor's responsibility to remove or relocate the trees on the properties.  However, at this time without site plans, surveys, or tree licenses it is impossible to price correctly.  Since that information will not be available until after the RFP has been submitted, it should be addressed as a change order with the winning contractor. Please defer the cost of removal/relocation of the trees once all the relevant information has been acquired
  Costs to remove all trees (on the lots and wall location area) are the responsibility of the Developer/General Contractor. The survey tests have already begun. The site has markings and set back information can assist in determining the estimated number of trees.
  In addition, the Surveys and Soil Boring results should be available Friday, February 27, 2015. If they are available, they will be sent via email to all attendees of the Friday, February 6, 2015, 10 00 a.m. mandatory pre-bid meeting.
• After reviewing the preliminary list of items that will be required to be submitted to the HFA for the Credit Underwriter that was posted online, it seems that those questions are geared toward a different type of project/ownership.  Will there be any other questions asked?
  The Credit Underwriter may ask additional questions during the course of the Credit Underwriting review.
  
• There are no FPL facilities on the perimeter of most of the central lots.  Can you provide a maximum distance for trenching to FPL facilities?
  The HFA has reached out to FPL. It can’t be established at this time. It will be dealt with at a later date.
• Who is responsible for paying the FPL fee of $600 per house underground conversion as well as the meter connection and ongoing electric bill, until the closing, or 90 days after the Certificate of Occupancy?
  The Developer/General Contractor is responsible for all those fees.
• The center lots do not have electrical infrastructure.  In addition, some of the FPL infrastructure needs to be relocated because it passes through the center of some lots where the houses are expected to be built.  In the interest of time, please contact FPL so they can begin to address those issues.
  The HFA has already reached out to FPL.
• The County will be paying for the master permits. All sub or related permits (electrical, television, telephone, temporary for testing, plumbing, site plumbing, sprinkler, fence, mechanical, ventilation, roofing, engineering R/W, etc) will be paid by the Contractor or its subs at about $133/sub permit x 12 = $1,596.00.  Please confirm that the contractor or its subs will need to pay for their own non-master permits.
  Correct. The Developer/General Contractor is responsible for all sub or related permits.
• The RFP narrative on page 12 includes the installation of a PVC fence. The Model III plans show the installation of a PVC fence “By Others.”  Please clarify which is correct.
  Installation of the PVC fence must be included in the bid. Please refer to question #29 for further clarification.
• The notes state that the concrete wall will be 3.5' away from the right-of-way.  If so, will a MOT permit be required?  If one is required, what will it be required to close the sidewalk only or will it require to close off Sunrise Boulevard and 27 Avenue while working?
  MOT approvals from FDOT and Broward County will be required if the contractor chooses to construct the wall from the north (Sunrise Boulevard) and from NW 27th Avenue.  If the contractor builds the wall first from the south then MOT would not be necessary.
• If the wall is going to have irrigation, it will probably have a timer and distribution. It will need electricity for the timer. Also, being that the run is over 1,000 feet, will two water meters be required?  If so, two electric meters will also be required.  Please provide detail instructions for pricing.
  The contractor needs to investigate and locate a service point for electricity and water supply. The water service point can be located in a place that reduces the length of irrigation pipe run in both directions.
• Eventually, the concrete wall will shield construction on both sides of Sunrise Boulevard and 27 Avenue.  Until then, will a temporary chain link fence with a dust mesh be needed on Sunrise Boulevard and 27 Avenue to shield dust and protect the area?
  The need for a chain link fence with a dust mesh can be mitigated if the contractor builds the wall first.  Dust and debris from work activities must be kept within the work area.
• If the wall is going to have irrigation, it will probably have a timer and distribution.  It will need electricity for the timer.  Also, since the run is over 1,000', will two water meters be required?  If so, two electric  sources will also be required.  Please provide detail instructions for pricing. Another alternative for water and electrical for the wall is to use the existing irrigation system located on the corner of 27 Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard. This would put the supply in the center, and perhaps it would be able to feed the irrigation needs of the wall in both directions. Please provide answers about the plans for the wall and specific guidance for pricing purposes.
  Please refer to question #44.
• Specifications for the precast wall request a stone finish on one side and a smooth finish on the other side.  Most providers offer both sides to be finished with the same method.  Can we provide stone on both sides? 
  Stone finish on both sides is acceptable.
• Plans and specifications only mention one entrance sign. Is there more than one entrance.  Where is(are) the sign(s) to be located?
  Please follow the specifications. There is only on entrance sign that is part of wall structure.

 *HUD:  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Please note that the HFA credit underwriting information/documents were sent via email to ALL attendees on Friday, February 12, 2015, 3:11 p.m. If you have not received this email with the information, please contact the HFA.​​​​​