A7 RFI QA 127EAX26Q0029.docx

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Request For Information (RFI) Form

127EAX26Q0029

Coconino Lookout Tower Cistern Demolition Coconino National Forest

RFI #1 – Please confirm whether the licensed contractor requirement is mandatory for the prime contractor at the time of quote submission, or whether it can be satisfied by using a properly licensed subcontractor to perform the required work.

It is acceptable to hire a qualified subcontractor.

RFI #2 – For the three blacked-out sites (Lee Butte, Woody Mountain, Hutch Mountain), if the NTP is issued in June or July, will the Government consider a time extension for those sites given the mandatory work restriction through August 31? What is the expected award date?

The expected award date is projected for the last week of May. The contractor has 180 days to complete the work once the notice to proceed is given for all sites except Lee Butte, Woody Mountain, and Hutch Mountain. Work will not begin until September 1st for Lee Butte, Woody Mountain, and Hutch Mountain. If the work at these sites is not completed by the end of the Period of Performance, an extension may be granted.

RFI #3 – Please confirm which abandonment method (Task 1a — demolish and regrade, vs. Task 1b — fill and seal) applies to each site. The SOI assigns methods, but the SOW does not explicitly confirm this assignment.

The following cisterns will be Demolish and Regrading:

Baker Butte Hutch Mt. Elden Turkey Butte Lee Butte The following will have a hole punched in bottom and Fill and Sealed:

Buck Mountain East Pocket

RFI #4 – What is the known contents/condition of each cistern? Has any water quality testing been done? What disposal sites are approved for cistern liquid waste?

Water quality tests have not been performed on any of the cisterns. All water in the cisterns should be treated as black water or tested at the expense of the contractor. It is the contractor’s responsibility to research appropriate off-forest disposal sites for the project.

RFI #5 – For the Lee Butte steel tank, has any prior LBP testing been performed? If LBP is found, is there a separate budget/line item available, or is all remediation cost included in 02071(08)?

Lead Based Paint tests are in the process of being conducted to ensure there is no LBP. The government does not anticipate any LBP will be found and the contractor should bid as if no LBP is present. In the event LBP is found the contractor will be able to submit an equitable adjustment for any additional cost.

RFI #6 - Are there any known utilities, buried lines, or irrigation connections near the cisterns that could be damaged during demolition? The SOW mentions protecting "potable water and grey water systems" — are these active systems adjacent to any cisterns?

Each site will need to be evaluated individually. Most sites are remote sites that have solar electric, vault toilets, and water tenders on trailers. No irrigation connections exist on any of the sites.

RFI #7 - Has any groundwater data or seasonal high water table information been gathered at any of the 9 sites? This affects the required abandonment method (punching a hole in the cistern bottom).

No, but the sites are all located on top of mountains, so it is highly unlikely any groundwater will be encountered.

RFI #8 - Which agency's waste manifest form is required for the steel tank disposal? Will an ADEQ Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest be required, or is a different form acceptable?

It is the contractor’s responsibility to follow all applicable state regulations and determine what forms are necessary for the project. The steel tank will likely not be considered Hazardous Waste; however it is each contractor’s responsibility to determine what permits will be necessary to complete the project.

RFI #9 - - Is there a designated excess excavated material disposal area on National Forest land, or must all excess material be hauled to an off-site commercial facility?

All excess material shall be hauled to commercial off-site facilities.

RFI #10 - Have any of the existing cisterns received chemical treatment(s), i.e. treated for stagnant wastewater, bacteria, etc.?

No treatment has occurred in any of the cisterns.

RFI #11 – Should the Contractor use the provided cistern tank capacities, for calculating anticipated costs related to permitting and anticipated gallons of wastewater, for proper evacuation and disposal for each tank?

The listed capacity is the maximum capacity of the tanks. It is up to each contractor to determine how they would like to bid. The Forest Service has not done an assessment on how much water is in each tank.

RFI #12 - Per the RFQ, Organized Site Visit Section, "All other sites will be the contractor’s responsibility to investigate and satisfy himself/herself as to the conditions affecting the work." Due to access roads being currently closed and locked gates present, all sites are unable to be viewed, will the Gov't allow for an extension on the proposal due date until two (2) weeks after access roads have been opened to allow Contractors to view each site?

The public roads that access the sites are currently open. The only portions that are closed are the sections that go from the public roads to the lookout tower. These roads are never open to the public. You will need to hike a ¼ mile from the gates to the lookout towers. The exception to this is Elden lookout. Elden lookout road is closed to vehicular traffic. It is 3.5 miles from gate to lookout, and this road is not going to open to the public any time in the foreseeable future.

RFI #13 - Can the Gov’t verify which sites/cisterns shall be performed per the SOW, under Task 1a: Cistern Abandonment-Fully Decommissioned and which sites/cisterns shall be performed under Task 1b: Cistern Abandonment-Fill and Seal?

The following cisterns will be Demolish and Regrading:

Baker Butte Hutch Mt. Elden Turkey Butte Lee Butte The following will have a hole punched in bottom and Fill and Sealed:

Buck Mountain East Pocket

RFI #14 - Per the SOW, under both Task 1a and Task 1b, the Contractor shall “Punch a hole in the bottom of the cistern if the bottom is below the seasonal high groundwater table.”

Can the Gov’t provide verification for which cisterns shall require a hole punched in the bottom?

The following cisterns will be Demolish and Regrading:

Baker Butte Hutch Mt. Elden Turkey Butte Lee Butte The following will have a hole punched in bottom and Fill and Sealed:

Buck Mountain East Pocket

RFI #15 - Within the Gov’t IGE for this project, were any Confined Space (CS) designations, CS safety precautions, and Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) standards factored into the overall project costs, per site, with potential items such as atmospheric testing, ventilation, attendants, possible rescue services, or equipment?

The IGCE is not public information. The magnitude of this requirement is between $100,000 and $250,000. If the contractors feel these certifications will be necessary for the completion of this project, they should include that in their bids.