RFI responses Jordan Bridge.rtf

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United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service George Washington & Jefferson NF 5162 Valleypointe Parkway Roanoke, VA 24019 540/265-5100

File Code:

Date:

May 21, 2020

MEMORANDUM FOR: FILE

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Kelvin Jackson, Contract Specialist

Request for Information Solicitation 12339520R0001 Jordan Bridge

Below are the questions received from contractors after attending the Jordan Bridge site visit on May 11, 2020. The contractor’s questions are in black, while the USFS responses are in red. Please reference updated amendments to see FSSS, drawing(s) noting limits of disturbance and other updates based off questions and responses from the site visit.

Burning Permits: Solicitation page 8 of 42, paragraph (n), states “No burning shall be permitted for the duration of the project.” Removal of the steel structure, which has both hot rivet and mechanical fastener connections, may require cutting of the steel to facilitate removal of the structure. Question: Does this language infer the use of cutting torches is prohibited? The language referenced is in regards to open burning of vegetative or other construction debris. Use of torches will be acceptable.

Salvage of Materials: Solicitation page 8 of 42, paragraph (p) provides conditions for the contractor to place salvaged materials (riprap) in two (2) locations: 1) within 150’ of the existing abutments, in the riparian area; 2) a pre-designated area near the campground. Unknown factors, beyond the control of the contractor, exist from a strict interpretation of the RFP. A) If the vegetation and trees cannot be removed/disturbed for the project, delivery/placement of the significant riprap material would require the use of manual labor or small equipment to reach a 150’ radius. Suggest reducing the radius to allow the placement with equipment from the current project constraints. Please provide clarification/direction. B) Please provide a general description of the proposed designated area, constraints, and haul route length? The placement of the salvaged boulders/riprap from the existing bridge abutment will either be as a stockpile in the campground or on an unauthorized road that branches off directly from the Jordan road and is almost across from the campground. Equipment should be capable of accessing either of these locations for placement of the salvaged boulders.

Toilets: Solicitation page 8 of 42, paragraph (i) states “The contractor shall be prepared to arrange for the pumping of the vault for the pit toilet storage tank at least once during the duration of the contract. If the project delays extend contract time to 9 months or beyond, the contractor shall pump the tank again prior to final payment.” The side of the project opposite the streambank from the campground will be isolated and a temporary toilet required to meet OSHA guidance. Question: If the contractor provides its own temporary toilet(s) and prohibits the use of the campground facilities by its employees and subcontractors, will the contractor be required for the pumping of the tank, including extension beyond 9 months? The Forest Service will plan to close the campground and associated public bathroom facility for the duration of the contract. As a result, the bathroom facility will be closed and not available for contractor use. The contractor should be prepared to provide portable toilets for their personnel.

Are Pile Tips required? No, this will not be required. Please review the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specification 551 Drilled Piles which replaces the FP-14 551 Driven Piles specification.

Is there a minimum pile tip elevation that is required? As stated on the plans, each pile must be placed a minimum of 3 ft into competent rock.

Section E – Inspection and Acceptance: Section 153, Contractor Quality Control, Construction Requirements, 153.02 (a)(1), Quality Control Manager (QCM), is required to be a full-time position unless otherwise specified. Question: Is a full-time, on-site, QCM, with no other duties or responsibilities required for this contract? If yes, can the Superintendent concurrently perform the duties of both the Superintendent and QCM? Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specifications. Specification 153.02 is replaced as per these updated supplemental specifications.

Section E – Inspection and Acceptance: Section 153, Contractor Quality Control, Construction Requirements, 153.02 (b), Inspectors. Question: Are Inspectors required to be provided by the contractor? If yes, provide further information regarding the inspection types. Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specifications. Specification 153.02 is replaced as per these updated supplemental specifications.

Section E – Inspection and Acceptance: Section 153, Contractor Quality Control, Construction Requirements, 153.02 (c), Testers. Question: Are Testers required to be provided by the contractor? If yes, provide further information regarding the testing types and requirements. Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specifications. Specification 153.02 is replaced as per these updated supplemental specifications.

Supplemental Project Specification: Page 83, 156.09 Traffic Control Supervisor. Question: Is a Traffic Control Supervisor required for this project? No, a traffic control supervisor is not required. Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specifications, specifically 156 – Public Traffic.

Drawings and Specification: Page 15 of 42 indicates borrow material may be obtained on site. Question: Please clarify location and potential material type? Has a proctor been performed? Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the wording of this statement in section H on page 15. The sentence, “Borrow material may be obtained on site, but only at the approval of the Contracting Officer” will be updated to say “Excavated material obtained from the existing bridge approaches may be re-used on site, but only if it is approved by the Contracting Officer as suitable material.”

Will the submitted Schedule need to be in conformance with FP-14 Section 155 be required? Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specifications. Specification 155 - Schedules for Construction Contracts is deleted in its entirety. The FAR clause 52.236-15 Schedules for Construction Contracts applies.

Are PE Stamped Formwork drawings for required per FP-14 Section 104? Yes, per Specification 104.03 (b) (2) (a), a PE seal for the formwork is required.

Please confirm that a PE Stamped erection plan will not be required for setting the box beams. The specs do not require an erection plan. Perform placement of box beams in conformance with manufacturer recommendations and fabrication submittal drawings.

There are no project specific Liquidated Damages; please confirm that Liquidated Damages per FP-14 Section 108.04 are not applicable to this project. There are no Liquidated Damages noted in this project.

Will a PE Stamped Demolition plan be required for the removal of the existing structure? No, a PE Seal will not be required on the demolition plan.

Are the precast box beams required to have an epoxy/sand overlay prior to asphalt overlay? This is a typical Virginia Department of Transportation requirement. Please confirm. No, this is not required.

Will a temporary work bridge be allowed over the Pedlar River? If so, what parameters would have to be adhered to? I.E. limitations on height, bottom chord elevation etc.? If so, would a temporary pier of non-erodible material be allowed to be placed in the stream to allow for construction of a temporary work bridge? A temporary bridge could be allowed, dependent on the specific parameters of what is proposed. Only extremely minor amounts of non-erodible fill placement might be considered.

Would a temporary causeway be allowed to be put in place to allow access across the stream? If so, what requirements would have to be met to facilitate installation? The description provided implies a scenario utilizing large amounts of fill in the river, which would not be allowed.

If work temporary bridges or causeways are not allowed, is it acceptable to cross the stream up to 4 times to access the other side of the project with equipment? (i.e. tracked excavator and drill rig) Tramming equipment through the creek would be allowed as this is considered a very temporary impact on the river. If the anticipated frequency is as low as four times, it will likely be considered.

Tree Removal: What are the clearing limits for this project and how will they be established? Review of the site constraints and initial crane/equipment sizing suggests the need to clear a 50’ radius at each corner of the bridge. The approximate weight of each box beam is 60,000 lbs. The crane size for the initial lifting plan on this project is significant. During the site visit, general discussions were held on the potential for clearing of an area(s) to support a closer location of the crane and ability of equipment to maneuver at the site. During the site visit, discussions were informally held to address the need to remove trees. Follow-on discussions suggested the need to have a USDA representative mark trees which could be potentially removed. Multiple old growth trees are in these locations, including trees which overhang the roadway and most likely would be damaged by equipment entering/existing the project. Please clarity the USDA position regarding tree removal, including verification of trees and specific areas which could be removed/cleared to facilitate the work? Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding an updated limits of disturbance for the project as estimated by the Forest Service. The limits shown anticipate room for a potential crane pad and area impacted if moving equipment across the creek. These limits will be staked or flagged in the field by Forest Service staff ahead of a pre-work discussion with the final project awardee.

Certified Arborist: Will a certified arborist be required tree removal? Will a tree wound procedure/method be required for removal/trimming/damage to overhanging branches from the park entrance(s) to the site? No certifications are required regarding tree removal. No tree wound dressing is required. Please review the amendment provided by the Contracting Officer regarding the updated Forest Service Supplemental Specifications - 201 Clearing and Grubbing.

Tree Removal Harvesting Fee: During the site visit, informal discussions were held regarding tree removal, and if allowed, a harvesting fee would be returned to the USDA. No fee would be required if the trees remained on the property. Please provide further direction on the position of the USDA (if tree removal is permitted) regarding the value determination of the trees, or if the trees could be left on site. Due to the limited space around the project site, it is expected that some larger trees that must be cut and/or grubbed will need to be removed from the project site. Merchantable trees (ie having resale value) that will be removed will need to be marked by the contractor and assessed for preparation of a removal permit. Fees for such a permit are anticipated to be in the range of at most $500. Forest Service staff will perform the assessment prior to preparing the permit.

Price Schedule: How will the 4” schedule 40 pipe for the structure backfill be paid? This work can be included in pay item 208.

Dewatering Basins: If dewatering basins are required (pumping of pile borings) how are they to be paid? Dewatering basins are not required. Any fluid being pumped out must to be filtered in order to minimize sediment reaching the Pedlar River. Methods to accomplish this shall be clarified by the contractor as part of their erosion and sediment control plan. The contractor is responsible for assuring the success of their methods or proposing alternatives that can work.

Having a public campground open, with concurrent use as a laydown area, raises safety concerns for the contractor. Concerns include vandalism, unauthorized access to the project site, open excavations, etc. Question: Will the USDA close the campground during construction activities? The Forest Service will plan to close the campground and associated public bathroom facility for the duration of the contract.

Bat Migration/Protected Species: During the site visit, general information regarding bats was addressed. Please provide specific information regarding permissible work activities or requirements which may impact the project schedule or work? Trees identified to be cut and/or removed need to be flagged in advance to allow FS staff to check for any potential that bats could be nesting in them. The NEPA document identified that no known habitat was inventoried within the project site and it is anticipated that trees needing to be cut are likely able to be.

Camber Management Plan: Will a Camber Management Plan be required for this project (pre-cast beams)? The Precast plant manufacturer is expected to provide fabrication submittals that make reference to how the required camber will be achieved in the beams. There are no other specific requirements related to a “Camber Management Plan.”

Pre-cast Plant Quality Assurance (QA): Is the contractor required to provide QA for the pre-cast box beams? If so, may the pre-cast plant QA representative inspection be utilized in lieu of a 3rd party? The contractor does not have to provide QA for the pre-cast box beams. The contractor is expected to meet FP-14 106.03 requirements.

Is QP2 certification required of the individual using mechanical means for removal of rivets? Please see the response to question 34a.

Is removal of lead paint required if mechanical means are used to remove rivets? Please see the response to question 34a.

Is removal of lead paint required if we use shears to remove truss components? Please see the response to question 34a.

Are we required to assign a QC person for shop inspections of the beams? As I read the specifications, we are not, but I am not totally familiar with FP 14. Please see the response to question 33.

Am I correct that the rock size specified 15% percent of the rocks must be larger than 23” x 28” and only 15 % of the rocks can be smaller than 11’ x 15” (Table 705-1)? The riprap specification is being updated to utilize the Virginia DOT Dry Riprap Class specifications. Please see the updated Schedule of Items that reflects the riprap class size and quantity.

Is the intent of note 1 (regarding gradation) to choke the stone with spalls and fragments and use quarry shot rock or is intent to supply cut stones? The note reference is unclear as to which document and page number is being identified. Riprap is anticipated to be supplied from a commercial quarry.

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