Solicitation 1240LU21R0003 Q and A no. 2 - 8.23.2021.pdf

8/23/2021 Q and A #2 for Solicitation no. 1240LU21R0003

Inquiries/Questions:

1. Sheet 7 of 7, AFD Tarmac Maintenance Details, Full Depth Asphalt Section Repair, Note 4 says, “ASPHALT THICKNESS SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF 8”. IF EXISTING

SECTION IS GREATER, MATCH EXISTING ASPHALT THICKNESS. ADJUST P-

208 GRAVEL SECTION AS NECESSARY WHEN ASPHALT THICKNESS

INCREASES FROM EXISTING.” The specification sections for P-208 and P-401 do not include measurement and payment sections. The bid item that covers this this section is by the SF. If the asphalt thickness is greater than an average of 8” thick will the contractor be reimbursed for the additional asphalt quantity?

FS Response: Yes, the wide variation in asphalt thickness at the apron and taxiways makes bidding Pay Item 115 on a square footage basis difficult. To improve biddability and given that J-8, Tarmac Partial & Full Depth Repairs identified likely areas of use for the full quantity of Optional Pay Item 115, assume that Pay Item 115 will only be used on the SE quadrant of the work extent. Specifically, on asphalt between the northern edge of the concrete retardant fill pads and Taxiway Golf, along the southeast taxiway. The southeast taxiway leading to the retardant fill pads was constructed under a single construction effort around the year 2000. (See Amendment 0003)

2. It is unclear what the thickness of the P-208 gravel section is supposed to be. The nearest bore hole to the full depth asphalt paving sections shows base course to a depth of 3 FT below finished grade with an asphalt thickness of 0.3 FT. Is the contractor to assume that the variable base course section is to extend to a depth of 2.7 FT below finished asphalt grade with an additional base course section of 1 FT below that for a subgrade depth at

3.7 FT below finished grade? With a minimum asphalt thickness of 8”, this would put the base course thickness at 3.03 FT (3.7 FT – 0.67 FT). The only bore hole near the full depth section shows the existing asphalt thickness at 0.3 FT. Should the contractor assume that the asphalt removal quantity will be an average of 0.3 FT thick and if the average thickness is greater than 0.3 FT will the contractor be reimbursed for the additional volume of asphalt removed?

FS Response: We intend to improve biddability with the response above. Asphalt thickness is expected to be, but not guaranteed to be, relatively uniform along the entire taxiway. Given that Pay Item 115 is by square footage, assumptions and risk for variance in depths must be assumed by the contractor.

3. After the asphalt is removed the contractor will be excavating to subgrade. Should the contractor assume the excavation will extend to a depth of 3.7 FT below from the top of the existing asphalt and any deviation from an excavation to that depth will be accounted for and reimbursed appropriately?

FS Response: Please see the responses above.

8/23/2021 Q and A #2 for Solicitation no. 1240LU21R0003

4. The P-208 and P-401 specifications call for test strips or control strips. The placement of these materials will be in limited quantities and confined spaces. Will the control strips be required for P-208 placement and P-401 placement?

FS Response: Control strips, or initial inspection of work in lieu of control strips where strips are impractical, are required. It is the contractor’s responsibility to coordinate and supply field testing of materials to demonstrate compliance with the contract requirements. We expect that well coordinated nuclear density gauge testing could demonstrate compliance with density requirements while not interrupting workflow or asphalt delivery.

5. The P-208 and P-401 specifications call have sections for surface tolerances, smoothness, and grade. Again, this work will take place using limited quantities in confined spaces where a 12-foot straight edge will not fit in a lot of places and a 50 FT grid doesn’t make sense because we will me matching the existing asphalt on each edge of the patches. Will the contractor be held to the requirements of these sections?

FS Response: Where the COR and Contractor agree the specified methods for smoothness are impractical, they may agree to 1.) match existing grade at all edges as shown in J-2, Sheet 7 and 2.) assure positive drainage of the patched area with no ponding, 3.) comply with the specified base course and asphalt smoothness requirements using a straightedge of length shorter than 12 feet and equal to the dimension of the patch (e.g. meeting ¼” smoothness on a 4-foot wide patch should be easier to meet than the specified 12-foot run).

6. P-401-3.3 Job Mix Formula says, “The JMF shall be developed within the same construction season using aggregates proposed for project use.” Will a P-401 asphalt mix design from 2020 be acceptable if it meets the requirements of the P-401 specifications for this project, or will a new P-401 JMF be required and need to be formulated in 2022 when the asphalt work is scheduled to occur?

FS Response: Please provide a JMF as specified in the project manual.