RFIs as of 8Jan2025.pdf

1240LU24R0012 Region 4 Road and Bridge MATOC Questions and Answers

AS OF 1/8/2024

The purpose of this document is to provide up to date questions and answers for the solicitation.

Any answer resulting in a change to the solicitation terms will be further posted as an amendment to the solicitation and those amendments must be acknowledged by offerors.

Instructions for acknowledging amendments will be in the amendment itself when issued. This document will be updated throughout the solicitation process.

GENERAL SOLICITATION QUESTIONS

1. Can we submit an offer on more than one of the seed projects?

Answer: Yes, you must submit on a minimum of one project and may submit on others.

2. Does the Forest Service intend to award any of the seed projects, or will the proposals just be used for evaluation for future projects?

Answer: The intent is that the seed projects will be awarded as the first Task Orders of the MATOC. (Page 41/48 of the solicitation)

NORTH FRITZ CREEK

1.Is this project tax exempt? No

2. For the duration of the project please confirm we are able to shut down the road and access.

a. Will a detour need to be provided by the contractor or USDA?

Answer: See subsection 156.05 of the Forest Service Supplemental Specifications for this project. The 1-mile section of Forest Road (FR) 195 may be closed between FR 199 and FR 171.

A detour is not required.

3. Please confirm when contractors are allowed to start work.

a. It was mentioned at the site visit our window is limited due to fish activity.

Answer: September 15 – April 30 is the in-stream work window designated by Idaho Fish and Game. The Forest Service is working with IDFG to get a variance on the permit that would allow work to begin as early as August 1. This will not be finalized until April 2025.

4. What permits are required for the contractor to pull if any?

a. Dewatering, etc.

Answer: See subsection 107.02 of the Forest Service Supplemental Specifications for this project. The Forest Service will obtain the permits required to perform the in-stream work. The contractor will be required to comply with the requirements of the permits. All work below the ordinary high-water mark is considered in-stream work.

5. Plans mention that staking and surveying will be performed by Forest Services, please confirm no additional surveying or staking is required by the contractor.

Answer: The contractor is responsible for surveying and staking necessary to complete the project. The Forest Service will set stakes to indicate the location of stream channel features (crescent weirs) and the locations where constructed stream banks tie into existing stream banks.

6. Will the contractor be allowed remove trees/shrubs as need for construction if they are prohibiting access?

a. Assuming this will need to be approved prior.

Answer: Generally, yes, the contractor will be allowed to remove trees/shrubs to gain reasonable access to complete the work. Some vegetation may need to be salvaged (typically only willow clumps) and transplanted into the constructed banks outside of the structure. The COR will work with the contractor to determine what vegetation can be removed and what needs to be salvaged.

7. Can the maximum consecutive days of closure be extended due to manufacture delays or other product delays unforeseen?

Answer: Requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis and would need to be beyond the control of the contractor.

8. Pg. 3 of drawings show “bid option 2 adds 6” aggregate surface course” please confirm if this is required as feathering out road to meet minimum coverage over culvert will likely encompass this.

Answer: The 6 inches of aggregate surfacing mentioned on page 3 of the plans is included in the Schedule of Items under Option 1. If Option 1 is exercised, this 6-inch layer will be added on top of the minimum 1.5 feet of granular fill above the culvert mentioned on page 2, resulting in a total fill of 2 feet above the culvert. The top width of the aggregate surface road should be 14 feet, as shown in the typical drawing.

9. Is there an estimated flow rate by season available for Fritz Creek crossing?

Answer: There is no flow data available for North Fritz Creek. The first 4 pictures in the North Fritz Creek Images PDF were taken during June which is typically the end of high-water season.

The first picture shows a rust line in the existing 48” culvert. These indicators may help approximate flow rates.

10. Does the forest service have any aggregate sources available for use?

Answer: The Forest does not have any aggregate sources available in the area.

11. Does the Forest Service have any requirements for bypass pipe size beyond the 24” minimum stated on drawings page 6.

Answer: No. Drawing page 6 is the typical method used. The bypass culvert should be sized for flow capacity and flow velocity to help prevent turbidity.

12. Are any soil borings available for review?

Answer: The Forest does not have any soil borings.

13. What diameter is existing culvert?

Answer: The existing culvert is 48” diameter.

14. Which CLIN should be used to capture the bypass culvert cost?

Answer: Item Number 20800 would be appropriate to use for the bypass cost.

15. Which CLIN should be used to capture the cost of installing the streambed simulation inside the culvert?

Answer: Item Number 20800 would be appropriate to use for stream simulation inside the culvert.

16. Are there any state of Idaho specific SWPPP permit requirements?

Answer: No

17. Does culvert design requirement apply to the precast footing? It appears to be a complete design.

Answer. The precast footing must be designed as part of the culvert structure and is the responsibility of the contractor.

18. Do you have the specifications for the material requested for this project?

Answer: The specification for the arch culvert structure is in FP-14 and FSSS Section 603.

Sheet 1 of the plans under General Information and Specs:

"DESIGN: THE STRUCTURE DESIGN SHALL BE PERFORMED BY THE CONTRACTOR

TO THE GEOMETRY SHOWN ON THESE DRAWINGS AND SHALL BE IN

ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT EDITION OF AASHTO LRFD BRIDGE DESIGN

SPECIFICATIONS AND THE DESIGN LOADS SHOWN ON THIS DRAWING. DESIGN

LOADS: HL-93"

UPPER GREEN RIVER

1. What do we do when the cobble is higher than eight inches?

Answer: Refer to Section 204.09 Preparing Foundation for Embankment Construction.

2. Why is there road reconditioning (303.1) on Base Item 1 but not on Base Item 2 or 3?

What is the difference in Base Item 2 and 3?

Answer: There is no imported embankment material in Base Item 1 so road reconditioning prepares the existing embankment for a new aggregate surface coarse. Base Items 2 and 3 require imported embankment material and the existing surface should be prepared for the new embankment material according to Section 204.09 Preparing Foundation for Embankment Construction.

3. Can the equipment be washed off site prior to being mobilized in?

Answer: Yes

4. What are the regulations for mobile fuel tanks?

Answer: No specific FS regulations but must comply with all local, state, federal regulations for fuel transport and storage. Also see Fp-14 107.10 for required spill prevention plans.

5. Are there wage requirements; prevailing wages or Davis-Bacon wages?

Answer: Yes, see the TOPR for the applicable project and the applicable WD is listed.

6. The turn around areas, are we required to seed it or is that the responsibility of the forest service?

Answer: Project is utilizing previously disturbed areas only and thus reseeding is not a part of this contract.

7. Is there a warranty on this project?

Answer: Please refer to clause 52.246-21 in the solicitation.

CAUSEY RESERVIOR

1. Will the parking lot be paved in the future?

Answer: Yes

2. Calls for Gradation D 1", will that be State Spec Aggregate or Commercial?

Answer: The required gradation of the aggregate is specified in Table 703-2 of the Forest Service Supplemental Specifications. State specification aggregate may or may not meet the project aggregate specifications. The aggregate will need to come from a commercial source and meet all project specifications.

COVE MOUNTAIN

1. Burn Pile for Trees: Is there a designated burn pile available for hauling trees removed during the Cove Mountain Seeding project?

Answer: No. Slash shall be lopped and scattered or used for cover on sections of road that will be closed.

2. Clarification on "Road Reconditioning": Could you provide clarification or a more detailed description in the specifications regarding "Road Reconditioning"? The plans provide details on road reconditioning, but the specifications only reference cleaning cattle guards.

Answer: Please refer to the FP-14 for specifications on roadbed reconditioning.

3. Cattle Guard Cleaning: Does this project include cleaning out cattle guards, or is that covered solely under "Road Reconditioning"? The plans appear to focus only on road reconditioning without specifically addressing cattle guard cleaning.

Answer: Please refer to the FP-14, Drawings and Schedule of Items. The FSSS are supplemental and there are no cattle guards in this project to be cleaned.

CHARLESTON JARBIDGE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

1. Are there any permits that the contractor needs to get?

Answer: See Section 1.3(A)(6)

2. Is the Culvert government supplied and if so how is it fabricated (lengths, splices, open bottom arch?) If not supplied, what are the specs?

Answer: Culvert is contractor supplied. See Sheet P-1

3. Could you give us a general description of what you are wanting for traffic control? (plastic fence, concrete barricades, sign barricades).

Answer: See Sheet P-2 and Sheet G-2 Note 18

4. Will we be allowed to pump water out of the creek for dust control?

Answer: PENDING