j) Pre Bid Site Meeting Q and A 8-28-24.pdf

Allison and Erickson Dams Decommissioning and Restoration Amendment #2

Pre‐Bid Meeting – August 28, 2024

Pre‐Bid Attendees

Teresa Morales, Program Lead, Geotechnical Engineer USFS Region 1 Regional Office

(406) 329‐3293 Teresa.d.morales@usda.gov

Zac Hiedeman, Geotechnical Engineer USFS Region 1 Regional Office 406‐946‐2866 Zachary.hiedeman@usda.gov

Robyn Smith, District Ranger USFS Red River Ranger District

Andie Reeves Olympus Technical Services 406‐410‐4234

Tyler Losberger, Aaron Williams Elite Excavation SolidGroundResources@outlook.com

Doug Mitch, Shane Rehbein Rehbein Enterprises 406‐544‐4611

Shane@rehbeinenterprises.com Johnny Freitas Landology, Inc.

208‐863‐1016 john@landologyinc.com

Nolan Peck K2 Excavation 541‐610‐8200 nolan@k2excavation.org

Rod Rea, Steve Anderson

AEC LLC

360‐957‐1771 stevea@aecllc.net

Ron Norland Norstrand Inc.

208‐827‐0796 Norstrand56@gmail.com

Nolan Hildreth Glazier 208‐413‐0550

Pre‐Bid Meeting Notes and Inquiries (PBI’s)

PBI‐001

Dam Locations: Lat/Long:

Allison: 45°50'8.24"N, 115°35'24.49"W Erickson: 45°54'11.35"N, 115°28'44.50"W

PBI‐002

Item No. 10508 – Handling of Hazardous Materials – What is the intent of this pay item; what is the HazMat that we would be handling (other than the unresolved arsenic issue)? Do we anticipate HAZWOPER certification being required?

Low concentrations of arsenic are present in site soils. It is believed that the arsenic is mostly naturally occurring, but concentrations of arsenic vary with some concentrations above regional background levels. These materials are not considered hazardous; however, they do represent a modest hazard to workers. Therefore, the selected Contractor will be responsible for preparing a Site Specific Health and Safety Plan outlining all project hazards (e.g., physical, temperature, animals, and arsenic) and proposed methods to mitigate them for project workers. Contractor workers should also be briefed on all project hazards prior to starting work. HAZWOPER certification is not required.

PBI‐003

How will the project award be handled; based on price of option items and base item; will separate contracts be awarded?

Only one contract will be awarded under this Solicitation; if funds are available for both the Base and Option Item, both will be awarded to one contractor (KTR). Selection is based on Past Performance, Experience, Technical Proposal, and Price. All factors are weighted equally, and the award would go to the highest rated KTR with the best‐value price.

Base Contract is Allison Pond 1 and Erickson Pond 1 Decommissioning and Restoration.

PBI‐004

At one point it was mentioned the ponds would be dewatered using a pump and spray method;

pondwater would be sprayed on land adjacent to the ponds. This was an erroneous statement. Pump and spray is not required per the Specs and Drawings.

PBI‐005

Dewater sites prior to beginning work at each site.

Wetland Soils – challenges operating equipment on wetland areas when very wet – construction recommended late season. Planting shall occur in October or the Spring. Our goal with this Project is to keep the wetlands.

PBI‐006

Roads may not be accessible until June.

PBI‐007

There are resident fish in the ponds. No fish salvage is planned for this project. Primary concern regarding fish is Control of Water and sediment in stream.

PBI‐008

Items such as Grade Control Structures and Grade Control Bedding Strone – Import material or salvage on site?

It is anticipated that material can be found on site; for the bedding stone it may be easier to import than to screen. Class 1 Riprap can be sorted and screened on site from embankment excavation.

However, imported material is allowed. Contractor may source on site or import at their option.

The Designer noted there was some onsite rock at Ericson that could be used. For Allison, rock from the nearby landslide might be an option. It would be best if rock came from outside an impoundment area and away from the stream. It is important to note that there are historic rock features between Allison Pond 1 and Pond 2 (see sheet C5) that are to remain in place.

RipRap Bedding Stone: AASHTO #57 Stone

Class 1 RipRap:

PBI‐009

Ponds are not Tailings Ponds; they are remnants of mining in the area; water was used for mining operations. Dams are over 100 years old.

PBI‐010

Access to Dams and Ponds?

Many have old road beds leading to dams. Some improvements (brushing, road prism reshaping) are necessary; not all dams have existing access roads (see plans).

PBI‐011

There were some tests that indicated higher arsenic levels in soils in/around Erickson ponds; not at

Allison.

PBI‐012

Where are the BDAs located, at ponds?

BDAs and PALS are located in the vicinity of the ponds; see plans.

PBI‐013

Will there be an inspector on site at all times?

Government Project Representative (Inspector) will be on site during the project, but not necessarily at all times. KTR is required to have a Superintendent on site at all times during work.

PBI‐014

Heritage consultant required to be on site?

The contractor is not required to have a heritage consultant on site.

PBI‐015

Are work hours restricted to M‐F?

With approval and written permission from the Contracting Officer, KTR may work outside of weekdays/normal business hours.

PBI‐016

Will Fire Restrictions be implemented; will this affect work?

If there is a fire in the area, or high fire danger, it is possible that fire restrictions would affect work hours. The Government cannot predict or control future fire information. If there is a fire in the area that directly impacts the work, an extension to the contract completion date could be issued.

PBI‐017

In‐Stream Work Window?

In Stream Work Window per ID DEQ has not been issued for this project; if required, anticipated in‐ stream work window estimated to be July 15 – August 15. Other construction activity in and around the ponds could occur outside of this timeframe.

PBI‐018

OK to brush out roads?

Yes, the KTR will be allowed to brush out roads and is expected to bring roads up to standard for the equipment they are operating on the roads. This work is covered in Pay Items 30301 – Improvements to Existing Roads.

PBI‐019

If awarded in time this year, could work start to de‐water?

Permitting is being finalized.

PBI‐020

If Option contract awarded, could KTR start work at upper ponds/dams?

The KTR is responsible for developing their schedule of work.

PBI‐021

What is the volume of water in the ponds?

Volumes of water in the different ponds is shown on the plan sheets associated with work at each pond.

PBI‐022

Allison Pond 3 – embankment remains; road over dam/embankment to remain; only PALS and BDA work upstream and downstream of this dam.

PBI‐025

Access to Pond 4 is via road that goes over Pond 3 Dam. Possible old road cut visible alongside Pond 3;

access to Pond 4 could be gained via this route; to be determined during the project.

PBI‐026

The Forest Service will provide keys to access gated roads.

PBI‐027

Plans for the Option portion of the project were not posted?

The plans for the Option portion of the project were posted on 8/27/24.

Requests for Information (RFI)

RFI 1. I am trying to figure out what the actual requirement for the Nursery stock trees and planting.

In the specs it says see sheet 11 detail 14 of the plans and I can not seem to find anything about what is needed for tree planting. We are looking for a quantity of trees we would need to purchase and plant.

No tree planting information was shown in the plans. The specifications text referring to Sheet 11 Detail

14 was likely a holdover from an earlier project. We expect only minimal tree planting will be required.

Trees would be replanted in areas of excavation, areas of road construction, and in areas of disposal.

Trees should be replaced on a one‐for‐one basis. The Contractor is encouraged to salvage existing trees in these areas to the extent practical and replant them. Where salvage is not practical or trees cannot be salvaged in a live state, then the Contractor may import alders (which are native to that region) to replace the trees that are lost. It is expected that no more than 50 imported trees will be required.

Imported trees should be good root stock with full root balls, apx. 1” diameter, no more than 6 feet high.

Allison planting plan is on Sheet C9; Ericson planting plan is on Sheet C19.

RFI 2. Is there more detail for what is required for the temporary wildlife fencing for planted areas?

Only use fences to protect small imported trees. Deer fence or similar is envisioned in these areas.

Fencing should be made from materials that are biodegradable and easily removed in the future by USFS staff once trees have matured. The Temporary Wildlife Fence Plan shall detail proposed temporary wildlife fence construction suitable to discourage/prohibit damage to plantings from beavers, deer, and elk. The Temporary Wildlife Fence Plan shall be submitted to the CO for approval prior to the beginning of planting.

Recommended Materials:

Line posts – 4” x 10’ untreated wood Corner / brace posts – 6” x 10’ untreated wood Brace rails – 4” x 16’ untreated wood Fencing – Fixed knot galvanized game fence, high tensile, 12.5g, 96” tall, graduated horizontal spacing, 12” vertical spacing Staples – 1‐3/4” double barbed Screws (for bracing) – 10” TimberLOK

RFI 3. Clarification on the period of performance. Is it a 90 day window if just the base is awarded and if the base and option are both awarded are you guys looking to get them both completed in that same 90 day window?

The Government expects the work to be completed during one construction season; if there are justifiable delays an extension to the next season is possible. No additional mobilization would be paid if the work carried over into a second season.

4. Handling of the Hazardous material. I know we talked about the handling of the hazardous material at the prebid tour and if hazardous material were encountered there would be a change on that. So my question is there going to be an amendment on the schedule of items sheets removing it from the sheets or do we just leave that line blank?

See PBI 002.

5. Also were you able to clarify what material is government sourced and what material would be contractor sourced and the quantities?

See PBI 008.