RFIs as of 6 February.pdf

1240LU25R0008

REGION 2 ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION MATOC

Solicitation RFIs

As of February 06, 2025

General Solicitation RFIs

1) Bid Bond requirements for the MATOC are stated as required. Is a bond required for each seed project that is submitted or is a bond required for the entire valuation of the parent MATOC contract?

Answer:

A bid bond shall be submitted for each seed project if required per the amount of the offer. See the specific TOPRs for each seed regarding bid bonds/offer guarantees as the language is included in each. On the bid bond form indicate the seed project that is covered.

2) Is this MATOC going to require (3) projects within the Region in order to qualify for the evaluation? Or, are we going to be allowed to propose based off of our knowledge of the Region and past performance under the same conditions that we have experienced in Reg 4 such as high altitude, remoteness and rugged terrain?

Answer:

The projects are not limited to only those within Region 2 as we are also considering other work with the high elevation, cold climates, and remote locations.

3) Can projects being submitted for past performance be more than $3M if they meet the scope and complexity of the MATOC?

Answer:

Yes.

4) Could you confirm if there is a deadline for submitting RFIs for the R2 Road and Bridge Construction MATOC?

Answer: We have not yet set a deadline for RFIs.

5) Do you have a magnitude for the seed projects established? If so, may we see that information please?

This information is located on the TOPR for each project.

6) Do you have a preferred date for receiving the Past Performance Questionnaires?

Past Performance Questionnaires are due at the same date and time of the proposals.

Berry Creek Culvert –

1) how many sections of pre cast and are can the pre cast sections and culvert sections be the same length? Can we construct piece by piece?

The precast segments are shown on Sheet 6.

The structural plate arch section lengths will depend on the manufacturer’s material dimensions, shop drawings, and details.

Construction piece by piece is not feasible given the stream simulation aspect of the project.

2) Any more detail on how the pre cast connects and if there is rebar rebar in precast?

Rebar is required for the footings. See sheet 6. We do not have any additional details on the precast connections.

3) What are dimensions of class cr-2 and 3 and ‘streambeds simulation material?

Refer to contract specification 648 and sheet 7.

Note, there two types of streambed material. “streambed simulation material” is different than “streambed channel rock.” CR-2 and CR-3 size is relative to “Channel Rock”

4) Will 4 or 6” minus pit run work for structural backfill as well as streambed simulated material?

This is the contractor’s responsibility to determine based on the applicable material specifications. Materials are listed in 648.02 and the subsections identify material gradation requirements.

5) What is best way to approach blasting? Contingency line item? That is a major unknown that will derail timing and estimated milestones.

There is an optional item on the Schedule of Items, pay Item no. 20501, for this work.

Refer to the TOPR document for expectations relative to blasting plans vs. blasting work. This is intended to reduce the impacts of blasting, if required.

Refer to contract specifications for blasting, section 205.

6) Quantity Discrepancy - Drawing Sheet No. G-02 indicates that Item No. 20501, Option Item:

Rock Blasting has a quantity of 10 CY. Berry Creek SOI.xlsx indicates that Item No. 20501, Option Item: Rock Blasting has a quantity of 1 LS. Please clarify the correct quantity for Item No 20501.

Sheet G-02, Estimate of Quantities Table, will be revised by amendment to reflect a unit = LS and a quantity = 1. A revised G-02 will not be provided. All offerors will be instructed to make this change to G-02. The Schedule of Items (SOI) is correct.

Please see the TOPR document for expectations on pay item 20501.

Cottonwood Bridge

1) Period of Performance (52.211-10): Commence work within 14 days following NTP and complete the entire work ready for use not later than May 20, 2026.When would you anticipate the NTP? There is a note - The picnic area adjacent to the site can be closed from 08/01/2025 and must be reopened by 05/20/2026. We just want to confirm if the earliest the work would commence would be in August, meaning work being done in wintertime and the need for winter protection conditions in our estimate.

Answer:

While the Picnic Area is an allowable storage and staging area, it is not the only storage and staging area. Work must commence prior to the picnic area closure. The Cottonwood Bridge Period of Performance will be revised.

The Cottonwood TOPR.pdf will be revised by amendment to communicate the following:

The Cottonwood Bridge Project will have two Notice to Proceeds (NTPs) issued.

The first will be a partial NTP to allow for planning, submittals, and material procurement, especially the structural beams. No work on site will be allowed at this time. We plan to issue NTP#1 on or before 05/12/2025.

The second NTP will be a full NTP for the project. We plan to issue NTP #2 on or before 06/15/2025.

The Period of Performance will now have a required completion date of November 30, 2025.

Work shall commence within 14 days of NTP#2.

High Early Strength Concrete mix designs are allowable.

2) Please confirm the USDA-FS will be responsible for turning off and on the waterline, and the contractor is responsible for the removal, installation of temporary service, and installation of new waterline.

Answer:

The USDA-FS is not responsible for turning off and on the waterline.

Please see Sheet 2, General Note “Utilities” and Sheet 3, Note 2 as well as specification section 611.

The Upper Arkansas Water Conservation District is the POC for communication line.

The Cottonwood Lake Summer Group Homes is the POC for waterline.

3) Please confirm the USDA-FS will be responsible for the shutdown / re-connections and wire pulls for the existing communication lines, and the contractor is responsible for the removal, installation of temporary conduit, and installation of new conduit (excluding the wire).]

Answer:

See specification subparagraph 636.05: “Install communication conduit continuous across the north abutment with a minimum of couplings to permit pulling conductors/wires. Connect the new conduit with the existing conduit approaching the bridge on both sides. Furnish pull wires for conduits.”

Also, see specification subparagraph 636.13 “All equipment, labor, material, and incidentals required to coordinate and install the communication line conduit shall be included in the contract quantity for conduit.”

Coordination is required with the owner, per sheet 2, General Notes, Utilities.

Furnishing pull wires is required, as per the contract specification 635.

4) Please confirm removing existing signage is included (as well as installation of temporary traffic control signage), but new permanent / re-installation of signage is excluded.

Answer:

No new permanent sign installations are required. No reinstallation of existing signs is required.

The Cottonwood SOI will be amended to remove the 63310 “Removing Sign” and 63306 “Object Markers, Type III” The Cottonwood plans will be amended to clarify expectations relative to signage as follows:

- The Summary of Quantities Table, items 63310 and 63306 will be removed

- Sheet 4,notes 5 will be deleted.

- Sheet 13, the “Object Marker” detail will be deleted

- Sheet 18, the “Relocated Object Marker” detail will be deleted

- Sheet 18, note 15 will be deleted

5) Which line item would the USDA-FS like to see the cost for testing to be inserted?

All testing is paid indirectly by the pay item that covers the work being tested.

6) Please confirm “by-pass” is to be supplied by USDA-FS and the only scope for this project would to be installing traffic control signage.

Answer:

Regarding the bypass road:

The Cottonwood TOPR includes information about the Bypass Road. The TOPR will be revised to clarify these expectations as follows:

“Bypass Road – The Forest Service will construct a temporary bypass road after contract award and prior to NTP#2 to accommodate public and construction traffic during project implementation. The temporary bypass will consist of a single lane aggregate road with sight-distance pullouts to allow self-regulated bidirectional traffic as with the existing single lane bridge. Water crossing will be 18” culverts in parallel capped with aggregate and will support full legal load capacity and shall be removed by the contractor once traffic can be shifted to the new bridge and alignment. Culverts shall be set aside and remain property of the Government.

Aggregate may be reused within the project area or spread on the adjacent road surface. All temporary traffic control associated with the bypass road and the project overall is the responsibility of the contractor.”

7) Will there be a biologist provided? Defishing?

A biologist will not be provided. There are no defishing requirements.

8) Will water be sampled downstream of site?

There are no plans or requirements for water sampling downstream of site. That said, as per contract specification 157, the contractor is responsible for all Soil Erosion and Sediment Control during construction, and it is expected that water quality impacts to the stream be minimized.

Per 157.04: “Prior to the start of construction, submit a written plan that provides permanent and temporary erosion control measures to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after construction. Do not begin work until the necessary controls for that particular phase of work have been implemented. Do not modify the type, size, or location of any control. An alternate erosion control plan with all necessary permits may be submitted 30 days before intended use.

Incorporate all permanent erosion control features into the project at the earliest practicable time, as outlined in the approved plan.

When erosion control measures are not functioning as intended, immediately take corrective action.”

9) Will an Erosion Control Plan be provided? If so, will this be a bid line item?

The contract specification section 157 requires the contractor to provide a written plan.

The Cottonwood SOI and Sheet G1 Summary of Quantities Table will be amended to delete the existing 15702 Item “Silt Fence” and replace it with Item No. 15702, “Soil Erosion and Sediment Control” lump sum pay item.

10) Will the 6-12" rock between/behind the abutments be reusable?

This is up to the contractor to determine based on the work they are considering reusing it for, the applicable specification sections, the individual material requirements, etc.

Refer to 105.02 “Material Sources” Refer to 105.05 “Use of Material Found in Work”

11) Is the disposal of the creosote abutments the responsibility of the contractor?

Yes. See contract specification 203 for requirements on “Disposing of Material.”

12) Will bird surveying take place, a nest is seen underneath the bridge?

No bird surveying is planned.

13) Will a water diversion plan be provided? If so what materials are used for the diversion, fish screen, and wildlife exclusion fence?

Answer:

No diversion plan will be provided. This is a contractor responsibility, as per contract specification 208.

Fish protection requirements are in the MATOC Solicitation document.

14) Will noise need to be monitored?

No noise monitoring is required.

15) Where is the geotechnical report for this project? How can I get a hold of this, I can't find it?

The Cottonwood Geotechnical Report will be provided by amendment.

16) Is soil testing for compaction the responsibility of the contractor?

All soil testing is the responsibility of the contractor. See the specifications division150 as well as the applicable specifications covering the work being tested.

Note: All testing is paid for indirectly by the pay item covering the work being tested.

Washakie Road Work

1) Can the USFS please provide the site visit list that took place for this project?

Answer:

There was no scheduled site visit for this project. Vendors were encouraged to visit on their own.

2) Pay Item #15713 Soil Erosion & Pollution Control does not specify linear feet of Silt Fencing or Straw Wattles. Should specific lengths of these items be used in formulating our estimate?

Answer:

The 15713 "Soil Erosion & Pollution Control" pay item is lump sum quantity for payment for all work under contract specification section 157. 157 requires the contractor to provide a "Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan." If the contractor elects to use silt fence and/or straw waddles in their "Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan," then the expectation is that the silt fence and/or straw waddle installation follow the details shown on drawing sheet no. 14 or a similar alternative installation detail be provided with the plan.

3) Drawings stipulate that “any turnouts shall be reconditioned as well”. What is the desired length of turnout reconditioning from the edge of main road.

Answer: Turn outs are variable along the roadway. The widest is approximately 12 feet from the edge of the road. Turn out length along the roadway are approximately 80 feet in length or less.