FinalQuestionsAnswers_2-13-26.pdf

Solicitation 1240LU26Q000013 Final Questions & Answers dated 02/13/2026

1. What are the liquidated damages for the project, and which FAR provision or clause will this be under?

a. There are no LD clauses in this solicitation or contract.

2. Item # 63001 - What restrictions are preventing the lake from being dewatered in June?

a. Grayling Re-Location with the State of Montana.

b. See note 14 on sheet C1 of the drawings.

3. Item # 63001 - Is there a maximum capacity in Gallons per Minute (GPM) that can be discharged through the principal spillway (Sheet CE11 Care and Diversion of Water) during drawdown of the lake?

a. Contractor is responsible for developing a controlled dewatering plan that will not adversely affect private property downstream.

i. Note 14 on sheet C1 of the drawings & Section 630 of the FSSS.

b. Dewatering shall comply with Storm Water Permit (FSSS 157.04)

c. See Attachment 9, Emergency Action Plan for water volumes and inundation modeling data to assist with “Control of Water” plan.

4. Is it acceptable to use water that enters the sump of the lake (Sheet CE11 Care and Diversion of

Water) as construction water for items such as Grout Mixing and Dust Suppression, etc.?

a. Grout Mixing: Potable water is the preferred mixing water. However, non-potable sources may be used provided the source does not negatively impact the properties of grout/concrete. Water source shall contribute to acceptable grout properties per the testing and acceptance criteria outlined in the FSSS “Section 262 – Compaction

Grouting”.

b. Dust Suppression: Use of lake water is acceptable for dust suppression.

5. Item # 20403 - Is there a gradation table for the borrow material used for Grout Mix?

a. Per FSSS “Section 262 – Compaction Grouting”, Contractor “will develop the final grouting plan and mix design” in accordance with the design criteria of that section.

b. NOTE: Use of M1 Filter Washed Concrete Sand (ASTM C33) would be acceptable (see line item 70401).

6. Item # 20101 - The quantity of 20,300 SY for “Clearing and Grubbing down stream of dam and along access” appears to be the sum of all proposed borrow and staging areas, and does not include the proposed saddle dike embankment or rip rap areas. Should the Saddle Dike areas be included in this item or in a separate pay item?

a. Item #20101 – “Clearing and grubbing downstream of dam and long access” accounts for clearing and grubbing within the construction disturbance limits of the dam and dike only.

b. Clearing and grubbing of the shaded stockpile, staging, and borrow areas identified on sheets C9 and C10 of the drawings shall be incidental to the bid items.

7. Item # 62601 – Transplanting Existing Vegetation 626.02 states that vegetation will be transplanted to the “new embankment slopes, and channel bank.” We assume this means we are not planting in the new dam. Please confirm that ‘embankment slopes’ means the

Downstream slope of the Saddle Dike, or clarify the area in which this work is performed.

a. Correct.

8. Item # 62601 – Is there an expectation of quantity per area or linear footage?

a. “Minimum of 12 clump plants per 100 LF”, per Appendix B: Obliteration Details, method

1.

9. Item # 62601 – What channel banks are being referenced?

a. This is general note.

10. Item # 62601 – Please confirm if transplanting is required into the temporary stockpile areas.

a. Restoration practices prescribed in FSSS 626 shall be applied to all disturbed areas resulting from construction.

11. Item # 21101 – Temporary Haul Road Obliteration and Borrow Site Reclamation Appendix B specifies: Method 1 - transplant a min. of 12 clump plants per 100 linear feet of obliterated haul road. Method 2 - does not state any requirement for transplanting vegetation, only tilling in vegetative debris and duff to the specified depth. Please confirm this is the correct interpretation of Method 2.

a. Note 27 on Sheet C1: “The contractor shall rehabilitate the borrow sites and haul routes which includes preserving and transplanting existing plant materials and decompaction or scarification.”

b. This work will be accomplished in combination of both Reclamation Line Items:

i. 62601 Transplanting Existing Vegetation

ii. 21101 Temporary Haul Road Obliteration and Borrow Site Reclamation

c. NOTE: Obliteration Method 2 (Storage Detail) is less extensive than Method 1 (Full

Obliteration Method), but lacks transplanting. Thus, Line Item 62601 was added to accomplish the desired reclamation prescription.

12. Item # 21101 – Please confirm that there are no transplants into the borrow sites.

a. See response to #11.

13. Item 63501 - Will the campsite be open during the construction project?

a. Not to the public. A closure order for the construction site will be in force to prevent public use for the duration of the project.

b. Contractors will be allowed to camp on site.

14. Sheet D3 of the drawings Detail 1 and 2 show that the backfill portion of the grout columns is to be ~2.25' in diameter. This would require significant extra cost to create a 27" diameter column in the elevations where the grout column is to be removed. Will a more cost-effective and industry standard option of using 3"-4" diameter be allowed?

a. No.

15. Specification section 262.02 Seismic Mitigation Compaction Grouting section h and i require the maximum injection pressure of 800 and 600 psi. Operating grout pumps near their high-end capacity in an eventual dead head condition is inherently dangerous and could lead to injury and equipment damage. Can these injections pressures be reduced to 400 psi and 200 psi as used in section 262.03 h and i?

a. Maximum pressures are not to be exceeded.

b. No change to specifications unless approved by professional engineer.

16. It appears the design contours for the new splitter dike slopes (C24 & C25) do not match up with the slopes called out in Detail 2 on Drawing D1 (3:1 and/or 2.5:1 slopes). For any areas where there is a discrepancy, what will take precedence, the contours on C24 & C25 or the Detail 2 slope requirements?

a. Details take precedence over contours.

b. Notes on sheets C26 and D1 acknowledge that “Existing saddle dike geometry varies so some field fitting may be necessary.”

17. With dewatering not allowed to begin until July 15th, there is potential if work started this year that the dam would not be completed before weather forces a winter shutdown. In the event this is the case, are there any limitations on allowing the reservoir water to impound behind the dam through the winter?

a. I.e., if the dam is constructed no further then the elevation of the current breach, could water be allowed to impound behind the new dam and spill through a temporary rip rap protected slope to the toe of the dam?

b. Or would the water in the reservoir need to be pumped and maintained through the winter shutdown?

i. Per the Suggested Construction Sequencing outlined on sheet C8 of the drawings, the intent was to rewater after construction of the dam and dike was complete.

ii. The new Dam is not designed for water to run over it. My concern with water flows over a partially constructed dam is that introducing hydraulic energy at a vulnerable stage of construction would negatively impact the dam’s integrity.

iii. Ultimately, the Contractor is responsible to deliver a final quality product prescribed in the contract. The Forest Service will review and approve acceptable construction methods recommended by the contractor.

18. Is it acceptable to do the initial reservoir dewatering through the existing dam breach, discharging the water down the rip rap slope of the breach, and then setup a control pump for maintaining the elevation through the principal spillway?

a. Yes

b. See additional info in question 3 above.

19. Do we have to keep the chimney drain 1-2 lifts above the embankment to prevent contamination?

a. Any approved method used to prevent contamination will be acceptable.

20. The aggregate to be used for the compaction grouting must meet a stringent gradation envelope (attached) and sand particle shall be round grained in order to be a pumpable grout mix. There is concern that if the in-situ borrow material does not meet these requirements it will need to be imported, which would be a significant cost impact. With the current bid form specifying this material is to be sourced on-site, bidders are taking on a sizeable amount of risk assuming the in-situ material will meet spec requirements. To provide a level playing field for all bidders, could an alternate bid item be added to include importing aggregate for the grouting work instead of using the on-site borrow material?

a. Per line item 20403 Borrow for Grout Mix, FSSS Section 204 and 704, and notes in the drawings, select borrow will be obtained from on-site excavations and borrow sites.

b. If in-situ materials do not meet spec requirements and borrow must be hauled in from off site, a modification will be issued.

c. NOTE: Per FSSS 704, handling of borrow may be necessary for contractor to verify soil classifications are met.

21. Item 26202 & 26207 - Will additional contract time be provide past October 31, 2027 if secondary or tertiary boring and grouting is needed for the Compaction Grouting and Hydraulic Seepage Control Barrier?

a. Typically, No. All line items in the contract shall be completed by the contract completion date of October 31, 2027.

b. If additional work is required beyond quantities identified in the contract, a time modification may be considered.

22. When working with our grout specialists, we keep coming back to a concern we have for being consistent with compaction results as well as the associated costs of this effort. We are concerned about the consistency and the availability of the material we think is best for this purpose. We want to use 3/8” material along with crusher fines.

Regardless of how we model this, we can’t see where we have the ability produce this material for a better rate than what we can get from the quarry. For us to produce approximately 140 – 145 truck loads of a nice 3/8” screened with crusher fines, along with prepping entry into a borrow site, we feel like it is a better value for you. This will leave us valuable time to continue our work on the dam at a faster pace, with consistent material, and a good value. Would this be possible for you to allow on this specific scope of work?

a. Yes.

23. In looking at the road reconditioning scope of work, we immediately thought of using dust pods in the mix of material. Maybe you already use this on some sites? Dust pods are used in Montana and around the country on dirt type country and logging roads, etc.

Dust Pods is a liquid that is thoroughly mixed in with the soil and then graded. The result is a well mixed lay down with very little dust. The result with a controlled moisture application, looks much like a dirt paving job and lasts much longer as the soil hardens.

It makes for a very nice surface with little dust for several months. This is an application that is less expensive and will alleviate the cost for continuous spraying from trucks.

a. This would be acceptable.

24. Will lake water ( if clean) or a nearby creek be allowed to use as a water source for grout batching?

a. Grout Mixing: Potable water is the preferred mixing water. However, non-potable sources may be used provided the source does not negatively impact the properties of grout/concrete. Water source shall contribute to acceptable grout properties per the testing and acceptance criteria outlined in the FSSS “Section 262 – Compaction

Grouting”.

25. Please confirm that compaction grouting only needs to occur between elevation 6325 to 6340? Can the remainder of the hole be backfilled with compaction grout mix rather than neat cement grout?

a. Yes. Per FSSS Section 262.02 (d) Standard cement grouting can occur from elevation 6,340 feet to top of work bench elevation of 6,350 feet.

26. Will the acceptance criteria of a SPT blow count of 18, be an average SPT throughout one test bore hole location? (note: The subgrade materials are expected to be layers of clay and sand, which can lead to variable results when evaluating post grout SPT’s.)

a. Yes.

27. Regarding our fire safety and mitigation plan to cover our on-site construction related activities, will the Forest Service work with us to ensure we have the communication and means to be provided information in the event of possible surrounding catastrophic fire activity? A way to work together to stay informed, so we have the confidence of removing our equipment from the site in a timely manner if necessary?

a. Contractor will be responsible to establish on-site communications (starlink, cell boosters, radio, etc.). The Forest Service will communicate with the contractor in the event of fire or any other emergencies based on established lines of communication.

28. In your view or expertise of the Park Lake Dam area, is there a possibility of being temporarily or permanently shut down due to high or extreme fire danger?

a. Though probability of fire activity specific to the site is low, there is always a possibility.

29. Is it possible that the lake would need to be “re-filled” if the existing fire danger was high?

a. Very low possibility.

30. When removing cattle guards during road reconditioning, do you want us to grade the cattle access area where they walk to get around the guard?

a. Yes please.

31. Specifications 157.11 Requires the tarping of stockpiled materials. This may require the contractor to tarp 20,000+ cubic yards through the winter and high winds. Is this something the government wants to pay for and monitor? Are there other approved options available to store stockpiled materials?

a. Good catch. This is not typical.

b. Please Delete the following from FSSS 157.11 Waterways and Slope Protection and

Stabilization:

Stockpiled materials are to be fully covered with tarps or approved equal if they are left exposed for extended periods of time, particularly during spring or wet weather, per Forest Service requirements and the CO.

c. NOTE: Soil erosion control is outlined in notes 18-28 of sheet C1 of the drawings and does not include tarping.

32. Does the project require a SWPPP as part of the NPDES system? Please provide a copy of the

SWPPP permit? Is the contractor to obtain SWPPP? If so, will Gov’t provide the technical information that is required to fill out the SWPPP application? Rare and endangered species study, historical Indian artifacts, wetland delineation, historical properties, tiered watersheds etc.

This permit can take months to obtain. Will the owner or contractor perform SWPPP inspections?

a. FSSS 157.04 General: “Submit and Erosion Control Plan detailing permanent and temporary control measures to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after construction in accordance with the plans and storm water permits.”

b. Contractor shall obtain and manage a Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

(MPDES) permit.

c. The Government can assist with technical information.

33. Does the Gov’t have all necessary Federal, State and County permits for the project? Please supply a copy of all the government permits. What exact permits would the contractor be expected to obtain? (Miss Utility)

a. Government is in contact with the State for stream permitting and the Corp of Engineers for wetland permitting. Permits will be made available to the contractor when complete.

b. Contractor is responsible for Storm Water Permits (FSSS 157.04).

34. 25103 ripping/excavation. Does the gov’t anticipate blasting for the excavation? Should mechanical excavation suffice? Are the seismic maps available?

a. Blasting is not expected.

b. No seismic maps provided.

35. Can AutoCadd files be provided for quantity takeoffs?

a. CAD files will be provided to contractor at time of award.

36. Can approved USA made drones be allowed to be used by contractor for mapping?

a. Yes. Contractor shall comply with FAA regulations.

37. Is there a detail for the piezometers? Will a licensed well driller be required to install the 14 piezometers?

a. Intent is to replace in kind. See bore hole logs in Appendix A: 6-inch steel surface casing with lockable lid sealed, 2-inch PVC with slotted bottoms.

38. Are the work hours restricted?

a. No.