12445122R0002 Questions Asked As Of 02042022.doc

COMMENTS MATRIX FOR USDA-FS ISSUANCES: 12445122R0002 Catawba Falls Safety Improvements (PISGAH NF_NC) (Please read instructions on back before completing form.)

Email 12/29/2021

Resolution: Yes, all three items must be priced.

Email 12/29/2021

Resolution: Yes, see Amendment 00001 for details and requirements

Email 01242022

Bidder Comment: Is a separate Quality Control person required?

Resolution: No. Section H, 452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988)

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Bidder Comment: Is a separate SSHO person required?

Resolution: Yes. Section H, 452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988) (d)

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Bidder Comment: Is the superintendent required for onsite the entire 365 days?

Resolution: See FAR 52.236-6 Superintendence by the Contractor (APR 1984)

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Bidder Comment: So is the contract 365 days or is it 365 + 240 + 365 Resolution: No. Total contract is 365 days. Line item 0002 must be completed in 240 days or less.

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Bidder Comment: I The Micro pile design does not give a depth or penetration into the rock shelf. What is the Micro pile depth?

Resolution: The Special Provision for the Micro-pile wall answers this question

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Bidder Comment: The Micro pile diameter would require an excavator mounted rig. Would a smaller 4”-6” hole drilled with rock drills and 1 ¼” SS rock bolts with grout bulb be acceptable in lieu of 8” casing?

Resolution: alternate engineering proposal Amendment 00001

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Bidder Comment: Some of the Stair stringers are in excess of 30’. What is the seat(support) and splice detail for the stringers?

Resolution: This item is covered under the General Notes for Lumber Item #4. The mending plates (as with all other materials) will be submitted for approval and the splice locations would be approved in the field.

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Bidder Comment: Can extruded FRP be used in place of steel on this project?

Resolution: We’re assuming this is fiberglass or fiber reinforced plastic for the tower structure? We (TGS) are always going to recommend steel which as been time tested and true for years. As long as the steel is painted (or galvanized in this case) it will conceivably last forever. As we’re not sure about the other option without lots of historical empirical data, we just wouldn’t recommend this as an alternative. This would be ultimately up to the forest service if the contractor can prove that it works and is extremely economically feasible. Ultimately, this would be signed and sealed by their Professional Engineer.

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Bidder Comment: If the contractor is to provide engineering for the tower, is the contractor liable for change orders if unforeseen conditions arise in the tower location?

Resolution: Short answer yes. It is the intent of the contract to provide a tower at the location shown on the plans. We believe this will work at the location shown. Final engineering/geotechnical decisions shall be made for the tower once it is laid out by the contractor on the ground and the tower and footings shall be designed in conjunction with where it falls. Differing site conditions must be noted prior to work and negotiated. The contractor shall notify the government immediately should the contractor’s engineering team note a difference in the site.

See question 16.

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Bidder Comment: Can a typical steel splice detail be provided for potential splice locations?

Resolution: Since the design they provide will be approved by the government, they will provide the splice detail from the engineer that designs it (assuming reference to tower). Otherwise, reinforcing lap splices are covered in General Notes for Concrete/Reinforcing Steel Item #6.

Email 01252022

Bidder Comment: The notes state that an uncut 2x14 stringer will be added doubling each outside stringer (encasing the stairs). How will this uncut stringer finish out at the top landing? Will the treads and risers be fastened to this stringer? If so, what will be the quantity per tread and riser?

Resolution: The “uncut” just means that the treads will not be cut out of the exterior 2x14. They will still be cut at the top and bottom of the stair run to connect to the connection/support at each landing. The exterior “uncut” 2x14 will be fastened to the adjacent “cut” stair stringer but the treads will only be fastened to the “cut” stringer. The exterior 2x14 creates a “casing” kind of like a kick plate on the left and right sides of the stairs at the rail.

Email 02042022

Bidder Comment: if an alternate design is submitted for the micropile retaining wall, what would the surcharge load design weight criteria need to be?

Resolution: If you are submitting an alternate design, your firm is responsible for those calculations to ensure it complies with the end application requirement”.

Any alternate design for the micropile wall, accepted and approved by the Forest Service will be signed/sealed by YOUR COMPANY’S Professional Engineer or subcontractor

Email 02042022

Bidder Comment: do we have to do the design work for the tower?/Cross reference Question 12.

Resolution: Yes. The plans for the tower is conceptual and will require your company do finalize the design. The prefabricated tower design to be submitted for approval by the contractor will also be signed/sealed by by YOUR COMPANY’S Professional Engineer or subcontractor

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Bidder Comment: If I’m submitting an alternate engineering proposal, can I also submit one “as specified”?

Resolution: Yes. See Amendment 0001; 52.215-1,(c)(9)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SD FORM 818

Coordinating OSD Component: Use this form to provide consolidated critical and substantive comments to the OSD Component that originated the issuance. Complete the classification header and footer, columns 1 through 5, and the first two entries in column 6. REVIEW THE COMMENTS, resolve any conflicting views, AND CONFIRM THAT THE COMPLETED MATRIX ACCURATELY REPRESENTS YOUR COMPONENT’S POSITIOn. Upload the form to the DoD Directives Program Portal in microsoft word format, with a scanned copy of the sign SD Form 106, “DoD Directives Program Coordination Record,” or coordination memorandum.

Originating OSD Component: Use this form to consolidate comments from all coordinators and to record adjudication of the comments. (To add comments from an SD 818 submitted by a coordinator, use the “Copy” and “Paste” tools on the Microsoft Word Standard Toolbar.) When consolidating comments, place them in the order of the pages/paragraphs they apply to (e.g., all comments from all coordinators that apply to page 1, paragraph 1.a., should be grouped together as the initial entries; all comments that apply to page 1, paragraph 1.b., should be grouped together next, and so on). Complete column 7 and the third entry in column 6. Adjust the classification header and footer and columns 1 and 2 as appropriate.

Classification – Enter the highest classification of the comments. If all are unclassified, mark the header and footer accordingly and ignore the column.

Column 1 – Enter the number of the comment. Enter comments in the order of the pages/paragraphs they apply to.

Column 2 – Enter the classification of the comment. If all comments are unclassified, mark the header and footer accordingly and ignore the column.

Column 3 – Enter the appropriate information.

Column 4 – Enter the appropriate information.

Column 5 – Enter the appropriate information.

Column 6 – Enter the comment type. Place only one comment per row. Do not include administrative comments concerning non-substantive aspects of an issuance, such as dates of references, organizational symbols, and/or grammatical errors.

(C) Critical: When a Component has one or more critical comments, that Component’s coordination shall reflect a nonconcur. THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CRITICAL COMMENTS MUST IDENTIFY:

– Violations of the law or contradictions of Executive Branch policy or of policy established in DoD issuances. The GC, DoD, or his or her representative shall identify legal objections as critical comments.

– Unnecessary risks to safety, life, limb, or DoD materiel; waste or abuse of DoD appropriations; or imposition of an unreasonable burden on a Component’s resources.

(S) Substantive: Substantive comments are made when a section in the issuance appears to be or is potentially unnecessary, incorrect, misleading, confusing, or inconsistent with other sections, or when a Component disagrees with the proposed responsibilities, requirements, and/or procedures. A substantive comment is usually not sufficient justification for a Component to nonconcur on an issuance. Several substantive comments when taken together may be grounds for a nonconcurrence.

Column 7 – Coordinating Component: Enter the comment in the area provided. Enter your justification for the comment and your requested or recommended changes in the area provided. YOU MUST PROVIDE CONVINCING SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL COMMENTS IN THE JUSTIFICATION.

– Originating Component: Enter your justification for disposition of the comment in the area provided. Include any related communications with the coordinating Component. You must provide convincing support for rejecting critical comments.

Column 8 – Enter whether you accepted (A), rejected (R), or partially accepted (P) the comment. Your justification for disposition of the comment in column 6 must be consistent with this entry.

PAGE

SD FORM 818, JAN 09

PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE