Amendment 0001 RFIs 12445225R0003 GAOA Palmetto.pdf

(x)

12445225R0003 x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

ATLANTA GA 30309-2449

STE 876S

1720 PEACHTREE ST NW

USDA-FS CSA EAST 12

GAOA12/18/20240001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

12/18/2024

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

GAOA Palmetto Trail Enoree Passage Rehab located at Enoree Ranger District in South

Carolina.

The purpose of this Amendment is to incorporate RFI questions and answers received by potential contractors.

All proposals are due by 1/20/25 by 5pm EST.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

PENNY R. ZORTMAN

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Questions GAOA Palmetto Trail Enoree Passage Rehab

1) Are we to re-use the curbing on the sections that get deck boards replaced? In our experience reusing old materials makes the job more labor intensive and doesn't leave the best final product. No. Provide new curbing for all sections of boardwalk that require new deck boards.

2) Will there be a forest service disposal site or are we to haul material to the nearest county landfill? Contractor will haul all debris material to nearest or most economical landfill in accordance with SC laws/regulations.

3) What submittals will be required if any? A list of submittals is provided in the SOW.

4) Will you provide a site visit sign in sheet? Yes (Sign-in sheet provided to CO for distribution as required)

5) On drawing TR-4 the tags 4-7 appear to be the last bent/abutment of the boardwalk bridge connection. Can we get drawings or pictures of that area? FS will provide photos.

6) Does the prefab bridge need to include a 15-year warranty? Paragraph 10.0 of the specifications requires the bridge manufacturer to provide a 15-year warranty on the structural integrity of all FRP materials, design, and workmanship. Refer to the paragraph for additional details.

7) What if the lead time on the prefab bridge exceeds the 180 days that we have for the project?

If lead time for manufacture of the bridge exceeds the POP for the project, the CO, COR and awarded contractor will negotiate a new POP based on expected timelines for the manufacture and installation of the bridge.

8) Does buy American apply to the prefab bridge? Please read the solicitation. FAR 52.225-9 Buy American Act-Construction Materials (OCT 2022)

9) Do female and minority staff requirements apply to this project? Yes, see solicitation FAR 52.222-23

10) Does contractor and subcontractor have to be registered in SAM? Yes

11) Are there any modifications to the written scope of work given the additional storm damage after the draft SOW was developed? No. Some additional trees did fall on the structures during Hurricane Helene but they fell on areas already damaged and designated for repair in the original SOW.

12) Will the trail be officially closed or open during the period of repair? If open, are there requirements to provide trail users a temporary boardwalk or bridge over sections of water while the main bridge is under construction/destruction? The FS will post a notice to the public that the portions of trail being worked on will be closed during the construction period.

13) Can we reuse the cement abutments if they are not damaged? If contractors propose to reuse the old footer, they will need to contact the COR to set up a time to inspect the footer for any cracking or damage. If the footer appears to be in good condition and the COR agrees, then footer could be used. If the footer is found to be cracked and/or damaged, the contractor will have to provide a new footer.

14) Is it acceptable to scab on new 6 x 6 pieces on the 6 x 6 posts that have been driven into the ground? Same question for 6 x 6 posts for which water seeping into the wood grain at the top has caused some superficial damage? Yes, this is acceptable.

15) Can we use screws in place of any nails currently used? Yes, screws would be preferred.

16) Sispring bridge, will we be replacing all the decking and all of the side rails and caps? Yes.

17) Can you clarify whether the contractor or the government will be responsible for clearing downed trees in the laydown areas and on/near the bridge, stream and boardwalk (or any standing but dead or damaged trees or limbs that present a safety hazard to the hikers, workers and repaired structures)? The contractor will be responsible for clearing downed trees from the work and lay down areas. Tree debris can be relocated to adjacent forested areas.

Hazard trees should be reported to the FS prior to removal to coordinate removal.

18) The new Pre-fabricated bridge specifications are very specific on the vendor requirements.

Do you have a list of approved vendors for the USDA meeting these requirements?

We have no list of “approved vendors” but Arete Structures out of Blowing Rock, NC might be a good vendor to check into. They provided a similar bridge on the Enoree District in the past. There is also a company called Bedford Reinforced Plastics out of PA that provides FRP bridges.

19) In the construction statement of work, can you confirm the deliverable due date timelines?

There is a discrepancy in the table on the written number and the number in parenthesis. Thanks for noting that discrepancy. In this instance, please refer to the numbers in parenthesis for the submittal days.

Indian Creek Bridge Location o Should we replace the post brackets on the bridge abutment at Station 1+00? Yes, the brackets were damaged/bent when the tree fell on the bridge so those brackets will need to be replaced.

o There are 2-3 boardwalk piles that were driven further into the ground at Station 1+26.5 to Station 1+50.0 when the tree fell on the boardwalk and those piles are no longer level with the other piles. What should we do here? You don’t have to remove the old pile. Just “sister” or extend the pile with another appropriately sized piece of lumber to make the driven piles level with the others.

o What should we do with the fallen trees that are in the project area? Just cut them up and roll them out of the way. Do not block any trails or stream beds with the debris.

o What do we do with the old bridge and boardwalk material? The contractor is responsible for hauling off all old bridge and boardwalk material and disposing of it in accordance with SC regulations and laws.

o The existing footer for the bridge does not seem to be damaged. Can we reuse that and just put a new subbase under it when installing the new bridge? If contractors propose to reuse the old footer, they will need to contact the COR to set up a time to inspect the footer for any cracking or damage. If the footer appears to be in good condition and the COR agrees, then footer could be used. If the footer is found to be cracked and/or damaged, the contractor will have to provide a new footer.

Sispring Bridge & Boardwalk Locations o Can we use screws to fasten the deck boards and curb railing instead of nails? Yes, using screws is actually preferred.

o Is tree removal included as an optional line item? No, tree removal is not included as an optional line item. If there are fallen trees in the project area that need to be removed, the contractor is responsible for removing the trees and positioning them outside of the project area (avoiding placing them on trails or in streams). If there is a hazard tree or live tree that needs to be taken down, the contractor is to contact the COR to coordinate removal. If the FS can’t remove the tree, discussions with the CO, COR, and contractor will take place to determine if a contract modification is needed.