C04 Revised Responses for QA.docx

Questions & Answers for North/South Pisgah National Forest Culverts August 2026

1. Will there be multiple staging/laydown areas?

Answer: This will be discussed at time of award during the pre-work meeting and before NTP.

2. What is the typical weather?

Answer: Please refer to the NOAA Website for more information regarding historical average weather for the area.

3. Is there specific color of grout required?

Answer: There is not a specific color of grout required.

4. Will GIS input replace the Daily Diaries?

Answer: No, the GIS Input and the Daily Diary are two separate elements in the contract. They will be performed by the same inspector, and at the same time, but one is for facilitating work tracking (GIS) and the other is for Contract Management (DD).

5. If the roads are damaged during project will the contractor have to fix it?

Answer: Roads are the responsibility of the contractor until final inspection and acceptance.

6. Excavation of trees, is it allowed?

Answer: If the Contractor determines that a tree will need to be cut or excavated, they should notify the COR, at least a week in advance and will need written approval from the COR.

7. Can trees be disposed of at the project site?

Answer: Disposal site will have to be approved by the COR.

8. What is the process to check for utilities?

Answer: Call the local One-Call number and submit a locate ticket.

9. Are there mowing & mulching on this project?

Answer: Details for referencing mowing are found in the SOW under Contract Requirements page 3 and states:

Clearing and grubbing: Remove fallen trees and debris within the clearing limits and mow the roadway as per details and specifications.

On the SOI Item # 2023 references mowing.

10. What are the hours of work, and can contractors work weekends?

Answer: The Hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

11. Who do we submit our bid responses to via email? It doesn’t specify where to address the offer to in Attachment 1.

Answer: See attached Amendment.

Pisgah Ditch Culvert Replacements and Road Reconditioning Pisgah North Culvert Andrew.cranford@usda.gov and Penny.zortman@usda.gov Pisgah South Culvert Fareedah.vaughn@usda.gov and Jalisa.sims@usda.gov

12. Would you consider extending the bid date to allow contractors enough time for due diligence as both Pisgah North Ranger District Ditch Culvert Replacements 12445226Q0047 and this one bid the same day?

Answer: (12445226Q0047) Pisgah North Culvert - September 11, 2026, at 1pm ET.

(12445226Q0046) Pisgah South Culvert - September 8, 2026, at 5pm ET.

13. Due to proposal due date of 9/4/26 for this project and 2 others in the immediate are, can the due date for this project be extended beyond 9/4/26?

Answer: Please see the response to Question # 12.

14. What constitutes being a General Contractor versus the Prime Contractor? Over the past few years, we've completed several jobs where we acted as the General Contractor and performed the work, but another entity was the Prime Contractor holding the contract. Would those jobs be applicable for the past performance/relevant experience?

Answer: A General Contractor as stipulated above is a license to operate within the specified area. A Prime Contractor is the awardee to the US Government contract that is issued. Further questions about the past performance are addressed in the RFQ packet page 20.

15. What criteria determine if a job is considered 75% complete?

Answer: A job is deemed 75% complete based on either fund expenditure reaching ~75% or schedule documentation reporting 75% work accomplished.

16. Is the $2 million amount for the relevant experience flexible? Some of the similar jobs we've completed are below the $2 million dollar mark.

Answer: No. There is not any flexibility for relevant project experience. The relevant project experience must be $2 million or more. Relevancy will be determined during evaluations by the CO, COR and evaluation team.

17. On sheet number D-03, the riprap mentioned is Class 4 riprap. Other places in the plans reference Class B riprap, and Class 4 riprap is not included in the Schedule of Items. Which type of riprap is going to be used?

Answer: Class B RipRap to be used in inlet and outlet protection. Please see revised Plans, Ditch Relief Culvert – PSG SOUTH/NORTH 8.24.26.

18. Additionally, sheet D-03 calls out a clay plug. No other drawings show this clay plug. There is also no pay item for a clay plug on the SOI. Are clay plugs going to be required? If so, will a pay item be added, or is this incidental to the pipe installation?

Answer: Clay plug is required on all pipe installation and incidental to pipe installation. See Plans Note #9 on C-01.

19. Based on the prior questions, is there a possibility that sheet D-03 was added to the plans in error?

Answer: No. Class B RipRap to be used in inlet and outlet protection. Please see revised Plans, Ditch Relief Culvert – PSG SOUTH/NORTH 8.24.26.

20. There are notes that state that the contractor is responsible for protecting staking. Does that mean the COR is responsible for staking, or is the contractor responsible for both staking and protecting the staking?

Answer: The Contractor is responsible for both staking and protecting the staking.

21. The culvert bedding ABC: is that coming out of the tonnage of ABC included on the SOI, or is that incidental to the pipe?

Answer: This is incidental to the Pipe Installation. Gradation for bedding is different than ABC.

22. What is the ROM for this requirement?

Answer: Pisgah North Culvert- Between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.

Pisgah South Culvert- Between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000

23. Does the Government intend to award one or both this contract and the south culvert replacement to the same contractor? We assume if this is the case, both projects will be required to run simultaneously and separately?

Answer: The Government intends to award to the contractor that is deemed the Highest Technically Rated with Fair and Reasonable Pricing. The projects will be evaluated separately. The projects will run concurrently, regardless of which contractor wins the contracts.

24. At the site visit, it was discussed that the quantities on the SOI are not binding and the contractor was responsible for verifying all quantities in our proposal. This does not seem to be particularly possible without a thorough investigation /survey of all areas which isn’t possible prior to bid. Can the government confirm the quantity listed are to be used as the basis of pricing to keep all bidders on the same level with discrepancies noted during construction and handled via contract modification (typical)?

Answer: Yes, the quantity listed are to be used as the basis of pricing to keep all bidders on the same level with discrepancies noted during construction and handled via contract modification.

25. It was discussed at the site visit that work was expected to progress regardless of weather. If no physical work can be accomplished due to weather events, will these delays be considered excusable delays and added to the POP or is the contractor expected to absorb all weather delays as described at the site visit?

Answer: Yes. Weather-based delays shall be annotated in the daily notes and the weekly correspondence with the COR. Delays will be evaluated by the CO and COR and determined if they are excusable on a case-by-case basis. Any weather-based excusable delays shall be added to the POP, rather than requiring the contractor to absorb all of the weather days.

26. Per the site visit, no stored materials would be paid for by the USFS at point in the project. Please confirm payments will be made for installed items.

Answer: Correct. Payment will only be made for materials and supplies of installed and accepted items by the US Govt.

27. Can the superintendent serve as super, QC and Safety?

Answer: If the Superintendent is qualified to serve as QC and Safety as well it does not have to be 3 separate people. Qualifications must be submitted and approved by the CO and COR.

28. Will the location for an office trailer be set up for the contractor?

Answer: This will be discussed after award and prior to the issuance of the NTP.

29. The Schedule of Items identifies Item 30315 – Roadway Rehabilitation (perform 2 services per mile), Placement Method 2, with a pay unit of Mile and a quantity of 107.34 miles. Please clarify whether the listed quantity of 107.34 miles includes both required services per mile, or whether the 107.34 miles represents the physical roadway mileage upon which two separate services are required.

Please confirm the following:

A. Does the 107.34-mile bid quantity represent the total payable service mileage, inclusive of the requirement to perform two (2) services per mile?

Answer: Yes. (107.34 miles / 2 services = 53.67 miles per service) The total individual millage of gravel roads where culvert replacements will be performed is 53.67 Miles. Due to the Contract being a two-year Period of Performance, one service will occur each year at a timeline approved by the COR.

B. If the 107.34 miles represents the physical roadway mileage and two (2) services are required over the entire 107.34 miles, please confirm that the total anticipated quantity of roadway rehabilitation to be performed and compensated is 214.68 service-miles (107.34 miles × 2 services).

Answer: (107.34 miles / 2 services = 53.67 miles per service) The total individual millage of gravel roads where culvert replacements will be performed is 53.67 Miles. Due to the Contract being a two-year Period of Performance, one service will occur each year at a timeline approved by the COR.

C. Please also confirm the required number of passes and/or operations that constitute one complete “service” under Item 30315.

Answer: There is no set number of passes that constitutes a complete service, that is dependent on equipment and method of roadway rehabilitation since it includes traveled way and ditch rehabilitation. A service will be considered complete once approved to standards and specifications by GTM and/or COR.

30. The culvert detail requires a 3-ft long, 8-in thick semi-impervious clay collar on the uphill end of the culvert per FP-24 602.03, using material classified as AASHTO M-145 A-6 or A-7. Please clarify whether the Contractor should assume that A-6 or A-7 material must be imported and hauled to each culvert location, or whether existing/native material excavated at the individual culvert locations may be utilized, provided the material satisfies the specified AASHTO M-145 A-6 or A-7 classification.

A. If existing/native material may be utilized, please confirm whether visual acceptance by the Contracting Officer/Inspector will be sufficient or if material testing will be required to verify the AASHTO classification prior to use.

Answer: There is no existing material on site that has been approved or meets required specification for the clay collar material. Material must be brought in from an off-site location and approved by COR to ensure it meets the requirements specified.

B. If imported material is required regardless of the suitability of the onsite material, please confirm so the Contractor can account for the required material, hauling, and handling in the bid.

Answer: Yes, the clay collar material and installation is incidental to the culvert installation line-item 60201a.

31. Bid Item 20403 – Roadway Excavation and Embankment, Compaction Placement Method (1) includes an estimated quantity of 8,776 CY. The Contractor has not been provided plans or a location-specific quantity breakdown identifying where this excavation and embankment work is anticipated to occur. In order to accurately evaluate the scope, hauling requirements, equipment needs, and material balance associated with this bid item, please provide a narrative or quantity breakdown identifying the locations used to develop the 8,776 CY estimated quantity.

At a minimum, please provide the following:

A. Location and Quantity Breakdown: Please identify the applicable road, milepost/station, and/or culvert number for each anticipated excavation and embankment location, along with the estimated excavation (cut) and embankment (fill) quantities in CY at each location.

Answer: Plan Sheets 8-14 state the location of each culvert replacement site, quantities are estimated based on the estimated excavation trench of each culvert replacement, which is 6 feet wide, multiplied by an average of 4 feet deep of excavation by the length of the pipe. The cubic yards for excavation of each pipe can be calculated this way. Plans have been revised to include each estimated cubic yard of excavation for each pipe to facilitate the invoicing.

B. Total Excavation vs. Embankment: Please confirm the estimated total quantity of excavation and the estimated total quantity of embankment/fill that comprise the 8,776 CY bid quantity. Please also clarify how Item 20403 will be measured for payment where material is excavated and subsequently reused as embankment.

Answer: The quantity includes approximate excavation as a volume, which includes taking the material out to install the culvert and then reusing it to cover following compaction standards which coincides with the Culvert Installation Line Item. As discussed in the Pre-Bid, Item 20403 will be updated to Contract Quantity Unit of measurement, which means that it does not need to be measured for approval and payment. Progress payment on excavation will be made off estimated quantities per culvert in the updated schedule.

C. Material Balance / Imported Material: Please confirm whether the project is anticipated to be balanced utilizing suitable material generated from the excavation operations, or whether the Contractor should anticipate importing borrow/new material to complete the required embankment.

Answer: The project is anticipated to balance suitable generated material during excavation; the only exception will be the imported bedding as stated on Sheet 18. No imported borrow material is expected for any site, and in the rare exception, the ABC Stone in Item 30208 can be used if approved by COR.

D. Excess/Unsuitable Material: Please identify the estimated quantity, in CY, of excavated material that the Contractor should assume cannot be reused and will require hauling and disposal.

Answer: There will not be any estimated excess/unsuitable material quantities. Any unsuitable material generated will be minimal and could be spread and graded on fill bank before turf establishment.

E. Disposal Sites: The plans state that unsuitable excavation/waste material produced during construction shall be hauled to disposal sites specified in the Schedule, with the locations to be confirmed by the COR/ER. Please identify the designated disposal site(s) applicable to this project and provide their locations.

Answer: As previously stated, there will not be any estimated excess/unsuitable material quantities. Any unsuitable material generated will be minimal and could be spread and graded on fill bank before turf establishment. Waste material will be minimal and disposal sites will not be needed unless there are differing site conditions.

F. Haul-Off Quantity: Please provide the estimated quantity of material in CY, that the Contractor should carry in the bid for transportation to the designated disposal site(s).

Answer: There will not be any estimated excess/unsuitable material quantities. Any unsuitable material generated will be minimal and could be spread and graded on fill bank before turf establishment. Waste material will be minimal and disposal sites will not be needed unless there are differing site conditions.

G. Net Material Movement: Based on the anticipated cut, fill, reuse, import, and disposal quantities, please confirm the actual estimated volume of material to be moved under Item 20403 and how the stated 8,776 CY bid quantity was developed.

Answer: There will not be any estimated excess/unsuitable material quantities. Any unsuitable material generated will be minimal and could be spread and graded on fill bank before turf establishment. Waste material will be minimal and disposal sites will not be needed unless there are differing site conditions.

32. Schedule of Items includes Item 63501 – Temporary Traffic Control as a Lump Sum bid item; however, the Contractor has not been provided a narrative identifying the specific temporary traffic control requirements anticipated for the project. Please provide a Temporary Traffic Control narrative and clarify the following requirements for bidding:

A. Full Road Closures: Please confirm that temporary full closure of the applicable Forest Service road is acceptable while culvert replacement and associated work is being performed.

Answer: Full closure is acceptable if approved by the COR. Refer to Plans Page G-02 Note 20.

B. Detours: Please confirm that the Contractor will not be required to establish, construct, maintain, or sign a detour route during temporary road closures.

Answer: Refer to Plans Page G-02 Note 20.

C. Temporary Traffic Control Signs and Devices: Please provide the required signage, barricades, channelizing devices, and other temporary traffic control devices, including required quantities and anticipated locations.

Answer: Follow MUTCD Guidelines for Low Volume roads in conjunction with Plan Sheet 26.

D. Road Closure Duration: Please identify any restrictions on the allowable duration, hours, or days of full road closures, including whether the road must be reopened to public traffic at the end of each workday. With some exceptions, all roads must be reopened at the end of each day.

Answer: Specifics will be discussed with CO, COR and District Personnel in case there are any outliers. Refer to Plans Page G-02 Note 20.

33. The Schedule of Items includes Item 25102 – Placed Riprap, NCDOT Class B, with an estimated quantity of 1,425 tons. However, the Contractor has not been provided with a location-specific breakdown identifying where the estimated quantity is anticipated to be installed. Please provide the anticipated locations and quantity breakdown used to develop the 1,425-ton bid quantity. (1,425-ton is for the North culverts only, but the below answers can apply to both North and South culverts.)

At a minimum, please provide:

A. The applicable road and milepost/station and/or culvert number for each anticipated riprap installation location.

Answer: Riprap Shall be used as fill bank and/or outlet protection on each culvert installation site. See plan sheet 16, 17, and 18.

B. The estimated tonnage of NCDOT Class B riprap at each location.

Answer: 5 Tons used per culvert installation site for fill bank and/or outlet protection.

C. The anticipated limits, dimensions, or intended application of the riprap at each location, where applicable.

Answer: Riprap Shall be used as fill bank and/or outlet protection on each culvert installation site. See Plan sheet 16, 17, and 18.

D. Please confirm whether the 1,425 tons represents the total anticipated quantity for all riprap required by the contract documents, or whether additional riprap is considered incidental to other bid items.

Answer: The Method of Measurement for Payment is Actual Quantities of 1,425 Tons as an estimated quantity by the Government. Contractors will be paid for the Actual Amount used on each site based on Stone Tickets provided.

34. Can the USFS provide an invert elevation at both ends of the culverts relative to the surface elevation of the center of road at the intersection of the road and culvert? Basically, we need an assumed depth of pipe in order to provide pricing for and verify QTYs of materials required. Please advise if this will be possible to provide. An assumption with a Not to Exceed Depth would work as well.

Answer: The invert elevation will be set based of inlet of each culvert, with a minimum cover of 12 inches and with the grade being either 8% or to the toe of the slope (normally less than 8%) at the outlet as stated in the Culvert Schedule in the plans.

35. The bid schedule list Pay Item 30208 List Compaction Method 2 however the Supplemental Specifications list Compaction Method 1. Please Advise.

Answer: Bid schedule refers to FP-24 Section “302.05 Compacting and Finishing Crushed Aggregate (2) Method 2. Compact each lift according to Subsection 301.05.” The FSSS note is referencing a general understanding of the correction of the 302.05(a)(1) section if FP-24 in relation to Method 1, but the Contract is requesting Method 2 per FP-24.

36. The project specifications and drawings references FHWA specification FP24. The FP24 state that we provide the government with a 300-pound sample for testing. Will this be required?

Answer: ABC Aggregate is under FP-24 Section 302 and no other sampling will be required outside of gradation certification provided by the quarry.

37. If required, will the government be following test procedures for FHWA requirements or since the solicitation pay items specifies NCDOT ABC, will the test procedures follow NCDOT testing requirements? The reason we ask is FHWA test performs a "wash test"; NCDOT performs a "dry stack test". This will give you two different results and skew the numbers when testing the fines in the aggregate. And in most cases FHWA test procedures does not follow the local DOT procedures. Please advise.

Answer: Contract requires NCDOT ABC. NCDOT’s “ABC” (Aggregate Base Course) program requires that quarries to have certified stone material to meet QC/QA standards. Load Tickets will be used to verify acceptability and adherence to the Contract.

38. Is the Class 4 Rip-Rap the Class B pay item or is this incidental and to which pay item?

Answer: Plans have been updated to reflect the Class B requirement. Please see updated Plans.

39. The SOI lists Pay Item 60201b and 60201c as LS, but are they supposed to be EACH?

Answer: The Units for Pay Items 60201b and 60201c have been updated to “Each” on the SOI lists to reflect plan sheet C-01.

40. NCDOT ABC is specified to be ran through a mixer at the quarry. A lot of quarries local to the project location do not have the ability to produce this material in these locations. Will mixing the NCDOT ABC be required per the FP24?

Answer: Reference the answer to question number 37 above.

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