FR209 Pre-Bid QA.pdf

Monongahela Na�onal Forest FR209 AOP Replacement Pre-Bid Notes/Q+A.

Important Notes:

• All ques�ons and communica�ons a�er the mee�ng need to be sent via email to the CO and COR. Review the official ques�ons and answers document to be sent a�er the mee�ng. Only the answers and informa�on provided in that document will have any bearing on the contract.

Perceived answers contrary to this document are not correct.

• The Project is to Replace the Exis�ng Structure with a New Concrete Box Beam Bridge o See Solicita�on for Full Scope and Schedule of Items

• Please note that the project site does not have cell service.

• Contract Timing – C.5 o An�cipated POP Start of 10/02/23.

o POP Ends 6/28/24.

o Submit a Proposed Schedule of Work to the CO for approval 14 days prior to the an�cipated start of work on-site.

o All Instream Work Shall only be performed during the low-flow season per the NEPA decision.

No�fy COR 14 days prior to requested date to start in-stream work.

COR approval is required prior to in-stream work.

• Special Condi�ons Affec�ng the Work – C.6 o See sec�on C.6a for special condi�ons affec�ng the work including the exis�ng bridge closure to public vehicular traffic. Contractor shall plan their work accordingly.

o Weather – These eleva�ons experience cold weather and over 50inches of precipita�on per year.

o Work Hours – No work on holidays or weekends unless requested by the contractor in wri�ng and approved by the CO.

o Highway Permits – Contractor is responsible for any highway permits.

o Damage caused to FR209 by the contractor’s opera�ons will have to be repaired by the contractor prior to the acceptance of work.

o No Toilet Facili�es on-site – to be provided by the contractor.

o Protec�on of Resources – Strict Adherence to Limits of Disturbance due to Endangered

Species Concerns. – Also H.2.17 The Forest Service will perform all tree felling ac�vi�es prior to the contractor’s mobiliza�on. Some of these trees may be felled across the stream.

The contractor is responsible for clearing and grubbing of all felled trees, all brush, all stumps, all slash, and all other necessary debris from the project site.

This includes anything remaining a�er the FS felling opera�ons including standing brush or remaining limbs/brush to be trimmed.

Logs 8 inches in diameter or greater may be cut into 4’ lengths and placed neatly at a COR designated area within one mile of the work loca�on.

All merchantable �mber must be cut into 4’ or smaller lengths prior to removal from the project site. No �mber may be sold.

The Contractor may submit a writen request to the CO for addi�onal trees to be removed. This may be denied on any basis. If the request is approved, the contractor shall remove the tree, brush, slash, stump, etc. from the project site at no addi�onal cost to the government.

Under no circumstances may the limits of disturbance be violated without prior writen consent of the Contrac�ng Officer.

• Project Submitals – C.6 o Pay Special Aten�on to the project submitals.

o Several will be required prior to the start of on-site work.

Equipment Inspec�on

• Equipment Cleanliness must be approved by the government prior to offloading equipment at the project site. No�fy COR prior to mobiliza�on to schedule an inspec�on.

Safety Plan Sediment & Erosion Control Plan Hazardous Spill Plan Quality Control Plan Traffic Control Plan

• Special Provisions for Pedestrian Travel

• Shall follow MUTCD

• The gate shall remain closed during the dura�on of the project to keep out public vehicle traffic.

Dewatering & Diversion Plan Construc�on Schedule o Others will occur during work or at closeout.

• Landscape Preserva�on and Hazardous Materials – H.2.4 o Excess concrete and wash water shall not be run out on the ground, but rather placed in a plas�c-lined containment unit. All waste/excess concrete and wash water shall be removed from the site and disposed of in a legal manner.

o No opera�on of mechanized equipment in a live stream without the writen consent of the contrac�ng officer.

o See approved seed mixes.

• No local disposal sites – H.2.5 o All waste materials shall be hauled off site and disposed of in a legal manner.

• No local borrow sites – H.2.8 o Seek COR approval in advance of using alternate borrow sources.

• Control Points – H.2.11 o Government Control Point Data will be provided by the government within 14 days of the contractor’s request.

• Access o The contractor shall supply a lock to be placed on the gate at the entrance to FR209 for their access. The Forest Service lock shall remain on the gate in addi�on to the contractor’s lock and the gate shall remain openable by both par�es throughout the dura�on of the contract. A combina�on lock is encouraged.

• This project is funded under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and has public interest accordingly.

Ques�ons and Answers:

1. Q: Could you elaborate on the requirements for the micropiles?

a. A: The Forest Service will not provide recommenda�ons or further elabora�on of the micropiles or their installa�on. Follow the contract plans and specifica�ons.

2. Q: Is a micropile design required as part of the contract work?

a. A: See sec�on 567 of the supplementary specifica�ons. The contractor is responsible for this submital.

3. Q: What is the expecta�on for the final grade a�er the exis�ng structure is removed? How will the bank be stabilized?

a. A: An addi�onal plan sheet clarifying the scope for the removal of the exis�ng structure and associated remedia�on is forthcoming and will be added to the solicita�on. All work to remove the exis�ng structure, excavate to final grade, stabilize the banks, fill any cavi�es, and complete any necessary related work described in the plans, specifica�ons, and other contract documents is included in item 0001AE 20304 – Removal of Old Structure, Disposal Method A.

4. Q: The HMA Applica�on Table on page C-04 of the plans for the project specifies a performance grade of 58-28 liquid for the asphalt mix. That type of liquid is rarely used here, and it would not be feasible for such a small amount (90 tons). Would a 64-22 liquid mix be acceptable for the asphalt?

a. A: A 64-22 binder is an acceptable alterna�ve to 58-28 liquid.

5. Q: What does Roadway Oblitera�on Method 1 Entail?

a. A: See Part 211 of the Supplemental Specifica�ons for reference.

6. Q: What materials do the bridge deck and approaches consist of?

a. A: The bridge deck is to be cast-in-place concrete. The bridge approaches will be asphalt.

7. Q: Does the concrete have to be tested?

a. A: Yes, the concrete shall be tested in accordance with the contract specifica�ons. See Division 550 of the FP-14 and Supplemental Specifica�ons for details.

8. Q: Was there a subsurface inves�ga�on done at the site?

a. A: Yes, there were soil borings taken. Some data from the inves�ga�on is included in the plans.

9. Q: What is Considered low flow for in-stream work? Is there a season?

a. A: In-Stream work can be performed during the POP if the contractor's dewatering plan and construc�on schedule are approved. No�fica�on of COR and prior approval are s�ll required per the contract documents.

10. Q: Will the big rocks in the stream channel or at the edge of the channel be moved as part of the project work?

a. A: If necessary for the project work, these rocks may be moved. All in stream work would have to be done in a dewatered state unless otherwise approved by the CO in wri�ng. The contractor shall exercise care to not disturb the streambed beyond what is necessary for the execu�on of the contract work.

11. Q: Are the silt sock posi�ons shown on the plans the final posi�ons?

a. A: No, the final posi�oning of the silt sock shall be in the proposed erosion and sediment control plan submited by the contractor.

12. Q: Are contractors allowed to walk into the site during the bidding period?

a. A: Yes, contractors may walk into the site during the bidding period at any �me. Please do not block the gate when visi�ng the site.

13. Q: What are the pink flags and flagging for?

a. A: The pink flags roughly delineate the clearing limits for the project. The Limits of Disturbance control if the two conflict.

14. Q: How are the limits of disturbance marked in the field?

a. A: The limits of disturbance are marked in the field using blue and white striped flagging.

15. Q: Which trees will be cut?

a. A: Those currently within the marked clearing limits and painted with a pink “X”.

16. Q: What are the dates for tree felling?

a. A: The contractor may only fell trees if approved by the Contrac�ng Officer per the contract documents. Any tree felling would need to occur November 15th-March 31st unless otherwise approved by the Contrac�ng Officer.

17. Q: Can the contractor trim limbs from trees?

a. A: Yes, but only those limbs within the limits of disturbance may be trimmed. The limbs may be trimmed as high as necessary. The limits of disturbance extend up ver�cally from the limits of disturbance marked in the field. The contractor shall take care to keep the trimmed trees alive. En�re treetops may not be removed. Care shall be taken to prevent brush from falling outside the limits of disturbance. No disturbance may occur outside the limits of disturbance under any circumstances without the prior writen consent of the contrac�ng officer.

18. Q: Are there any local disposal sites for trees or brush? What are the disposal requirements for the trees and brush?

a. A: All trees, brush, and slash shall be removed and disposed of in a legal manner off Forest Service Lands unless otherwise specified in the contract documents. There are no further restric�ons on disposal of trees, brush, or slash imposed by the contract. It is the responsibility of the contractor to dispose of materials in a legal manner.

19. Q: Can trees and brush be disposed of on private property?

a. The contractor is responsible for legally disposing of all trees and brush from the site off

Forest Service lands unless otherwise specified in the contract documents. There are no further restric�ons on disposal of these materials imposed by the contract. It is the responsibility of the contractor to dispose of materials in a legal manner.

20. Q: Can waste soil and rock be disposed of on private property?

a. The contractor is responsible for legally disposing of all waste soil and rock from the site off Forest Service lands. There are no further restric�ons on disposal of these materials imposed by the contract. It is the responsibility of the contractor to dispose of materials in a legal manner.

21. Q: Can waste debris be disposed of on private property?

a. The contractor is responsible for legally disposing of all waste debris from the site off

Forest Service lands. There are no further restric�ons on disposal of these materials imposed by the contract. It is the responsibility of the contractor to dispose of materials in a legal manner.

22. Q: Can trees be removed in log lengths?

a. A: No, all merchantable �mber shall be cut into lengths of 4’ or less for removal and disposal.

23. Q: What is the endangered species of concern in the vicinity of the project?

a. A: The Cheat Mountain Salamander.

24. Q: Will work be allowed before and during the winter months?

a. A: The contractor may work at the site any�me during the Period of Performance, subject to other requirements in the contract documents such as restric�ons on in-stream work, tree felling, and other ac�vi�es restricted specifically by the contract documents. The construc�on schedule must be submited to the CO/COR for approval prior to the start of work on-site.

25. Q: Can the exis�ng bridge structure be used for the construc�on work?

a. A: The bridge is currently closed to public vehicular traffic due to a state of par�al failure.

A copy of the most recent inspec�on report is included with the solicita�on as an atachment. The forest service will not be load ra�ng the structure due to the poten�al for increased degrada�on. The contractor should plan their work accordingly.

26. Q: Can a temporary bridge be installed overtop or in place of the exis�ng bridge structure?

a. A: The installa�on of a temporary crossing structure at the loca�on of the exis�ng structure is allowable if the temporary structure does not violate the limits of disturbance.

27. Q: Is there documenta�on regarding the ini�al load ra�ng of the exis�ng bridge structure?

a. A: From current knowledge, there is no ini�al load ra�ng informa�on. The bridge is currently closed to public vehicular traffic due to a state of par�al failure. A copy of the most recent inspec�on report is included with the solicita�on as an atachment. The forest service will not be load ra�ng the structure due to the poten�al for increased degrada�on. The contractor should plan their work accordingly.

28. Q: What condi�on is the exis�ng structure in?

a. See the bridge inspec�on report included in the solicita�on documents. One of the abutments has a sec�on that has rotated.

29. Q: Can the concrete barriers be moved, and a larger gate installed at the entrance to allow for large construc�on vehicles?

a. A: Yes, if the road closure is maintained and the installa�on meets the requirements of the contract, applicable laws and regula�ons as well as the Traffic Control Plan. Any work to move the barriers or change the gate would be at no addi�onal cost to the government and at the discre�on of the contractor. The contractor is responsible to ensure a safe installa�on that meets applicable state, local and federal regula�ons. Any new installa�on must provide a gate. No chains, wires, or similar installa�ons are allowed in place of a gate.

30. Q: Does the gate have to remain locked during the work?

a. A: The gate must be locked at the end of each workday but may be le� unlocked while the contractor is on site if the traffic control plan addresses the poten�al for the public to visit the site and space for them to turn around.

31. Q: Will the public be camping in the project area?

a. A: There may be pedestrian traffic during the project work and associated camping and fishing in the area nearby. If campers are set up within the immediate project area, they can be asked to move.

32. Q: Can the contractor camp behind the closed gate at one of the dispersed campsites?

a. A: Yes, with some restric�ons. No visitors are allowed to camp with the contractor, only contract essen�al personnel. Personnel may only camp at the site during the work week.

The campground may not be used for personal use unrelated to the contract work.

Addi�onally, the contractor may only camp in designated campsites. Under no circumstances may the contractor violate the limits of disturbance without prior writen consent of the Contrac�ng Officer.

33. Q: Is FR209 a through road?

a. A: No, FR209 is a dead-end road.

34. Q: Will the contractor be allowed to park equipment in FR209?

a. A: Yes, if the traffic control plan is being correctly implemented while doing so.

35. Q: Can the contractor submit a value engineering proposal to the government?

a. A: Yes, a proposal may be submited.

36. Q: Where is lodging nearby the site?

a. A: The contractor is responsible for finding any lodging for their personnel. Elkins, WV is nearby and may provide op�ons for lodging.

37. Q: Are there media restric�ons on photos or videos taken at the site?

a. The contractor is not restricted regarding the photos or videos they take at the site.