QA as of 15 Feb 2024.pdf

P a g e | 2

12445524R0003

Historic Iargo Springs Stair and Boardwalk Renova on

Ques ons and Answers

February 15, 2024

1. Ques on:

Would the US Forest Service accept FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) as an alterna ve in the Iargo Springs design and supply?

Answer: No. The Forest Service wants the materials as specified in the contract documents.

2. Ques on:

Is there any planned access for the bo om por on of the work? What was the previous access that was used to build the exis ng stairs and boardwalk system, and if there are any access requirements for this current project.

Answer: The Contractor can decide the best access alterna ve for the construc on. The Forest Service has no pre‐determined plan. Access from the river is an op on. We have found documenta on that a tramway was used to move material down the slope during the original construc on. It was comprised of two steel rails with a cable driven by an electric motor. It was located on the old slide that is between the two main springs.

3. Ques on:

There is wood cribbing on top of helical founda ons that would then support the stair structure, there would be poten al cost savings to go full steel in lieu of the wood frame.

Answer: The Forest Service wants the wood posts in the loca ons as shown on the plan. Otherwise, use the boardwalk pier details.

4. Ques on:

We also no ced that there is a lot of debris in the water where the proposed new sec on of the boardwalk goes. Would this have to be removed by the contractor or will it be removed prior to the start of the contract?

Answer: It is presumed that the debris observed during the site visit occurred naturally. It is the

Contractor's responsibility to clear the site as required to perform the work.

5. Ques on:

There is a sec on of the boardwalk that was broken by a falling tree. Would that be fixed prior to our work or is that something that would be added?

Answer: The recent damage to the boardwalk caused by a fallen tree will be repaired by the Forest

Service. The previously iden fied damaged sec on in the solicita on documents is the only por on included in the Contract.

6. Ques on:

Will this project be awarded quick enough to be able to get the clearing completed by March 29?

P a g e | 3

Answer: The Forest Service intends to award the project as soon as possible. However, that may not be before March 29. The restric on in the specifica ons is due to the fungus associated with Oak Wilt. No oak trees may be cut between April 1 and July 15. The Forest Service is willing to work with the

Contractor on a case‐by‐case basis regarding other clearing needs. Due to the demoli on required and the loca on of the trees needing to be cleared, the Forest Service feels there is minimal impact, if any, to the ability to perform the contract around the cu ng restric ons.

7. Ques on:

The comple on date is listed as September 27th, is that firm or is there some flexibility on the comple on date?

Answer: There is some flexibility on the comple on date.

8. Ques on:

I'm going through the soil borings and can't find where they were taken on the plans. Do you have a map showing where they took those?

Answer: Unfortunately, no, we do not have a map showing the bore loca ons. The location of each boring is described in the individual boring logs.

9. Ques on:

The 19% moisture content can only be achieved on the 2x material, anything larger would cause it to split prematurely and be rejected.

Answer: If the material meets the industry standard and preserva on guidelines, the Forest Service will accept it.

10. Ques on:

The treatment method involving Naphthenate and Light Oil is not done in the state of Michigan, MCA .23 would be the subs tute. Is this acceptable?

Answer: No. The Forest does not want MCA .23.

11. Ques on:

Please clarify the Nominal vs Rough Sawn on the items that indicate both. Is it acceptable to use the material per the Michigan DOT specifica ons?

Answer: Nominal dimensions are acceptable.

12. Ques on:

The Plan notes indicate HDG fasteners and hardware. However, some of the details indicate Stainless

Steel hardware. The deck screws also indicate two different sizes and two different coa ngs, S.S. or

Coated. Could you provide clarifica on on which is required?

Answer: The notes generally specify galvanized hardware. However, stainless steel hardware should be used where specifically called for in the details such as on page 29, Railing Detail. Note, all Details specify “S.S. CLIP CONNECTION W/ S.S. FASTENERS, TYP.” The deck screws should be the size and coa ng indicated on the details for each applica on. If the plans indicate different deck screw sizes for the same applica on, please indicate the loca ons so we may resolve the conflict.

P a g e | 4

13. Ques on:

We visited the site yesterday and noticed that access is just the staircase, and no way to come down the slope. Using the staircase would severely limit the machine size that would install the helical piers for the project as well. I don't know of anything that can do 11' spans and be able to traverse the stairway, what we have that might work would mean reducing the span to roughly 6' instead of the 11' proposed.

Answer: The helical pile foundation was designed by a registered professional engineer based on information as determined from the geotechnical engineer’s recommendations. If the span length is to be altered based on the Contractor's preferred construction methods, then a new design by a registered professional engineer must be submitted to the Forest Service approval. Any additional design or material quantity costs for the convenience of the Contractor are not the responsibility of the Government.

14. Question:

Will there be an additional depth pay item for depths over the proposed 15'. The additional depth pay item would be for any potential overage above the anticipated 2,625' lineal feet of piling. The boring information is very light and it's tough to get a good idea of what depth it would take to achieve the desired load.

Answer: No. There will not be an additional pay item on the Schedule of Items for additional lineal feet of Helical Piling Installation. Please refer to Note 2 in Section B ‐ Schedule of Items. The estimated quantity is a contract quantity subject to Subsection 109.02(b) and FAR Clause 52.211‐18 Variation of Estimated Quantity. The FAR clause should address your concerns. It allows for an equitable adjustment in the contract price if the actual quantity varies by more than 15 percent above or below the estimated quantity.