2025-05-12 Bid Questions (002).pdf

1. Q: Traffic Control Requirements The solicitation mentions traffic control plans. Since the campground will be closed to the public, please confirm what level of traffic control (if any) is required.

A: -Stony Point Camp Road, the boat ramp, and the boat ramp parking lot at the Stony Point Recreation area will remain open to the public throughout construction. A traffic control plan should be provided for any construction work that will impact traffic outside of the gated campground area.

-Signage should be posted at the campground gates indicating no foot traffic allowed in the campground for public safety.

2. Q: Anticipated Award and NTP Timing The project timeline indicates a 90-day performance window from Notice to Proceed, which we interpret to align with the August through October period when the campground is closed. However, the specifications also state that construction of the pumphouse may begin prior to campground closure. Can you clarify when the Notice to Proceed is likely to be issued? Additionally, regardless of when the NTP is issued, can you confirm that the final completion date remains October 31st?

A: The 90-day performance period is negotiable as noted on the Solicitation SF1442. The Notice to Proceed may be issued early if the awarded contractor chooses to construct the pumphouse before August. Regardless all work must be completed by October 31st. The awarded contractor will also be required to perform the startup of the new system in early May of the year following construction. See Specification Section 011000 for more information on the Construction Schedule.

3. Q: Utility Coordination & Fees (Lake Country Power) Can the Forest Service provide guidance on expected utility coordination fees for new service from Lake Country Power? Will LCP bill the contractor directly? Any available points of contact or estimated costs would help with bid accuracy.

A: The Government estimates the electric utility installation will cost $25,000 plus application fees of $750 per each service. The utility installation and application fees will be paid directly to LCP by the awarded contractor.

4. Q: Preferred Construction Year – 2025 or 2026 Does the Government have a preference for work to occur in 2025 or 2026? If we elect to perform in 2025, should that be stated in the bid, or only post-award? If material lead times require deferral to 2026, is that allowable?

A:-The Government does not have a preference regarding the year of construction.

-The performance year does not need to be stated in the bid.

-The awarded contractor will be required to state their scheduled year of construction at the time of award and the USFS will schedule the campground closure accordingly. Currently the campground reservation system for Stony Point is closed for Aug-Oct 2025. If the awarded contractor chooses to construct in 2026 the campground reservation system will immediately be re-opened for Aug-Oct 2025 and closed for Aug-Oct 2026. The USFS is seeking to minimize the disruption to the public and loss of camping revenue by finalizing the closure schedule as soon as possible.

-If the awarded contractor anticipates material lead times (or other issues) will require deferral to 2026, then 2026 must be selected as the performance year at the time of award.

5. Q: Status of Existing Utilities Will the Forest Service disconnect or shut down the existing water and electrical systems prior to construction? Or will the contractor need to maintain temporary service to any structures (e.g., shower building, host site)?

A: The USFS will not disconnect or shut down the existing water and electrical systems prior to construction. The utilities will be active. The campground will be closed during construction so the contractor will not be required to maintain temporary service to any structures.

6. Q: Inspections and Permitting Who is responsible for building and electrical inspections—state/local inspectors or the COR? Will Minnesota electrical inspection be required for final energization?

A:-The awarded contractor is responsible for ensuring all State of Minnesota, IMC, NEC, IBC, and IPC code requirements are met as part of the contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

-The COR will perform inspections of the pumphouse building.

-The Minnesota Department of Health will inspect the completed water treatment system in the pumphouse.

-The awarded contractor is responsible for obtaining an electrical permit and coordinating electrical inspections with a State of Minnesota electrical inspector.

7. Q: Ground Disturbance & Environmental Permits Has the Forest Service obtained cultural/archeological clearance for the planned trenching and excavation? Are there any protected zones or flagged areas on site?

A: NEPA and NHPA reviews have been completed for the project. The routing of utilities is approved as shown in the Drawings. Ground disturbing activities will only be allowed along the designated utility routes shown. Deviations from the routing shown will only be allowed upon written approval by the COR.

8. Q: Winter Shutdown Contingency If work is not fully complete by October 31, is there any flexibility to return in spring for minor punch list items? Is there a liquidated damages clause for late completion?

A:-Work must be complete by October 31st.

-There is no liquidated damages clause.

9. Q: Use of Campground Facilities During Construction Will the contractor have access to use campground roads for equipment/trucks? Is there a designated area for parking, breaks, or lunch? Will water be available onsite for dust control?

A: -The awarded contractor will have access to use the campground roads for equipment/trucks.

-There is no designated area for parking, breaks, or lunch. Be aware that the boat ramp and boat ramp parking area will be open for public use during construction.

-The existing well will be active. It will be available for reasonable contractor use during construction until the contractor chooses to decommission the well and/or the power serving the well. Note: Water quality tests of the old well will be discontinued upon closure of the campground. The water will be considered non-potable.

10. Q: Responsibility for Demo of Existing Electrical Components Specs state that unused existing components become contractor’s property and must be removed unless salvage is indicated. Does this include all above- and below-ground wiring, panels, and fixtures? Are inspections required to determine final removal scope?

A: -Existing electrical system components will be removed according to the notes on Drawing Sheet C-01 and the requirements of Specification Section 024119.

-The COR will perform inspections of the demolition work.

11. Q: Pipe Abandonment / Plugging Criteria What is the required method to cap or plug abandoned pipes? Is there a defined standard for condemning existing pipe? When must we contact the COR or surveyor for verification?

A: All abandoned pipes and/or conduit will be plugged with non-shrink grout per Specification Section 024119. The thickness of grout plugs should be 2x the diameter of the pipe minimum.

12. Q:New Well Connection (Drilled in 2024) Are detailed well plans or profiles available to aid in connecting the new HDPE/PVC supply lines? Any existing as-builts or documentation would help during layout and tie-in.

A: Well Construction Record, as-built sketch, and product submittals are attached for reference.

13. Q: Tracer Wires on Existing Utilities Do any of the existing utilities being removed have tracer wires in place? Knowing this would assist with safe demo and layout.

A: The presence of tracer wires on existing utilities is unknown.

1. Q: Do the Superintendent, SSHO and QC Manager need to be 3 separate individuals?

A: No.

2. Q: Can the period of performance be extended after award once the material/equipment lead times are confirmed due to current market conditions for the equipment for this project?

A: No. The awarded contractor must select a performance year of 2025 or 2026 at the time of award. If there is a concern material lead times (or other issues) will require deferral to 2026, then 2026 must be selected as the performance year at the time of award.

3. Q: Are there any phasing requirements?

4. Q: Are soil boring reports available? If not, it will be assumed that excavation will be clear of rocks and obstructions.

A: The attached Well and Boring Construction record indicates the general soil types and stratum depths observed at the location of the new water well. Shallow cobbles were encountered at the site of the new well.

5. Q: Is there a bulk water fill i.e. a hydrant or water source we can pump from for grading operations in close proximity?

A: The old existing well will be active. It will be available for reasonable contractor use during construction until the contractor chooses to decommission the well and/or the power serving the well. Note: Water quality tests of the old well will be discontinued upon closure of the campground. The water will be considered non-potable.

6. Q: Please confirm whether asbestos or lead is present on this project, and if so, provide the relevant documentation.

A: There is no known asbestos or lead on this project.

7. Q: Is this project tax exempt?

8. Q: When do you anticipate on site work starting?

A: Early August of either 2025 or 2026. This is the contractor’s choice per Specification Section 011000. Construction of the new pumphouse building may be completed outside of the August to October performance window at the contractor’s discretion.

9. Q: Are third party inspections required?

A: Yes.

10. Q: Please identify any permits that will be required.

A: The contractor will be required to obtain an electrical permit.

11. Q: Are we required to provide 3rd party commissioning or will the USDA hire and handle the commissioning efforts?

A: The awarded contractor will not be required to provide 3rd party commissioning.

However, the awarded contractor will be required to perform system testing, startup and shutdown, and provide training to USFS personnel on proper startup and shutdown procedures per the Specifications.

12. When speaking with the Lake Country power there are a few discrepancies. The government has to be the one to apply for the service upgrades and the invoice will be assigned to the gov, not us as the contractor.

Can you please advise who is required to carry these costs?

Additionally, is the CT metering system required? I am curious why we cannot just use a 320-meter base instead.

A: Lake Country Power will address the invoice for the new service utility installation work to the US Forest Service as the utility customer. The awarded contractor will be responsible for paying Lake Country Power directly on behalf of the US Forest Service.

Lake Country Power will accept payment from the contractor.

Please bid CT metering system as shown in the Drawings and Specifications.

13. I spoke with Lisa at Lake Country Power and it sounds like they are not going to be able to provide a quote for the cost of upgrading their distribution system for this project. She mentioned that 3 years ago they had given a budget number of $22,000.00 but couldn’t guarantee that number for this year. How would you like us to proceed with pricing this? Should I include an allowance of $22,000.00 for the power company fees or exclude them completely. I know it’s getting close to the bid date but she said she’s received quite a few calls about this. Maybe an addendum stating the electricians to include the $22,000.00 allowance for now then it can be amended later to reflect the actual cost? I just want to make sure we’re all bidding the same. Also, the site lighting is a little vague in the spec. Are we to just include connecting the existing site lighting or are we to provide new?

A: The utility installation price is covered under previous Q&A. Budget number $25,000.

The site lighting fixtures are to be replaced. The site lighting poles are to be reused.

14. Can you clarify if the prime contractor needs to hold a state license, or if it only applies to the subcontractor performing the work?

A: The contractor actually performing the work needs to be licensed. So subcontractors would require licensing and prime contractor would not if they are not directly performing the work.

15. Looking to submit an equal to the Heritage H75P-3 RV Pedestal, would you accept the attached Milbank U5200-XL-75 as an equal?

A: The specifications do allow “approved equal” products. Spec Section 013300, 1.2.A.3.

When the Contractor desires to submit for approval a product for an “approved equal”, the Contractor MUST provide documentation of the original specified product and the Contractor proposed product in a side-by-side comparison, such as a table, which clearly demonstrates the Contractor proposed product meets or exceeds the originally specified product. If this product comparison is not done the first time it is submitted, the proposed product will be rejected, and the Contractor will be required to provide the specified product. The Government is not obligated to review a re-submittal for a rejected product.