260316 FR154 Farnsworth Bridge RFI log for Q and A.xlsx

This file is a Request for Information (RFI) log and Questions and Answers document for solicitation 12445526B0005, the ANF FR154 Farnsworth Bridge Replacement project issued by the USDA Forest Service. As of March 16, 2026, the log contains three answered inquiries addressing critical project timeline concerns, bid opening date corrections, and specification documentation references.

The primary inquiry raised feasibility concerns regarding the project schedule, noting that with a bid opening of April 7, 2026, a potential 90-day bid hold period, and a final completion date of September 30, 2026, there would be insufficient time for fabrication and construction activities. The inquiry specifically identified that rebar, bridge beams, and bearing pad fabrication require 12 to 14 weeks minimum, with actual construction requiring an additional 12 weeks, and requested the government consider moving the completion date to November 30, 2026. The government responded that the completion date would remain September 30, 2026 but confirmed intent to award as soon as possible after April 7, 2026, potentially by mid-to-late April, and acknowledged the 90-day hold as standard language. A second inquiry identified a discrepancy between the advertisement bid opening date (April 7, 2026) and solicitation page 13 reference (March 31, 2026), which the government acknowledged as an administrative oversight and corrected to April 7, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The third inquiry requested the Project Manual with bid item descriptions, to which the government responded that no Project Manual exists and directed bidders to reference the Federal Highway Projects FP-14 specifications and Forest Service Supplemental Specifications (FSSS) for item definitions. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside acquisition with a $45 million size standard threshold.