Q-A amendment 0001.pdf

The purpose of this amendment is to provide questions and answers presented in response to the solicitation.

Question 1: on page 13 section C.11 states if two successive test fail to meet contract requirement, all material represented by the samples shall be rejected”. Will samples be averaged at the end of the project as most counties do to determine a pass or fail? And what is the effect on the contract if one test fails but a successive yes passes?

Answer 1: If the successive test passes the material will be accepted.

Question 2: if after two successive test, material that is stock piled by a tall stacking conveyor belt is rejected, how would one separated it from the conical pile to reject or remove it?

Answer 2: As far as we know there is no way to separate the failed material from the stockpile.

Section C-11 states (in part):

“… If any test fails to meet the contract requirements, the Contracting Officer's Representative shall be notified immediately, and immediate re-sampling and testing shall be performed. If two successive tests fail to meet contract requirements, all of the material represented by the samples shall be rejected.”

It is incumbent on the contractor, once a failing test occurs, to immediately contact the COR and seek guidance about how to prevent any substantial stockpile of aggregate from being rejected, while re-sampling and testing are performed.

Question 3: is use of a stacking conveyor allowed or must the stock pile be pushed up with a dozer or equivalent?

Answer 3: A Stacking Conveyor is the preferred method of stockpiling the material. Ensure that there is not a high drop height as this will cause segregation. Do not push up the piles with a bulldozer.

Question 4: on page 16 under biobased product utilization, will bio diesel fuel be considered an eligible product and because it is occasionally unavailable here in western SD, what problems may that cause if it was list to be used but unavailable when needed?

Answer 4: Biobased diesel fuel is considered an eligible product, but will not cause problems if it is unavailable. The related section reads that the products will be used”, …to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use.” So, if the fuel is not readily available, then an alternative product can be used.

Question 5: Relative to the plasticity index requirement minimum of 4 in the aggregate specification, has the clay to be borrowed from Forest Service sites been tested to determine the PI of the raw clay? Given the clay quality after combining it with the crushed rock, can the minimum or better be achieved? Clay quality varies dramatically throughout the hills and I worry that it might be impossible to fulfill the contract. I have encountered this situation before and I really don’t want to have it happen again.

Answer 5: Redbird Quarry has historically met PI with onsite clay material. We have other quarries that we have had to import clay in order to meet PI requirements, but Redbird has always met Spec requirements with onsite clay sources.

Question 6: on page 32, I am not aware of any particular South Dakota license for crusher operators however we are trained and annually recertified for MSHA. Other than truck drivers holding a valid license as required is there something else that you are requesting?

Answer 6: The valid operator’s license will cover all requirements.