127EAW25R0038 - RFI Official Responses.pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) OFFICIAL RESPONSES

127EAW25R0038 - GAOA, Lake Margaret Trail Bridges

RFI responses will be responded to as necessary in amendment format which will be posted to the solicitation via beta.SAM.gov

Telephone requests for information will not be accepted or returned.

RFI #1 – Given that the construction window is from May 1 to October 15 and the performance period is 120 calendar days, it seems unlikely that the project could be completed during the 2025 season. Proposals are valid for 60 days from July 24, which would put potential award around late

September - leaving only a few weeks before the October 15 deadline.

Can you please clarify:

Should we assume the project is intended to start in the 2026 construction season?

If any work is started this fall but not completed before October 15, would two mobilizations be expected - one in 2025 and another on or after May 1, 2026?

USFS Response – Contractor shall proceed with Submittals, design clarifications for approval, material acquisition, and fabrication with the intent to start actual bridge installation to occur in

2026. Two mobilizations will not be needed.

Period of performance will not begin until NTP is issued in spring 2026.

RFI #2 – The scope at Option 2 states: “Construct two sections of new trails that connect the existing Lake Margaret trail with the trail bridge locations totaling 0.8 miles following a predetermined & flagged route.”

Please clarify if the contractor needs to provide a surveyor to flag the route, or to redo or confirm the existing flagged route points before construction.

Also, is it possible to walk the trail during the site visit scheduled for July 7, 2025?

USFS Response – Contractors do not need to provide a surveyor to flag or redo or confirm the route. The new trail routes were flagged by the COR who will be on site for any questions about the route that the awarded contractor may have.

RFI #3 – The bid document states that an organized site visit will be held on Monday, July 7th, 2025, at 9:30 AM PST. What is the meeting location or address for the site visit?

USFS Response – There is no address. The site visit occurred at Lake Margaret Trailhead parking lot, Hwy. 88, 0.4 miles east of the Kirkwood Ski Area turnoff.

RFI #4 – The contract lists these key personnel roles: Project Manager, Project Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, Safety Manager, After-Hours Emergency Contact, and Signature

Authority for contract mods.

Can these roles be combined and handled by just two people, the Project Manager and a full-time foreman?

USFS Response – Yes, these roles can be combined.

RFI #5 – The bid document says archaeological and historic sites will be identified before work starts.

Can you please clarify if any of these sites are within the project area and whether they will impact the progress of the job? Also, can these zones be identified during the site visit on July 7?

USFS Response – The archeological and historic sites have been identified and will not impact the progress of the job. The COR will be onsite to answer any questions related to this site.

RFI #6 – The bid document states that contractors are required to comply with State law during fire season.

Could you please clarify what the specific period(s) of the fire season are for this project?

Additionally, how will the fire season impact the project, and what potential restrictions or requirements should contractors anticipate during this time?

USFS Response – The Fire season usually reaches its highest level of hazard rating in mid to late summer into early Fall. It is impossible to predict if this area will reach the highest level that if it did would impact on the project. Most years it has not and some years it has.

RFI #7 – We understand that no work is allowed after October 15, and that if the project does not start on or before May 15, the contractor would not have the full 120 calendar days to perform the work within the current season. Also, work done after October 15 costs more because of tougher weather, limited access, and extra setup and teardown time at this remote site.

Please confirm the government’s position on the following:

1. If the Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued after May 15, will the contractor be expected to complete as much work as possible before October 15 and then pause until May 2026?

2. Or will the full 120-day period be deferred to the next full season (e.g., starting in May

2026)?

3. Should bidders include pricing for split-season construction, including remobilization and extended project duration?

USFS Response – Contractor shall proceed with Submittals, design clarifications for approval, material acquisition, and fabrication with the intent to start actual bridge installation to occur in

RFI #8 – Las Vegas Iron & Steel is a designated steel fabricator. Based on our coordination with the bridge fabrication company, the current estimated schedule is as follows:

2–3 weeks for engineering and shop drawing

2–3 weeks for permitting and government review/approval (timeline depends on agency response)

6–12 weeks for fabrication

Installation should occur mid-project to align with construction methods and contingencies

Given these lead times and the critical path nature of the bridge components:

Will the government consider issuing a separate or early Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the bridge fabrication portion of the work during late summer or fall of this year, with the intention of starting fabrication so the bridges can be delivered and installed during the 2026 construction season (starting around May 2026)?

An early NTP for the bridges would allow the team to meet the construction season window while accommodating realistic engineering, review, and fabrication durations.

USFS Response – Yes, this would be the preferred timeline given the preparation and manufacturing of the bridges would overlap the onslaught of winter at this high elevation location.

RFI #9 – We’re requesting clarification regarding the total length of new trail construction required.

● Under the Statement of Work – General Information, #1 (Scope of Work, Option #2), it states:

“New trails totaling 0.8 miles…”

● However, under #8 (Technical Requirements / Tasks), item 3, it states:

“Trails up to 1 mile of Class 2–3 moderately developed trail in four sections…”

Please confirm:

Is the total length of new trail to be constructed 0.8 miles or 1.0 mile?

This information is important to ensure accurate pricing and planning.

USFS Response – 1.0 mile is the final linear quantity for new trail construction.

RFI #10 – Could you please confirm whether any third-party inspections are required for this project, or will all inspections be conducted solely by the government inspector? For example, will the epoxy application be inspected by a government representative, or is a third-party inspection necessary?

USFS Response – All inspections will be conducted solely by U.S. government representatives and inspectors.

RFI #11 – Please clarify whether the building permit and associated permit costs will be provided and covered by the government, or if it is the responsibility of the contractor to obtain and pay for the necessary permits.

USFS Response – There are no costs associated with permits for this project. If the need were to arise, the costs will be covered by the government.

RFI #12 – If third-party inspections are required for this project, please confirm whether the cost of these inspections will be covered by the government or if it is the responsibility of the contractor.

USFS Response – There are no third-party inspections required for this project. If the need were to arise, the cost responsibility would be determined through the Contracting Officer and the

Contractor.

RFI #13 – There appears to be conflicting information regarding the total trail length required under Option #2 of the Statement of Work. Specifically:

● Under General Information, #1 (Scope of Work, Option #2), the document states: “New trails totaling 0.8 miles...”

● Under #8 Technical Requirements / Tasks, Item 3, it states: “Trails up to 1 mile of Class

2–3 moderately developed trail in four sections...”

● In the Schedule of Items (Section 8.3, Option 2), Item 0001 (91100 Trail Construction) shows a quantity of 4,000 linear feet, which equates to approximately 0.76 miles.

Please confirm the actual total trail length to be constructed under Option #2 so we can accurately estimate scope, cost, and schedule.

Is the quantity of 4,000 for Item 0001 intended to represent linear feet or square feet?

USFS Response – The one distance that should be focused on is one mile or 5,280 linear feet.

RFI #14 – Unfortunately, the current timeline does not align with current prefabricated bridge industry conditions. We would likely need about 6-8 weeks for submittals following receipt of an order, and 18-20 weeks for delivery after receipt of approved submittal.

USFS Response – Contractor shall proceed with Submittals, design clarifications for approval, material acquisition, and fabrication with the intent to start actual bridge installation to occur in