10. NEW VIA AMENDMENT A00002 - Request For Information Responses.pdf

US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

GAOA UPPER SAN JUAN CG RENOVATION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RESPONSES

BELOW ARE THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) RESPONSES WHICH ARE

HEREBY INCORPORATED INTO ANY SUBSEQUENT CONTRACT AWARD. FAILURE

TO USE THE REVISED DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS REVISED WITHIN WILL

RESULT IN YOUR QUOTE BEING NON-RESPONSIVE.

RFI 1. Picnic Table Quantity Discrepancy Attachment 3 (Schedule of Items) lists a quantity of nine (9) for Item 32 30 00 a, "Furnish and install Concrete Picnic Table". However, Sheet G- 02 (Layout) of the project drawings displays fifteen (15) picnic table icons within the campground boundary. Question: Since Schedule Note 1 requires the contractor to "satisfy all requirements of the drawings," please confirm if the base bid should include 9 or 15 picnic tables.

Answer: Confirm 9 tables (there are 15 sites total and 6 tables were replaced recently)

RFI 2. Performance Period vs. Operational Restrictions The solicitation mandates a performance period of 30 calendar days after the Notice to Proceed (NTP). However, the Statement of Work (SOW) restricts hours to 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and explicitly states that work "shall be shut down on Saturdays, Sundays, and all federally listed Holidays".

Question: Given that a 30-calendar-day window includes 8 weekend days, the actual working time is reduced to approximately 22 days. Does the 30-day performance period account for these mandatory weekend/holiday shutdowns, or will the Government allow for weekend work if required to meet the 30-day deadline?.

Answer: The period of performance is defined as 30 calendar days following the issuance of the notice to proceed. This timeframe includes weekends and holidays. Please ensure that all necessary preparations are made to adhere to this schedule. The entire campground shall be maintained in safe and clean condition for all campground users during each federal holiday period. For example, for Memorial Day on May 25 this year, the campground must be fully available for use from May 20 through May 27. Please take this requirement into account when preparing the project schedule.

RFI 3. What documents need to be submitted with the quote?

Answer: Please review the instructions in attachment “1. Solicitation Terms and Conditions”.

Specifically, the quote submission requirements listed in this attachment on page 16 and 17.

RFI 4. Attachment 3 – Schedule of Items. There is a pay item for - Replace In-kind Wood Fence – pay item number 32 30 00 i. We don’t see any items of work for this on the plans or other documents. Please clarify what this item of work covers and location on the plans and site Answer: See Addendum #1. Page 3 has a photo of “replace wooden soil-retaining board and post.” In the SOW, it is: Wood fence replacement is 4” x 6” x 100 LF with 8” x 8” x 3’ posts.

RFI 5. Addendum #1. Page 3 has a photo of “replace wooden soil-retaining board and post.”

Please clarify which pay item this is covered under Answer: 32 30 00 i ------- Replace In-kind Wood Fence

RFI 6. Drawing C-01 shows numerous culvert details, can you confirm which one(s) are to be used for each of the 2 culverts?

Answer: Replace culvert in-kind: match existing elevation, alignment, cover, culvert material.

Drawing C-01 is for reference and assists with backfill material requirement and placement.

RFI 7. Additionally, what is the required inlet and outlet invert elevation (we want to be sure that there is sufficient cover over the pipe after installation)?

Answer: Please review the response provided for RFI 6.

RFI 8. Excluding the 16-week potential picnic table delivery, concurrently there is a need to pull a Cal Trans encroachment Permit, the Cal Trans permit could take five weeks (1 week for submittal and CALTRANS review of 3 weeks and 1 week to pull the permit) . We are requesting a project duration of 17 weeks if the picnic table delivery stays at 16 weeks, the next longest path is through the cal trans permit, with the picnic table ARO off the table, will you then consider a 10 week project duration (rather than the 30 days shown in the RFQ).

Answer: The period of performance remains as stated in the contract. The Notice to Proceed (NTP) will be issued once all required submittals have been reviewed and approved, and the contractor is fully prepared to commence work with resources on site. The Forest Service expects the awarded contractor to act promptly in securing all necessary materials immediately following contract award to ensure readiness for project execution.

RFI 9. Can we pay for 2 campground areas (4-5) for the duration of the project to store our material and equipment?

Answer: The contractor can use the two existing parking spaces to store material and equipment for free and is responsible for cleaning up after use and responsible for any damage.

RFI 10. Campground #5 is difficult for campers to get to, would the USFS consider moving the campground to the right of campground #4?

Answer: At this time, the Forest Service does not intend to relocate the campground. Thank you for your suggestion; it will be reviewed and considered as part of future planning.

RFI 11: The SOW states wood fence to be replaced of 100 LF with 8x8x3' posts and 4"x6" timbers. There is no picture shown of this but there is a picture in 9.New.Via.Amendment showing to replace wooden soil-retaining board and post. Is that what is meant by the 100 LF of fence?

Answer: Yes, that is. Check response to RFI 4.

RFI 12: What construction survey & staking is required?

Answer: There is no new structure/feature to be designed therefore survey and staking can be done with simple equipment such as level and tape measure/ the contractor shall perform staking to ensure proper leveling of picnic tables/grills/fire rings, and to maintain existing culvert alignment/elevation.

RFI 13: What contractor testing is required?

Answer: Backfill compaction, asphalt compaction.

RFI 14: Where is the “replace in-kind wood fence” located and is there a linear footage? This is not shown on the plans.

Answer: Check response to RFIs 4, 11

RFI 15: Please confirm where the culvert replacements are located. They don’t appear to be shown on the plans.

Answer: Check attachment “ 9.New.Via.Amendment A00001”, first insert, the locations are the green circles.

RFI 16: During culvert construction, can campground be closed to the public due to single lane one way traffic with limited turn arounds? If not, how long can the traffic be delayed before we must allow to pass the work area?

Answer: Yes, the campground may be closed for construction. Please provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice prior to any closure, and ensure this task is explicitly included in your schedule submittal.

Important: The entire campground must remain safe, clean, and fully operational for public use during each federal holiday period. For example, for this year’s Memorial Day holiday on May 25, the campground must be available for full use from May 20 through May 27. Please account for these requirements when preparing your project schedule.

RFI 17: Are any construction permits required by the Contractor?

Answer: This requirement does not apply to work specified in the contract. However, if the contractor’s activities impact traffic on a State highway, the contractor is responsible for obtaining any necessary permits from Caltrans and complying with all traffic control requirements established by Caltrans.

RFI 18: The SOW states wood fence to be replaced of 100 LF with 8x8x3' posts and 4"x6" timbers. There is no picture shown of this but there is a picture in 9.New.Via.Amendment showing to replace wooden soil-retaining board and post. Is that what is meant by the 100 LF of fence?

Answer: Review response to RFIs 4, 11

RFI 19: Can the contractor offload the picnic tables from a 65 foot truck on the campground for 4 hrs. a day for 3 days? Or - Is there an alternate entrance to the campground?

Answer: There is no alternative entrance. See response to RFI 16, 17

RFI 20: For the 100 ft. Fence with 8-by-8 posts; Can we set them 2 ft. below grade without concrete? or is concrete required?

Answer: Replace in-kind is accepted; set 2 ft. below grade and compacted with rammer compactor or equivalent until no further consolidation is accepted.

RFI 21: Please confirm whether the culvert replacement is intended as in-kind replacement only, and clarify required bedding material, compaction requirements, and any expected subgrade treatment if unsuitable soils are encountered.

Answer: Correct, replace in-kind. Bedding material see section 704, compaction see section 209, snapshots below.

RFI 22: Please confirm whether known utilities exist in the culvert or excavation areas and whether utility locates will be provided by the Government prior to construction.

Answer: Excavation is only permitted as necessary for culvert replacement. The Government is not aware of any utilities located beneath the culverts; however, the contractor is required to contact Dig Alert to verify utility locations prior to excavation.

RFI 23: Please clarify the limits of asphalt removal and replacement and whether patch boundaries will be field-marked by the Forest Service prior to work.

Answer: Please use minimal asphalt removal that meets the limits shown in C-01. (C-01 has typo, correction inserted below).

RFI 24: Please confirm whether a Caltrans encroachment permit will be required for this work and if the Government has existing coordination or permits in place.

Answer: No work is planned within the Caltrans Right-of-Way; all work is strictly limited to the campground area.