20200616MaroonBellsPreBidQA.DOCX

Questions and answers from pre-bid meeting held on 6/16/2020; Solicitation # 1282X920R0001 “Maroon Creek Trail Bridge Replacements”

General Q and A:

Q1. Is your engineers estimate for 1 or 2 bridges A1. The estimate is for two bridges. See the statement of work, section B.1.

Q2. There is only plans for one of the bridge sites in the solicitation?

A2. Both sets of plans are available on the solicitation website. https://beta.sam.gov/opp/815b942f69fb4d259c3c94818a7e16fe/view Q3. What is the current sealed offer submission deadline and how are submissions to be made?

A3. The submission deadline for bid proposals has been extended to July 2, 2020. The award is expected to be announced by July 31st. All submissions must be emailed. See the statement of work, section L.1.

Q4. Are Dropbox and other cloud-based file sharing software programs an acceptable way to submit a sealed offer?

A4. No, Email is the only acceptable way to submit a bid proposal, the maximum file size is 100 MB. See the statement of work, section L.1.

Q5. What is the government’s budget estimate for this project?

A5. The government’s estimate is: Between $100K and $240K. See the statement of work, section C.3.

Q6. Can the contractor cross the stream to access the other side using equipment?

A6. Yes, however, Mechanical equipment shall not be operated in live streams without written approval of the contracting officer. See the statement of work, section H.8; paragraph B.

Q7. What kind of equipment is allowed/able to be brought in?

A7. Maximum allowed equipment width is 102 inches. Helicopters will be permitted for use in construction operations. See the statement of work, section H.16 Q8. Does the bridge have to arrive 100% prefabricated?

A8. Specifications, and prefabrication requirements for the structures are shown on the plans. Prefabricated steel superstructure design must be a truss configuration similar to that shown on the drawings. Note that the new bridge may be prefabricated in sections.

Q9. What kind of bolt torque testing is needed for bridge sections?

A9. Manufacturer specifications will determine the requirements for bolt torqueing. All hardware and fasteners shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer specifications. The Forest Service may inspect all components of the work and materials at any time.

Q10. May commercial riprap be used, or is the borrow source required?

A10. Commercial riprap may be used in the work, however it must meet the gradation specified in the “Class 3 Riprap” table on sheet 4 of the plans. The borrow source is designated on sheet 2 of the plans and may also be used as a source for embankment material and riprap.

Q11. Is signage provided denoting trail closures, and is a traffic control plan required?

A11. All signs and closure devices are provided by the contractor. Sheet 2 of the plans (both bridge plans) show the suggested trail closure locations. The contractor shall submit a traffic control, see the statement of work, section H.6. All trail closure locations shall consist of one type 2 barricade with one 12” x 12” high intensity reflective orange with black legend (lettering) “TRAIL CLOSED” sign securely mounted at each closure location. Informational signing shall also be securely mounted on the type 2 barricade next to the “TRAIL CLOSED” sign, or on a separate post or board within 3 feet of the type 2 barricade. The informational signing shall notify the public about the trail closure and be printed on 8-1/2”x11” paper and laminated. The forest service will work with the contractor on the informational signing content.

Q12. Is the contractor expected to perform concrete testing?

A12. Concrete testing is required. See the statement of work, section H.6.

Q13. Explain the anchor bolt details for the grade beam.

A13. There are two anchor bolts connecting each grade beam to the subgrade. And there are four anchor bolts connecting the bearing assembly for the bridge structure on each grade beam. Bearing assembly requires ¾” diameter A307 anchor bolts at each bearing location minimum embed minimum 12” into grade beam. See pages 5, 6 and 7 of the plans (both bridge plans).

Q14. What are the clearing limits?

A14. Refer to sheet 4, note 2 on the plans for the clearing limits.

Q15. Is camping permitted on the borrow site?

A15. Upon written approval from the ranger, camping is permitted for the purpose of this contract. Developed campsites may not be used by the contractor.

Q16. Is there access through the borrow site road?

A16. The CO shall approve the final location for contractor staging and borrow excavation areas prior to commencing work. See sheet 2 of 7 of plan documents (both bridge plans).

West Portal Link Q and A:

Q17. Who is responsible for taking down the trees that need to be removed?

A17. Felling and removal shall be the responsibility of the contractor. The USFS will mark trees to be felled within the construction limits. All trees outside of the construction limits shall be approved in writing and marked by the COR.

Q18. When the trees are cut down, will they be left where they were cut?

A18. Any trees felled within the construction limits will be removed from within the constructions limits after being cut. Felled trees must be de-limbed, and slash scattered outside of the construction limits. The contractor must minimize all woody debris from entering the stream channel.

Q19. Are the stream flow data included in the construction plans?

A19. Sheet 4 of the plans (both bridge plans) shows the Q2 and Q100 water elevations used in the design. Detailed stream flow data may be obtained through a variety of publicly available sources (USGS being a good source for past, current and predicted stream flow data).

Q20. Can the bedrock on site serve as a bearing pad?

A20. Yes, if bedrock is encountered in the subgrade (both bridges), then the contractor has the option (see sheet 7 of the plans for both bridges) to place the grade beam on an approved bedrock foundation. Geocell is not required on a bedrock foundation.

Q21. If equipment is brought down, what is the extent of the rehab required?

A21. The trail shall be restored to the condition that existed prior to construction. If removed, woody plants and shrubs should be dug up by the roots and set aside and they should be replanted upon completion of the work where possible. Trees needing to be felled to gain access do not need to be replanted and they must be scattered outside of the clearing limits. Seeding shall be performed by the Forest Service. See section H, FAR 52.236-9 and Section 909 of the Standard Specifications for Construction of Trails and Trail Bridges on Forest Service Projects.

Scenic #1 Q and A:

Q22. Can equipment access the bridge via the trails?

A22. Yes, heavy equipment may access both bridges on the access trails designated in the plans. See sheet 2 of the plans (both bridge plans).

Q23. Is it in the contract to remove the old bridge?

A23. The contract requires the removal of existing bridges and abutments off of national forest lands.

Q24. Will the wilderness boundary on the west end of the creek be visibly marked?

A24. Yes.

Q25. Will the fence along the lower scenic loop trail access be up during construction and can a portion of it be disassembled for the duration of the construction period in order to gain access? Which party is responsible for resetting the fence?

A25. The access trail (lower scenic loop) does have a post and rope-rail fence which will need to be partially removed in order to gain access to the project with heavy equipment. The posts are not set in concrete and are buried 2 feet deep. The contractor may remove one side of the fence for the duration of the construction on Scenic Bridge #1. The contractor must replace the fence upon completion of the work.