S01 Amend 001 - Site Showing QA.pdf

(x)

12FPC220B0007

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1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

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SYRACUSE NY 13202

NRCS-NY-122C31

ROOM 520

SUITE 354

441 S. SALINA STREET

USDA-NRCS NEW YORK STATE OFFICE

FPAC-HQ-12FPC2

WASHINGTON DC 20250

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE SW, RM 6801-S

FPAC BUS CNTR-ACQ DIV-OPS BRANCH-SE

04/02/20200001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

03/10/2020

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

DAM REHABILITATION - CONSTRUCTION - HIBERNIA DAM, CHESTER COUNTY, PA

This amendment serves to provide the summary of statements and questions and answers made at the site showing held on March 16, 2020 as well as any response to questions made since that date. Also provided are updated Construction Specifications 8-Mobilization and

Demobilization and 11-Removal of Water as outlined and described in the attached.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

LAUREEN M. EIPP

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

PA436 Site Showing Statements/Questions and Answers

April 2, 2020 1 of 6

Bid Opening Details The teleconference details to listen to the bid opening on 4/10/2020 at 1:00 pm are: 1 (888) 844-9904, access code 9524125.

Insurance Requirements The work is to be performed on land and a structure not owned by NRCS, so there are additional insurance requirements related to the property and dam owners. The Contractor shall purchase and maintain such policy or policies of insurance as will protect from claims which may arise out of or result from the Contractor's performance under contract, whether such performance be by themselves or by any subcontractor, or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them, or by anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable. Such insurance shall name the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as the agents, employees, directors and officers of Chester County Water Resources Authority and County of Chester as Additional Insured under the policy(ies).

Work Hour Limitations According to West Caln Township Ordinance #2018-03, Nuisance Ordinance ... construction activities are permitted from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition, the solicitation limits work to five (5) 10-hour days, Monday through Friday.

Other local laws/ordinances It is the Contractors responsibility to determine what municipal laws or regulations are applicable and to comply with them, if any.

Pre-construction meeting A pre-construction meeting is to be conducted at least 15 days but no more than 30 days prior to the commencement of construction and must be scheduled with the COR. Other interested parties will also be invited to the pre-construction meeting, including PADEP. All required plans and submissions (including but not limited to pollution control, traffic control, dewatering, and safety) will be discussed at the pre-construction meeting. Planned contractor-led improvements to access roads will be discussed.

Others access to Hibernia Dam In addition to NRCS, the Chester County Water Resources Authority, Chester County Parks staff, and their contractors may need access to the dam and the two access drives. Additionally, West Caln Township, Pennsylvania-American Water Company, DEP, Chester County Conservation District all are allowed access to the site.

Contractor access to the work site when the Park is not open The Contractors will be permitted to add their locks to gates that they need to access.

Contractors are required to lock the gates at the entrance to the auxiliary spillway and along the access drive to the downstream toe of the dam when they leave the site, regardless of whether the Park is open to the public. Regarding gates to the Park, the Contractor is only

April 2, 2020 2 of 6 required to lock the gate if they unlock the gate and the Park is closed. Hibernia County Park is open from 8am to sunset. A key to the contractor’s lock shall be provided to NRCS.

Disposition of stone removed from the downstream bench The riprap should be placed in a stockpile at a location adjacent to Scout Field within Hibernia County Park and as specifically identified by the County. This location is about 5.25 miles away from the construction site.

Improvements to the existing access road from Lions Head Drive Improvements to the existing access road shall be determined as necessary by the Contractor to facilitate the one-way passage of construction materials and equipment and ensure that the existing culvert is not crushed or otherwise damaged. The access road shall be left in as good/comparable condition, as documented through preconstruction photographs and field data.

Per the Plans, a rock construction entrance will be installed from the termination of the asphalt portion of the access road. During the pre-solicitation field visit, it was stated that the Contractor is not permitted on the grassed area except as shown on the Plans. Since the pre-solicitation field visit, consideration has been given for contractor access to the grassed areas and it has been determined that the contractor may access limited grassed areas immediately adjacent to the existing gravel road to perform construction activities including improvements necessary for widening the access road and/or the intersection with Lions Head Drive to protect existing gravel and paved surfaces. This area shall be returned to pre-existing conditions at the completion of the project.

Utilities The contactor is required to perform a PA-One Call.

Based on available information, there are no known buried or overhead utilities in the main area of work at the dam. County staff have advised that there is a water line running under the driveway that supplies Cottage 3. The water line comes from the direction of Birch Run. In addition, there is potentially a cable buried from a satellite dish to Cottage 3 crossing under the access drive in front of the dwelling.

Other statements made onsite:

1) Bid bond of 20% of the bid is required; use Standard Form #24 (SF24).

2) Payment and performance bond at 100% of the bid amount is required from the successful bidder within 7 days of the bid award.

3) The line items on the bid sheet identified with an asterisk are quantities where VAR, Variation in Estimated Quantity, applies. The explanation of VAR is included in the note on the bid form.

4) Liquidated damages in the amount of $692 applies for each calendar day past the 120 calendar day period of performance from Notice to Proceed.

5) The auxiliary spillway is to remain open with existing capacity throughout the life of this project. There is to be no staging or storage within the auxiliary spillway.

April 2, 2020 3 of 6

6) Piezometer P6 is to be removed and grouted shut, as per the design and construction specifications.

7) This is a high hazard dam and the work will be conducted with a normal pool in place. The dewatering plan is critical, especially during construction at the toe of the dam.

8) Revision to Construction Specification 11, Removal of Water: Section 8.b(3)(e) should refer to Section 8.b(5). Revised copy attached.

Questions asked during the site showing

1. Q) Is being registered with sam.gov required?

A) Yes. Any bids submitted from contractors not registered with sam.gov will be rejected as non-responsive.

2. Where is this stated in the solicitation package?

A) It is on page 31, Item (b) and then (d)

3. Q) Will I get an email about the specific changes made to the solicitation and project since this was last advertised in 2019?

A) No project-specific emails will be sent. The design drawings have not changed since this project was bid in 2019.

4. Q) Where do we get an SF24 for the bid bond?

A) The SF24 is available online, either from the GSA Forms Library

(https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms) or by “googling” “SF24.”

5. Q) Where do we get an SF1413 for the subcontractors?

A) The SF1413 is available online, either from the GSA Forms Library (https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms) or by “googling” “SF1413.” The CO can also be contacted for any forms. This form is not required to submit a bid but will be needed to identify subcontractors once an award is made.

6. Q) Do I need to complete the checkbox at the end of the 42 page solicitation and submit all the documents?

A) We were unsure what the contractor was referring to and referred him to the CO. CO confirms that the items required for submission of a bid include:

i) SF-1442 signed and dated

ii) Bid Schedule (pages 5-6)

iii) Bid Bond

iv) Section K (pages 31 – 37) with appropriate clauses completed

7. Q) What does the NAICS code refer to? Why is it important for this solicitation?

A) The NAICS code designates the industry classification of the goods or services to be provided in federal contracting. Businesses should indicate in SAM the industry for which they do business. It is important for classification purposes and also small business size standards are based off the NAICS code.

8. Q) Is the staging area on the plans?

A) Yes.

9. Q) Can the boat launch parking area be used for staging and parking equipment?

A) No.

10. Q) Is a registered engineer required to do the dewatering plan?

A) Yes, as per Construction Specification 11, Removal of Water, Section 8.b(3)(b).

https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms

April 2, 2020 4 of 6

11. Q) Is there a HEC-RAS study available for the dewatering plan for the Auxiliary Spillway?

A) The dewatering plan is needed for the work to be done at the toe of the dam, not for in the auxiliary spillway, and therefore a HEC-RAS study will not be provided.

12. Q) Is E&S needed at the site where the stone from the downstream bench is to be taken?

A) No, the Contractor is not responsible for E&S at the disposition site.

13. Q) Is natural sand required for the drainfill material?

A) As per Construction Specification 24, Drainfill, Section 9.b.(2), “Fine Drainfill shall be sourced from a naturally occurring borrow location. Crushed or manufactured aggregate will not be permitted to be used for Fine Drainfill.”

14. Q) Is fill needed for this project?

A) It is expected that there will be no need to import or export fill from the site.

15. Q) Is the Contractor responsible for any damage done to the asphalt roads and driveways? How are they constructed?

A) Yes, the Contractor is responsible for any damage and is responsible for leaving the site in the same or better condition in accordance with FAR Clause 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities and Improvements. In addition, the Contractor is prohibited from using the bridge on Lions Head Drive crossing over Birch Run for transportation of heavy equipment and/or construction materials. All construction traffic must enter and exit Lions Head Drive from Wagontown Road.

i. Passenger vehicles and light service vehicles well under the posted weight restriction may use the Lions Head Drive bridge over Birch Run.

B) Limited alternating two-way construction access is anticipated on the one-way Lions Head Drive. Contractor is responsible for the development of a traffic control plan which shall be submitted to the COR for approval. This shall include controls for construction vehicle access to the site from both Wagontown Road and Lions Head Drive. Costs for the implementation of traffic control is incidental to Item #9 Mobilization and Demobilization. Revised Specification attached.

16. Q) Can we drive to the location where the stone from the downstream bench is to be deposited?

A) No, at this time, Hibernia County Park is currently closed due to COVID-19. As such, the Park roads are gated and the Scout Field stockpile site cannot be accessed at this time. It is located approximately 5.25 miles from the construction site. The below Google® map shows the location of the stockpile site compared to Hibernia Dam.

April 2, 2020 5 of 6

17. Q) Will there be any specific submission guidelines distributed based on the current

COVID-19 situation?

A) No there are no different guidelines for submitting bids.

18. Will your office be open to receive bid packages?

A) USDA NRCS work under Flood Prevention and Watershed Operations and some other programs are deemed essential and offices are open with limited personnel. There are no restriction on receiving mail and/or express mail packages.

19. Can we submit our bid electronically?

A) No, the solicitation did not provide for electronic submission, and bid bonds must be submitted in original form and signatures by the date and time set for receipt of bids for a bid to be responsive.

20. Will the Government perform any required compaction testing, or if a third party tester will be required to perform compaction tests?

April 2, 2020 6 of 6

A) The contractor is responsible for having all testing performed as required by Construction Specification 94 – Contractor Quality Control. The Government may perform quality assurance testing, but that is not to take the place of the contractor-required testing.

21. The specification (page 126 of 156) states “The instruments to be protected, preserved and improved include Casagrande piezometers, vibrating wire piezometers, data loggers and a barometer. This work includes protection and extension of Casagrande piezometer riser pipes; protection of vibrating wire piezometers and data loggers;

abandonment of Casagrande piezometers; and all such other operations as are incidental to the instrumentation.” Who are installers/maintenance contractors for these?

A) Six piezometers were originally installed when the dam was constructed in 1995 by the Abel Construction Company. Thirteen additional piezometers were installed in 2010 by Earthcore Services, LLC. Data loggers and vibrating wire piezometer sensors are maintained by Chester County Water Resources Authority staff.

22. Will a larger diameter hole (greater than 2 inches) be acceptable for the rock anchors as shown on sheet 12 of 28? Most rock drilling subcontractors can only drill hole 4.5 inches in diameter or greater.

A) Hole diameters up to 4.5 inches will be acceptable but require submission to and approval by the COR during construction.

23. Is the quarry sand acceptable for the "fine drainage aggregate"?

A) Certification needs to be provided that the fine drain aggregate meets the gradation requirements specified in Construction Specification 24 – Drainfill, as per Construction Specification 94 – Contractor Quality Control.

24. Is #8 stone acceptable for the "course drainage aggregate"?

A) Certification needs to be provided that the coarse drain aggregate meets the gradation requirements specified in Construction Specification 24 – Drainfill, as per Construction Specification 94 – Contractor Quality Control.