S07 Nelson Site - Job Showing Q and A.pdf

Harman EWP Job Showing January 15, 2020

Questions/Answers

General:

Q1: Are land rights already obtained or do we have to pay for them?

A1: We will have all land rights when the Notice to Proceed is issued. No, you don’t have to pay for them.

Q2: The Typical Gabion Section on Riprap Foundation detail specifies a riprap gradation of 6”-18” but Construction Specification 61, Section 8 specifies a riprap gradation of 8”-22”.

A2: Foundation Stone gradation may be6”-18”.

Q3: Does the specification show what type of geotextile to use?

A3: Yes, it shows what puncture strength, tensile strength, etc. is to be used. It’s a Class I non-woven, looks like felt.

Q4: On high flow days when we can’t work, will extra time be allowed to complete the project?

A4: Possibly, high flow days can occur due to the large watershed, especially on Horsecamp Run. There are days built into the estimates for bad weather. Once we exceed those days, we can likely increase the performance time, if approved.

Q5: Do we need to use a pump to dewater?

A5: You will be able to build a berm and direct the base flow around the work area. You are only required to pump when using rebar because we need to be able to see your work – in most cases a berm and redirect is adequate.

Q6: Can we use hog rings to secure the lids of the baskets?

A6: You may use them temporarily, but the gabions still need to be laced shut. The hog rings cannot be used to secure it permanently.

Q7: On the rebar anchoring, on the 9ft walls are there 2 rows of rebar or 3 rows?

A7: 2 rows of anchoring rebar – 2.5’ apart, 1.75’ from each side.

Q8: Is there material that will need hauled offsite on all these jobs?

A8: No, only the Judy and Job sites have obstruction removal in the contract. Material will be wasted on site against the bank or above the gabions first. Excess material on the Judy and Job sites will need hauled offsite up to the contract amount.

Q9: What do we do if we hit solid rock while installing the counterfort?

A9: We will likely have to shorten the counterfort if that occurs.

Q10: Can you approve any change orders on site? How long does it take to get a change order approved?

A10: As COR, I can adjust the quantities on site as necessary as long as the original quantity is not exceeded. Increases in contract quantities will require Contract Officer approval.

Q11: Is there an approved dump site that we need to use?

A11: No, there is not a specific site that you have to use. There is a state dump site up by Canaan (Dustin Coles, WVCA has details), but you may use any dump site if it’s out of the floodplain and you have permission.

Q12: Do you have any issues with us seeding and mulching in the winter?

A12: Seeding and Mulching needs to follow the construction specification. No permanent seeding between October 1 and December 1. Between April 15 and August 1, you are required to increase the seed rate by 50%.

Q13: What are the sites that do not require a Bid Bond?

A13: Armentrout site and Nelson Site

Q14: What are the dates the Quotes are due for Armentrout and Nelson Sites?

A14: Armentrout – February 18, Nelson – February 20

Q15: What are the performance times of each job?

A15: Nelson – 19, Armentrout – 16, Judy – 27, Job – 27, Blizzards Gate – 64

Q16: Why did you choose Gabions over riprap?

A16: The velocity of the stream is quite fast and the rip rap would have to be very large which would make it cost prohibitive to find, haul and place.

Q17: What happens if we get hit by a storm during construction and it rips out our work?

A17: If it’s before any work is complete, either before or after the Notice to Proceed, then we would have to evaluate the condition to see if the design is still applicable. If there is work started, it is the contractor’s responsibility until the government accepts the work.

Q18: Can we put a clause in the contract about storms?

A18: Until work is accepted the contractor is responsible. Your bond or insurance may cover, but you are responsible.

Q19: What pages/blocks do we need to submit on the SF1442?

A19: Complete pages 1-2, blocks 14-20a and sign block 20b, date block 20c.

Q20: Does the rebar have to be epoxy coated?

A20: No

Q21: Can spiral binders be used?

A21: They can in conjunction with welded wire baskets, however twisted mesh baskets may be more affordable and available. The baskets must be PVC coated and it seems to be hard to find the welded wire baskets that are PVC coated.

Q22: Can questions be submitted online?

A22: You may submit questions in writing to Lauri, the Contracting Officer, to her email by COB January 24 for the Formal Bid sites and by COB January 30 for the Request for Quote sites.

Q23: How do we restore the yards?

A23: We will smooth, grade to positive drainage, seed and mulch all disturbed areas according to the specification. You will not have to haul in topsoil.

Q24: Where can we stage?

A24: You need to work with the landowners to designate a staging area.

Q25: What Erosion and Sediment control is required?

A25: Best Management Practices, this approach will limit activity in the stream to low or base flows. We will also minimize length of bank disturbed until gabion wall can be constructed and keep channel open as much as possible especially during non-work hours.

Q26: Can gabion rock or rock riprap be sandstone?

A26: No.

Q27: Are diaphragms required in the 4.5’x3’x3’ basket?

A27: Yes. Construction Specification 64 requires interior diaphragms where any inside dimension exceeds 3 feet. Diaphragms are installed to assure that no open intervals are present that exceed 3 feet.

Q28: Do you need approval to dump at the state waste area?

A28: We have approval now through the WVCA. We can confirm this, if necessary, closer to using the waste area.

Q29: On page 2 of the SF1442 form it is asking for a CODE and FACILITY CODE, are these necessary?

A29: No, you don’t need fill in these blocks.

Q30: Is a Surety necessary for completion of the bid bond?

A30: A Bond has to backed with a Surety, either Corporate or Individual. An individual surety is acceptable so long as it meets all the requirements of FAR part 28.203 and all corresponding sub-sections. If utilizing an individual surety you would complete SF-28 form (Not SF-24 for Corporate Surety) and submit with acceptable security interest in assets.

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-28-bonds-and-insurance#i1088135

All bid bonds whether by a corporate or individual surety are subject to review and acceptance by the Contracting Officer and legal counsel if necessary. If the bid bond submitted is unacceptable, the bid will be rejected.

Q31: How can a firm be registered to bid on these jobs?

A31: They do not necessarily need to be registered to bid or quote. They (the firm) does need to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov to have a “responsive” bid – so if they are going to submit a formal bid (on one of the large jobs) vs. a quote and they are not registered and active in SAM, and are the low bidder their bid would be rejected as being non-responsive. For quotes, we could wait a day or so, but not longer than that. It typically takes 2 weeks to get registered if you have not already been registered.

Q32: Can you provide the specific pages to be included with our proposal in the addendum?

A32: Return:

- the SF1442 completed and signed/dated in blocks 14-20b;

- bid schedule page 4 – enter unit price, total price of each line item, and grand total, include contractor name and DUNS number;

- Section K pages 31 – 37 and check appropriate boxes in FAR clause 52.204-8 and 52.209-13;

- and Amendments issued https://www.acquisition.gov/content/part-28-bonds-and-insurance#i1088135

- Bid Bond (for Blizzards Gate, Job and Judy Sites – bid bond is not required for Armentrout and Nelson sites).

Nelson Site Questions:

Q: Are we putting rock against the face of the existing concrete wall?

A: Any work with the existing concrete wall shall be approved by the landowner and not part of our contract.

Q: Are we backfilling the hole by the concrete wall?

A: No, the gabion counterfort begins at the toe of the concrete wall. You can work with Mrs. Nelson on what to do with the hole behind the wall.

Q: Is the man hole (existing sewer) to come out?

A: Yes, Linda Teter said if it is in the way it can be removed since the new sewer system will be on the other side of the road (Blizzards Gate). We are hoping the sewer work will begin before our work does, so it won’t be an issue. The sewer work is supposed to begin around February 5th. The existing man hole shouldn’t be inside of our gabion parameters and may be removed by the Town of Harman prior to construction.

Q: There is a large hole just below the concrete wall, where is the material coming from to fill that in?

A: We will try to utilize the rock on site first and can use foundation rock if necessary.

Q: Where does the front face of the gabion begin?

A: On the inside of the concrete wing wall.

Q: If the concrete wall falls over during construction, we are essentially going to be creating a dam with the counterfort. Will that cause an issue?

A: Our design including the counterfort is stable and independent of the existing wall. There was more liability to take the wall out than there was to leave it in.

Q: Where does the sewer line go now?

A: Mrs. Nelson reconnected her septic tank after the sewer line was washed out. Others may have done the same.