S01 12FPC323B0005 AMD 01 Site Showing Technical Notes.pdf

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Subject: Date: May 12th, 2023 Agreements – Site Showing Technical Notes for Attoyac Bayou Watershed Site 21 Remedial Repair Solicitation No. 12FPC323B0005

To: Natasha Kennedy, Contracting Specialist, USDA-FPAC

(submitted by email attachment)

A site showing was held on the subject site on May 11th, 2023. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was represented by Shane W. Ice, P.E., Project Engineer and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). NRCS is to provide quality assurance inspection and construction oversight for this project.

This site is sponsored by the Nacogdoches SWCD under agreements with the NRCS of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture.

The site showing began with a meeting at the Texas Farm Credit Office, 3338 Park Street, Nacogdoches, TX; followed by a visit to the site. The following was reviewed and submitted to the CO and Contracting Specialist to be added by amendment to the Solicitation.

Please provide the following information by amendment to the information for bidders.

CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS

The items listed below are changes/corrections to the information for bidders. Please make these pen and ink changes to your bid documents.

CHANGES TO THE BID SCHEDULE

None

CHANGES TO THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

None

CHANGES TO THE DRAWINGS

None

SPECIAL EMPHASIS ITEMS

Special emphasis items that were discussed or otherwise provided at the site showing are discussed below.

452.236-76 – SAMPLES AND CERTIFICATES

Certificates and test data shall be submitted to show compliance of materials and construction specified in the contract requirements. Materials or equipment for which samples, certifications or test data are required shall not be used in the work until approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Materials which require material certifications are:

Construction Entrance Materials (Rock, Geotextile)

Silt Fence (as applicable)

Aggregate for Concrete

Portland Cement

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Supplementary Cementitious Material

Admixtures for Concrete

Concrete Curing Compound

Steel Reinforcement

Slide Gate (as appropriate)

Metal; (for unsalvageable components of existing trash rack)

Galvanization for metal

Vegetation; seed, fertilizer, hay mulch

Supplement to OSHA Part 1926 and 1910 Construction Industry Standards and Interpretations

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable OSHA safety standards. All or part of the work may be suspended for noncompliance. The GR and Inspector will have delegated authority to suspend work for any noncompliance posing a serious or imminent danger to the health or safety of the Contractor’s employees or others such as employees of the CLO or NRCS and the public.

The Supplement to OSHA 1910 and 1926 emphasizes specific safety items which must be understood by the Contractor prior to bidding this job. Among these items are the requirements for:

1. Written plan for accident prevention and safety (CO must approve prior to beginning work)

2. First Aid Training certificates

3. First aid facilities – on site

4. Safety Meetings, weekly “toolbox” and monthly

5. Dust control

6. Rollover protective structures

7. Backup alarms

8. Restroom Facilities

9. Scaffolding and Fall Protection

Hard hats must be worn on the job site at all times.

Equipment must be outfitted with working backup alarms, seat belts, and approved roll-over protective structures (ROPS). All equipment will be inspected at the job site by the Construction Inspector prior to use on the project.

DRAWINGS

Drawing TX-EN-0795, Cover + Sheets 1 thru 4 for Site 21 Remedial Repair was reviewed.

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SPECIFICATIONS AND SWPPP

There are two types of specifications in this contract: (1) Construction Specifications and (2) Material Specifications. The construction specifications are composed of two parts. The first part is called the closed specification and is the standard NRCS construction specification that begins with the SCOPE and ends with MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT or PAYMENT. The second part is called the open specification and consists of the ITEMS OF WORK AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS that are written specifically for this job.

The specifications are summarized below. However, all language of the specifications apply to the contract.

1 – CLEARING

Subsidiary Item – Clearing, Class C

This item shall consist of all clearing and grubbing within the work limits required for construction of the works of improvement as shown on the drawings.

The actual limits of required clearing will be as designated during the field visit and be marked prior to construction; as appropriate.

In Section 5, Disposal, all materials removed from the cleared areas shall be either hauled off-site, buried on-site, burned on-site, or mulched on-site at areas designated or approved by the Contracting Officer. All disposal methods shall be in accordance with state and local regulations.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 1 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

3 – STRUCTURE REMOVAL

Subsidiary Item – Structure Removal, Inlet Riser Appurtenances and Fence

These items shall consist of the removal, inspection, and storage of all re-usable existing inlet riser appurtenances; including the existing metal trash guard racks, grates, plates, channel iron stop logs and all associated appurtenances including the existing slide gate’s stem, stem guides, lift pedestal, hand wheel, wedges, and gate. This item also includes the removal, salvage, and reuse of just enough fence to complete the work in the construction area as shown on the drawings.

In Section 2, Marking, Method 1 shall apply and the sections of fence to be removed will be marked using stakes, flags, paint, or other suitable methods.

In Section 3, Removal, Method 1 shall apply and shall be removed to the bottom of the footing and/or post.

In Section 4, Salvage, any fence material and posts removed for construction access shall be salvaged and re-used..

All unusable material and rubble shall be disposed of at an offsite location of the contractor’s choosing as approved by the contracting officer and in accordance with all local and state regulations.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 2 – Concrete Repair.

5 – POLLUTION CONTROL

Subsidiary Item – Pollution Control

This item includes work required for installing measures or performing work to control erosion and minimize the production of sediment and other pollutants to water and air from construction activities.

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This construction site is less than (1) acre in area and is therefore NOT subject to the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) requirements administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Pollution control, however, will be required as part of industry recognized “good construction practices”.

Written plans for pollution control are not required. However, the Contractor’s plan for pollution control shall be made known and approved prior to the start of construction operations.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 1 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

6 – SEEDING, SPRIGGING, AND MULCHING

Subsidiary Item – Vegetation Establishment

This item shall consist of preparing the seedbed and furnishing and applying seed, hay mulch, tackifier, and fertilizer to all areas disturbed by construction activities.

Disturbed areas and slopes in the reservoir area below the elevation of the lowest un-gated outlet shall not be chisel plowed or disked. Permanent vegetation is not required below the elevation of the lowest un-gated outlet.

The grass seed shall be broadcast by hand onto a firm, clean seedbed. The seed shall not be planted or covered deeper than ½ inch below the soil surface. Seed shall be distributed over the entire area at uniform rates. The hand seeded areas shall be hand raked and then firmed with a hand operated roller.

The seed shall consist of the following mix.

Common Bermuda grass, unhulled 6.0lb PLS/Arce

Common Bermuda grass, hulled 4.6lb PLS/Acre

Texhoka Buffalo grass burs 8.0lb PLS/Acre

Seeding shall take place immediately after completion of earthwork activities and be conducted between December 15 and September 1. In the event that the construction falls outside the dates indicated, a temporary cover shall be established.

Fertilizer shall be of the pelleted form and shall be uniformly mixed. The rate of application of the fertilizer shall be 30 pounds of nitrogen (N), 40 pounds of phosphorous (P), and 30 pounds of potassium (K) per acre.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 1 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

8 – MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION

Bid Item 1 – Mobilization and Demobilization

The Contractor shall construct a temporary construction entrance and site access at the approximate location as shown on the drawings. The access point shall be limited to the existing Hudson gate and be to the requirements as contained within this specification and as shown on the drawings.

The access road to the construction campsite shall be a minimum of 14 feet wide and graded to provide a smooth surface which can be easily traversed by automobiles. The road shall be maintained in a smooth rut-free condition throughout the contract period. Culverts shall be installed at crossings of low areas where significant concentrations of runoff water accumulate and cause ponding of water.

Minimum culvert size shall be 18-in i.d. and 24-ft in length. A minimum of 18-in of compacted fill shall be placed over top of the pipe before construction equipment is allowed to pass.

If needed, the Contractor shall prohibit livestock entry to the work area by installation of temporary fencing. Temporary barbed wire fencing shall be a minimum of three (3) wire fence with a maximum 20 feet post spacing. Temporary electric fencing shall be a minimum of two (2) wire fence with a maximum 50 feet post spacing. All temporary fencing shall be capable of turning a cow and preventing its access

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Section 3, PAYMENT, states, "Payment will be made as the work proceeds, after presentation of paid invoices …. by the Contractor showing specific mobilization and demobilization costs and supporting evidence of the charges of suppliers, subcontractors, and others." The Contractor may be asked to provide proof of the total direct cost and will have to submit paid invoices for the purchase of bonds and mobilization supplies in order to be reimbursed for these items prior to acceptance of invoice.

As part of demobilization, the temporary construction entrance and its improvements shall be either kept or removed as determined by the landowner. If removed, the area shall be bladed and shaped to restore the area to its original condition as it existed prior to construction operations. The access road shall be bladed to be smooth and shall be left in a rut-free condition. If road base/rock is used on the access road it shall be removed after construction work is completed. All temporary fencing installed shall be completely removed and the materials disposed of in an approved manner.

9 – TRAFFIC CONTROL

Subsidiary Item – Traffic Control

In section 4, the Contractor shall furnish a written plan showing the proposed method of signing, barricading for traffic control, use of flaggers, etc. to be approved by this contract’s Engineer and Nacogdoches County (if necessary).

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 1 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

11 – REMOVAL OF WATER

Subsidiary Item – Removal of Water

This item of work requires the Contractor to submit a written plan for diverting surface water and dewatering the construction site. The plan must be approved before beginning construction.

There is no guarantee that the slide gate will function to dewater the work area. Therefore, pumping of the site may be required to keep site dewatered and water level down during the inlet riser repair.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 1 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

34 – STEEL REINFORCEMENT

Subsidiary Item – Reinforcing Steel

If required, this item shall consist of furnishing and placing all steel reinforcement required for the construction of all reinforced concrete works under this contract.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 2 – Concrete Repair.

35 – CONCRETE REPAIR

Bid Item 2 – Concrete Repair

This item shall consist of surface preparation and supplying all equipment, labor, and materials for the concrete repair of the existing inlet riser.

In Section 2, Materials, shotcrete is not specified for this repair.

The concrete surfaces of the inlet tower that are exposed to air and water shall be cleaned with high pressure water jets or sand blasting.

In section 3, Preparation of areas to be repaired, all loose, cracked or otherwise unsuitable or defective concrete shall be removed and all concrete surrounding leak holes and cracks, from the interior surface to the exterior surface, through and through, is to be removed and is to include the removal of corroding

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer steel rebar, if necessary, from the existing structure. The final extent of removal shall be determined by the Engineer after inspection of prepared surfaces.

In section 5, Selection of concrete repair material; concrete items installed in conformance with this specification to repair holes and cracks shall be of concrete made with Type II or V cement. Concrete shall have a minimum 28-day compressive strength of 4000 psi. The slump range for all concrete shall be 4 inches plus or minus 1 inch.

If a dry pack mortar is proposed, it should be mixed as stiff as practical. Place and pack the mortar on layers to compacted thickness of approximately 3/8 inch.

If hydrophilic internal grouting is proposed the manufacturer’s recommended preparation, use, and installation specifications shall be included in advance of the repair.

If proprietary material is used, the manufacturer’s recommended preparation, use, and installation specifications shall be included in advance of the repair.

Final, top to bottom, inside and out, concrete surface coating is required once concrete repair is complete.

Furnishing, transporting, and placing, the waterproofing coating as specified in specification section 18.

a. (3) (b) through (g) for the concrete surface coating of the principal spillway inlet as shown on the construction drawings.

Polymer modified cement waterproofing shall be used and shall be Masterseal 581. Polymer modifier - MasterEmaco® A660 modifying admixture (formerly Acryl 60) and water shall be added in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation. The coating material to be used shall be approved by the Engineer. A product of equal quality may be used.

The cement waterproofing shall be applied a minimum of two (2) coats as per the manufacture’s recommendations. Prior to application the surface shall be inspected and approved by the Engineer.

The Contractor shall submit for approval, at least 14 days before installation, all technical data for the repair material and method of repair. Concrete repair material shall not be placed before approval.

In section 17, Measurement and payment, none of the methods shall apply. Payment shall be made at the contract lump sum price for concrete repair. Such payment will constitute full compensation for all labor, equipment, tools, materials and all other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work.

71 – WATER CONTROL GATES

Alternative Bid Item 4 – Slide Gate, 8” Dia. Extended Service Knife Gate Valve

This item shall consist of the replacement of the slide gate on the principal spillway inlet riser if determined to be needed by the engineer.

Valve shall be model KGC-ES Cast Knife Gate Valve as manufactured by DeZURIK or approved equal.

The valve shall be the bonnetless knife gate type.

In Section 7, Measurement and payment, payment for furnishing and installing the gate shall be made at the contract unit price. Such payment constitutes full compensation for all labor, equipment, material, and all other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work including furnishing and installing anchor bolts and all specified appurtenances and fittings.

81 – METAL FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION

Subsidiary Item – Inlet Riser Metalwork

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This item shall consist of furnishing, fabricating, and installing metal work replacement parts for unsalvageable components removed to conduct the inlet riser concrete repairs as shown in the drawings and potentially including the existing trash guards and other inlet riser metalworks.

All metal parts, with the exception stainless steel hardware, shall be galvanized after fabrication.

Metalwork with damaged galvanized surfaces shall be repaired or replaced at no additional cost to the Owner. Field repairs of galvanized surfaces shall be made using “Galvinox,”, “Galvo-Weld,” or similar commercially available galvanizing repair material.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 2 – Concrete Repair.

94 – CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL

Bid Item 3 – Contractor Quality Control

In Section 3, Quality Control System, Method 1 shall apply. The system established shall be documented in a written plan developed by the Contractor and approved by the CO. The plan shall be submitted to the CO within 10 calendar days after notice of award. No construction activity that requires inspection shall not proceed until the plan is approved by the CO.

In Section 4, Quality Control Personnel, Method 1 shall apply. This requires the quality control activities to be performed by competent personnel. Names of quality control personnel and their duties, qualifications, certifications, and authorities are required and shall be submitted to the CO for approval.

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to perform tests to prove and ensure that all work performed meets the contract requirements. Any testing done by the Government is for the sole benefit of the Government. All tests must be conducted in accordance with the appropriate ASTM method and with equipment that meets the requirements of the specified ASTM test method.

Daily QC reports are required to be submitted to the Inspector.

Quality control personnel shall also be responsible for maintaining a record of progress with photographs and be submitted with the request for final payment.

In Section 9, Measurement and Payment, Method 1 shall apply and payment is made as the work proceeds, after presentation by the contractor of invoices showing related costs and evidence of charges by suppliers, subcontractors, and others for furnishing supplies and work performed. If the total of such payments is less than the lump sum contract price for this item, the remaining balance is included in the final contract payment.

SITE VISIT

A field visit was made to Site 21. All locations and works of improvement from the drawings were shown on the ground.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. Is there rock riprap along the upstream slope of the embankment?

A1. Yes

Q2. Is there a preferred method for repairing the leak within the riser?

A2. See CS-35 – Concrete Repair, Section 18. a. (1) - (2). The leak areas shall be prepared and be inspected by the engineer to determine extent of repair needed. The contractor is required to submit a repair plan to be reviewed and approved by the engineer.

Q3. What are the testing requirements for the concrete repair?

A3. See CS-35 and CS-94 – Contractor Quality Control, Section 10 a. (8) for list of required testing.

Q4. Can trees be removed along the access road?

A4. Only trees specifically marked by NRCS through consultation with the landowner will be allowed to be removed along the access road.

Q5. Is there a designated wash area for concrete?

A5. In the designated waste area or other areas as designated by the engineer.

Q6. Is the reservoir water level required to be lowered to the base of the principal inlet riser?

A6. Yes; see CS-11 – Removal of Water and CS-35, Section 18. a. (1) for the preparation of the concrete surfaces of the inlet tower.

Q7. Are any of the metal components required to be replaced?

A7. See CS-81 – Metalworks, Section 7. All metal works removed to perform the repair and surfacing work are to be salvaged and placed back. Any replacement would be to parts deemed by the engineer to be unsalvageable.

Shane W. Ice, P.E.

Texas State Construction Engineer cc: R. Brian Wenberg, State Conservation Engineer, Texas NRCS Mark Northcut, Water Resources Team Leader, Texas NRCS