S01 Attachment 4 - EWP Streambank Stabilization Mingo County - QandA - 12FPC323B0007.pdf

EWP Streambank Stabiliza�on NRCS - Mingo County, WV.

12FPC323B0007

Ques�ons and Answers

Q. Can the bids be faxed?

A. We don’t have access to fax machines any longer. They must be emailed and include the bid bond.

Q. If there is a problem getting approved gabion baskets, can there be a time extension to allow for delayed basket delivery?

A. If outside the control of the best efforts of the contractor to obtain the materials necessary. But not for delays caused by contractor inefficiency to assemble and place the baskets.

Q. How much are the liquidated damages?

A. There are no liquidated damages. Actual damages can be imposed should a contractor default on their performance.

Q. Can a pipe be installed and used to divert stream flow during construction to prevent equipment from working in the stream and to aid on pollution control?

A. Yes, but the contractor needs to be diligent to watch the weather and remove pipe before large weather events, and not leave pipes installed over the weekends and non-workdays.

Q. On the James Lester Site, does the contractor need to repair the existing gabion basket that has a hole in it, to attach the new gabion basket that adjoins to it?

A. The exis�ng gabion basket that is damaged, will need to be laced back together on the damaged corner near water level prior to lacing the new gabion baskets into place. NRCS agreed to pay an extra 1 CY quan�ty of gabion baskets (Bid Item 2) for this repair.

Q. Does the Superintendent need to be paid Davis Bacon Wages while on site?

A. Only if or when they are performing a covered work in labor category. So if they also perform work as an operator or laborer, then the �me in that labor category must be accounted for on the cer�fied payroll.

Q. What is the deadline for questions that will be posted on the solicitation?

A. August 4, 2023 close of business.

Q. Will sandstone gabion stone be permitted to fill gabion baskets?

A. There are test requirements in the specifica�ons and if all test requirements are met, then sandstone can be used. There are two types of sandstone at the local Paterson quarry, brown/red and gray. The brown/red colored sandstone is not acceptable, it has been found to be so�er than the gray colored sandstone and will break down over �me.

Q. What if there is a footer found from the fallen block wall on the James Lester Site that can’t be seen until digging starts during construction?

A. The footer would need to be hauled off to a landfill, or an approved dump site that is out of the floodplain.

Q. Can the sections of block wall on the James Lester Site, be used as backfill on one of the sites?

A. All man-made debris, trash, and other materials found during the excava�on on any of the sites and the materials shown on the drawings “to be removed” must be hauled off to a landfill, or an approved dump site located out of the floodplain.

Q. What if the landowner has not removed the existing bridge located on the Timothy Thompson Site 4 when construction starts?

A. No work will be done in/under the footprint of the bridge. Gabions will be installed as close as possible without damaging the bridge or exis�ng abutments.

Q. Can there be a time extension granted if contractor is having problems meeting the 30-day contract time?

A. Only If there are extenua�ng circumstances outside the Contractors control.

Q. Can the gabion baskets be laced off site.

A. Baskets can be laced off site but be the contractor should be aware that if the gabion baskets are laced incorrectly, they will need to be re-laced. Rodney Sites pointed out that when gabion baskets are folded by the manufacturers, that they are not always folded at the true corners of the gabion baskets, and the gabion baskets will need to be unfolded and the corners corrected before trying to lace the gabion baskets together.

Q. Can the base layer of gabion baskets be placed parallel to the stream?

A. Base baskets can be placed parallel to the stream if the configura�on of the gabion baskets allows for counterfort loca�ons. Rodney Sites pointed out that the lids to the gabion baskets need to have the fold on the stream side of the gabion wall, and lace the lid shut on the excava�on/yard side of the gabion wall.

Q. Can the gabion baskets be cut to meet existing block walls and uncontrollable conditions on site?

A. Cu�ng the baskets should be avoided as much as possible. It is expected that cu�ng of the gabion baskets will only be allowed for pipes to come through the gabion baskets when needed. In all other areas where gabion baskets encounter exis�ng block walls and uncontrollable condi�ons, the gabion baskets shall be folded and laced to hold the shape of the gabion basket for the filling process. It was agreed during the job showing that all folded gabion baskets will be paid the full cell size prior to folding.

A 3-foot cell will be paid 1 cubic yard, and 18-inch cells will be paid ½ cubic yard.

Q. Are hog rings allowed over lacing of the gabion baskets?

A. Hog rings are permited only to help form the gabion baskets during the lacing process of the gabion baskets. Lacing as specified in the drawings is required regardless of whether hog rings are used.

Q. Are gabion basket stretchers allowed to be used?

A. It is encouraged for the contractor to use lid closure tools for lacing the lids closed during construc�on. Rodney Sites stated that filling the gabion baskets in steps in each cell helps ensure that the baskets retain their true shape, and helps prevent collapsing the front face of the baskets which causes an uneven face.

Q. Do the gabion baskets have to be faced?

A. Yes, the exposed sides of all baskets need to be faced, including the exposed ends of any gabion basket wall, with the best flat rocks to fill all voids of the face.

Q. What is the allowable work week for this contract?

A. The maximum work week shall be 6 days per week for 10 hours per day.