Attachment 5 Site Showing Technical Notes - 12FPC323B0013 - As Presented.pdf

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Subject: Date: September 06th, 2023 Agreements – Site Showing Technical Notes for Pine Creek Watershed Site 18 Remedial Dam Repair Solicitation No. 12FPC323B0013

To: Amber Maestri, Contracting Specialist, USDA-FPAC

(submitted by email attachment)

A site showing was held on the subject site on September 6th, 2023. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was represented by Shane W. Ice, P.E., Project Engineer and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and Robert Rainer, Watershed Construction Inspector.

NRCS is to provide quality assurance inspection and construction oversight for this project.

The site showing began with a meeting at the Paris Service Center, 201 N Collegiate Dr Suite 500 Paris, TX; followed by a visit to the site. The following was reviewed and submitted to the CO to be added by amendment to the Invitation for Bids (IFB).

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

Construction Specification 94 – Contractor Quality Control

Change 1st paragraph in Section 10 to read “In Section 3, Payment, Method 1 shall apply.”

Change 2nd paragraph in Section 10 to read “In Section 4, Payment, Method 1 shall apply.”

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

Aggregates for Drainfill; coarse

Rock Riprap

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Metal; stile

Galvanization for metal; stile

Vegetation; seed, fertilizer, hydromulch, hay, tackifier (as applicable)

Fencing; barbed wire, tie and tension wire, brace and line posts, gate

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 “tool box” 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-0820, Cover + Sheets 1 thru 5 for the Pine Creek Site 18 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.

2 – CLEARING AND GRUBBING

Subsidiary Item – Clearing and Grubbing

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.

In Section 5, Disposal, all materials removed from the cleared and grubbed areas shall be either burned and buried 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 3 – Mobilization and Demobilization and Bid Item 7 – Site Preparation.

3 – STRUCTURE REMOVAL

Subsidiary Item – Structure Removal, Fence

This item shall consist of the removal of all designated fences in the construction area. The approximate limits of the existing fence to be removed are shown on the drawings. The actual limits of required fence to be removed will be marked or designated at the time of the site showing.

In Section 2, Marking, Method 1 shall apply and will be marked with stakes or flagging.

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

Section 4, Salvage, does not apply.

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.

In section 6, Measurement and payment, Method 2 shall apply and be made at the contract lump sum price.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 3 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

5 – POLLUTION CONTROL

Subsidiary Item – Pollution Control

This item includes work required to maintain sediment filters, installation of the stabilized construction entrance, installation of the rock sediment filter, and creating and implementing a SWPPP. Geotextile used for the construction entrance shall be non-woven and conform to Material Specification 592.

Site 18 is subject to the Texas pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) requirements administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Rules for the TPDES process relative to construction sites are contained in TPDES General Permit No. TXR150000. In conformance with the general permit, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required.

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The Contractor shall prepare a SWP3 in accordance with the TPDES general permit requirements.

The SWP3 shall include a detailed work sequence outline that defines the delineates the proposed construction operation and includes the minimum pollution control practices indicated on the construction drawings, as well as any additional measures that may be required to meet TPDES requirements. The amended SWP3 shall be signed by the Contractor and submitted to the Contracting Officer prior to issuance of the Notice to Proceed. A copy of the approved SWP3, as amended, will be maintained at the construction site by the Contractor. A copy of the permit shall be attached to the SWP3. All applicable TCEQ rules and regulations concerning the TPDES and the SWPPP must be followed.

The disturbed area of the construction site is between 1 and 5 acres. TPDES requires a small construction site notice as part of the General Permit.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 3 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

Subsidiary Item – Silt Fence

This item consists of furnishing and installing silt fence to the lengths and locations designated on the Drawings and otherwise needed to control sediment from leaving the construction site.

In Section 3, Erosion and Sediment Control Measures and Works, Sediment Filters shall be limited to geotextile silt fence.

Silt fence material shall meet the requirements of Material Specification 592.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 3 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

6 – SEEDING, SPRIGGING, AND MULCHING

Bid Item 1 – Vegetation Establishment

This item shall consist of preparing the seedbed and furnishing and applying seed, hay mulch, tackifier, and fertilizer to all disturbed areas as shown on the drawings.

In Section 5, Seeding, Sprigging, Fertilizing, Mulching, and Stabilizing, straw mulch material shall consist of coastal bermudagrass or a native bluestem mix and the rate of application shall be 2-1/2 tons per acre. Mulches shall be stabilized by a mechanical crimper or by a non-asphaltic tackifier applied at a rate consistent with either 40 pounds per acre or as recommended by the manufacturer, whichever is greater. Tackifier, if applicable, shall be approved by the COR prior to placement.

The grass seed shall be drilled or broadcast onto a firm, clean seedbed. A grass seed drill equipped with depth control bands, grain drill with a grass seed attachment, or Brillion (type) seeder shall be used.

The seed shall consist of the mix listed in Section 7.a.(4) applied at the listed rates of pure live seed per acre. Seeding shall be conducted between December 15 and September 1.

Fertilizer shall be of the pelleted form and shall be uniformly mixed. The rate of application of the fertilizer shall be thirty pounds of nitrogen (N), forty pounds of phosphorous (P) and thirty pounds of potassium (K) per acre). Rate is based on pure nutrient weights.

In Section 6, Measurement and Payment, Method 1 shall apply and will be made at the contract unit price with the vegetated area being measured to the nearest 0.1 acre.

7 – CONSTRUCTION SURVEYS

Bid Item 2 – Construction Surveys

In Section 5, Construction Surveys, Method 2 shall apply. The Contractor is responsible for the layout of all the work and for checking all work and shall include but not limited to: (a) Those required to check

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The Contractor must submit to the CO in writing the names, qualifications and experience of the surveyor personnel for approval prior to commencement of work. The Contractor must provide original field notebooks and other records to the COR before final payment and acceptance of work.

Initial and final surveys for determinations of final quantities will be performed by the Government. All surveys shall proceed from points established by the Government. The benchmarks are shown on the drawings.

In Section 8, Payment, Method 2 shall apply with payment made as the work proceeds with progress payment amounts determined as a percentage of the total work planned as projected from the Contractor’s approved construction schedule.

Subsidiary Item – Permanent Reference Markers (PRMs)

This item shall consist of all work and materials (except the benchmark cap) required for the establishment of permanent reference markers cast in-place with non-reinforced concrete cylinders.

The cap for the PRM will be furnished by the NRCS prior to casting/pouring the concrete. A minimum of three (3) PRMs shall be required.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 2 – Construction Surveys.

8 – MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION

Bid Item 3 – Mobilization and Demobilization

The Contractor shall construct a temporary construction entrance and site access at the approximate location as shown on the drawings. The entrance shall comply with Lamar County requirements for temporary construction driveways and to the requirements as contained within this specification and as shown on the drawings.

The access road to the construction campsite shall be an all-weather road that is 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, as needed, at crossings of low areas where significant concentrations of runoff water accumulate and cause ponding of water.

As a part of this bid item, the Contractor shall furnish and install electrical service to the Government supplied field trailer. The service shall be adequate to address all anticipated electrical loads and meet the minimum voltage and amperage requirements indicated by the selected trailer and trailer manufacturer recommendations. The Contractor shall be responsible for supply of power to the Government’s field office throughout the contract period. If a portable generator is used to supply electrical power, the Contractor shall be responsible for the complete operation and maintenance of the generator. The generator shall remain in operating condition 24 hours per day.

The Contractor shall furnish and maintain a source of potable drinking water inside the Government’s field trailer throughout the contract period.

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 to the construction area. All temporary fencing shall remain in-place and maintained during the entire contract period, or as approved by the Engineer.

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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 to be reimbursed for these items prior to acceptance of invoice.

As part of demobilization, the access road shall be bladed to be smooth and shall be left in a rut-free condition. The temporary construction entrance and its improvements shall be removed and the area bladed and shaped to restore the area to its original condition. 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 Hemphill County (if necessary).

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 3 – 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.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 3 – Mobilization and Demobilization.

24 – DRAINFILL

Subsidiary Item – Watering Ramps

This item shall consist of furnishing and installing the gravel or crushed rock as specified in the construction drawings.

In Section 2, Material, Method 1 shall apply but that the contractor shall inform the engineer the source of the gravel or crushed rock a minimum of 5 working days before delivery. The gravel or crushed rock shall be well graded and meet the gradation table as shown on Sheet 2 of the drawings.

In section 5, Control of moisture, no control of moisture is required for the gravel or crushed rock.

In section 6, Compaction, for gravel or crushed rock, Class III compaction shall apply.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 4 – Rock Riprap.

26 – TOPSOILING

Subsidiary Item – Salvaging and Placing Topsoiling

This item shall consist of the salvaging of approved topsoil from required excavations; from the foundation stripping operations; and from the borrow area and placing and spreading it on all earthfill areas and exposed cut slopes as designated on the drawings.

In section 3, Furnishing, Method 1 shall apply and shall be from designated earth surfaces that will be disturbed by construction activities.

In Section 5, Spreading, Method 1 shall apply. After spreading the topsoil on the required surfaces, a minimum amount of compacted effort shall be applied with at least 1 pass of a dozer track.

The depth of topsoil for these areas shall be 6 inches.

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Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 7 – Site Preparation.

61 – Rock Riprap

Bid Item 4 – Rock Riprap

This item shall include furnishing and placing the loose rock riprap required for the plunge basin and channel armoring as shown on the drawings.

In section 2, Material, second paragraph, the Contractor shall provide written notice of proposed source of rock material at least five working days before delivery.

Rock for use as riprap shall comply with the requirements of Material Specification 523, Rock Type 1.

Rock shall conform to the gradation requirements of ASTM D6092 R-150.

In section 7, Measurement and payment, Method 1 shall apply and be computed to the nearest ton by actual weight. Furnished delivery tickets are required showing the weight to the nearest 0.1 ton.

81 – METAL FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION

Subsidiary Item – Stiles

This item shall consist of furnishing, fabricating, galvanizing, and installing the fence stile as shown on the drawings.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 5 – Field Fence

92 – FIELD FENCE

Bid Item 5 – Field Fence

This item shall consist of furnishing all materials required and constructing the barbed wire fences as designated on the drawings. Barbed wire shall be 12.5 gauge and have Class III coating.

The approximate location of the fences to be constructed is shown on the construction drawings. The final location of the fences (including corners, gates, pull and brace panels, stiles, and special anchorage) shall be as staked by the Engineer.

In Section 10, Measurement and payment, Method 1 shall apply and measured to the nearest foot.

94 – CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL

Bid Item 6 – 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.

In Section 9, Measurement and Payment, Method 2 shall apply and paid in equal amounts on each monthly estimate.

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.

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

95 – Geotextile

Subsidiary Item – Geotextile

This item shall consist of furnishing and placing the geotextile under the new rock riprap plunge basin, channel armoring, and watering ramps including all excavation, fill and backfill required for keying geotextile into the ground as shown on the drawings.

Geotextiles shall be non-woven Class I and meet Material Specification 592.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 4 – Rock Riprap.

420 – Site Preparation

Bid Item 7 – Site Preparation

This item shall consist of performing all earthwork activities required for the reshaping the plunge basin, basin outlet channel, and watering ramps.

Waste area and borrow area are shown on the drawings. Final locations of the waste and borrow areas shall be designated at the time of site showing.

Site preparation quantities consist of a combined volume of required excavation and earthfill ranging from 4,825 to 4,925 CY. The quantities are derived from as-built elevations and preliminary survey data. Variations in these quantities may be possible when the work is performed. However, modification to the contract will not be made for work performed more than these estimated quantities except where the variation exceeds 10% more than the maximum quantity established for the site preparation and have a minimum contract value for the additional work in excess of $1,000.00.

Excavations shall be done in accordance with the requirements of Construction Specification 21 – Excavation and as specified in this specification. All excavations shall be unclassified excavations.

Earthfills shall be done in accordance with the requirements of Construction Specification 23 – Earthfill and as specified in this specification. Earthfills shall be Class C and in accordance with section 6 of Construction Specification 23.

Payment shall be made at the contract lump sum price for site preparation. Such payment will constitute full compensation for all labor, equipment, materials, and all other items necessary and incidental to the completion of the work.

Subsidiary Item – Excavation, Common, Borrow

This item shall consist of all excavation from within the designated borrow area required to complete the specified earthfills as designated on the drawings.

The designated borrow area shall be staked by the engineer and when complete, shall have top dimensions of approximately 140 feet by 100 feet by 10 feet deep with bottom dimensions of 70 feet by 40 feet and 3:1 side slopes on three sides and one 4:1 ramp side for cattle and in the location as designated in the drawings.

Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 7 – Site Preparation.

Subsidiary Item – Excavation, Common, Foundation Stripping

This item shall consist of removing weeds, grass, roots and soils containing significant vegetative or organic material from the ground surface (including any waste areas) prior to placing earthfill in required areas.

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Compensation for this item is to be included in Bid Item 7 – Site Preparation.

SITE VISIT

A field visit was made to Site 18. All locations and works of improvement from the drawings were shown on the ground.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1. Is a cofferdam required?

A1. See Construction Specification 11 – Removal of Water for requirements of dewatering and surface water diversion. Dewatering and Diversion of Surface Water is the responsibility of the Contractor.

A plan is required and shall be submitted to the Engineer for approval prior to start of construction operations.

Q2. Are cattle expected to be within the work area?

A2. This is a possibility. See Construction Specification 8 – Mobilization and Demobilization, Section 4

a. (2) (h) for the requirements of temporary fencing.

Q3. For the SWPPP, is a NOI required for this project?

A3. No, see CS-5 – Pollution Control for permit and plan requirements.

Q4. Can the entrance used for the site showing be used as a construction entrance?

A4. No; the construction entrance location shall be as shown on the drawings.

X Shane W. Ice, P.E.

COR/Project Engineer - USDA/NRCS cc: R. Brian Wenberg, State Conservation Engineer, Texas NRCS Mark Northcut, Water Resources Team Leader, Texas NRCS

Dan Little, State Dam Engineer, Texas NRCS Robert Rainer, Watershed Inspector, Texas NRCS