Questions_Sanostee_Remediation_08252025_0003.pdf

140A0925R0002 – Former Sanostee School Remediation Project

Question: Has the Government encumbered the proposed estimate cost? Yes

Question: Phase III time estimate seems inadequate for the scope of the project, can the project extend the time? An initial period of 180 days (6 months) was allotted. The BIA will coordinate with the selected contractor to extend the timeline if additional time is needed.

Question: Clarify quantities for water, sewer, natural gas and communication being requested to be removed as well as estimated depths. Can Navajo utilities or IHS provide this information? Contractors are required to coordinate with NTUA regarding sewer and natural gas services, specifically for the blue stake and abandonment processes.

Additionally, the contractor shall work with the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources (NNDWR) to properly abandon the water well located in the southern area. The contractor shall also consult with NNDWR for guidance on establishing a sanitary wellhead for the artesian well.

Question: Will a survey be done to delineate the boundaries of the property? The survey has been completed.

Question: Is there a borrow pit on the community that can be utilized for backfilling? The selected contractor is responsible for procuring clean fill material.

Question: Is there a specific seed mix that needs to be used for hydroseeding? The standard seed mix specified by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) for this region will be utilized.

Question: What is the acreage of seeding that is required? All highly disturbed areas must be reseeded.

Quantities of Materials Question: The quantities of materials do not appear to balance with the scope of work. The answers to the questions suggest that we should use the specified quantities of materials for bidding purposes. However, the SOW indicates that there is 725,000 square feet (16 acres) of VCT contaminated area and that there is three (3) inches of VCT contaminated soil to be excavated (listed as such on price sheet), disposed at an estimated tonnage of 170 tons of material. There are a couple issues identified: 725,000 cf of soil area is not identified on the maps and is twice (2X) the size of “Area 4” investigated in the Phase III document. Also, the SOW indicates that VCT needs to be removed over the entire site. What are the limits of 725,000 sf of material to be excavated to 3” Calculated excavated to 3” is over 9,000 tons v. the 170 tons in the SOW. Which tonnage do we scope for removal and disposal. Phase III documents shall be used for planning and budgeting purposes. Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) is scattered throughout Area 4 of the site and should be addressed accordingly.

Asbestos Abatement: Question: Task II: Abatement of Hazardous Constituents Paragraph B. – “The Contractor Shall abate all asbestos identified in the ASTM Phase II Report investigation following the 10-day notification rule for both friable and non-friable asbestos.” Although a copy of the Phase I and Phase II was requested in the first set of questions, it does not appear that they have been provided to-date. However, during a visit to the site on August 14, 2025, indicated the presence of broken transite piping and transite shingles which are typically asbestos in several areas on the site. Should we assume that every building material has been sampled and that the only material on the site that is considered Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) or Asbestos-Containing Building Material (ACBM) is the VCT and that the backup analytical data required by the NESHAP permit will be provided to the successful contractor? If this assumption is not correct, please specify or provide the requested Phase I and Phase II ESA documents to all bidders. Yes, the underground water and sewer lines on the subject property underwent point sampling on August 22, 2017, to confirm the presence of ACM. Six samples confirmed the water and sewer lines are transite pipes. Phase 1 and Phase II environmental assessments will be provided to all bidders.

Utilities

Question: The SOW indicates that all utilities require location and removal, including transite piping (buried and surficial). However, the Price Schedule lists the scope as “gathering” the transite piping. Apparently, there are no plans for the existence of these pipes. Is the expectation of the contract to remove all known and visible utilities or to conduct sitewide trenching in former housing areas to explore the site for underground piping and abate the transite piping if found? Due to local economic development plans, the selected contractor shall coordinate with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources to properly locate, abandon, and dispose of utility lines as necessary.

Question: There is a set of water valves on the southern portion of the site that appear to be operational and within a vaulted area. Are these to be removed as part of the SOW? Yes, Item 6.5 of the Phase III report recommends the abandonment of this water well.

Well Issues

Question: The well that is leaking water appears to be leaking from the valve at the top of the well head. However, given the apparent age, the sanitary seal may be compromised but this is unknown also. We do not have any information on the construction details of the well at the time of this bid and without these details it is not possible to cost out repairs that would be required by agencies. Bidders may note this exclusion for further evaluation;

however, inclusion in the bid is strongly recommended.

Archeological Survey Requirements Question: According to the Phase III document, there is no mention regarding archeological/cultural survey oversight during the construction activities. Is it the intention of the BIA not to have cultural oversight during this activity? A NEPA evaluation was previously completed for this site, and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued for the project.