Attach 1 - amend 0004 answers to questions as of 072120_0004.docx

Amendment 0004 Solicitation No. 140F0120R0017 Title: Road Restoration Project at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge near Hilo HI (Hawaii County)

Answers to Questions:

Question 1: For the water crossings it is stated that a structural engineer stamp is required. Would a Hawaii Licensed Civil engineer be accepted as an alternate?

Answer: Yes, a HI licensed civil will work.

Question 2: Can you give a brief description of requirement, approvals process and/or permit with the State or any other agency requirements for working in the Drainage way which you spoke of at the site visit, I'm still foggy on the letter you spoke of? and why did the Refuge not put this to rest already? timing to get approvals may cause hardship on starting this work as planned, State branches are understaffed and flat out slow in getting anything done, FYI Answer: The only permit that would be required for this work would be a CWA section 404 permit from the USACOE. The refuge consulted with USACOE last year for the N Middle Road improvement project at the crossing that is now identified for a constructed ford. The USACOE initially stated a permit would be required, but upon further consultation with USACOE and further detailing the status of the channel (only wetted during extreme rainfall events), the USACOE provided written concurrence through email (see attached). Because all three channels are of similar nature/disposition, I would expect a similar concurrence again. However, this is a different project and subject ‘fill’ is of a highly different nature. Regardless, the argument that these improvements would greatly reduce future erosion issues will be appealing to USACOE. The reason we ask the contractor to seek the concurrence from USACOE is to simplify the communication process. Because these are designed structures, the contractor would be best suited to address USACOE questions directly instead of going through the refuge. As I stated at the site visit and in the SOW, the contractor will be the lead on the permit application/consultation, but the refuge will assist in any manner necessary to expedite the process.

Question 3: On the bid sheet, Option 3 it indicates that 600 CY are required but the bid sheet indicates only 6 CY are listed. We assume 600CY?

Answer: The ‘6’ refers to six 100CY increments. Unit cost is for 100CY. Please also note that Pedro road has eight (8) individual 0.25 mi increments. Please bid by 0.25 mi Unit price.

Question 4: Can the CO please confirm the date of submittal (and date of questions due as well)? There are different dates between Amend #2 & Amend #3.

Answer: The updated info in amendment 0003 for only one site visit on July 7, 2020 at 9 AM local time with questions due by close of business on July 9, 2020 supersedes the site visit and due date for questions details referenced in the previous amendment 0002.

Question 5: Period of Performance indicates that all work has be done by September 30, 2019, do you mean September 30, 2021?

Answer: The replacement SOW of June 2020 from amendment 3, para 3 that currently indicates an end date of NLT September 30, 2019 is incorrect. The correct end date is by no later than October 15, 2021 as cited in the original SOW.

Question 6: Can the CQC and/or either the project manager or superintendent be the same person, or will each role be separate? (Page 17 of 11, 3.1.d and 3.3.a, Page 18 of 22). Do you require the CQC to be certified?

Answer: CQC – Construction Quality Control. The role is generally filled by the project manager and does NOT need to be certified.

Question 7: Under deliverables Item #3, does the USFWS want a mix design for the asphalt?

Answer: Asphalt paving was removed from the contract, so a mix design is not needed.

Question 8: Deliverables (Page 11 of 22, Item #4) indicated that Design(s) are required for the low water crossing, gate and gate layout, road realignment, water bars, and the paved road. As this is a design/build, do you require the typical USFWS 30/60/90 and 100 design submittals with specifications? Does the USFWS have existing maps/ AutoCAD files for design preparation or does the contractor need to get a survey completed. Can this design be stamped by a Civil PE and Electrical PE for the gate controls?

Answer: Being a design-build, there will be fewer design submittals than a typical design only. It is anticipated there will be a 35% schematic design, 60% design that could be used to begin construction and then a final 100% design. The design shall be stamped by a Civil PE. Depending on the gate controls and if they are off-the-shelf items or designed will determine the need for an electrical PE stamp.

Question 9: Under deliverables section, will an electronic ½ half size PDF record drawings (with mark up on a thumb drive) be acceptable verses the “full size architectural paper drawings” (Page 22 of 22)?

Answer: Yes

Question 10: Additional details about the gate controller (PV).

a. If the noted units from Viking do not include keypad applications, but a provider who does provide keypads only includes swing gates will a swing gate be sufficient (is a slide gate required)?

Answer: Refuge greatly prefers ‘slide’ gate, but would consider swing style. Concern for maintaining adequate stability of the hinges due to overall length unless they are referring to a split gate (two panels). I’m flexible.)

b. Will the keypads require any additional elements like swipe card reading access (to open the gate), intercom, vehicle sensing equipment or monitoring cameras?

Answer: Refuge prefers remotes and keypads. No other options necessary.)

c. What is meant by “provide 20 gate controllers” – is this intended to be card swipe access cards, or button style garage door style openers?

Answer: Yes. Remote control ‘garage door style openers’.

d. The gate “scope of work” mentions surveying, a survey can be completed based on the design requirements, but will a ALTA or property boundary survey be required?

Answer: No.

Question 11: Stream Crossings:

a. Will the crossings require dewatering for construction?

i. Will pumping be sufficient or does the Government require a full channel relocation or pipe for construction?

Answer: Work should not occur during high rainfall events. As such, no dewatering would be necessary as these channels are only subject to flow when rainfall exceeds est. >10 inches over a 12 hour or less period.

b. Does the Government want a vented, non-vented or a low-water bridge stream crossing design. Type of design will be critical to ecosystem. Does the USFWS have any fish, invertebrates, or other species that moves up and down stream, will fish/invertebrate passage be required?

Answer: No aquatic organisms occur in these channels.

c. Does the Government want a free poured concrete system or will a precast crossing application be allowed?

Answer: Precast is allowed, however due to the remote and challenging access, it is the contractors responsibility to ensure viable transport.

If precast is allowed;

i. Will an articulated concrete block mat be allowed?

Answer: Yes, if it meets the design intent.

ii. If so, will the manufacturers structural (PE) stamp be sufficient for the structural stamp requirement?

Answer: A manufacturers PE stamp is acceptable.

iii. Why does the USFWS want a structural PE Stamp? Typically stream crossing are stamped by Civil engineers due to the hydrology, environmental, fluid dynamics and geomorphology.

Answer: A civil PE stamp is acceptable.

d. Is biological monitoring expected? What should be planned for as part of the project if it is expected? An outside biologist to be onsite to assist in species monitoring and transfer if needed? Routine inspections from the government? A simple pre and post inspection of the work zone?

Answer: Refuge will be responsible for any biological monitoring of project implementation. Greatest concern is for harm to listed plant species. Refuge will survey and remove any listed plant species from the project area prior to implementation. Refuge staff will be inspecting the project and reporting to COR and CO at least weekly.)

e. Is there any stream hydraulic data available for the crossings in question?

Answer: No. These are HIGHLY intermittent streams. See Q11.a.i. answer.

f. Is a public hearing anticipated / any local permits required? This “low water crossing” will alters a stream, will a 404 permit from the Honolulu Corp be required?

Answer: Possibly, only a 404 permit. See Q2 answer.

g. Will USFWS check and confirm that the excavator utilized for the stream crossing is converted to vegetable based hydraulics under environmental protection.

Answer: Refuge can do this inspection.

Question 12: Roads

a. Under the scope of work (Page 3 of 22), a dirt hardening agent may be employed. Is this required, and if required, what type of product, as some products are not environmentally acceptable?

Answer: It is not required.

b. It mentions that soft spots will have a geotextile over soft subgrade. What type of geotextile is acceptable?

Answer:

1. Geotextile:

a. Place geotextiles over soft subgrade areas and surface cross drains.

b. Shall be installed per the manufacturer’s recommendation.

c. Shall be of rot-, mildew-, and chemical-resistant material, manufactured from long-chain polymeric fibers or yarns, composed of at least 95 percent, by weight, of polyolefins or polyesters. Material shall be free from defects or tears, and free of treatment or coating that would adversely alter hydraulic properties of geotextiles after installation.

d. Factory and field seams shall be sewn with thread consisting of high strength polypropylene, polyester, or polyamide, having same or greater durability as geotextile material. Nylon threads will not be allowed. Thread shall be at least as ultraviolet resistant as geotextile material and of contrasting color to geotextile.

e. The manufacturer's certificate of compliance and certified test results on the product, tested within six months of the submittal, shall be submitted.

f. Geotextiles shall be stored and handled in accordance with ASTM D 4873 and kept dry and stored off the ground. During shipment and storage, material shall not be exposed to sunlight or other forms of light that contain ultraviolet rays, for more than five days.

g. Geotextiles for Permeable Separator Applications shall conform to Table 1.

TABLE 1: GOTEXTILE MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

1 Permittivity of geotextile shall be greater than that of soil.

2 Apparent Opening Size (AOS) requirement may be adjusted when less than 50 percent of soil particles, by weight, passes U.S. No. 200 sieve, or when geotextile permeability (ASTM D 4491) is equal to or less than soil permeability.