Questions_Answers_0002.pdf

Questions & Answers-Amendment 2

1. Will the government provide a delay in the NTP due to weather and safety for the divers to complete the work in ideal conditions? (Note: Ideal conditions to complete the required scope of work is April – June.)

The NTP is anticipated to be issued shortly after award. Reference Block 11 of the SF1442 which notes that the Contractor shall begin performance within 10 calendar days and complete within 210 calendar days after receiving notice to proceed. Please note “performance” doesn’t necessarily mean the Contractor will perform onsite work within 10 calendar days of NTP, just that they will perform work in support of this project. The 210 calendar day performance period noted in the Solicitation includes delays that the Contractor should reasonably expect for unfavorable weather conditions.

2. Are there fish spawning restrictions that govern the time frame(s) when the in water work can be performed?

Work shall be performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Department of Army’s Nationwide Permit/Regional General Permit as well as the terms and conditions of the State of Wisconsin Individual Permit as well as all other regulations, codes, and laws. (Reference Specification Section 01 42 00, Part 1.01) It is the Contractor’s responsibility to determine the time frames that in water work can be completed (within the Contractual Performance Period) to meet the conditions of these Permits, regulations, codes, and laws, including but not limited to, any fish spawning restrictions.

3. The concrete pier that is below the mudline is buried and is not being exposed to the elements. Therefore, it is likely in good shape. With that in mind, to what extent does the diver need to remove existing material. In other words, what is the maximum distance below existing mud line that the form would need to extend or what is the bottom limit of the repair work? Does this apply to all 12 piles?

Detail A on Plan Sheet 7 notes “Remove Debris and Silt to Bare Rock” (as well as other requirements pertinent to this question.) In December 2024 four rock cores were performed in the general area of the west and east piers and near the ferry landing. Depth from ground surface to weathered rock varied between 6 inches and 2 feet.

4. Have any rock core samples been taken?

Yes, in December 2024 four rock cores were performed in the general area of the west and east piers and near the ferry landing.

5. Can we use a 15lb chipping hammer to prepare the concrete pier surfaces? Can we use a 5000psi pressure washer?

Means and methods shall be per the Contractor unless otherwise noted in the Plans, Specifications, and/or Permit requirements. Plan Sheet No. 7, Section B, Note 2 states, " Jack hammers not allowed for use in Rehabilitation." Specification Section 02 41 00, Part 1.08.D states "For the boathouse pier repair, no jack hammers allowed..."

6. Can we use pumps to relocate sandy sediment underwater rather than removing from the water?

Means and methods shall be per the Contractor unless otherwise noted in the Plans, Specifications, and/or Permit requirements.

7. Please confirm that the ready-mix can be batched at the project site. The specification mentions this, but then section 03 30 00.2.06.A contradicts that statement.

Specification Section 03 30 00, Part 2.06.A applies if Redi-Mix Concrete is obtained from an off-site preestablished plant and not if the prebagged, site mixed concrete option (as noted in Spec Section 03 30 00, Part 1.04.C) is used.

8. Who will be governing the diving?

The Contractor is responsible to manage their work (and workers) and perform said work in a safe manner.

9. SPECS Part I P. 14 – 1.01-A JOBSITE ADMINISTRATION states “Superintendence, Subcontract administration, and Third Party Testing Inspector is the responsibility of the Contractor.” We interpret this to read that the Superintendent and the Third Party Testing Inspector are hired, managed and paid by the Prime. Please confirm if our interpretation of this is correct.

The Superintendence, subcontract administration and a Third-Party Testing Agency will be hired, managed, and paid for by the Contractor in accordance with the requirements outlined in the plans/specifications.

10. Sanitary Facilities on the jobsite is our responsibility. Can the government provide the name of the company that provides sanitary facilities currently so that we can reach out and obtain pricing?

The Government currently does not have a company providing sanitary services to Plum Island.

11. Please confirm that OSHA will be governing diving. USACE, USCG, OSHA all have different minimum requirements. For example, OSHA requires 3 man crew minimum, USACE requires 4 man crew minimum and USCG requires 5 man crew minimum.

Means and methods shall be per the Contractor unless otherwise noted in the Plans, Specifications, and/or Permit requirements. Also please note Construction Note 4 on Plan

Sheet No. 2 which notes, “Where discrepancies occur within the Contract Documents, Contractor shall Bid the most costly requirement…”

12. The Wage Determinations provided with the Solicitation does not include Divers. This is predominately a diving project. Can we request the wage determination for Divers to ensure that all bidders are using the same diver wages.

For purposes of bidding, use the below rates and fringe benefits. The Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor needs to approve the additional classification and rates. If their approval differs from what is listed below, a modification will be entered into after contract award with the awardee to account for any differences with their approval.

Rates Fringes

Diver Stand-by....................$ 42.65 26.51 Tender......................$ 41.65 26.51 Working.....................$ 82.45 26.51 Piledriver Piledriver; Skiff Operator and Rigger..................$ 38.34 26.51 Sheet Stabber...............$ 38.34 26.51 Welder......................$ 43.90 26.51

DEPTH PAY PREMIUM FOR DIVERS BELOW WATER SURFACE:

50-100 feet $1.00 per foot 101 feet and deeper $2.00 per foot

ENCLOSURE PAY PREMIUM WITH NO VERTICAL ASCENT:

5-50 FEET $1.00 PER FOOT/DAY

51-100 FEET $2.00 PER FOOT/DAY

101 FEET AND ABOVE $3.00 PER FOOT/DAY

SATURATION DIVING:

The standby rate applies until saturation starts. The saturation diving rate applies when divers are under pressure continuously until work task and decompression are complete. The diver rate shall be paid for all saturation hours.

WORK IN COMBINATION OF CLASSIFICATIONS:

Employees working in any combination of classifications within the diving crew (except dive supervisor) in a shift are paid in the classification with the highest rate for that shift.

13. Contractor request government to provide as-built drawings of the boathouse foundation or provide existing bedrock elevations at the pile foundation locations.

In December 2024 four rock cores were performed in the general area of the west and east piers and near the ferry landing. Depth from ground surface to weathered rock varied between 6 inches and 2 feet.

14. P. 31 of the Clauses states that the font in the proposals shall not be less than 12 point font. We plan to incorporate couple of basic tables; nothing elaborate as we understand that this is unnecessary and prohibited as well. My question is, does the font within the tables have to be 12 point as well?

Yes, 12 point font.

15. This is a best value competition that includes comprehensive technical requirements in a remote/highly challenging marine environment and given this, we believe the technical volume warrants a few additional pages. Would it be possible to increase the page limit for Volume 1?

Volume 1 is hereby increased to a page limit of 10 pages.

16. We have a technical question that we are seeking clarification on. In reviewing the photos in the Dive Report, there appears to be steel casings around the piles that will need to be removed prior to prep and forming. These steel casings are not identified on the drawings or mentioned in the Specs/Statement of work. Question: Should our pricing include removal of the steel casings as evidenced in the divers report or should we not include the steel casing in line with the solicitation which does not call out or identify the steel casings.

Spec Section 02 41 00, Part 1.01.A.3 states, "Selective removal or demo of concrete, steel, timber, riprap, or other materials as shown on the Drawings and as necessary to accomplish the Work."

Spec Section 01 11 00, Part 1.02.A.2.b states, "...Any demolition, removal, or salvage required to complete this work is included."

Plan Sheet 01, Construction Note 4: “Where discrepancies occur within the Contract Documents, Contractor shall bid the most costly requirement…”

17. Will government allow the contractor to perform work on Saturdays?

Work performed on Federal Holidays and weekends will require prior approval by the Contracting Officer.

18. Solicitation bid schedule has a Unit price item for concrete, can government please provide information on what costs to include in this line item? Also please provide the Unit of measurement (Cubic yard or Cubic feet)

Concrete unit price items is intended to be used in the event of a modification for the project and be used for a basis for a cost change. Please provide in units of $/ cubic feet.

19. Specification section 03 10 00-3.03 Formwork removal mentions that metal forms shall be removed after 24 hours of concrete placement. Will the stay-in-place metal forms be acceptable?

No, desired finished surface of rehabilitated piers is concrete.

20. Can the dredged lake sediments down to bedrock be side-casted or placed on the beach or these lake sediments need to be disposed offsite at a disposal facility?

See Specification Section 02 41 00, Part 3.01.K, “Off-site disposal and transportation of all material shall be the responsibility of Contractor. Demolished materials shall be immediately disposed of off-site unless approved otherwise by Owner.”

21. Does the contractor require to design and install any type of temporary shoring systems for the boathouse building while we perform the pier repair works?

See Specification Section 02 41 00, Part 3.01.G, “...The Contractor shall ensure that structural elements are not overloaded as a result of the demolition Work. Shoring, bracing, and temporary supports shall be designed, installed and maintained, as required to maintain structural integrity.”

22. Drawing no. 3R-WI-65-028, Sheet 7 of 7, Note-2 states that Jack hammers are not allowed for use in pier rehabilitation works, will utilization of chipping hammers be acceptable for demolition of loose concrete?

Means and methods shall be per the Contractor unless otherwise noted in the Plans, Specifications, and/or Permit requirements. Plan Sheet No. 7, Section B, Note 2 states, " Jack hammers not allowed for use in Rehabilitation." Specification Section 02 41 00, Part 1.08.D states "For the boathouse pier repair, no jack hammers allowed..."

Specification Section 02 41 00, Part 1.08 B states, “Protect other Work and structures to ensure no damages occur…” Specification Section 02 41 00, Part 3.01G states “Precautions shall be taken to prevent damage to existing Work which is to remain in place, be reused or remain the property of the Owner and to any new Work constructed or installed under this Contract. Any damage to such Work shall be repaired or replaced…”

23. Clause 52.211-10 mention that work needs to be completed within 210 calendar days after the contractor receives the notice to proceed, can the government please provide an anticipated notice to proceed date?

The NTP is anticipated to be issued shortly after award. Reference Block 11 of the SF1442 which notes that the Contractor shall begin performance within 10 calendar days and complete within 210 calendar days after receiving notice to proceed. Please note “performance” doesn’t necessarily mean the Contractor will perform onsite work within 10 calendar days of NTP, just that they will perform work in support of this project. The 210 calendar day performance period noted in the Solicitation includes delays that the Contractor should reasonably expect for unfavorable weather conditions.

24. Is this project funded?

Yes, this project is currently funded.

25. Is there a possibility that the government would waive the requirement to be NRMCA certified? Spec section 03 30 00-7, 2.06 B states NRMCA certified ready-mix plant.

Spec Section 03 30 00-7, 2.06 B is hereby changed to read:

B. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) certified ready-mix plant or Wisconsin State DOT certified ready-mix plant.