B09_Amendment_2_Q_A_-_Kirwin_NWR_Project_7_29_26_0002.pdf

Kirwin NWR Boat Ramp Replacement Project Amendment Attachment: Q&A Doc

1. What is the governing elevation for the 20-year high or low? 1702.03 ft or 1729.31 ft?

Currently it is sitting at 1711.00.

Answer: The governing elevation for the design of the boat ramps is the top of the active conservation pool at 1,729.3 feet. Current reservoir elevation is approximately 1,709.2 feet (7/29/26), which reflects ongoing drought conditions and is not the design elevation. The 20-year low water elevation is 1702.03 feet. While some existing boat ramps are not usable at the current water level, the Refuge maintains alternative low-water access, including the Low Water Boat Ramp, for periods of reduced reservoir elevation.

2. Would the government accept two bids? One off the plans that were provided at the prebid meeting today? And the second one would be an alternate with a few of our recommendations/ questions about the width of the ramps?

Answer: Contractors should follow the solicitation instructions regarding proposal submission. The Contracting Officer has determined that alternate proposals are permissible. Contractors may submit both a proposal that conforms to the solicitation requirements and an alternate proposal incorporating recommended design modifications. The responses to contractor questions included in this amendment are intended to clarify the solicitation requirements and address inconsistencies identified during the pre-bid site visit. Contractors should consider these clarifications when preparing both their conforming and any alternate proposals.

CO Answer: Alternate proposals can be submitted.

3. At the prebid today the plans that were provided showed two lanes of ramp with dirt in between (2- 20’ lanes w/ 6’ grass median), the maintenance manager mentioned that he would prefer a concrete median, and possibly less than 20’ lanes.

Answer: The Government's requirements are those identified in the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A. The amendment incorporates Refuge staff's operational preferences regarding long-term maintenance and fluctuating reservoir levels that were discussed during the pre-bid site visit.

Accordingly, after discussions with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Refuge staff, the ramp design has been revised. The location of the ramps will remain unchanged; however, the design has been modified from two 20-foot-wide lanes separated by a 6-foot grass median to a single, continuous concrete slab.

The North Shore ramp shall consist of a concrete slab measuring 36 feet wide by 130 feet long to accommodate the current low-water elevation. The South Shore ramp shall consist of a concrete slab measuring 36 feet wide by 260 feet long to accommodate the current low-water elevation.

Anchor lines shall be installed along both the width and length of each ramp. Along the width, anchors shall be located approximately 3 feet from each edge, with approximately 6-foot spacing across the slab (approximately 3 feet, 9 feet, 15 feet, 21 feet, 27 feet, and 33 feet from the slab edge). Along the length, the first anchor row shall be located 5 feet from the top of the ramp, with subsequent rows spaced at 10-foot intervals, and the final anchor row located 5 feet from the toe of the ramp.

Contractors shall base their proposals on these revised requirements. Contractors may also submit an alternate proposal incorporating value engineering or design recommendations for Government consideration. Any proposed modification to the ramp dimensions should maintain approximately the same total concrete volume (cubic feet) as the revised design presented in this amendment.

4. When is the actual anticipated completion date for this project?

Answer: The identified Period of Performance is 60 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). The Government anticipates issuing the NTP as soon as all required documentation has been received from the successful contractor. Following issuance of the NTP, the Government may coordinate with the contractor on the work start date, subject to the needs and approval of the Refuge program.

If circumstances warrant, the Government may also consider a contract modification extending the Period of Performance. Any such extension will be determined by the Government based on the circumstances and may be 30 additional calendar days or longer, if justified.

5. The plans for North Shore show 100’ long ramps but from what we can tell it will be close to 50% more to the water and then it sounds like we are pushing 20’ of concrete out to the water? Can you please verify the length of the boat ramp?

Answer: The Government acknowledges the discrepancy between field observations and the solicitation drawings. Based on observations of the current reservoir conditions and further review of the project requirements, the required length of the North Shore boat ramps has been revised. The North Shore ramps shall be approximately 130 feet in length. Contractors should base their proposals on this revised requirement.

6. The plans for the South shore show that one being 140’ in length but we measured it at 230’ to the water level plus another 20’ of push concrete into the water, can you verify the length for south shore?

Answer: The Government acknowledges the discrepancy between field observations and the solicitation drawings. Based on observations of the current reservoir conditions and further review of the project requirements, the required length of the South Shore boat ramps has been revised. The South Shore ramps shall be approximately 260 feet in length. Contractors should base their proposals on this revised requirement.

7. For the riprap break waters, can you give us quantities? It will be very difficult to accurately assume those.

Answer: After further review, the Government has determined that the proposed wave break extensions will not be included in this project. Accordingly, the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A have been revised to remove the wave break extension work. Contractors shall base their proposals on the revised requirements. No riprap quantities for wave break extensions are required for bidding purposes.

The Government anticipates completing any future wave break extension, reinforcement, and potential relocation work under a separate project at a later date. Therefore, no work associated with the existing wave breaks is included in the scope of this solicitation.

8. Are we going to match the existing slope of the boat ramps? Or do we need to build these ramps up?

Answer: The existing boat ramp slope should not be assumed to meet the project requirements.

Contractors shall perform any necessary grading to achieve the 12–20% slope (14% preferred) specified in the Statement of Work, drawings, and this Amendment, while providing a smooth transition to the surrounding grade.

9. If we do need to build them up is there a borrow pit sourced nearby? If not is there a local source close by?

Answer: The Government may designate a borrow area located at or near the project site for contractors to obtain suitable fill material. Alternatively, contractors may obtain suitable material from a nearby commercial source at their discretion.

10. Do we need to include anything for anchor points for the boat ramp.

Answer: Anchor lines shall be installed along both the width and length of each ramp. Along the width, anchors shall be located approximately 3 feet from each edge, with approximately 6-foot spacing across the slab (approximately 3 feet, 9 feet, 15 feet, 21 feet, 27 feet, and 33 feet from the slab edge). Along the length, the first anchor row shall be located 5 feet from the top of the ramp, with subsequent rows spaced at 10-foot intervals, and the final anchor row located 5 feet from the toe of the ramp.

11. Do we need to include a cofferdam where we are placing pour & push concrete slabs for the last 20’ of ramp that is underwater.

Answer: Based on current reservoir conditions and the anticipated water depth at the end of the proposed boat ramps, the Government anticipates that cofferdams will not be required to facilitate construction of the final submerged sections of the ramps. Contractors should include cofferdams, as necessary, in their proposals.

12. Existing ramps on the north side are only 100' in length overall and do not reach the current water depth at elevation 1711.5. Please provide what elevation the bottom of the ramps needs to be and if the ramps are to be extended to get to that elevation. Will a bathymetric survey be provided to determine fill requirements in the water if needed? Inlet to ramps is heavily silted in. Will this area require dredging to remove sediment build up?

Wave break is to be extended 40' but no plan quantities or details are provided. Please provide clarification.

Answer: The Government acknowledges the questions regarding ramp elevation, bathymetric conditions, sediment accumulation, dredging requirements, and wave break details.

The North Shore boat ramps shall be approximately 130 feet in length, as revised by this amendment.

Contractors should base their proposals on this revised requirement.

The Government will provide any available bathymetric information by amendment. Contractors should base their proposals on the information provided in the solicitation and subsequent amendments.

Dredging of accumulated sediment at the boat ramp approaches will be required, as specified in the Statement of Work.

After further review, the Government has determined that the proposed wave break extensions will not be included in this project. Accordingly, the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A have been revised to remove the wave break extension work.

Contractors shall base their proposals on the revised requirements. No riprap quantities for wave break extensions are required for bidding purposes.

The Government anticipates completing any future wave break extension, reinforcement, and potential relocation work under a separate project at a later date. Therefore, no work associated with the existing wave breaks is included in the scope of this solicitation.

13. South Ramp of south ramps in 140’ long and north ramp of the south ramps is 230’ long.

Please provide direction of where the new set of ramps are to be installed since the existing ramps are separated and different lengths. Please provide what elevation the bottom of the ramps needs to be and if the ramps are to be extended to get to that elevation.

Answer: The existing southern boat ramps will be demolished and removed. The new boat ramp will be constructed in the location of the existing northern boat ramp, as this location provides more suitable site conditions for grading, construction, and long-term use.

The South Shore boat ramps shall be approximately 260 feet in length. Contractors should base their proposals on this revised requirement.

14. Will a bathymetric survey be provided to determine fill requirements in the water if needed? Inlet to ramps is heavily silted in. Will this area require dredging to remove sediment build up? Wave break is to be extended 40' but no plan quantities or details are provided. Please provide clarification.

Answer: The Government will provide any available bathymetric information by amendment. Contractors should base their proposals on the information provided in the solicitation and subsequent amendments.

Dredging of accumulated sediment at the boat ramp approaches will be required, as specified in the Statement of Work.

After further review, the Government has determined that the proposed wave break extensions will not be included in this project. Accordingly, the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A have been revised to remove the wave break extension work.

Contractors shall base their proposals on the revised requirements. No riprap quantities for wave break extensions are required for bidding purposes.

The Government anticipates completing any future wave break extension, reinforcement, and potential relocation work under a separate project at a later date. Therefore, no work associated with the existing wave breaks is included in the scope of this solicitation.

15. The bid needs to be sent where?

Answer: Justine_coleman@ios.doi.gov via email only.

16. We figured this bid without hard plans and amounts. Do we figure in ourselves paying for an engineering firm to design it or will the owner pay for them?

Answer: Any design work required to complete the project in accordance with the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A shall be included in the contractor's firm-fixed-price proposal. The Government will not separately procure or reimburse engineering or design services.

17. Every bidder will have totally different figures for amounts of rip rap required, and I am sure they will keep their bid low by withholding tonnage of rip rap.

mailto:Justine_coleman@ios.doi.gov

Answer: After further review, the Government has determined that the proposed wave break extensions will not be included in this project. Accordingly, the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A have been revised to remove the wave break extension work. Contractors shall base their proposals on the revised requirements. No riprap quantities for wave break extensions are required for bidding purposes.

The Government anticipates completing any future wave break extension, reinforcement, and potential relocation work under a separate project at a later date. Therefore, no work associated with the existing wave breaks is included in the scope of this solicitation.

18. When I was at the first meeting at Kirwin, the people present recommended an angled ramp, so it was easier getting in and out of the cove as it is a very narrow area to turn inside. Do I give just the straight ramp bid, or do I give both as options?

Answer: Refuge staff did not recommend an angled ramp as part of the project design. Therefore, bidders should base their primary bid on the ramp configuration identified in the solicitation drawings, Statement of Work, and the clarifications provided in this Amendment Q&A.

The Contracting Officer has determined that bidders may also submit an alternate bid for an angled ramp configuration for consideration. The alternate bid must be clearly identified, including any proposed changes and associated costs. The Contracting Officer will evaluate bids in accordance with the requirements and evaluation criteria established in the solicitation.

19. The job time of 60 days will be hard to do with a good job performance. The reasons for this are the push in concrete ramps need to cure for a minimum of 2 weeks each. The biggest burden on the time restraint is the only quarry anywhere close to Kirwin said they will need 60-90 days to make to rip rap. They are the only ones who meet the DOT requirement for the rock. Any other rock around is of a very low density and isn’t advised to use.

Answer: The identified Period of Performance is 60 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). The Government anticipates issuing the NTP as soon as all required documentation has been received from the successful contractor. Following issuance of the NTP, the Government may coordinate with the contractor on the work start date, subject to the needs and approval of the Refuge program.

If circumstances warrant, the Government may also consider a contract modification extending the Period of Performance. Any such extension will be determined by the Government based on the circumstances and may be 30 additional calendar days or longer, if justified.