Questions_and_Answers_0002.pdf

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Questions and Answers

Q 1:

I can’t seem to determine which sites are accessible by tug/barge and which sites are accessible by land equipment. For pricing the work, please identify the sites with water access and land access.

A 1:

Permit requirements have forced USGS to change our approach. At this time we do not expect any stations to allow land-based activity.

Q 2:

Confirm scope of work is drive or remove piling only.

A 2:

Yes, both to drive and remove pilings. The contractor will also need to install temporary signage and lighting to alert mariners of the hazard.

Q 3:

Schedule – the In Water Work Window is stated as being July to October. So we have 3 months each year to complete the work? When will we received finalized work orders relative to these work windows? We need time to order and deliver piling prior to driving. Are there submittals (shop drawings, product data, etc.) or work plans required? This also adds time.

A 3:

2021 is an exception -- in general we would provide the work order in May or June for execution Aug 1 - Oct 15 (our work window per permits). This year we're still waiting to get our permit finalized -- it's unclear when exactly this will be finalized. Our current target is Sept 15, 2021 (we expect the permit will be good for 5 years)

Q 4:

Quantity and location of piling. “Location and Prioritization are presented in table 1. Table 1 includes all the potential locations; however, the final configuration will depend on funding availability and design considerations”. Table 1 under attachment #4 has 10 locations, and are all listed under “Task Order #1”. However, Attachment #2 has Figure #1 which is a map showing all the existing and proposed stations, as well as Table #2 which is a summary of all pilings by priority. Further, Table 1 states all 180 piles are planned for the 2021 window, which we are already a month in to. Which table/figure governs for the purpose of providing pricing?

A 4:

Figure 1 shows all the potential site for the full 5 years of the project. Table 1 is the expected sites for the first task order. For pricing, Attachment 3, Pricing Table, needs to be completed.

Table 1 is an example task order that will be used as a pricing evaluation factor and potentially could be task order 1 once the award has been made.

Q 5:

Pricing. I am not familiar with how the USGS is administering this contract. But you appear to be saying that one work order will be issued per year, and each work order involves a mobilization cost, demobilization cost, an installation per site cost, and a removal per site cost.

This structure is very difficult to provide fixed pricing for, because cost will vary significantly depending on site specifics (how many sites per mob, how far is site from our yard, how many pile to remove per site, how many piles to drive per site, how difficult is the driving at that site, is there land access to drive pile at the site, is there a staging or mooring area at the site). This cost variation exists even within Contra Costa and San Joaquin county grouping. In general, there does not seem to be enough information to provide firm fixed pricing.

A 5:

USGS is expecting at least one task order per year, but there may be more than one. The pricing is in accordance with Attachment 3, Pricing Table as each county has different wage determinations. The Government anticipates multiple site stations will be completed in one day.

An example of a simple task order would include one mobilization charge, one demobilization charge, three installations, and two removals.

Q 6:

Driving pile – I see the piles “driven depth” is stated to be 30’. Does this mean the tip elevation of the piling is -30’? What vertical datum is that in reference to (MLLW or NAVD 88)? What is the “cut off elevation” or top of piling? Or to put it another way, what is the total length of pile?

A 6:

30' into the substrate, + water column, + freeboard (three (3) feet above levee crest) is the total length of pile.

Q 7:

Driving Pile – Is there any geotechnical data provided that would help us determine if the soil is soft or hard? This drastically affects productivity.

A 7:

None available to our knowledge.

Q 8:

Driving pile – are there any domestic product preference requirements for purchasing the piling.

Like Buy America?

A 8:

Yes, please see included clauses FAR 52.235-10 and FAR 52.225-9

Q 9:

Removal of piling – existing piling is noted as being creosote treated timber. But how long and what diameter are these piling?

A 9:

Length is undocumented. Diameter is 12” to 14”. All pilings to be removed are generally pressure treated wood, not creosote wood.

Q 10:

Removal of Piling – can the pile be broken off at the mudline? Or must it be fully extracted intact? Full extraction is much more expensive, but not always required.

A 10:

All pilings should be removed; not cut off. If all options have been tried and failed, then USGS will need to re-consult with fisheries management agencies on a case-by-case basis to look at alternatives (such as minor excavation 1-2 feet below mud line and then cutting the piling).

Q 11:

Is the scope shown in Task Order #1 to be completed during Fall 2021 or Fall 2022?

A 11:

Ideally it will be completed before Oct 15, 2021, but we are still finalizing our permits.

Q 12:

On the Pricing Table (Attachment 3), does “Year 1” start out as “2021” or “2022”?

A 12:

Year 1 will have to be the first year that we can actually mobilize.

Q 13:

There is conflicting information between the statement of work (SOW) page 6, construction and the pricing table. The SOW states it is expected that pile work would take less than 2 days per site for installation. The pricing table states a simple task order would include one mobe, one demobe, three installs, and two removals, thus completing all these tasks in one days work. Can you please provide a complete description of the required line items on the pricing table?

A 13:

The pricing table requires a unit price for mobilization, a unit price for de-mobilization, a unit price for installation and a unit price for removal. Each with a firm fixed price for the complete five years as well as a separation of price depending on the wage determination per county.

Q 14:

Figure 2 shows an existing site with what we assume is a typical installation. The SOW says that a USGS employee will be onsite and do the electronic installation but may require some additional work for infrastructure installation. Are we to assume that we provide and install a pile and the USGS completes all the ancillary work such as the side mount, mounting the electronic enclosure, PVC tubes and sensors? Will the USGS be completing all the extra work from our barge? How long are we to assume each sites additional work requires?

A 14:

You are to assume that you will provide the piling and installation of piling. USGS staff will complete the ancillary work (from a USGS vessel). The USGS may provide some short term lighting / signage for public safety that should be installed by the contractor at the time of pile driving.

Q 15:

Do all installations require the removal of a pile? Are all piles to be removed creosote wood piles?

A 15:

No -- not all installations will require the removal of a piling. All pilings to be removed are generally pressure treated wood, Diameter is 12” to 14”.

Q 16:

Mobe and Demode are 1 per job. Can you please define a job and the distance between sites for any given job?

A 16:

The distance between sites will vary, but the plan is to group station sites together in order to be completed in one day’s work.

Q 17:

The SOW states the USGS will have all the Nationwide #5 permits in place, but if there are coast guard notifications the contractor will need to provide permits. Is this just a notification of work in a waterway? Are there any other permits required?

A 17:

USGS will provide Nationwide #5 permit (includes USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife, NMFS – National Marine Fisheries, SHPO - State Historical Preservation Office, NHRA - National Historic Preservation Act, Section 401, BCDC - San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission). The contractor should notify USCG (United States Coast Guard) of in water work.

Q 18:

When a task order is released How many sites do you anticipate releasing and what will the POP be for each?

A 18:

POP will need to be within the stated work window (Aug 1 - Oct 15 each year). In general we would expect the number of sites to range from 5 to 10 per work order -- but there could be multiple work orders in a year depending on what other Government and Nongovernment entities are interested in the monitoring work and funding our activities.

Q 19:

The timing window for in water work is stated as July through October. Is that July 1 to October 31?

A 19:

Work window (based on NMFS - National Marine Fisheries Service permit) is Aug 1 to Oct 15

Q 20:

The SOW describes two type of installations some with one pile and ancillary equipment and some with 1 to 4 piles? How are we to differentiate between the two for pricing?

A 20:

Stations requiring multiple pilings will be identified by USGS. If more than a single piling is required (e.g. a dolphin type configuration) it should be bid as the cost for each piling.

Q 21:

It states in Attachment 2, first paragraph, that the Acoustic Telemetry Stations will consist of 1 to 4 pilings, depending on the type of fish tracking required at each location, for this proposal what should we assume for pricing purposes?

A 21:

If more than a single piling is required (e.g. a dolphin type configuration) it should be bid as the cost for each piling.

Q 22:

Under piling removal it states contaminated sediment will be disposed of at an appropriate upland disposal, what should we assume the material is contaminated with for pricing purposes?

A 22:

The pilings are pressure treated wood and likely there has been some leachate into the surrounding soils that will also be removed with the piling upon extraction. There are numerous facilities that accept treated wood waste and the contractor will need to identify an appropriate facility and determine what their disposal requirements are which may include sample results, pre-approved waste profiles, or other requirements.

Q 23:

Attachment 1 Terms and Conditions page 5 states “Regarding price, offerors must complete the pricing table (see attachment 3) and submit one firm‐fixed price which will be the first task order for the locations listed in Exhibit A (see attachment 4).”

Question: The pricing table has no designated place to ender the firm-fixed price for the first task order. Also, can it be assumed that all locations in first task order be completed in one continuous effort?

A 23:

The first task order price will be extrapolated using the price provided in Exhibit A. No not all of the locations in the first task order will be completed in one day nor on a continuous effort.

USGS would like to group as many locations together as possible, but we are aware that not all the locations can be completed in one day.

Q 24:

Attachment 3 Pricing Table has a note at the bottom stating “The Government anticipates multiple site stations per mobilization / de-mobilization will be completed in one day. A simple task order example would include one mobilization charge, one demobilization charge, three installations, and two removals, thus completing all these tasks in one day’s work.”

Question: Based on these instructions, it is implied that the bidder should figure on mobilizing to three different sites, installing three piles, removing two piles, and demobilizing all in one day. Is that correct? What happens if the sites are spread out where it makes this impossible to accomplish in one day? How will the contractor be compensated?

A 24:

The paragraph in Attachment 3 is just an example of what might happen on a typical day. Not every day is going to be three installations and two removals. The USGS’ plan is to have the contactor charge for a mobilization and de-mobilization on each day of work along with however many installations / removals happen on each given day.

Q 25:

Attachment 2 Statement of Work page 3 states “The contractor will procure the necessary 18-inch diameter pilings. Steel pilings thickness will be 18” OD, 3/8” wall. Contractor will not install band clamps. All the Stations will be installed in water areas. The pilings driven depth is a standard depth of 30’.”

Question: What is the design elevation for top of pile? How long is each pile? Are any coatings required? Please provide a technical specification for the piles.

A 25:

PILES:

1. STEEL PIPE PILE (non-galvanized): Eighteen (18) inch outside diameter, minimum 3/8’’ wall thickness, straight or spiral seam or seamless welded pipe in approximately forty-foot lengths conforming to ASTM A252 Grade 2 or 3, or ASTM A53 Grade B, with factory beveled ends.

2. STEEL WELDING: Steel welding shall be performed by welders certified by the state of California. Welders shall be qualified in accordance with AWS D1.1 for full penetration groove welding in all positions, using procedures, materials, and equipment of the type required for the work. All welding shall conform to AWS D1.1

EXECUTION

1. PILE DRIVING EQUIPMENT: All piles shall be driven using vibratory equipment

2. DRIVING: Drive piles to the penetration depth of thirty (30) feet. Provide the necessary length of pile to ensure three (3) feet of freeboard above the adjacent levee crest.

Determine and use the appropriate procedure required by the subsurface conditions and nature of the bottom at the site.

a. If the penetration obtained is with five (5) feet of the specified penetration depth, the contractor may continue completion.

b. If the penetration obtains is not within five (5) feet of the specified penetration depth, USGS will provide further instructions.

3. POSITIONING: A USGS representative will be on site to direct final placement of pilings, but the general location is provided in Figure 1 of the Statement of Work.

a. Tolerance

i. Height -- one (1) foot maximum variation

ii. Position -- the location may vary a maximum of eight (8) feet along the axis of the channel and a maximum of one (1) foot perpendicular to the axis of the channel. The channel axis is defined as the direction of ship traffic within the channel.

b. Based on the USGS’s determination any pile not positioned in accordance with the order and within the prescribed tolerances shall be extracted and redriven at the contractor's expense.

c. Driving of piles shall not subject them to excessive and undue abuse. Any pile damaged by reason of internal defects or improper driving or driven out of its proper location, shall be withdrawn and replaced at the Contractor's expense.

4. RECORDS: Maintain a complete and accurate record, and submit an electronic copy in PDF format of each pile driven. The record shall include the following:

a. Pile location

b. Pile diameter

c. Original pile length

d. Final tip elevation

e. Final cutoff elevation

f. Any unusual pile behavior or circumstances experienced during driving such as re-driving, heaving, weaving, obstructions, and stops.

Q 26:

Is the contractor required to supply or install any permanent materials other than the piles?

A 26:

The contractor is not required to supply or install any PERMANENT materials other than the piles. However -- the contractor will need to install temporary lighting / signage to alert mariners to the hazard -- this equipment will be provided by the government.

Q 27:

Is the contractor required to any work beyond removing/disposing the old piles and furnishing/installing the new piles?

A 27:

The contractor will be required to install temporary lighting / signage