B08_24R0046_Attachment_8_-_Q_A_1_0002.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

National Operations Center

Denver Federal Center, Building 85

P.O. Box 25047

Denver, Colorado 80225-0047 http://www.blm.gov

140L0624R0046

GAOA Gila Box Day Use Improvements

Questions and Answers #1

1) Q: Wildlife Viewing Area - Could we re-use the existing post to set up the new interpretative panels?

A: No. Remove all existing and replace with new.

2) Q: Old Safford Bridge & Boat Put-In - Are there any restrictions for vegetation removal over the new restroom area?

A: We'd like to see the least amount of vegetation removed as possible for the new location.

Imagery from 2019 shows a break in the trees that lines up with the design plans at approximately

32°57'53.53"N, 109°18'35.27"W (See attached photo).

3) Q: Old Safford Bridge & Boat Put-In - Is a survey necessary for layout/staking over the new restroom location?

A: Contractor must stake and coordinate the proposed location of new restroom with BLM staff in the field.

4) Q: Old Safford Bridge & Boat Put-In - Is a retaining wall behind the new restroom location necessary?

A: The design location assumes the building pad is on a level area at least 5 feet from the toe of hill slope, therefore a retaining wall is not expected. Note that the BLM had indicated that some trees may be removed to accommodate the new restroom, which expands the available space.

5) Q: Old Safford Bridge & Boat Put-In - Could we have the new exact location of the boat ramp?

A: Location of boat ramp should not change and is not necessarily part of the SOW. Here is the approximate lat/long for the boat ramp (32°57'55.10"N, 109°18'35.77"W)

6) Q: Flying W Day Use Area - What will happen with the existing picnic tables? Will BLM salvage them, or should the contractor estimate their disposal off-site?

A: BLM will salvage all 6 picnic tables under the large ramada and not the one table near the horseshoe pits. Salvaged picnic tables at this site will be removed by BLM prior to construction.

The picnic table under the horseshoe pits will need to be removed from site by contractor.

7) Q: Preservation of Historical and Archeological Data: Are there any known historical or archeological sites within the site work limits (all sites)?

A: No. FO archeologist reviewed project areas and had no concerns with cultural or historical sites.

8) Q: Preservation of Historical and Archeological Data: Are there any monitoring requirements for any of the project sites in relation to historical or archeological activities? Should these be included in the cost proposal?

A: No. While there are no specific monitoring requirements, the following cultural and paleontological resource mitigation measures always apply:

1. Any archaeological or historical artifacts or remains, or vertebrate fossils discovered during operations shall be left intact and undisturbed; all work in the area shall stop immediately; and the

Authorized Officer shall be notified immediately. Commencement of operations shall be allowed upon clearance by the Authorized Officer.

2. If in connection with operations under this authorization, any human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects or objects of cultural patrimony as defined in the Native American Graves

Protection and Repatriation Act (: L. 101-106; Stat. 3048; 25 U.S.C. 3001) are discovered, the permittee shall stop operations in the immediate area of the discovery, protect the remains and objects, and immediately notify the Authorized Officer of the discovery. The permittee shall continue to protect the immediate area of the discovery until notified by the Authorized Officer that operations may resume.

9) Q: Will BLM salvage any on site items prior to demolition phase?

A: Yes, the BLM will salvage the six tables and three grills at the Flying W Group Day Use site, and the three benches at the Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife area.

10) Q: Are there any restrictions for closing sites due to earthwork renovations and other work activities?

A: Contractors may block off access to work sites as necessary to protect public health and safety, but should not restrict complete access to the recreation site when possible. Sites will remain open to public.

11) Q: Where interpretive signs are currently mounted on the block wall, is it acceptable to cut the mounting bracket below masonry level & patch the masonry back to match?

A: The contractor can simply cut the pipe with a slight countersink into the wall, and grout over the hole. Complete removal is not necessary. Wall to be patched and flush with no hazards protruding the wall.

12) Q: What is model number and manufacturer of the desired stone column surrounds?

A: At wildlife viewing area, the goal is to match existing as closely as possible. No model number for desired stone column.

13) Q: Do the Superintendent, SSHO and QC Manager need to be 3 separate individuals?

A: No. Duties can be triple-hatted.

14) Q: Can the period of performance be extended after award once the material/equipment lead times are confirmed due to current market conditions for the equipment for this project?

A: The Government will not authorize a change without proper authority. It could potentially be extended using one of the authorities in the clauses for various situations

15) Q: Are soil boring reports available? If not, it will be assumed that excavation will be clear of rocks and obstructions.

A: A soils investigation including borings was conducted. Report is herein provided.

16) Q: Old Safford Bridge Boat Put In - New vault toilet. What is the location of the toilet? Plans show general area but there is a hill there. Give location of new vault toilet.

A: We'd like to see the least amount of vegetation removed as possible for the new location.

Imagery from 2019 shows a break in the trees that lines up with the design plans at 32°57'53.53"N, 109°18'35.27"W (See attached). Contractor must stake and coordinate the proposed location of new restroom with BLM staff in the field. Area shown is near the foot of a hill, fairly level and higher than the current location. Note that the BLM had indicated that some trees may be removed to accommodate the new restroom, which expands the available space.

17) Q: Old Safford Bridge Boat Put In - With new vault toilet placement being on a hill some cutting will need to be done. Where will the excess material go?

A: This excess material can be spread out inside of the wash directly adjacent to the project location at 32°57'51.16"N, 109°18'33.70"W (see attachment). Any large rocks can be used to line the wash entrance to prevent motorized travel up the wash.

18) Q: Old Safford Bridge Boat Put In - With new vault toilet placement being on a hill some cutting will need to be done. Is a retaining wall behind the vault toilet required?

A: The design location assumes the building pad is on a level area at least 5 feet from the toe of hill slope, therefore a retaining wall is not expected. Note that the BLM had indicated that some trees may be removed to accommodate the new restroom, which expands the available space.

19) Q: Old Safford Bridge Boat Put In - Multiple bridges on way to site. What are the bridge weight requirements/restrictions?

A: Bridge approximate locations are: bridge 1 (32°59'40.84"N, 109°17'19.25"W), bridge 2

(32°58'29.02"N, 109°18'2.78"W), and the Old Safford Bridge (32°57'54.41"N, 109°18'32.47"W). The

Greenlee County Engineering Office performs inspections and has information on weight limits. County has given weight limits for the associated bridges. Bridge 1 – 15 tons. Bridge 2 – 5 tons. Bridge 3(Old

Safford Bridge) – 15 tons. See question 26 for additional site access. Call Reed Larson at (928) 865-

4762 ext. 201 for more information.

20) Q: Bonita Creek Wildlife Viewing Area - Benches to be salvaged?

A: Yes, we'd like the benches to be relocated to the parking area and out of the way. We plan on returning them to the site or moving to a different area following completion of the project.

21) Q: Bonita Creek Wildlife Viewing Area - Interpretive panels stand in the wall. Can they be cut and hole grouted? Or do they need to be completely removed from in the wall?

A: The contractor can simply cut the pipe with a slight countersink into the wall, and grout over the hole. Complete removal is not necessary. Wall to be patched and flush with no hazards protruding the wall.

22) Q: Flying W - Tables to be salvaged?

A: BLM will salvage all 6 picnic tables under the large ramada and not the one table near the horseshoe pits. Salvaged picnic tables at this site will be removed by BLM prior to construction.

The picnic table near the horseshoe pits will need to be removed from site by contractor.

23) Q: All sites: Construction water available?

A: No construction water made available by BLM.

24) Q: Is a SWPPP & NOI required?

A: Contractor must employ and maintain SWPPP BMP’s. For any single project NOI is not required but if multiple projects are combined (meeting or exceeding one acre) in one contract

NOI shall be required.

25) Q: One additional item we need to bring to your attention; the Safford bridge is restricted on load limits and will present a problem when accessing the Old Safford Bridge & Boat Put-In site. There are also two other bridges with restricted load limits further north of this site which will impact access from the north. This particularly affects concrete and equipment movements. Is it your expectation that we will provide temporary bridging for construction access for this site, and if so, where should we include it on the bid schedule?

A: See answers to question 19 & 26.

26) Q: Is there another route to get to Old Safford Bridge Boat Put-In?

A: South Entrance to Byway approximate Lat/Long: 32.84169885298562, -

109.42270266696802. This route is dirt road maintained by the county with 1 bridge at approximately 32.946497 -109.319394. This bridge has a posted limit of 15 tons. There is a short admin route to go around the bridge. Admin route is fenced off and BLM will be able to open gates. This route is approximately 17 miles to Old Safford Bridge Boat Put-In. Road has a couple sharp turns and is not paved.

27) Q: Any survey points for the new sidewalk and pad for the new vault toilet?

A: No survey points. The new sidewalk shall provide ADA access to the toilet building, having a cross slope of 2% or less and a longitudinal slope of 5% or less. The FF of the vault toilet shall then be at least 2 feet higher than its existing location. Ensure that the adjacent area drains away from the pad.