Attachment_18_Q_A_0002.pdf

PROJECT: Meadowood Sensory Nature Trail Design Build

Solicitation No: 140L0626R0004

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Request for Information

# REFERENCE | SECTION QUESTIONS | ANSWERS

RFI-01 – Dewatering

Requirements

Question:

Please confirm the anticipated groundwater and/or surface water conditions at the Enchanted Pond outflow culvert location. Are there any specific dewatering requirements, methods, or discharge restrictions that must be followed?

Reason:

Dewatering scope is not clearly defined and may significantly impact excavation means and cost.

Response:

Anticipated groundwater and/or surface water conditions are anticipated to vary due to timing and weather conditions of the work. The Design-

Build Contractor (DBC) shall be responsible for all facets of the design and construction of this work. It is the responsibility of the DBC to perform inverstigations including geotechnical as needed. Dewatering would follow all current water laws and requirements. The BLM does not have a specific requirement for dewatering Enchanted Pond, the contractor would determine their method for discharge prior to construction and be approved by BLM. The contractor shall comply to

Fairfax County, Virginia – Code of Ordinances, Chapter 124.1 Erosion and Stormwater Management Ordinance.

RFI-02 – Excavation &

Trench Support

For the culvert replacement, please confirm whether sloped excavation is acceptable or if any shoring or trench support systems are required.

Excavation depth and proximity to water may require specialized support.

The DBC shall be responsible for the design of the excavation for the outflow culvert per the scope of work. The slopes, grades, and method of replacement for the excavation will be determined by the DBC during the design phase and reviewed for approval by BLM prior to construction. The contractor shall comply to Fairfax County, Virginia –

Code of Ordinances, Chapter 124.1 Erosion and Stormwater

Management Ordinance.

RFI-03 – Culvert Details

Please confirm the required diameter, material, and length of the replacement culvert pipe, as well as any required bedding and backfill specifications.

Pipe parameters not clearly defined.

Design of the outflow culvert is part of the scope of work. The design parameters shall comply with the Section 1.2 Project Scope & Salient

Features. The BLM will review and approve the proposed design of the replacement pipe, bedding, and backfill during the design phase.

Material (e.g., dirt, rocks) taken from excavating the site may be reused for backfill. The contractor shall comply to Fairfax County, Virginia –

Code of Ordinances, Chapter 124.1 Erosion and Stormwater

Management Ordinance.

RFI-04 – Trail Section &

Materials

Please confirm the typical trail section, including width, depth, material type, and compaction requirements.

Impacts quantities and labor.

The trail section and material are identified in the Statement of Work

(pages 7-12). The trail and related materials will follow ABA-ADA standards including width, depth, materials, and compactions.

RFI-05 – Paving

Requirements

Please confirm whether asphalt paving is required and provide section details.

Docs unclear.

This project does not contain any asphalt paving. Parking lots would be compacted gravel with concrete sidewalks along the vault toilets

(government furnished).

RFI-06 – Site Furnishings

Please confirm quantities/types for stations, benches, kiosks, signage.

Insufficient detail.

The trail amenities and stations are identified in the Statement of Work

(pages 7-12). This design-build contract will allow the contractors to design the trail based on the information given and their research. The quantity of amenities (e.g., benches and signage) would be based on the design of the trail and stations. The BLM would approve the quantity of amenities during the design phase.

RFI-07 – Revegetation

Please confirm seed mix, method, maintenance.

Not defined.

The seed mix should be a native mix by a reputable vender and approved by BLM. The method to distribute the mix will be determined by the contractor and approved by BLM.

RFI-08 – Traffic Counter

Please confirm requirement and specs.

This project does not include traffic counter.

RFI-09 – Disposal

Please confirm reuse vs haul-off and restrictions.

Cost impact.

Materials suitable for reuse can be incorporated into the work as appropriate. BLM does not have any onsite waste locations. All non-suitable materials become the responsibility of the DBC for haul off and disposal.

RFI-10 – Schedule/NTP

Please confirm NTP and duration.

Dates unclear.

The schedule is identified in the Statement of Work (pages 37-42) and in Attachment_0016. The period of performance shall not exceed 450 calendar days. The start of construction of the sensory trail would happen before October 1, 2026. For the other aspects of this project, BLM would approve the start dates of construction during design phase.

RFI-11 – Activity Station

Size

Please confirm layout/footprint.

The station layout are identified in the Statement of Work (pages 7-12).

This design-build contract will allow the contractors to design the stations based on the information given and their research. The layout will be designed and determined by the contractor and approved by the

BLM during design phase.

RFI-12 – Activity Station

Surfacing

Please confirm surfacing requirements.

Cost impact.

The station surfaces are identified in the Statement of Work (pages 7-

12). This design-build contract will allow the contractors to design the stations including the surface based on the information given and their research. The trail surface shall be accessibly following ABA standards.

The surface of the stations (and trails) will be determined by the contractor and approved by the BLM during design phase.

RFI-13 – Entrance Sign

Please confirm design/specs.

The project consists of a trail entrance structure and a portal entrance sign. Both are defined in the Statement of Work (pages 7-12; 20-21).

The trail entrance structure would be designed by the contractor during the design phase and approved by BLM. The structure would provide an entrance and exit for visitors to the trail and may include additional amenities like a map of the trail and stations, shelves, seating, etc. The portal entrance sign is government furnished supported with a rock foundation (estimated minimum measurements: W:18”, H:12, L”:89”) which would be constructed/installed by the contractor.

RFI-14 – Parking Lot Size

Please confirm dimensions, layout, square footage, stall count and ADA requirements.

The parking lot(s) sizes and amenities are identified in the Statement of

Work (pages 10-11 and 12-13). This design-build contract will allow the contractors to design the parking lots based on the information given and their research. The parking lots will be designed and determined by the contractor and approved by the BLM during design phase.

Solicitation, Page 1

Our firm participated at the walkthrough and is making extensive outreach efforts to build an adequate team with a local contractor and other critical consultants. Is BLM able to extend the proposal submission deadline that will allow teams adequate time for thoughtful coordination and a compliant, competitive submission?

The government has extended the proposal due date to May 4th, 2026 at

12:00p.m. MT via amendment 00002.

Solicitation, Page 14, 18

Part I Section H-7 & Park II Section I 52.219-14: Can BLM clarify federal requirements or mandatory participation goals for SBA (or other disadvantaged enterprises) for this contract?

This project is a total small business set-aside. Accordingly, a small business subcontracting plan and mandatory small business participation goals are not required.

However, the contract includes FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on

Subcontracting. Under this clause, for general construction contracts, the prime contractor must perform at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract, excluding the cost of materials, with its own employees or those of a similarly situated subcontractor.

A “similarly situated subcontractor” is a small business concern that participates in the same SBA program that qualified the prime contractor for award.

The contractor is responsible for ensuring compliance with the

Limitations on Subcontracting requirements.

Please confirm if there are cultural areas/sites that need to be taken into consideration

Not to disturb cultural sensitive areas/sites.

Response: Response: Sensitive Cultural Resource Information

The project area contains sensitive cultural resource information, including locations and details that are protected from public disclosure in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations (e.g., Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and National Historic

Preservation Act (NHPA)).

To protect these resources, specific cultural resource data, including site locations and supporting documentation, will not be publicly released as part of this solicitation.

Offerors requiring access to this information for proposal preparation may submit a written request to the POCs listed in G-4.

Requests shall include:

- Solicitation number

- Company name

- Point of contact (name, email, phone number)

- A brief statement describing the need for access

At the discretion of the Government, and subject to appropriate safeguards, the Contracting Officer may provide access to sensitive information.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring that any sensitive information provided by the Government is protected from unauthorized disclosure and is used solely for the purpose of preparing a proposal under this solicitation.