Reading_Island_Official_QA_0001.pdf

Reading Island Paving Repairs | Solicitation No. 140L1226R0006

BLM-CA : READING ISLAND PAVING REPAIRS

Solicitation No. 140L1226R0006 Official Questions and Answers

CO

Laurie Ehlinger, Contract Specialist laurie_ehlinger@ios.doi.gov

COR

Nathan M. King, Acting District Engineer nmking@blm.gov Primary Point of Contact John L. Cabral , john_cabral@ios.doi.gov

Q1. For the tear-out section, are we allowed to grind up and replace?

Government Response:

Yes. Existing asphalt pavement within the designated full-depth repair/remove-and-replace areas may be ground or pulverized as part of the Contractor's means and methods. Suitable reclaimed material may be reused as fill/base within the repair areas, provided it is properly placed, graded, and compacted prior to localized leveling and placement of the full HMA overlay. See SOW 4.0, Task 2 – Full-Depth Repairs, SOW Page 3.

Q2. If any soft spots are encountered in the tear-out, what can the Contractor do with the spoils?

Unsuitable subgrade material encountered during localized excavation shall not be reused within the pavement section.

Suitable reclaimed asphalt/grindings may be reused within designated repair areas when properly placed, graded, and compacted. Excess rock, pavement grindings, and other suitable inert material not incorporated into the work may be stockpiled in the BLM-designated clearing immediately north of the parking lot. Unsuitable material shall be disposed of by the Contractor in accordance with applicable requirements. Undercut shall not exceed the limits specified in the SOW without prior COR approval. See SOW 4.0, Task 2 – Full-Depth Repairs, SOW Page 3.

Q3. How wide is the shoulder backing being required, from the edge of asphalt concrete (AC) to how far out?

Shoulder backing shall extend approximately 2 feet horizontally from the finished asphalt edge along each side of the site road. Place approximately 3 inches of compacted backing material at the pavement edge and taper the material to meet existing grade over the 2-foot width. See SOW 4.0, Task 6 – Shoulder Backing, SOW Page 4.

Q4. Does each crack need to be sealed, or is the overlay acceptable as filler?

Cracks 1/4 inch or greater in width that remain outside designated full-depth repair areas shall be cleaned and sealed prior to placement of the overlay. The HMA overlay shall not be used as a substitute for required crack sealing. Minor hairline cracking less than 1/4 inch does not require individual sealing unless otherwise directed by the COR. See SOW 4.0, Task 3 – Surface Preparation, SOW Page 3.

Q5. Can a change order for one lift instead of two be accepted?

Government Response:

No. For bidding purposes, Offerors shall base their proposals on the solicitation requirement of two 0.10-foot compacted HMA lifts, for a total compacted overlay thickness of 0.20 foot. This requirement provides for consistent compaction, localized leveling, and finished-surface quality over the existing pavement. Proposals shall not assume substitution of a single 0.20-foot lift. See SOW 4.0, Task 5 – Asphalt Overlay, SOW Page 4.

Q6. May the existing grindings be reused as fill/base material in the dig-out areas?

Yes. Suitable asphalt grindings or reclaimed pavement material generated by the work may be reused as fill/base within designated dig-out areas. Reused material shall be placed, graded, and compacted to provide a firm and stable section prior to localized leveling and placement of the HMA overlay. Unsuitable material shall not be incorporated into the pavement section. See SOW 4.0, Task 2 – Full-Depth Repairs, SOW Page 3.

Q7. Can the Agency provide a water source for construction activities?

No. BLM will not provide a construction water source. The Contractor is responsible for furnishing and transporting all water required to perform the work. The cost of construction water may be incorporated into applicable bid items or separately identified in the Contractor's price proposal. See SOW 7.0, Construction Water, SOW Page 7.

Q8. What are the applicable bridge weight limits for construction trucks and equipment?

The access bridge on Adobe Road over Anderson Creek (Shasta County Bridge No. 06C0203) is a single-lane bridge maintained by Shasta County. Shasta County Roads has confirmed that the bridge accommodates California legal loads without special load restrictions. Construction vehicles shall comply with all applicable California legal vehicle weight and dimensional limits. Applicable California legal-load limits generally include a maximum gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds (40 tons), a maximum single-axle weight of 20,000 pounds (10 tons), and a maximum tandem-axle weight of 34,000 pounds (17 tons). These limits are not interchangeable; vehicles must comply with applicable gross vehicle weight, axle/group loading, spacing, tire loading, dimensional, and other California legal-load requirements. Oversize or overweight vehicles requiring special permits shall not be assumed acceptable for access to the project site without prior coordination with the appropriate roadway authority. Contractors remain responsible for selecting vehicles and haul configurations that comply with applicable legal-load requirements.

Construction traffic shall cross the bridge one vehicle at a time. Staging, parking, or storage of construction vehicles, equipment, or materials on the bridge is prohibited. See SOW 7.0, Bridge Access and Construction Traffic, SOW Page 7.

Q9. Does this project require clearing and grubbing? If so, who is responsible for the required tree trimming?

Government Response:

No general clearing and grubbing is anticipated or required as a separate work item. If minor tree-limb trimming is necessary for the Contractor to safely access the work with construction equipment, the Contractor shall coordinate the limits of trimming with the COR before performing the work. Approved vegetative debris from such trimming shall be lopped and scattered within the swale east of the parking lot. Removal of trees is not authorized unless specifically approved by the Government. See SOW 4.0, Task 3 – Surface Preparation, SOW Page 3.

Q10. For the roadway width, should we match the existing width, or should all roadway sections be constructed at a consistent 18-foot width?

Government Response:

Match the existing paved roadway width. The project does not require widening all roadway sections to a uniform 18-foot width. The new overlay shall generally follow the existing pavement limits unless otherwise directed by the COR. See SOW 4.0, Task 5 – Asphalt Overlay, SOW Page 4.

Q11. Are the on-site bathrooms open for use during the construction period of this project?

Yes. The existing vault toilet will be available for Contractor use during the construction period. The Contractor shall maintain the facility and surrounding area in a clean condition and shall not use the facility for disposal of construction-related materials or waste. See SOW 7.0, Vault Toilet, SOW Page 7.

Q12. Please clarify which compaction test method is required for Bid Item 0007.

Density testing shall verify that compacted HMA achieves a minimum of 92 percent of Maximum Theoretical Density (Rice Density). The Government anticipates use of a calibrated nuclear density gauge operated by qualified personnel for routine density testing. Alternate non-destructive methods, including PQI, may be proposed for Government review and approval. The Government reserves the right to require verification by asphalt core sampling where necessary to resolve discrepancies or verify compliance. The amended SOW will clarify the density requirement and applicable testing provisions. See SOW 4.0, Task 5 – Asphalt Overlay, SOW Page 4, and Task 7 – Quality Control, SOW Pages 4–5.

Q13. Section L-9 and the first M-4 section identify two technical subfactors: a construction plan and project schedule.

However, a second section labeled M-4 at the end of page 32 identifies four different subfactors: relevant construction experience, estimated material takeoff, key personnel qualifications, and a preliminary performance schedule. The latter section also references activities such as shared-use paths, trails, conformed grinding, and pavement markings that do not appear in the Reading Island scope. Please confirm which set of Volume 2 technical requirements applies to this solicitation.

Government Response:

The duplicate M-4 sections and references to work not included in the Reading Island project are an administrative error.

The applicable Volume 2 requirements are the four Technical Capability Documentation subfactors: (1) Relevant

Construction Experience (Past Performance), (2) Estimated Material Takeoff, (3) Key Personnel Qualifications, and (4) Preliminary Performance Schedule. References to shared-use paths, trails, conformed grinding, and pavement markings are not applicable to this project and will be removed by amendment. The superseded M-4 language requiring a separate construction plan and project schedule will also be removed. Offerors shall prepare Volume 2 in accordance with the corrected requirements issued with the amendment. See SOW 8.0, EX-1 – Schedule of Work Deliverables, SOW Page 12.

Q14. Is there an area to leave any grindings and spoils on site for BLM to use at a later date, or is everything to be exported off site?

Government Response:

Yes. Suitable grindings may first be reused within the work where permitted by the SOW. Excess rock, pavement grindings, and other suitable inert construction material not incorporated into the work may be stockpiled in the BLM-designated clearing immediately north of the parking lot. The COR will identify the stockpile location in the field. Material unsuitable for onsite reuse or stockpiling shall be disposed of by the Contractor in accordance with applicable requirements.

See SOW 4.0, Task 2 – Full-Depth Repairs, SOW Page 3.

Q15. The specification calls for two 0.10-foot asphalt lifts. Is installation in one lift acceptable?

No. Offerors shall base their proposals on placement of two 0.10-foot compacted HMA lifts, for a total compacted overlay thickness of 0.20 foot. Placement as a single 0.20-foot lift is not an approved substitution for purposes of this solicitation.

See SOW 4.0, Task 5 – Asphalt Overlay, SOW Page 4.

Q16. Is any surveying required for this project, and if so, is it the responsibility of the Government or the Contractor?

No formal construction surveying is anticipated. The work generally consists of rehabilitation of the existing paved footprint, with roadway width and finished grades following existing conditions except for localized corrections necessary to provide positive drainage and smooth transitions. The Contractor remains responsible for construction layout and measurements necessary to execute its work in accordance with the contract requirements. See SOW 4.0, Task 1 – Mobilization, SOW Page 2.