Questions and Answers_0001.pdf

Solicitation No: 140L3621R0001 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Whitetail Dam Reconstruction

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Offerors shall submit questions by April 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm, Mountain Time. Questions submitted after this date and time will not be accepted.

Offerors for this RFP, including subcontractors and teammates, shall consolidate questions related to this solicitation and the site visit in a Request for Information (RFI) formatted Word document. Any RFI is to be emailed as an editable attachment to Christine Mundt (cmundt@blm.gov) with the subject line: RFI – 140L3621R0001 Whitetail Dam Reconstruction. Only written RFI’s will be considered and responded to. BLM responses to the RFI will be posted as an amendment to the solicitation on https://bet.sam.gov.

Q1. I noticed this is still in presoliciation and the anticipated proposal due date is around May 11th, will there be a presolicitation Site Visit before the Solicitation release or will the site visit be after the Solicitation release?

A1. An organized site visit was held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 10:00 am mountain time.

Q2. Do you know when this project might be ready to come out for bid?

A2. BLM issued the solicitation package for the Whitetail Dam Reconstruction project on April 14, 2021.

Solicitation Number 140L3621R0001 was posted electronically at https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a8f931e02a1e434ba540c8c62f75087f/view.

Q3. We are reviewing the plans for Whitetail Dam, solicitation 140L3621R0001 and noticed that the scale appears to be incorrect on pages C-2, C-3, OW-1, OW-2, OW-3. We did not review pages beyond O-3. We are concerned that, due to scales being incorrect, quantities may also be incorrect. Can you please review the errors and advise on whether or not revised plans will be released? If not, then please advise on how the Government will proceed if quantities in the bid sheet do not reflect actual quantities.

A3. After reviewing the drawings, 2 errors were found: 1) Sheet C2 – The scale bar should be a “40 Scale” instead of a “20 Scale” and 2) Sheet EX3 – The Excavation surface was not displayed on STA 8+50. That has been corrected.

New drawings will be issued by amendment that have corrected these errors. Project quantities have been verified and are correct.

Q4. I am putting together my list of references for the PPQs. Can you tell me who is on the selection committee for this project so I can identify our prior work references that are not on the selection committee.

A4. In order to protect the integrity of the Source Selection Process, BLM does not disclose who is on the selection committee for our projects.

Q5. I am in the process of approving a bid bond for a contractor client. Can you please advise of liquidated damages for this project?

A5. Liquidated damages do not apply to the subject requirement. Actual damages may be assessed if the contractor goes beyond the required completion date.

Q6. Whitetail dam is located in an area that is fairly distant from redimix concrete. It will be at a minimum 2 hours per truck dispatch time. I believe this would not meet project specification. Would you allow the trucks to not start mixing until they are within 15 minutes of the site. Another option would possibly be to add water onsite or enroute. I need help understanding the technical ramifications utilizing either method.

A6. The long delivery time of ready-mix concrete from the batch plant to the project site can be addressed in several ways. As part of the concrete mix design and submittal review process, the Contractor and ready-mix supplier are responsible for proposing means to provide concrete that meets the requirements of Specification paragraph 03300-2.05 with discharge times that will exceed the standard ASTM C94 maximum allowable discharge time.

https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a8f931e02a1e434ba540c8c62f75087f/view

Q7. If awarded, we will request the ability to work shift work of 9 days on 5 days off. Would you be willing to consider this work schedule?

A7. Yes. Alternate work schedules will be considered on a case by case basis. Requests shall be submitted in writing with justification for request to the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made by the Government for access to the work site and inspection.

Q8. I’m sure it may be difficult to change as I know BLM often requires AD’s instead of LD’s. Would there be any way to cap damages, especially for a dam project like this? Even if the LD’s were significantly high the surety companies would prefer that. Surety companies providing the bonds always have concerns with actual damages due to the undefined terms if there are delays, thus opening the contractor up to an unknown amount of damages. Any additional info would be appreciated.

A8. BLM will continue to require Actual Damages for this project instead of Liquidated Damages. For this project, it's more advantageous to the Contractor to have actual damages because those can be negotiated and the contractors aren't held to the set rates.

Q9. Can demolished concrete and/or metal be disposed of on site? If not, will BLM provide an address or contact for the closest approved landfill for disposal of concrete and metal?

A9. See Specification 02050. Concrete demolition material, including grout from inside pipes, may be buried on site in designated waste area as approved by CO. The Waste Area is marked on the drawings on Sheet C1.

Steel and metal demolition material becomes property of the Contractor and shall be removed from the site.

Contractor is responsible for lawful transport and disposal of these materials. The government will not provide an address or contact for the closest approved landfill. This will be the responsibility of the Contractor to determine.

Q10. If the Contractor needs to export any dirt/rock/or unsuitable soils from excavations in the dam for any reason, is there a location on site where we can dispose of these materials? How would this cost be reimbursed?

A10. Contractor shall waste any items that is not suitable for use in the dam embankment (waste material) in the designated Waste Area as shown on Drawing Sheet C1. Saturated soils shall fall under Pay Item 5: Muck Excavation. See Specification 01150 Measurement and Payment. All other items would be considered Pay Item 4: Common Excavation.

Q11. Will you consider waiving the requirement to only document past performance projects that were completed under NAICS code 237990? We completed similar work under NAICS codes 238910 and 541990 that we would like to submit for consideration.

A11. The NAICS code designation of 237990 is not a limiting factor regarding past performance information.

As stated in Section M of the solicitation, past performance evaluation results in an assessment of the Government’s confidence in the Offeror’s ability to fulfill the solicitation requirements. As long as the work submitted for consideration is recent and relevant, contractors can submit work completed under difference NAICS codes.

Q12. The Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) states that the Closing Date / Time is May 11, 2021 at 5:00 pm Mountain Time. The bid due date has since been revised to May 19. Will you please confirm that PPQs are due to cmundt@blm.gov on May 19, 2021 at 5:00 pm Mountain Time, the same as the solicitation closing date?

A12. The deadline for the Past Performance Questionnaires is the same as the response due date for the solicitation package. A revised Past Performance Questionnaire template will be issued by amendment that corrects the ambiguity.

Q13. Can BLM provide contact information for the Tauck Ranch Family and any other private landowners from whom access to Whitetail Dam must be requested by the Contractor?

A13. Contact information for the Tauck Ranch is available at the BLM MCFO. Contact Brandie Folck, BLM Miles City Field Office at 1-406-233-3153.

Q14. Is the cost of maintaining access roads on private property considered part of the bid? If so, what line item should contain this cost?

A14. Yes. Any costs associated with securing and maintaining access to the project site should be included in the cost for Pay Item 1 – Mobilization and Preparatory Work.

Q15. What line item in the bid schedule should contain the cost of excavating test pits?

A15. Per Specification 02300 Earth Dams Paragraph 3.05.D., “include the costs for Tests Pits in the respective embankment fill”; therefore include in Pay Item 6 Compacted Embankment.

Q16. What is the anticipated grazing for the project time periods?

A16. Currently the planned grazing rotation for the pasture that contains the project site will have cattle grazing in the April 2021 to June 2021 timeframe with cattle anticipated to be rotated to adjacent pastures approximately June 15. However, this is subject to change due to ongoing drought conditions. Additionally, access routes to the project travel through pastures that will have active cattle grazing during the anticipated contract performance dates. Therefore, contractors should anticipate cattle and cattle grazing along project access routes to the project site. See Specification 01010 Summary of Work Paragraph 1.07 Livestock. It will be the contractor’s responsibility to accommodate cattle and cattle grazing operations on these routes, keep gates closed, and ensure contractor access to the site doesn’t allow livestock movement from pastures.

Q17. What will be the access across private during wet periods? Can the landowner prohibit access across their private during periods of wet conditions?

A17. Existing access routes to the project all cross private property. There are several existing access routes to the project site. It is the contractor’s responsibility to secure access across each planned route to be used for the project access. Condition of use across the private lands during periods of wet conditions should be discussed and determined with private landowners prior to submission of project proposal. Access to the project once on federal lands will follow FAR clauses specifically Part 52.236-9 and the project specifications. On federal lands, any road/access improvements will be at the discretion of the COR.

Q18. Can you provide a map showing the route traveled for the site tour?

A18. Yes. See map issued with the amendment. This route was selected for site tour access because administratively it is the simplest route with only 1 private landowner on this route. The private landowner along this route is also the grazing permit holder for the federal lands accessed including the project site pasture.

Other routes exist to the project site. It is the contractor’s responsibility to secure access to the project site across any private lands as well as determining conditions of use for this access. The government will secure separate access for government personnel and government contracted third party inspection services.

Q19. Can you provide landowner contact information?

A19. Landowner contact information is publicly available information available at the Carter County courthouse or at the website Montana Cadastral https://svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral.

Q20. Has the Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program project concurrence letter that has to be attached to the SWPPP permit been obtained?

A20. Yes. This item is complete. The letter will be provided to the successful offeror for the SWPPP application.

https://svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral

Q21. Is the 4 Ac-Ft Water Pit quantity included in the project excavation quantities? Is the pit to be constructed to a certain size?

A21. The 4 Ac-Ft pit shown on sheet C1 is to be used as the borrow source for the project. Excavation for the pit is not included in the project quantities for Common or Muck Excavation but should instead be included in the Lump Sum price for Item No. 15 Water Pit. Prior to construction the government will stake the boundaries of this pit. Pit dimensions are anticipated to be 150’ x 150’ x 14’ deep with 2:1 side slopes and 4:1 end slopes.

Any excess material will be placed in a wheel/track compacted pile adjacent to and uphill from the pit location.

Dimensions may be adjusted as field conditions require but total in place excavation shall not exceed 4 Ac-Ft (approximately 6,450 cubic yards). See Specification 01150 Measurement and Payment.

Q22. Would it be acceptable for us to reform the “reference list form” in this solicitation? Our reformatting would still include all information on the original, we would only change the spacing to allow more room for descriptions..etc..

A22. Yes, the Reference List is a suggested template to provide the necessary information. The document contractors provide shall clearly demonstrate the contractor’s successful ability to accomplish projects in a timely and satisfactory manner.

Q23. For past projects, do we need to list up to 5 projects for the Prime, and up to 5 for each subcontractor?

Or only up to 5 in total (example 3 from Prime, 2 from subcontract)

A23. If an offeror intends to utilize subcontractors to perform any of the major components of work, all the requested information must be provided for each proposed subcontractor (i.e. up to 5 for the Prime and up to 5 for each subcontractor).

Q24. Is there any liquidated damages for this project?

A24. Liquidated damages do not apply to the subject requirement. Actual damages may be assessed if the contractor goes beyond the required completion date.

Q25. What is the size of the grating for the inlet? Thanks!

A25. The bar grate sizing for the low level inlet structure is included on Detail 3/Sheet OW7.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS