140L5723R0001_Amend_0002_Site_Visit_Notes_Q_A_0003.pdf

Form 1510-56 (December 1985) ReproducedUNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

SITE INSPECTION TOUR/PREBID CONFERENCE RECORD

1. Solicitation No.: 140L5723R0001 4. Meeting Place: St. George Field Office

2. Title: St. George Field Office Fencing - GAOA 5. Conducted by Name & Title: Mackenzie Johnston Civil Engineer, Color Country District3. Date & Time: March 3rd, 9:00am

6. Attended By: (Attach Separate Sheet, if Necessary)

Name of Firm Address/email Phone No.

(include area code) See scanned sign in sheet

7. Questions asked, and responses given: (Use Reverse if necessary)

General bullet point items addressed:

1. Offers due by 5pm on March 20th 2023

2. Questions due to the CO by March 8th 2023

3. 365 Day period of performance, Some trailhead locations may be inaccessible during winter months.

4. Torquerville Mine Trailhead, Sand Cover trailhead and Sand Cove Campground access road is deep sand in some areas. Eagle Craigs Trailhead can be inaccessible during winter months. Please verify the logistics of access to each site and timing.

5. Solicitation is 100% set aside for small business.

6. John Kellam, St. George Field office Wildlife Biologist stepped in to discuss and clarify the requirements of the trailheads that lie within Mohave desert tortoise habitat. This clarification will be revised in the specifications.

7. You will be required to have a biologist for tortoise protection. Temporary fencing may be used but must be inspected and to the specification required by the fish & wildlife department and the qualified biologist.

8. Due to high public use and to protect wildlife each trailhead shall be completed fully before moving onto to the next area. Temporary fencing shall be used to control traffic and keep public from driving on unauthorized areas.

9. If the contractor feels that an entire trailhead needs to be closed to the public during construction the Field Office would require 30 days advance notice to notify the public of the closure. Partial closure and/or temporary barriers are recommended for traffic control. Please submit a schedule of planned work. 2 weeks’ notice prior to the mobilization of each trailhead.

10. A section of specifications was missing from the solicitation Please review the revised specifications.

Questions:

Q: Rocks specified for gabion baskets? What kind of rock is requested? The drawings specify a red rock to match the area.

A: The revised drawings will provide more detail on the rock. The rock will also require a submittal prior to purchase/install.

Q: Can we stay at the site? Camping?

A: No camping will be allowed.

Q: Does the Field Office prefer we start construction as soon as possible?

A: The Field office has no preference; the large period of preformation was given to allow for the construction in tortoise habitat and areas of high elevation as each area is accessible during different times of the year.

Q: Is this contract lowest price or would a preferable schedule hold value?

A: This contract is lowest price technically acceptable. A quicker or better schedule won’t be a deciding factor of the evaluations.

Q: Does this contract require Buy American?

A: Yes, Clause 52.225-9 (starting on page 22) of the solicitation defines the requires of Buy American. If suggesting products that do not meet the Buy American criteria, those products shall be listed in the table at the end of this clause.

Q: Does the fencing require treatment/pressure treated.

A: The specifications state the required and acceptable pressure treatments. A submittal will be required for the fencing product.

Questions Received via email:

Q: The 4.5” x 10’ doweled rails will be a problem. I can get 3 ¾-4” x 10’ rails or I can get 5”x8’rails. Unfortunately, there are no 4.5” x 10’ rails available.

A: The BLM called a couple of vendors that have supplied the rails in the past and confirmed that the 4.5” diameter isn’t as typical, but that they do have it available. Due the possible supply issues the drawings and specifications have been revised to 4 – 4.5” diameter rails.

Q: Can we get the list of approved biologists?

A:

Name Contact Info Topham Environmental

(based in St. George) Seth Topham (wildlife biologist)

435-668-9723

Tetra Tech, Inc.

(based in SLC)

Tetra Tech, Inc. – Sean Kite, Andrew Carrano, and Jill Reid (Wildlife Biologists) and Wendy

Rieth (Senior Wildlife Biologist/GIS Analyst)

801-364-1064 tetratech.com sean.kite@tetratech.com

TRANSCON

(based in Cedar City)

Seth Topham (wildlife biologist)

801-649-5141 www.transconenvironmental.com

Stantec (based in SLC)

801-261-0090 www.stantec.com

SWCA

(based in SLC)

800-828-7991 www.SWCA.com

Q: The Steel step over calls out galvanized steel expanded metal is this correct?

A: No this is an oversight. We request that the steel step over all be the same raw steel. The drawings have been updated to correct this note.

Q: Are Partial Payments available on this project? Can payment be made for materials?

A: Progress Payments are available. As each fence is completed a progress payment can be issued. Certified payrolls and inspections for work covered by the partial payments will be required prior to payment. No payment for materials can be made. BLM would have to have control of any materials invoiced and BLM does not have the capacity to securely store these materials.

Q: Post sizes spec 6”- standard is 5.5 can a 5.5 be used? Tortoise wire- 16 gage is available 14 gage can be ordered but costs 4 times as much. Gabion wire - galvanized 2”x4" wire horse panels are available. Or custom order mesh at 100$ per gabion.

A: Yes, Post the standard post size of 5.5” can be used. All other specifications mentioned must remain the same.

8. Was a complete site inspection tour made? Yes X No (If “No,” explain)

No Fence Sites were visited.

By (Name)

Title

Date

Mackenzie Johnston Civil Engineer 03/09/2023 mailto:sean.kite@tetratech.com http://www.transconenvironmental.com/ http://www.stantec.com/ http://www.swca.com/