B09 - 140P1221Q0017 - Amendment 0001 - Questions and Answers_0001.pdf

REPLACE HQ EAST COMMUNICATIONS TOWER

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, CO

RFP# 140P1221Q0017

AMENDMENT 0001

PRE-BID QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. QUESTION: Just to clarify, this project is permit-exempt and no permits are needed for construction? Is this correct?

ANSWER: Correct, no permits are needed for construction.

2. QUESTION: Is a geotechnical report available for the site?

ANSWER: There is no geotechnical report available for the site.

3. QUESTION: How will the soils test be done. Is each bidder responsible for drilling for soil samples and getting a soils report?

ANSWER: The successful bidder will be responsible for obtaining soils information necessary for adequately performing the foundation design. This could be the presumptive method as allowed in Section 1804 of the International Building Code or other means as determined by the design engineer. For bidding purposes, assume soil class 4 as defined in Table 1804.2 of the International Building Code. Site disturbance prior to award will not be allowed.

4. QUESTION: Each bidding contractor must supply a set of design drawings. Will these drawing be reviewed before the bidding process to ensure offerors are all bidding the same requirements?

ANSWER: Only the successful bidding contractor will be required to submit a foundation and tower design after award. The design will be reviewed by the government after award but before onsite construction. Proposals should include tower manufacturer and model number to prove contractor’s understanding of project scope and scale.

5. QUESTION: Will contractors be given the number of and types of items which will be mounted to the tower, so they can give that info to the tower manufacture, for structural and foundation design.

ANSWER: Section 7 – Communication Tower, Paragraph 9.A of the project Scop of Work describes the types and location of equipment on the tower for loading characteristics.

6. QUESTION: Will the tower Grid ring be tied into the lightning rod system for the communications building.

ANSWER: No, the contractor is responsible for the installation to all grounding required for the project.

The condition of the existing building ground is unknown. The lightning protection system should comply with UL 96 and NFPA 780 as specified in SOW Section 6 – Lightning Protection.

7. QUESTION: Are any permits required?

ANSWER: No permits are needed for this project.

8. QUESTION: What is the depth of guy anchors?

ANSWER: The NPS is not sure of the depth of the existing anchors but expects them to be about 5’ deep.

9. QUESTION: Is the NPS responsible for all necessary licensing of the tower and systems?

ANSWER: The NPS is responsible for all necessary licensing of the tower and the system.

10. QUESTION: Tower manufacturers’ backlogs are currently 6-10 weeks from ARO. Is there flexibility in extending the 90-day contract period from the receipt of tower steel?

ANSWER: The period of performance will not include the long lead time items and will only cover the onsite construction work. The 90-day contract period will coincide with delivery of tower steel to the site.

11. QUESTION: What is the expected timeline for the transfer of all existing equipment?

ANSWER: The contractor can expect the transfer of existing equipment by NPS staff to take up to two

(2) days. See the amended SOW, Section 3.13.E for updated notification procedures prior to transfer of equipment.

12. QUESTION: Please provide GPS coordinates for the tower location.

ANSWER: The final location of the tower will be decided onsite during construction with the COR and contractor. For bidding purposes, the tower will be located at approximately located at 40°21'49.74"N, 105°33'32.71"W.

13. QUESTION: Will NPS locate the center of new tower?

ANSWER: The final location of the tower will be decided onsite during construction with the COR and contractor. For bidding purposes, the tower will be located at approximately located at 40°21'49.74"N, 105°33'32.71"W.

14. QUESTION: Is the geotechnical analysis the responsibility of the contractor?

ANSWER: The successful bidder will be responsible for obtaining soils information necessary for adequately performing the foundation design. This could be the presumptive method as allowed in Section 1804 of the International Building Code or other means as determined by the design engineer. For bidding purposes, assume soil class 4 as defined in Table 1804.2 of the International Building Code. Site disturbance prior to award will not be allowed.

15. QUESTION: A design and drawings will be submitted for approval. Once approved, a stamped set will be submitted and the tower will be ordered. Please confirm?

ANSWER: Only the successful bidding contractor will be required to submit a foundation and tower design after award. The design will be reviewed by the government after award but before onsite construction. Proposals should include tower manufacturer and model number to prove contractor’s understanding of project scope and scale.

16. QUESTION: Does the contractor need to provide an EE Stamped rolling sphere design and material per NFPA 780?

ANSWER: The contractor does not need to provide a rolling sphere lightning protection design.

Lightning protection should follow all tower requirements per NFPA 780 as specified in SOW Section 6

– Lightning Protection.

17. QUESTION: With no soils report being provided the contractor can only bid the foundation based on normal conditions, after award of the contract the contractor can complete a soils report and have an engineered foundation design completed. Depending on the final design is a change in price acceptable?

ANSWER: The successful bidder will be responsible for obtaining soils information necessary for adequately performing the foundation design. This could be the presumptive method as allowed in Section 1804 of the International Building Code or other means as determined by the design engineer. For bidding purposes, assume soil class 4 as defined in Table 1804.2 of the International Building Code. Site disturbance prior to award will not be allowed.

18. QUESTION: Does the contractor need to provide restroom facilities or are there facilities on site that the contractor can use?

ANSWER: Contractor should supply restroom facilities for their staff. SOW Section 3.9.A.2 specifies this requirement.

19. QUESTION: How far below grade do you want the old tower and foundation removed?

ANSWER: The existing tower and foundation should be removed to 2’ below grade as specified in SOW Section 2.2.A.

20. QUESTION: The box on the tower that coax conduits come into, do you want an entry port installed in it for the lines to exit the box through?

ANSWER: The enclosures at the tower and on the communications building (78) are to have all entry ports required to allow coax cables to enter and exit the boxes. This is detailed on sheet C3, Detail A of the drawings.

21. QUESTION: Does the contractor need to plan to install a tower bas bus bar for coax grounds?

ANSWER: Yes, the contractor will need to install a bus bar on the tower near the entry to the cabinet.

22. QUESTION: Is there a building permit required? If so, who will take care of it?

ANSWER: No building permit is required.

23. QUESTION: The tower requirements state angle steel for the bracing, the contractor has put up several Sabre 60ft SST tower that come as complete welded sections with tubular steel for the bracing, is that acceptable?

ANSWER: The preference is to use angle steel for bracing, but tubular steel is allowable.

24. QUESTION: Please provide Tower Class, Topo and Exposure the contractor needs to consider.

ANSWER: The tower is Class III. It will be located at 40°21'49.74"N, 105°33'32.71"W.

25. QUESTION: Please provide make and model number of all antennas or furnish cut-sheets of each.

ANSWER: The NPS will not provide make and model number of all antennas. The contractor should design the tower based on Section 7 – Communication Tower, Paragraph 9.A of the project Scope of Work which describes the types and location of equipment on the tower for loading characteristics.

26. QUESTION: Please provide make and model number of dishes along with frequency of the dish and whether it is high performance or standard with radomes.

ANSWER: The NPS will not provide make and model number of dishes due to need for future expansion of existing dish. The contractor should design the tower based on Section 7 – Communication Tower, Paragraph 9.A of the project Scope of Work which describes the types and location of equipment on the tower for loading characteristics.

27. QUESTION: Please provide lines sizes for all antennas and dishes.

ANSWER: Wire size will be up to LMR600.

28. QUESTION: Please confirm whether the contractor can substitute a Tuf-Tug safety device in lieu of DBI called out.

ANSWER: The contractor may substitute any cable safe-climb setup as long as the submitted product meets industry specifications.

29. QUESTION: Is the maximum face width to be 3’ or 4’?

ANSWER: The maximum face width is 4 feet, the label on drawing sheet C2 is incorrect.

30. QUESTION: Please confirm all new/ existing equipment to be installed on the new tower will be furnished and installed by the National Park Service staff.

ANSWER: All new/ existing equipment to be installed on the new tower will be furnished and installed by NPS staff with the exception of the materials specified as being included in Section 7 – Communication Tower, Paragraph 9.A of the project Scope of Work.

31. QUESTION: Please confirm all conductors, wiring, mounting hardware, etc for all the equipment to be installed on the new tower will be furnished and installed by the National Park Service staff.

ANSWER: All new/ existing equipment to be installed on the new tower will be furnished and installed by NPS staff with the exception of the materials specified as being included in Section 7 – Communication Tower, Paragraph 9.A of the project Scope of Work.

32. QUESTION: Please clarify where the (4) 4" conduits will terminate once inside building 78.

ANSWER: The (4) 4” conduits will terminate at the inside face of the existing wall. See Detail A, Sheet C3.

33. QUESTION: Are any of the following required for this project?

- FAA/FCC Verification

- 1A study

- NEPA study

- Archeology study

- Local permitting

ANSWER: All studies have been completed by NPS and no permits are required. None are required by the contractor.

34. QUESTION: For the design on the tower foundation, contractors will need soils reports to be able to properly spec out what is needed for below concrete back fill/grading.

ANSWER: The successful bidder will be responsible for obtaining soils information necessary for adequately performing the foundation design. This could be the presumptive method as allowed in Section 1804 of the International Building Code or other means as determined by the design engineer. For bidding purposes, assume soil class 4 as defined in Table 1804.2 of the International Building Code. Site disturbance prior to award will not be allowed.

35. QUESTION: As contractors excavate close to existing utilities, will they have to hydro excavate or pothole?

ANSWER: Contractors are required to locate and avoid existing utilities as specified in SOW Section 1.3.B. Contractors may use whatever means necessary to accomplish this task.

36. QUESTION: Will concrete test be required?

ANSWER: Yes, SOW Section 7.5.C specifies the requirements for concrete testing and communication of results.

37. QUESTION: Page 31, Section 5.B. Page of Specifications states ‘Provide common grounds between the lightning protection system and radio grounds. Does the NPS require the addition of a ground bus bar inside the SS Enclosure at the base of the tower to support the #2AWG Copper Ground wire to the new tower Counterpoise? If so, then another hole will need to be added to bottom of the enclosure for a liquid-tight connector for the #2 AWG Solid.

ANSWER: The contractor will need to install a bus bar on the tower near the entry to the cabinet. The cable will be grounded before it enters the cabinet and inside the building by NPS staff.

38. QUESTION: Referencing Drawing C, Detail D ‘Building 78 Conduit Detail’, in the location where the buried conduit enters the metal enclosure it states HDPE conduit to Tower. Is that technical note requesting HDPE conduit or Sch 80 rigid PVC to be buried from the new tower foundation to Building 78?

ANSWER: Contractor should use pathway products as specified in SOW Section 8.9.A. Note in Detail D is incorrect.

39. QUESTION: Due to the height of this tower, is there a requirement for an Obstruction Light?

ANSWER: No lighting is required.

40. QUESTION: Reference Drawing C3, TRENCH Detail E, is there a requirement to run #2AWG Copper wire between the tower and building above the buried conduit for grounding and lightning protection to tie in the tower counterpoise and the building counterpoise/ground bus bar?

ANSWER: No, the tower and the building ground systems will remain separate. The contractor will install a bus bar on the tower near the cabinet entry point for mid-span strikes on the tower or into the conduit. This will allow the cable to be grounded prior to entering the cabinet and inside the building using the existing bus bar.