B09_Solicitation_Questions_-_Final_10_14_22_0003.pdf

JELA 251674 Solicitation Questions & Answers

1. Would the government consider an alternative breakwater structure, for any or all of the project, that would meet still meet its wave attenuation goals and promote seagrass/SAV growth between the shore and the structure and also provide other ecological betterments to meet monitoring goals per the provided funding?

Government will consider alternative breakwater structure post award. Contractors should provide proposals based on current specifications.

2. What would the process be to propose an alternative structure to that currently proposed for the project?

Government will consider alternative breakwater structure post award. Contractors should provide proposals based on current specifications.

3. What criteria would the government be required to consider if a change in the breakwater structure can be made? (i.e., such as price comparison, reduction in environmental impacts, environmental betterments, adaptability for climate/ water level change, etc.).

Government will consider alternative breakwater structure post award. Contractors should provide proposals based on current specifications.

4. What information should be submitted to help with government in considering an alternate breakwater structure? (i.e., such as price comparison, reduction in environmental impacts, environmental betterments, adaptability for climate/ water level change, etc.)

Government will consider alternative breakwater structure post award. Contractors should provide proposals based on current specifications.

5. Can the forms required for submission be provided blank so that bidders can fill in or via a fillable form (project experience questionnaire).

Yes, see attached “B08_Attachment 4 - Solit_PSP” as a Word document to allow edits.

6. Please confirm that the small business subcontracting plan is not required since this is a SB set aside project (per bulled pt 1).

The Subcontracting Plan is not required, however, see FAR 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS

ON SUBCONTRACTING (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION SEP 2021) and sections L and M regarding the Report on Limitation on Subcontracting in attachment 4 of the solicitation.

7. We are being told by our Navigation Aids supplier that the Metal Buoy specification is antiquated & that most buoys in recent projects are now specified to be Roto-Molded Polyethylene. In fact, this organization, who is normally engaged in suppling buoys and other navigation aids, says he will not be able to provide metal buoys. Would the government possibly consider revising this specification to allow for more readily available Roto-Molded Polyethylene buoys?

Yes, the Government will consider and evaluate a substitute submittal on this product post-award.

8. We request that the Government grant a bid time extension of at least one week if at all possible, also extending the deadline for questions by a week.

Proposal due date has been extended to November 2, at 12:00pm MT per Amendment 0003.

9. Re spec 35 12 33 Aids to Navigation paragraphs 2.1.A.1 & 2.1.A.2 – The spec provides for both 3/16” Aluminum Plate & ¾" Plywood. Are the signs themselves intended to be aluminum plate or ¾” plywood?

Sign construction is based on USCG CIM 16500 as noted on the plans. The contractor shall submit pricing for aluminum.

10. If we are to use treated timber piles for the temporary signs, are they to be 10” min diameter per 35 12 33 Aids to Navigation paragraphs 2.1.C.2, or 12” min diameter per 35 12 33 Aids to Navigation paragraphs 2.1.C.4?

Contractor should use the larger, 12” minimum diameter pile indicated in 35 12 33, 2.1.C.4.

11. Please clarify the intent of the last sentence of 35 12 33 Aids to Navigation paragraphs 2.1.G.

What is meant by “End Temporary…”? “ o End temporary” refers to each end of the overall breakwater. There are two ends.

o How many of these are there in the work? Presumably two. Please confirm.

Two (2) double sided signs, one on each end of overall structure.

Is the intent of this sentence to require helical piles for the temporary nav aids at each end of the work regardless of what the contractor elects to use for the balance of the temporary navigation aids?

o Contractor to use helical piles for temporary sign posts and then reuse for permanent locations.

This is the only reference to “two-way” that we see. Please clarify - Are there two signs required on a single post at any location?

o Contractor to add two (2), double sided temporary sign posts at each end of the breakwater structure. Refer to plan sheets 5 and 10 for locations, respectively.

o And if so, how many locations?

See above.

12. What is the required top elevation of the Nav Aid posts/piling? The drawings (sht 28) make reference to a +10.5’ elevation but it’s unclear if that is intended to be the tops of the piling, though it seems that’s the intent. The specs require 12’ above MHW (+1.6), or 13.6’. The drawings show MHW as 1.36. Please clarify the requirement.

Aid to navigation details shall follow all USCG regulations and requirements as noted on sheet 26, note #1. For the purposes of the proposal, the top of helical pile shall be 11’-0” to allow for field adjustments and placement of respective marine signal light and timber pile cap.

13. Are there any connection angles required? Re: 35 12 33 Aids to Navigation paragraphs 2.1.E.4.?

Yes, the permanent and temporary aid to navigation assembly should include all hardware necessary to assemble and maintain each unit.

14. Buoys: The buoy drawing (27 of 31) shows a circle that is labeled “…Aid to

Navigation”. Please clarify what this is. Is this intended to be a sign? 3’ x 3’ Aluminum diamond shaped sign? If so, are there two signs required per buoy?

The buoy device indicated on sheet 27 of 31 is intended to meet all USCG requirements for aids to navigation devices. The circle noted above relates to information and regulatory marks that indicate restricted operations. Orange circle with white background.

However, contractor should submit buoy for approval post award.

15. We sent in some questions earlier on the buoys requesting that roto-molded polyethylene be considered in lieu of steel buoys. If the Government still wants the buoys as originally detailed in steel, we request that the Government please list some (a) manufacturers/sources from which the data for the detail was derived so that we can source these buoys.

Contractor to provide best efforts to located specified equipment. If this in fact the case that steel buoys are no longer available, provide an explanatory note stating so.

Contractor should also provide an equivalent product that meets all USCG requirements along with price.

16. The Small Business Subcontracting Plan states “Large business Offerors proposing a total price greater than $750,000 ($1,500,000 for construction) shall complete and submit this Subcontracting Plan with their proposal.” Is the Subcontracting Plan required to be filled out and submitted with the proposal if the Offeror is a small business?

See comment response #6, above.

17. Please clarify the quantity differences between drawing 2 of 31 of the project plans and the contract price schedule in the solicitation.

Contractor should use quantities listed on the attached updated Price Schedule provided with Amendment 0003.

18. Was the virtual site visit recorded? And, if so, is the video available?

Our system does not allow for videos to be uploaded. However, the Virtual Site Visit Transcripts is included in amendment 0003.

19. In the Aids to Navigation Day Beacon specs, it states that steel helical piles are required for the 43 permanent Aids to Navigation. Would an alternative material be acceptable? 12’’ x 40’ timber pilings 2.5 CCA are more typical.

Price proposal using specified helical piles. Alternate materials may be submitted for review and approval post-award.

20. The quantities on the bid schedule listed in the solicitation and the quantities listed in the plans are very different. Which quantities will be considered accurate?

See comment response #17, above.

21. On the bid schedule in the solicitation, line item 0009 Geotextile shroud is listed at 72,122

SY and line item 0008 Geogrid Composite is listed as 44,531 SY. These quantities don’t seem accurate given the geotextile shroud is only placed over the lightweight aggregate on the LWAC breakwater, and the Geogrid composite is to be placed at the base of every breakwater. Can these quantities be verified?

22. The Aids to Navigation Buoy specs require metal buoys. Our supplier says they no longer offer metal buoys and suggested an alternative polyethylene buoy. Would an alternative polyethylene buoy be accepted in place of the metal?

Make your best effort to locate what is shown on the plans. Substituted product must function equally and meet all USCG requirements. Alternate materials may be submitted for review and approval post-award.

23. In all three typical breakwater details, there is a 1ft depth below the ground for the bedding stone. Are we meant to dig to this 1ft depth to place the bedding stone, or are we to place the bedding stone on the existing ground? Bedding stone is to be placed on existing ground.

Details on sheet 19-21 indicate that the structure is placed geogrid composite and built up from there. There is no need to excavate 1 foot depth to place bedding stone.

24. Would a 14-day bid date extension be accepted?

See comment response #8, above.

25. Per the Solicitation, this is a 100 Total Small Business Set-Aside. Does this include the rock source?

The award will be made to a Small Business. Where the supplies are acquired is up to the awardee as long as it meets the specifications and drawing requirements and the Limitations in Subcontracting clause FAR 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON

SUBCONTRACTING (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION SEP 2021).

26. Part 1, Section B Bid Schedule, Contract Price Schedule for CLINS 0003, 0004, 0005 and

0006 give a Quantity and Unit of Measure for each CLIN. Stone is becoming a high demand material resource. Contractors are expected to commit to a full order from respective approved quarries, incur shipping costs and barge demurrage in order to have these materials readily available at this site. CLINS 0003, 0004, 0005 and 0006 are Unit Price bid items based upon the Quantities given on the Contract Price Schedule. Once a Contractor commits to a full order, small business contractor may be required to advance a large front investment to secure order. Will contractor be afforded FAR 52.232-5.

FAR 52.232-5 Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts is included in the

Solicitation. The contractor may begin submitting invoices after Notice to Proceed (NTP) has been issued.

27. The Plan Quantities on Sheet 2 of 31 differ from the Part 1, Section B Bid Schedule, Contract

Price Schedule. Which is correct?

28. The project drawings show Contractor Access Points in Two (2) Locations. However, there is no Contractor Access Point on the far South Segment. Would it be permissible for the Contractor to Dredge an Access Point that is outside of the “Do Not Disturb Area”? Please address.

In light of existing utilities and “Do Not Disturb Areas” within the project LOD, the project was designed with two central dredge access points roughly equidistant along the length of the structure. This configuration has received regulatory approval. However, there are variations in water depth along the breakwater alignment and contractor proposals should account for the potential for variations in equipment to complete construction. Addition of an additional dredge access point is not permissible.

29. Project plans show the southernmost Breakwater extending into a “Do Not Disturb Area” and underneath existing Entergy Power Lines. This southernmost Breakwater extends into shallow water and ties back into the existing bank. It is our understanding that the project layout has been approved by appropriate permitting authority. Would it be permissible to extend the Temporary Flotation Channel for access to install this southernmost Breakwater (ensuring stone placement can be reached)? Please advise.

Yes, the plans have received regulatory approval for dredging shown on the drawings.

Depth of water reduces closer to the shoreline. Contractor may need to revise approach in this location to accommodate existing site conditions. Contractor to provide proposals based on approved plans.

30. Cross Sections show the Filter Stone, Bedding Stone, Etc roughly +/-1’-0” below the existing elevation. Are there any requirements to “Dredge” this prior to placement of the Stone? Or does this simply represent the anticipated settlement after the Stone is placed? Please address.

All dredging indicated on plans is limited to the temporary floatation channel. Dredging for the structure was not included as part of regulatory approval. See comment response #23.

31. Standard Manatee Conditions for In-Water Activities has a bullet point that addresses the use of siltation and turbidity barriers. However, there is no specification or line item for siltation and turbidity barriers. Are siltation and turbidity barriers required for this project? Please address.

Turbidity curtains/siltation barriers are not required for this project.

32. Are there any other Pipelines or obstructions that are not clearly identified on the Project

Drawings? Can Government provide the most recent locations, contact information on near by and existing pipelines and depths?

What is shown on the plans is the most updated information NPS has. The selected offeror is responsible for conducting a pre-construction hazard survey to verify utilities specs 01 32 23.

33. Sheet 3 Enlarge Existing Site Plan. What is the defined or would be considered under

“Magnetic Anomaly Survey Points” ? Please clarify.

Location points are provided on the plan sheet for selected contractors use and/or knowledge. Awardee is required to perform a magnetometer survey prior to the initiation of site construction to confirm all site conditions. Refer to survey notes on sheet 2 of the plans.

34. During the Virtual Pre-Bid Meeting, it was stated that the Contractor could use either Steel

Helical Pile or Wood Pile for the Aids to Navigation. Sheet 26 Section 1 shows the.

Permanent Aids to Navigation to be Steel Helical Pile, Section 2 shows Temporary Aids to Navigation to be either Steel Helical Pile or Wood Pile. Can Wood Pile be used for the Permanent Aids to Navigation? Would government clarify lengths required?

The permanent aids to navigation shall be Steel Helical pile. Contractors should price helical piles for permanent aids to navigation.

35. Contract Price Schedule for CLIN 0011 has a Quantity of 23 Each Temporary Aids to

Navigation per Detail 2 on Sheet 26. Drawings show a Total of 19 Each Temporary Aids to Navigation as follows: Sheet 5 – 2 Each, Sheet 6 – 2 Each, Sheet 7 – 5 Each, Sheet 8 – 4 Each, Sheet 9 – 4 Each, Sheet 10 – 2 Each. Please clarify the Correct Quantity and/or provide location(s) for the other 4 Each Temporary Aids to Navigation.

See comment response #17, above. In this case, 23 temporary aids to navigation, signs/day beacon (CLIN 11) and 45 permanent aids to navigation, signs/day beacons (CLIN 12), and 1 permanent aids to navigation, buoy (CLIN 13).

36. Contract Price Schedule for CLIN 0012 has a Quantity of 43 Each Permanent Aids to

Navigation per Detail 1 on Sheet 26. Drawings show a Total of 46 Each Permanent Aids to Navigation as follows: Sheet 5 – 5 Each, Sheet 6 – 5 Each, Sheet 7 – 6 Each, Sheet 8 – 4 Each, Sheet 9 – 10 Each, Sheet 10 – 16 Each (Of which can 3 Each appear to be shown as either Permanent Aid to Navigation OR Permanent Buoy) . Please clarify the Correct Quantity or Permanent Aids to Navigation.

37. Contract Price Schedule for CLIN 0013 has a Quantity of 3 Each Permanent Buoy per Detail

1 on Sheet 27. The only location for Permanent Buoys is shown on Sheet 10 –3 Each Of which can 3 Each appear to be shown as either Permanent Aid to Navigation OR Permanent Buoy). Please clarify the Correct Quantity or Permanent Buoys per Detail 1 on Sheet 27.

38. There is a severe shortage of Stone of any type due to several factors including, closures of the Mississippi River, shortage of barges, huge demand for Stone materials in Marine and Highway Construction. Stone Backlogs are as long a one year, but only with a firm commitment to purchase the entire Stone material order at one time. Transportation of materials are equally affected, and these factors can not be predicted. Will government consider including Far 52.216-2-4 Economic Price Adjustment-Standard Supplies in the provisions?

No, the Government will not be adding FAR 52.216-2 or 52.216-4 Economic Price

Adjustment clauses to the solicitation. In accordance with the SF 1442, Block 13.d., Offers are good for 60 calendar days after due date.

39. Will contractor be allowed for contract extensions due to manufacturing and supply shortages and delays after award? Preventing LDs?

If there are any material delays during contract performance the Contracting Officer will review and make a determination on extension requests.