B09_Amend_0003_Attach_1_Q___A_0003.docx

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. Is there a specific material to be used for the seatwall cap? Are you wanting a grout? Caulk? Originally the joints were sand filled which failed immediately (lacking any backer material).

A1. Originally the joints were sand filled which failed immediately (lacking any backer material). The Government would prefer grout or mortar to match other mortar joints as seen in the vertical face of the wall below it. Ideally would likely need backer rod or similar filler below the grout/mortar

Q2. In the images picture 1, which I am guessing is for reference on design, has the buck and rail fence in soil. Based on all the other pictures it appears the buck and rail fence would be going in asphalt.

A2. Not in asphalt- see the attached graphic. New fence is going into the either landscape (shown in green, or the stone band (shown in blue)

Q3. I understand the government is furnishing materials for the buck and rail fence, but are their dimensions/design plans for this? More specifically how far apart the posts are? How much of the post is to be in/out of the ground?

A3. The post spacing on the gov provided fencing is 10’ O.C. All of these posts will be imbedded in the area between the seatwall and curb (see attached sheet)

Q4. In attachment B08 on page 10, final page, it has the Quote Form. For Pricing Schedule, it says “SEE ATTACHED” I am not seeing an attachment that is or contains a pricing schedule. Can you let me know if I am overlooking something or supposed to submit a quote on our letterhead with the two items listed, please? This same form also has a due date in August of 2022. I know that’s a typo, but don’t know if it would cause any issues in the bidding process.

A4. See attached Contract Price Schedule. The quote due date is 27 December 2022.

Q5. Perhaps a different approach could be considered.

A5. See photos of wall, stone band, curb and asphalt to understand proximity issues. NPS is willing to entertain other methods of setting posts. The entire area for posts with the exception of one short landscape area to the right side (facing toward the tower) is in the stone band. These stones are dry set, so can be manipulated to receive posts.

Q6. While cutting a hole in the sandstone blocks is certainly possible, it will most certainly shorten the life of the stones. The fence posts will act as a wick and the freeze-thaw cycle will do the rest, resulting in fractured stones.

Q6. We are aware of the concerns. These stones are quite thick and are not historic. If we cut holes in the stone to receive the posts, we will allow a gap to be grouted in keeping the stone from touching the posts to ideally reduce the risk of fracture in the future.

Q7. Why not move the fence to the edge of the asphalt and mortar the stones in place?

A7. We cannot move to the edge of asphalt as there is a curb and gutter pan. We could move closer to back of curb and maybe notch the stones if that is a preference by the bidders, however there is asphalt parking bounded by curb directly adjacent to the stone band. See the additional photos attached of the wall/cap, stone band, adjacent curb and asphalt. Should the bidders wish to look at the site, this is possible as the site is open to the public, though nothing formal will be set up for NPS personnel to attend.

Q8. Were the stones set with sand or gravel between the joints or were they set with granite fines? Granite fines is the proper aggregate to be used in this application.

A8. See the additional photos attached of the wall/cap, stone band, adjacent curb and asphalt. Field notes from a design team form 2021

“Visitor Center Wall… the stone slabs between the wall and curb are not grouted. The cap stones and stone slabs were not cut to fit a radius, so the joints become large on the plaza facing end of the joints. The sand added between the joints is washing out onto the seat wall…”

Q9. Can you confirm that drilling holes in the stones is what the solicitation is requesting?

A9. The NPS is willing to entertain solutions other than drilling out the stones to receive the posts without permanent removal of the stone band (ie: cutting, alternative mounting etc.). See attached photos from a field report from the 2021 AE team for additional information.