NPS_Responses_13-33_GRSM_213075__2024-02-28_0005.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 13 KB Posted
- Attached to
- GRSM 213075 Laurel Falls construction
- Solicitation number
- 140P2024R0016
About this file
This document contains a federal contract opportunity notice and related contractor questions and responses file. The National Park Service is soliciting proposals to rehabilitate the Laurel Falls Trail and parking areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Work includes demolishing and replacing the existing trail surface, widening sections, rebuilding retaining walls and culverts. Additional work involves rehabilitating overlook platforms, signage, and visitor areas around the falls. New retaining walls and vegetation planting are also required. The parking area work involves removing existing surfaces and constructing new spaces. The period of performance is estimated at 540 days. The anticipated contract type is fixed-price, with technical and price proposals required. The estimated price range is $5-10 million. The pre-solicitation date is not yet determined. The contractor questions file provides additional clarification on project requirements, material specifications, and restricted construction methods.
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Sheet1
| GRSM 213075 - Rehabilitate Laurel Falls Trail & | ||
| 332922 Parking Areas A&B | ||
| Contractor Solicitation Questions and Responses #2 | ||
| Question | Response |
| 13 | If a construction trailer is used will we be allowed to connect to the existing electrical service? | See revised section 01 50 00. |
| 14 | Would the government accept 4" reinforced concrete trail (4000psi), at no additional cost, in lieu of asphalt paving from the final 150' to 250' 162+00 to 165+00, approximately? | The NPS has no objection to utilizing 4" reinforced concrete trail (4000 psi) in lieu of asphalt within the proposed area. Proposed reinforced concrete will need to meet project requirements for mix design and NPS standards for integral color, finish and texture. Note, the paving substitution will require reinitiating consultation with State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) prior to approval. Contractor to account for review and approval time for proposed substitutions. |
| 15 | Will additional tree trimming be allowed in the area around the falls to accommodate helicopter drops to the construction site? | Helicopter operations will not be allowed for construction of this project. Tree trimming/clearing will be limited to areas shown in the contract documents. |
| 16 | May we use helicopters for transporting materials? What restrictions might they have? Will some tree clearing be allowed within the Limits of Disturbance to allow helicopter access? | Helicopter operations will not be allowed for construction of this project. |
| 17 | Are there any restrictions to use of helicopters on the project? | Helicopter operations will not be allowed for construction of this project. |
| 18 | If helicopters are used, where may contractors use as a staging and lift location? | Helicopter operations will not be allowed for construction of this project. |
| 19 | For the Laurel falls concrete structure, piers, and spread footers, may bagged concrete mix be used? If so, will a slump test be sufficient for testing? | The use of bagged concrete is not acceptable for use as structural concrete. Refer to the specifications section 03 30 00 3.13.E. for concrete testing requirements. |
| 20 | Has any geotechnical work or reports previously been prepared to determine to what extent the subsurface rock is suitable for anchoring the proposed waterfall structures? | There are no geotechnical studies in the area below the waterfalls. See geotechnical report in Appendix A of the specifications. |
| 21 | Where may stockpiled soil and stone be stored on the premise if the designated staging area is insufficient? | Staging is identified in the two parking areas on either side of Fighting Creek Gap Rd at the trailhead, and at rest area number 7 on the trail. The government will consider requests for additional areas within the project's limits of disturbance such as the areas for proposed parking lots 1 and 2. These areas will need to comply with all applicable requirements include temporary facilities and maintenance of traffic. |
| 22 | How will sub grade compaction be verified on the trails where heavy pneumatic-tired equipment cannot access? | In areas that proof rolling is not accessible, alternative methods may be used on the subgrade as long as 80 psi is obtained. A nuclear density gauge will be used to measure the density obtained. |
| 23 | Is Cold Milling required for removal of the asphalt on the trail? | No, the cold milling is intended for the trail head parking lot resurfacing. Asphalt along the trail can be removed by other means. |
| 24 | Asphalt mix will need to be handled at least 3 times prior to placing on the trail. Will hot-mix asphalt be accepted if the mix cannot maintain 250 degrees during transport to the furthest extent of the trail? | The hot mix asphalt must be delivered to the paver at a temperature adequate to allow proper compaction. Understanding that transporting the asphalt to the trail will require additional time, the specification for spreading the mix at a minimum temperature of 250 deg F has be modified to 235 deg F for the trail construction only. However, it will be the contractors responsibility to achieve acceptable compaction before the mix temperature cools to 185 deg F. per the specifications. |
| 25 | If no means and methods are feasible to keep hot-mix asphalt over 250 degrees during trail paving, will an alternate surfaces be considered? | Asphalt surface was chosen to match the existing trail tread and minimize historic impacts. Changing the surface for the trail will require re-initiating consultation with SHPO. |
| 26 | For the 74ft I-Beam bridge at the bottom of the waterfall structure there are only two i-Beam girders shown for either side. How will the contractor tie the 4x6 decking together to prevent warping and misalignments of the timber decking over an 8ft span? Typically, no more than a 24” OC spacing would be used for any decking application. | The decking has been designed for the clear span as shown in the plans with space between each board. |
| 27 | For the Concrete Bridge over the upper falls. Can you please clarify why this structure is not a steel and wood bridge like the rest of the structure? Asking specifically to inquire if an alternate steel girder bridge, like the lower falls, would be considered as an alternate for cost savings. | The structure was designed as a concrete bridge since there is a good chance that debris coming down the upper falls could impact the bridge and supports. Another reason is that the bridge supports are located in the creek itself and the deck is exposed to constant moisture. We determined that concrete is the best material for long term maintenance/serviceability at this location. Also, the existing bridge is concrete therefore it keeps in character of the previous structure. |
| 28 | Due to the complexity of project sequencing and limited access for the trail and falls structures, 540 days is a very short duration. Will an extended timeline be considered or are there firm restrictions due to funding or other immovable deadlines? | The period of performance was determined by the AE during the design phase. Schedule is a technical factor that will be used to rate proposals. |
| 29 | For all of the ‘Boulders to be salvaged and delivered to the park’ can you clarify where they are being relocated and if specific placement is required or just dumping onto the ground? | All boulders to be salvaged will be taken to the Elkmont Firing Range and stockpiled neatly. This work will be coordinate with Park staff. |
| 30 | Please clarify language in L2.1, Note 6. Do all trees have to be dragged at lease 50 feet away from the trail or they may stay where they land within 50 feet of the trail? | Felled trees are to be placed on the down slope side of the trail within 50' of the trail, unless otherwise noted. |
| 31 | Additional clarification in L2.1, Note 6. Tree trunk cuts to face away from trail. Please confirm that the intention is that all trees must be felled uphill and manually dragged downslope? Otherwise there are no means and methods to turn large tree trunks after felling downslope which is standard practice. | The intent is to conceal cuts from the trail viewshed. Means and methods for achieving design intent are up to the Contractor. |
| 32 | In order to drag felled trees downslope, the use of grip hoists and other rigging equipment will be required. Please confirm that the contractor may exceed the limit of disturbance for tree removal and use other downslope trees to remain as rigging points. | All work must be performed within the identified limits of disturbance in the plans. Situations where this work may not be feasible will be reviewed on case-by-case basis. |
| 33 | Regarding the trail grading plan and notes regarding protecting existing rock outcroppings and site preservation, please clarify if the intent is to precisely achieve proposed stations and elevations with rock hammering, blasting, and excavation as necessary or to approximate the grading to best blend the target trail widths and elevations to the existing landscape with minimum disturbance? | The intent is to provide safe access for park users while preserving the site's historic landscape. The Contractor is to follow the grading within the tolerances specified in the contract. Proposed changes that reduce disturbances to rock outcroppings will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. |
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