NPS_responses_34-53_2024-03-12_0006.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 14 KB Posted
- Attached to
- GRSM 213075 Laurel Falls construction
- Solicitation number
- 140P2024R0016
About this file
This document contains a pre-solicitation notice and related project description for a National Park Service contract opportunity. The project involves rehabilitating Laurel Falls Trail and parking areas A and B located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Work includes demolishing and replacing the existing trail surface, retaining walls, and culverts; rehabilitating the viewing platform and signage; restoring degraded areas with native vegetation; and constructing new retaining walls and parking areas. The anticipated contract value ranges from $5-10 million. The solicitation is expected to issue on November 6, 2023 utilizing a negotiated firm-fixed price contract requiring both technical and price proposals. The period of performance is estimated at 540 days after notice to proceed. Interested vendors are advised to monitor the System for Award Management website for additional details and amendments.
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Sheet1
| GRSM 213075 - Rehabilitate Laurel Falls Trail & | ||
| 332922 Parking Areas A&B | ||
| Contractor Solicitation Questions and Responses #3 | ||
| Question | Response |
| 34 | Permeability reducing admixtures are mentioned in several parts of the 03 30 00 specification. However, none of the drawings that we have seen denote the use of permeability reduced mixes. Is this admix required in any location? | Permeability reducing admixtures are not required for this project. |
| 35 | Specification 32 13 13 lists the required strength for concrete paving at 3000 PSI. However, specification 03 30 00 and drawing L6.0 show the required strength as 4500 PSI. Which is correct? | Sheet L6.0, Detail 2, Note 5 4500 PSI at 28 days should read 4000 PSI at 28 days, see revised spec for fiber reinforced concrete. |
| 36 | Are their any specifications related to the fiber discussed in 03 30 00 and L6.0? | See revised specification for fiber reinforced concrete. |
| 37 | Specification 03 30 00 list the maximum unload temperature as 95 degrees, but specification 32 13 13 lists 90 degrees maximum for paving. Which is correct? | Per ACI 301, the temperature limit at time of discharge is 95 degrees. Spec 32 13 13 revised to 95 degrees. |
| 38 | Is there any further limit, other than maximum temperature, to unload time for the concrete deliveries? Given the remote location of the job and possible long unload times, we want to be clear as to how long we have to unload trucks in case load sizes need to be reduced. | The time of discharge is per ACI 301 4.3.2.2 “Time of discharge—Unless otherwise permitted, time for completion of discharge shall comply with ASTM C94/C94M. When discharge is permitted after more than 90 minutes have elapsed since batching or after the drum has revolved 300 revolutions, verify that air content of air-entrained concrete, slump, and temperature of concrete are as specified. |
| 39 | Specification 03 30 00 requires Type I/II cement for general concrete, and specification 33 41 00 requires Type II cement for cast-in-place manhole inverts. Type IL is the cement type available in this market. Is that acceptable for all applications? | Type IL cement is an equivalent for Type I/II cement and is an acceptable replacement. |
| 40 | Specification 03 30 00 requires ¾” maximum aggregate size for sections between 3 and 8 inches thick. The two concrete aggregate sizes available in this market are ½” and 1”. Is 1” acceptable for general applications? | With ¾” being the maximum, only the ½” aggregate size would be acceptable. |
| 41 | For the Manufactured Modular Wall is there a specific modular block to be used or would Redi-Rock Block be acceptable to use as long as it meets all the requirements under section 32 32 23.16 – Manufactured Modular Wall? | No, there is not a specific manufacturer that must be used. The NPS cannot endorse a specific product line at this stage. We will evaluate the system proposed by the contractor during submittal review. See revised spec section 32 32 23.16 for description of finish requirements. |
| 42 | The specs. state: “tree and vegetation clearing shall only be permitted between November 15 and March 31 to avoid impacts on federally listed bats and nesting birds unless otherwise approved by the NPS.” Can the trees and roots along the trail portion be removed between March 31 and November 15 and if not, since this is a critical item on the critical path of construction items, will the contract time be extended? | Trees removed during April 1 and Novermber 14 require monitoring for bat activity and habitat prior to removal during the Time of Year restrictions. The contractor will need to coordinate with the Park to have a NPS monitor on site prior to removal of trees during that time. |
| 43 | The specs. state: “Prior to tree removal, the roots are to be pruned with a Dosko Root Pruner, or equivalent.” Can a stidsteer mounted stump grinder/ root pruner be utilized for tree root pruning? | The intent is to have a clean cut on roots that remain after grading. The contractor may submit equipment approval prior to use. |
| 44 | The spcs. state: “Grind stumps and completely remove roots, obstructions, and debris extending to a depth of 18 inches below exposed subgrade.” If the subgrade is rocky are you still wanting to grind stumps and roots to 18 inch depth? | Areas where stumps occur in rocky subgrade will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Alternative methods may include a combination of mechanical removal and selective herbicide treatment. For Application of Herbicide: The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment and materials required to apply the approved herbicide to the designated tree stumps. Herbicide shall be applied by a licensed applicator in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. All designated stumps will be treated with a 25% Garlon 4 Ultra mixed with 75% JLB Oil Plus carrier oil with a tracer dye. Garlon 4 Ultra herbicide is the only approved herbicide for use in this contract. Using the herbicide manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines, apply the herbicide mixture immediately (seconds matter) to the freshly-cut, designated stumps. Use a wick applicator or backpack sprayer with a narrow angle nozzle to reduce and control over-spraying and completely coat the cut surface of the stump. Do not spray if weather conditions are windy. Do not apply herbicide in close proximity to other personnel or designated protected plants. Provide information to NPS about amounts of herbicide used for regulatory reporting. |
| 45 | The specs. state: “On prepared subgrade, place subbase course and base course under pavements and walks as follows: Install separation geotextile on prepared subgrade according to manufacturer's written instructions, overlapping sides and ends.” Is separation geotextile required along the trail? | Specification 31 20 00 Earthmoving, Section 3.18, B,1, "Requirement to Install separation geotextile on prepared subgrade according to manufacturer's written instructions, overlapping sides and ends.", will be removed |
| 46 | The specs. state: “Pavement Shoulders: Place shoulders along edges of subbase course and base course to prevent lateral movement. Construct shoulders, at least 12 inches wide, of satisfactory soil materials and compact simultaneously with each subbase and base layer to not less than 95 percent of maximum dry unit weight according to ASTM D698.” Can you verify if this is 12 inches wide or 4 inches wide as displayed on 1- L6.0 Site Details? | 31 20 00 Earthmovng Section 3.18 C - "at least 12 inches wide" will be removed from the specification |
| 47 | The specs. state: “Herbicide Treatment: Apply herbicide in accordance with manufacturer's recommended rates and written application instructions. Apply to dry, prepared subgrade or surface of compacted aggregate base before applying paving materials.” Is herbicide treatment required for the trail paving portion? | Specification 32 12 16 will be modified to delete requirement for applying herbicide on prepared subgrade/aggregate base. |
| 48 | The specs. state: “Cutback Prime Coat: Apply uniformly over surface of compacted unbound-aggregate base course at a rate of 0.15 to 0.50 gal./sq. yd.. Apply enough material to penetrate and seal, but not flood, surface. Allow prime coat to cure.” Is a prime coat required for the trail paving portion? | Yes, Plan Typical sections will be revised accordingly |
| 49 | With the use of a helicopter being disallowed, will additional time/days be added to the construction schedule duration? | The construction schedule was developed without the use of helicopters. There are no plans to add additional time to the contract schedule. |
| 50 | Helicopter material delivery for construction projects is standard and common practice, with an entire industry devoted to this line of work. The government has previously answered that this industry will not be allowed to participate in this contract. With the government disallowing the use of this form of material delivery, are there other standard means and methods that will not be allowed on the project and if so could you provide a list? | Means and methods of construction are up to the contractor. As long as the work conforms to the contract requirements it will be accepted. |
| 51 | What guidance can the government provide for approved or preferred methods of material delivery to remote areas of the site, so bidders can determine the feasibility of participating in the bidding process? | It is up to the contractor to determine means and methods to perform the contract. |
| 52 | With contractors being required to provide design and engineering on the modular block walls in accordance with the plans/specs, and after consultation with structural/geotech engineers, it is advised that a modular block wall is not applicable for walls 4 and 5. Will these walls be dealt with in a future contract modification if it is determined the park proposed walls are not appropriate for this site? | The modular block walls are applicable for walls 4 and 5 when anchored into the rock as shown on R1.1, Sheet 142 -Modular Block Wall Details, Detail 2. |
| 53 | The design requirements for modular block wall 4 and 5 cannot be met due to the minimum soil reinforcement length not attainable because of trail width and solid rock, what are other options, (rock anchors, soldier piles, cast in place)? | As shown on R1.1, Sheet 142 -Modular Block Wall Details, Detail 2, the reinforcement is intended to be anchored to the rock. |
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