Contractor_Questions_and_Government_Responses___Amendment_0002_0002.docx

1. Question: Is any landscaping restoration required for this project? For example; topsoil, seeding, and fertilizer.

Answer: Yes. Provide restoration/revegetation of disturbed areas as indicated by the drawings and specifications. Section 32 92 00 includes seeding, turf renovation, certified weed-free topsoil, soil testing/amendment requirements, and establishment/maintenance. Section 32 93 00 addresses planting. Section 31 25 00 also requires disturbed areas to be revegetated before temporary erosion-control measures are removed. Fertilizer/soil amendments shall be based on the required soil analysis and recommendations.

2. Question: Please provide staking data points for the project.

Answer: The Contractor is responsible for construction layout in accordance with Section 01 73 40. The Contractor shall engage a land surveyor or professional engineer, verify drawing information against existing benchmarks, establish necessary benchmarks/control points, and maintain at least two permanent project benchmarks.

3. Question: Are red, yellow, and blue tops required?

Answer: The contract documents do not identify a project requirement for survey stakes commonly referred to as red, yellow, and blue tops. The color requirements identified in Section 31 20 00 apply to detectable underground utility warning tape (red for electric, yellow for gas/oil, blue for water, etc.), not construction survey stakes.

4. Question: Can one person "triple hat" as Superintendent, SSHO and QC Manager?

Answer: While the contract allows multiple roles to be performed by one qualified individual if accepted by the CO, the Government strongly prefers the QC Manager to remain independent. If the contractor elects to combine roles Superintendent, SSHO, or QC the Government expects corresponding reductions in proposed labor costs.

5. Question: Can the period of performance be extended after award once the material/equipment lead times are confirmed due to current market conditions for the equipment for this project?

Answer: No. Contractors are expected to identify all known material, equipment, and market‑driven conditions that may affect procurement or schedule before submitting their proposal. At the time of award, the contractor is responsible for meeting the contractual period of performance using the means, methods, suppliers, and lead times they based their proposal on.

Lead‑time challenges discovered after award are considered contractor‑controlled risks and do not justify an extension of the period of performance.

Any request would be reviewed, but extensions are not guaranteed and must meet the criteria under the Changes clause. Please identify any known lead time issues now.

6. Question: Please provide the site visit attendee sign in sheet.

Answer: Provided in Amendment.

7. Question: Is there a bulk water fill i.e. a hydrant or water source we can pump from for grading operations in close proximity?

Answer: No. Section 01 50 00 expressly states that potable and non-potable construction water from the existing system is not available. Non-potable construction water must be furnished by the Contractor from a source outside the park boundary. Potable drinking water must also be furnished by the Contractor.

8. Question: Please confirm whether asbestos or lead is present on this project, and if so, provide the relevant documentation.

Answer: The contract documents reviewed do not identify known asbestos-containing material or lead-containing material requiring abatement, nor do they include a hazardous-material survey identifying such materials. Section 01 74 19 instead provides that if lead, asbestos, PCBs, or other harmful substances are encountered, they must be handled and removed in accordance with applicable laws and requirements.

9. Question: Does this project require phasing?

Answer: The project is under a single prime contract. The construction schedule must nevertheless identify the Contractor's sequence/phases of work as appropriate.

10. Question: Is this project tax exempt?

Answer: The Government does not determine a contractor’s state or local tax obligations. Offerors are responsible for identifying whether materials or services used on this project are tax‑exempt under applicable state and federal laws and for including all required taxes in their proposed pricing.

11. Question: When do you anticipate on site work starting?

Answer: The anticipated start of on‑site work will occur after award, once the contractor has submitted all required pre‑construction documents and they have been reviewed and accepted by the Government. This includes the construction schedule, environmental compliance documents, and any other submittals identified in the specifications. Actual mobilization will depend on how quickly the successful offeror submits acceptable documents.

12. Question: Are third party inspections required?

Answer: Yes. Contractor-provided independent testing/inspection services are required where specified. Section 01 40 00 states that the Contractor is responsible for testing and inspections, including Structural Tests and Special Inspections (STSI), and shall engage a qualified testing agency. Individual technical sections also impose testing requirements; for example, concrete paving testing is Contractor responsibility at no additional expense to the Government.

13. Question: Is permitting required?

Answer: Yes. Section 01 31 00 states that the Contractor is responsible, without additional expense to the Government, for necessary licenses and permits. No Government-furnished permits are listed. Potential permits identified include electrical utility hookup, construction trailer/utility hookup, street closure, and stormwater pollution prevention. Section 31 10 00 specifically requires the Contractor to apply for and obtain the applicable KPDES permit.

14. Question: A safety note implies pile-driven foundations ("equipment to drive piles"), but the drawings and geotech report describe shallow spread footings on bedrock — which is it?

Answer: No driven piles are required. The reference to pile-driving equipment in the safety specification is not applicable to this project.

15. Question: The metal stair detail is labeled "Delegated Design" but only shows a generic, unsized footing no dedicated Metal Stairs spec section exists. What's actually delegated, and under what design criteria?

Answer: The metal stair system shall be treated as delegated design. The Contractor shall provide a complete, coordinated stair system based on the configuration, location, and design intent shown in the Contract Documents. The Contractor shall determine and provide the final member sizes, connections, anchorage, and other components necessary for a complete installation. Where dimensions or design information are not specifically provided, the Contractor shall develop the proposed solution based on verified field conditions and applicable code and loading requirements. Submit shop drawings for review prior to fabrication or installation. Contractor-proposed details or modifications necessary to accommodate actual site conditions shall be clearly identified in the submittal.

16. Question: Sinkhole stair is labeled "Wood Stairs" on civil plans but detailed as steel on structural sheets (may just be a mislabel, since the bid option separately lists both timber steps and a metal stair). No landing elevations or riser counts given for either.

Answer: Bid Option 1 includes two separate stair components: timber steps associated with the secondary trail and the metal stair system descending toward the Sand Cave viewing area. Where terminology or labels on the drawings are inconsistent, the Contractor shall use the overall configuration and design intent of the Contract Documents to develop a coordinated installation. Final stair geometry, including landing elevations, number of risers, individual riser heights, and adjustments necessary to accommodate existing grades, shall be based on Contractor verification of actual field conditions. The Contractor shall submit the proposed layout and details for Government review prior to construction. Proposed adjustments shall maintain the intended trail connections, landings, safety requirements, and applicable code requirements.

17. Question: Overlook deck elevation conflicts by roughly 3-4 ft between the trail profile sheet and the overlook section detail. Confirm which is correct.

Answer: The Contractor shall verify existing grades and site conditions prior to construction of the overlook. Where the indicated elevations cannot be reconciled, the Contractor shall submit a proposed coordinated elevation and associated adjustments for Government review prior to construction. The proposal shall maintain the overall design intent, required trail connections, drainage, accessibility requirements where applicable, structural requirements, and the intended relationship of the overlook to the existing terrain. No affected structural components shall be fabricated or installed until the proposed resolution has been reviewed and accepted by the Government.

18. Question: Metal Railings spec still includes full glass-infill provisions, but drawings call for wire-mesh infill throughout — confirm glass isn't actually required anywhere.

Answer: Glass infill is not required. Provide metal mesh infill at railing locations as indicated on the drawings and Section 05 73 10. Glass-related provisions of Section 05 73 00 are not applicable.

19. Question: Stair tread material conflict: concrete-filled steel pan (Div. 03) vs. FRP grating (Div. 06) — neither section says which stair uses which. Are both matrerials correct? What are the limits?

Answer: The Contractor shall provide a complete exterior stair system appropriate for the project conditions and consistent with the Contract Documents. Where the specifications contain differing provisions for concrete-filled steel-pan treads and FRP grating/treads without clearly defining their limits of application, the Contractor shall identify the proposed tread system as part of the delegated-design/shop-drawing submittal. The proposed system shall satisfy applicable structural loading, slip resistance, durability, drainage, corrosion resistance, dimensional, and safety requirements and shall be suitable for exterior exposure. Submit the proposed tread material, product data, attachment details, and coordinated stair design for Government review prior to procurement or fabrication.

20. Question: No White-nose Syndrome/bat decontamination protocol found anywhere, despite construction immediately adjacent to a cave entrance — a normal requirement at Mammoth Cave sites. Are there any requirements for decontamination protocol?

Answer: No project-specific White-nose Syndrome decontamination protocol beyond the environmental protection requirements contained in the contract documents is required.

21. Question: Mention was made of using ONLY soft tires for construction practices on this project. I am not confident this called out in the specifications. In addition, would soft tracs be a possibility ?

Answer: The requirement is air-filled tires on all equipment operating within the project area off of established roads. This requirement is associated with the project's Section 106/archeological compliance SHPO Memo. The NPS consultation response identifies two stipulations intended to protect archeological site 15Bn195: (1) an archeological monitor during ground-disturbing activities and (2) “Air tires on all equipment to be used in the project area off of roads.” Rubber or “soft” tracks do not meet the stated stipulation and should not be assumed acceptable. If the Contractor proposes tracked equipment as an alternative, provide the specific equipment information, ground pressure, track configuration, proposed operating locations, and means of protecting archeological resources for Government review prior to bringing or operating that equipment off-road within the project area. Acceptance of an alternative is not guaranteed and may require additional cultural-resource review.

22. Question: Is the parking/entrance area supposed to be CLOSED at the roadway to visitors ?

Answer: Yes. The Sand Cave Trail parking/entrance area within the construction limits shall be closed to visitor use during construction activities. The Contractor shall provide and maintain appropriate barricades, signs, and controls to prevent public entry into the active construction area. The adjacent roadway is not intended to be closed unless specifically authorized by the CO. Access necessary for Government personnel and emergency vehicles shall be maintained. Section 01 11 00 requires construction operations to be confined to the indicated limits and requires driveways and entrances to remain available to Government and emergency vehicles.

23. Question: There are several mixed materials on the boardwalk. Posts are composite but trim materials are pressure treated. Can you verify materials to be used.

Answer: The use of both composite decking and pressure-treated wood is intentional. Provide materials according to the component indicated in the drawings and Section 06 10 63, Exterior Carpentry. The walking/decking surface is composite lumber decking. Section 06 10 63 specifies all-plastic/PVC decking, nominally 1-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches, with concealed fastening configuration. Structural framing, posts, railing members, fascia/trim boards, and other wood components shall be the specified lumber and preservative-treated where required. The specification specifically identifies Southern Pine fascia boards, lumber posts, framing and railing members, and establishes pressure-preservative treatment requirements. Where a particular component is unclear from the drawings, the Contractor shall identify the proposed material in the required shop drawing/product-data submittal for Government review prior to procurement or installation. Do not substitute composite material for specified structural or trim lumber solely for consistency of appearance unless submitted and accepted as an approved substitution.

24. Question: Construction of the boardwalk shows an open area under the railings and that decking does not go to the outside trim board. In another depiction, the decking goes to the outside trim boards. Can you verify construction of deck.

Answer: The Contractor shall provide a complete and coordinated boardwalk assembly consistent with the overall design intent of the Contract Documents. The composite decking shall provide the required continuous walking surface, with fascia/trim, railing posts, railings, and other perimeter components coordinated so that the completed assembly meets applicable structural and safety requirements. Where individual details depict differing relationships between the decking edge, railing, and outside fascia/trim board, the Contractor shall provide a coordinated boardwalk shop drawing showing the proposed decking termination, fascia/trim, railing/post locations, fasteners, clearances, and connections for Government review prior to fabrication or installation. The proposed configuration shall maintain the overall dimensions and alignment shown on the drawings and shall not create an unsafe opening, tripping hazard, or reduction in required clear walking width. Section 06 10 63 requires product data and evaluation information for the composite decking and fastening system.

25. Question: Trail in Option is to be constructed with removing existing surface to a depth of 4" and then applying gravel bed. Removing material will damage the root structure on many trees as well as encounter close to the surface rock. Better constructability is required for the option work.to be truly successful.

Answer: The Government recognizes that actual subsurface conditions along the secondary trail may include shallow bedrock and tree roots. The Contractor shall minimize disturbance to existing vegetation, root systems, and surrounding natural resources. Section 01 11 00 requires protection of existing trees and root zones, prohibits removal or injury of trees and plants without prior approval, and requires excavation, grading, and filling near trees to be carefully performed to prevent damage. Where the specified trail section requiring removal of approximately 4 inches of existing material would result in significant root damage, unnecessary bedrock excavation, or other adverse resource impacts, the Contractor may submit a proposed site-specific alternative trail construction method for Government review prior to performing the affected work. The proposal should identify the affected location and existing condition and provide the proposed trail section, aggregate depth, grading method, means of retaining/protecting existing roots and rock, drainage provisions, and proposed finished trail elevations. The alternative shall maintain the intended trail alignment, width, drainage, stability, durability, and finished surface while minimizing disturbance to natural and cultural resources. Do not cut significant roots, remove trees, or perform additional rock excavation without prior Government authorization. The overall contract intent remains construction of a secondary single-track aggregate trail as part of Bid Option 1.