Questions and Answers_0003.pdf

CHRI 219013 Buck Island Reef NM Underwater Trail Wayside – base removal and install 20 new signs and bases/ INSTALL Contract

1. In addition to OSHA are the commercial diving operations to be conducted in accordance with ADCI (The ADCI International Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations states that divers must be formally trained to a minimum of 625 hours (ANSI/ACDE-01-2015 or recognized equivalent). ADCI DOES NOT RECOGNIZE: NAUI, PADI, YMCA, POSSI and other SCUBA (Open Water) certificates) and/or IMCA (The IMCA international code of practice for offshore diving (IMCA D 014) provides ...

requirements, creating a safe 'level playing field' for all diving contractors. IMCA helps its members ensure and demonstrate the competence of their personnel by identifying appropriate certification for relevant positions. IMCA's direct role in certification is restricted to three diving positions: air and bell diving supervisors and life support technicians.)

commercial diving standards only; Response: commercial dive operations for this contract should be conducted to meet OSHA, ADCI, and IMCA standards for commercial dive operations; contractor must provide documentation of proven commercial dive operations and competence working in shallow highly sensitive coral reef environment and proven dive operations safety record to standards for commercial diving by OSHA, ADCI, and IMCA.

2. Please confirm that all Commercial Divers are to be trained in accordance with ACDE Commercial Diving training standards only and not sport diving certifications such as NAUI, PADY, YMCA, etc. This is a correct assumption. Dive Operations should be to commercial dive standards.

3. Can commercial surface supplied diving equipment be used in place of or in conjunction with SCUBA equipment. Due to the complexity of the coral reef environment NPS experience in diving in this area recommends independent SCUBA equipment to avoid proximity of surface support boat and diver support hoses working in highly complex and shallow coral reef environment.

4. Is the diving Contractor's OSHA safety record a factor in Contractor selection. Contractors diver safety record whether OSHA or other certification will be reviewed; safety record is a factor in contractor selection.

5. Will you accept a value engineering alternative to the dimensions and attachment type of the plates on the concrete bases. Yes NPS would consider alternative, however, current base, materials, and attachment have proven successful for over 30 + years at location.

6. Were any of the existing bases poured in-water. NO

a. If so, is the Contractor responsible for removing the existing concrete overpour. Concrete bases can not be made on site; must be fabricated off site, cured as appropriate for the concrete base (or other approved material), and install of the NPS provided wayside plate then transported to underwater trail for install. No concrete work will be allowed at the underwater trail.

7. Is there a local USVI Contractor preference in Contractor selection. It would benefit but not a deciding factor.

8. Can you ship the selected Contractor all plates for mounting to their respective bases. Wayside glass plates are to be shipped to NPS CHRI at STX location; NPS must received them and accept prior to install; Could ship them I suppose if contractor willing to pay for that shipping to their location from STX?

9. Can all bases be staged at a location before installation work commences.

a. If so, where and how close to the work area can the bases be staged. NPS would consider a “staging area” at or near the pier on south side of Buck Island for completed (bases with glass plate and eye bolt) prior to install at the underwater trail; this area provides for sand bottom location, no impact to coral hard bottom; proximity is about 10 min by boat at idle speed to underwater trail.

10. Can you confirm the supplies that the government will be supplying for this job. NPS will provide the finished glass plates for installation into the contractor fabricated concrete bases.

Access to the site; site information and orientation; assistance w/ control of other park activities during installation.

11. Who is responsible for the disposal of the original bases. Contractor must dispose of the original cement bases appropriately.

12. Are there any environmental permits or diving permits needed before we start? NPS will have all the compliance approvals completed for this project; no permits are required. NPS will provide compliance oversight that environmental mitigations will be followed by contractor during removal of existing bases, transport out of park, and installation of new complete bases.

13. How long did this job take the last time it was done. No idea. It was over 30 years ago when last new waysides were installed at the Underwater trail.

14. Are there wage requirements on this job? Please see new attachment.

15. Is there housing available on the island? St. Croix is an island of over 50K people; lodgings available in hotels, condos, apartments, houses for rent, airport is Henry E. Rohlson, rental cars available, current CV19 conditions are restricting incoming visitors, all visitors required to have been tested. Check Government of Virgin Islands Dept of Public Health website for current requirements for travel to USVI. https://doh.vi.gov/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/travelers https://usviupdate.com/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-updates/

16. Are you allowing SCUBA divers to complete the job or are Commercial (surface air supplied) divers required? NPS would prefer operations conducted by SCUBA; concern that surface air supplied w/ hoses will not be safe or feasible in shallow coral reef environment and would put the coral reef at risk along with the divers. SCUBA is preferred.