Questions___Answers_0001.pdf

Question Response Please clarify what is included in the base bid. This contract is for the “Base Bid” work defined as section 3 in the design drawings. Do not bid any work in sections 1 and 2, see delineation below.

Will the contractor be responsible for repairs to damaged grass for vegetation.

Yes: see sheet G1.3 General Notes #9 and G1.3 Erosion and Sediment Control #4

How far down is the contractor required to paint the fiber glass piling?

6” above the water line, 6” below to be installed wrap. Details below:

SECTION 3 STARTS WHERE

THE HANDRAIL BEGINS

Do contractors have to hand carry materials for the staging area to the observation area, or can they use ATV’s or wagons?

See Sheet G1.3, carts may be used following the weight restrictions.

Can contractors take a photo of the sign in sheet to capture attendee information?

No

Is the Government aware of any permits that Contractor must procure for this project?

No additional permits are required

Please confirm we are to only provide pricing for the Base Bid and not the additional bid item shown on the drawings.

This contract is for the “Base Bid” work defined as section 3 in the design drawings. Do not bid any work in sections 1 and 2, see delineation in from question one.

Drawing S3.1 Section 1 calls out “NEW RETRO WRAP

MECHANICALLY FASTENED PILE WRAP” AND “SPECS

WILL REQUIRE PLAN FOR INSTALLATION BY QUALIFIED

INSTALLERS” – Please confirm which piles are to receive this wrap.

All fiberglass piles in within section three shall be wrapped from 2” below pond floor surface to 12” above the waterline.

Drawing C2.4 shows only three piles between stations 18+59 and 18+06 as having their metal brackets replaced under Keynote #4. Drawing C1.4 shows five piles between stations 18+07 and 18+59 as having their metal brackets removed under Keynote. Please confirm the piles that are to have their brackets replaced

The contractor shall not demo any metal brackets without replacing them. Five metal brackets are to be removed and replaced on the five piles between stations 18+07 and 18+59

Sheet S0.2 Section 6050 Note 2 states that certain lumber members within 3’ of the water shall be treated UC5B. We are unaware of the standard level of the pond and its typical fluctuations. Can the Government provide a ‘standard water level’ in NAVD 88 that can be compared

For the purpose of this contract the following demarks the location where the bottom of the floor joist is above 3 feet of water.

to the provided survey to determine which members are within 3’ of the water.

Please confirm if the proposed agency for special inspections is to be noted as a subcontractor in the proposal.

Yes, the contractor shall hire an independent subcontractor to carry out special inspections as required for section 3.

Please confirm that this bid is for Base Bid items only, that Bid Option 1 has been deleted from this bid.

This contract is for the “Base Bid” work defined as section 3 in the design drawings. Do not bid any work in sections 1 and 2.

Please confirm that boardwalk and laydown area will be closed to the public during construction.

Public access to the restrooms and Gift Shop trailers are required. See revised laydown area and designation of area to remain open.

Additionally, the staging area is modified to the following diagram.

Is there a location onsite where contractors can launch boats/work platforms for in water work?

No – while a small pond craft is permitted in the water it would need to be transported down the boardwalk and lowered in.

Are there any Time of Year Restrictions for in water work for this project?

No

Does Buy American apply? Yes Does Davis Bacon apply? Yes Is there any testing required for the Base Bid scope of work?

No

Are there any Special Inspections for the Base Bid Scope of Work?

Yes, wood connections.

Is there any concrete work as part of Base bid?

No, it is not part of section 3

At the Site visit we were told that we could access across the marsh (see example below), please confirm that this will be acceptable.

There will be no access across the marsh. All materials, tools, and equipment shall be carried down the boardwalk to section 3. See Sheet G1.3, carts may be used following the weight restrictions

Can you provide a detail showing how the new aluminum handrail is connected to the existing handrail?

For the purpose of this contract section three includes all of the existing metal handrail and the entire handrail should be replaced.

The drawings indicate staining and sealing of wood components; however, the extent of this work is unclear.

Please clarify whether the Base Bid requires the entire boardwalk and observation platform, beginning at the comfort station and extending to the end of the observation deck, to receive stain and sealer, or only the specific areas identified on the drawings.

Staining and sealing wood are now removed from the scope. No staining and sealing is required in section 3.

The contract documents require replacement of the architectural shingles at the observation shelter but do not identify the required wind rating or warranty classification. Please specify the minimum required wind rating and/or manufacturer warranty (e.g., 110 mph, 130 mph, or other) to ensure all offerors are bidding on the same product.

The minimum required wind rating shall be no less the 130 mph.

The contract documents do not clearly identify the required extent of ice and water shield installation beneath the new roofing. Please clarify whether ice and water shield is required over the entire roof deck or only at specific locations such as eaves, valleys, hips, ridges, penetrations, or other designated areas.

Ice and water required over the entire roof.

The drawings and specifications require pressure-treated lumber but do not identify the required AWPA Use Category (e.g., UC3B Above Ground, UC4A Ground Contact, UC4B Heavy Duty Ground Contact) or preservative treatment requirements for the various wood components. To ensure consistent bidding and material selection among all offerors, please specify the required AWPA Use Category and preservative treatment for each applicable component, including decking, framing, blocking, rails, posts, and other pressure-treated members.

Structural lumber members are within 3’ of the water shall be treated UC5B, all other lumber shall be UC3B Above Ground

Please clarify whether the replacement architectural shingles at the observation shelter are required to match the existing or recently replaced roofing on other park structures. If matching is required, please identify the manufacturer, product line, color, and any other applicable requirements.

Matching is not required.

The contract documents identify replacement of deck planks and repairs to the existing structure; however, the condition of the framing beneath the existing decking cannot be fully determined until demolition is complete.

Please clarify whether offerors should include an allowance for replacement of deteriorated joists within the Base Bid. If so, please specify the anticipated quantity or extent of replacement to be included. If not, will replacement of deteriorated joists beyond the documented scope be addressed through contract modification after field verification?

Based on a structural evaluation of section 3 in 2022, the framing beneath the existing decking is in good condition. Concealed deterioration beyond the documented base bid scope will have to be addressed through a contract modification.

The contract documents identify replacement of various pressure-treated wood components but do not clearly indicate the extent to which existing fasteners and metal connectors are to be reused or replaced. Please clarify whether all associated bolts, screws, connectors, and miscellaneous hardware associated with replaced members shall be replaced with new hot-dip galvanized

Any existing metal faster that is removed shall be replaced with new hot-dip galvanized or stainless-steel hardware. Hardware may not be reused.

or stainless steel hardware, or whether existing hardware may be reused where determined to be serviceable.

The contract documents identify specific repairs to the boardwalk and observation deck; however, the actual condition of concealed structural components, including framing members and fiberglass piles, cannot be fully verified until demolition is complete. Please confirm that concealed deterioration beyond the documented Base Bid scope will be treated as a differing site condition or addressed through contract modification rather than being considered incidental to the Base Bid.

Concealed deterioration beyond the documented base bid scope will have to be addressed through a contract modification.

As we go through the information on this project. In the scope of work it states:

"The boardwalk extends out over wetlands and the pond ramping up to a viewing platform near the edge of the pond. The ramp and observation deck are supported by fiberglass pilings."

What type of access will we have to work at water level? will be able to get equipment in for digging/and or dredging is required near the posts that need repairs?

There will be no access across the marsh. All materials, tools, and equipment shall be carried down the boardwalk to section 3. See Sheet G1.3, carts may be used following the weight restrictions

What is / are the diameters of the host piles that are to receive the Retrowraps?

Contractors will need to perform their own field measurement.

What is the length of the wraps?

Varies by depth of water:

Are there further specifications for the Retrowraps?

It shall be installed per manufactures specification

Comment: It appears the host pile is timber that is wrapped with fiberglass. If this is correct, is the NPS open to discussion of an alternative to the Retrowrap as the Retrowraps often do not fit well around timber piles.

The piers are fiberglass.