Question_Answers P5521R0009_0001.pdf

Pre-bid site visit Q&A Summary Sheet Site Visit Date: 04/22/2021

Fort Sumter Sewer and Drainfield Hardening Project Page 1 of 3

Questions and Answers Summary Sheet

RFP 140P5521R0009

1. Will the new utility installation impact as far west as the paver walkway?

ANSWER: No, the 110 Linear Feet of new utility pipe shall not extend as far as the paver walkway.

2. Is equipment allowed over the top of the drainfield? If so, what are the weight limits?

ANSWER: No, equipment will not be allowed to drive over or on top of the drainfield. See site layout map, this document. When the topographic survey task is completed by the contractor, the drainfield shall be marked and the contractor shall demonstrate adequate methods to protect it. These markings to identify the drainfield shall be protected and remain throughout the project.

3. What is required for the utility tie-in near the fort wall? Does the watermain tie-in occur above ground and will new insulation be required? At the sewer pipe tie-in, does the sewer tie-in require one cleanout per the SOW, or two clean outs to match existing?

ANSWER: The water tie-in requires new insulation over the water pipe for the pipe that is exposed to cold weather. The tie-in shall take place outside the fort wall and require multiple 90-degree fittings and a repair coupling at the other end of the new pipe. The sewer pipe shall utilize 45-degree or other series of smaller bend fittings to facilitate a single cleanout as intended from the SOW. If multiple fittings are not able to be installed to accommodate the subtle bend that can facilitate a single cleanout per the SOW, page 4, Section 3; then, it is required to install two cleanouts similar to existing layout with new pipe and fittings.

4. The SOW calls for 60/40 ratio of rip rap sizes. If adding riprap to an existing wall, that ratio cannot be maintained. What is the government expectation?

ANSWER: The SOW refers to the 60/40 ratio for the riprap at a new section, refer to page 3 and 4. When building or adding to existing rip-rap, the 60/40 ratio of riprap shall follow the model cross-section as close as possible depending on the amount of riprap already placed. In general, depending on the amount of riprap shall be placed in layers of 60/40 in accordance with Attachment B, Figure 4. In places where the project calls for building up by placing more riprap as an outer layer, the larger class E riprap shall be used as an outer layer.

5. Does the government envision the rocks being “chinked”?

ANSWER: The riprap placement shall be completed in a uniform and consistent even layer that may appear as being “chinked”; however, it is not required to use the smaller Class C riprap to “chink” into the larger Class E riprap as the outer layer.

6. The southeast riprap armor area noted as already being 9 feet in height is not noted in the SOW as requiring any work but it does not consist of a uniform and consistent even layer. Is the government requiring any work in this area?

ANSWER: After backfilling, this area will require some additional Class E riprap to complete the outer layer and finish it to a matching uniform and consistent even layer. Attachment C: Schedule of Values was updated with a new payment item for Class C Riprap to finish this southeast armoring. Payment Item 11. Riprap Armor Finishing along the southeast amor wall (approximately 130 linear feet) with a quantity of 120 TN was added to the SOW and Schedule of Values.

7. The SOW calls for geotextile. It is understood that geotextile shall be placed under new sections of riprap that do not have riprap, but does the geotextile material also get installed under backfill that gets placed on the interior edge of the riprap slope?

ANSWER: Class 2 unprotected Geotextile Fabric is required under all backfill at the riprap edge. This provides a more stable base for both the new riprap sections and for backfill containment on the interior side of the riprap. In order to accommodate this the square feet of geotextile listed on Attachment C: Schedule of Values was updated to a quantity of 6250 SF.

Fort Sumter Sewer and Drainfield Hardening Project Page 2 of 3

8. Will the government close the area for construction? Who is responsible for barricades?

ANSWER: The government anticipates closing the area off to visitors and employees for the duration of the contract; however, the contractor will be responsible for providing and maintaining construction and safety fencing.

9. Does the government have specific areas that we can access the jobsite with a barge and equipment?

ANSWER: There are not specific areas as the technical approach shall include a feasible approach option as part of the proposal package, per the FAR, Section L, and as a submittal post-award, per the SOW page 7, Section 11.

It should be noted as specified in the SOW that the work area around the fort has marked historical value to be protected. Loading and weight limiting shall be limited to protect buried historical objects. Similarly, weight and traffic wearing shall be considered when devising a proposed approach to the work area from barge. Possible options are construction mats and/or landing ramp from staging barge. Also, no construction machinery or equipment shall be allowed on the ferry dock.

10. Is there an existing site plan available showing utilities and drainfield?

ANSWER: As part of the answer to this question the government is including the site layout of the drainfield (See site layout map, this document); however, the SOW calls for topographic survey which shall include marking the actual drainfield lines and utilities to prevent accidental damages. Locating and marking utilities, such as utilities that may be impacted by water and barge approach landing or unloading operations is the responsibility of the contractor as part of the survey.

11. Is it acceptable to reposition larger rocks on the dock side of the island?

ANSWER: It is expected that many of the existing rocks will require repositioning as part of the work for the project in constructing the riprap armoring. It is acceptable to reposition them; however, as with many other aspects of the project, consideration to limit excavation and excessive wear to one location shall be taken, in order to minimize effects and to protect historical objects from damage. Per the SOW page 5; Section 4, all construction work shall be monitored by an NPS SOI qualified archeologist. And the contractor shall ensure an SOI archeologist is onsite to monitor prior to any excavation or base smoothing operations take place.

12. Does the government want to leave the existing concrete trench?

ANSWER: The existing concrete utility trenches shall be removed as part of the new pipe trench installation procedures for both the new sewer pipe and the new water pipe. All project disposal shall be in accordance with an approved Debris Disposal Plan completed in accordance with the SOW page 7; Section 11.

13. Should the topographic survey include utilities?

ANSWER: Yes, it is expected that the survey include topographic contours as well as the location of all utilities, major reference objects, and specifically the drainfield lines to facilitate ease of protection to avoid damage from the weight of equipment going over them. As part of the answer to this question the government is including the site layout of the drainfield and no-equipment, reduced-weight zone.

14. There is currently a contractor working on the docks. Will this contractor be working in this area while this contract is underway?

ANSWER: Yes, it is anticipated that the contractor will be working on the docks until November; however, the respective project work areas do not overlap.

15. In Section 4 of the SOW, under the Pre-Construction Phase it is stated that the contractor may request to use the Fort Moultrie Dock and parking area for employees to get back and forth to Fort Sumter and a park permit is required. What cost would this be for the contractor?

ANSWER: The permit has no cost, but an application must be completed and submitted to the park for approval.

Details on the proposed use shall also be detailed in the Project Float Plan, as stated per the above referenced section of the SOW.

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16. Upon placing New Backfill Materials around the drain field, there is no item for grassing or mulching. Please clarify what type of grassing or mulching is required and if a new pay item will be added.

ANSWER: No grassing or mulching is required over the backfilled areas. The area shall grow back on its own naturally without introduction of foreign mulch or seed.

Site Layout of the Drainfield and Sewer Lines for Preliminary Planning Purposes

Note that this shoulder is less than 6 feet wide and shall not be used as a pass-through for construction machinery

Drainfield and sewer line area to be protected (See Questions 2, 10, and 12)