Questions and Answers_0002.pdf

Boardwalk Replacement @ Little Calumet Trail – INDU Questions and Answers listed below:

QUESTIONS:

Question # Question Answer/Response 1.

Will you consider a Structural Composite solution for this project? We can design and set our materials on a galvanized foot.

The contractor has not provided enough information to determine if their product is an equivalent or equal to the Wickcraft product. The proposed product needs to meet at least a Fire “Class A” rate. The decking needs to be between 0-25 on the 100 point Fire Spread Rating (FSR) scale from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

2.

Can the boardwalk be placed on a ground level pile system using our Structural fiber Composite piles? Or is there no opportunity to do so? If we were to place it on a simple pile system, we can better control the settling parts that you see with the existing system. If it is not an option, then we can provide long sections to try and maintain a level walkway.

The contractor has not provided enough information to determine if their product is an equivalent or equal to the Wickcraft product. (See details on Answer No. 1) Pile can

3.

Floating Sections: can this be a pile system also? It can save a bit of money by eliminating floats, hinge systems, hold downs, and seats. Railings can be a challenge with these also.

There are no floating sections in this project.

4.

We can provide floating structures.

I would like for our materials to be considered as an approved equal so I can provide material quotes to the bidding contractors.

Product/Material Mfg requesting: Wagners Composite Fiber Technologies

Because of the difference in elevation of the existing ground and the historical (flooding) water levels will be more than 2 feet. A floating system is not recommended to use in this project to maintain a maximum longitudinal slope of 5% and to keep the existing surface area that was approved during the NEPA and 106 compliance.

5.

It is my understanding that this project is to use our adjustable leg pan foot system and pressure treated lumber (not composite) for the decking. The line item on the bid form calls for composite/pressure treated and also calls for “helicoil” anchors which many has caused some confusion with the contractors who have reached out to us for a bid. This may need

The line item No. 4 from the Bid Schedule has been changed to say “Wood decking” instead of “composite”. No “helicoil piles” (will be used in this project as per NEPA and 106 compliances. Rebar anchoring will be use to connect the base plate to the existing ground.

clarification as the contractors may be confusing the term with helical piles.

Project specs want to use an anchoring system in which our 12”x12” base plates were anchored into the ground due to the area being prone to flooding. We have done this in the past on some projects. Can you also give some clarification on the custom “grip rail” specified? Park stated it can be sourced locally. Do you know where? Again, the contractors are having difficulty sourcing this without outsourcing it to a custom mill.

The grip rail can be found locally at Menards

6.

Could you confirm the bid date time to be 12:00 PM EST or 1:00 PM EDT? Beta.SAM states 1:00 PM EDT but it says 12:00 PM ET in the solicitation.

I know the solicitation/SF 1442 is what we are supposed to go by, but I’m just looking for confirmation

It is 12PM ET – not sure why the site states otherwise. There were issues with this getting posted to beta.SAM and maybe this didn’t transfer over correctly.

This will be corrected, and this amendment should correct this issue on the website

7.

Attached is the cut section for the grip rail (sent from snipping tool outlook item) attachment. The lumber companies I have talked to are having difficulties with fabricating this item. They do not want to run this through there mills when the southern yellow pine is pressure treated. They would run southern yellow pine than send it out to be pressure treated. The issue with this is the turnaround time – estimated at 3 to 4 months. I’ve attached 2 additional items for substitution. Please advise.

The grip rail can be found locally at Menards

8.

I spoke to Wickcraft today about getting a quote, and the only thing that stood out was that they are not able to supply the grab rail as detailed. Could you supply a source for that rail as I've been unable to locate one, and it appears to be a custom milled piece? If not, would you consider an alternate using a more standard round grab bar that is either wood or composite?

A similar product that meet ABA standards for the grip rail can be found locally at Menards.

9.

Modular Trail Structures has requested a substitution for the above project.

The Modular Trail structures will be required pile helical penetration. This kind of foundation was not permitted in the original NEPA and 106 compliance.

Based on the actual permit conditions The Modular Trail structure will not be allowed.

10.

Project Specifications

• Page 4, Item 2, Erection A o Is NPS aware of any specific permits required for this project? Is NPS acquiring all permits? (Would we need to call JULIE to remove concrete post foundations?)

• Page 5, 3.1, item C o Are we able to completely close off the entire section of trail for the duration of the project?

• Page 5, 3.3, item A o Are we able to remove the vegetation up to +/- 3.5’ from centerline of boardwalk? From the pictures in the bid package, it looks like this vegetation will be of concern for workers safety, and quality of final product.

• Page 6, 3.3, E.4 o To what extent do we need to install construction fencing? Our thought is just at the entrance of the laydown area (basically a straight-line fence across the opening where the laydown was suggested) and the entrance on the far end of the trail at the project limit. Is this in accordance with what NPS will require? Are any other security features required by NPS?

• Page 6, 3.9 o Specs denote to provide the Photos on CD-R or DVD-R? Will NPS accept digital format on a flash drive instead?

• Can contractor use a 4-wheeler and tow trailer to get from the bridge up the hill to the designated laydown area?

• Can we dismantle the railing shown on Page 5 of 41 (Picture LCT 27) for the installation of a temporary gantry to hoist materials on to the bridge?

• Page 4, Item 2, Erection

All the environmental and archaeological permits (NEPA &

106) have been obtained by NPS.

If an unforeseen event arises, NPS will require support from the contractor in the field to complete or modify the existing approved permits.

• Page 5, 3.1, item C The trail will be closed, and even when the park will post a “Trail Closure Notification,” there are always visitors showing up to the site because they never were aware of the notification.

• Page 5, 3.3, item A The Park has built in house and in other contracts similar projects with similar conditions. Safety and the quality of the final product was never an issue. The contractor has not provided enough information to clarify their concerns.

• Page 6, 3.3, E.4 – Provide fence at the start end of the existing trail.

• Page 6, 3.9 – Pictures in digital format can be delivered in a flash drive by email or using any FTP as soon as the delivered images information does not contain any

PII.

• Can contractor use a 4-wheeler …

- This activity will be allow as far as the vehicles stay withing the limits of construction.

• Can we dismantle the railing… Any of this activities will be allow but the contractor shall restore any modifications or damages to the

• Can we build a ramp over the stairs shown on Page 1 of 41 (Picture LCT 3)? Our intention is to utilize the same carts for the entire material handling process.

o We would build a ramp over the stairs at the start of the bridge to tow the carts up and down the ramp using a winch on the 4-wheeler. Will NPS allow this?

• In our conversation with Wickcraft, we had heard NPS originally intended to use heli coils as anchors for new boardwalk system. Has requirement of heli coil anchors been eliminated from specs and will the Wickcraft standard base plate for boardwalk vertical legs be acceptable, with rebar anchoring?

• When is NPS’s intended window for onsite construction operations? This summer? This fall?

• Will NPS coordinate with the City for contractor use of gravel road that we traveled on for the site visit, for contractor equipment access and operations?

• When removing the existing concrete foundations, are we to bring in back fill? If yes, is there a specific grade/type required?

original or better conditions before the project is completed.

Also, any access or temporary construction need to be done within the limit of construction area as shown in the drawings.

• Can we build a ramp… (See previous answer)

• In our conversation with Wickcraft … No helicoils will be allowed in this project. The word helicoil was replaced with “rebar anchoring” form the bid schedule.

• When is NPS’s intended window… As soon as this acquisition process is completed and the NTP has been provided by the CO.

• Will NPS coordinate with the City… The contractor is responsible for any access coordination outside of the NPS property.

• When removing the existing concrete… See Specifications Section 02 41 00 Page 19 Part 2 Products 2.1 Fill Material

11.

When removing the existing concrete foundations, are we to bring in back fill?

o If yes, is there a specific grade/type required?

See Specifications Section 02 41 00 Page 19 Part 2 Products 2.1 Fill Material

a. Use clean sand material to fill all the holes one time all the foundations and posts have been completely removed during the demolition process. No compaction will be required.

12.

A POC stated they accessed the boardwalk from the north end by driving along the edge of the NIPSCO access road under the high-tension power lines. Is the use of the NIPSCO access road completely off-limits to the contractor?

The site has access from the north and south side. The north side is a pedestrian trail access. The south side run parallel to the NIPSCO high tension power lines. No vehicles shall park under the NIPSCO high tension power lines otherwise the contractor obtain a permit with NIPSCO for such activities, which is not necessary, because the contractor can park on the NPS side of the property.

13.

1. Plan Set calls for lumber to be Hem-Fir, Doug-Fir/Larch or other western wood species but “Project Specifications” calls for wood to be treated Southern Yellow Pine.

a. Please Confirm wood species allowed

2. Plan set calls for lumber moisture content to be 19% or less, I assume that is for the untreated western wood species as shown on the plan set?

a. Meaning do we need to supply kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) materials?

3. Treatment type or retention levels not specified in the plan set or the specifications

a. I would assume a UC4A minimum retention level with the materials being hand contact rated (No CCA treated stock)

4. What is the post spacing called out to be for the handrail?

a. I assume the handrail is on both sides of the walk?

5. The rail cap looks to be a 2x6, please confirm

1. Use Project Specifications calls for wood to be treated Southern Yellow Pine.

2. No kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) materials need to be provided.

3. Use Southern Yellow Southern (SYP) #1 prime grade.

4. Handrails Post spacing to be design by manufacturer.

a. Handrails are required on both sides of the boardwalk as per ABA/ADA standards.

5. The rail cap as per manufacturer design (2x8)

14.

We just had one of our shop guys run to Menards with the spec sheet to see if they carry the handrail in the bid specs. The customer service rep said they did not and gave us the attached option. Can you confirm if this is an option only the Menards in your area carries?

The provided handrail spec attached will qualify as an equivalent product.