Questions_and_Answers_0002.pdf

Solicitation #: 140P6426B0002

Amendment #: 0002

Trail Replacement – INDU

Questions and Answers listed below:

QUESTIONS:

Question # Question Answer/Response 1.

Could you please let us know what the expected design loads are for the helical piles?

Section 01 10 00 Page 3:

Decking must meet International Building Code standards for a 100 psf pedestrian load, plus structural weight. See Drawings Sheet C02 for other loads. Final helical pile loads will be provided by the manufacturer after shop drawing approval.

2.

If there is a Geotechnical Report for this project, could you please share that information?

No Geotechnical Report exists for this project.

3.

Will ground disturbance be allowed during the install of the piles, or will this be limited to top-down construction (piles installed from the deck of the boardwalk as it is constructed)?

The contractor must place temporary ground protection mats along the access route off pavement and throughout the boardwalk construction area receiving equipment or materials, to prevent erosion and damage (see drawings C5-C10). Refer to Specifications:

01 10 00 Page 10 and 01 10 00

1.3.1 for limits; do not disturb existing construction beyond what is indicated or needed for new work.

4.

In regards to applicable wage rates, the project is in Porter County but can you verify which classification for trades (Heavy/Highway, Building, or Utility). I didn’t see it listed and assume it’s Building, but based on the total man-hours there’s a large difference.

Please see attachment in the solicitation titled as B08 Solicitation - Wage Determination // it is for both construction types Building and Heavy/Highway

5.

I do see details and specs for the benches and wayside signage. They are not listed within the specifications / description of work but due to them being on the plans it’s obvious….but I cannot find a location or quantity of the existing signs to be replaced. Note 18 in the legend

Provide 9 benches and 2 signs.

Refer to drawing plans, sheet C16 for specifications, and Section 01 10 00 Page 4 Section B.21.

Note 18 is on Drawing Sheet C10.

on each of the plans relates to this item of work but I cannot find any “note 18’s”. Is there a listed quantity is it a matter of counting during a site visit?

6.

The construction plans for the trail replacement project show a 5’ wide access path being installed next to the boardwalk for the construction crews to work off of. This is not nearly wide enough for the equipment that is needed to complete a project like this. The width of the access path needs to be 10’-15’ wide to allow room for equipment to navigate the terrain with materials. 5’ wide doesn’t allow room for any equipment. Please increase the access path width.

Construction is limited to a total width of 12', including the structure. The site is bordered by protected plant species, so no extra space is available. Only light equipment may be used on the trail.

7.

1. What is load rating of W. Beach Road & parking lot pavement?

2. Can parking area for staging and storage purposes be moved closer to trail head? This would reduce travel length where potential pavement damage could occur and conflict potential between construction traffic and public traffic.

3. Can parking area for staging and storage purposes be expanded? Say 2x to allow for dumpster space, material laydown, equipment parking, and employee parking.

4. Can access be expanded to West Beach and north end of Succession Trail utilizing temporary ground protection mats so contractors may have access to both ends of boardwalk replacement? This will reduce traffic up and down and potential damage to dunes.

1.The loading rate of W. Beach Road and Parking Lot Pavement is not available.

2.The parking area for staging and storage will stay as shown in the drawings to allow for visitation and public access.

3.The parking area for staging and storage can be doubled from the proposed size.

4.This project permits only a single route, as indicated on drawing sheet C03.

8.

The specs call for anti-slip stair treads for stairs and ramps, and lists Handi-treads as a manufacturer. They supply strips up to 48in long X 3.75” wide (front to back), as well as nosing pieces. The boardwalk and stairs are 6 foot wide, with stair treads being 11inches (front to back / nose to riser). Can we get the expected amount of tread coverage for the anti-slip plates? The manufacturer shows multiple examples. Will the new stairs have full width coverage?.....which would be two anti slip plates at 36” long or a 48” long strip centered? And will the full tread front to back be covered?..... the 11inches, which would require two rows of anti-slip plates X 6ft wide; or

Install one anti-slip per step, measuring at least 48"x3.75", positioned one inch from the nose edge.

Every board on the ramps must have an anti-slip strip. See Section 01 10 00 Page 5 Section B.20.

just a row near the nose of the tread. In short each stair tread could require anywhere from 1 to 4 anti-slip plates depending on expected coverage.

9.

1. Please provide the number of trees and sizes to remove for bidding purposes.

2. Is an SWPPP required?

3. Should contractor account for any silt fencing or erosion control measures? If so, to what extent?

4. Are any Rail Road permitting costs or inspections required by contractor?

5. Do the Superintendent, SSHO and QC Manager need to be 3 separate individuals?

6. 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?

7. Please provide the site visit attendee sign in sheet.

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

9. Does this project require phasing?

10. Is this project tax exempt?

11. When do you anticipate on site work starting?

12. Are third party inspections required?

13. Is permitting required?

14. Are soil boring reports available? If not, it will be assumed that excavation will be clear of rocks and obstructions.

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

1.Trees shall be cut between October 1st to March 31st. One Tree shall be included to be cut down and leave in place with 15 dbh.

Section 01 10 00 Page 5 B.22.

2. There is no SWPPP required for this project.

3.Install Mat along the entire trail to minimize erosion and ground disturbances. See Section 01 10 00 page 4 B.2.

4.The contractor is not responsible for any Railroad permitting costs.

5. The Superintendent and QC Manager can be the same person.

The superintendent must always be on site during construction or coordination.

6.The period of performance shall be reasonable to complete this project including material/equipment lead times.

7. The contracting office will provide a copy of the site visit attendee sign-in sheet. Please see attachment in this amendment.

8. No asbestos or lead are present in this project as there is no paint or coating within the existing structure.

9. This project shall be completed in a single phase.

10. Some portions of this project may be tax exempt but the contractor must ensure that all local, state and federal tax guidance is adhered to, as the contractor is responsible to ensure that they are paying taxes in compliance with those local, state and federal taxes that are not exempt per the tax

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

guidance of the locality, state and federal tax code.

11. Work onsite is not to begin until after Labor Day 2026.

12. No third-party inspections are require for this project.

13. No permits are require for this project.

14. There is no soil reports available for this project.

15.There is no water in this area.

16.No top soil or seeding will be required for this project.

10.

1. To what extent is clearing allowed through the construction limits? Is the contractor allowed to remove all vegetation, including tall trees, through the 12’ wide construction limit, except for trees/shrubs called out in the plans to remain?

Following completion of the proposed work, will any restoration of the cleared areas within the construction limits be required?

2. Can the existing ground be graded prior to placing the scout mats? There are areas that are uneven and slope off that would not allow for placement of the scout mats without prior ground prep.

3. On page 4 of the specifications, it states that the park will provide sand to backfill holes created from the removal of existing posts. Is the park providing hauling to the staging area as well or is the contractor responsible for hauling the material? If the contractor is responsible, please provide a location of the material stockpile.

1.No trees shall be removed in this project except for the tree that will be cut down and leave in place between stations 590+00 – 595+00 and shrub clearing at 655+00. Also, any vegetation under the existing trail can be removed as necessary for appropriate installation. See Section 01 10 00 Page 5 B.22.

2.Grading will be permitted within the boundaries of construction.

3.The contractor must transport material from Mount Baldy, Michigan City, about 18.7 miles from the project site. See Section 01 10 00 Page 4 B.4.

11.

1. Will ground protection mats be installed under the existing boardwalk before demolition or will they be

1.The contractor must install mats within the construction limits next to the boardwalk before beginning any work. Mats placed under the installed within the footprint of the existing boardwalk as demolition progresses?

2. What is the estimated width of the ground protection mats to be installed, or will they be installed in strips for tracked equipment?

3. Tree clearing will be required for access. Are the trees being cleared by the NPS?

4. Can the plate dimensions and fabrication shop drawings be provided for quoting supply?

5. What top of pier elevation should be assumed (frame depth from boardwalk elevation to helical pier cap)?

6. Is there a geotechnical report or soil data available?

7. Will the prefabricated boardwalk installer working at same time as the helical pier installer need to be accommodated? If yes, boardwalk materials will need to be staged as equipment will not be able to pass each other in narrow access.

existing boardwalk are considered the contractor's responsibility as part of their means and methods to minimize and protect the ground surface from disturbance. See Section 01 10 00 Page 4 B.2.

2. See mat specs on 01 10 00 Page 13 Section 1.2A.1. The mats shall be connected together.

3.Only one tree is expected to be remove in this project and the contractor will be responsible for the removal.

4.The plate dimensions and shop drawings shall be provided by the manufacturer for approval before fabrication. See Specs 01 10 00 Page 5 B 16.

5.Top pier elevations vary through the entire project follow Drawing profiles sheets C05-C12.

6.There is no geotechnical report available.

7. The coordination between subcontractors and means and methos are responsibility of the contractor.

12.

1. How many trees exactly are to removed and are there limitations on the trees being removed at this project location?

2. Will NPS staff be removing any trees or vegetation before work on site is to commence.

3.What are the various sizes of the trees to be removed, this is in regard to the first question of how many are to be removed.

1.Only one tree that is expected to be removed as part of this project on the left side of the trail between Stations 590+00-595+00 and a shrub clearing area on the new look out at 655+00.

2.The contractor will be responsible for any clearance or tree removal.

3. One Tree shall be included to be cut down and leave in place with a 15 dbh. Section 01 10 00 Page 5 B.22.

AMENDMENT 0002

Question Added

13.

I was confused about quantity for helical Piles on this job The pile scheduled says 186 piles.

From drawing I am getting 556Piles?

The specifications and drawings do not reference a specific pile schedule number. According to the drawings, there are 440 helical posts at 20' depth and 50 helical posts at 7' depth. The wetland section may require 114 steel plates, while Option 1 includes approximately 90 steel plates. Please note that the final quantities may vary depending on the manufacturer's design and recommendations. Please see the attached addendum to clarify the total amounts and includes a note explaining that these figures are subject to change based on the manufacturer's final input.