Questions_and_Answers_07082021_0007.pdf

Cottonwood Cove Force Main Replacement

140P8121R0011

Submitted Questions: Response #3

1) Is it required that Clark County Water Reclamation review and approve the Governments design drawings? If so, what roll will the contractor be performing on this submittal?

No. Only Nevada Department of Environmental Protection. The NPS water and Sewer system have no ties with Clark County Water Reclamation. Just using their details and specifications.

For the NDEP and Clark County Air Quality, the contractor is responsible for the coordination, preparation, and submission for those permits.

2) It is unclear as to what Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s roll will be in this project and what the contractor’s specific requirements will be in complying with them. It is stated in the specifications that the contractor must submit a permit application to Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for approval. Typically, when an approval is requested from a third party it means they have authority to review the design drawings and make changes which may require modifications to the contract.

The NPS Water and Wastewater system is permitted through the NDEP. Notification to NDEP is needed for the modification of this system. A submittal for a modification to an existing system is needed. The project replaces an existing system so the review should be standard.

3) The provided contract drawings are labeled as “Concept Drawings” and seem to be missing some key details and specifics. Will the Government be providing a 100% design drawing set prior to bid?

This is the final set of plans that will be provided. The project is a performance‐based plan set and not a signed and sealed A/E firm designed set of plans. The alignment is flexible a little bit as it follows the corridor. The contractor has the responsibility of finalizing their alignment within the corridor alignment as shown on the plans. The installation details shall be per the specifications and the contractor.

4) The plans are substantially lacking details regarding points of connection between the new force main and the existing system.

The only connection from the old system to the new system is the begin construction point at the valve near the lift station. Pictures of that valve is shown in the specification. There are no other connections.

5) Details seem to be missing regarding the presence of existing utilities throughout the project. If the contractor exhausts all reasonable methods of locating known utilities and damages an unknown utility, will this be handled as an unforeseen condition?

The contractor should make every attempt to locate utilities as needed. Unforeseen conditions may be addressed at the time on the incident. Nothing can be determined at this time.

6) An HDPE thermal repair patch will be required for the pipe replacement into the pond.

Can a complete set of specifications/drawings be provided for the HDPE pond liner work?

Including the As‐Builts from the original construction?

See the as‐builts plans and the Geomembrane specs for that project.

7) Can a drawing be provided for the work to be completed at the sewer ponds for the existing valves/manhole?

See file CC Lagoon Plans.pdf See Detail C on C22 for the existing structure.

8) Considering the length of the run and elevation changes of the new force main pipe, will mid‐ stream check valves be required? The force main is shown to be installed up a very steep grade, please provide the requirements for any restrained joints, cut‐off walls, etc.… that may be required.

There are no existing check valves in the pipeline that we know of. There are check valves in the valve manhole by the lift station. The contractor shall provide need for the restraints in their proposal.

9) Is the size and type of pipe known from which fire hydrant standpipes are to be capped from?

Unknown. The plans show mostly 8” water mains near the standpipes.

a. Will a detail be provided showing how NPS would like the standpipes to be capped?

No. A detail will not be provided. Standard plumbing shall be used. The contractor may submit to the NPS a standard to be used.

b. Can NPS provide an As‐Built drawing showing how the standpipes can be isolated by existing valves, or will the entire water system need to be shut off while the capping work is taking place?

See Valve Inventory Report showing locations of valves. There are various valves in the water system that may be used to isolate the work. Contractor shall work with the COR to determine the need and which valves can be used. COR will coordinate with the concessionaire to notify the residences. Shutdown of the system to the residences requires notifications to let the residences proper notice.

10) What is specifically to be included within the contractor supplied schematic equipment plans and equipment specifications required by section AA, page 29 of 123.

The NPS wants to know your means and methods of what is planned to be installed. The contractor should submit a schematic of their plans. What type of materials are planned to be installed.

For example: This is a standard specification related to items if this was a water supply line, the contractor would need to show that the components are for Potable water systems and certified lead free before installation.

11) Has a site environmental assessment been performed? It is apparent that hazardous materials do exist as photos included in the solicitation show existing pipe material that is known to contain asbestos (asbestos cement pipe).

No site assessment has been performed. The NPS understands that there are materials out there.

If the contractor does not disturb the materials, they can remain abandoned on site.

12) If hazardous material is encountered will this be handled as an unforeseen condition? If not, what quantity of hazardous material should contractors include in their bids?

The contractor should avoid the materials where possible. If encountered, determination of the unforeseen conditions will be addressed at that time.

13) How far down can the ponds be pumped down as the pipe replacements will likely be substantially intrusive into bank slopes?

See typical sections in the Lagoon Plans.pdf. The water is about 8’ deep in pond 1A and 5’ in pond 1B. The pipes are near the overflow elevation. See picture in Specifications Number 23.

Lowering the sewage elevation in the pond shall be the responsibility of the contractor. The ponds are linked together with drain pipes and overflow structures. Pond 1A is the primary ponds and will have more sludge in it than pond 1B.

14) Is the work to be performed all on Federal Lands?

a. Will encroachment permits be required if any work is not contained within Federal lands?

b. Will the contractor be required to obtain/maintain a contractor license within the state of Nevada or should it be assumed this is exempt on Federal Lands?

All work will be performed on NPS Federal Lands.

No encroachments permits will be needed since all of the work is on NPS lands.

No Nevada contractor license is needed to perform this work.

15) Will variances of estimated quantities be addressed under FAR regulations 52.211‐18 for variances between the schedule of values and the estimated scope quantities identified on page 9 of 83 (1.4 Estimated Scope Quantities)

The schedule of values shown was created after the specifications (page 9) were written. The Page 9 items are approximate items that will need to be verified by the contractor and adjust their proposal accordingly. The contractor may create their own schedule of values to match their proposal.

16) How does the Government intend to analyze fair and reasonable pricing if the Schedule of Values has an undetermined quantity of items within?

Contractor has to determine the quantities for the project. The quantities may vary on the contractors means and methods of doing the work. The values and prices will be compared against the other bids and the Government Estimate to determine reasonable pricing.

17) Is there survey drawing sheet showing the survey coordinates of existing features?

Cannot find one. The ACAD base file came from a previous construction project from 2010‐2011.

18) What is the order of precedence between the NPS design drawings/specifications, NDEP’s drawings/specifications and AWWA?

The Design and Construction Standards for Wastewater Collection Systems and the Uniform Design Construction Standards for Potable Water Systems should be followed first.

Any questions about specifications during construction should be asked of the COR and the NPS Utility Systems Branch.

19) It was indicated that NPS would be responsible for shutdown and startup of the existing lift station during the tie‐in of the new force main to the existing. It is our understanding that the lift station can be down for up to three days. Please confirm if this information is correct.

During the winter off season, the lift station may be turned off. 2‐3 days is a maximum approximation depending on the time of the week and year. There is the wet well and an overflow tank to store water in the system. There are gravity lines coming into the wet well that will back up when levels in the wet well rise.

The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining the levels in the system when the lift station is turned off. If needed, the contractor shall pump out the wet well if delays are encountered and the lift station becomes full or is nearing a spill event.

20) Material pricing is extremely volatile currently. Pleases confirm that contractors should bid this project at current material prices and that NPS will make price adjustments if needed in accordance with FAR 52.216‐4

The project is based on FFP. Material prices needs to be taken into account. FAR 52.216-4 is currently not an option for this contract.

21) Please confirm whether compaction testing will be required in the “off‐site” areas that will not have asphalt surfacing.

The compaction testing is needed in the areas of existing traffic and people to reduce the chance of settling and effecting the traffic. The areas out side of this developed area do not