Attachment_7_Contractor_Questions_and_Clarifications_0001.pdf

IFB #140P8324B0002, Install Hoh Fiber Optic Cable Olympic N.P.

Attachment 7: Clarifications

Clarifications for Solicitation #140P8324B0002

This document provides clarifications to Attachment 1, Specifications, and Attachment 2, Drawings, based on queries submitted during the solicitation phase and/or raised during the site visit. The responses are incorporated into the contract.

1. You note that alignment of the new fiber conduit roughly follows the existing water line.

What is the material and depth of the water line?

“As Constructed” 1962 record drawings for the water system (Attachment 8) indicate the presence of asbestos cement and cast iron pipe for the 6” diameter main distribution system throughout the project area; plan and profile drawings can be used to estimate depth of bury. Smaller diameter building service lines may be galvanized steel. Some sections of pipe may have been replaced with PVC after the original construction.

2. Are there places to park a recreational vehicle (RV) while working on this project?

Three RV trailer pads will full hookups (electric, sewer, and water) are expected to be available for contractor use in the park housing area starting October 1, 2024. Current non-federal occupant rate is $634.99/month, or $21.15/day, for each trailer pad.

Occupancy shall be billed for the entire period between when a trailer pad is initially occupied to when it is fully vacated, within the contract period of performance. Rates are for informational purposes and may be subject to change. A bill of collection will be issued to the contractor at the end of the project, for housing payment independent of the construction contract.

3. Are we allowed to park a job trailer or field office onsite, and is there decent satellite internet connectivity?

Yes, a contractor may choose to establish a field office; see Section 01 00 00, paragraph

1.8 A. Field Offices, General for general requirements. The field office may be located in the designated material and equipment staging area (between the Ranger Station and Maintenance Shop), or there may be space available within the housing area; coordinate exact location with the contracting officer. Initial investigation into the design of this project indicated that the housing area has the greatest potential for strong Starlink satellite internet connectivity when using the proper equipment.

4. Will we need to arrange for a private utility locate?

The Government does not have the ability to provide utility locates within the Hoh Rain Forest. We recommend planning for a private utility locate to identify existing utilities prior to trenching. Contractor shall be responsible for locating and preventing damage to known utilities. If damage occurs, repair utility at no additional expense to the Government.

5. Are there any restrictions on timing for above-ambient noise? We anticipate using a vac truck in some areas due to the presence of many and/or shallow utilities.

Section 01 00 00, paragraph 1.2 D. Work Hours identifies work hours ranging from 7 am to 5:30 pm. In general, please consider delaying the start of noise-generating activities that maybe particularly loud and/or long in duration (e.g., vac truck operations) until after 8 am due to the campground’s proximity to the work site.

6. On Sheet C7, for the new 6-port ST fiber patch panel in the Maintenance Shop, where do you want this to be located?

The existing penetrations shown on the exterior wall of the Maintenance Shop in the photo on Sheet C7 enter the building above the ceiling of the office space, in the attic.

Contractor shall route the cable through a new penetration in the ceiling of the office space to terminate the fiber at a new patch panel wall-mounted in the upper northwest corner of the Maintenance Shop, as indicated by the red starred location in the image below.

7. I have a question regarding the type of fiber cable that will be used. The following is based on specification section 27 13 23 – 2.2 – Fiber optic cable (Page 37). Section B asks for a Loose tube, gel-free, 12 fiber, all-dielectric design (no metallic component) requiring no grounding or bonding during installation or splicing, and Tensile strength shall be achieved using a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) central member and / or aramid yarns. Section C: Mechanical Construction asks for a Yellow jacketed fiber optic cable for duct/conduit installation shall include locatable central strength member (or approved equivalent), water-swellable tape, buffer tubes/fibers, ripcord, high tensile strength, all-dielectric cable, UV-stabilized polyethylene jacket, or equivalent.

Specification C seems to ask for 2 different items – a locatable strength member and then an all-dielectric cable. For clarification, is the cable intended to be all dielectric (no metal)? If future location is the purpose of the metallic strength member, a tracer wire could be installed along with the di-electric cable where it travels in underground conduit.

The park’s preference is for an all-dielectric (no metallic component) fiber optic cable;

the reference to a “locatable” central strength member in paragraph C may be disregarded. Per Section 27 05 43, paragraph 2.4 A. 4., all conduit shall be installed with magnetic 3” wide detectable metallic warning tape so that the buried conduit with fiber optic cable can be detected and located in the future.

8. Would a standard black UV rated jacketed cable be acceptable with yellow cable identification tagging in lieu of the yellow jacketed cable?

Yes, the UV-stabilized polyethylene outer jacket color may be black in accordance with most optical fiber cables rated for outdoor environments; the requirement for a “yellow” jacketed cable may be disregarded.

9. The contract documents recommend trenching in the previous ditch line of the water line installation. What is the depth of the existing water main? When excavating next to a water main with high probability the water main could be exposed due to this methodology, it could expose a risk of blowout with side pressure ground material not present as excavation is in process. Can we deviate from the existing ditch line if needed?

The depth of the existing water main varies by location, but Attachment 8 may be used to estimate the bury depth. The intent behind following the existing water line trench is to minimize the amount of new ground disturbance caused by trenching. However, trenching for installation of new conduit may be offset by approximately ∓ 1.5 feet from the water line, or as needed to avoid obstacles such as shallow water line, other utilities, mature tree root systems, or similar. In accordance with Section 01 00 00, paragraph 1.9 A., the contractor shall submit complete record drawings showing marked changes, deletions, and additions to show actual construction conditions upon completion of the project.

10. At the Weather Station Electrical connect, are both Electrical and Fiber conduits going to be plumbed into the same vault? Noted on print, states to set 14x19x12 HDPE pull box at base of post.

Both the electrical and fiber conduits are anticipated, but not required, to pass through the HDPE pull box at the base of post. The fiber conduit should transition from 4” horizontal conduit to 2” vertical conduit in the pull box. The 1” electrical conduit may pass through the pull box as it is anticipated both conduits will be in the same trench, and both conduits must run vertically up the post to penetrate the NEMA 3 lockable enclosure.

However, it is not required that the 1” electrical conduit be plumbed into pull box vault at the base of the post.

11. At the site walk site it was communicated the requested time for construction is October time frame. Contract – Sol_140P8324B002 Section 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion or work states to be completed no later than 120 Calendar Days after receipt of Notice to Proceed.

In accordance with Section 01 00 00, paragraph 1.2 C., onsite work activity that produces above-ambient noise shall not commence prior to October 1, 2024 due to bird nesting activities. Utility locates, staging of some materials and equipment, or other preparatory activities that do no produce above-ambient noise may occur prior to October 1 with permission from the Contracting Officer. In accordance with Section 01 00 00, paragraph

1.5 B., all listed Division 01 submittals must be provided to the Contracting Officer before the pre-construction conference is held, which must occur before the written Notice to Proceed is issued. We do not anticipate scheduling the pre-construction conference until August 2024.