Att 14_140P8419R0013_Additional Q-A_0003.pdf

SOLICITATION NO. 140P8419R0013

REPAIR RAW WATER SUPPLY AND INTAKE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR

THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM,

OREGON CAVES NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE,

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RECEIVED 12/4/2019 TO DATE:

Question 43:

Under section 31 05 16 2.2 B “Bank Run Gravel for Trench Backfill” requires a gradation and sand equivalent however; on the drawings sheet C08 detail A ( note 2 ) it states that trench backfill can be native material except as directed by the COR.

Native material unsuitable for backfill can be replaced with trench bank run gravel. If native material is allowed for trench backfill; does it need to meet a gradation and sand equivalent?

NPS Response: The intent is to use native material for nearly all backfill except where the backfill is not suitable (such as pulverized bedrock or use of organic material such as wood chips, etc.). The contractor should sort/sieve onsite to test the material before backfill.

Question 44:

Under section 02 05 10 3.2 A. 4. “Existing Plants and Features” states, Do not use heavy equipment within branch spread.

Please consider changing language to allow heavy equipment to be used within branch spread at the discretion of the COR.

Many trees branches overhang the new 20 foot waterline right of way.

NPS Response: Contractor will need to work with NPS natural resources staff to determine work plan. Contractor is allowed to work along the 20’ wide right of way. NPS recognizes that some trees and branches will be damaged or need to be cut down to facilitate construction. However, steps should be taken to minimize damage to branches and trees. Trees less than 30cm (12in) can be removed within the 20’ corridor.

Question 45:

Under section 01 11 00 - Part 1.3 B “Construction Time Period” it states, The project time period shall be sixty (60) calendar days following notice to proceed however;

section F.2 – FAR 52.211-10 – Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (Apr 1984) part ( c ) of the solicitation states, “complete the entire work ready for use not later than 120 days following receipt of the notice to proceed. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.” Please clarify the time of completion ? If the time of completion is 120 days are those calendar days or working

RFP No. 140P8419R0013, Attachment No. 14, Additional Q-A days ?

NPS Response: 120 calendar days after issuance of notice to proceed document.

Question 46:

Section 31 23 33 - Part 1.8 B states, “Contracting Officer will direct the performance of hand excavation if any, within areas that are considered as sensitive by the NPS.”

Please clarify areas that are considered as sensitive by the NPS ?

Provide revised construction drawings indicating the limits of sensitive areas.

NPS Response: Sensitive areas include the three creek areas. Hand excavation is not necessarily required. Contractor should provide a submittal of how to mitigate sediments entering wetland area from excavation, such as horizontal boring or other less invasive procedures. Methods must adhere to Section 404 permit instructions.

There are also some areas in which the slope is high, which may make machine excavation difficult.

NPS will not mark these sections on the map, as the creek crossings are already noted and a topographical map can give the contractor an idea of where slopes are exceedingly steep.

Question 47:

Section 31 23 33 - Part 1.9 A states, “Based on site soil excavation/observations, groundwater is not anticipated to be encountered on this project. However, the Contractor shall be responsible for the control, removal, and disposal of any groundwater that may be encountered in the course of excavating and backfilling trenches, placing pipe, or constructing any other improvements associated with this project.”

If no geo-technical report was available, it can be assumed none was performed. How can the Contractor be responsible for the control, removal, and disposal of any groundwater that may be encountered in the course of excavating and backfilling trenches, placing pipe, or constructing any other improvements associated with this project ? Please clarify areas where control, removal, and disposal of any groundwater may be encountered ?

Please indicate these locations on the construction drawings.

NPS Response: Groundwater is most likely to found near the four creeks noted on sheet G02. If groundwater is unexpectedly found at other locations requiring additional cost to manage and remove, the contractor can request an equitable adjustment.

Question 48:

Please provide additional information for the new water connection outside the Diversion Box. Please provide additional details on the existing type of watermain pipe at the Diversion Box. Please provide additional details on removing and replacing the existing valve at the existing Diversion Box.

NPS Response: A presolicitation site visit was announced and conducted on Nov 20, 2019. No further details regarding the diversion box and connection will be given other than what is already in the packet. The trail to the diversion box is currently covered with snow making access to it difficult.

Question 49:

Detail E “MAIN FILLING” on sheet C09 shows a hydrant on existing main however;

there is no hydrant on the existing main. Provide additional detail on main filling.

NPS Response: Disregard the detail on C09. The water is non-potable, it does not need to be flushed with potable water, disinfected, or tested for bacterial.

Question 50:

Section 01 11 00 -1.3 C “Storage of Materials” Confines storage of materials to within construction limits. We request material storage to be allowed in the landing area on the East side of Fire Escape Road FS960. This was the contractor vehicle parking location for the pre-bid site visit watermain alignment walk through. In addition, we request material storage be allowed at the existing water storage tank location above the Oregon Caves Chateau.

NPS Response: Every effort will be made to accommodate a convenient storage and staging locations. However, during construction, NPS is conducting another considerable construction project at Oregon Caves NM; therefore, coordinating efforts for staging areas and storage may involve two general contractors. NPS cannot commit to exact locations for storage and staging at this time.

Question 51:

Section 01 11 00 - 1.3 D. 1. states, “Prevent damage to natural surroundings. Restore damaged areas, repairing or replacing damaged trees and plants, at no additional expense to the Government.” Define the limits of damaged areas? i.e. beyond the limit of the 20 foot construction easement ( 10 foot on either side of the existing waterline ) ?

Show limits on construction drawings. Provide contour drawings showing elevations of finish grades/contours along new water main alignment.

Define repair of damage trees ? Provide contract specification for tree damage repair.

Provide specification on plant repair ? If plants must be replaced provide plant replacement specifications? i.e. a list of plants to be replaced. Provide a specification on the method of replacement. Will a plant establishment period beyond the contract warranty period be required ? If so, what is the duration of the plant establishment period ? Define the scope of work for the plant establishment period if required.

NPS Response: NPS will not provide a topo map and will not mark the 20’ corridor on the drawings. NPS will not provide further specifications for plant replacement other than what is currently in Section 31 23 00.

The contractor should make an effort to leave felled trees in place or moved slightly to accommodate a natural degradation away from the trail. Contractor will not be required to re-plant trees, re-seed, or re-vegetate. NPS may require the contractor to mulch the felled trees in places in order to cover the ground to prevent soil erosion or aesthetically treat recently disturbed earth.

For damage that is done to trees and vegetation outside the corridor, NPS will determine a damage report that monetarily quantifies the damage that the contractor will be required to pay. Once again, this is damage to trees outside of the corridor.

Question 52:

Section 01 11 00 - 1.3 D. 2. Provide temporary barriers to protect existing trees and plants and root zones. Define the limits of trees to be protected with temporary barriers?

Show limits on construction drawings. Provide a specification on tree protection barriers.

Types of material to used, construction methods and barriers inspection. Provide a specification on root zone protection.

NPS Response: Trees in the corridor can be damaged, but special consideration should be made not to damage 30cm (12 in) or larger trees as these are habitats for horned owls. No need to install temporary barriers for protecting trees within the 20’ corridor. No specification will be provided for root zone protection.

Question 53:

Section 01 11 00 - 1.3 D. 3. Do not remove, injure, or destroy trees or other plants without prior approval. Consult with Contracting Officer and remove agreed-on roots and branches that interfere with construction. Define the limits of trees to be removed? Show limits on construction drawings. Define the limits of plants to be removed? Show limits on construction drawings.

NPS Response: No further guidance will be provided until contract is awarded.

Question 54:

Section 01 73 40 – 3.3 A. requires contractor to verify layout information shown on Drawings, in relation to the existing benchmarks and section 01 73 40 – 3.3 B requires the contractor to Establish benchmarks and control points to set lines of construction and elsewhere as needed to locate each element of Project.

Please provide CADD files to verify layout information shown on Drawings, in relation to the existing benchmarks.

NPS Response: NPS can provide CADD drawings after contract award.

Question 55:

Section 01 73 23 – 1.1 A states, “NPDES Phase II regulations expand the existing General Permit requirements under Phase I to include/regulated discharges from construction sites that disturb land equal to or greater than one (1) acre and less than five

(5) acres, known as Small Construction Activity.”

Will the total area of disturbance for the project be calculated as follows: 7,980 L.F.

multiplied by 20 feet (ten foot each side of the existing water line) (EQUALS 159,600

SQUARE FEET? 3.664 ACRES) ?

NPS Response: Planned disturbance area is under 5 acres. It is possible that construction could be confined to under an acre. Assessment of disturbed land will be made after contract award and with input from the contractor and NPS.

Question 56:

Does the National Park Service have their NPDES permit or section 404 of the Clean Water Act for this project ?

NPS Response: NPS is in the process of attaining Section 404 permit.

Question 57:

Does the National Park Service have their State of Oregon, Department of Environmental Quality permit for this project ? For the contractor of record to provide a SWPPP as required by section 01 57 23 – 1.3 B; a permit from the State of Oregon, Department of Environmental Quality must be in place.

NPS Response: Yes, NPS has a DEQ permit. Permit will be shared with successful contractor upon contract award.

Question 58:

Spec section 01 40 00 -1.5.B states that the contractors Quality Control Supervisor must be onsite at all times contract work is ongoing and that they can’t have any other duties. Just want to verify that the government is going to require a full time superintendent and a full time QC Supervisor on site at all times? Or could the superintendent serve as both the QC and the superintendent? Please advise.

NPS Response:

The QC Supervisor can also be the assigned superintendent.

Question 59:

See specification section 01 27 00 – G “Connection to Existing Main,” of DEFINITION OF CONTRACT LINE ITEMS. This price item consists of providing all labor, materials and equipment required to install the connect the installed water main lines to the existing system to restore the system to a fully functional condition. Please correct sentence structure. In addition, there is only one (1) new water main. We are installing a water main line not water main lines.

NPS Response:

Corrected sentence structure shall read as follows: This price item consists of providing all labor, materials and equipment required to connect the installed water main line to the existing system to restore the system to a fully functional condition.

Yes, there is only one water main line.

Question 60:

Attachment 1 “Contract Bid Schedule” CLIN 7“ Connection to existing main” has quantity of 2 and a unit of measure each but attachment 9 “ connect to existing water main” shows one new water main connecting to an existing water main. Which of the two existing water mains are we connecting to?

NPS Response:

There is only one water main connection for this project. A revised Bid Schedule is provided with this Amendment showing a quantity of 1 for CLIN 7 (see attachment Att 01_140P8419R0013_Contract Bid Schedule_revised.pdf).

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