B08_Att_11_140P8425Q0035_Q-A_0003.pdf

RFQ # 140P8425Q0035

PINN DEMOLISH STRUCTURES OLD FRANCIS HOUSE AND RM OFFICE TRAILER

NPS ANSWERS TO ALL QUESTIONS RECEIVED TO DATE FROM 7/1/2025 & 7/23/2025 SITE

VISITS AND RECEVIED BY CONTRACTING OFFICER VIA PHONE OR EMAIL

GENERAL

1. Radio recommendations/type for communicating for traffic control, large trucks?

Answer: NPS does not have a radio recommendation or suggested type of radio for use inside Pinnacles National Park, as radio and cell service can be inconsistent. A line-of-site/direct channel may prove effective for straightaways during road closures, but results may vary depending on location. NPS will not provide park radios.

2. Are bonds required?

Answer: No, a bid bond is not required with your quote, nor are any bonds required post-award. This project work is considered a commercial service (not construction).

3. Are there any blueprints available regarding this project?

Answer: Blueprints are not available.

4. Coverage for duff/material? Specs for where to get final product. Certified clean fill? Must it match soil type?

Answer: Topsoil should be preserved and set aside. All fill must be from an approved source. NPS can provide a list of sites that have been reviewed. Approved fill must be from a site free of noxious weeds or follow approved quarrying and storage Best Management Practices (BMPs). Once at Pinnacles, fill handling and storage must follow BMPs to minimize the chance of material being left on the soil surface after construction, such as being stored on tarps. Approved fill can be buried if it is capped by 1-2 feet of native topsoil.

5. Water source/fire hydrant for dust control? Hydrant meter? Where to get water?

Answer: Control measures shall be taken to reduce work-site dust generation. The successful contractor may source their own water from outside the park or obtain water free of charge from a hydrant in close proximity to the Old RM Trailer/Bear Gulch, and a Campground hydrant within approximately one mile or less of Francis House. Note: Any water sourced from the park (or brought in from outside) must sit for 24 hours before use or be tested by a park water operator to confirm

RFQ # 140P8425Q0035, Attachment 11, Q-A & Amendment 3 Summary there's no residual chlorine. The concern is introducing chlorinated water into the ecosystem which contains T&E species (CA Red-Legged Frog) and a direct channel to a creek at both sites.

If the successful contractor elects to use in-park water, the NPS will monitor usage to prevent damage, misuse, or unintentional excess release beyond what is needed for filling trucks for dust control and other operational needs. After contract award, NPS and the successful contractor will establish a communication plan regarding hydrant use, including an onsite meeting for the first water load to discuss usage expectations, security protocols, and proper connection procedures.

6. Fire suppression and hot work permit / RM frame may be metal, need cutting?

Answer: If electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, or similar flame or spark-producing operations are planned, it is the responsibility of the contractor to obtain a hot work permit from NPS. These activities shall not be performed under red flag conditions. Fire suppression adequate for the work being performed must be on-site and readily available, with all staff trained in its proper application and use.

7. Is there tree protection required/recommendations for protecting trucks and roots?

Answer: Yes, some trees will need to be protected, either trunk protections or off-limits areas to protect roots indicated by fencing.

8. How “to-grade” and naturalized must sites be (finished product)?

Answer: Sites must blend in with the surrounding grades and not significantly change water flow.

9. Materials provider? Pre-approved source(s)?

Answer: Contractor must submit materials provider to the park to approve. Providers that have been inspected and found free of noxious weeds may be used more or park may approve other providers if they follow approved BMPs.

10. Air quality, building, and demo permits, who bids?

Answer: Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining any necessary permits, with the exception of the Septic System Abandonment Permit which NPS will submit and secure.

11. Can we reserve camp spots (for Contractors)? Can they go through regular reservation process and stay in the campground (RVs, etc.)?

Answer: Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers or others directly or indirectly involved with the project will not be allowed to camp or stay overnight at the construction site. However, affiliated parties may reserve campsites within Pinnacles Campground through the regular reservation process used by the public. These reservations can be made at recreation.gov. Pinnacles Campground is managed by a third-party (concessionaire) and NPS has no control over camp-site availability or bookings. All Pinnacles Campgrounds rules and regulations apply.

12. Do we need to clean trucks and machines between the RM and Francis worksites?

Answer: No.

13. Any issues with noise level, idling, can they use excavators? Time frame for noise restrictions?

Answer: Work activities shall be limited to regular working hours as identified in the Statement of Work (unless upon special written request and NPS approval).

Work activities should not produce noise levels beyond those reasonably expected in the dismantling of structures, operation of heavy equipment, and hauling away of debris.

Whenever practical, extended periods of vehicle idling should be avoided. Equipment and vehicles should not be left to idle past 10 minutes or when unattended.

Excavators of an appropriate size may be utilized, with constraints based on the ability to safely operate and turn around on narrow roadways, the maneuverability in space restricted areas, and without doing damage to resources (other than those being demolished).

14. At night, is there an area for excavators to be stored, plastic they can sit on, or designated parking area?

Answer: Yes, excavators may be stored overnight on-site in nearby staging areas identified by NPS.

Any specific mitigations required (surface area, plastic sheeting, etc.) will be identified by NPS if deemed necessary. Space may be limited in immediate vicinity to project sites. Staging areas shall be flagged and identified by NPS and a map will be provided.

15. Where is the water source would be for filling up water donkeys, is there a hydrant or would we need to take our own?

Answer: See answer to Question #5.

RM OFFICE TRAILER

16. Can vehicles drive down the Bear Gulch Admin Road to the building?

Answer: Yes, but there is a practical limitation on size based on ability to maneuver and turn around.

Also, speed limit of 5 mph MUST be observed in order to avoid vibration damage to masonry structures.

17. How big a truck is permitted to drive down that road?

Answer: Size is limited by ability to maneuver in space restricted area.

18. Can a dumpster be placed at that location; and how big?

Answer: Yes, but because of limited space only a small dumpster is permitted—i.e., no larger than 20 yards.

19. What kind of scarification are we looking for? (referring to the final appearance, post-demolition)

Answer: Sites must blend in with the surrounding grades and not significantly change water flow.

20. Are we (contractors) disconnecting power inside the panel?

Answer: No, the NPS will be disconnecting power inside the panel.

21. Are we removing all utility boxes?

Answer: Yes, contractors will remove unused utility boxes from demolished properties.

22. Any vehicle restrictions on RM Trailer road?

Answer: Must not exceed 5 mph speed limit. Restricted space limits maneuverability, and vehicles must not drive off the road into adjacent natural areas.

23. What’s the fill material (in park), and where is it located?

Answer: Rocky debris and sand removed from road crossings may be available at Chalone Maintenance Yard or Pinnacles Bottomlands (sites approximately 1-2 miles from project sites).

24. Are bollards being removed?

Answer: Yes, bollards (and attached footings) outside Old RM Trailer are to be removed.

25. During a recent site visit to the Resource Management (RM) Office Trailer #207, we observed that the existing sewer line appears to run downhill toward the building, indicating that it may be part of a shared system connected to a facility located upslope of the trailer site and potentially continuing downslope to another structure.

The SOW (Part 1 – General Information) states that all below-ground utilities shall be “cut off 12 inches below ground at transition point,” and that wastewater piping shall be “properly disconnected and/or capped to prevent any future use.” However, it is unclear whether the intent is to fully remove the existing sewer piping from the site or simply disconnect and abandon in place per code.

Request for Clarification: Please confirm whether the existing sewer line at the RM Office site is to be:

• Fully removed back to the property line or main connection point, or

• Disconnected and capped at the nearest appropriate location and abandoned in place in accordance with San Benito County Environmental Health requirements.

Answer: Fully removed back to the property line or main connection point.

FRANCIS HOUSE

26. Does the miscellaneous debris need to be removed as well (camper-shell, machine parts, crushed shed, telephone pole, fencing)?

Answer: All miscellaneous debris shall be removed EXCEPT well-house, telephone pole, and any fencing that has grown into trees. Wire fencing that has grown into trees shall be cut as flush to attachment point at tree as possible without impacting tree surface or creating hazard. The gate that has been partially enveloped by a tree shall remain intact.

27. Does the small well-house/pump need to be demolished/removed?

Answer: Well-house, well, and pump shall NOT be removed. The NPS will cordon off this structure before project begins.

28. Where is the septic tank?

Answer: The location of the septic tank at the Francis House location is unknown. Refer to Question # 31 for additional information.

29. What material is the septic tank made of?

Answer: Septic tank construction material is unknown. It is believed to be either redwood or concrete.

Refer to Question # 31 for additional information.

30. What is the capacity of the septic tank?

Answer: Septic tank capacity is unknown. Refer to Question # 31 for additional information.

31. Request clarification on the Scope of Work concerning the septic tank and who is responsible for what.

Answer: The successful contractor shall provide means and methods necessary to locate and fill existing septic tank. Existing tank size is unknown but is suspected to be constructed of concrete and/or redwood. Assume 1200-gallon volume requiring fill in conformance with Statement of Work.

Locate tank with non-destructive means such as ground penetrating radar or sewer pipe utility locating methods. Any potholing plan shall be submitted for park review prior to any excavation.

Tank shall be safely exposed in order to fill and abandon in place. Cover filled tank with stockpiled existing soil or as otherwise approved by the Statement of Work and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative. Restore surfaces per Statement of Work.

Work shall be performed in accordance with best industry practices and in substantial conformance with the requirements of the San Benito County Environmental Health Department. The NPS shall submit and secure the required Septic System Abandonment Permit. The Contractor will be named on the permit as the entity responsible for the septic tank decommissioning work; complying with permit, completing pumping, disconnection, and filling of the tank per county approved methods, and coordinating with County for any required inspections. Upon completion, documentation of proper abandonment shall be provided to the NPS, including any county inspection records, contractor pumping receipts, and final site photos.

32. What kind of equipment/size is permitted to drive into the work area, where can it be staged?

Answer: Excavators and trucks of an appropriate size may be utilized, with constraints based on the ability to safely operate and turn around on narrow roadways, the maneuverability in space restricted areas, and without doing damage to resources (other than those being demolished). Contractor to verify. Because of limited space only a small dumpster is permitted—i.e., no larger than 20 yards.

Staging is limited due to physical space restrictions and areas of resource concern, but some equipment will be permitted to be staged on site. Material piles or equipment/vehicles that would go beyond the approved staging-footprint need to be placed at another nearby location, determined by NPS. Roads must be kept clear for emergency access when equipment is not in use or attended by a trained operator. Staging areas shall be flagged and identified by NPS and a map will be provided.

33. Is there an engineer estimate (budget range)?

Answer: While there is an independent government estimate associated with this project we are unable to disclose that information or provide a budget range for this project. Rather, quoters are expected to submit competitive quotes based on their own calculations to meet the project requirements stated in the Statement of Work and other Solicitation documents.

34. Where is the water shutoff to the building?

Answer: The water shutoff to the Old RM Trailer is in close proximity to the building in a standard, below-ground utility box. NPS is attempting to locate the water shutoff to Francis House, however the current location is unknown. Therefore, quoters should assume it will be necessary for the successful contractor to locate the water shutoff to Francis House.

35. Are the satellite dishes (large and small) to be removed? Fence?

Answer: Satellite dishes (large and small) and associated fencing shall be removed.

36. How far back on the electric pole will power be disconnected?

Answer: NPS, in coordination with the utility provider, will disconnect the power at the pole closest to the Francis House prior to the demolition work. That pole will be removed by the contractor. The existing powerline will be taken back and snubbed at the next power pole SE of the Francis House;

this work will be completed by NPS and the utility provider prior to the demolition. The telephone pole at Francis House shall not be removed.

37. Do you have more pictures of the site...primarily the additional "minor structures" and "fences" mentioned in the SOW - Site 2 Francis House?

Answer: Yes, see Attachment 12: B08 Att_12_140P8425Q0035_Photos.pdf

38. During a recent site visit, we observed that the electric meter at the Francis House remains active and appears to have live power. However, the Scope of Work states only that “utilities will be turned off by the National Park Service (NPS)” in reference to the RM Office Trailer. There is no explicit mention in the SOW regarding disconnection or shutoff procedures for the Francis House electrical service.

Request for Clarification: Please confirm the following:

a. Will the National Park Service coordinate the disconnection and shutoff of electrical power to the Francis House with the utility company, as stated for the RM Office Trailer?

b. If not, is the contractor responsible for coordinating and ensuring the electrical service is de-energized prior to commencing demolition activities?

Answer: Yes, the NPS will coordinate the disconnection and shutoff of electrical power to the Francis House with the utility company, as similarly stated for the RM Office Trailer.

39. Do boulders and bush grass (landscaping) outside Old RM Trailer need to be preserved?

Answer: NPS staff will remove the landscaping vegetation prior to the demolition project.

Boulders on-site shall be moved by contractor and placed in an out-of-the-way location in proximity to the work area. They must be retained and kept in their current condition and placed in an area where they are retrievable for NPS future use.

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