PINNACLES NATIONAL

PARK

Rehabilitate Bear Valley School Foundation

PMIS No. 331043

SOLICITATION NO. 140P8426R0001

AMENDMENT NO. 3

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PACIFIC WEST REGION

Solicitation 140P8426R0001, Attachment 7, Q-A & Amendment 3

SITE VISIT SUMMARY:

Pre-proposal site visit meetings were conducted on April 13 and April 23, 2026 at 10am.

Participants met at the Pinnacles National Park, Bear Valley School, near Hollister, California.

The project scope was reviewed at the meeting and potential contractors were given an opportunity to review the site. Questions asked during the site visit were requested to be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer. Questions submitted are answered below. The site visits concluded after approximately two hours.

PROJECT QUESTIONS RECEIVED VIA EMAIL:

1. Please confirm the required extent of stem wall versus footing-only at the porch north, south, and east sides, and provide a clarifying plan note, revised detail, or written direction as appropriate. If a stem wall is required at all four sides of the porch perimeter, please confirm the top-of-stem-wall elevation and any reinforcing requirements not currently detailed at those locations.

Answer: The intent per S101.1 is for perimeter foundation and stem walls all around as identified on this plan sheet. Detailing and reinforcing shall conform with foundation sections on S511.1. Porch return walls each side (plan north and south) between Grids A & B shall similar to 6/S511.1. Top of stem walls and bottom of foundations shall conform with notes provided S101.1.

2. Specification Section 01 11 00, Paragraph 1.5.H states: “Establishment of a camp within park will not be permitted.” Given the remote location of Pinnacles National Park and the compressed four-month performance period (07/20/2026 – 11/17/2026), will NPS consider permitting a temporary, self-contained construction camp (e.g., modular units or similar incombustible accommodations) within or immediately adjacent to the park boundary for the duration of the performance period? If no exception to the camp prohibition is available, what worker lodging alternatives does NPS recommend or recognize as acceptable in the vicinity of Pinnacles National Park? Specifically: (a) Are there NPS-approved or preferred lodging facilities within a reasonable commute distance of the Bear Valley School project site? (b) Is there a designated area within the park where workers may park recreational vehicles or personal campers overnight as an alternative?

Answer: There are no exceptions to the park’s policy that contractors may not camp or establish temporary residential units in the park. Contractors may stay at the concession operated Pinnacles Campground, with reservations made through Recreation.gov. Motel lodging is available in Hollister or King City. Other lodging options such as RV parking may be available in or near these cities.

3. Section 07 21 00 Thermal Insulation specifies mineral-wool blanket insulation at the floor assembly and requires the installer to post a certification listing the R-value installed in each element of the building thermal envelope. However, neither the specification nor the construction drawings appear to call out a specific required R-value for the floor insulation assembly. The detail callouts on sheets A600.1 and S511.1 reference "new mineral wool batt insulation between framing, contractor to provide supports" without specifying a thickness or R-value. Please confirm the required R-value for the mineral wool batt insulation to be installed between floor framing members at the Bear Valley School crawl space. This information is required to select the correct product, determine material quantities, and complete the installer certification required by Section 07 21 00.

Answer: Insulation shall be mineral wool unfaced batt insulation, R-30 minimum, approximately 7” in thickness.

4. Please confirm whether a mechanical connection between the existing rim joist and floor joists and the new PT 2x8 sill plate is required as part of the Phase 1 scope of work. If so, please provide the connection detail including fastener type, size, and spacing.

Answer: Where Phase 2 sheathing does not show a direct nailed connection to Phase 1 sill plate, the rim or blocking shall receive A35 clips at 24 inches on center max (or one each bay between floor joists) between blocking and sill.

Where Phase 2 sheathing is directly fastening to Phase 1 sill plate, no additional connection is required during Phase 1.

5. Please confirm whether a proposed beam pocket approach — 10”×10” formed openings in the new concrete stem wall at the east and west sides of the building — is acceptable as the method for lifting beam removal after the building is lowered onto the new foundation. Please provide the structural engineer’s direction for rebar continuity across the beam pocket openings, including any required trimmer bars, hooks, or development length requirements at each side of the opening. Please confirm the preferred location of the beam pockets along the north and south stem walls relative to the anchor bolt layout and holdown locations, so that contractor can coordinate placement with the formwork and rebar installation in advance of the concrete pour.

Answer: The NPS appreciates the effort offerors take in reviewing the solicitation plans and specifications to prepare adequate proposals. The NPS cannot review construction means and methods during the pre-proposal RFI process. During construction, shoring and leveling of the building must be performed using industry standard means and methods appropriate for achieving the scope of work for the project. The contractor is expected to submit a shoring and leveling plan, after award, prior to construction. The NPS will review and approve accordingly prior to construction. The contractor is expected to coordinate the shoring plan with all components and site constraints including but not limited to hold-down anchors, sill anchors, tree roots, foundation reinforcing etc. The contractor will be required to propose detailing for closing any proposed block out areas (pockets) in the foundation utilized for shoring beam locating, access etc. Offerors must account for adequate building shoring in their proposals with respect to site specific constraints such as tree roots and concrete beams over tree roots etc. Shoring and leveling of the building is the scope of the contractor. Neither the NPS nor the design structural engineer of record will provide design input on the shoring or leveling means and methods.

6. Please confirm that the full Contracting Officer's Field Office as specified in Section 01 50 00, Paragraphs 2.2.B and 2.3.C — including the minimum 300 sq. ft. structure, interior partition, restroom, and complete furnishings — is a firm requirement for this contract. Offerors need this confirmation in order to account for this cost properly in their proposals.

Answer: The Contracting Officer’s Field Office as specified in section 01 50 00 is not required for this project. Omit sections 01 50 00 Part 2.2B, 2.3B, 2.3C, 3.2A, 3.2B, 3.2C, and 3.3B.

7. It’s not clear on the plan if the shear panel gets installed on the inside or the outside.

The plan does not show how to construct. Both interior and exterior have finishes in place. Or is the shear part of phase 2 and in this phase only the hold down anchors get installed in the new footing?

Answer: Plywood shear paneling is part of Phase 2. Reference structural details and notes for clarity on components required as part of the Phase 1 scope of work.

8. Does the scope require us to dig out the crawl space so there is 18” clearance from top of the dirt to the bottom of the floor joists under the building?

Answer: Yes, scope includes excavation of the crawl space to provide 18” clearance throughout.

9. Is a full open crawl space required?

Answer: Yes, scope includes excavation of the crawl space to provide 18” clearance throughout.

10. Are there any issues with blocking out portions of the footings where the beams go through the building?

Answer: Reference shoring related answer provided in previous question 5.

11. If the crawl space does not get dug out, do we need to backfill the tunnels we dig for the beams being that the clearance is less than a body could fit into?

Answer: The scope includes excavation of the crawl space to provide 18” clearance throughout.

12. It’s not clear on the plan at what exact point the sewer gets disconnected. Please clarify.

Answer: Reference civil plan C100.1. Expectation is removal of the existing sewer within the limits of disturbance, approximately three feet away from new foundation extent.

13. There is conflicting information on the plan regarding the plywood at the area of the tree root protection. Detail 3 on A-600.1 calls for fire retardant sheathing. Floor sheathing note on S101.1 specifically asks for ¾” t&g Sturd-I- floor.

Answer: Intent is for Sturd-I-Floor to be used in floor sheathing locations. The fire treated plywood is used to enclose framing at the open air areas at the tree root protection near grids 2 & C.

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