B08_Attachment_10_Q_As_Responses_2025-08-22_0002.pdf

Great Basin National Park (GRBA) Lehman Cave Lighting, Electrical, and

Telecommunications System Replacement/Upgrade

140P8525R0015

Responses from NPS/AE dated 8/22/2025.

1. Would the NPS consider the use of an Armored Cable (Tek90 or similar) in lieu of the Planned/Specified SS Rigid Conduit inside the cave system?

a. Response: A flex type insulated power cable with salient characteristics as specified in Section 2.2 Part 2.f of the 260519 Low-Voltage Electrical Power

Conductors and Cables specification is intended to be the primary feeder/branch circuit used throughout the cave system to minimize impact to the environment. Samples of Southwire SPEC 45201 (armored) and 45052

(non-armored) are examples of this feeder type that were tested in the cave to confirm they do not introduce new fungal or bacterial growth within the cave system. Products like the submitted Tek90 power cable or similar will be reviewed during the submittal stage and samples will need to be similarly tested in the cave. SS Rigid conduit is only intended to be used in the cave for long straight runs like the entry and exit tunnels, trail crossing chases, and also exterior to the cave entry/exit where exposed prior to transition to underground. For locations in the cave where multiconductor cable nor traditional straight SS rigid conduit runs are practical, LFMC type shall be used. Prior to start of work, detailed routing shall be developed by the contractor in coordination with NPS as noted in the conduit routing plan general notes on sheets E0.5 and E0.6 and coversheet notes 20 and 21.

2. Do the Superintendent, SSHO, and QC Manager need to be three separate individuals?

a. Response: The QC should be separate individual. SSHO and Superintendent may be Combined.

3. Are there any phasing requirements for work within the cave or Visitor Center?

a. Response: No. There work in the visitor center is limited to the telecommunication connection, and any coordination for power shutdown associated with replacement of the Cave service equipment (independent from the VC with the exception of the transformer).

4. If the Visitor Center remains occupied during construction, how many occupants will be present, and will public cave tours continue during the project?

a. Response: The Visitor Center will remain open/occupied by park staff for admin (approximately 20 people) during construction. The Visitor Center impacts are limited to connection to the telecommunication line for the cave, and coordination for shutdown if needed for temporary shut-off of power at the main distribution. The electrical distribution for the cave is independent (besides the transformer) from the VC distribution.

No cave tours will occur during construction. The Visitor center will be closed to visitors during construction and there will be no visitors entering the building.

5. Are there any temporary heating/cooling requirements for the Visitor Center or other facilities during construction?

a. Response: See answer 4. There should not be any impacts to the HVAC for the VC during construction.

6. Can the period of performance be extended after award once material/equipment lead times are confirmed due to current market conditions?

a. Response: Plan on period of performance as stated in the solicitation.

7. Are soil boring or geotechnical reports available for the construction laydown and trenching areas? If not, can we assume excavation will be clear of rocks/obstructions beyond those shown in the documents?

a. Response: No bores are available, reference contract documents for site conditions. The intent is for the contractor to locate and remove the existing feeder and the new feeder will be provided along the same path.

Modifications for the trench may be required with some rock, but is anticipated to follow the existing pathway. This is intended to route along perimeter of pad and stone wall the extent possible. Limited cutting / patching anticipated at the pad near the service equipment. Not anticipating any major excavation (rock cutting or blasting).

See photos below for additional information in addition to Sheet E.05 Site plan for more information.

Yellow highlighted area indicates area requiring potential cutting needs.

Red line indicates proposed conduit routing based on understanding of potential existing routing.

If contractor verifies alternative routing with reduced impact (based on intention to follow existing routing), an alternate route may be proposed by the awarded contractor.

8. Please provide bidding quantities for any deteriorated paving base course in areas where saw cuts or trenching through visitor pathways are required.

a. Response: At the exterior, we are not anticipating crossing of any visitor paving/asphalt areas. There is an existing opening at the wall where it transitions to surface mounted where it will enter the exit tunnel for the power routing as shown in details #1 & 3/E0.7. For the telecom routing it is intended to be surface mounted along the canopy as indicated in details #2

& #4/E0.7. At the interior of the cave, specific routes along pathways are identified. Refer to Sheets E0.5 and E0.6.

9. Please confirm whether asbestos or lead-based materials are present in the work areas, and provide relevant documentation if applicable.

a. Response: None are known to exist.

10. Please provide the contact information for the building controls contractor for the Visitor Center.

a. Response: Visitor Center is outside of the scope of the project. For access to secured equipment for exterior distribution, Park Maintenance will be the point of contact.

11. Please provide the contact information for the building fire alarm contractor for the Visitor Center.

a. Response: Visitor Center is outside of the scope of the project, including Fire

Alarm modifications. For access to secured equipment for exterior distribution, Park Maintenance will be the point of contact.

12. Please provide the pre-bid site visit attendee sign-in sheet.

a. Response: Site Visit sign-in sheet was provided with amendment 1 posted on

8/12/2025.

13. Please provide available photos of existing conditions within the cave and relevant above-ground work areas.

a. Response: Refer to provided cave tour link and construction documentation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0XLypJilTE&list=PLCvWIJ8c_XvwfZ658

ECiRV_lcdQmc6K3h

14. Is this project tax exempt?

a. Response: A federal tax exception form for materials can be provided following award.

15. Will NPS provide all necessary access to restricted cave areas, or will the contractor be required to arrange for trained escorts?

a. Response: Trained escorts will be required but readily available and provided by Park.

16. Will all NPS-performed pre-demolition work (flagging, stone removal, loose cable removal) be completed before the contractor mobilizes, and will this be done in a single phase?

a. Response: Yes - reference contract documents – member of contracting team is required to be present during Park demolition. Refer to Cover Sheet

Note #7 on E0.1 and Summary of Work specification section 011100 - 1.2 B.

1.a.

17. Will the NPS provide temporary power for construction from the gravel pit laydown area, or must the contractor furnish generators for all cave work?

a. Response: A generator will not be provided by the government. Contractor is responsible for providing necessary generators. Refer to specification section 015000 - Temporary Facilities and Controls.

18. Are there any restrictions on dust, noise, or vibration that could impact sawcutting, drilling, or other installation work in the cave pathways?

a. Response: Refer to specifications sections 011100 – Summary of Work and

015719.11- Indoor Air Quality for dust, noise, and vibration considerations.

Additionally May 1st – August 15th – Vibration/Noise Constraints related to bats near natural entrance.

19. Can the contractor use lift equipment inside the cave for conduit installation, or are only ladders/scaffolding permitted?

a. Response: Yes. Ladders/scaffolding required. Padding/Protection required.

20. Are there any seasonal access restrictions to the cave or laydown area due to weather, wildlife, or park events?

a. Response: Not during the intended period of performance, however it is of note that May 1st – August 15th – Vibration/Noise Constraints related to bats near natural entrance.

21. Please confirm if a job site trailer is required for the contractor’s use, and if so, specify any size or utility requirements.

a. Response: Refer to Specifications for Provisions: Contractor provisions for

Contracting Officer’s Field Office - Section 015000.

22. Please confirm if temporary restrooms are limited to portable toilets, or if the

NPS requires trailer-based restroom facilities with running water and/or ADA compliance.

a. Response: The temporary restrooms are for the contractor’s use. Visitor center to remain operational for admin only during construction. There is no requirement to provide restrooms for visitors or staff. Refer to Specification

Section 015000.

23. Please confirm whether the NPS will require a dedicated trailer or office space provided by the contractor for NPS staff use during construction.

a. Response: Refer to Specifications for Provisions: Contractor provisions for

Contracting Officer’s Field Office – Section 015000.

24. Please confirm working hours allowed for both cave interior and above-ground work, including any seasonal restrictions due to public tours, wildlife, or environmental conditions.

a. Response: Daily hours can be found in specifications (7am-5pm M-F).

(May 1st – August 15th – Vibration/Noise Constraints related to bats near natural entrance).

25. Please confirm if cave tours will continue during construction, and if so, provide schedule details for coordinating work stoppages and safe visitor access.

a. Response: No cave tours will take place during construction.

26. Are there any specific environmental protection measures (e.g., microclimate preservation, dust suppression, noise limits) that go beyond those noted in the specifications?

a. Response: Refer to specification sections Summary of Work - 011100 and

Indoor Air Quality - 015719.11

(May 1st – August 15th – Vibration/Noise Constraints related to bats near natural entrance).

27. Please confirm whether the contractor may store materials and equipment inside the cave overnight, or if all tools/materials must be removed daily.

a. Response: Refer to specification section Temporary Facilities and Controls –

015000 - 3.2-I.1

28. Please clarify if the 10% additional conduit length allowance (for routing adjustments) must be carried for both electrical and technology cabling in the bid pricing.

a. Response: Confirmed.

29. Are there any special security, escort, or badging requirements for contractor personnel beyond standard NPS visitor center access rules?

a. Response: Contractor Personnel need to attend site orientation, but once approved to be on the site / cave access will be provided, and NPS monitors will be available to support access.

30. Please confirm if battery-powered tools are mandatory for all interior cave work, or if exceptions will be granted for specialized equipment.

a. Response: Yes. Refer to the specification section Temporary Facilities and

Controls – 015000 - 3.2-I.1. Cave doors must remain closed as often as possible to preserve the cave environment.

31. Will the NPS provide escorts for accessing restricted areas, or must the contractor supply trained/qualified personnel approved for this work?

a. Response: Refer to response for 15.

32. Please confirm the acceptable concealment methods for conduit/cabling in sensitive areas where “gunite” is not feasible.

a. Response: Concealment shall be coordinate with Park Staff for all areas interior to the cave. The following intent:

i. Concealment in the trail – Concrete.

ii. Individual Cables surface mounted - Park will careful conceal with cave appropriate materials.

iii. Refer to Cover Sheet notes #16 and # 21 on E0.1, and General Note

‘C’ on E0.5

33. Please confirm if traffic control measures are required for access roads, parking areas, or pedestrian walkways during construction, and if so, clarify whether the

NPS will provide these services or if the contractor is responsible.

a. Response: Contractor responsible for traffic control/job site safety.

34. Please confirm whether the contractor is required to retain a licensed architect, professional engineer, or specialty engineer (e.g., electrical or structural) for shop drawings, temporary works, or installation methods, or if all engineering oversight will be handled by NPS’s design team.

a. Response: Contractor shall provide engineered drawings as required within each specification section. Refer to Specification Section 013323-2.1.B –

Submittal Procedures. Contractor will need to provide submittals for NPS review.

35. Please confirm whether archaeological or cultural resource monitoring will be required during ground disturbance, and if so, whether the NPS will provide the archaeologist or the contractor must retain one.

a. Response: Park will provide as needed.

36. Would the NPS please clarify what and who they would like to see on-site full time for this rather small and confined project? Is it the intent to have some of these Key Personnel wear multiple hats?

The Key Personnel listed in the Solicitation are:

Project Manager – Response: not required on site full time.

Superintendent – Response: On site.

On-Site Quality Control Specialist – Response: On site, must be separate individual

On-Site Safety Specialist – Response: Can be same person as superintendent

140P8525R0015

The specifications, section 01 31 00 1.8 Environmental Coordination - Contractor's

Environmental Manger. This seems to read as a dedicated person also.

In addition to the above, the NPS seems to have several project personnel assigned to this project as well.

This site has a relatively short duration, several listed key personnel for both the

NPS and the Contractor. Not to mention the tight, dark, and slender work environment. The Contractor is concerned that there could possibly be more staff than workers, who are all working in a tight sensitive project site. Simply bumping into another person could cause damage to the cave system. The Contractor would like the NPS to review and consider who is really necessary to complete this project so that we can plan accordingly.

We do believe that the listed Key Personnel could be detrimental to the overall project. We see that a good working relationship with the NPS and the Contractor will archive the desired results, while limiting risk and exposure to the cave system.

a. Response: Concern is understood, answers provided above as far as full-time onsite requirements. Note that key personnel onsite don’t necessarily all need to be in the cave simultaneously however, key personnel shall be present near the jobsite and able to communicate with workers in the cave.

37. Specifications 01 31 00 – 8, 1.8 Environmental Coordination, A. Contractor’s

Environmental Manager: … Can this be a shared role with the Site

Superintendent?

a. Response: This role could be shared role for the contractor's site superintendent or the contractor's quality control manager.

38. Will the Site Superintendent be allowed to fulfill the roles of QC, and SSHO as well?

a. Response: Refer to response for 36.

39. Specifications 01 50 00 – 2, Temporary Facilities and Controls, 2.2 Temporary

Facilities, B. Contracting Officers Field Office… Can you verify that the

Contracting Officer will be on site and require a field office with power, internet and it’s own facilities for the duration of the project to be provided by the

Contractor?

a. Response: Yes. Refer to response for 21.

40. Specifications 26 05 19 – 5, 3.4 Field Quality Control, Can the Contractor perform its own testing on the installed Electrical Components?

a. Response: Testing shall be performed by a qualified testing agency.

41. Plan Sheet E0.1 Coversheet Notes 7, Please provide information regarding the anticipated duration of the NPS demo. This will need to be known in order to accurately cost man hours for an electrician to be onsite during demo. What are the required qualifications of the on site observer?

a. Response: The anticipated duration of NPS Demolition is 43 days. The on-site observer needs to be present for observations, limitations, and routing discussions. Ability to move off-trail for specific routing requirements would be beneficial.

42. Plan Sheet E0.1 Coversheet Notes 5, Please provide a list of required licenses, permits, fees for this project so associated costs can be calculated.

a. Response: Contractor is responsible for determining required licenses, permits, fees based on the indicated scope of the documents and the location.

43. Plan Sheet E0.1 Coversheet Notes 15, Can we get an estimate of length of ground wire needed to be installed on existing circuits?

a. Response: All circuits within the cave shall be new, modification of existing circuits not anticipated unless noted otherwise.

44. Plan Sheet E0.1 Coversheet Notes 16, Are alternatives like non-shrink grout acceptable?

a. Response: Not without formal review process by NPS/AE.

45. Plan Sheet E0.1 Electrical Variance and Waivers Note 2, this note specifies non-metallic boxes. E4.0 Detail 1 shows a stainless-steel junction box. Please clarify.

a. Response: Details shown on E4.0 show installation intent. Junction boxes and other components shall be corrosion resistant. Refer to Cover Sheet noted #23 and specification section 260533 – Raceway and Boxes for

Electrical Systems.

46. Plan Sheet E0.2 Grounding Electrode Systems Notes - B, requests alternate line item pricing for ground plate electrodes, but Section B – Bid Schedule of the

Solicitation just shows a Lump Sum for the whole project. Please clarify.

a. Response: The conditions in the cave are variable as to where ground rods

vs. plate electrodes will be required. The intent is to ensure flexibility for the appropriate use per location and accommodate a complete grounding system. Refer to attached updated Bid Schedule including line item for the plate electrode option.

47. Plan Sheet E0.5 Keynote Legend, Key Value S5 calls out for In-grade pull boxes every 250’. Some of these are shown in the cave. Much of the tunnelway is concrete, are we able to use an alternative or surface pull box if needed?

a. Response: Yes, provide surface mounted pull boxes as necessary.

Coordinate exact locations and concealment requirements with contracting officer.

48. Plan Sheet E0.5 Keynote Legend, Key Value X4 and X7 call for “saw-cutting”.

Please provide an estimated length of saw cuts to be performed along with depth and material type.

a. Response: Refer to specification section 017329 – Cutting and Patching. The intent for those locations are identified on the plans.

49. Plan Sheet E1.7 Keynote Legend, Key Value P8 calls out temporary power for the

“Lake Room”. Please provide details on the need and use of power as well as the anticipated length of time for this requirement? Is this for temporary lighting?

Will we be running something big? Will a line need to be brought in from a generator or can a battery powered inverter suffice? If from a generator, what is the length of line to run to this location. What is the Watt or Kilowatt requirement?

a. Response: Refer to specification section 015000 – Temporary Facilities and

Controls

50. Plan Sheet E2.1, Keynote Legend, Key Value O10, is the Contractor responsible for setting up the wireless communications for Sub-metering?

a. Response: Language in the note indicates ‘capable’ of wireless AMR communication protocol, however it is not intended to be a utilized function of the meter at this time, just a salient characteristic requirement of the meter itself.

51. Plan Sheet E2.2, Low-Voltage Phone System Riser Diagram. The diagram shows an existing Network Switch. At the time of the Job Walk, no observable switch to support 4 phone lines was in place. Please provide details on this existing switch.

a. Response: The existing network switch is located in the existing telecommunications closet in the Visitor Center. Refer to E0.6. At the time of observation in design, at least (4) ports are available to support the intended scope.

52. Due to the long period of time between bidding and procurement, will the

Government consider including FAR 52.216-4: Economic Price Adjustment –

Labor and Material as part of the contract?

a. Response: No.