Final_Contractor_Q_A_6-17-2021_0010.pdf

# Contractor Question Government Answer

Does the Government have any plans to release a list of plan holders for the Job?

The Government will issue an amendment to the solicitation after the Pre-Proposal Site Visit is conducted. This amendment will provide a list of attendees via the

Government Wide Point of Entry (GPE).

CLIN 2 – Utility Service Connection is bid as a lump sum. When the Chelan County PUD was contacted, they stated that, “they are unable to provide accurate pricing on this item until an application is provided”. Specification 01 18 13-1 – 1.03Ac notes the contractor is to provide an application immediately after contract award (Aug 30th, 2021). Further review of spec section 51 00 10 did not provide estimated costs or additional information on how to get pricing prior to the contract award. Because the costs of this activity are unknown and the Chelan County PUD is unresponsive in providing information until the application is provided, will the Government consider making this item a force account? The force account amount would be Government estimated costs for this item and make it so all bidders are providing the same number for this work? A verbal non committed cost range from Chelan PUD on this service was $50k – $200k depending on the actual site requirements that will be provided in the application.

No forced amount will be used.

The specification details washed, stream mix (clean, round rock) for use inside the super sack coffer dam. Please confirm that the contractor may incorporate the super sack material into the project work areas after the super sacks and material are used as cofferdams?

Yes, however the Contractor must meet all other specification requirements to use in other areas. If there is excess materials that cannot be utilized per specification requirements, then the materials must be hauled off-site and disposed of appropriately.

The Government provided permit narratives indicate that equipment within the stream is not acceptable at any time. Furthermore, specification 31 01 10 indicates that land-based equipment will be used to install the cofferdam. However, specification 01 14 12 indicates that equipment can be used instream channel so long the equipment is removed from the stream overnight, the hydraulic fluids are filled with biodegradable products and there are containment methods to address possible fuel and oil leaks. Please confirm that it will be acceptable for the contractor to track equipment through the stream to install the

Equipment may be used instream channel as noted in 01 14 12 after the cofferdam is installed and within the coffered area only. At no time will equipment be used in water.

The Government provided permit narratives indicate that fish passage shall be maintained through the existing diversion dam. Furthermore, specification 31 03 10 indicates that the natural steam flow will provide fish passage. However, specification 01 14 12 indicates that fish passage through the existing diversion dam shall not be provided during construction. Specification 01 14 12 seems to be correct, as fish passage over the diversion dam would be nearly impossible during low flows unless it is removed prior to the intake structure being installed.

Please confirm that fish passage will not be required during construction. If fish passage is required will a temporary fish ladder need to be installed by means of notching the existing dam?

Fish passage is required during construction. A temporary fish ladder is not needed because providing fish passage, supplemental to the project and through the diversion dam, is not required (01 14 12). However, the cofferdam should be placed to maintain stream flow at a minimum of 0.8 feet depth across the greatest extent of the channel width possible to facilitate fish passage during construction (31 03 10).

Maintain 0.8 feet depth of water should allow fish passage over the diversion dam.

Fish passage criteria should be consulted for minimum depth and maximum velocity criteria per 31 03 10.

140R1021R0001 Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Surface Water Intake Fish Screen and Fish Passage Project

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Specification 01 14 12-1.03I3 states that the contract may be split between intake and pipe line work. As part of this split, the contractor will coordinate with other on-site contractors to ensure continuous flow. It is unknown how this is to be coordinated for bidding purposes.

Is the contractor to assume that the other contract is providing temporary pumping near the hatchery or should it be assumed that this contract is providing temporary pumping? What are the other contracts outage requirements? Who is responsible if water is not maintained. To provide accurate pricing additional information is needed to ensure that the requirements of the specification are met.

The Contractor should maintain requirements of Specification Section 31 03 10

Construction Joints are indicated at the mid-point of the 9’6” mark of the vertical walls and counterforts. From a constructability standpoint the contractor does not see an advantage to install the walls and counterforts with these construction joints. Will it be acceptable to remove these construction joints and place the vertical walls and counterforts wall full height?

The contractor should propose the job as posted in the specification

In section B.1 of the Price schedule under paragraph (c) it states “Variation in Estimated Quantity, no claim shall be made against the government for overruns or underruns”. In the pricing schedule we are required to provide unit pricing for items such as “rock excavation”.

In Section F Deliveries and Performance, paragraph F.3 titled Variation in Estimate Quantities details out any quantity variances under or over 15% shall have an equitable adjustment. These two statements in the contract appear to be in conflict, can the Engineer please provide clarification?

Section B. Paragraph (c) is accurate. All claims or Request for Equitable Adjustments (REAs) for Variations in Estimated Quantities (VEQ) underruns or overruns shall be made pursuant to F.3. 52.211-18 Variation in Estimate Quantities (Apr 1984).

Can the Engineer please provide measurement and payment section for the bid items provided?

Each Spec section provides a Measurement and Payment paragraph to be used for proposing

Can the Engineer please give a definition of what classifies as “Rock

Excavation”?

Refer to Section 31 23 11, 1.02, D

In Part III of the contract documents Document J6e USFW Section 7 is listed as a Permit document. The phase 2 cofferdam shown in

Figure 1, appears to close off the new intake is from all river flow for construction of the low flow boulder weir fishway. Is temporary pumping to the plant needed for this phase of construction, or is there another desired permitted means of supplying water to the Hatchery during this phase of construction?

The Contractor shall meet the requirements of Section 31 03 10. The Government will not prescribe means and methods. Figure 1 in the Biological Assessment was used for aquatic environment effects analysis and is not a means and methods.

However, the figure does show a pipeline from the forebay of the diversion dam into the intake location. Again, this is not prescriptive but provided as part of Reclamation's analysis.

For the design of the cofferdams in document J6e USFWS Section 7 what flows were anticipated during the construction windows for the basis of design of the 12’ wide by 9’ tall cofferdams?

See Appx. D of 2D Hydraulic Analysis https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/leavenworth/swisp/swisp2dhydraulic.pdf

The Government is not dictating means and methods for the design of the cofferdam.

The cofferdam shall be designed by Licensed Professional Engineer.

For the timeframes the Contractor is allowed to do work within the high-water mark on the project, has the Engineer performed any stream flow analysis such as HEC-RAS modeling to ensure that cofferdam locations proposed in Figure 2 of the J6.e USFWS Section 7

Combined Document? If so can this information be provided? It appears there will not be very much space between the phase 3 cofferdam and the new intake structure, which 100% of the flow must pass.

See Appx. D of 2D Hydraulic Analysis https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/leavenworth/swisp/swisp2dhydraulic.pdf

The Government is not dictating means and methods for the design of the cofferdam.

The cofferdam shall be designed by Licensed Professional Engineer.

The construction materials market is very volatile currently. Due to the long duration of the project, does this contract contain any material escalation clauses to avoid contractors needing to plan for the worst-case scenario at the time of bid?

An amendment to incorporate economic price adjustment clauses for labor or material will not be conducted.

Will Icicle Creek be closed off to recreational use for the duration of our in-water work?

No

Will the lining of the existing pipe stated to be completed by others occur while we are actively constructing this project?

Yes

Please clarify whether the boulders (5’ to 8’) can be angular in shape.

Section 31 38 00 Paragraph 2.01.B details out that the weir rocks be rounded boulders, not angular, but makes no mention of the 5-8’ boulders. Please note that these larger diameter boulders are difficult to source in the local area and may need to be sourced and transported from outside the area.

The 5'-8' diameter boulders shall be angular to subangular and minimum diameter in any direction is 5’. Boulders shall include but not limited to shop rock, angular rock, freshly cut rock, broken rock. Specification Revision will be provided in future amendment.

What are the specific size requirements for the 5-8’ diameter boulders or is a minimum diameter of 5’ and maximum diameter of 8’ acceptable for each boulder?

No smaller than 5' diameter in any direction with a max diameter of 8'. Specification Revision will be provided in future amendment.

Please provide as-built information of the profile and alignment of the existing concrete intake conveyance pipeline and existing grade 300 feet downstream of the gatehouse. Are there any requirements for penetrating and repairing the existing conveyance pipeline at the downstream tie-in location? This information is necessary to develop an accurate cost estimate for the temporary bypass work.

No updated drawings are available. The pipe shall be returned to existing conditions.

Please provide hydrograph information that provide river elevations to corresponding river flow rates at the intake location (above and below diversion dam). This information is necessary to develop accurate cost estimates for the temporary bypass and cofferdam work.

See Hydrologic Analysis TM ENV-2019-101, and 2d Hydraulic Report Appendix D.

Reference Section 51 40 00.

Specification section 01 14 12 Paragraph 1.03.6.c states that a backup pump is required at the spillway pool while the temporary gravity diversion is being used. What are the flow requirements for the backup pump(s)? Please clarify which spillway (intake or hatchery) pool that pumps are to be placed in.

40 cfs shall be delivered to the Hatchery at all times. See Specifications 01 14 12 and 31 03 10.

Plan sheet 222-D-60265 denotes that the trashrack to be removed completely. The associated Specification Section 03 81 11 Existing Trashrack Concrete Removal and Repair provides details for concrete preparation and repair procedures. Can you please confirm that the trashrack concrete is to be completely removed and no concrete repair or preparation will be required? If preparation and repair work is required, please specify which locations this work will be needed at.

See drawing 222-D-60266 for demolition limits. Yes the trash rack shall be completely removed. No prep or repair of the concrete is required at the demo limits

Are cofferdams required to be removed by November 15th or can the be left in-place and work allowed to resume as long they are in-place by November 15th assuming they will be removed during the following in-river window.

Cofferdams must be removed by November 15.

Drawing 222-D-60305 denotes a temporary generator, but no specific scope details were provided. Specification page 636 of 929 shows a government provided generator. Please confirm that this is the same generator on one-line diagrams. Please confirm that this is provided and/or an existing generator that is provided by the Government.

Please provide a scope of work that is to be performed by the contractor in connection with this generator.

There is no need for the contractor to provide the temporary generator shown on the drawings or photographs. The generator shown is also not for the use of the contractor.

Is the Contractor’s Onsite Safety and Health Professional required to be onsite full-time?

Please reference 01 35 30 for position titles and requirements

Typical dam and spillway sections E and D on “For Information Drawing” IF-WA-257-105-2.0 shows top of concrete at Elevation

1189.0’. Demolition drawing 222-D-60266 Section A shows top of concrete elevations at 1193.0’. Please provide clarification on which elevations are correct.

Elevations shown on design drawings (222-D-60266) are correct and shown in NAVD 88. The "For Information Only" drawings are in NAVD 29 datum.

27 Will Reclamation consider extending the bid date to July 2nd. The solicitation due date has been extended.

Will the Engineer consider a 1 week minimum extension on the bid date?

The solicitation due date has been extended.

1. Drawing 222-D-60281 section A and B indicate that 3’ of over excavation may be needed; however that 3’ is shown as part of the footing design. Are we to over excavate beyond the bottom of the footer 3’ which is not shown in the drawing, or is the over excavation part of the cutoff wall area?

Same as question #45

1. Footing elevations on 222-D-60281 do not match those on 222-D-

60286, can the Engineer please clarify which is correct?

222-D-60286 is correct. Correction will be made to drawing 60281 prior to contract award.

No details are provided with how the temporary 40 CFS minimum flow is to be connected to the existing pipeline. Can the Engineer please provide a detail so we understand what will be acceptable?

Means and Methods are the responsibility of the contractor. Ref Section 31 03 10

The drawings indicate the existing pipeline to the facility will be lined by others. Can the Engineer please provide additional details of when this work will occur, and if there is any coordination needed?

Coordination will be needed however, there are no details of future contracts that can be provided at this time

Can the Engineer please provide an overall excavation drawing that shows all pay lines for Rock Excavation?

Excavation will be paid to the pay lines in the drawings and the material being excavated in the area of excavation. Drawings are not material specific.

Specification section 31 11 00 under the measurement and payment clause states that grading for the improved access road is included in this item. Does this include the rock excavation for the roadway?

No

Will the excavation in the river required for the new riprap sections be paid for under the applicable excavation items or is it incidental to the riprap bid items?

It is paid for under applicable excavation items

Drawing Notes blacked out: Please provide drawings 222-D-60265 and 222-D-60281 in a format that does not obscure the notes/call-outs.

Reclamation can not reproduce the issue of blacked out notes the offeror has experienced

As-built Drawings: Do the sections depicted on 1F-WA-257A-105-2.0 and 222-D-4068 represent the constructed facility as they seem inconsistent with the Diversion Dam depictions on 222-D-60266 as it relates to the extent of concrete, depth of structure and the construction of the dam in general (i.e. grouted riprap vs concrete wall)? Are the other three (3) drawings of the set to which 1F-WA-257A-105-2.0 belongs available??

Reclamation does not have these drawings.

Drawings in General: What are the limits of the work area, so we may know how to arrange our cofferdam and bypass systems?

Reference drawing 60262 and NEPA EIS APPX A MAP A-4

Section 53-10-00: Can the documents referenced in 1.01.3. and

1.03.A. be made available electronically?

Documents referenced will be made available to succesful offeror post award.

Section 53-20-00: Is there a drawing indicating where the samples were taken?

Drawings referenced will be made available to succesful offeror post award.

Section 01-18-13 1.03 Given the electrical service engineering will not be done prior to bid (1.03.A.3.b.) and therefore the cost is not known, is the Contractor still expected to carry a cost in the bid for the service installation as suggested in 1.03.D. ( i.e. or is this cost reimbursed when the costs become known)?

The contractor should provide a price for the item in Section B. of the solicitation.

42 Section 31-38-00: What is the desired rock angularity on the Boulders?

Boulders meeting the following characteristics are acceptable:

Subangular: Similar to angular but with slightly rounded edges and sides that are slightly curved.

Angular: Sharp corners and edges and relatively plane sides with unpolished surfaces such as freshly crushed rock. Specification Revision will be provided in future amendment.

Section 02 41 10 Selective Site Demolition para. 3.02 refers to Photographs in 51 00 15 for the extent of removal at the gate house.

The referenced photos are not provided in that section nor is there any drawing/document showing the extent of the demolition at the gate house (as it appears it is not to be fully removed). Please provide same so we may quantify the work.

Photos have been provided via solicitation amendment 0009, demo limits are shown on 60265 & 60266

Section 31 03 10 says maximum of 4 diversions, Section 31 03 33 says maximum of 3 diversions. Which is correct??

Section 31 03 33 is correct. Maximum of three diversions

Section 31 23 11 and Drawing 222-D-60286: If the bottom of the 2’- 0” think footing is on competent rock is the 3’-0” deep keyway still required??

If suitable material is found at the required excavation elevation the 3'-0" keyway is not required per note 7

Drawing 222-D-60284: Is there a detail for the connection (if required) of the new structure footing to the existing weir?

No, at this time there is no detail but one may be provided post award

We are to submit electronic copies of Volumes 1-3 of our proposal.

Can the Engineer please let us know what Email address we should send this to and what size of emails this address will accept?

Offerors shall adhere to L.13. WBR 1452.215-81 General Proposal Instructions – Bureau of Reclamation (Mar

2021)(b)(2) for information on the electronic submission requirement.

In the Precast Concrete Manhole specification section, it lists in the cost section that the Excavation and Backfill are to be priced in their respective bid items. In the Measurement and Payment section for specification section 33 11 18 (HDPE Pipe) it does not indicate if

Excavation & Backfill is to be incidental to this item or if it’s in other items. Can the Engineer please indicate where the Excavation &

Backfill for the HDPE Pipe is to be paid for?

The cost of excavation and backfill should be included in the price of their respective Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs)

Information on Volume 3 for the price proposal on page L-14 item 6 states, “No cost information shall be included in any of the other volumes.” However, Volume 1 information on page L-9 item 1 calls for the Solicitation, Offer, and Award form to be included in Volume

1. This form asked for us to write in our total proposal price. Please confirm we are to provide this cost information in Volume 1.

Solicitation, Offer, and Award is the title of the Section A. Document SF 1442.

Offerors shall follow the instructions at Section L.13. WBR 1452.215-81 General

Proposal Instructions – Bureau of Reclamation (Mar 2021) and not submit pricing/cost information in Volume I.

Can the Engineer please confirm that all amendments shall be placed in

Volume 1?

In accordance with 140R1021R0001, Section L, L.13. WBR 1452.215-81 General Proposal Instructions – Bureau of Reclamation (Mar

2021) , All amendments to the solicitation shall be contained in Section A. Volume I of the proposal

What surcharge loading was figured in the design of the new Intake

Structure on the north side?

Any outside loading being placed on the structure by contractor equipment should be evaluated by a professional engineer to prevent damage of the structure

Please clarify how many CDMS users we need to include, outside of the Contractor’s personnel, for the CDMS per Section 01 31 30.

Please note that more users increases the cost.

The Government specification does not contain a maximum limit on users

The timeline for work shown in the JARPA shows two in-water work seasons (2022 and 2023). Is the intent of the 1,582 calendar day schedule to allow for in water work during the 2024 and 2025 seasons?"

In-water work is to be completed in 2022 and 2023. Intake must be operational by May 31, 2023 and fishscreen must be in compliance by the end of the November 15, 2023 in-water work window. All onsite work completed by December 22, 2023. See revised, 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (Apr 1984) provided in amendment 0009

Amendment 7 changed the email address of the person where the PPQ forms are to be sent. Many of the old forms have already been filled out by past references and redirected to the new contact (Lance Fleming). Can we utilize the old forms and just send to Lance Fleming or do all Amendment 7 forms need to be filled out and sent?

Old forms can be utilized. They must be sent to the Contracting Officer Lance Fleming at lfleming@usbr.gov

This form asked for us to write in our total proposal price. Please confirm we are to provide this cost information in Volume 1.

In accordance with 140R1021R0001, Section L, L.13. WBR 1452.215-81 General Proposal Instructions – Bureau of Reclamation (Mar

2021) (b) Proposal Volumes, the Price Proposal (Section B.) shall be included in Volume III

PUD Spec Sections – 011813 and 262113 a.

We are confused about what costs we are to include at bid time and what costs will be part of a future change order regarding the PUD work. 01 18 13 says to include PUD design and construction costs for electrical work and then 26 21 13 says to included wood pole structures, all material, equipment, and accessories to complete installation of the low voltage overhead lines.

i. Are we to include any costs for the PUD work at bid time? We have spoken to the PUD and they are not aware of this project and have no cost estimates put together. Or will all costs be approved after award as a change order?

1. If we are to include now, please provide those costs.

2. If after award, are we allowed to make up the PUD invoice or should we include markups as part of the CLIN at bid time?

ii. Can we assume the PUD will provide and install the Wood poles and overhead lines all the way to the meter or do we need to include any costs for those poles or overhead lines?

iii. Section 26 21 13 says to include Admin and technical work performed by the contractor to support and coordinate the PUD work as part of CLIN 13. How can we include these costs without knowing the full scope of work to be performed by the PUD?

Point of demarcation for line side (PUD) and load side (Contractor) scope of work noted on Drawing 222-D-60306, Note 4 and described in Specifications sections 01

18 13 and 26 21 13.

a. Contractor shall provide (1) wood pole and all line side products (from the masthead downstream) described under Specification Section 26 21 13, 2.01. Load side (from masthead connection point upstream) scope of work to be provided as a lump sum cost, CLIN 2.

i. Lump sum cost for PUD work shall be provided under CLIN 2. Final cost shall be provided by the PUD invoice and reflected by a change order during construction.

1.

2. Final PUD invoice shall be reflected by a change order during construction.

ii. PUD scope of work is assumed to be the wood poles and overhead lines upstream of point of demarcation. Utility pole that the masthead and meter socket is mounted to shall be provided by the contractor.

iii. Full scope of work to be performed by the PUD is described by the line side scope of work.

Existing Temp power at the site – Hatchery a.

Is there power available at the Hatchery for Construction trailers and if so where is it located? Or will we need to bring a new temp service in?

Power is available from the hatchery, no temp. service will need to be brought in at the Hatchery. Power is available near the heavy equipment maintenance building for construction trailers. Trailers would be located in the northern part of the hatchery property off of E. Leavenworth Road

Grounding at Fencing a.

Drawing 222-D-60308 note 3 states to provide fence grounding and then refers us to 222-D-60289 which shows us Pipe Guardrails and W- Beam Guardrails. Is grounding required on every guardrail post?

Guardrails shall be grounded at both ends. If a separation occurs between guardrails, the guardrail shall be bonded across the separation. If the above is not feasible, each guardrail section shall be grounded separately.

Confirm NEMA rating of MTS a.

222-D-60307 note 7 states to provide NEMA 4X enclosures for all electrical panels and equipment. But Specs call out for NEMA 12 enclosure for the MTS. Please confirm if the MTS should be NEMA 12 or NEMA 4X.

NEMA 4X enclosure to be provided for MTS.