SWISP_I_Contractor_Q-A_as_of_6-7-2021_0006.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 temporary cofferdam and dewater each

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.

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

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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.

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/swisp

2dhydraulic.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/swisp

2dhydraulic.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