RFP_Clarification_Questions_Round__1_0002.pdf

Question # Question BOR Response

Section L, Volume II, Evaluation Factor 3: Past Performance: Does USBR want the Offeror to provide separate project descriptions for the projects utilized in PPQs in order to show relevance to the scope of work?

Yes

Section L, Volume II, Evaluation Factor 3: Past Performance: Will USBR allow the use of CPARS in lieu of PPQs? Clients usually will not complete a PPQ if a CPARS exists.

Yes

Section L, Volume II, Evaluation Factor 3: Past Performance: Will USBR allow the use of previously completed PPQs in lieu of obtaining newly completed PPQs? Often times clients are reluctant to complete new PPQs if others already exist.

Yes

4 Please confirm a bid bond is required in addition to the Bonding Capability letter. Yes

On Page 14 of 95 of the solicitation, the estimated Navajo Nation Tax at 6% is shown in the subtotals at the bottom of the bid schedule and noted as “if applicable”. After reviewing the Navajo Nation boundary maps, it appears that the NG Reach 1 project is located entirely off the Navajo reservation. Thus, can the Navajo Nation Tax be removed from the subtotal at the base of the bid schedule?

As the contractor, you are responsible for assessing if a tax is needed. If you do not feel it is needed, just mark "N/A" for the tax.

On Page 78 of 95 of the solicitation ((L.11 WBR 1452.215-81 Proposal Instructions Mar 2021 (2)), it states “All questions shall be received no later than 5 business days after the site visit to allow Reclamation adequate time to prepare and issue responses…”. Currently, the question deadline is February 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM MDT (per pre-bid conference/site tour agenda). Would it be possible to extend the question deadline by two weeks from 2-26-25 to 3-12-25?

Amendment 0001 extended the deadline for solicitation clarification questions to COB on 5 March 2025.

On page 24 of 708 of the specifications, Part 3.02.A.2. refers to “Cultural Resource Sensitivity Awareness Training” needing to take place before the initial groundbreaking. Could Contractors be provided with an estimated duration for the training? Will all subcontractors need to attend the training?

Reclamation will provide the Cultural Resource Sensitivity Awareness Training at the pre-construction meeting.

It is approximately a 1-hour training and will be recorded so that the prime contractor can share it with its future employees and sub-contractors that will be involved in this contract.

On page 35 of 708 of the specifications Part 1.04.A.1. under Section 01 32 10 (Construction Program) of the specifications, reference is made to using “…Oracle Primavera P6 Professional Project Management” for developing the Construction Schedule. Can Microsoft Project be used in lieu of Primavera P6?

No, files need to be compatible with Primavera P6 Professional Project Management, and MS Project does not meet the requirements, as described in specifications Section 01 32 10, Construction Program, paragraph 1.04.

02 80 10: General Requirements for Hazardous Materials, Asbestos. Specifications state payment is to be included in Asbestos building abatement line item in the price schedule. Asbestos abatement is not listed in the pricing schedule. Please advise where asbestos abatement should be included in the pricing schedule or will a revised bid schedule be provided.

Asbestos abatement should be included in the building demolotion costs. Will revise measurement and payment of 02 80 10.

10 02 41 17 Shaw building Demolition. Is 02 41 17 to be paid for under section 02 41 16 building demolition?

Will revise bid schedule to include two separate CLIN's one for the Shaw Building Demolition and one for the Weathers Building Demolition

On Drawing Sheet 8 (1695-D-62313), note 9 requires dissimilar metals to have dielectric coupling for electrical isolation. Looking at the Detail B, there is a 12” steel blow-off riser that will be connected to a 12” DI tee. If the 42” DIP line has cathodic protection and the 12” steel riser is electrically isolated, the riser will not be protected. a. Is a flange insulation kit required at the 5 blow off locations? b. If flange insulation kits are required, are cathodic protection test stations required to test the electrical isolation after backfilling?

Isolation kits are required for dissimilar metals that are not burried (i.e.: in vaults and above ground facilities such as pipes, valves…). Burried pipes with dissimilar metals need to be connected to the impressed current system by installing jumper cables. Refer to 1695-D-62332 for isolation details and jumper cables.

On Drawing Sheet 9 (1695-D-62314), Note 7 requires flange insulation kits between dissimilar metals. This would require a flange insulation kit on both sides of the manway between the steel pipe and the ductile iron pipe. Secondly, the positioning of the flange insulation kits means they will be buried, which is not an ideal situation. If the flange insulation kits are installed to electrically isolate the steel pipe from the ductile iron pipe, then the pipe will not be electrically continuous across the manway. Thus, there will be several electrical discontinuities in Reach 1. c.Question a. – Knowing that there will be a lack of electrical continuity if flange insulation kits are utilized at the manways, does the BOR still want flange insulation kits at the manways? Note that this will present a problem if the 42” line has a cathodic protection system. d.Question

b. – Are test stations required on the buried flange insulation kits? If not, there will be no means to test the flange insulators.

Answer for Question a -- Isolation kits are required for dissimilar metals that are not burried (i.e.: in vaults and above ground facilities such as pipes, valves…). Burried pipes with dissimilar metals need to be connected to the impressed current system by installing jumper cables. Refer to 1695-D-62332 for isolation details and jumper cables.

Answer for Question b -- There shouldn't be any buried flange insulation kits. Buried flanges with dissimilar metals should have jumper cables and be protected by the existing impressed current system.

Paragraph 3.01.A of Spec Section 26 42 00 (Cathodic Protection General Requirements) calls for testing, but no description of what testing needs to be conducted. e.Question a. - Is there an existing cathodic protection system on the Reach 1 line that needs testing? f.Question b. - Are there any test stations on the Reach 1 pipeline for testing electrical continuity of the 42” line after repairs have been completed? Test stations are needed for continuity testing.

Answer for Question A - Refer to note 31 and 33 on Drawing 01-G-02 for location of test stations.

Answer for Question B - Refer to Question A answer.

Building Demolition: Does clearing and grubbing of the lots also need to be included in the pricing? The photographs and descriptions provided in the specifications discuss brush and undergrowth but do not indicate if they are to be removed.

Clearing and grubbing should be incidental to the building demolition. Only clear and grubb areas needed for building demolition with prior COR approval. The contractor is expected to clean up the properties where demolition is taking place such as removing trach and piles.

15 Building Demolition: Do the Cross fences on the weather’s property get removed? No unless it is required for building demolition with prior COR approval.

Building Demolition: Shaw Building 1695-D-62330 and specifications 02 41 17 indicate one cinderblock building to be demolished. Site visit and asbestos analytical results (51 02 83) indicate 3 buildings are to be demolished on the property. Please advise.

Section 51 02 83 details buildings that were tested for hazardous materials. Section 02 41 17 has been updated to detail buildings to be removed.

Dust Palliative: 13.)On the Price Schedule, the Dust Palliative Section 31 02 30 (CLIN #9) item is shown to be paid for as a lump sum price. Application areas are to be determined by COR at a later date. How does the contractor quantify the amount of dust palliative needed? Is it possible for a quantity to be provided so that contractor bids are more “apples to apples”? Could the dust palliative bid quantity match the seeding area?

Required dust palliatiave is based on the contractors operation. If less area is disturbed, less palliative will be required, therefor quantities will not be provided.

There does not seem to be a plunger valve that meets the Buy American Requirements, can we get a waiver for the Buy American Requirements for this valve?

Contractors just need to request the nonavailability exception per FAR 25.202(a)(a) in their proposal and provide backup to justify it.

Please clarify the scope of work and the intent of the work required at each joint of pipe that will be paid for under CLIN No. 7? Currently the specifications for the Pipe Joint Repair item directs us to Coating specification, this specification does not make clear the limits of the repair, or the work involved. Please provide details for the work required.

For bidding purposes, assume 3-inches of lining on each side of the joint (for a total of 6-inches) needs to be removed and replaced as part of joint repair. Actual removal shall be based on contractor’s investigations.

20 Is the replacement of the mortar at each pipe joint included in CLIN No. 7? For bidding purposes, assume 3-inches of lining on each side of the joint (for a total of 6-inches) needs to be removed and replaced as part of joint repair. Actual removal shall be based on contractor’s investigations.

Are photos and/or video recordings from inside the pipeline available for the Contractor to review in preparation for our bid?

An additional inspection report and videos (1,000 lf) of the pipes are available upon request to the CS (aloveless@usbr.gov) and cc the CO (ajones@usbr.gov).

Will there be a cost for the water needed to test and flush the pipeline? Will the temporary pumps near the pumping plant or the pumps in the pumping plant be available to fill the pipeline?

As stated in Section 01 51 00, paragaph 1.04B government will provide water to the contractor for hydrostatic testing, at no cost. Source of water will be from the temporary pumping system or the River Intake pumping plant at Governments discretion. Paragraph will be modified to include flushing water and source.

Under which CLIN should the Contractor include the cost of the 42-inch blind flange and the pressure testing of the pipeline?

This would be paid for under new CLIN 19 . Refer to revised bid schedule and Section 33 11 12 measurement and payment.

Does the pipeline currently have water in it? Approximately how long has it been since water was run through the pipeline? Can this water be drained at the pumping plant and back into the river or at the reservoir?

Yes pipe has water in it. Water was last run through pipe in late 2024/early 2025. Temporary pumping will be occuring approximately March to July 2025 prior to work on this contract. Water can be drained to river -reference Section 01 57 30 1.05A

For CLIN No. 6, Building Demolition, are there septic systems that will need to be removed? Has The USBR applied for the required permits to remove the septic systems? Have the other utilities to the building, (gas, electricity, water) been removed by the owners of the utilities?

For Weathers property a septic system will need to be drained and filled in per Section 02 41 16 3.03E.

Reclamation has not obtained permits. Contractor to provide permits in accordance with Section 02 41 16 1.02E. Other utilities will need to be disconnected by contractor