Attachment B. Questions and Answers.pdf

FCI Phoenix Replace Sewage Liner - Project 24Z6AS1

Solicitation 15BFA025B00000004

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Submitted by Contractor #1 KWR Construction:

1. SOW page 9, Section D, par vi, 1 calls for the contractor to request a meeting with the Supervisory Construction Representative, project Geotechnical Engineer, and the Design Engineer of Record to complete a field inspection of the pond.

a. Is the contractor responsible for providing a Geotechnical Engineer?

b. Who is the DOR for this project?

Clarification:

a. Answer: Contractor is responsible for providing a Geotechnical Engineer.

b. Answer: Western Region office is the DOR for this project (email: wxr-facilities-s@bop.gov)

2. SOW page 9, Section D, par vi, 2 shows incomplete sentence, please clarify.

Answer: Approval for direct placement shall be required in writing from both the Geotechnical Engineer, as well as the liner Manufacturer, to ensure the installation can be warrantied given site-specific conditions. If the existing sub-grade is deemed inadequate or questionable, or there are any warranty related issues.

3. Can photos of the site be provided, including existing ponds and related equipment, pumps, etc.

Answer: Photos of the existing ponds, related equipment, and pumps will be uploaded as an attachment(Photos and Drawings).

4. Can depths of ponds 5 and 6 be provided.

Answer: Trapezoidal drawings will be uploaded as an attachment (Photos and Drawings).

5. What stage of water treatment occurs in ponds 5 and 6.

Answer: Pond #5 is considered a polishing pond. Pond #6 is considered a settling pond.

6. What classification is the sewage water in ponds 5, and 6.

Answer: Both ponds are considered wastewater until it is chlorinated then it becomes a class B Reclaimed water

7. Are liner as-builts for ponds 5 and 6 available? If not, can the design of the recently installed liners be provided for any of the adjacent ponds?

Solicitation 15BFA025B00000004

Answer: As-builts are uploaded as an attachment (Photos and Drawings)

8. Do the adjacent ponds have the capacity to receive the water removed/pumped from ponds 5 and 6 simultaneously? Or only capable if they are pumped individually?

Answer: Not both simultaneously. It all depends on the time of the year. As it is winter we currently we hold more wastewater.

9. Can the site visit sign-in sheet be provided?

Answer: The sign-in sheet was posted as “Attachment A.” on February 5, 2025.

10. For bidding purposes, is the contractor to include supply and install 8” aggregate for subgrade preparation as stated in SOW page 10, v, 1?

Answer: Yes

11. Will drug and background checks be required?

Answer: Contractor shall be responsible to comply with Homeland Security Directive (HSPD)-12. A background investigation will be required.

12. How long will sites training last?

Answer: If the site training is in reference to security/badges it will be a minimum of 4 hours, but less than 8 hours.

13. Can you clarify if the liner is supposed to be smooth or textured?

Answer: SOW: Section 2, Part C, Paragraph ix.4.g – Use lightweight woven geotextile between nonwoven geotextile and textured geomembrane to prevent sticking. Remove after positioning geotextile.

14. At what distance should geocomposite strips be placed on the floor?

Answer: At least 36” minimum OC to 72” maximum OC

15. Will there be any ladders in either pond?

Answer: No

16. How many pipe boots per each pond?

Answer: Pipe boots to match existing layout unless code requirements dictate additional outlets

17. Will there be any design details or plans for the pond lining and ventilation strip placement?

Answer: No design details will be provided but the awarded Contractor shall submit details as part of their product submission.

18. The SOW does not include what liner thickness is required. What thickness of liner is required?

Answer: The minimum liner thickness is established at 60 mils

19. The SOW does not include what the finish on the liner needs to be. What finish does the liner need; smooth, double, or single side textured, also conductive?

20. What is the spacing of the ventilation strips? Typical is 100' O.C. These ponds being roughly 300' wide, are we to do 2 runs or 3 runs in both directions across the pond, prior to liner placement?

Answer: Venting should match existing layout. Recommend 50 ft OC BW (min) and no greater than 100 ft OC BW

21. Will lining manufacturer be required to included MQC testing prior to shipment of materials?

22. How will the liner be anchored between pond 5 and 6?

Answer: SOW Section 2, paragraph 2, part c, sub-part ii: Furnish and install geotextiles including appurtenant anchors and connections required for compliance with Manufacturer’s installation requirements and this specification.

23. How wide is the access road between pond 5 and 6?

Answer: There is not an access road between Ponds 5 & 6. There is a diverting valve vault between the ponds. There is an access road around the perimeter of all six ponds.

24. Are there any mechanical attachments between the two ponds?

Answer: Yes. Refer to Section II, Part A, Item 7; and Part D, Item 8.

25. Are there any penetrations?

Answer: We have pipe that connect the ponds for gravity transfer between them and the pump station.

26. Are there any sumps?

Submitted by Contractor #2 Fedcology:

27. Who is providing the new liner? The SOW says we need to be approved by the liner manufacturer prior to install so we would have to go through that process.

Answer: Contractor to provide all materials as stated in the scope of work.

28. Sludge testing - The SOW says the ponds contain recycled water, so in theory it should be safe, but the SOW also says it's our responsibility to make sure.

a) Is the GOV providing the testing?

Answer: No, Contractor will perform testing if they suspect sludge contamination.

b) How can it be tested prior to starting the project?

Clarification:

Answer: Contractor shall perform testing during normal course of work.

c) If it can't be tested prior to starting, then how do we account for it potentially being hazardous and/or requiring special disposal?

Clarification:

Answer: The sludge generated is hauled off-site and disposed in accordance with State and Federal regulations.

Solicitation 15BFA025B00000004

29. Should we bid as if it was hazardous? This bid is substantially more than if it was inert - probably triple or more

Answer: The government does not anticipate any hazardous materials in this work.

Submitted by Contractor #3 Walker River Construction Inc:

30. Please provide total liner square footage for ponds 5 & 6.

Answer: Two Trapezoidal Canal drawings are uploaded in the Photos and Drawings attachment. These drawings provide approximate dimension of each pond (both ponds are identical).

31.Please provide length width and depth of ponds 5 & 6.

Answer: Two Trapezoidal Canal drawings are uploaded in the Photos and Drawings attachment. These drawings provide approximate dimension of each pond (both ponds are identical).

32. Please provide a bid item with the quantity of sludge to remove to make bidding this scope an equal playing field among bidders.

Answer: Ponds 5 & 6 are estimated to be 250’ x 350’ or approximately 88,000 SF with

3.1 mil gal volume. Estimated average sludge depth of 0.5 FT with 5% sludge concentration. Estimated Sludge Volume (liquid) is 350,000 gal. Estimated Dry Sludge Volume 100 CY.

33. It is unsure whether or not the ABC subgrade fill will be required and if required the quantity required is also an unknown. Due to these factors, can the ABC subgrade fill be made into an allowance?

Answer: Sub-grade is required as stated in the SOW. Contractor will determine the quantity based off from the sub-grade thickness of 8” minimum.

Submitted by Contractor #4 SeaPac Engineering:

34. Will a design package be required prior to construction? If so, how many submittals are anticipated, and will the package include both plans and specifications? What is the proposed timeline for the design phase?

Answer: Contractor shall submit a design submittal as part of the product submittal.

The government review for design documents is anticipated to be 14 calendar days.

35. Are any state or federal permits required for this project?

Answer: FCI Phoenix is currently in contact with AzDEQ for the liner project, but we have not heard anything back. The Arizona biosolids management program has standards for land application, surface disposal, and placement of sewage sludge in a municipal landfill. It imposes requirements on wastewater treatment plants, biosolids land appliers, and surface disposal site operators. It also provides for the issuance of permits under certain conditions, enforcing the standards as necessary, and providing guidance and technical assistance to members of the regulated community.

36. Will environmental testing be necessary following the removal of the existing liner?

Answer: FCI Phoenix currently test the ground water for any signs of leakage monthly for E.coli and total conform bacteria.

37. Are the equipment and liners being replaced in-kind, or will a new operational design be required?

Answer: Ponds 5 & 6 are currently clay lined. The new liner will be HDPE geocomposite, and no equipment is being replaced in this project.

38. Does an existing venting system currently serve the site, or will a new venting system need to be designed?

Answer: No venting is currently in place due to ponds 5 and 6 being clay lined.

39. Could the government please confirm if a spill prevention plan will be required for this project?

Answer: Project must meet all federal, state and local code requirements for this type of work.

40. Could the government please confirm if a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will be required?

41. Are as-built plans expected after construction completion?

42. Could the government please confirm if a survey is necessary for this project?

43. Could the government please confirm if the safety plan will be required?

44. Will additional remote treatment capabilities be necessary during construction?

Answer: If we do not have the capacity for wastewater in our other ponds we will need to be treated with chlorine or sent to a facility to be treated.

45. Are there anticipated concerns regarding volume overflow or discharge limits during construction?

Answer: It depends on the time of the year. Winter months it is a concern but with summer we have a lot more space in the ponds.

46. Could the government please provide the sign-in sheet?

Answer: The sign-in sheet was posted as “Attachment A.” on February 5, 2025.

47. Could the government please provide the geotechnical report?

Answer: The government does not have Geotechnical Reports for these ponds.

48. Could the government please provide the as built drawings?

Answer: As-builts are uploaded as an attachment (Photos and Drawings)

49. Could the government please provide the photos of existing conditions?

Answer: Photos are uploaded as an attachment (Photos and Drawings)

Submitted by Contractor #5 OCS Construction Services Inc:

50. Please clarify if Engineering services is required for this project. Some requirements in Section 2.B of the SOW (page 4 of 22) are Engineering services.

• If Engineering services are required, please provide detailed design requirements.

• If Engineering services are NOT required, please provide design drawing or as built drawings of the project was completed previously for our reference.

Answer: Contractor shall submit a design submittal as part of the product submittal.

51. Please expand on this requirement as stated in the Scope of work. SOW, page 4, Section 2-Technical Specifications, paragraph 2.B.a., “Provide temporary and permanent erosion control and protection of disturbed areas. Provide an Erosion Control and Sediment Control Plan and details that comply with local, state, and national regulations. Recommended locations of both temporary and permanent erosion/sediment control measures shall be shown on the Erosion Control Plan with details of same included in the site civil drawings. Include Erosion/Sediment Control in Quality Control Program”

52. Please provide existing topography as mentioned in Paragraph 2.B.c of the SOW.

Answer: A topography drawing will be provided to the Contracting Officer to upload.

53. Paragraph 2.D.vi.1 of the SOW (Page 9 of 22) mention about project Geotechnical

Engineer, and the Design Engineer of Record. Will these disciplines be provided by the Contractor?

54. Will the Supervisory Construction Representative be provided by BOP?

Answer: BOP will provide a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to oversee the construction and report contractor’s adherence to the statement of work.

55. There is a discrepancy in the Aggregate Base Course. Please clarify if minimum 8” thick or 6” thick of the aggregate base layer is required.

Changed/Add: (Reference: Section II, Item C-5 and Item D-7)

Answer: Minimum aggregate base course is 8”

56. The SOW does not include what liner thickness is required. What thickness of liner is required, typical is 60 or 80-mil?

Changed/Added: (Reference: Section II, Part D-11, “Product Requirements” Item B-1.1 “Materials”)

Answer: The minimum liner thickness is established at 60 mils.

Solicitation 15BFA025B00000004

57. The SOW does not include what the finish on the liner needs to be. (typically, a specification for smooth, or textured is mentioned)

58. What is the spacing of the ventilation strips? Typical is 100' O.C. These ponds being roughly 300' wide, we would likely either do 2 or 3 runs in both directions across the pond, prior to liner placement.

59. Will the contractor be required to include MQC (conformance testing) testing prior to shipment of materials?

60. Will MQC testing is required prior to shipment of materials?

61. How will the liner be anchored between pond 5 and 6? How wide is that access road between them?

Answer: There is not an access road between Ponds 5 & 6. There is a diverting valve vault between the ponds. There is an access road around the perimeter of all six ponds.

62. Are there any mechanical attachment locations requiring batten bar? (example:

concrete piers, supports/columns, areas not terminated with a dirt anchor trench)

63. Are there any penetrations requiring to be booted and sealed? (example: pipes for intake or drain)

Answer: There are intake and drainpipes that need booted and sealed

64. Can the contractor use existing on-site facilities for temporary sludge storage (to allow for dry out), or must all sludges be removed immediately?

Answer: Limited area is available due to site constraints of BOP property. Coordinate with BOP COR.

65. Please advise what type of sludge/sediment removal process is preferred by FCI, dewatering and drying out or dredge out and dewatering.

Answer: Means and method of construction is the responsibility of the Contractor.

66. Will the contractor be provided with a laydown area within the facility grounds that is large enough for equipment staging, material storage, and sludge/sediment removal temporary storage?

67. To what extent, the volume/depth of sludge/sediment, should the contractor anticipate, that will be removed from each pond respectively.

Answer: Ponds 5 & 6 are estimated to be 250’ x 350’ or approximately 88,000 SF with

3.1 mil gal volume. Estimated average sludge depth of 1.4 FT with 5% sludge concentration. Estimated Sludge Volume (liquid) is 750,000 gal. Estimated Dry Sludge Volume 155 CY

68. What is the water classification/stage of ponds 5 and 6?

Answer: It is treated as raw wastewater until it is chlorinated then it turns into a class B

69. Who is responsible for decommissioning ponds 5 and 6 prior work beginning?

Answer: The Contractor with the assistance of FCI staff

70. Will the ponds be decommissioned prior to the contractor’s issuance of NTP?

71. Can the water from ponds 5 and 6 be recycled/diverted upline into ponds 1-4 based on their respective water/treatment cycle?

Answer: Yes, if there is enough storage in them

72. Who will be responsible for water diversion for ponds 5 and 6?

The Contractor with the assistance of FCI staff

73. Will the contractor be required to manage and or control any part of the water treatment facilities throughout the course of the project?

74. How much notice must be given for interruptions to sewage treatment operations?

Answer: Three days

75. What is the maximum downtime allowed for each pond during the re-lining process?

Answer: Contractor must meet the agreed upon period of performance as stated in the solicitation.

76. Are there additional environmental impact reports or permits (e.g., Arizona

Department of Environmental Quality) beyond those mentioned that must be submitted by the contractor?

Answer: We are waiting for a reply from AZDEQ for further clarification

77. What are the criteria for determining whether the existing sub-grade is sufficient for direct liner placement without an aggregate base?

Answer: Direct placement of liner without an aggregate base is not allowed.

78. Can working hours be adjusted in the event the liner installation is during extreme heat periods? For example, 3am-11am or a night shift?

Answer: There is opportunity to negotiate adjusted work hours through the Contracting Officer and FCI Phoenix

79. Will the contractor be required to provide any testing data or documentation (e.g., soil compaction, density, or moisture content) prior to or during the inspection to assist in the determination of sub-grade adequacy?

Answer: Contractor must meet all requirements as set forth in the statement of work.

Submitted by Contractor #6 McKenzie Construction

80. SOW, Page 14 0f 22 Section G. POND AND RESERVOIR LINERS, 7.i. [Accepted Equal] -

Please confirm as "accepted equal" the following Alternate Material: FlexLiner GRI GM25 Category 1 Severe LLDPE-R 45 Smooth, 45 MIL, LLDPE-R, black or grey, Geomembrane Liner. Please see attached brochures.

Answer: The government will consider this as an equal product and will accept as a substitute upon submittal and approval of product submission.

81. SOW, Page 5 of 22 Section C. Geotextiles for Gas Venting System, subsection vii.

Materials 2. SOW states; "2. The following product design criteria are required for double-sided geo-composite gas venting system with geotextile bonded to both sides of HDPE geonet triaxial flow structure. HDPE core thickness 250 mils minimum".

Please verify exactly what the 250 mil thickness includes.

Answer: The 250 mils thickness includes an upper geo-textile, a geo-net core, and a lower geo-textile. It is composed of HDPE resin with nonwoven polypropylene geotextile fabric heat bonded on one side or both sides of the Geonet. It’s manufactured with three-dimensional bi-planar Geonet which are laminated with non-woven geotextiles. It’s a venting system with geotextile bonded to both sides of HDPE geonet triaxial flow structure. HDPE core thickness 250 mils minimum.

82. SOW, Page 11 of 22 Section G. Pond and Reservoir Liners. Please provide pond and reservoir liner thickness.

Changed/Add: (Reference: Section II, Part D-11, “Product Requirements” Item B-1.1 “Materials”)

Answer: The minimum liner thickness is established at 60 mils

83. Please provide design details and plans for the pond lining and ventilation strip placement.

Answer: The Contractor shall provide design details as part of product submission.

84. Please confirm what the finish of the liner needs to be; smooth, double, or single side textured, also conductive?

Answer: Section III, part 1.3, item 13 “ Use lightweight woven geotextile between nonwoven geotextile and textured geomembrane”

85. Please confirm spacing for the ventilation strips. Industry standard is 100' O.C.

Solicitation 15BFA025B00000004

86. Please verify if FLSI will be required to include MQC testing prior to shipment of materials?

Answer: Manufacture quality control testing will be required prior to shipment

87. Please verify how wide the road is between ponds 5 and 6.

Answer: Estimate is 8 ft. Vehicle traffic will not be permitted

88. Please verify and provide detailed drawings of how the liners will be anchored between ponds 5 and 6.

89. Please verify if there are any mechanical attachments in the liners that pertain to this project.

90. Please verify if there are any penetrations through the liners that pertain to this project.

Answer: Yes, there are inlet and discharge piping on both ponds

91. Please verify the number of sumps that pertain to this project.

Answer: Ponds 5 and 6 are de-silting ponds. We don’t anticipate any sumps that will be included in this work

92. Please verify what ponds 5 and 6 contain for proper disposal purposes.

Answer: It is treated as raw wastewater until it is chlorinated and then it turns into a class B recycled water

93. Will the government receive an alternative to disposal of demucked material in the form of implementing it into the banks with the DredgeSox erosion control system?

Answer: Government will not accept this as an alternative solution for this work.

94. Do the Superintendent, SSHO and QC Manager need to be 3 separate individuals?

Answer: The Superintendent cannot be dual hatted as the QC manager

95. (If building is occupied) Are there any phasing requirements? How many people will be in the building? Are there any temporary heating/cooling requirements?

Answer: This question does not pertain to the scope of project

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

Answer: Contractor shall provide bid on the government’s period of performance.

97. Are soil boring reports available? If not, it will be assumed that excavation will be clear of rocks and obstructions.

Answer: The government does not have Geotechnical Reports for these ponds. Government assumes there’s no sub-surface obstructions.

98. Please provide bidding quantities for deteriorated underlayment (roofing)/base course (paving).

99. Please confirm the manufacturer of the existing roofing system and who carries the current warranty of the roofing system.

100. Please provide the site visit attendee sign in sheet.

Answer: Sign in sheet was uploaded as an “Attachment A.” on February 5, 2025.

101. Is there a bulk water fill i.e. a hydrant or water source we can pump from for grading operations in close proximity?

Answer: Yes, a fire hydrant is near

Solicitation 15BFA025B00000004

102. Please confirm whether asbestos or lead is present on this project, and if so, provide relevant documentation.

103. Please verify if drug and background checks are required for contractors on this project?

Answer: Contractor shall be responsible to comply with Homeland Security Directive (HSPD)-12. A background investigation will be required.

104. Please verify how long site training will last?

105. Please clarify if the liner is supposed to be smooth or textured?

106. Please verify at what distance should geocomposite strips be placed on the floor?

Answer: At least 36” minimum OC to 72” maximum OC

107. Please clarify if there will be any ladders in either pond?

108. Please verify how many pipe boots per each pond?

Answer: Pipe boots to match existing layout unless code requirements dictate additional outlets