Answers_to_Questions_Received_191BWC22R0002_20220429.pdf

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Answers to Questions Received Against 191BWC22R0002 – Sunland Park Levee Repair

1. Reference specification page 02.01.00-Page 6, “1.13.B. Along all restoration sites, the Contactor shall install temporary fencing no further than 20 feet from the levee toe to ensure that their operations do not encroach upon the restoration sites. The fencing cannot be removed until all work except for revegetation remains to be completed.” What type of fence is required and what bid item is this work paid? What is the quantity that should be included for pricing?

Response 1: Type of temporary fencing is up to the Construction Contractor to be adequate for maintaining their operations outside the restoration sites. Section 02.01.00 1.13.A. and 1.13.C.

indicate where temporary fencing is required and reference the drawings for more information.

Section 02.01.00 1.5 states the work performed under this Section "shall be included in the various Bid Items under this Contract." Contractor shall determine under which applicable Bid Items to include the pricing for this work. No estimated quantity is being provided. Contractor shall determine the quantity necessary based on drawings, specifications, and site visit if needed.

2. Reference specification page 31.14.00-Page 4, “3.5.A. Stockpiles of sediment removed from the Rio Grande exist at approximately the locations noted in Table 36. These stockpiles are not shown on the Contract Drawings since they were placed on the floodplain after the survey was completed.” Addendum-02 provided a Lump Lum Item No. 018 for “Remove Stockpiles in Floodplain (31.14.00). What quantity should contractors assume for each stockpile?

Response 2: No estimated quantity will be provided for each stockpile. As indicated during the Pre-Proposal Site Visit, the Contractor shall determine their own quantity for the stockpiles.

3. Addendum-02 changed the Line Item No. 011 for “Boulders (32.31.59) from “240 EA” to a “1 LS”.

Please clarify how many boulders are to be provided new from off-site sources? How many boulders should be relocated from the existing site?

Response 3: Reference Solicitation drawings for extent of work and relocations of boulders.

Based on recent amendment drawings, Government anticipates no new boulders will be required and existing boulders that are not required for specific placement will be stockpiled downstream of Country Club adjacent to the West levee at the existing rock pile per Specification Section

32.31.59 3.2.

4. Reference Plan Page 26496-001-00 shows prior Country Club bridge work was performed during a full closure. Is there a time of year when the Country Club Bridge can be fully closed?

Response 4: Reference Section 01.55.26 1.8.B. USIBWC anticipates there will be no time of year when full closure of the bridge would be allowed by the City of El Paso. All traffic control for the construction of the Country Club Bridge floodgates shall be coordinated with the City of El Paso and approval of closures is subject to their sole discretion.

5. Reference Drawing C105, “Typical Levee Section 9 Benching Limits”, is the additional volume of soil needed for Benching Cuts included in the Bid Item No. 021 Quantity?

Response 5: It is assumed that this question refers to the cuts that extend past the minimum excavation limit. If so, no this quantity is not included. Reference Section 35.41.00 1.6.C.

6. Reference Drawing C105, “Typical Levee Section 9 Benching Limits”, is the additional Benching volume for Fill Replacement included in the Bid Item No. 022 Quantity?

Response 6: See response #5.

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7. It is not clear from the information provided, what are the allowable work days and allowable work hours for construction activities in this contract?

Response 7: Reference Solicitation Section H.10 Contract Work Schedule.

8. Have suitable clay sources been identified during the design of this project? If so, please provide any available information on potential clay sources that meet the specifications.

Response 8: No. Please refer to Specification Section 31.05.13 1.7.

9. Reference specification page 01.77.19-Page 2, “1.4.B. Vegetation Establishment No separate measurement or payment will be made for items specified in this Section related to revegetation closeout requirements. Include all costs of closeout work in applicable prices offered in Contract for revegetation (Section 32.92.19) and vegetation establishment (Section 32.05.33) for which work is required.” Please clarify the following:

a. Is Line Item No. 009 “Vegetation Maintenance (32.05.33)” to include Vegetation establishment in addition to maintenance? Please clarify the scope of Line Item No.009.

Response 9: All requirements under Specification Section 32.05.33 are included in CLIN 009.

Section 32.05.33 1.7. clarifies the section covers maintenance and establishment and Paragraphs 1.8. and 1.10. include requirements for both.

10. Reference specification page 31.13.00-Page 5, “3.3.D. Upon completion of grading and backfilling, the site shall be seeded with the floodplain seed mix detailed in Section 32.92.19 Paragraph 2.1.D.2.” Please clarify the following:

a. What Bid Item should include the floodplain seed?

b. What Is the Quantity for floodplain seed mix?

Response 10a: Specification Section 32.92.19 1.6 indicates the work under that section is covered under CLIN 016 Revegetation.

Response 10b: No estimated quantity will be provided. The Contractor should reference the drawings and applicable specifications to determine their own quantities. All disturbed areas are required to be revegetated.

11. Reference floodplain seed mix detailed in Section 32.92.19 Paragraph 2.1.D.2., “c. This mix shall be used on all areas not covered by the Levee Seed Mix.” Please clarify the following:

a. What Bid Item should include the Levee Seed Mix paid?

b. What Is the Quantity of the Levee Seed Mix?

Response 11a: Specification Section 32.92.19 1.6 indicates all work under this section is covered under CLIN 016 Revegetation.

Response 11b: No estimated quantity will be provided. Section 32.92.19 2.1.D.1.c. indicates where the levee seed mix is required. The Contractor should reference the drawings to determine their own quantities. All disturbed areas are required to be revegetated.

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12. Reference specification page 32.92.19-Page 7, “2.1.D. Seeding Mixtures” While all plants shown in Table 42 and Table 43 are native to the area, the Contractor shall choose specific plants whose adaptations to soil, salinity, moisture, and location indicate that they will be successful in growing at the worksite.” Please clarify the following:

a. Please provide the seed mix types and pounds per acre or the application rate needed, so all bidders are pricing same.

b. The seed specification is very complicated for the local landscape contractors. Would the USIBWC consider a standard TXDOT seed mix specification for this region?

Response 12a: Reference Specification Section 32.92.19 Table 42 and Table 43 which provide NRCS recommended seeding rates in pounds of seed per acre. Section 32.95.19 2.1.D. items 1.

and 2. provide the requirements for how many specific types of plants are required in the Contractor proposed seeding mixtures. Contractor shall determine their own quantities and seeding rates.

Response 12b: No.

13. Reference specification page 32.92.19-Page 3, 1.6.B.3, “After seeding is completed, the Contractor may request partial payment only. Material certifications, invoices, and test reports must be provided to authorize any partial payments. Partial payments are limited to a total of 50% of the CLIN total when seeding is completed. Full (100%) payment will only be paid when vegetation is established per Section 32.05.33.” Please define “established”, what is the criteria when seeding is considered established as it applies to this project?

Response 13: Reference Specification Section 32.05.33 3.9.

14. Is erosion control mat required on the seeded slopes? If so, please specify what type of erosion materials are required.

Response 14: It is unclear what erosion control mat is being referenced. No mat is required.

Levee slopes require topsoil per Specification Section 32.91.19 and vegetation per Section 32.92.19.

15. Since the establishment and prolonged maintenance of vegetation is very difficult in the El Paso Region, because of arid conditions, would USIBWC consider changing the topsoil and seed requirements for the levee slopes to a stone or manufactured geosynthetic slope material?

Response 15: No. Contractor shall determine a Vegetation Establishment Plan per Section

32.05.33 1.8. that takes into consideration the site conditions and frequency of maintenance to ensure vegetation is established.

16. Reference Line Item No. 015 “Topsoil (32.91.00)”, there is no 32.91.00? Please provide Section 32.91.00.

Response 16: Correct Section is 32.91.19. See revised Amendment A00004 Solicitation Bid Schedule.

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17. Reference specification page 32.05.33-Page 4, “1.10.D. The Contractor shall maintain the vegetated areas for the full vegetation maintenance period stated in the Contract or until vegetation is established, whichever is longer.”

a. Please define what is considered satisfactory vegetation establishment?

b. Please define parameters required for Vegetative maintenance so that all contractors are interpreting the same information.

Response 17a: Reference Specification Section 32.05.33 3.9.

Response 17b: Reference Section 32.05.33 1.10.A. for what is considered vegetation maintenance. Contractor shall develop their own establishment plan (Section 32.05.33 1.8) to ensure vegetation is maintained and established.

18. Reference specification page 32.05.33-Page 5, “2.1.E.1 “Water shall be procured from a metered commercial source.” Please specify/clarify where the water can be obtained for watering for this project.

Response 18: The water source is up to the Contractor but shall be a metered source. Reference Specification Section 01.51.00 1.10. for additional requirements. As mentioned in the site visit, one potential source is fire hydrants.

19. Can the contractor access the levee from the East side of the Levee from the access along the Nemexas Drain?

Response 19: The Nemexas Drain is owned by Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID). Any access through that point would require an agreement with EBID. Reference Specification Sections 01.11.00 3.2.A. and 01.57.00 1.9.

20. Similar to above, can the contractor access the levee from the East side from any other road/access along the existing Levee work limits?

Response 20: No. Various roads are not public or are blocked. Access through Frontera Road is possible as noted in Solicitation Clause 52.236-4 (pg 40 of 73). Contractor may find private access per Specification Sections 01.11.00 3.2.A. and 01.57.00 1.9.

21. Please extend the date to ask questions an additional two (2) weeks longer than the current provided date of Friday, April 22, 2022.

Response 21: In order to ensure all questions are answered, a second due date of May 6, 2022 has been provided for any additional questions.

22. Reference Line Item No. 003 ”Handrails (05.52.13)”, are all the handrails required for this project paid under this Item No. 003? Please clarify what handrails are paid under this item, and what handrails are paid under other LS items.

Response 22: All handrails on the site are paid under CLIN 003. Reference Specification Section

05.52.13 1.8.A.

23. Please extend the date to ask questions to 27 April 2022, at a minimum, to allow for a more thorough review of the solicitation documents and more collaboration with potential subcontractors.

Response 23: See response #21.

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24. Section 52.236-1 - Performance of Work by the Contractor (page 40 of 73) states “The Contractor shall perform on the site, and with its own organization, work equivalent to at least sixty five (65%) percent of the total amount of work to be performed under the contract.” We believe it would be beneficial for the government to reduce this number as it would provide more subcontracting opportunities and thus potentially more competitive pricing. Will the government consider lowering this number to 35%?

Response 24: Lowering the requirement to 35% is not acceptable. This number has been reduced to 50%. See revised Solicitation 52.236-1 (page 40 of 73).

25. Section L.03, Paragraph B.12 (page 60 of 73) requires that offerors provide a completed Section L.06 in their Business Proposal. However, Section L.06 (page 65 of 73) is “Pricing Proposal Instructions.” Please clarify which section paragraph B.12 should reference.

Response 25: L.03 Paragraph B.12 requires L.07 be provided as part of the Business Proposal.

See revised Solicitation Section L.03 (page 60 of 73).

26. Section L.05, Paragraph B.3.b.(i) and (ii) requires offerors to provide a D&B PAYDEX score and a Portfolio Comparison score. If offerors do not have D&B scores, are there different criteria that the government will consider?

Response 26: No, only a D&B score is allowed. Every company doing business gets assigned a D&B number so no Offeror is anticipated to be lacking D&B scores. If there is such a case for a member of the Offeror’s team, indicate that company has no D&B scores. Note that the Government will also perform an independent search for scores to verify information on https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html

27. Section L.05, Paragraph B.4.a.i (page 63 of 73) states, “Indicate the capabilities and experience of project management in the areas of engineering, Contract administration, construction scheduling, estimating, design, purchasing, safety, quality control, and equipment management.”

As this project is already designed, please clarify what capabilities and experience of project management in the area of engineering and design are required of the offerors in the proposed organizational structure.

Response 27: The project still has aspects of engineering such as understanding of testing, concrete mix designs, quality control, etc. Design does not apply, see revised Solicitation L.05 (page 63 of 73).

28. Section L.05, Paragraph B.4.a.v. (page 63 of 73) states “Describe how the design responsibilities have been broken out, and the firm and key personnel in charge of each those design elements.”

As this project is already designed, please clarify what “design responsibilities” are required of the offerors.

Response 28: Design does not apply, see revised Solicitation Section L.05 (page 63 of 73).

29. Section L.06, Paragraph C. Cost Information in Other Volumes (page 65 of 73) states “No cost or pricing information shall be included in any other volumes.” However, offerors are required to include in their Volume I Business Proposal a Small Business Subcontracting Plan (per paragraph B.7 on page 60 of 73), which itself is required to include pricing information per FAR 52.219-9(d). Please clarify how offerors are to comply with these conflicting submission requirements.

Response 29: Provide the pricing information required for the Small Business Subcontracting Plan in Volume I. Volume I Business Proposal is only reviewed by the Contracting Officer and

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Contract Specialist. The technical evaluation panel does not have access to this information. The pricing information indicated in Solicitation Section L.06 C. is referring to not including any pricing information from Volume III Pricing Proposal in Volume II Technical Proposal. See revised Solicitation Section L.06 C. (page 65 of 73).

30. Section L.05, Paragraph B.2.a. states “Offerors shall provide detailed information relating to each proposed task area(s) which demonstrates their team's ability to satisfactorily meet the work requirements. The Offeror shall tailor their Technical Plan to highlight their capabilities, the Offeror's team, and key personnel. Offerors shall provide detailed information relating to each proposed task area(s) which demonstrates their ability to satisfactorily meet the work requirements.” Some task areas, such as USIBWC Notice Signs and Sign Maintenance Materials, are straightforward and are simply compliance with the contract plans and specifications, and other task items are more focused on payment than construction approach or ability to perform.

Offeror recommends B.2 Technical Plan for Construction focus on a schedule narrative for the construction execution approach and combine the requirements of the schedule narrative in B.6.b.

Response 30: There are no task items focused on payment. Offerors can decide which tasks to discuss in their proposals. The intent is that Offerors identify and include the major tasks of the project and demonstrate how they have the ability to perform that work.

31. Please identify the differences between Drawings “191BWC22R0002_Drawings_20220304_FS” and Drawings “191BWC22R0002_Drawings_20220304_HS”.

Response 31: As discussed at the Pre-Proposal Conference and noted in the agenda provided with Amendment #00002, the drawings are provided in full-size (FS) of 22"x34" and half-size (HS) 11"x17" drawing sets. There are no other differences between the two files provided.

32. Please provide more information of the scope of work required for Bid Item 20, Montoya Intercepting Drain Excavation. For the purposes of preparing a price estimate, there is not enough detail or information to estimate this work item. Provide volumes for items such as Clearing, Excavation, Backfill, landscaping, and final restoration.

Response 32: No estimated quantities will be provided for CLIN 020. Review the Drawing 27264 from Amendment #A00003 for typical section of the Montoya Intercepting Drain Excavation.

Specification Section 35.24.90 3.2.A. indicates the drain shall be excavated from approximately CE2 Sta 1781+00 to the culvert that drains into the Montoya Drain near CE2 Sta 1956+75.

Reference plan and profile drawings that show the extents of the drain in the plan views. The drain was also shown at the Pre-Proposal site visit to familiarize the bidders with the existing conditions of the drain. Also reference Section 00.21.13 1.6 regarding investigation of site conditions. As discussed at the site visit, the levee is available to pedestrian access all of the time.

USIBWC is adding LiDAR data collected in 2020 under Amendment #A00004. This data covers the Montoya Intercepting Drain but please note that the LiDAR data was not processed to account for heavy vegetation and standing water within the drain. Also, where standing water exists, the LiDAR will usually show the water surface and not the canal topography. Surveys required per Section 35.24.90 3.1.A. and Drawing 27264 govern over all survey data provided.

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33. Please provide quantities for the following Lump Sum (LS) Bid Item No. so all contractors are assuming the same scopes & quantities:

a. 003 – Handrails (05.52.13)

b. 005 - Sign Maintenance Materials (10/14.53)

c. 007 – Saltcedar Removal (31.13.00)

d. 008 – Concrete Slope Drains (31.35.23)

e. 009 - Vegetation Maintenance (32.05.33)

f. 014 – Montoya Lateral Wasteway (32.32.00)

g. 016 – Revegetation (32.92.19)

h. 17 – Shultz Lateral RCP (33.42.00)

i. 018 – Montoya C Wasteway (33.42.05)

j. 024 – Country Club Bridge East (35.49.53)

k. 025 – Country Club Bridge West (35.49.56)

Response 33: No. Reference Specification Section 00.21.13 1.6. and 1.9. Each Offeror has the responsibility to prepare their costs based on their own assumptions and investigations of the Contract documents and site.

34. Reference Drawing G002, note 1.7, “Various existing signs are located throughout the project limits. Each USIBWC sign and Stop sign shall be removed and replaced with new signs in accordance with USIBWC drawing 26424. All other existing signs, whether shown or not shown, shall be removed, temporarily stored and relocated as directed by USIBWC. Replace any signs that are damaged during construction.” Please quantify the total amount of signs work required since it is difficult to be quantified pre-construction or create a bid item allowance for the scope of this work.

Response 34: No. Site investigation will clearly show the USIBWC signs to be removed. Site investigation will also allow the Contractor to determine which other existing signs will be impacted by their construction operations.

35. Reference Drawing G002, note 1.12, “Remove all trash, rubble, and debris (including buried trash and debris) located within the project limits and dispose of at an approved site. Provide general housekeeping of trash, rubble, and debris during construction to maintain a clean construction site for the duration of the project. Contractor shall pay for all associated dumping fees.” Please quantify the total amount of existing “trash, rubble, and debris (including buried trash and debris)” work required since it cannot be quantified pre-construction.

Response 35: No. This is a typical requirement for any construction project.

36. Reference Drawing G002, note 2.1, “The existing utility features shown are based on an above-ground field survey and data provided by franchise utility companies and may not include all utilities at the site. Prior to the start of any construction, verify and confirm the existence and location, depth and height of all utilities, including the use of private subsurface utility locating service as necessary.” Please provide a bid allowance for this scope since the order of magnitude cannot be quantified during bid preparation.

Response 36: No bid allowance will be provided.

37. Reference Drawing C104, “Typical Levee Section 7” where it is noted “Grade landside floodplain to drain away from levee. Match existing ground. 10% max. Fill required past the landside levee

191BWC22R0002 Page 8 of 13 toe shall meet section 31.23.23.” Under what Bid Item No. is this work to be paid? Please quantify the area and volume of this work.

Response 37: No estimated quantities will be provided for this item. Reference Specification Section 31.23.23 1.6 for more detail on measurement and payment of backfill.

38. Is there a restriction of how much length and/or area may be reconstructed at any given time?

Are there measures to readily restore the existing levee temporarily in time of a potential storm event? If so, please identify the measures (with stored materials) required for this potential emergency restoration.

Response 38: Reference Specification Section 02.01.00. There are no restrictions on the length that may be worked on at any given time, but the Emergency Levee Closure Plan required as part of the Flood Protection Plan (02.01.00 1.15.E.) requires that the Contractor close the levee within 24 hours when necessary. So, the length of open levee depends on the Contractor's abilities for closure within 24 hours. There are no Government provided measures to readily restore the existing levee temporarily.

39. Reference Bid Item No. 023 “Riprap (35.42.37)” = 1,968 LF, what is the Cubic Yards of Riprap required so all contractors are bidding the same scope and volume. Drawing C106 shows some riprap work but the total volume is not clearly identified.

Response 39: As discussed in the Pre-Proposal Conference, riprap was provided in linear quantity because the riprap work is typical over a certain length of levee. Reference Drawings C219-C221 and C263 for plan views with riprap along slopes for calculating total area and volume. C103 also shows riprap typical levee section and includes tables of limits.

40. Reference drawing C219 “Riprap Toe Drain See Note 6”, under what Bid Item No. is this work paid? What is the scope and volume of this work?

Response 40: The riprap is included under CLIN 023 Riprap (35.42.37). See Drawing C106 Sections 6 and 7 as well as response #39 for scope and volume.

41. Reference drawing C219 which lists chain link fence, is there any new fence required for this project? If so, where is this work paid? What is the quantity that should be included for fence scope work?

Response 41: The referenced chain link fence is existing fence along the ROW boundary. There is no new chain link fence required. Reference Specification Section 00.21.13 1.5.A. and

00.31.50 1.4.B.1. Bidders shall review the full Solicitation and all Contract documents to determine the full scope of work required.

42. Reference drawing C222, Note 2 states existing wattles and stakes shall be removed. Are there wattles or other erosion measures required to be removed for this project? If so, under what item will this erosion controls removal work to be paid? Please quantify all erosion control measures to be removed.

Response 42: Wattles are required for removal as noted from East Levee Sta 1695+25 through 1737+00 along landside of levee. C262 to C263 Note 2 also notes removal of wire backed silt fence with metal stakes left in the willows against the river bank from West Levee Sta 1679+00 to EOP. This work falls under Section 31.11.00 and no separate measurement or payment will be made this work. No estimated quantity will be provided.

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43. Reference drawing C224, Note 1, “Encroachments including landscaping, fences, rock-walls, and overgrown vegetation may not be identified on the drawings. Contractor shall remove all encroachments encountered inside the ROW during construction unless otherwise noted.” Under what Bid Item No. is this work to be paid? Please quantify the length, area, and volume of this work since it cannot be quantified during bid preparation.

Response 43: An encroachment table has been provided on all sheets where they are known indicating what must be removed. Photos are provided on Drawings 26496. Also reference Specification Section 00.31.50 for additional information about encroachments to be removed. No estimated quantities will be provided. The work performed under this Section shall also not be paid for directly but shall be included in the various Bid Items under this Contract (Section

31.11.00 1.5 and 3.3).

During the site visit, the Offerors were shown the worst encroachment to be removed. If more detail is required, Offerors are urged to visit the worksite and project area to become fully aware as to the existing conditions affecting the work to be performed (Section 00.21.13 1.6).

44. Reference drawing C224, Note 1, “Encroachments including landscaping, fences, rock-walls, and overgrown vegetation may not be identified on the drawings. Contractor shall remove all encroachments encountered inside the ROW during construction unless otherwise noted.” Will any of these features require to be restored/replaced? Under what Bid Item No. is this work to be paid? Please quantify the length, area, and volume of this work since it cannot be quantified during bid preparation.

Response 44: No encroachments required for removal shall be restored. See response #43.

45. Please identify and quantify all erosion items required for the construction of this project. Under what Bid Item No. is new erosion control paid?

Response 45: This question is unclear as to what "erosion items" are being referenced. Offerors are required to review all Contract documents provided and make their own independent investigation and examination as they deem necessary. See Section 00.21.13 1.6.C.

46. Please identify and quantify all erosion items required to stay in place at the end of this project.

Response 46: This question is unclear but all SWPP measures installed or used by the Contractor are required to be removed.

47. Reference Drawing C262, Note 6, “Remove approx. 9 inches of soil from the new landscape toe of the levee to the R.O.W from Sta. 1690+00 to 1697+50.” Under what Bid Item No. is this work paid?

Response 47: C262 does not have a Note 6. The reference Note 6 is on Drawing C263. This work falls under CLIN 021.

48. Reference drawing C567 “Bedding Stone”, under what Bid Item No. is this work paid? What is volume of Bedding Stone for this project?

Response 48: This bedding stone is part of the riprap per Specification Section 35.42.37 and shall be paid under CLIN 023. No estimated quantities will be provided. Offerors can determine quantities from typical sections and cross sections provided.

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49. Reference Bid Item No. 022 “Levee Embankment Fill (35.41.00) VEQ applies” = 252,600 CY. Is this CY volume the quantity to be imported from off-site? Does this volume also include levee fills (such as the levee fills shown on Cross Sections on Drawing C632)? Please clarify.

Response 49: This is the estimated quantity of volume of in place, compacted levee embankment required including any areas of fill required.

50. Reference drawing C691 “Grouted riprap and bedding stone” – under what Bid Item No. is this work paid? What is the volume of grouted riprap and bedding stone for this project?

Response 50: See response #48.

51. Reference specification page 01.52.13-Page 1, “USIBWC Property is not available for use as the Contractor’s staging and/or storage areas.” Due to the length of this project, may the contractor utilize the areas within the USIBWC right of way for staging and/or storage areas? Please clarify.

Response 51: No.

52. Is the Site Superintendent allowed to dual hat as the Site Safety Officer?

Response 52: Yes.

53. Where the specifications call out training requirements, specifically “40 hours of scheduling training” in 01.32.16 and “An average of at least 20 hours of formal safety training each year for the past 5 years. In other words, SSHO shall have at least 100 hours of safety training within the last 5 years.” in section 01.35.23. What documentation is required as proof of this training and continuing education?

Response 53: The certificates of training with date and the number of hours completed.

54. Do the scheduler, SSHO, or CQCSM (and/or alternates) have to be employed by the Prime contractor or can they be outside consultants?

Response 54: They can be outside consultants directly hired by the Prime Contractor.

55. In the revised solicitation, section L.03 B.7 states that we are required to provide “Additional information required by the Solicitation to be furnished by the Offeror which is not required to be obtained in another volume of the proposal, such as, the Small Business Subcontracting Plan.”

Please specify exactly what information, in addition to the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, we are required to include at this section.

Response 55: This is a general statement to provide direction on where to include any other documents required in the Offeror's proposal that do not specifically state the proposal volume for submission. There is no other information anticipated to be included.

56. In the revised solicitation section L.03, B.12 states that “Offerors shall provide a completed L.06 as a part of their proposal.” However, L.06 contains the Pricing Proposal Instructions. Please clarify what we are to include in this section. Are we supposed to include our entire Pricing Proposal at this section as well?

Response 56: See response #25.

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57. Section G.05 provides goals for subcontracting. Are we required to reach these goals, or are they recommended goals?

Response 57: Response to be provided in next amendment.

58. Section G.05 provides goals for subcontracting. Please clarify if the goals stated in this table are percentages of the entire contract amount or percentages of our total subcontracted amount.

Response 58: Response to be provided in next amendment.

59. In the revised solicitation, section L.05, B.2.a Ability, requires us to include “detailed information relating to each proposed task area(s)…” Please clarify what is meant by “task area(s).” Does this refer to divisions of specifications, bid items, or something else?

Response 59: These are referring to major tasks or features of work for the project.

60. The revised solicitation, section L.05, B.4.a, requires us to describe “how the design responsibilities have been broken out, and the firm and key personnel in charge of each of those design elements.” From our understanding, this project has already been fully designed. Are we required to provide design services on this contract? If not, please consider removing this requirement from the proposal.

Response 60: See response #28.

61. What software are Offerors required to use to develop our construction schedule?

Response 61: Any software, such as Primavera or Microsoft Project, is allowed as long as it can produce a schedule that meet Specification Section 01.32.16.

62. A1- RFP- P 29, FAR 52.219-4. Provided that the Solicitation is being awarded based on best value and not on price alone, was this Price Evaluation Preference afforded to HUBZone?

Response 62: Response to be provided in next amendment.

63. A1- RFP- P 60, B.7. Does the IBWC have a preferred format for the required Subcontracting Plan?

Response 63: No.

64. A1- RFP- P 62, B.3. Are Bidders required to submit Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) for those subcontractors performing specialty work?

Response 64: PPQs are required for all members or subcontractors of the Offeror's team who are being proposed to perform at least 15 percent of the work. (Solicitation L.05 B.3.)

65. Section H.10 limits the work time on the project to 40-hour weeks. We typically work 50-60 hours per week. Can we have the flexibility to propose this project on a 6 day work week up to 10 hours per day or a minimum of 5 day work week up to 10 hours per day?

Response 65: Overtime beyond 40 hours may be allowed as long as it is approved beforehand by CO/COR. However, per Solicitation Clause H.10, if additional inspection forces are required to perform in excess of their normal 40 hours per week, the actual cost of the overtime inspection at overtime rates will be charged to the Contractor.

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66. During the site visit it was discussed more plan sheets and other documents would be forth coming. As we have not received those yet and the cut off for questions is today, we would like to request the question deadline be extended to a period that would allow the review of the additional documents when received. We believe this would be in the best interest of both the government and the bidders.

Response 66: Drawings were provided with Amendment A00003 on April 15, 2022. However, see response #21 for extension of question period.

67. It was discussed during the pre-bid meeting that additional plans sheets would be coming out in an amendment in the near future for this RFP, but not likely before the deadline for questions.

Can the government please extend the deadline for questions period to allow time for review of the forthcoming information?

Response 67: See responses #21 and #66.

68. The EPA has recently updated the NPDES requirements from what is referenced in the project specifications (NPDES 2017). Will these references be updated in a future amendment?

Response 68: Items were updated with Amendment A00003 on April 15, 2022.

69. Per Amendment A00001, Standard Form 1442, we respectfully request a 3-week extension to the proposal due date and the request for information and question due date.

Response 69: See response #21. The proposal due date has been extended to June 7, 2022.

70. Per the Design Documentation Report there are optional construction methods for completing the levee repair. Will these options be open to the contractor to use instead removal of the existing levee and importing material?

Response 70: No. Contractor shall build the levee per the construction drawings and specifications which implemented the accepted alternative for levee rehabilitation during design.

71. Position requirements for the Project Manager and the Superintendent are not included in the solicitation or specifications. Please clarify that it is up to the Offeror to determine appropriate qualifications for these positions.

Response 71: There are no requirements for the Project Manager and Superintendent. The Offerors should propose personnel they deem appropriately qualified for this project.

72. To demonstrate/document 5 years of experience on a project-by-project basis within two pages for the Health and Safety Officer while also providing the information requested in B.4.c.ii.(d) (1) through (7) is not possible on two pages. H&S Officers may be assigned to short-term projects that last for months; to cover 60 months could require 10 to 15 projects. Please consider eliminating the two-page limitation for this position.

Response 72: No. If similar position, duties, responsibilities, employer, and superior apply to multiple projects, this can be stated once and provide all projects that apply to these same details.

73. Due to the limited availability of suitable embankment fill in the area we need to do our due diligence on testing possible borrow sites using drilling methods to ensure the material is available and can meet specifications. Currently drillers in the area are approximately 3 to 4

191BWC22R0002 Page 13 of 13 weeks out to perform this testing and we request a 4-week extension to the bid to perform the necessary testing.

Response 73: See response #69.

74. Is the bid date May 6th 2022?

Response 74: May 6, 2022 was incorrect, but the proposal due date has been extended. See response #69.

75. It mentions phase 2. Was there stop logs (flood walls) on phase 1?

Response 75: There are no phases on this project. Stop logs are required at Country Club Bridge.

76. Is there a BUY American Act? If so which one is it?

Response 76: Yes. The Solicitation lists FAR Clauses 52.225-11 and 52.225-12 with Alternate I.

77. Could you provide any information regarding the likeliness that IBWC will extend the bid deadline?

Response 77: See response #69.

78. Paraphrase of question received:

01.45.00 Section 1.11.A requires that the CQCSM:

2. The CQCSM shall be an employee of the Contractor.

01.45.00 Section 1.11.C goes on to require that:

1. The CQC System Manager shall be a graduate of an ABET accredited college of engineering and/or a registered professional engineer in the States of New Mexico and Texas.

These requirements are more stringent than we typically see on Federal projects. That being said, the need and/or benefit to the Government associated with 1.11.A.2 and 1.11.C.1 in particular is not apparent and may be unduly restricting bidders from nominating the best and most qualified candidates available to fill the role of CQCSM. In particular, we are requesting that the Government allow the CQCSM to be an employee or subcontractor. Furthermore, because the CQCSM is not responsible for any engineering or design work, we request that 1.11.C.1 be removed from the specification entirely. In the event that the Government determines that it is not able to remove 1.11.C.1 from the requirements, we would request confirmation that the “and/or” language (as currently written) allows a CQCSM to have graduated from an ABET accredited college of engineering without being a registered professional engineer in the States of New Mexico and Texas.

Response 78: Both New Mexico and Texas include the review of construction in the practice of engineering. Therefore, the CQCSM is required to be an engineer and Specification Section

01.45.00 1.11.C.1 shall not be removed. During the Pre-Proposal conference, it was also mentioned that the CQCSM must be an engineer, no exceptions.

The CQCSM may be a subcontracted independent consultant but shall not be an employee of a subcontractor performing construction, testing, or other services on the project. Section 01.45.00 1.11.C.1. is stating that the CQCSM shall be an engineer graduate from an ABET accredited college of engineering or shall be a registered PE in New Mexico and Texas.