Pre-Bid RFIs Revised 12.11.2024.pdf

Repair Hillside Slip

Project # 540-23-104

Pre-Bid RFIs

1. Page GR202 in the drawings package shows two benches and a rock buttress on the plans.

Typical installation of the plate pile system does not require either of these elements. Is there a specific need or is this to facilitate the SRT installation? If the later as long as there is access at both the top and bottom of the slope, benching should not be required.

Question: Can you please confirm if the benching is required?

VA Response: Compaction Benching is required per drawing BJ102.

2. In VA-CWV_RHS_Bid_Documnets_Specifications part 4 execution does not state the plate piles should be embedded 2ft into the weathered rock. This is addressed in drawing

GR201 slide model with SRT placement. Depending on the degree of weathering, it may be required to predrill portions on the weathered rock.

Question: Can you please confirm if predrilling is required?

VA Response: Minimum 2 ft embedment into weathered rock is required. Geotechnical

Borehole Log shows Weathered Siltstone beginning at ~13 ft. If the contractor cannot embed the plate pile without predrilling, then predrilling will be required.

Question: If the weathering would require pre-drilling, would this be addressed as a change order due to differing site conditions?

VA Response: This would not be considered a differing site condition. Assume pre-drilling of all piles.

3. Spec 01 00 00 1.22 requires photos by a commercial photographer.

Question: Is this required?

VA Response: A commercial photographer is not required but significant documentation via logs and photographs from the site superintendent is expected throughout every step of construction. A cell-phone camera is acceptable.

4. Spec 01 35 26 1.9 requires a full-time SSHO with no other duties.

Question: Is the superintendent permitted to act as the SSHO?

VA Response: The Superintendent is permitted to act as the SSHO.

5. Spec 01 35 26 1.11 required CSP monthly inspections.

Question: Is this required?

VA Response: This is not required given the anticipated mobilization period.

6. Drawing GC100 shows the extent of the slippage that is to be repaired. The geotechnical documents have the date of September 2023. At the site visit it apparent

VA Response: Statement incomplete/ no question.

7. The specifications and drawings reference the use of Geopier SRT Plate Piles. This appears to be a trademarked product and what was used to formulate the design of the project.

Question: Are there any other brands of product that can be utilized on this project in place of the Geopier SRT Plate Pile?

VA Response: No, GeoPier SRT Plate Pile’s are required, and installation is to be performed by a certified installer, per SOW point 4-Detailed Requirements, Construction subsection point 34 Geopier SRT Plate Pile Installation, subpoint B: “The SRT Plate Piles

Installer (the Installer) shall be approved by Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. Without exception, no alternate installer will be accepted. Contractor must contact Geopier for list of approved vendors”.

Question: If the answer is yes, for bidding purposes, what additional requirements would need to be met for the government to approve the proposed replacement product (i.e. new engineered stamped design drawings, etc.)?

VA Response: N/A

8. At the site visit it was noted that the area to the right as seen from the highway, had multiple fissures throughout that may be signs that the slippage area has grown.

Question: With the geotechnical documents being dated September of 2023, has anyone confirmed that this area is stable enough for work to be performed on the identified construction area without causing an additional slippage that has the potential of doubling the square footage of the project? Attached is a drawing of the area in question (see blue box).

VA Response: There has not been additional slippage since the completion of the bid documents.

9. The drawings and specification discuss a permit for the DOH.

Question: Are there any costs associated with this permit?

VA Response: This is a question for the West Virginia Dept. of Highways. Subpoint 3 under point 2-General Scope of the SOW reads: “Bid shall include costs for permitting as well as costs for implementation of associated traffic control plan per WVDOH Manual on

Temporary Traffic Control for Streets and Highways (latest edition)”.

Question: Are there any additional permits that are required for the contractor to procure

(i.e. DEP permits)?

VA Response: Permits include but may not be limited to the following:

• In addition to the WVDOH Approved Traffic Control Plan, a WVDOH Approved

Right of Way Entry Permit is required.

• The contractor shall comply with and obtain the required State and County permits where the work is performed.

• Spec Section 01 57 19-2 1.4 Submittals, Environmental Protection Plan, subpoint E reads: “A list of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and permits concerning environmental protection, pollution control, noise control and abatement that are applicable to the Contractor's proposed operations and the requirements imposed by those laws, regulations, and permits”. Subpoint H follows: “Permits, licenses, and the location of the solid waste disposal area”.

• Spec Section 31 23 19-3 Dewatering 1.5 Submittals point B, bullet 7 reads:

“Materials submitted shall be in a format acceptable for inclusion in required permit applications to any and all regulatory agencies for which permits for discharge water from the dewatering system are required due to the discharge reaching regulated bodies of water”.

o Further, Spec Section 01 57 19-1 1.1 Description point C, Definitions of

Pollutants, bullet 5 reads: “Surface Discharge: The term "Surface Discharge" implies that the water is discharged with possible sheeting action and subsequent soil erosion may occur. Waters that are surface discharged may terminate in drainage ditches, storm sewers, creeks, and/or "water of the

United States" and would require a permit to discharge water” from the governing agency”.

• Spec Section 01 35 26-30 1.21 Excavation and Trenches point B reads: “All excavations and trenches 24 inches in depth or greater shall require a written trenching and excavation permit (NOTE – some States and other local jurisdictions require separate state/jurisdiction-issued excavation permits). The permit shall have two sections, one section will be completed prior to digging or drilling and the other will be completed prior to personnel entering the excavations greater than 5 feet in depth. Each section of the permit shall be provided to the Contracting Officer

Representative prior to proceeding with digging or drilling and prior to proceeding with entering the excavation. After completion of the work and prior to opening a new section of an excavation, the permit shall be closed out and provided to the

Contracting Officer Representative.

Question: If the answer is yes, for bidding purposes, what are the associated costs?

VA Response: N/A

10. Question: Will GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) be required for this project?

VA Response: Spec Section 02 21 13-3 Site Surveys 3.3 Surveys point D, Utility Survey:

“Utility Survey: Locate piped utilities and utility structures. Identify service: type, material, sizes, depths, and pressures. Establish inverts in and out on gravity sewer manholes. If depth is critical and manholes are not available identify depth with ground-penetrating radar

(GPR)”.

11. The 90-day period of performance appears to be quite aggressive for this project. External factors such as WVDOH permitting delays, adverse weather conditions, the potential discovery of rock during excavation, and possible restrictions from the WVDOH related to

Right-of-Way and Traffic Control Plan permits could impact the timeline.

Question: Could the VA reevaluate the POP to ensure sufficient time is allotted to complete this project?

VA Response: Requests to extend the Period of Performance will be vetted post-award.

12. The plans do not seem to include details regarding the water table.

Question: Could the VA provide information or data on the water table for this project?

VA Response: All relevant information at hand has been provided in the bid documents.

13. The provided geotechnical information suggests the potential for encountering rock during excavation.

Question: Could the VA clarify its expectations or requirements if rock is encountered during the course of the project?

VA Response: See responses to question 2.

14. The plans do not include the fee schedule for the required WVDOH permits.

Question: Could the VA provide the fee schedule for the Right-of-Way and Traffic Control

Plan permits necessary for this project?

VA Response: VA does not possess a fee schedule from the WVDOH.

15. Question: Will the WVDOH required bond be incorporated into the overall project bond, or will there be two separate bonds for this project?

VA Response: Refer to SOW Section 2.3: WVDOH PERMITTING AND TRAFFIC

CONTROL PLAN: The contractor is responsible for obtaining all permits required to complete the work. Bid shall include costs for permitting as well as costs for implementation of associated traffic control plan per WVDOH Manual on Temporary

Traffic Control for Streets and Highways (latest edition). a. Contact at WVDOH: Michael

Davis at Michael.r.davis@wv.gov

16. Question: Could the VA confirm whether the Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) and

Competent Person (CP) can be the same individual?

VA Response: The Superintendent is permitted to act as the SSHO.

17. Question: Could the VA confirm whether the Quality Control (QC) Manager and Project

Manager (PM) can be the same individual?

VA Response: The Quality Control (QC) Manager is permitted to also fill the role of

Project Manager (PM) if they are qualified to do so.