Q&A_11-18-19.pdf

MT NPS GLAC 14(4) & MT Glacier 14(1) Rehabilitate Many Glacier Road & Many Glacier Road

# General Technical Question Answer Date

1 X

Per section 637.02, the government housing trailer pads are located at Glacier National Park Hudson’s Bay District. Could you please provide the exact location of these trailer pads?

Approximate GPS Coordinates for the trailer pads are 48°44’14.50” N, 113°25’39.33” W;

and 48°44’13.85” N, 113°25’37.78” W.

10/31/19

2 X

The required pH for furnished topsoil is between

6.0 and 8.0 per Subsection 713.01. Since the pH for the existing topsoil on the project is between

5.5 and 5.8; can the specified pH for furnished topsoil be modified to match the existing topsoil pH, and reduce the cost of imported topsoil to be furnished?

This will be addressed under a forthcoming amendment.

11/4/19

3 X

Per Section 108.01 (c), the work at Sta: 716+46 is to be performed from March 1st to June 15th.

Section 108.01(g), indicates the culvert replacement work can not be done after the third Monday in May. Please clarify if this work be completed between the third Monday in May to June 15th?

This will be addressed under a forthcoming amendment.

11/4/19

4 X

Subsection 107.10(d)(5) says that all topsoil loads need to be tarped. If the source of topsoil is determined to be weed free and was not required to be treated, will WFLHD still require the loads to be tarped?

Yes. Comply with the requirements of Subsection 107.10(d)(5)

11/4/19

Check General or Technical

5 X

Per Section 108.01 (c), the work is to be done between March 1st and June 15th of any given year. Is it the intent of the contract to have the Contractor perform the work at this station during the high water period?

Perform work according to the requirements of Subsection 108.01(c).

11/4/19

6 X Can you please tell me the date, time and location for the pre‐bid meeting for this project?

See Pre‐bid Meeting information shown on Page A‐2c of the Notice to Bidders.

11/5/19

7 X

Will a Material Transfer Vehicle (Shuttle Buggy) be required on this project for asphalt? If so will it also be required in the parking lots and turn lanes?

A material transfer vehicle is not required for this project.

11/5/19

8 X

How will asphalt compaction testing be performed for the 1” wedge and leveling section?

Testing compaction for a 1” lift is usually impossible to get accurate results.

See Subsection 403.09 and follow ASTM D 2950 as specified.

11/5/19

9 X

Section 104.05 states that loads over 21 feet long will require a pilot car with a permit and advance notice. Would this apply to belly dump loads of material entering the park? We will have hundreds of loads of material with belly dumps over 21’ long. Please clarify.

This will be addressed under a forthcoming amendment.

11/5/19

10 X

The physical data for the Akupini and Windy Creek bridges show a legal load of 36 tons for a Type 3S2 Truck. Is that the payload or the payload and the weight of the truck together? A typical loaded Type 3S2 truck would be closer to 46 tons gross weight. If the gross weight of 36 tons is the max allowed it would increase the amount of truck loads by as much as 50%. Please clarify the max load allowed over the bridges.

Yes, regarding the 3S2 truck, the structure load rating details shown in the bridge inspection reports is the truck with total weight and axle loads including truck and payload. This is standard legal load rating vehicle from the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation for load rating purposes. The bridge is not posted for restricted load, and is open to legal hauling. Any overload or permit vehicles will need to be evaluated for capacity.

11/5/19

11 X

Section 108.01 paragraph f limits the work at Many Glacier Hotel look road, parking lot, and horse pedestrian/bridge: and Entrance Station construction work to September 21st , 2020 to May 28th 2021. Paragraph g limits all culvert replacement work from the third Monday in September to the third Monday in May of any year.

The temperature specification for beginning asphalt paving must be at least 55 degrees F. In looking at historical temperatures it appears that the temperature may not be within asphalt paving ranges during the times specified, and if it is the allowable paving temperature window will be extremely short during the day. Can the paving low temperature specification be reduced for paving within those timeframes? This has been an issue on other FHWA projects.

We’re not sure where you’re seeing the 55 degree F temperature specification for paving. Weather limitations for paving are shown in Subsection 401.07, and will not be changed.

11/5/19

12 X

Per the Ordinance 117 Permit, the work will not, during either its construction or during the life of the project:

‐create a public nuisance Is night time construction traffic and/or work considered a public nuisance to the local residents?

Information regarding the Ordinance 117 Permit is scheduled to be discussed at the Pre‐Bid Meeting.

11/7/19

13 X

If the adjacent landowners complain the night time construction traffic and/or work is in violation of the conditions of the Ordinance 117 Permit, what measures will WFLHD require the Contractor to take? Will the additional measures and costs be considered a change in conditions of the Contract?

Bid according to the contract. Requests for change will be evaluated after contract award.

11/7/19

14 X Can you please post the 10‐year historical weather data that WFLHD used to determine construction date parameters?

This information will not be provided. 11/7/19

15 X

Per FAR 52.236‐4, Hydrological data consisting of flow rates, water surface elevations, velocities, and hydraulic permit information may be inspected at Western Federal Lands Highway Division, Contracts Section, 610 East Fifth Street, Vancouver, Washington 98661. Can WFLHD post the hydrological information that is pertinent to the drainages affected by the work on this project or provide a web address to access this information?

See Physical Data Files glac01404_HydraulicsReport_Final.pdf and mt‐a3700141_HydraulicsReport_Final.pdf that have been provided.

11/7/19

16 X

Per Section 108.01(e), winter shutdown is December 16th and startup is March 31st. If the Contractor is unable to perform work up to December 16th shutdown, will an extension of time be given for weather delays? If the Contractor is unable to start work on March 31st, will an extension of time be given for weather delays?

See Subsection 108.03. 11/7/19

17 X

Can WFLHD please clarify Section 104.05(a)(2)?

Will each truck or piece of equipment be required to have and escort car in front of them at all times except for specified closure periods? When are the high traffic times?

This will be addressed under a forthcoming amendment.

11/7/19

18 X Is there a cost for the Park travel permits?

This will be addressed under a forthcoming amendment.

11/7/19

19 X

Would WFLHD allow the work on Many Glacier Hotel Loop Road, parking lot, and the horse bridge to be completed in smaller phases past the May 28th deadline?

Bid according to the contract. Work in this area cannot be performed beyond the May 28th deadline.

11/7/19

20 X At the pre‐bid meeting, will the Contractors be given the opportunity to ask questions regarding the plans and specifications?

No. Submit general information and/or technical information questions according to the Block 9 directions show on Page A‐5 of the solicitation.

11/7/19

21 X

Will the Contractor be able to limit traffic to one lane during daytime hours between the third Monday in May to the third Monday in September utilizing pilot cars and flaggers in accordance to MUTCD regulations?

Yes. 40 minute maximum cumulative delays (day) are allowed under Subsection 156.07(i)(2)(a).

11/7/19

22 X

Will WFLHD allow culvert replacement work to be completed from the third Monday in May to third Monday in September utilizing one lane traffic control?

No. Culvert replacement work is restricted from the third Monday in May to third Monday in September of any given year according to Subsection 108.01(g).

11/7/19

23 X

Section 203.03 Salvaging Materials. Regarding the Horse Trail Bridge, this section mentions to “salvage the…….metal hardware and electrical lighting for reattachment. On drawing H.03 Note

(1) says to replace. A. Please clarify if electrical materials and lighting are to be re‐used or new?

B. If new please provide light fixture, conduit, and conductor requirements.

A. Subsection 203.03 says to salvage the existing timber rail, bridge deck, running planks, metal hardware and electrical lighting system for reattachment; however, this Subsection also says to replace or repair members, pins, nuts, plates, and related hardware damaged, lost, or destroyed during the salvaging operations.

In addition, General Note 1 on Plan Sheet H.03 does not say to replace, this note says provide all materials and perform all work according to FP‐14.

B. This information will not be provided.

Bid accordingly.

11/12/19

24 X

Section 636.11B System Installation, Temporary Electrical & Telephone. When would we be able to access the entry station to evaluate phone and power requirements?

The road is currently open to the public.

For access into the Entrance Station Buildings to examine existing utilities, contact John Lucke, Deputy Chief of Facility Management for Glacier National Park, PO Box 128 West Glacier MT 59939 by email at John_Lucke@nps.gov, or by phone at

404.888.7979 (Office 1); 406.732.7718 (Office 2); or 406.250.3394 (Cell).

11/12/19

25 X

Section 636.11A and plan sheet J.5 New lighted bollards are called out to match existing lighted bollards. Does owner have any specifications, approved submittals, or drawings of the existing lighted bollards?

This information will not be provided. 11/12/19

26 X

Can you clarify the intended product for use for the Membrane Waterproofing, Type 1 (250 SY) – The FP‐14 spec book does not have any “types” associated with the waterproofing products

An amendment will be issued to clarify the Membrane.

11/7/19

27 X Is there a type for the geogrid stabilization? Type I, II, III etc.

The contract does not refer to a type.

Instead the requirements for Stabilization Geogrid are under Subsection 714.03 Stabilization Geogrid in the FP‐14.

11/7/19

28 X Is Executive Order 13706 for Paid Sick Leave applicable to this project?

See FAR Clause 52.222‐62 on page C‐63. 11/8/2019

29 X

Section 636 and drawings E-24 & E-25. Is there a one line electrical detail available for the existing parking lot lighting system? If not please specify where the existing lighting control equipment is located contactor is to connect to.

There is no detail. The tie‐in point will be at the bottom of the stairs on the west side of the parking lot within an existing buried wire with a junction box, simple twist couplers. This is also where the last existing bollard is.

11/12/2019

30 X Where does it state whether the permanent signs are on break away posts or wood posts? Are they all on the break away posts?

Please refer to Section 633.04 and permanent sign installation wood posts plan sheet M.32.

11/12/2019

31 X

Does the government want the contractor to bid in the costs associated with the Blackfeet THPO and BIA Archaeologist or will this be executed in a contract modification after award? Upon speaking with the THPO office the costs will be substantial and they indicated that mostly everything will be considered ground disturbing from clearing brush to actual excavation. This is not very clearly defined in the specifications. If the government would like it bid in to the project would they consider issuing a bid item with days similar to what has been issued for Traffic Control Supervisor?

An amendment will be issued to address this.

11/12/2019

32 X

Upon speaking with Century Link it was noted that their communications line will be in the way of many of the culvert crossings. They were under the impression that the communications line was going to be temporarily moved for construction and then relocated permanently on the project. This is not shown anywhere in the plans and the expense related to this is very high. They also indicated that the line that is there very expensive and will be very hard to avoid hitting when installing the culverts if not impossible. Please advise if we are to consider temporary line then relocate to permanent or how to deal with the areas in which the culverts will interfere with the line locations.

The method preferred by Century Link are shown in the contract. There are utilities described on the plans and specifications to be relocated. Preserve and protect utilities not scheduled for relocation. See 107.02A Utilities.

11/12/2019

33 X

Section 108.01(g) gives a very narrow window for the culvert replacements on the base schedule and option x which is a majority of the culverts on the project. This work combined with the other sequence of work on project could potentially make the project unconstructable in the time frame given to complete the job and will certainly make the pricing for this work much more expensive than if the restriction was lifted on the culverts.

Would the government consider allowing the culverts to be placed from the third Monday in May to third Monday in September if the culverts were installed under a night closure or were installed one half at a time while keeping a one lane road open to traffic. With over 100 culverts to install in a narrow spring 2020, fall 2020, and spring 2021 work window combined with the utilities that are going to be in the way, subexcavation work above culverts, road grading above culverts, and paving above culverts it looks as if the project may not be able to be completed with restrictions given. Please advise if specification can be revised.

Bid according to the contract. 11/12/2019

34 X

Is the electrical lighting system remove and reset on the North Horse Trail Bridge to be under the bridge rehab bid item A0940 or should an electrical bid item be added to section 636?

A pay item for removing and resetting the electrical lighting system shown on Plan Sheet H.03 will not be added. See Subsection 109.05.

11/14/2019

35 X

Noticed a direct bury phone cable also uses the bridge to run between buildings. Unable to find mention of this cable anywhere on the plans and specifications. What is the plan for this cable as it will need to be removed for the bridge rehab work?

See Subsection 107.02A and Section 636. 11/14/2019

36 X

Sheet No’s H.01 and H.02 for the Apikuni and Windy Creek Bridges shows complete removal of a 1’6” section of the decks. Rebar will be destroyed if saw cutting is through the entire deck. What is required for rebar replacement?

Also please note, it will be very difficult to drill and epoxy transverse rebar in that small of an area.

The plans don’t call for full depth saw cuts.

See Subsections 203.04(c) and 203.04(d).

11/15/2019

37 X

At the pre‐bid conference it was noted that a fee for obtaining water from the Blackfeet Tribe would be imposed at $400.00 or 1% of the contract whichever is greater. Will this 1% fee be imposed on the total contract value, the value of the actual costs for the pit, the value of everything on tribal land, or? Also, should this be included in project cost or will it be put in under contract modification.

Water sources are covered under Subsection 105.02A. Water obtained within the boundaries of the Blackfeet Reservation are subject to the requirements of Subsection 105.02(c).

11/15/2019

38 X

Who is responsible for the care and upkeep of the provided satellite phones? If a phone is lost or damaged will the government cover the cost of repair or replacement or is this the contractors responsibility?

See Section 637 and bid accordingly. 11/15/2019

39 X Do you have cross sections for all of the culverts?

Yes. 11/18/2019

40 X

With regards to the potential Blackfoot tribal pit source at “Babb Flats”, contractor performed test results show PI at the source from the test samples taken. Would FHWA consider amending the specifications to allow a maximum PI limit, pertaining to the “Select” and "Grade D” (crushed road base) materials incorporated into the project? Allowing a specification modification would provide to FHWA a contractor cost‐reducing option in pricing and enable the full utilization of the tribal pit source, that also happens to be closest to the start of the project.

Bid according to the contract. The proposed change is not acceptable.

11/18/2019

Here is the concern Century Link and Rocky Mountain Contractors passed along to me in regards to the communication line at the entrance kiosk:

After reviewing the plans and the Centurylink records the cable that is in conflict and that is to be preserved is an old “T Screen” cable. This is an odd size and type of cable that is not ready available. This may pose a problem for the relocation at the Kiosk and if a repair will be needed.

This will be addressed under a forthcoming amendment.

11/18/2019

42 X

I have a general question on FAR Clause 52.204‐

24. Do the Satellite phones requested under section 637 of the SCR's qualify to mark that as the Offeror WILL provide?

It depends if the phones meet the definition of covered telecommunications equipment or services under FAR Provision 52.204‐24.

Also see FAR Clause 52.204‐25.

11/18/2019