QA_04-28-2022.pdf

ID FS ERFO 2017(1)‐29(1)

Stoddard Bridge

# General Technical Question Answer Date

1 X

We have been going through the pre‐solicitation plans on the Stoddard Bridge. We see there is a highline system in place for construction of the bridge. In order to get drilling equipment in place on the south side of the river as well as other construction materials, will a temporary work bridge be allowed (Contractor

Designed) for this job?

The Government does not intend to obtain a permit for a temporary work bridge on this project.

8/2/2021

2 X

Is there an in‐water permit that has been secured for this project? Use of a temporary work bridge would also allow for use of a crane in lieu of the highline system if acceptable.

The Government does not intend to obtain an in‐water permit for this project.

8/2/2021

3 X Is the existing bridge usable for walking across?

No. The previous bridge shown on the plans has been removed.

4/4/2022

4 X

Page E‐10 of the Solicitation Document reads:

Contractor shall have access to Ebenezer Campground facility (river side of Salmon River Road) and is responsible for coordinating access to the north side of the road with the Forest service. Contractor will be responsible for personal/business equipment and items. A fence will be allowed at open area located at

SW corner of campground. Does this paragraph indicate that construction personnel will be permitted to camp at the Ebenezer campground? If so, is there a fee for use of the campground?

This will be addressed under Amendment

A001.

4/12/2022

5 X

I am inquiring about the bore holes 01 through 06 shown on sheet j.09. Where can I find the records/information/results of those bore holes (BH18‐

01 through BH18‐06)? It also appears that the file “GR

06‐21 ID FS ERFO 2017(1)‐29(1) Final” is not posted with the solicitation. Please make this available (or let me know if I missed it).

The information for BH18‐01 through BH18‐

06 is in the Boring Log within the physical data file “GR 06‐21 ID FS ERFO 2017(1)‐

29(1) Final.pdf”, and we have posted this physical data file on sam.gov as this file is listed under FAR Clause 52.236‐4.

4/12/2022

6 X

How was the equipment used to drill the test holes for the geotechnical report moved to the West side of the river?

See Subsection 3.2 of Geotechnical Report

No. GR 06‐21, dated May 2021.

4/13/2022

Check General or Technical

7 X

What is the reasoning for the requirement to have an

8,000psi grout strength for the micropile grout? A 4,000 to 5,000 psi grout mix is much more common and achievable in the field plus running an LRFD design using a 4,000psi grout mix satisfies the 400kip DL. We have been talking to suppliers and we are not even sure an 8,000psi grout that is fluid enough to be pumped down a tremie pipe is possible. Please revise the strength of the micropile grout.

The Government will not be revising these requirements. Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

8 X

What is the reasoning for an 8,000psi grout mix for the ground anchors? Typically is it recommended to be between 4,000 to 5,000 psi and this is enough strength to bond between the reinforcing and the grouted hole.

We have been talking to suppliers and we are not even sure an 8,000psi grout that is fluid enough to be pumped down a tremie pipe is possible. Please revise the required grout strength to be in alignment with

FHWA and PTI’s recommendations.

The Government will not be revising these requirements. Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

9 X What is the required wall thickness of the 8‐5/8” micropile casing?

This will be addressed under Amendment

A002.

4/14/2022

10 X What is the required corrosion protection of the micropile and soil nail reinforcing?

The required corrosion protection of the micropiles is the encasement required in the solicitation documents; and the corrosion protection of the soil nail reinforcing is specified under FP‐14

Subsections 722.04(c) and 722.04(d).

4/14/2022

11 X What is the minimum ground anchor bond zone length?

See Section 256 and the Notes on Sheet

J.33; and please bid accordingly.

4/14/2022

12 X What is the ground anchor unbonded length?

See Section 256 and the Notes on Sheet

J.33; and please bid accordingly.

4/14/2022

13 X What are the details of the ground anchor trumpets

(size, length, wall thickness, plate size, coating, etc.)?

See Section 256 and the Notes on Sheet

J.33; and please bid accordingly.

4/14/2022

14 X

Is micropile verification and proof testing allowed to be conducted in tension? Will a bigger bar be allowed in the verification and proof test micropiles if tension testing is allowed to allow for the micropiles to be pulled to the correct loads without failing the reinforcing bar?

Comply with the requirements of

Subsection 567.06, and bid according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

15 X

It appears the micropiles are designed right to the limits of the allowable elongation per the specifications.

Running an elongation calculation the theoretical elongation at 75% of DL is 0.36 inches and we are only allowed 0.375 inches. Please consider allowing an elongation of 0.5‐inches at 75% of DL.

The Government will not be changing this requirement. Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

16 X

Sheet No. J‐22 shows a 9 1/8” drilled hole with a 8‐5/8”

OD micropile casing. The area between the drilled hole and the casing is to be filled with lean concrete backfill.

Filling this annual space with lean concrete backfill is not possible and unpractical especially considering the space between the theoretical drilled hole and the casing is a quarter of an inch on each side. How would this even be placed? Typical industry practice follows

FHWA recommendations for micropile cased length design and construction which would be to not have anything around the outside of the casing to allow the cased length to act as a bond breaker to transfer the design loads from the footing down to the bond zone.

The cased length also provides hole stability and therefore typically any additional hole diameter drilled will just collapse on itself and therefore nothing is needed between the outside of the casing and drilled hole for the cased length. Please remove the requirement for the lean concrete backfill on the micropiles.

The Government will not be removing this requirement. Please bid according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

17 X

Please confirm the contractor is only designing the bond zone length for the micropiles and not the structural aspect of the pile.

See Subsection 567.04 and Sheet J.22; and submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

18 X

What is the point of the double micropile plate on top of the micropiles? The 12”x12” plate that sits on top of the casing is for compression punch out and typically a top plate is to handle the tension punch out. There appears to only be a compression load in these micropiles therefore the top plate of the micropiles is not doing anything. Please remove the upper suspended plate and just have the micropile plate resting on the casing to transfer the compression loads from the footing to the micropile.

The Government will not be making this change. Please bid according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

19 X

The geotechnical report did not appear to be in the bid documents. Please provide the geotechnical report along with borings.

The Geotech report has been posted to sam.gov on 4/12/2022, and the boring log is within the Geotech report.

4/14/2022

20 X

In regards to amendment 1 and coordination with the

Forest service, can you provide a contact person/phone/email? The local district telephone number leads to a recording saying the office is closed, with no additional contact information.

This will be addressed under Amendment

A002.

4/14/2022

21 X

Is there a reconciliation for the timbers associated with item A0540? Rough/Round numbers, there is 275 sf on abutment 1, 17 sf on abutment 2, and 2273 sf on the bridge proper, for a total of +/‐2565 sf. Roughly 7695 board ft at 3”, or +/‐7.7 MFBM. This is only about 16% of the listed bid qty. This is a ‘Contract Quantity” pay item, but this is a rather large discrepancy.

This will be addressed under Amendment

A002.

4/14/2022

22 X

Are there prequalified products, or additional details for the “8” square floor drain” and associated 3 & 4” drain pipes shown on J.12 and J.14?

This will be addressed under Amendment

A002.

4/14/2022

23 X

In regards to the USCG Bridge Permit, what will be considered unreasonable interference with free navigation of the waterway?

This will be addressed under Amendment

A002.

4/14/2022

24 X

What allowances will be made for accessing the south abutment via water crossing? Ie boat/”barge” for personnel/materials/equipment will require some level of disturbance to the existing channel embankment. Or will the Administration only allow helicopter access for heavy lift items required on the south abutment?

Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/14/2022

25 X

Sheet J.52 shows a chord splice detail associated with top and bottom chords however locations are not defined in the framing plans. Are we to assume locations are at the option of the contractor? It appears they need to occur mid‐panel to avoid conflict with other gussets plates? Please clarify.

Your assumption is correct since gussets and handrails need to be accounted for when determining where splice locations will be in the field.

4/18/2022

26 X

Regarding the response to bidder question 16, please explain how the Contractor is to backfill ¼” gap 34‐feet deep. By requiring this we want the government to understand that the contractor will have to install a temporary 10‐5/8” or 12” casing 34‐feet deep. This temporary casing will then be will filled with CDF and the 8‐5/8” casing will be wet‐set inside the temporary outer casing. After the 8‐5/8” casing is wet‐set then the temporary outside casing will be removed and the CDF allowed to cure. The inside of the 8‐5/8” casing will then be drilled out with a 7.5” bit to the bottom of the casing. The drill string will then need to be removed from the drill hole so that the under‐reaming bit can be lowered down the hole and the 9‐1/8” bond zone is drilled out. Essentially you will have to drill the hole multiple times and we do not think it is possible for the size of the drill rig that can access the micropile locations to get that size of casing down and back out of the drill hole. The drill rig will have to be helicoptered over the other side of the river to drill these. Having

CDF around the outside is going to result in a minimum

3 to 5 times price increase for the micropiles (if the limited access drill can even get the temporary casing down and back out of the drilled hole). Please reconsider this requirement.

The Government has reviewed these requirements and has determined these solicitation requirements are biddable since the outer diameter of the micropile is called out as a minimum of 9‐1/8”; and there is no restriction on increasing the hole diameter for constructability reasons.

Please determine your methods of operations and submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/19/2022

27 X Do you have a list of General Contractors bidding this project?

Obtain the registered vendors list (aka planholders list) for this project as follows.

Register in sam.gov and link your entity to your registration. After doing this, log into sam.gov to find the interested vendors list under this announcement. Contact the

Federal Service Help Desk if you experience further issues.

4/21/2022

28 X

Bid Items A0240 and A0660 should be paid for by the each instead of the lineal feet since the Contractor is responsible for designing the bond zone length. Thus, we control the length of the anchors/piles and could run these quantities by simply drilling the bond zones longer. If it is measured per each that is a quantity defined by the government and minimizes the governments risk of quantity overruns. Please consider revising the quantity to be measured by the per each.

The Government has considered this request and will not make this revision.

Please submit bids according to the solicitation requirements.

4/25/2022

29 X Is there a dirt run available for this project? If so would you please provide it?

See quantities beneath the Profiles on Plan

Sheets D.2‐3, as well as the Earthwork and

Geotechnical Physical Data.

4/25/2022

30 X

When were checking the quantities for bid item 55701‐

2000 STRUCTURAL TIMBER AND LUMBER TREATED

(TIMBER RUNNERS) we did not come close to the quantity listed in plans and bid form. Would you please verify the quantity give is correct?

This will be addressed under Amendmnet

A002.

4/25/2022

31 X

I’m sure all of the contractors would like a map/some other more specific description of the areas available

(the large open area in particular), with any restrictions or requirements detailed, both the potential camp sites and the laydown area. What are the rates for the camp spots, is there any time limit on the spots, can the whole camp ground be reserved for contractor use or will some number of spots be required to remain available to the general public?

Revised Response: This has been addressed under Amendment A003.

The Government will not be providing this information. Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/28/2022

(Revised)

4/25/2022

32 X

Would the contractor be permitted to blend waste spoils from excavation work into the surrounding area of the abutments and soil nail wall locations?

Suitable excavated material may be used according to the solicitation documents.

Dispose of unsuitable or excess material according to Subsection 203.05(a).

4/25/2022

33 X Is the contractor permitted to obtain water out of the

Salmon River for construction uses?

See last paragraph on Page A‐2a of the

Notice to Bidders.

4/25/2022

34 X

There will be excess excavation material on each side of the river. Can we embank the excess material on each side of the river and blend in to surrounding areas?

See the sixth paragraph of FP‐14

Subsection 208.03.

4/25/2022

35 X

Also plan sheets D2&D3 show excavated material on the bottom of the profile but does not show embankment. The table on D1 shows embankment as

67 CY’s. Would you please identify where the 67 CY’s of embankment is within the alignment?

See Fill Volumes in Physical Data File

EW_Calc_Report_20210510.pdf 4/25/2022

36 X

Would you please break out structure excavation? If excess excavated material can’t be embanked on the west side we would need to know how many CY’s of structure exaction are on each side so estimated costs are the most accurate.

See Volumes in Physical Data File

EW_Calc_Report_20210510.pdf 4/25/2022

37 X

Can you please send me the plan holders list for the above referenced project, scheduled to bid on May

3rd?

Obtain the registered vendors list (aka planholders list) for this project as follows.

Register in sam.gov and link your entity to your registration. After doing this, log into sam.gov to find the interested vendors list under this announcement. Contact the

Federal Service Help Desk if you experience further issues.

4/26/2022

38 X

Typically an un‐bonded length is specified for the ground anchors and the contractor is to design the bond zone length. Special Contract Requirement

256.04(p) states the contractor is to design the bond zone length. Please specify the minimum no‐load length of the ground anchors.

We are having a difficult time getting to the Ground

Anchor quantity shown. Please verify this is the correct quantity. Does this quantity include the contingency anchors as well?

The Government will not provide the additional specifications requested, and the

Government has verified the quantities.

Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

39 X

Can it be clarified if the bid quantity of ground anchor lineal footage only includes the initial ground anchors or also includes the contingency ground anchors as well?

There are no pay items for contingency ground anchors. Please submit bids according to the quantities shown in the

Bid Schedule.

4/27/2022

40 X

After planning out our temporary cable system we have determined that the anchor point would need to be installed further uphill from the closest geotechnical investigation bore hole 18‐01. Would the government consider adding an additional bid item to cover the costs of additional geotechnical investigation to ensure a safe cable system can be constructed?

The Government will not be adding additional pay items. See Subsection

109.05 and please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

41 X

Please confirm that the A0380 55201‐0200 Structural

Concrete, Class A (AE) does not require #30227 color per the Section 552 specifications that state.

“Add the following: Add a coloring agent to provide integrally colored concrete for Pay items [55210‐0400 –

Precast Structural Concrete, Class A (AE), Abutment;

55210‐0400 – Precast Structural Concrete, Class A (AE), Abutment; 55201‐1400 – Structural Concrete Class D

(AE), Deck; 25902‐0000 – Soil Nail Retaining Wall; and

Grouts]. Add enough agent to match the Standard

Color Chart Number #30227 of Federal Specification

595 once concrete has cured.”

This will be addressed under Amendment

A003.

4/27/2022

42 X FYI the link you just posted to sam.gov for QA 4‐27‐22 does not work.

QA 4‐27‐22 was inadvertently posted and subsequently replaced with the current

Q&A 04/25/2022.

4/27/2022

43 X Can the timber runners for the deck and timbers for the railing be rough cut?

See Plan Section J, and Sections 556, 557, and 716; and please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

44 X

In regards to the Ground Anchors, has the Government considered the soil behind the anchor blocks and/or abutment for compression that will be placed on the

Anchor Blocks during anchor lock off and/or testing provided the different anchor loads, thus considered the potential need for permanent casing to competent rock to adequately transfer the load of the anchors to the rock?

The Government will not be adding this.

See Plan Sheet J.33, Subsection 722.02, and

Geotechnical Report GR06‐21; and please submit bids according to the solicitation documents..

4/27/2022

45 X

On the permanent Ground Anchors Item A0240. Can the Government clarify the bid quantity per each

Abutment location?

See Plan Sheets B.1, J.25, & J.32 and

Geotechnical Report GR06‐21; and please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

46 X

Per the Project Geotechnical Report, is the contractor required to anchor the Ground Anchors in R3 or R4 bedrock? If yes, how is this to be verified by the contractor and/or by the Government?

See Note 4 on Plan Sheet J.33; and

Subsection 256.09; and please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

47 X Can the Government please provide a site plan with work limits shown for the project?

The Government will not be providing this information. Please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

48 X

In the Special Contract Requirements, Section 256 –

Permanent Ground Anchors in subsection 256.01, it states, “Permanent ground anchors are designed and detailed in the plans with expectation of the contractor‐ designed bond zone.” Where is the unbonded lengths provided?

The Government will not be providing this information. See Plan Sheets B.1, J.25, &

J.32; Subsections 256.04 & 256.05(b); and

Geotechnical Report GR06‐21; and please submit bids according to the solicitation documents.

4/27/2022

49 X

If the area is properly reclaimed to existing conditions will the contractor be permitted to establish access all the way to waters edge on both sides of the river?

The Government‐obtained permits in this solicitation do not allow the establishment of accesses all the way to waters edge on both sides of the river. All improvements or work such as; grading or building a landing below the Ordinary High Water line

(that is higher up the bank than the water’s edge) will require the Contractor to obtain a US Army Corps of Engineers 404/Section

10 permit, as well as a US Coast Guard permit as part of their methods of operations. See Subsection 107.01.

4/28/2022

50 X

In reference to the abutment and anchor details, no construction joints are shown. For logistical and constructability reasons, will the government allow construction joints?

The Government will allow construction joints that are approved according to FP‐14

Subsection 552.12.

4/28/2022