QA_07-26-2021.pdf

AK PRA DENA 10(36)

Replace Ghiglione Bridge

# General Technical Question Answer Date

1 X

If a HUBZone small business does not bid the project will the Government apply the 10% factor to small business prime contracting firms?

No. See Price Evaluation Factor paragraph on Page A‐2 of the Notice to Bidders.

6/30/21

2 X Are all answers for the previous solicitation still relevant? Could you please post those Q&A’s if so? Otherwise I do have some repeats to ask.

Answers from the previous solicitation may not apply to the current solicitation of this project, so the Q&A’s from the previous solicitation will not be posted. Please submit questions applicable to this solicitation according to the current solicitation documents for this project.

7/19/21

3 X As a small business do we need to submit Attachment 1 – FHWA Subcontracting Plan (Pages A‐6a through A‐6e) with the bid?

No. 7/22/21

4 X

Specification section 715. PILING, subsection 715.05, (a) states Steel pipes, Conform to API 5L X52 PSL2, API 2B using ASTM A709, Grate 50T3 or ASTM A 709 (one helical seam weld); and Drawing No. RG3147‐C FOUNDATION PLAN, FOUNDATION NOTES, states; Steel pipe piles shall conform to ASTM A53, Grade B, Fy = 35ksi.

Which piling specification governs?

This will be addressed under Amendment A001.

7/22/21

Check General or Technical

5 X

For Pipe Piling, is it acceptable to use Domestic Straight Seam 18” OD X .605” Wall pipe per ASTM A252 gr. 3 w/50ksi minimum yield strength in lieu of 18” OD X .500” Wall pipe?

No. This will be addressed under Amendment A001.

7/22/21

6 X Please provide a plan holders list for 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.

7/23/21

7 X

SCR 637.04 requires the contractor to provide to the Government internet service with a download speed of 15 Mbps and upload of 3 Mbps at the Toklat Pit. The only currently available internet connection at that location is through satellite, which does not come close to those speeds. Please provide achievable requirements.

We are aware internet service will require a satellite connection. Satellite internet providers are currently advertising upload and download speeds that meet the contract requirements (see https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best‐ satellite‐internet/).

7/26/21

8 X

SCR 637.04 requires the contractor to provide to the Government phone service. The only phone service available is through a Sat phone, with all calls being long distance. Will this be acceptable?

Meet the requirements of Subsection 637.04, which requires providing internet service and satellite television service; and also requires providing 3 satellite devices that allow sending and receiving an unlimited number of text messages to other mobile phones.

7/26/21

9 X The published wage rates appear to be out of date.

The wage rates in the solicitation documents are current.

7/26/21

10 X Orion requests a 1 week delay to the bid date.

The hard copy of Bid Bond will not be received in time for 7/29 bid opening.

The Government intends to extend the bid opening date.

7/26/21

11 X Will there be any coatings on the piling? I haven’t found anything in FP‐14 or SCR Section 551 that says if it is or not.

No. 7/26/21

12 X

Section 555.18 requires use of steel erectors certified under the AISC Quality Certification Program. There are very few of these certified erectors in Alaska interested in the job. Could this be revised so the Alaska construction norm of using experienced iron workers or pile drivers could be utilized?

This has been addressed under Amendment A001.

7/26/21

13 X Please provide the lumber grade and pressure treatment specification for the timber rail.

See the first paragraph of FP‐14 Subsection 710.06(c).

7/26/21

14 X Could you provide gradations for the materials stockpiled for use on this project?

Gradation information for Toklat Pit Material Stockpiles 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 have been provided in the plans, SCRs, and specifications. The Government does not intend to provide additional information at this time.

7/26/21

15 X

Please confirm no changes from Section 552.06, concrete will have to be mixed in a certified plant per AASHTO M157. Batching by use of trucks on site as is typical in remote Alaska will not be permitted.

FP‐14 Subsection 552.06 are standard requirements for batching plants, mixers, and agitators to be used for the work; and does not require the use of batching plants.

See FP‐14 Subsection 552.05 for concrete batching, and Subsection 552.07 for methods of mixing that are allowed.

7/26/21

16 X

104.05 says no equipment will be allowed West of MP 15 before May 22 other than for Section 622 vehicles. Could clearing equipment also go before that date to beat the bird window? Or will others clear early as was the case in the previous solicitation?

No. See Subsection 107.10(e)(3). 7/26/21