QA_12-30-2024.pdf

AK PFH 58(1)

Neck Lake Road Reconstruction NPOWI Hwy. to Marine Access Facility Jct

# General Technical Question Answer

Date

1 X

Is wfl.contracts@dot.gov the correct email to submit questions to for solicitation number 69056725B000001?

See Block 9 on Page A‐5.

11/26/2024

2 X Why is there 10‐20‐10 and 46‐0‐0 fertilizer in the specifications? will be addressed under Amendment A001.

12/5/2024

3 X What is the application rate on fertilizer? Please see Subsection 625.08A table 625‐1. Bid according to solicitation documents.

12/5/2024

4 X What is the application rate on the 713.05 mulch? Please see Subsection 625.08A table 625‐1. Bid according to solicitation documents.

12/5/2024

5 X Are weed free straw wattles considered fiber rolls for section

713.12?

Please see FP‐14 section subsection 713.12(b). Bid accroding to solicatitaion documents.

12/5/2024

6 X Where do I find section FP‐14? To view the FP‐14 electronically, go to:

https://highways.dot.gov/federal‐lands/specs 12/6/2024

7 X Does the temporary turf establishment require fertilizer & mulch?

See the FP‐14 subsection 157.12(b) Temporary soil stabilization 12/6/2024

8 X

It appears that all embankment is incidental to bid item C0400

Roadway Excavation. Please confirm this includes the soft ground embankment and surcharge embankment including settlement monitoring and maintenance due to settlement.

Please confirm that if the settlement exceeds the depth provided on sheet C.10, the contractor will be compensated for additional quantity of embankment to achieve the design grades.

All embankment and embankment maintenance is incidental to roadway excavation. Settlement monitoring is covered by item 62101‐0000

Monument (Settlement Plate). If the settlement is greater than anticipated, more embankment will be needed. There is 7800 cuyd of surcharge embankment that needs to be hauled off after settlement is complete, and is paid for as additional roadway excavation.

12/18/2024

12/10/2024

9 X

The PAG rock waste site access road, FR 3060, has a small bridge on it. Please confirm this bridge has been evaluated and can handle the load limits required for the project. E21

This bridge was inspected this year and the bridge is open with no load restrictions for highway vehicles with legal loads. Loads that are overweight will require a permit.

12/18/2024

12/10/2024

10 X

Please provide clarification on the measurement of bid items

C1980 and C2000. They are shown as paid by CY but it is unclear how that volume is measured.

C1980 64704‐1500 MITIGATION, STREAMBED CHANNEL REALIGNMENT

and C2000 64704‐1600 MITIGATION, STREAMBED CHANNEL

RECONSTRUCTION (BEDROCK) volume is measured according to

Subsection 109.02(c)(1).

12/18/2024

12/10/2024

11 X

Per sheet C‐5, the PVC drainpipe is called out as 2” OD. 2” PVC has an OD of 2.37” and 1‐1/2” PVC has an OD of 1.9”. Which is acceptable or should this be 2” ID instead?

will be addressed under Amendment A002.

12/11/2024

12 X

Please verify if the included sheets D‐1 through D‐13 publication date 1/05/2024 are the most recent wage rates for the project.

Yes. Please bid according to solicitation documents.

12/11/2024

13 X

Requirements and expectations for pay item 20504‐0000

Blasting Consultant are unclear as they are not covered in FP‐14 or the special contract requirements.

the government is currently evaluating this question and will reply as soon as possible.

See question #29 below for Government response.

12/11/2024

14 X

With regards to 205.04 (d) Vibration specialist and 205.06 Pre‐ blast condition survey and vibration monitoring and control requirements, give the distance to any sensitive structures is

WFL expecting an vibration specialist to be involved with the project and/or vibration monitoring to occur?

will be addressed under Amendment A002

12/11/2024

15 X

For Separation‐Stabilization Geotextile Class 1 Type C used in beneath 251 Riprap pay items will the contractor be compensated for geotextile by the SY under the 20701‐0300 pay item?

No, see FP‐14 Subsection 109.05(b) and quantities table on plan sheet D‐

1. please bid according to the solicitation documents.

12/11/2024

16 X

Section 157.10 (4) requires capacity calculations and hydraulic modeling to be approved by the CO. Can bidders assume that the diversion detailed on sheet F7 is acceptable without calculations and modeling for use in locations shown on sheet

F1?

No. The Contractor will need to supply calculations to verify the selected temporary culvert diameter is adequate. Bid according to the solicitation documents. 12/11/2024

17 X

Specifications section 260 indicates a Professional Engineer may be required for rock bolt installation; however, the remainder of the specification does not indicate what their role is. The plans provide material type and sizes, note 1 states that rock dowls are to be installed at locations, lengths, and orientations directed by the CO. Is a professional engineer required and if so what is their anticipated role?

The plans show a general detail for the rock dowel. The professional engineers is required to design the rock dowls as stipulated under section 260 and subsection 104.03(b)(2)(k). Bid according to the solicitation documents.

12/11/2024

Check General or Technical

18 X

Sheet K3 doesn’t indicate threaded bar size for rock bolts, please provide a threaded bar diameter. Steel bearing plate dimensions are not indicated, please provide dimensions.

These requirements are the responsibility of the contractor and the engineer of record for the design of the rock Dowls according to subsection 104.03(b)(2)(k) and subsection 260 Rock Bolt and Dowls.

Please bid according to the solicitation documents.

12/11/2024

19 X

Will 20441‐0000 Waste (PAG Rock) QTYs be paid in addition to

20401‐0000 Roadway Excavation or will the PAG Rock QTY be subtracted from the x‐section computed value for Roadway

Excavation?

Waste will be paid under 20441‐0000 in addition to roadway excavation.

12/11/2024

20 X

On sheet D1 are the soft ground embankment and soft ground embankment surcharging QTYs in addition to the embankment

QTY or components of that total embankment QTY?

They are in addition to the Embankment quantity.

12/11/2024

21 X

With regards to 62101‐0000 Monument (Settlement Plate) is the intent that cast iron pipe manufactured per ASTM A 888 be utilized or can standard mild steel pipe be utilized?

See FP‐14 subsection 707.15. Bid according to the solicitation documents. 12/11/2024

22 X

The quantities for 15705‐1300 do not appear to match what is shown in the C sheets, does the temporary pipe item also pay for additional quantities each time the pipe is reset?

the government is currently evaluating this question and will reply as soon as possible.

See question #30 below for Government response.

12/11/2024

23 X

Please confirm C1780 Temporary Concrete Barrier is measured on each side of the roadway when installed in a configuration as shown on drawing sheets C.7‐C.10. The 1200 LNFT of Temporary

Concrete Barrier included in Schedule C Line Item C1780 does not appear to be enough to cover all areas as noted on sheet L.1

Footnote 3 and as shown on sheet C.7‐C.10. Please provide additional information for how the 1200 LNFT included in

Schedule C was derived.

the government is currently evaluating this question and will reply as soon as possible.

See question 33 below for Governemtn Response

12/11/2024

24 X

We are accustomed to seeing Controlled Blasting separated within bid schedules as it is the most costly method of excavation. Sheet C.5 indicates the estimated Controlled

Blasting areas for information only, however Controlled Blasting zones are to be determined by the CO and could increase which would thereby considerably increase the Contractor’s cost for

Roadway Excavation. Please consider including an additional pay item for Controlled Blasting by either the square foot or linear foot of borehole.

the government is currently evaluating this question and will reply as soon as possible.

See question #31 below for Government response.

12/11/2024

25 X

Sheet C.5 details the horizontal drain pipe installation, showing

40’ of drain pipe installed 3’‐5’ above the ditch line at a 10 degree angle. In order to install the drain pipe per the Rock Cut and Rockfall Ditch Detail, the Contractor would need to over‐ cut/over‐blast the road way by at least 5’ vertically to account for the 1V:4H ditch slope and geometry of the drill boom at a 10 degree angle. Please confirm if any over‐excavation required for installation of the horizontal drain pipe will be paid as Roadway

Excavation.

will be addressed under Amendment A002

12/11/2024

26 X

Section 622.01(e) of the Special Contract Requirements indicates that PAG rock disposal site preparation is anticipated to be paid for under the Rental Equipment items. Efforts associated with preparing this site will be extensive, to very likely include major upgrades to the connecting NF Road 3060 for the potential transport of up to 1800 end dump loads of PAG rock. As a significant amount of the disposal site development quantities are to be measured and paid as unit price items, please clarify what extent of the disposal site preparation is to be paid under

Section 622 – Rental Equipment.

the government is currently evaluating this question and will reply as soon as possible.

See question 32 below for Government Rsponse

12/11/2024

27 X

The Notice to Bidders indicates that bids may be modified or withdrawn by email, if such notice is received by the time specified for receipt of bids. This section then references FAR

Provision 52.214‐5 Submission of Bids. This provision does not include instructions or a link to the manner in which the

Government would like to receive bid modifications. Would an entirely new bid schedule with modified unit prices be acceptable or would the Government prefer to only receive modifications that include changes to the relevant bid items that are affected by the modified pricing? Please provide additional instructions to offerors for the acceptable format for email bid modifications.

An entirely new bid schedule with modified unit prices are acceptable and can be emailed to WFL.contracts@dot.gov. See Notice to Bidder section; Facsimile and email bids, modifications, and withdrawals for additional information.

12/13/2024

28 X

Specification section 153.02 (B) provides qualification options for the designated QC Manager. Regarding Option (3) NICET Level III certification, is the WAQTC considered an equivalent certification for adherence to this specification?

No. WAQTC is not considered an equivalent certification. Please bid according to solicitation documents

12/13/2024

29 X

Requirements and expectations for pay item 20504‐0000

Blasting Consultant are unclear as they are not covered in FP‐14 or the special contract requirements.

this will be addressed under Amendment A002

12/13/2024

30 X

The quantities for 15705‐1300 do not appear to match what is shown in the C sheets, does the temporary pipe item also pay for additional quantities each time the pipe is reset?

yes, the resetting of pipes as per pay item 15705‐0800 Soil Erosion

Control, Temporary 36‐inch Culvert Pipe will be paid per unit measurement in the bid tabs. No other pipes are anticipated to be reset. Please bid according to solicitation documents.

12/13/2024

31 X

We are accustomed to seeing Controlled Blasting separated within bid schedules as it is the most costly method of excavation. Sheet C.5 indicates the estimated Controlled

Blasting areas for information only, however Controlled Blasting zones are to be determined by the CO and could increase which would thereby considerably increase the Contractor’s cost for

Roadway Excavation. Please consider including an additional pay item for Controlled Blasting by either the square foot or linear foot of borehole.

this will be addressed under Amendment A002

12/13/2024

32 X

Section 622.01(e) of the Special Contract Requirements indicates that PAG rock disposal site preparation is anticipated to be paid for under the Rental Equipment items. Efforts associated with preparing this site will be extensive, to very likely include major upgrades to the connecting NF Road 3060 for the potential transport of up to 1800 end dump loads of PAG rock. As a significant amount of the disposal site development quantities are to be measured and paid as unit price items, please clarify what extent of the disposal site preparation is to be paid under

Section 622 – Rental Equipment.

This will be addressed under Amendment A004

12/16/2024

33 X

Please confirm C1780 Temporary Concrete Barrier is measured on each side of the roadway when installed in a configuration as shown on drawing sheets C.7‐C.10. The 1200 LNFT of Temporary

Concrete Barrier included in Schedule C Line Item C1780 does not appear to be enough to cover all areas as noted on sheet L.1

Footnote 3 and as shown on sheet C.7‐C.10. Please provide additional information for how the 1200 LNFT included in

Schedule C was derived.

This will be addressed under Amendment A004

12/16/2024

34 X

We are in receipt of Amendment A002 and the Q&A dated

12/13/24. There are unanswered questions currently, specifically question 26 regarding Section 622 Rental Equipment that could significantly alter the Contractor’s cost basis depending upon the Government response.

This will be addressed under Amendment A004

12/16/2024

35 X

We respectfully request a delay to the bid opening until

12/20/24 in order to have time to structure our cost estimate for this work according to the Government response to this question.

This will be addressed under Amendment A003

12/16/2024

36 X

Will the CO remain the “Permitee” on the permits for the duration of the contract?

Yes, with the exception of the NPDES permit for which the contractor must submit an NOI to ADEC to obtain the APDES permit as an ‘operator’ 12/16/2024

37 X Will the NWP which expires March 14, 2026 be extended by the

CO to the completion date of the contract?

Yes, the permit will be extended as needed to meet the project schedule

(as per SCR subsection 107.01 Laws to be Observed).

12/16/2024

Has the FHWA purchased the required number of land credits to fulfill the permit request?

yes 12/16/2024

39 X

What is the purpose of the embankment phasing? The Phase 1 and Phase 2 Soft Ground Embankment Construction details

(on Sheets C.7 thru C.9) address areas that are known to have soft soils outside of the current roadway width. Phase 1 leaves the existing road in place while addressing the settlement of the adjacent soft soil in the widened section of the road. Fill is to be placed in lifts in those soft areas and piezometers are to be used to monitor the settlement. Once those soft areas have settled adequately, the remaining fill can be placed across the entire width of the roadway to bring both the soft areas (that have already incurred settlement) and the existing roadway up to the design elevation.

12/16/2024

40 X Please confirm if the material is to come from a government provided source?

The Government Provided source identified under Subsection 105.02 is an optional source not a mandatory source.

12/16/2024

What is the responsibility of the contractor if material from quarry 27‐1 is unable to make specification or satisfy quantity?

Please see FAR clause 52.243‐4 and bid according to the solicitation documents. 12/16/2024

42 X

If it is determined the contractor is responsible for sourcing material would the FHWA limit that responsibility to materials available from the island? Or would off island sourcing be required?

The Government‐provided source is optional. The contractor may elect to utilize a contractor‐located source per Subsection 105.02(c) and is not limited to materials available on the island or off island.

12/16/2024

43 X

Please clarify Section 105.02 as these 2 paragraphs seem to be in conflict, (a.) paragraph states quality tests are not required, (b.)

paragraph directs contractor to perform tests?

a.Aggregate source quality tests as shown in the Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements table of the other

Sections are not required. If aggregate source quality tests are performed, follow the requirements of the Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements tables. Allow the CO the opportunity to witness sampling and splitting of test material.

This is for the material source quality of materials and is not required under 105.02(a) for Government Provided sources. For contractor located sources, the source quality testing is required to be completed.

12/16/2024

44 X

Please clarify Section 105.02 as these 2 paragraphs seem to be in conflict, (a.) paragraph states quality tests are not required, (b.)

paragraph directs contractor to perform tests?

b.Perform quality control sampling and testing according to the approved Contractor Quality Control Plan in Section 153 and the applicable Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements tables included at the end of each Section. Allow the CO the opportunity to witness sampling and splitting of test material.

during production of material, quality control sampling is required according to section 105.02(a).

12/16/2024

45 X

Are the non‐ PAG material waste sites on Figure 7 of the Neck

Lake Road Final Geotechnical Investigation dated 1/21/19 government owned? if so are they free to dispose at?

Three of the sites noted on Figure 7 are government provided disposal sites for non‐PAG material. The three sites (25‐1, 2505‐5, & 2505‐7) are referenced on the Vicinity Map on Plan Sheet A.4. See SCR 204.14

Disposal of Unsuitable or Excess Material for approximate GPS coordinates to the sites and contract requirements associated with using these sites. Although there is no fee to dispose there, the contractor will incur cost (such as site development and restoration cost) associated with using the sites as per SCR 204.14.

12/16/2024

46 X

If the sites mentioned above are government owned, could you provide any specifications/requirements for disposal?

See SCR 204.14 Disposal of Unsuitable or Excess Material for contract requirements associated with using these sites. 12/16/2024

47 X

Traffic closures: is the expectation to open portions of closed road during the night between shifts?

please see Subsection 108.05 and 156.04 of the solicitation documents.

The overnight shift change or weekend break is not considered a

“suspended” operation.

12/16/2024

48 X

Question 12: In regard to providing two‐way traffic please clarify if the contractor shall open the road during “non‐work” or only if there is “Suspended Work” a.NFSR 25 may be closed during construc on subject to the following: NFSR 25 may be closed at the locations shown on the plans from April 1 to October 31(dates inclusive) to public traffic if construction work is actively occurring. If construction operations are suspended, open the road and provide for two‐ way traffic.

the road will need to be opened to public traffic if the contractor suspends work in the area. This does not pertain to a short suspension of the work such as not working at night or weekends.

49 X

In regard to providing two‐way traffic please clarify if the contractor shall open the road during “non‐work” or only if there is “Suspended Work” b.Sec on 204 So Embankment: Provide two‐way traffic during all non‐work periods. Construct ramps to the vertical profile requirements in the plans or as approved. Provide barriers or vertical panels according to Section 635 to protect settling slopes during traffic.

will be addressed under Amendment A002 and A004

12/16/2024

50 X

Section 622.01 (d) maintenance of detour route: does this refer to a detour within project boundaries or detour outside of project boundaries?

The detour lies outside of project boundaries as reflected on the

Temporary Traffic Control Signing Plan on Plan Sheet I.2. 12/16/2024

51 X

Is the expectation that all rock borrow in diagrams is to be repurposed material from the excavation?

It is assumed that you are referring to the callouts that state “Rock borrow conserved from roadway excavation (typ.)” on the Soft Ground

Embankment Construction Details Plan Sheets. Excavated material meeting the SCR 704.07A Rock Borrow specification is expected to be conserved and used where specified. Refer to FP‐14 and the SCR’s

Section 204 Excavation and Embankment for additional information.

12/16/2024

52 X Is the excavated rock borrow to be processed by the contractor or assumed to be ready for embankment?

please refer to FP‐14 and the SCRs Section 204 Excavation and

Embankment.

12/16/2024

53 X How will the 704.07A Rock borrow be evaluated Please refer to SCR’s subsection 204.15 Acceptance and Table 204‐01

Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements 12/16/2024

54 X Please provide the specification in FP‐14 for 704.07A? please refer to SCR’s Section 704‐Soil.

12/16/2024

55 X

Does the Section 622 PAG rock Disposal Site Preparation include road clearing and road rebuild and road maintenance to access the site?

this will be addressed under Amendment A004

12/16/2024

56 X Is the Contractor responsible for road clearing and road rebuild and road maintenance to the PAG site?

this will be addressed under Amendment A004 12/16/2024

57 X

Will the PAG specialist require any certifications or credentials to qualify as a specialist for the project? If so what certifications or credentials will be required?

Please see qualification requirements stipulated in SCR Subsection

623.02A. This does not require a certification. 12/16/2024

58 X Will PAG material monitoring and sampling be isolated to areas which tested positive during Geological testing?

No, please review all the specifications under 623.02A 12/16/2024

59 X Is the expectation that imported material be monitored and sampled for PAG material?

See 620.02A(d).

12/16/2024

60 X

How did the FHWA come to 18,000 CY as the quantity for PAG material, the quantity had not changed from the original bid 1 year prior yet many areas which tested positive are not present in this current bid solicitation?

The project that was bid last year extended from STA 8+47 to STA

217+44. Per the Acid Rock Drainage Memo, there were a total of 66 samples tested within Segment 1 (which was originally expected to span between 8+47 and STA 220+40). Of that, three samples were classified as

PAG, one sample as uncertain PAG, and 62 samples were non‐PAG. The

PAG sites were at STA 88+65, near STA 145+50, and at STA 220+40 (11 ft

L). But, as noted, the STA 220+40 site was not within the prior bid package project limits. The other PAG areas referred to in the Acid Rock

Drainage Memo were in the future Phase 2 project limits. Given that, we did not deduct quantity from the prior PAG bid amount.

12/16/2024

61 X Is the Rockery basis of design to appear man‐made or naturally occurring?

please refer to SCR 646.08 Rock Buttress 12/16/2024

62 X

Is it the expectation that material for the Rockery Wall is produced from material on‐site?

Please refer to FP‐14 section 252.02 Material and SCR’s subsection

705.05 12/16/2024

63 X

Could you provide bridge capacities for all bridges which will be used for access to the project, Quarry 27‐1, PAG waste site, and

Whale Pass.

The Government does not poses this information. Contact the owning agency’s concerning bridge capacities and refer to 104.05 Load restrictions.

12/16/2024

64 X

: Please provide any engineering reports/ evaluations of all bridges which will be used to access the project, Quarry 27‐1, PAG waste site, and Whale Pass.

The Government does not poses this information. Contact the owning agency’s concerning bridge capacities and refer to 104.05 Load restrictions.

12/16/2024

65 X

Are the existing bridges to the Project Quarry 27‐1, PAG waste site, and Whale Pass currently maintained and up to Federal

Standards of Safety?

The Government does not poses this information. Contact the owning agency’s concerning bridge capacities and refer to 104.05 Load restrictions.

12/16/2024

66 X Who will be the Federal HWA representative on the project the Government does not provide the names of FHWA project personnel for bidding purposes.

12/16/2024

67 X Could you provide a 4‐week bid extension? This will be addressed under Amendment A003

68 X

On 12/18/2024, Amendment A004 changed the current bid schedules along with changes to project drawings. Following a review of these documents, we note the following discrepancies between the quantities shown in the Summary of Quantities and the following line item numbers in the bid schedule: A0880;

A1300; A1400; A1600; A1660; B0880; B1320; B1420; B1620;

B1680; C0920; C1420; C1520; and C1720. Given the quantity differences between the bid schedules and the Summary of

Quantities tables issued with Amendment A004, will WFL be issuing new bid schedules, or are contractors to make Pen & Ink changes to the quantities on bid schedules as issued on

Amendment A004 to match the drawings?

This will be addressed under Amendment A005. 12/30/2024