QA_01-27-2026.pdf

WY NPS YELL 10(26),

Gardner River High Bridge

# General Technical Question Answer Date

1 X

I have one quick question in the RFP the project estimated magnitude is stated between $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. In the project description that was posted in September it was listed to be between $20,000,000 to $30,000,000. Did the scope of the project change a bunch?

. This is an error on our part, there is no change to the scope. The project estimated price range is $20 - $30 Million. This will be corrected in an amendment.

12/31/25

2 X

Plan Sheet N.2, N.7 & N.8 shows long tapers of concrete barrier rail from off the bridge ends to the start of the truss sections. My question is why the concrete barrier rail is not extended across the bridge to protect the workers in the work zone areas. The barrels as shown will not stop an out of control vehicle.

Per Note 6 on Plan Sheets N.7 and N.8, all traffic control devices are for informational purposes only and pertain to the provided traffic control plans. It is the responsibility of the contractor to provide effective traffic control that meets the requirements of FP- 24, the MUTCD, and all special contract requirements.

Please also note the requirements listed in SCR 156.06(d) for placement of temporary barriers, crash cushions, or crash attenuators, and SCR 563.04A for restriction on gross weight (vehicles, equipment, supplies, traffic control devices and all other loads on top of the deck).

1/8/26

Check General or Technical

3 X

On plan sheet S19 & S20 it states to expose full collar depth for epoxy injection using hand methods. This excavation could be up to 6’ of excavation on the uphill sides of the towers.

Would FHWA reconsider expanding the construction limits to the middle towers so this excavation can be performed with equipment?

Pleas bis as shown 1/8/26

4 X

It will be very difficult to construct containments for paint removal and repainting on the middle towers without having the construction limits expanded to the towers. Would FHWA consider expanding the construction limits to the middle two towers?

Pleas bis as shown 1/8/26

5 X

For the approach spans on plan sheet S4 it states to keep all existing transverse reinforcement. It is our understanding that one approach span was repaired in the past with UHPC. It will be very difficult not to damage the transverse bars during removal of the UHPC and other concrete. Would FHWA consider allowing mechanical splices or overlapping of new reinforcing to existing rebar near the barrier wall/curb?

Please bid as shown 1/8/26

6 X

Bid schedule contains Line Item No 0600 – Crack Repair by Epoxy Injection. Bid item is listed as LS. Based on the contract information provided, there is no way to determine a LF quantity for this item. Request that this item be changed to LF with an estimated qty, or at the least that an estimated qty be provided for the LS item so all bidders can be on the same page bidding this item.

This will be addressed via a forthcoming amendment.

7 X

Plan sheet S.10 shows details for Expansion Joint repairs on the project. Details for Existing Expansion Joint at Approach 1/Approach 2 have note stating “Remove expansion joint device and anchor bolts and replace according to proposed section”. It is unclear what is meant by this statement. Is this work just remove and reinstall the existing joints or are we to replace with new? Is the contractor to determine the “proposed section”?

Approach expansion joint to be replaced.

Please see “REPLACEMENT OF APPROACH

EXPANSION JOINT SECTION”,

“REPLACEMENT OF APPROACH EXPANSION

JOINT DETAIL”, and “REPLACEMENT OF

APPROACH EXPANSION JOINT PLAN”

directly below referenced existing sections on S.10 for replacement details.

1/8/26

8 X

Plan sheet S.14 shows details for Bridge Railing on Project. Work item 2 note references “Remove and replace damaged steel bridge railing system components (5 locations). There is no way to adequately price this work without more details. What are the components? Are they posts, are they rail sections, are they a combination of both? If railing, how many rail sections, how long? Please clarify details of work or make this a Contingent Sum item so work can be completed without shifting all the risk of unquantified/unclear work requirements onto the contractor.

Existing known damage to bridge railing documented in “1570-023P Special Study Inspection Report 2024.pdf”, see Photo #46, Photo #53, and Photo #54. Extent of each repair location is defined by a single post and the two adjacent spans of railing.

Additional clarification will be provided via a forthcoming amendment.

9 X

Plan sheet S.17 shows details for Misc Structural Steel Repairs. Note 5 states “Install high strength bolts in place of missing and misshapen/mis-installed rivets. Missing rivets at isolated locations…”. Where does this work measure and pay? It is not referenced in Line Item 0460 Misc Repair of Structural Steel and Bridge Rail item. Is the work to be done under a Contingent Sum or Change order? There is no way for a contractor to adequately quantify or price this work as shown. In numerous past projects requiring this type of work, a unit price bid item for Replacing Rivets with High Strength Bolts bid item has been provided in the bid schedule. Please either create a unit price bid item for this work, or at least provide an estimated qty for contractors to include in their bid.

Rivet work included in 55501-0000 Structural Steel (Misc. Repair of Structural Steel & Bridge Rail). Additional clarification will be provided via a forthcoming amendment.

1/8/26

10 X

Plan sheet S.22 shows details for Portal Breastwall Concrete Repair. Is this full depth repair? (IE, removing the entire breast wall to the limits shown). What class of concrete is to be used for this work? Section 572 Concrete Repair has multiple classes/types of concrete.

Please clarify.

Repair categorized as 572.04(b) Deep Repairs, and unsound concrete is anticipated for the full depth of the removal limits shown. The three classes of concrete shown in 572.03(a) Hydraulic Cement Concrete are all acceptable for use on repair area.

11 X

Plan sheet S.24 shows Catwalk Repair Details.

Line item A0480 in bid schedule references Catwalk Repair as a LS item. Work item 2 states “Replace missing or damaged/defective hardware, and correct improperly installed existing hardware. Replace damaged hardware as directed by CO.” Work item 5 states “Reset/correct any non-functional cable railing”.

Again, there are not enough details or quantities for a contractor to adequately price this work.

Please either clarify quantities of work required, or consider making this a Contingent Sum item sow work can be completed without shifting all the risk of unquantified/unclear work requirements onto the contractor.

See “1570-023P Special Study Inspection Report 2024.pdf” for documented defects of catwalk system. Additional clarification will be provided via a forthcoming amendment.

1/8/26

12 X

Plan sheets E.1 and E.2 show temporary access limits for the North and South Approaches.

What are the temporary access limits for Towers 1, 2 and 3? CFRP work at the pedestal bases, as well as ground anchoring of painting access/containment scaffold will be required here. Please clarify.

No temporary equipment access is provided. Additional clarification will be provided via a forthcoming amendment.

1/8/26

13 X Plan sheet F.3 shows pedestal repair erosion control plan. Is no erosion control required for Tower 3 pedestal repair?

Bid as shown 1/8/26

14 X

SCR Section 562.03 Temp Access Design references that contract is to evaluate all overload and permit load requests received for temporary support structure. Can owner provide any clarification on how many overload/permit load requests a contractor would expect to get for this section of highway for the duration of project?

Typical expectation of approximately 5 unique truck configurations per month for this structure.

15 X Are there any contactor camp sites available for this project?

There are no contractor housing sites being provided by the government as part of this project.

1/16/26

16 X

Plan sheet S.11, note 4 references providing snow pole holders in conjunction with Guardwall work. Plan references Section “O” for details. I can find no Section “O” in the plans. Please clarify details for snow pole holders on project.

See Section Index on Plans Title Page.

Section O is provided as Permanent Traffic Control. Snow Pole Holder details are contained within that section of the Plans.

1/16/26

17 X

F3 of the SCR’s states do not stockpile topsoil over the winter months. Does that mean not to stockpile onsite over winter months? Or does that mean topsoil that was stripped needs to be replaced each season?

Yes to both questions. Per SCR 204.05, do not stockpile topsoil over winter months, and place conserved topsoil over finished slopes according to Section 624.

1/20/26

18 X

The nearest asphalt plant to this project is approximately 3 hours away hauling in a loaded truck. The haul route includes the Bozeman Pass, and the hill from Gardner to Mammoth, with heavy traffic, and stops at the gate.

Section 403.8 refers to Table 401-4 for minimum laydown temperatures. From our experience paving in this vicinity we anticipate road surface temperatures to be in the 40-50 degree range. Table 401-4 states that minimum laydown temperatures of the asphalt mix must be between 275 and 285 degrees F. This will be almost impossible to achieve with such a long distance haul. Will the government consider alternative options or waiving the temperature requirements?

Please bid as shown. 1/20/26

19 X

Plan sheet S.1, note 1 references painting over entire length of bridge. Does limits of painting work include the 3 tube railing across the steel spans? Does it include the pedestrian railing on top of the parapet walls in the approach spans?

Please clarify

Coating required for all existing and new railing elements. See S.1, S.14, and SCR 563.01.

1/16/26

20 X

Plan sheet S.2 estimate of quantities, note 6 references 23,550 SF of Epoxy Overlay. Appears qty is derived by 942’L of bridge x 25’W. 25’W is correct for approach spans. However, overall deck width in steel spans is 27.5’ (1977 retrofit deck plan). The difference being the 1’-3” Steel rail area on each side which no longer has a curb. Are we required to place Epoxy overlay in the rail area of the steel truss span deck, or only the 25’ roadway section? Seems that doing only the roadway section would be necessary, and would make it far easier to provide edge containment. Please clarify.

See limits for epoxy overlay shown on S.3.

Epoxy overlay is not required outside of the limits shown.

1/16/26

21 X

Plan sheet S.4, note 2 states “Remove approach span slabs and floor beam according to Section 203 and Section 560”. Section 203 is Removal of Structures and Obstructions appears to be only a general reference and would not apply to specific removal methods. However, Section 560 is Removal of Concrete by Hydrodemolition.

Request confirmation that approach span slab and floorbeam removal is required to be done by Hydrodemolition.

Removal according to Section 560 Hydrodemolition is required.

1/16/26

22 X

Plan sheet A.4 makes general reference to Staging and Stockpile area to the NW of the bridge site. It is unclear based on information provided how large of an area can be utilized for staging here. Please clarify limits of staging and stockpile area.

See SCR 105.04 for additional information on the location for staging areas identified in the Plans.

1/16/26

23 X

Plan sheet S.3 existing approach slab details references UHPC Overlay placed at Approach 2.

Our understanding this work was done very recently. Can you provide information on compressive strength of material placed here?

(cylinder break results or similar). Can you provide approximate overall quantity of UHPC placed here?

See Physical Data “1570-023P Gardner River Bridge_Existing UHPC Mix Design.pdf” Bid as shown.

1/20/26

24 X

Plan sheet S.14 shows detail for Approach Rail Base Plates. There are no details for requirements of anchors required for these base plates. Please clarify.

See S.14 Note 1 and “1570-023P Gardner River High Bridge_Combined Plans (1938, 1977, 1989).pdf” for railing details not included in plans.

1/20/26

25 X

On plan sheet E-18 for informational purposes only the estimate from NWE is $10,000. Is this the estimated cost to cover the work under Line Items A0900, A0920, A0940, and A0960?

Per SCR 107.02, NWE energy will install the temporary power supply line and replace the permanent power service. This work by NWE does not include the installing the conduit or pull boxes quantified by line items A0900, A0920, A0940, and A0960.

1/20/26

26 X

On spec sheet E-56 it states Limit total delay to public of 15 minutes. One F22 it States “Demonstrate that vehicles, equipment, supplies, traffic control devices and all other loads on top of the deck, or attached below the deck to the stringers or floor beams do not produce load effects of moment and shear that exceed those produced by the inventory load rating factors of each vehicle listed in Table 563- 1 Load Rating Summary. In each truss span the gross weight of the construction loading on the deck, or attached to the stringers and floor beams does not exceed 20 tons. Total combined live load and dead load of all work platforms and containment structures, including all personnel, equipment, materials, and collected debris, or water, does not exceed 20 pounds per square foot. This does not include deck, stringer, and floor beam loading in Subsection 563.04A(a).” This will be difficult to achieve with the limited loading we can place on the deck in any given span limiting the number of vehicles on the deck at one time. Will FHWA consider extending the total allowable delay?

Please Bid as shown. 1/20/26

27 X

Since asphalt is very time and temperature sensitive and due to the small quantity required on this project, could the time of day haul restrictions noted in SCR 104.12(b) pleased be waived for the asphalt hauling on this project?

Please bid as shown, and note the language in 104.12 that CO may waive hauling restrictions if written request is submitted and conditions are such that the haul would result in minimal disturbance to visitors and residents.

1/21/26

28 X Does the rivet repair work under item 55501- 0000 need to be performed by an AISC certified erector?

Rivet repair work does not need to be performed by an AISC certified erector.

Replacement connections to be installed and inspected according to Subsection

555.16 Connections Using High-Strength

Bolts.

1/22/26

29 X In SCR section 563.04A(a) is the term “vehicles” in this section referencing only construction vehicles or also park visitor vehicles?

“Vehicles” in this paragraph is referencing construction vehicles and the load rating truck configurations listed in SCR Table 563- 1 that represent public traffic in the open lane.

1/22/26

30 X

In SCR section 563.04A(d) it states “Containment and work platforms do not extend more than 5 feet below the bottom of existing truss and 3 feet beyond the edge of deck”. Is the 5 feet in reference to the low point of the bottom truss or does platform/ containment have to maintain max 5’ at any given point on the bottom truss?

Containment and work platforms do not extends more than 5 feet below the bottom of the existing truss at any given point.

1/22/26

31 X

To clarify a previous question. Do temp access areas shown on plans at each end of the bridge need to be reclaimed at the end of the first season and re-developed at the start 2nd season?

To meet the requirements of Section 204 and Section 625, temporary access will need to be reclaimed prior to Winter Shutdown.

1/22/26

32 X

An estimated quantity was added to S.2 Note 6 in Amendment 001 in response to a previous bidder question.

6.150 misshapen/misinstalled rivets, and 20 missing rivets (Information Only Quantity

Additional clarification will be provided via a forthcoming amendment.

1/23/26

33 X

Page 195/409, specification 107.10 (E)(3) states “Do not conduct vegetation clearing operations between March 1 and August 31 (dates inclusive) to avoid impacting nesting birds. Will there be an exception to these dates as with the current bid time, review and contract award it is possible that a contract and notice to proceed would not be completed before March 1 of 2026?

Additional clarification will be provided via a forthcoming amendment.

1/26/26

34 X

As a follow up to response on question #23.

Response states “See Physical Data 1570-023P Gardner River Bridge_Existing UHPC Mix Design.pdf. Bid as shown”. There are 2 separate 1570-023P files in the bid documents. Neither of which have this file heading name and I can find no reference to UHPC Mix Design in either of them. Please clarify.

Please see UHPC Mix Design provided within the A001 file.

1/26/26

35 X

As a follow up to response on question # 32.

Question is referencing an added note on S.2 in Amendment 001. I can find no Amendment 001 posted on Sam.Gov. Are amendments being posted outside of Sam.Gov? If so, where are we to be looking for Amendments on this project?

A001 was posted to Sam.gov on Jan 26.

Ensure you are viewing the most recent Version of the solicitation on the webpage

1/26/26

36 X

Ref. Bridge Drawing Sheet 20 of 24: The project drawings specify that FRP reinforcement shall be designed in accordance with AASHTO Guide Specifications for Design of FRP Systems For Repair and Strengthening of Concrete Bridge Elements (2nd Edition) and ACI PRC-440.2-23.

These documents will result in different FRP layouts for the pedestals. Which design guide should be utilized for the design of the FRP system?

See SCR 583.04 (c): “… Design the externally bonded CFRP system according to the requirements of ACI PCR 440.2R-23 or AASHTO FRP given the performance objectives as shown on the plans.”

1/27/26

37 X

Ref. Bridge Drawing Sheet 20 of 24: The assumed CFRP materials section reference a single ply thickness of 0.06" and six plies of CFRP, and the CFRP Component Performance Objections specify a minimum number of plies to be 2. Is there a minimum total thickness requirement for the FRP? As an example, 2 plies of 0.06" thick CFRP material for a total minimum thickness of 0.12 inches.

No minimum total thickness requirements. 1/27/26

38 X General FRP Design: What is the minimum requirement for the corners of the pedestals receiving CFRP to be rounded?

See SCR 583.06 (c): “… Where fibers wrap around the corners of rectangular cross sections, round and smooth the corners to a minimum ½ inch radius.”

1/27/26