Questions and Responses 10 December 2020 Set 4.pdf

U.S. Department 55 Broadway of Transportation Cambridge, MA 02142

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Date: 10 December 2020

Lowell National Park Geo Technical Review and Pole Replacement Design

Solicitation No.: 6913G621Q300011

Subject: Question Set 4

The following questions have been asked regarding this solicitation. The Government has responded in kind. Please see below for answers.

1. Could you provide a google earth aerial depicting the approximate extents of the poles to be replaced with pole numbers depicted?

Answer: See attached file

2. Will a survey of the project area (including locations of existing poles, utilities, topography, etc.) be made available during the bid or provided to the successful bidder?

Answer: If a site visit is requested, we can arrange one. This area is in open public space, a visit to the area can be done at any time.

3. Are survey services required under this scope of services to prepare drawings showing the new pole locations or will necessary backgrounds be provided by the Owner?

Answer: Please see attached drawing. The exact locations of each pole is not known or needed.

The new pole locations will be next to the existing or in some cases in the identical location depending on the installation method.

4. Are there any requirements for how far away borings must be performed from the existing trolley tracks?

Answer: That will be determined by the Geo-Tech firm to decide where to drill to determine the installation method.

5. Are there any approvals/permits that will be required to perform geotechnical borings in such close proximity to the existing trolley tracks?

Answer: We are unaware of any. If you plan to keep any equipment on the street, blocking a lane, you will need to work with the City of Lowell for a street closure permit.

6. Is private utility markout required or will a Massachusetts “Dig Safe” (811) suffice for utility locating?

Answer: Prior to drilling, you need to perform due diligence to ensure you are not drill near any utilities. Dig Safe is required.

7. Will street opening permits from the City of Lowell be required for borings performed in the roadways or will these be waived?

Answer: City of Lowell permits will not be waived. We suggest you perform a site visit and look at the map provided.

8. Are any field work hour restrictions anticipated?

Answer: Work should be started after 7am and complete by 7pm.

9. May trolley outages be arranged to perform the field investigation?

Answer: The trolley system is down for the season. Prior to contractor arrival, it will be verify the power system is shutdown too.

10. Solicitation indicates that report of findings from the subsurface investigation shall be delivered 30 days after the samples have been taken and 30 days after notice to proceed.

Please clarify which is correct.

Answer: The sample report is due 30 days after the samples have been taken

11. The RFP states the contractor shall prepare drawings showing the new pole locations. Will

MFS be responsible for this or will there be a separate site-civil consultant taking care of this?

Answer: A drawing is required showing the installation sites but the locations of the new poles should be near the existing except where we identified pole 7 replacement.

12. Will loads from the overhead trolley lines be provided by the owner?

Answer: The Government is not sure what loads you are referring to. The cantilever arms from the poles should match the existing system currently used.

13. Will technical specifications be required?

Answer: The drawing should contain sufficient information for an installation contractor to perform the installation. If the contractor wishes to provide a Tech Spec to provide some information, that is acceptable too.

14. What is the anticipated design submission schedule/number of submissions required? (ie.

50%, 75%, 90%, etc) Answer: 100% design submission. We’re replacing existing wooden poles with steel poles.

15. Will construction administration services be required? If so, should there be a specific number of meetings and site visits that should be included in the estimate?

Answer: This work is replacing existing wooden poles with steel poles. Everything else is the same. The catenary attachment system is the same as the existing.

16. Will Consultant be responsible for contractor procurement and bid support services?

Answer: No

17. Are engineering cost estimates required?

Answer: No

18. Will Consultant be responsible for city and AHJ permitting approval?

Answer: The contractor will be responsible for City of Lowell permits, if required. The Park themselves are the authority having jurisdiction and I will work with you if anything is needed there.