Clarification Questions and Responses - Frog Switch.pdf

Frog Switch – Supplemental Phase II ESA Drilling Support

Contractor Clarification Questions and Responses

Due date: 4/14/2026 @ 1:00 PM ET

1. Utility Clearance / GPR Requirements

Question #1: Please confirm whether the private utility locate (GPR and electromagnetic scanning) is required to be performed by a specialized subcontractor (licensed/qualified utility locator)?

Response #1: The private utility locate should be performed by a person who is trained to operate GPR/EM equipment and has adequate experience in completing private utility locating surveys. A specialized subcontractor is not required if the prime contractor is able to provide this service. No license or certification is required unless otherwise mandated by regulations.

Question #2: Is the use of 811 (One Call) alone sufficient for this project, or is GPR/EM scanning mandatory regardless of 811 clearance?

Response #2: No, 811 alone is not sufficient. As stated in Section 3.2 of the Statement of Work, a private utility locate utilizing GPR/EM must be performed by the contractor.

Private utilities are known to be present at the site.

Question #3: Are there minimum qualifications or certifications required for the entity performing GPR/utility locating?

Response #3: The private utility locate should be performed by a person who is trained to operate GPR/EM equipment and has adequate experience in completing private utility locate surveys. No license or certification is required unless otherwise mandated by regulations.

2. Decontamination Requirements

Question #4: Please clarify the required decontamination procedures for drilling equipment: Is basic bucket and water wash acceptable, or is pressure washing equipment required onsite?

Response #4: Basic bucket and wash water is acceptable.

Question #5: Are there any specific SOP standards (beyond general reference) that dictate wash water handling and containment or disposal requirements?

Response #5: No. Wash water does not need to be specially handled or containerized unless it is determined by the Volpe Center to be grossly contaminated based on visual, olfactory, or volatile screening results. If grossly contaminated, the wash water will be containerized into drums as described in Section 3.3.2 of the Statement of Work. Otherwise, the contractor may handle wash water according to their typical procedures.

3. Work Hours / Daily Production

Question #6: Please confirm that field work is limited to 8-hour days (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) as stated, and no extended workdays are expected without prior approval and overtime work is not anticipated or required.

Response #6: This is correct as stated in Section 4.0 of the Statement of Work.

4. Labor Requirements (Prevailing Wage)

Question #7: Please confirm whether this project is subject to Davis-Bacon / prevailing wage requirements or Standard commercial labor rates.

Response #7: As cited in the solicitation announcement SCA rates are applicable herein, not Davis Bacon.

5. Survey / Boring Location Coordinates

Question #8: Please clarify requirements for recording boring locations. Is GPS via mobile device (phone/tablet) acceptable, or is a licensed land surveyor required to establish coordinates?

Response #8: Completed boring locations will be recorded by the Volpe Center. The contractor is not responsible for recording/surveying.

Question #9: If survey-grade accuracy is required, what level of accuracy is expected (sub-meter, centimeter, etc.)?

Response #9: Not required.

6. Refusal & Offset Borings

Question #10: Please clarify expectations when refusal is encountered. How many offset attempts are required per location?

Response #10: As stated in Section 3.3 of the Statement of Work, up to two attempts will be made if refusal that is not believed to be bedrock is encountered and that the contractor has made a sufficient attempt to drill through known barriers, such as concrete, as discussed in response to Question 12.

Question #11: At what point is a location considered abandoned?

Response #11: Please see the response to Question 10. The onsite Volpe Center representative will confirm that a location may be abandoned.

Question #12: Is there any expectation to utilize alternate drilling methods (e.g., air rotary, coring), or simply abandon after specified offset attempts?

Response #12: The contractor should be prepared to complete all borings to the required depths. Several locations as stated in Section 3.3 of the Statement of Work are anticipated to be located beneath a concrete barrier. During previous investigations, direct push methods alone were unable to access these locations.

Alternate methods in addition to direct push, such as coring, may be required for the Contractor to sufficiently complete these borings.

Question #13: How many refusal conditions are anticipated across the site, based on prior investigations?

Response #13: The eight (8) locations stated in Section 3.3 of the Statement of Work are anticipated to require drilling through a concrete barrier.

7. Drilling Method & Difficult Conditions (Reinforced)

Question #14: Please confirm acceptable drilling methods given presence of concrete slabs and subsurface obstructions, potential shallow refusal zones.

Response #14: Direct push methods are anticipated to be sufficient when used in conjunction with coring methods through concrete slabs. The contractor may propose alternate drilling methods in the proposal that are effective for completing the borings.

No boring through shallow bedrock is required as borings will be deemed complete at 15 ft. or at bedrock refusal.

Question #15: Should pricing include Concrete coring / pre-drilling, or will this be handled separately if encountered?

Response #15: Yes. The contractor should be prepared to complete all borings to the required depths.

8. Quantities & Scope Flexibility

Question #16: Please confirm how the variation between 35 and 45 borings will be handled in pricing. Fixed scope or adjustable based on actual quantities?

Response #16: The contractor may use 35 borings for the estimate. Additional days of drilling (Section 3.3.1 of the Statement of Work) may be used if additional borings are required.

9. Pricing Structure (Reinforced)

Question #17: Should the proposal be submitted as a lump sum (FFP), or broken into unit-based pricing (per boring / per day / per foot)?

Response #17: Total price will be a determining factor in the award process, but contractors are requested to submit backup supporting their total firm fixed price.

Question #18: How should the following be priced: a) Utility clearance (GPR/EM), b) Mobilization/demobilization, and c) Standby/delay time.

Response #18: Contractor should price requirement elements as they would any commercial project.

10. Site Access & Preparation

Question #19: Please confirm who is responsible for clearing vegetation in wooded area and any access limitations or staging constraints.

Response #19: Volpe will clear an access path to the sample locations prior to the Contractor arriving onsite. Any additional clearing will be the responsibility of the Contractor. The site has sufficient space for equipment staging. The Contractor is responsible for the security of staged equipment.