6913G626Q300046 - Clarification Quesions - Responses - SOP 002 8 - 4-26.pdf

Solicitation Questions & Responses 8-4-2026 6913G626Q300046

Sykesville, MD

1. Laboratory analytical services

Attachment II instructs offerors to include anticipated costs for laboratory analysis in the firm-fixed-price quotation. However, the Field Sampling Plan identifies Pace Analytical as the project laboratory and depicts laboratory services separately from the drilling contractor.

Please confirm whether the successful contractor will be responsible for contracting with and paying the analytical laboratory, or whether laboratory analytical services will be provided and paid for directly by the Government.

1.Response: Laboratory analysis will be part of a separate contract and should not have been included in Attachment II.

2. Laboratory scope and analytical quantities

If laboratory analytical services are to be included in the contractor’s firm-fixed price, please provide a definitive analytical schedule identifying:

The total number of primary samples.

The number and type of field and laboratory QA/QC samples.

The required analytical methods.

The number of samples requiring PFAS analysis.

The number of samples requiring asbestos analysis.

Required reporting limits.

Required turnaround times.

Electronic data deliverable requirements.

The current Field Sampling Plan includes multiple analytical combinations and indicates that certain PFAS analyses may be performed only at the direction of the EPA Project Officer.

2. Response: Laboratory analytical services are NOT to be included in the contractor’s firm-fixed pricing.

3. Sample collection and field screening responsibilities

Please confirm that Volpe personnel will be responsible for environmental sample collection, PID screening, sample labeling, chain-of-custody documentation, sample preservation, cooler preparation, and field QA/QC activities, and that the contractor’s responsibility will be limited to providing access to the soil cores and excavated materials.

The Statement of Work indicates that Volpe personnel will conduct observations and collect environmental samples, while the Field Sampling Plan assigns sampling activities to the Volpe sampling team.

3. Response: Yes, those tasks will be performed by Volpe, as stated in the SOW and FSP.

4. Sample containers, coolers, and shipping

Please confirm which party will provide laboratory sample containers, preservatives, coolers, ice, custody seals, shipping materials, courier services, and overnight delivery to the analytical laboratory.

4. Response: Volpe will coordinate with the laboratory for these.

5. Direct-push liners

Please identify the required liner material for the two-inch direct-push soil cores. The Volpe SOP states that disposable polymer liners are generally acceptable but notes that Teflon or stainless-steel liners may be required for low reporting limits or unusual contaminants.

Please confirm whether standard clear acetate or polyethylene liners are acceptable for all proposed borings, including locations where PFAS analysis may be performed.

5. Response: Standard plastic liners are acceptable for this project.

6. Geophysical survey and private utility locating

Please confirm whether one qualified geophysical subcontractor may perform both the buried-debris geophysical survey and the private utility clearance during a single mobilization, provided that the subcontractor possesses the appropriate equipment and qualifications for both activities.

The Statement of Work indicates that the private utility clearance should coincide with the geophysical survey.

6. Response: Yes.

7. Required geophysical methods

Please confirm whether the geophysical survey must include all three listed technologies— electromagnetic conductivity, ground-penetrating radar, and magnetometry—or whether the qualified geophysical professional may select the appropriate combination of methods based on site conditions and professional judgment.

7. Response: The qualified geophysical professional may select the appropriate combination of methods.

8. Geophysical survey mapping requirements

Please clarify the required level of survey control for the geophysical report. Specifically, please confirm whether locations and anomalies may be documented using sub-meter or recreational-grade GPS and site measurements, or whether a Maryland-licensed professional land surveyor is required.

8. Response: Recreational-grade GPS will be sufficient.

9. Electronic location information

Please confirm whether electronic coordinates, GIS files, CAD files, KMZ files, or other digital location data will be provided for the six test pits and ten soil borings. Figure 3 of the Field Sampling Plan depicts the proposed locations, but a coordinate table is not included.

9. Response: Test pit and boring locations may be adjusted in the field based on site conditions. Volpe will pre-mark the locations prior to contractor mobilization.

10. Pre-quotation site visit

Please confirm whether a pre-quotation site visit will be offered. The proposed boring and test-pit locations are situated within wooded terrain containing slopes, vegetation, partially buried debris, and potentially restricted equipment access.

If a site visit will be offered, please provide the date, time, registration procedure, and site-access requirements.

10. Response: No, a site visit will not be offered.

11. Vegetation clearing and equipment access

Please clarify the amount of vegetation clearing, brush cutting, limb removal, or temporary access preparation that should be included in the firm-fixed price.

Please also confirm whether the contractor will be permitted to use a skid steer, compact excavator, forestry attachment, chainsaw, or similar equipment to establish safe access to the proposed boring and test-pit locations.

11. Response: Vegetation clearing for access is anticipated to include removal of downed logs and pruning of overhead branches. Removal of trees is not anticipated. The contractor will be permitted to use equipment that is determined to be appropriate based on their professional judgement.

12. Test-pit dimensions and excavation safety

The Statement of Work requires test pits approximately three feet wide and at least five feet long at the bottom, advanced to the bottom of debris or approximately five feet below ground surface. Volpe SOP-007 states that excavations deeper than four feet must be sloped or protected by a shoring system.

Please confirm that the three-foot width applies to the bottom of the excavation and that the contractor may widen or slope the excavation at the surface as necessary to comply with OSHA excavation requirements.

12. Response: Yes, widening or sloping of the excavation is anticipated to provide safe access into the test pits, in accordance with OSHA requirements.

13. Test-pit production expectation

The Statement of Work estimates that all six test pits will be completed in one day.

Please confirm whether this estimate includes excavation, Volpe inspection, PID screening, environmental sample collection, segregation of suspect material, backfilling, compaction, restoration, equipment movement between locations, and decontamination between test pits.

13. Response: Estimated field schedules are subject to change based on field conditions.

Additional time to properly complete and backfill test pits is acceptable. In their proposal, the contractor may provide their own estimates for completing the required tasks.

14. Additional test-pit time

Please confirm how additional field time will be handled if the six test pits cannot be completed in one day because of buried debris, excavation safety requirements, sampling delays, access limitations, Government-directed excavation, or other conditions outside the contractor’s control.

14. Response: Estimated field schedules are subject to change based on field conditions.

Additional time to properly complete and backfill test pits is acceptable. In their proposal, the contractor may provide their own estimates for completing the required tasks.

15. Direct-push offset borings

The Statement of Work requires an offset boring when refusal is encountered and bedrock is not believed to be present. It also states that an additional offset may be required if insufficient sample material is recovered.

Please confirm the maximum number of offset attempts that should be included in the firm-fixed price for each boring location and define the minimum acceptable sample recovery.

15. Response: Up to one offset attempt may be required for each boring location. Required recovery will be dependent on soil characteristics and analysis at each location. Sufficient recovery will be determined by Volpe onsite.

16. Conditions beyond the included offset attempts

Please confirm whether additional offset borings beyond the specified firm-fixed-price allowance will be authorized through a written contract modification.

16. Response: Potential offset borings should be included in the firm-fixed-price allowance.

17. Refusal and inability to reach ten feet

Please confirm that a boring will be considered complete when refusal is encountered and the required offset attempt has also encountered refusal, even if the ten-foot target depth has not been achieved.

17. Response: Yes. If refusal which is believed to be bedrock is encountered during the first attempt, an offset may not be required, even if the ten-foot target depth has not been achieved.

18. Investigation-derived waste drums

The Statement of Work requires the contractor to provide three 55-gallon steel drums for grossly contaminated soil or potentially hazardous excavated materials.

Please clarify the procedure if the volume of material requiring containerization exceeds the capacity of the three required drums. Please also confirm whether additional drums would be furnished by the Government, authorized as an additional cost, or required to be included in the original firm-fixed price.

18. Response: Additional drums are not anticipated. If needed, they will be furnished by the government.

19. Drum specifications and labeling

Please identify any required drum specifications, including whether the drums must be new or reconditioned, open-head or closed-head, UN-rated, lined, labeled, or otherwise prepared before arriving onsite.

Please also confirm which party will be responsible for waste profiling, labeling, manifesting, characterization, transportation, and final disposal after the drums have been closed and staged.

19. Response: Drums should be open-head and should comply with DOT requirements for potentially hazardous materials. As stated in the SOW, Volpe will be responsible for any required waste profiling, labeling, manifesting, characterization, transportation, and final disposal.

20. Plastic sheeting and ordinary IDW

The Statement of Work states that the contractor must provide and dispose of plastic sheeting.

Volpe SOP-007 states that plastic sheeting may be managed with investigation-derived waste.

Please clarify whether used plastic sheeting may be placed in the onsite IDW drums or staged onsite for Government disposal, or whether the contractor must transport and dispose of the used sheeting offsite.

20. Response: The contractor is responsible for transporting and disposing of the used sheeting offsite. Drums will only be used for grossly contaminated soil or potentially hazardous excavated materials, if encountered.

21. Decontamination water and disposable materials

Please confirm whether decontamination water, disposable PPE, paper towels, and other ordinary investigation-derived waste may be containerized and staged onsite, or whether the contractor must transport and dispose of these materials offsite.

21. Response: Volpe will manage any ordinary investigation-derived waste that Government generates. Any additional investigation-derived waste generated by the contractor must be managed by the contractor.

22. Backfill and restoration materials

Please clarify whether clean imported sand, topsoil, seed, straw, erosion-control materials, or stone should be included in the firm-fixed price beyond the clean sand needed to complete the soil borings.

Please also identify the required restoration standard for wooded areas, gravel surfaces, and access routes.

22. Response: No imported material should be included beyond the clean sand needed to complete the soil borings. Minor smoothing of any significant excavator or equipment tracks may be required if significant tracks are formed.

23. Permits

Please identify any known State, county, municipal, sediment-control, excavation, or drilling permits anticipated for this work.

If the Government has determined that no drilling permit is required for shallow direct-push soil borings that will be immediately abandoned, please confirm that determination.

23. Response: The contractor is responsible for identifying and obtaining any required permits.

24. Contract Issue:

24. Response: Resolved in Attachments I-V (Rev #1)

25. Work Plan safety-document responsibility

The Statement of Work requires the contractor to provide a Site Safety and Health Plan and Risk Management Plan. The Field Sampling Plan project timeline separately states that Volpe will prepare a Health and Safety Plan. Please confirm whether the successful contractor must prepare a standalone contractor Site Safety and Health Plan or whether the contractor will submit a task-specific addendum for incorporation into the Volpe plan.

25. Response: The contractor must prepare a standalone Site Safety and Health Plan.

26. Period of field performance

Please provide the anticipated fieldwork window within the August 24, 2026, through December 1, 2026, period of performance and identify whether all field operations are expected to occur during one continuous mobilization.

26. Response: The fieldwork window will be determined with the contractor once awarded.

Volpe would like the fieldwork to be completed as soon as possible. Field operations are anticipated to occur during one continuous mobilization, dependent on field conditions.

27. Attachment I, SOW Section 3.0 states "The Contractor must be a Maryland licensed driller." Please confirm whether this requirement is satisfied by a Maryland licensed drilling subcontractor performing the soil boring advancement, or whether the prime contractor itself must hold the license.

27. Response: The requirement may be satisfied by a subcontractor.

28. The SF-1449, Block 8, states offers are due 08/11/2026 at 1500 ET. Attachment II, paragraph 3, states quotations are due no later than August 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Please confirm which time controls.

28. Response: August 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time

29. Attachment I, SOW Section 3.0 notes that borings are located in a wooded area with vegetation and uneven terrain that may need to be navigated. Please confirm whether vegetation clearing or other access preparation at the boring and test pit locations is within the Contractor's scope, and whether the Government or property owner will authorize such clearing.

29. Response: Yes, vegetation clearing and other access preparation is within the contractor’s scope, and is authorized by the Government and property owner. The contractor must identify and obtain any required permits, and follow any applicable local regulations. Vegetation clearing for access is anticipated to include removal of downed logs and pruning of overhead branches. Removal of trees is not anticipated. The contractor will be permitted to use equipment that is determined to be appropriate based on their professional judgement.

30. ARM Group has personnel that live very close to the Site in Sykesville, MD, and the property is known to be overgrown by vegetation to a level that will make test pit and soil boring location access problematic. The scope states that “…the borings are located in a wooded area where vegetation and uneven terrain may need to be navigated to access proposed boring locations. The Contractor shall be prepared to access all proposed locations”. Will Volpe provide clearing, grubbing and grading that may be necessary to complete the scope of work? Being located in Carroll County, clearing of numerous trees and preparations for grading may require extensive permitting including soil and erosion controls, silt fencing and stormwater management.

30. Response: Vegetation clearing and other access preparation is within the contractor’s scope, and is authorized by the Government and property owner. The contractor must identify and obtain any required permits, and follow any applicable local regulations.

Vegetation clearing for access is anticipated to include removal of downed logs and pruning of overhead branches. Removal of trees is not anticipated. The contractor will be permitted to use equipment that is determined to be appropriate based on their professional judgement.

31. Because the Site is located on higher ground (elevation) within a bedrock valley system, it is unlikely that groundwater will be encountered with the proposed 10 feet deep soil borings, and if groundwater is encountered shallower than 10 feet depth, then the boring penetration shall cease. If monitoring wells are necessary, then Carroll County will require specialized well permitting. Can you confirm that none of the soil borings will be converted to a temporary groundwater monitoring well?

31. Response: Soil borings will not be converted to groundwater monitoring wells.

32. The scope refers that the Contractor is to follow SOP-007 (Test Pit) and SOP-010 (Direct Push Drilling) that are included with the RFQ. These two SOPs reference additional SOPs that are not provided including SOP-001 (Log Book), SOP-002 (Utility

Clearance), SOP-003 (Well and Boring Log), SOP-004 (PID Use), SOP-013 (Monitoring Well Installation), SOP-018 (Decontamination), SOP-022 (Air Monitoring), SOP- 005/009/019 (Sample Handling), SOP-020 (IDW Management).

32 Response: SOP-002 (Utility Clearance) will be added to the Attachments. All other referenced SOPs will be performed by Volpe.

33. Can you confirm that the Contractor is not providing any laboratory analytical services (e.g., analytical testing of soil samples), provision of sample bottleware, coolers, ice and/or any sample handling?

33. Response: Confirm. Volpe will coordinate with the laboratory for these.

Attachment: SOP-002 (Utility Clearance)

SOP 002 – Site Access and Utility Clearance Page 1 of 3

1.0 Introduction

This Volpe SOP identifies and describes the procedures, protocols, controls, and requirements for accessing a site and performing utility clearance. Before mobilizing to a site for any investigation, this SOP should be consulted to ensure that proper permissions have been obtained. Additionally, utility clearance should be performed in accordance with this SOP prior to conducting any subsurface investigations.

2.0 Definitions

1. Call-before-you-dig (811) services – private, not-for-profit call centers that collect information about upcoming excavation projects and notifies the appropriate utility companies in the area of excavation. Utility companies, or their contractors, mark their utility lines once notified by the service. Dig safe serves Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Connecticut is served by Call Before You Dig. Other states have their own call centers and should be looked up and contacted for projects located outside of this region. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig number.

2. Excavation – any activities that occurs in the subsurface, including but not limited to digging, trenching, removing soil, drilling, or coring.

3. Utility – any public or privately owned equipment that carries or supports services such as electricity, telecommunications, gas, water, sewage, and steam. Utilities can be located above or below ground, and includes service lines, poles/towers, and tanks.

3.0 Equipment

1. Site plans, maps, and drawings

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3. Site-specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP)

4. Marking paint, flags, and stakes

5. Field Notebook

6. Colored pencils and drafting materials

7. Camera

Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) Prepared: J. Klaybor

Title: Site Access and Utility Clearance Reviewed: C. Fry

No: 002 Ver. 1.0 Date: 01/09/23 Approval: M. Heimgartner

SOP 002 – Site Access and Utility Clearance Page 2 of 3

4.0 Procedures

4.1 Site Access

1. Initiate contact with the property owner or authorized property owner’s representative (property owner) of a site at least 30 days prior to any site visit, including site reconnaissance, drilling, sampling, or remediation activities.

2. Begin with a phone call to the property owner. State your name, affiliation, and the visit’s objective, scope, and schedule. Notify them that the phone call will be followed up with a certification letter that will be mailed to their address that requires their signature to provide site access. Confirm their preferred U.S. Postal or electronic mailing address.

3. Prepare and send an access agreement letter that describes the objective, scope, and schedule of the visit as well as a signature page for the property owner to sign. If the letter is being sent by mail, include a prepaid return envelope.

4. Call the property owner if the letter is not signed and returned within two weeks of its expected return to follow up with them.

5. If the property owner is unwilling to sign the access agreement, a court order may be required directing the property owner to grant reasonable access to the property and the court may proceed in the action in a summary manner.

6. Scan and save a copy of the signed agreement in the project file.

7. At least two weeks before mobilizing to the site, call the property owner to remind them of the project schedule and plans.

4.2 Utility Clearance

8. Gather any available site plans or as-built drawings that may show the location of site utilities.

9. Visit the site to pre-mark all areas where excavations are to occur. Use white paint (pink in snowy terrain) to mark each boundary and write “Volpe” in paint inside the boundary. Look around for any signs of buried or overhead utilities and record them in the field notebook. Plan out where equipment will be mobilized and operated within the site to identify any potential equipment mobility issues.

10. If private utilities, such as fuel lines, light poles, and private water lines are expected to be present at the site, contact a private utility location service and coordinate their visit to the site.

11. Contact the appropriate call-before-you-dig service at least 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) before the proposed excavation by calling 811 or using the service’s website. Record the ticket information. Tickets typically expire 30 – 60 days after being issued, so do not contact the service too early and be sure to renew the ticket if work extends outside of this timeframe. Utility companies will mark out their lines within the areas that have been pre-marked.

12. Mobilize to the site to perform the work. Photograph all markings and review them with the contractor that will be performing the excavation. Discuss safety around utilities during the safety tailgate meeting. Excavation machinery should not work within 18 inches of any markings. Vacuum excavation or hand tools may be used within 18 inches. Additionally, keep equipment 20 feet away from overhead lines. Markings should use the following color scheme:

• Red – Electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables

• Yellow – Gas, oil, steam, or gaseous materials

SOP 002 – Site Access and Utility Clearance Page 3 of 3

• Orange – Communication, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit

• Blue – Potable water

• Green – Sewers and drain lines

• Purple – Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines

• Pink – Temporary survey markings

• White – Proposed excavation

13. It is advantageous to draw the public and private utility locations on a scaled site plan (using colored pencils that match the color code listed above) to facilitate future subsurface intrusion work.

14. Conduct the excavation, being aware of all utility markings. Dig carefully and have a spotter guide the equipment operator when machinery is used around markings. If an unmarked utility is encountered, stop work and notify the call-before-you-dig service.

15. If an unmarked utility is encountered and damaged stop work immediately. Call 911 if it is an emergency involving danger to life, health, or property, including gas line breakages. For non-emergencies, secure the area and contact the facility owner, whose contact information should be on-hand. If you are unsure who the utility belongs to, call 811.

16. When the excavation is complete, backfill any utilities that have been exposed and removes all utility markings.

5.0 Quality Assurance and Control (QA/QC)

The Volpe Field Staff are responsible for ensuring that site access permission is obtained prior to all site visits and for ensuring that sufficient utility clearance, even if initiated by the contractor, has been performed with in accordance with this SOP.

6.0 References

Dig Safe. (2015). Excavator Manual: A Guide to Safe Excavation Practices in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.