Question and Answers CA ERFO NP DEVA 2022-1(2)_UPDATED 09 25 2024.pdf
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- Attached to
- CA ERFO DEVA 2022-1(2) Salt Creek Interpretive Trail Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 6982AF19B000019
About this file
This document is a set of Questions and Answers related to the solicitation for the CA ERFO DEVA 2022-1(2) Salt Creek Interpretive Trail project.
The project involves the replacement and reconstruction of a 2,871-foot-long, ABA accessible, raised timber boardwalk trail within Death Valley National Park. Additional work includes removing damaged boardwalk debris, reconstructing the trailhead parking lot, and reconstructing a 400-foot section of roadway. The project has several environmental constraints including paleontological monitoring, limitations on large equipment, and matting requirements. The anticipated construction period is from November 2024 to June 2025, with an estimated project value between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. The solicitation is a Total Small Business Set-Aside, with the Federal Highway Administration as the lead agency. Key details covered in the Q&A include site visit logistics, wood decking requirements, helical pile testing, construction limits, concrete mix design, and paleontological monitoring specifications.
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Text version
6982AF24B000019
CA ERFO DEVA 2022-1(2)
SALT CREEK INTREPRETIVE TRAIL
9/24/2024
Question Answer
Received September 11, 2024
1. I wanted to find out if and when a scheduled site showing will occur or has occurred for the above referenced project at Death Valley NP; the Salt Creek Trail Boardwalk?
A non-mandatory site visit is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 11:00am to 2:00pm PST when NPS staff will be onsite to unlock the gate. NPS staff will not be answering bidder questions. Submit all questions to CFLContracts@dot.gov by the question due date. If planning to attend the Site Visit, please send an email to cflcontracts@dot.gov and Charles Thompson at charles_thompson@nps.gov to RSVP.
The project site is accessible by foot (approximately five (5) miles roundtrip hike on the road). The road is ladened with sand and difficult to pass. Arrive in the early a.m. hours when it is much cooler.
Provide Name and License Plate information to Charles Thompson at charles_thompson@nps.gov (charles_thompson@nps.gov) at least 24 hrs. prior to accessing the project site for safety reasons.
**Updated 9/25/2024**
Received September 13, 2024
2. I am not finding any details on finishing for the thermally modified wood decking.
Should this wood be coated with either a wood stabilizer or waterproofing per the same standards as regular lumber? Or should it be bare thermally modified wood?
See SCRs Subsection 716.01A.
3. I was looking to run up and take a job walk. Is there a way to open the access gate so we can drive closer, or would we need to hike all the way in?
See response to question #1 above.
mailto:CFLContracts@dot.gov mailto:cflcontracts@dot.gov mailto:charles_thompson@nps.gov mailto:charles_thompson@nps.gov
SALT CREEK INTREPRETIVE TRAIL
Received September 16, 2024
4. According to Helical Specifications 582.06, “one (1) test pile is to be installed, and a static load test is to be conducted prior to the production pile installation.”
Please confirm if only one test is required before beginning the production pile installation or if there is one test per pile size required?
An amendment will be issued to clarify that one (1) test pile is required for each pile diameter.
Received September 17, 2024
5. Standard cross sections show the boardwalk centered within a 15’ wide construction limit; is it possible to adjust/ offset the construction limit to one side to possibly allow construction equipment access around helical piers in place?
As per Plan Sheet A7, Note 8 an additional 6 ft. of room to the construction limits may be requested on either side of the boardwalk.
Propose the location(s) and side of the boardwalk this space is to be requested.
6. The specification requires commercial ready mix concrete which is likely not feasible for this project due to specified delivery timeframes and location. Please provide the commercial ready mix provider identified under the project due diligence and/ or include a volumetric mix design provision within the specification.
See FP-14 Table 552-4 for remixing and discharge time limits and allowable admixtures. Hydration retarder is allowed.
7. Is there any map of paleontological sensitive areas or are we to assume that the entire project will require monitoring / protection when excavation is in progress?
See Invitation for Bid Appendix B
8. 107.15 (b) limits the GVW for equipment used within the boardwalk construction limits to 12,000 lb. Is it possible to specify a maximum ground pressure limitation as the site damage potential of a 36,000 lb GVW piece of equipment may
Requirements will be revised in Amendment A002: only rubber tracked equipment, such as skid steers, mini/small excavators, mini cranes, and rubber tired equipment such as off-highway utility vehicles with trailers may be permitted within the boardwalk construction limits. Do not exceed
SALT CREEK INTREPRETIVE TRAIL
be much less than one with 12,000 lb GVW depending on configuration. Also, can clarification be provided on the difference between rubber track and steel track equipment under the specification limitations with consideration for the previous comment. Track equipment has much lower ground pressure than rubber tire equipment even with steel tracks.
a Ground Pressure of 5.5 psi and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 32,000 lb for tracked equipment and GVW of 5,000 lb combined for off-highway utility vehicles and trailers.
Received September 18, 2024
9. Page E-14 Paleontological Monitor Specifications Instruct the Contractor that the Monitor has the Following Education:
“Provide a paleontological monitor who possesses a graduate degree (MS, MA, PhD) with emphasis in paleontology, in combination with one year or more of paleontological mitigation in experience in California, Nevada, or a geological province similar to the project area.”
The following Paragraph States the following :
“ If a monitor is not available for field monitoring, provide a paleontological technician who possesses a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with emphasis in paleontology, in combination with one year of experience in; laboratory preparation, curation and in field monitoring with fossil salvage and treatment.”
There is a substantial cost difference in the Different Levels of Education vs a Bachelor’s Degree.
For Bidding Purposes this specification allows contractors to not comply with sourcing the required monitor and gives an advantage to contractors not trying to Bid per the Requirements of the Contract.
Estimator requests that this specification remove the ability to use a technician and require the owner to request a credit back
Requirements will be clarified in Amendment A002.
SALT CREEK INTREPRETIVE TRAIL
from Industry Standard Rates so that all proposals are weighted evenly.
10. There are 2 Bid Items for Bridge Railing :
55601-1300 Bridge Railing Timber (Curb Railing ) 55601-1300 Bridge Railing Timber (Pedestrian Railing) Is this Correct or Should there be a different FHWA Code for each one.
Pay item numbers are correct. Items have unique item codes.
11. A full geotechnical report is requested for the purpose of Helical Pile design.
See the Geotechnical Evaluations and Recommendations Technical Memo dated 7/31/2024 that was included with the Invitation for Bid and attachments included in Amendment A001.
Received September 20, 2024
12. Please clarify the boulder supply. Will the FHA / NPS be providing the boulders for our use, or will the contractor need to procure the boulders? If so, what color and type of boulders need to be provided?
The contractor will need to provide boulders. Requirements will be clarified in Amendment A002.
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