QnA 6.3.21.pdf

Questions and Answers during Advertisement for AZ FLAP 202(2) Red Cloud Mine Road

June 3, 2021

Questions Answers 1 What are the necessary licenses & permits associated with procuring this opportunity?

• You must be registered in SAM.gov (see sheet A-ii of the Invitation for Bid (IFB)).

• All required permits are covered in Section 107 of the FP-14 and

SCR’s. See Sheet E-10 thru E-18. Permits are also attached in the Appendices of the IFB (see the Table of Contents of the IFB).

2 Can the CAD file and survey control points be provided now to compare a quantity take-off to the Bid Schedule?

• CAD files and survey control points will only be provided upon award to the selected contractor.

3 What is the estimated project duration? • The completion date is stated in SCR’s Subsection 108.01 on page E-20 of the IFB.

• The anticipated Notice to Proceed date is stated in clause 52.211-10 on page C-3 of the IFB.

4 For bid schedule line item A0160 Roadway excavation for 17,620 CY, is it an option to stockpile excess materials on site or does it need to be hauled away?

• Excess material should be wasted in the obliteration segment of the project per SCR sections 204 and 211.

• Staging/storage areas for use during construction are listed in Section 105 of the SCR’s.

5 Turf Establishment: Item 62501 turf establishment appears to include both seeding and mulching in one combined item. Is that correct?

If item does include mulch, which of the various products in

713.05 will be used?

Is there a specific timeframe of application and establishment?

Specification 62509 state in part “including watering when needed.” Who decides when water is needed, the contractor or

FHWA?

• The requirements for turf establishment are specified in Subsection

625.01 of the FP-14 and SCR’s

• Mulch is required to meet the requirements of 713.05,

• The requirements for Fertilizer are specified in Subsection 713.03 of the FP-14 and SCR’s

• Section 625.03 specifies the General Requirements for turf establishment.

• Refer to FP14 and SCR Section 625.05.

6 The contract seems to have deleted using the AMG method for grade finishing stakes (subpart f) while still allowing AMG to be used for slope and reference stakes (subpart d). Is this correct? As AMG is now the industry standard, is there a reason for it being excluded from use for grade finishing?

• This is correct. Refer to 152.05(f) of SCR.

There does not appear to be a pay item for Temporary Pavement Markings. Is this correct? Are temporary pavement markings not

• Refer to Section 109.05 Scope of Payment required on the project? If they are required, how will they be paid for? Are they to be considered subsidiary to other pay items? If so, which items should be used. If an overrun or change occurs, in regards to temporary pavement markings, how will that be handled? Will a new item be created then? The intent of this work item is not clear and should be clarified. If temporary pavement markings are to be used/applied a separate work item should be created similar to all of the other temporary traffic control items.

8 It appears that a traffic control supervisor is required for this project. Is that correct? If so, how will this be paid for as there is no pay item? Are they to be considered subsidiary to other pay items? If so, which items should be used. If an overrun or change occurs, in regards to the duration of the contract, how will that be handled? Will a new item be created then? The specification says that the TCS can not also be designated as the superintendent. Can the TCS perform other functions as long as performing those functions do not interfere with proper performance of the TCS duties?

• Provide TCS per 156.09 of FP-14 and SCR’s. TCS can not be Super Intendent, but they can perform other duties as long as they meet the requirements of 156.09.

• Scope of Payment is stated in Subsection 109.05.

9 Is the QCM required to be physically on the project at all times regardless of what work is actually going on? Or are they only required when work is being performed that is covered by the QC plan?

• The requirements for the QCM are specified in Section 153.02 (a)

(1) of the SCR’s

10 Most pay items include 106.02-Visual Inspection, as an acceptance requirement. No frequency or criteria of these visual inspections is given. Is this inspection of work once work is completed and ready for acceptance or continuous observation of work activities (such as placement of embankment, placement of backfill at CMPs, placement of ABC prior to testing compaction, etc.)? If it is continuous, does each activity requiring a 106.02 inspection require a separate continuous inspector? What criteria for each work activity must be met in order to pass visual inspection?

• The work that requires 106.02 Visual Inspection is identified at the end of each section.

11 Construction Schedule – These SCRs modify FP14 section 155.05

(f) to state “No progress payments will be made until an initial construction schedule is approved by the CO.” If the Initial Baseline Schedule is rejected, resubmitted, and rejected multiple times, even when a Good Faith effort is shown by the contractor,

• The requirements for the initial and baseline schedule are specified in Section 155.

The contractor is responsible for submitting the initial and baseline schedule per the requirements of the contract.

is it still grounds for the withholding of all progress payments until the CO approves?

a. If the Contractor and FHWA cannot achieve and approved baseline schedule after multiple efforts, will a stop work notice be issued and Time Extension granted to prevent further costs until the time that an acceptable schedule can be negotiated?

12 Construction Schedule – These SCRs modify FP14 section 155.06 with subpart (f) requiring a written summary detailing the previous week’s work and the proposed 2 week look ahead. What format will be acceptable for this written summary?

• Refer to FP14 and SCR section 155.06.

13 Can multiple occurrences causing a delay in the contractors schedule be issued into one Time Impact Analysis or must they be issued in individual TIA’s.

a. If individual must they be issued and accepted in chronological order before the next TIA is submitted?

• Follow the requirements of Subsection 108.03.

14 ON-SITE Survey Technician-Is a licensed survey technician required to be on site at all times and perform all survey related work? An example would be refreshing or replacing reference stakes using data already generated by a licensed surveyor.

• Follow the requirements of Section 152.

15 TEMPORARY CONCRETE BARRIER-There is not a pay item for temporary concrete barrier. If some quantity is required, how much and how will it be paid for? Are they to be considered subsidiary to other pay items? If so, which items should be used.

• Bid as shown in plans. Refer to Section 109.05 Scope of Payment

16 MINIMAL THICKNESS FOR AGGREGATE BASE

PLACEMENT-While the specification clearly states that aggregate base should not be placed in a layer exceeding 6 inches compacted. Is there a minimum placement thickness? We ask this in regards to methods of placement and not in regards to acceptance testing.

• Refer to Section 301.04 when more than one layer is necessary.

17 ACCEPTANCE LOTS FOR AGGREGATE BASE-Is there a limit to the number of different “lots” (in reference to 106.05- Statistical Acceptance) that can be actively being placed at the same time? This might occur when the aggregate base is coming out of two different quarries. We could not see any contract language preventing this.

• Refer to FP-14 106.05(a)(1).

18 PARTNERING-If formal partnering is used, will CFLHD use all of their “Key Elements” of Partnering?

• Refer to FP-14 103.05 Partnering.

19 SUBEXCAVATION-The geotechnical report included in the bid documents recommends that some subexcavation to remove unsuitable material will be needed. There is no bid item for subexcavation. If subexcavation is used how much and how will it be paid for?

• Refer to Section 204.16 (a) (1) (c)

20 SUBSURFACE GROUNDWATER-The geotechnical report included in the bid documents clearly show the location and depths of any groundwater encountered at boring locations. If groundwater is encountered at depths and locations different than what is shown and adversely impact the work and schedule, will this constitute a Differing Site Condition?

• Refer to appropriate solicitation FAR provisions and clauses including but not limited to FAR 52.236-2 Differing Site Conditions, FAR 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting Work, FAR 52.236-4 Physical Data and 52.236-27 Site Visit (Construction).

21 WORK PLANS-Are work plans required to be submitted and approved by FHWA prior to the start of each and every work activity?

• Refer to FP-14 and SCR’s Subsections 153.03 and 153.04.

22 UTILITIES-The proposed contract seems to be in conflict with itself. Table 107-1-Status of Utilities, clearly states that all utilities within the project limits will not conflict with the work. Yet the language after the Table talks about potholing in areas where conflicts are anticipated, coordinating service outages with utility companies, using only certified technicians when working to repair any utilities and designating a contact person to coordinate with the utilities when conflicts arise.

a. There is no bid item for utility locating. How will all of this be paid for? How will schedule impacts be addressed? Are conflicts anticipated?

b. If utility locating is required, what are the requirements for as-builting the locations? Is measurement and offset by tape measure or is a surveyed point required?

c. Once located, what is the requirement for backfill material and methods? (Slurry, native soil, or sand? Depth of lifts, mechanical compaction required with density testing? Etc.)

• Refer to Amendment A002 and FP14 and SCR Section 107. Table 107-1 states that the utilities on the project require no relocation.

23 QUALIFIED BIOLIGIST-The mandatory use of a qualified biologist to work with the handling and relocating of any Sonoran desert tortoise is dependent on finding tortoises and the ambient air temperature. There is no bid item or contingency for this work.

If monies are included in our bid price but no tortoises are found and no biologist is used how will the monies be handled?

• Biologist is paid by the hour, see 62302-0000 Special Labor (Biologist)

24 TRIBAL MONITORS – If there is a dispute which delays the work, who is responsible for the cost of the Tribal Monitors overrun?

• Tribal Monitor is paid by the hour, see 62302-0000 Special Labor (Tribal Monitor)

25 STOP WORK-Can the COR enforce a “stop work” without an official order from the CO?

• COR Appointment will be issued post award. Authorities will be outlined to awardee.

26 SUBMITTALS-(a) If the submittal/review process takes more time than allowed by the contract and this impacts the work/schedule how will this handled?

(b) Is the allowance of 14 days for review of submittals to be considered an absolute duration in the schedule or a maximum duration?

• (a) See FP-14 108.03 (c) Time extensions.

• (b) See FP-14 104.03 (a) (1), see also definition of “Day” in Section

101 of the FP-14.

27 PIPE PLOTS-The language in subsection 152.05(g) Culverts will require the designing of culvert locations under specified conditions. This could entail additional expense and risk than simply plotting the CFLHD provided design matched up with existing terrain. How should a contractor price this? Will there be different pay items depending on field conditions?

• See SCR’s 152.05 (g) Culverts for requirements

28 HMA Mix Design - Section 403.02 states “The CO may perform mix design-verification testing…” Will the CO require mix design verification? Will the CO accept a previously used mix design on another CFLHD project within the last year? If the CO will not allow a previously used mix design, and if the CO will require verification testing, will CFLHD waive the requirement for verification of item (d) in Table 403-1 on plant produced material knowing that plant produced materials always have lower Moisture susceptibility than a mix design?

• Refer to the requirements in FP14 and SCR Section 403.

29 HMA Mix Design - Table 403-2 states that production will be “Measured and tested for conformance (106.04.)” Section 106.04 requires the use of “…prevailing industry standards in the absence of contract requirements or tolerances.” If an ADOT 409 mix design is submitted will the CO use acceptance by ADOT standards and tolerances that include only testing for asphalt content, gradation and mixture air voids?

• Refer to the requirements in FP14 and SCR Section 403.

30 HMA PAVING-Specification 40309 refers to HMA paving and stopping rolling after the mat cools to 175 F. Will this temperature be modified based on actual oil used, local conditions, or based on placement reactions at the time of placement?

• Refer to the requirements in FP14 and SCR Section 403.

31 EOP-What are the testing and acceptance requirements within one foot of the edge of pavement, particularly on an uncontained edge?

• Refer to the requirements in FP14 and SCR Section 403.

32 Recent practice by FHWA is to have 1” – 3” of the uncontained edge on bottom lift be sawcut, removed, and cleaned prior to top lift paving. Will this quantity of material be considered waste and deducted from the placed quantity of HMA?

a. Also, there is no bid item for sawcut or milling. If the edge of HMA is required to be removed how will this be compensated or is it considered subsidiary to other items? If so which items?

• The requirements are presented in FP14 and SCR section 403.

33 CLEANLINESS-What are the “cleanliness” requirements for subgrade prior to placing aggregate base?

• Refer to FP-14 Section 302.03 (a) and FP-14 Section 303 for Construction Requirements.

34 Cleanliness – What are the “cleanliness” requirements for shoulders prior to shouldering up ABC after top lift of HMA?

• Refer to FP-14 Section 302.03 (a) and FP-14 Section 303 for Construction Requirements.

35 Shouldering up Asphalt – When ABC shouldering material is placed, will the already placed ABC shoulder area require ripping and re-moistening before placing added ABC material for finishing shoulder? And can shouldering material from a different lot of ABC be used (mixed) if both lots meet specifications?

• Refer to FP-14 and SCR Section 302.03.

36 COR & INSPECTOR LEVEL OF AUTHORITY-Certain authorities are granted to the COR by letter from the CO. Are these authorities also granted to any inspectors?

• See FP-14 104.02 Authority of Inspectors.

37 Is the COR able to make changes to the contract and/or enforce their own interpretation without negotiation?

• COR Appointment will be issued post award. Authorities will be outlined to awardee.

38 Fence (Post & Cable) FP14 – section 619 does not specify Post & Cable fence. What special requirements should be taken into consideration when bidding this item?

a. Sheet A11 shows the Fence at ROW and keynote 4 states edge of clearing limits. Will it be FHWA’s or the Contractor’s responsibility to lay out the exact alignment and location of posts?

If the Contractor’s responsibility, how will this be paid for as there is no pay item? Are they to be considered subsidiary to other pay items? If so, which items should be used.

b. Is it required to be surveyed with exact locations and drafted similar to a Pipe Plot Submittal to ensure avoidance of conflicts?

If so, how will this be paid for as there is no pay item? Are they to

• Refer to the project plans and FP14 Section 619.

be considered subsidiary to other pay items? If so, which items should be used.

c. How many hours of Survey and Preconstruction should be anticipated in the schedule for planning, submittal, approval, and layout of this scope of work?

39 Quantities - Will any disturbance of area(s) for project related construction such as staging area, temp road, etc. be measured and paid for in actual quantity, or will the contractor be responsible for clearing and seeding those areas out of pocket?

• Refer to Section 109.05 Scope of Payment

40 Fog Coat – What is the requirement for the cleanliness of the roadway prior to Fog. Removal of loose debris or full wash of entire roadway?

• Refer to FP14 section 406.04 Surface Preparation.

41 Fog Coat- What are the restrictions of construction activities on the roadway after Fog has been applied.

• Refer to Section 106.07

42 Who is designated as the Construction Operations Engineer (COE)? Who is designated as the Project Engineer (PE)?

• A Project Engineer and Construction Operations Engineer have not been assigned to this project.

43 Section 107.10 (g). Requires the contractor to arrange for a qualified biologist to present an environmental awareness program and complete a clearance survey for Sonoran desert tortoise. Is this paid under 623302-0000 Special Labor (Biologist)? How will the environmental awareness program be presented to new personnel after the initial meeting? Would a video suffice?

• Yes, paid for under 62302-0000 Special Labor (Biologist). A video or fact sheet may be used to present the material after the initial meeting.

44 Section 107.11 (a). States that “In the event any human remains or objects subject to provision of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), or cultural resources such as sites, trails, artifacts are identified during ground disturbance, contact the Colorado River Indian Tribe Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (CRIT THPO) within 48 hours. The CRIT THPO is currently David Harper and can be reached at

(928) 669-5822, or david.harper@crit-nsn.gov, or critthpo@crit-nsn.gov” Is this contact information correct?

• The main POC may change, but the contact phone number and general email address are still valid.

45 Section 153. Is the QCM full time or part time? • Full time. Refer to 153.02

46 Section 156. Is a full time TCS required? • Not full time. Refer to 156 for TCS requirements.

47 Section 403. Is a MTV required? • No

48 Item 62302-0000 Special Labor (Biologist). Please provide description, requirements, measurement and payment.

• Refer to SCR Section 107.11.

49 Item 62302-0000 Special Labor (Tribal Monitor). Please provide description, requirements, measurement and payment.

• Refer to SCR Section 623.

50 Plan Sheet B7. Riprap Tabulation shows under the Remarks column- Riprap Ditch and Cut to Fill Ditch, Type 2. The Cut to Fill Ditch, Type 2 detail is shown on G3. What detail are we to use for the Riprap Ditch (presumed to be a V Ditch paralleling the Centerline)?

• Refer to Sheet G4A in Amendment A002.