QnA 2.28.24 Monterey.pdf

Questions and Answers during Advertisement for CA FLAP SCR T5(1) Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail

January 26, 2024

Questions Answers 1 Please provide Autocad file for the project showing finished surface, subgrade and existing surface. This will help in earthwork calculations.

No, xml files will not be provided

February 5, 2024

1 A017 and A018 are lump sum items, I did not see much on the plans, it would be nice to have clarification on what those items consist of

Presume this question is in regard to Line Item #A0170, 20304-1000, REMOVAL OF STRUCTURES AND OBSTRUCTIONS (RAILROAD

REMOVAL), LPSM:

For information, refer to SCR203.04(d) Removal of Railroad Components.

An amendment will be issued showing the station range of railroad to be removed.

Presume this question is in regard to Line Item #A0180, 20304-1000, REMOVAL OF STRUCTURES AND OBSTRUCTIONS (UTILITY

REMOVAL), LPSM:

For information, refer to SCR203.04(e) Removal of Private and Public Utilities.

2 Some of the Technical Services are lump sum also, it would be nice to get those clarified a bit more.

For items 62301-0000, General Labor, 62302-1000 SPECIAL LABOR, HIRED TECHNICAL SERVICES and 62302-1100 HIRED SURVEY SERVICES, refer to Section 623 of the FP-14 and the SCR’s.

For the 62303-1000, SPECIAL LABOR, HIRED TECHNICAL SERVICES (_______ MONITORING) Items, (line items A0780, A0790, A0800, A0810) refer to Sections 107, 623 of the FP-14 and the SCR’s.

3 Our Rail Road Panel supplier says he needs this information to quote the job:

• Specified panel length (Typ panel length is 8.125’ per BNSF / UP, SCRRA standards).

• Total track footage (combined length of all crossings etc)

This question results in an Amendment that is forthcoming. The intention is to use standard panels to cover the areas shown in the plans. See Amendment A003

• Rail size (90ARAA, 112RE, 115RE, 133RE, 136RE etc)

• Tie type (timber, concrete, composite, steel etc)

• Tie length (8’06”, 9’, 10’ etc)

• Tie spacing (center of tie to center of tie). Standard panels are built for 19.5” tie spacing

• Whether crossing is in tangent or curved track with radius less than 1910’

4 We are writing to request a two-week extension for the bid submission deadline for the above project. The complexity of the project and the involvement of various sub-specialties necessitate additional time for thorough preparation. We believe that the additional time will contribute significantly to the overall quality of our bid

See Amendment A001.

February 7, 2024

1 Can you please clarify if we need any railroad flagger during the construction of this project Refer to Appendix C, Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Rail Right-of-Way Specifications

February 14, 2024

1 I was working on the information signs and was trying to figure out the posts, is there a spec. on those, they have a 45 degree bend in them, so are they steel.

Please refer to the SCR's in section 633.04 and the two JOFOC’s located under the attachments in the Solicitation posted non Sam.gov.

2 Can you please provide clarity on how to advertise to meet small business goals on the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail project? We have registered on connect.sba.gov; however, our access request to post is pending. As such, we do not have the ability to post sources sought notices.

Page A-iii and A-iv of the solicitation provides information for large businesses regarding subcontracting. We are not directly affiliated with the SBA so you may want to contact the helpdesk on the SBA website to expedite your registration and/or posting.

February 15, 2024: Site Visit

1 Are there any restrictions on where the contractor can cross the abandoned Railroad tracks?

ROW Exhibits in Appendix K of the Invitation for Bid show access points from Highway 1, and where you can cross the railroad; contractor needs to stay within the Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) limits. In addition, refer to Appendix C for Railroad encroachment permit information.

2 Will the options be awarded? Refer to the Basis for Award on page A-4 of the IFB, there is 90 days from contract award to award the Options. The government is not obligated to award the Options, but will if funding allows and the price is reasonable.

3 If Option X or Option Y are not awarded, will the parking areas be available for staging?

An answer will be provided at a later date.

4 What are the requirements for monitoring?

Section 107 of the SCR’s (107.13, 107.14, 107.15, 107.16) covers which monitors are required. Subsection 623.05 of the SCR’s covers the qualification requirements for the monitors.

5 What are restrictions for equipment access at the Davenport Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) Repair (stations 33+00 to 34+70)?

Stay within the construction limits on plan sheet C1.

6 Can the beach at Davenport be shut down during construction?

Refer to Sections 108 and 156 of the Special Contract Requirements.

7 Do the bids need to be sent to the Colorado location? Original bids including the original bid bonds can be dropped off in-person or have them delivered to the location listed in Box 8 by the date and time listed in Box 13a on page A-1 of the SF1442 in the IFB. The contractor may submit electronic modifications up until the bid opening time according to the instructions on sheet A-iii of the IFB.

8 What is the method for coloring concrete for the Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) repair at Davenport?

Refer to Section 257.05(h) of the Special Contract Requirements.

9 At the RSS repair at Davenport, there is water coming through the bedrock. Are there any requirements for how to drain the water?

Special drawing 204-C and Special Drawings 266-A (5 sheets) show drain requirements.

10 Can the tide/water reach the RSS wall at Davenport? Yes, the ocean can reach the bottom of the slope at times.

11 In addition to the information shown in the plans, are there any other special considerations for the RSS slope at Davenport?

Yes, refer to the geotechnical report for a trestle that is buried behind the existing slope.

12 Where does the IFB show construction access? Refer to Appendix K of the Invitation for Bid; the contractor needs to stay within the Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) limits.

13 Are special signs that are called out in the plans owner furnished or contractor furnished?

The signs will be contractor furnished, but FHWA will provide design files for the sign design. Refer to Subsection 633.05 of the Special Contract Requirements. Signs will be paid by the EACH.

14 How will the contractor move equipment across the rails? Refer to Subsection 107.04 of the Special Contract Requirements and Appendix C for Railroad encroachment permit restrictions.

15 Are contractors allowed to leave equipment on site overnight or will this need to be removed daily? Can equipment be left near abandoned railroad tracks?

Refer to Subsection 107 and 156 of the Special Contract Requirements.

Yes, the contractor is allowed to leave equipment on-site overnight and near abandoned railroad tracks at their own risk, as long as it is not preventing public access to beaches in alignment with the SCR’s.

16 Can contractors propose temporary crossing or bridging across the rails?

Refer to Subsection 107.04 of the Special Contract Requirements and Appendix C for Railroad encroachment permit restrictions.

17 Can the contractors propose a pre-fabricated restroom, similar to what parks or other Federal Land Management agencies use?

No, but a value engineering proposal may be considered after contract award. See FAR Clause 52.248-3 Value Engineering - Construction.

18 Is there vehicle access allowed at Bonny Doon? No. There is no vehicular or equipment access to the trail from the Bonny Doon Beach Parking Lot.

19 Can the excess sand at Bonny Doon be used by the contractor? Is it accounted for in the earthwork summary?

The sand excavated within the construction limits at Bonny Doon may be used as unclassified borrow. The sand is accounted for in the earthwork summary.

20 There are many informal accesses not shown on plan sheets, are contractors allowed to use these, specifically at Bonny Doon?

No, the contractor will use the access points as shown in Appendix K of the IFB, and will not use informal access points.

21 Is the contractor allowed to close a beach access while working as long as another beach access remains open?

Refer to Section 156 of the Special Contract Requirements.

22 How far does the ROW access go to and from the possible staging area near Yellowbank parking?

Refer to Sheet C-9 of the plans and ROW exhibits in Appendix K of the

IFB.

23 Can contractors access the site during the solicitation period? Yes, stay within the ROW and TCE limits shown in the plans. It is recommended to reach out to the farmers listed in table 107-1b (pg E-12) and to State Parks at the entrance gate.

24 Are there power hookups available for contractor use at the staging areas?

There are no existing power hookups.

25 Does the contractor inherit any rail and ties removed from the project?

Yes, refer to Section 203 of the Special Contract Requirements.

26 Are railroad flaggers required? Railroad flagging is not required. Appendix C of the IFB does provide flagging rates in standard language, but railroad flagging is not required for this project. Refer to Section 107.04 of the Special Contract Requirements.

27 Do contactors make the connection for the water line? Yes, refer to Sections 107, 611, and 612 of the SCR’s, and Appendices H and I of the IFB. There is a list of required items, and there are tap fees that may be required. Contractor will be required to make connection to public and private water and sewer lines, and perform testing.

28 Who is responsible for the PG&E utility relocations at the Davenport parking lot?

The contractor will install conduit, pull boxes, and conductors, as well as transformers and the service panel necessary to provide power service as shown on Sheet OU1 of the Option X and Option Y Plan Sheets. Refer to Sections 107 and 636 of the SCR’s regarding contractor requirements for coordinating with PG&E.

29 For the public utilities in the Davenport parking lot, is the contractor required to make the connection?

Refer to 107 of the SCR’s, and Sheet OU1 of the Option X and Option Y Plans.

30 If the public utility company is required to relocate utilities, is the contractor required to reimburse them for their costs? Concern that public utilities will not give contractors a price.

Refer to Section 107 of the SCR’s for tap fees. The only fees the contractor will be responsible for are listed in Section 107 of the SCR’s.

31 Is there a pre-approved location for the section 637 office space?

Is there a mileage limit for office location in relation to project site?

No, there are no pre-approved location or mileage restrictions. (need to verify verbiage in SCR’s). The government has first right of refusal. Refer to Section 637 of the SCR’s.

No, there are no pre-approved location or mileage restrictions. Submit the location for approval by the CO per Section 637 of the SCR’s.

32 Where can the contractor find the liquidated damages? Refer to section 108.04 of the SCR’s and FAR clause 52.111-12 Liquidated Damages – Construction (sheet C-3 of the solicitation).

February 16, 2024

1 I'm curious to know if there are biological monitoring requirements for the project. I've been refreshing the contract opportunity listing every week or so for a while now, but the attachments/links section won't load for me. I'm not sure if that's because there's nothing to load or if it has something to do with my browser/internet connection/computer. Could you please provide me with any information you might have regarding this?

See section 107 of the SCR's. The solicitation can be found here: SAM.gov

February 22, 2024

1 Schedule A plans, Sheet B5, Reinforced Soil Slope Summary table lists a reinforced soil slope in the Yellowbank Parking Lot Trail Connection from STA 50+75 to STA 60+50. This reinforced soil slope is not shown on the cross sections or on the plans.

Please provide cross sections to quantify the scope of this work.

The reinforced soil slope is not shown in the Yellowbank Connector Cross Sections. Refer to and apply the requirements of Special 204-C and the Special Contract Requirements for this location. The station range is updated in the summary table and on sheet D3 in Amendment A003.

2 Can the engineer provide the layout for rock dowels and rock anchors, plans say to refer to wall submittal, cant find that. Usually engineer provides layout and elevations of where to put the dowels/anchors.

Refer to Special 266-A for layout pattern and anchor depths. Refer to Section 257 for submittal requirements. Final Rock Dowel locations and dimensions are based on the Contractor design submittal.

3 The engineer should provide an index of plan sheets 1- 176, and not just grouped they way they have it.

The index to sheets will not be changed for either plan package.

4 Section 607 does not specify pipe for lining.

Subsection 607.04 of the Special Contract Requirements requires a submittal with the proposed liner material and diameter. The contractor may propose a culvert lining material. Refer to the drainage summary for locations, and proposed and existing pipe material.

https://sam.gov/opp/3d9ce30d7870434a839f36ed61b351f6/view

February 23, 2024

1 Please provide a count of trees exceeding 8 inches in diameter that are to be removed from the site for bidding purposes.

The Government will not provide a count of individual trees for removal.

February 26, 2024

1 We are getting requests for bid extensions from our subcontractors. Do you see possibility of another bid extension?

See Amendment A003 for the final bid extension.

2 Per response to question 30, contractor is responsible for the fees listed in section 107 of the SCR. We do not see any fees that are listed in this section. Can you please clarify further?

Contact the Utilities listed in the schedule of fees and in the Public Utility Table in Section 107 for schedule of fees.

3 Please provide the location of known archaeological sites in the project area where cultural resource monitoring will be required.

An answer will be provided at a later date.

4 It is very difficult for contractor to anticipate the paleontological monitoring required on the project based on the information provided in the bid documents. Please change this bid item to hourly instead of LS.

Please bid according to the plans and specifications.

5 It is very difficult for contractor to anticipate the Cultural Resource monitoring required on the project based on the information provided in the bid documents. Please change this bid item to hourly instead of LS.

Please bid according to the plans and specifications.

6 I would like to get a copy of the list of potential primes bidding on this project. I could not see a list on SAM.gov after I log into SAM.GOV. Also, I noticed that there was a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting that I missed. Is it possible to get copy of the debriefing and sign-in sheet of the meeting?

Please see the attached Interested Vendors List. For future reference, there is an interested vendors tab on SAM.gov. You have to be signed in and have tied your entity to your registration when you signed up. If both of those things don’t happen the interested vendors list tab won’t be visible.

We don’t maintain a separate plan holders list. You can call the federal service desk if you need further assistance. The number is 1‐866‐606‐7828.

Additionally, information from the site visit was posted on February 23rd and can found on SAM.gov under the subject projects attachments.

February 27, 2024 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsam.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.navarro%40dot.gov%7C1f01e4a6afed4290cb0a08dc36ecb72e%7Cc4cd245b44f04395a1aa3848d258f78b%7C0%7C0%7C638445637505464621%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NQ0ObsAL2%2Bs98S9pDp6VWlKmrcXr81HiqiSDRoYPTJE%3D&reserved=0

1 What is the correction period/ warranty time for this project? This project does not have a required warranty period.

2 There are several callouts for CMP to be lined throughout the plans. Is the lining requested for the CMP per Santa Cruz City Standard 11.02.b.2? If there is an alternate lining being requested, please provide specifications for the lining desired.

Please refer to response to question 4 dated 2-22-2024.

3 Can additional specifications and drawings be provided for the lift station located at Davenport parking lot? Only electrical details are provided, and no design parameters provided in specifications.

OU3 and OU4 (Sheets 612-A and B) provide details of the lift station including flow and head. These details are extracted from County of Santa Cruz Public Works, whose contact information is provided in the SCRs within table 107-1a. The County will be maintaining and inspecting the installation efforts. Details of the pump requirements should be directed to them. Refer to sheet 612-A for mechanical details.

4 Schedule A Drainage Summary quantities show pay items 25101- 0200 and 25101-0400. These pay items are not included in the specifications for Schedule A. Pay item 25101-0200 is shown in Schedule X and Y. Pay item 25101-0400 is not shown in any Schedules. Please clarify which schedule these pay items are to be listed in.

See revised Drainage Summary under Amendment 003. Items changed to match the Summary of Quantities/Bid Schedule for Schedule A. Option X and Option Y pay items are correct.

5 Sheets OD18 and OD19 notes refer to OD20.1 for pipe Culvert Profile. OD20.1 does not reflect the culvert profiles. Please confirm the correct sheet numbers for the Culvert Profiles.

Pipe profiles were moved to the back of the plans, and are shown on Culvert Profile sheets OZ2 and OZ3, after the cross sections. Refer to Amendment A003.

February 28, 2024

1 We noticed under the dust control specification section 107.16 it talks about soils testing and off haul of hazardous soil, there are no bid items for that work. Can you please clarify how it will be paid for?

Item # 62303-1000, SPECIAL LABOR, HIRED TECHNICAL SERVICES (DUST MONITORING), LPSM for the monitoring and testing work. Refer to Appendix L, Soil Management Plan for testing levels and remediation requirements and guidelines.

If hazardous soil is found during construction, stockpile and remove from the site as required in the soil management plan. This work should be considered under the 20420-0000, ROADWAY EMBANKMENT, CUYD pay item for schedule A and under the 20401-0000, ROADWAY EXCAVATION, CUYD pay items for Options X and Y.

2 If we are reading your earthwork grading summary correctly it is telling us that we will be borrowing 5,143 cy from somewhere, That is correct, the Schedule A grading summary shows an estimated borrow quantity of 5,143 CUYD. Material excavated within the slope stake

Looks like we are adjusting grades or borrowing from areas adjacent to the new trail, can the engineer clarify where that source is located. Is there more soil than that available for borrow? Typically, sand shrinks more than the 10% that the engineer has allowed for, There is no item for import fill, should there be an import fill bid item?

limits may be used for unclassified borrow or other backfill/borrow material, provided it meets the requirements of the contract for the intended use.

There are no borrow areas adjacent to the trail for use.

If Option X and/or Option Y are awarded, waste material generated from Roadway Excavation may be used as borrow material for Schedule A, provided the material meets the contract requirements for the intended use.

An item for borrow material will not be added. The cost of unclassified borrow is included in the 20420-0000, ROADWAY EMBANKMENT, CUYD pay item.

3 Do you think the job will get postponed one more week for the final bid question answers and addendum?

See Amendment A003. No further bid extensions will be given.