QnA 10 25 24.pdf

Questions and Answers during Site Visit for the Advertisement of CA FTNP SEKI 13(2) Mineral King Road

October 21, 2024

Questions Answers 1 What is the weight limit of the bridges leading into the project?

They’re rated for legal loads.

2 Are there any restrictions on the county bridge during construction?

No. The existing bridge will remain in place during construction.

3 What is the oil prices based on for the asphalt binder price adjustment provision?

See Asphalt Binder Price Adjustment Provision in Subsection 109.06

4 Do the private landowners have access during the road closures?

Private Landowners are considered public traffic and allowed access through the project in accordance with Section 156 and Table 156-1 and 156-2. Specific or unique access requirements, during periods of closures or delays, may be necessary from landowners and other authorized users. Notice will be provided in accordance with General Note B per Table 156-2.

5 Is the contractor responsible for maintenance of the roads coming into the project?

The contractor is not responsible for maintenance of Mineral King Road outside of the project limits. The contractor is responsible for maintaining the road within the awarded portion of the contract in accordance with Subsection 156.05.

6 How does the contractor handle the fire retardant on the project site?

The fire retardant is not the contractor’s responsibility and will be handled outside of the contract.

7 How are cross slopes corrected throughout the project?

Perform work according to Subsection 152.04(m) and per the Typical Sections.

8 How were the quantities for asphalt determined?

Survey was completed to determine the edge of pavement and widths calculated to determine asphalt pavement quantities.

9 Is there specific Geotech data for the wall start? Were there any borings made?

See the provided Geotechnical report and Updated Retaining Wall Recommendation technical memorandum. Borings were completed.

10 For the walls, where does the backfill come from?

Walls to be backfilled with Select Granular Backfill. Refer to Sheet G7, and the Schedule A – Wall Summary Table on Sheet B22, and the Geotechnical report. Material to be sourced from contractor-located sources.

11 Is there an in-water work window?

No, there is no in-water work window. Refer to permits in appendix for details.

12 What is the pipe size at STA 444+07?

The culvert at 444+07 is an 81”x 59” cmp arch culvert. Refer to Table Option X – Drainage Summary on Sheet B25.

13 Do the existing radiator concrete boxes along the length of the project need to be protected?

Yes. Do not disturb radiator basins as identified on C sheets in the plans.

14 Where should the contractor place the QC lab? There is no place on-site.

The Placement of a Field Laboratory under Section 154 is contractor determined.

15 Can volumetric concrete be used? Volumetric Concrete is acceptable for Minor Concrete Structures constructed per Section 601. Volumetric Concrete is not acceptable for Structural Concrete per Section 552.

16 Is rock being removed from the unpaved sections?

No. Roadway will be built upon existing grade as shown in the plans on Typical Section – UNPAVED, Sheet A7

17 Will tree trimming being required for the canopy?

Refer to Subsection 201.04 and Subsection 107.02 for trimming and coordination requirements.

18 Is there a natural stone or rock area to take from?

No. Material to be sourced from contractor-located sources.

19 Is there any identified water source?

No. Water to be sourced from contractor-located sources. Refer to Subsection 105.02(c)

20 Can the FHWA provide existing ground survey files?

Survey files are physical data and can be requested in accordance with Subsection 152.04, and FAR 52.236-4. Contact cflacquisitions@dot.gov to request the files.

21 Can the contractor take water from the radiator concrete reservoirs?

No

22 Can berm material be bladed off the roadway to determine existing edge of pavement?

Yes. the contractor may remove berm material from the edge of the pavement to facilitate determination of the edge as long as it is replaced and does not affect drainage of the roadway.

October 23, 2024

23 Wall 1 is shown on Sheet 59/176 of the plans (Sht C10) but it is not clearly marked and does not have any wall heights that we could use for a design and to create a profile. Is there anywhere I can find more detailed info on wall 1?

The contractor is to develop final wall locations and profiles. Refer to Subsection 257.03 for limit verification requirements, Subsection 152.05(i) for survey requirements, and the geotechnical report for more information.

24 According to the soils report (sht 76/221), Wall 4 is located between Stations 394+50 to 395+10. That should be shown on sheet 60/176 on the plans (sht C11). I see Walls 2 & 3 on that sheet but nothing shown on Wall 4. Where in the plans or specs is there information for wall 4 (Location, wall heights, etc.)?

See Geotechnical Memo dated July 29, 2024 which supersedes Table 4.1 in the Geotechnical Report. Walls 1 and 2 were combined, and the remaining walls renumbered.

25 Although there is 1800 SF of soil nail wall indicated in the advertisement under “Principal Work Items”, there is no bid item for Soil Nail walls. Is that an omission or should the soil nail walls be carried under one of the other bid items?

This is no soil nail wall work in the project. The reference to the soil nail wall in the Description section of the advertisement in SAM.gov has been removed.

26 The soils report indicates on sht 79/221 that the max wall height for Wall#1 is 12 ft and the max height for Wall #4 is 14 ft. The total length of the soil nail walls is 90 LF according to the soils report (30’ for Wall 1 & 60’ for Wall 4). If I take the advertised qty of 1800 SF divided by the total length of 90 LF, I get an average wall height of 20 ft. Therefor the max wall heights indicated on the soils report does not jive with the provided information. Please clarify.

See Geotechnical Memo dated July 29, 2024 which supersedes Table 4.1 in the Geotechnical Report. and the wall summary on Sheet G7 for wall limits and estimated maximum heights. Stations referenced in the contract documents include Sta 365+85 to 366+60 + Sta 392+40 to 392+85 + 394+50 to 395+10. Payment will be made for actual work performed in accordance with subsection 109.01.

27 During the pre-bid site visit evidence of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were visible along the edge of the existing roadway in the form of fire retardant. PFAS’s are designated as hazardous substances under various federal and state environmental regulations. New laws, regulations concerning PFAS and exposure continue to be developed and implemented. Has FHWA tested for PFAS contamination in the soil, water and/or on vegetation within in the project work limits and apparent wildfire zone? If testing has been performed, please provide analytical data? If PFAS were used within the work area, please indicate on the plans where and the conditions the contractor should include in their proposal.

The fire retardant material observed during the site visit does not contain

PFAS.

28 In Section 204.06 Roadway Excavation (a) Rock Cuts reference is made to blasting. During the pre-walk it was stated blasting is not required on the project in area of Roadway or culvert excavation, please confirm that blasting is not required on the project and if needed it will be a change to the work character.

Rock cuts are not anticipated in this project under Section 204. However, if in the performance of other items of work that require Structure Excavation under Section 209, including pipe culverts, and rock is encountered in accordance with Subsection 209.03, and by reference Subsection 208.03, Rock Blasting may be necessary to be performed in accordance with Section 205.

29 Special Details 619-A includes information for a Gate at Station 524+35 however a bid Item in Schedule A or X hasn’t been included, where is this item to be paid?

There is a bid item in Option X for a gate, 61902-1800.

30 FHWA stated during the pre-bid walk work will be performed by the County of Tulare on a temporary bridge at PM 4.5 on Mineral King Road in 2025 and it is up to the Bidder to verify. The County of Tulare was contacted by the Bidder and the County represented wrote the following: “The County is in the process of developing a plan set to replace this temporary structure with a permanent repair alternative in the spring of 2025. At this time, the County is not expecting long term closures of this roadway associated with this replacement work, however, short durations (1-hour max) closures may be implemented.” Since the County of Tulare cannot provide closure information or work windows which may or may not severely impact the cost and completion of the FHWA work will FHWA allow adjustments in their work windows as necessary (night work) to avoid conflicts in construction with the County of Tulare’s bridge replacement? Will FHWA coordinate with the County of Tulare?

FHWA will continue to work with Tulare County as they develop their future construction projects. Night work is not anticipated to be allowed due to environmental restrictions. Please bid the work according to the Allowable Closures and Delay Schedule in accordance with Tables 156-1 and 156-2 and Subsection 156.08.

31 Section 201.04 (D); Does FHWA want the Bidder to plan to “trim tree branches that extend over the road surface and shoulder to attain a clear height of 20 feet?” Please clarify tree trimming is only allowed when deemed necessary by the bidder to accommodate the bidders work and it’s not the intent to create of a 20’ clear zone along the entire corridor?

A clear height of 20' along the entire corridor is not required. An amendment will be issued to clarify.

32 Please clarify which bid item the Bidder should include costs for “water diversions” and “in-water work” daily water quality sampling tests for each culvert crossing when water is present? Also, will the Contactor be responsible for submitting all water quality reports and monitoring data required by the Clean Water Act Section 401, “Table 3: Sample types and Frequency Requirements” directly to the regional water board?

The Government does not dictate which costs are subsidiary to individual bid items, See Subsection 109.05. The Contractor will submit the water quality report and data to CFL for review. Once accepted, CFL will submit to the Water Board.

33 Because of potential PFAS can all excess material be utilized onsite and not off hauled? If so will FHWA designate an onsite disposal location?

The fire retardant material observed during the site visit does not contain PFAS. Unsuitable or excess material needs to be disposed of in accordance with Subsection 203.05 by reference from subsections 209.03,

208.03 and 204.14 No Disposal locations are identified

34 Sheet 620-A, Dry Stacked Headwall, is mortar required for this wall type?

No, mortar is not expected to be used to construct the Dry Stacked Headwalls.

35 Is the removal and reset of masonry headwalls to be re-installed per the Stone Masonry Headwall Sheets 620-B? If the intent is to utilize Details on 620-B, can you please provide Dimensions and Quantities for pipe diameters of 24”, 30”, and 36” culverts?

No, the removal and reset of masonry headwalls will need to be constructed in accordance with Sheet 620-A, Dry Stacked Headwalls. An amendment will be issued to clarify.

October 25, 2024

36 Would Drone Survey would be allowed on Mineral King Road inside the NPS boundaries?

The use of drones is not allowed per Policy Memorandum 14-05, released by the National Park Service (NPS) under the authority of 36 CFR 1.5.