QnA April 22 2026.pdf

Questions and Answers during Advertisement for

CA NP MOJA 11(2) 10(2) Kelso-Cima and Kelbaker Roads Solicitation No. 6982AF25B000013

Date: April 22, 2026 # Questions Answers 1 The time allowed to bid this job is not enough time based on Apr 30, 2026. An industry standard for this job would be eight weeks. Can you please push the bid date to allow more time for this project?

The bid opening date will be extended by 14 days in upcoming Amendment A001.

2 The anticipated NTP is Jun 22, 2026, but work cannot begin then as that is when planning, submittals, and approvals start (approx. 60 days). This cuts the actual work time. Additionally, we believe this job will take 2.5 (working) years to complete all Schedule A construction plus Options X & Y. Can more time be added to the schedule?

The NTP date and contract completion dates will be updated in upcoming Amendment A001.

3 Section 156.06 shows Morningstar can be closed once for 90 days, but after we reclaim this road, it will be closed permanently. Why is this 90-day item here?

Morning Star Mine Road will remain open to public traffic but closed to through traffic after project completion.

4 Regarding Plan Sheet A-10 (4R reconstruction): Can you remove all 301 base items and put them into 302 base items? This would allow us to pulverize and re-use 2" of onsite base instead of hauling costly material from outside the Park.

We are looking into this and should have an answer soon.

An amendment will be issued deleting the Section 301 Aggregate Base items, adding these quantities under the Section 302 items, and allowing the reuse of the existing asphalt and aggregate in 4R areas as recycled aggregate meeting the gradation requirements of Section 304.

5 The documents posted to SAM.gov as XML files cannot be viewed; each XML file appears to be broken. Please load all XML files as PDFs so we may have all of the documents posted to this IFB

The provided LandXML files include all of the information needed to be converted into the requested DGN/DWG CAD files using

# Questions Answers heavy civil software suites or other conversion tools.

6 After reviewing the grading summary sheets, it appears fill quantities are raw and do not include shrinkage. For example, we show 6,169 CY of borrow needed for Option Y while you show 3,325 CY. Can you confirm how you arrived at these quantities and if they are raw?

That’s correct, as per the Grading Summaries on plan sheets B15, B56, and B63, Note 5, an assumed value of 1.0 was used for the calculations.” Note 5 on plan sheets B15, B56, and B63 will be revised to clarify that “Waste quantity calculated using volumes unadjusted for shrink/swell” in upcoming Amendment A001.

7 Bid Item 20301-1800, remove monument: Do you have any information for this item? What is it, and where is it going? It is not visible in the plans or SCRs.

This is the Mojave Road Monument. As per plan sheet B16 the monument is located at Kelso-Cima Road Sta. 4406+53 Lt. Also see plan sheet C82. Dispose of Material in accordance with FP-24 Subsection 203.07.

8 Can you please provide a list of existing horizontal curve stations for superelevation correction details? Plan notes mention them, but we have only found the proposed superelevation sheets.

We are looking into this and should have an answer soon.

An Amendment will be issued clarifying station locations for superelevation correction as per the detail on Sheet A9.

Anticipated superelevation correction areas include approximately 18 curves on Kelbaker Road for a total distance of approximately 3 miles.

9 Will the contractor be allowed to setup a temporary asphalt plant within the project limits?

No, a temporary asphalt plant cannot be setup within Mojave National Preserve.

10 We’re requesting the following CAD files:

1. Existing Ground topography in Electronic CAD format in one of these 3 formats, .DGN, .DWG, .XML

2. Proposed Contours in Electronic CAD format in one of these 3 formats, .DGN, .DWG, .XML

3. Proposed Roadway alignment in Electronic CAD format in one of these

3 formats, .DGN, .DWG, .XML

4. Proposed CAD Roadway linework in Electronic CAD format in one of these 3 formats, .DGN, .DWG, .XML

The provided LandXML files include all of the information needed to be converted into the requested DGN/DWG CAD files using heavy civil software suites or other conversion tools.

11 On Sheet E-11, Table 107-2 indicates that the Ponderosa Telephone line will need to be relocated during construction by others and with contractor coordination as well. The anticipated date for relocation or duration is not provided. Please advise.

See SCR Section 636 for additional requirements for the Ponderosa telephone line relocation. There is no required date for this utility relocation to be completed. That would be dependent on the contractor’s proposed schedule for work in the area.

12 Sheet C99 of the project plans and Exhibit A to the Public Highway At-Grade Crossing Agreement on page 181 include three callouts for “Existing UPRR Track (To Be Removed by FHWA Contractor)”. Please advise as to where this track removal work is to be paid under this contract.

As per FP-24 Subsection 109.05(b) Work for which direct payment is not provided is a subsidiary obligation of the Contractor.

Payment for such work is indirectly included under other pay items listed in the bid schedule.

13 Sheet A-i of the Notice to Bidders indicates that Electronic Bids will be accepted via email but printed hard copy bids must be submitted. If the bid is submitted

All bid documents are required to be submitted prior to bid opening.

electronically via email by the deadline, does the hard copy bid also need to be submitted before the deadline, or can it be submitted after the deadline?

14 Per the Notice to Bidders in the Specification Page A-i states that Electronic Bids will be accepted, however, Printed hard copy bids must be submitted.

a. Does an electronic bid need to be submitted or will just a hard copy suffice?

b. Can the Hard Copy Bid Proposal be hand delivered to your office?

a. A digital bid schedule template, which is posted in SAM.gov, is highly encouraged to be filled out and submitted.

b. Yes, prior to bid opening.

15 Per the Notice to Bidders in the Specification Page A-v a link was given to all contractors to post notices notifying subcontractors of our interest in bidding this project. The website has the following notification: SUBNet subcontracting opportunities SBA's SUBNet (subcontracting network) helps large federal prime contractors find small subcontractors. Notice: The ability to post new subcontracting opportunities is not currently available.

We suggest you contact the SBA at the email address given below their message.

as FHWA does not control this website.

After the FHWA inquired to SBA via this address, they soon replied back with assistance. There are also many other methods to procure small business subcontractors. Amendment A001 will extend the bid opening date.

16 Per the Notice to Bidders in the Specification Page A-v states that the FHWA small business goals are 43.02% along with the other business size goals shown in the table. However, the SBA Website states the following Federal Government Combined Goals: 23% of prime contracts for small businesses, 5% of prime and subcontracts for women-owned small businesses, 5% of prime and subcontracts for small disadvantaged businesses, 3% of prime and subcontracts for HUBZone small businesses, 5% of prime and subcontracts for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Which percentage table is correct? Are the smaller percentages INCLUDED in the 43.02%

The table that applies to this solicitation is the one included in the IFB. FHWA goals are different than the SBA. Yes, the 43.02% is an inclusive goal of the other percentages. These numbers are goals.

17 Based on the typical sections and approach road details, it appears the contract currently requires the 3 inches of asphalt concrete pavement on Kelso-Cima Road to be placed in two equal 1.5 inch lifts with tack coat between lifts, as shown on Typical Section – 4R Kelso Cima Road and the Approach Roads Type 3 Typical Section (Notes 3 and 5, “3 asphalt concrete pavement over 6 aggregate base,” “Placed in two equal lifts”).

Would the Government please confirm whether it will accept a single 3 inch lift of asphalt concrete pavement in lieu of two 1.5 inch lifts for the Kelso Cima Road mainline and associated approach roads, provided all Section 401/402

Two equal 1.5 inch lifts are required.

material, compaction, smoothness, and warranty requirements are met?

18 Can you please confirm that UPRR flagging is only required when work is within 25' of the UPRR tracks?

As per UPRR agreements in Appendices A, B, and C, No work of any kind shall be performed, and no person, equipment, machinery, tool(s), material(s), vehicle(s), or thing(s) shall be located, operated, placed, or stored within twenty-five (25) feet of any of Railroad's track(s) at any time, for any reason, unless and until a Railroad approved flagman is provided to watch for trains.

19 Can you please confirm that we do in fact need the UPRR Right of Entry Agreement only to work within UPRR ROW, but no flagging is needed except within 25' of the track?

Yes, UPRR Right of Entry Agreements are needed for all work within UPRR ROW.

20 Reviewing UPRR Project 0806346, MP 235.42 to MP 254.27, this is 18.85 miles, but only pertains to project distance within or near the UPRR ROW correct? There are very few areas where the work gets within 25’ of the tracks over that 18.85 miles so with the exception of the work within the 25’ of the track, the balance of the work should be able to progress normally, correct?

Yes, the UPRR Project 0806346 Agreement applies to all of the work within the UPRR ROW adjacent to Kelso-Cima Road.

See response to questions #18 above regarding railroad flagging.

21 After reviewing Sections 108 & 619 in the SCR’s for the tortoise fence installation, we cannot find any information about how much tortoise fence needs to be installed before we can start work. It appears we can start all work immediately as long as we follow the Biologist survey requirements, can you please confirm this?

An Amendment will be issued clarifying that barrier tortoise fence needs to be installed prior to other ground disturbing activities in the specific areas the work is occurring.

22 Can you please provide an earthwork summary for excavation and embankment for all of the approach roads? The important locations are the ones near or in the UPRR 25’ set back area. We need to determine time for each area for work specifically in the UPRR set back area.

Excavation and embankment quantities for the approach roads are included in the quantities from the Grading Summary Sheets B15, B56, and B63. Also, see approach road typical section sheets A13- A16, and approach road plan and profile sheets (D sheets) for any earthwork within

25’ of the UPRR tracks.

23 If you look at one location where two tortoise fence barrier ends are installed, in between them it shows the drainage flow going towards the low water crossing.

Is there any work that has to happen in each drainage area between the barrier rail ends as the plans show none?

No work is required in the existing low water crossing channels between the Fence Tortoise Barriers as shown on Plan Sheet A18.

24 After reviewing Section 637 of the SCR’s, it appears you want the contractor to provide an office trailer for the project for your crew, but there is no bid item for

it. The contractor would prefer not to handle this due to the location. If you are going to have a CM on this job, can they handle this like before? If not, please let us know how you want us to handle this.

A Section 637 bid item will be added in an upcoming Amendment.

25 Can you please confirm that 1-authorized biologist and 1-monitor (assuming multiple work locations) must be onsite full time from March 1st to October 31st of each year unless the work area is fenced? We are assuming that the balance of the year one is not required? It is very difficult to estimate this item, would you consider this bid item to change to hours in lieu of LS due to the size and magnitude? If not, please give additional information to help us estimate this item better as the Biologist companies we are talking to need more help to bid.

As per Subsection 107.10(e)(1) construction monitoring is required during construction activities occurring during the active desert tortoise season (March 1st to October 31st) if no fence, tortoise barrier has been installed in the construction areas.

As per 107.10(e)(1)(a)(4), a USFWS- Authorized Biologist must be present at each separate construction activity to observe operations. Note the construction activities that do not require a USFSW- Authorized Biologist as per 107.10(e)(1)(a)(6). Also, please note the pre-activity survey requirements.

26 After reviewing Amendment No. 1, the time went from 24 months to 23 months for Schedule A (from NTP, which for 30-60 days there is no work). You basically have taken our actual work time to 21-22 months. My question prior was to add time not to deduct time for Schedule A. At this point, Schedule A cannot be done in 23 months, we have estimated 30 (work) months to complete the Schedule A work the way it has to be done. Can you please review to add additional time to the Schedule A work or do you want us to add lots of overtime costs to complete per your timing?

The period of performance and completion dates are based on the allowable road closures as per Subsection 156.06.

27 After driving the project last week, at each barrier rail-tortoise fence end at the UPRR tracks, the plans show the rail being placed on existing grade.

Depending on where these are, existing grade will not work. If on the bottom in the washes it might work, but on the top of the wash slopes it will not work without a lot of grading to get access and to place the rail as shown on the plans. Can you please let us know on this?

The concrete barriers at the tortoise fence ends were located based on existing ground survey. See Sheet T7 for a typical installation detail. The concrete barriers should generally be placed on existing ground. Any minor excavation or embankment would be subsidiary to the pay item 61801-0000 Concrete Barrier. As per Sheet T7, note 2, the exact location and orientation of the concrete barrier may be adjusted in the field, as approved by the CO, to tie into the railroad embankment and provide a 2-foot high vertical tortoise barrier.

28 Since the UPRR tracks within the Cima Wye & Morningstar are or will be abandoned, do we need UPRR flaggers in this area regardless of offset from the tracks?

See UPRR Project 0789781 At Grade Crossing Agreement (Appendix A).

29 We received Amendment No. 1, but no Q&A since 4/10/26, are the additional answers coming soon?

See above.

30 The National Park Service illustrates a “Cost Recovery” fee for the Mojave National Preserve (https://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm), is this 5% of gross receipts applicable to this project? If so, will the contractor be responsible for the CUA?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is not required.