Pre-bid RFIs and Answers.pdf

SIKESTON SUBSTATION FENCING REPLACEMENT

RFIs with Responses

Solicitation No.: 89503621BSW000022

RKE CONTRACTORS

1. Front Entrance Gate: Will the Front entrance gate consist of two 15’ cantilever slide gates or one 30’ cantilever slide gate? On the plan sheet, it says that the front gate opens from the eastern direction which causes me to conclude that there is one 30’ slide gate.

The front entrance gate shall be a 30’ double cantilever slide gate. Drawing E7005 has been revised and is attached.

2. Security: While demolishing existing and erecting the new fence, what type of temporary fence must be placed to ensure that the site is secure overnight?

The temporary fence shall meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be at least 8’ tall

• Barbed wire is not required for temporary fence

• Standard 11-1/2" gauge galvanized fence fabric with 2-1/4" mesh

• If self-supported fence panels are used, the panels shall be interlocked

• Include bottom rails to prevent something from pushing under the fence

• Fence frame shall be strong to withstand strong winds (sandbags can be used)

Revised in Specifications: Section 00 10 00 para 1.3.4.2

3. Cantilever Gate Rollers. Will this project require enclosed rollers? What type are to be used?

Rollers shall be heavy duty nylon composite wheels with cover. Note #2 in the Cantilever Slide Gate Notes in drawing E7005 have been revised. Revised drawing is attached.

4. Staging Area. Will the staging area, field office and storage shed site locations be designated on the plans?

The attached aerial image shows the staging areas available.

5. Storage Shed. Spec 00 10 00 Paragraph 1.3.11 “Field Offices and Sheds” Is a storage shed required for fencing materials? Will tool storage be allowed in Field office trailer?

A storage shed or field office has been removed from the specification on this requirement. However, Department of Labor, Davis-Bacon, and Equal Opportunity postings will still be required at the worksite.

6. Ground Grid Attachment at new front entrance gate. Please clarify the attachment of the front entrance gate grounding attachment to the existing grid. There is approximately a 20’ distance from the current ground grid to the location of the new front gate. Will the contractor trench the 20’ distance to the current existing ground grid connection or will a different ground grid connection be designated? If the 20’ distance is to be trenched and gate grounding is to be done at the existing current point, is the 4/0 cable size to be ran the 20’ distance underground? Will the 4/0 wire be required to be 18” deep under the subgrade?

The new front entrance gate, grounding connection shall be connected to the existing exterior ground grid. The fence and the 24’ cantilever slide gate shall be connected to the existing interior ground grid. The new front entrance gate will be located approximately 5’ from the existing exterior ground grid. The contractor will need to trench, 18” deep under the subgrade, a distance of approximately 5’ to make the proper connection with 4/0 wire. Sketch provided for reference only. See drawing E3202 notes for specific grid connections.

7. Will the site visit sign-in sheet be distributed?

Yes, the sign-in sheet will be distributed.

8. It appears that there will be interference between the gate Concertina wire and the stationary fencing Barb Wire system. If a 2’ diameter Concertina wire is placed on top of the sliding cantilever gate, at least 1’ of the round razor wire is going to contact the stationary gate barb wire as it slides. This would render the sliding gate useless. Please advise as to a solution.

A new detail has been added in drawing E7005 to show proper installation of cantilever slide gates, barbed wires, and concertina wires. Revised drawing is attached.

MAC INDUSTRIAL

1. What requirements are there for the temporary fence, if it is to be utilized? Please confirm acceptable height, gauge, and mesh size.

The temporary fence shall meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be at least 8’ tall

• Barbed wire is not required for temporary fence

• Standard 11-1/2" gauge galvanized fence fabric with 2-1/4" mesh

• If self-supported fence panels are used, the panels shall be interlocked

• Include bottom rails to prevent something from pushing under the fence

• Fence frame shall be strong to withstand strong winds (sandbags can be used)

Revised in Specifications: Section 00 10 00 para 1.3.4.2

2. Please provide a detailed drawing for the 8-4”x24’ Fence Posts that shows the post depth in ground, the width/size and depth of the hole, and concrete placement.

A new drawing E7005-2 has been created and is attached.

3. Please confirm the 24 ft length is accurate for the corner/pull posts.

Yes, there are 8 locations where 4”x24’ fence posts are required, and these locations include the site corners. See drawing E7005.

4. Please provide a geo-tech report for the work area or any other information available that reveals existing ground conditions.

In 2014 a geotechnical investigation was completed to complement the design of another construction project. Some of the information in the geotechnical report is no longer relevant, but the report will be shared with contractors for general reference. The geotechnical report is attached. The report provided is not current and the Government is not liable for changes that may be currently present. The Contractor shall be responsible for determining the nature of materials to be excavated as annotated in Section 00 10 00 para 1.3.5 of the specifications.

5. Please provide an approved manufacturer and item # for the requested grounding track system for the slide gate?

The grounding track system shown in drawing E3204 is a product manufactured by Tymetal Corp. If Tymetal Corp is not selected as the cantilever slide gate manufacturer, the contractor may propose a different grounding method to properly ground the gates. Gate grounding shall meet the requirements found in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) Section 9, Rule 092E, Point of Connection of Grounding Conductor, Fences.

All materials that are not provided that are specifically called out in the specifications will require submittal approval post award.

6. Who is responsible for removal and re-installation of existing fence signage?

The contractor shall remove and reinstall any existing fence signage.

7. Please confirm if Contractor should include any costs for replacing fence signage in the bid pricing?

The contractor shall include cost for removing and reinstalling any existing fence signage.

8. Will a pre-construction or post-construction televising be required for any of the sewer or drainage systems? Shall Contractor include any such costs in the bid pricing?

Sewer or drainage system televising is not required. However, the contractor shall have adequate erosion control measures (e.g. silt fence, straw bales, filter sock, etc.)

to prevent any sediment and debris from entering the existing sewer or drainage system.

9. Please confirm if flowable fill is acceptable for use as backfill material at locations where existing post foundations will be removed?

Flowable fill is acceptable as backfill material around post foundations.

*All materials that are not provided that are specifically called out in the

10. How much time should the Contractor assume will be needed for the site specific/safety training of employees?

The contractor shall allow 2 hours for site specific/safety training of employees.

11. What is an approximate timeframe, in number of workdays, required for completion of background checks and security clearance approvals?

Background checks and security clearance approvals take approximately 10 workdays to be completed.

CUSTOM FENCE

1. Where can we dispose of the soil, is it possible to disperse the soil onto the job site?

The specifications Section 00 10 00 para 1.4.3.3 Disposal of Waste Material describes where to dispose of waste materials. The contractor is responsible for locating an approved facility or site to dispose of waste materials. The excavation soil cannot be dispersed on the job site, within or beyond Southwestern’s property.

The job site is currently covered in clean crushed rock and the contractor shall prevent excavation soil from mixing with the existing clean crushed rock.

2. There is no wage listed in the Davis Bacon document for a fence installer, do you have a wage determination for that?

As outlined in the note on page 1 of the Wage Determination, if this contract is covered by the EO and a classification considered necessary for performance of work on the contract does not appear on this wage determination, the contractor must pay workers in that classification at least the wage rate determined through the conformance process set forth in 29 CFR 5.5(a)(1)(ii) (or the EO minimum wage rate, if it is higher than the conformed wage rate) by submittal of a SF 1444 located at https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/request-authorization-additional-classification-and-rate.

3. What is the penalty per day if the job isn't complete within the 60 calendar day time period?

Excusable delays are granted based on circumstances. IAW FAR 52.249- 14 (a) Except for defaults of subcontractors at any tier, the Contractor shall not be in default because of any failure to perform this contract under its terms if the failure arises from causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor. Examples of these causes are (1) acts of God or of the public enemy, (2) acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, (3) fires, (4) floods, (5) epidemics, (6) quarantine restrictions, (7) strikes,

(8) freight embargoes, and (9) unusually severe weather. In each instance, the failure to perform must be beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor. "Default" includes failure to make progress in the work so as to endanger performance.

If delays are found to be caused by Contractor fault or neglect, consideration may be sought.

4. Per ASTMF1184 in standard specifications for industrial and commercial horizontal slide gates, there are 2 types of Cantilever slide gates;

Class 1: Steel frame gates and aluminum frame gates using external rollers.

Class 2: Steel frame gates and aluminum frame gates using internal rollers.

Do you have a preference on what class is used?

Specifications for Cantilever slide gate requirements have been added to drawing E7005.

5. Can you verify the location of the existing grounding cable that we will be tying the fence grounding into, is it on the inside or the outside of the existing fence?

See reference drawing E3203 for the location of the existing grounding cable inside and outside the existing fence. The grounding cable inside the existing fence is approximately 2’ from the fence line and the grounding cable outside the existing fence is approximately 5’ from the fence line. The contractor shall only connect to the inside grounding cable at all locations where a fence post will be grounded. This is every 50’ and at each gate/corner post, as described in the notes of drawing E3202. The only exception is for the new front entrance gate, where connection shall be connected to the exterior grounding grid.

6. The specification calls for 2 oz. chain link fabric. As of right now the availability of 2 oz.

strand is approximately 12-14 weeks out from the date the order is placed, order is then another 3 weeks out to completion. Would we be able to use 1.2 oz. chain link? Please see attached document.

Due to the long lead time of chain link fabric with 2 oz/sq coating, Southwestern accepts weight of zinc coating at 1.2 oz/sq for this project.

7. The specification calls for Type Schedule 40 pipe. The availability of that is approximately 4-7 weeks out. However, DQ40 and SS40 pipe and rail are available on a faster timeline. Would you be open to those alternative materials? Please see attached document.

Due to the long lead time, DQ40 and SS40 pipes and rails are acceptable "or equal" items that can be used in place of SCH 40 pipes and rails.