Addendum No. 4 - T-1472-0150_package.pdf

TO: All Prospective Proposers

FROM: Maryland Transit Administration

SUBJECT: Addendum No. 4

T-1472-0150 – LIGHT RAIL HOWARD STREET EMBEDDED TRACK

DATE: July 2, 2022

Addendum No. 4 is fourteen (14) pages and includes the following:

ITEM No. 1 --- Provides Official Q&A document with associated attachments.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Sincerely, Christie Williams Christie Williams Procurement Administrator Procurement Division Maryland Transit Administration

Acknowledgement of receipt of Addendum No. 4 to T-1472-0150

Vendor Name: ___________________________________________________________

Authorized Representative’s Signature Date

This is the end of Addendum No. 4

CONTRACT T-1472-0150, LIGHT RAIL HOWARD STREET EMBEDDED TRACK RECONSTRUCTION

RESPONSES TO BIDDERS’ QUESTIONS

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QUESTIONS / ANSWERS

No. Questions Answers

1 Question: Can you provide a plan holders list? Answer: Yes. Please see attachment.

2 Question: Can you provide a list of people who attended the site visit? Answer: Yes. Please see attachment.

3 Question: The plans on Sheet 7 of 168 under General Weekly phasing notes states the contract should perform public updates and notices.

Historically the MTA handles all communications with the public. Is the contractor responsible for any public relations communications for this project? If so can you detail what the contractor is responsible for?

Answer: MTA will be handling general public relations communications for this project. However, the Contractor shall provide Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) related communications, including detours of traffic and pedestrian travel using specified variable message boards, detour signs, etc., and other specified MOT measures.

The Contractor shall establish and maintain continuing liaison with persons occupying property or doing business in the immediate area of the Worksite for the purpose of minimizing inconveniences resulting from construction. The Contractor shall assign the Contractor’s representative with responsibility for community relations and establish the means by which the Contractor’s representative can be contacted.

4 Question: During the rail replacement, will temporary traction power cable jumpers be required? If so, which sections would be required to be temporarily jumpered?

Answer: Power to the overhead catenary (OCS) will be shutdown by MTA prior to start of construction, and in accordance with MTA Light Rail Standard Operating Procedures in Special Provisions Appendix H.

MTA will also install Grounding Straps outside each end of the construction that connect OCS wires to running rails.

5 Question: A couple years ago, we provided budgetary pricing for embedded turnouts for a project with the same name. Are there embedded turnouts within the scope of this project? I could not find information on turnouts in the bid document, but just wanted to double check.

Answer: No embedded turnouts on this project.

6 Question: Drawing GN-03 under General Constraint Notes indicate 24/7 Construction Operations are expected. Please confirm if this is just for the main intersection work in the Project Constraints table?

Answer: Work on tracks through road intersections is especially time critical, and must be completed under 24/7 work operations. That said, MTA is expecting that 24/7 construction operations may also be needed

2 – 1 for construction in other sections of this project, as well, in order to complete the work within the schedule limitations for this project.

7 Question: Reference SP-8, Section 1.14. This states the Administration is not providing a staging and storing area. The drawings on Sheet ES- 18, indicate a staging area adjacent to M&T Bank Stadium. Please confirm this area is available to the Contractors at no additional cost?

Answer: The wording of Special Provision 01110-1.14.A is hereby revised as follows:

“The Administration is providing staging and storage areas to the Contractor’s use in this Contract, as shown and noted on Contract Dwg.

No. ES-18 (Sheet 47) and ES-19 (Sheet 48). Contractor shall submit for Administration approval details of equipment and materials to be stored in each area and coordinate arrangement for access and security with the Administration. If additional or different storage and storage area(s) are needed, the Contractor shall make their own arrangements such area(s) for storage and staging of construction materials and equipment.

8 Question: Please indicate anticipated NTP date concerning this project? Will adequate time be permitted to allow for procurement of material? Also, will the work be anticipate during the fall season with impacts to the staging area and the M&T Bank Stadium schedule?

Answer:

MTA anticipates issuing NTP in October 2022. Based on Spring, 2023 construction date, there are approximately 8 months available for procurement of materials.

9 Question: Reference Drawing CV-10, For the Crossover that is removed, please advise or provide detail of the restoration of the trough outside of the main running rails?

Answer: Contract Dwg CV-10 (Sheet 19) illustrates demolition of parts of the old no. 6 embedded crossover. In the embedded crossover switch areas, the rails are not in rail slots like for main rails outside the crossover.

They are embedded in the top layer of track slab concrete as shown on Reference Drawings from Contract CL03, Dwg. TS-532-01 (Sheet 148 of 168), and Dwg. SC-019-04 (Sheet 151 of 168). In these areas, Contractor shall sawcut around the switch castings, jack-out the concrete and remove the castings as needed, install and weld-in new rails, and embed the new rails in polyurethane grout. The Contractor shall submit details of proposal dimensions for the saw cutting and demolition, for Administration review and approval.

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10 Question: Please consider making the Engineers Field Office bid item an allowance.

Answer: The Contractor has several options for providing an Engineer’s Field Office with the specified minimum area. An allowance would require the MTA to set a cost.

11 Question: Will future addendums be provided over the EMMA website? Answer: Addendums will be posted on eMMA upto the bid opening date and time. There will be no addition addendums after the bid opening. An attachment will be posted to publish the bid results and award notice.

12 Question: Will future addendums include drawings? If so, how will those drawings be dispersed to the bidding contractors?

Answer: No addendum drawings are anticipated.

13 Question: Will a Joint Venture with a DBE enterprise count towards the DBE goal?

Answer: According to 49 CFR 26.55 (b) When a DBE performs as a participant in a joint venture, count a portion of the total dollar value of the contract equal to the distinct, clearly defined portion of the work of the contract that the DBE performs with its own forces toward DBE goals.

14 Question: Will MTA Police be available during the trackwork to assist with security?

Answer: No. Security is the Contractor’s responsibility.

15 Question: Will MTA Police be available during the trackwork to assist with equipment, CWR rail, and personnel crossing road outside of the MOT limits?

Answer: No. It is the Contractor’s responsibility.

16 Question: When is construction expected to begin on this project?

Answer: Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2023.

17 Question: With the contract duration of 180 days, what is the anticipated start date of the track outage?

Answer: Spring, 2023

18 Question: During the walkthrough we noticed areas of the trackwork where the elevation/grade of the rail was, for lack of a better term, a wave. It may be possible to smooth the elevation of the rail out, however, without fixing the track slabs there may be rail that is rises

Answer: The proposed track profile provides a smooth transition.

4 – 1 above the top of track slab. How does MTA want to address these situations?

19 Question: Is there a tolerance between new installed top-of-rail and top-of-track slab?

Answer: Set the top of rail elevation in accordance with the design track profiles, with an elevation tolerance as listed in Spec. 05650-3.04.

Differences in height between the elevation of top of rail and top of concrete track slab may vary, but the elastomer grout should be finished in accordance with Contract Dwg TW-40 (Sht. 82).

20 Question: Can the top-of-rail be installed higher than top-of-track slab? If so, how much higher?

Answer: Differences in height between the elevation of top of rail and top of concrete track slab may vary, but the elastomer grout should be finished in accordance with Contract Dwg TW-40 (Sht. 82).

21 Question: Please confirm the track is being installed with the same alignment and elevation of the existing.

Answer: The new track alignment and profile is close to but not exactly the same as the existing. Install the rails in accordance with the new track alignment and profile drawings.

22 Question: With the late submission of drawings please provide an additional week for questions.

Answer: Additional time was allotted for questions.

23 Question: Will the removed stud need any additional work (such as a sealant) aside from cutting the stud flush with concrete trough?

Answer: If the question refers to the existing stud in the bottom of the rail slot, it only needs to be cut or burned off flush with the concrete. The elastomeric filler grout for the rails will seal the rail trough.

24 Question: With the crossover removal there will be a void in the gauge of track, what is the intention of filling this track slab void? Will it be concrete or asphalt? What bid item will this be included with?

Answer: In areas where the removed crossover rails are outside the limits of the new rail trough for the straight (mainline) rails, the void will be filled with reinforced concrete, and will be measured and paid for the same as for Bid Item 39, Track Slab Spall Repair Concrete.

25 Question: Where concrete is replaced in locations with the stamped paver concrete will we be required to stamp the replaced concrete with a matching pattern?

Answer: Yes. In accordance with Note 12 on Contract Dwg. TW-99 and Reference Dwg. CC-038-03 (Contract CL03), concrete slab repairs shall be stamped to match the existing stamped concrete.

26 Question: During the site walk we noticed areas where the trough will be cut within a few inches of the edge of track slab and the existing track slab/road slab expansion joint. How will MTA handle any potential breakage of this narrow piece of concrete and subsequently the replacement of the expansion joint material?

Answer: The rail trough concrete shall be removed carefully and in a manner that will prevent damage to the narrow sections of track slab outside the rail trough. Any such sections of existing track slab outside the rail troughs that are broken or damaged by the Contractor shall be

5 – 1 removed and replaced with new reinforced concrete to match the As-Built design, at no additional cost to MTA.

27 Question: Will any track drains require the frame to be replaced? Answer: Metal fabrications for the rail troughs over the track drains are specified in Spec. 05500. Also, furnish and replace all the trench grates for track cross drains in accordance with Spec 05500. The new (replacement) trench grates will need to be factory-modified to with bolt-down holes matching the existing frames. No track drain frame replacement is included in this concrete.

28 Question: Will any track drains require cleaning or jetting out? Answer: If considered necessary by the Engineer.

29 Question: At the Lexington intersection there is a large existing grout repair. On sheet 93 it does not appear that this will be removed in its entirety. Will this repair remain in place?

Answer: All embedded rails and associated filler concrete and grout shall be removed and replaced. At Lexington Street, existing brick pavers and asphalt pavement shall be replaced as shown on Dwg. TW-104 (Sht.

123). In addition, damaged track slab areas outside the street intersection and rail trough shall be repaired in accordance with Dwg. TW-99 (Sht.

118). Areas of damaged track slab requiring slab repair may vary from the areas identified on the plans. Contractor and MTA shall walk the tracks before the start of construction to verify and paint-mark locations and limits of track slab repairs.

30 Question: Some areas of track slab repair but up against road slab areas that also need repair. How does MTA intend to blend these areas or will there be repairs outside of the track slab?

Answer: Concrete slab repair is limited to the MTA-owned track slabs, and limits of pavement replacement at intersections, as indicated on the Contract Drawings and Reference Drawings. Concrete repairs outside of the limits shown on the Plans, if needed, will be by done by others.

31 Question: How will MTA compensate for areas of track and road slab that get damaged, but not part of the spall areas, through the course of normal demo operations?

Answer: MTA will not compensate for these damages. Contractor shall protect from damage all areas of track and road slab that are not included in repairs/replacements in this Contract. Any such areas of slab or pavement that are damaged by the Contractor shall be replaced or repaired to match the existing.

32 Question: How will MTA compensate for areas of track and road slab that get damaged, beyond the existing spall repair area, through the course of normal demo operations?

Answer: MTA will not compensate for these damages. Contractor shall protect from damage all areas of track and road slab that are not included in repairs/replacements in this Contract. Any such areas of slab or

6 – 1 pavement that are damaged by the Contractor shall be replaced or repaired to match the existing.

33 Question: Specifications state there will not be any available laydown or storage area, however, sheet 47 and 48 show an area of storage.

Question: Please confirm these areas will be available and how long they will be available for?

Answer: Special Provision Section 01110 1.14 will be corrected in Addendum. (see attachment)

34 Question: Will the track adjacent to Parking Lot H be available for use during the outage or will it still be servicing revenue vehicles?

Answer: No storage on tracks allowed.

35 Question: What is the spacing of the existing fastener holding the rail down.

Answer: Existing rail support plates and associated anchor bolts are general spaced at 2’-1”on centers, with some variation to match limits of joints in track slabs and track cross drains.

36 Question: MTA has provided a quantity of Furnish Elastomeric Grout. Please confirm that MTA will buy any leftover grout?

Answer: The Contractor shall determine the exact quantity of grout needed. The MTA will consider purchasing any left-over grout for MOW purposes.

37 Question: Can you provide the 2 most recent rail to earth resistance test results taken in or near the construction area?

Answer: Track to earth resistance testing will be provided when it becomes available.

38 Question: Is it correct the 180 calendar days to complete all of the work is from the Notice to Proceed date?

Answer: Yes, however the duration is being modified by addendum.

39 Question: Is it correct that the 98 Calendar days for the completion of the reconstruction of the embedded and ballast sections of track, associated acceptance testing, and resumption of light rail service start when the contractor received the Red tag for the track from the MTA?

Answer: Yes, this is correct.

40 Question: Is it correct that this time stops when the contractor has completed its work and is turning the red tag back to the MTA?

Answer: Yes, this is correct.

41 Question: Can you please quantify the assistance to the MTA forces that the contractor must provide during the acceptance testing? Will it be track support, signal support, electrical support, or testing support?

Answer: Contractor shall provide assistance to the MTA during acceptance testing, as requested to aid in responding to questions about the work that was performed and the results of any related Contractor-

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Also, how many hours, shifts, or tie does the MTA require for support.

We need to be able to capture the costs that MTA will be requiring to support its' activity.

required quality testing. This may include the Contractor’s or subcontractor’s foreman of the work that is the subject of the acceptance testing, and/or equipment operators and laborers that may be needed to clear the worksite to allow MTA personnel perform the acceptance testing, and Maintenance of Traffic (vehicles or pedestrians) at the testing site that may need to be cleared out of the way to allow MTA personnel to perform the acceptance testing.

42 Question: How many calendar days after transmittal must a submittal be returned to the contractor in?

Answer: In reference to Section 01300-1.04.B.3, submit all drawings and schedules sufficiently in advance of construction requirements to permit no less than twenty-one (21) days for review and appropriate action by the Engineer.

43 Question: How many calendar days must an RFI be returned to the contractor in, if prior to the outage start?

Answer: In reference to Section 01150-1.03.B.12, the Administration will be required to respond within a period of fifteen (15) days following receipt of any request for information on behalf of the Contractor and, in case of an emergency, immediately upon request.

44 Question: If the contractor has to submit an RFI during the 98-calendar outage how long will the engineer have to respond to the RFI?

Answer: In reference to Section 01150 1.03.B.12. The Contractor shall cooperate fully with the Administration and respond within a period of seven (7) days following receipt of any request for information on behalf of the Administration and, in case of an emergency, immediately upon request.

45 Question: When the contractor submits an invoice to the MTA for processing. How many calendar days does the MTA have to review and respond to the contractor's submittal of the invoice?

Answer: We typically request that an invoice be submitted by the 5th of the month (i.e. invoice for May’s work be submitted by 06/05/22). Then, we aim to process and submit it out of our department for further payment processing by the 10th of the month (so, in the example provided, by 06/10/22). However, “pencil copy” (i.e. “draft”) invoices are typically requested ahead of the 5th, and quantity review meetings happen throughout the month, as work is completed.

46 Question: The project schedule of 180 calendar days seems extremely aggressive especially with currently materials lead time. We are being

Answer: We are modifying this schedule by addendum.

8 – 1 told that current restraining rail lead times are 6-8 months from the time a purchase order is received from us. We are also receiving quotes for Standard Rail that have up to 150 days on the lead time. Can the total project length be extended to at least 360 Days to allow for enough time for shop drawing, approvals, and manufacturing of the restraining rail?

47 Question: Is it correct that the MTA will de-energize the overhead contact system prior to the start of the 98-day track outage?

Answer: Yes.

48 Question: Are all necessary permits and approvals with the City of Baltimore already procured by the MTA?

Answer: MTA has already obtained from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) approval for stormwater management and sediment & erosion control. The Contractor is responsible for applying for and obtaining all other applicable permits, including but not limited for:

1. Maintenance of Traffic (MOT), including traffic control plan(s) and temporary lane closures.

2. Road transportation of materials to and from the worksite.

3. Waste disposal permits.

Any other permits required by City of Baltimore, Baltimore County, and State of Maryland.

49 Question: Page SP-8 Section 01110 Item 1.14 states that the administration is not providing a staging or storage area for the contractors use in this contract.

a. Can the MTA provide an area in one of its yards for the contractor to store rail and other track materials?

b. Will the MTA provide an area on MTA property for the Engineers office trailer that we will need to provide?

c. If not, is there a requirement for the size of the property for the office trailer required for the MTA?

Answer: Two optional staging and storage areas are identified on the drawings. Special Provision Section 01110 1.14 will be corrected in Addendum.

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50 Question: The Page SP-10 Section 01130 Item 1.04 says that the contractor must verify all existing dimensions and grades shown on the contract drawings prior to proceeding with work. Is it the intent that the contractor surveys the track prior to the outage due to the fact that if there was a discrepancy, the engineer can correct prior to the outage?

And if so can this work be performed during normal working hours or must it be performed during the night time outages as specified in the documents? Or is the intent that contractor perform this work at the beginning of the outage. Therefore, any discrepancy found would cause a delay to the contractor during the outage?

Answer: Both light rail tracks were surveyed as part of the design process, and the existing condition at that time is shown on the Contract Drawings. Contractor shall inspect the entire worksite to verify that the condition of the tracks and associated sections of roadway prior to the start of construction matches what is shown on the Contract Drawings, or that is has changed. Contractor, may also perform a survey of the tracks or affected sections of roads, as needed, to aid in verifying existing dimensions and grades.

If any of this work is performed on the tracks, it shall be performed in accordance with MTA Light Rail Standard Operating Procedures in Appendix H of the Special Provisions.

51 Question: Page SP-12 Section 01130-4 Item 1.06.E states that the contractor is expected to verify all utilities in the vicinity of the work and submit to the engineer for approval a plan for performing the work. Please confirm that this is only requesting that the contractor verify utility locations thru the one call system and the contractor is not responsible for physically uncovering and locating the utilities in the area. Also, please confirm there is no utility work as a part of this contract.

Answer: As noted in Special Provisions Section 01130-1.06.B, the Contractor is responsible for contacting the Utility Services Protection Center, “Miss Utility”, prior to any demolition or digging work.

There are storm drainage facilities in and next to the light rail tracks and as noted in the Contract Drawings, lighting and electrical facilities in light rail stations and in Howard Street, utility manholes of various types, and other utilities in the light rail tracks.

The Contractor is responsible for locating and protecting all utilizes in the surface of the track and associated roadway of the worksite. Except as noted above, all underground utilities should be below, and should not be affected by the work.

Other than the track storm drainage improvements and track-related electrical work included in the scope of work, no other utility work is included.

52 Question: Page SP-19 thru SP-22 Section 01150 Item 1.02, Refers to interface with the Railroad. From our initial review of the project we do not see where the contractor will have any interface with a railroad

Answer: The working limits are located above the Howard Street railroad tunnel which carries the active CSX freight line, which runs parallel to the MTA light rail along Howard Street.

10 – 1 other than the MTA. Please clarify what interface and where the contractor could possibly interface with a railroad.

53 Question: The contract calls for the contractor to have its' employees thru the Track Access Safety Course and Flagman Training. Do all employees that work in the out of service track area have to take both Track access safety course and Flagman Training? How often is the class provided and is there a maximum number of people per class? Is the class in person or virtual? In order to staff 98 days around the clock we will need around 80 employees trained prior to the outage. Does the MTA have the ability to train this many people in the short time frame between NTP and start of the outage?

Answer: Any employees on the project site need to be certified. Track access safety and flagman training are one in the same, in addition there is an on-site coordinator training. After NTP is issued the MDOT MTA Construction Management Division will provide instruction on obtaining training. There should be sufficient time between NTP and start of construction to obtain training.

54 Question: Can the bid date be extended 2 weeks? Answer: The due date for bids has been extended to July 12, 2022 at

2:00 PM EST.

55 Question: How often can invoices be submitted to the MTA? Answer: Invoicing will be based on the schedule of the project and will be discussed during the construction kick-off meeting. According to GP

9.03 MTA will pay the Contractor for the Contract value of the work satisfactorily performed during the preceding calendar month.

56 Question: Will the MTA provide any site security for the construction site thru the MTA police?

Answer: MTA will not provide site security.

57 Question: When does the MTA prefer the 98-day outage to be executed?

Answer: Spring 2023

58 Question: Some of the work under this contract is weather dependent.

Can the contract length be extended so the contract can schedule this work around the winter months. We request the contract be extended to 360 calendar days.

Answer: The contract duration is being extended by addendum however the 98-day outage for construction to be completed will not be extended.

59 Question: Can the question period be extend until after we received responses from this round of questions?

Answer: No. The question period has been extended once. There will be no other opportunity to submit questions for this solicitation.

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60 Question: Railroad Protective Insurance is required. Can you please answer the following questions:

a. Number of Passenger Trains in a day and Track Speed.

b. Number of Freight Trains in a day and Track Speed.

c. Are there any unscheduled trains in a day? If so how many and Track Speed.

Answer: Not applicable. No traffic with the project limits during construction. There is no freight service on MDOT MTA’s Light Rail.

61 Question: Must the contractor have a QAQC manager be on-site 24 hours a day 7 days a week during the outage?

Answer: In reference to Special Provisions 01450-1.02.C the CQC Manager shall visit the project site on a regular basis to assure proper administration of the CQC Plan. In addition, for contracts in the amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000) and above, the CQC Plan Manager must be present at the project site on a full-time basis throughout the duration of the Contract, be assigned exclusively to this Contract.

PLAN HOLDER’S LIST

1 – 1

No. Company Requesting Plans Contact

1 GW People’s Contracting Aaron Ballish- aballish@gwpeoples.com

2 ACECO, LLC Fatima Reyes <freyes@acecoworld.com>

3 Concrete Technology Services Mark Turner <mturner@ctsinc.org>

4 Hillis-Cames Engineering Associates, Inc. Gina DePinto <gdepinto@hcea.com>

Potowmac Engineers Inc. Satish Korpe <korpeusa@gmail.com>

6 Ironhorse Engineering Co. Larry Margolin <larrym@ironhorseeng.com>

7 Kiewit Infrastructure Co. Joe Frye <joe@pessoacon.com>

8 Bullock Construction Inc. michelle@bullockrailroad.com

9 Railroad Constructions Inc. Nick Morina <Nmorina@RailNJ.com>

10 EFCO Corp. Brown, Andrew <Andrew.Brown@efcoforms.com> mailto:mturner@ctsinc.org mailto:gdepinto@hcea.com