4102017QuestionAnswers.docx

NEWSOME CREEK REACH 2 STREAM HABITAT IMPROVEMENT

RFP AG-0343-S-17-0020

Questions/Answers Prepared by Contract Specialist: Karen Ruklic

Question: 1. What is meant by on-site vs. off-site on the Project Materials List (Table 2 of Newsome Cr. Special Provisions)?

Answer: On-site materials are those harvested during construction operations e.g. floodplain alluvium removed during channel excavation. The ones that say “No” will likely have to be purchased and imported to the site.

Question 2: Contractor called a supplier and supplier said they have 2 days to place the sod mat from the time it is harvested (including transportation time)…does this seem accurate? Survival is said to decrease rapidly after 2 days.

Answer: The government recommends the contractor make sure they are ready to install the mats before arranging for delivery. The government has had excellent success with sod mats, even at a remote locations like Newsome Creek, if installation is performed upon material delivery or the next day. The sod mats just need to be kept damp, out of the wind, and in the shade until they are installed. There are only about 60 mats, so they should be able to get this installed in under 2 days, which will work out fine.

Question 3: Is track compaction sufficient to replace vibrator compaction requirement (contractor points out that with low floodplain vibration compaction will make a muddy mess)?

Answer: It is absolutely necessary to use vibratory compaction. On the lower lifts the contractor may need to mix in drier material until the embankment stops “pumping”. It can be a little messy, but the designer will not guarantee the integrity of the structure if it is built with track compaction.

Question 4: Page 22 of the Newsome Special Provisions under Bid item #9: sentence of “Haul of excess soil generated from constructed channel shall be incidental…” does not cross reference with Bid item #17 (paying for haul off to repository).

Answer: Strike this sentence and the sentence that follows it and replace with the following. “Excavated soil material shall be used for fill areas as specified in Bid Item 10 – Fill Areas. Haul of soil generated from constructed channel to Fill Areas shall be incidental to this Bid Item and shall be accounted for by the Contractor as appropriate in their bid. Haul of excess soil generated from constructed channel shall be disposed and paid in accordance with Bid Item 17 – Tailings Repository.” See solicitation Amendment 1.

Question 5: The quantity for Bid item #10 Fill Areas (4,980 BCY) does not cross reference with the quantity in the Fill Areas Table on Sheet C9 (11 of 22) (3,665 CY)…why the discrepancy?

Answer: The quantities on sheet C9 are earthwork volumes (cut/fill). In addition, the contract specifies 6” of topsoil on the Fill Areas, which totals 1,315 CY; add this to 3,665 CY for a total of 4,980 BCY.

Question 6: Is the filter rock and rock armoring (as shown on Sheet D5, Typical 2) from a commercial site absolutely necessary or can on-site options (on-site sorting for appropriate sized material) be detailed out in work plan and considered?

Answer: Under Special Provisions, Work Descriptions, Bid Item 8 – Channel Diversion Structures, bullet number 2 under Materials: “Materials may be sourced from Site if specification is met”.

Question 7: Can a bid item be added for Bulldozer Equipment Rental?

Answer: No Bulldozer Equipment Rental will be added to the solicitation requirements at this time.