Q-A_5-7-09.doc

May 7, 2009

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

AG-0355-S-09-0004

RECOVERY – West Fork Rock Creek Road Reconstruction #2071

Custer National Forest, Beartooth Ranger District

1. QUESTION: How much clearing and grubbing is required?

ANSWER: Clearing and Grubbing for Phase III and IV are as shown on the drawings. In Phase IIII there are approximately 1,000 additional hazardous trees that will be marked by the Government most of which are dead standing lodgepole pine, spruce and fir. Comply with the timber utilization specification in the specifications.

2. QUESTION: Phase IV appears to have a surplus of material. Where is the waste area? Also the stationing appears backward.

ANSWER:

The stations begin at the trailhead and proceeds West to East; this is how it was designed and does appear backwards. The waste area is shown on the drawings.

3. QUESTION: There appears to be few locations for drafting water. Please clarify.

ANSWER: The Forest Service is presently working on permits which will be available before issuance of notice to proceed. The MDEQ permit will clarify the timing for culvert replacement. Drafting sites are located as shown on the drawings.

4. QUESTION: How is merchantable timber to be handled?

ANSWER: The specification is described in detail in the contract package.

5. QUESTION: What is the condition of the rock sources?

ANSWER: It may be difficult to meet the PI and may require adding bentonite. You will need to work with your testing lab to determine the best methods for meeting specification.

6. QUESTION: Can I store diesel fuel on site?

ANSWER: Possibly, but it will require a spill prevention system and an approved spill prevention control and countermeasure plan be submitted and approved prior to bringing fuel onto the project site.

7. QUESTION: Are culvert extension allowed?

ANSWER: Per section C, subparagraph (a), NOTE: Culvert extensions shall not be allowed. Disregard all notes on Drawings that indicate extensions. All existing culverts shall be removed and replaced. Contractor shall field survey and stake all culverts prior to ordering materials.

8. QUESTION: Will blasting be required?

ANSWER: There is a pay item for blasting individual rocks. There was extremely limited blasting on other phases of the project. Before blasting, a blasting plan will need to be submitted and approved.

9. QUESTION: Can Phase IV be done in 2010?

ANSWER: No, the expectation is that much of the work in Phase IV will be done this field season. At the pre-bid meeting a question was asked if the Economic Price Adjustment clause could be incorporated into the solicitation since Phase IV’s completion date is July 2010. Forest Service direction per FAR 16.202-1 states that a firm-fixed-price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience in performing the contract. Contracting officers presented with timely request form a contractor for equitable adjustments may under the changes clause of a contract be bound to evaluate the request to determine if the Government has caused the contractor’s increased cost or time performance. It is recognized that there is a risk in the unknown cost of fuel that can impact hotmix and chipseal costs. The Forest Service will address fluctuations in material costs through the Changes clause. Depending upon weather and temperatures, there is a possibility that much of the work on Phase IV could be completed in 2009.

10. QUESTION: Please clarify the hydroseeding requirements.

ANSWER: Reference Schedule B, Phase III, 0625.1 Seeding, Hyrdraulic Method states 6 acres. Phase IV 62504 Seeding, Hydraulic Method states 68 slurry units. A slurry unit is 1,000 gallons of water plus the specified turf establishment material. Four Slurry Units contain the material to cover one acre.

11. QUESTION: I did not see any contractor testing in the Phase 3 work, is there no testing required for this phase?

ANSWER: Section 02240 Crushed Aggregate Surface Course states there is moisture and aggregate submittals required. The contractor is required to test for width and depth of compacted in-place material.

12. QUESTION: Which culverts require rock pads on Phase III and IV?

ANSWER: Phase IV sheet D-9 Specifies which culverts will have rock outfall pads and what the rock size needs to be. Phase III requires rock outfall pads at all perennial streams and All culverts larger than 2’ require rock outfall pads per sheet D-5.

13. QUESTION: What type of asphalt cement is required for the pavement?

ANSWER: Use PGAB 64-22 or equal as specified by Montana Department of Transportation.

14. QUESTION: I called the Beartooth District office and was told that the gate for access to the project site would not be opened to the public until May 15th. I want to visit the site prior to bid opening. What is the procedure to follow?

ANSWER: Contact the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103 to get authorization. A district employee will give access beyond the locked gate for site visitation. Make arrangements 24 hours prior to visiting the site. Access may be limited to a snow machine, four-wheeler or 4x4 pickup. Snow conditions may make access difficult.