FR_97-00-0_Q&A_030117.docx

AG-1681-S-17-0011 (Forest Road 97.00.0) Questions and Answers 03/01/2017

Question 1. Why are the projects currently being bid when they are not accessible, buried under 6 feet of snow and there are no funds available? Wouldn’t it make more sense to (at least) wait until the funds become available and then bid the projects? Depending on when the funds are appropriated, this may also allow for the snow to melt and for bidders to access/view the site.

Per USDA-Forest Service budget direction – all Fiscal Year Funds must be obligated by 06/01/2017. Do to FAR requirements of the 15 presolicitation requirement and the 30 day proposal requirement posting of the project prior to receipt of funds has been authorized. If we would wait until funds are received we would not meet the 06/01/2017 date for obligation of funds and the funds could be withdrawn and used on another forest or for fire requirements in the western US.

Question 2. Both projects have the same performance window; 365 days. Unfortunately, this is Vermont and there are permit requirements of July 1st – October 1st for “in-stream activities”. So in reality, both projects (if awarded) must be ‘substantially’ completed by October 1, 2017. Because of these permit conditions, which are not documented in the solicitation, some contractors could argue that permit stipulations created a change of conditions in the performance schedule and could seek additional compensation. Additionally, since you need to pass over one project to get to the other project, you could have a nightmare on your hands if two different contractors were awarded the two different projects (FR 97.01.2 will be inaccessible while FR 97.00.0 is being constructed). To rectify these two issues, might I suggest altering the performance windows for the two projects as follows;

To rectify these two issues the performance windows for this project is changed as follows; Site 2 (FR97.01.2): Will be accessible on/after August 15, 2017 and all in-stream activities must be completed by October 1, 2017.

Question 3. Specs state that Bid Proposals are to emailed and bid guarantees are to be snail-mailed; Does the bid guarantee need to be in your hands prior to the date & time specified for the bids, or could they arrive after that date/time? (ie, could bid guarantee be mailed out on the date the bid is due?)

The Original Bid Bond must be delivered, and in my hands, no later than 2:00 pm on 03/17/2017. It cannot arrive after that time or your proposals will be determined to be non-responsive to the solicitation.

Question 4. Can you please identify the distance from the large turn around on Upper Michigan Road to the locations of the culverts 97.00.0 and 97.01.2?

Not sure which turn around they are referring to. FR 35 (Upper Michigan Road) starts at VT RT 100 is 5.41 miles long. FR 97 starts at the end of FR 35. The first culvert is at milepost 0.00 on FR 97 and the second culvert is at milepost 1.2 on FR 97.

Question 5 Can we get some landmarks to guide us? Is the first one where there are two old gate posts and a reflective sign that says “97”? Is the second one past an old landing and go for about 1/3 mile – there are nails in the trees that could possibly be the benchmark indicators at both sites we have referenced.

The first culvert is at milepost 0.00 on FR 97 and the second culvert is at milepost 1.2 on FR 97. At milepost 4.9 on FR 35 a large box culvert was constructed in 2016 and FR 97 begins approximately 1/2 mile past this where the road makes a sharp 90 degree turn. See Sheet 9 of each contract plans for reference and tie information.

Question 6. The road needs improvements for safe traveling – where do we put that cost?

Any improvements to the road prior to milepost 3.91 on FR 35 (first Forest Service bridge) has to be coordinated with the Town of Chittenden, VT. Any road improvements would be incidental to all other costs.

Question 7. Can the concrete be precast? Wondering if we can stage in the large turn out to form and cast components there. We cannot have the pieces be more than 9,500 lbs. That is all we can carry with our largest excavator (Caterpillar 325). (We are having difficulty finding a quality concrete delivery company to travel that far back.)

Bid on the base bid but provide a separate alternative bid for precast. You can use the large turnout but need to provide some engineering documents regarding lifting and transporting the pieces.