AG2B46S170063_Prebid_Meeting_Questions.pdf

Questions from the Pre-Bid Meeting at the Sebring NRCS Field Office:

1. Verify silt fence location and extent.

• Response: Silt fence is required adjacent to Dikes 11 and 12 as shown on Sheet 3 of 12 of the drawings. The contractor will be required to obtain an NPDES and DEP will outline if additional silt fence is required for the project. NRCS does not expect additional silt fence to be required by DEP.

2. Topographic survey was requested for volume calculations.

• Response: See topo survey attached.

3. Clarify where grout is needed on the ACB mats.

• Response: Jessica Robbins (JR) outlined the specification for ACB mats and grouting joints. Grouting is required at all seams and gaps of 2” or more.

4. Clarify toe anchor of ACB mats.

• Response: JR responded that a two (2) block toe-in anchor is required. Additional manufacturer anchors were not planned to be needed but ACB mats should be installed according to manufacturer recommendations.

5. Clarification: Excavation throughout the site shall be used as borrow for earthfill.

6. Clarification: Sod strips around rip rap outfall structure are planned. The sod would be paid as a subsidiary item under the structure.

7. Are T&E species a concern on the site?

• Response: JR explained that prior to the start of construction an NRCS biologist will do an onsite investigation to determine if T&E species are present. If T&E species are present and set backs are required NRCS will flag these areas and make the contractor aware of the T&E species. The presence of T&E species has the potential to impact the staging and timeline of construction.

8. Would on site investigations after rainfall events be allowed on Saturdays and Sundays to address environmental monitoring items?

• Response: JR said access to the site to perform monitoring after storm events should not be a problem.

9. When is the project going to be awarded?

• Response: NRCS intends to award as soon as possible.

Questions from the Pre-Bid Meeting during Onsite Visit:

10. What is the purpose of this project/program?

• Response: JR outlined that the project is a wetland restoration and the purpose of the project and program is to restore a property’s historical wetlands as much as possible in order to benefit wildlife.

11. Can the estimated acreage of clearing and grubbing be provided?

• Response: JR outlined that she does not have the acreage and it is the contractor’s responsibility to calculate what they believe is necessary for the project in order to provide a lump sum bid for Clearing and Grubbing.

12. Where are invasive species required to be removed? Throughout the property or only in work areas?

• Response: JR explained that invasive species removal is only required where work is occurring.

13. Anti-seep collars on the pipes are not shown in the plans. Are anti-seep collars required?

• Response: JR explained that anti-seep collars are not planned for the pipes.

14. Where is silt fence required in relation to Dike 9 and Dike 10?

• Response: See question 1.

15. If issues are discovered with the soils outlined in boring 7.1 and 7.2 where will soil come from in order to construct the dikes?

• Response: If unsuitable material is discovered, alternate borrow areas will be identified onsite.

16. A discussion related to invasive species removal took place and how the invasive species needed to be removed.

• Response: JR outlined that the contractors need to take precautions so invasive species are not spread throughout the property as well as invasive species are not brought onto the property.

17. Is the removal of Dike #4 required?

• Response: JR clarified that Dike #4 needs to be removed as outlined in the plans and that the material was planned to be used for earthfill onsite.

18. Clarification: The borrow dike in the north central portion of the property is optional whether it is left as is or used for earthfill.

19. Does the fence on the west need to be removed in order to construct the dike modification?

• Response: JR clarified that the plan was to offset the dike modification on the inside/easement side of the dike so the fence did not have to be removed. The outside slope of the dike would then not need to be modified.

20. Clarification: JR clarified that 3:1 slopes and details of dike modifications are only necessary where earthfill is placed. The entire dike does not need to be modified to have a 3:1 slope.

21. Where will borrow come from on the North dike? The earthfill is planned between two (2) fences, will access culverts be necessary in the areas where gates are currently located.

• Response: JR clarified that the intent was to construct the dike and borrow between the fence lines. Where gates exist to the south pastures the borrow would discontinue to allow a land bridge type crossing area.

22. Can a bid item be added to the bid schedule to include silt fencing in linear feet? What if NRCS requires additional silt fence not outlined in the plans?

• Response: See question 1.

Questions submitted via email:

23. On item 2 on the bid sheet, It asks for the price for removal for 2 structures. Should we not put the removal of g-2 here? Or put the removal for g-2 under line item 12 ?(water control structure g-2)

• Response: Please include removal of existing pipe in Bid 11, Water Control Structure G-2

24. Do we have to strip the grass on the top of the dikes before we raise them?

• Response: Yes, Foundation Stripping is required for the dikes.

25. Are there any Veteran owned companies that are looking for bids?

• Response: NRCS does not have a response to this question.

26. Will you let a Veteran owned company turn in a bid for a subcontractor that was at the pre-bid, if the veteran owned company was not at the pre-bid?

• Response: The pre-bid meeting was not mandatory.

27. Where on the property can we burn? Designated areas or wherever the contractor chooses?

• Response: There are no designated areas for burning. It is anticipated that burn piles will be created as close to the clearing and grubbing areas as feasible and these areas will be proposed by the contractor.

28. Is the only silt fence to be used, just what is shown?

• Response: See question 1.

29. Can you provide a Topographic Plan of existing conditions ?OR Can you provide CAD Files ?

• Response: See attached.

30. Can contractor leave any chipped material on site and spread out?

Response: The contractor may spread on site in areas approved by engineer.

31. Is there a CAD file for this project?

• Response: See attached.

32. Please clarify silt fence locations. On overall site Plan, it shows silt fence on East side of Dike#11, and South side Dike #12 On Ditch & Dike Typical Sections Sheet on Dike & Ditch Modification #1,2,3,5,6,9,& 10 it is showing Silt fence. Contractors were asking for Clarification on this.

• Response: See question 1.

33. On the bottom of bid sheet form it says that bidder needs to supply backup bid item pricing breakdown documentation. Other contractors were having issues with this. Discussion went back and forth without any results.

• Response: The solicitation outlines that the contractor is to, “provide with bid, bid item for LS back up document(s) for detail price breakdown”. Price breakdown documents provided will support how the bid item price was established by the contractor including items such as labor hours, equipment hours, material estimates and estimated quantities. Other supportive documents such as subcontractor quotes, catalogue, or supportive documents are Not required. The price breakdown back up document(s) are for NRCS use only.

34. Can grass and top soil be pushed off the top of dikes and then put back in place before grass seeding?

• Response: Yes, This is a requirement in Construction Specification 21, Excavation, Foundation Stripping.

35. We were told we can work 6 days a week. What are work hours for the project?

• Response: The daily work hours is limited to 10 hours per day. This may be modified with NRCS approval. Refer to Amendment 1 for Clause 452.236-75

36. Construction Specification 21-Excavation, Paragraph 7 – Borrow states when sufficient quantities of excavation are insufficient, additional material shall be obtained from the designated borrow areas. WHERE ARE THE BORROW AREAS?

• Response: Construction Specification 21, Section 10.a.2 states: “The earthfill borrow material will be excavated from the adjacent borrow ditches and from Dike #4 in the locations shown on the drawings.” There is also an optional “borrow dike” shown on Sheet 3 of 12 of the Construction Drawings.