AG-3395-S-14-0004_VA_Creeper_Trails _Amendment_No._1.docx

RFP AG-3395-S-14-0004

Amendment No. 1

USDA, Forest Service, Ohio River Basin Cluster George Washington/Jefferson National Forests 5162 Valleypointe Parkway Roanoke, VA 24019

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

03/18/2014

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

|X| The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers |X| is extended, |_| is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 0 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor |X| is not, |_| is required to sign this document and return 1 copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.

Please see attached pages for notes from pre-proposal meeting, answers to questions, drawing for closed cell crib abutment and wingwall detail, revised Plans (replace existing plans) and revised Construction Plan. Revised Schedule of Items and Sections L & M of the solicitation will be posted August 16, 2014 in a separate amendment.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

Laura M. Ingram, Contracting Officer

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable 30-105

Pre-Proposal Meeting for AG-3395-S-14-0004, Replacement of Virginia Creeper Trail Bridges, No. 35 and No. 36, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, April 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., Mount Rogers Office Nineteen people present at start.

Questions could be asked during meeting or by post-it note submitted at the end of the session.

Administrative Pre-Proposal Information (Laura Ingram, Contracting Officer):

The Scope of the Contract is as follows: Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, supervision, tools and incidentals to replace Virginia Creeper Bridges 35 & 36 with pre-fabricated steel truss bridge structures. Project includes installation of new steel truss bridges and associated concrete abutments, riprap placement, excavation, and embankment for minor trail relocation, placement of stone trail surfacing, removal of existing bridges, and associated clearing, grubbing, erosion, sediment control and seeding.

Contract time will be 80 calendar days per bridge.

Solicitation is a small business set-aside (NAICS code 237310l size standard is $33.5 million in average annual receipts over 3 years).

An original 20% bid bond must be submitted with the original proposal by the due date of the solicitation to the Roanoke office. Standard Form 24 is the preferred format for the bid bond.

Awarded contractor will be required to submit 100% payment and performance bonds to the Roanoke office with 20 days of receiving notice of contract award.

Due date is currently April 16, 2014, but this is likely to change and contractors must continue to review the FedBizOpps website to see if there are any solicitation amendments posted.

This is a Request for Proposals so we need cost and price information and need your technical proposal response. There will be no sealed bid opening, but the Government intends to award without discussions if possible.

Proposals will be due at the office in Roanoke by the due date/time required by the solicitation. Faxed Proposals or changes to proposals will not be accepted. Emailed proposals or changes to proposals will not be accepted.

Submittal requests may not be made until after award. Project should be bid as specified.

Bridge 35 is the Base Bid; Bridge 36 is the first optional Item; Optional Item No. 2 is for both bridges.

Both pages of SF-1442; a completed Schedule of Items; completed Certification statement from Section K must be completed; an original bid bond; and responses to the evaluation factors in Section M (questionnaires provided are listed in Section J) will comprise a complete proposal package.

Contract payments including invoices will be electronic. Contractors must register for the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) submit their invoices to the COR and will be able to see their invoice status throughout the entire payment process.

Project is subject to availability of funds.

Contractors are responsible for knowing the contents of the clauses and provisions incorporated by reference.

Awarded contract will be subject to the Davis-Bacon Act (employees working on site paid prevailing wage, weekly payrolls submitted to the Contracting Office, employees paid weekly, and payment certifications.

Section L explains how to prepare your Proposal.

Section M describes how the elements of your Proposal will be evaluated. Section M was read at the meeting in its entirety.

Past Performance Surveys must be completed and submitted by a third party via fax or email to the Contracting Office. A Forest Service employee (active or retired) can be the third party; HOWEVER, referencing individual may not be involved in the present acquisition.

Construction Plan will be required (form provided; contractors can submit more information if necessary to fully describe plan.)

Experience and Technical Questionnaire is required (form provided; contractors can submit more information if necessary to describe their qualifications.

The Forest Service will be revising Section L and Section M to include a Comprehensive Safety Plan. Safety Plan will include requirement to discuss how the contractor intends to protect the public, and maintain jobsite safety. Must also include a Traffic Plan.

Question: Can this contract be awarded to multiple contractors? Answer: No. The solicitation will be modified to clarify this.

Question: Is an agency like VDOT considered one entity for the purposes of the Past Performance Survey, or can they submit multiple references as long as they are different projects. Answer: As long as the references represent different projects, a contractor can solicit multiple references from an agency like VDOT.

Again, questions about the solicitation can be submitted by Post-It Note at the meeting or sent to the contracting officer by email at lauraingram@fs.fed.us.

Question: Must the Safety Plan be to the Army Corps of Engineers Standards? Answer: No. Safety Plans must address traffic control (with significant material delivery within VDOT rights-of-way) and meet MUTCD standards where applicable. Any shoring and shielding, must comply with OSHA standards for general site construction.

Technical Pre-Proposal Information (Angela Parrish, Project Engineer):

Began with pictures of Bridge 35.

For site showing, we will approach Bridge 35 by way of Bridges 36 and 37.

Both Bridges 35 & 36 currently have a bend in the deck. They will be replaced with clear spanned (?) bridges.

During Pre-Proposal meeting, Parrish discussed Plans page by page, beginning with the Notes sheet.

Bridges are steel “pony” trussed bridges. Forest Service wants to maintain the look of bridges on the trail—best current example is Bridge 21 (picture shown).

Forest Service did not discuss the bridge with any particular manufacturers.

Controlling load was discussed.

Discussed the type of treatment of timbers on areas which may encounter human contact.

Note 5c: Excavation: If contractor is proposing a shoring plan, it must be submitted for approval.

Note 5d: Presence of rock is unknown; if contractor encounters rock, the abutment will be redesigned so that rock blasting will not be required. Contract time will be adjusted if redesign is needed.

Parrish discussed the summary of quantities; most quantities are lump sum.

Forest Service wants to salvage the decking, railing and metal hardware. Contractor will need to coordinate removal with District.

Bid Option No. 2: Total replacement of existing bridge abutment item discussed. If exercised, angle of bridge will go over the wing wall. Material replacement will be in kind. (See addendum for more information).

Question: How do we get equipment to the site, such as track hoe and crane without equipment access through creek? (See questions answered addendum for more information). Answer: There is a work stopping point if only one bridge is awarded (204.35 is designated station). Yes--specification of bridge requirements is severable.

Cost items for the trail must be separated.

Traffic control will be required when the Bridge and other materials are delivered. Traffic control will be especially important during bridge delivery at point in road where there is a private landowner and a sharp 90 degree (plus) turn. There is a separate pay item for traffic control.

Question: When will the Notice to Proceed be Issued (estimated time for manufacture to furnish bridge is 6-8 weeks)? Answer: After contractor has submitted payment and performance bonds and government and contractor have had a pre-work meeting, a Notice to Proceed will be issued with the effective date. The government expects this date to be in the middle to late June. The Government will issue a severable Notice to Proceed upon receipt of bonds to facilitate Contractor ordering bridge. Separate Notices to Proceed will be issued for the on-site construction work based upon negotiations with the contractor.

Are creosote timbers available commercially locally for purchase? Yes.

Retaining wall discussed.

Question: How was the existing bridge abutment constructed? Can the Forest Service provide a drawing sheet with these details? (Drawing is Attached with amendment) Contractor is responsible for control staking.

Note 28d: Sampling and Testing—required for quality control, includes concrete and aggregate. Concrete: Contractor must provide cylinders. Quality control requirements are included in the solicitation.

Question: Is this a VDOT design? No, this is a Forest Service design. We use the Federal Highways Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridges (included in contract by reference), but we have included our own supplemental specifications to make sure design meets Forest Service standards.

The existing bridges 35 & 36 have a 10 ton load limit.

Stream crossing with heavy equipment is not allowed (This information has changed—see answers to questions).

Question: Who will be the Forest Service Field Representative? Answer: Angela Parrish will be the COR on the project. Will be on site as much as possible.

No construction will be allowed in October because of high use by public; the Trail will be kept open.

Contractor can stop or hold people on the trail up to 30 minutes.

Trail closure for 21 days will be allowed for Bridge 35 Abutment. This abutment is wet.

Question: Will a coffer dam be required? Answer: That will depend on the contractor’s proposal, but any plans for a coffer dam must be approved by the Forest Service.

Question: Must the existing timber be removed completely and replaced in kind? Answer: We will add an option to construct wingwall only as a possible award choice.

Question: Is the bridge ADA accessible? Must traffic bypass be ADA accessible? Answer: Yes.

Contractors will need to be aware that there is a private landowner, a 90 degree turn, and a rock outcropping along the road between the state route and the parking lot.

Contractor can remove the railing on bridges 36 & 37 for equipment access to the site. Railing must be re-installed at the end of each day.

Forest Service owns the land around the two bridges used to access to the site.

Sheet 3: Reference points 1-5 and 8 were located the week prior to the pre-proposal meeting.

Contractor is responsible for survey, but Forest Service has provided design reference points.

Time requirement for the Forest Service to salvage bridge parts will be 5 calendar days.

Clearing and Grubbing: If there are merchantable trees, Contractor must pay for the trees. Government will provide estimated cost. (Update: there are no merchantable trees in this area. Vegetative waste can be kept on site.

Trail is to go around the rock outcropping. Berming of the closed trail was discussed.

If the contractor decides to use fill location at site, it will need to be cleared by the Forest Service. If fill comes from outside source, FS will need to know the source of the fill (to prevent non-native plants and invasive species spread).

Sheet 8: Construction joint allowed.

Sheet 9: Railing shall be furnished as detailed. Railings need to be able to stand up to horse traffic.

Question: What type of blast finish will be required? Answer: Regarding surface preparation (blast finish), all bridge steel elements must be sand or grit blasted for proper surface preparation to allow for rapid weathering and uniform development of the desired patina. Prepare the surface in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.

Location of bolts to be determined by the manufacturer of bridge—bridge joint locations are up to the manufacturer.

Question: Who was the manufacturer of Bridge 21? Answer: Steadfast Bridge Company, Ft. Payne, Alabama. Bridge 21 was constructed in 2002.

Pre-Proposal meeting adjourned to Spring Creek Parking Lot for site showing of bridges.

Site Showing:

Question: How to get crane out to the site? Answer: Bidders must decide how to construct the elements of their proposals.

The Bridge access is in a sharp curve and shoulders are soft (stay on the road). There is two-way bike traffic; vehicles must yield to pedestrian, bike, horse traffic; use four-way flashers.

Question: Can contractor have four-wheeler on site for emergency access? Answer: Contractor will be able to have vehicles on site, no need for four-wheeler.

Forest Service can provide a Forest Radio for emergency access to local channels.

On-site: Bridge 36 Question: If both bridges are awarded, can you replace Bridge 36 first to provide better access to Bridge 35? (the new Bridge will be wider than existing bridge). Answer: Yes, it’s possible, contingent on feasibility of contractor’s construction plan.

Question: What are the compaction requirements for the onsite borrow material? Answer: See spec 204 excavation and embankment.

Bridge 35 has a railroad marker A26 that needs to be protected; there is at least one other marker. Reference: FAR 52.236-9 -- Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements (Apr 1984) (added to the solicitation with this amendment).

Max slump of concrete should be a max of 5” or less. Use of a high range water retarder for a max of 3 hours between batching and placement in form must be approved by the Forest Service if concrete is not mixed at on-site batch plant. Concrete can be batched on–site per specifications. Creek water may be used but must be pumped with a filter on the pump intake.

Forest Service wants to minimize the amount of clearing of vegetation to maximize aesthetics at the site.

Question: Can Forest Service post pictures online? Answer: Yes.

Question: Will contractor be allowed work at night? Answer: Yes.

Answers to Additional Questions:

1. The commentary in the AASHTO Guide Section C4.2 states, “For pedestrian bridges crossing low-volume traffic waterways and roads, or areas not accessible to the general public, FCM treatment may not be appropriate”. May the fracture critical requirements be waived for this project?

Answer: Yes, fracture critical requirements will be waived for these bridges. On plan sheet 9, under “Truss Bridge Notes”, note number 10 has been removed (and subsequent notes renumbered).

2. I would like to know if the contractor will be allowed to let the timbers in the existing bridges go into the water during the dismantling of the bridges?

Answer: The Forest Service will need to work with several state and federal agencies in order to accommodate such a request. This does not currently fall under the environmental permit obtained by the FS. There is no guarantee that such work will be accommodated, but it is possible.

3. Sheet 8 of the plans show the abutments for both 35 and 36. It does not show any stone backfill behind 36, is that correct? Also is any stone needed under the footers?

Answer: Yes, stone will be needed under all the footers and a drainage blanket will be required behind the abutments for bridge 36. Plan sheet 8 has been modified to reflect this requirement.

4. Is the weight limit absolute on those bridges we must cross at 10 tons, the bridges weigh about 120,000#, even if we divide them in 3 sections the bridge alone will exceed that, and no helicopter is available that will lift that 40,000# 1/3 section?

Answer: The weight limits are meant to protect the existing trestle bridges from being overloaded. However, if additional bracing is needed on a bridge, the plans require a licensed VA engineer’s seal on the bracing plan. Or if a given bridge is load rated and shown capable of handling the required loads, we will allow larger weights to cross a given bridge.

5. It says no equipment is allowed in the stream. I take it this is Motorized equipment.

Answer: The FS intends to allow extremely limited tramming of equipment through the creek. We will need to coordinate this equipment movement with our own staff to possibly allow for relocation of some species from the area. We may require the use of additional environmental controls in the creek such as temporary matting, hay bales, and silt fence (to limit sediment transport). FS will need to perform further coordination with other state and federal agencies to finalize requirements associated with this limited tramming.

6. Is there any chance the period of performance could be changed to 120 days for 1 bridge and 160 days for 2 bridges. The lead time is the killer irrespective of the number of bridges?

Answer: The Forest Service will issue a severable Notice to Proceed for the ordering of the bridge(s), and will issue a second Notice to Proceed covering the remaining (on-site, construction) work through negotiations with the awarded Contractor.

7. Could you find out what the specific problem is that has caused bridge 35 to be closed to vehicular traffic? Also it appears to me that bridge 37, which is actually two simple spans made of steel girders could be rated for more than 10 tons because of its span lengths and steel beams.

Answer: Bridge 35 was limited to no vehicular traffic due to concerns about the foundation stability of one of the interior bents. These bridges are subject to heavy debris loading from the creek as well as high flows and therefore uncertainty exists as to the impacts of vehicular loading over this bent. Bridge 37 is a steel stringer superstructure. If passage of additional loading beyond 10 tons is requested, contractors need to supply either a load rating showing the inventory and operating load rating of the bridge, or a bracing plan, sealed by a licensed VA professional engineer, to support any claims that larger loads can be handled by this structure.

8. Under general notes- Item D. Re: Removal of existing bridges, can old bridge 35 be removed prior to constructing bridge 36 provided that the trail remains open?

Answer: Yes, we would consider the process proposed in the question. We will consider multiple scenarios for timing of construction and removal of the bridges. The priority is to keep the trail open to the public in a manner consistent with the current trail experience as much as possible.

9. Item H: Re-installation of handrails, says this must be done each day. As this is going to take the better part of a day to remove them without damaging them, how are we to re-install them in the same day. Can we install a type of temporary railing that would suffice, provided that we provide the necessary warnings and or station personnell to warn/ escort the public?

Answer: Safety of the public and construction crew are the highest priority on this project. A plan to provide temporary railing with proper traffic control and safety measures may be considered, but no guarantee is given for acceptance of such an approach. It is important to realize that the use of the trail is not restricted to daylight hours; public use can occur 24 hours a day. Temporary measures that are left in place after the construction crew leaves the worksite must take into account the potential for round-the-clock use of the trail.

10. Most bridge manufacturers want the entire bridge pre-paid/ deposit paid before starting construction. As I assume we cannot bill for these bridges until delivered and approved at the actual site in Virginia, does the government have any special arrangements that can, or are, made with the bridge manufacturers to cover this contingency? Their stated fear is that the bridge will be rejected upon delivery, leaving them holding the bag. I know that the Forest Service in the western states has been buying the bridges directly and contracting separately for installation from the closest staging area.

Answer: At this time, the Forest Service does not intend to furnish the bridges for this contract. If the payment issue is a widespread concern, this may be an issue that would be addressed in negotiations if the Government is not able to award without discussions and negotiations in accordance with FAR Part 15 become necessary to award a contract.

11. On sheet 6, the bid option to replace cribbing on the west abutment. How deep will the replacement abutment go or will it be removed to the waterline and replaced above that level. If replaced all the way down will we be able to work in the stream?

Answer: If any cribbing replacement is awarded, it will require full replacement down to the lowest tier, even if it is below the waterline.

12. I cannot seem to find a reference to what is to be done with the east abutment on bridge 35.

Answer: The east abutment of bridge 35, and both abutments of bridge 36, are to remain in place, per note 4 on sheet 3.

13. Will the loading of the bridges be based on 85 psf or 90 psf as per the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design specs?

Answer: The H-10 loading to accommodate emergency vehicles will be the controlling load.

14. Will there be a need for some kind of wingwall to be added on the abutments in order to keep material from falling onto the bearing seat?

Answer: Yes, the FS will need a small extension off the sides of each abutment, equal to the height of the backwall, by 18” high. Plan sheet 4 and 8 have been modified to show these extensions.

15. Please note, the words “If necessary” have been added to the front of note 12, sheet 9.

16. Note 4 on sheet 9 of the contract drawings states "Shall Be In Accordance with AASHTO LFRD Bridge Design Specifications" Current Edition. This design is for a 90 PSF Liveload. Note 5 on sheet 9 calls out for a 85 PSF Liveload. Please specify if the design if for 85 or 90 PSF Liveload. Answer: Use the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specs for loading requirements. The 85 PSF would be considered a minimum.

17. The spacing for the horizontal railing is not specified. Typically the spacing is such that a 4" sphere or bigger cannot pass through. Will this standard apply to the bridge design? The current design shows roughly a 5-1/2" spacing.

Answer: That is correct that the spacing on the approach fencing is approximately 5.5” on most spacings, 4.5” for the bottom spacing. This is the design and spacing required.