AG-3C78-S-17-0034_Questions_from_Pre-Bid_Site_Visit.pdf

JULY 27, 2017 SOLICITATION: AG-3C78-S-17-0034

BISMARCK PMC IRRIGATION PIPELINE AND PUMP SYSTEM

QUESTIONS FROM PRE-BID SITE VISIT

QUESTIONS FROM PRE-BID SITE VISIT

1. FOR THE FARMER’S FIELD ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF 48TH AVE SE, ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL

REQUIREMENTS FOR REVEGETATION?

Since the project is within the county right-of-way, the site should be hydromulched and seeded as described in the project specifications and our existing permit with the county.

2. FOR COMPACTION WITHIN THE TRENCH, WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF HAND CAMPACTION?

WOULD A JUMPING JACK BE ALLOWED?

As identified in the project specifications, only hand compaction will be allowed for initial backfill operations within 24 inches of the pipe in native soil backfill. No mechanical compaction will be allowed, including a jumping jack, within 24 inches of the pipe in native soil backfill. Rounded 3/8” minus pea gravel is a stronger and self-compacting material, however, and if placed to an elevation of 8 inches over the pipe will allow machine compaction from that elevation on in the trench. An additional trench backfill option has been added to the project drawings and specifications that illustrates this option, however note that the quantity of trench bedding and backfill material on the drawings does not account for this additional material.

3. CAN PEA GRAVEL BE USED AS INITIAL BACKFILL IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE HAND COMPACTION

REQUIREMENTS?

Yes, see response to Question 2.

4. FOR THE TREE REMOVAL AT THE PMC, WHERE WILL THE CHIPPING BE DONE? WHO IS

RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHIPPING ACTIVITIES? WILL STUMPS NEED TO BE CHIPPED?

For trees removed at the Plant Materials Center, they shall be hauled to the southwest portion of the property (near the intersection of Burleigh Ave and S 12th St) to be chipped onsite. Stumps shall be removed as identified in the project specifications and shall be disposed of at the same location (chipping of stumps is not required). The Contractor is responsible for all of these activities.

5. WHAT IS THE TIMEFRAME FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S REVIEW OF THE SHOP DRAWINGS AND

DESING OF THE IRRIGATION PUMP?

The Government will provide their review of the submittal within 3 working days.

6. WILL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING BE ALLOWED INSTEAD OF CLEARING AND EXCAVATING?

Yes. This additional means of installation has been added to the project specifications.

7. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANCHORING THE PUMP?

The pump proposal to be submitted by the Contractor shall include an adequate anchoring system that would prevent unnecessary and potential damaging movement of the floating pump when left in place for the season without being attached to the launching tractor or truck. Anchoring system shall take into account the proposed connection system to the aboveground HDPE pipe.

QUESTIONS FROM PRE-BID SITE VISIT

8. WHAT CONSTITUTES A TREE IN TERMS OF THE TREE REPLACEMENT PLAN IDENTIFIED IN THE

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS?

A tree in this sense has been defined as having 6” caliper (trunk thickness) or greater at a height of 4.5 feet from the ground. This language has been added to the project specifications.

9. THE CURRENT PIPELINE PROFILE HAS GRADES AS LOW AS 0.3%. WILL INCREASED GRADES BE

ALLOWED?

Yes. For directional drilling installation, NRCS will consider alternative pipeline profiles as submitted in the HDD written work plan with steeper grades. With increased grades, the depths and/or locations of the drains/pumpouts will have to be altered however their depth will be subject to the suction ability of the maximum 60 pound portable pump. The pipe profile may be altered to allow up to seven (7) total drains/pumpouts and associated 3-way air/vacuum valves. A pumpout with shutoff valve must remain at or near Sta 16+21 to allow sand to be effectively flushed from the initial portion of the pipeline in the future. The horizontal alignment should remain the same. This language has been added to the project specifications.

10. THE RISERS FOR BOTH THE DRAINS AND AIR RELEASE APPURTENANCES REQUIRE LOCKING

COVERS. WILL LIDS THAT REQUIRE A SPECIAL WRENCH OR OTHER TOOL FOR OPENING BE

ACCEPTABLE?

Yes. A lid that “locks” by means of requiring a unique tool will be acceptable. The goal is to ensure that the general public, with commonly accessible tools, cannot open the covers (and other items in the contract that require “locks”).

11. FOR DIRECTIONAL DRILLING, WOULD THERE BE ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BORE PITS IN

TERMS OF CLEARING AND GRUBBING? IN THE CASE OF DIRECTIONAL DRILLING, WILL THE

COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY HAVE TO BE FULLY CLEARED OF VEGETATION AND FENCES IN BORED

AREAS?

Clearing and excavating in support of directional drilling operations shall adhere to the newly developed directional drilling specification. Extents for each should be minimized to prevent unnecessary disturbance to surrounding area.

If pipeline is installed by means of directional drilling, no clearing of right-of-ways will be required other than those areas required for the directional drilling operation (bore pits, connection pits, entry and exit points, etc.)

12. WHAT REQUIREMENTS WILL THERE BE FOR THE FENCE RUNNING ADJACENT TO THE 10’ UTILITY

EASEMENT? CAN THE TREES BE TRIMMED?

The Contractor shall confirm with the owner (Patricia McWilliams; contact information found in project specifications) the style of fence to be installed (existing fence to be removed). Preliminary agreement was for a 4 strand barb wire fence. This fence will need to be installed even if not required for construction activities.

Adjacent trees can be trimmed as necessary, and as coordinated with owner. The fence shall be installed in the same location.

13. ARE THERE ANY COMPACTION REQUIREMENTS OR TESTING REQUIRED FOR THE BACKFILL OF

THE TRENCH OR OTHER EXCAVATIONS?

No quantitative compaction requirements have been identified in the project specifications, given the planned location of this pipeline, and no compaction testing on the backfill is anticipated. Rounded pea gravel backfill

QUESTIONS FROM PRE-BID SITE VISIT

is anticipated to be compacted through the process of spreading and shaping it with the excavator bucket. For final backfill operations, material shall be placed in loose lifts not to exceed 6” and compacted through reasonable means. If optimal moisture levels are present in the sandy loam material anticipated on this pipeline route, NRCS will accept compaction with the excavator bucket alone. (Optimal moisture in sandy materials would mean that the material can be hand formed into a weak ball, which breaks apart under pressure, but from which free water does not discharge). If the backfill material is dry, a vibratory plate compactor will likely be necessary to achieve compaction.

14. CAN THE LOCATION OF THE UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE SCHUMACHER AND MCWILLIAMS

PROPERTY BE CONFIRMED?

The location of this easement will be confirmed by the Contractor during their establishment of the extents of the utility easement by means of a legal land survey.

15. IF THE LOCATION OF THE UTILITY EASEMENT IS ACTUALLY WITHIN THE TREED AREA INSTEAD

OF THE CLEARED SECTION IT IS CURRENTLY SHOWN TO BE LOCATED IN, WOULD THIS BE

CONSIDERED A DIFFERING SITE CONDITION?

Yes. In this instance, the contract would need to be modified to address the actual work completed.

16. WILL THE ACCESS ROAD FOR THE SCHUMACHER RESIDENCE NEED TO BE RESURFACED?

Yes. As stated in a letter from Donald Schumacher, the owners are requiring that access road receive a new layer of gravel following construction activities on their property. Additional requirements have also been identified in the referenced letter.

17. CAN THE CONTRACTOR WORK FROM THE ACCESS ROAD?

Yes. As stated in the previously mentioned letter from Donald Schumacher, the Contractor may use the access road for construction so long as access for the owners and any emergency vehicles is maintained.

18. WILL ALTERNATIVE PIPE BE CONSIDERED SUCH AS HDPE OR FUSED PVC? IF SO, WHAT WOULD

BE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THOSE ALTERNATIVES?

Yes. The project specifications have been updated to allow for the use of HDPE PE4710 pipe in directional drilling operations. As identified in the updated specifications, this shall be PE 4710 with a minimum DR of

13.5. If HDPE pipe is used, the Contractor shall ensure that all installed fittings and appurtenances are compatible with the pipe. Fused PVC installed by means of directional drilling for road crossings is also acceptable, and is covered under the directional drilling specification as well.

19. IS A PE STAMP REQUIRED FOR THE BORING AND JACKING PLAN?

If boring and jacking is performed, the plan shall be stamped by a PE, as identified in the project specifications.

However, for directional drilling operations, the plan does not need to be stamped by a PE.