Pre-bid attendance and questions PR.docx

Road Repairs on the El Yunque National Forest Pre-bid Meeting July 23, 2012 I. Attendance

787-376-0063

787-761-3710

787-597-3499

787-587-3896

787-780-0202

939-969-4825

787-240-3708

II. Questions A. Unanswered at the meeting

1. Can bids be delivered by e-mails, faxes? Bids may be faxed or sent by mail, or hand delivered to National Forests in Alabama, 2946 Chestnut Street, Montgomery Alabama. Emails are not permitted. Note that bid bonds must be original no copies are permitted.

2. What type of insurance is required for workers injuries? Contractors are required to comply with the workmen compensation insurance requirements for Puerto Rico.

3. Are there testing requirements for soil compaction? It was stated by one attendant that contract has requirements of 95% proctor compaction. There are no requirements for soil compaction on the drawings. Soil and aggregate compaction is indicated on applicable specifications in “Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects”, FP-03, customary units and Supplemental Specifications. The Schedule of Items specifies Compaction Method B for soil items 204(07) Unclassified Borrow, and 204(11) Embankment Construction. Detailed description of Compaction Method B is found in Supplemental Specification 204.00_nat_us_03_26_2009 in section 204.11(b). This is a visual displacement equipment and roller compaction procedure not requiring proctor curves or testing but subject to inspector approval based on the specification requirements. The Schedule of Items specifies Compaction Method B for aggregates for items 322(03) Aggregate Base and 322(07) Subbase. Detailed description of Compaction Method B for aggregates is found in section 204.11(a)1 of the standard specifications as referenced from Supplemental Specification 322_nat_us_10_14_2011, section 322.05. This is a roller compaction specification not requiring proctor curves and testing but subject to inspector approval based on the specification requirements.

B. Answered at the meeting

1. What is unclassified borrow? Term “unclassified” is misleading since on the drawings it states that material shall meet requirements for A-2-4 material which is an AASHTO soil classification. Section 204.03 in standard specification refers to section 704.06 where it also makes reference to AASHTO A-2-4 classification.

2. What hours can the Contractor work? The contractor can work regular week hours consistent with the construction industry in Puerto Rico and request approval from the Forest trough the CO if there is a need to work during nights, holidays and weekends.

3. Can equipment be stored on site? Yes, location need to be coordinated with and approved in advance by the COR. Although sites are in Government property the Government assumes no liability for damages to or loss of Contractor’s materials and equipment.

4. Does contract time include allowance for weather? Yes, there is a 25% allowance in the calendar time estimate. The Government will consider and approve time extensions requested by the Contractor when project is delayed by weather beyond reasonable conditions when supported by factual rainfall data in excess of the 25% allowed and by inspection records.

5. Will bid opening date be modified because there are unanswered questions? There is time allocated in the bidding process to responding questions after the site visit. Bid opening will be extended if CO determines that an unreasonable amount of time passed before answering questions.

6. Does this project require paying municipal taxes? Yes.

C. Other items discussion

1. There were concerns about the stability of riprap specified for site 191N-1 to hold at the steep slope at this site. The Government claims that if the size shown in the schedule of items, gradation found in table 705-1 in section 705.02 of the standard specifications, is utilized it will hold under the site conditions.

2. Site 191N-2 does not have a detail. After thorough review of drawings it is determined that there are no details for site 191N-2. The schedule of items numbers and description, specifications referenced by it, and observed field conditions and measurements by the offeror provide sufficient information to understand and perform intended work.