Questions and Answers.pdf

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR RFP #AG-4419-S-10-0026

Fitchburg Stabilization Project

Daniel Boone National Forest

Questions:

Q: What is the access to the quarry, will contractors have right of way?

A: The Forest will ensure access.

Q: How limiting will the archaeology be?

A: Expect that most digging will be done with heavy machinery utilizing a smooth bladed bucket. There is a humped area that may be from collapsed smokestack or other structures. Goal is to see what is left of foundations and document that but not to do a lot of soil screening. No excavation in the interior of the furnace. All excavations will be monitored by the UK-PAR archaeologists.

Q: What about contractor criteria, how do the stone mason qualifications need to be submitted?

A: Want to see examples of projects including photos and references. If the mason is a subcontractor, they should provide examples and references. As a design build contract, need to demonstrate experience.

Q: Any more detail on what the desired finished product will look like?

A: Want the finished structure to look like it was done in the same manner as original; it is important to have good quality and the stone will be from the same quarry. Stone to be replaced is limited to the area that has been buttressed. The stones being replaced do not have to look exactly like the ones still present, but should be very alike in general.

Q: Do the keystones come out?

A: No; replace only the missing sections. Prefer not to remove anything unless necessary for stabilization and only replace the missing pieces.

Q: When the last stone goes in, it can’t fit flush with the entire building sitting on it. If there is a ½” gap, how do we deal with that?

A: Stones to be replaced do not have to have exactly the same gap between them as stones already present, but should be as close as possible.

Q: How will the crack monitors work and do they need to be checked during this work?

A: There is a long-term monitoring plan for the cracks and they will be checked as time goes by.

Q: Some of the engineering in the structure is not very sound. Can modern materials be used to address these issues?

A: A: If the modern materials are covered or faced with stone they may be used, subject to design review by the Forest.

Q: There are many cracked stones; should these be replaced?

A: No, only the missing stones in the areas where the buttresses are located.

Q: In the interior of the arch, the design is poor and it would be better to use modern materials and face with stone; is this allowed?

A: Yes, if the modern materials are faced with stone and only missing stones are replaced.

Q: If all bids exceed the limit, what happens?

A: Will wait and see if all bids actually exceed limit.

Q: If a contractor’s bid exceeds the limit, should it still be submitted?

A: If the contractor believes it to be a realistic bid, then submit it.

Q: How deep will the excavation need to be in the back?

A: Not sure, but may go as low as the floor level. Work with the archaeologists to achieve the drain while also dealing with any building remains.

Q: Where will the excavated material be placed?

A: It can be placed on top of nearby areas; it will not be necessary to haul it off-site.

Q: So if no building remains are encountered, we will excavate down to the original floor and lay it back?

A: Yes, and remember that the Forest wants to review plans when they are 30% complete.

Q: Does the drain need to be raised in the middle and run both ways?

A: Whatever the contractor thinks will work best; it can run all one way if the contractor thinks that would be the best design. Regardless, all excavations will be monitored by UK-PAR archaeologists.

Q: Will we need to replace the missing stones in the back of the structure?

A: No.

Q: What does the foundation look like in the front? How should the mason proceed if pure replacement of missing stones would require what would be traditionally considered a poor method?

A: Since this is a design build contract, the contractor should put into the design what they think needs to be there to satisfy structural stability and safety issues. Some excavation in the front of the structure to examine the foundation can be done as long as the UK-PAR archaeologists are also involved.

Q: Can contractors access the quarry from the top if needed? This might require cutting trees.

A: The Forest would need to clear that with the landowner; currently it is not planned to access the quarry from the top.

Q: When constructing the bid, should the contractor assume that the stone already on the ground will be used?

A: It is permissible to use the talus lying on the ground in the quarry.

Q: The archaeologists are not involved in the quarry work?

A: No.

Q: What are the rebar pieces in the road marking?

A: Those pins were surveyed as the property boundary and mark the center of the proposed access.

Q: The road will be left at the end pretty much as it is now?

A: The road should be left in such a condition so that a passenger car could navigate the road.

Q: How long will the proposal evaluation process take?

A: We will attempt to award the contract before the first of the year.

Q: How are the components of the contract weighted?

A: 60% Technical; 40% Price.

Q: Are all proposals confidential?

A: Yes, but some details may be disclosed once the contractor is selected as per contracting regulations of the agency.