Roberts_WRE_Site_Showing_Notes_5-3-2016.doc

PAGE

WRE 66744213019Q2, AG-4D90-S-16-0014

Hopkins County

- 3 -

United States

Natural Resources Department of

Conservation

101 South Main Street Agriculture

Service

Temple, TX 76501

Subject:

Date: May 3, 2016 ADS - Acquisition, Procurement, Contracts

Solicitation – AG-4D90-S-16-0014

WRE #66744213019Q2

To:

File code:

Chanda Sow Contracting Officer

Columbus, Ohio A site showing was held on the subject site on April 28, 2016, at 10AM.

The following information was reviewed with the contractors at the showing, which covered the Construction Specifications, Drawings, and the Site Visit. Please use this information along with the question and answer section for the preparation of needed amendments to this solicitation.

CONTRACT CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

The construction specifications for this project are composed of two parts. The first part is called the closed specification and is the standard NRCS construction specification that begins with the SCOPE and ends with MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT or PAYMENT. The second part is called the open specification and consists of the ITEMS OF WORK AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS that are written specifically for this job.

All of the Construction Specifications are listed in the solicitation package. Not all of the Construction Specifications have a corresponding Bid Item. Some of the bid items have subsidiary items of work, which means those items are required to be accomplished but the payment for those items are included under another Construction Specification. For example, Construction Specification 5, Pollution Control, is subsidiary to Construction Specification 8, Mobilization and Demobilization. This means that the amount you bid for Mobilization and Demobilization should include any necessary Pollution Control.

BID ITEMS AND SPECIFICATIONS REVIEWED

NOTE: The contractor shall comply with ALL of the specifications (construction and material). In the interest of time, not all of the specifications will be reviewed at this meeting or in the following notes. The following are several main points taken from the specifications.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION 8: MOBILIZATION & DEMOBILIZATION

Section 4A, Item 1: The access point, as marked on the drawings shall be the sole construction access point.

Section 4A, Item 2: All debris and items resulting from the construction operation shall be removed from the work site and disposed of by the contractor.

Section 4A, Item 3: All disturbed areas shall be bladed or smoothed to blend in with the surrounding area.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION 21: EXCAVATION

This site contains 1 macrotopography pond (macro). Excavation volumes, elevations, lengths, and geometry for each macro are labeled on the drawings.

Section 10a, Item 3: The macro shall be constructed as staked in the field and as specified on the drawings.

Section 10a, Item 5: The nesting islands shall be compacted in layered lifts in the areas marked on the drawings or in the field. The maximum uncompacted layer thickness shall be 9”. Compaction shall be obtained by controlled operation of the earth-moving equipment so that the entire surface of each lift or layer is traversed by not less than one tread track of the equipment.

Section 10a, Item 6: Trees, stumps, brush, large rocks, and other debris which will prevent smoothing of the spoil pile shall be removed from the macro and spoil area.

Section 10a, Item 9: Topsoil from the footprint of the nesting islands shall be stripped and stockpiled on site. Once construction is complete, topsoil shall be reapplied to promote natural revegetation of the structure and nesting islands.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION 23: EARTHFILL

Section 10a, Item 2: Impoundments shall be constructed as staked in the field, or as specified on the construction drawings. If sand layers are uncovered during borrow area excavation, those areas shall be patched with impervious material to prevent seepage. Sandy material shall not be used to construct the compacted earthfill.

Section 10a, Item 3: Topsoil from the footprint of the impoundment shall be stripped and stockpiled on site. Once construction is complete, topsoil shall be reapplied to promote natural revegetation on the impoundment structure.

Section 10a, Item 4 and 6: Each layered lift of the earthfill shall be compacted by controlled operation of the earth-moving equipment and spreading equipment over the fill so that the entire surface is traversed by not less than one tread track of the equipment. The thickness of each uncompacted lift shall not exceed 9” vertically.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION 94: CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL

Section 10a, Item 1: Quality control shall be the sole responsibility of the contractor. The use of such phrases as “as approved by the engineer” does not relieve the contractor of their quality control responsibilities.

Section 10a, Item 2: The identification of the quality control personnel and their duties shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer in writing within 10 calendar days after notice of award.

DRAWINGS: WRE Project 66744213019Q2 Sheet 1, Note 1: Prior to any ground disturbance, the contractor shall call 811 at least 2 days prior to construction. The issued confirmation number shall be given to the Construction Inspector.

Sheet 1: Note the easement access point location as labeled. This shall be the sole construction access point.

Sheet 2, Note 1: Nesting islands shall not exceed 2.5 feet above the surrounding natural ground and nesting islands shall not impound water or divert water away from the macro.

Sheet 3, Typical Macro Cross Section: The macro is not symmetrical, therefore the bottom width varies. Macro side slopes shall be 8:1 or flatter. Stakes or flags will be place by the government where the constructed 8:1 slope meets the existing natural ground.

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Along with other OSHA requirements, hard hats and required signage are a must during construction.

All contractor equipment and personnel must stay within the WRE easement boundary.

Due to the time of year of the performance period, possible heavy rainfall should be expected. Special attention shall be given to the dewatering plan.

CORRECTIONS: NONE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Q: Should topsoil stripping and placement be included in the bid item for excavation?

A: Yes, it should be included in the bid; however, topsoil stripping is not included in the estimated earthwork volumes on the drawing or bid schedule.

Q: Is the normal government construction signage required?

A: Yes, the construction signs and other OSHA signs are required to be displayed on the site during construction.

Q: From the time of completion, how long does it take for the contractor to be paid?

A: 14 days from when the invoice is submitted.

Q: Are first aid cards required?

A: Yes, per OSHA standards, first aid cards are required. The first aid cards and safety plan shall be submitted to the CO within 10 days of contract award.

Q: What prerequisites are required of each bidder?

A: All bidders must be registered in SAM. Also, bidders should go into IPP to register. IPP is the invoice processing system the government uses to pay contractors once work meets standards and specifications.

Ryan E. Nelson, P.E.

State Wetland Engineer, Nacogdoches, TX Contracting Officer’s Representative cc:

John Mueller, State Conservation Engineer, NRCS, Temple, TX

Brian Wenberg, Assistant State Conservation Engineer, NRCS, Temple, TX

Horace Garvie, Resource Team Leader, NRCS, Sulphur Springs, TX

Mike Woody, Civil Engineer Technician, NRCS, Nacogdoches, TX