Attachment 2Tech Note.pdf

Attachment 2 to Amendment 1 to AG-7442-S-10-0059

United States Natural Resources Temple Watershed Construction Office Department of Conservation 101 South Main Agriculture Service Temple, TX 76501

Subject: Date: 8/4/2010 ADS - Acquisition, Procurement, Contracts Solicitation No. AG-7442-S-10-0059 Richland Creek Watershed Site 107B Repair Navarro County, Texas

To: File code: 120-11-11-13-5 Kathleen Pinckney Contracting Officer NRCS, Temple, TX

A site showing was held on the subject site on August 4, 2010. The NRCS was represented by: Kat Pinckney, Contracting Officer, John Hrebik, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative, and Jerry Creasser, Construction Inspector, Temple, Texas.

The following information shall be included in Amendment #1.

The following information was reviewed with the contractors at the showing: Correction and Changes, Safety, Construction Specifications, Drawings, and the Site Visit.

Changes and/or corrections;

Pen and Ink corrections to the construction drawings and specifications shall be made as follows:

Sites Richland 107B

Change the following on Sheet 2 of TX-EN-0584:

- Add the statement to profile section of top of dam, “From STA 5+50 to STA 6+25 and STA 15+75 to STA 16+60, topsoil shall be stripped a minimum of 6 inches and top of dam raised to Elev. 465.0.”

Change the following on Sheet 3 of TX-EN-0584:

- Add the statement to profile section of auxiliary spillway, “From STA 7+28 to the intersection of the outlet channel the existing ground shall be shaped to provide a uniform surface and maintain positive drainage.”

Change the following in Section 7 of Construction Specification 6 –Seeding, Sprigging and Mulching

- Modify: c. Bid Item 4, Irrigation Water to c. Bid Item 5, Irrigation Water

Change the following in Section 8 of Construction Specification 5 –Pollution Control

- Add the following paragraph: “In conformance with TPDES General Permit TXR150000, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) is required for the construction site. A SWP3 prepared by NRCS is provided. The Contractor shall review the SWP3, and shall amend the plan with a detailed work sequences outline which defines and delineates the proposed construction operation. The amended SWP3 shall be signed by the Contractor and submitted to the Contracting Officer prior to issuance of the Notice to Proceed. A copy of the Notice to Intent (NOI), provided by the NRCS, shall be posted at the site until the TPDES permit number is issued for the site. An 8 ½” x 11” notice shall be posted at the site giving the following information about the permit: permit number, contract name, contact phone and project description. A copy of General permit No. TXR150000 may be found at the TCEQ website.”

Change the following in Section 4 of Construction Specification 8 – Mobilization and Demobilization

- Insert the following paragraphs in section a. (2)

(b) Existing fences removed for the installation of works of improvement shall be repaired or replaced to equal to or better condition. The length and location of the fences shall be as staked at site showing. Final alignment shall be as staked by engineer.

(c) A culvert 12” diameter CMP with 2-2/3” x 1/2" corrugations and 16 gauge minimum thickness shall be installed at site entrance. The minimum length of the culvert shall be 24ft. If damage occurs to the culvert due to construction activities, the culvert shall be replaced by the contractor at their expense.

Change the following in Section 10 of Construction Specification 21 –Excavation

- Modify the sentence in section a. (1) to read This item shall consist of all excavation required for the completion of the embankment, auxiliary spillway and dike repairs as shown on the drawings.

Change the following in Section 7 of Construction Specification 26 –Topsoiling

- Modify the sentence in section a. (2) to read The depth of topsoil for the Auxiliary Spillway shall be 12 inches.

- Modify the sentence in section b. (3) to read The depth of topsoil for the Embankment and Auxiliary Spillway Dike shall be 12 inches.

Special Contract Requirements

ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND SAFETY, SUPPLEMENT TO OSHA PART 1926 AND 1910 Construction Industry Standards and Interpretations

The Contractor shall comply with applicable OSHA safety regulations 1926. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor of any noncompliance with these requirements. If the Contractor refuses to comply with these requirements, all or part of the work may be suspended until corrective action is taken.

The Inspector and Project Engineer will have delegated authority to suspend work for any noncompliance with safety requirements that poses a serious or imminent danger to the health or safety of the public and/or personnel of the Contractor, NRCS, or local Sponsors.

The Supplement to OSHA 1926 and 1910 emphasizes several specific safety items which must be understood by the Contractor prior to bidding this job. Among these items are the requirements for:

1. Written plan for accident prevention and safety (CO must approve prior to beginning work).

2. First aid certificates

3. First aid facilities

4. Safety Meetings, weekly “tool box” and monthly

5. Dust control

6. Rollover protective structures

7. Backup alarms

8. Restroom Facilities

Hard hats shall be worn on the job site at all times and equipment shall be outfitted with working backup alarms, seat belts, and approved roll-over protective structures.

All equipment shall be inspected by the NRCS Construction Inspector prior to use on the project. Equipment shall be inspected at the job site.

452.236-76 – SAMPLES AND CERTIFICATES

Certificates and test data shall be submitted to show compliance of materials and construction specified in the contract requirements. Materials or equipment for which samples, certifications or test data are required shall not be used in the work until approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

An example of materials which require material certifications are: Seeds, Hay Mulch and Silt Fence

SPECIFICATIONS

There are two types of specifications in this contract: (1) Construction Specifications and (2) Material Specifications. The construction specifications 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.

Special emphasis items are covered below.

Richland 107B

CLEARING AND GRUBBING 2

Subsidiary Item to Excavation. This item consists of the clearing, grubbing and disposal required for the construction of works of improvement. Material may be disposed of by burning or burying. Burning shall comply with state and local regulations.

POLLUTION CONTROL 5

General. A SWPPP is required for this site (copy included in contract). A SWPPP (SWP3) has been prepared and shall be amended by Contractor to include a detailed work sequence outline which defines and delineates the Contractor’s construction operation and major earthwork starting and ending times. All applicable TCEQ rules and regulations concerning the TPDES and the SWPPP shall be followed.

Bid Item 1-Pollution Control. Includes work required to accomplish the requirements of Section 1 (except sediment filters) and to implement the SWP3 and maintain the SWPPP. Method 2 in Section 7 establishes lump sum payment for this work which is paid on actual cost (paid invoices). Maintenance for silt fences shall be included in this bid item.

Bid Item 2-Sediment Filters The sediment filters (silt fence filters) shall be installed as per SWPPP requirements and per Section 8.b. and the Drawings (see sheet 7). Method 1 in Section 7 establishes the payment by the unit price installed.

Note that 1,370 linear feet are estimated to be used.

SEEDING SPRIGGING AND MULCHING 6

Bid Item 3, Vegetation Seeding - Contractor is required to prepare seedbed, furnish and apply seeds, hay mulch, tackifier or crimper and fertilizer. Seed mix and rates shall conform to section 7 a.(4). A good quality Hay Mulch of coastal bermudagrass or native bluestem mix, is required on all areas seeded. Hay mulch application rate is 2.5 tons per acre.

The hay mulch shall be stabilized by a nonasphaltic tackifier and shall be applied at a rate of 40 pounds per acre, or by mechanical crimper as described in Section 5, if the safety criteria can be met. The safety criteria is to provide an anchor tractor and tie off of equipment for rubber tired equipment operating on slopes greater than 3:1. Method of payment 1, surface will be measured to the nearest 0.1 acre.

Bid Item 4, Irrigation System – The furnishing and installation of a temporary sprinkler irrigation system for seeded areas.

A volumetric inline propeller type water meter is required for all water which is applied to the seeded areas. More than one may be required.

Bid Item 5, Irrigation Water – Consists of the water and labor required for the application of irrigation water to the seeded areas. Water shall be supplied from the reservoir. Method of payment 1, 1000 gallon unit will be paid the nearest 1000 gallons. Water shall be supplied uniformly and at a rate as to not cause run off. Seeded areas shall be irrigated at the rates and intervals as per section 7. c. (2).

CONSTRUCTION SURVEYS 7

Bid Item 6-Construction Surveys - The surveys that are required to be conducted by the Contractor are specified in Section 5 (Method 2); in Section 9.a.; and in Section 6. Note the Contractor is responsible for the layout of all the work.

Also the Contractor is responsible for checking (blue topping) all work. The Contractor shall also submit for approval in writing the name, qualifications and experience of the surveyor personnel for approval prior to commencement of work.

The Contractor is responsible for providing survey information to the NRCS as stated in Section 7, (Records) at the end of the job. Method 2 in Section 8 establishes lump sum payment for this work and payment amount will be based on progress determined from the approved construction schedule.

Per 9.a.(3), initial surveys from the existing ground surface has been completed by the NRCS, these surveys shall be used to calculate final payment quantities for Excavation and Earth fills. (Provided no other changes are made from the planned lower limits of excavation)

MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION 8

Bid Item 7 – Mobilization and Demobilizaiton. Site Access route to the job site shall be maintained in a rut free condition.

Gravel placed on access road entrance shall remain at the completion of construction unless approved by engineer.

In Section 3 PAYMENT it states, "Payment will be made as the work proceeds, after presentation of paid invoices …. by the Contractor showing specific mobilization and demobilization costs and supporting evidence of the charges of suppliers, subcontractors, and others." You may be asked to provide proof of the total direct cost. You will have to have paid invoices for the purchase of bonds and mobilization supplies in order to be reimbursed for these items prior to the final payment.

TRAFFIC CONTROL 9

Subsidiary Item to mobilization and demobilization. This item of work requires the contractor to establish and maintain traffic control at access points to the work. A written plan is required.

REMOVAL OF WATER 11

Subsidiary item to Excavation Common, Earthfill. This item of work requires the contractor to perform the required activities in Section 1, which are necessary to accomplish the work. The contractor is responsible for the removal of all temporary works as stated in Section 6.

EXCAVATION 21

There is no guarantee that materials obtained from the specified excavations may be used directly in the specified fills.

Stockpiling of excavated materials to be used in the specific zones of the fill shall be required (to insure their availability).

Bid Item 8 – Excavation, Common – All excavations in are classified as common. Topsoil stripping is required to remove weeds, grass, roots, and soils containing significant vegetative or organic material, 6 to 12 inches. The stripped material shall be salvaged and stockpiled. The measurement and payment method in Section 9 is Method 3.

Excavation, Common, Outlet Channel – is subsidiary to Earthfill. Requires the removal of silt downstream of the embankment including: Plunge basin, outlet channel and locations staked in field. Excavations may be used for earthfill or topsoil depending on the suitability and location of material.

Excavation, Common, Borrow – is subsidiary to Earthfill. Borrow excavation shall not be measured. All excavated slopes shall be maintained to be no steeper than 4 to 1.

EARTHFILL 23

Bid Item 9 - Earthfill - Item of Work consists of all earthfills necessary for the completion of the embankment slope repair, auxiliary spillway and dike. Class A compaction is required, in-place dry density of materials being placed shall not be less than 95 percent of the maximum dry density obtained during tests performed in accordance with procedures contained in ASTM Designation D-698, using Method A or B. In Section 4 Placement, fill shall not be placed until the required excavation and foundation preparation have been completed and the foundation has been inspected, surveyed and approved by the Engineer. Fill shall be placed in horizontal layers. Note the processing requirements including the disk blade size of 34”.

TOPSOILING 26

Bid Item 10 – Topsoil, Auxiliary Spillway. Salvaging of approved topsoil from required excavations and placing on the excavated auxiliary spillway.

Subsidiary item Topsoil, Embankment- This item consists of replacing the topsoil at a thickness of 12” on areas located on the embankment and auxiliary spillway dike.

DIVERSIONS AND WATERWAYS 27

Bid Item 11 – Diversions. Consists of all work required to construct auxiliary spillway diversion.

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL 94

Bid Item 12 – Contractor Quality Control - In Sections 3 and 4, Method 2 shall be used. This requires the quality control activities to be performed by competent personnel who are separate and apart from the line supervision and who report directly to management. Names of quality control personnel and their duties, qualifications, certifications, and authorities are required and shall be submitted to the CO for approval. A written plan (quality control system) must be submitted to the CO for approval. Daily QC reports are required to be submitted to the Inspector. Any testing done by the NRCS is for the sole benefit of the NRCS. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to perform tests to prove and ensure that all work performed meets the contract requirements. All tests shall be conducted in accordance with the appropriate ASTM method and with equipment that meets the requirements of the specified ASTM test method. Color slides or 3 megapixel or greater photos documenting the work are required with automatic imprinting of time and date as specified.

Site Visit: Items designated at the site visit included: Access routes, construction campsite area, stockpile area, waste area, borrow area, and access and landowner fences.

Drawings:

Drawing TX-EN-0584, All sheets were reviewed.

Question and Answers:

Q: Will surveying and stakeout be performed by NRCS?

A: NRCS will perform initial and final surveys for quantities. The contractor will be responsible for stakeout and blue topping as per Construction Specification 7.

Q: What are the fencing specifications?

A: They must be replaced to equal or better than pre-storm event conditions. Representative sections of fence are intact at each end of the dam.

Q: Can the QC operate equipment or be superintendent?

A: No

Q: Is the diversion paid as earthfill?

A: No it will be paid in Bid Item 11.

Q: Can we use the pooled water for construction?

A: Yes

Q: Are we required to submit a NOI or NOT?

A: No, however NRCS will submit the permits. The contractor will be responsible to implement and maintain the SWPPP as per Bid Item 1.

Q: What kind of pump do we need for the irrigation system?

A: The pump is not specified. An inline propeller type water meter will be used to determine the gallons of water applied.

Q: Are we required to fix any of the riprap?

A: No

Q: What gets irrigated?

A: The embankment, auxiliary spillway and dike.

Q: What all does line item 10 on the bid sheet entail? Does it include building the auxiliary spill way or is it JUST topsoil for the whole project? How is the auxiliary spillway paid for? By diversons and earthfill?

A: Bid item 10-Includes topsoiling the excavated portion of the auxiliary spillway. Embankment and auxiliary spillway dike topsoiling is subsidiary to earthfill. The construction of the auxiliary spillway is paid by excavation. The auxiliary spillway dike is paid by excavation and earthfill. The diversion is paid in diversion.

John Hrebik, COTR