AMENDMENT 6 - Switzer RFI Responses 05-12-10.docx

AG-91T5-S-10-0007

SWITZER’S PICNIC AREA RECREATION SITE IMPROVEMENTS

RFI QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES 05-12-10

QUESTION 8:

Line Item 02510 Hot Bituminous Pavement B Geotextile Fabric We can find no specification for Geotextile and we can find no location for this work on the plans.

RESPONSE 8:

Line Item “02510-B Geotextile Fabric” has been deleted in the Revised Schedule of Items. Geotextile Fabric is not in the contract.

QUESTION 9:

02224, I of the Schedule of Items Calls for the replacement of the guard rail posts but is silent on what is to be done about the damaged section of guard rail and the mangled Type "A" guard rail end piece.

Is the replacement of these two items to be included in our proposal?

RESPONSE 9:

The existing sections of guard rail are assumed to be in good condition with no damage from the fire. If it is determined that the approach sections are not useable, an appropriate modification may be implemented if determined necessary by the Contracting Officer.

QUESTION 10:

Plan Page 5, detail #1 & #2a AND; 03300, C of the Schedule of Items both call for aluminum hand rails.

But, there is NO line item for the handrails themselves in the Schedule of Items.

RESPONSE 10:

Section 05720 TUBE HANDRAILS has been added to the Revised Specifications and the Revised Schedule of Items to reflect this needed line item. Additionally, the handrail details have been modified in the Revised Drawings to reflect needed changes for accessibility.

QUESTION 11:

Plan Page 3 (upper parking lot detail) calls for the repainting of metal gate.

What line item is this to be included in?

RESPONSE 11:

Section 02224-L has been added to the Revised Schedule of Items to reflect this needed line item. Color of new paint shall match existing paint color.

QUESTION 12:

Plan Page 6 detail 1 calls for a 4" drain pipe.

What type of material is this pipe and will it require a catch basin?

RESPONSE 12:

4-inch drain pipe shall be perforated and may be plastic material, capable of withstanding compacted fill. Pipe will not require a catch basin but may require additional grading at the lower-elevation end in order to drain properly.

QUESTION 13:

Plan Page 11 detail 12 (dry stream bed) calls for the Rip Rap to be embedded.

Does the term "embedded" mean Grouted Rip Rap (as per FP-03 251.06) OR does it mean Keyed Rip Rap (as per FP-03 251.05) ?

RESPONSE 13:

The dry stream bed does not require grout and shall be “keyed” as described in FP-03 Section 251.05.

QUESTION 14:

Line Item 02052-L Remove Painted Traffic Markings We found that the markings at the upper parking area are NOT painted they are thermoplastic. These can only be removed by grinding and cannot be removed without damaging the asphalt.

Since note #1 on page 3 of the plans specifically admonishes against causing damage to the existing asphalt, can these markings be painted black in lieu of grinding?

RESPONSE 14:

Once construction begins, the contractor shall remove a small section of existing thermoplastic markings to determine the extent of damage to existing asphalt. If it is necessary to change the proposed action due to extensive damage to asphalt, an appropriate modification may be implemented if determined necessary by the Contracting Officer.

QUESTION 15:

Schedule of Items 00024-D. The quantity shown seems excessive. Please verify tonnage.

RESPONSE 15:

Section 02224-D (Compacted 6-inch DG layers for fire grills require a 3-foot wide cover around circular footing, AS SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. The approximate area to be covered for each fire grill is 66 square feet or 7.7 square yards. The ESTIMATED QUANTITY is appropriate.

QUESTION 16:

Schedule of Items 00024-I Install 6"x8"x8' guardrail posts. Please clarify if this work includes replacing the 6"x8" spacer blocks.

RESPONSE 16:

Yes, the work includes the appropriate spacer blocks for the 6”x8” posts that are to be replaced.

QUESTION 17:

Schedule of Items 02084-A Fire Hydrants & 02660-C Furnish and Install Hydrant Assembly. These two items seem to be a duplication. Please clarify.

RESPONSE 17:

The Section 02660-C has been deleted to reflect the duplicate, which was an error.

QUESTION 18:

Schedule of Items 02640 Valves & Enclosures. Where are the locations for these items?

RESPONSE 18:

The Valves & Enclosures are located within the proximity (approximately 3-feet) of the new water hydrants which are specified in the MAIN & LOWER PICNIC AREAS (SHEETS 04 & 05). The two 2” valves, enclosures, and hydrants are in the MAIN PICNIC AREA and the 1½” valves, enclosures, and hydrants are in the LOWER PICNIC AREA. See SHEET 11 for details.

QUESTION 19:

Schedule of items 13121-B Restroom Buildings. The quantity does not match the plans.

RESPONSE 19:

The Revised Schedule of Items has the appropriate revision in quantities. The revision now has three line items (13121-A, -B, & -C).

QUESTION 20:

Plan Page 5 The CMU restroom shown in the Lower Picnic Area is actually a wood pit toilet.

RESPONSE 20:

The revision has been made in SHEET 05 LOWER PICNIC AREAS.

QUESTION 21:

Plan Page 5 The note for the Upper Picnic Area calls for the demo of the Asphalt walk. Comments at the Job Walk indicated otherwise. Please clarify.

RESPONSE 21:

The revision has been made in SHEET 05 UPPER PICNIC AREAS.

QUESTION 22:

Plan Page 5 With regard to the SST under the tree canopy. Will a solar powered exhaust fan for the vents be required?

RESPONSE 22:

Yes, the two new single-unit restrooms at the LOWER PICNIC AREAS shall have solar-powered exhaust fans which should be reflected in the quote by the pre-fabricated restroom manufacturer.

QUESTION 23:

The spec's on sheet 01010-1 - Section 1.01 2nd paragraph, "may include ADA compliant recreational site..."

RESPONSE 23:

The Revised Specifications were revised to reflect the terminology appropriate for accessibility. Any reference to “ADA” or “ADA-compliant” in any document for this solicitation should be reflected to mean “accessible” or “accessibility” as described in Sections 01010 (1.01 & 3.03) & 01060 (1.02 B 9 & 10).

QUESTION 24:

In your justification response you say that the Forest Service uses ABA (not ADA) but the spec only shows ADA? Can you please change the spec’s and refer to the regulations you want us to follow so the new regulations are a part of the contract document?

RESPONSE 24:

Except for Title V Section 507c, the ADA does not apply to Federal agency facilities and programs. The Forest Service is required to comply with ABA regulations and guidelines.

For this solicitation, the contractor must adhere to accessibility guidelines for Outdoor Recreation in Forested Areas. These guidelines apply to all new “accessible” constructed or reconstructed areas within the scope of the project. The guidelines may be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibilty/.

Reference the following publications:

· Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG)

· Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) The Revised Specifications were revised to reflect the terminology appropriate for accessibility. Any reference to “ADA” or “ADA-compliant” in any document for this solicitation should be reflected to mean “accessible” or “accessibility” as described in Sections 01010 (1.01 & 3.03) & 01060 (1.02 B 9 & 10).

QUESTION 25:

For quality control, how will your access compliance be measured in pass fail situation?

RESPONSE 25:

See RESPONSE 24 for applicable guidelines on accessibility. The contractor will not be measured in pass/ fail mode but the contractor shall be required to meet requirements, as stipulated in the referenced documents and accessibility requirements. See Revised Drawings for revisions to accessible walkways, handrails, and railings.

The Revised Specifications were revised to reflect the terminology appropriate for accessibility. Any reference to “ADA” or “ADA-compliant” in any document for this solicitation should be reflected to mean “accessible” or “accessibility” as described in Sections 01010 (1.01 & 3.03) & 01060 (1.02 B 9 & 10).

QUESTION 26:

If the design is missing a accessible detail will the contractor be penalized for not noticing it? See sheet 11 of 12 - #3 tube rail detail you show do not show edge protectors on the ramp.

RESPONSE 26:

See RESPONSES 24 & 25 for applicable guidelines on accessibility. The handrails in SHEET 09 of the Revised Drawings depict minimum accessibility requirements for the stairways. Additionally, see revised walkway details (Details 2 & 10) on SHEET 11 of the Revised Drawings. The New Accessible Picnic Area (Site A) walkway in SHEET 06 has also been revised to meet minimum width requirements for accessibility.

QUESTION 27:

Sheet - 4 of 12 shows ADA restrooms (some don’t have parking, so how does a wheelchair user get to the restroom?), ADA parking stalls, ADA picnic areas but no connecting route between them no accessible pedestrian connections between the accessible elements. Is USDA required to comply with DOI Section 504 and have each accessible element connected to a route that is accessible between each element equal to that of pedestrians using the park so they can walk with their families to the RR or picnic or viewing area?

RESPONSE 27:

All new restrooms depicted in the MAIN PICNIC AREAS (SHEET 04) & UPPER PARKING AREA (SHEET 03) have an adjacent parking stall. The striping in Detail 05 of SHEET 06 was modified in order to stripe the entire path from the parking stall to the restroom. The new restrooms in the LOWER PICNIC AREAS (SHEET 05) do not have a path that may be accessed with a vehicle by the public and therefore does not require striping.

The Forest Service is under the USDA (Department of Agriculture) organization and does not have to comply with Department of Interior (DOI) requirements, including Section 504. See RESPONSES 24 & 25 for applicable guidelines on accessibility. Additionally, the Forest Service has restrictions on providing “continuous, unobstructed path designed for pedestrian use that connects constructed features in a picnic area or campground, at a trailhead or other recreation site where modifications are provided for visitor convenience and comfort.” The paths are referred to as Outdoor Recreation Access Routes (ORARs), not accessible routes or connections and they have different technical provisions and conditions for departure that apply to forests. Based on Section 2.7 Tread Obstacles, and 2.9 Openings – the contractor shall be required to remove asphalt, re-grade and level sections of existing pavement (Sections 02052 DEMOLITION-J & 02520 ASPHALT PAVEMENT PATCHING) that may not comply with set requirements for obstacles and openings. The parking areas serve a dual purpose (considered an ORAR), connecting the general public with the accessible restrooms and picnic sites.