RFI_Questions_2015.03.15.pdf

Hume Lake Dam Rehabilitation Questions March 15, 2015

Shedule of Values, Option 1 – Foundation Grouting – 4 Licensed Grouting Engineer (Minimum 10 years experience) – We cannot locate a measurement and payment definition for this pay item. Will the hourly rate be paid for all time the Engineer spends on site? Should the Contractor expect that required hours will be uninterrupted or will multiple trips be required by the Engineer? If multiple trips will be required, can a pay item be added to cover the Engineer’s mobilization/demobilization?

The intent of the Grouting Engineer pay item is to ensure that adequate expertise is available to oversee completion of Foundation Grouting. The Grouting Engineer should be on site initially to make sure the work is correctly laid out, operations are set up, and running smoothly. Thereafter, he doesn’t need to be on site, but should be available by telephone in case technical consultation is needed. He will be paid for hours on site, and should plan an allowance of two trips.

Shedule of Values, Option 1 – Foundation Grouting – 7A and 7B Portland Cement … – The schedule of values states that Microfine Cement will be incidental to these pay items. We assume that microfine would be used in lieu of standard Portland cement (as mixing the two materials would negate any advantage in reduced particle size of the microfine). Two questions:

• How will the use of microfine versus Portland cement be determined? Will the Contracting Officer direct the use of microfine cement or will the decision to use microfine be left to the Contractor?

The use of microfine cement will be determined by the Contractor based on site conditions to achieve a thorough foundation grouting program that will durable and long lasting. The use of microfine cement will be approved by the Contracting Officer, through approval of the Grout Mix design and changes (see Table 3-1 Documentation Submittal schedule).

• If the use of microfine will be directed, can separate pay items for microfine be provided? This is requested because the cost of microfine cement per pound is approximately 5-6 times the cost of Portland cement per pound. Therefore, under the current pay items, the Contractor would have to make some determination of the amount of Portland cement used versus microfine cement used as the basis of pricing. Based on actual quantities used, this could result in either 1) the Government paying an extremely high price for Portland cement or 2) the Contractor not being fully reimbursed for the use of microfine cement.

Microfine cement is currently incidental to Portland cement. If a change in pay items is made, it will be published in a solicitation amendment after the pre-bid tour scheduled for March 24.