Question_and_Answers-_Doctor_Creek.pdf

Questions and Answers for Solicitation AG-SPEC-S-17-0027

EWP- Streambank Stabilization- Doctors Creek Sites 1-5 and

Thorofare Site 1 - Kanawha County, WV

1. Q. Are weather days permitted and allowed to extend the performance time?

A. The performance time for this contract is 25 days. Anticipated weather days have already been factored into the performance time.

2. Q. Do women and minority business have an advantage, since this is a small business set aside contract?

A. No, there is no preference given to any specific type/ownership of small business.

3. Q. Will there be continuous inspection?

A. A Government Inspector will be on site for all critical construction, which includes but is not limited to, rock riprap installation, gabion installation and seeding and mulching.

4. Q. Is traffic control expected?

A. Yes, the contractor shall provide signage and flagmen for traffic control, as required.

Refer to Note 6 on Sheet 2 of the plans.

5. Q. Is there a waste area identified or is it the responsibility of the contractor to find one for any excess material?

A. It is the responsibility of the contractor to locate a waste area. The waste area cannot be in the floodplain. Refer to Note 7 on Sheet 2 of the drawings.

6. Q. Can on-site material be used for backfill?

A. Yes, with approval from NRCS representative in the field.

7. Q. What access do we have?

A. Construction limits and access are shown on the drawings. The sites may be accessed other than shown, providing the contractor has received permission in writing. The written agreement should include all agreements made by both parties. All access roads shall be restored to pre-construction condition or better. This includes gravel and asphalt driveways.

8. Q. Can we cross any of the private bridges?

A. No.

9. Q. Does the stream width on the Doctors Creek sites have be 16 feet?

A. The stream width at the finish of construction shall be the same as the stream width prior to construction.

10. Q. Do the banks have to be excavated prior to placing riprap?

A. Yes. The banks have to graded and shaped to 2:1 and have enough room to accommodate the 3 foot thick riprap blanket without affecting the current width of the creek.

11. Q. Doctor Creek Site 1 - The concrete bridge has been replaced. Do we still need to place riprap under the new bridge?

A. No. Riprap will now start just below the bridge.

12. Q. Doctors Creek Site 2 - How many concrete blocks need to be removed?

A. Any concrete blocks that fall within the 40 foot work area and impede construction are to be removed.

13. Q. What is to be done where drainage ditches outlet into the creek within the work limits?

A. The riprap will be wrapped back into the drainage ditch.

14. Q. Can excess dirt be used on the landowner’s property?

A. Excess material may be used fill in any low places within the work area. Anything outside the work area would require written permission from the landowner and not create any flood hazards.

15. Q. Doctors Creek Site 4 – Does the riprap start at the tree and does the tree have to be removed?

A. The riprap starts at the tree. The tree does not have to be removed.

16. Q. Doctors Creek Site 5 - Should the riprap tie in with the existing gabions and is there any work to be performed behind the existing gabions?

A. Yes, the riprap is to tie in with the existing gabions. There is no work to be performed behind the existing gabions.

17. Q. Doctors Creek Site 5 – Does the tree located at the downstream end of the existing gabions need to be removed?

A. Yes.

18. Q. Can equipment work in the stream?

A. Yes, as needed to perform the work.

19. Q. Thorofare Site - What are we doing with the dirt above the 9’ gabion wall?

A. The area above the wall will be sloped back to provide positive drainage.

20. Q. Thorofare Site – Is any work required on the road side of the culvert?

A. No.

21. Q. Thorofare Site – How deep are the baskets to keyed in?

A. Gabions are to be keyed in a minimum of 2’. If there is not solid base on which to construct the gabions, the riprap foundation will be constructed.

22. Q. Thorofare Site – How will the gabion baskets be tied into the culvert? Will the existing concrete blocks have to be removed?

A. The existing concrete blocks are to be removed. The concrete blocks shall either be salvaged for the landowner or disposed of off-site. The gabions are to start a foot or two upstream of the culvert outlet. This may require cutting the gabion baskets to fit.

23. Q. What wage rates should be paid: Union rates?”

A. Construction Wage Rates (formerly called Davis Bacon) – WV170069 which is included in the solicitation package.

24. Q - With or without fringes? If without fringes, then how are fringes valued?

A – Including Fringe benefits – in cash or in actual value (which will need to be disclosed).

25. Q - Is a payroll report required?

A – Yes, certified payrolls are required on WH-347 or similar. See FAR clause 52.222-8 referenced on page 19 of 36.

26. Q - Is a time record required? (actual time worked)

A – as above.

27. Q - What is the procedure should a subcontractor be used?

A – Upon award, the successful contract will have to complete and submit an SF 1413 Statement and Acknowledgement for each subcontract. See FAR clause 52.222-11 also referenced on page 19 of 36

28. Q - Any reports due form the subcontractor?

A – Certified payrolls as above.

29. Q - Are there any “penalty” liquidated damages should the allowed time be exceeded?

A – No

30. Q - What is the minimum wage rate for this project:

The $10.20 /hr on page 1 of 6 of the wage determination, Or the higher rate on pages 1 & 2 of 6 of the same document?

A - It depends on the labor category that you are using – type of work and equipment being operated. If there is a wage / fringe listed for the labor category utilized then you use that. Most of the jobs have used Equipment Operator Group 2 and Laborer Group 2.

The paragraph at the beginning of the wage determination is on every determination and is there because in some locations across the country the prevailing wage rate for some occupations is less than the federal hourly minimum required under EO 13658.

Note that the paragraph says: “If this contract is covered by the EO, the contractor must pay all workers in any classification listed on this wage determination at least $10.20 (or the applicable wage rate listed on this wage determination, if it is higher)”

Contractors are to pay whichever is higher - $10.20 minimum or the prevailing wage.

31. Q - Are silt fences required?

A – No, they are not required. See Construction Specification 5 – Pollution Control, and Material Specification 592 Geotextile.