Additional_Questions_and_Answers.docx

Additional Questions and Answers General Proposal Questions

1. Will the Government accept previous PPQs that have been completed for the past performance projects?

a. The completed Attachment G questionnaire must be submitted by the Reference.

2. Will the Government accept PPIRS/CCASS Reports in lieu of the PPQ form?

a. No, the Government will pull necessary CCAS/CPAR evaluations. If one of your references won’t submit the questionnaire but has completed a CCASS/CPAR evaluation, note that in your list of references.

Casper

1. The mailbox existing is to be saved in Casper?

a. Yes, the existing mailbox must be saved. It may be removed for the construction period and then reinstalled back to its original location once the new asphalt is in place.

2. The actual button device to open the gate from the outside; is there a model number for the new one? I understand the new one needs a card reader which the old one does not have?

a. The Contractor shall submit make and model of keypad/ card reader along with his/her gate manufacturer submittal. Western will review and approve/deny the contractor’s submittal for the new gate access keypad card reader for approval. A specific model has not been specified as different access keypads and card readers function better with the different vertical lift gate models.

3. Verify the new gate controller only needs 30 amp service and it is available at the panel in the building? We only run the new line to the building wall and then the client will pick it up and put it in the panel is that correct?

a. The amperage requirement of the gate controller is a function of the gate manufacturer’s requirements. As an example, the Ideal Manufacturing Inc. “Tilt-A-Way vertical Pivot gate system” only requires a 20 amp service. Other gate manufacturers vary in the service amperage requirements.

4. The old controller is only 20 amps?

a. The breaker /service that controls the existing gate is 20-amps.

5. Drawing CSC 3008 shows the area to receive new asphalt from the concrete pan at Poison Spider Rd to below the new gate and patch back at detector loops and communication/electric trench. How close to the existing fencing does the asphalt need to be saw cut and replaced that runs from Poison Spider Rd. to the new gate, each side of the driveway?

a. In order to save the fence post support, the saw cut line shall be set at 12-inches off of the edge of the posts. It is the intent to only remove fencing necessary to maintain the 24-foot wide entry way at the new gate approach.

6. Will a base detail be provided for installing and mounting the Key Pad/Card Reader?

a. The base detail will not be provided by Western. The design and detail of the Key Pad/ Card Reader will vary depending on the equipment submitted by the contractor for approval and is therefore, the responsibility of the contractor.

7. Will a concrete wash-out area be provided on site?

a. A Concrete wash-out area will NOT be provided on site by Western. The contractor may establish a wash-out area in a location to be determined by the COR. The Contractor will be responsible for setting up and then removing all debris and concrete material to bring the location back to its pre-construction state, prior to final acceptance of the gate project.

8. Will private utility locates be required by the contractor?

a. The Contractor is responsible for all utility locates.

9. How close is the water supply for construction use to the site?

a. Water is located at each of the buildings on site. The actual source location will be determined by the Western Representative on site at the time of construction.

10. Will Drawing CSC3000 for paving plan be provided (there is drawing references that this plan exists)?

a. Drawing CSC 3000 does not relate to this project. The contractor is to pave the area as shown on drawing CSC3008C, with the asphalt cut line as described above, with a scarified and re-compacted sub-base depth of 6-inches, 6-inches of base material compacted in place, a geofabric mat, and 6-inches of asphalt, all as described in the specifications and Western Standard – 2 Sitework (2013).

11. What is the size of the concrete pad and sidewalk that will have to be trenched through to install new communication and electric conduit and cable?

a. The length of the concrete under that portion of the existing conduit for the power and communications cable from the building is approximately 52-l.f. The depth of the concrete is 6-inches. The width of the trench is at the contractor’s discretion.

12. Please clarify the scale on furnished drawings. Specifically 3008 underground cable & Utilities. The scale appears to be half scale when loaded into digital takeoff software. This can be used for the main drawing and doubled but we will need to rely on the dimensions for the blown up drawing as it does not scale to anything.

a. The drawings are all printed and then formatted to PDF format as 1/2 scale drawings. So yes you can use that in your digital takeoff drawings. The dimensions on the scaled up drawings are correct and should be used by the contractor for estimation purposes.

13. Is there a sequence of operations listed? IE: how does an unauthorized vehicle access the gated area (Opened remotely via call station etc…)

a. Without escort, the only access is to access the gate key pad and following directions to call the attendant. Once construction starts, a Western representative will be on hand to open and close the gate.

14. Please confirm the gate length as 24’ it seems to be the cutoff length for a single arm gate.

a. The length of the gate is to be 24 feet. Based on our research, the maximum length for lift gates is 25-ft.

15. For a gate to qualify as an “or equal” does it have to be hydraulic or could it be an electric gate?

a. Western requires a hydraulic gate with an electrical operator and hydraulic pump. A straight electric gate will NOT be approved.

16. Can you confirm that it’s ok to saw cut the asphalt a small distance away from the fence to replace with new without removing the existing fence?

a. In order to save the fence post support, the saw cut line shall be set at 12-inches off of the edge of the posts. It is the intent to only remove fencing necessary to maintain the 24-foot wide entry way at the new gate approach.

17. What is the distance from the control box to the building?

a. The length of the existing conduit run is approximately 300 linear feet. (Measured with a wheel it was 298 linear feet.)

Kimball

1. Do we only go to the gate of the transmission site, and not around to the side of it?

a. The road is to be constructed up to and under the gate into the substation, not beside it.

2. Will they show exactly what areas need to be built up? The plan shows areas but upon inspection it does not look like it is accurate enough.

a. The 6-locations on the plan and profile that are labeled “Typical Water Crossing” shall be constructed as shown on Western Standard Drawing 01 2005. Each of these crossings will be different depending on elevation, approach grade and side slope/grade. The average water crossing contains 30 cubic yards of the 4” – 12” material and 10 cubic yards of the 2” – 4” material per crossing. No further delineation other than what is on the plans will be provided by Western.

3. Will there be someone there to open and close the access area gate on a daily basis?

a. The gates along the road are to remain closed at all times to contain live stock. Gates are not locked, just chained. A gate attendant is at the contractors expense and is to be posted at each open gate for the entire time it is open to prevent livestock from passing through the gate. The gate into the substation will be unlocked and opened by a western representative as necessary for the road construction in order to provide a smooth transition into the substation yard.

4. Is there any silt fencing required as we are working?

a. Silt fencing will be required in the areas downstream of the proposed water crossings since there will be some excavation in those locations.

5. Exactly what is the width of the right away from the outside of the side of the road throughout the road?

a. The right of way for the entire length of the road is 50 feet wide. The finished road surface for the completed project shall be 12 feet in width centered on the existing horizontal alignment.

6. How will the quantity and thickness be verified for the new base course material to be installed?

a. Gravel base course quantity will be determined by Load ticket. The on-site Western Representative will collect a copy of the load ticket from each truck. The Contractor is responsible to insure that a copy of each ticket is provided to the Western Representative. Be aware that the contract will have the “Variation in Quantity” clause included, this allows for a 15% plus or minus variation in the quantity of base course gravel delivered without any adjustment in the value of the contract.

7. Original question somewhat answered: Division 2, paragraph 2 states that the contractor shall scarify the existing road surface to a depth of 6 inches and then place 6 inches of new material on the scarified surface. It goes on to state that the alignment and grade shall be as shown on drawing KB 2045-2076. However, the referenced drawings depict a prism of new material placed with finish grade matching existing. It will not be possible to maintain the detailed profile using the methods required by the construction specifications. The specified method will result in a profile above the existing. Does Western intend to maintain a profile to match existing? If so, please provide an additional clarification on construction methods. As an alternative, it may be less costly for Western to allow a variation of the profile finish elevation.

Remaining question: The big issue here is that the finish elevation will not match the one in the drawings if built the way specified. We need confirmation that this is ok. It states that we are to build on top of the existing material, but nothing about finish grade.

We can proceed with the answers, assuming its acceptable that the grade will be higher.

a. It is understandable and acceptable that the actual profile of the road may change. The specified gravel thickness of 6-inch depth is what controls the final finished grade. Furthermore, the contractor shall insure that the transition from the highway to the access road and access road into the substation is smooth and without vertical elevation drop of more than 1/4-inch. (no bump at either end)

8. Given the width of the road it may be difficult for material delivery trucks to turn around. Will the construction of a temporary widened turnaround be acceptable? Also will we need to seed these disturbed area or let the natural vegetation grow back? If so, is there a required seed mix?

a. A turn around will be allowed at the end of the road near the substation and turnouts for truck passing along the right of way. Once construction is complete it will be necessary to re-stabilize all disturbed areas as created during construction with vegetation. The permitted seed mix is:

Pre-approved mix, minimum rate of 15 pounds pure live seed per acre Side Oats grama – 2 lbs Blue grama – 2 lbs Needle and Thread – 2 lbs Indian Rice Grass – 3 lbs Sand Cove Grass – 2 lbs Sand Drop Seed - 0.5 lbs