QA_11-17-15.pdf

DTFH68‐15‐B‐00034

Dripping Springs and Baylor Canyon Roads

11/6/15

QUESTION #1

Is borrow material available on the project site?

Response: No

QUESTION #2

Will the Government make a pay item for borrow?

Response: No, borrow material is included in the cost of the embankment construction

QUESTION #3

Under Schedule A, can the Pay Item No. 40101‐0500 “Superpave Pavement, 1/2 –Inch…” be changed to a 404 “Minor Asphalt Concrete”? There is a few reasons for requesting this.

There is a requirement for the use of an MTV on this pay item. This might not be the best use of this equipment for low water crossings.

There is also a requirement for 3 rollers during this operation under the 401 section. This might be a little excessive for 100’ and 200’ intermittent stretches of HMA.

The pavement smoothness for this work is a Type IV. This will be hard to achieve give the length of each pavement section at the Low Water Crossings and also hard to measure per the specifications at the proper test speed.

This mix design process for 1,220 tons is fairly involved and using the Section 404 JMF is a little more forgiving and less expensive for these few tons.

If the pay item remains unchanged for this work in Schedule A, can exemptions be made for the smoothness, quantity of rollers, pavement smoothness, and the MTV?

Response: 40101 will not be changed. We are making a few minor changes to the smoothness/roughness specifications as well as roller requirements to account for the low water crossings. This will be amendment A001 or A002.

QUESTION #4

Section 204.05 states that the contractor is to conserve topsoil to the extent and depth as determined by the CO. Can the parameters for conserving topsoil be stated as this could be a large items or a very small item. In order to provide a competitive proposal, this quantity is extremely helpful to have.

Response: Amendment A001 or Amendment A002 will discuss topsoil. The parameters will be stated.

QUESTION #5

Section 253.05 discusses the use of granular backfill when Gabions are set on a “rocky foundation”. What would be considered a “rocky foundation”? Cobbles are present in the area of the structure but is this considered rocky?

Response:

Specifications will be corrected in Amendment A001 or A002 to remove the language in the SCR’s. This will mean that section 253, which then refers to section 209, will be the specification for gabion foundations.

QUESTION #6

I was wondering if there was going to be a Pre‐Bid meeting for the above referenced project?

Response: There will not be a coordinated site visit. The contractor is urged to visit the site prior to bidding.

QUESTION #7

Is it possible to obtain the digital design files for the Dripping Springs project in order to verify excavation and imported borrow material quantities? We would like to perform a digital quantity verification prior to bidding the project since the pay item is embankment and the borrow material will be a large factor in the embankment pay item pricing.

Response: Nothing will be provided besides the plans and specifications.

11/12/15

QUESTION #8

1. On the Typical Sections Sheets Revised 11/6/2015 reference is made to Topsoil. My question is are you referring to the excess graded material as “Topsoil” or will this material be hauled in?

2. If this “Topsoil” will be new hauled in material what are the characteristics of this material? Dirt?

Planting Material? Or a material the same as the embankment?

Response: Please see section 204.02 of the FP‐03 for definitions of earthwork related items, such as topsoil. The amendment changed the earthwork table to show approximate locations and quantities of topsoil to be found on site.

QUESTION #9

On page 14 of 23 in the Kleinfelder report Item 6.2.2 Crushed Aggregate Base Course you identify the base to be in accordance with Section 301 of the 2003 FHWA FP‐03 gradation D per Table 703‐2. This

Table was not provided. Can you please provide this specification and gradation?

Response: The Geotech Report is not part of the contract. Please refer to the FP‐03 (general specifications), Invitation for Bid (project specific specifications), and Plans for details on this project.

a. The table you are looking for is in the FP‐03 under section 703. Please note that the SCR’s do make minor changes to that table, you can find those on page E‐97.

QUESTION #10

Item 301110‐000 of the Bid Form indicates Aggregate Surface Course. Will this material be the same as

Aggregate Base or will you provide a specification and gradation for this material?

Response: Again, see the FP‐03 and Invitation for Bid for details. The bid schedule shows two aggregates: 30101‐0000 for Aggregate Base, and 30110‐0000 for Aggregate Surface Course. You can find the details of these two products in the FP‐03 and the Invitation for Bid under their respective bid item numbers.

QUESTION #11

Item 61801‐000 indicates concrete Barrier on the Bid Form. In section 618 Concrete Barriers no specific details are shown for the size and shape. Will this be provided and will this be pre‐cast only or Cast‐In ‐

Place?

Response: Amendment A002 was posted, which allows the use of used NMDOT 32” Concrete Barrier (in good condition), slip formed, cast in place, or precast. See low water crossing details of the plans for general size and shape of the concrete barriers.

QUESTION #12

Can you advise on which agency will be handling the testing for this project? City? NMDOT? COE?

Response: The contractor is to perform all QC testing for the project. The FHWA (Federal Highway

Administration) will do Quality Assurance (QA) testing, which is “spot” checks on the contractors test results to insure their accuracy. See sections 153 and 154 of the FP‐03 and SCR’s for more detailed information.

QUESTION #12

Since this is a completion‐date contract, can you give an award date please?

Response: Award is anticipated to occur by December 11, 2015 with the Notice To Proceed following approximately 10 days after that, pending approval of bonds. This is not a guarantee, as much of the award process and notice to proceed process has to do with the accuracy of the low‐bidders bid documents, how fast the subcontracting plan that is submitted by the contractor is approved by the SBA, and how fast the payment and performance bonds are submitted by the contractor and approved. Due to these issues being out of the control of the CFLHD, there is not guarantee of an award date or notice to proceed date.

QUESTION #13

Can we pave the low water crossings and option X in one 3” lift

Response: No.

QUESTION #14

Where can we obtain construction water and what is the cost for the construction water?

Response: The source is up to the contractor, there will be no direct payment for this item.

11/17/15

QUESTION #15

How do we acknowledge amendment A003? We already sent our bid in.

Response: Please send Amendment A003 acknoledgments to either:

Fax=720‐963‐3360

Or

Email=jeremiah.rogers@dot.gov

QUESTION #16

Can we revise our bid numbers since the bid has been extended?

Response: See page A‐iii. Bidders may fax (and ONLY FAX, email will not be accepted!) their revised bid numbers to the fax number at 720‐963‐3360. NOTE: We suggest bidders send their ENTIRE bid schedule if they revise numbers, do not send just one revised page.