2017-09-29_Q&A.pdf

CO FLAP 102(1)

Brainard Lake Road DTFH6817B00019

Questions & Answers (Q&A)

9/18/2017

1. Please clarify how removal of existing asphalt pavement will be compensated in the segments requiring full roadway reconstruction? No item for 20304 Removal of Structures and Obstructions has been included in Schedule A for payment purposes or describing material handling/disposal requirements.

Response: There is no direct pay item for asphalt removal. See 109.05 (b). Removal requirements are controlled by 203.04. Disposal requirements are controlled by 203.05.

2. Is the FHWA providing a construction water source for this project?

Response: FHWA is not providing a construction water source. The Contractor will need to contact the Town of Ward or other entities with water rights in the area.

3. Considering the rocky nature of project soils at the potential for pine cones and sticks to be present on the project surfaces, will the Section 624 requirement that no materials larger than 2” be present in replaced topsoil be enforced such that screening is required? If the size requirement is enforced, can imported topsoil be used in lieu of native topsoil?

Response: Section 624.04 is a contract requirement. The Contractor can propose importing topsoil, or conserving and placing forest duff under the Value Engineering clause, see 103.03.

4. Clear and grubbing is required to be completed by 2/28/18. I this is the only construction workscope performed prior to this date, will the FHWA require a Field Office prior to 2/28/2018?

Response: Per 108.01 (b), only clearing is required to be completed by 2/28/2018. The Contractor can propose to do additional work for consideration by the CO so long as the weather and soil conditions are suitable for prosecution of that work, see 108.05 (a). If operations other than clearing are in progress prior to 2/28/2018, then office space would be required per 637.02.

5. Has the FHWA secured a Boulder County Grading and Stormwater Permit for the project and associated disposal sites, if required? Has the FHWA received local or County approvals such that there will be no delays in securing any local permits required.

Response: FHWA has not secured a Boulder County Grading and Stormwater Permit.

Obtaining any permits not already provided will be the responsibility of the contractor.

The Boulder County Engineer has reviewed and approved the project (see signature on the plan sheet).

9/20/17

1. Is it possible to obtain a CAD file to add in our earthwork take off for the project please? This will increase the accuracy of the earthwork scope and help out in the bidding process creating a better and more cost effective proposal for you.

Response: The CAD files are now available. Please see the following important notice:

These electronic files are working copies. The FHWA does not warrant their accuracy, fitness, completeness, merchantability, consistency with the contract plans and specifications with which they are associated, or any other aspect of their potential use.

These files have been provided solely pursuant to your request and for your convenience. They may contain ideas, conditions, and information at variance with the contract plans and specifications or the actual existing conditions. They do not form part of the contract documents and they do not modify or change any contractual requirement.

Use of these files for any purpose should be done only after the user carefully examines the files for errors, inaccuracies, and computer viruses. The FHWA is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, or viruses contained in the files. Any conversion in format of the files is the sole responsibility of the requestor.

2. A previous question regarding dates was answered with only clearing and grubbing being required by 2/28/18. With the majority of the project being around 9,500 feet in altitude, the possibility of being able to perform paving operations during the winter into the spring doesn’t seem likely, especially with the potential for frost, frozen subgrade, and sub paving temperatures. With that said, performing and completing the paving scope by the substantial completion date may not be possible depending on when the paving operations can commence, April, May, June……etc. How will this impact the contract and substantial completion date?

Response: The Contract Completion date is July 31, 2018. If unusually severe weather occurs, then the Contractor can request an extension of contract time per 108.03. If all work is completed by June 28, 2018, a $100,000 incentive will be paid per 108.01. To facilitate construction, numerous windows of extended traffic delays and closures are offered. See Section 157.07 (i) for detailed information. Per 108.05 (a), the Contractor can propose to the CO to do work over winter that is not weather or temperature sensitive, or can be mitigated by some means such that contract requirements are met.

9/22/17

1. Please clarify the method of payment for tree removal. There is a separate line item A0280 tree Removal, Individual of 40 EA, but trees are addressed in Section 201 Clearing and Grubbing of the special specs. All trees 6” DBH and larger are addressed as having bole cut in 10’-20’ lengths and stacked in Ward, or offsite location 10-25 miles away depending on the station and size of the tree removed. Tree tops and branches are slash to be removed. Can contractor assume that all trees 6” DBH and larger will be paid by the EA under A0280 Removal, Individual EA? Then all trees under 6” DBH will be handled in Bid item A0260 Clearing and Grubbing, and removed as waste?

Response: All tree removal work within the clearing limits will be paid for under A0260 20101-0000 CLEARING AND GRUBBING by the ACRE, see Section 201. All tree removal work outside the clearing limits will be paid for under A0280 20220-1000 REMOVAL, INDIVIDUAL TREE by EACH, see Section 202. Items are numbered to correspond to the appropriate section in the contract.

2. Our experience shows that projects with this much traffic control will have a line item for a Traffic Control Supervisor. Will one be added to this project?

Response: A Traffic Control Supervisor is required, but will not be paid for directly. See

109.05 (b).

3. Do you have a geotechnical report you can share with the bidders?

Response: There is no geotechnical report available.

9/27/2017

1. Can the existing asphalt pavement be processed and utilized for roadway construction instead of being removed from the project as stated in question number 1 in the Q&A?

Response: The material becomes the property of the Contractor, and could be recycled so long as it meets the requirements of the material the Contractor intends to use it for.

2. Can the clear and grub slash be chipped and left onsite?

Response: Section 201.06 Disposal states slash needs to be removed from the project and Bidders should bid it that way. The Contractor can propose chipping slash and placing it on slopes under the Value Engineering clause, see 103.03

3. Will it be required to drill new holes in the existing abutments to account for the #8 x 2 foot dowels?

Response: As-builts are provided on Sheet S5 in the construction plan set to assist bidders to make that determination.

4. Can the existing waterline going over the bridge be taken out of service during the bridge rehabilitation or does it have to be maintained during construction?

Response: FHWA is still awaiting response from the USFS. Unless otherwise notified, the Contractor can use the waterline, it can be removed when it is not in use or provide a temporary bypass when it is in use. The permanent line would need to be restored in kind or in better condition, and cleaned and tested per Section 611.

5. Is the 4” water line currently being utilized, and does the work activity require for it to be shut off for relocate and reset? If so, how and where will we be able to shut it off? Will there be any temporary valve work involved at that location?

Response: FHWA is still awaiting response from the USFS. Unless otherwise notified, the Contractor can use the waterline, it can be removed when it is not in use or provide a temporary bypass when it is in use. The permanent line would need to be restored in kind or in better condition, and cleaned and tested per Section 611. FHWA does not have information at this time regarding the closest valve.

6. Bid #20401-0000 Roadway Excavation – 32,150 CY – Under the measurement and payment section, section 204.06 Roadway Excavation, it states “Rock Cuts – Add the following. When blasting rock, use controlled blasting methods according to Subsection 205.08(b).” The is no line item for rock excavation or blasting on the bid form, and looks like you want it incidental to the Roadway Excavation bid item? Also, a previous question was asked, if a soils report was available, and the response was no. As the contractor, how can we quantify how much rock, if any, we will run into? Without a soils report, it will just be a best guess which will completely vary by contractor. What should we assume?

Response: Yes, any rock excavation or blasting is incidental to the roadway excavation bid item. If non-rippable material is encountered, CFL will allow the non-rippable rock to stay in place if the CO determines leaving the rock does not impact the other project requirements. If leaving the non-rippable rock in place impacts other project requirements, rock excavation and/or blasting will be required. It is not anticipated there will be a significant amount of rock excavation in relation to the overall roadway excavation quantity.

9/29/2017

1. I was looking through the plans on this project and I don’t see a specification on what exactly the “fiber roll” is made of. Could you be a little more specific so I quote the correct item? Thank you.

Response: See Section 713.12