ESBD_File_338941_802-24-35708 Addendum 2.pdf

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

4200 Smith School Road

Austin, Texas 78744

ADDENDUM

Addendum Number: 02 Dated: November 21, 2023

Solicitation Number: 802-24-35708

Solicitation Title: Oyster Cultch Placement in Multiple Bay Systems

Due Date/Deadline: December 5, 2023; 2:00pm C.T.

Purchaser: Vanessa Contreras CTCM, CTCD

PURPOSE OF ADDENDUM: QUESTION & ANSWERS/SPECIFICATION CLARIFICATIONS

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced herein remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The following are specifications to this solicitation. This Addendum may be attached to and form a part of the referenced solicitation and any resulting awarded contract and may be considered in your response.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Scope of work: Transportation (Section 7.4)

Question: Do Respondents need to come up with the transit plan?

Answer: Respondents will need to be able to navigate to the site; but TPWD will provide resources on ways to avoid navigational hazards

2. Scope of Work: Transportation (Section 7.4.8)

2a. Question: Has a bathymetry survey been done for this site?

Answer: No full bathymetry survey has been done for this.

2b. Question: Will this be done before cultch placement?

Answer: The awarded Vendor may/can perform a bathymetry survey.

3. General Question: If the channel is narrow and shallow will there be space for vessels to maneuver?

Answer: The channel to access the site is approximately 100 feet wide, there is room to navigate safely. (Attachments 3& 4 channel site maps)

4. Contractor Requirements (Section 8)

Question: What permits are the Contractors responsible for?

Answer: The awarded Contractor(s) will be responsible for any permit that is required for construction.

5. Contractor Requirements (Section 8.12)

Question: Will construction begin April 1, 2024 or May 1, 2024 or?

Answer: Construction to begin on April 1, 2024, and be completed by May 31, 2024

6. Scope of work (Section 7)

Question: In regard to endangered species observation, if there is an observed turtle in the area does the Contractor have to cease operations?

Answer: Yes. There is protocol about what to do if a turtle is spotted in the area which will be provided to the Awarded Contractor before construction begins.

RFP 802-24-35708

Addendum 02

7. Scope of Work: Deployment Specifications (Section 7.5.2)

Question: What is the definition of “daylight hours”

Answer: Daylight Hours means the hours between sunrise and sunset.

8. Scope of Work: Deployment Specifications (Section 7.5.4)

8a. Question: Is TPWD sure there are not any “lumpy” or “uneven” spaces across the restoration site now?

Answer: Yes, this is a flat area that does not have any significant mounds.

8b. Question: Is there a definition of “lumpy”?

Answer: This will be provided once the permit has been approved by the Coast Guard.

Typically, this is in regard to any navigational hazards that are caused by placement of the cultch in mounds rather than flat layers across the site.

8c. Question: Where in the bid does a Respondent add how the cultch will be placed in a flat layer?

Answer: Describe how the cultch will be placed so that it is in a layer and not in mounds across the site; this will be located in the “Technical Proposal” methods area of the bid.

9. Qualifications and Experience (Section 6.1.1)

Question: Is placing cultch on leases considered relevant experience?

Answer: Describe any relevant experience of placing cultch on oyster reefs, as described in the

RFP.

10. Qualifications and Experience (Section 6.1.1)

Question: If a company does not have 5 years-worth of experience but individual employees that work in the company do have more than 5 years of experience would this be considered experience?

Answer: Submit all experience the company and associated staff have obtained

11. Qualifications and Experience (Section 6.1.3)

Question: Do subcontractors need to have Coast Guard certified license as well?

Answer: Captains of the vessel shall have certified license to operate or tow vessels within open waters of Matagorda, Mesquite, Carlos, Galveston and San Antonio bays.

12. Price Adjustments (Section 13)

Question: Are Respondents expected to honor the price for additional cultch?

Answer: per Section 7.1.6, An additional line-item estimate should be provided for the cost of additional cultch, reported in price per cubic yard, if additional funds become available. Should additional funds be identified prior to the completion of the work, the Contractor agrees to provide cultch to the additional site(s) at the same price per cubic yard of materials.

13. HUB Subcontracting Plan (Section 17.1)

13a. Question: If a Vendor does not intend to use subcontractors, do they need to do a good faith effort?

Answer: If a Vendor is able to fulfill the entire project/contract with their own resources i.e.

employees, supplies, materials and/or equipment, then a Good Faith Effort is not needed.

The HUB Subcontracting Plan must be submitted with the corresponding sections completed identifying the Vendor’s intentions.

13b. Question: Does a Vendor need to do a good faith effort if they are a HUB company themselves?

https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/daylight-hours

Answer: All Vendors, regardless of HUB status, must complete and submit the HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP). The Vendor must complete the corresponding HSP Sections, identifying the Vendor’s intentions.

13c. Question: Is a subcontractor a supplier or a vendor for the cultch material?

Answer: A “Subcontractor” means a person who contracts with a prime Contractor to work, to supply commodities, or to contribute toward completing work for a governmental entity.

14. Insurance (Section 14) and Performance Bond Requirements (Section 15)

Question: When is bond/insurance needed?

Answer: Respondents shall submit with their response submission, a letter from a legally authorized bonding company, stating the Respondent’s eligibility to be bonded for the initial project if awarded. A bond is only required when an individual project is awarded.

Prior to the commencement of the job and no later than ten (10) days following the award, the Awarded Contractor shall furnish to TPWD for approval, a Certificate of Insurance as proof the required insurance is in full force and in effect.

15. General questions:

15a. Question: When does TPWD estimate this project will be awarded?

Answer: As of today, proposals are due on December 5, 2023, and will then go through the evaluation phase. Due to upcoming holiday schedules and any other unforeseen delays, contract award could possible take approximately two months or more.

15b. Question: In regards to the subject, referenced project, what methodology will be used to verify cultch placement and consistency?

Answer: TPWD will verify with a side scan and single beam sonar survey.

Attachment 3- Channel Measurement

Attachment 4- Channel Measurement Zoomed Out

Respondents are to acknowledge receipt of this addendum. Return a signed copy of this notice with your proposal submission.

I acknowledge receipt of this addendum.

Respondent’s Authorized Signature Date

Company Name