ESBD_File_351542_Solicitation 405-24R0000548 Questions and Answers.pdf

Solicita�on 405-24R0000548 Statewide Tower replacement Q&A

1. In the RFP it states Risk Category H, that is a TIA revision. We would need to know the category number whether it is 1,2,3 or 4. Normal commercial towers are cat 2, where normally we see public safety towers as cat 4. This makes a big difference in the steel pricing.

Answer: Based on the loca�on and purpose of this communica�ons tower we require CAT III. All other loca�ons expected to be CAT III unless otherwise specified during ini�al site walkdown.

2. Once the contract is awarded, how soon do you expect the contractor to start? Lead �mes on towers and shelters we have seen to be up to a year recently.

Answer: As soon as prac�cal.

3. Does this project have a Buy America or similar requirement(s) to use domes�c products? If so, can you please elaborate on the exact requirements and applicable regula�ons? Some federal acquisi�on laws, for example, provide exemp�ons for fasteners or free-trade-agreement na�ons;

but other laws have stricter requirements.

Answer: DPS prefers domes�c products but it is not a requirement for the project.

4. Are there any submitals or paperwork required in rela�on to the Buy Texas provision?

Specifically, what documenta�on, if any, is required to prove an item (like the tower or shelter) is not available in Texas for comparable prices?

Answer: No documenta�on is required.

5. Is Financial Rating and Solvency Information an applicable required submital for this bid?

Answer: Yes, financial ra�ng and solvency informa�on is required for this solicita�on.

6. Is a HUB Subcontracting Plan applicable for this bid?

Answer: Yes, bidders must submit a completed HUB Subcontrac�ng Plan.

7. Can you specify the size of wire you would like to use for the buried ground ring? While 2 AWG solid �nned is generally considered industry standard, some par�es interpret Motorola R56 language to require larger gauges up to 4/0 stranded �nned, especially when/if emergency services are hosted on a tower.

Answer: All grounding will/must comply with current R56 standards.

8. Can you confirm that it is the contractor's responsibility to conduct the geotechnical boring and analysis?

Answer: For the ini�al Kerrville site, the GEO has been provided with the addendum. For future sites the contractor may or may not be responsible.

9. We understand the DPS intends to provide the geo report from a nearby site for bidding purposes. Can you confirm that a change order would be considered appropriate if/when actual site condi�ons vary from that geo report?

Answer: Yes, that may be considered provided the Geo report is provided to DPS for review.

10. If bidders are to u�lize a geo report that has not yet been provided, could you extend the bid due date in order to provide us adequate �me to develop preliminary designs and provide more compe��ve bids?

Answer: The report will be provided today (03/28/2024). The bid will be extended un�l April 18th.

11. Can you confirm that it is the contractor's responsibility to conduct applicable surveys?

Answer: Yes, if a survey applies.

12. Can you confirm that this project should be exempt from sales tax as the purchaser is a government en�ty?

Answer: Yes, Texas state and local government, their agencies, departments, school districts and other poli�cal subdivisions are exempt from sales taxes by law.

13. Can you clarify which party will be responsible for filing and paying fees for applicable ROW, building, and/or electrical permits?

Answer: Contractor will be responsible where applicable, depending on the site.

14. Can you confirm that the Department of Public Safety will file for FCC Antenna Structure Registra�on with related no�fica�ons and NEPA/NHPA/ESA compliance?

Answer: DPS will provide/file for the Antenna registra�on, if applicable, as well as coordinate with the contractor for any NEPA/NHPA/ESA requirements.

15. Can you confirm which party will be responsible for filing a NOTAM with the FAA to alert aircra� of an unlit tower from the �me the tower height passes 200' eleva�on and when the tower is both powered and lit by contractor-supplied obstruc�on ligh�ng?

Answer: Contractor will coordinate with DPS during tower construc�on to no�fy DPS of the various construc�on heights to comply with the FAA/FCC no�ces/no�fica�ons. DPS will be responsible for filing the NOTAM in coordina�on with the contractor.

16. Does the exis�ng access road need to be improved at all?

Answer: TXDOT owns the property so they will be responsible for any improvements needed for access.

I

17. Can you confirm the dimensions requested for the fenced compound (length x width)?

Answer: Es�mated to be 100� x 100� but is as discussed at the site visit, 10 � clearance from any structures, tanks or equipment so the dimensions may vary from site to site.

18. Can you confirm power will be supplied by DPS within 100' feet of the shelter?

Answer: Yes

19. Should the contractor provide an H-Frame and/or meter pedestal for primary power?

Answer: Yes, H frame against the building but not physically atached to the building.

20. Do you have a preference for depth and rock type for the gravel in the compound?

Answer: The SOW shows “Supply and install gravel surfacing to a depth of 6 inches, including herbicide treatment and geotex�le fabric installa�on within the fenced in site compound area, and a 3-foot path around the exterior of the fence.” Spec sheet for fabric minimum requirements below.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SHEET - SPPL PP NP 163

PROPERTY TEST METHOD UNIT VALUE

MECHANICAL warp x we�

GRAB TENSILE

STRENGTH

ASTM D 4632 lbs 90 x 70

GRAB TENSILE

ELONGATION

ASTM D 4632 % Min 12%

MULLEN BURST ASTM D 3786 psi 265

TRAPEZOIDAL

TEAR

ASTM D 4533 lbs 45 x 38

PUNCTURE

STRENGTH

ASTM D 4833 lbs 55

ENDURANCE

UV RESISTANCE , %

RETAINED

ASTM D 4355 % hrs 70% a�er 2500 hrs

HYDRAULICS/ FILTRATIONS

WATER FLOW

RATE

ASTM D 4491 gpl/sq.�² min 12 gpl/sq.�²

PHYSICAL

STANDARD ROLL SIZES width - 3' to 12' length - 250' to 2100' Tolerence in above result will be +/- 10 %

21. Can you confirm the tower does not need to be painted?

Answer: Tower must comply with AC_70_7460_1M.

22. Can you provide the list of interested bidders that atended the pre-bid conference?

Answer: Pursuant to §552.301(c) of the Public Informa�on Act (PIA), the Director has designated the following email address for public informa�on requests: OGC.Webmaster@dps.texas.gov. An email request must be sent directly to that address or through the Department's Public Informa�on Request Page on our public website, found at htps://www.dps.texas.gov/sec�on/general-counsel/public-informa�on-requests.

23. Can you please forward the Geotech report for the new tower founda�on at Kerr, TX loca�on?

Answer: The GEO Report will be provided today (3/28/2024).

24. There are four standoffs at 350� and we wanted to check how the 4th mount will be installed? if we need a face mount to install the fourth the mount?

Answer: There will be a 3-sided pla�orm atached to the top of the tower (see figure 2 of the SOW) there are nine moun�ng loca�ons at 350�.

25. Can we request for the pre-payment for the some of the work? for example the tower manufacture might request advanced payment before releasing the tower.

mailto:OGC.Webmaster@dps.texas.gov https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/general-counsel/public-information-requests

Answer: DPS cannot “pre-pay” for any work. The work must be completed and accepted by the agency before payment can be issued.

26. Are grounding designs to conform to Moto R-56 for Shelter, Tower and Compound?

27. Should contractor quote a "normal soils" R-56 system, vs a site-specific grounding system (based on DPS provided Geo)?

Answer: Site specific R56 system

28. With the u�liza�on of TIA-222 REV H, should risk category III be consider for the tower design?

29. Antenna/Feedline installa�on has a UoM of “day”, should this be “job” instead? If not, how will number of days be decided?

Answer: One Day = 8 hours. This includes travel to job site and work performed.

30. Is contractor required to purchase all cables and antennas? If so, what line on the bid form should “lines and antenna” material costs be included?

Answer: Yes, Contractor is required to provide cables and antennas. Include cost under Line #6 Antenna/Feedline Installa�on

31. Is contractor required to provide all material for current and/or future lines/antennas based on the tower loading sheet?

Answer: Only for the current.

32. Can you provide a list items, if any, to be decommissioned from the site.

Answer: 2- 224 antennas and 7/8 coax, ligh�ng system, 2� microwave dish are known to be on the exis�ng tower.

33. If items are decommissioned, will they be returned to DPS or disposed by the contractor? If returned to DPS, what is the average distance from site to DPS facility?

Answer: Contractor to dispose of tower, line, antennas, ligh�ng system, generator and shelter in coordina�on with DPS.

34. Can you provide a list of deliverables to be submited at the end of the project.

Answer: Please refer to SOW for deliverables.

35. Will any engineering, permi�ng or site acquisi�on tasks be required of the contractor, or will they be handled by others?

Answers: There will be no site acquisi�on by the contractor.

36. What is the DPS spec regarding base and rock for compound?

Answer: 1” to 1 ½ “ washed stone. Sizes can very due to availability and geographic area .