Attachment 7) Q and A - FA303023R0002 - GAFB Water Service Lines.pdf

Q & A – SAM Solicitation FA303023R0002

Goodfellow AFB- Water Service Line Replacement

Q1. Item 1 under Site Work states the new water line will be approximately 36" deep. However, the existing valves appear to be closer to 48" deep. Should contractors expect to install the new line to the depth of existing valves or bid according to a 36" depth?

A: Contractor should bid to the existing valve depth.

Q2. Are contractors to install new valve boxes and adjustable valve risers or reuse existing?

A: Provide new valve boxes and adjustable risers.

Q3. It was stated in the site visit that DIGTESS will come on base to mark lines. What utilities does DIGTESS normally mark? What lines will the government mark?

A: DIGTESS usually marks phone lines, cable lines, primary electric. The base will mark water, gas, secondary electrical, storm drain and communication lines.

Q4. Who will be responsible for repairing lines that are not marked or are mismarked?

A: Government is responsible if line is not identified and marked on the 103 Dig Permit.

Q5. How does the government define a mismarked line?

A: Not marked within 18” on either side of the painted markings on the ground.

Q6. If any sort of abandoned water line is connected to a water service line to be replaced, is the contractor expected to tie into the abandoned line? If so, are adjacent valves and valve boxes in the abandoned line to be replaced too?

A: Contractor is not expected to tie in any abandoned water lines, valves, or valve boxes.

Q7. Does the government have procedures that must be followed to protect tree roots during excavation?

A: We do not have any procedures with protecting tree roots.

Q8. Please specify which valves and valve boxes are to be replaced for buildings 102, 330, 116, 420, and 900: at the main, at the building, or both.

A: All valves and boxes will be at the mains and buildings.

Q9. It was stated during the site visit that there may be typos for the building numbers listed in the SOW. Can the government confirm the building numbers?

A: A revised SOW was sent to Contracting and should be post.

Q10. During the site visit portion for building 102, it was determined that building 104 must receive a service line that "tees" off of the service line for 102. Can the government confirm this is required?

A: Yes Building 104 needs to be tie in the line going to B-102.

Q11. Is the contractor to replace water service lines in the same dimension(s) as the existing lines? Or is there a single standard dimension for all new water service lines?

A: Replace with the same size as existing.

Q12. Will the government allow HDPE pipe in lieu of PVC? HDPE pipe is superior to PVC in the following ways: faster installation, one single service line welded together versus several pieces of PVC joined together, no solvents with HDPE, greater impact resistance, greater pressure resistance to water hammer, and more reliability through a turn.

A: Yes HDPE can be used in lieu of PVC.

Q13. Will the government allow the contractor to bore a hole and install the water service lines in lieu of excavation? New water service lines can be installed within protective casings. This would minimize disruption of services, increase access to streets, and reduce demolition/repair of streets and parking lots.

A: Boring can be used in lieu of excavation.

Q14. Please confirm that the contractor is to tie the new water service line into the "double check" near the parade grounds.

A: This is correct tie into the existing double check. There is not a doublecheck at the parade field, it is a pressurized vacuum breaker.

Q15. Please confirm that the new water service line is not to tie into the PIV behind building 303 (Burger King).

A: Correct, looking at the as-built for building 303 there is one water line supplying water to the fire system and the building water supply.

Q16. Are push blocks required at each turn in the new water service lines?

A: Probably not required as these are small lateral lines.

Q17. For building 420, where will the contractor tie into the service line at the building considering the shutoff valve is inside the structure?

A: The tie in for B-420 will be just outside of the of new sidewalk and handicap ramp.

Q18. For the buildings that are to be potholed to identify line types and sizes, how many are in concrete, asphalt, and dirt?

A: All valves are in either dirt or rock gardens. No concrete or asphalt locations.

Q19. To what thickness does the hot-mix asphalt need to be compacted?

A: I minimum of 3” compacted to 2”

Q20. Is TxDOT Item 334, Hot-Mix Cold Laid Asphalt Concrete Pavement acceptable?

A: No cold laid asphalt.

Q21. Do you have a concrete detail for joint reinforcement?

A: No detail for joint reinforcement. Industry standard.

Q22. The solicitation states the use of latest technology materials. The SOW states SCH40 with a minimum PSI of 150. Is SDR-21 Gasketed Joint Pipe ASTM D2241 (200 psi), and/or SIDR 9 Polyethylene Pipe ASTM D2239 acceptable?

A: Poly pipe approved for potable water is acceptable.

Q23. Is thrust blocking required at waterline turns, tees, or valves? If so, can you provide the detail?

A: Thrust blocking not required because the size of lateral lines. It is the contractors responsibility to ensure proper pipe installation.

Q24. Is two-inch waterline line planned for all buildings, or is the contractor to replace in kind with what is in the ground currently?

A: Replace with what is currently in the ground.

Q25. Is it the government’s intent to have a new valve at each end of the new waterline in order to conduct the back tee testing without having to reopen a tested line?

A: Yes provide a new valve at each end.

Q26. Is the contractor responsible for replacing/adding water valves at building tie-ins?

A: Yes, valves are to installed at and mains and building.

Q27. Are there specific traffic control requirements for this project?

A: Contractor will provide a traffic plan at all sites.