WSA_Roads_questions_V1.docx

1. The project plan sheet 6 defines the construction of the new parking lot within the WSA. The parking lot note 3 specifies to provide geo-text grid and geo-fabric under the proposed new engineered fill. Please specify the type of geogrid and geo-fabric desired. I also noticed the full depth pavement replacement detail on plan sheet 10 does not show using geo-grid or geo-fabric under the gravel base. It seems that the design for the parking lot area and the roads where a full depth pavement replacement would be similar since the soils and vehicle loads would be identical.

. Geo-grid and geo-fabric shall be installed per industry standards and methods under the gravel for all areas of roads that require full depth replacement, as well as the parking lot. Specifications for the geo-fabric are per 32 01 17. Specification for the geo-grid is attached.

2. The new parking lot is to be constructed of 3” minus. No specification was provided for this material. The parking lot was to be constructed with 18” of road mix. Is this road mix the same materials as the “crushed gravel base course” specified in the project specification section “Asphalt Concrete Pavement 32 10 00”?

All areas that require the base course, to include roads with full depth replacement shall use material specified in 32 10 00.

3. Note 7 of the parking lot notes on page 6 of the plans states the 3” of asphalt to be placed in two lifts. Industry standards allow the placement of asphalt paving to be placed in a maximum compacted thickness of three inches. (company name removed) is requesting the 3” asphalt paving be placed in a single lift which provides the same quality product as being placed in two lifts, but at a reduced cost since the process will not require the application of tack oil between the lifts of paving.

Yes. Asphalt may be installed in one three-inch lift.

4. On page 4 of the project plans, there is a note to repair a hole in an existing culvert. Is this repair considered incidental? The note says to backfill the culvert with cement treated base. Would the Government be open to backfilling the culvert with a low strength concrete material? The cost of the low strength concrete material would be a lower cost than using the cement treated base.

Yes. The culvert area may be back-filled with low-strength concrete material in lieu of cement treated base material. The culvert shall be repaired as described in the drawings.

5. On page 5 of the project plans, there is a note on the South Storage Road stating “areas with standing water.” Does the contract require any work in these areas to correct the issue?

There is nothing in the drawings that specify any work to correct the standing water. This note is provided for info only.

6. The general requirements specification section 01 00 00 paragraph 3.17 Repair of Road Cuts states that “Asphaltic surface shall be completely in-place within 48 hours after placement of base gravel. Between placement of base gravel and pavement, road shall be kept in drivable and passable condition.” The project has been divided into two phases of construction. My thoughts are the engineer has the two phases to allow the daily operations of the Government to take place in one area while the contractor works in the other area. This would allow both operations to function at the same time without hindering either operations. If the contractor is required to abide by this statement, the efficiency to construct the roadways and parking lot area will be greatly diminished, therefore, increasing the cost to construct the project.

Comply with the 48-hour requirement as specified.

7. Specification section 32 01 17 part 3.2 states to use an emulsified asphalt SS-1 when installing the paving fabric. (company name removed) is requesting to use a PG58-28 asphalt cement to install the fabric. The cost between the two materials is exactly the same but the asphalt cement produces a much better adhesion between the fabric and the existing paved surface which produces a higher quality product for the same price.

The PF58-28 may be used in lieu of SS-1.

8. Specification section 32 10 00 part 4.5, the last sentence on the page states “The mixture shall be delivered to the work site at a temperature of 270 degrees F +/- 20 degrees F. (company name removed) requests that the upper value of the temperature range be extended to 325 degrees F. The 325 degrees F is the mixing temperature of the hot mix at the plant. (company name removed) will want the maximum asphalt temperature to insure the material delivered inside the WSA Facility will result in a quality product.

Yes. The temperature range can be increased to 325-degrees Farenheit.

9. There is confusion on the expected time to enter and exit the WSA Facility. Page 52 the last sentence of the Subfactor 2 paragraph of the project solicitation states “Offeror is to take into consideration the travel time from the origination of the material to the secured entry gate, an estimate 30 minutes of processing time into the secured area, and time of arrival to the project site and usage of the material.” Specification section 01 10 01 part 1.8, the middle of the paragraph states “The contract team shall expect long delays entering and exiting the Weapons Storage Area. Individuals processing in or out of the area will take an average of 30 minutes each way. Vehicles processing in and out of the area will take an average of 1 hour each way.” Specification section 01 10 05 paragraph C(5) the second to last sentence on page 3 states “Note: The contractor shall include in the base bid a 60 minute delay in entry and 60 minutes for exit of the WSA area.” What is the time to enter and exit the WSA with a vehicle or piece of equipment? I understand that only one piece of equipment can enter or exit at a time. How many employees can enter or exit the facility at one time, and what can we expect to see for time to enter or exit the facility with just employees?

Although sometimes entry can be made quicker, use the times specified, 30 minutes for personnel and one hour for vehicles for bidding purposes. The intent of Subfactor 2 is for the Government to have a reasonable assurance that each offeror has a plan for the delivery of such materials and understands that there can and will be delays. For the purpose of subfactor 2 requirements use the information as supplied in the subfactor. However, keep in mind for the purpose of submitting your proposal costs to take into consideration that personnel can take up to 30 minutes and equipment/vehicles can take up to 1 hour.

10. Please clarify if the contractor will be able to store their equipment within the WSA Facility during non-working hours or if the equipment will need to be removed at the end of the workday. The contract documents are contradicting. Specification section 01 00 00 part 3.2.1, the middle of the paragraph states “The contractor shall not park vehicles in the project area during non-working hours.” Specification section 01 00 00 part 3.16, the beginning of the paragraph states “Prior to notice to proceed, Contractor will be provided a storage area on the base within three miles of the project site or as designated on the site plan” Specification section 01 10 05 part C(8) states “Contractor shall not stockpile equipment or material within 30 feet of interior/exterior of a perimeter fence. No stockpiles shall exceed 72-inches in height at the end of the workday. All equipment that have enclosed compartments/attachments that cannot be easily inspected, e.g. water trucks, concrete trucks, etc, shall be removed from the WSA at the end of each work day.”

A storage area will be provided for storage for vehicles that are not allowed to remain on site. Vehicles that comply with spec section 01 10 05.C(8) will be allowed to remain within the WSA.