Questions and Answers FY26 Maintain Roads Solicitation.pdf

FY26 Maintain Roads & Parking Q&A

1. Does the project require use of waterborne traffic paint for pavement striping, as is commonly specified on federal projects? Our subcontractor typically uses a low-VOC solvent borne traffic paint from Sherwin Williams that is below the allowable VOC thresholds. Will the Government approve the use of low-VOC solvent borne traffic paint (meeting VOC requirements) in lieu of waterborne traffic paint for this project?

- Both waterborne and low-VOC paint are permitted by Spec Section 32 17 23. This Federal Spec allows High Build Acryllic Coatings with max allowable VOC of 1.25 lbs/gal.

- We prefer waterborne paint but use of a Spec Compliant HBAC may be used without prejudice. The concern is with removal and disposal. Paint material Submittal SDS must support a non-hazardous determination for disposal in a permitted subtitle D landfill.

- The contractors material must comply with this specifications and provide material submittals and SDS that certify the material is compliant and non-hazardous for disposal.

2. Where does all the milled asphalt go?

- See para. SOW section PROJECT DESCRIPTION, para. 9. B. Milled asphalt will be stockpiled on base at a designated location.

3. Does 1st street get striped or just overlay?

- All streets to be overlayed are to receive markings that match the existing markings including centerlines, stop bars, and pedestrian crossings.

4. SOW say no crack seal to concrete, but there is existing crack seal on the concrete, does that need to be removed?

- No, existing sealant on concrete should not be removed.

5. Does alpine delineate at the gate to the flightline? What are the demarcation points for mill, overlay, striping, etc.?

- Alpine stops at the gate and does not receive mill and overlay. Alpine does receive new road markings to match existing.

6. Can roads be closed during construction or must they stay open (are flaggers required?)

- See SOW Section: GERERAL REQUIREMENTS para. 9. Facilities on all roads to be worked must have access during construction. In some cases the main road may be closed where detours can be set-up using traffic control devices for alternative routes where feasible.

7. Aardvark says, “clean and restripe”, is any blackout required or is this portion strictly cleaning and restriping?

- This is clean and restripe the existing markings on Aardvark and other roads to receive fresh markings.

8. Is Pine St. part of the base bid or option?

- Pine should be part of the base bid. It was inadvertently omitted in the SOW. Sorry for the confusion.

9. Milling Disposal & Reclaiming: Will the government designate a specific disposal or stockpile location on Mountain Home AFB for the approximately 2-inch depth of milled asphalt material, or is the contractor required to haul and dispose of all millings off-base?

- Yes, MHAFB will designate a on-base stockpile for millings.

- See para. SOW section PROJECT DESCRIPTION, para. 9. B. Milled asphalt will be stockpiled on base at a designated location.

10. Water Source for Milling: Will the government provide access to a designated water point or hydrant on-base for the milling and cleaning operations, and if so, will the contractor be responsible for providing a metered connection?

- Yes, the water point is at the base of the Water Tower on Liberator near the intersection with Aardvark. It has both fire hydrant and a regular hose bid to obtain water. Both are on a backflow preventer and water is free of charge to the contractor.

11. Work Window & Phasing: To minimize mission impact at Mountain Home AFB, does the government prefer work to be performed during standard duty hours (0730-1630), or will night-work/weekend-work be authorized or required for high-traffic areas like 1st Ave and Ironwood Drive?

- Work is intended during normal work hours 7 am – 5 pm however, the contractor may work later to take advantage of summer daylight hours and work until or NLT 10 pm if desired. If the contractor wants to work outside of normal hours, just let us know 7 days in advance for our scheduling purposes.

12. Utility & Dig Permits: The SOW mentions a 90-day performance period. Given the requirement for excavation permits (AF Form 103), will the government support an expedited permit process to ensure the 90-day timeline is met once the Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued?

- I believe the PoP has been or will be extended to 120 days. We will issue a SOW Addendum.

- We can help expedite any dig permit required, however, with 2” milling we do not anticipate needing a AF 103.

13. Crack Sealing Sequence: The SOW specifies sealing exposed cracks after milling. Is there a specific sealant type or performance specification (e.g., ASTM D6690) preferred by the base for the edge line gutter joints?

- See Spec SECTION 32 01 17.61 for crack seal specifics including sealant type.

14. Testing Requirements: Regarding Section 01 45 00, will the government be providing Third-Party Quality Assurance testing for asphalt density and compaction, or is the contractor expected to include independent laboratory testing within their quote?

- The spec is the minimum required for Contractor test requirements.

- The contractor is responsible for conducting it’s own compaction tests for the asphalt.

- See PROJECT DESCRIPTION Section, para 9 for NRC 241 documentation.

- The Nuclear Density Gauge is the most common devise used by Contractors to test asphalt compaction. Note that the NRC Form 241 and all device leak test and NRC certifications must be submitted by the Contractor to the Government for approval.

- It can take up to 30 days for Government review/approval of the NRC 241 so please ensure you submit this promptly and completely upon NTP.

- The specs states that the Government reserves the right to inspect Contractor test equipment and laboratories and conduct it’s own tests as desired. In this case, the Government does not plan on conducting it’s own tests.

15. Are there any noise restrictions for this building during normal work hours? If so, please define the noise limitations and allowable hours to complete work that exceed the noise limits.

- No noise limits are intended but the Contractors workers should wear PPE including hearing protection when operating and/or working around equipment.

16. Is it the Government’s intent that the contractor will construct from of the 90% drawings and submit as-builts for final record drawings?

- No. As-builts are not required for this effort.

17. Please clarify if there are any phasing requirements for this project.

- No, the government does not intend establish phansing requirements.

- Work schedule/phasing are to be determined by the Contractor and submitted for review/approval.

18. Does the government suspect pesticides in the vicinity of construction?

- No.

19. Can the superintendent also perform the functions and duties of the Environmental Manager?

- Yes, the Superintendent can be multi-rolled.

20. Should the contractor assume the existing subgrade is suitable to receive new asphalt overlay without additional improvements? If not, please clarify the expected subgrade profile. (Pit Run, Road mix, depth, compaction percentage, Etc.)

- Yes, this project is mill and overlay, not full depth repair.

- We recognize there are some bad spots on Trap and Ironwood. The Contractor may use milled material to place and compact on those bad spots to level, but it is not required.

21. For bidding purposes, will base environmental require a SWPPP Plan?

- No, but the contractor should protect catch basins during milling operations.

22. Bid option #1 provides approximate quantities for small and medium crack seal, while the base bid provides the government’s definition of each size crack.

- Good catch, corrected in the SOW Addendendum issued by the CO.

23. For bidding purposes, will the government provide approximate quantities of crack seal for both small and medium size cracks,

- The quantities of crack seal and sizes are estimates on the governments part. The Contractor must maintain a daily log of quantities of cracks sealed each day.

- Depending upon the amount of cracks found/sealed, we will modify the contract for more or less crack seal actually performed as determined by the Contracting Officer.

24. During the site visit, it was mentioned that Pine St. would be added to the SOW. What is the extent of work on Pine St, and what CLIN will that work be placed, in the base bid or in the alternate?

- Please see SOW Addendum indicating Pine St. in the Base Bid for Mill and Overlay issued by the CO.

25. Some of the roads that are indicated to receive milling and overlay have red line included and some do not. Is it the government’s intent that all roads to receive mill and overlay will also receive road markings?

- Yes.

26. Where stop bars and crosswalks are to be re-marked, is there a requirement to black-out or remove existing markings prior to new markings being applied?

- No. Clean and Restripe existing markings as is.

27. The SOW instructs the contractor to “NOT” crack seal between new asphalt and concrete. Is it the government’s intention that existing crack seal will be removed from all existing concrete that butts to new asphalt?

- We expect that the milling operation will removed existing sealant where sealant exists.

The SOW also instructs not to seal the crack at the joint of new asphalt and the gutter line where curbs/gutters exist. See SOW Addendum issued by the CO for clarification.

28. Please confirm that a bid bond is required, and if so, what percentage.

- Bid guarantees are required, 20% of the bid price.

29. During the site visit, it was stated that the government is willing to entertain recommendations for Trap St. due the condition of the existing asphalt. After further investigation of that road, it does appear that the best solution is to remove all existing asphalt, prepare the subgrade and pave the road in its entirety.

Q: If the government agrees with this recommendation, what thickness and how many lifts would be required for this scope of work?

- The Government does not want removal of subgrade or full depth repair for this effort.

Trap and Ironwood are lightly traveled and we believe a mill and overlay is adequate for these roads.

- The Government will entertain the Contractor using millings to fill/compact and level “bad” spots on Trap and Ironwood but it is not required.

30. Where roads that have work intersect perpendicular to other roads that do not have any work, where shall the contractor stop and start?

- The demarcation should be the gutter line of the road being intersected.

31. If roads do not have a concrete gutter or other identifiable delineation to stop work, where shall the contractor stop its milling and overlay effort?

- Start/stop at the edge of the existing pavement.

32. Ironwood Drive seems to be in similar condition as Trap St. Would the government include this location in the consideration for recommendations?

- Yes, see response in #20, above.

33. At Ironwood Drive, where shall the contractor stop the milling/overlay work?

- Stop milling start of the entrance to the main parking area and access areas to adjacent paved storage areas.

34. SOW page three, “General Requirements, 4; Construction Drawings: States “Contractor’s Construction Drawings will be provided to the government as a submittal.

During progress of the work, the Contractors construction drawings must include final elevations and show adequate drainage, etc.”

Q: Is it the government’s intent for this project to be a design build project with stamped engineered drawings? If so, to what level of design will be required?

- No, this is not Design/Build and we don’t expect PE engineered design. What we want is to ensure the Contractor provides proper slope on the milled roads for drainage only. 1% slope from the centerline to edge or from pavement edge to edge is adequate for drainage depending on the existing roads drainage situation.

35. SOW page three, “General Requirements, 8; “If the contractor chooses to have storage or facilities at the work site, the Government will provide an area within reasonable distance of utilities.”

- Yes, the Government has designated laydown areas identified with access to utilities. The Government will work with the Contractor to identify the most convenient laydown area for both parties.

Q: What is the government’s definition of “reasonable distance”? Would this be a location with an electrical panel close enough to run power from?

- Yes, laydown areas on base have access to utilities. We will work with the contractor to make the convient accommodation for the Contractor.

36. SOW page three, General Requirements, 11; “Submittal Register is provided within the Design Specifications.”

Q: Will the government be providing a submittal register for contractor’s use on this project?

- Yes. Submittal register is included in the Specifications document titled "Specs QYZH26.pdf"

37. Specification section 01 11 00,1.3 Contract Drawings; States “The following drawings accompany this specification and are part thereof. Sheets 1 through 41.”

Q: Will the referenced drawings be provided to the contractor for bidding and execution of the work identified in the SOW.

- For this project, the extent of Contract Drawings will be the Project Map indicating the areas for work. See SOW, PROJECT DESCRIPTION, para 5 for more information.

- It is not our intent to obtain proper drainage for the roads receiving new asphalt.

38. Since this project does not consist of excavation and is merely a mill and overlay project, will there be any testing requirements of the asphalt or subgrade that are listed in the specification section 01 57 19 Temporary Environmental Controls MHAFB Env Spec?

- The 2” layer of new asphalt is to be tested for compaction. See SOW, PROJECT DESCRIPTION, para 6 for compaction verification tools/method and Spec Section 32 12 16.

39. Are progress and completion photos required as referenced in 01 30 00?

- No. The Government Construction Inspector will take photos as needed for Quality Assurance.

40. Specification section 01 32 01.00 states: “The contractor shall provide for the government’s use two licenses, two computers, and training for two government employees in the use of the software. These computers will be stand-alone and not connected to government networks.

Q: Will the contractor be required to provide the above requirements for government use during this project?

- No, this is not required. Please omit.

41. Will cost loading be a requirement of the schedule, or will percentages of completion be an acceptable representation for billing purposes?

- No, cost loading is not required. Percent complete or Level of Effort billing is acceptable.

42. Will data CD’s/DVD’s be required per specification section 01 32 01.00 3.5.1?

- No. Please omit.

43. Will a narrative report be required per specifications section 01 32 01.00 3.5.2?

- No. Please omit.

44. Will schedule reports be required per specifications section 01 32 01.00 3.5.3?

- No. Please Omit.

45. Will Network Diagrams be required per specifications section 01 32 01.00 3.5.4?

- No. Please Omit.

46. The testing and sampling requirements in specification section 01 45 00 appear to be inconsistent with the project scope of work. Please define the government’s expectations for testing and sampling as applicable to this scope of effort, eg. asphalt overlay?

- For asphalt, use mix design in Spec Section 32 12 16 and provide a submittal of the Asphalt Plants mix certificate.

47. Per specification section 01 50 00 2.1.1, a glass covered bulletin board is required to display project information.

Q: Will the government accept a contractor job trailer that contains said information in lieu of the bulletin board?

- Omit the requirement for the bulleting board, it is not need for this project.

48. Will construction fencing be required on this project?

- No.

49. Will the contractor be required to provide a field office for the Government’s Resident Engineer per Specification section 01 50 00 3.5.1?

- No. Omit this requirement.

50. Will the contractor be required to provide a field office per the requirements set forth in specification section 01 05 00 3.5.3, or will a simple enclosed mobile office trailer of the contractor’s choice suffice?

- No. Omit this requirement.

51. Specification section 01 50 002.1.2 Project and Safety Signs references specification 01 58 00 Project Identification. Please clarify where this specification section is located and if a project identification sign is required. If a project identifications sign is required, please provide details of government’s requirements for this and any other signage required.

- No. Omit this requirement.

52. Reflective Glass Beads Application: Please confirm which pavement markings are required to receive retro-reflective glass beads. While the specifications reference reflective markings, it is unclear if all painted markings require beads or only specific items (e.g., runway centerlines, taxiway markings, etc.).

- All markings on roadways require refletive glass beads. See Spec Section 32 17 23, we typically use Type II glass beads on our roadways.

53. Will ironwood st. require striping as well?

- No.

54. Is ironwood strictly mill & overlay or will it need to be totally pulled up - what’s the depth of the current asphalt?

- Ironwood is mill & overlay not full depth repair.

55. Do gutter edges need sealed after mill & overlay? After clean & restripe?

- No, see SOW Addendum for clarifications on gutter edge sealing.

56. What is considered “cleaning”? Any specific requirements?

- Generally, “cleaning” is performed by high pressure water blast with pressure set not to obliterate the marking but clean the marking.

57. What are the demarcation points of 12th and Alpine?

- See response in item 30 above.

58. If Trap street requires full demo, can the gravel base be re-used?

- Full depth repair is not in the project scope.

- Milled material may be used to fill and compact low spots on Trap and Ironwood.