Questions and Responses 002.doc

Questions and Responses 002 Solicitation No. FA5004-09-R-C015

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

FOR

REPAIR COOLING PONDS

AT

CLEAR AIR STATION, ALASKA

SOLICITATION NO. FA5004-09-R-C015

It shall be noted to all interested parties that the following questions have been received in writing regarding the subject acquisition. Additionally, responses have been provided to the below listed questions.

As a reminder, it is the responsibility of all Interested Parties to review this website (http://www.fedbizopps.gov) frequently for any updates and/or amendments to any and all subject documents.

Question:

1. If the contractor begins work in 2009 after the Notice to Proceed is given and at that time the Government places the cooling water system on well water operation within the power plant to allow work to begin, will the power plant stay on the well water system throughout the winter construction shutdown period October 1 through May1 until final completion of the project within the 120 days allotted construction time?

Response:

The cooling pond must be restored to normal operation during the winter exclusion period of 01 October through 01 May. The decision on when to start the project will depend on the contractor and time of award.

Question:

2. While the water supply/return system to the cooling pond is shut off for construction, and or any winter shutdown, is there a requirement to safeguard the system from freezing?

Response:

The cooling pond must be restored to normal operation and flow during the winter exclusion period of 01 October through 01 May. This will preclude any concerns with freezing.

Question:

3. Are the existing solar panel and air pump systems required to be removed and /or replaced as part of the work under this contract ?

Response:

The existing solar panels, batteries, associated air pumps and aerators will be removed by the Government prior to the start of construction.

Question:

4. Are there any other items similar to b. above that are not shown on the plans?

Response:

There are no other items similar to (b.)

Question:

5. Is there any coating required on the 48” steel pipe?

Response:

No coating is required on the 48" steel pipe.

Question:

6. Are there any additional photos of previous pond maintenance / or other work on the pond and facility that could be made available?

Response:

Please see attached photos.

Question:

7. What is the top of berm elevation on drawings for the liner limits?

Response:

Top of the concrete curb over which the liner wraps is at elevation 584.5'plus or minus. Design elevation for the top of dike is 584.0' plus or minus.

Question:

8. What is the bottom elevation of the lined lagoon? (Detail A, sheet c-2 appears to put bottom at Elevation 575.5) Response:

The original design called for a bottom of pond elevation of 575.5' However, it also called for a 2.5' silt bottom. Previous pond cleanings indicate that the silt bottom was never installed. Elevations for the existing bottom of pond have never been established but are estimated at 575.5' to 573'.

Question:

9. Detail 1, Sheet D-1 shows side slope length of 22’±. Detail 1, sheet C-3 shows a fabricated roll width of 27’. It appears the attachment would require 2’ ±. Where does the extra liner go?

Response:

Any extra material can be spread out at the toe of the slope and ballasted per the design.

Question:

10. What is the radius of the corners at top of slope? (Where the 4 gauge galvanized steel attachment is required) Response:

Radii at the curbs is approximately 24'-6" plus or minus 6".

Question:

11. Note 3, Sheet C-3-“Neoprene gasket between wood hold down and liner material” should we assume this applies to steel attachment also? And what width & thickness of neoprene? (Any specification) Response:

Yes, provide neoprene at steel and wood hold downs. Width to match batten strips, 1/4" thick neoprene.

Question:

12. What attachment materials (sizing) are to be used for intake and return structures? (See note 1, sheet C-2) Response:

Attachment material and sizes appear to be shown on drawings on detail 1 drawing C1. If this answer is not responsive to the issue, please clarify the question.

Question:

13. Prescreen barrier (Detail 8, C-3) does it extend to pond bottom or is the maximum height 4’± - or is that the normal water depth? If the barrier extends to the bottom, concrete weights would abrade the liner. An alternate weight system would be better on the side slopes.

Response:

Normal pond depth is 8'to 9'. The prescreen barrier is intended to trap material that has broken loose from the bottom and is floating in the top 4'. The Government is open to Contractor suggestions for a better weight system at the pond perimeter to avoid abrading the liner.

Question:

14. There are discrepancies between the project specification for the Seaman’s ORLTA material and the manufacturer’s published values please clarify.

Response:

The manufacturer's published values are acceptable.

Question:

15. Is the field engineer the liner installer/welder and what is the certification needed, IAGI?

Response:

See spec section 02216-1.03. The Field Engineer, regardless of who he is employed by, must meet the training requirements of the FML and GF manufacturers. Welders shall be IAGI Certified Welder Technicians (CWT).

Question:

16. Please list a manufacturer of the GeoFabric (2.03) and can we assume it is an 8 oz/sq. yd geotextile fabric.

Response:

See specification section 02216-2.03. AMOCO Style 4553 is now GEOTEX 801. The properties are slightly different now, but GEOTEX 801 is acceptable.

Question:

17. Specification Section 02216 Flexible Membrane Liner, Part 1.02D calls for the submittal of the Contractor’s and Field Engineer’s experience, training and licensing. Part 1.03 of this same specification section states that the Contractor shall meet the manufacturer training requirements. This part continues to state the Field Engineer shall have successfully completed manufacturer’s training for handling and installing FML and GF systems as well as have at least one million square feet of installation experience. Please clarify the definition of Field Engineer and whether or not this is an employee within the Contractor’s organization. Also, is the Contractor required to meet the one million square feet experience requirement as called out for the Field Engineer?

Response:

See response to question 15. The Field Engineer may be a contractor employee, supplier employee, or independent as long as he meets the requirements. Company should have 1,000,000 sf experience as well as the Field Engineer.

Question:

18. Will we have to remove and reinstall those solar panels on the dike in the Cooling Pond?

Response:

See response to question 3 above.

Question:

19. Are there two sluice gate valves in the intake. (one in each pipe?)

Response:

Yes Question:

20. Are we allowed to buy pipe from South Korea under the "Buy American

Act?"

Response:

South Korea is not exempt from the Buy American Clause.

Question:

21. As I look at the plans, it appears that only the headwall of the trash gate system is the only concrete to remain. All other concrete in support of the new bar grates will be replaced??

Response:

Correct.