Canutillo Bidder Questions_1_15.pdf

Project: Rehabilitation of Improvements for the Rio Grande Canalization Protective Levee System

River Segment Upper Rio Grande Task Order: IBM09T0030

Client: IBWC Date: 12/09/2009

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Date Contractor Contractor Comment S&B Response Comments

1 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

What is the process for embankment if the existing material will not stand when trying to key into the levee and, how will the contractor be compensated for the additional work?

Changes in the keying height may be required by the Engineer and the overall height may be reduced. This will also reduce the calculated quantities and subsequently be reduced. No additional compensation will be added but will be considered subsidiary to the existing specifications.

2 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Is the owner responsible for the water that may leak from existing irrigation ditches that are very near the Right-of-Way and in poor condition?

The contractor shall take all precautions not to damage the irrigation ditches in the course of implementing the levee improvements. Any excessive damage will be the responsibility of the contractor.

3 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Will the contractor be reimbursed for work stoppages caused by adjacent landowner disputes regarding fences, ditches, and structures that will be affected by the project?

Any areas where the contractor feels that there could be future disputes shall be identified and conveyed by the contactor to IBWC as early as possible so the IBWC can coordinate with the land owners. No additional compensation will be added.

4 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Who is responsible for the cost of replacing the fences and ditches that are to be removed because they encroach on the project right-of-way?

The fences that are within the IBWC ROW will not be replaced.

The local land owner or lessee is responsible reinstalling their own fence.

5 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Page 18 of 56 – Section H.3 – workers comp insurance is required to list Hidalgo District as additional insured. The insurance market does not supply additional insured on workers comp policies.

IBWC

6 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Is the bid Time 3:00 P.M. Mountain Standard Time? 3:00 P.M. Mountain Standard Time.

7 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Page 15 of 56- Section F.3 – states that if contractor does not complete in time, the owner will assess “actual damages”. Our bonding company will not issue a bond based on this, the bonding company is interested in capping these “damages or liquidated damages”

IBWC

8 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Specification 35.41.00 2.1A (1)a. Impervious material shall have a plasticity index of less than or equal to 45%. Plasticity index is not usually a percentage. Could you clarify? b. The spec.

continues, “…and a minimum amount passing a Standard No.200 sieve of 75%. Acceptable impervious material will be CL and CH as classified in accordance with ASTM D2487.” Does this mean that if the material complies with either of these two requirements it is acceptable?

An addendum will be issued to clarify the technical specifications.

9 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Specification 35.43.00 2.1, regarding the Toe Drain gravel which is to meet the ASTM C33 No. 57 or 67 states: “The percent passing the No. 200 sieve should be zero. Zero percent passing on the No.

200 sieve on a project that requires over 54,000 cubic yards of drain rock appears unattainable.

The intent of this requirement is to prevent clogging of the filter fabric used in the toe drain.

10 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

The plans show silt fence at the tow of the existing on the floodway side of the levee. Is it acceptable to place the silt fence in a location that will allow for a haul road from the tow of slope out?

Yes this is allowable. The silt fence is shown on the plans as a general location and minor modifications to facilitate construction is allowed.

11 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Section F-2 52.211.10 States the levee improvements, excluding seeding and maintenance of vegetation, shall be completed in 245 days. Is this correct?

A revised schedule will be issued with a bid addendum.

12 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Is it possible to do some test hole near the existing irrigation ditches to assess the soil conditions near them so an accurate estimate for the excavation of the Toe Trench is possible?

Yes. Additional test holes by the contractor is allowed provided it is within the IBWC ROW. No additional compensation will provided to the contractor.

13 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Are there areas of the levee that must remain open to traffic for the landowners that use the levee as access to the adjacent lands and if so can they be identified?

Yes there are areas of the levee that are being used for public access. The contractor shall coordinate with the IBWC to determine ingress and egress areas for the land owners whose only means of access to their property is the levee road. This portion of the road or a detour must remain open for the land owner to access his land.

14 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

What agency do we need to go through to acquire water from the Rio Grande? Water can not be acquired from the Rio Grande.

15 Canutillo 12/08/09 Monks Construction Co.

Section H.1 52.236-04 (c ) states that: “Access to the project is unrestricted. “ There are gates throughout the project that are locked. Will these be unlocked so a more thorough site investigation is possible?

Access to the levees for additional site investigations must be coordinated with the IBWC.