GRSM_189465_Cable_Mill_Solar_-_Final_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cable Mill Solar Panel Project – PMIS 189465 Solicitation Number P17PS00898 Pre-Bid Site Visit June 27, 2017 Questions and Government Responses

Gov’t Attendees: Contractor Attendees:

Mike Tomkosky – NPS DSC-T Project Manager Bruce Watson – Accord Federal Services Herb Kupfer – NPS DSC-T Project Specialist Christopher Drake – Accord Federal Services Brian Bergsma – GRSM Deputy Chief MD Josh McConnell– Accord Federal Services Larry Snider – GRSM Maintenance John White – Street Legal Mike Diethelm – Upsun Solar Rachel Paulman – Upsun Solar Travis Maton – Trinity Contracting Beau Bailey – PCG Brad Kessler – Solar Solutions Steve Spivey – Solar Power Integrators

1. Question: Are Tractor Trailers permitted to use the Cades Cove Loop Road?

Response: Tractor trailers are not permitted to use the Cades Cove Loop Road.

2. Question: What is the weight limit on the Abram’s Creek Bridge?

Response: Reference the attached document titled Abrams Creek Bridge 031P_Load Rating. Type 3S2 and Type 3-3 trucks are not permitted to use the Cades Cove Loop Road.

3. Question: What is the weight Limit on the Hyatt Lane Bridge?

Response: Construction trucks and equipment are not permitted to use Hyatt Lane or Sparks Lane.

Personal vehicles not exceeding 5 tons (gross) are permitted to use Hyatt Lane and Sparks Lane.

4. Question: Is the tunnel on Laurel Creek Road large enough to accommodate oversize vehicles?

Response: Reference the attached document titled Bote Mtn Tunnel 016P_Clearances. All oversized vehicles brought onto the project must be coordinated with the government and must be done so in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

5. Question: What are the rules and regulations regarding wildlife?

Response: The project is located within a national park and approaching/feeding/harassing wildlife is prohibited. Violators are subject to citation/arrest/removal from the project. If the problem persists, the CO could escalate punitive action(s). Additional information regarding the park’s rules and regulations can be obtained at all park visitor centers and online at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

6. Question: What are the rules and regulations regarding food storage?

Response: Food must be stored within truck cabs or other secured containers when not being consumed.

Violations of food storage regulations could result in citation/arrest/removal from the project. Bears can become aggressive if they smell food. Contractors are also reminded to lock/secure equipment cabs. In the past, bears have been known to gnaw/chew on seats. Additional information regarding the park’s rules and regulations can be obtained at all park visitor centers and online at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

7. Question: A) What is the width of the access gate off Forge Creek Road (contractor project access point)?

B) Can posts be removed to allow access for wide vehicles that make wide turns? C) If posts are removed, how does the opening need to be secured each night?

Response: A) The clear width between posts is +/- 7 feet. B) Posts may be removed to accommodate vehicles. At the end of the project, the contractor is required to restore the gate to its predisturbance conditions. C) If posts are removed, secure the gate with portable chain link construction fence while not in use (day or night). Reference Specification Section 01 50 00 for fence requirements.

8. Question: Is construction Fence required?

Response: Reference Specification Section 01 50 00 for construction fence requirements to secure the work area.

9. Question: Who is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and will they be on site during construction?

Response: The AHJ is located in the Southeast Regional Office in Atlanta, GA. The AHJ’s participation will be coordinated by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The AHJ must inspect the work prior to the system being made operational.

10. Question: Is it likely that cultural resources could be found that might stop the project?

Response: Reference Specification Section 01 35 13.22

11. Question: Are there any events scheduled during the contract performance period that might affect the contractors work area?

Response: Old Timer’s Day is scheduled for the last Saturday in September (9-30-17) – Visitors will park in the overflow grass parking area adjacent to the proposed solar array location. The contractor cannot work this day (per contract – no work on weekends or Federal holidays) and must relocate any equipment or materials staged in this area to accommodate visitor parking and access.

There is a Solar Eclipse that will occur on Monday August 21, 2017. The Cades Cove area is identified by GRSM as an alternate location for visitors to observe the effects of the eclipse. No on site contract work will be allowed on August 21, 2017. Any equipment or materials staged in the overflow grass parking area must be relocated to accommodate visitor parking.

12. Question: Are the utilities in the project area owned by the NPS?

Response: The NPS owns all utilities in the project area and will mark the locations prior to ground disturbance. Notify the government 7 days in advance of the need to locate utilities.

13. Question: Specifications Document, 2.1 E. states “Grass seed and type shall be installed as specified on drawings” Drawings Document, Drawings Issuance Log: L2 Landscape Plan and L3 Landscape Detail are not issued in the final documents where we think the grass seed type and potentially other helpful information would be annotated. Are L2 and L3 going to be issued or is there another way that this type of information will be released?

Response: Drawings L2 and L3 are not a part of the bid package. The seed mix is to be applied at a rate of 190 lbs per acre and is to consist of the following species (and the pounds per ace of each species): Hard Fescue (60 lbs), Red Fescue (50 lbs), Chewings Fescue (40 lbs), Annual Ryegrass (40 lbs).

14. Question: Is it a requirement to use American panels or can we get alternative pricing to keep overall costs down?

Response: American made, ARRA compliant, solar panels must be used. Within this parameter, substitutions can be made provided they meet the minimum requirements associated with the design basis Solar World Sunmodule 340W panels.

15. Question: A) What is the specified concrete ballast size? B) Can the owner please recommend a specific manufacturer for the concrete ballasts?

Response: A) Reference Sheet S2 for concrete ballast dimensions. B) The government has not identified any specific manufacturer of the concrete ballasts. The intent was to cast ballasts in place at 33’X4’X9” as dimensioned on Sheet S2.

16. Question: Is reinforcing steel required in the concrete ballast? If so, please provide the design.

Response: Reinforcing steel is not required in the cast in place ballasts. Disregard General Note 3 on Sheet S2.

17. Question: Did not find any concrete specifications within the solicitation. What strength concrete is required for the concrete ballast?

Response: Minimum concrete compressive strength is to be 3000 PSI at 30 days.

18. Question: Are we to follow the requirements of ACI 301 for the concrete being placed?

Response: Yes, follow the requirements of ACI 301, latest edition.

19. Question: Is concrete testing required?

Response: The contractor is not responsible for field testing cast in place concrete. Submit the concrete mix design for CO approval prior to use. The government may independently field test cast in place concrete.

20. Question: Being the concrete will be exposed to weather what is the percent air entrainment required in the concrete mix?

Response: Use between 4% to 6% air entrainment based on volume of concrete.

21. Question: Drawing S1 provides coordinates for both the SE and NE corner of the concrete ballast but no elevation. Is there a top of concrete elevation requirement?

Response: Reference Sheet S2 for top of ballast elevation in relation to adjacent ground.

22. Question: Is there a designated concrete washout area?

Response: The contractor must provide a self-contained watertight concrete washout pit/dumpster. The washout pit must be located above grade. Remove and legally dispose of all washout materials/waste prior to project completion.

23. Question: Is it possible to have Cades Cove loop open before daylight (around 5 AM) on the day concrete is scheduled to be placed?

Response: Access before 7am for concrete deliveries may be requested on an as needed basis. Please note that visitors’ vehicles do tend to line up prior to the gate opening at 7am. Coordinate with the CO for early entry, so that the Park may attempt to prevent the gate from being blocked. Also note that it may be possible to access the site from the exit side of the loop before the road opens at 7am. Opposite direction traffic would have to be complete before the gate opens at 7am.

24. Question: Are certified payrolls required for the project?

Response: Reference FAR Clause 52.222-8 of the Solicitation for payroll requirements.

25. Question: Is there a maximum length of trailer that the park service will allow on Cades Cove Loop road?

Response: Based on NPS experience and drivers familiar with the Cades Cove Loop Road, the Park routinely hauls trailer lengths up to 25’ if pulled by hitch and 30’ if pulled by fifth wheel. The actual length of the trailers the contractor may pull will depend on the experience of the drivers and their ability to manipulate the steep, sharp curves along the road. Under no circumstances will the contractor be allowed to pull trailers exceeding 25’ if pulled by hitch or 30’ if pulled by fifth wheel.

26. Question: Does the new 100 amp electrical disconnect need to be fusible or non -fusible?

Response: Fusible.

27. Question: Has circuit derating been taken into account on the conduit and cable schedule shown on drawing E1? The National Electric code section 310-15 requires circuits to be de-rated when more than three current carrying conductors are installed in a conduit.

Response: Yes, this has been accounted for based on the projected design currents.

28. Question: From the site visit it appears that soil will have to be added to complete the desired elevation.

Does the National Park Service have an existing spoils site that can be utilized for the project? If so where is it located?

Response: The government recognizes that on site excavated materials will not be of sufficient volume to construct the berm to the topography shown on Sheet L1 and the contractor will not be required to import any off site material to augment on the site excavated material. Reference Note 1 on Sheet L1.

29. Question: Are the existing electrical conductors from the comfort station to the visitor’s center being replaced as part of the project?

Response: Existing conduit and conductors will remain in place, and the solar system will be connected to them at the existing 100A panel in the comfort station. (See Sheet E1)

30. Question: Is the contractor required to pay all employees per the wage determination decision or does this only apply to union contractors?

Response: Reference FAR Clause 52.222-6 of the Solicitation for wage rate requirements.

31. Question: Please provide the time of day Loop road opens.

Response: Reference Specification Section 01 11 00 for work hour restrictions.

32. Question: Please provide a list of contractors that attended the site visit.

Response: Contractors attending the site visit on June 27, 2017 included: Accord Federal Services, Street Legal Industries, Upsun Solar, Trinity Contracting, Paramount Construction Group, Solar Solutions and Solar Power Integrators

33. Question: The Q-Cells listed on the plans do not meet the Buy American Act. Solar World Modules list on the plans has filed for Bankruptcy, no longer available. Will the NPS spec another module for this project?

Response: The National Park Service will provide the answer to this question in a forthcoming amendment.

34. Question: The plans call for a new heat pump and addition ventilation and electrical work, is this part of the solar project?

Response: Yes, this work is included in the project scope as part of Option A – Replace Lead Acid Batteries.