RDS_24-35_Question_&_Answer_Report_9.17.26.pdf

County of Napa, CA

Public Works Steven Lederer, Department Head

1195 Third Street, Napa, CA 94559

(707) 299-1733

QUESTION & ANSWER REPORT

Request For Proposal - Napa Valley Vine Trail - Vista Carneros RFP

QUESTION & ANSWER REPORT

Countywide RFP No. CML 5921-099

Napa Valley Vine Trail - Vista Carneros RFP

RESPONSE DEADLINE: September 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Approved, Unanswered Questions

Approved, Answers Provided

1. Font Requirement

Sep 2, 2026 9:29 AM

Question: Hi! Please confirm that the 11pt font requirement excludes graphics and that graphics can have smaller than 11pt font. Thank you!

Sep 2, 2026 9:29 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Since the consultants will submit documents through OpenGov, it is a assumed that evaluators will be able to zoom into documents to see small text if they choose to do this.

Sep 2, 2026 9:38 AM

2. 7. DIR Number Submission

Sep 2, 2026 9:34 AM

Question: Hi! Page 15 of the RFP notes that the following is required, but there is no area to submit this in the bid portal. Please advise where you would like this to be submitted and what is required to be submitted or if we should disregard: 7. DIR Number. Data entry submission -See "Vendor Submissions".

Sep 2, 2026 9:34 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: See Addendum #1. In Section "Organization of Proposals and Proposal Organization Requirement", revised "Cover Letter" to add sub section "k". Also removed DIR Number from "Vendor Submissions".

Sep 2, 2026 11:56 AM

Countywide RFP No. CML 5921-099

3. Ability to Submit for Select Services

Sep 2, 2026 11:29 AM

Question: Does the RFQ allow firms to submit qualifications for only select services identified in the RFQ, rather than all services, given that the County reserves the right to accept, award, or not award proposals for individual items, groups of items, or the proposal as a whole?

Sep 2, 2026 11:29 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Napa County wants to hire a consultant to complete all of the scope of services in the RFP. If a consultant needs to hire subconsultants to complete the scope of services, that is acceptable. It is unlikely that Napa County will enter into more than one agreement; however, we want flexibility for special situations.

Sep 17, 2026 8:05 AM

4. Font Restrictions

Sep 9, 2026 11:41 AM

Question: Is Helvetica Neue LT Pro an acceptable font for us to use in our proposal?

Sep 9, 2026 11:41 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Yes, because the consultants will submit their proposals in OpenGov.

5. Subconsultants Section

Sep 9, 2026 11:43 AM

Question: Please confirm if this section is included or not included in the 40 page count for the proposal:

Subconsultants. Provide resumes including qualifications, skills, relevant work history, and contact information for subconsultants. A maximum of one page shall be included for each dedicated staff member of the personnel assigned to the project. -See "Vendor Submissions".

Sep 9, 2026 11:43 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Section 8 "Organization of the Proposal" states: "The cover letter, table of contents, and resumes are excluded from the page count." The subconsultant resumes are not included in the 40 page count.

6. Page Limit

Sep 10, 2026 9:04 AM

Question: Please confirm that the following sections are excluded from the 40-page count: • Disclosures. Data entry submission -See "Vendor Submissions". • PSA and Insurance Acceptance or Exception. Data entry submission -See "Vendor Submissions".

Sep 10, 2026 9:04 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The Disclosures and the PSA and Insurance Acceptance or Exception" are included in the 40 page count.

7. No subject

Sep 14, 2026 4:28 PM

Question: The PES references the right-of-way needs and a spreadsheet with parcel information (note #2 on page 11 of 12). Can you please provide this information?

Sep 14, 2026 4:28 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The spreadsheet with parcel owner information was uploaded as Attachment L. Please keep the private information confidential.

8. No subject

Sep 14, 2026 4:28 PM

Question: Please confirm the scope of the project. The "35% Plan Set" suggests the area of focus is the 3.1-mile section from Anselmo Court to Devlin/Airport Rd. And the "Regional Map" possibly suggests a shorter 2.2-mile section that is shown in red.

Sep 14, 2026 4:28 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The scope of the Project has evolved over the past few years. The project description in the "Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Programming Information for Federal Request for Authorization (FRA)" states: "The Project will design a 250-foot-long path between JFK Park and Kaiser Rd, an 850-foot-long path between Anselmo Ct and the Napa River Trail, and a 3.1-mile-long path between the Napa River Trail and the intersection of Devlin Rd at Airport Blvd."

9. No subject

Sep 14, 2026 4:29 PM

Question: If the project includes the existing gravel trail (Napa River and Bay Trail Segments 7 and 8), what improvements are contemplated to the existing trail?

Sep 14, 2026 4:29 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Improving the existing Napa River Trail between the gate to the Napa Sanitation District property and the gate near Anselmo Court is currently not included in the Project.

Napa County and the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition plan to improve the existing path as part of a separate project.

10. No subject

Sep 14, 2026 5:00 PM

Question: Are there any previous geotechnical investigations, geologic studies, pavement investigations, CPT soundings, borings, or as-built reports available within the project corridor that can be provided to the consultant team?

Sep 14, 2026 5:00 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Napa County does not have the listed documents to provide. Napa County staff will assist the consultant in finding any of these types of documents.

11. No subject

Sep 14, 2026 5:01 PM

Question: Does the current 35% design include any proposed retaining walls, MSE walls, soil nail walls, soldier pile walls, embankment stabilization systems, culvert headwalls, or other earth-retaining structures? If retaining structures are anticipated, can the County identify preliminary wall locations, wall types, estimated wall heights, and whether wall alternatives are desired.

Sep 14, 2026 5:01 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Based on the 35% plans, it is anticipated that any walls would be less than five feet tall. Napa County staff want the consultant to recommend wall types during the 65% design phase.

12. No subject

Sep 15, 2026 9:25 AM

Question: Can you confirm that a NEPA/CEQA exemption with technical studies is the assumed pathway for proposal and cost estimate purposes.

Sep 15, 2026 9:25 AM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The Scope of Work section states: "California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Document Conformance, including completing an initial study / mitigated negative declaration and obtaining necessary environmental permits from regulatory agencies (PLACs)". In Section E "Preliminary Environmental Document Classification (NEPA)" on page 9 of the PES form, lists a "Categorical Exclusion with required technical studies".

13. No subject

Sep 15, 2026 12:31 PM

Question: Please confirm the project scope includes the portion from Kennedy park to the Syar property connection along with the portion from Anselmo Court to Airport Boulevard.

Sep 15, 2026 12:31 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The scope of the Project has evolved over the past few years. The project description in the "Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Programming Information for Federal Request for Authorization (FRA)" states: "The Project will design a 250-foot-long path between JFK Park and Kaiser Rd, an 850-foot-long path between Anselmo Ct and the Napa River Trail, and a 3.1-mile-long path between the Napa River Trail and the intersection of Devlin Rd at Airport Blvd."

14. No subject

Sep 15, 2026 12:32 PM

Question: The different options shown in the Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) map attachments have multiple design options (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B). Should we scope for the “A” options?

Sep 15, 2026 12:32 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The Scope of Work states: "Update 35% plans and estimate with one alignment". Napa County staff want the consultant to recommend the preferred alternative during the 35% design phase.

15. RFP Submission

Question: The Vendor Submissions section requires files to be uploaded separately. Please confirm you do not require a complete RFP response package.

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Please upload the documents in OpenGov; a hard copy, separate, and complete RFP response package is not required.

16. LAPM Forms

Question: Please confirm whether the LAPM forms are required with the September 22 proposal, with the shortlisted cost proposal, or only prior to contract execution. If with the September 22 proposal, in which Vendor Submissions section should the required Local Assistance Procedure Manual Exhibits be uploaded?

Sep 15, 2026 12:32 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Yes, the consultant is required to submit the LAPM forms listed for the proposal phase on Attachment M "LAPM Requirements" with their proposal. Attachment M was uploaded today.

17. No subject

Sep 15, 2026 12:33 PM

Question: The RFP states, "Proposed price shall be fixed and for the initial three-year term. Rate adjustments may be considered for the two optional years...." However, LAPM/IG cost proposals allow for rate escalation by design. Please confirm whether a bidder must use 0%, or if 3% is allowable (using the number from the PSA). Because this type of cost proposal is based on current actual hourly rates, there is no way for a bidder to mitigate future cost increases without including rate escalation.

Sep 15, 2026 12:33 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: The LAPM/IG cost proposals allows for rate escalation; therefore, consultants can show the rate escalation in their cost proposal (Exhibit 10-H).

18. No subject

Question: Will Napa County coordinate Right of Entry permission to all parcels along the trail alignment when the County acquires the easements along the alignment? Will the County coordinate access to the BSA alignment and all arrangements for opening any gates or fences?

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Napa County or the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition will provide permissions to enter or rights-of-entry to properties along the trail alignment to conduct studies for the Project, which is during the 35% design phase, before Caltrans approves the NEPA document, and before Napa County starts the Right-of-Way Phase. We will assist with making arrangements for opening any gates and fences, which will depend on property owner preferences. We will also assist the licensed land surveyors and appraisers in accessing parcels.

19. No subject

Question: Should the consultant assume that the NES – Natural Environment Study – Minimal Impacts (NES-MI) version be used in accordance with the latest template published on Caltrans SER website?

Sep 15, 2026 12:33 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Based on the attached PES, Caltrans is requiring a PES that will "include additional water quality mitigation measures, if needed. If Section 7 determination is LAA, the BA will also be required." After the parties execute the agreement, Napa County staff will ask Caltrans to answer questions about templates to use.

20. No subject

Question: Bridge work: It is unclear if this project will result in stream impacts or need dewatering/ fisheries impacts – are there any preliminary bridge plans?

Sep 15, 2026 12:33 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: It is anticipated that the only bridge work will be to construct bridge barriers along the sides of existing bridges. Napa County completed the PES form with the assumption that there would not be work in streams, creeks and other waterways; therefore, dewatering is not required.

21. No subject

Question: Construction Staging areas are not shown on the plans provided, is there a set available with the staging areas indicated?

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Napa County staff will work with the consultant during the 35% design phase to identify potential staging areas.

22. No subject

Question: Should biological monitoring services be included in the proposal package?

Sep 15, 2026 12:33 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: It is anticipated that Napa County will require the construction contractor to provide biological monitoring during construction. It is also anticipated that the consultant will need to provide pre-construction surveys before Napa County awards the construction contract.

The proposal should include a task for design services during construction that includes pre-construction surveys and not biological monitoring.

23. No subject

Sep 15, 2026 12:34 PM

Question: The Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) Form identifies Section 4(f) coordination as required for the Napa River Trail/Bay Trail and John F. Kennedy Park but does not indicate an anticipated evaluation pathway. Has the County had any prior coordination with the officials with jurisdiction (Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District; City of Napa) regarding whether a temporary occupancy determination, de minimis finding, or FHWA's Nationwide Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Independent Bikeway or Walkway Construction Projects is anticipated to apply, or is this determination expected to be made by the awarded consultant as part of this scope of work?

Sep 15, 2026 12:34 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: Napa County has not coordinated with the officials with jurisdiction (Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District; City of Napa) regarding whether a temporary occupancy determination, de minimis finding, or FHWA's Nationwide Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation for Independent Bikeway or Walkway Construction Projects is anticipated to apply; therefore, Napa County will work with the consultant to make the determination as part of the scope of work.

24. No subject

Sep 15, 2026 12:59 PM

Question: For the Table of Content, we combine the information in the RFP for the organization of the proposal, evaluation criteria and the vendor submission. Will this order be sufficient? 1. Cover Page 2.

Company Info 3. Company History, Experience, Qualifications and Approach to Scope of Work. 3a.

Qualification and Experience 3b. Team Organization / Project and Management Approach 3c. Roles of Key Individuals and Key Subconsultants 3d. Public Sector Experience 3e. Scope of Services and Schedule

4. Reference 5. Disclosure / PSA and Insurance Acceptance or Exceptions If not, please provide a clear Table of Content.

Sep 15, 2026 12:59 PM

Answered by Graham Wadsworth: As long as all of the documents required in the RFP are included, then the order is sufficient.