W911XK-09-B-0006 Questions & Answers 9 June.pdf

W911XK-09-B-0006 Updated 9 June 2009 FY09 Sturgeon Bay South Revetment Repair, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Questions and Answers

Added 22 May 2009

1. QUESTION: Bid Bond: Are you requiring a bid bond? If so how much? Are you requiring a particular bid bond form?

ANSWER: The bid bond requirements are added to the solicitation via Amendment 0001 in FAR clause 52.228-1, Bid Guarantee. Bid bonds are required to be submitted on Standard Form 24.

2. QUESTION: Cap Channel: I do not see a cap channel on the plans.

ANSWER: There is no channel cap required in the plans.

3. QUESTION: Tie Rod Spacing: The plans call for tie rods every 9' but the specs say 11'.

ANSWER: Tie rod spacing to be 9 feet on center as required by the plans and no greater than

11 feet as stated in the specifications.

4. QUESTION: Scour Stone: The specs say scour stone should come from an "on-site source". Is that correct?

ANSWER: The scour stone requirements have been eliminated from the repair work in

Amendment 0001 and modified plans have been issued to reflect this. The specs are modified to eliminate scour stone requirements.

5. QUESTION: Request the following soil boring information:

a. Field logs of Boring

b. N Value, Blows.ft

c. TERZAGHI Classification

d. Laboratory Analysis

e. Moisture Content

f. Type of Sample, Slit Spoon, Auger

g. Unconfirmed Compressive Strengths

ANSWER: Item a. The field logs of boring are included in Sec 01 99 90 of the specifications, which includes the Soil Boring logs location map and soil classifications.

As far as for the items b to g, we do not have that information and we normally do not provide that, other than the soil boring logs.

6. QUESTION: Request information about the structures that require vibration monitoring and control per Section 01 35 13.10 Paragraph 1.7 of the Specifications.

ANSWER: Paragraph 1.7, Section 01 35 13.10 of the specification is deleted via Amendment

0001. It is not required for this project location.

Added 27 May 2009

7. QUESTION: PVC Conduit: The plans call out a 2-1/2" PVC conduit to encase the tie rods.

The specifications call out a 6" material for encasing the tie rods. Which one governs?

ANSWER: The required PVC diameter for tie-rod encasement is as shown on the plans (2.5" dia) except at turnbuckle locations where no PVC encasement is required. The specs are changed via Amendment 0002 to exclude the PVC diameter requirement. Plans should be referenced for the required diameter.

Added 29 May 2009

8. QUESTION: We would like to inquire about possible access to the south portion of the project via Lake Lane and Barge Rd. During our site visit it was noted that there is a 6 ton weight limit on Lake Lane. Is it possible that those restrictions will be lifted to accommodate the project?

Also, it was noted on Sheet 1 of the drawings (Note #7) that there is a 150 psf surface/surcharge load limit on the existing revetment sections. Is there a setback distance that needs to be maintained for equipment and materials from the existing section? Our initial assessment of the project would be to perform a majority of the work from land based operations. Is it the Corps of Engineers intent to construct this project from marine plant?

ANSWER: No changes will be made in this regard to the plans and specifications. Methods of construction are left to the discretion of the offerors.

Added 2 June 2009

9. QUESTION: Bid Items 2 & 3. These bid items are paid by the short ton. How will the government measure these tonnages? Is the contractor to weigh each metal piece and provide certified scale tickets?

ANSWER: The contractor shall submit a certified submittal from the supplier listing the weight per foot per sheet.

10. QUESTION: Bid Item 2. Using the theoretical weight for PZ27 and the dimensions shown on the plans to calculate the tonnage of material required for the front and back sheet pile walls equals roughly the bid quantity of 1,375 tons in Bid Item 2AA. Where will the additional 550 tons of material in Bid Item 2AB be required?

ANSWER: The bid schedule has been amended via amendment 0003 to revise bid items 2, 3, 4

& 5.

11. QUESTION: Bid Items 2 & 3. Can these bid items be changed to another quantity basis? For instance, 2,041 lineal feet of sheet pile wall (including front and back walls), and 2,041 lineal feet of wales and tie rods. Considering the variability between sheet pile sections, hot and cold rolled, and their weights, the tonnage unit is even more variable.

ANSWER: No; offerors shall bid as shown on the contract Plans and Specifications.

12. QUESTION: Backfill. The proposed cross section on sheet 14 of 16 illustrates a potentially large area of backfill required to bring the typical section up to grade. Given the length and size of this “incidental” fill, and to level the playing field for contractors, will the government consider making this a bid item by the cubic yard or ton? If not, can the government furnish cross sections of the work?

ANSWER: No; offerors shall bid as shown on the contract Plans and Specifications and the required cross sections on sheets 9 and 14.

13. QUESTION: Backfill. Does the Corps own the dredge spoil material adjacent to the project site? If so, can this material be used as backfill?

ANSWER: No; the Corps does not own the dredge spoil material adjacent to the project.

14. QUESTION: Clearing and Grubbing. Sheets 9 to 13 have conflicting notes regarding the clearing and grubbing of the work site. One says to the back of the berm. The other shows a 5’-0” dimension along the back wall. Which one is correct?

ANSWER: The correct one is to the back of the berm.

15. QUESTION: Bid Form. Will a new bid form be issued?

ANSWER: A new bid form is provided via the conformed copy of amendment 0003 (the document that includes the original and all the changes from prior amendments). Please use this form to submit your bid.

Added 9 June 2009

16. QUESTION: The absorption spec reads that material with absorption test results less than 1% and greater than 3% is acceptable. Shouldn't there be one maximum absorption percentage allowable? Please explain.

ANSWER: The specs are correct.

17. QUESTION: The LA Abrasion spec will effectively eliminate all limestone sources. Is this the intent or do you want to take a closer look at this requirement?

ANSWER: A 35% tolerance will be used. Amendment 0004 will be issued to reflect this change.

18. QUESTION: Is the 8" of top soil, Sec 31-0000, Paragraph 3.65 part of the required 3' minimum fill above the tie rods? ie: Fill to 2' 4" add 8" top soil.

ANSWER: Yes.

19. QUESTION: Are pile shoes required for the tie back wall sheet piling?

ANSWER: Yes.

20. QUESTION: Rock excavation Section 31-0000 Paragraph 1.5.1 includes solid rock. If the SSP reaches solid rock prior to required tip elevation, does this rock require removal?

ANSWER: There is no required bedrock excavation. Please see the clarification in revised

Section 31 00 00 Earthwork, found in Amendment 0004.

21. QUESTION: Backfill Section 31-0000, Paragraph 3.2 states that backfill shall not be placed in wet or frozen areas. The existing site is wet, standing water and after stone removal, clearing and grubbing will be in the water table. Can fill be placed in water to achieve the grade requirements and what would be the procedure for placement?

ANSWER: The requirement in 3.2 remains as-is. To clarify, the Contractor shall dewater as necessary to achieve proper compaction. Please see revised Section 31 00 00 Earthwork, found in Amendment 0004.

22. QUESTION: I have heard the Army Corps of Engineers has a dock in Sturgeon Bay. Can we use this dock to load stone to barges during the project?

ANSWER: Offerors shall bid according to the solicitation documents. Dock along designated work and storage area, South Revetment Section N, as shown on sheet 2 of 16, Real Estate Plan.

23. QUESTION: There are 2" 150 ksi A-722 rods specified, but there is no 2" 150 ksi rod available. 1-3/4" nom with a 2" major as well as 2-1/4" and 2-1/2" 150 ksi rods are available, but no 2”.

ANSWER: Please meet the requirement of a minimum 2 inch diameter rod as stated in

SECTION 05 50 14, paragraph 2.1.3. To clarify, a 2-1/4 inch rod would be acceptable as it meets the minimum size requirement.