Contractor_Questions.docx

Contractor Questions W91213819Q0036

1. Is the contractor to supply all equipment used in the sluicing operation? YES

2. Period of performance states July 1 2019 - June 2020. Can the contractor perform on this job at any point throughout that duration? Is there a specific time for work to be performed in regards to chinook salmon spawning? Gravel must be placed during the period of 15 July – 31 August 2019.

Pre-Bid:

1. Are the documents provided on FBO the final offeror submission documents?

Yes, on the combo synopsis/solicitation.

Solicitation:

1. Section 4.0 “Scope of Work to be Performed”, 0001AA Gravel Purchase and Delivery states; “The Contractor shall purchase and deliver an initial amount of approximately 5,000 short tons of a specified mix of gravel and cobble (0.25 – 5 inches in diameter) to the project area location specified in Section 2 - General Information, and shown on Plates 1 and 2. NOTE: There is not sufficient room to stockpile the gravel mix on site. It must be delivered as needed.”

Question: We do not find Plates 1 and 2 in Section 2. It doesn’t matter, they cannot stockpile the gravel. They must deliver it as needed.

2. Section 4.0 “Scope of Work to be Performed”, 0001AB Placement of Gravel states; “The Contractor shall “place” 5,000 short tons of gravel in the Yuba River as specified in the GAIP. The Contractor shall use a “sluicing” method of gravel placement that involves pumping water-gravel slurry through an 8 inch flexible pipe. The water-gravel slurry shall be placed directly into the water within the river channel at the location specified in Section 2 - General Information, and shown on Attachment 2.”

Question: We do not find Attachment 2 in Section 2.

Project Performance:

In reviewing this document, we have the following questions;

a. Item 4.2 “Best Method for the EDR”, and Item 4.3 “Detailed Concept for Sluicing Gravel Mix Down to EDR”

Questions:

1) Will the selected contractor be required to exactly adhere to and follow the methods and procedures as set forth within these sections? They must follow the methods and procedures exactly or prove to us that they have a method that gets the gravel to the river and can be placed as required in the contract.

2) Or, will the contractor be able to establish his own methods and procedures to deliver the approved material to the designated area? They must prove to us they can meet the requirements of the contract.

3) In other words – the contractor may have better more cost-effective handling and delivery ideas which could be implemented which achieve the same results. For instance, placing the hopper at a closer location to the gravel discharge point, utilizing a larger diameter conveyance pipe, possibly finding and utilizing a closer water source, etc.… Again, they have to prove to us they have a method acceptable to us. They probably need to see the site to understand the slope and the distance to the river from the road.

b. Question regarding the actual placement of the delivered spawning gravels within the active channel.

The referenced document only discusses in very general and broad terms on how and where the gravel materials will be placed within the active wet channel and certainly does not specifically provide enough detailed information to the offerors so that they can fully identify the specific work efforts which may be involved with the actual placement operation. Therefore, if we believe that we can deliver thru sluicing method a daily production rate of 300 ton, is it safe to assume for bidding purposes that the daily placement rate of 300 ton can be achieved? They can assume whatever they want and they have to decide the placement rate they can achieve. They must be able to place a minimum of 5,000 short tons, up to a maximum of 15,000 short tons (with options) in the placement period of 15 July - 31 August.

c. General question regarding placement direction.

Since the contractor is not a Habitat or Biology Professional, is it safe to assume that the Owner will be providing such on-site personnel during the entire placement event so as to provide real time field direction to the contractor’s placement personnel? General oversight will be provided by a separate contractor, who will give them general information on the placement location(s). They must be able to move the discharge end of the pipe around the placement area to be able to place the material in areas to meet these general placement criteria.