RFIs.pdf

Questions that may be of general interest to all Offerors and/or the Government and that are not readily answered by the proceeding changes will appear below. These questions may have been paraphrased or altered to represent several questions regarding the same subject and/or simply revised to clarify and simplify the question(s). Questions and answers are issued to the Offerors “for information only” and do not revise the solicitation, plans or specifications.

Q1. The contractor must determine the cost required to keep the 24/7 beach security on site until NPS approves the beach escarpment. How many days after dredging completion and USACE acceptance does it take for NPS approve the site?

A1. The beach escarpment typically stabilizes within 1-2 weeks, dependent on the Contractor’s means and methods, and the tidal conditions. NPS shall be responsible for 24/7 security on premise. The Contractor shall be responsible for fencing and securing the fenced work area. Please see Section 01 11 00, pages 4-5, and the fully executed NPS SUP located in Section 00 90 01.

Q2. How long will it take USACE to provide the results of the AD survey to the contractor?

A2. USACE AD survey activities will begin within 3 business days of USACE’s receipt of the Contractor’s AD survey and notice of completion. The USACE AD results will be provided as quick as practicable, if weather and vessel traffic permits.

Q3. When does USACE plan to issue the Contract Award?

A3. USACE would like to issue contract award as early as practicable, anticipated in September 2025, but is subject to change at USACE’s discretion.

Q4. When does USACE plan to issue the Notice to Proceed?

A4. USACE would like to issue Notice to Proceed within fourteen (14) calendar days of the award date but is subject to change at USACE’s discretion and the Contractor’s timeliness of producing acceptable submittals.

Q5. Section 01 11 00 Pages 4 – 5 states: “Security: National Park Service (NPS) shall have Law Enforcement Rangers on premise for 24-hour coverage. The Contractor is required to monitor the fenced work area for public safety via on-board dredge monitor.

Personnel providing on-board dredge monitoring shall be clearly identified and assigned the role to monitor the site during work hours. Any unauthorized person entering the fenced work area must be told to exit the closed area via the onboard PA system on the dredge. If violators do not comply, the Contractor must pause dredging work and contact the NPS Dispatch at 718-354-4711. Work cannot resume until violators have exited the fenced work area….” The contractor cannot plan for or control this; please provide a standby CLIN (in hours) that can be used if this happens.

A5. Historically, Sandy Hook Channel maintenance dredging projects have not had any issues with violators interfering with dredging work. NPS shall be responsible for 24/7 security on premise. The Contractor shall be responsible for fencing and securing the fenced work area.

Please see Section 01 11 00, pages 4-5, and the fully executed NPS SUP located in Section 00

90 01. If violators are found to have impacted work for more than 50% of the working day, the contractor can submit an REA under the DFARS 252.243-7002 REA clause.

Q6. Section 01 11 00 Page 5 states:” The Contractor is required to maintain the fencing and signage throughout the duration of the project until the beach at the dredging area is held acceptable by USACE and NPS. If at any time fencing and/or signage have been displaced due to weather and/or unforeseeable conditions, the contractor must rectify the issue within five (5) hours of receipt of notice of the displacement. The Contractor shall furnish a 4x4 vehicle or UTV to utilize for fencing and signage installation, as well as transporting USACE personnel for beach inspections. The vehicle must be able to accommodate at least two (2) USACE personnel. The Contractor shall be responsible for the vehicle throughout the duration of this project and abide by any requirements and restrictions as stated in the SUP.” In the past, NPS has not allowed the contractor to use a contractor supplied 4x4 vehicles on the beach and offered to drive the contractor, which may not be able to be coordinated in a timely manner; walking out to the site with signage, fencing materials, and tools is not safe or feasible. Additionally, the SUP states that 4x4 access to the beach is only permitted at low tide. To fulfil the 5-hour requirement above, and to install and/or maintain the fencing and signage, the contractor needs to be allowed to use their 4x4 vehicle whenever the need arises, including potentially at night and/or during high tide. Please confirm this will be allowed or revise the requirements.

A6. NPS has authorized limited driving access for 4x4 vehicles/UTVs on the beach for fencing maintenance and inspections. See #24 Access and Restricted Areas of the fully executed NPS Special Use Permit in Section 00 90 01 for more information.

Q7. Is a Quality Control Manager (or alternate QCM) required to be at the work site 24 hours per day when work is being performed?

A7. Yes, a QCM (or alternate QCM) is required to be at the project site 24 hours per day when work is being performed. Hotel rooms, local offices, etc. do not fall within the contract definition of a project site. The QCM cannot hold dual-hat collateral duties.

Q8. Is an SSHO (or alternate SSHO) required to be at the work site 24 hours per day when work is being performed?

A8. Yes, an SSHO (or alternate SSHO) is required to be at the project site 24 hours per day when work is being performed. Hotel rooms, local office, etc. do not fall within the contract definition of a project site. The SSHO cannot hold dual-hat collateral duties.

Q9. CLIN 0005 Area B has been designated as an “Option”. Area B cannot be exercised without performing CLIN 0002 Area A “Base”. Given the rapid rate of sloughing at Sandy Hook, as a practical matter, the contractor will be required to dredge 25’ past the toe of slope of Area A into Area B to achieve grade in Area A. The drawings indicate that the width of Area B is 25 feet. If the government chooses not to award Option Area B, how will the contractor be compensated for material it was required to remove from Area B to achieve grade in Area A?

A9. If Option – Area B is not awarded, the 3:1 slope of Area A shall be paid at the Basic Work – Dredging Area A unit price. Please see the answer to Question 10 for further clarification.

Q10. Regarding the Sandy Hook Channel Project, there are 3 possible scenarios for the dredging:

1. Dredge area A only (base item 0002).

2. Dredge areas A and B (base + option item 0005).

3. Dredge areas A, B, and C (base + option item 0006).

For the first two scenarios, how will payment of the slopes be applied? For instance:

1. If only area A is dredged, is there a 3:1 slope (with overdepth) projected from the area A southern toe up (within area B)? Does that material get paid at the area A unit price, or does it get paid under the area B unit price?

2. If only areas A and B are dredged, is there a 3:1 slope (with overdepth) projected from the area B southern toe up (within area C)? Does that material get paid at the area B unit price, or does it get paid under the area C unit price?

To illustrate, I’ve attached some drawings for the scenarios (using the blue line for an example bottom).

A11. The three scenarios depicted in the illustration is correct. If Area A is awarded, the 3:1 slope shall be paid under the Basic Work – Dredging Area A unit price. If Area A and Area B are awarded, the 3:1 slope shall be paid under Option – Dredging Area B unit price.