Question and Answers 2 Final FBO .pdf

Questions and Answers Solicitation: W912HN-10-R-0027 RECOVERY--Z--Project Number 11148201, Bank

Stabilization Rediversion Canal Highway 35, St. Stephen Powerhouse, St. Stephen, Berkeley County, South Carolina

1. Referencing the Typical section Detail on page C-2, the existing slope shown is not completely accurate. The actual slope is found to be near vertical. Will the contractor be required to re-shape the existing slope prior to placing the new rip rap?

Answer: The typical Cross-section is not specific to one location. Bank will be cut to a 2:1 slope as show on the cross- section details.

2. At the Key-In locations there are no sections on the 45 degree turn slopes. What degree of slope will be required in these areas? How will the existing slope in the keyed-in areas be prepared?

Answer: End section of the 45 degree turn are provided. Within the 45 degree turn is transitional.

Area is to be prepared as indicated in the Earthwork Specification.

3. At the location of the proposed stockpile area for the removed rip rap and excess soil will the contractor be required to install erosion control measures? If so, will the government provide a detail for this?

Answer: As indicated in the notes on Sheet C-2, silt fence is required around the stockpile.

Installation of silt fence is described in 01 57 23 paragraph 3.1.

4. The contractor is required to repair or replace the 12" CMPs. Will the contractor be required to obtain permitting from the SCDOT as this is their utility?

Answer: USACE has acquired SCDOT permit.

5. The existing water level is at elevation 75'. The solicitation documents require filter fabric and rip rap placement at elevation 60' and below. Will this require de-watering and is a de-watering plan required for any of the work on this project?

Answer: Dewatering is not required.

6. The over head clearance at the bridge overpasses is extremely low and the rip rap cannot be placed from shore due to the distance. Is the contractor required to work off of a floating plant (barge)? If so, where will the barge be launched?

Answer: Contractor is not required to work off a barge. Contractor provides the construction methodology for all aspects of the project.

7. Specification section 31 00 00, paragraph 3.2.2 indicates compaction. What areas will require compaction and will any of these areas include sub-aqueous compaction?

Answer: As indicated in paragraph 3.2.2, compaction is required on the area above the water surface.

8. Specification section 31-05-22, paragraph 2.1.2 indicates seaming of the geo-textile fabric at no less than 36 feet wide by heat or cementing. Will the contractor be required to perform this in the field? If not, please provide a list of manufacturers that can comply with this requirement.

Answer: Seaming is not required in the field. As indicated in para. 2.1.2, attachment by sewing or bonding can occur at the factory or another approved location.

9. Paragraph 2.1.3 indicates that securing pins for the geo-fabric will be placed every 2 feet. Will the contractor be required to perform this task below the water surface? If so, this will require diving services. Will there be a specification section added to the solicitation documents?

Answer: Securing pins or other appropriate method is required from elevation 76 to elevation 60.

Contractor provides the construction methodology for all aspects of the project.

10. Will the contractor be required to provide a dive plan?

Answer: Contractor provides the construction methodology for all aspects of the project. If the contractor proposes to use divers, then the contractor will be required to provide a diving plan in accordance with EM 385-1-1.

11. Specification section 31-05-22, paragraph 3.1 directs the contractor to insure a continuous, intimate contact with the entire surface when placing the geo-textile. Will the contractor be required to perform this task 15 feet below the water surface? Please indicate what method will be acceptable to comply with this requirement.

Answer: Specification will be revised to reflect that para. 3.1 applies to the 2:1 cut slope, not the portion below the cut. However, geotextile will be placed to elevation 60 as shown on the typical section on sheet C-2. Contractor provides the construction methodology for all aspects of the project.

12. Paragraph 3.2.2 indicates the fabric will be placed without folds or wrinkles. Will the contractor be required to perform this task all the way to elevation 60'? (1 5' below the surface.)

Answer: Yes, it is required for the entire length that fabric is to be placed. Contractor provides the construction methodology for all aspects of the project.

13. Paragraph 3.3 indicates the contractor will demonstrate the placement technique.

What will the contractor be required to demonstrate at subaqueous placement locations?

Answer: contractor does not have to demonstrate placement technique in depths of water greater than 5 feet, as per 35 31 19 para. 3.4.3 which allows for stone to be dropped from the water surface.

Demonstration will be required for depths of water less than 5 feet.

14. Will the government provide any details of the overlap seams as indicated in the specifications to be either J-type seams or Prayer seams?

Answer: No

15. Specification section 35-3 1-19, paragraph 1.1.1.2 indicates that the contractor will be required to "measure for payment" all of the rip rap "in the presence of the contracting officer" on approved calibrated scales. Will the contractor be required to perform this task at the job site or will the contracting officer be present at the quarry where the material will be loaded?

Answer: Specification will be revised to remove "in the presence of the contracting officer".

16. Spec. section 35-31 -19, paragraph 1.4.1.2c indicates the contracting officer may reject individual pieces of stone. Will the contractor be required to re-test the stone at the quarry or another location?

Answer: Dependent upon why stone is rejected, as indicated in para 1.4.1.2.c. the sampling and manner of testing to be performed will be directed by the contracting officer.

17. Paragraph 1.4.1.3 Testing directs the contractor to perform testing for petrographic analysis, specific gravity, unit weight, absorption, wetting and drying and freezing and thawing. What specific method will the contractor be required to utilize to comply with each of the tests specified?

Answer: Contractor is not responsible for testing, the quarry is. That is why the rip rap shall be obtained from an established quarry with quality test results of stone that confirm the quality and durability of the material to be furnished. Test data performed within the past 5 years on stone from the established quarry will be acceptable evidence subject to visual confirmation that the stone is clean, dense, sound rock free of weathered stone and pieces with cracks, seams, and other defects that would tend to increase unduly their destruction by water and frost actions.

18. Paragraph 2. 1.1.1 of section 35-3 1-19 indicates gradation of rip rap material. Will the contractor be required to weigh each individual piece of stone including fragments and dust produced by handling of the stone within the 15 ton sample pile?

Answer: As per para. 3.5.3.1, gradation test will be performed in accordance with ASTM D 5519 method A.

19. Section 35-31-19, paragraph 3.4.2 indicates that the rip rap above elevation 65 will be required to maintain a tolerance of plus 8" and minus 4". This is 10 feet below the existing water surface at the present time. Does this mean the water level will be lowered during construction or, will the contractor be required to maintain these tolerances this far below the water surface?

Answer: Water level will not be lowered during construction and contractor will be required to maintain these tolerances below the water surface.

20. Referencing section 01-57-20-00-10, paragraph 1.7.2 indicates a requirement for the contractor to provide a plan for the borrow areas. Please provide the proposed location of the borrow areas and indicate the purpose of these areas for this solicitation.

Answer: There is no borrow area, Specification is being revised to delete this.

21. Section 10-57-20-00-10, paragraph 1.7.2q indicates a requirement for a pesticide plan.

Will the contractor be required to perform pesticide operations and will this plan be implemented?

This is mentioned extensively again in paragraph 3.9.

Answer: Pesticides are not required. However, specification is included if contractor’s construction methodology includes pesticides.

22. Referencing water pollution control, will the contractor be required to place and maintain a turbidity screen (boom) at the location of the floating plant and the work area?

Answer: No turbidity screen is required.

23. Will turbidity monitoring and reporting be required by DJ-TEC, the EPA, Santee Cooper or other agencies for the work performed while utilizing floating plant and subaqueous equipment?

Answer: No.

24. Where silt fence installation requires splicing, will the contractor be required to "seal" the splice similar to that of the geo-fabric by heat seaming or cement seaming the splice as indicated in the specifications?

Answer: 01 57 23 para 3.1 does not indicate heat seaming or cement seaming of silt fence fabric, only the over lap of 6 inches and securely sealed.

25. The specifications indicate the use of bedding materials. Will the contractor be required to place bedding material beneath the rip rap? Will details and location of bedding material be provided?

Answer: There are no bedding materials for this contract. Specification will be revised to remove this reference.

26. The specifications direct the contractor to place sand at the sub-grade areas that are below the minus tolerance. Will this be required below the water surface as well as above the water surface?

Answer: There is no backfill with sand or earth below the water level. Specification 35 31 19 section 3.1 will be revised.

27. DFARS 252.236-7001 d. indicate that omissions from the drawings and specifications or misdescription of details will not relieve the contractor from performing the omitted work. Will the contractor be required to fill the large scour hole beneath the bridge at Route 35 North where it is undermining the bridge foundation structure? Doesn't this put the contractor to 'absorb' quantity overruns in the bid?

Answer: No the contract does not include fill of any scour beneath the bridges. Build to the lines and grades shown on the drawings.

28. Within the general wage decision there is only a backhoe operator listed for this task.

Will the government provide wage listings for crane operators, electricians, divers, push boat or tug boat operators and other various trades required to perform the work?

Answer: If the Contractor (that is going to propose a bid) knows that he/she will be using a couple of other trades he/she can go to the DOL web site to review all the prevailing wage determinations for the county that the work be done to locate the additional classification with the prevailing rate.

http://www.wdol.gov

29. What temporary or permanent pollution control structures are required?

Answer: Contractor is required to provide plan for all pollution control structures as described in 01 57 20 and 01 57 23.

30. What electrical power is required? What if we do not intend on having a 'job trailer' or is one required?

Answer: No electrical power is required except that which is needed by the contractor for their trailer.

31. What design/engineering service or scope is required?

Answer: Contractor must provide all services required for submittals and requirements of the specifications for construction and environmental protection.

32. Are there pesticides required, so much is mentioned on pesticides in the bid documents?

Answer: No, pesticides are not required. However, specification is included if contractor’s construction methodology includes pesticides.

32. What landscaping is required to protect?

Answer: All landscape onsite must be protected or restored.

33. What 0 & M manuals and repair spare parts and shop drawings are being required?

Answer: None. Specifications are being revised to delete this.

34. Will the government provide a sample of a Warranty Management Plan?

Answer: Not applicable, specification is being revised to delete this.

35. Is there any roofing, HVAC indicated in the solicitation documents in this scope of work as mentioned in the solicitation documents.

Answer: No, specifications are being revised to delete this.

36. Will the actual (onsite) geotextile fabric or silt fencing required to be tested for tensile strength or any other field test by an independent lab outside what the manufacturer already performs?

Answer: : No, only the required manufacturer certification required

37. Will the 2009-10 canal survey be made available indicating a severe scour hole adjacent to the bridge piling? Is there any work to be performed at this scour hole or has there been any work performed in the past six months?

Answer: Scour hole is not part of this contract. Bid only what is shown on the drawing and specifications.

38. Were 'wave' action characteristics during draw down or water hammer effects considered?

Answer: This should not affect construction methodology, Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications

39. Is the specified rip rap gradation a unique custom sizing or will the Corps provide for standard SCOOT Class B or C by established and SCOOT approved methods?

Answer: Contractor is required to meet the gradation in the specification 35 31 19.

40. Is the contractor responsible for straw mulch migrating into the canal during seeding or will coil' matting be permitted?

Answer: Yes, contractor is responsible for stabilizing slope by anchoring mulch, covering with anchored netting or such combination of these and other methods necessary for effective erosion control as outline in 01 57 23 para 1.3.3. Coir matting is not prohibited.

41. Are certified weigh scales required at the jobsite?

Answer: No

42. Are there special certification requirements of the contractor' s key personnel, QC, SSHO, environmental engineer, drafting or CAOO engineer, project manager or Superintendent?

Answer: Personnel requirements are in the Specification 01 45 00.00 10.

43. What compaction testing will be required at cut excavations on sloped keyed areas?

Answer: None

44. Will sewn seams of geotextile fabric require field tests by independent lab?

Answer: No

45. What local quarries are not acceptable to the government?

Answer: any quarries that do not meet the requirements of the specifications.

46. Will the government provide detail drawings for keyed areas?

Answer: No, typical section is provided. Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications.

47. The drawings and cross sections indicate a constriction of the canal, is this now acceptable?

Answer: This should not affect construction methodology, Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications.

48. The cross sections indicate sharp points or shards of rip-rap and flat top, please confirm, this is now acceptable?

Answer: These are neat lines for measurement of tolerances.

49. The current details or lack thereof does not show the face of the riprap flush with the existing bank, is this now acceptable?

Answer: This should not affect construction methodology, Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications.

50. Will the government provide estimated quantities of materials, and details for any bedding materials and will the contractor be compensated for exceeding estimated quantities? Will this compensation be in the form of a timely contract modification?

Answer: Estimated quantities are in the bid schedule. There is no bedding material ( spec is being revised). Please reference FAR Clause 52.211-18 Variation in Estimated Quantity

51. Will topsoil have to be lab tested to comply, what sources are acceptable to the government?

Answer: No topsoil does not have to be lab tested. Contract does not require topsoil to be brought in.

52. Will the government provide a temporary access road detail?

Answer: There is no temporary access road.

53. Has there been any chemical analysis of the water to see if there is any effect on the clay structure. If not is this a requirement for the contractor?

Answer: No it is not required of the contractor.

54. Has there been any test for dispersive soil?

Answer: This should not affect construction methodology, Bid what is shown on the drawing and specifications.

55. Has the soil strength been tested and how do you plan to determine the stable bank angle at each site without knowing the soil strength?

Answer: Stable bank is shown at 2:1. Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications.

56. Has someone determined the water velocities in the channel? Is the riprap design based on the maximum velocities?

Answer: Velocities in the channel will vary dependent upon operation at the powerhouse.

Contractor should be prepared for changing flow conditions. Design is not part of this contract, Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications.

57. Is the USACE aware of any draw downs in the canal? If so how deep are they?

Answer: Water surface elevations vary due to powerhouse operation and lake levels. Historic records are available upon request.

58. What guidelines or methods are being used for gradation of riprap? It appears only weight is in the current criteria, isn't this ignoring the wave action characteristics?

Answer: Design has taken this into consdieration. This should not affect construction methodology, Bid what is shown on the drawings and specifications.

59. Spec SECTION 01 45 00.10 10 states both Government and Contractor will, to the maximum extent feasible, exchange correspondence and other documents though the QCS System. Will emails supersede the RMS requirement?

Answer: RMS is required as stated in the specifications.

60. Spec Section 01 45 00 also describes that the Contractor use of QCS is mandatory, will this be the exception or again, will emails supersede this requirement?

Answer: RMS is required as stated in the specifications.

61. Is there any soil surface erosion control on this job?

Answer: See Specification 01 57 23

Question: 62. Please clarify the following question on geotextile fabric specifications; Can you get clarification on the Permittivity?

Answer: The spec on the geotextile fabric has been revised addressing the AOS/PERMITTIVITY.

Question: 63. Clarification on a non technical question that was asked at the site viewing, referencing weekend work. Government Representative stated that there would be NO Weekend Work., but your Spec Section 01 14 00 of contract states “Regular working hours shall be daylight hours Monday through Sunday, Excluding Government Holidays. So could you confirm whether Weekend Work is allowed or not?

Answer: No, specifications are being revised to identify established work hours.