Buffalo_N_Brkwtr_Repairs_-_Govt_Answers_to_Bidder_Questions_(FINAL).docx

1. Kokosing Industrial\Durocher Marine REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

a. Does the new CIP concrete exterior wall end at elev. +11.05?

ANSWER: Yes, since the top of the cap is +14.05 and the cap thickness is 3 feet.

b. Is the new CIP cap a single pour after the CIP exterior walls are poured/cured?

ANSWER: Yes. The horizontal line between the bottom of the cap and top of wall shown on the sections on Sheet C-504 of the contract drawings is meant to be a construction joint.

c. Is the intent to pour the CIP exterior walls and CIP cap all at once? If it is, how is the bedding stone placed on the inside? If they are done in separate pours, what is the joint connection between the exterior walls and the cap?

ANSWER: No, see ANSWER to Question 1.b. Prepare top of wall concrete per Paragraph 3.2 “Preparation” of contract specification Section 03 30 53 prior to placing concrete for cap. Note that vertical #6 steel reinforcing bars @ 12 inch extend from walls into cap as shown on Sheet C-504 of the contract drawings.

d. The interior CIP concrete walls may have to be removed to repair the existing Timbers. What is the pay item for this work?

ANSWER: As noted in Note 3 on Sheet C-503 of the contract drawings, repair of any of the existing interior precast blocks or cast-in-place walls will be accomplished by contract modification. This would include removal and replacement of existing concrete beyond limits of existing concrete removal shown on the concrete drawings.

e. Once the PC concrete blocks and CIP exterior walls are removed, the interior CIP walls and opened timber cribs (underwater) will be exposed to storm induced wave damage. Especially considering the predicted Lake Elevations for Lake Erie could be as high as a +5.0 in August when the schedule allows the project to start. If the waves displace the interior CIP concrete, how will the contractor be paid for their removal? Will the additional Bedding stone required to replace the volume of the CIP walls be paid for separately?

Buffalo Harbor North Breakwater Repairs

GOVERNMENT ANSWERS TO BIDDERS’ REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

May 13, 2019

Buffalo Harbor North Breakwater Repairs- GOVERNMENT ANSWERS TO CONTRACTORS’ QUESTIONS 5/13/19 ANSWER: Firms are encouraged to utilize means and methods to mitigate weather related damages, including those resulting from water elevation and wave action. Damages related to weather events will be evaluated on a case by case basis and in accordance with FAR 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions. However, in the past unusually high lake levels have been deemed a weather condition or "act of God" that does not fall within the provisions of the Differing Site Conditions clause.

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f. Is a “Class D” finish (Sect. 03 30 53: 1.3.2 Construction Tolerances), required on the concrete surfaces underwater?

ANSWER: Yes.

g. How are the existing PC concrete blocks attached to the timber Crib? Are they just setting on timbers?

ANSWER: Based on original construction drawings of the North Breakwater, it is assumed the block are just resting on the timber crib.

h. How are the new PC concrete blocks attached to the Timber Crib?

ANSWER: The new block are set on the top of the timber crib without any special attachments.

i. Does Sect. 03 30 53: 3.6.2 Finishing Formed Surfaces apply to underwater surfaces?

ANSWER: Finishing of formed surfaces as specified in Paragraph 3.6.2 of contract specifications Section 03 30 53 is not required for any cast-in-place concrete surfaces that are underwater during time of construction.

j. Sect. 06 13 33: 3.3 Installation (Timbers) - “Cut, bevel, and face Timbers as required and shown”. Where are these details shown?

ANSWER: New timbers are to be installed in manner similar to that shown on the original North Breakwater construction drawings.

k. The Longitudinal Section A-B on the Historical drawing illustrates that the timber rows running perpendicular to the breakwater are spaced approximately 10 feet on center. Note 5. On drawing C-503 state that 5 feet of the timbers on the south side are missing. Is the remaining piece to be removed, and then replaced with a longer piece that spans the underlying support timbers? Is there a Detail section for the connection?

ANSWER: The exact length of the existing length of existing timbers to be replaced will be determined after the visual inspection is performed as specified in Paragraph 3.1 of contract specifications Section 06 13 33. Connection of new timbers to existing timbers will be made using steel rods as noted in Note 5 on contract drawing Sheet C-503 and as specified in contract specifications Section 06 13 33.

l. Sect. 31 32 23 Placement: 3.2.a. “The contractor is responsible for all damages to work performed…”, and 3.2.b. “Protect their work at all times.” Can stone be temporally stockpiled on the lake bottom, within the footprint/limits of the new Armor stone buttress, to protect the breakwater from storm damage? The temporally stockpiled stone would be removed as the breakwater water is completed, and re-used in the permanent work.

ANSWER: Additional stone may be placed and removed from the lake bottom at the contractor’s expense if all material stays within the rubblemound stone footprint shown on contract drawing Sheet C-103 and is only placed when on site and in-water work is allowed by the contract.

m. Sect. 01 32 16 Schedules: 1.2.c. “Complete placement of Underlayer and Armor stone in segments no greater than 50 feet segments would require more down time and expense, switching from one stone activity/product to the other. Since the Contractor is responsible for all damages to the work, why can’t the contractor decide the length of the “Completed Segment” based on the weather forecast and stone currently available at the site?

ANSWER: The requirement to place underlayer and armor stone in segments no greater than 50 feet will be eliminated from the contract specifications by amendment. The revised contract specifications will be made available to bidders by amendment.

n. Section 01 35 13 Special Project Procedures: 1.2.2.1 and 1.2.2.2 No Onsite work March 15 until August 4th (or 14th) each year. What activities are occurring at the breakwater during the summer that precludes marine construction and its most economical pricing?

ANSWER: This is a fish spawning and tern nesting period and there is a requirement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation not to perform any work on site during this period.

o. How are the existing CIP concrete walls to be removed attached to the internal CIP concrete walls/cells? The historical pictures depict what looks to be a monolithic pour, or is it a cold joint? Would this be required to be sawcut?

ANSWER: Determination of the method of concrete removal is the responsibility of the contractor and should be such that remaining concrete is left in a sound condition as noted in Note 2 on Sheet C-504 of the contract drawings. The original North Breakwater construction drawings and historical photographs are provided for bidders’ use to draw their own conclusions with respect to the North Breakwater construction.

p. Note 8 on sheet C-504 says the concrete curbs are to be monolithic with the 3 feet thick concrete cap. Survey requirements in section 31 00 00 page 1137 c. (1) state that the concrete cap must be surveyed after it is placed, but prior to placing the concrete curb, this is not possible if required to be a monolithic pour.

ANSWER: The requirement to survey the cap prior to placing the curbs will be revised by amendment to require the survey to be performed after both the cap and curbs are in place.

q. Are damaged timbers that remain under the stone fill and remaining internal concrete walls and blocks required to be replaced? If so, how will that be achieved without removing the remaining concrete and fill?

ANSWER: See ANSWER to Question 1.d. This would be determined at the time of construction when the visual inspection noted in the ANSWER to Question 1.k is made and any additional work as necessary would be accomplished by contract modification.

2. Ryba Marine REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

a. From Sheet C-503 note 2 and Sheet C-504 note 4. Does the existing stone get stockpiled and reused as stone fill and then make up the difference with pay item 7? Or is it all new and dispose of the removed stone?

ANSWER: All stone fill for backfilling is new and all removed existing stone fill get disposed.

b. The manholes on C-503 on the 3 foot slab area. Appears to be 8 of them. What is the intent of these when the deck is replaced? Can a detail of these be provided? Are they replaced with new? Do they drain into or out of the wall? Any information will help.

ANSWER: The existing manholes only extend through the existing cap and were provided to observe any settlement of the stone fill. The manholes will not be replaced when the new concrete cap is constructed.