RFIs_Suisun_05232024.pdf

RFI # SPEC SECTION/ DRAWING RFI QUESTION RESPONSES

1 Topic: Bid Due Date It is requested that the bid date be extended at least 2 weeks.

Bid due date and bid opening date extended to June 06, 2024. See Amendment 0002 for details.

2 Will shipping and boat activities be eliminated once the “TP-18” qualified Former Navy EOD Divers have established their Exclusion Zone (EZ)?

USACE is not requiring the contractor to utilize divers for the Suisun Fed Channel dredging. The EZ is a 347' radius that is required when the clamshell releases its contents into the barge. At the point where the material is released there should be no unprotected crew or other vessels withing the EZ.

3 Please confirm, that if Water Based MEC operations are required – they would be completed by OTHERS in advance of the ACOE Contactor performing dredging of the MRS, as it is impossible for the Contractor to quantify and apply realistic costs to be included within their bid for the dredging work.

The channel will not be cleared of MEC by others.

The dredging operation will be running under a waiver from USACE command to potentially relocate the UXOs to SF-16 without screening, as SF- 16 has already been identified as contaminated. The operator and crew need to be protected from a potential detonation as specified in the MOTCO Explosive Safety Submission (ESS) Fragmentation Data Sheet, using distance 33' with double hearing protection and material (typ. 4" plexiglass and/or 1" mild steel).

4 It is requested that we be provided with the MEC After Action Report developed following the Construction of Pier 2 - REPLACE/UPGRADE PIER

2 SPECIFICATION NO. 2026 - MOTCO

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA

The Pier 2 Security area has been confused with the Pier 2 Exclusion Zone (EZ) is a 347ft radius around the dredging activity only when a the dredging spoils are being released into the barge. The Pier 2 AAR can be provided if still needed, but I believe this was requested because of a confusion in the EZ vs Security area.

5 Topic: Missing pages and section Document: Specifications Page: 374

In reviewing the Explosive Safety Submission (ESS) Amendment #1, it appears that pages 2 and 3 are missing and the section 1.4 has not been provided.

Please provide the complete Amendment #1 issued with the ESS.

The ESS paragraph and page numbering is incorrect.

For paragraph 1.4, please refer to the 2013 ESS (page 394 of original solicitation).

6 Document: Specifications Page: 376 and 377

Section 3.3 Construction Support of the Explosive Safety Submission - Amendment # 1, requires: “Only UXO-qualified personnel (see DDESB Technical Paper 18 for definitions) will perform MEC Construction Support and Removal Activities.” It is requested that we be provided with DDESB Technical Paper 18.

DDESB TP-18 provided. See Amendment 0002

The intent of this section is to provide questions & comments received from interested parties on the above solicitation, and our responses to those questions and comments. It is possible that the information below does not reflect 100% of the questions and responses. The questions and comments do not necessarily represent questions received from any particular contractor.

Questions and responses are provided for information only and are not made part of the solicitation. Only a formal amendment (SF30) to the solicitation changes the solicitation.

Changes to any previous responses in this document will be struck-through and new, updated responses will be provided.

Suisun Bay Channel & NY Slough FY24 Maintenance Dredging Project AS OF: May 23, 2024

QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

SOLICITATION NUMBER W912P724B0007

RFI # SPEC SECTION/ DRAWING RFI QUESTION RESPONSES

7 Within the Solicitation Documents there now appears to be the requirement to implement the ESS (Explosive Safety Submission) for the - Suisun Bay Channel & New York Slough FY24 Dredging. These areas are dredged each year. Please clarify why it is necessary to implement an ESS for the FY24 dredging when these areas have been thoroughly dredged multiple times since the 1940’s.

It had been previously assumed that the UXOs from the Port Chicago 1944 explosion had been removed from the dredging activity. The DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) released a study on UXO migration (2021) leading to USACE identified the UXO oversite shortfall in 2022 and implemented a change to procedures in 2023 under a waiver until a disposal area within MOTCO can be established. The waiver ensures dredging crew are following all UXO safety protocols. SF-16 has been identified as most likely already having UXO contaminants, so under this waiver we are continuing to use SF-16.

8 The Final ESS (Explosive Safety Submission) provided with the Solicitation Documents does not appear to include the requirement for any UXO / MEC identification in connection with the Dredging of Suisun Bay. In addition, the equipment identified for use in MEC detection specified within ESS Section 7.2.1 – Analog Mag and Flag using Flux- Gate Magnetic Gradiometers are not designed to perform under water with rapid currents. Please confirm that the Dredging of Suisun Bay does not require any UXO / MEC identification, removal, or disposal.

Correct. No detection, removal action, or disposal is required of the dredging contractor. Under the current waiver, dredging spoils will be placed at SF- 16 without knowing whether or not the spoils contain UXOs. The protection material and distance listed in the ESS under the Fragmentation Data Sheet for unintentional detonation must be installed for the crew and operator protection. Please note the distance (33ft min) is the distance required between the bucket discharge location and any crew. The crew will be required to wear double hearing protection.

9 Explosive Safety Submission (ESS) Section 3.2 MEC Area(s) indicates that: “TP-18 qualified Former Navy EOD Divers will be performing removal activities and construction support during in-water activities at the Port Chicago Water Explosion MRS…” Please confirm that any and all requirements imposed by the ESS will be performed by OTHERS and the Contractor has no obligation, requirement, or costs to perform MEC / UXO activities as identified within the ESS.

The channel will not be cleared of MEC by others.

The dredging operation will be running under a waiver from USACE command to potentially relocate the UXOs to SF-16 without screening, as SF- 16 has already been identified as contaminated. The operator and crew need to be protected from a potential detonation as specified in the MOTCO Explosive Safety Submission (ESS) Fragmentation Data Sheet, using distance 33' with double hearing protection and material (typ. 4" plexiglass and/or 1" mild steel).

10 Please identify the time period required for the “TP- 18” qualified Former Navy EOD Divers to perform removal their activities – this information is critical to performing the dredging within the period of performance (POP) established within the Contact.

The channel will not be cleared of MEC by others.

The dredging operation will be running under a waiver from USACE command to potentially relocate the UXOs to SF-16 without screening, as SF- 16 has already been identified as contaminated. The operator and crew need to be protected from a potential detonation as specified in the MOTCO Explosive Safety Submission (ESS) Fragmentation Data Sheet, using distance 33' with double hearing protection and material (typ. 4" plexiglass and/or 1" mild steel).