RFI Responses_Amendment 1 SJ_Stockton 7.5.2024.pdf

RFI #: Topic/Reference: Question: Response:

1 SECTION 01 57 19 3.1.4.2 Entrainment Sampling

If using an environmental clamshell bucket, may the contractor place 30% of dredged material per dig area through 12” x 12” grizzly screens mounted on the scows to suffice the entrainment sampling requirements?

30% entrainment monitoring is the goal of the contract, and it is the responsibility of the contractor to demonstrate their compliance through data, which can include temporal recordings, quantity, etc.

2 SECTION 01 57 19 3.1.4.2 Entrainment Sampling If contractor uses a fish screen apparatus at the discharge point, is there a required screen grid size for the material to pass through?

The referenced specifications citation has a list of what the fish screen apparatus should be able to accomplish. There is no required screen grid size according to the contract, and the contractor should use what materials they believe could accomplish the fish entrainment goals of the project.

3 SECTION 01 57 19 3.1.4.2 Entrainment Sampling

It appears that the scow grab sampling method for entrainment sampling requirements is not practical to be conducted at varying depths using a grab sampler within the scow due to the density of the dredged material. If the scow is pumped down to a lower volume for deeper sampling, it may not then constitute a desired in situ sample that a full volume scow would present. It’s recommended that the requirement of varying depths of sampling be removed or altered to sampling during loading of the scow.

The Scow Grab Sampling methodology is presented as potential guidance to assist the contractor in developing ways to monitor fish entrainment of dredge material with a clamshell and scow. Fish entrainment monitoring methodologies for clamshell are not common, therefore, the fish entrainment methodologies are experimental. Due diligence by the contractor in demonstrating ways they can effectively and safely monitor dredged material are needed to ultimately reach a 30% goal compatible with resource agency guidelines.

Throughout all activities on the project, dredging production and safety are the top priorities on this dredging project for all parties involved.

4 Specifications

Why are specification sections 01 11 00, 01 32 01.00 10, 01 32 23, 01 33 00, 01 35 26, 01 42 00, 01 45 00 00.00 10, 01 45 00.15 10, 01 50 00, 01 57 19, 35 20 23, 35 20 23.13, and 35 20

23.33 provided in duplicate?

They are different Spec Sections. 35 20 23.13 (SCOW MONITORING

& ULLAGE PROFILE), 35 20 23.33 (PIPELINE HYDRAULIC DREDGE).

Topic: Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work Drawing: N/A Section: 00 72 00 Subpart: 52.211-10 When can the Contractor expect to receive the Notice to Proceed?

Notice to Proceed will be received once bonds/insurance are approved.

Topic: Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work and Summary of Work Drawing: N/A Section: 00 72 00 and 01 11 00 Subpart: 52.211-10 and 1.1

The Contractor is provided 188 days to complete the work. In the summary of work, it stated work cannot begin before August 1 and must be completed by November 30. The 188 day duration puts the completion date into January/February 2025 pending expected NTP. Is the Contractor allowed to work past November 30th and what are the requirements when going past November 30th?

We will not assume that work will be completed post 30 November based on environmental permits. There will be an option to request for an extension, however that is not optimum. Contract references proper protocol and schedule required to request for an extension from the resource agencies to dredge past 30 November.

Topic: Delta Smelt Drawing: N/A Section: 01 11 00 Subpart: 1.1.2 What occurs if there is a 6th accidental take of delta smelt?

No dredging will occur within the channel and the project will stop if there is a take of delta smelt beyond the permitted take. Take beyond 5 Delta Smelt will be in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

San Joaquin/Stockton RFI's 7.3.2024

Topic: Environmental Window Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 1.4.1

Specification references Sacramento DWSC and an environmental window of August 1 to October 31. Please confirm the environmental window for the San Joaquin/Port of Stockton DWSC is from August 1 to November 30.

Confirmed, the environmental window for the San Joaquin/Port of Stockton DWSC is from August 1 to November 30.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 1.4.3

What is the minimum predetermined load line the Contractor can expect? Making this an unknown or variable condition greatly influences the Contractor’s means and methods and consequently costs.

The load line, according to the referenced specifications, should be less than a 90% capacity load, as outlined within the specifications 01 57 19 para 1.4.3 para (4) "The load line on disposal barges used for mechanical dredging will be predetermined based on channel conditions, and the barge will not be filled above this predetermined level. Under no circumstance will scows be loaded to more than 90% capacity."

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 and 35 20 23 Subpart: 1.4.3 and 3.2.6.4

The referenced specification sections are unclear. Is the Contractor allowed to overflow/decant through the scow’s weirs while actively dredging?

If overflow decant is conducted, the contractor is responsible for monitoring of the decant throughout the project according to the permits attached to the contract. Based on the attached Memorandum of Record WDR R5-2022-0052, referencing specific Section IV for turbidity monitoring requirements. Overflow is understood, as outlined within the USFWS Biological Opinion as a necessary part of the dredging process for production.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 1.4.3 Is the site inspector provided by the Government?

No. The Site Inspector for checking the level of the scow is the contractor's responsibility as per contract.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.2

Question: Please confirm the following: The first scow load is required to have 50 samples obtained. Then subsequent scow loads are to resort to the adaptive management provision which moves to the 30% metric for subsequent scow loads?

The Scow Grab Sampling methodology is presented as potential guidance to assist the contractor in developing ways to monitor fish entrainment of dredge material with a clamshell and scow. Fish entrainment monitoring methodologies for clamshell are not common, therefore, the fish entrainment methodologies are experimental. Due diligence by the contractor in demonstrating ways they can effectively and safely monitor dredged material are needed to ultimately reach a 30% goal compatible with resource agency guidelines.

30% entrainment monitoring is the goal of the contract and it is the responsibility of the contractor to demonstrate their compliance through data, which can include temporal recordings, quantity, etc.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.3

Please confirm the 30% metric is based on the number of buckets required to load a single scow. For example, if it takes 100 buckets to load a scow, then 30% of 100 buckets equals 30 samples and each sample must be taken with a minimum of a 1 cubic foot sampler?

The Scow Grab Sampling methodology is presented as potential guidance to assist the contractor in developing ways to monitor fish entrainment of dredge material with a clamshell and scow. Fish entrainment monitoring methodologies for clamshell are not common, therefore, the fish entrainment methodologies are experimental. Due diligence by the contractor in demonstrating ways they can effectively and safely monitor dredged material are needed to ultimately reach a 30% goal compatible with resource agency guidelines.

30% entrainment monitoring is the goal of the contract and it is the responsibility of the contractor to demonstrate their compliance through data, which can include temporal recordings, quantity, etc.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.4 Is the contractor expected to sample every scow load?

30% entrainment monitoring is the goal of the contract, and it is the responsibility of the contractor to demonstrate their compliance through data, which can include temporal recordings, quantity, etc.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.5

Is the contractor expected to drive the sampler to the “random depth” generated by the random depth generator?

The sample should be taken at the generated depth. Method of achieving that, is at the discretion of the contractor.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.6

Is there any requirement for laboratory testing related to the scow grab sampling protocol, or is it strictly visual characterizations and documentation?

No, please reference the attached water quality permits under the Central Valley Water Board.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.7

Due to logistical, operational, and safety considerations can the samples be obtained alongside the dredge versus being obtained at Montezuma? Location of sampling is at the disrection of the contractor.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.4.8

After analysis of all the samples for a given scow, can the material sampled be returned to the scow? Yes.

Water Quality Monitoring and Sampling Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.5

Please confirm the Water Quality sampling frequency of every 4 hours is to be performed only during daylight hours?

No, sampling frequency is based on dredging activity, both at night and day time. Water Quality sampling for mechancial dredging must be conducted as described in the WDR Order R5-2022-0052, any deviation from the WDR must be approved by the Central Valley Water Board

Water Quality Monitoring and Sampling Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.6

What is the frequency and number of samples requiring laboratory analysis?

As described in the WDR for mechanical and MOU for hydraulic, sampling and analysis for each dredge material placement site during discharge into surface waters will be performed within the first 24-hours of discharge and weekly thereafter

Water Quality Monitoring and Sampling Drawing: N/A Section: 01 57 19 Subpart: 3.1.7

How many samples will need to be driven to Rancho Cordova, CA Friday-Sunday?

The schedule of submitting samples, as well as discharging of waters from the placement site to the deep water ship channel, is up to the contractor, in coordination the availability of the lab.

Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: Sacramento DWSC BO 2023-2028 (1)

This attachment references the Sacramento River Deep Water Shipping Channel Dredging and Bank Stabilization project. Is this the correct attachment?

The San Joaquin Biological Opinion has been added to Amendment 1.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: Sacramento DWSC BO 2023-2028 (1)

Is the Government requiring the Contractor, if utilizing a mechanical dredge, to use an “experimental device” for the San Joaquin/Port of Stockton DWSC FY24 Maintenance Dredging Project?

Fish entrainment monitoring methodologies for clamshell/mechanical dredging are not common, therefore, the fish entrainment methodologies are experimental. Due diligence by the contractor in demonstrating ways they can effectively and safely monitor dredged material are needed to ultimately reach a 30% goal compatible with resource agency guidelines.

Topic: Environmental Drawing: N/A Section: Sacramento DWSC BO 2023-2028 (1)

If yes, what is the device, how will it be implemented, and what is required of the Contractor regarding the use of the device?

The Scow Grab Sampling methodology is presented as potential guidance to assist the contractor in developing ways to monitor fish entrainment of dredge material with a clamshell and scow. Fish entrainment monitoring methodologies for clamshell are not common, therefore, the fish entrainment methodologies are experimental. Due diligence by the contractor in demonstrating ways they can effectively and safely monitor dredged material are needed to ultimately reach a 30% goal compatible with resource agency guidelines.