A21_-_Attachment_1_Amendment_2_Questions_&_Answers.pdf

W912P819B0046 SELA 72.1 Algiers Urban Flood Control Solicitation Questions & Answers – Amendment No. 2

1. Paragraph 1.1.1 of Specification 01 57 23.02 09 states “The dry weather flow must be bypassed around the worksite, as needed, using gravity piping or pumping. Bypass pumping shall provide a minimum pumping capacity of 5,000 gallons per minute. The gravity bypass shall be capable of handling the full capacity of the existing drain line that is being interrupted by construction.”

Please clarify that the stated bypass capacity of 5,000GPM includes the dry weather flows from drain lines being interrupted by construction. If not, please clarify the additional bypass pumping capacity required as the contractor has no means of calculating the bypass flows.

Government Answer: In paragraph 1.1.1 (1), the 3rd and 4th sentences which state “Bypass pumping shall provide a minimum pumping capacity of 5,000 gallons per minute. The gravity bypass shall be capable of handling the full capacity of the existing drain line that is being interrupted by construction.” should be deleted. In paragraph 1.9 (2) the last sentence which reads “The Contractor shall provide a minimum dry weather pumping capacity of 5,000 gpm.”

should be deleted and replaced by the following sentence. “ The estimated dry weather flow in other drainage structures is 10 cfs.”

2. Paragraph 1.9.1 of Specification 01 57 23.02 09 states that temporary sand dams shall be at elevation 9.5 Cairo Datum. The invert of the new concrete flume is at elevation 2.25 Cairo Datum. This results in a sand dam over 7’ tall. In the past, sand dams over 5’ tall were not allowed due to stability issues of the sand dam above that height. Please clarify if there is a maximum height of sand dams for this contract.

Government Answer: The top of the temporary erodible dam shall be elevation 9.5 Cairo Datum.

The design of the erodible dam is included in the requirements of paragraph 1.8 “Design”.

3. Paragraph 1.9.2 of Specification 01 57 23.02 09 states that the dry weather flow in the canal is 25CFS. The following sentence directs the contractor to provide a 5,000GPM dry weather pumping system for bypass pumping. 25CFS is significantly higher than 5,000GPM. Please clarify which figure is correct for bypass pumping of dry weather flows in the canal.

Government Answer: See response to question 1. The dry weather flow in the canal is 25 cfs.

The estimated dry weather flow in other drainage structures is 10 cfs.

4. Note 8 under Section 00010, Bidding Schedule, states that the USACE can award Option Work incrementally prior to the expiration of contract time throughout the contract allowing Option Work 2 to be awarded 2.5 years after the NTP, and Option Work 3 to be awarded 4.33 years after the NTP. These are extremely long durations for small businesses to hold firm pricing for.

Please decrease the amount of time allowed by the contract for the exercise of Option Work.

Government Answer: The amount of time allowed for the award of Option work will remain the same. Option Work must be evaluated at the time of source selection/bid opening in order for USACE to be able to exercise it, consequently there is adequate competition amongst bidders.

5. Paragraph 3.1.1, Pile Driving Hammers, under specification 31 62 13.20 12 only mentions steam and air hammers. Will diesel pile hammers be allowed on this project for installation of precast piling and work platform piling?

Government Answer: No.

6. Please Please clarify if the bracing system for the steel sheet pile TRS can extend across the canal between the TRS sheets if the bracing is cylindrical.

Government Answer: Yes, provided the current canal flow capacity is maintained as required by the contract.

7. Paragraph 1.6.3.5 of Specification 01 53 00.02 12, Temporary Retaining Structures, states that vibratory hammers will not be allowed for work platform support piles. Please clarify if a vibratory hammer can be used to remove the work platform piles.

Government Answer: No. A sentence should be added at the end of paragraph 1.6.3.5 as follows: “When no longer required, work platform piles shall be cut off 0.5 feet below the bottom elevation of the flume base slab.”

8. What is the height of the lowest Entergy transmission line running along the east bound side of General DeGaulle Drive?

Government Answer: The approximate location and grades of the distribution lines, guy wires and transmission lines are shown on the cross-section sheets V1 thru V22. The elevation of the low point on the transmission lines is not known.

9. Specification Section 52.236-4 “Physical Data”, paragraph (d) states that “The Contractor shall repair or replace any City of New Orleans or Louisiana DOTD sidewalks, curbs, and street names signs that are damaged by his construction operations. Payment will be included in the contract job price for Mobilization and Demobilization”. Specification Section 32 16 19 covers replacement of concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks which become damaged due to the Contractors construction operations and removing the system. Payment for replacement will be made at the applicable contract price. Please clarify how the Contractor will be paid for repairs to concrete curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.

Government Answer: Paragraph (d) of Section 52.236-4 “Physical Data” should be deleted. The Contractor will be paid at the applicable contract price for damages caused by Contractors construction operations.

10. Specification Section 32 12 16.00 12 “Asphaltic Pavement” is for constructing asphaltic pavement repairs as specified herein. There is no specific location on the drawings where asphaltic pavement is required. Please clarify what this item will cover such as street repairs cause by Contractors construction operations and removing of the system.

Government Answer: The following sentence should be added to the end of paragraph 1.1 Scope: “Pavement repairs will be made along streets that parallel Contract Limits, in areas as directed by the Contracting Officer.” The Contractor will be paid at the applicable contract price for asphaltic pavement damages caused by Contractors construction operations.

11. Will the removal of trees that are shown to remain be permitted if the Contractor replaces the trees with the same type at the end of the project?

Government Answer: No

12. It was noted in the last round of questions that all work platform piles must be cut off in-place below the permanent flume. Will these piles be permitted to be installed with a vibratory hammer in similar fashion to the temporary steel sheet piling?

Government Answer: Paragraph 1.6.3.5 of Section 01 53 00.02 12 states that vibratory hammers will not be permitted for work platform piles.