8_28_2019_Q&A.pdf

EAST SAINT LOUIS CUT OFF WALL – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RECEIVED BY 8/14/2019 BY 1500 HOURS

1) Sect. 00 20 00 Instructions for procurement. Section L.

- Page 45. Item 8; Proposals shall be submitted in the following format – Volume 2 - 1 original, 1 copy and 1 CD. On page 49, Item13 Specific Instructions for Volume 2, a- Number of Copies of the Price Proposal; Submit the ORIGINAL and 5 additional copies and a CD. There is a discrepancy between these two instructions. Is it 1 copy or 5 copies for Volume 2? Please clarify which one is correct.

- Page 46. Item 8 - Proposal Submission Requirements and Instructions- Several items state that no pricing information should be included in the Technical Proposal Volume 1. Pricing information will not be provided to the Technical Team and Technical Information will not be provided to the Pricing Team. Do not mix contents of Vol.1 and Vol. 2 is the message. Item 12-Specific Instructions for Volume 1, item1 on page 48 states that the CD must contain the entire Technical Proposal and the Price Proposal.

This contradicts the message to keep the pricing separate from the technical proposal. Please clarify.

RESPONSE: Please provide Volume 2, Price - 1 original, 1 copy and 1 CD. Volume 1 – Technical Proposal 1 Original, 5 copies and 1 CD. Technical and Price shall be in separate binders and labeled as such.

2) Sect. 00 20 00: Page 6 shows another Bid Item No. 0001. FOB: Destination. Net Amount. Please clarify what this is for.

RESPONSE: This item is the total price for complete wall construction.

3) Sect. 32 20 20- 3.10.b states that “The wall shall be removed at the locations and elevations shown on the plans that will be replaced with a clay cap”. Is this operation required if the cutoff wall already meets the performance requirements? The cutoff wall at this level may experience some microcracking due to desiccation but it also will not experience high water pressures.

RESPONSE: Bid as specified and shown on the drawings.

4) Sect. 32 20 20- 3.17 - Acceptance Criteria – 2. Cutoff wall to have UCS strength of 50 to 250 psi with no samples less than 30 psi or exceeding 275 psi. The lower limit seems to be too low as these lower strengths not only pose problems for successful verification coring but are too low when using the hydromill which may damage the completed wall while overcutting the primary panels with the violent action of the teeth and cutter wheels. Why would the wall be unacceptable if strengths exceed 275 psi?

Other similar USACE cutoff wall projects have used strengths ranging from 100 psi to 500 psi. Please consider.

RESPONSE: Bid as specified.

5) Sect. 32 20 20- 2.5, Backfill Mix Design- states that “A minimum of 10% of native materials content shall be used. A minimum of 10% of sand will be used”. This is not clear. If 10% is a minimum what is the maximum value? Please clarify.

RESPONSE: No maximum is specified. Contractor to design with minimum requirements.

6) Similar to question 5 above, will the USACE allow excavation under bentonite slurry and then subsequent replacement of the slurry with a cement-bentonite (CB) tremie mix?

RESPONSE: No, bid as specified.

7) Similar to question 6 above, will the USACE allow excavation under bentonite slurry and then subsequent replacement of the slurry with a soil-cement-bentonite mix (SCB) utilizing the cuttings from the excavation as aggregate mixed with cement and bentonite?

RESPONSE: No, bid as specified.

8) Bid Sheet – This price schedule is similar to other USACE cutoff wall projects. What is missing are line items which allow the contractor to place site administration and overhead costs. It is often difficult to allocate these project costs into the available line items and often skew their actual costs as a result. The contractor must provide all the necessary project staffing, quality controls, P6 scheduling, surveying, testing and inspections to properly execute the contract. These costs must be covered and the USACE should consider adding a line item to pay for contractor site administration, contractor overhead or contractor project management on a monthly basis to cover these costs.

RESPONSE: Contractor to distribute overhead into proposal, no additional CLIN.

9) Section 00 20 00-Section L.8.c.i.i General Instructions do not allow the use of foldouts (11x17 sheets). We typically use 11x17 foldouts to clearly show Staging and Area Use Plans, Schedule and other drawings to convey important technical details in an easy to read manner. Please consider allowing fold out sheets.

RESPONSE: 11x17 sheets only for plans, drawings, or schedule. Not allowed for technical information.

10) Section 00 20 00- Page 49. Factor 1 Technical Approach has a 20-page limit, which includes Staging and Area Use, Cutoff Wall Concept, Means & Methods and Past Performance. We do not believe this is enough space to provide the detailed narratives as specified in the RFP. Please consider increasing the limit.

RESPONSE: Limit will remain the same.

11) Section 00 20 00-Page 49. Factor 2 Past Performance has a 10-page limit. We have to provide up to 5 projects. We do not believe this is enough space to provide all the detailed information required in the RFP. Please consider increasing the limit.

RESPONSE: Limit will remain the same.

12) Section 00 20 00-Page 49. Factor 3 Management Approach, 10-page limit. We do not believe this is enough space to provide an Org chart, resumes for 6+ personnel, and schedule. Please consider increasing the limit.

RESPONSE: Limit will remain the same.

13) Section 00 20 00-Page 49. Factor 4 – Small Business Participation Plan, 10-page limit. We do not believe this is enough space to provide the specified information, PLUS the Small Business Subcontracting Plan that large business contractors are to provide with their proposals. Please consider increasing the limit.

RESPONSE: Limit will remain the same.

14) Sect. 00 08 00-1.26 Work Adjacent to Railroad. Note a) requires contractor to notify the railroad 30 days in advance of starting work adjacent to or on the railroad property. The plans don’t show the limits of the railroads property to be able to confirm this requirement.

RESPONSE: Coordination should start prior to mobilization as all work is “adjacent” to the railroad.

15) Since the contractor must provide railroad insurance, additional information is needed by our insurance carriers to provide the required coverage and pricing; 1- Please provide the number of Freight Trains that pass by the project per Day. 2- How much of the contract work is within 50 feet of the railroad tracks?

RESPONSE: Contractor shall coordinate additional needs of the RR not specified with POCs provided in Section 00 08 00.

16) Drawing C-106 & C-112 shows several abandoned Gatewell Structures. Note 7 states that they are to be cut and removed and then filled with grout and clay fill. There are no drawings of these Gatewell shown in the documents to determine their dimensions, internal gates, how deep they are, foundations and what type of CP pipes they are connected to below ground. Does whatever pipe system they are controlling by the gate, cross the new cutoff wall alignment? There are several shown per the photo below, are they all the same? Please clarify.

RESPONSE: Asbuilt drawings are being provided per this amendment and are for reference and additional information on gatewells. See Item I-B (4) drawings (4 sheets).

17) Sect. 01 22 00.1.1.16 (a) Refers to payment for Geotechnical Instrumentation installation bid item. This bid item however is not included. Please provide.

RESPONSE: See revised Section 01 22 00, paragraph 1.1.16, provided in this amendment. Geotechnical Instrumentation installation will be included in the Test Section Installation bid item.

18) Sect. 01 22 00.1.1.17 Refers to payment for the monthly monitoring of the instrumentation. The unit for this bid item 0017 is “1 Job”. Shouldn’t this be a monthly rate? Please clarify.

RESPONSE: See revised Section 01 22 00, paragraph 1.1.17, provided in this amendment. Contractor shall estimate the amount of time needed for monitoring.

19) Drawing C-112; There is an existing overhead electric line coming from the high voltage transmission tower crossing the cutoff wall at about station 30+80 shown to be relocated by others prior to the construction of the cutoff wall. Will this line be relocated by others to another location that crosses the cutoff wall further down requiring coordination with the utility company or after completion of the cutoff wall in the area?

RESPONSE: Line is to be relocated by others inside of the window area and riverside of the cut off wall.

20) During the site visit we observed near the south end of the cutoff wall a post with a sign owned by Spire NGL warning of a propane pipeline. This line does not appear on the contract drawings C-106 or C-115. Does this line cross the path of the cutoff wall or is it parallel? It does not appear to be the same line as the Explorer Pipeline shown further north on the drawings. Please clarify.

RESPONSE: Pipelines are shown on the drawings and according to our information continue to parallel the project. However, contractor shall be responsible for identifying utilities per 000800.1.4.

21) Section 32 20 20- Item 3.5.A- States that the Contractor may use existing stainless steel relief wells that are in the vicinity of the Contractor’s work area as a source of mixing water. These wells aren’t shown in the contract drawings nor where they pointed out in the site visit. Where are they located and what capacity does each one have? Are they self-powered?

RESPONSE: As-built reference drawing provided in this amendment shows the well locations. The wells must be pumped and may provide approximately 500 gpm each and are not self-powered.

22) Drawing C-116: Disposal Area Plan. This site was not included in the site visit. Where is it located and how far is it from the project site?

RESPONSE: See sheet G-003 of the solicitation drawing set for disposal area location.

23) Section 32 20 20- Item 3.3.A- States to “Construct and remove required working platform”. Given the large quantities of backfill materials required to build the work platform south of station 41+00, will the USACE consider not requiring the work platform to be removed after cutoff wall completion and save considerable costs?

RESPONSE: Bid as specified.

24) Has the USACE evaluated the effects of the thick work platform settlements may have on the buried gas pipelines?

RESPONSE: Per Section 00 08 00-1.21 a.3, The Contractor shall coordinate as necessary with the appropriate POC's listed above with regard to all utility crossing requirements.

25) Cutoff date for question extended.

RESPONSE: No, this will not be extended.

26) Page 1, Box 13, Bullet point 2 Indicates the requirement for an offer guarantee. In the remainder of the document, I cannot find any specifics regarding the required amount of security. Can you please provide the details as relates to this item.

RESPONSE: This will be amended by adding 52.228-1:

52.228-1 Bid Guarantee. See amendment documentation.

27. In accordance with the Contract Clause FAR 52.212-11, Variation in Estimated Quantities". FAR Clause does not exist.

RESPONSE: This will be amended with:

52.211-18 Variation in Estimated Quantity. See amendment documentation.

28. "The Contractor will be responsible for repairing any damage to state, county or local roads caused as a result of construction traffic". 00 08 00 - 1.21.a.5 within construction limits only? What's the procedure to determine the responsibilities of a damage the roads incur?

RESPONSE: See 00 08 00-1.21.b.1. Yes, coordination and agreements on responsibilities should be established with POCs, COR and the Contractor prior to construction activities. The contractor will only be required to make repairs within the Construction limits. It is the contractor’s responsibility to adhere to state and local laws when traveling outside the construction area.

29. "The Contractor shall be required to restore any damages to IDOT roadways to its complete pre-construction condition after damages occur". 00 08 00-1.21.a.9. Within construction limits only? What’s the procedure to determine the responsibilities of a damage the road incurs?

RESPONSE: See 00 08 00-1.21.b.1. Yes, coordination and agreements on responsibilities should be established with POCs, COR and the Contractor prior to construction activities. The contractor will only be required to make repairs within the construction limits. It is the contractor’s responsibility to adhere to state and local laws when traveling outside the co

30. "For the work in close proximity to the electric power lines as shown on the plans, the Contractor shall undertake advance coordination and planning with Ameren for temporary power interruptions and relocations as required during construction". 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.a. Will we get compensated for any standby we incur doe to needing to coordinate with Ameren?

RESPONSE: Contractor to undertake advanced coordination and planning with Ameren in order to avoid standby time.

31. "In extreme circumstances, during periods of an outage, the contractor shall be prepared to discontinue work and take all necessary measures to allow Ameren the ability to complete an emergency system restoration of the transmission line within 6 hours after notification”. 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.g. In the event this occurs will the contractor receive compensation and time for any stand-by as relates to item?

RESPONSE: Contractor will be compensated for standby time only when the critical path work is interrupted at no fault of the contractor. See bid note 9.

RESPONSE: Coordination to begin prior to construction in general. It is advantageous to start coordination as soon after award as possible.

33. "These outage seasons are for the periods from October 15, 2020 - November 15, 2020 and March 15, 2021 - May 15, 2021 (weather permitting)". 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.i. Is there a possibility to have additional outages in the Spring of 2020 and also the fall of 2021? Does “weather permitting” mean that the dated may be shifted or that we may have less than 120dd total?

RESPONSE: Dates may shift due to weather, but are allowed a maximum of 120 total days. Contractor is required to coordinate the specifics through the utility.

34. "When the contractor is performing subgrade work within 200 feet of Ameren's transmission towers, the contractor shall monitor any affected transmission tower for displacement and/or leaning". 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.k. Please provide more detail about the type and required frequency of monitoring.

RESPONSE: Type is given as survey equipment, and frequency is as necessary to detect potential movement of the tower.

35. 11+00 to 11+75 - "The preferred time period for this work is during the low demand month of August".00 08 00- 1.21.b.6.l. Is it possible to have the conveyor moved outside of the preferred time period?

RESPONSE: Coordinate with the utility company.

36. 18+00 to 18+75 - "The preferred time period for this work is during the low demand months of May through September".

00 08 00-1.21.b.6.l. Is it possible to have the conveyor moved outside of the preferred time period?

32. "Beginning 90 days prior to the start of construction, the USACE Contractor must schedule and conduct conference calls with Ameren representatives every two weeks at a mutually agreeable day and time”. 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.g. Is “construction” untended as construction of the COW or construction in general? Some construction work may start within the first 80 days after NTP.

RESPONSE: Coordinate with the utility company.

RESPONSE: Coordinate with the utility. Conveyer is anticipated to be out of service for a minimal amount of time.

38. 18+00 to 18+75 - "The Contractor shall undertake advance coordination and planning with Spire Energy for temporary and permanent relocations as required during construction." 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.l. Please provide details on any required temporary relocations.

RESPONSE: Reference drawings showing the relocations will be provided in this amendment.

RESPONSE: Pipe to be abandoned in place.

40. 18+00 to 18+75 - "The new relocated portion of the gas line is required to be installed over a previously completed panel of the cut off wall as shown on the plans prior to abandonment of the gas line to facilitate minimum outages of service". 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.l. Can’t find where the plans it is shown how to relocate the pipe. Will the relocated pipe be buried? Can we place the impervious clay in accordance with specifications requirements where the pipe is located?

RESPONSE: Reference drawings showing the relocations will be provided. The pipe will be buried and fill will be allowed to be placed as specified in this amendment.

41. "Such removals, alterations, and/or relocations, where necessary, will be made by others". 00 08 00-1.4.a. Who provides the coordination of this work? Will there be ab equitable adjustment as a result of delay to Contractors work?

RESPONSE: Coordination will include USACE, MESD, utility company, and the contractor. Contractor will be compensated for standby time only when the critical path work is interrupted at no fault of the contractor. See bid note 9.

42. "[...] Possibility that public utilities or private improvements may be encountered [...]. The Contractor shall [...] remove, relocate, or alter them as required and an equitable adjustment will be made. In the event the Contracting Officer arranges for such removals, alterations, or relocations to be performed by others, the Contractor shall cooperate with such others during the latter's' removal, alteration, or relocation operations". 00 08 00-1.4.b. Who provides the coordination of this work? Will there be ab equitable adjustment as a result of delay to Contractors work?

RESPONSE: Coordination will include USACE, MESD, utility company, and the contractor. Contractor will be compensated for standby time only when the critical path work is interrupted at no fault of the contractor. See bid note 9.

43. "If [...] items are observed that may have historic or archaeological value [...], such observations shall be reported immediately to the Contracting Officer so that the appropriate authorities may be notified and a determination made as to their significance and what, if any, special disposition of the finds should be made. The Contractor shall cease all activities that may result in impact to or the destruction of these resources." 01 11 30-3.2.1. In the event this occurs will the contractor receive compensation and time for any stand-by as relates to item.

RESPONSE: Coordination will include USACE, MESD, utility company, and the contractor. Contractor will be compensated for standby time only when the critical path work is interrupted at no fault of the contractor. See bid note 9.

44. Bid for clarification. 01 10 00. Are the quantities of wall area ect. For the test section covered under bid item 8,9,10,15 and 18 or is this intended to be a lump sum carried in bid item 16?

RESPONSE: See Section 01 22 00 for pay item descriptions.

45. "Drilling Requirements: [...] Drilling fluid is restricted to water only". 02 32 00-1.4.1.b. Will Government allos polymer based fluid additives such as Wyovis or Poly-sal to aid in the removal of cuttings. These types of additives are needed in low compressive strength coring to remove cuttings and improve recovery. These products have been used extensively in the coring of cutoff walls including Wood River phase 1&2.

37. 11+00 to 11+75 - "The overhead conveyer shall be temporarily relocated prior to starting any of the Contractors panel excavation work under the conveyer". 00 0/ 00-1.21.b.6.l. What about when demolition and restoration work takes place?

39. 18+00 to 18+75 - "The buried gas line shall be permanently abandoned prior to starting any of the Contractors panel excavation work for this stationing". 00 08 00-1.21.b.6.l. Will the pipe be abandoned in pace or removed?

RESPONSE: Paragraph revised see amended specs.

46. Davis Bacon Rates00 70 00 Page 80 of 86. Rates provided cover dredging operations only. Please provide the current rates for Deep Cutoff Wall work.

RESPONSE: See amendment documentation.

RESPONSE: Abandoned in place.

48. It appears our contract includes no monitoring of the existing piezometers, please confirm this is the case. (SEE COPIED PAGE

BELOW)

RESPONSE: Confirmed

49. Can the period for questions be extended?

RESPONSE: No, they will not be extended.

50. What is the wall thickness of the 18" corrugated iron pipe?

RESPONSE: All available information has been provided as reference drawings.

51. What material is the liner of the abandoned sewer made of?

RESPONSE: All available information has been provided as reference drawings.

52. Wage rates are only for Heavy Dredging, will there be an amendment to include other trades?

RESPONSE: Refer to question 46.

53. "The contractor shall be required to immediately stop all work, and lay-down all crane booms and support structures so that the transmission lines can be placed back into service by Ameren." How is the contractor compensated for this down time?

RESPONSE: Contractor will be compensated for standby time only when the critical path work is interrupted at no fault of the contractor. See bid note 9.

54. 01 22 00 - 1.1.16 Geotechnical Instrumentation "(a) Payment for the following items will be made at the contract job price for "Geotechnical Instrumentation Installation" bid item." There is no bid item for Geotechnical Instrumentation. Under which bid item should these costs be included?

RESPONSE: See revised Section 01 22 00 per this amendment.

55. Who is responsible for paying for the utility relocations? Does AMEREN pay for all material and labor to relocate electric lines?

The same question applies to Bunge SCF regarding the relocation of the overhead conveyor, to Spire Energy regarding gas line relocation, etc.

RESPONSE: Contractor is not responsible for utility relocation costs.

56. 00 08 00 - 121.b.6.l

"For the work between stations 18+00 to 18+75 as shown on the plans, the Contractor shall undertake advance coordination and planning with Spire Energy for temporary and permanent relocations as required during construction. The buried gas line shall be permanently abandoned prior to starting any of the Contractors panel excavation work for this stationing. The new relocated portion of the gas line is required to be installed over a previously completed panel of the cut off wall as shown on the plans prior to abandonment of the gas line to facilitate minimum outages of service." There does not appear to be a detail in the plans showing the relocated portion of gas line installed over a previously completed panel of the cut off wall.

47. 23+00 to 28+00 - "The buried electrical line will be relocated prior to cut off wall construction and the gatewell and pipe will be abandoned by April 30, 2020". 00 08 00- 1.21.b.6.l. Will these items be removed or abandoned in place?

RESPONSE: Location will be provided as reference drawing in this amendment.

57. 00 08 00 - 1.5 Damage to Work

"If in the opinion of the Contracting Officer there are no contract unit or lump sum prices applicable to any part of such work, an equitable adjustment pursuant to the Contract Clause entitled, "Changes," of the contract will be made as full compensation for the repairs of that part of the permanent work for which there are no applicable contract unit or lump sum prices. Except as herein provided, damage to all work (including temporary construction), utilities, materials, equipment, and plant shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer at the Contractor's expense, regardless of the cause of such damage."

Please provide clarification as to why equitable adjustment does not apply in this scenario.

RESPONSE: If the Contracting Officer deems damage was not due to failure of the Contractor, equitable adjustments would be made. The exception is if the Contracting Officer finds fault in the contractor’s lack of reasonable precautions and/or their exercise of sound engineering and construction practices.

58. 32 20 20 - 2.1.2 Mixing Water Can mixing water be pumped from the river?

RESPONSE: Mix water shall be supplied by Contractor. Water may be pumped from adjacent relief wells or other sources as provided by the Contractor.

59. 31 22 00 - 3.1.4 Protection of Relief Wells and Piezometers "The Contractor shall take precautions for the protection of the existing relief wells and piezometers located within the construction area." There does not appear to be any existing piezometers shown in the plans, is that correct?

RESPONSE: Contractor shall protect any existing piezometers or relief wells regardless of what is shown on the plans.

60. 02 32 00 - 1.4.1.b "Drilling fluid is restricted to water only." Can polymer be used for drilling fluid?

RESPONSE: See revised specification per this amendment.

61. 32 20 20 - 1.5.1 & 1.5.4 Can the Slurry Trench Specialist and the Project Field Superintendent be the same person?

RESPONSE: They cannot be the same person.

62. 01 22 00 - 1.1.20 Standby Time What if the water level rises to the work platform elevation and damages it? Will the contractor be compensated for the time and materials to fix that?

RESPONSE: See clause 00 08 00-1.5.

63. Typical Road Repair Detail 32 22 30.99 15 - 3.1 Crushed Stone Surfacing Installation The Typical Road Repair Detail on Sheet C- 501 shows a crushed stone depth of 12", while Section 32 22 30.99 15, Paragraph 3.1 calls for a crushed stone depth of 9". Which depth should the contractor use?

RESPONSE: See revised specification per this amendment.

64. 00 08 00 If no work is being performed within 25 feet of Railroad tracks, is Railroad insurance needed?

RESPONSE: The Contractor, and all subcontractors to the Contractor, shall comply with all requirements of the Kansas City Southern Railway Company and the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis when working on or adjacent to railroad property.

Access and insurance requirements shall be obtained prior to commencement of work and maintained during the entire period of performance of this contract while working on or adjacent to railroad property.

RESPONSE: Bid as specified.