W912P920R0060 - Attachment 5 - PreBid Questions and Government Answers.pdf

Pre-Bid Questions & Answers

Site Visit Orientation:

The design team lead provided a general site orientation during the site visit. Access to the site for the site visit was only available to the north-side (right descending) bank of the Big River.

The access route down to the south (left descending) bank of the site was described as being in similar condition to the north access. The site visit included a walk down to the floodplain by the only access route available for the north side (right-descending bank and floodplain) of the site. The river was at an approximate flow of 160 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 2.45 feet at Richwoods gage (located approximately two miles upstream of the site).

The site tour included a view of Bank 3, then a view of the access point to the gravel bar across from Bank 2, then a view of Bank 1 by walking through the break in the timber harvest area to travel back toward the bluff, ending at Bank 1. The Bank 1 orientation was viewed from north of the high-flow channel/swale that cuts through the floodplain. The existing/remnant stone structure was visible from this location and was pointed out to the contractors. Calico Creek was not visible from Bank 1 due to vegetation on the opposite gravel bar, but the creek can be viewed from public roadways like Nickelson Road, and several public road crossings nearby. After Bank 1, the same route was followed back to the Bank 2 access, where contractors were given the option to head back up, or to traverse down to the gravel bar to better view Bank 2.

1. Where did the lead (Pb) that is on the site come from?

Primary Source Areas: https://www.epa.gov/mo/big-river-mine-tailings-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-st-francois-county-missouri Nearby Source Areas/Site Operable Unit (OU) information:

https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1

2. Are all earth materials contaminated, and is HAZWOPER required for all contractor personnel?

Contamination tests were not systematically performed throughout the entire site, but samples collected suggest that lead (Pb) contamination exists at various levels throughout the site. HAZWOPER training is required for all people working routinely on site. Refer to Section 33 of EM 385-1-1 for more information.

3. Are earth materials able to be moved around on site?

All materials are required to remain on site and should be used within the project features to the extent practicable. Grading Areas have been established in the Plans that demonstrate which locations within the site can accept material from other areas within the site.

https://www.epa.gov/mo/big-river-mine-tailings-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-st-francois-county-missouri https://www.epa.gov/mo/big-river-mine-tailings-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-st-francois-county-missouri https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1 https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1

4. Have landowners pre-arranged additional stockpile areas?

No stockpile nor material staging and handling areas have been identified that were not incorporated into the plans. Any such areas will have to be submitted to USACE for approval; USACE will coordinate with the appropriate landowner(s) for approval.

5. Are stream crossings across the Big River authorized?

Stream crossings can be included in the proposed Work Plan. Any stream crossings used during construction will be required to be designed and constructed to withstand appropriate river conditions, prevent release of soil materials into the stream, and will be required to be removed before final acceptance. All such actions shall be approved by the government in advance.

6. Does USACE have full jurisdiction here (real estate)?

EPA has obtained access to the site.

7. Is there harvest involved in the project?

From specific areas identified in the plans, harvested trees will be used as a component of the bank stabilization features. Areas identified in the plans for pilot channels and other stabilization features may be harvested to their fullest extent for live cuttings, live rootwads, and timbers. Other areas within the construction limits may only be harvested for live cuttings with approval from the Contracting Officer and if harvesting activities are done in a manner which prevents mortality of the host vegetation from which the cuttings are taken.

8. Are there any flood control activities upstream or downstream that will impact the site?

There are no flood control reservoirs upstream or downstream. The river is completely connected to the open portion of the Mississippi River by way of the Meramec River.

9. What is flow/stage today (19 Oct)?

166 CFS

10. What’s the road to access the other bank?

Tar Blue Lane, which is in similar condition to the rock road we traversed to reach the site.

11. Documentation does not indicate an anticipated evaluation and award timeframe; it only mentions a 10-day mobilization requirement from NTP. What is the anticipated evaluation and award time frame?

USACE is targeting award by end of November 2020. Bids are good for 90 days.

12. Documentation does not indicate an anticipated construction start time, what is the expectation for construction start?

USACE expects construction to start December 2020. The start date is dependent on timely submission of pre-construction documents, as well as weather and river conditions.

13. The specifications mention that the contractor will be required to uphold all laws/requirements of permits for this project. Will copies of all permits be made available for review prior to submission of proposals?

No additional permit information will be provided. The plans and specifications were developed to be in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

14. Plans indicate that river right (RR) access is through the private property located off Hammel Rd. Does the same condition exist for the river left (RL) work? Access through private property? Can a link be forwarded that indicates where the access point is for RL?

All access is through Private Property. Sheet C-100 discusses access for both sides of the river. G-001 includes a map with public roadways, including those mentioned in C-100.

15. Based on the plans it is assumed that there will be NO temporary stream crossings on the Big River, please confirm.

Temporary stream crossing can be included in the proposed Work Plan. Any stream crossings used during construction will be required to be designed and constructed to withstand appropriate river conditions, prevent release of soil materials into the stream, and will be required to be removed before final acceptance. All such actions shall be approved by the government in advance.

16. The tree harvest area has been indicated to be on the RR side of the project (Banks 1 and 3), is there also a tree harvest site for the RL work (Bank 2)? We understand that those areas cleared for access on the RL side of the project (Bank 2) that the debris from clearing will be available for use in the bank stabilization work, has an assessment been performed to determine if those cleared materials will satisfy the design requirements for the RL (Bank 2) work?

The bidders may assume that all trees required to be cleared may be reused in stabilization structures. Any cleared timbers not suitable for the Toe Wood structure will typically be used as locked logs within stone structures, or otherwise used on site as determined by the Contracting Officer Representative.

17. Live stake cuttings are to be harvested from existing growth on site. Has an evaluation been performed that would determine if the quantity of new plantings (post construction) can be satisfied by existing harvestable cuttings?

No evaluation has been performed.

18. When was the survey performed that was utilized to determine final design elevations and “existing conditions”?

The topographic surveys were performed in April 2019, and bathymetric surveys performed in May 2019.

19. An initial survey will be performed by the successful contractor in order to establish benchmarks, construction layout points, etc. Have any accommodations been made in the event the initial survey findings are dramatically different from the design drawings/survey?

No accommodations have been made to address that situation. Estimated quantities are based on the initial survey, however payment shall be based on the actual quantities.

20. The specifications indicate that certain “compaction” requirements are to be met, what are those? Compaction of existing soils (depending on soil composition) may not be possible/practical. Are any accommodations to be provided for this possibility?

The compaction requirements are provided in section 31 00 00; these requirements are a prescriptive rather than performance specification to allow for variations in soil properties and composition.

21. During the site visit and in the contract documents, it talks about the site being contaminated.

a. Are the types of contaminants identified?

The contaminants of concern are heavy metals, primarily lead (Pb). For more information:

Primary Source Areas: https://www.epa.gov/mo/big-river-mine-tailings-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-st-francois-county-missouri

Nearby Source Areas/Site Operable Unit (OU) information:

https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1 https://www.epa.gov/mo/big-river-mine-tailings-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-st-francois-county-missouri https://www.epa.gov/mo/big-river-mine-tailings-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-st-francois-county-missouri https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1 https://www.epa.gov/mo/southwest-jefferson-county-mining-national-priority-list-npl-superfund-site-jefferson-county-1

b. Will the contractor have to obtain a certified testing company and operate under their recommendations?

Any testing required will be related to materials and engineering requirements that have been provided in the appropriate technical specifications. No contaminant testing is anticipated for this contract as all materials are to be stabilized on site by the project.

No earth materials may be removed from the site, eliminating the need for standard testing under CERCLA, RCRA, and similar laws and regulations.

c. What will be the requirements on maintaining and cleaning of the equipment in contaminated areas?

Earth materials shall not leave the site, including mud or detritus on equipment leaving the site. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that truck traffic is performed in such a way as to prevent material from leaving the site. Refer to EM 385-1-1 for more information.

22. Please clarify the following abbreviations as used in the documents?

PVI – Point of Vertical Intersection PVC – Point of Vertical Curvature POB – Point of Beginning POE – Point of Ending

23. Regarding Total Areas Cleared and Striped, bid documents call out a total area of

11.70 acres, but the bid documents call out seeding of 14.50 acres, which is a difference of 2.80 acres. Are we short areas that will be stripped or cleared? Please explain the difference.

Seeding area estimated quantity includes embankments to be constructed in areas that are currently free of vegetation.

24. Will Contractor be required or allowed to cut diversion ditch/channel to create a new pilot channel?

The Plans provide an outline of requirements for the establishment of pilot channels, or diversions if necessary.

25. Live Plant Cuttings:

a. Bid docs call out 5005 live cuttings. Specifications call out specifications for Joint Planting and live staking. Is this required on the project? Because the only detail is for the LBL areas to receive live cuttings. The areas seem like they will consume a lot more cuttings than 5005.

Joint Planting specification is in excess of the scope of this solicitation. Live cuttings will be included in LBL applications (including Bank 3, Bank 1 slope and berm, and Calico Creek Embankment) and Live Staking along the Calico Creek Pilot Channel cut slopes. Estimated quantity is based on the spacing requirements listed within the specification.

b. Are the LBL incidental to creating the new embankment slopes and the live cuttings as called out in the bid documents for elsewhere?

Live Brush Layering includes four separate CLINs, including embankment, TECF, Live Cuttings, and seeding and mulching.

c. Please tell me the spacing on the cuttings in the LBL horizontal and vertical?

See specification section 31 32 39, paragraph 3.8.3.

d. Are there any other plantings required that are incidental to other pay items?

No incidental plantings are included in this solicitation.

26. Will a temporary haul road created to build the project be able to be left in place?

The bidder shall assume that any road marked “Temporary” in the plans will be required to be removed. Clean aggregate removed from temporary roads may be reused on site to reinforce existing driveways.

27. Will a list of attendees at the pre-bid be provided to all bidders?

Yes. Posted on this Amendment, see attached.

28. Please clarify all excess tree and brush, if any, that will be left at the site? Assuming piled up?

Timbers and brush are intended to be incorporated within the stabilization structures to the extent practicable. If excess material is generated that cannot be incorporated, the Contracting Officer Representative will provide a method of disposal on-site after coordination with the appropriate landowner(s).

29. Cross sections for Bank 1 Shaping, do not call out LBL like on Bank 3. Would you update a plan sheet?

Associated plan sheets (C-102, C-103, etc.) callout that Bank 1 Shaping will utilize Live Brush Layering (LBL).

30. Other than the CQC System Manager, what key personnel positions must be filled by prime contractor employees?

Other key personnel don’t necessarily need to be filled by the prime contractor. However, if they will not be filled by the prime contractor employees, the offeror must still include the minimum qualifications the company requires for the position of each of the Key Personnel.

31. Section L of the solicitation is requiring both a proposal cover sheet and a title page (for each volume). Is the offeror allowed to merge the requirements into one title page as long as all requirements are met? If not, then what page is to be the first page of each volume - the cover sheet or title page? Instructions indicate both shall be the first page.

The Cover Sheet shall be the front page of your entire proposal (not required for each volume), so it can be the first page on top of Volume I. The Title Page should be first page of each Volume, IAW Section L. F.2.b.i., and shall be the first page after the Cover Sheet of Volume I.

32. Can offerors use 8-10 sized font in the headers and footers?

No. 12-point minimum font size is required for proposal, IAW Section L. F.2.a.v.

33. Section L appears to be requiring duplicate/overlapping information for Factor 2 - Company Experience and Factor 3 - Past Performance. Due to page count restrictions, can you please clarify what information is needed in each section?

All information listed in the solicitation for Factor 2 is required to be submitted. All information listed in the solicitation for Factor 3 is required to be submitted.

34. What are the minimum requirements for these key personnel positions: Vegetative Feature Installer(s), Stone Feature Installer(s)?

A minimum requirement has not been established. The bidder shall present the available qualifications of the crew intended to install these features.

35. Attachment, Section L, states, "Offeror shall submit two (2) to five (5) completed Past Performance Questionnaires (Appendix A) from references for recent and relevant projects completed during the past 5 years; to include, one for each project submitted under Factor 2 – Company Experience, along with an executed Subcontractor Consent (Appendix B), if applicable."

Other than the Experience Information Form provided in Appendix B, are our subcontractors required to complete Past Performance Questionnaires or provide tabular information on previous projects as part of Factor 2?

No.

36. Attachment, Section L, (subsection I - Teaming Arrangement) and Tab C: Factor 3 indicates the contractor shall include teaming arrangements. Can a copy of the teaming agreement be provided as an appendix to the Technical volume and not included in the total page count? Alternately, can the Contractor simply indicate that it has a teaming agreement and summarize the scope?

If the contractor wishes to receive credit for the experience or past performance from a teaming arrangement with another small business, provide the complete information on the arrangement. The teaming arrangement information can be included as an Appendix to the Technical Volume for Factor 3. However, within Factor 3, reference the Teaming Arrangement and direct attention to the Appendix.

37. Regarding Specifications section 322935 "seeding and mulching," what method of seeding is required?

No method is prescribed; the contractor shall use methods which have the ability to place seed as required in the specification.

38. Regarding Specifications section 011500 paragraph 2.3 temp safety fence, can you please identify the location of the fence or indicate if the fence is required only in the areas of excavation?

Locations would be dictated by EM 385-1-1, and shall be determined by the contractor.

39. Regarding Specifications section 313239 paragraph 3.4.2 "Harvesting of logs," how is contractor to proceed if there are not enough trees to remove for stabilization?

The bidder shall assume that there are sufficient timbers available on site for completion of the project.

40. Regarding Specifications section 313239 paragraph 3.4.2 "Harvesting of logs," what type of sealer should be used on any cut trees to seal the logs for stabilization placement?

Tree wound paint is only required for trees which require trimming of overhanging limbs to allow for construction operations; no harvested logs for stabilization features shall have any sealer applied.

41. Is the Project Manager (Key position) required to be onsite full-time in addition to a Site Superintendent (Key position)?

No.

42. Is burning of woody debris (tops and branches of trees) permitted onsite? If not, can debris be chipped, and chips scattered or piled on site?

Timbers and brush are intended to be incorporated within the stabilization structures to the extent practicable. If excess material is generated that cannot be incorporated, the Contracting Officer Representative will provide a method of disposal on-site after coordination with the appropriate landowner(s).

43. What positions require HAZWOPER training?

All personnel routinely working on site require training. Refer to Section 33 of EM 385-1-1.

44. Can USACE provide an estimated quantity of borrow site material that will need to be added to the embankments?

All earth materials to be used on site shall come from this site. No outside borrow is authorized.

45. Can boring logs be provided? If not, how much topsoil does USACE estimate is on the borrow sites?

No geotechnical investigation data is available. Topsoil information is provided in the Stripping specification; information on estimated soil types is also provided in C-101.

46. Noting that the excess soil will be contaminated, is there a designated place to dump it, or will it need to be stockpiled a certain way?

All earth materials will be used on site; any excess material will be placed in areas designated at that time; such areas will have been previously disturbed by construction activities.

47. Can excess material be disposed of in the borrow site?

All earth materials will be used on site. No outside borrow is authorized.

48. How many tons or cubic yards of existing stone structure material are anticipated to be removed? Can excess material be repurposed onsite (example, on roads, access points)?

A prior estimate of 130 CY was conducted but does not account for subsequent erosion. Plan sheet C-102 describes where material can be disposed of on site, all other areas would need to be approved by the Contracting Officer.

49. Should Key Personnel be named in the offeror's proposal?

No, only include the minimum qualifications the company requires for the position of each of the Key Personnel.

50. Section L, Factor 3 indicates past performance questionnaires shall be included for each project described in Factor 2 - Company Experience. If the offeror is proposing to use subcontractors for more than 10% of the work, should they include 3-5 relevant projects for each subcontractor as well as 3-5 of their own projects in the proposal?

Yes.