Solicitation - Attachment 6 - Contractor Questions and Government Answers.pdf

W912P922R0002 Melvin Price Lock & Dam Reach 2 Flood Control Relief Wells

Contractor Questions & Government Answers

1. What is the anticipated award date?

ANSWER: Government anticipates to award on or about 15 August 2022, but this is not a guaranteed award date.

2. Would USACE consider a bid due date extension? Due to the Easter Holiday that fell during the proposal prep time frame, we faced some challenges and lost a week of valuable time needed to properly kick off our proposal efforts and we seek an extension of the due date in order to carefully detail an approach for this project that contains significant risks involving construction methods and lead and price points for labor and materials. Please consider granting an extension to May 13, 2022.

ANSWER: USACE will grant an extension for the bid due date to May 13, 2022.

Updated on the Solicitation.

3. With the 90-day acceptance period it is possible that a notice to proceed would not be received until late August to early September. Due to the high water levels at the site the best working times will likely be late summer and winter months. We would request that the contract performance period be extended 120 days to fully encompass the late summer months to complete the work and fall months to provide ideal conditions for establishing turf.

ANSWER: The period of performance with respect to timing of construction is adequate for this project. An extension to the period of performance will not be granted.

4. Considering that projects (2-4ea) of significant subcontractors performing 10%+ of the workload will be featured and the Offeror will submit 3-5 projects, it will be difficult to properly depict each project in less than 2 pages per project, please consider increasing the page count of Factor 2 to 40 pages.

ANSWER: Page limit for Factor 2 has been increased to 40 pages. Updated on the Solicitation.

5. Please confirm which volume/tab should the Bid Bond go in the proposal.

ASNWER: It can be included with Volume II – Price Proposal; or as a separate document. Do NOT include it in Volume I – Technical Proposal.

6. Solicitation page 38 of 171 says PPQ gets submitted with the proposal, while page 39 of 171 says “The offeror is responsible for ensuring that the Government has received the requested number of questionnaires prior to the date/time listed for receiving proposals.” Please confirm which method of transmission is required for the PPQ.

ANSWER: The offeror can obtain and provide the PPQs with their proposal; or the offeror can request a client to complete a PPQ and send it directly to the same POC that proposals are sent to. Either way, the PPQs must be received by the Government by the date and time that proposals are due.

7. Would the Government consider accepting previously completed PPQs in lieu of processing another PPQ to prove performance?

ANSWER: If a PPQ that you used for a previous proposal is applicable to this requirement and follows the PPQ requirements of this solicitation, you may use it for this proposal.

8. Would the Government consider accepting CPARS in lieu of processing another PPQ to prove performance?

ANSWER: The Government will not accept CPARS evaluations in lieu of PPQs.

9. Please confirm if this project is tax-exempted or not.

ANSWER: USACE contracting officer shall provide certificate for tax exemption upon request. Terms included on the certificate for tax exemption shall comply with individual state department of revenue requirements. Consult with the state department of revenue in which supplies, or construction materials are to be purchased by the prime or subcontractor for a copy of that state’s tax exemption form. Machinery, equipment, or tools are typically not tax exempt.

10. Letters of Commitment from Sub-Contractors are requested in both Factors 1 & 2, please confirm in which factor these letters are required.

ANSWER: There are two different documents requested. Factor 1, Subfactor (b) Work Plan states “Offeror should include Subcontractor Letters of Commitment, as it applies to any subcontracted work, which includes the solicitation number and signature of both subcontractor and offeror.” This is a document that the contractor would draft and is not a template provided by the Government. The purpose of this document is for the contractor to obtain commitment from a sub-contractor to perform work for this requirement, if they are awarded the contract. Factor 2, Past Performance states “The offeror shall submit the Subcontractor Consent (Appendix B) of its major subcontractors to allow the disclosure of its subcontractor’s past performance and experience information to the Government.”

This document is provided as an attachment to the Solicitation on SAM.gov. The purpose of this document is to get consent from your proposed major sub-contractors to share their past performance information for the Government to evaluate during the Source Selection process.

11. Regarding QTY Surveys by a licensed surveyor:

a. Will the excavated surface (dirt subgrade) of the CLSM/MUD mat be required to be surveyed prior to placement of the CLSM/MUD mat?

ANSWER: Yes, both bottom of excavation and top of flowable will need to surveyed to verify the required thickness as shown on the plans.

b. Will the surface of the CLSM/MUD mat be required to be surveyed prior to the placement of the CIP Paved ditch?

ANSWER: Yes, both bottom of excavation and top of flowable will need to surveyed to verify the required thickness as shown on the plans.

12. 00 09 00 P.8.e. Wildlife coordination states that no clearing can take place from 4-1 to 9-30.

How will the Indiana Bat Clearing rules affect the award and NTP?

ANSWER: The rules will not impact the award or NTP. Contractor will need to incorporate clearing restriction dates into their schedule.

13. Will an NOI and an NPDES permit be required through the IEPA since there will be over 1 acre of land disturbed? Will USACE provide this or is it the contractor’s responsibility? Who’s responsible for the fee to the IEPA?

ANSWER: The contractor is responsible for the NPDES permit, if applicable.

Recommend coordinating requirements with IEPA.

14. Section 01 22 00, P.6, 1.20 site demo and restoration includes RW abandonment.

Section 02 41 00, P.2, 1.1 Demo and restoration does not include abandonment.

P.5, 3.6 includes abonnement.

Please confirm that abandonment of existing relief wells shall be included in the CLIN Item A020 Site demolition & Restoration.

ANSWER: Correct, the abandonment of existing relief well wells shall be included in CLIN A020 “Site Demolition and Restoration”

15. Section 03 30 00.99 15, P.9, 2.1.1 Construction strips calls for installation of strips to control the location of cracking.

Plan Sheets S201 to S301 call for saw cuts.

Should cracker strips or saw cuts be used? Or are either one acceptable, or the selection up to the contractor?

ANSWER: The referenced strips will be removed from the specifications. Saw cuts are the acceptable method.

16. For the paved ditch, what surface finish is required? Float? Broom? Etc.

ANSWER: Float Finish per 03 30 00.99 15 paragraph 3.5.1.1. “All unformed surfaces that are not to be covered by additional concrete or backfill shall be float finished to elevations shown on the drawings.”

17. Section 03 30 00.99 15, P. 16, 3.8.2.5 states that unit weight checks shall be performed on every truck. All other tests required are once per day.

Please confirm that unit weight needs to be tested by an ACI certified technician at each truck?

ANSWER: Yes, test unit weight for every truck.

18. Section 03 30 00.99 15, P.1, 3.8.3.2 states that air content shall be between 4-6%.

Paragraph 2.1.6 states 6% +/- 1%.

Please confirm the air requirements.

ANSWER: Air content shall be 6% +/- 1%. Specification has been updated.

19. 3.8.3.3 Slump states between 2.

5. 2.1.6 states between 1-1/2 and 3-1/2.

Please confirm the slump requirements.

ANSWER: Slump shall be between 1-1/2 and 3-1/2. Specification has been updated.

20. 03 33 10 RW Concrete

Please confirm for what concrete related to relief wells is anti-wash agent required.

Seals? Abandonments? RW Manholes and appurtenances? This is a significant cost increase above normal concrete, so it is important that we have this requirement tightly defined.

ANSWER: An anti-washout agent is not required. This was removed from the specifications.

21. Paved ditch Reinforcing: The plans call for a 4x4 D10xD10 welded wire fabric and ancillary rebar at joints and specific places. It is estimated that this mesh will be significantly more expensive and harder to source than standard rebar. D10/D10 wire has a cross sectional area of 0.357” while a #3 rebar has 0.375”.

Can a substitution of rebar of a given size and spacing that meets or exceeds the steel area provided by the mesh? #3@4” or #4 @8” or #5 @ 12” would be some examples of equivalent or greater options that we have investigated?

ANSWER: Rebar can be used in place of the 4x4 D10xD10 welded wire fabric.

However, USACE will still have to approve any proposed rebar substitutes to ensure they meet the strength requirement and do not impact the overall design.

22. 31 05 15, P.6, 3.1.6 Geotextile Overlap and fastening Within this spec it discusses the minimum lap for the bottom layer being 3’ but may be adjusted based on soil conditions.

Can a smore specific spec or quantification of lap be provided so that bidders can account for a more specific amount of fabric lap? We have no way of knowing what the soils conditions are on something currently below grade and we have no way of knowing how one COR will look at the soil conditions vs. another. If you could provide a lap for us to bid off of and then some provision for adjustment for a greater lap, that would keep things fair for all bidders while still protecting the government.

ANSWER: The specifications state that the minimum overlap for the bottom layer of geogrid should be overlapped at least 3 feet, while the upper layer can be reduced to 1 foot. This shall be the criteria on which the contractors bid on.

23. 31 06 00, P.3, 2.1.2 Engineering fabric seams

Is the tensile strength test D4884 intended to be a factory test or a field test (2.2.2 mill certs discuss factor testing of seams)? If it isn’t a factory test, what is the frequency of testing required? What size sample is required to be tested? Does the tester have to have a laboratory validation in D4884?

ANSWER: Paragraph has been removed from the specification. Sewn fabric seems is not required.

24. 31 22 03 Earthwork, P. 10, 3.1.3 Unsuitable material states that if unsuitable material is encountered it shall be removed and replaced with CA6.

1. Will this be paid as an extra since we have no way of adequately evaluating the sub surface soils for this condition?

ANSWER: Unsuitable material removal and replacement is incidental to earthwork.

2. Can unsuitable soils be bridged with a larger minus rock than CA6?

ANSWER: Yes, unsuitable soil may be bridged with a larger minus rock rather than CA6 but a non-woven geotextile would be needed as well for a separation/filter layer.

25. P.11, 3.2.1 General Foundation preparation reads as though excavation and replacement of unsuitable soils is incidental.

a. Will this be paid as an extra since we have no way of adequately evaluating the sub surface soils for this condition?

ANSWER: Excavation and replacement of unsuitable soil is incidental.

Can unsuitable soils be bridged with a larger minus rock than CA6?

ANSWER: Yes, unsuitable soil may be bridged with a larger minus rock rather than CA6 but a non-woven geotextile would be needed as well for a separation/filter layer.

26. 31 23 19.02 Care of Water, P. 6 (G) Flow meter – this spec discusses providing a flow meter on each well for monitoring flow to not exceed 400GPM. It also discusses weekly calibration of flow meters.

Is it a requirement to have the flow meter in place at all times or can it be moved from pump to pump for daily monitoring?

ANSWER: If stainless steel relief wells are used for dewatering efforts the flow meter can be moved from pump to pump for daily monitoring.

27. Care of water general questions

a. Is dewatering required for Piezometer installations? If so, should that money be included in the optional bid items since they may or may not be selected by the government?

ANSWER: The contractor shall determine if dewatering is required for their means and methods for the installation of the piezometer. If the contractor determines dewatering is necessary for the piezometer optional bid items that care of water price shall be included within those optional CLINs.

b. There is discussion about completing work “in the dry” and of utilizing care of water to draw the groundwater down 3’ below the bottom of the excavation. If the contractor can demonstrate that work can be completed “in the dry” will the draw down still be required?

ANSWER: The contractor shall follow the requirements for drawdown as outlined within Specifications 31 23 19.02 “Care of Water.” The intent of this requirement is to create a dry, stable working area, and to prevent heave/sand boils in the excavation.

If this cannot be allowed for all work, can it be considered for work that can be completed quickly in nature such as outlet works on relief wells and other items that can be started and finished in a short period of time?

ANSWER: The contractor shall follow the requirements for drawdown as outlined within Specifications 31 23 19.02 “Care of Water.” The intent of this requirement is to create a dry, stable working area, and to prevent heave/sand boils in the excavation.

28. 31 23 23 .33 Flowable Fill

a. Most of the specifications within this section discuss flowable fill within them, however there is an option to utilize a lean concrete mud mat as well.

Is the permeability requirement of 1x10^-7 and the shrinkage requirement applicable to both flowable fill and lean concrete?

ANSWER: Yes

b. P.3, 3.2 Flowable fill application discusses providing a bond breaker between temporary sheeting and the flow fill.

Where is this temporary sheeting that is discussed located within the project and where is it shown on the plans?

ANSWER: This information has been removed, and a bond breaker will not be required.

c. P.7, 3.5 Testing Please confirm the requirement for a certified technician to be on site all day as this specification requires. Is this due to the requirement to test unit weight of every load of flow fill or lean concrete?

ANSWER: The certified technician is required to be on site while material is being placed.

d. P.7, 3.5.1.2 / 3.5.1.4 - These sections discuss testing frequencies for strength and permeability being required every 500CY.

Is this every 500 CY no matter how many pour days it takes to install

500CY?

ANSWER: Correct, test strength and permeability every 500 CY regardless of how many days it takes to place. The Government’s quality assurance representative can request additional strength and or permeability tests if visual indications of the mix being placed suggests that there are inconsistencies in the batches.

29. Flowable fill general The ability to achieve a flowable fill with a permeability of 1x10^-7 cm/s will be very difficult. Can the government provide a sample mix design of a proven mix to aid the contractor in mix design preparation since this type of work is not very common? The only 2 USACE projects we have seen with a low permeability flowable fill had a requirement of 1x10^-6 not -7 so we have very little experience with a permeability so low.

ANSWER: A mix will not be provided. It is Contractor design.

30. 32 22 70 Stone Protection, P.4, 1.3 Submittals – This section discusses the requirement for stone quality testing.

Is this applicable to all stone or just the rip rap RR3?

ANSWER: This is for all stone and only if stone comes from a stone source that is not listed within the stone sources shown after page 13 of section 00800.

31. 32 92 00.00 Establishment of turf, P.6, 3.3 Turf mowing discuses mowing all grass above elevation 412 to maintain a height between 6” & 18” for the duration of the project.

Is this meant to be applicable to the grass that we plant as part of the project or is it for the undisturbed IDOT grass on the fore slope of ILRT 143 and the Wood River Levee district grass for the entire length of the project?

ANSWER: Spec only applies to grass planted as part of this project.

32. Plans: Sheet C-505 Detail A1

Can you please provide a description of where this installation is needed?

ANSWER: Waterstop joints are required between existing storm drain concrete headwalls and proposed concrete channels. See C-203 and C-204 for profiles of these storm drain extensions and callout of location of waterstop.

33. Cross section for the collector channel

Can revised cross sections be included to provide elevations at the top of channel and to detail the 36” (8” ditch and 28” CLSM) of proposed improvements?

ANSWER: Revised cross sections will not be provided. Current cross sections show top of channel. Typical section C1 on C-503 can be used as reference in tandem with the cross sections.

34. Concrete collector channel:

For the 2’-4” CLSM below the collector channel, it appears that this will be well within the projected groundwater table and will require significant dewatering.

Even with dewatering the sides of this excavation will be made up mostly of fine sand and it is highly unlikely that fine sand covered in silt will standup.

Is it acceptable if the existing ground outside of the channel sloughs off and the CLSM or Mud slab end up wider than the 15’-6” proposed or do we have to plan to form this up?

ANSWER: It is acceptable if the CLSM or Mud slab ends up wider than the 15’-6” proposed width.

35. CLIN A008 is for rip rap RR4 from stockpile – can you please provide the conversion factor the designed used for RR4 in CY to RR4 in tons so that we can better select our hauling rates?

ANSWER: 1.5 TONS/CY

36. 31 05 15, Page 6, 3.1.3 Oversight — within this section it states that the manufacturers rep shall be present to provide training during the 1st 8 hours of installation and that the contractor’s civil/geotechnical QC representative shall be present at all times during geogrid installation.

Having the civil/geotechnical QC rep on site at all times during grid installation will be very costly, can you please confirm that you want them on site 100% of the time during all grid installation and that a shorter duration of observation at the beginning of the work is not suitable? If there is a shorter duration that is acceptable, can you please let us know what that will be?

ANSWER: The manufacturers rep shall be present to provide training during the 1st 8 hours of installation. The contractor’s QCM shall be onsite at all times during the construction.

37. Can the SSHO be a shared duty with the project superintendent?

ANSWER: SSHO and superintendent need to be different people. The CQC System Manager may not serve as the Site Superintendent but may serve as the SSHO.