Pool 8 Islands Phase 3 Stage 3A, Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project (HREP)

The Corps received the following Question:  Note 1. Drawings C-109, C-110, C-111 allows the USACE to change the size of the borrow areas. How is the contractor to estimate the amount of material available from each area if you can change the size of the area?  It is possible that the contractor could estimate using the main channel area, Deadman's Slough, and head of raft channel only to find out that only 50% of the required volume is now available and the rest must come from the above Brownsville site.  The cost for dredging each of these areas is vastly different.

Response: There is enough information in the plans (bathymetry, cut dimension, typical section) for the contractor to calculate quantities available.

Based on current information - we have estimated that there is enough material in the main channel cut to build all the islands in the contract. Depending on the approach, the contractors may or may not want to use the other cuts. We have not provided estimates for each cut, as conditions can change at any time. We do not know if the selected contractor will want to dredge from the Above Brownsville site, but we left that in as an acceptable source of material.

The areas are identified as suitable areas for granular material and amounts available are based on the best information currently available regarding bathymetry. The notes on the plans identify those areas that may be dredged prior to construction and for which estimated quantities may change.

 The Corps received the following questions:

1. The USACE reserves the right to change the limits of the borrow areas at their discretion.  How is the contractor to know what amount of material he will be allowed to remove from a given borrow area?  The USACE could limit the amount of borrow to only 10% of what is shown on the drawings if it so chooses.

Response: Plan notes state that the actual location of borrow area cuts may be adjusted by the contracting officer after they are staked in the field.  The intent of the note is that minor adjustments to the limits may be made by the contracting officer, based on site conditions, while still keeping the same overall available borrow quantity.

In addition to the above, the Head of Raft Channel & Deadmans Slough Approved Sand Borrow Areas shown on Drawing C-111 may have further restrictions.  See amended drawing C-111 for details.

2. Access dredging is referenced in several sections of the specifications but never defined. Access dredging material is defined as random fill, but the base bid does not include any random fill.  What will the contractor do with access material if only the base bid is awarded?

Response: Please see Solicitation Amendment 1, which revises Section 01 22 00.00 13 and amends 4 drawings.

The Corps received the following question: The subject solicitation section 35 31 19.00 13 specifies the use of Geogrid.  Bid Schedule does not provide a bid item or quantity. Can you provide an estimated quantity of Geogrid for this project?

Answer: The contractor must calculate the amount of geogrid based on the details and cross sections in the plans. Geogrid is part of the rock/log sill (C2) and rock/log island (C2C) only, and is not used anywhere else on this project.  It is paid as a lump sum (see 1.8.9 and 1.8.10 of the M&P section).  The geogrid quantity is essentially the same for each rock mound.  The contractor can calculate the quantity for one mound, then multiply by the number of mounds to get the total quantity.

UPDATE: The solicitation and plans/drawings (3 parts) have been posted.  Any amendments will be posted to www.fbo.gov

You can now download solicitation, plans and specs at www.fbo.gov

UPDATE: The estimated date for issuing the solicitation has changed from March 16, 2009 to February 18, 2009.  THE SOLICITATION IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 18, 2009.  No plans or specifications will be available prior to the solicitation date.  Please check this site for any further changes. 

UPDATE: The estimated date for issuing the solicitation has changed from December 16, 2008, to on or around March 16, 2009.  It is expected that no plans or specifications will be released prior to the solicitation date. If plans and specifications do become available before the solicitation is posted, this site will be updated.  Please check this website for any further changes.

UPDATE: The estimated date for issuing the solicitation has changed from November 28, 2008, to on or around December 16, 2008. Please check this website for any further changes.

POOL 8 ISLANDS PHASE III, STAGE III, HABITAT REHABILITATION AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (HREP). This project is located in lower pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River near Brownsville, MN. The basic project consists of, but is not limited to, furnishing all plant, labor, materials and equipment to construct the following: islands with dredged material from borrow locations, rock/log sill, rock/log island, rock mounds, riprap slope protection, riprap vanes and groins, turfing, plantings, and wildlife loafing structures. There are three Options (islands C4, C5, and N2), each option island is similar to the basic project islands. THIS PROCUREMENT IS ISSUED UNRESTRICTED UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITIVE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (PUBLIC LAW 100-656). North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 237990 and the size standard is $33.5 million average annual gross revenue. The estimated price range for this project is between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. The solicitation will be issued under full and open competition and will be posted with specifications on www.fbo.gov on or around November 28, 2008. Please check this website for any changes to this date.