20-15-C Request For Clarification Responses

The following list is comprised of paraphrased Requests for Clarification (RFC) submitted by potential bidders or sub-bidders in writing via email, letter, and this form:

Request for Clarification (RFC) 20-15-C

These paraphrased questions and associated responses are not part of the contract documents and shall have no bearing whatsoever on the interpretation of the Standard Specifications, the Standard Plans, the Special Provisions, or the Plans. Nor shall they have any bearing whatsoever on the interpretation of other publications referenced therein.

Questions without answers may be posted here to indicate that we have received them before the deadline and we intend to respond.

Last updated: 4/02/2021 4:10pm

Request for Clarification Submissions

Question: Please provide cross sections for earthwork takeoff purposes. The typical cross sections (sheet X-1) show shoulder fills and there is a bid item for embankment, but we have no way of quantifying this without cross sections. (RFC #25788)

Response: Cross sections have been added to the supplemental information webpage.
Question: Is bid item 31 Finish Roadway intended to be a shoulder backing item? If so, please provide a detail or quantity so that all contractors can bid the same thing. (RFC #25809)

Response: Bid Item 31 Finish Roadway refers to Section 22 Finish Roadway of the Standard Specifications and is not intended to be a shoulder backing item. Shoulder Backing is not included in the scope of work.Earthwork is quantified in Embankment, Structure Excavation, and Structure Backfill.Refer to the cross sections provided in Response #1 and grading plans.
Question: Please clarify what Bid Item 33 Rock (60 LB, Class 2, method B)(Miscellaneous Area) is referring to. (RFC #25813)

Response: The existing embankment is partly covered in concrete blocks/rock.The contractor is to restore the disturbed channel bed and bank to pre-construction conditions. Bid Item 33 is provided to supplement the existing concrete blocks/rock. See Addendum #1 for additional information.
Question: Is there no road closures allowed for the construction of the columns, pier caps or abutments? (RFC #25828)

Response: Full road closure is only allowed for the durations and reasons specified in section 12-4.02C(3)(o).Traffic must be maintained through the site otherwise.All other work may utilize shoulder and lane closures complying with the CAMUTCD, Standard Specifications, and Special Provisions.
Question: Based on the typical sections on Sheet S-1 and sheet S-15, the old bridge is "in the grade" of the proposed pier caps. This means that the old bridge has to be removed at least partially to construct the pier caps. The proximity of the old piles next to Piers 2 & 3 on the West Bridge may necessitate their removal for falsework construction. (RFC #25828)

Response: The project was engineered to keep the existing bridges functional for public traffic during the construction of the abutments, piers, and pier caps. The proposed pier caps are below the existing bridge and have approximately 4-8" horizontal clearance (to the adjacent exiting pier cap) and approximately 8-12" vertical clearance (to the existing deck above). Additional vertical clearance is also available due to the existing deck profile (Inverted U-shape). Formwork and the associated falsework will need to be designed to accommodate these conditions.
Question: I realize that the existing abutments are to remain and that the new abutments will be constructed in front of the old abutments, but a portion of the deck on the old bridge will need to be removed in order to construct these abutments. No road closures have been allowed for this work (excavation, setting of forms, placement of rebar, placement of concrete, cure, stripping & structural backfill). (RFC #25828)

Response: The new abutment vertical conditions are similar to Response #5. Abutment wingwalls can be constructed without disturbing the existing walls. Abutment pier caps will be cast against the existing abutment face. For road closures, see Response #4.
Question: There is a gas line that appears to have been recently installed onto the bridge at the West Channel. I don't see the gas line shown on the Typical Section on Sheet S-1. There is a gas line shown on Sheet S-3 Foundation Plan that appears to match the edge of existing bridge deck and another gas line shown approx. 20' north of the bridge. Based on the typical section on S-1 it appears that the elevation of the gas line is such that it will be in the same grade as the precast slabs or possibly in the top of the pier cap. (RFC #25829)

Response: The existing gas line is in process of being relocated off of the bridge. Refer to sheet S-1 for approximate location of the new underground gas line. The existing pipe on the bridge will be disconnected, purged, and left in place on the bridge to be removed with the bridge removal.
Question: If bird exclusion measures are in place, why can work not take place between January 15, 2022 and July 15, 2022? (RFC #25830)

Response: Installation of the bird exclusion device will allow work during the February through August nesting season.Work may continue through the nesting season.However, the July 16, 2022 date refers to the limitations for complying with the CVFPB permit while doing work inside the floodway. No work will be allowed from November 1 â€“ July 16 within the floodway unless a time variance is granted by CVFPB.See Addendum #1 for additional information.
Question: The allowable work window for 2021 is from September 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021 unless time variances are approved. What is the criteria for approving time variances? What is the likelihood that time variances will be granted? Will project suspensions be granted if time variances are not approved? If time variance approval is based upon flows in the channels, does the County have any information as to what the historical flows are? (RFC 25831)

Response: Acceptance for time variance is dependent on rainfall, anticipated water flows, and other conditions determined by CVFPB. The time variance is a standard part of their permit.The CVFPB can speak to the likelihood of acceptance.If the contractor is prevented from performing a controlling item of work within the floodway and no other work is accessible, a delay or suspension will be granted based on Section 8 of the Special Provisions.The historic flow data may be requested from the Reclamation District 1606 (operated by the James Irrigation District). See response 10 for additional information.
Question: Section Twenty-Seven of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board Permit states "Temporary staging, formwork, stockpiled material, equipment, and temporary building shall not remain in the James Bypass Designated Floodway during the flood season from November 1 to July 15". Will the contract be allowed to have falsework remain in the Designate Floodway if it is designed to accommodate a 100 year water surface elevation along with the other criteria outlined in section 48-2.02B(2)? Can you tell us what the 100-year water surface elevation is for both channels? (RFC #25833)

Response: The County will review the falsework submittal and determine if the design criteria has been met.If the contractorâ€™s critical path schedule shows the falsework will remain in the floodway past the CVFPB work window, the falsework submittal will be provided to the CVFPB to determine if leaving the falsework in the channel will be permitted. Depending on that determination, the Engineer may direct the Contractor to stop at a specific controlling item and adjust their schedule accordingly. The design 100-year water surface elevation for each bridge are shown on plan sheets S-3 & S-17.
Question: Drawings show alternative dropped end forming for precast voided slabs. Where is alternative forming allowed on voided slabs (All/interior only/none)? (RFC #25833)

Response: The alternative dropped end forming noted would apply to all girders if the contractor chooses to use the alternative method.

Questions From Pre-Bid Meeting

Question: As we demolish and remove the existing bridge in pieces, are there size constraints for those pieces?

Response: The size constraints are not specified, though contractors need to factor for the presence of live electric wires overhead with larger pieces, and factor for the permit restrictions related to construction debris with smaller pieces.
Question: Will we have access to the bottom of the channel with our equipment?

Response: Yes.
Question: Will the telephone line on the south side of the road come down?

Response: No.
Question: Will the electric lines on the north side of the road be powered?

Response: Yes.
Question: Are there a specific number of days between closures?

Response: No, but we want to re-emphasize making the community aware in advance as specified in Special Provisions and keeping to the schedule once the community has been informed.