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) 20-18-SW
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: 03/08/2021 1:58 pm
We can't seem to find the warranty requirements on this project. What will the warranty period be? (RFC 24861 submitted 2/17/2021)
Proposal 17 forms part of the contract and contains the guaranty information. Specific information regarding part warranties are provided in the specifications. See Technical Specifications 44 42 53-3 and 23 09 13-01. Response date: 3/8/2021
Is there a project schedule already made, or are bidder's to propose their own? (RFC 24886 submitted 2/18/2021)
See Specifications 8-1.02 SCHEDULE. Response date: 3/2/2021
Working hours listed in the Special Provisions and the Technical Specifications contradict. Please clarify working hours for contractors and when landfill gates will open/close. Also is the general contractor able to work Saturdays when needed? (RFC 25264 submitted 3/3/2021)
Refer to Section 8-1.01A. Landfill Gate opens to the public at 7 am and closes at 3 pm. Contractor will be allowed to enter the side to perform work from 6am to 6 pm, however Contractor will not be able to dispose waste before 7 am or after 3 pm. Contract. Response date: 3/8/2021
If the landfill gates are closed while the contractor is still working on site, does that mean they are not able to dispose of refuse at the landfill open face, obtain borrow fill material from the soil stockpile area, or obtain import materials via trucking from an offsite source? (RFC 25265 submitted 3/3/2021)
See response to RFC 25264. Response date: 3/8/2021
Please confirm that pipe and fittings quantities are included in Bid items #7 and #8 for the vertical and horizontal landfill gas wells (LFG Well Pipe/fittings not accounted for in the other bid items). (RFC 25266 submitted 3/3/2021)
Yes, they are included in bit items #7 and #8. Refer to Basis of Payment Spec 01 20 00. Response date: 3/8/2021
The locations shown on the drawings for the new horizontal collectors, below grade header pipe, and below grade lateral sections. Is it assumed that a minimum 3’ of cover soil exists at those current locations? (RFC 25267 submitted 3/3/2021)
No. Existing soil cover varies depending on location. However, Contractor is responsible for bringing soil from stockpile and backfilling the horizontal collector, below grade header and lateral as shown in detail 1, 2 and 3 on sheet 10. Response date: 3/8/2021
Will the contractor need to load their own trucks with soil backfill from the soil stockpile area? (RFC 25269 submitted 3/3/2021)
Yes. Response date: 3/8/2021
Drawing No. Sheets 4, 5 and 6
Are pipe guides required on 6" HDPE above grade pipe from the horizontal collection transition (Construction Note 27) to stub outs and to the header pipe (shown on Design Drawing sheets 4, 5 and 6) (RFC 25270 submitted 3/3/2021)
No. Response date: 3/8/2021
Drawing No. Sheet 4
On Sheet 4 of the design drawings, are pipe guides required on the new above ground 18" header pipe between connection to existing 18" header pipe (construction note 18 location) and connection to existing condensate sump? Also, would SS band clamps be required at this location as well to keep the 2" HDPE pipes together with the 18" header pipe? (RFC 25271 submitted 3/3/2021)
No, pipe guides are not required on the new above ground 18" header pipe between connection to existing 18" header pipe (construction note 18 location) and connection to existing condensate sump. Yes, SS band clamps will be required at this location. Response date: 3/8/2021
Drawing No. Sheet 4
On Design Drawing Sheet 4, the top two 6" laterals (leading to EW-123 and EW-124) in the Northeast portion of the site are shown to connect to the existing 18" above ground header pipe. Can an electro-fusion saddle be used to connect the 6" lateral to the existing header? (RFC 25272 submitted 3/3/2021)
No, electro-fusion saddles cannot be used to tie in these 6-inch laterals. Refer to detail 4 sheet 12. All appurtenant work necessary to install new HDPE Tee shall be included in the bid item 17. Response date: 3/8/2021
Drawing No. Sheet 8
Bid Item #6 states 1,126 LF of vertical LFG Extraction Well Install and Backfill. The Well Drilling Schedule on Sheet 8 of the design drawings states the total VF of drilling is 1,124 VF? Which quantity should the contractor bid too? (RFC 25273 submitted 3/3/2021)
For bidding purposes, use quantity shown in Bid Item #6 - Quantity = 1,126 LF. Response date: 3/8/2021
Per bid item #10 LFG Extraction Well, Drill to Refusal and Backfill. Please specify if can be backfilled with just borrow soil or if bentonite seals are required? (RFC 25274 submitted 3/3/2021)
2' thick bentonite plug will be required at the surface. Response date: 3/8/2021
How thick is the crushed aggregate layer supposed to be over road crossings and at locations above the below grade header pipe? Also, how much gravel is expected to be placed at grade on each side of the below grade header pipe trench? (RFC 25275 submitted 3/3/2021)
For bidding purposes assume 6-inch minimum thickness of crushed aggregate. The trench width will vary based on the excavation technique utilized by the contractor. The amount of gravel utilized needs to be sufficient to fill in the excavated trench. Response date: 3/8/2021
How wide is the perimeter road that will have the new condensate sumps and 18" Header pipe installed below grade? Can traffic be rerouted or diverted away from the perimeter road during 18" below grade header pipe and condensate sump installations? Or will the general contractor need to allow for 1x way traffic during construction operations on the perimeter road? (RFC 25276 submitted 3/3/2021)
There will be no public traffic on the perimeter road where the 18" below grade header is to be installed. Response date: 3/8/2021
Drawing No. Sheet 16
For calculating volumes of excavation and CLSM backfill at the new condensate sump locations, what is the slope back requirement for excavating at each location (i.e. 1H:1V, 1.5H:1V, 2H:1V, etc.)? (RFC 25277 submitted 3/3/2021)
Contractor shall follow OSHA guidelines as stated in Section 31 23 16 of the specifications and determine required volume that needs to be excavated based on excavation depth and requirements per design on Sheet 16. Volume will vary based on construction. Response date: 3/8/2021
Drawing No. Sheet 12
Please clarify Detail 4/sheet 12, 18" concrete anchor block/branch connection detail, includes a 18" HDPE tee with 18" x 6" HDPE reducers, SDR 11 (#29) and two 6" HDPE flange adapter sets with DI back-up rings, gasket, and bolt pack as well as a 6" butterfly valve (#’s 16, 68, 16). (RFC 25278 submitted 3/3/2021)
Yes, these materials are required for this installation. Response date: 3/8/2021
Please identify the location on the drawings of construction note #39 calling out for "Install 18" HDPE Tee with 18" x 12" HDPE Reducer, SDR 11" (RFC 25279 submitted 3/3/2021)
Please disregard Construction Note # 39, it does not apply anywhere. Response date: 3/8/2021
Based on the area of work within the landfill being active, is it expected for the contractor to perform a pre-construction survey of the entire area of work prior to start of work? Or is it only expected for the contractor to perform a topo of the proposed pipe layout? Please also clarify for final as-built drawings? (RFC 25280 submitted 3/3/2021)
Surveying covered in Section 01 32 23 of Contract Specifications. Response date: 3/8/2021
Specification No. 01 32 23 1.5
Spec section 01 32 23 1.5 states that contractors are to provide the County of Fresno Record Documents and Surveyor Measurements to verify monthly progress payment requests. Is it possible to use field measurements (i.e. by hand via tape/wheel measurements, etc.) for the purposes of progress payments, and final quantities will be based on as-built record drawings? (RFC 25281 submitted 3/3/2021)
Contractor will be allowed to use field measurements (i.e. by hand via tape/wheel measurements, etc.) for the purposes of progress payments. However, final quantities will need to be based on surveyed measurements and as-built record drawings. Response date: 3/8/2021
Due to the complexity of this bid and current backlogs with vendors and subcontractors due to the residual Covid delays, is it possible to extend the project bid date? (RFC 25289 submitted 3/4/2021)
No. Response date: 3/8/2021
The 18" HDPE below grade header pipe invert varies between 3.5’ to 8’ below grade service. The soil material at the work area appears to be sandy based on observations at the job walk. Is it expected for the general contractor to slope back header pipe trenches as needed (i.e. 1H:1V, 1.5H:1V, 2H:1V, etc.) or can shoring devices be used? (RFC 25302 submitted 3/4/2021)
Contractor shall follow OSHA guidelines as stated in Section 31 23 16 of the specifications. If contractor chooses to slope back header pipe trenches as needed. Shoring devices may be used as long as they conform with OSHA guidelines. Response date: 3/8/2021