BIDDER'S INQUIRIES & RESPONSES
DISTRICT 11 CONSTRUCTION

MANDATORY PREBID MEETING FOR CONTRACT 11-267304 IS ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007 AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION: 4050 TAYLOR STREET, SAN DIEGO, CA 92110

MEETING WILL BE HELD AT BUILDING 1, FLOOR 1, ROOM 134 (GALLEGOS CONFERENCE ROOM), FROM 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

PLEASE CALL (619) 688-6635 OR (858) 688-1522 WITH QUESTIONS.


CONTRACT NO: 11-267304
ROUTE / KP 11-SD-52-7.4/13.3
LOCATION In San Diego County In San Diego From 0.1 Mile East Of 52/15 Separation To Mast Boulevard Undercrossing.
DESCRIPTION Widen Freeway
CONTRACT TYPE
 		A + B Bidding
ESTIMATE $ 26,000,000
WORKING DAYS
 570 (250 Working Days Min. Type 2 Plant Establishment)
ADVERTISE DATE 10/29/2007
BID OPENING 01/03/2008
FINAL POSTING 01/02/08   @  15:10

BID RESULTS

The Caltrans District 11 Office is located at 4050 Taylor Street, San Diego, CA 92110. The District 11 Duty Senior telephone number is (619) 688-6635. Please submit all inquiries in the proper format by fax to (619) 688-6988 or e-mail to:
Duty_Senior_Const_District11@dot.ca.gov.
The responses to bidder' inquiries, unless incorporated into a formal addenda to the contract, are not a part of the contract and are provided for the bidder's convenience only. In some instances, the question and answer may represent a summary of the matters discussed rather than a word-for-word recitation. The responses may be considered along with all other information furnished to prospective bidders for the purpose of bidding on the project. The availability or use of information provided in the responses to bidder' inquiries is not to be construed in any way as a waiver of the provisions of Section 2-1.03 of the Standard Specifications or any other provision of the contract, the plans, Standard Specifications or Special Provisions, nor to excuse the contractor from full compliance with those contract requirements. Bidders are cautioned that subsequent responses or contract addenda may affect or vary a response previously given.
Caltrans District 11 Construction Department has developed this method of answering Bidder's Inquiries to better serve the needs of the Contractors who bid on our Projects. Caltrans District 11 Construction Department will post all of the questions submitted by any of the contractors that are registered Planholders for that Contract, but reserves the right to not answer any questions deemed unsatisfactory for public viewing.
The BIDDER'S INQUIRIES & RESPONSES will be updated continuously and all attempts will be made to do the final posting by 15:00 on Wednesday prior to the bid opening.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
 
CROSS SECTIONS
BID ITEMS
 SPECIALS
PLANS
 PLANHOLDER
PREBID SIGN-IN SHEET INFORMATION HANDOUT



ADDENDUM
 
 
 
  

BIDDER'S INQUIRY SUBMITTAL FORM
Inquiry No.
 Inquiry
    1 

   Q:11/07/07
   R:11/07/07

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provision Section 5-1.17 Project Information

Question= Special Provision Section 5-1.17 Project Information page 96, states that cross sections are available in electronic copy. When will the cross sections be available and in what format?

  • Cross sections were posted on 10/29/07 and can be downloaded for printing from the link above at any local printing firm or on your own printing equipment:

     MESA REPROGRAPHICS 
     5560 Ruffin Road Suite 5 
     San Diego, CA 92123 
     (858) 541-1500    FAX (858) 278-0558 
     e-mail to  plot@mesareprographics.com  San Diego, CA 92123
  

2

Q:12/04/07
R:12/10/07
 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provisions; Section 7: Legal Relations and Responsibilites; page 15.

Question= In ¶7-1.12B, “Insurance”, the Amendments to May 2006 Standard Specifications contains a sub-paragraph ¶7-1.12B(2) entitled “Casualty Insurance”.  Is “Casualty Insurance” a separate insurance product required by CALTRANS or is this sub-paragraph simply a reference to what the general requirements are for “Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance” (sub-paragraph 7-1.12B(3)) and for “Liability Insurance” (sub-paragraph 7-1.12B(4)?
  • Casualty Insurance is a general reference to the insurance requirements of Section 7-1.12B

3

Q:12/05/07
R:12/10/07
R:12/12/07
 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provisions Sections 10-1.18, 10-1.25, 10-1.68

Question= Does the existing Concrete Barrier (Type K) to be removed under Contract Item 40 meet the criteria for use as Temporary Railing (Type K) to be installed under contract Item 21?
Will the same existing Concrete Barrier (Type K) meet the requirements for use as Concrete Barrier (Type K) to be installed under Contract Item 98?
  • The existing concrete barrier is not suitable for any other use on the Contract  unless a certificate of compliance from the manufacturer can be provided per Section 6-1.07 along with meeting all remaining specifications.
  • Due to the length of time since the temporary barrier was originally placed, the State is no longer in possession of the certificate of compliance.
  • For Item #98, please refer to addendum  #1 posted above.


4

Q:12/07/07
R:12/10/07
 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Proposal and Contract

Question= Will the State of California Department of Transportation accept an electronic bid proposal?
Can a Contractor submit the bid proposal bid item pages in a duplicated format typed and/or handwritten?
For the LUMP SUM bid items, which have the words LUMP SUM prefilled in the "Unit Price" column, is it a requirement to also provide the lump sum price in dollars/cents under the words LUMP SUM?
  • All bids must use proposal forms provided.
  • For Lump Sum items the Lump Sum Price is placed under the Item Total column.
5

Q:12/07/07
R:12/10/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Opening: 01/03/2008

Question= Would the State consider extending the bid opening one week?
  • No
6

Q:12/11/07
R:12/11/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference=
Question= Is there going to be a Mandatory Pre Bid Meeting for this project? When and Where?
  • Please refer to Section 2-1.013 for the requirements of the pre-bid meeting.
7

Q:12/18/07
R:12/20/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= 

Question= No section showing location of the temp. k-rail & Bridge rail at Spring & Oak. Is there enough room for both temp rail & pay rail?
  • No, there is not enough room on the bridges for both temp rail and pay rail.
8

Q:12/18/07
R:12/24/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= 

Question= Are there requirements for collecting traffic data during construction i.e. collecting data on volume/speed/occupancy.
  • No
9

Q:12/18/07
R:12/20/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= 

Question= Do subs that are not here meet requirements of project
  • Only prime contractors need to be present.
10

Q:12/18/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item 67, Concrete Pavement, L-16 & 17, L-19&20

 Question= The PCC pavement end anchor stations are the same as the "begin bridge" and "end bridge" stations, leaving no room for an approach slab at either end of Oak Canyon bridge. At the west end of Spring Canyon bridge the plans allow 14' for an approach slab, at the East end the plans allow 4.5'. Please verify the PCC start and end stations at the bridges.
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.
11

Q:12/21/07
R:12/24/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Plan Sheet X-1 thry X-4

 Question= The existing bike lane is not delineated on the project plans. Please indicate where the current bike lanes are on the projectincluding exact locations and minimum widths.
  • What exists is a "Bike Route."  We generally do not show Bike Routes on plans.  The Bike Route exists on the EB and WB shoulders between Santo and Mast.  The bikes use the 10' shoulders, essentially sharing the road with the vehicles.
12

Q:12/21/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provisions section 10-1.20 - Maintaining Traffic

 Question= Traffic Chart No. 3 allows a shoulder closure throughout the duration of the project.  If the current bike lane is in the shoulder does this include the closure of the bike lane for the duration of the
contract? If not please add provisions to correct this chart.

Traffic Chart No. 4 allows the closure of NB/SB Santo Road but the limits are from JCT RTE 78 to Shank Rd.  Please review the limits indicated as they do not appear to be applicable to this project.
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.
13

Q:12/21/07
R:12/21/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Specification Section 10-1.42 Asphalt, subsection "Longitudinal Joints" page 183 and 184

 Question= If Contractor does NOT construct longitudinal joints with a tapered notch wedge, will Engineer still be testing for joint compaction, will Contractor still be required to obtain cores for testing, and will material in joint be subject to reduced compensation?  Or do these requirements only apply if a tapered notch wedge method is used?
  • Section 10-1.42, "Longitudinal Joints", applies to use of Tapered Notched Wedge Device. Otherwise Section 39 of the Standard Specifications apply to the Longitudinal Joints.
  • See Section 10-1.42, "Compaction" for  compaction requirements.
14

Q:12/21/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Items 99,100,101,102,103 Various special provisions and plans including Construction detail sheets C9, C10, C12, C13 and C14; and Quantity Summary plan sheets Q6, Q8, Q9 and Q10.

 Question= Request that an addendum be issued with clarification, additional details, revised special provisions and ammended bid quantities that will clarify the current ambiguity of the contract documents for Metal Beam Guard Rail, Thrie Beam Barrier and associated work.
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.
15

Q:12/21/07
R:12/28/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provision Section 10-1.33 - Controlled Low Strength Material   Contract Plan Sheet #137 - Drainage Details & Contract Plan Sheet #234 - Summary of Quantities

 Question= The pipe excavation in shoulder detail located on sheet 137 indicates that the contractor shall excavate 2' clear on boths sides of the storm drain and slope as needed to reach the finished grade.  If Section 10-1.33 - Controlled Low Strength Material allows the contractor to excavate 6 inches clear on boths sides of the storm drain and slope as needed to reach the finished grade.  This creates a 3' trench patch in the existing 8' wide shoulder.  Plan Sheet 234 - Summary of Quantities seems to indicate that Caltrans wants the enitre shoulder repaved in the area that drainage is installed.  Will the contractor be allowed to just trench patch the 3' wide trench or will the entire 8' shoulder need to be repaved? If Caltrans requires the entire 8' shoulder to be repaved, how is the additional AC & Base excavation paid for?
  • The Contractor is permitted to excavate for the pipe per the Standard Specifications (Section 19-3.062   Slurry Cement Backfill) and then trench patch. The contractor would then only need to pave the trench area and any damage due to these operations.
16

Q:12/26/07
R:12/26/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Various

 Question= Please provide a listing of the prospective bidders who attended the mandatory pre-bid meeting, who are now the only prospective bidders whose bids will be accepted.

  • Please see Pre-bid sign in sheet posted above.
17

Q:12/26/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item 68, page 194, paragraph 1-6

 Question= The description under the heading " liquid joint sealant installation" refers to silicon sealant for sealing pavement joints. However, about 2/3 page down it describes the use of compression seal. Which type is approved, silicon or compression seal? Please clarify.
  • No preformed compression joint seal is allowed on this project.
18

Q:12/26/07
R:12/27/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Construction Detail Sheet C-11

 Question= Sheet C-11 shows "MBGR posts in PCC or AC" but then identifies the surrounding pavement as PCC.  Is this detail intended to apply to the 1,100 or so posts to be set in existing AC shoulder?
  • This applies to both the AC shoulder and PCC.
19

Q:12/27/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item 83 & 84 drainage profiles

 Question= During installation of the alternative pipe culvert the existing slotted pipe needs to be removed to install the new drainage profiles. If we have to replace the slotted pipe where the new grated line drain is not showing what gage is the pipe and can we use the existing pipe? If removed in good condition, do we add the cost to replace the pipe on the new drainage item?
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.
20

Q:12/26/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= ITEM 44, CLEAR & GRUBB, (SECTION 10-1.30), and MIGRATORY BIRDS (SECTION 5-1.21).  There is language in the two referenced sections regarding activities before and after February 15.

 Question= With a bid date of January 3, given the typical award, approval, and SWPPP submittal process, the probability of the contractor meeting the requirements of the above referenced sections is extremely remote.  At the MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING, a statement was made that the Caltrans maintenance department would perform the clearing and grubbing of the project in order to meet the February 15 deadline.  We have seen no minutes of the meeting to provide assurance to the contractors that this commitment has been made.  This issue is too important to rely on a brief verbal statement that could be subject to mis-understanding, mis-interpretation, or even mis-statement.  PLEASE AFFIRM THIS IN WRITING AS AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.
21

Q:12/28/07
R:12/31/07		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Various Thrie Beam Barrier and appurtenanaces.

 Question= Ref Special Provision Section 5-1.16- Confirm that the various Thrie Beam Barrier and appurtenances will be included in payment as materials furnished but not incorporated in the work.
  • Yes. Thrie Beam Barrier is included as part of MBGR and appurtenances for the purpose of partial payments of Section 5-1.16 of the Special Provisions.
    Thanks

    •
22

Q:12/31/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid item #70, sec. 10-1.44 Grind Existing Concrete Pavement.

 Question= Per the description in the Specials, the grinding is to be performed full lane width.
The quantities per the bid item and plans show grinding 3' wide. Is it the State's intent to only grind 3' wide?
Also, the grinding areas match the isolation joint except for one location that is missing from sta 476+40.95 - 551+83.61. Should this location be added to the grinding quantity on bid item #70?
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.
23

Q:12/31/07
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= On the cover of the Special Provisions is stamped "INFORMATION HANDOUT" and mentioned in section 5-1.17, "PROJECT INFORMATION" is A. Water Source Information and B. Corrosion Recommendations.

 Question= We don't seem to have received an "INFORMATION HANDOUT" or else the dog ate it.  Please post it on-line.
  • Information Handout is available on-line as of 01/02/08.
24

Q:01/02/08
R:01/02/08		 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference=

Question= The contract documents do not provide information for existing site conditions below the existing finish grade. Please confirm that all areas of the contract work will NOT require rock or non-rippable excavations which would require any type of drilling, splitting, blasting, hoe-ramming and ripping.
  • Please bid per the current contract documents.

THER LINKS OF INTEREST
DISTRICT 11 CONSTRUCTION BIDDER'S INQUIRIES & RESPONSES
DISTRICT 11 HOMEPAGE
CALTRANS OFFICE ENGINEER: Contract Advertisement, Special Provisions, Plan Holders, Contract Awards, etc.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION