BIDDER'S INQUIRIES & RESPONSES
DISTRICT 11 CONSTRUCTION

A mandatory prebid meeting is scheduled for this project at 10:00 am, on April 1, 2010, at San Diego District Office, Garcia Conference Room, 4050 Taylor Street, San Diego, CA 92110.
PLEASE CALL (619) 688-6635 WITH QUESTIONS.

CONTRACT NO: 11-2T0404
ROUTE / KP 11-SD-5, 805-R49.9/R51.7, 42.6/46.5
LOCATION In San Diego County In San Diego On Route 805 From 0.3 Km South Of Soledad Canyon Bridge And Overhead To 0.6 Km North Of Route 5/805 Separation And On Route 5 From 0.6 Km North Of Route 5/805 Separation To 0.5 Km North Of Carmel Mountain Road Undercrossing.
DESCRIPTION Construct Hov Lanes And Direct Access Ramp
CONTRACT TYPE A + B Bidding
ESTIMATE $50,000,000
WORKING DAYS
 990 870 Working Days (Plus 250 working days for Plant establishment work, 1120 WD)
ADVERTISE DATE 03/22/2010
BID OPENING 04/30/2010
FINAL POSTING
04/30/2010 @ 07:25

Bid Summary

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 Thursday prior to the bid opening.


INFORMATION AVAILABLE


PREBID
SIGN-IN SHEET
04/01/2010
BID ITEMS
SPECIALS
PLANS
 PLANHOLDERS
INFORMATION HANDOUT
03/02/10
X-SECTIONS
03/01/10

INFORMATION HANDOUT
For Br. No. 57C-0786--04/15/10

ORDERING PROJECT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS   

Cost per set: Bidders: $108, Non-bidders: $101

ADDENDUM

 

BIDDER'S INQUIRY SUBMITTAL FORM
Inquiry No.
 Inquiry

   1

  Q:03/22/10
R:04/19/10
R:4/21/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Item No. 66 (F): Geosynthetic Earth Reinforcement: Plan Sheets 865 thru 886 of 886.


Question= I cannot find the special provisions section in this contract that describes the work, the materials or the method of measurement and payment for this bid item.

  • Unless an addendum is issued, please bid per the current contract bid documents.
  • The Section 10-1.375, "Geosynthetic Reinforced Embankment," has been added to the special provisions.  Please see Addendum 1 dated April 20, 2010.

  2

  Q:03/30/10
R:04/19/10
R:04/21/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid ITem # 104, 2.6M Permanent Steel Casing for CIDH piles, details shown on sheets #700 & #708 of the contract plans.


Question= The details for the permanent steel casings shows a wall thickness of the pipe @ 100mm (4")! See Section 'C-C' on [plan sheet 700 & Section 'B-B' on plan sheet 708.  Please verify.  This cannot be for real. You will not find a manufacture that can roll pipe at the wall thickness.

  • Unless an addendum is issued, please bid per the current contract bid documents.
  • Plan sheets 700 and 708 have been revised.  Refer to Addendum 1 dated April 20, 2010.

  3

  Q:03/31/10
R:04/19/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provisions Section 8-2.02 Corrosion Control for Portland Cement Concrete

Question= Please clarify what portions of the structures listed in Special Provisions Section 8-2.02 Corrosion Control for Portland Cement Concrete are considered to be in a corrosive environment.  As an example, there are a number of shotcrete and concrete elements that from the Carroll Canyon (DAR) Retaining Walls.  Are all elements required to conform with this section?  Are above grade elements of the bridges required to conform with this section?  Or does it only apply to elements in direct contact with soil?

  • Unless an addendum is issued, please bid per the current contract bid documents.
 4
  Q:04/01/10
R:04/22/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Items 211 & 212

Question= Appears per the Qty Sheets that all type of Curb, (HC, GCM, GC, FM, B4, B2m, & A1-150) are accounted & paid for in Bid Item 212 - Minor Concrete (Misc Construction).  What work / type of curb is to be covered in Bid Item 211 - Minor Concrete (Curb)?
  • Quantities for bid item 211, Minor Concrete (curb), are found on the QUANTITIES lists on plan sheets 662, 675 and 772. They are 72 m, 442 m and 23 m, respectively. 

 

5


  Q:04/08/10
R:04/12/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Items #104 thru #108 - CIDH Concrete piling LOTB's

Question= Are there any photos of the core samples avaiable? If so, can they be posted and made available and put on line for viewing for this bid?

  • These documents will be available from the Resident Engineer after the contract has been awarded. Please bid per the current contract bid documents
  • Rock cores are available for inspection. See Section 2-1.03B, "Supplemental Project Information," of Section 2, "PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS," of the current contract bid documents. .
 

6


  Q:04/08/10
R:04/19/10
R:4/21/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Item #107, CIDH Piles rebar cages. Contract Plan sheet 708

Question= The current rebar cage design shown does not met Caltrans current Bridge Design criteria for rebar window spacing. Must have "clear spacing of at least five times the size of the maximum course aggreagte, but not less than 5 inches clear (5" X 5"). The current hoop spacing for ALL the 2.4M CIDH piles at the Carroll Cyn. Bridge platform have hoop spacing @ 100mm. This will leave a clear opening space of 2". Please address.
  • Unless an addendum is issued, please bid per the current contract bid documents.
  • Plan sheet 708 has been revised.  Refer to Addendum 1, dated April 20, 2010.
 

7


  Q:04/08/10
R:04/19/10
R:4/21/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Item #104, 2.6M Permanent Steel Casing, Contract plan Sheet 700, Section "C-C" & Sheet 708, Section "B-B";

Question= Your Bid Item #104 calls for 2.6M permanent casing to be supplied and paid for in this bid. Will this be acceptable size casing if the CIDH piles are drilled at 8'0" in diameter, due to industry tooling size (Which Caltrans allows in the substition table on sheet 41 of the Special Provisions). The detail shows 100mm minimum clear for pipe from drilled shaft wall. This is 4" all around. If you do require that dimension, then the ID of the permanent casing would be 8'-8". Please clarify and state that it will be acceptable for 2.6M casing to be placed in a 96" drilled shaft. Or revise BI#104 to reflect larger diameter casing.
  • Unless an addendum is issued, please bid per the current contract bid documents.
  • Plan sheets 700 and 708 have been revised.  Refer to Addendum 1, dated April 20, 2010.
 

8


  Q:04/12/10
R:04/22/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item 199 and 200

Question= Which valves are paid for under Bid Items 199 and 200? Sheet U-16 shows butterfly valves at the connections indicated by Contruction Notes 3, 11, and 12. The details show 2 valves at connection 3, and
sheet UD-6 shows 2 400mm and 2 300mm Gate valves, not Butterfly valves.
  • Sheet U-16 Valves are covered under Bid Items 199 & 200
  • Sheet UD-6 Valves are part of Bid Item 191
  • Bid per current contract documents.
 

9


  Q:04/13/10
R:04/21/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Sheet No. 709 - Isolation Casing

Question= The Isolation Casing is called out on Sheet No. 709 as 12 mm. Should this be 12 gauge?
  • Plan sheet 709 has been revised. Refer to Addendum 1, dated April 20, 2010.
 

10


  Q:04/13/10
R:04/14/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Item #'s 139 & 140. DAR Plan Sheet 44 of 55 (Weathering Steel Sconce).

Question= The Contract Plans issued do not contain the above Plan Sheet, please provide it.

  • Carroll Canyon (DAR) Retaining Walls plan sheet 44 of 55 was printed out of order as plan sheet 806 of 886 of the current contract bid documents.
 

11


  Q:04/14/10
R:04/20/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid items #107, 2.4M CIDH Concrete piles, Contract plan sheet 741 & Foundation Report for Carroll Canyon Rd. Bridge, Page 16, Note 2, under Core Samples.

Question= Both in the above mentioned contract plan sheet and Foundation Report found in the materials information handout, talk about "labratory roack strenght test data are available for viewing", at the Transportation Laboratory at 5900 Folsom Blvd., in Sacramento, yet when we wnet to view the core samples and asked to see them, we were told that none exist.

Therefore, is your statement in the contract plans false? Do they exist? If so, please make them avaiable for viewing on line for viewing, as soon as possible.

  • Please refer to the Information Handout 04/15/10 Link above.
 

12


  Q:04/15/10
R:04/21/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= MSE Wall 445R

Question=MSE wall 445R is a Geogrid reinforced wall. Can a contractor use a non approved wall system such as Keystone Standard or Compac blocks with Geogrid reinforcement? Or will the Caltrans approved Keystone Keysystem I be approved?
  • Alternative systems will not be allowed for this project.  Section 10-1.375, "Geosynthetic Reinforced Embankment," has been added to the Special Provisions.  Refer to Addendum 1 dated April 20, 2010.

 

13


  Q:04/15/10
R:04/26/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item # 198, Sewer Diversion Plan, Plan sheets 213 and 214 of 886, SP Section 10-4.61

Question= Specification section 10-4.61 requires the contractor to by-pass pump existing peak flows of the existing sewer to be relocated. Please provided the 24 hour peak flow data the contractor is required to pump.

 

 
 

14


  Q:04/16/10
R:04/20/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Plan sheet no. 827 - Limits of Payment for Earthwork

Question= The retaining wall detail depicts the area beneath the wall footing as structure backfill. Is this material paid as structure backfill and must it meet the spec's for structure backfill (SE 20, 3" minus compacted to 95%)?
  • The limits of structure backfill shown on plan sheet 827, Limits of Payment for Earthwork detail, are correct.  Bid per the current contract bid documents.
 

15


  Q:04/16/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Item No. 82 (F)

Question= The Bid quantity only accounts for the water supply line at the Mira Mesa Blvd UC. There is also additional water line at the Business Access Rd. UC, under what item does this get paid?

  • No further information will be provided. Bid per the current contract bid documents.
 

16

  Q:04/21/10
R:04/23/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item #89(390131)-  Item #90(390132)

Question= Item #89 (390131)- it appears that this is 19mm type A but item
#90 (390132) specifically lists type A. Is there a difference in these 2
mixes?
  • Both Items #89 and #90 Require HMA Type A and the 19 mm Aggregate gradation.
  • Item #89 390131 Hot Mix Asphalt must be produced and placed using the Quality Control/Quality Assurance process.
  • Item #90 390132 Hot Mix Asphalt (Type A) must be produced and placed using the Standard process.
 

17

  Q:04/21/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid Item #104, 2.6M Permanent steel casings, Special Provisions sheet 201, Section 10-1.62 PILING 

Question= The installation is clearly called out; "At the option of the Contractor, vibratory hammers, rotators, or oscillators may be used to install permanent casings at Carroll Canyon Road Bridge." Does that preclude the option of placing casings in and 'oversized' drilled shaft and grouting?
  • No, the listing of installation methods in the special provisions does not preclude the Contractor from proposing alternative methods of installation.
 

18

  Q:04/21/10
R:04/27/10

R:04/29/10
R:04/29/10
R:04/29/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= B.I. #104, 2.6M Permanent Steel casing, Contract plan sheets 700 & 708, Special provisions sheet 202, Permanent Steel casings.

Question= If the required permanent steel casings can be installed in a pre-drilled 'oversized' shaft, does the casing have to be smooth wall?  Will CMP be allowed, at the option of the COntractor and methods?

  • Substitution of CMP for permanent steel casing will not be permitted. Bid per the current contract bid documents
  • Substitution of CMP for permanent steel casing will be permitted.
  • Substitution of CMP for permanent steel casing will not be permitted. Bid per the current contract bid documents.
  • Please refer to Section 10-1.62 PILING of the contract special provisions.  Bid per the current contract bid documents.
 

19

  Q:04/22/10
R:04/22/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Drainage System 6 Pipe Runs
ag,ae,ac & aa per Addenda 1 

Question= Based on the information provided it does not appear that there is room to construct the refernced pipe runs with the Stage 1 b configuration which is where the work needs to be performed. Please provide a cross section showing the location of the K-Rail, soilder pile and pipe relative to the lanes shown in the 1 b staging drawings.
  • Unless an addendum is issued, please bid per the current contract bid documents.
 

20

  Q:04/22/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item# 215 (F), misc. iron & steel, Drainage sheet # 2

Question= Could you please clarify "checkered plated cover" for the type B1 inlets on:
Drainage systems: 1-m,1-u,1-w,1-ak,1-am,1-ao & 2-e?
 I have not been able to find any details specifying what type of "checkered plated cover" this should be. Thank You.
  • Please see details for the "checkered plate cover" on sheet 201 of contract plans (Drainage Details sheet DD-12)
 

21

  Q:04/23/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Bid item # 3, Addendum 1

Question= Addendum No. 1
revised bid item 3. It changed the unit of measure to WDAY and the estimated
quantity to 870, but the unit price section says Lump Sum. Could you please
clarify?
  • Section 10-1.18 "TIME-RELATED OVERHEAD,"of the Special Provisions, Addendum 1, states that the quantity of time-related overhead will be measured and paid by the working day. Bid per current contract documents.
 

22

  Q:04/23/10
R:04/26/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item #70 ROCK BLANKET & Item #71 ROCK MULCH - LAYOUT SHEETS

Question= Will new plans be issued to reflect the quantities for Items 70 and 71 on the bid form?
Contractor Interpretation=The quantity of rock blanket on the bid form is more than 3 times the quantity shown on the plans.
  • Please bid per current contract documents.
 

23

  Q:04/23/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= 226, Concrete Barrier (Type K), L-7, SP10-1.120

Question= The specials refer to Concrete Barrier (Type K) as being per Temporary Railing (Type K) specification.  Past projects have referred to permanent precast barrier as Concrete Barrier Type 60K.  There is a significant difference in price between the two options.  Can you please verify that this contract is referring to Temporary Railing (Type K) and not Concrete Barrier Type 60K for Bid Item 226 Concrete Barrier (Type K)?

  • The Contract Documents are correct, please bid per current Contract Documents.
 

24

  Q:04/23/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= 104, 2.6 M Permanent Steel Casing, 700 & 708,

Question= Addendum 1 provides a new detail for 2.6 M Permanent Steel Casing.  However, there is still no wall thickness provided for this casing.  Can the State provide a wall thickness for the 2.6 M Permanent Steel Casing?

  • The thickness of the permanent steel casing is determined by the Contractor in accordance with requirements in Addendum No. 1, dated April 20, 2010.

25

  Q:04/23/10
R:04/27/10

 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= 192, 400 MM Water Main, U-19, SP10-4.16

Question= How will the City of San Diego Connection fee be handled?  Is the contractor responsible to pay fee?  If so, what are the costs of said fee?  Who's responsibility will it be to set up with the City of San Diego proper shutdowns and connections?
  • Please bid per current contract documents.

26

  Q:04/23/10
R:04/26/10

 Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item 216, Isolation Casing (3.3 M)

Question= Unit of measure for Item 216, Isolation Casing shows KG. Please clarify if this is meant to be in Meters (M)
  • No additional information will be provided. Bid per current contract documents.

27

  Q:04/26/10
R:04/29/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= #96 Concrete Pavement

Question= Table A on Revised Standard Plans P10 indicate an varied offset for the first dowel from the edge of pavement. The varied offset and spacing of 305 mm between dowels creates unequal distances in most
cases. Dowel manufactures for baskets cannot vary their jigs to manufacture baskets other then a consistent 305 mm (1 foot) on center configuration through out a project. Additionally, dowel bar insertion
(DBI) of the varied configuration is impossible. Stand Plans issued in 2006 P10, deleted this table and went back to a 150mm (6 inch) offset from the edge and 300 mm (1 foot) centers.

  • .Please bid per current contract documents.

28

  Q:04/26/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference=UDBE Goal


Question= Please provide documentation on how the 5% UDBE was calculated for this project.

  • The UDBE goals are set by the Department, see section 2.1-03 for requirements (requirements also for when the goal is not met). Please bid per current contract documents.

29

  Q:04/26/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special Provisions, Section 13-1, Relations with the Railroad.

Question=  Is Railroad Protective Insurance required on this project? Thank you.

  • Please refer to Section 13 "RAILROAD RELATIONS AND INSURANCE" of the Special Provisions and Section 7-1.12 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE of the Special Provisions (the amendments to the Standard Specfications)

 

30

  Q:04/26/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Utiltiy Relocation


Question= Will the SDGE Gas line on MMBM line between 441+40 and 443+40 +/- be removed or relocated? Addendum 1 Sec. 5-1.25 shows work being done on the SDGE Gas line from "MMBM Line Sta 441+40 to 43+40 See U4 and U5"

  • Gas line on MMBM line between 441+40 and 443+40 will be removed and relocated. Bid per current contract documents.

31

  Q:04/27/10
R:04/27/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Item 127, Jacking Superstructure, Sheet 631


Question= Jacking recess is shown on top of abutment. According to sheet 629 abutment is shown as diaphragm type abutment with continuous rebar into the superstructure. Is the recess location correct?

  • Yes.  The jacking recess location shown on sheet 629 is correct.  Bid per the current contract bid documents.

32

  Q:04/28/10
R:04/29/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Special provisions, Section 10-1.29 Concrete Pavement (Rapid Strength Concrete)and Rapid Strength Concrete Base

Question= Paragarph "General" states that: "The Engineer will perform testing to determine modulus of rupture values of the RSC pavement and RSCB. The modulus of rupture, as determined above, will be the basis for accepting or rejecting the RSC pavement or RSCB for modulus of rupture requirement."

Paragraph "Trial Slab" requires the contractor to construct trial slab and perform testing.

Paragarph "Profile Index for RSC" requires the Contract to perform California Test 526.

There no other requirements for the Contractor's QC mandated.

Paragraph "Measurement and Payment" mentions that "quality control program" to be included in the contract price paid per one cubic meter of RSC pavement.

Does this imply to the required testing of trial slab and profiligraphing?

 

  • Please bid per current contract documents.

33

  Q:04/30/10
R:04/30/10

Plan Sheet / Specification Reference= Var


Question= Lane Closure Charts 1 thru 23- How are we to construct Signs 12B, 12C,14B and 14C when there appears to be no Traffic Charts permitting full freeway closures?

  •  Please bid per current contract documents.

 


OTHER 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