North Region Construction - Project

Caltrans-North Region Construction (Districts 01, 02 and 03) currently has two print company vendors.

Bidders contact either of them directly to make arrangements to obtain and pay for the cross-sections. The cost is controlled by the vendor and the number of sheets. Please contact one of the following vendors above to obtain the cross-sections.

Brownie' s in Sacramento at (916) 443-1322
Copy City in Marysville at (530) 743-8200

[2] Sorry but we also found that the bid bond form was not in the Proposal and Contract documents. Please forward at your earliest convenience.

2) Also in the specials where is the water control item located so we can tell how we will be paid for water control.

Is this the intent for the mass roadway excavation, or can we use impacting methods for the mass removal?

6/3/08

6/27/08

Response: An addenda will be issued to clarify the specification.

Addenda No. 2 was issued June 20, 2008 and addressed this issue. Please refer to section 10-1.525 REPLACE CONCRETE PAVEMENT (RAPID STRENGTH CONCRETE).

6/3/08

6/27/08

Response: An addendum will be prepared to provide an item for the Transition Railing (type WB).

Addenda No. 2 was issued June 20, 2008 and addressed this issue. Please refer to section 10-1.885 TRANSITION RAILING (TYPE WB), and Engineer's Estimate, item 175(s) TRANSITION RAILING (TYPE WB).

In the meantime will Caltrans clarify how Caltrans will interpret the following for this contract:

[Q1] Are Imported Materials purchased from a vendor, placed onto the grade by a third party trucker to be graded and placed for compaction by a Motor Grader or other equipment considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q2] Is Asphalt Base purchased from a vendor, placed onto the grade by third party trucker to be graded and placed for compaction by a Motor Grader or other equipment considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q3] Is Asphalt purchased from a vendor placed onto the grade by third party trucker to be picked up by a asphalt pickup machine and placed into a paver considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q4] Is Asphalt purchased from a vendor placed into the paver by third party trucker to be placed by the paver considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q5] Is Concrete placed into forms considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q6] Is Concrete placed into forms via a pump or other equipment considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q7] Is Concrete delivered and supplied by an outside vendor placed onto the grade, considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q8] Are materials placed into a pile to be picked up and relocated by another machine and placed into its final resting place considered “incorporated directly into the flow of the work”?

[Q9] Are materials removed from the jobsite to a commercial facility offsite considered prevailing wage under this latest decision?

[Q10] Does the supply of the materials above by the Contractor from its’ own commercial operation change any of these cases? If so, how?

Please respond in the affirmative or negative to the above so we may determine the correct wage rate for these items of work.

In the July 2006 coverage decision on administrative appeal, public works case 2004-023 and public works case 2003-046, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) issued guidance regarding its interpretation of on-haul as it relates to “immediate incorporation.” More recently, DIR issued guidance on its interpretation of off-haul coverage in the decision on administrative appeal in public works case 2005-025. Although both coverage decisions are advisory and specific to the projects referenced therein, DIR has indicated the public can review prior coverage decisions for guidance in relation to the facts of the work the public is involved in. Given this, Caltrans has reviewed the language of these decisions as well as the recent decision issued by the First District Court of Appeal in Williams v. SnSands Corporation (2007) 156 Cal.App.4th 742 in determining its response to each of the general trucking scenarios posed in your inquiry.

In public works case 2004-023 & 2003-046, DIR provided the definition of immediate incorporation as, “…direct, immediate, or virtually so, more than de minimis, and involve construction related activity. In other words, when the hauler leaves the pure hauling role and participates in the on-site construction activity of incorporation of the material hauled, the worker is entitled to prevailing wages.” DIR also stated, “…mere delivery to a public works [from a commercial materials supplier] of material that is re-handled or incorporated by other on-site workers, or the haulers’ incidental placement on the public works site of the materials hauled is not covered work.”

[R1] No, as long as the imported materials are purchased from a commercial materials supplier and the third party trucker does not participate in the grading and compacting activities within the flow of construction.

[R2] No, as long as the Asphalt Base is purchased from a commercial materials supplier and the third party trucker does not participate in the grading and compacting activities within the flow of construction.

[R3] No, as long as the Asphalt is purchased from a commercial materials supplier and the third party trucker does not participate in the incorporation of the asphalt within the flow of construction.

[R4] No, as long as the Asphalt is purchased from a commercial materials supplier and the third party trucker does not participate in the incorporation of the asphalt within the flow of construction.

[R5] No, as long as the Concrete is delivered by a commercial materials supplier and is re-handled by the contractor’s employees not the ready mix driver. Yes, if the concrete materials are not acquired from a commercial source, i.e. stockpiled on-site, loaded by the contractor’s employees, mixed on-site, and immediately placed in the forms.

[R6] No, as long as the Concrete is delivered by a commercial materials supplier and is re-handled by the contractor’s employees not the ready mix driver.

[R7] No, as long as the Concrete is delivered by a commercial materials supplier and is re-handled by the contractor’s employees not the ready mix driver. Yes, if the concrete materials are not acquired from a commercial source, i.e. stockpiled on-site, loaded by the contractor’s employees, mixed on-site, and immediately placed in the forms.

[R8] No, as long as the materials placed into the pile are from a commercial materials supplier and the third party trucker does not re-handle the materials.

[R9] It is not clear which decision you are referring to. Off-haul of material from the jobsite to an off site commercial facility is considered covered under prevailing wage requirements when the contract specifies the location and manner in which the materials must be removed and the contractor’s employees perform the hauling.

[R10] No, as long as the commercial materials supplier operates as a separate legal entity and does not participate in any of the above activities as stated in each response.

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

Addendum No. 1 issued June 16, 2008 has revised Special Provision 10-1.24 Maintaining Traffic.

Correction: Addenda No. 2, issued June 20 , 2008 contains revised language for section 10-1.24 MAINTAINING TRAFFIC.

2) Item 10-1.42 Erosion Control (Hydraulic Matrix)
Page 256 has a seed mix, on page 258 the chart at top of page shows NA under seed mix. I assume this mean no seed for this project, is that correct?

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

This matter is still under investigation. A response will be posted if and when it becomes available. Thank you for your patience.

1) Please bid per the contract documents.

2) The temporary erosion control does not contain seeds. The permanent erosion control does contain seeds.

Q2. Reference Typical Cross Sections, Sheet 3 of 423. Typical Secitons for WB Route 80 Truck Climbing Lane Superelevation Case 1 shows the right lane to receive either new Structural Section 10 or 12. Structural Section 10 is grinding only, and there is no new structural section 12. Please clarify.

6/18/08

6/19/08

6/27/08

6/30/08

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

Response: 1) Addendum Pending.

2) Bid per the current contract bid documents.

1) Correction: Addenda No. 2, issued June 20 , 2008 contains revised language for section 10-1.24 MAINTAINING TRAFFIC.

2) This matter is still being looked into; responses, if any, will be posted as they become available. Thank you for your patience.

2) Addenda No. 3 issued June 27, 2008 addresses this issue. The addendum may be found at the following internet address:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/project_ads_addenda/03/03-0A6334/pdf/03-0A6334ad3.pdf

Typical Sections show a substantial length of .45' HMAC structure section (section 8)to be placed on the EB left shoulder. It appears that most (if not all) of the areas to receive structure section 8 will require cold planing in advance of HMAC placement, but no cold planing is called out, and none is tabled in quantities for cold planing. Please clarify.

6/18/08

6/19/08

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

Response: Bid per the current contract bid documents.

With the number of other contracts bidding and the significance of the changes to the project, will Caltrans consider postponing the bid date for 2 weeks to allow the contractor to better analyze the project?

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

This issue is under consideration. Postponements to bid openings are handled via addenda.

Addendum No. 3, issued June 27, 2008 postpones the bid opening date to July 15, 2008.

Inquiry: 1. Due to the number of projects occuring in the area and the lack of availablility of construction water for dust control and batch plants in the area will Caltrans consider designating a source for all bidders?

2. Due to the necessity of blasting and the likelihood of rockfall from the surrounding steep slopes as described by the GDR what measures of protection will Caltrans provide for the traveling public and residents given that the contractor complies with the blasting specifications of maximum peak particle velocity of 2 inches per second?

3. Will Caltrans allow the extended closure of rest areas, ramps or adjacent areas for use as a stockpile, storage, staging or batch plant site?

4. The lane closures for this project appear to overlap into the adjacent projects. Given that these projects are already under construction and that the closure charts differ from project to project what how will Caltrans coordinate across these projects to eliminate the impacts to this project?

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

1) The Department has not made arrangements for water supply. Section 17-1.04 Std Specs, "When the contract does not include a contract pay item for develop water supply, full compensation for developing a sufficient supply of water required for the work shall be considered included in the prices paid for the various contract items of work involving the use of water and no separate payment will be made therefore".

2) Section 10-1.24 Maintaining Traffic addresses requirements for the Contractor to coordinate with the Engineer and CHP for CHP controlled traffic breaks. Section 10-1.40 Rock Excavation addresses contract requirements for Controlled Blasting.

3) Donner Summit Safety Roadside Rest areas are anticipated to be under construction during this contract and are not available for use by the Contractor. Ramps may be closed in accordance with Section 10-1.24 Maintaining Traffic. Reference 5-1.15 Areas for Contractor's Use.

4) Please refer to Section 10.1, Cooperation, of the Special Provisions and Section 7.1.14, Cooperation, of the Standard Specifications. The contractors, with the help of the RE, need to coordinate the work to avoid any delay. In addition, the lane closure charts are still valid for this project.

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

This matter is still being looked into. Responses, if any, will be posted as they become available. Thank you for your patience.

Response:Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

Please refer to the last paragraph of section 10-1.57 CONCRETE STRUCTURES in the special provisions for this project. It reads, " Bar reinforcement for drainage inlets and sand trap (type MD) shall be epoxy coated and shall conform to the provisions in Section 52-1.02B of the Standard Specifications."

Response: Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

This issue is under consideration. Postponements to bid openings are handled via addenda.

Addendum No. 3, issued June 27, 2008 postpones the bid opening date to July 15, 2008.

Given the number of stages that are "critical" to the project, we do not feel that this contract time is adequate for completion of the project, and weekend work to make up time will be very inefficient (lane closure times and traffic congestion).

Will Caltrans consider issuing an addendum to increase the number of working days allowed for completion? We believe this would be in the State's best interest.

Addendum No. 2 was issued June 20, 2008 and contained 56 revised specification pages and some 63 revised plan sheets. We need additional time to review the addendum information and prepare our estimate and bid accordingly.

2) Further, Addendum No. 2 has revised the "Dowel Bar Placement at Transverse and Longitudinal Weakened Plane Joints" table. The vertical depth tolerance has been revised to read "(d/2+ 1/2inch) from pavement surface to top of dowel or 5/8 inch below planned placement." Planned Placement per Revised Standard Plan, P10 is D/2 where D is the designed pavement thickness. The Radius of a dowel bar is 3/4". When the contractor places the bar at the planned placement location, the top of bar is (d/2-3/4") from pavement surface. With this revised table, if the contractor was to place the bar at the per plan location, the dowel bar would be out of spec. The normal specification gives the contractor 3/4" above the planned location and 5/8" below the planned location.This revised spec places the bar between 5/8" and 1-1/4" below the planned location of D/2. This is not industry standard, and creates only a 7/8" tolerance which is extremely tight, even for dowel basket placement. We do not believe this is what Caltrans intended.

2) Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.

Westbound 80 (Stage 1 Phase 3) shows sulrry seal of approximately 16' wide for a length of 8038'.

Since there is no bid item for slurry seal, where will this be paid?

Per contract special provisions: 10-1.70 ROCK AND CONCRETE COLORATION,
Rock and concrete coloration shall consist of applying a penetrating oxide coloration material to all exterior surfaces of rock slope protection (RSP), gabions, and concrete surfaces associated with new driveways to drainage facilities, as directed by the Engineer.

In the second column from the left of the table there is a link to Plan Holders List. Click on that link to access the searchable database of plan holders. Once a contract number is entered and the find records button is clicked, a list of plan holders for that contract will be displayed. Other search options are available as well, such as searching by contractor and bid opening date.

Addenda No. 2, issued June 20, 2008, updated the Engineer's Estimate. The addenda may be found online at:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/project_ads_addenda/03/03-0A6334/pdf/03-0A6334ad2.pdf

The compressive strength specification for bid item #93 (Minor Conc. - Invert Paving) is correct. Please bid per the contract documents.

2) Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed. Thank you for your patience.
2) Surface areas to receive coloration may be determined by measuring from the plans. These areas consist of all elements associated with entrances leading to detention/infiltration basins on the project.

There appears to be a conflict between Drainage Profile sheets and Drainage sheet DD-3 regarding the location of the baffle in the sand vaults. However, no addendum is currently proposed to clarify.

Since this requirement adds one entire season, with one season (2010) virtually being shut down with no significant work being accomplished, will the State consider postponing the bidding of this project until April/May of 2009?

Bidding the project now, but delaying the completion until at least 2011 mandates that contractors incur tremendous risk in pricing as well as extendind many requirements for an additional year (SWPP maintenance, traffic conditions, project management requirements, etc.). We believe that continuity in the progress of the work will be tremendously beneficial to the State, both in terms of bidding and in execution of the work.