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Caltrans > Dist4 Internet > Dist4 Construction > Contract Inquiries > EA 04-0A10U4 Inquiries |
CONTRACTOR'S INQUIRY RESPONSES
September 23, 2008
CONTRACT NO. 04-0A10U4
WIDEN FROM 4 TO 6 LANES FOR HOV
County Route: SON-101-35.6/47.7
The responses to contractors' inquiries, unless incorporated into a formal addenda to the contract, are not a part of the contract and are provided for the contractor'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 contractors' 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, and any such subsequent response or addenda should be taken into consideration when submitting a bid for the project. Inquiries submitted within seventy-two (72 ) hours of the bid opening date might not be addressed.
The Caltrans District 4 Office is located at 111 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612. Send Contractor Inquiries via email to the Duty Senior at Duty_Senior_District04@dot.ca.gov. The mailing address is P.O. Box 23660, Oakland, CA 94623-0660. The Duty Senior's telephone number is (510) 286-5209 and the fax number is (510) 622-1805. All inquiries must include the contract number.
| Inquiry No. | Inquiry | Response |
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1.0 |
Are there cross sections available for this project? |
You can download the cross sections below.
north bound (26.7 mb) north bound ramp (5.1 mb) south bound (26.8 mb)
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2.0 |
There have been news reports that this, and other projects may be suspended and the funding diverted elsewhere. Could you verify that this project will go forward before we spend substantial effort and money to prepare this bid. | There are no plans to suspend this project. |
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3.0 |
Can you provide lane numbers for the RSC panel replacements? This information is necessary to determine which work can be done in which stages. | The layout sheet shows locations where PCC panels are to be replaced with RSC. |
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4.0 |
According to the Typical Cross Sections, there is a 76mm AC section on both northbound and southbound's inside shoulders. How wide is that existing 76mm AC section? Also, what is the section of existing payment below the 76mm AC section and what is it's width/limit? |
The existing inside shoulders for both the Northbound and Southbound 101 are similar in pavement structure. The existing inside shoulders are 2.4 m wide (8 feet wide) consisting of 0.9 m wide (3 feet) AC Type B (76 mm) over 532 mm Class 2 Aggregate Subbase , and 1.5 m wide (5 feet) penetration treatment on 608 mm Class 2 Aggregate Subbase. The existing outside shoulders are 2.4 m wide (8 feet wide). The existing outside shoulders for both the Northbound and Southbound 101 are similar in pavement structure and it is shown in the project plan's typical crossections. The existing inside and outside shoulders are to be considered as roadway excavation and are to be replaced with new pavement structure sections as shown in the typical cross-sections. |
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5.0 |
Are there cross sections available for the RN2 line? |
You can download the cross sections below: RN2 |
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6.0 |
According to the General Notes, number 1 on plan sheet SC-1, and hard to tell from the plans. Look like all temporary K-Rails need to be dowelled into pavement ? Please Clarify. |
Note 1 of the General Notes on plan sheet SC-1 states "UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL TEMPORARY RAILING(TYPE K) SHALL BE NO CLOSER THAN 0.305 M FROM EDGE OF CONSTRUCTION AREA, ANY TEMPORARY RAILING PLACED CLOSER THAN 0.610 M FROM EDGE OF CONSTRUCTION AREA SHALL BE DOWELLED TO PAVEMENT. Bid as per current Contract documents |
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7.0 |
Per paragraph 1A, Special Provision page 284. "Open graded asphalt concrete shall not be placed in stockpile. Open graded asphalt concrete shall be transferred directly from the hauling vehicle to the asphalt paver hopper." For most of Caltrans project in District 4 have been placing Open Graded AC in stockpile by using (Bottom Dump Trucks), and for constructively of using bottom dump trucks is more less in cost than placing AC directly into hopper by using (Transfer Trucks). Can Caltrans revise this paragraph by allowed Contractor to use Bottom Dump Trucks. | No. Bid per current Contract documents. |
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8.0 |
In reviewing the typical sections, we don't see any section for the ASN line or the ANF line. If they are on the plans, could you give us a sheet number, or advise where they can be found. | Please refer to sheet X-7, ASN line is covered under W 309+64.472 to 311+28, and ANF is covered under the W 309+02 to 309+84.298, all with a pavement structural section number 9. |
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9.0 |
Has there been a soils report completed for this project? The Site Investigation Report does not give us Soils Engineering data. We see the borings on the plans for the bridge abutments, but this does not provide information other than at the bridges. |
You can download the Log of Test Boring below:
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10.0 |
Due to the volume of work and the upcoming labor day holiday, we would like to request a bid extension of 2 weeks. Please consider this request seriously | See Addendum 2, issued August 29, 2008. |
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11.0 |
Due to the unpredictable oils crisis in today market. We requested that, Caltrans to provided the Bid Item for "Emulsion (Paint Binder)" ,instead having this work included in the asphalt items. And also included into Section 5-1.14 "Compensation Adjustments for Price Index Fluctuation." | No. Bid as per current contract documents. |
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12.0 |
Can Caltrans include Bid Item #77, "Asphalt Emulsion (Curing Seal) into Section 5-1.14 "Compensation Adjustments for Price Index Fluctuation." | No, bid as per current contract documents. |
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13.0 |
We are inquiring about prevailing wage trucking on the above listed project. We are asking for clarification regarding a. Onsite to onsite trucking b. Onsite to offsite trucking for material disposal. c. Offsite to onsite (asphalt, ab, etc) trucking. Can you please clarify if these trucking items are or are not prevailing wages for trucking on this project. |
a. If done by Prime or Sub, then Yes covered work subject to prevailing wage. If done by commercial supplier and not used immediately, then NO not covered work. b. Yes. Garbage definitely and items that need to be removed per the contract are included. That being said, materials becoming the property of the Prime are NOT covered work. Items with value (recyclable, etc.) are NOT covered unless being taken to a CONTRACT SPECIFIED location. c. If the material is coming from a noncommercial source Yes. If the material being brought in is immediately incorporated into the flow of work or modified Yes. If material is being delivered and stockpiled NO. If the drivers are employed by the sub or a prime (NOT a vendor) YES. These rules stand regardless of whether or not a Truck Broker is used. |
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14.0 |
According to the Typical Cross Section Details on plans sheet X-1 to X-8 and the Cross Section Plans are showing Concrete Barrier (Type 60) in the Median is seating on top of the finish asphalt. But the two (2) Typical Details on plan sheet SC-113 showing Type 60 Concrete Barrier is seating on top of the Lean Concrete Base. Which one are correct ? Please clarify. |
The median barrier in the typical cross sections sits on top of the asphalt pavement if the construction of the median barrier will be the last order of work and all the pavement layers have been constructed. Thus, after laying the top asphalt layer, the median barrier will then be constructed to sit on the asphalt pavement. What is shown on sheet SC-113 is a construction sequencing step, with the median barrier constructed in stage 1, and not all pavement layers have been constructed. The bidder should be aware that median barrier has to be constructed slightly taller in order to ensure that when the remaining pavement layers are constructed, the required safety barrier height above the finished pavement surface is maintained. The bidder is to bid accordingly. |
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15.0 |
We do not have cross sections for the following ramps: SS2 & ANF. Can you please provide these? | The Cross sections SS2 and ANF are part of the W Line cross sections. SS2 Line ramp cross sections are within SB W Line 332+23 to 333+86, and ANF Line ramp cross sections are within NB W Line 309+08 to 309+84. |
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16.0 |
The percentage of lime specified in Section 10-1.44 of the Special Provisions is specified @ 10% by mass of the dry material. We have never used lime in excess of 5% to achieve minimum compressive strengths in the range you have specified. If we are able to obtain a minimum compressive strength of 2,750 kPa with a lesser percentage of lime, will this be allowed? | An addendum has been requested to address this question. |
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17.0 |
Please provide a detail for the 50-mm water meter installation (Item 69). |
The Town of Windsor provided this detail (download below)for the 50-mm water meter installation, for other details contact the Town of Windsor. Water Meter Detail |
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18.0 |
In the tree summary shown on plan sheet 508, there are 134 juvenile trees of various types which have been noted as not a separate pay item. Are these to be included under Clear & Grub rather than the Tree Removal item? | YES, Please refer to Special Provisions page 262, 10-1.29 CLEARING AND GRUBBING and 10-1.30 REMOVE TREE, Bid accordingly. |
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19.0 |
The detail for Minor Concrete (Broom Finish) shows a slope and cutoff wall at each edge of the concrete. If the minor concrete is relatively flat with no appreciable slope, will a cutoff wall still be required? | YES, Construct Minor Concrete (Broom Finish) per the detail in project plans, bid accordingly. |
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20.0 |
Detail A on plan sheet 118 shows landscape fabric & grout around the guard rail posts. Is this required for all guard rail installation? Where is this work paid for? | NO, Detail A on plan sheet 118 applies to the Minor Concrete (Broom Finish ) Detail on the Sheet, and where a guard rail system is required to be install within the Minor Concrete (Broom Finish) area. Please refer to page 347 of the Special Provisions 10-1.80 MINOR CONCRETE (BROOM FINISH) for the payment clause for Minor Concrete (Broom Finish). |
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21.0 |
Item 72, 200-MM Corrugated High Density Polyethylene Pipe Conduit Is this the intended pay item for all of the Irrigation Crossovers delineated in the Quantity Summary on plan sheet 510? | Yes. |
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22.0 |
On plan sheet 512 there is a quantity of 26,668 M3 Emb. shown between Station W 321+20 to 313+70 listed as embankment on the Earthwork Summary. Please explain what this represents, as we cannot find an embankment of this size anywhere on the cross sections or the layout drawings. | The volume quantity is for the embankment fill shown on Sheet C-46, (sheet 120). |
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23.0 |
We have reviewed the detail for ADL removal on plan sheet X-1 and have a question regarding how the volume of ADL was calculated. If the width of removal is 2.4 M and the depth of removal is 0.45M and there are four shoulders requiring removal, this equates to 4.32 M3 of ADL per M of roadway length. If the removal is continuous for the length of the project, this results in a total volume which exceeds the pay quantity for ADL by a factor of over 2.5 times. Please explain how the quantity of ADL was calculated as shown in the earthwork quantity summary on plan sheet 512 and how that correlates to the detail for ADL removal shown on the typical cross section sheet X-1. Is the depth of removal correct? |
The ADL volume quantity shown on the earthwork summary sheet is the volume of ADL material above the grading plane that will be excavated. Parts of the ADL prism below the grading plane will not be excavated and will remain in place. Parts of the ADL prism within the pavement subbase structure will be excavated, mixed with lime, put back in place and compacted. The ADL detail in sheet X-1 shows the extent of the ADL prism. |
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24.0 |
Due to the magnitude of the project and the upcoming holiday. Can Caltrans postpone the project for at least 2 weeks? | See Addendum 2, issued August 29, 2008. |
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25.0 |
Bidder inquiry #11 denies the request to add a bid item for Emulsion (Paint Binder). The approximate cost value of this work is close to $1 Million. Section 39-8.02 advises that when there is no contract item for Emulsion (Paint Binder) the cost is incidental to the contract price paid per ton for the asphalt concrete. This is a very large cost value to have incidental to a bid item so Caltrans should reconsider adding the bid item under an addendum. | The bidder's concern is noted, but the response to Bidder Inquiry No. 11 stands. Bid per plans and specs. |
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26.0 |
This is regarding Structural Sections Notes #8 and #10 on Sheet 2 (X-1). After reviewing the layout drawings and typical sections we have noted that there is a discrepancy between the listed Structural Section Notes #8 and #10 on Typical Cross Section Sheet 9 (X-8) and the respective Layout Drawings on Sheet 47 (L-20), and Sheet 53 (L-26), The Typical Section shows Structural Section #10 for those sheets, however the Layout shows Structural Section #8. Which section is correct for those areas? |
Structurral Section #10 is correct, the Layout Sheet L-20(sheet 47), and L-26(sheet 53) should reflect Structural Section #10 and not Structural Section #8. There is no addendum request to correct these typos. |
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27.0 |
Is there a preliminary survey on the tree removal which states the estimated board feet of timber to be removed? If so, may we obtain a copy of the report? | Submitted for consideration. |
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28.0 |
Section 7-1.03 (first page of special provisions) - Payment of timber yield taxes for timber harvested by Contractors. Can you explain how this works and whether or not Caltrans will be expecting a credit in the amount of the timber yield tax as a percentage of the value of the lumber harvested? |
There is nothing in these contract documents requiring the Contractor to pay the State for disposal of the trees. Refer to the California Revenue and Taxation Code regarding the payment of timber yield taxes. |
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29.0 |
The response to inquiry #4 does not seem correct. We have driven the entire project twice, and the inside shoulders do not appear to have a 3ft wide section of 76mm AC. The existing AC appears to be 24 wide (max.). We also question whether the overall width of the inside shoulders is 8 ft. We agree that the outside shoulders are 8 ft wide. Even the Typical x-sections detail the inside shoulders at a lesser width than the outside shoulders (see drawing X-2, Sta 246+30 to 249+95). By scale the inside shoulder sections appear to be 5 ft wide. Can you please verify these widths? | Our response to inquiry #4 still stands. The bidder is to bid accordingly |
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30.0 |
This project is scheduled to bid on September 3rd. This is a Wednesday following a Monday holiday. This is not a good bidding scenario for a project of this magnitude. Will the State please consider a 1-week postponement? | See Addendum 2, issued August 29, 2008. |
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31.0 |
Reference section 10-1.48 asphalt concrete profile index requirements: page 282. The profile index used in paragraph A meets the bridge deck specifications, however, this is unrealistic for paving with the requirements of 8mm for each 0.1-km section, compared to the new section 39 which requires 3" for each 1.0 mile. Please review these standards. | The AC specification for this project is consistent with QC/QA specs pertaining to Standard Specifications July 1999. Bid per contract documents. |
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32.0 |
Per special provision section 10-1.40 is the water meter fee of $6,614.00 for the Town of Windsor for all 6 water maters or is this a per each meter fee? | The $6,614.00 connection fee is per each meter location. |
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33.0 |
a) With the nesting bird issue and 450 trees coming out when does Cal Trans expect to do these trees? With September 15th being the first day of tree removal will this be a projected start time? b) With the total number of trees given, there must be a list of where exactly these trees are? |
a) The Bidder should refer to The Order Work Specification 10-1.01(page 182)and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Specification 5-1.24 (page 157) to program and schedule any construction activity. b) The PR sheets show which trees are to be removed, The Resident Engineer and Surveyor Engineer will have a coordinate list of Trees to be Removed. The Trees to be removed will be stake out by the Project Surveyor under the direction of the Resident Engineer. |
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34.0 |
Is there an aerial deposited lead report for this project? | The topic of Aerial Deposited Lead is discussed in Site Investigation Report. |
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35.0 |
Will retention be withheld on this project? | See Section 9: Measurement and Payment of the Amendments to July 1999 Standard Specifications. |
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36.0 |
Some of our subcontractors have indicated that they will not have all their material pricing in place for the Wednesday bid after the labor day holiday and are requesting more time. Can Cal Trans extend the bid date another week to accommodate the holiday interference prior to this bid? | See Addendum 2, issued August 29, 2008. |
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37.0 |
Since we have a little time with the postponing of the bid day, we request that Cal-trans revisit the issue of Tack Oil. Since the requirement for the use of tack is at the discretion of the Resident Engineer, the method of payment is not defined adequately. We believe the inclusion of a bid item for tack is appropriate. | The topic of a bid item for tack coat, prime coat or asphaltic emulsion is covered in the 1999 Standard Specifications Section 39-8-02 PAYMENT. See eighth and ninth bullet items. |
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38.0 |
Per Addendum #2, this contract was postponed until an undetermined date in October. However, by Addendum 3, the bid date has been re-scheduled to 9/24/08. I am writing to respectfully request that the bid date be re-scheduled for any day after the first of October, as stated on Addendum 2, so that we would have time to prepare a bid for this project, thus making the bidding more competitive and earning a better price for Caltrans. | This project is scheduled to bid on Sept. 24, 2008 unless an addendum is issued. |
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39.0 |
If this contract is awarded has Caltrans set aside state and matching federal funds. | Yes, Caltrans has set aside the required funding for this project. |