Request for Clarification Responses
25-03-C Houghton Canal Bridge Replacement on N. Chateau Fresno Avenue
Supplemental Information - Not Part of the Contract Documents
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:
25-03-C Request for Clarification Form
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: June 3, 2025, 4:15 PM PT
When will the specs and plans be added to the page for us to download? We need to start the DBE and to do that we need the specs. (RFC 2503-2 submitted 5/8/2025)
The plans and specifications have been posted to the website. Response date: 05/12/2025
Is there a Hazardous Waste Removal Certification Requirement? (RFC 2503-3 submitted 5/15/2025)
Refer to the 2023 Caltrans Standard Specifications and the project Special Provisions for the full documentation of certification requirements. Several of the certification requirements for the management of hazardous waste can be found in sections 7-1.02K(6)(j) and 14-11. Response date: 05/19/2025
Since there is no on-site pre-bid, is there any restriction if we want to visit the site ourselves? (RFC 2503-4 submitted 5/15/2025)
Contractors may visit the site on their own, but must stay on the road, off of private property, and must not contact property owners. Note that Chateau Fresno Avenue is closed to through traffic due to bridge closure. Response date: 05/15/2025
We see on Bidnet Direct that they are issuing addenda when you add something to the county page, however the addenda are not on the county page as addenda. Please see the attached. We would like to clarify if these are actually addenda so we know what to write on the electronic bid sheet at time of bid. (RFC 2503-5 submitted 5/16/2025)
The only addenda that need to be acknowledged on your bid are the ones posted directly on the project page on the County of Fresno planholders website under “Specifications and Plans.” Each addendum is printed on County of Fresno letterhead and the addendum number is included prominently on the top of the first page. The County is not responsible for, and has no control over, documents posted to Bidnet Direct or the manner in which they are numbered. Response date: 05/21/2025
Bid Item #1 is for Builder's All-Risk Insurance. The Engineer's Estimate for this project is below the threshold which normally triggers the requirement for this type of insurance. Please review and remove from the bid schedule if it is determined Builder's All-Risk Insurance is not required. (RFC 2503-6 submitted 5/22/2025)
While Builders Risk insurance is required, Addendum 1 has removed the requirements for earthquake or flood provisions. Response date: 05/28/2025
Please provide alignment and stationing on the layout sheets for the FID Access Roads (RFC 2503-7 submitted 5/29/2025)
Additional cross sections have been posted to the website under Supplemental Information. Response date: 06/02/2025
The FID access road cross sections on sheets SEC-08 do not appear to match fill limits shown on the layout drawing on sheet 11. For example, referencing section FID-NE-RE - STA 1+25, the section shows a minimum fill width of 140 feet (the section is cutoff and does not show the full extent of the section) while the layout shows a fill width less than 100 feet in width. Please clarify. (RFC 2503-8 submitted 5/29/2025)
The fill limits shown on sheet Sec-08 are correct. For the example given of FID-NE-RE – STA 1+25, the fill width extends from the top of the canal bank (approx. STA 16+48 on the Chateau Fresno Ave alignment) to the north edge of grading for the farm access road that runs north of the northwest FID access road (approx. STA 18+26 on the Chateau Fresno Ave alignment). This is a width of approximately 178 feet, which agrees with what is shown on Sec-08 of the cross section sheets. Response date: 06/02/2025
Special Provision section 5-1.36G(6) states that "a $25,000.00 security deposit is required to secure any work within FID's easements" and Site Specific Note 3 on sheet 2 of the project plans states "a $50,000.00 security deposit is required to secure any work within FID's easements." Please clarify. (RFC 2503-9 submitted 6/2/2025)
The correct amount of the security deposit is $50,000. See Addendum 2. Response date: 06/02/2025
Plan Sheet 6 states to install Midwest Guardrail Systems on 2 corners of the Bridge. This consists of a 25' long Transitions Type AGT and then an MFLEAT Terminal which is approximately 36.5' in length. This would make the Guardrail approximately 61.5' long on each side of the bridge. If I use the stationing given on each side the lengths are 66.12' & 66.53' for a total of 132.55'. The bid schedule does not seem to match up with what the plans are calling out. Bid Item 39 is for Guardrail System (WB-31) at 126 LF. a WB-31 Transition is an old drawing of Cal Trans for a Transition that is 25' in length. So we would need to bid just over 5 each of the Transitions Type WB-31 to get to 126 LF. Then Bid Item 40 calls for 2 each MFLEAT's. So on the bid schedule you have a total of 199' of guardrail items. This is more than 3 times the footage of what Plan Sheet 6 calls for. How are subcontractors that are only bidding the guardrail items to handle this large quantity overrun? (RFC 2503-10 submitted 6/3/2025)
The Type WB-31 was an incorrect designation and the quantity was double counted with the FLEAT system. The corrected type and quantity were revised in Addendum 3. Response date: 06/03/2025
Drawing No. Plan Sheet 9 and 10 of 37
What Item(s) does the 36" Standpipe and 48" Standpipe get paid under? (RFC 2503-11 submitted 6/3/2025)
See Addendum 3. Response date: 06/03/2025