22-21-C Request for Clarification Responses

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:

22-21-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: February 13, 2023 9:30 AM

 

Section 8-1.04A states that a 72-hour notice is regard prior to starting job site activities.
Section 8-1.04B states that work shall be completed (5) working days after the notice proceed.
The Encroachment Permit, Item 2 states that the work must be completed by February 15th, 2023, which is only (6) working days after the bid date. Please clarify the completion date and working days for this project. A 72 hour notice to start job site activities would leave only two days to complete the project after the Notice to Proceed. In addition, it generally takes some time for paperwork to be approved (bonds, insurance, contracts, etc), making the 6 days after Bid Date to have full completion unlikely. 
Has the District Engineer provided approval beyond this date? If it takes several weeks for contracts and award, will the work within FID ROW be allowed? Does this time take into account the time needed to set posts in concrete for 2200 lineal feet? (RFC 51221 submitted 1/27/2023, RFC 51263 submitted 1/30/2023, and RFC 51264 submitted 1/30/2023)

The bid date has been moved to Thursday, February 16, 2023. The Working Days have also been changed from 5 days to 15 days and the District Engineer has extended the FID permit's completion date to March 31, 2023. The anticipated award date is February 24th and the contract is anticipated to be fully executed by March 7th. The County will work with FID to extend the permit further should the project require additional time. In general, the working days are independent of the permit timeline. See Addendum 1.  Response date: 01/31/2023

 

Specification No. 8-1.04B
Spec section 8-1.04B lists liquidated damages at $2,900.00 per working days in excess of the total number of working days. This seems excessive considering the tight time line of 5 working days and FID's completion of 2/15/2023. Are liquidated damages of $2,900.00 per working day correct for this specific project? (RFC 51248 submitted 1/30/2023)   

Liquidated damages was changed to $1,500. See Addendum 1. Response date: 01/31/2023

 

It appears there may need to be a considerable amount of fence line clearing including stump removal and leveling. Will it be possible to set up a pre-bid site walk to conference and clarify scope of work and fence plan?  (RFC 51252 submitted 1/30/2023)   

Yes, a pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for 10:00 AM, Monday, February 6, 2023. See Addendum 1. Response date: 01/31/2023

 

Will contractors be able to work on the fence in areas that aren't on County property? (RFC 51432 submitted 2/6/2023) 

Yes, if necessary, the County can fill out a "right to enter form" to inform the residents that work will be done on their side of the property. Response date: 02/10/2023    

 

Who is responsible for clearing the bushes and brambles and surface grading within county property on the east side fencing area?  (RFC 51433 submitted 2/6/2023)   

Fresno County will clear the bushes and brambles and level the ground in the fence line area. Response date: 02/10/2023 

 

For the fence on the south side where the ground has a drop, will the County want to move six feet to the north to have the fence on more level and stable ground or will the fence be located closer to the property line on the slope? (RFC 51434 submitted 2/6/2023)   

The fence will be installed 6" from property line per plan. Response date: 02/10/2023   

 

Does the FID permit apply to the entire project, or just near the channels? Could we finish the areas where the FID permit applies first to meet the requirements of the permit and complete the back end of the fence later? (RFC 51435 submitted 2/6/2023) 

It will be up to the contractor where they start work, but the 15 working day period must be adhered to. Response date: 02/10/2023   

 

Will the contractors be responsible for clearing and removing excess soil, debris, and stumps around the perimeter of the fence? (RFC 51436 submitted 2/6/2023)   

Fresno County will clear and remove debris and stumps around the fence. Response date: 02/10/2023

 

Will someone from the County be available to make the on-site calls that may come up during the course of the work? (RFC 51437 submitted 2/6/2023)   

Yes, there will be a Resident Engineer on site. Response date: 02/10/2023   

 

Will the bushes and stumps on the west side fence line be removed? If so, who will be responsible?  (RFC 51438 submitted 2/6/2023)   

Yes, Fresno County will remove the bushes and stumps. Response date: 02/10/2023   

 

Will the gate on the west side be moved to another location?  (RFC 51439 submitted 2/6/2023)   

Yes, the gate will be moved to the embankment per FID. Install a Racked gate to follow the slope of the ground  Response date: 02/10/2023   

 

Specification No. 7-1.063 D(1)4
Insurance requirements in spec. section 7-1.063 D (1) 4 - include coverage for Explosion, collapse, and underground hazards. Can this requirement be waived considering that it does not apply to the scope of work to be performed?  (RFC 51453 submitted 2/7/2023) 

Due to the possibility of underground hazards, this insurance requirement will not be waived. Response date: 02/13/2023 

 

Specification No. Agreement Article V - A
Insurance requirements listed in the Agreement Article V -section A lists an Umbrella or excess liability coverage of 5 million for a project under 1 million. Considering the estimated value of this project, can this umbrella coverage be reduced to 2 million to avoid successful bidders from incurring additional premiums and allow bidders to offer a more competitive bid?  (RFC 51454 submitted 2/7/2023) 

The umbrella or excess liability coverage has been reduced to $2,000,000. See Addendum #2. Response date: 02/13/2023   

 

Can we use the Additional Information fields on the electronic bid to attach a scanned copy of our bid bond? (RFC 51521 submitted 2/8/2023)   

An electronic bid bond is not a scanned copy of an original bid bond. A scan of a bid bond has been waived as immaterial before but this has also been a source of bid protest for a number of past projects. You should either use an electronic bid bond through one of the two electronic surety agencies or ensure an original hardcopy original bid bond has been received at our office prior to the bid opening. Response date: 02/13/2023