Request for Information QA

1240BH26R0013GAOA Blanchard Springs Caverns Tunnel Rehabilitation Ozark-St. Francis National Forest

RFI #1 – 1. Are we turning in as a prime bidder, or will we need to turn into a GC for the electrical? It is up to the offeror how they want to bid the requirement. The government is only accepting proposals from prime contracts. The prime contractors will decide who they will sub-contract their work to.

RFI #2 – Who are the approved GC’s we can turn in to on this project. There are no approved general contractors for this requirement.

RFI #3 - What is the procedure for communication to crews working in the cave and communicating to surface?

Contractor is responsible for managing communications with their crews and having an adequate Safety Plan per authorities having jurisdiction.

RFI #4 - The rock anchors are specified #5 all thread but Dywidag nor Jennmar manufacture a #5 bar. Is the intent to use a #6 bar? Attached link to cut sheet for Jennmar https://www.jennmar.com/files/content/products/jm-all-thread-bar.pd

Project manual for Blanchard Springs Caverns Tunnel Rehab (Golder Spec)_ Specification 313313_ Part 2 Products_ 2.1 Materials_ B. Steel Bar Type Bolts_ references the following below: i.Rockbolts shall be #5 grade 75 steel Jennmar or Dywidag threaded rebar, or approved equivalent with minimum ultimate strength of 25kips. The intent is to use the product specified if available, or another product equivalent to the salient features of the product specified. See specifications for product submittals and substitution requirements after award.

RFI #5 - What sort of fines or punishment would be incurred if a formation was accidentally broken. We saw that there were criminal charges that could be pressed, accidents happen and we need to know what we would be the means of rectifying and accident.

Per the Environmental Assessment: If damage to any of these resources occurs, work in the affected area shall be halted until an investigation and report of findings are completed. Depending on the resource damaged, initial investigations shall be conducted by the appropriate resource specialist. Initial investigation findings may result in referral to law enforcement.

RFI #6 - On the Golder specs. 000110-5 it states work to take place between 6:00 PM – 8:00 AM, my understanding was that the project will take place Durning normal business hours and that the cavern will be shut down. Please clarify. Work is to be conducted during normal business hours unless otherwise authorized.