Access Roads Construction at Monocle Lake Recreation Area, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan (GAOA)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the GAOA Monocle Lake Recreation Access opportunity, dated 13 March 2026.

• HMA Base Crushing & Shaping: Clarified to mean 4" of 22A road gravel placed over the existing asphalt surface.

• Asphalt Pulverization: The gravel and existing asphalt will be pulverized, fine graded, and compacted.

• Asphalt Installation: A 2" asphalt layer is considered adequate with a compacted pulverized asphalt and 22A road gravel base, suitable for expected vehicle traffic.

• Material Definitions: Provided definitions for Aggregate Base 22A (standard MDOT 22A road gravel), Traffic Control (per MUTCD requirements), HMA 4EL (grade of asphalt), and Shld CI II (standard stone for road shoulders).

• Density testing procedures are detailed in Amendment 1, Attachment 12. Bidders should refer to this amendment for specific requirements regarding density testing.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document specifies material testing requirements for the project, including aggregate base and hot mix asphalt (HMA).

• Aggregate Base:
  • Maximum density determination per AASHTO T 180, Method D.
  • Compaction requirement: at least 95.0% of maximum density.
  • In-place density and moisture content testing per AASHTO T 310 or approved methods.
  • Testing frequency: 1 per 3,500 SY, minimum of 3 tests.
• Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA):
  • Material specification: MDOT Grade 4EL.
  • Compaction requirement: at least 91.0% of maximum specific gravity (density).
  • In-place density testing after compaction per AASHTO T 166 or approved methods.
  • Testing frequency: 1 per 700 tons, minimum of 3 tests.
• Contractor Responsibility: Material testing shall be contracted and paid for by the Contractor.

This attachment details critical quality control and testing standards that bidders must adhere to for aggregate base and hot mix asphalt. Understanding these requirements is essential for accurate cost estimation and ensuring compliance with project specifications.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the "Monocle Lake Recreation Access Roads Re-Paving Construction" project located in the Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan. The project involves inspection and construction services, including mobilization, installation of aggregate base, crushing and shaping existing materials, installing new asphalt surface, adding gravel shoulders, and applying permanent pavement markings.

• Mobilization

• Installation of 4-inches of aggregate base

• Crushing and shaping existing onsite materials

• Installation of a 2-inch thick new asphalt surface

• Installation of 2-foot wide gravel shoulders

• Application of permanent pavement markings

• Construction of highways, roads, streets, bridges, and railways (Product/Service Code: Y1LB)

• Anticipated Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance: April 1, 2026, to June 7, 2026

• Estimated Magnitude of Construction: Between $500,000 and $1,000,000

• Bids are due via email to paula.sales@usda.gov and CC bradley.higley@usda.gov by 2:00 P.M. (Eastern) on March 20, 2026.

• Award will be made to the lowest priced, responsible offeror who is responsive to the solicitation.

• Responsibility will be determined in accordance with FAR subpart 9.104-1.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• Questions are due no later than March 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Eastern).

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns (Total Small Business Set-Aside).

• The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 237310, Highway, Street and Bridge Construction, with a small business size standard of $45.0M.

• A site visit is not organized, but prospective offerors are free to visit the jobsite on their own.

• A bid bond (SF-24) is required for bids with a subtotal for all base items exceeding $150,000.00.

• Bid Bond/Offer Guarantee is 20% of the total required for quote/offer submission.

• Performance and Payment Bonds (SF-25A and SF-25) are required, 100% of the original contract award price, due 10 days after award.

• Numerous attachments are referenced, including Schedule of Items, Statement of Work, Drawings and Maps, and specifications.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "General Decision" from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, detailing prevailing wage rates for various construction-related job classifications in Michigan. It serves as a reference for contractors to ensure compliance with minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements on federal or federally funded construction projects.

• General Decision Number: MI20260001
• Publication Date: 01/09/2026
• State: Michigan
• Construction Types: Highway (Highway, Airport & Bridge and Sewer/Incid. to Hwy.)
• Counties: Michigan Statewide
• Classifications: Lists numerous job titles (e.g., Carpenter, Electrician, Groundman/Driver, Journeyman Signal Tech, Operator A/B, Ironworker, Laborer, Painter, Truck Driver, Cement Mason, Plumber/Pipefitter, Sign Installer) with corresponding hourly rates and fringe benefits.
• Geographic Scope: Delineates specific counties or areas within Michigan for which each wage determination applies.
• Footnotes & Classifications: Provides detailed descriptions of work scope and specific duties for various classifications, along with notes on paid holidays and special conditions.

Bidders must review this document to understand the minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements for all laborers and mechanics who will be employed on the project. This information is crucial for accurate cost estimation and proposal development to ensure compliance with federal labor standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an image attachment, "Attachment 7 - Picture of Asphalt Thickness.pdf", which appears to visually represent the thickness of asphalt. It includes a folding ruler placed against the asphalt edge, with red arrows and markings indicating measurements or points of interest.

• A folding ruler showing centimeter markings (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
• Red arrows and a curved red line pointing to the asphalt edge and surrounding material.
• A visual depiction of asphalt thickness in a natural, outdoor setting with trees in the background.

This attachment likely serves as visual evidence or a supplementary detail related to the asphalt work specified in a related solicitation or SOW. Bidders should review this image to understand any visual requirements, existing conditions, or specific measurements related to asphalt thickness that may be relevant to their proposal or execution of the work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Schedule of Items" for the Monocle Lake Recreation Access Roads Re-Paving project in the Hiawatha National Forest. It details the specific items, quantities, and units of measure required for the project, serving as a basis for pricing and bidding.

• Base Line Items (Items 0001-0010): Includes mobilization, traffic control, various types of pavement marking (white, yellow, blue, handicap symbol), aggregate base, HMA base crushing & shaping, HMA (4EL, 2 inches), and shield (CI II, 2 inches thick, 2 feet wide aggregate) for drive, picnic, and boat launch areas.
• Option Line Items (Items 0011-0015): Includes pavement marking (yellow), aggregate base, HMA base crushing & shaping, HMA (4EL, 2 inches), and shield (CI II, 2 inches thick, 2 feet wide aggregate) for campground roads.
• Offeror Information: Fields are provided for the Offeror Name, UEI #, Address, Point of Contact (POC) Name, POC Position Title, POC Email & Phone, and Offeror POC Signature.

This schedule is critical for bidders to understand the scope and quantity of work required for both base and optional line items. Bidders will use this document to calculate their unit prices and total extended prices, which will form a significant part of their proposal submission. The offeror information section must be completed by the prospective bidder.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To replace the existing asphalt on access roads and parking areas within the Monocle Lake Recreation Area, which are nearing the end of their service life. This includes adding new asphalt, gravel base, shoulder gravel, and line stripping.

• Install 4 inches of aggregate base on the existing surface.

• Crush and shape existing onsite materials.

• Install a 2-inch thick new asphalt surface.

• Install 2-foot wide gravel shoulders.

• Apply permanent pavement markings.

• Base Line Items cover the access road, picnic area, boat launch roads, and parking areas.

• Optional Line Items cover campground roads.

• All onsite work must be completed by June 7, 2026.

• The Contractor must prepare and submit a proposed progress schedule after the Notice to Proceed.

• The jobsite will be closed to the public during construction.

• Work can start on or before April 6, 2026.

• Location: Monocle Lake Recreation Area, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan.

• Work must comply with Forest Service Supplemental Specifications and Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-14) (Attachments 8 and 9).

• Contractor must provide temporary barricades and protection for personnel and property.

• Contractor must have a Safety Program and follow OSHA regulations.

• Proposed costs are on a lump sum basis per Line Item, including all materials, labor, supervision, and services.

• Offerors are responsible for visiting the jobsite to verify quantities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains drawings and maps related to the Monocle Lake Campground Road Improvements project. It serves as a visual guide for the scope and location of the proposed work.

• Sheet Index: Lists all included sheets and their titles (e.g., Site Plan, Paint Site Plan, Painting Plan, Painting Plan Detail).
• Project Location: Maps showing the general location of the Hiawatha National Forest and the specific project area within Chippewa County, Michigan.
• Travel Directions: Detailed instructions for reaching the Monocle Lake Recreation Area from St. Ignace, Michigan.
• Drawings: Detailed plans illustrating the site layout, road improvements, pavement markings (centerlines, parking lines), and specific details for painting.

These drawings and maps are critical for bidders to understand the physical scope of the road improvements, including the layout of roads, parking areas, and specific marking requirements. They provide essential visual information for estimating costs, planning execution, and ensuring compliance with the project's design specifications.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Picture Index" of roads within the Monocle Lake Campground, dated July 16, 2024. It appears to be a visual guide or map intended to identify and label various roads and points of interest within the campground.

• The map displays roads, numbered points (e.g., 1-28), and labels such as "MONOCLE LAKE," "BOAT LAUNCH," and "LAKE SHORE DRIVE."
• It includes handwritten annotations indicating distances, such as "4,663 ft = 0.9 miles," "6,050 ft = 1.15 miles," and "2.0 miles."
• There are also notations for "Campground Roads" with associated numbers (e.g., 400, 900, 4,100, 250).
• A "NORTH" arrow indicates orientation.

This attachment likely serves as a reference for bidders to understand the physical layout and access points of the Monocle Lake Campground. It may be relevant for understanding site visits, delivery routes, or the scope of work if the opportunity involves services or construction within the campground.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a vicinity map illustrating the location of the Monocle Lake Day Use and Campground, along with surrounding areas, administrative sites, roads, water bodies, and the forest boundary. It serves to provide geographical context for the opportunity.

• Map Title: Vicinity Map - Monocle Lake Day Use & Campground
• Geographic Features: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Canada
• Administrative Sites: Monocle Lake CG, Raco Work Center, St. Ignace Office
• Roads: Depicted with various route numbers (e.g., US-2, M-28, CO RD 520)
• Waterbodies: Lakes and rivers are shown.
• Forest Boundary: Outlines the forest area.
• Scale: 0, 5, 10 Miles

This map helps potential bidders understand the physical location and surrounding infrastructure relevant to the opportunity. It can assist in assessing logistical considerations, travel routes, and the general environment of the work site.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains photographic evidence of asphalt road conditions at Monocle Lake CG (Campground) as of July 16, 2024. It is intended to provide visual context for potential bidders regarding the current state of the roads.

• 28 individual pictures labeled Pic 1 through Pic 28.
• Images depict various sections of asphalt roads, including straightaways, curves, intersections, and parking areas.
• Visual evidence includes road surface condition (e.g., wear, patching, potholes), lane markings, surrounding vegetation, and occasional site features like stop signs or buildings.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to assess the scope and nature of any potential road maintenance, repair, or resurfacing work required for the Monocle Lake CG. It allows for a preliminary understanding of the existing conditions that may inform proposals and cost estimates.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 9 Forest Service Supplemental Specifications.docx," contains supplemental specifications for construction projects undertaken by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. It modifies and adds to standard specifications, providing detailed requirements for various aspects of road construction and maintenance.

• Definitions and Terms: Clarifies terms like "Bid Schedule," "Contractor," "Drawings," "Notice to Proceed," "Right-of-Way," and "Solicitation," and introduces new definitions specific to Forest Service contracts.
• Scope of Work: Modifies existing sections related to the scope of work, emphasizing the intent of the contract.
• Construction Requirements: Details specifications for excavation, embankment construction, compaction methods (including various placement methods and equipment requirements), subgrade stabilization, aggregate courses (subbase, base, surface, and screened), turf establishment, and asphalt pavement milling.
• Survey and Staking: Provides specific tolerances for construction survey and staking, including different tolerance classes for various road types.
• Public Traffic Control: Outlines requirements for managing public traffic during construction, including temporary traffic control measures and temporary road closures.
• Material Specifications: Defines requirements for various materials, including aggregate gradations, soundness, and durability.
• Weather Limitations: Specifies weather conditions under which certain work (e.g., asphalt prime coat, tack coat, micro surfacing) can be performed.

This document is crucial for bidders as it outlines the specific technical requirements, material standards, construction methods, and acceptance criteria that will govern the performance of the contract work. Understanding these supplemental specifications is essential for accurately estimating costs, developing a compliant technical proposal, and successfully executing the project if awarded. Bidders must pay close attention to the modifications of standard specifications, especially concerning excavation, embankment, compaction, aggregate quality, survey tolerances, and traffic control, as these directly impact project execution and compliance.