Sam Houston Trail Bridge Replacement

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment_02_Design Build General Requirements.pdf," outlines the general requirements for performing design/build services for the Department of the Interior and Forest Service. It supplements project-specific Statements of Work (SOWs) for individual task orders.

• Scope: Defines the general requirements for design/build services and notes that these are supplemented by project-specific SOWs.
• Principal Performance Requirements: The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, and materials to plan, design, and construct a complete project that meets programmatic needs, is safe, integrated, easy to operate and maintain, and of high quality.
• Inquiries: All questions must be directed in writing to the Task Order Contracting Officer.
• Definitions: Provides definitions for key terms such as Architect-Engineer (A-E), Construction Documents (CDs), Commissioning, Construction, and Contracting Officer (CO).
• Alternative Technical Concepts (ATCs): Details the process for submitting and evaluating ATCs, which are concepts proposed by Offerors to modify basic configurations or contract requirements. ATCs must be "equal or better" than the proposed project without the ATC and cannot simply delete scope or lower performance requirements. The submission requires a brief description, detailed description, usage, proposed RFP modifications, design deviations, and an analysis.
• Project Execution: Outlines general requirements for project execution, including task order awards as firm-fixed-price contracts, Davis-Bacon wage rates, construction payment bonds, and performance bonds.
• Scoping Visit: Recommends contractors attend a site visit for information gathering.
• Technical Procedures: Covers general compliance, drawing number assignment, drafting standards, land ownership and boundary surveying, topographic surveys, construction layout, accessibility (ABA), and energy conservation (LEED).
• Safety: Details requirements for construction safety, including compliance with OSHA, DOI policies, and other applicable safety standards. It also outlines the need for a health and safety program, barricades, and warning devices.
• Compliance Documentation: Requires contractors to furnish information and provide facilities for obtaining information related to the project.
• Construction Quality Control (CQC): Mandates a designated person for CQC, contractor responsibility for quality control, and outlines proactive quality control processes.
• Noxious Weed / Species / Pathogen Control: Specifies requirements for equipment washing and decontamination.
• Environmental Protection: Requires compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including hazardous materials handling, erosion control, spill containment, and the use of vegetable-based hydraulic fluids where applicable.
• Work Limits & Clearing Limits: Defines the boundaries for construction equipment, disturbance, and vegetation removal.
• Cleanup: Outlines requirements for site cleanup, debris removal, and restoration of disturbed areas.
• Construction Waste: Requires minimization of waste and development of a Waste Management Plan.
• Record Drawings: Mandates the maintenance of as-constructed drawings.
• Material & Equipment Transportation, Handling, and Storage: Sets requirements for receiving, transporting, handling, and storing materials and equipment.
• Housing and Temporary Facilities: Specifies contractor responsibility for furnishing temporary facilities and utilities.
• Work Hours & Progress Schedule: Defines on-site work hours and the requirement for a detailed project schedule.
• Commissioning & Training: Outlines requirements for system commissioning and training of government staff.
• Final Walk Through: Details the process for final inspection and acceptance.
• Closeout Documents: Lists required closeout documents, including Operation and Maintenance Manuals, LEED documentation, and Record Drawings.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the general requirements that will apply to any design/build task order issued under this solicitation. Bidders must understand these requirements to accurately prepare their proposals, including technical approaches, cost estimates, and compliance plans. Key areas of focus for bidders include the ATC process, safety protocols, environmental compliance, quality control, and submission requirements for various project phases and closeout. The document also clarifies definitions and procedures for inquiries and site visits, which are crucial for understanding the project scope and government expectations.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This project requires the full design and construction of 18 trail bridges on the Multi-Use Trail (MUT) within the Sam Houston National Forest, west of New Waverly, TX. The goal is to replace failed or failing bridges due to erosion and storm events.

• Phase A: Site Investigation and Analysis

• Phase B: Design and Construction Document Preparation

• Phase C: Removal and disposal of existing crossing infrastructure, construction of new crossings, and connecting trail approaches.

• The contractor may adopt a phased approach for construction.

• The MUT trail is a Class 3 All-Terrain Vehicle/Off-Highway Vehicle trail used by hikers, mountain bikers, horse riders, ATVs, and off-road motorcycles.

• Design Criteria: Minimum 500-year storm interval with 30% debris blocking and 18" freeboard. Consideration for recent storm data and flood extents is crucial.

• Bridge Design: May conform to "LRFD Guide Specifications for the Design of FRP Pedestrian Bridges".

• Deliverables: Includes proposal, project schedule, engineering report, conceptual and preliminary designs, final working drawings, specifications, construction schedule, QA/QC plans, and as-built drawings.

• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC): Contractor must submit a detailed QA/QC plan for design and construction.

• Not explicitly stated, but site investigation is noted for May 2025.

• Site Characteristics: Highly erodible soils (sand and mottled clay), potential for increased storm intensity and recurrence intervals.

• Design Considerations: Minimum deck width of 72", increased spans and freeboard, deep foundations, modular designs for remote sites, elevated boardwalks where feasible, tread hardening with ABC at approaches, and appropriate wearing surfaces.

• Resource Coordination: SHPO consultation is in progress. Seasonal restrictions apply for work near Red-cockaded Woodpecker trees (April 1st - July 31st).

• Access: Equipment access through watercourses should be minimized and perpendicular.

• Environmental: Disturbed areas must be seeded with a Forest Service approved mix.

• Government Furnished Tasks: Site inspections, photos, GIS data, SHPO consultation, and identification of woodpecker trees.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for a Design-Build construction procurement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 3, PPS. The project involves the replacement of trail bridges on the Sam Houston Multi-Use Trail (MUT) located west of New Waverly, TX. The MUT is rated as a Class 3 All-Terrain Vehicle/Off-Highway Vehicle trail, open to various users including hikers, bikers, horse riders, ATVs, and off-road motorcycles, with motorcycles comprising the majority of use.

• Design and construction of eighteen (18) Trail Bridges on the MUT.

• Work includes Phase A: Site Investigation and Analysis, Phase B: Design and Construction Document Preparation, and Phase C: Removal and disposal of existing crossing infrastructure, construction of new crossings, and connecting trail approaches.

• The contractor will be responsible for all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, supervision, professional engineering services, and construction.

• Architect-Engineer services are incidental to construction.

• The contractor must ensure design documents are sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer registered in the state where the work is performed.

• Existing trails are approximately 60 inches wide, native surfaced, with some hardened tread and concrete pavers.

• Procurement will be conducted under FAR Part 36, using competitive negotiation procedures under FAR Part 15.

• A single, firm-fixed-price Design-Build contract is intended.

• Davis-Bacon wage rates apply to construction activities.

• Performance and payment bonds will be required.

• The anticipated RFP number is 127EAV26R0010.

• The RFP is expected to be posted to Contract Opportunities at www.sam.gov in February 2026 (third or fourth week).

• Award will be made on a Best Value Tradeoff basis, considering Technical Approach, Technical Qualifications, Past Performance, and Price.

• Alternative Technical Concepts (ATCs) may be considered.

• The Government intends to award without discussions but reserves the right to conduct discussions if deemed in the Government's best interest.

• This procurement is a 100 percent Small Business set-aside.

• The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 237990, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.

• Site visit is not applicable (N/A).

• All interested firms must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be eligible for award. Failure to register will make an Offeror ineligible.

• Hard copies of the solicitation will not be provided; Offerors are responsible for checking www.sam.gov daily for updates and amendments.

• Points of Contact: David Watson (David.l.watson@usda.gov, (602) 225-5350).