USDA Forest Service Lake Wedington Waterline Construction, ARKANSAS

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document is a "Comments Matrix" for USDA-FS Issuances related to the Lake Wedington Waterline Construction project. It details questions raised by bidders and the government's responses and resolutions.

• Construction Time: The Period of Performance (POP) is 270 days, with a resolution to disregard General Note #30 and #32 from the supply and distribution drawings, respectively. (See Amendment 0002).

• Silt Fence: Silt fence requirements are covered under General Note 13 (Supply Drawings) and General Note 16 (Distribution Drawings), referencing BMPs for stormwater and erosion controls.

• Pipe Backfill: Section 2300 of the specifications details the use of aggregate backfill and select native backfill. Drawings also provide guidance.

• Booster Pump Station Door: A new 36-inch metal door and frame will be installed, as detailed in Distribution Drawings Sheet C112.

• Underground Lines: No known underground utilities exist on Forest Service property between Krie Rd and the water tank, but Arkansas One Call must still be contacted before excavation.

• Asphalt Crossing: Waterlines under asphalt or concrete will be sleeved. Open cut trenching and asphalt replacement will be required for multiple road and parking area crossings.

• Creek Crossings: All lines under creek crossings will be buried a minimum of 5 feet deep.

• Spoils: Excess soils and brush must be removed from government property, as per General Note #17 on Distribution Drawings.

• Power Availability: No power is available in the Supply Line area. Distribution Line areas have electricity available adjacent to most facilities. Contractor is responsible for locating all underground lines.

• Booster Pump System: An existing booster pump building is provided.

• Sanitary Facilities: Contractor must provide sanitary facilities for onsite workers; no potable water is available on site.

• Amendment 0002 corrects the overall POP to 270 days, with a NLT date of January 29, 2027. Bidders must use the new SF1442 form.

• Amendment 0003 addresses an Engineering Change Note for PVC Sleeving under all asphalt areas for the water system distribution.

• The document clarifies requirements for restoration, backfill compaction, salvaged materials, handling of subsurface conditions, and the potential for submitting approved equals for materials.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0003) corrects engineering changes related to LI001, Distribution System, Attachment 002, Package 001.

• The Schedule B of Item (LI001) is to be removed and replaced with attached pages.

• Specifically, Attachment 2, Package 001, Schedule B is removed/replaced.

• An "Engineering Statement to Drawings" is attached.

• The bid deadline remains unchanged at 04/24/2026, 1000CT.

• Contractors must acknowledge the change on the SF30 and SF1442 and return with their bid, along with the revised Schedule B for the Distribution System.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) modifies the solicitation to correct the bid deadline.

• Page 1 of SF1442: Block 13a is updated to reflect the correct bid deadline.

• New Bid Deadline: April 24, 2026, at 1000 CT.

• Period of Performance: Remains unchanged at 05/01/2026 to 09/30/2026.

• Other Terms: All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document is a comments matrix providing responses to bidder questions and clarifications regarding the "12445126B0010 Lake Wadington Waterline Construction, Arkansas" project. It was generated following a site visit on March 10, 2026.

• Construction Time: The Period of Performance (POP) will be 270 days. General Notes #30 and #32 from the Supply and Distribution drawings, respectively, are disregarded.
• Silt Fence: Silt fence requirements are detailed in General Note 13 (Supply Drawings) and General Note 16 (Distribution Drawings). The contractor is responsible for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) for stormwater and erosion control.
• Pipe Backfill: Section 2300 of the specifications details the use of aggregate backfill for paved areas (2.04) and select native backfill for other areas (2.05). Section 3.07 covers bedding and backfilling pipe.
• Booster Pump Station Door: A new 36-inch metal door and frame will be installed on the Booster Pump Station building, as shown on Distribution Drawings Sheet C112.
• Underground Lines: No tracer wire was present in the 1990s contract. New lines will be installed in existing locations, and existing lines will be removed. Contact Arkansas One Call at 811 prior to excavation.
• Asphalt Crossings: Open cut trenching and asphalt replacement will be required for waterline installation under asphalt or concrete. All water lines under asphalt or concrete will be sleeved, as detailed on Distribution Drawings Sheet C112.
• Creek Crossings: All lines under creek crossings will be buried a minimum of 5 feet in depth.
• Spoils: While General Note #14 on Supply Drawings Sheet C101 allows spoils in COR-designated areas, General Note #17 on Distribution Drawings Sheet 101 states that excess soils and brush will be removed from government property.
• Underground Utilities (Supply Line Area): No known underground utilities are present on Forest Service property between Krie Rd and the water tank. Arkansas One Call is still required.
• Roadway Offset: Flexibility exists for installing pipe closer to the roadway in certain areas.

This document clarifies several aspects of the project, including construction duration, specific material and installation requirements, and site conditions. Bidders should review these clarifications to ensure their proposals accurately reflect the project scope and requirements. Note that Amendment 0002 is referenced in relation to construction time.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0002) modifies the solicitation/contract.

• Amendment 001: Corrected the bid deadline of the SF1442 and replaced Page 1. The bid deadline is now 04/24/2026 at 1000CT.

• Amendment 002: Corrected the total Period of Performance (POP) to 270 days from award, with a completion date no later than 01/29/2027. This also involved replacing Page 1 of the SF1442.

• Page 1 of the SF1442 has been replaced by both Amendment 001 and Amendment 002.

• Block 13a of the SF1442 (bid deadline) was corrected.

• Block 11 of the SF1442 (Period of Performance) was corrected.

• The bid deadline has been updated to 04/24/2026 at 1000CT.

• The Period of Performance is now 270 days after award, with a completion date no later than 01/29/2027.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12. It serves as the sole solicitation for the Lake Wedington Water System Distribution project. The project involves the complete replacement of existing distribution lines (Package 001) and the installation of a new potable water supply line (Package 002) at the Lake Wedington Recreation Area in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The estimated magnitude of construction is between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000.

• Package 001 (Distribution System): Demolition of existing lines and valves, and installation of approximately 16,000 linear feet of waterline (1-inch to 6-inch diameter) from the existing Forest Service 22,000-gallon water storage tank to the day-use area and campground.

• Package 002 (Supply System): Installation of approximately 6,000 linear feet of 3-inch waterline from Krie Road to the existing Forest Service 22,000-gallon water storage tank.

• The project requires compliance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), agency supplemental regulations, and attached drawings and specifications.

• Offerors must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price.

• Award: One (1) Firm Fixed Price contract.

• Period of Performance: 160 days after award/completion, no later than September 30, 2026.

• Period for Acceptance of Offers: 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

• Submission Method: Electronic bid submission via email to steven.alves@usda.gov and cc: adam.doyle@usda.gov.

• Bid Deadline: April 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM CT.

• Questions Deadline: March 27, 2026, via email to steven.alves@usda.gov; cc: adam.doyle@usda.gov (Subject: 12445126B0010 QUESTION).

• Evaluation: Lowest price, responsive/responsible evaluation.

• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 237110 - Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction.

• Small Business Size Standard: $45 million.

• A site visit is scheduled for March 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM CT. Offerors are highly encouraged to attend.

• Performance and Payment Bonds are required, 100% of the original contract award price, due 5 days after award. Irrevocable letter of credit or Payment Bond form SF-25A & Performance Bond Form SF-25 are allowed.

• Bid Guarantee is required.