Bidder Inquiries

Caltrans Bidding Connect Account:

Sign In (Sign in is required to access Project Plans)

Create Account (Click here to create a Caltrans Bidding Connect Account)


Viewing inquiries for 03-3H3304

Submit new inquiry for this project


Inquiry #1: Regarding IRRIGATION AS-BUILTS: In the "Information Handout", the as-built docs begin on PDF page 38. There are 14 pages, as identified in blue on the top of each page. After page 14 of 14, there are 3 more pages, PDF pages 52-54, that are included in that section. There is no indication as to what zones we should be operating, as they are called out in the previous pages. Referencing the last 3 pages, what work is to be performed in relation to Item 30 "Check and Test Existing Irrigation Facilities"?
Inquiry submitted 06/23/2021

Response #1:
(BI#1)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.


Response posted 06/23/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2. Updated Information Handout is posted.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #2: Would Caltrans accept an alternate CMS that meets Buy America and National NEMA standards for a price less than what's quoted in the specification?
Inquiry submitted 06/25/2021

Response #1:
(BI#2)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 06/25/2021


Response #2:
No, please bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 06/30/2021




Inquiry #3: For bonding capacity purposes, would the contractor need a payment bond for 100% of the bid price and a performance bond for 50% of the bid price, or potentially a $39M payment bond and about a $20M performance bond?
Inquiry submitted 06/29/2021

Response #1:
(BI#3)- Attention is directed to 3-1.05 CONTRACT BONDS (PUB CONT CODE 10221 AND 10222) of the standard specifications.
Response posted 06/30/2021




Inquiry #4: Plan sheet SDS-1 (337 of 360) states to see road plans for elevation of base plate and FG. There are no road plans that show these elevations. Please provide.
Inquiry submitted 06/30/2021

Response #1:(BI#4)-: There is no roadway work involved in this project other than MVP. Use existing ground elevation as FG. Bid per current contract document.
Response posted 07/02/2021




Inquiry #5: On page 1 of the Notice to Bidders the statement is made “Do not bid less than 140 working days and not more than 200 working days”. Will provisions be made to extend working days due to the extremely long lead times for the material required for the project?
Inquiry submitted 06/30/2021

Response #1:(BI#5)-: Attention is directed to section 8-1.04C. Bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 07/01/2021




Inquiry #6: Item No. 17 on the Bid Item List, Storm Water Annual Report, has a quantity of 3. If the total maximum allowable working days is 200 why would the annual report have a quantity of 3?
Inquiry submitted 06/30/2021

Response #1:(BI#6)-The quantity came up with consideration to the rainy season, delay start of the project and 200 working days. Item 130330 Stormwater Annual Report is calculated from the beg and end const dates. For the construction dates, Caltrans must provide to the water board a total of 3 stormwater Annual reports. Bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 07/02/2021




Inquiry #7: Would Caltrans Please consider increasing the number of Working days? Based on discussions with multiple Fiber Optic Contractors, the amount of fiber and communications equipment called for on this job will take approx 110 days to install. This leave only 90 days for all the required elements (conduit, boxes, vaults, pull rope, cabinets, etc) to be installed so that there is enough time for the Fiber work to be done without running out of working days, which is not realistic. Would Caltrans please consider increasing the number of working days by at least 60 working days?
Inquiry submitted 07/02/2021

Response #1:(BI#7)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/06/2021


Response #2:BI#7)-Bid per the current contract documents
Response posted 07/07/2021




Inquiry #8: Inquiry #4: Plan sheet SDS-1 (337 of 360) states to see road plans for elevation of base plate and FG. There are no road plans that show these elevations. Please provide.
Inquiry submitted 06/30/2021

Response #1:(BI#4)-: There is no roadway work involved in this project other than MVP. Use existing ground elevation as FG. Bid per current contract document.
Response posted 07/02/2021

What kind of an answer is this? Plan sheet SDS-1 states to view road plans to determine elevations to see how tall the sign structure foundation is out of the ground. Then CalTrans states there is no road plans, bid per contract documents. If there is no road plans then don't refer to them on SDS-1. Answer states for contractors to use existing ground as FG. CalTrans needs to provide this elevation.

CalTrans needs to provide elevations of the top of concrete and FG for CMS foundations at location 2 and 4 so we can even bid the job. The length of the foundation above FG needs to be provided by Caltrans.

Inquiry submitted 07/05/2021

Response #1:(BI#8)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/06/2021


Response #2:(BI#8)-See SDS-9 for pile height.


Response posted 07/07/2021




Inquiry #9: I have noticed that the Fiber Optic Cable Systems Drawings E-4 Thru E-42 do not line up with the Fiber Optic Details Drawings ED-1 Thru ED-8. The existing 96 trunk and where the new 144 Strand trunk is supposed to start don't match up between the Drawings and the details. Drawing numbers don't match at the location, Station numbers don't match. Can we get a new set of drawings where the ED drawings match the Fiber optic system drawing pages? Thank you
Inquiry submitted 07/08/2021

Response #1:
(BI#9)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/08/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2 for updated plans.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #10: Specification section 7-1.02K(6)(j)(iii) states that the entire stretch of the project contains “Unregulated earth material” with “…levels of lead found range less than 5 to 500 mg/kg total lead with an average concentration of 71.1 mg/kg total lead.” And “Unregulated levels of lead on the job site have a predicted average soluble concentration of
Inquiry submitted 07/08/2021

Response #1:
(BI#10)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/08/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #11: Specification section 7-1.02K(6)(j)(iii) states that the entire stretch of the project contains “Unregulated earth material” with “…levels of lead found range less than 5 to 500 mg/kg total lead with an average concentration of 71.1 mg/kg total lead.” And “Unregulated levels of lead on the job site have a predicted average soluble concentration of less than 5.0 mg/L.” However, specification 14-11.08C states that Type Z-2 (Regulated) material exists throughout the entire stretch of the project and that “Concentration data and sample location maps for regulated material are included in the Information Handout.”
Please clarify if we are to assume the material throughout the entire stretch of the project should be considered either unregulated earth material or regulated Z-2. Also, please provide the concentration data with sample locations as noted.

Inquiry submitted 07/08/2021

Response #1:
(BI#11)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/08/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #12: Please provide a trench detail for open cut conduit installation in areas where directional drilling is not feasible due to cobble and/or rocky conditions. The only trench detail shown, on the plan sheet E-5, states that it is only applicable to that sheet.
Inquiry submitted 07/09/2021

Response #1:
(BI#12)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/09/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #13: 1. ED-12 HAS (2) NOTES FOR MVDS – NOTE 14 (CALLING FOR SIDEFIRE) AND NOTE 23 (CALLING FOR FORWARD FIRE). THIS IS UNCLEAR- DOES EVERY SITE THAT REFERS TO DETAIL ED-12 GETS (2) MVDS? THE PLAN SHEET DETAILS ONLY SHOW ONE INSTALLED PER POLE, WHICH IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN PLAN SHEETS. IF BOTH ARE REQUIRED FOR EVERY SITE, WHERE IS THE SECOND TO BE INSTALLED (CABINET AND POLE MOUNTED EQUIPMENT)?
Inquiry submitted 07/12/2021

Response #1:
(BI#13)-Please bid per plans. Each site that refers to ED-12 must have all equipment as indicated on ED-12 in the 334LS cabinet.

Response posted 07/12/2021




Inquiry #14: ED-18 IS REFERED TO FOR ALL OF THE MVDS SITES. ED-18 REFERS YOU TO ED-12. ED-12 CALL FOR A CONTROLLER CABINET FULL OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT. ARE WE TO FURNISH THIS EQUIPMENT PER CABINET SHOWN ON THE PLANS, OR PER EACH MVDS? THE PLANS ARE UNCLEAR AND CONFLICT. FOR EXAMPLE, E-89 HAS (5) NOTE 2’S, BUT NOT THAT MANY CONTROLLER CABINETS. THE CABINET DETAIL ON ED-12 IS CLEAR ABOUT QUANTITIES IN EACH CABINET, WHICH CONFLICTS WITH THE # OF NOTES THAT REFER TO THE CABINET DETAIL.
Inquiry submitted 07/12/2021

Response #1:
(BI#14)-Please bid MVDS quantities based on the specific electrical sheet AND the ED-12 (for cabinets) AND ED-13 (for Communication Enclosures). As per ED-18, this sheet specifies the typical installation and configuration for an MVDS ramp metering system.

Response posted 07/12/2021




Inquiry #15: EQ SHEETS SHOWS COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT FOR PLANS SHEETS E-10 THROUGH E-46. MANY OF THESE LOCATIONS DO NOT SHOW ANY COMMUNCATION EQUIPMENT, CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY? FOR EXAMPLE, EQ-4 E SHEET # SHOWS (8) MVDS ON SHEET E-24 – HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO MVDS OR ANY EQUIPMENT SHOWN ON E-24. IS THERE AN UPDATED VERSION OF THESE SHEETS?
Inquiry submitted 07/12/2021

Response #1:
(BI#15)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/12/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #16: THE SYSTEM DETAILS ON PAGES ED-1 THROUGH ED-8 DON’T APPEAR TO CORRECTLY LINE UP E-SHEETS WITH LOCATION #’S – IS THERE AN UPDATED VERSION?
Inquiry submitted 07/12/2021

Response #1:
(BI#16)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/12/2021


Response #2:
Please refer to Addendum #2.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #17: For the high mast CCTV 90 poles the plans refer to ED-15, which show 3 camera lowering devices on each pole and either a wireless ethernet bridge or a camera on each of the 3 arms:



However, ED-15 also refers you to ED-13 which reflect 3 cameras and 1 wireless ethernet bridge per enclosure. This is a conflict – what 3 devices are to be furnished per CCTV90 pole? As shown on ED-15. Or if the quantities are correct on ED-13, where is the 4th device to be installed?

Inquiry submitted 07/12/2021

Response #1:
(BI#17)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/12/2021


Response #2:
Attention is directed to sheet ED-13. Bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #18: Item 71 Modify Ramp Metering Systems: Plan Sheet E-89 calls out for 2 MVDS Poles however there are 5 new MVDS units proposed per plan. Systems quantities sheet EQ-3 shows a total of 5 new MVDS poles with 5 new MVDS units. Please clarify if the 3 MVDS units are going on existing poles or shall be new poles. Thank you
Inquiry submitted 07/14/2021

Response #1:
(BI#18)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/14/2021




Inquiry #19: The repsonse below does not clarify if we are to provide communications equipment for every MVDS site or just per the amount of controller cabinets shown on that plan page. IE, if there are (8) MVDS sites but only one cabinet do we only include (1) Set of communications equipment for that page or do we supply (8) sets of communications equipment with all equipment installing in the 334 cabinet

"Inquiry #14: ED-18 IS REFERED TO FOR ALL OF THE MVDS SITES. ED-18 REFERS YOU TO ED-12. ED-12 CALL FOR A CONTROLLER CABINET FULL OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT. ARE WE TO FURNISH THIS EQUIPMENT PER CABINET SHOWN ON THE PLANS, OR PER EACH MVDS? THE PLANS ARE UNCLEAR AND CONFLICT. FOR EXAMPLE, E-89 HAS (5) NOTE 2’S, BUT NOT THAT MANY CONTROLLER CABINETS. THE CABINET DETAIL ON ED-12 IS CLEAR ABOUT QUANTITIES IN EACH CABINET, WHICH CONFLICTS WITH THE # OF NOTES THAT REFER TO THE CABINET DETAIL.
Inquiry submitted 07/12/2021

Response #1:(BI#16)-Please bid MVDS quantities based on the specific electrical sheet AND the ED-12 (for cabinets) AND ED-13 (for Communication Enclosures). As per ED-18, this sheet specifies the typical installation and configuration for an MVDS ramp metering system."

Inquiry submitted 07/14/2021

Response #1:
(BI#19)-Communication equipment is to be installed in the communication enclosure and the cabinet as shown on the plans. Please bid per the current contract documents.

Response posted 07/14/2021




Inquiry #20: BI - 69 Fiber Optic Cable System: Sheet E-22 Per Addendum # 2 Revised plan sheet Construction Note #8. To coil 4-miles of 2-144 SMFO and 8 miles of 144 SMFO cable in existing vault is not capable. Please provide additional clarification for the intent of this work.
Inquiry submitted 07/22/2021

Response #1:
(BI#20)-Build per plans. The contractor must procure the materials and coil the fiber in the pull box. Any modification will be directed by the Engineer in the field.

Response posted 07/22/2021




Inquiry #21: Sheet ED-18 detail "A" state type 15 or type 21 standard. The plans sheets do not specify pole type per location, how are we to determine which pole type is required for each location?
Inquiry submitted 07/22/2021

Response #1:
(BI#21)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/22/2021


Response #2:
Bid Per Plans. ED-18 References SES-7 for pole type detail. The plan sheets indicate the location.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #22: Page E-89, E-90, E-91, E-96, and E-97 all show what appears to be Ramp Metering signals yet there is no designation for signal configuration or pole type. Can you please clarify type of signals and poles required.
Inquiry submitted 07/22/2021

Response #1:
(BI#22)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/22/2021




Inquiry #23: "Note 8 on E-22 states that the fiber shall be coiled, please provide details on the splicing and termination of fiber cable that would be required as part of this note.”

Does Caltrans realize that this is 84,480 feet of fiber cable? This amount of fiber will not fit in a regular vault. Please note this amount of fiber would be on multiple reels.




Inquiry submitted 07/23/2021

Response #1:
(BI#23)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/23/2021


Response #2:
(BI#23)-Build per plans. The contractor must procure the materials and coil the fiber in the pull box. Any modification will be directed by the Engineer in the field.
Response posted 07/23/2021




Inquiry #24: Good Morning -
With regards to the Traffic Monitoring Station System sheet EQ-2 does not include (1) 90' high mast pole w/ lowering devices and cameras at location 79A however sheet E-53 note #5 calls for a new 90' high mast pole. It appears that the TMS system has a total of (7) new 90' high mast poles and not (6) as shown on EQ-2, please confirm the quantity.



Inquiry submitted 07/23/2021

Response #1:
(BI#24)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/23/2021


Response #2:(BI#24)-Refer to addendum #3 for the updated plans.
Response posted 07/23/2021




Inquiry #25: With regards to addendum #2 sheet EQ-4, Fiber Optic Cabinet Equipment, this equipment appears to be additional to all other cabinet equipment called out by notes on E sheets and ED sheets for various bid items. Please confirm the equipment shown on EQ-4 is additional and to be included in BI #69 Fiber Optic Cable Systems?
Inquiry submitted 07/23/2021

Response #1:
(BI#25)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/23/2021


Response #2:
(BI#25)-Bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 07/26/2021




Inquiry #26: ED-1 thru ED-8 show a 48 strand fiber from the CMS system to the CMS signs, but the drawings don't show the path of the 48 fiber, and how they are transitioning (terminating or splicing from the 144 leg fibers.) What do the details for the 48 fiber represent?
Inquiry submitted 07/26/2021

Response #1:
(BI#26)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.

Response posted 07/26/2021


Response #2:
The 48-SMFO is the CMS interconnect cable between the CMS sign and the Communication Enclosure, terminated at both ends. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 07/28/2021




Inquiry #27: Sheet ED-1 Note 6 says "to provide 6 usable ethernet connections in all cabinets, terminate all strands in Tube 1 (blue) to the FDU patch panel". This is 12 strands total.
Sheet ED-1 Note 7 says "to provide 24 usable ethernet connections in all Hub cabinets, terminate all strands in Tubes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (blue, orange, green, and brown respectively) to the FDU patch panel". This is 48 strands total.
Sheet ED-12 & ED-17 Note 7 Says "Install splice trays for a minimum of 144 SMFO strands in FDU with LC type connectors. Splice all SMFO strands.

Since we are installing 144 SMFO cable to all Hub cabinets, ITS cabinets, Signal & Comm Enclosures on the project, are we terminating all 144 strands as on the details sheets ED-12 & ED-17 or are we terminating 12 strands in all cabinets & 48 strand in hub cabinets per detail sheet ED-1?

Please clarify.

Inquiry submitted 07/27/2021

Response #1:(BI#27)-Please terminate and splice all FO strands.

Response posted 07/27/2021




Inquiry #28: I have a question regarding addendum #two prints on this project

FOR CONSTRUCTION ON STATE HIGHWAY IN YOLO COUNTY AND
SACRAMENTO COUNTY ON ROUTE 50 FROM JEFFERSON BOULEVARD TO
1.3 MILES EAST OF FOLSOM BOULEVARD
In District 03 On Route 50

Identified by
Contract No. 03-3H3304
03-Yol,Sac-50-2.5/3.2, L0.0/18.3
Project ID 0317000325

Drawing E-22 indicates a new note requiring fiber coils left in the vault. 2x144-strand x 4 Miles and 1x144-strand x 8 miles. This will be a total 84,480 feet of 144-strand fiber optic
- First, and perhaps most obvious is the vault would have to absolutely enormous to hand that much slack fiber.
- Physically, creating these coils would be incredibly time consuming
- Second the notes state that all fiber must be terminated. Assuming you terminate all end of the 144 strand at the vault area, pulling in 12 miles of fiber cable from slack coils at that point would be strategically impossible to pull
- What is the intention of Caltrans for this fiber that was added as part of Addendum 2
- Would 3 spools of 144-Starnd fiber delivered to Caltrans work as an acceptable VE solution to this project, terminations to be done at a later date?

Inquiry submitted 07/30/2021

Response #1:(BI#28)-Your inquiry has been received.  However, please be aware due to the short time frame between when this inquiry was received and the bid opening, there may not be time to provide a response.  If no additional response is posted please bid per the current contract documents.

Response posted 07/30/2021


Response #2:(BI#28)-Build per plans. The contractor must procure the materials and bid for splicing and termination at all ends. Any modification will be directed by the Engineer in the field.
Response posted 08/02/2021




Inquiry #29: Please confirm if standard ANIS switches are required on this project. Section 87-19.02K of the specifications show that this switch is "not used", and only the spec for the SMALL ANIS switch is provided, however, Sheet EQ-4 shows nine new standard ANIS switches and detail is shown on ED-12. Please provide a specification for the ANIS if they are to be furnished as shown on the plans.
Inquiry submitted 08/02/2021

Response #1:(BI#29)-The ANIS item is needed. The Specifications will be provided by the Engineer after award.
Response posted 08/02/2021




Inquiry #30: Paragraph 1 on Page 38 of the specials states the following: Replace the 2nd paragraph of section 39-2.02A(1) with: Produce Type A HMA using WMA additive technology.

Please provide the type of WMA additive is required for this work. Will water be ok or will a chemical be required? If a chemical is required what type of chemical?

Inquiry submitted 08/04/2021

Response #1:(BI#30)-Your inquiry has been received.  However, please be aware due to the short time frame between when this inquiry was received and the bid opening, there may not be time to provide a response.  If no additional response is posted please bid per the current contract documents.

Response posted 08/04/2021




Inquiry #31: Liquidated damages are accessed at $13.500.00 per day for this project value. Is there a cap on L.D.'s and if so, what is the cap?
Inquiry submitted 08/04/2021

Response #1:(BI#31)-Please refer to section 8-1.10 Liquidated Damages of the Standard Specifications. The amount of Liquidated damages per day is based on the contractor’s total bid amount. Liquidated damages accrue starting on the 1st day after the expiration of the working days through the day of Contract acceptance.
Response posted 08/04/2021




Inquiry #32: Locations 2 and 4 show CIDH depth of 50' minimum. Is 50' what the contractor and rebar supplier are to base their bid on?
Inquiry submitted 08/05/2021

Response #1:(BI#32)-Refer to sheet SDS-9 for foundation details for locations 2 and 4. The 50’ minimum is the length below the ground surface. The above ground length should also be taken into account for locations 2 & 4 respectively. Please bid as per current contract documents.


Response posted 08/05/2021


The information provided in the responses to bidder inquiries is not a waiver of Section 2-1.07, "JOB SITE AND DOCUMENT EXAMINATION" of the Standard Specifications or any other provision of the contract, nor to excuse the contractor from full compliance with the contract. Bidders are cautioned that subsequent responses or contract addenda may change a previous response.