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 04-0J6204

Submit new inquiry for this project


Inquiry #1: Will the Department pay for Prepare Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, Rain Event Action Plan, Storm Water Sampling and Analysis Day, Storm Water Annual Report?
Inquiry submitted 10/06/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 10/06/2021


Response #2:See Addendum 2.
Response posted 01/28/2022




Inquiry #2: Per Special Specification Section 8-1.10B, liquidated damages will be incurred for not completing "Work Part 1" within 150 working days, beginning from the 1st working day of the number of days bid. The pace at which Precast Concrete Pavement panels need to be cast in order to meet this requirement is dependent upon when the 150 working days start counting off. Please confirm is working days start counting from: 1) Award, 2) NTP, 3) Completion of the Field Measurements of Existing Geometrics per 40-8.01B, 4) Approval of Precast Panel Shop DWGS per 40-8.01C(2), 5) "Boots on the Ground" first contract field work, or 6) Other.
Inquiry submitted 10/26/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 10/26/2021


Response #2:The first working day is 90 days after contract approval.
Response posted 10/28/2021




Inquiry #3: Contract DWG Sheet C-3 in the bottom right corner indicates "B" Bar (6) #4 Type 1 and (8) #4 Type 2. This appears to indicate there are (14) Total "B" Bars per Panel (6 of which have 180deg hooks, and 8 of which have 90 deg hooks). However the Typical Panel Plan view per sheet C-2 appear to clearly indicate a total of (7) "B" Bars per Panel, and Section F-F on sheet C-3 indicates the same. Please confirm there are (7) "B" bars per panel.
Inquiry submitted 10/26/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 10/27/2021


Response #2:The number of "B" bars for a pretensioned panel is 7. The reference to 14 "B" bars is for a reinforced (non-pretensioned) panel.
Response posted 11/09/2021




Inquiry #4: Contract DWG C-3 Section F-F indicates 15” Max center to center spacing for Prestressing Strand. Special Specification Section 40-8.02B indicates either 0.5” or 0.6” diameter strand prestressing strand is acceptable. Typically ASTM A416 (Grade 270) 0.5” Strand has a max jacking force of 31kips whereas the 0.6” Strand has a max jacking force of 44kips. Can the strand spacing be increased if using 0.6” Strand over 0.5” Strand? If not, please indicate the max required jacking force per strand @ 15” oc max center to center spacing.
Inquiry submitted 10/27/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 10/27/2021


Response #2:The maximum spacing of the strands should be kept at 15" regardless of the strand type. If a 0.6" strand is used, the maximum jacking force should follow the ASTM requirement for the 0.5" strand.
Response posted 11/09/2021




Inquiry #5: Sheet C2, Note #3 calls for Panel Length adjustments of 8ft to 15ft at bridge areas. What is the maximum typical Precast (PCP) Panel length allowed?
Inquiry submitted 11/02/2021

Response #1:Submitted for considerations.
Response posted 11/08/2021


Response #2:It is 15'.
Response posted 11/09/2021




Inquiry #6: Sheet C2 Plan View for Precast (PCP) Panel shows strand running in the transverse direction for L=11'-3". Please verify that if panels are cast longer than 12ft it will be acceptable to run strand in the longitudinal direction?
Inquiry submitted 11/02/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/08/2021


Response #2:Yes, it is, provided that the reinforcement change direction, too.
Response posted 11/09/2021




Inquiry #7: Bid Item #57 calls for grinding of Bid Item #55 Precast Panels (PCP). Please confirm that a Sacrificial Layer on the precast panels will be needed so that the final thickness will meet the contract requirements.
Inquiry submitted 11/02/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/08/2021


Response #2:See Addendum 2.
Response posted 01/31/2022




Inquiry #8: Special Spec. Section 8-1.10B, calls for liquidated damages to be incurred for not completing Work Part 1 within 150 working days (beginning from the 1st working day of the number of days bid). Caltrans replied "the first working day is 90 days after contract approval". The number of panels in Work Part 1 is significant . Based on experience the survey and shop drawings approval can take up to 50% of that time, especially with all the radius panels. Additionally, there is a requirement for a minimum of (14) days cure for the precast panels. With the limited time left in the (150) working days it may be impossible to cast the number of panels needed. Will you consider additional time to procure the survey and shop drawing approval?
Inquiry submitted 11/02/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/08/2021


Response #2:See Addendum 2.
Response posted 01/31/2022




Inquiry #9: Concerning Precast Panels (PCP) Bid Item #55. Is Caltrans expecting the transverse joints to line up (Sheet C-1 & C-4)? Does this also include the Radius Skewed Panels? If required what tolerances are acceptable before an isolation joint is required? If an isolation joint is required how long does the joint filler (Isolation) material need to be?
Inquiry submitted 11/03/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/03/2021


Response #2:Transverse joints do not need to line up.
Response posted 11/09/2021




Inquiry #10: The Dowell Bars cast into the Precast Pavement Panels as shown on Sheets C2-C5 do not indicate whether they are smooth bars or threaded/deformed bar. Additionally, it has not been indicated whether they are epoxy coated or not. Lastly, Grades of bar have not been provided. Please provide detail(s)
Inquiry submitted 11/03/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/04/2021


Response #2:Refer to the Precast Concrete Pavement (PCP) specifications.
Response posted 11/05/2021




Inquiry #11: Concerning Bid Item #55 Precast Panels (PCP). The drawings show approx. (100) Loop Detectors set into precast panels. The Specification in the Special Provisions indicate that Loop Detector Panels have Fiberglass Reinforcing. Q: Are there any reinforcing (or any other) details for loop detector panels? Are the Loop Detectors to be cut in after the panels are installed? If required, what Bid Item(s) will this be paid under?
Inquiry submitted 11/08/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/08/2021


Response #2:We want the loop detectors to be placed after the panels are installed. Regarding the bid items(s) for the loop detectors, it is included in the price per CY of PCP - see Section 40-1.04 Payment in the Standard Specs.
Response posted 11/15/2021




Inquiry #12: SPECIAL PROVISIONS SECTION 83, RAILING & BARRIERS:
Contract Special Provisions do not contain a Section 83. Should there be a Section 83 with further information?

Inquiry submitted 11/09/2021

Response #1:The online Special Provisions has Section 83.
Response posted 11/09/2021




Inquiry #13: Concerning CT Response #2 to Inquiry #11's question concerning Bid Item #55 Precast Panels (PCP). The drawings show approx. (100) Loop Detectors set into precast panels.

Q. The Specification in the Special Provisions indicate that Loop Detector Panels require Fiberglass Reinforcing. Is this accurate?

Q. Are there any metallic constraints to be addressed in the panel design?

Q: Are there any reinforcing (or any other) details for loop detector panels?

Inquiry submitted 11/16/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 11/16/2021


Response #2:1- Yes.

2- Refer to the contract documents.

3- Refer to the contract documents.

Response posted 11/19/2021




Inquiry #14: When will the link for the mandatory prebid meeting on January 5th be available?
Inquiry submitted 12/15/2021

Response #1:Registered bidders should have received the link by email today (Dec. 15, 2021). If you have not received it, or if you need to register for the virtual prebid meeting, contact the Duty Senior (email below).

Duty Senior - D4.Construction.Duty.Senior@dot.ca.gov
Response posted 12/15/2021




Inquiry #15: Per Typical Pavement Structural Sections on Sheet X-1, specifically Detail 2 and 3, at various locations (ie. STA 580+00 to 597+15, 624+00 to 648+50, etc.) it is showing in Detail #3, the top lift of 0.10' RHMA-O in the Travel Lanes, at the same elevation of Detail #2 0.15 RHMA-G on the shoulders. There might be a puddling/drainage issue with the current design. Please clarify.
Inquiry submitted 12/23/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 12/24/2021


Response #2:See Addendum 3.
Response posted 01/31/2022




Inquiry #16: Per Standard Specifictions Section 39-2.02B(4)(b), it states that "Type A HMA Pavement Thickness shown: 0.10' foot be maximum of 3/8". However, in the Typical Pavement Structural Sections, Detail # 2 and #3, are both showing the first or lower lift of HMA (Type A) be 0.10'. Is this the intent to have the lower lifts with the smaller size aggregates?
Inquiry submitted 12/23/2021

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 12/24/2021


Response #2:The intent of 0.10' HMA-A thickness is to place a leveling course for smooth surface prior to placement of the paving mat (grid). Our specs happen to require 3/8" gradation for the 0.10' HMA-A lift thickness. The 0.10' HMA-A thickness with 3/8" aggregate gradation is correct.
Response posted 01/06/2022




Inquiry #17: Addendum #2 added a Moveable Barrier System for traffic control (bid items 141-144).
Is the intent to use the MBS for the precast concrete pavement work only, or will it also be used for all work including the HMA paving (345+00-544+00) and the HMA paving at the LF and Rt shoulders throughout the project?

Inquiry submitted 01/21/2022

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 01/21/2022


Response #2:Yes, the moveable barrier system is to be used for precast concrete pavement, HMA paving (345+00-544+00), and for HMA paving for the Lt and Rt shoulders throughout the project.
Response posted 01/21/2022




Inquiry #18: Can you post the list of people that attended the Virtual Prebid Meeting on January 26, 2022?
Inquiry submitted 02/02/2022

Response #1:Follow the links below to download the list of attendees and the slides presented in the meeting.

Attendees - http://website.dot.ca.gov/dist4/construction/contracts/04-0J6204/ListAttendees04-0J6204.pdf

Slides - http://website.dot.ca.gov/dist4/construction/contracts/04-0J6204/04-0J6204_Presentation.pdf.pdf
Response posted 02/03/2022




Inquiry #19: In reference to Question and Answer #17 on the "Moveable Barrier System", please clarify if all work associated with the HMA Paving (345+00 to 544+00) and HMA Paving for Left and Right Shoulders throughout the project, also includes the Cold Plane Asphalt Concrete and RHMA Paving ("G" and "O"), Segment Corrections, AC Dike, Etc.?
Inquiry submitted 02/03/2022

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 02/04/2022


Response #2:Yes, it includes the items mentioned.
Response posted 02/04/2022




Inquiry #20: Could Caltrans please provide PPF files for the asphalt portions of the existing roadway so we can understand what level of improvement is required per the smoothness requirements in Section 39 of the special provisions.
Inquiry submitted 02/07/2022

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 02/07/2022


Response #2:See link below to download the files.

LINK - http://website.dot.ca.gov/dist4/construction/contracts/04-0J6204/PPF_files.zip
Response posted 02/08/2022




Inquiry #21: The Mobile Barrier System quote provided states that the "Barrier and BTM machine may require up to 180 days lead time to become available post full execution of the lease agreement." This project has an ability to start job site activities within 90 days after receiving notice that the Contract has been approved per the Specifications and Addendum 3. Will Caltrans allow a longer lead time to begin job site activities due to the time it may require to secure the Mobile Barrier System, as well as the Precast Concrete Panels (which is a separate concern).
Inquiry submitted 02/07/2022

Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 02/07/2022


Response #2:Bid as shown in the plans and specs.
Response posted 02/08/2022




Inquiry #22: Utilizing the Moveable Barrier System for the HMA/RHMA paving operations is difficult. The 10,000 ft barrier system has to constantly be moved up station or laterally to the opposite side of the highway. We are told the system takes 8-9 days to install or relocate (each time). This gap in paving will require the asphalt supplier to move in (and out) the rubber plants at their hot plant sites. The work at Sta 345+00 - 544+00 is 20,000 feet long. This portion alone will require 4 moves with the MBS, and possibly 4 rubber plant moves at the hot plant location. This is extremely costly to the State.
The requirement for using the MBS during HMA paving should be re-evaluated.

Inquiry submitted 02/08/2022

Response #1:Bid per current plans and specs.
Response posted 02/08/2022


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.