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 05-1G9804
Submit new inquiry for this projectInquiry #1: Please reference the project Special Provisions Section 14-8.02 which states:
"Noise from job site activities must not exceed 86 dBA L max at 50 feet from the job site activity from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day, and the noise level produced by the traffic on or by the construction activity can’t exceed 52 dBA L interior noise levels in school facilities as defined under St & Hwy Code § 216."
Based on this specification, we have 2 questions:
1) "Noise from job site activities must not exceed 86 dBA L bax at 50-feet from the jobsite activity". Does the State have research which shows the noise levels generated by the construction operations required for this project? We have found limited information in our research and the information we have found shows that simple operations such as paving will violate this specification. For example, according to a Caltrans environmental document asphalt pavers range from 86-88 dBA and trucks range from 82-94 dBA. This document can be found here:
https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/aspen/tri-valley/12%20-%20Noise.pdf
According to another document we found, compactors range from 90-112 dBA.
Please confirm that the work contemplated for this project can be built with industry standard means and methods in compliance with this specification and the supplied lane closure charts. If it cannot be completed with industry standard means and methods, please provide more information on how contractors can remain in compliance with this specification or provide lane closures outside the 9 pm to 6 am noise window.
2) "...the noise level produced by the traffic on or by the construction activity can’t exceed 52 dBA L interior noise levels in school facilities as defined under St & Hwy Code § 216". How is the contractor to control the noise level produced by traffic on or by the construction activity as there are many ways that traffic can produce noise outside the control of the contractor?
Inquiry submitted 10/04/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/07/2022
Response #2:1. The Construction Noise Handbook from FHWA (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/construction_noise/handbook/index.cfm) shows construction operations required can be within the specified levels, with exceptions such as concrete saw. Operations with noise levels higher than specified must not occur between the hours of 9 PM to 6 AM. If operations with noise levels higher than specified must occur between the hours of 9 PM to 6 AM, prepare Noise Control Plan per project special provisions section 14-8.02, and apply necessary mitigation measures to contain noise within 86 dBA Lmax at 50 ft from the source.
2. Please place you bid in accordance with the current bid documents. For the 52 dBA interior school level, 1) find the estimated level at our R/W line (or 50 feet from the source), 2) figure out the distance from our R/W to the exterior classroom wall, 3) figure out the reduction due to doubling distance (-7.5 for stationary source per DD) to get to the ESTIMATED level at the exterior wall of the closest classroom, 4) apply the universal standard based on the UBC of 25 dBA outdoor to indoor reduction. If still over 52 dBA, then provide short-term mitigation (e.g. blankets or panels at the windows, etc.) as appropriate.
Response posted 10/10/2022
Inquiry #2: Section 14-8.02 requires noise control on the project with a maximum of 86 dBA including backup alarms. Backup alarms are a requirement of Cal OSHA for large hauling equipment which specify that it must be heard above the normal construction activity for safety reasons. How can the contractor comply with both specifications without conflicting with the other?
Inquiry submitted 10/06/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/07/2022
Response #2:It is expected that requirements Section 14-8.02 can be achieved, in regards to common construction equipment. Attention is directed to Section 1-1.01, "GENERAL" of the Standard Specifications. After Contract approval, submit documents and direct questions to the Engineer. Orders, authorizations, and requests to the Contractor are by the Engineer. Place you bids in accordance to the current contract documents
Response posted 11/23/2022
Inquiry #3: Regarding Section 14-8.02 noise control for the project, the vibratory compaction of the Hot Mix Asphalt may exceed the noise level set at 86 dBA at 50 Feet. The roller vibration is needed to meet the compaction requirements. How does the contractor get compaction on the HMA if they cannot use the vibratory roller which exceeds the noise level restriction?
Inquiry submitted 10/06/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/07/2022
Response #2:It is expected that requirements of Section 14-8.02 can be achieved, in regards to common construction equipment. Attention is directed to Section 1-1.01, "GENERAL" of the Standard Specifications. After Contract approval, submit documents and direct questions to the Engineer. Orders, authorizations, and requests to the Contractor are by the Engineer. Place you bids in accordance to the current contract documents
Response posted 11/23/2022
Inquiry #4: Per Section 14-8.02, noise monitoring is required for each time a noise complaint is received on the project. The contractor has no way to quantify how many complaints will be received on a project to provide a representative proposal. Can Caltrans provide some direction on how much monitoring is required?
Inquiry submitted 10/06/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/07/2022
Response #2:It is expected that requirements of Section 14-8.02 can be achieved, in regards to common construction equipment. Attention is directed to Section 1-1.01, "GENERAL" of the Standard Specifications. After Contract approval, submit documents and direct questions to the Engineer. Orders, authorizations, and requests to the Contractor are by the Engineer. Place you bids in accordance to the current contract documents
Response posted 11/23/2022
Inquiry #5: Specification 39-3.04A allows only 2 days between the grinding and paving operations for the project. How can the contractor do that in detector loop areas, where the loops must be installed prior to the top layer of asphalt? The contractor would need more time.
Inquiry submitted 10/07/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/10/2022
Response #2:Please place you bid in accordance with the current bid documents.
Response posted 10/10/2022
Inquiry #6: Plan sheet E-5 shows salvaging the existing detector loops at Hwy 1, Village Dr, and the Senior Mobile Home Park. These detector loops will be damaged by the cold plane conforms at those locations. Please confirm if Caltrans will pay to replace those detector loops?
Inquiry submitted 10/07/2022
Response #1:No cold planning is to occur at the existing detector loops at Hwy 1, Village Dr, and the Senior Mobile Home Park. See Typical Cross Section X-4, Stations 325+63 to 334+52.
Response posted 10/10/2022
Inquiry #7: Please reference the response to Inquiry #1:
Based on the response provided, is the contractor to assume that noise levels listed in the FHWA document will be indicative of noise levels generated for this project (i.e. the only operations that cannot take place from 9pm to 6am are those which are listed as over 86 dBA)?
In the event that noise measurements taken by contractor exceed the allowable level permitted by 14-8.02 for work which requires lane closures, what will be required of the contractor? Will the State allow lane closures outside the 9pm to 6am time-frame?
Lastly, the response did not address the 2nd part of the previously submitted question regarding noise levels produced by traffic. Please provide clarification as to how the contractor is to mitigate noise from the traveling public.
Inquiry submitted 10/10/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:Yes, FHWA document is indicative of noise levels expected for this work.
No changes to the lane closure requirements should be expected, bid in accordance with contract documents
The contractor will not be held responsible for noise generated by public traffic.
Response posted 11/23/2022
Inquiry #8: Does Caltrans have a soils report which includes the unregulated earth material containing lead?
Inquiry submitted 10/12/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:An addendum has been issued to address this bidder inquiry. Refer to Addendum No. 4, issued on Monday, November 21, 2022. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/22/2022
Inquiry #9: 1. Q-5 calls out Plan Sheet No. C-72 and C-73 for Driveways 2 & 3, however Sheet C-72 only references Midwest Guardrail System, and Sheet C-73 is missing from the project plans. Will Caltrans provide the proper sheets as called about by Q-5?
Inquiry submitted 10/12/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:An addendum has been issued to address this bidder inquiry. Refer to Addendum No. 4, issued on Monday, November 21, 2022. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/22/2022
Inquiry #10: Plan Sheet No 247 shows K-rail Detail on the staging for Los Berros Creek Bridge, but THQ-1 shows no K-rail quantities at Los Berros Creek Bridge? Is the staging at Los Berros Creek Bridge eliminated, and a full bridge closure with no K-rail will be allowed?
Inquiry submitted 10/12/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:Route 1 to be closed at Los Berros Creek Bridge per sheets MI-21 and MOQ-1 (110 and 111) and Special Provision 12-4.02C(3)(I), Chart No. I, Complete Conventional Highway Closure Hours
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #11: 1. As-Built information Section 4 on Sheet X-1 from STA 174+00 to 198+00 shows existing AC of .1’ thick over Exist structural section PCC. Cross sections within those stations specify .2’ AC cold plane and pave .2’ RHMA-G. Will the removal of the .1’ of PCC under the .1’ of existing AC be paid under a separate bid item? Or is the contractor only required to cold plane existing AC of .1’ and pave back RHMA-G of .1’ thick?
2. As-Built information section 4 on Sheet X-1 from STA 282+50 to 350+50 shows existing 0.1’ to 0.2’ AC over Existing structural Section/PCC. The roadway widening segments that are located within these stations will require a new structural section of a minimum of 0.95’ thick, which require the contractor to remove existing PCC underneath the existing AC. How will Caltrans pay for the PCC removal? Will there be a bid item addressing the missing PCC removal quantities, or will it be paid under Roadway Excavation? If paid under Roadway Exc, the 0.67’ depth of PCC removal has the potential to increase in Roadway Exc quantity. Has Caltrans included the potential PCC removal in the engineering quantities?
Inquiry submitted 10/12/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:1. No PCC will be removed. Attention is directed to 1-1.01, "GENERAL" of the Standard Specifications. After Contract approval, submit documents and direct questions to the Engineer. Orders, authorizations, and requests to the Contractor are by the Engineer. Place you bids in accordance to the current contract documents.
2. No PCC will be removed. Attention is directed to 1-1.01, "GENERAL" of the Standard Specifications. After Contract approval, submit documents and direct questions to the Engineer. Orders, authorizations, and requests to the Contractor are by the Engineer. Place you bids in accordance to the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #12: Is the rebar for the retaining walls paid under Bid item 72 – Structural Concrete Retaining Wall?
Inquiry submitted 10/12/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:Attention is directed to section 9-1.03 Payment Scope of the Standard Specifications. Bid per contract documents.
Response posted 11/28/2022
Inquiry #13: We cannot find any specifications for the following: Bid item 59 Full Width Segment Correction and Bid Item 60 Partial Width Segment Correction.
There appears to be nothing in either the Special Provisions, Revised Standard Specifications, or Standard Specifications.
Please provide specifications for this work.
Inquiry submitted 10/13/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:Attention is directed to Section 39-2.01C(3)(e) Prepaving Corrections of the Revised Standard Specifications
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #14: In the Summary of Quantities, sheet Q-2, the Repair Failed Areas table lists quantities for this work.
We have been unable to locate other details within the plans which show either the width or depth of the grinding/paving for this work.
Please provide the width and depth for the repair failed areas.
Inquiry submitted 10/13/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:Repaired Failed Area detail shown on Construction Details C-62 (sheet 69).
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #15: Type Com and Type R-1 are considered regulated material. Section 14-11.08C of the special provisions state that "concentration data and sample location maps for regulated material are included in the Information Handout". There is no such data or maps on the Information Handout. Will Caltrans revise the Information Handout, or provide the missing data?
Inquiry submitted 10/13/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/13/2022
Response #2:An addendum has been issued to address this bidder inquiry. Refer to Addendum No. 4, issued on Monday, November 21, 2022. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/22/2022
Inquiry #16: Section 14-11.08B Definitions: states that Type Com Regulated material may be designated by the department to be reused on the highway.
Because Caltrans can designate if the Type Com material can be used on the highway, will Caltrans allow the Type Com material generated onsite to be reused on the highway for this project?
Inquiry submitted 10/14/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/17/2022
Response #2:No embankment locations exist on the project, dispose of or reuse in accordance with in accordance with 14-11.08 REGULATED MATERIAL CONTAINING AERIALLY DEPOSITED LEAD of the Special Provisions
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #17: Based on the need for clearing in the widening areas such as Shoulder Widening Segment from STA 206+48.54 to STA 220+74.55, and Shoulder Widening Segment 2 from STA 231+99.55 to 243+49.55, will Caltrans add a Clear & Grub Item?
Inquiry submitted 10/17/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 10/19/2022
Response #2:An addendum has been issued to address this bidder inquiry. Refer to Addendum No. 4, issued on Monday, November 21, 2022. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/22/2022
Inquiry #18: The typical cross section for the retaining wall on Sheet R2-1 (Sheet 153 of 249) shows an existing 16-inch waterline below the new curb and gutter. After a site visit, it appears the waterline is in the excavation zone and will be located below the new sidewalk and possibly above the new retaining wall footing. Please advise if this waterline will be relocated prior to the start of work.
Inquiry submitted 10/25/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been submitted for review.
Response posted 10/25/2022
Response #2:Positive Location information for this water line is shown on Utility Plan U-24 (sheet 107). The utility will not be relocated. Protect in place.
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #19: The DBE package is due 5 calendar days from bid day, but due to the Veterans Day holiday, the DBE package will need to be Fed Exed on Thursday 11/10, in order for Caltrans to receive the DBE by Monday 11/14/22. We request Caltrans extend the DBE submittal date 1 calendar day due to the Holiday making it difficult to complete the DBE package in such short time?
Inquiry submitted 10/27/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been submitted for review.
Response posted 10/27/2022
Response #2:Bid opening date had be postponed to November 29, 2022. See addendum #3
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #20: At retaining wall 2 location (Hwy 1 STA 401+18.45 to STA 403+68.9), how will Caltrans address the overhead power? Will Caltrans de-energize the overhead power lines or coordinate with the utility company to de-energize the power lines in order for the contractor to place the shoring? Currently, the retaining wall is potentially in conflict with the overhead lines and the underground water line. How will Caltrans address this issue?
Inquiry submitted 10/31/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 11/01/2022
Response #2:Attention is directed to plan sheet U-24 for positive location of utilities and utility owners and plan sheet R2-1. Bid based on the contract documents.
Response posted 11/17/2022
Inquiry #21: The Existing IP data provided by Caltrans for this project is incomplete. The Construction on this project covers 6.8 miles (from PM 10.0 to PM 16.8), but the IP data provided only covers 4.5 miles. Where are the missing 2.3 miles of IP data? Will Caltrans provide the data for the entire project? Since the IP data provided references contract 05-0G9801, but the contract number for this project is 05- 1G9804, was the IP data from a different contract erroneously provided for this contract?
Inquiry submitted 11/02/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been submitted for review.
Response posted 11/02/2022
Response #2:An addendum has been issued to address this bidder inquiry. Refer to Addendum No. 4, issued on Monday, November 21, 2022. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/22/2022
Inquiry #22: Item quantities 65, 66, and 67 (place asphalt dike) total 7810 LF. However, sheets L-1 & L-2 only show layout for approximately 2000 LF of dike placement. We are unable to locate the rest of the AC dike layout. The layout sheets that are provided do not appear to match the begin point and end point of the dike as listed on summary of quantities sheet Q-2 either.
Inquiry submitted 11/03/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 11/04/2022
Response #2:Locations of Remove and Place Dike are shown on Summary of Quantities Q-2, sheet 146.
Response posted 11/15/2022
Inquiry #23: On sheet X-3, a cross section has a strategy of 0.20' RHMA-G overlay in the SB lane from Stations 247+68 to 320+15. On sheet X-4, a cross section has a strategy of 0.20' cold planing with 0.20' RHMA-G overlay in both lanes from Stations 316+15 to 325+63. Both of these designs overlap. Which design is to be done in the overlap section from Stations 316+15 to 320+15?
Inquiry submitted 11/03/2022
Response #1:Your inquiry has been received and is currently under review.
Response posted 11/04/2022
Response #2:An addendum has been issued to address this bidder inquiry. Refer to Addendum No. 4, issued on Monday, November 21, 2022. Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 11/22/2022
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.