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Viewing inquiries for 02-3H6804

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Inquiry #1: Per your Spec:
87-13.02A Sensor Tower
Sensor tower must be GlenMartin MF-1331 and must be furnished by the following supplier.
ND Technology
34156 Finnigan Terrace
Fremont, CA 94555
Telephone (510) 794-8995

ND Technology has stated they do not supply this tower, please advise.
Inquiry submitted 08/24/2023

Response #1:(BI#1)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 08/24/2023


Response #2:(BI#1)-Please refer to Addendum No. 1 dated 9-20-23.
Response posted 09/20/2023



Inquiry #2: The plans call for PME (Conventional) Chip Seal on the ramps but the Specifications have bid items for Asphalt Rubber Chip Seal. District 2 typically does not use PME Chip Seals, please clarify what type of chip seal.


Inquiry submitted 09/08/2023

Response #1:(BI#2)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/11/2023


Response #2:(BI#2)-Please refer to Addendum No. 1 dated 9-20-23.
Response posted 09/20/2023



Inquiry #3: Regarding Bid Item 0036, Replace Roadway Structural Section and Plan Sheet X-2. The reference section for this work is Section 39.

The work for Replace Roadway Structural Section calls for the placement of 0.66' of Rapid "Set" Concrete (RSC). Section 39 does not contain any specifications for RSC.

Will the opening age of the RSC be based on Flex Strength or PSI? If PSI, what is the opening age?
Inquiry submitted 09/11/2023

Response #1:(BI#3)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/11/2023


Response #2:(BI#3)-For RSC please refer to section 41-9 of the standard specifications
Response posted 09/20/2023



Inquiry #4: Would Directional drilling be an acceptable installation method in lieu of trench details on ED-6
Inquiry submitted 09/12/2023

Response #1:(BI#4)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/12/2023


Response #2:(BI#4)-Please bid per the current contract documents. The successful bidder may submit a change proposal in accordance with section 4-1.07 - Value Engineering, of the standard specifications.
Response posted 09/13/2023



Inquiry #5: Looking at the trench detail(In paved section) on ED-6, would it be acceptable to replace the native backfill and class 2 AB with sand slurry backfill all the way to 4" below original grade with one lift of minor HMA
Inquiry submitted 09/12/2023

Response #1:(BI#5)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/12/2023


Response #2:(BI#5)-Please bid per the current contract documents. The successful bidder may submit a change proposal in accordance with Section 4-1.07 - Value Engineering, of the standard specifications.
Response posted 09/13/2023



Inquiry #6: Would Caltrans consider product substitution for this project from Methyl Methacrylate Paint Traffic Stripe and Pavement Marking to Paint (2-Coat), Two-Component or Thermoplastic? Contractors capable of installing this product are limited resulting in an unfair bidding advantage against those who do not have a truck for MMA Paint Stripe. In addition, in districts where Methyl Methacrylate Paint has been installed failure issues are extremely common and there are more reliable products available.
Inquiry submitted 09/12/2023

Response #1:(BI#6)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/12/2023


Response #2:(BI#6)-Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 09/14/2023



Inquiry #7: 87-13.02A Sensor Tower
Sensor tower must be GlenMartin MF-1331 and must be furnished by the following supplier.
ND Technology
34156 Finnigan Terrace
Fremont, CA 94555
Telephone (510) 794-8995

ND Technology has stated they do not supply this tower, please advise. Recent inquiry on same issue has not been answered for 3 weeks now.
Inquiry submitted 09/15/2023

Response #1:(BI#7)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/15/2023


Response #2:(BI#7)-Please refer to Addendum No. 1 dated 9-20-23.
Response posted 09/20/2023



Inquiry #8: X-1 shows to protect existing rumble strip in place and SCD-1 Stage 1a shows to remove existing rumble strip.

Please provide clarification.
Inquiry submitted 09/15/2023

Response #1:(BI#8)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/15/2023


Response #2:(BI#8)-Please bid per the current contract documents. Also refer to plan sheet Q-5 for additional information.


Response posted 09/20/2023



Inquiry #9: Will Cal Trans be providing the EXIST PPF Data for smoothness. ?
Inquiry submitted 09/18/2023

Response #1:(BI#9)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/18/2023


Response #2:(BI#9)-Pavement smoothness data is not currently available, please bid per the current contract documents
Response posted 09/19/2023



Inquiry #10: On sheet X-2 the Replace Roadway Structural Section detail shows asphalt varying from .5' to 1'.

Sheet Q-4 gives the quantity for RRSP in cubic yards.

If the asphalt thickness varies, the percentage of concrete will vary as well and makes it impossible to determine what quantity of each material is needed.

Please provide a sqft/sqyd measurement or a quantity of each material per location.
Inquiry submitted 09/18/2023

Response #1:(BI#10)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/18/2023


Response #2:(BI#10)-Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 09/20/2023



Inquiry #11: The RHMA-G and Cold Pane quantities for the on/off ramps and gores are currently combined with mainline quantities. Depending on the quantities, mainline and ramp/gores are likely to be two separate operations. This will result in increased bid prices.

In order to provide competitive and accurate bids, can Caltrans provide quantities or dimensions for the ramps and gore areas ?
Inquiry submitted 09/20/2023

Response #1:(BI#11)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/20/2023


Response #2:(BI#11)-Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 09/28/2023



Inquiry #12: In regards to the answer for bidder inquiry #10, The current contract documents do not provide enough information to accurately bid this item of work. Please provide clarification.
Inquiry submitted 09/20/2023

Response #1:(BI#12)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/20/2023


Response #2:(BI#12)-Please bid per the current contract documents.


Response posted 09/28/2023



Inquiry #13: Per Addendum 1, “Add to the end of section 37-2.03B(3):
Aggregate for a polymer modified asphaltic emulsion chip seal must comply with the 3/8" gradation.”

Per Caltrans Standard Specifications the aggregate size for a double Chip seal can not be the same size. What size aggregate for each lift?


Inquiry submitted 09/21/2023

Response #1:
Response posted 09/22/2023


Response #2:(BI#13)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/25/2023


Response #3:(BI#13)-Please refer to addendum 3 posted September 28.
Response posted 09/28/2023



Inquiry #14: Per Addendum 1, Caltrans has specified a Polymer Modified Emulsion Chip Seal (PME) for the ramps on this project. This project only has night time working hours and PME Chip Seals can not be placed at night, as the sun is needed to cure. Please clarify.
Inquiry submitted 09/22/2023

Response #1:(BI#14)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 09/22/2023


Response #2:(BI#14)-Please bid per the current contract documents. Also refer to section 37-2.03C of the standard specifications for temperature requirements.
Response posted 09/28/2023



Inquiry #15: The scope of work cannot be completed within the time frames allowed in the contract, minimum or maximum days.

Historically bidders have been required to bid the minimum days to ensure their chances at securing the low bid.

Will Caltrans consider adding days or changing the lane closure hours on this contract?
Inquiry submitted 10/04/2023

Response #1:(BI#15)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 10/04/2023


Response #2:(BI#15)-Please bid per the current contract documents.

Response posted 10/06/2023



Inquiry #16: Would Caltrans entertain the possibility of substituting MMA with alternative materials such as Thermoplastic or Two-Component Paint Stripe? Caltrans has encountered widespread failures of recessed MMA, particularly on state highways exposed to snowy conditions. District 3, 8, and 4 have all recognized that MMA is not a suitable product, concurring that it is highly brittle and prone to easy fracturing, leading to delamination from the pavement surface.
Furthermore, it's noteworthy that project numbers 03-1G4204, 03-3H4504, and 08-0K1224 serve as instances where considerations were made for product substitution, transitioning from MMA to epoxy. Project 09-213404 notably permitted the use of EWNV thermoplastic instead of MMA prior to the bidding process.
Inquiry submitted 10/04/2023

Response #1:(BI#16)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 10/04/2023


Response #2:(BI#16)-Please bid per the current contract documents.


Response posted 10/06/2023



Inquiry #17: Per Addendum 1, Caltrans has removed Bid Item 31 "Asphalt Rubber Binder" and replaced it with Bid Item 106 "Polymer Asphaltic Emulsion (Seal Coat). Caltrans has changed the Chip Seal type to an Emulsion Chip Seal, but bid item 34 "Precoated Aggregate" remains the same. Does Caltrans intend on having the contractor place an emulsion chip seal with hot, precoated aggregate?
Inquiry submitted 10/09/2023

Response #1:(BI#17)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 10/09/2023


Response #2:(BI#17)-Please bid per the current contract documents.
Response posted 10/10/2023



Inquiry #18: Since Caltrans changed the chip seal on this project from Asphalt Rubber to an emulsion chip seal, will Caltrans allow daytime working hours to allow for the emulsion to set up?
Inquiry submitted 10/09/2023

Response #1:(BI#18)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 10/09/2023


Response #2:(BI#18)-Please bid per the current contract documents. Also refer to section 37-2.03C of the standard specifications for temperature requirements.
Response posted 10/10/2023



Inquiry #19: The Replace Roadway Structural Section detail on sheet X-2 Shows a variable depth PCC slab from .42’ to 1.25’. Per Standard Plan p-10 this will require 3 different size dowel bars. Caltrans has not provided adequate information to accurately estimate size and the quantity of bars needed. This in conjunction with the inability to accurately do a takeoff on the rapid set concrete due to all the variable depths doesn’t allow for an accurate bidding process.

Please provide clarification.
Inquiry submitted 10/10/2023

Response #1:(BI#19)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 10/10/2023



Inquiry #20: Per Page 7-4 of MTAG Volume I Flexible Pavement Preservation 2nd Edition
CHAPTER 7—CHIP SEALS, Caltrans Division of Maintenance:

"Weather Considerations: Cold applied chip seals must be constructed during warm, dry weather and during the daytime only. Hot applied chip seals may be applied in cooler conditions and at night."

This Guide can be found at:
https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/maintenance/documents/fpmtagchapter7-chipseals-a11y.pdf

Conventional Chip Seals can not be placed at night or with Precoated Aggregate as specified, please consider changing the type of chip seal to hot applied or allowing daytime working hours for the chip seal placement at ramps.


Inquiry submitted 10/10/2023

Response #1:(BI#20)-Your inquiry has been received and is being reviewed.
Response posted 10/10/2023

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.