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 08-1G6404
Submit new inquiry for this projectInquiry #1: The DBE requirement is unusually high for the scope of work in this contract and area. Please provide a breakdown of how Caltrans determined the goal for this project and if Caltrans will adjust the goal for this project.
Per Title 49 CFR Part 26.45(b)
"§ 26.45 How do recipients set overall goals?
(b) Your overall goal must be based on demonstrable evidence of the availability of ready, willing and able DBEs relative to all businesses ready, willing and able to participate on your DOT-assisted contracts(hereafter, the “relative availability of DBEs”). The goal must reflect your determination of the level of DBE participation you would expect absent the effects of discrimination. You cannot simply rely on either the 10 percent national goal, your previous overall goal or past DBE participation rates in your program without reference to the relative availability of DBEs in your market."
Inquiry submitted 08/27/2023
Response #1:The DBE goal was set based on work that may potentially be subbed out to DBEs. A review of all the bid items on the contract was performed and compared to DBE firms that are certified in the CUCP and B2GNow databases to perform those work items and indicted an interest to work in the district that this project is in. Nonetheless, bidders are required to select portions of work to be performed by DBEs in order to increase the likelihood that the DBE goal will be achieved for the project. Where appropriate, bidders should be breaking out contract work items into economically feasible units (for example, smaller tasks or quantities), beyond those listed via these Work Codes, to facilitate DBE participation, even when the prime contractor might otherwise prefer to perform these work items with its own forces.
Please refer to the contract documents, special provisions, and Standard Specifications 2-1.12 for the DBE requirements on this contract. You may find 49 CFR Appendix A to Part 26 I. DBE Regulation on Guidance Concerning Good Faith Effort helpful.
Response posted 08/31/2023
Inquiry #2: In response to Inquiry 1, please provide the list of work that may be potentially subbed to DBE's.
Inquiry copied below.
"Inquiry #1: The DBE requirement is unusually high for the scope of work in this contract and area. Please provide a breakdown of how Caltrans determined the goal for this project and if Caltrans will adjust the goal for this project.
Per Title 49 CFR Part 26.45(b)
"§ 26.45 How do recipients set overall goals?
(b) Your overall goal must be based on demonstrable evidence of the availability of ready, willing and able DBEs relative to all businesses ready, willing and able to participate on your DOT-assisted contracts(hereafter, the “relative availability of DBEs”). The goal must reflect your determination of the level of DBE participation you would expect absent the effects of discrimination. You cannot simply rely on either the 10 percent national goal, your previous overall goal or past DBE participation rates in your program without reference to the relative availability of DBEs in your market."
Inquiry submitted 08/27/2023
Response #1:The DBE goal was set based on work that may potentially be subbed out to DBEs. A review of all the bid items on the contract was performed and compared to DBE firms that are certified in the CUCP and B2GNow databases to perform those work items and indicted an interest to work in the district that this project is in. Nonetheless, bidders are required to select portions of work to be performed by DBEs in order to increase the likelihood that the DBE goal will be achieved for the project. Where appropriate, bidders should be breaking out contract work items into economically feasible units (for example, smaller tasks or quantities), beyond those listed via these Work Codes, to facilitate DBE participation, even when the prime contractor might otherwise prefer to perform these work items with its own forces.
Please refer to the contract documents, special provisions, and Standard Specifications 2-1.12 for the DBE requirements on this contract. You may find 49 CFR Appendix A to Part 26 I. DBE Regulation on Guidance Concerning Good Faith Effort helpful."
Inquiry submitted 09/01/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration
Response posted 09/05/2023
Response #2:The items that may be subcontracted out are in the list of bid items for the project. Please review the List of Bid Items.
Response posted 09/14/2023
Inquiry #3: Due to the 120 Working days, it appears that there may not be enough time to complete the project. Will Caltrans allow additional working hours or additional days?
Inquiry submitted 09/07/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 09/11/2023
Response #2:Please bid per current contract documents
Response posted 09/20/2023
Inquiry #4: Is there a Small Business goal? Did not see one listed.
Inquiry submitted 09/07/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 09/11/2023
Response #2:Please bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 09/20/2023
Inquiry #5: During the mandatory meeting for this project held on September 07, 2023, slide number 24 of 35 listed the number of working days for this project @ 280 work days. The specifications on page 1 of the NOTICE TO BIDDERS lists the work days @ 120 work days. Can you please clarify the number of working days for this project.
Inquiry submitted 09/08/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 09/11/2023
Response #2:The number of working days is 120.
Response posted 09/12/2023
Inquiry #6: It appears the State has used code: 401055 - JOINTED PLAIN CONCRETE PAVEMENT (RSC), in leu of code: 411105 - INDIVIDUAL SLAB REPLACEMENT (RSC).
This has left out the removals of concrete slab replacements. We will need a bid item for the 400 CY of removals.
Inquiry submitted 09/13/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration.
Response posted 09/14/2023
Response #2:Please bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 09/20/2023
Inquiry #7: For the Overhead Sign Structures it appears a walkway is shown on Cross Sections shet X-3 (Sheet 4 of 201) however no bid item exists for these walkways on versatile trusses. The bid item should be 560230 - Aluminum Walkway as it bids as a separate item from the actual sign structure. Do these Sign Structures require walkways or is the cross section depiction just an error and no walkways are required?
Inquiry submitted 09/18/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration
Response posted 09/19/2023
Response #2:See Section 56-2.04. Please bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 09/20/2023
Inquiry #8: Note 3 on E-1 (sheet 109 / 201) - please clarify what is meant by "With color". I'm guessing this is meant to indicate the CMS board needs to get painted based on the specials however nowhere does it call out the CMS Sign Structure needs to get painted only the CMS Board itself? Is the CMS Sign Structure galvanized only?
Inquiry submitted 09/18/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration
Response posted 09/19/2023
Response #2:The "with color" refers to the Changeable Message Sign (CMS) display having color. Please bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 09/20/2023
Inquiry #9: There seems to be no bid item for removal of existing striping; however, per note # 2 on plan sheet PDQ 1 states "EXISTING PAVEMENT DELINEATION WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED AT THE SAME LOCATIONS". Is this incidental to all striping bid items or just the Two-Component bid items?
Inquiry submitted 09/18/2023
Response #1:Submitted for consideration
Response posted 09/19/2023
Response #2:At locations where the pavement will be removed through asphalt concrete surfacing or cold planning, removal of pavement delineation will not be paid separately. Please bid per current contract documents.
Response posted 09/20/2023
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.