MISSION LEVEE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT - MLUID - Along United Irrigation District Canal, From Military Road To 1.1 Miles Upstream of Bentsen Palm Drive in Hidalgo County, Texas

Amendment 001 is issued to respond to questions as follows: MISSION LEVEE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ALONG UNITED IRRIGATION DISTRICT CANAL, MISSION, TEXAS RESPONSE TO CONTRACTOR INQUIRIES Q: On Sheet 84, please verify the correct details are referenced per "Typical Canal Joint Plan" (Control Joint - Detail 1 / should this be Detail 3? Construction Joint - Detail 3/ should this be Detail 1?). A: There is a correction required. On the Typical Canal Joint Plan on Sheet 84, the Control Joint callout should reference Detail 3 (not Detail 1), and the Construction Joint callout should reference Detail 1 (not Detail 3). Q: On Sheet 84, "Typical Canal Joint Plan", are control joints required if optional construction joints are not installed? A: Yes control joints are required, regardless of the presence or absence of construction joints. Q: On Sheet 84, "Typical Canal Joint Plan", may construction joints be installed in lieu of the control Joints. A: This may be allowable; however, the Contractor would need to provide an approved construction joint detail that provides for full crack control. Q: What is the required joint sealer for control joints? A: There is no joint sealer required for canal lining control joints. Please note that there is base seal required below all canal lining control joints. Q: Are construction joints required to be tooled and sealed? A: Construction joints are not required to be tooled or sealed. Please note that there is base seal required under all canal lining construction joints. Q: Does the General Contractor/Prime Contractor have to supply an additional FEM for himself at his expense? A: The specifications do not require the Contractor to provide an additional FEM. Q: Is it the Contractors job to move the species identified by the government's FEM or is the government transporting the species from the canal? A: The government's FEM will be responsible for removal of species. The Contractor shall coordinate all de-watering with the FEM, as well as the UID. Q: Sheet 3, Item 7, states all work shall be done by a contractor having a valid contractor's license issued by the State of Texas Registrar of Contractors - This does not apply and needs to be removed from the specifications A: Concur. Q: To increase the accuracy of the takeoff and to provide the owner with a more responsive proposal, are a full set of Auto CAD drawings available prior to bid? A: (USIBWC to decide on release of CAD drawings) It must be noted that the quantities shown on various "quantity summary tables" within the construction drawings shall be considered as informational only and shall not to serve as the basis of the contractor's bid. It is expressly understood and agreed that the quantities noted in these tables are not by virtue of submitting a bid, a part of the contract, and represent only an opinion by the engineer as to the quantities specific to that table. The quantity tables are included in the plans only for the convenience of bidders and their use is subject to all the conditions and limitations set forth in the contract documents relating to the examination of the contract documents and the submission of a bid. Specifically, submission of a bid shall be conclusive evidence that the bidder has investigated and is satisfied as to the conditions to be encountered, the character, quality, and scope of work to be performed, the quantity of materials to be furnished, and the requirements of the contract documents. The bidder is cautioned that it is their sole responsibility to make such independent investigation and examination as the bidder deems necessary in order to satisfy their self as to the conditions to be encountered in the performance of work and the quantities required to complete the work in accordance with the contract documents. The bidder shall take no advantage of any apparent error or omission in the plans, bid schedule items, estimated quantities noted in the schedule, specifications or other contract documents. In the event the bidder discovers an apparent error or omission or be in doubt as to their meaning, the bidder shall immediately notify the USIBWC, in writing, requesting a clarification or interpretation. Any clarification and or interpretation deemed appropriate by the USIBWC shall be issued to all prospective bidders in the form of an addendum. Any addendum so issued shall form a part of the contract documents. Q: How fast can the canal be dewatered? A: The Contractor shall coordinate the time period for the dewatering process with the FEM, as well as the UID. Q: Is there are maximum rate at which we can dewater the canal? A: There is no specified maximum rate of de-watering. Contractor shall perform the work in such a manner that erosion or de-stabilization of the canal slopes is minimized. Q: Will time charges be suspended on the construction project until the FEM contractor has finished their work? A: The Contractor will be working concurrently with the FEM. The FEM will begin dewatering and relocation of species two weeks prior to Construction Contractor. If the FEM is not done with the relocation, prior to the commencement of the construction, the Contractor will have to coordinate with the FEM to commence construction on time. FEM will report directly to the USIBWC Environmental Management Division. Q: How long does the FEM contractor have to complete the removal of plants and animals from the canal? A: Contractor has from September 15, 2012 to October 01, 2012 dewater and relocate all animal species. FEM will on site from September 15, 2012 to March 30, 2012 to coordinate with Construction Contractor during construction period in case any species are encountered during construction. FEM and Contractor will have to work concurrently and in coordination to deal with any environmental issues that might come up during construction. FEM will report directly to the USIBWC Environmental Management Division. Q: Will the USIBWC be providing any borrow site(s) for the embankment material? If yes, where are they located? A: No, specified borrow areas have been removed from the specifications. Q: Sheet 3 states the concrete compressive strength at 28 days, unless stated elsewhere, shall be 4000 PSI. Specification 60.21.00-9 states the concrete for the canal lining shall be Class A (3000 PSI). What is the correct class of concrete for the canal lining? A: The specified minimum 28 day compressive strength for the canal lining is 3000 psi. The minimum 28 day compressive strength for headwalls, wing walls, turnout structures and retaining walls is 4000 psi.