Contract 06-0A8404

The responses to bidder's inquiries, unless incorporated into a formal addendem to the contract, are not a part of the contract and are provided for the bidder's convenience only. In some instances, the question and answer may represent a summary of the matters discussed rather than a word-for-word recitation. The availability or use of information provided in the responses to bidder's inquiries is not to be construed in any way as a waiver of the provisions of Section 2-1.03 of the Standard Specifications or any other provision of the contract, the plans, Standard Specifications or Special Provisions, nor to excuse the contractor from full compliance with those contract requirements. Bidders are cautioned that subsequent responses or contract addenda may affect or vary a response previously given.

Q1) The specifications in section 10-1.19 refer to several tables for the rate of compost to be applied to the area. These tables say the rate of compost to be applied to the perscribed area add up to 508 cubic meters per hectare. This seems heavy considering most Caltrans specs I've seen require only 4-6 cubic meters per hectare. Is this the correct quantity to be applied or were the numbers accidently mixed up with some other quantity somehow?

A) Please bid the compost item per specs, plans, and estimate.

Q2) The application rate for compost is excessive, please research and revise. Per the bid item quantity and specified application rate of 508 M3/Hectare, 141/50 pound bags of compost will be applied to a 2,178 SQFT area, .01 Hectares. This will be at an approximate cost to the State of $1500 for this one item.
Bidding on 4/11/07 is 04-016014 Ala-92,880-7.8/10.9, 25.1/28.3
This contract also has a 3-Step SEED/STRAW/TACK specification. The total specified rate for compost on this district 4 contract is 8 M3/Hectare (see specification page 269 for application rate tables.)
Bidding on 4/24/07 is 04-174934 SCL-152-R31.7/34.3
This contract also has a 3-Step SEED/STRAW/TACK specification. The total specified rate for compost is 4 M3/Hectare (see specification pages 200 & 201 for application rate tables.)

A) In the past, the 4-6 cubic meters per hectare proved itself to be ineffective. We are now using more compost. The 508 cubic meters per hectare equates to 2 inches of compost. This was the desired rate in consideration of the project site conditions.

Q3) I received two copies of Addendum No. 1, each listed a different bid opening date listed. One copy indicated 4/10/07, while the other listed 4/11/07. What is the correct bid opening date?

A) The Official Bid Opening date for this project is April 11, 2007. HQOE sent out the official addendum on March 12, and it shows a bid opening date for this project to be on April 11, 2007. The other version shown on the web is now being corrected.