CARVER COUNTY
Request for Bid – Fiber Optic Network Construction
Addendum 1 – March 22, 2011
This addendum of the Request for Bid (RFB) for Fiber Optic Network Construction, issued February 17, 2011, is
being provided to clarify requirements, make modifications, and respond to questions received from vendors.
Vendors should include a copy of this addendum as part of their RFB response. The clarifications and responses
provided in this document supersede all other communications, direction or guidance on these questions as
provided by the County since the RFB was released.
CLARIFICATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
A. Fiber testing is to be performed by the construction vendor bidding on Part A. Vendors bidding on Part
A must include testing of fibers after splicing is completed by the vendor successful in Part C. Any cost
for fiber testing should be identified separately including unit testing in the event re-testing is needed.
B. Vendors bidding on Part C should provide SDR 11 conduit.
C. The cost for Hand-holes where a lateral meets the ring should be included in the ring (part A) cost.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: Can we provide utility information in the mapping application?
A: The County does not have utility information in a central place so it is the responsibility of the vendor
to obtain this information.
2. Q: Will a list of property owners be in the mapping application available?
A: A feature has been added to the mapping application called Property Report that provides property
owner and parcel information.
3. Q: Can we add parcel information to the mapping application?
A: A feature has been added to the mapping application called Property Report that provides property
owner and parcel information.
 Q: Do the parcels accurately represent ROW lines?
 A: The mapping application provides the County’s best information on ROW but it is the
responsibility of the vendor to validate ROW and construct the fiber in the ROW.
4. Q: Do we have easement information we can provide in the mapping application?
A: The County does not have easement information that it can provide in the mapping application.
5. Q: Can we place a point representing the general building entrance location in the mapping application?
A: Vendors should bring the fiber to the general utility entrance of the building. The County does not
have general building entrance locations so it is the responsibility of the vendor to obtain this
information.
6. Q: Are all backbone and lateral segments within the ROW?
A: The County’s intent is that all backbone and laterals be constructed in the ROW. The County has
provided the best information we have available on ROW within the mapping application and associated
mapping files, but it is the responsibility of the vendor to validate ROW and construct fiber in the ROW.
Outside of railroad crossings, the County has identified the locations listed below as private ownership
parcels that would potentially need an easement:
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Segment B23 in Victoria. Just NE of Victoria City hall heading east the route passes through a
private parcel.
Segment L42 to the Chanhassen Water Tower. The water tower is land locked by private parcels
but the County has validated with the City of Chanhassen that there is an existing utility
easement that is available to reach the water tower facility from the defined 82nd St. route.
Segment B20 in Waconia. On the NE corner of town at the East end of the cul-de-sac on 1st St. E,
the route passes through a private parcel, where it hooks up with the route on County Hwy 59.
Segment B09 in Hamburg. At the corner of Railroad St and Co. Rd 50, the route line strays into a
private property by several feet. This route was not intended to travel through a private parcel
but instead is intended to remain in the ROW and should be constructed as such.
7. Q: Are there issues with running a segment along Hwy 212 near Cologne?
A: The County is not currently aware of any issues with running a segment along Hwy 212 near Cologne.
If would be the responsibility of the vendor to validate this information. If an issue is identified, the
selected vendor would work with the County to evaluate the best course of action to address the issue
or concern. Also, to provide additional clarity, the County requested information from MN DOT on this
segment stretch and received the following response “The area to the west of Cologne is not considered
a freeway with controlled access.”
8. Q: Who is responsible for getting permits?
A: The construction vendor is responsible for obtaining permits.
9. Q: Will County pay for Permits?
A: The construction vendor is responsible for permit costs but they should be listed as a separate line
item in the bid.
10. Q: Can conduit and cable be bit on separately?
A: No, vendors bidding on conduit and cable are required to bid on both items.
11. Q: Is sales tax included?
A: No, sales tax is not included and should be called out as a separate line item where it is charged. The
County is not exempt from sales tax.
12. Q: Page 26 of bid regarding fiber splicing (.05?)
A: Splicing loss should not exceed 0.1 dB.
13. Q: Can cable and conduit be purchased at the same time?
A: The County plans to contract for both items at the same time. However, delivery schedule would
need to be coordinated with the construction vendor.
14. Q: Is the construction company responsible for terminating and splicing the fiber?
A: The construction company is responsible for terminating but not splicing, unless it bids and is
awarded the splicing contract for section D of the bid.
15. Q: Should the splice case be bid on by the splicing vendor or the construction vendor?
A: The splice case should be bid by construction vendors (for the ring by Part A vendors and for the
laterals by Part B vendors). Splice cases where the laterals meet the ring should be bid by the ring
vendor. Splice cases should be Tyco (or equivalent) and should have a minimum of the following
capacities:
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Have adequate grounding lugs
Be expandable – able to add splice trays and be able to accommodate minimum of six lateral
cables on the ring besides the in/out ring cable, and spice cases for laterals must be able to
accommodate four additional cables
Have cable management for slack cable
16. Q: Is the route on the application map the route to bid on?
A: Yes, and if there is an issue with permitting and the route needs to be changed, a change order will
have to be submitted to USDA/NTIA and the County’s Environmental Assessment will have to be
updated.
17. Q: Who will be inspecting the work?
A: The County’s Construction Manager and/or County employee
18. Q: Will bidders list be made available?
A: Attached is a list of vendors who have attended vendor conferences for the project.
19. Q: The City of Mayer entrance point shows potential asbestos issues, how is that handled?
A: The vendor will have to penetrate the building at another point.
20. Q: For slab structures is there a below grade entry point requirement? And does this also apply to the
lateral locations? For example the City of Hamburg is a slab structure.
A: Above structure entrance is acceptable unless the building owner requires below grade entry.
Vendors should price the entry assuming above structure entry for slab structures.
21. Q: Can someone upsize the conduit size if they feel that 216 will not fit appropriately?
A: It is up to the vendor, but we believe the fiber counts identified can be accommodated in the
specified SDR 11 conduit.
22. Q: Who is responsible for testing in the Part B and Part D scenarios. If a Part D vendor provides splicing,
who is responsible for testing. If retests are required, who is responsible? Will any Part B or Part D
vendor be responsible for another’s Part B or Part D work?
A: Please see the Clarification Section on fiber testing and re-testing. The County is expecting to award a
single vendor for Part B and a single vendor for Part D though Part B and Part D may be awarded to the
same vendor. The County is not expecting Part B vendor to do Part D vendor’s work or the other way
around.
23. Q: I have not been able to find the wall thickness for the 1 ¼” duct anywhere in the RFB. Usually it is
either SDR 11 or 13?
A: The County is requesting SDR 11 conduit.
24. Q: The base ring fiber quantity is 528,000 feet. I assume we are to bid 528,000 feet for each count
listed?
A: Yes.
25. Q: Is this RFP for just Fiber construction only, or Fiber construction and monthly lease?
A: Fiber construction only.
26. Q: Is there a specific colored required for the conduit? And if so, what color for each one?
A: The County is requesting the standard orange conduit color unless the bidding vendor has a lower
cost conduit color available that they wish to bid. To distinguish between the two conduits one of the
conduits may have stripes but it is not required.
27. Q: How do you want the cable delivered all at once or over a period of time?
A: The cable will most likely be delivered over time with the schedule being coordinated with the
selected construction vendor.
28. Q: Which labor rate should be used in determining the Davis-Bacon wages. The Highway rate, or the
Heavy rate.
A: The Heavy rate should be utilized in determining Davis-Bacon wages.
29. Q: When pricing the ring, should the handhole leaving the ring for each lateral be priced into the cost of
the ring, or to the price of the lateral.
A: See Clarification Section.
30. Q: Does the entire job need to be mapped with GPS.
A: Yes.
31. Q: On Segment B20 between 1st St East & County Road 59 is the proposed path on public R/W or private
easement?
A: The County has identified that this route segment runs through a private parcel. It is the
responsibility of the vendor to obtain an easement and the County can assist in that effort. If a recurring
cost is associated with the easement the County would be financially responsible for this expense. If an
easement is not able to be obtained and the route needs to be changed, a change order will have to be
submitted and the County’s Environmental Assessment will have to be updated with USDA/NTIA.
32. Q: Will vendor be able to work multiple segments without completing previous segment?
A: We believe so.
33. Q: Would the County consider a discount on the overall bid, if 1 vendor is awarded multiple parts?
A: Yes – Vendors proposing to provide additional discounts should be clear what the discount is and
under what condition it is available.
34. Q: The plastic pipe for the fiber ring and laterals has not been specified. We recommend 1-1/4” HDPE
SDR 13.5, 2-way parallel. I have included a brochure laying this out.
A: See the Clarification Section. While the County has not requested 2-way parallel pipe, vendors
wishing to do so should provide it as an alternate and mark it clearly as an alternate. Vendors must
include single conduit as requested in the bid document.
35. Q: We would like to request that it be a requirement of Part C to furnish 2-way parallel pipe. Pipe
would then come off the reel two at a time. Considerable labor savings.
A: See response to Question 34.
36. Q: Page 31 of the RFB states: “Special Note: The County requires that laterals to the three 800 MHz
towers (Segments L09, L16, and L42) be constructed by November 15, 2011.” This work does NOT
include any work on the ring, correct?
A: That is correct.
37. Q: The RFB on page 22 says: “Cost per foot should be valid for a 10% variation in estimate.” Please
address the following:
a. Can what is meant by the 10% variation be explained further?
b. Will the length installed be closer to 465,469 lf or the 528,000 lf?
c. Compensation for Parts A and B will be strictly by the unit price, correct? Who is responsible for
measuring those quantities?
d. Do we base our labor bid for Parts A and B on 465,469 lf or the 528,000 lf? This will make a
difference in terms of recuperating our fixed cost.
A. a. The per foot cost proposed should not increase (but may decrease) if there is a variation in the
length of conduit procured.
b. The length installed will be closer to 528,000 ft.
c. Compensation for Parts A and B will not be by unit price – The County is looking for a fixed price
proposal for the routes identified. Unit price detail is being requested for reporting purposes as well
as for use if there is a change order initiated by the County – generally requesting additional work.
d. Bid should be based on 528,000 ft. Please note that compensation for Parts A and B will not be
by the foot. Compensation for Part C is by unit price.
38. Q: On page 24 of the RFB, the spec states: “Be Gopher resistant (armored)”. Why is this being
specified? If the reason is to make the fiber more easily locatable, it would be more cost effective to
have the 1-1/4” HDPE Pipe be “toneable”, i.e., locatable.
A: The cable proposed must be armored.
39. Q: Letting this project in four (4) different parts, could possibly cause a lot of costly confusion upon
execution. For instance:
a. Reel lengths and 2-way pipe are not mandatory and could cost additional to install without
knowing that information at bid time.
b. There is potential for a good deal of “finger pointing” and confusion for the testing. As an
example, Part C is responsible for all testing. If there is a problem in a line or a connector or
splice in Parts A or B, who is responsible for fixing that problem? The contractor for that
particular Part? If yes, how can the Part C contractor be assured that the work will be done in a
timely manner? If the problem does belong to the Part A or B contractor who pays for the
retesting. We believe that this whole process could be a logistical nightmare.
c. Therefore, can a bidder stipulate which Parts and in what combinations that he would accept an
award on? For example, can we bid “all or nothing”.
A: The County recognizes the concern and will require close coordination between vendors if multiple
awards are made to different vendors. Please note that the Part A vendor is responsible for all testing.
The bidder can stipulate which Parts and in what combinations that they would accept the award.
40. Q: On page 26 of the RFB it states: “Fiber optic cable entrances into the building must be via metal
conduit or sleeves”. Do you want this conduit to be EMT or Galvanized Rigid conduit?
A: Galvanized Rigid conduit.
41. Q: The RFB calls for holding our price for 90 days. With the volatility of material costs and the
construction season quickly coming upon us, this seems a bit unreasonable. We realize that you may
need time to make decisions, but can this time period be shortened
A: The County intends to move quicker than 90 days – the language for the bid however cannot be
changed.
42. Q: If asbestos is encountered in any of the buildings, who will be responsible to abate the asbestos if
that becomes necessary?
A: If asbestos is encountered, the vendor is to work with the County and building owners to review
alternate building penetration and/or fiber paths within the facility. If an alternate path is not available
it would be the responsibility of the building owner to cover any costs associated with asbestos
abatement.
43. Q: Who is constructing and/or setting the 3 huts?
A: We have not yet selected a vendor for the huts.
44. Q: Are splice cases and trays to be included in Part D?
A: Please see response to Question 15.
45. Q: Will a prevailing wage schedule be provided, from the county, with job specific wages for this type of
project (such as cable plow operator, directional bore operator and locater, cable splicer, vac operator
and general laborer)?
A: No – it is the vendor’s responsibility to determine that the wages are compliant with the bid
requirements.
46. Q: Has it been determined which buildings will have the backbone cable brought into the buildings and
back out, other than the ones with two separate entrances?
A: All 15 buildings slated to be on the ring will have backbone cable. Five buildings, which include the 3
huts, shall have dual entrance. Each of the dual entrance locations shall have fiber cable the same size as
that in the ring. The remaining ten single entrance sites will have a single fiber cable in a single conduit
that is the same size of the fiber cable (e.g. 192 or 216) in the ring.
47. Q: Is it possible to create a list of the laterals that will be able to be constructed at the same time as the
base ring?
A: All laterals can be constructed in parallel with the ring construction.
48. Q: Will a list of any street re-hab projects be available with dates of start and end for the projects in the
towns on the project?
A: In response to this question the County requested that the 11 cities within the county provide
information on any planned or proposed street re-hab projects slated for the fiber construction project
timeframe. Due to the shortened response timeframe of this Q&A response document, the County did
not receive information back from all 11 Cities. The information that was received is included in this
document. It remains the responsibility of the vendor to validate street re-hab information and the
County is providing the best information available at this time.
49. Q: If rock is encountered during the construction process, will the opportunity be available to negotiate
with the county on a new cost for those areas?
A: The County is looking for a fixed price proposal unless the County initiates a change order.
50. Q: Can we clearly set forth who is responsible for what in terms of testing. Additionally, please clarify
who is responsible for any corrective work after testing
A: Please see the Clarification Section.
51. Q: Can Carver County provide any more detail in the DB Wage Determination “Davis-Bacon Act wage
determinations are published on Department of Labor’s Wage Determinations OnLine (WDOL) website,
accessible at www.wdol.gov.“ that should be used on this project? i.e. Construction Type
A: The Heavy rate should be utilized in determining Davis-Bacon wages. Any additional information
should be found at the Department of Labor website listed in the bid document.
52. Q: “A security bond or certified check payable to Carver County in the amount of 5 percent of the cost
for the parts being bid is (materials and labor using Davis-Bacon wages) required. Certified check shall be
returned to unsuccessful vendors after award of a contract or rejection of all responses.” Is this the
same as a “Bid Bond”?
A: Yes
53. Q: “1.6.1.4 Permits, Private Easements: The successful vendor shall be responsible for any and all
permits required including any private easements.” Can Carver County Identify the areas that will
require private easements since the cost of these easements are to be included in the RFB?
A: See response to Question 6.
54. Q: “1.6.13.2 Force Majeure: paragraph b Inability to Perform: The vendor shall make every
reasonable effort to maintain staff, facilities, and equipment to deliver the system or service purchased
by the County. The vendor shall immediately notify the County in writing whenever it is unable to, or
reasonably believes it is going to be unable to, provide the agreed-upon quality and quantity of services.
Expected normal weather for the season (e.g. snow and cold in winter in Minnesota) is exempted from
being considered unusually severe weather.” During our field visit we noticed snow accumulations in
excess of 3-5 feet in the ROW in some of the segments. Is this a normal amount of snow for Carver
County during the winter and if so, what is the expectation for work in these areas during the winter
months. At what point would be an expected work delay? Would snow removal from the ROW be
expected to prevent work stoppage?
A: By the time contract is awarded for construction for this year, we do not expect snow removal to be
an issue. In general, we would consider snow removal or snow related items to become Force Majuere
when the city/county/state entities issue (or do not lift) construction moratoriums for the season.
55. Q: “In urban areas the route map indicates the route to be taken, It does not however speak to, for
example if the construction line would be in the street or sidewalk (where there is no dirt path
available.” Is it up to the vendor to select the most cost effective method and include that in his bid?
If the city makes a change to vendor’s recommendation would the vendor be allowed to adjust his bid
price for that specific segment/section?
A: The vendor should make the most cost effective method as long as it is compliant with the route
information provided.
56. Q: Regarding OTDR/PM testing, who is responsible for providing final end to end bi-directional
OTDR/PM results? The contractor that preformed the work in 2.6 or the contractor in 2.9?
A: See Clarification Section.
57. Q: Regarding OTDR/PM testing, If issues arise due to others work how is the testing contractor going to
be compensated for a return visit to test? (Example - Contractor A preformed the terminations in 2.6
and contractor B preformed the lateral splice in the outside closure. If contractor A is responsible for
the end to end test and finds splices out of spec in contractor B’s splices how is contractor A to be
compensated to retest once contractor B makes their repairs?)
A: See Clarification Section.
58. Q: The contractor is to submit a list of sub-contractors at time of bid. If awarded the project can the list
be amended for additional sub-contractors and what is the process to get additional sub-contractors
approved?
A: Vendors will have to submit the new list and get approval from the County. Any new sub-contractor
proposed must meet the qualification requirements of the bid.
59. Q: Under Force Majeure, what is the legal definition of “Unusually severe weather (except normally
expected weather in Minnesota – e.g. in winter)”?
A: See response to Question 54.
60. Q: Under Force Majeure, what examples are considered unusually server weather in Minnesota?
A: See response to question 54.
61. Q: Does the environmental study call out any wetlands that may be protected? If so are there
considerations for those areas?
A: The environmental study does not identify wetlands requiring any special considerations except that
construction must be bored instead of plowed. Standard permitting requirement applies.
62. Q: What will be the mandated protections required for the wetland areas from the environmental study
and DNR?
A: See response to Question 61.
63. Q: Are there any Historical or Native American sites on the route that may need special attention? If so,
where on the route are those areas and what protection or special care is needed for those areas?
A: We don’t know of any yet – There is some additional investigation being conducted and vendors will
be notified of change or accommodated if change is required after contract award.
64. Q: Is the contractor responsible for any private easement compensation that may be needed in order to
obtain the easement (Example – In order to get an easement the landowner requires 1000.00 per year
for the crossing.)
A: The County is not expecting vendors to be responsible for private easement compensation. If an
easement is needed (given no public-rights-of-way available) vendors should identify one time and
recurring cost separately if it is available. The County will work with the vendor to obtain easement if
necessary otherwise in consultation with the selected vendor the County would determine alternate
route for construction.
65. Q: If Q:64 is yes, is the contractor responsible for the easement compensation if the compensation is
on-going (yearly)?
A: No.
66. Q: If Q:65 is yes, what are the penalties if the contractor fails to compensate an on-going easement
causing the easement to be revoked?
A: N/A
67. Q: If Q:65 is yes, if an on-going compensation easement is required at what stage, if any, will the county
take responsibility for the easement?
A: N/A
68. Q: If Q:65 is yes, if the county is not going to take responsibility for the easement, what is the minimum
length of time the contractor has to enter into an easement agreement with the land owner?
A: N/A
69. Q: Are any environmental, geological, or soil tests available based on the pre approved route? If so can
you provide links as to where we may find this information?
A: No tests were conducted.
70. Q: Will restoration requirements follow local, county, or state codes?
A: Restoration requirements are to follow all the applicable local, county and/or state codes for the
segment being worked on.
71. Q: Will non compliant walks or crosswalks be required to be brought to code such as ADA compliant? If
so what cities/townships require the ADA compliant restoration?
A: Vendors will have to comply with what the local, county or state code requires.
72. Q: Will soft surface restoration require a period of up keep during and after construction for any period
of time? If so what is the requirement?
A: Vendors will have to comply with what the local, county or state code requires.
73. Q: Which governing board will review traffic control plans?
A: Whichever governing board has jurisdiction for the segment being worked on.
74. Q: Locating of the new build will be maintained by contractor during construction. When will the
county take control of locating the new build? Final construction, substantial completion, or longer
period?
A: Upon acceptance as described in the bid document.
75. Q: Are there any other capital improvements projects known that are proposed on or near the
proposed route? If so what are those projects, where are they located on the route, and what time
frame are those projects proposed for?
A: See response to Question 48.
76. Q: Regarding liquidated damages, what are the project milestones and completion dates for the
project? During the walk through we were told that the laterals (section B) can not start until
substantial completion of the backbone (section A) has been completed. What is the deadline for the
backbone to ensure that the laterals are completed and system tested by the 12/31/2012 deadline?
A: The County expects to have project milestones and completion dates identified in the contract with
the selected vendor or vendors. Liquidated damages will be applied against the agreed upon schedule.
Laterals can be constructed in parallel with the ring.
77. Q: Regarding liquidated damages, if two different contractors are awarded A and B, what damages
could be assessed on contractor B if contractor A fails to achieve substantial completion until mid next
year causing contractor B to miss the project deadline?
A: : See response to Question 76.
78. Q: The County is requiring that laterals to the three 800 MHz towers (Segments L09, L16, and L42) be
constructed by November 15, 2011. Is the tower laterals considered part of the backbone since the
laterals may not have started construction at that time due to the backbone not being substantial
completed?
A: For budgetary reasons these need to be completed by November 15, 2011. Laterals for these may
start anytime after contract is awarded.
79. Q: Which core facilities do the towers feed back to and does the backbone between the lateral and core
have the same deadline (11/15/2011) as the lateral?
A: The core facility where the tower connects does not have the same deadline of 11/15/2011.