ADDENDUM 1
DATE:
October 21, 2015
PROJECT:
SPH Garden Project
RFP NO:
744-R1601
OWNER:
University of Texas Health Science Center
Houston, Texas
TO:
Prospective Bidders
This Addendum forms part of Contract Documents and modifies Bid Documents dated
September 24, 2015, with amendments and additions noted below.
RFP 744-R1601 SPH GARDEN PROJECT- PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS’ SUBMITTED
QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES:

QUESTION 1: In regards to wood type; during the tour both red cedar and cypress were
mentioned. Is there a preference?
 ANSWER 1: Either red cedar or cypress will work, with preference towards the wood
that comes in less expensive. In both cases, the wood dimensions are based on unplaned wood and so it is a little thicker and wider than planed wood. However, unplaned wood should not have splinters as a hazard and so it would need some
sanding, etc. to avoid potential harm to workers and visitors. This is especially
important for those planters in which the participant is to sit on the edge of the
planter.

QUESTION 2: On the walk ways through the butterfly garden. What type of edging for the
walk way?
 ANSWER 2: Edging would be the metal landscape edging currently being used in
the landscapes around the School of Public Health and School of Nursing. This is
the same edging that was used in the labyrinth, some of which remains at the site.

QUESTION 3: On the first drawing (site map), showing the two walkways through the
butterfly garden; the pathway on the left and some marking across the path, are these
steps or terracing, or....?
 ANSWER 3: The "steps" are built into the walkway since its change in grade is so
great that if it is left as an incline it would cause constant erosion of the
decomposed granite surface. The risers could be 8 x 8 x 16 inch solid concrete
blocks, treated lumber, cypress, cedar or manufactured stone, such as a Pavestone
product. The retaining wall runs into this area, but the risers used for the "steps"
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should be complete from bottom to top and, if the retaining wall is a different
material, it should stop before the area of these "steps" and the top riser should be
the same as the others.

QUESTION 4: The retaining walls and the irrigation and drainage lines on the site plan
are not quite clear, can we have a clear plan of that?
 ANSWER 4: Attached is a clearer copy of the irrigation/drainage plan (“Site Plan
for Irrigation Drainage”). Also attached is the same document, but with the position
of the two retaining walls drawn in (“UTSPH Plan with Details”).
**Double click icons to open in PDF**
SitePlanForIrrigationD
rainage.pdf
UTSPH Plan with
Details (3).pdf

QUESTION 5: Are there details for the steps at the decomposed granite path to the east
sidewalk?
 ANSWER 5: No, the only detail is the position of the steps, which are located
where the incline is steep. The "risers" mentioned could be concrete blocks or 8 in.
x 8 in. treated lumber or cedar or cypress or other suitable blocks and
manufactured stone. The retaining wall may extend into this area, but the top riser
could also be the retaining wall. The number of risers needed would be determined
by the final level of the main garden after it has been graded down and the topsoil
layer added.

QUESTION 6: What are the seven trees shown in the south side of the project?
 ANSWER 6: Of the fruit trees listed in Item 11.h.v, the seven in this bed would be
Fuyu Persimmon, Owari Satsuma, Celeste Fig, Big Jim Loquat, Acres Home Pear,
and Page Mandarin.

QUESTION 7: Can the retaining walls be built with Pavestone Retaining walls stones
instead of 8 in. x 8 in. x 16 in. concrete blocks?
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 ANSWER 7: Yes, but be aware the goal is to opt for the cheapest material. If this
adds significantly to the cost of the garden, it would it would be good to tie the
retaining wall to the east by the butterfly garden with the risers of the entryway (i.e.,
if the risers are a different material than the retaining wall, stop the retaining wall so
that the top level riser is the same material that is used for the other risers).

QUESTION 8: Does classroom w/shade pergola extend to the storage shed as shown on
site drawing or stop short?
 ANSWER 8: The shade pergola does not extend to the storage. The likely height
of the doors on the storage would cause movement of the doors to be affected by
the structure of the pergola if it did. The area of the pavers is greater than the area
of the shade pergola. In the attached diagram UTSPH Plan with Details.pdf, the
lines of the retaining walls, storage (7) and shade pergola (4) have been enhanced.
This can also be seen in diagrams 9.a.1 and 9.a.2.
**See pdf link in Question 4 above**

QUESTION 9: Can you provide us a complete list of plants (common names) and gallon
sizes?
 ANSWER 9: Most of the plants to be planted in the garden are vegetables and
herbs. These will be started as a project with the interns who will participate in the
program. The two areas of plants that are mentioned in the garden design are the
fruit plants for the fruits beds and containers and the plants for the butterfly
garden.
A. For the Butterfly Garden, attached is a list of plants, common trade
names, numbers and sizes in the ButterflyGardenPlants.pdf. In this
specialty plant trade, the size of containers can vary from nursery to
nursery. If substitution for the size recommended is needed, we
recommend that 3 gal. be substituted with 2 gal. and 5 gal. be substituted
with 7 gal. Many other plan substitutions can be made and will be
discussed with the awarded vendor at a later point.
ButterflyGardenPlants.
pdf
B. See Question 6 above for seven of the fruit plants. The other three fruits
in this list (Garnet Sash Pomegranate, Nagami Kumquat and Purple
Passion Fig) are to be used in containers in the Container Garden
section, 11.v.
C. In the Fruit Bed with T post, section 11.g., eight fruits are to be planted.
These include:
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a. four - 2 to 3 gallon southern high bush blueberries, such as Star,
Springhigh and Windsor OR rabbiteye blueberries, such as
Tifblue, Brightblue and Woodard
b. four - 1 gallon blackberries, to include 2 - Kiowa and 2 Thornless
Ouachita
D. In the Espalier Planter, 11.m.17 , three 5-gallon fruits are needed. These
include:
a. 1 - 5 gal. Improved Meyer Lemon
b. 1 - 5 gal. Carnaval Apple
c. 1 - 5 gal. Clementine Mandarin Orange.

QUESTION 10: There is a produce handling basin 9.b on the site plan and specifications,
but not detail diagram or drawings for the basin. Can you provide a detailed diagram or
drawings for the basin?
 ANSWER 10: The producing handling basin is, in effect, a table with a sink
mounted in it or a "kitchen counter with sink". The purpose is to stage produce
before washing, a basin to wash it in and a place for it to drain off after washing.
For produce that is not washed, it would be a place to trim and clean it up before it
is taken into the kitchen. The sink could be on one end or in the middle. Stainless
steel would be the preferred material, and the item can be obtained used to
minimize costs.
This internet site shows this item:
http://www.zesco.com/Commercial-Kitchen-Sinks-One-Compartmentsz3892.htm?zSource=picnav
Advance Tabco FC-1-1818-24RL - One Compartment Kitchen Sink (Two 24"
Drainboards - 66" W x 24" D - 18" x 18" x 14" Bowls) at this site
The dimensions are not identical. They also show other types of sinks that could be
built with a table.
The entire unit could be constructed to be a counter type structure and sink dropped
into it. In many ways it would resemble a kitchen counter with sink. The important
thing is that it be able to withstand the weather outside. The sink should have
faucets and a spray nozzle for cleaning produce. It will not have warm water, but will
use cold water. The sink can have 1-2 basins, so long as each is relatively large
(similar to a kitchen sink, not a hand sink).
**It is important that the area be easy to clean up after use**
END OF ADDENDUM 1
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