FDR Landscaping Bid Questions and Answers


1. Have additional trees been purchased as a contingency in the event that a tree is damaged or rejected? Additional trees have been reserved at the nurseries.

2. In terms of hardscape, what will be ready for the Landscaper when they arrive on site to begin work?  Access ramp will remain in current location.  The trenches will be dug for the trees.

3. Has soil and backfill been purchased?  Yes.

4. Who pays for transportation and delivery of trees and soils?  The Owner (Four Freedoms Park) will contract and pay for delivery of trees and soils.

5. Does the soil in the rootballs comply with the soil in the specifications?  The rootballs of the trees are compatible with the soil in the specifications.

6. Is this a Union job?  Is Union labor on site?  This is a prevailing wage job in accordance with NYS Dept. of Labor and the Davis-Bacon Act wage rates (both included in the bid documents.)  There is Union labor on site.

7. Is there an Engineer’s estimate?  Quantity estimate is provided in the bid documents.

8. Will there be retainage on this project?  There will be no retainage held on this project.

9. Will there be a slope change to the main access ramp between now and March 1?  No.

10. Are as-built drawings required?  Yes, as per bid documents.

11. Will there be an Architect’s inspection of trees upon arrival at the site?  Yes. Although the Landscape Architect will be present for all tree deliveries and installations, the Landscape Contractor is responsible for notifying Landscape Architect of any damage upon delivery.

12. Who is the Irrigation designer?  Langan Engineering is the irrigation designer; however, a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) is to prepare shop drawing plans for submission and review

13. Are there qualifications to bid and work on the project?  Yes, see bid documents.

14. In regards to tree pit excavation, will the Excavation contractor be digging trenches to full depths?  Yes.

15. Does the Landscaper have to remove and/or dispose of existing soils?  No, existing soils will be removed by Excavation contractor.

16. Will the Landscaper be able to use a form of protection on Granite capstones and other finish stones when installing trees?  Yes, and this will be required.  Damage to any installed granite is unacceptable.  Protection must be non-staining and approved prior to installation.  Please note that we have found certain types of wood to stain the white granite.

17. Are the Linden trees pre-dug?  No. But all of the trees will be dug by the Nurseries in time and in the proper sequence for delivery to the site in coordination with the contractor.

18. In terms of tree delivery, can the Landscaper have multiple trailers on site, in the event they would like to have the next trailer ready for offloading on the following day?  See bid documents with respect to soil stockpiling.

19. Does the Soil supplier have the ability to stockpile soil somewhere?  Yes.  To be coordinated with Construction Manager, Soil Supplier, and Landscaper.

20. Has a sufficient quantity of soil been purchased for the entire job?  Yes.

21. Does the Landscaper have to coordinate work with Wireless and Lighting contractors?  Yes.  

22. Is the Landscaper required to warranty the trees?  Additional trees have been reserved and will be purchased by the client as a contingency.  See Specification Section 100 for information regarding the Warranty Period.   

23. Where are the trees coming from?  Linden Trees:  Halka Nurseries.  Copper Beech Trees:  Whitmore Nursery.  See bid documents.

24. How large are the copper beech trees?  Copper beech root balls are 28,000 lbs each; root ball: 10’-6” diameter, 48” depth; trees range from approximately 20 to 25 ‘ spread to 18 to 22 foot in height.

25. Will all trees be tagged with individual numbers?  Yes, and trees must be delivered and installed according to the Landscape Architect’s plan. (Download plan with numbered trees here.) Landscaper must coordinate the delivery of the trees with the nurseries.

26. Please provide soil erosion and sediment control plan for this project.  Please see the SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) document included in the bid package.

27. Dwg# L-1.01 detail-2 shows forecourt geogrid plan and Dwg L-1.02 detail#3 shows forecourt section. The geogrid is placed below crushed aggregate and pea-stone layers. As per the specification, once geogrid is installed, no equipment shall be permitted on it. If no equipment will be used, how to spread the layer of crushed aggregate and pea-stone in the forecourt geogrid area?  Sequencing for installation to be coordinated between Landscape Architect, Construction Manager, and Landscaper.

28. Since most of the suppliers and sub-contractors went on vacation this week, we request you to please extend the bid-date for this project to the following week.  Bids will be due on Thursday, January 5, 2012, as scheduled.

29. Where is onsite water source?  Is this a fire hydrant?  If so, will a permit be required?  The on-site water source is a fire hydrant located just to the north of FDR FFP, within Southpoint Park.  A permit is not required to draw from this water source.

30. What is the duration for maintenance?  Trees, lawn, etc.  Maintenance duration is 1 yr from the start of the Warranty Period.

31. Will additional pruning be required once onsite?  Pruning is to be done according to Specification Section 900, and should be performed during dormancy – either immediately following the planting of trees or prior to bud break in the succeeding year (early 2013).

32. Specification Section 900.02 Replacement of Trees - The equipment needed to move the beech trees varies significantly to that of the Lindens.  Please clarify how to provide an accurate price.  Replacement cost included in the bid on this line item should be for 19 Little Leaf Linden trees, and 1 Copper Beech Tree planting only. Any replacement trees will be purchased by the owner, delivery of the tree to the site will be also paid for by owner.

33. Where on the bid form shall the stainless steel beech tree rings be included?  Please include the price for the Beech tree stainless rings in the line item marked 100.01 for planting of Copper Beech trees.

34. Will Mulch be purchased by the owner? Or do we own supplying? Which Pay Item should the mulch be included with? Mulch is to be furnished and installed by the contractor.  Please include this in the line item for the installation of the trees (Items #100.01 and #100.02) as required.

35. Will waste disposal be available/provided for us?  The Landscaper is responsible for cleaning up after their trade.  A central waste location (a dumpster) will be provided for refuse and it will then be removed by Sciame. 

36. Are there any equipment restrictions for the site?  The bridge to Roosevelt Island has a weight restriction of 35 tons.

37. Regarding pay item 200.05C: Do the Geofibers need to be blended on-site? Or could they be pre-blended at the soil facility?  Geofibers will need to be blended on-site, unless determined otherwise during coordination.

38. Regarding pay item 90.01:  Is the value at the bidder’s discretion, or is the 4% value intended to be a fixed amount or a not to exceed amount?  Mobilization line item should be 4%.

39. How many cubic yards per day will the soil contractor commit to delivering?  Soil supplier will deliver as necessary – to be coordinated upon Award.