1. Will MDOT consider removing the subcontractor clause from the term "Major Participant"? Item 2.6 Submitter and Major Participants of the RFP require us to provide information on "any subcontractor(s) that will perform work valued at 10% or more of the overall contract amount." At this point in the process we feel it is nearly impossible for us to name any of our construction subcontractors. Without a more narrowed scope and/or design in our hands we cannot estimate what, if any subcontractors will perform 10% or more of the contract. An example is the asphalt paver. I imagine we will require an asphalt paver to perform work on the project but until we determine the tonnage on the project we do not know if the asphalt paver work will exceed 10% of the contract.
2. How will construction engineering be handled on a Design Build/bid/project?

1. Will MDOT consider removing the subcontractor clause from the term "Major Participant"? Item 2.6 Submitter and Major Participants of the RFP require us to provide information on "any subcontractor(s) that will perform work valued at 10% or more of the overall contract amount." At this point in the process we feel it is nearly impossible for us to name any of our construction subcontractors. Without a more narrowed scope and/or design in our hands we cannot estimate what, if any subcontractors will perform 10% or more of the contract. An example is the asphalt paver. I imagine we will require an asphalt paver to perform work on the project but until we determine the tonnage on the project we do not know if the asphalt paver work will exceed 10% of the contract.

Answer: MDOT agrees that it may be difficult for Submitters to define all their Major Participants so early in the project. However, the more information MDOT has on the Submitters potential team, the better we will be able to evaluate their Statement of Qualification (SOQ). The short listed Submitters (Proposers) will need to provide the same information at the Proposal stage. Be as accurate as possible because all changes to Major Participants must be approved by the MDOT selection team and the MDOT Central Selection Review Team.

We understand the contract work is limited on this project because it is a bridge replacement project without much approach or road work. MDOT anticipates only a few Major Participants being named in the SOQ. The number of sub-contractors identified as a Major Participant by a Submitter would vary depending on the type of structure that would be built, and the amount of work that each Submitter typically sub-contracts during the removal and replacement of a bridge. At a minimum, the lead engineering/design firm and their sub-consultants used to meet the prequalification requirements and those that meet the definition of a Major Participant, must be identified.

Any proposed change to the Major Participants identified in the SOQ must follow the requirements of Section 2.9 of the RFQ. MDOT will consider all change requests submitted, but reserves the right to approve or deny the change.

2. How will construction engineering be handled on a Design Build/bid/project?

Answer: On a typical MDOT project , MDOT staff or their consultants oversee the inspection and materials testing and have the authority to stop any and all work that does not meet the project specifications or standards. Contractors on MDOT projects are responsible for onsite concrete and bituminous testing and typically hire outside consultants to provide independent testing of concrete or bituminous with authority and instructions to stop work that does not meet specifications.

For these projects, MDOT is maintaining our traditional role for construction engineering oversight. The process and timing of the DBF contractor's quality control activities may be affected by the Design/Build process, the responsibilities for quality control of construction and materials will be the same as in a design/bid/build project. It is the responsibility of the DBF contractor to provide us with what quality control functions they will assign to the Quality Control Manager.