S01 - Amendment 0001 to RFQ 1010304.pdf

Group 4 Tree/Shrub Establishment Contractor Questions from Emails and Pre-Bid Meeting 1010304

Question #1:

Should planned tree/shrub planting along rivers and streams go right up to the top of bank of the watercourse?

Answer #1:

All tree/shrub planting along rivers and streams should be offset 10 feet from the top of bank.

Question #2:

What kind of spacing should be used when planting shrubs in a clump?

Answer #2:

Less space between shrubs is acceptable when planting shrubs in a clump. Spacing of 4 feet to 5 feet is recommended.

Question #3:

How many shrubs should be in a clump planting?

Answer #3:

Three to five shrubs per clump is recommended.

Question #4:

What are the required minimum heights for trees and shrubs?

Answer #4:

All trees are required to be a minimum of 3 feet tall. All shrubs are required to be a minimum of 2 feet tall.

Question #5:

Will shapefiles of the planting areas be made available?

Answer #5:

Yes, shapefiles of the planting areas will be made available to the contractor awarded the contract from this solicitation.

Question #6:

How does NRCS certify that the practice is installed to meet NRCS standards and specifications?

Answer #6:

The NRCS Contracting Officers Representative or designated Inspector will visit the planting site, sample at least 10% of the planted stems for proper installation per NRCS standards and specifications and report back to the Contracting Officer and the Contractor on any deficiencies that need to be remedied.

Question #7:

How should trees and shrubs be stored in the field while awaiting planting?

Answer #7:

See the requirements in the practice specifications section titled “Storage, Care, and Handling of Woody Planting Stock found here:

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/22654/612_VT_PS_Tree_Shrub_Establishment_2009

Question #8:

Do trees and shrubs need to be watered after planting?

Answer #8:

Typically, not due to the wetness of the sites where planting is planned. Soils will be saturated or if not, then still have sufficient soil moisture available to not require watering. Please refer to the practice specifications for any watering requirements during storage and handling in the section titled “Storage, Care, and Handling of Woody Planting Stock found here:

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/22654/612_VT_PS_Tree_Shrub_Establishment_2009

Question #9:

Can auguring be used to create holes for planting?

Answer #9:

Only the allowed techniques noted in the “Planting Techniques” section of the practice specifications are allowed. Holes may not be any deeper than 12 inches due to cultural resources requirements.

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/22654/612_VT_PS_Tree_Shrub_Establishment_2009

Question #10:

Will the NRCS archaeologist need to be present during the planting of any areas?

Answer #10:

No. If planting locations need to shift for some reason at the Pomainville site, then the NRCS archaeologist would need to review tree planting in the field.

Question #11:

Does the Government provide the trees and shrubs?

Answer #11:

No. Acquisition, storage, handling, and planting of the trees and shrubs is the sole responsibility of the contractor.

Question #12:

What is the anticipated start date for planting?

Answer #12:

During the Spring of 2021 when conditions meet NRCS Tree/Shrub Establishment conservation practice standards and specifications for work to begin.

Question #13:

Is the contractor able to have motorized access to the planting sites?

Answer #13:

The Pomainville and Forrest/Machka sites can typically be access with an all-terrain vehicle under normal Spring weather conditions. The Adams site only has a parking area where a couple vehicles can be parked and then trees will need to be manually taken through the easement to the planting site.

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/22654/612_VT_PS_Tree_Shrub_Establishment_2009

Question #14:

Does the contractor need to be a registered Technical service Provider in Vermont?

Answer #14:

No

Question #15:

How many acres of planting are planned?

Answer #15:

See the planting plans and maps for specific acreage amounts for each project

Question #16:

Which subcategory of the 612 practice will this project be categorized under?

Answer #16:

From a technical standpoint there is no subcategory to the Tree/Shrub Establishment (612) conservation practice standard. The person asking this question should clarify exactly what they mean by subcategory. Perhaps they are looking at certain NRCS standard payment rate information? Payment rates are not applicable in these situations. The Contractor needs to bid on these specific planting projects.

Question #17:

When will the contract be awarded for this solicitation?

Answer #17:

No later than September 30th, 2020 and likely by mid-September 2020.

Question #18:

How is payment handled?

Answer #18:

Contractors must submit invoices for each individual planting site via the required ipp.gov website and will be paid per easement planted, not in one lump sum after the all sites are completed.