QA_20190305.pdf

Response to Questions Answers Provided on 3/5/2019

1. The Petersburg Geographic Area has been set-aside for Woman-owned Small Businesses; can this be changed to allow for all Small Businesses?

Answer: Yes. The Petersburg Geographic Area is now set-aside for Small Businesses in general.

2. Bid Schedule specifies “Wrangell Road System.” Does that include Zarembo and Etolin Islands?

Answer: Yes. Please see description of Geographic Area Locations, Page 8.

3. What is Method C?

Answer: Method C is described on page 9 of the 12010919Q006 document. There was no diagram created for this new method, but key terminology is the same to remain consistent. A key part of the new specification is the elimination of the need to remove brush from ditches. This should substantially reduce the risk of damaging culverts and brushing equipment. “Remove all brush up to 4” in diameter, measured 6” above the ground on the uphill side of the roadbed shoulders.” The 6” above the ground measurement is taken from a plane level with the edge of the road. Not the bottom of the ditch.

Purpose for adding Method C:

To reduce brushing costs by focusing brushing work on the portions of the road where it’s really important and reducing risk to the contractor. This method accomplishes that in two ways:

1) Increases progress rate by focusing work on the important parts. The most important reason why the FS brushes its roads is to maintain a safe sight distance so that motorists can see hazards ahead of them as they are traveling down the roads. Brush on the outside of a bend (as long as it does not constrict the roadway) does not have any significant negative effects on sight distance. This method eliminates the requirement for this work.

It is estimated that a good operator in a well maintained machine should be able to accomplish 1/2 mile per hour of work using this method. This assumes three passes down each road segment with the machine moving at about 2-3 miles per hour. The first two passes clear all the brush within 3 feet of the outside edge of the shoulder of the road. The third pass is to touch up what was missed in the first two passes and to do the additional clearing to meet the sight distance requirements.

2) Reduces risk to the contractor. This method eliminates some of the work that is riskier to contractors. Specifically the requirement to cut brush close to the ground on the downhill side of the roadway and the ditches on the uphill side of the road. This is where equipment is often damaged from striking rocks and culvert ends.

4. Does the experience Questionnaire really have to be submitted 5 days prior to the quote date? Is that standard on all solicitations now?

Answer: This requirement has been removed; the experience questionnaire is due at the same date and time which quotes are due.

5. Can you email the solicitation documents as PDF files? Word (.docx) files do not format correctly when we open them on our computers with different versions of Word.

Answer: Yes, the documents are available as PDF files. They have been attached to the FBO announcement, and are available via email inquiry as well.

6. The brushing methods do not allow for lack of maintenance, or for roads that are impassable. How are contractors supposed to consider the cost in the quote?

Answer: With exception to the “Method C,” the brushing specs have not changed. All 3 brushing methods have a maximum piece size that has to be cut. Methods A & B are 6”; Method C is 4”. Under no circumstances is the contractor required to cut brush larger than these limits. The Government intends to check the roads before placement on a task order to ensure the brush on/along the roads do not exceed these limits. If, after award, either party discovers that the maximum piece size consistently exceeds these limits, an equitable adjustment to the contract may be sought to either substitute other brushing work within the area, or to eliminate the work altogether.

As a general rule, the Government will try to not order work for any roads known to be overgrown, in need of some maintenance, or “impassable”. Assume the ordered brushing would be done on an open/maintained road that would otherwise receive regular brushing and maintenance.

For purposes of interpretation, “impassable” means a road that cannot be brushed by the regular mechanical brushing equipment that is typically used.