Amendment 0001.pdf

(x)

12035520R0001 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

MISSOULA MT 59804

26 FORT MISSOULA ROAD

R1 REGIONAL OFFICE

USDA FOREST SERVICE

BILLINGS MT 59101

5001 SOUTHGATE DR STE 2

BILLINGS OFFICE

USDA FOREST SERVICE

04/13/20200001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

03/20/2020

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Riley Pass Bluff A Reclamation

SEE CONTINUATION PAGE

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

CHAD B. SANTONE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

12035520R0001, Amendment 0001, Continuation Pages

The following questions, answers and changes are hereby incorporated into the solicitation and any resultant contract:

1. Would the government allow contractors to submit CPARs in lieu of PPQs for their presented projects?

Answer: The Government will review offerors CPARs at its discretion. The purpose PPQs are to obtain past customer feedback directly.

2. Section L-3 states, “Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the Contracting Specialist, Karen Ruklic. Offerors should contact only the Contract Specialist overseeing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award.”

a. Would the government please clarify if Ms. Ruklic is to be the point of contact to submit proposal questions?

b. If so, would the government please provide Ms. Ruklic’s contact information?

Answer: This was a typographical error. Section shall be amended to read:

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation should be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer. Offerors should contact only the Contracting Officer overseeing the solicitation about any aspect of this requirement prior to contract award. The Contracting Officer’s contact information is located in block 9 of the SF1442.

3. On the SF 1442 form it states under 13a that offers to provide sealed offers in original and 1 copy, however page 46, section L-5 a.4.i, ii, and iii state that offerors are to submit their proposals in the following format and quantities

(i) 1 copy of the completed, signed offer (Sections A through K of the solicitation package).

ii) 2 copies of the technical proposal.

(iii) 1 copy of the business/cost proposal.

Would the government please clarify which format to use?

Answer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic electronic submission of proposals is allowed. See block 9b for email point of contact information. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure the Government received their submitted proposal by the solicitation due date.

Section L-5 paragraph (4) shall be amended to read:

Offerors shall submit their proposal(s) in the following format and the quantities specified:

(i) 1 copy of the completed, signed offer (Sections A through K of the solicitation package).

(ii) 1 copies of the technical proposal.

(iii) 1 copy of the business/cost proposal.

4. Would the government please clarify how they would like to receive proposals either in sealed envelopes, binders, or other?

Answer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic electronic submission of proposals is allowed. See block 9b for email point of contact information. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure the Government received their submitted proposal by the solicitation due date.

The contractor shall submit their accordance with the terms of the solicitation. Sealed envelope and or binders are fine.

5. If bidders would like to hand deliver their proposals, would the government please detail where these proposals are to be delivered if different than the address indicated on the SF 1442 form bock 8?

Answer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic electronic submission of proposals is allowed. See block 9b for email point of contact information. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure the Government received their submitted proposal by the solicitation due date.

Hand delivery is not accepted based on current conditions. Electronic submission via email or alternate delivery methods (UPS, FedEx, Or USPS) are acceptable methods of submitting the proposal. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure the Government received their submitted proposal by the solicitation due date.

6. Would the government please identify if covers, title pages, table of contents, appendices, cover letters, tabs, separators, etc. are excluded from the page count?

Answer: Yes. Covers, title pages, table of contents and such are excluded from the page count.

7. Page 47, Factor 2 states, “Provide a proposed progress schedule outlining time frames and sequence of work for project completion, and the type and numbers of equipment anticipated for the project.”

a. Would the government clarify what format they are looking to see this progress schedule (i.e. ghantt chart type schedule or a list of milestones, etc.)?

Answer: Gantt chart type schedule

b. If offers are to provide a ghantt chart schedule, can offerors submit their progress schedule on an 11x17 page?

Answer: Yes

8. Are 11x17 size pages allowed for submittal and if so will each 11x17 page be counted as one page or two pages?

Answer: Yes, 11X17 is allowable and will be counted as a single page.

9. Would the government consider excluding the progress schedule from the page count?

Answer: Yes, the progress schedule is hereby excluded from the page count.

10. Page 15 section C-7 states, “The Contractor shall submit with the initial proposal a complete list of biobased products, indicating the name of the manufacturer, cost of each material, and the intended use of each of the materials that are to be used in carrying out the requirements of this contract (see Section L, Clause L- * - Instructions for the Preparation of Technical and Business Proposals).” Where is this list to be captured in the proposal? If in the technical proposal, would the government consider excluding the biobased product list from the page count?

Answer: The contractor shall submitted the information required by Paragraph C-7 separate from their technical proposal. This information will not count against any page count.

11. Page 46, section L-5 a.4.i states that offers are to provide “1 copy of the completed signed offer (sections A through K of the solicitation package).” Is it the intent of the government for bidders to provide only the required information within those sections to be submitted (i.e. SF 1442, Biobased products list, Bid Bond, Section K representations and certifications)?

Answer: It is the contractor’s responsibility to provide a complete, responsive proposal. Ensure that all required information has been provided within the submitted proposal.

12. SF 1442 indicates that bidders are to provide a bid bond with their proposal, Is this to be captured in the Signed offer proposal? (see section page 46, section L-5 a.4.i) Answer: Yes, Bid Bonds are required per FAR 52.228-1.

13. With the uncertainties of what restrictions the COVID-19 will bring, would the government please consider allowing bidders to submit their proposals via email in lieu of hard copy submittals?

Answer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic electronic submission of proposals is allowed. See block 9b for email point of contact information. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure the Government received their submitted proposal by the solicitation due date.

14. Contractor respectfully requests inclusion of a FAR 16.203 Economic Price Adjustment type provision or other such similar provision to accommodate cost that may arise due to excused schedule delays or market pricing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Will the government grant such provision as part of this solicitation? Contractor recognizes that the Economic Price Adjustment provisions under 16.203 should be modified to better accommodate the risks being addressed to include establishing thresholds and limits, and costs associated by delay and associated “ready state” costs contemplated by recent federal legislation.

Answer: The Government will not include any economic price adjustment clause in this solicitation or any resultant contract.

15. Page 48, Section L-5 Factor 3 states, “Provide qualifications of individuals including special education, experience, training, certifications, etc.” for the key personnel. Is the intent that offerors are to provide key personnel bios to meet this requirement or is the government looking for resumes?

Answer: Bios or resumes are acceptable as long as the types of qualifications identified in the solicitation are listed.

a. If resumes are expected, will the government allow these to be presented as an appendix outside of the page limit restrictions?

Answer: Yes

16. The project specifications for the referenced project identifies Compaction Method C. This method allows compaction to be achieved with the hauling and spreading equipment. With the selection of this compaction method, is the Forest Service have any concerns of cross contaminating areas between the cleanup area and the mine waste repository?

Answer: No

17. Does the Forest Service require a certain percentage compaction for the materials placed?

Answer: There is no “% of dry density” requirement for compaction. Please refer to the compaction methods descriptions in Specification 204.05 – Mine Waste Consolidation and Cover Soil Compaction.

18. How many boulders/rocks do you expect to be salvaged and placed?

Answer: There is no estimate for the number of boulders/rocks (>24”) to be salvaged. The Contractor should use their judgement based on their knowledge of the site from the pre-solicitation site visit when accounting for this requirement.

19. Do you want the borrow area seeded and fertilized?

Answer: Yes

20. If the soil test results from the borrow area do not meet requirements, is there an alternative borrow area?

Answer: No

21. Is the location of Browns Pond noted on any of the drawing provided in the proposal package?

Answer: No. Brown’s Pond is located approximately 5 miles south of the USFS boundary where it crosses the S. Cave Hills Road/Tufte Road/FSR3120.

22. Specification Section 625.05 (Composting) directs the Contractor to apply compost evenly with a mechanical (compost or manure) spreader calibrated to apply compost at a thickness of 1 inch on the Bluff A grading areas. Additionally, Section 625.05 directs the Contractor to use an appropriately sized disc implement that is calibrated to ensure the compost is incorporated to a depth of 6 inches. A variety of calibration-ready mechanical spreaders and disc implements are available, but are designed for use in a much less demanding agricultural environment. Given the resultant slopes depicted in the cross-section drawings provided, safe navigation of agricultural equipment cannot be achieved throughout a large portion of the total project area requiring compost. Can the USFS define alternate means of spreading and incorporating compost within the areas that exceed the capabilities of agricultural equipment?

Answer: No, however the Contractor may propose alternate methods to achieve the specification requirements.

23. Although the elements needed to produce mature compost are locally available to the Riley Pass Project, analytical data to verify these elements fulfill the project requirements does not exist. The nearest source of compost material that can be verified as meeting the project requirements is located at the Landfill Facility in Rapid City, South Dakota. Given that appropriate analytical data is not available to verify the characteristics of compost sources local to the project and considering the inherent risks associated with applying and consolidating compost material on steep slopes, would the Government be willing to consider the use of Proganics Biotic Soil Media (or a similar product) in lieu of compost?

Answer: Yes, the Contractor may propose an alternate product to achieve the specification requirements for compost.

24. Specification Section 713.01 (Cover Soil) directs the Contractor to haul cover soil from a “Government provided source” and “furnish” material free of excess moisture, muck, frozen lumps, roots, sod or other deleterious material. In the event any of these unwanted materials are encountered, will the Contractor be required to screen the cover soil to remove the unwanted materials?

Answer: The Contractor is required to meet the specifications in the contract. The Borrow Source Investigation Report has been posted to the website, and the report may have useful information for the Contractor on the quality and characteristics of the Government provided source.

a. If so, will the USFS provide compensation for the screening activity or should the Contractor assume it is incidental to other work items?

Answer: No

25. The Schedule of Items provided in Section B-1 of the Riley Pass Solicitation defines an Estimated Quantity of 10,500 cubic yards for Item No. 20451, Subgrade Regrading. Sheets 106 and 107 of the Riley Pass Drawings contain Regrade Volume tables. When the total cut and fill volumes contained within these tables are compared, total a net volume of 12,341 cubic yards that will require regrading. What quantity should the Contractor assume is correct?

Answer: Contractor shall use contract quantities on the Schedule of Items for planning purposes. Payment is based on cut volume only.

26. Specification Section 713.01 (Cover Soil) states that the Government provided cover soil borrow shall conform to the following gradation specification:

a. Can the Contractor assume that the Government provided cover soil borrow currently meets these gradation requirements?

Answer: The Contractor is required to meet the specifications in the contract. The Borrow Source Investigation Report has been posted to the website, and the report may have useful information for the Contractor on the quality and characteristics of the Government provided source.

b. In the event oversize material is encountered, will the Contractor be required to screen the material to meet the gradation specification?

Answer: The Contractor is required to meet the specifications in the contract. The Borrow Source Investigation Report has been posted to the website, and the report may have useful information for the Contractor on the quality and characteristics of the Government provided source.

c. If so, will the USFS provide compensation for the screening activity or should the Contractor assume it is incidental to other work items?

Answer: No

27. Specification Section 713.01 (Cover Soil) states that the Government provided cover soil borrow shall conform to the following suitability requirements:

a. Can the Contractor assume that the Government provided cover soil borrow currently meets these suitability requirements?

Answer: The Contractor is required to meet the specifications in the contract. The Borrow Source Investigation Report has been posted to the website, and the report may have useful information for the Contractor on the quality and characteristics of the Government provided source.

b. In the event the suitability requirements are not achieved, will the Contractor be required to amend the cover soil borrow to meet the suitability requirements?

Answer: The Contractor is required to meet the specifications in the contract. The Borrow Source Investigation Report has been posted to the website, and the report may have useful information for the Contractor on the quality and characteristics of the Government provided source.

c. If so, will the USFS provide compensation for amending the material or should the Contractor assume it is incidental to other work items?

Answer: No compensation will be provided.

28. Paragraph F-2 is hereby changed to read

FROM:

F- 2 FAR 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984) (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10-calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 150 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

The following is added:

The estimated period of performance is from June 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.

TO:

F- 2 FAR 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984) (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 10-calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 114 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

The following is added:

Due to the current ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic the estimated period of performance is from July 8, 2020 through October 30, 2020. However, this period may begin earlier depending upon when the current restrictions are lifted. Additionally, the period may, at the Government’s discretion, be postponed till 2021. The Government will decide no later than June 15, 2020 whether to start the work in the 2020 construction season or postpone it till 2021.

29. Paragraph L-4 is hereby changed to read:

FROM:

L- 4 Facsimile Proposals and E-Mail Proposals

(a) Definition. "Facsimile Proposal," as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via facsimile machine.

(b) Definition. “E-Mail Proposal,” as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision, or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via e-mail.

(c) Offerors may not submit facsimile proposals or e-mail proposals as responses to this solicitation. Proposals received by fax or e-mail will not be considered.

TO:

L- 4 Facsimile Proposals and E-Mail Proposals

(a) Definition. "Facsimile Proposal," as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via facsimile machine.

(b) Definition. “E-Mail Proposal,” as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision, or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via e-mail.

(c) Offerors may not submit facsimile proposals as responses to this solicitation. Proposals received by fax will not be considered.

(d) Email proposals are acceptable and encouraged. It is the offerors’ responsibility to ensure the Government has received their proposal by the solicitation due date. The Contracting Officer’s contact information may be located within block 9 on the SF1442.

30. Specification Section 150.03 is hereby changed to read:

FROM:

The Contractor may supply a water source for water to be used for dust control and other purposes or the Contractor may choose to use a Government-supplied water source (Brown’s Pond). All proposed water sources must be approved by the Contracting Officer. Payment for Dust Control is only for applying water on National Forest System land roads or for water used in compacting mine wastes.

TO:

The Contractor shall supply a water source for water to be used for dust control and other purposes. All proposed water sources must be approved by the Contracting Officer. Payment for Dust Control is only for applying water on National Forest System land roads or for water used in compacting mine wastes.