C05a_QA_1232SA26Q1515.pdf

PDF 2 MB Posted Sep 22, 2026

Attached to: Tree Removal and Pruning
Solicitation number: 1232SA26Q1515
Issued by: Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

About this file

Written by GovTribe AI · Sep 22, 2026

This file is Attachment 3 - Questions and Answers for a U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) tree pruning and removal contract.

The government will procure tree care services consisting of pruning 24 trees and removing 145 trees at the USNA Arboretum, with work to be completed within six months of contract award. Stump processing requires grinding to 6 inches below ground level unless directed otherwise by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The pruning line carries a single flat unit price applicable to all 24 trees regardless of size, while removal line items are tiered by diameter at breast height, with the largest tier encompassing 29 trees over 35 inches in diameter. All debris—including chipped mulch and stockpiled logs—will be stored on the USNA campus at government-designated locations with no tipping fees; the USNA will provide alternate sites if capacity is exceeded. The government intends to issue a complete priority task list identifying all 169 trees immediately upon contract award. The contractor bears responsibility for traffic and pedestrian control, working with Arboretum staff and facilities to determine appropriate safety measures including barricade placement and road closures. No weight restrictions apply to heavy equipment (cranes, bucket trucks, log haulers) on USNA roads, bridges, or trail surfaces. Site-specific conditions regarding soil, load-bearing requirements, and underground utilities will be addressed individually per location. The proposal due date and time is 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on September 23, 2026, and a tree location map has been provided to support accurate pricing and logistical assessment.

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Other files

File	Type	Posted
C05_SF30_1232SA26Q1515.pdf	PDF	Sep 22, 2026
C04a_SOW_1232SA26Q1515.pdf	PDF	Sep 17, 2026
C04_Terms and Conditions_1232SA26Q1515.pdf	PDF	Sep 17, 2026
C04b_Wage Determination_1232SA26Q1515.pdf	PDF	Sep 17, 2026

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Attachment 3 - Questions and Answers

1. Stump Processing Requirements (SOW Sections 1 & 5): The Statement of Work and Price Schedule specify "Tree Cutting and Removal" across Line Items 0002–0004. Could the Government clarify whether stumps must be ground below grade (and if so, to what depth in inches), or if flush-cutting trees at or near ground level satisfies the removal standard?

Answer: If grinding is required the depth would be 6” below the ground level.

2. Debris Capacity & Off-Site Disposal Logistics (SOW Section 8): SOW Section 8 directs the contractor to chip small debris into mulch and stockpile larger logs at designated USNA on-site locations. Does the Arboretum have sufficient designated staging capacity to receive all mulch and log stockpiles generated from all 169 trees (24 prunings and 145 removals), or should offerors budget for off-site hauling and disposal fees in the event on-site capacity is exceeded?

Answer: All debris will be stored on the USNA Campus

3. Heavy Equipment & Ground Loading Restrictions (SOW Section 3.c): SOW Section 3.c mandates the use of turf protection mats for off-road equipment access. Are there specific gross vehicle weight (GVW) or axle weight limits on USNA internal paved roads, stone bridges, or unpaved trail surfaces that would restrict the placement or travel of heavy cranes, bucket trucks, or log haulers?

Answer: No restrictions

4. Task List Issuance & Phasing (SOW Section 4): SOW Section 4 states that the Government will provide a prioritized task list identifying work areas. Will the complete task list for all 169 trees be issued immediately upon contract award, or will work be released in phased task lists over the period of performance through March 30, 2027?

Answer: It is the government’s intent to provide a full priority list upon award

5. THE DUE DATE AND TIME. Block 8 of the SF 1449 reads 09/23/2026 1700 MT. The posting on SAM.gov carries a response date of 5:00 p.m. Eastern the same day, and the terms say quotes are due no later than the date and time indicated on SAM.gov. Those are two hours apart. Please confirm which governs. We are working to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, the earlier reading, until told otherwise.

Answer: The closing time is 5:00pm MT.

6. THE PRUNING LINE HAS NO SIZE TIER. The removal lines are tiered by diameter at breast height into three bands, but Pruning and Trimming is a single line of 24 each with one unit price covering every tree whatever its size. A storm-damaged forty-inch specimen and a ten-inch tree would price identically. Please confirm that a single flat unit price is intended for all 24, or whether the pruning line should be tiered like the removals.

If it is to stay flat, an indication of the size range in those 24 would let quoters price it honestly rather than defensively.

Answer: Stay Flat

7. 3. THE TOP REMOVAL TIER. On the price schedule the largest band is printed as 35"< , with the symbol before the number, while the SF 1449 describes the same line as greater than 35 inches. Please confirm that the 29 trees on that line are all over 35 inches in diameter.

Answer: They are over 35 inches

8. Question: Attachment A lists a specific quantity of trees for pruning (24) and removal (145). To help contractors accurately assess access, rigging requirements, and potential crane use for these specific trees, will the Government provide a tree map, GPS coordinates, inventory list, or physical tags identifying the subject trees? Without specific tree locations or a map prior to bidding, it is difficult to provide accurate Firm Fixed Pricing per tree.

Answer: The tree locations were addressed during the site visit but a map is attached.

9. Question: The SOW details the cutting, felling, and debris management of removed trees but does not specify the required final state of the remaining stumps. Please clarify if stumps must be ground down (and if so, to what depth below grade, and is backfilling/seeding required?). Alternatively, should stumps simply be cut flush to the ground?

Answer: Unless directed by the COR all stumps will be within 6” of ground level.

10. Question: During the site visit, the Point of Contact (POC) indicated that this would be an ongoing project spanning approximately six (6) months. However, the Statement of Work describes a one-time tree pruning and removal project with defined quantities. Could the Government clarify the official Period of Performance? Is this contract expected to be completed in a single consecutive work block upon award (e.g., within 30 to 60 days), or will the work be ordered incrementally over a 6-month period?

Answer: The trees removed shall be in accordance with the SOW and shall be completed within 6 months after contract award.

11. Question: The SOW mentions the use of "turf protection mats" where off-road access is required. Can the Government provide details on the soil conditions and the load-bearing requirements for equipment? Additionally, are there any known underground utilities (e.g., irrigation lines, electrical conduits) in the work zones that the contractor must be aware of prior to operating heavy equipment or performing stump grinding?

Answer: Each site is unique for various conditions and will be addressed per site.

12. Question: The Pricing Schedule notes that unit prices must include traffic/pedestrian control. Given that the Arboretum is a public facility, what is the expected level of closure required? Will the Government provide flaggers or support personnel, or is the contractor responsible for all signage, barricades, and traffic control personnel? If specific permits are required for road or trail closures, is the Government responsible for securing these, or is it the contractor's responsibility?

Answer: The contractor will work with the Arboretum Staff/Facilities to determine proper safety measures to include placement of barricades /closure of roads.

13. Question: The SOW states debris must be placed at a "Government-designated location within the Arboretum." Are there any tipping fees associated with these designated locations? If the designated onsite locations reach capacity, will the Government provide an alternative disposal site, or will the contractor be responsible for hauling debris off-site and paying associated disposal/tipping fees?

Answer: The USNA will provide alternate sites if the designated area fills beyond capacity. There are no fees.

Daniel.Jewett Oval

Daniel.Jewett Typewritten Text Zone 1

Daniel.Jewett Oval

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated Sep 22, 2026.