LMIR-QandA1-26.pdf

Land Management Integrated Resources BPA 12363N23Q4023

Questions and Answers Current as of 01/26/2023

1. The technical proposal instructions reference Mandatory Work Items and Optional Work Items.

Which items are mandatory, and which are optional?

a. Those will be listed at the call order level.

2. The technical approach instructions state “Clearly describe how you and/or your subcontractors will meet both the project objectives and minimize resource damage.” Should the technical approach describe a specific project? If so, can you provide additional details?

a. No, just general description of how the work you do gets completed. We are not referring to a specific project.

3. Page 27 of the solicitation references Appendix C (Road Maintenance Requirements and the

Road Maintenance Specifications). Can you provide Appendix C or clarify under which Schedule of Services this requirement would apply?

a. Amended to: Contractor shall maintain roads, commensurate with Contractor’s use, in accordance with Road Maintenance Requirements and the Road Maintenance Specifications per location/region.

4. Cultural and Heritage Resource Surveys and Studies are included under both the NEPA Scope document (attachment 7) and the Cultural Resources Scope document (attachment 2). Can you clarify if or how the cultural work described under attachment 7 would be different than that described under attachment 2?

a. One may be prior to a project and one may be the entirety of a project. If you have interest in that scope of work it is best to put pricing for both.

5. Page 44 states: “Provide a general plan for the sequence of work, including an estimated start date and completion date for both the Mandatory and Optional work items.” Is there a sample project which start and completion date information should be provided for?

a. No

6. Page 43 of the solicitation states: “A firm’s completion and submission of a unit price and total amount beginning on page 2 of the subject solicitation’s Schedule of Items constitutes the fulfillment of the Government’s price proposal requirements under this solicitation.” Page 2 does not include unit pricing information, please clarify what is requested.

a. Correction, page 5

7. Page 45 provides information on how the technical approach will be evaluated but appear to be specific to a stewardship contract. Please confirm this information is accurate.

a. Updated

8. Please describe what the Designation by Description refers to on page 45 of the solicitation.

a. Removed

9. Page 4 of the solicitation states: “Refer to Section 50 for instructions on preparing your proposal and pricing.”. Where can Section 50 be found?

a. Removed

10. Please confirm that offeror’s are not required to provide unit prices for all items in the schedule of services.

a. Per page 46, All pay items on the Schedule of Items that the contractor would like consideration for must be priced in order to be considered for award. Contractors are not required to include pricing for all items listed.

11. Page 16 states: “Quality assurance plans specific to individual items will be found in Appendix

A.” Appendix A is also referenced on Page 16. Please provide Appendix A.

a. Updated see amendment

12. Page 16 states: “Specifications for timber removal can be found in Appendix B.” Please provide Appendix B.

a. Updated see amendment

13. Page 8 states Contractors must complete Attachment B which lists every forest and grassland by State. Is this sentence referring to Attachment 9?

a. Typo that was corrected.

14. Can the NAICS code be changed at the call order level in relation so the scope. Yes, sam.gov only allows us to choose one NAICS code so we list the one that covers the majority of items.

We can use this NAICS code or a more specific NAICS code at the call order level. The intent of this posting is to get contractors on the base BPA and then specifications and details can be made at the call order level based on what the scope of work is.

15. Do you know the historical utilization frequency for fixed wing aircraft providing seeding and spraying services? I am unsure of that answer, but the specifications will be listed at the call order level. This is just general information to build the base contractor pool. I was not given those details.

16. 1) Are there incumbent BPA contracts or is this a newly created BPA? No, new BPA

2) If there are incumbent BPA contracts, who are the incumbent contractors and their contract numbers? No, new BPA

17. 3) If this is a newly created BPA, under what previous contracts were the services under this BPA previously purchased/contracted for? You can search for other BPAs on sam.gov

4) INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFERS AND OTHER INFORMATION, pp. 43-46:

Question: Are there any formatting or layout requirements? (e.g. page count limitation, margins, font, font size, spacing, etc.) No

5) INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFERS AND OTHER INFORMATION, pp. 43-46:

Question: How does an offeror indicate which scope areas it wishes to bid on? On the pricing starting on page 5 and on the locations spreadsheet (attachment 9)

a) If an offeror's interest in bidding on a particular scope area indicated by the offeror bidding on some of the 70 item numbers under the Schedule of Services, can the Government clarify which item numbers in the Schedule of Services belongs to each of the 8 scope areas. Please read the amendment which discusses this.

b) If an offeror's interest in bidding on a particular scope area indicated by the offeror bidding on some of the 70 item numbers under the Schedule of Services, would bidding on just one item number within a scope area constitute an indication of the offeror's interest in that scope area, so that the offeror would need to address that scope area in their Technical Approach?

Please read the amendment which discusses this.

6) 1. TECHNICAL APPROACH, Work Activity Plan, p. 44: The solicitation states: "Work Activity

Plan. Clearly describe how you and/or your subcontractors will meet both the project objectives and minimize resource damage. Include an explanation about how you have determined this approach, and what coordination will occur between the various operations." This is a BPA.

Does the Government wish a work activity plan for the BPA itself at the level of the BPA? Or does the Government wish a hypothetical work activity plan for each of the scope areas under the BPA being bid by the offeror, such as Project Management Scope, Cultural Resource Scope, Botanical Survey Scope, etc.? Hypothetical, meant to not be too specific as that will happen at the call order level. Just trying to figure out who can do the work in general and their general experience in the scope of work.

a) If for the scope areas, since there is no sample call order which offerors are responding to, how should offerors decide what services are in the hypothetical call order that the work activity plan is addressing? All are hypothetical, just general information is being requested.

No project specifics.

b) If the work activity plan is for the BPA at the level of the BPA, what is considered the "project objectives" of the BPA? And what does "minimize resource damage" mean in the context of the BPA? Also, what is meant by "various operations"? It means to not damage anything in the area, trees, roads, etc. If there are multiple aspects to the scope happening at the same time.

7) 1. TECHNICAL APPROACH, Method, p. 44: The solicitation states: "Method. Describe the method or combination of methods you plan to utilize to accomplish the Mandatory Work Items and any of the Optional Work Items that you anticipate necessary, dependent on your operations." This is a BPA. Does the Government wish methods for the BPA itself at the level of the BPA? Or does the Government wish methods for each of the scope areas under the BPA being bid by the offeror, such as Project Management Scope, Cultural Resource Scope, Botanical Survey Scope, etc.? Methods to cover all areas of scope contractor is interested in.

a) What are the "Mandatory Work Items"? (Under "Land Management Activities" on p. 9, it states "All Base Work Activities (Mandatory) shall be performed." However, Base Work Activities are not identified in any of the documents -- at least there are no references to the term "base work activities" in the solicitation documents and attachments.) These will be determined at the call or level.

b) What are the "Optional Work Items"? (Under "Land Management Activities" on p. 9, it states "Optional activities are listed in order of planned priority. Award may be made for optional items in any order that the Contracting Officer determines is in the best interest of the

Government." However, optional activities are not identified in any of the documents -- at least there are no references to the term "optional activities" in the solicitation documents and attachments.) Same as answer above.

8) 1. TECHNICAL APPROACH, Equipment, p. 44: The solicitation states: "Equipment. Describe the equipment you will use to accomplish the Mandatory Work Items and the Optional Work Items that will be necessary dependent on your operations. Include make and model of proposed equipment." This is a BPA. Does the Government wish equipment for the BPA itself at the level of the BPA? Or does the Government wish equipment for each of the scope areas under the BPA being bid by the offeror, such as Project Management Scope, Cultural Resource

Scope, Botanical Survey Scope, etc.? If equipment is required it can be a general list of what you may use per scope.

a) If for the scope areas, since there is no sample call order which offerors are responding to, how should offerors decide what equipment is necessitated by the hypothetical call order that the work activity plan is addressing? All of this is meant to be a general description to ensure that the contractor can complete the scope of work. Details and specifications will be listed at the call order level.

9) 1. TECHNICAL APPROACH, Key Personnel, p. 44: The solicitation states: "Key Personnel. List the names and proposed duties of key personnel who will be assigned to the various work items of the project." This is a BPA. Which positions has the Government designated as key personnel on the BPA? Or is this key personnel for hypothetical call orders for each scope area an offeror is bidding? In which case, how should an offeror determine what the key personnel positions are for such hypothetical call orders? List people that may be working on specific calls for the scope of work.

10) 1. TECHNICAL APPROACH, Timing, p. 44: The solicitation states: "Timing. Provide a general plan for the sequence of work, including an estimated start date and completion date for both the Mandatory and Optional work items." This is a BPA. Does the Government wish the timing for the BPA itself at the level of the BPA? Or does the Government wish the timing for each of the scope areas under the BPA being bid by the offeror, such as Project Management Scope, Cultural Resource Scope, Botanical Survey Scope, etc.? Each call may require more detail, but this is not meant to be super specific. General timeframes.

a) If for the scope areas, since there is no sample call order which offerors are responding to, how should offerors decide what tasks are necessitated by the hypothetical call order that the work activity plan is addressing, so that the offeror propose a timing for those hypothetical tasks? If you want to do the scope of work, list that information in general. The BPA is not meant to be that specific at the base BPA level.

11) 2. RELEVANT PAST PERFORMANCE, p. 44: The solicitation states: "The technical proposal must address past performance for both the Offeror and any proposed major subcontractors."

What is the minimum and the maximum number of past performances an offeror must provide for Prime contractor and subcontractors? No, minimum or maximum.

12) 2. RELEVANT PAST PERFORMANCE, p. 44: The solicitation states: "(a) Submit a list of similar project work that has been completed by your firm or any of your proposed subcontractors in the last 3 years." In "2. Relevant Past Performance", p. 45, the solicitation states, "The Government will consider the relevance of past performance information obtained in relation to the scope of this procurement with respect to both similar efforts, and the length, scope, number, complexity, and diversity of contracts completed by the firm." This is a BPA covering multiple scope areas. What would constitute "similar work" and "similar efforts" at the BPA level? Or is the Government seeking relevant past performance for every scope area which an offeror wishes to bid on? This should cover any area of scope you wish to be included for in some capacity. If you want to lump some areas together under a theme that works.

13) 2. RELEVANT PAST PERFORMANCE, p. 44: The solicitation states: "(a) Submit a list of similar project work that has been completed by your firm or any of your proposed subcontractors in the last 3 years. Experience should be within the past 5 years." Please explain Any experience within the past 5 years, and work completed within the past 3 years. It could have started within the past 5, but the more recent or recent completion is preferred.

14) 1. Technical Approach, p. 44: The solicitation states: "How well proposed operations will meet safety considerations?" This is a BPA. Does the Government wish safety considerations for the BPA itself at the level of the BPA? Or does the Government wish safety considerations for each of the scope areas under the BPA being bid by the offeror, such as Project Management

Scope, Cultural Resource Scope, Botanical Survey Scope, etc.? Safety plan will be requested at the call order level.

a) If for the scope areas, since there is no sample call order which offerors are responding to, how should offerors decide what tasks are necessitated by the hypothetical call order that the work activity plan is addressing, so that the offeror identify safety considerations for those hypothetical tasks? Safety plan will be requested at the call order level.

15) 1. Technical Approach, p. 44: The solicitation states: "How quality assurance will be monitored and documented for each bid item." This is a BPA. Are the "bid items" the item numbers under the Schedule of Services on pp. 5-8? Therefore, does the Government wish quality assurance procedures for each of the 70 item numbers under Schedule of Services (pp.

5-8), for which the offeror is bidding? So for example, quality procedure for item #3, "Equipment Team Leader", quality procedure for item #26 "NEPA", etc.? A general quality assurance plan that covers every item you choose to put a quote in for should suffice.

16) Schedule of Services, pp. 5-8: The Schedule of Services only has a single column for hourly rate, so that only one rate may be given for each of the 70 item numbers. However, there are 10 "proposed areas for coverage". How can an offeror provide different prices/rates for different areas of coverage? If an offeror provides different rates for different areas of coverage, then how will this be evaluated in the price evaluation? Pricing for this BPA (starting on page 5) should be a loaded hourly rate for each labor category. The intent is for projects to be bid by the lump sum and not per hour. The pricing is for evaluation purposes solely and does not constitute a final pricing. The pricing listed will determine if contractors are awarded to the pool of this BPA. The call order level will require firm fixed pricing and the quotes received with each call order are binding.

18. 17) 48. STATE AND FEDERAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, p. 59: The solicitation states, "Contractors not currently having a license, who are required by (STATE TBD) law to be licensed, will be requested to furnish proof of having obtained a license (for each partnership) prior to issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Failure to provide proof of license prior to Notice to Proceed will result in termination of the Contractor's right to proceed for default for failure to comply with applicable State law." Is an awardee of the BPA required to have a license from every state for which that awardee has bid on at the BPA level, and must show evidence of this before the NTP of the BPA? Or is having the proper license for a state before the NTP of a given call order, being referred to here? Required at the call order. Notice to proceeds are not given at the base BPA level as they are not contracts. The call orders are contracts.

19. Page 44 states that offerors shall submit their proposals with: “ (ii) Technical

Proposal/Documentation (Benefit to the Local Community and Past Performance).” What benefit to the local community documentation should be submitted with our proposal? Not required, will be removed. Past Performance only required.

20. Page 44 states: “The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.” Can you elaborate on how total price for options and basic requirements is calculated, given that only rates are requested? That applies at the call order level. This will be evaluated per each scope.

21. Starting on page 12, there are 47 service areas listed and there are 76 service areas listed in

Attachment 9. Can you provide information on how all service areas in attachment 9 correspond to each scope document, or should the offeror make those assumptions in the proposal? The services should be listed, but some are lumped together. The spreadsheet is a more detailed breakdown for our purposes when we go to the call orders. I recommend just marking what you want to ensure you are included on in both documents.

22. Page 43 states: “Proposals shall be submitted as two separate documents - a technical proposal and a price proposal..” Please confirm you would like proposals to include a third separate document (attachment 9), as described on page 2. Confirmed, The third document is the spreadsheet.

23. Page 45 states “A firm’s completion and submission of a unit price and total amount beginning on page 5 of the subject solicitation’s Schedule of Items constitutes the fulfillment of the

Government’s price proposal requirements under this solicitation.” How would total amount be provided given only per hour rates are requested? Pricing for this BPA (starting on page 5) should be a loaded hourly rate for each labor category. The intent is for projects to be bid by the lump sum and not per hour. The pricing is for evaluation purposes solely and does not constitute a final pricing. The pricing listed will determine if contractors are awarded to the pool of this BPA. The call order level will require firm fixed pricing and the quotes received with each call order are binding.

24. Page 2 states: “See Instructions for Submissions (starting on page 50)” Should this reference page 43? Should be page 43.

25. Given the most recent amendment, would the government it consider an extension of the offer due date? No, Feb 1 is when awards will be started, but it is open continuous for the life of the BPA. Feb 1 is not a deadline.