A001. 05262023 Site Visit Q&A.pdf

NELDER GROVE STEWARDSHIP IRSC PRE-BID TOUR

BASS LAKE RD SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

SOLICITATION #12363N23Q4117

MAY 26, 2023

QUESTIONS: ANSWERS:

Are road construc�on requirements according to the Davis Bacon wage?

Yes

Are payment bonds required for road construc�on?

Payment and performance bonds are required for construc�on projects greater than $150,000 and shall be provided within 10 days of award.

Item 11 is in Cubic Yards UOM, can it be in tons since it’s much easier to work with?

We will look into that

What work needs to be done by Sept. 23rd?

(Or is it 24th?)

Item 11 needs to be completed by 9/1/2023

Will there be access a�er this mee�ng to the sale area, and will the gate be closed/locked?

Give your informa�on to PR if you want access a�er this mee�ng. A form will have to be filled out and signed by District Ranger.

Access information was shared with interested Contractors. If you would like access, please contact Jim Simmons and Matt Daigle. Contact information for them is posted on the SAM Solicitation.

If the area is officially closed, do we need a special note to visit on our own and walk behind the gate?

Jim asked that they provide their contact informa�on and Jim will check with the District Ranger and Law Enforcement Officer on their recommenda�ons. Jim will respond later. No�ce was sent out to how to access Nelder Grove during the closure

Will COR need to approve of all pile loca�ons?

Yes, will determine procedure in pre-work mee�ng.

What is the maximum size of piles?

See Appendix A

Slash or logs that have no room to be piled, can it be removed to another loca�on?

Disposal sites can be discussed at pre-work mee�ng or in the field. If the Contractor wants to remove, they can in the mechanical units as TSA.

What’s the specs for piling along SMZ’s?

See appendix A, pg. 3, pg. 4

15% no treat, will FS want mapping beforehand or during opera�ons?

The Contractor will be responsible to ensure there is 15% untreated for each unit. Will be determined during pre-work mee�ng

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MAY 26, 2023

Is it the responsibility for the contractor to find every Giant Sequoia?

Save all that you see. If lower than ground cover/ brush level it may be impossible to iden�fy, make a good honest effort to avoid damaging saplings. If you see it, go around it, in the mas�ca�on treatment area will be iden�fied see appendix A

Can we helicopter log in unit 66 If you do, recommend having two proposals, one with helicopter and one with mechanical.

In areas where full suspension is required, where will the slash go in unit 66?

We have disposal sites iden�fied where it can be piled.

Will we allow constructed Helicopter landing?

yes

Snag Requirements? All snags will be cut except ones needed to meet wildlife needs, stubs less then 10� do not need to be cut. See solicita�on

Will Monarch snags be counted for snag reten�on?

Monarch snags will not be counted for snag reten�on and will not be cut.

What’s the Monarch tree treatment?

See appendix A.

Can old unstable dead trees be felled at a higher stump height?

Due to safety, can it be discussed with COR to cut at higher heights. yes, stubs under 10 feet do not have to be cut

Is there anything special for helicopter PALS?

No, it’s all the same.

Is there a published Budget? No

Timing of amendments?

When is the last date for ques�ons to be submited and answered?

ASAP

Problema�c parking in Nelder Grove area?

We will do our best to shut the sale area down to the public but however this is an area the public usually visits, and they may walk up past the gate. So be aware of visitors on site.

What to do with fuel on the ground?

Cut and pile. What we don’t want to mas�cate the exis�ng or ac�vity generated fuels on the ground See appendix A for performance requirements.

Do they need FS permission to create a hole or just use their judgement?

Yes, they need permission, will discuss during pre-work mee�ng

Cu�ng snags? All snags will be cut except ones needed to meet wildlife needs, stubs less then 10� do not need to be cut.

Decking some material rather than TP piles in this area (s�ll at the first stop/unit)

Under 20” hand piled. 15’ distance from streams.

Make a wildlife pile (not to burn). No decking

Unit 3: Creek is high, no existing crossing. So we’re not going there today.

NO, hand treatment area.

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MAY 26, 2023

Q: Can a temp bridge be made to get a skidder over creek?

Pre-exis�ng fuel

Pile pre-exis�ng fuel

Ac�vity created material See appendix A Unit 3: Can we machine pile in here?

NO

Unit 2/ SMZ: Grapple, Soil, erosion, compac�on?

Yes, not within the 15� from the high-water mark

Buffer Mark Not marked or flagged, use digital line. Buffer applied to the center line of creek.

(Hydro, water level)

2nd stop along Sugar Pine Road (6s90)

What’s expected here?

Mas�ca�on area, grind it out, sub-surfaces, open soil for re-foresta�on. Using equipment is OK. There’s granite out here.

Might have to cut some hazard if too close to the road. You map out your 15%

What if you have 20% of unworkable ground?

It’s a case-by-case scenario, hand piling etc. (JS) If this becomes 25-30% could be problema�c if you really can’t get there. (JR) Would be expected to do all the work possible.

We will get into the finite details during the pre-work mee�ng where we will come to agreement.

What if there is 20% of wild retained, due to exis�ng condi�ons? Can the PCT be completed by hand and use the excavator to reach and remove the logs? If there is greater than 15% not treated due to rocky, steep, wet, ac�ve nes�ng area that can’t be treated.

If the contractor can mechanically reach in and pull-out brush roots and or logs and work was atempted to meet the requirements, then the COR, CO and Contractor will talk to see how to pay, it depends but if the contractor does there best effort to meet the req then I think we would pay.

One contractor stated that he would use a shovel (excavator with a special type of grabbing head) to pull the bush and root ball out of the ground and not mas�cate the deer brush.

This can be an acceptable treatment.

How long will it take for you to do the flagging for the giant sequoias?

We’ll get as many people as possible to get this done, (MA) guaran�es it done in 7 days

Unit 66 Are we helicopter logging, is it allowed here?

We might be able to helicopter log. We don’t want to skin up the tree canopy. Because of complica�ons of logging in the Grove, a bidder might be considered according to their ability to accomplish this task. (JR)

SOLICITATION #12363N23Q4117

MAY 26, 2023

Expecta�ons in this site? We’re requiring full suspension. Once we move out of the arch site, you’re good. There is a disposal site up the hill which will require hauling material from this recrea�on area (MA)

We will work with you on skid trails/roads to accomplish this task. Any equipment crossings will be delineated and agreed upon to least disturbance of the site. (JS)

What is acreage of the arch site por�on of the 31-acre rec area (unit 66)?

24 acre

Where does the material go?

Outside of the Arch sites?

Either remove as product or pile at disposal loca�ons outside of the arch area

Concerns about access for the helicopter fuel delivery truck driving through the campground.

Are there any other landing sites nearby?

Yes we have located an area on Speckerman ridge at the end of road 5S38.

BULL BUCK TRAIL/CHIMNEY TREE

TRAIL

By the creek

Expecta�ons? This side gets padded, Rock feathering before moving forward.

Moved on to trail up a hill outside of arc site

Can pile in rec area outside of the resource protec�on area.

Removal of dead materials in the big Sequoia’s

Hand and helicopter work here. Some logs can’t be helicoptered out, they’ll fall apart. There are 4 logs per acre you will leave for habitat. The rest comes out. Hand work, hand fuels. Refer to Appendix A for performance requirements.

Can we fly stuff and drop them here?

Maybe

What do we do with historic stumps?

Clean up around historical stumps. If it’s giant Sequoia protect it.

Do you have a plan B if no one bids on this?

Repackaging (JR)

Have you considered piecemealing this out since this is such an enormous sale and �me constraints? Who has the $ to finance 5 sides?

Possibly, but would rather take onboard one bidder the contract is not set up that way.

This project was set up for multiple awards. Contractors are encouraged to team together to complete during performance period.

With �me constraints, there’s concern about pulling unqualified people to fall the trees rushing to complete this project. This is great pressure

The contract has accepted the responsibili�es of the contract, it is up to the contract to have qualified personal.

What is happening with the Monarch trees?

Within the canopy of the Monarch trees, last fall all the snags were cut and felled. Some of the Monarchs have been cleared of

SOLICITATION #12363N23Q4117

MAY 26, 2023

the felled snags and green trees that were growing underneath of the canopy and some of the Monarchs s�ll need work to be completed underneath the canopy.

SOLICITATION #12363N23Q4117

MAY 26, 2023

Field Notes, Ques�ons and Contact Informa�on

Mee�ng Loca�on: 0900 hrs. Baterson Work Center, Oakhurst California notes taken by Francey Blaugrund

COR Jim Simmons reviewed the requirements of the IRSC using maps and prepared notes (see atached), safety concerns for both today’s field trip and contract administra�on, travel, encouraged ques�ons and asked the Contractors to share their exper�se to complete the requirements. Jim provided maps of the Heritage concerns to be used just for the field trip and it was collected at Nelder Campground before we moved to the next site.

Nelder Grove is presently closed to the public and the gate is locked. Public foot traffic to see the giant sequoias has been witnessed. No public access will be permited during the contract implementa�on.

Thirty-eight interested individuals atended the Baterson mee�ng. Two clipboards were available, and 25 contractors signed in and provided their company name and contact informa�on.

Stop #1 North of Road 6S47Y: Hiked up the closed to the public spur road that was very muddy with over land water flow. Meadow condi�ons to the north is extremely wet with lots of water.

Project Objec�ves - Hand work in DFPZ in green stands and SMZ areas.

Stop #2 Intersec�on of Road 6S47Y and Road 6S90. DFPZ: In the Fall 2022, the snags were hand felled and piled with excavators using Viper Fire contractor ordering system for contract work. Reviewed the project objec�ves for the first 150’ and addi�onal 150’; clean up the exis�ng smaller fuels, mas�cate approximately 78 acres, protect Giant Sequoia natural regenera�on. A�er the addi�onal snags are felled the USFS will have one week to flag the “save/protect” Giant Sequoias before the “mas�ca�on” site prep ac�vity.

The site prep work will retain15% wild per treatment area to meet the Wildlife Rx. Reviewed the specialist legal requirements for the Fisher, Owls, and other wildlife protec�on measures. Forest Service received enough money from Congress and the Chief of the Forest Service to complete the emergency response project.

Next Stop- In Nelder Grove – Op�onal Item Unit #66 Recrea�on Site

Bids are welcome for the Op�onal Item. The contractor’s bid proposal needs to provide a price and to state how they plan to protect the Giant Sequoia’s, Monarch trees, large stumps, and residual natural regenera�on. Jim wants the residual stand to have no bole damage and looks good. COR will designate the skid trails that cross the linear sites. Heritage sites will be pre-approved by Marie Mogge BLRD Archaeologist. Professional Heritage Monitors will be hired and on site to approve Heritage Site boundaries.

Landing Stop on Road 5S19B to Leaning Tree - Inside the Nelder Grove boundary DFPZ high severity burn area 18 acres for opera�ons.

SOLICITATION #12363N23Q4117

MAY 26, 2023

The dead trees need to be hand felled except those that meet the leave tree requirements per acre. The spur road to reach this area is expected to receive rock for beter access for service vehicles. Presently the road is the full of re-routed water.

The heli logs will be burned at the designated burn site. No teepee shape heli piles are required. Carson Johnson stated that there will be no choker seters and the helicopter pilot will control the grapples atached to the end of the long line to pick up and release the logs. Heli service landing needs to be 150’ by 150 feet. Ideally it needs to be within 2 air miles from the contract work.

If equipment needs to travel in sensi�ve areas, permission is needed from the Arch Monitor, use rubber tracks, or have a padding for the tracks to walk on.

Unit #66 is both a sensi�ve area, within the recrea�on site and outside of the recrea�on site. Protect Monarchs, giant sequoia down logs and exis�ng large stumps, cabins, and other improvements.

Stop #5 Chimney trail and Bullbuck trail vicinity was stop #5. Discussion using the Helicopter collect and fly out snags 150 feet from the trail, exis�ng dead and down with zero damage to Monarch and regen Giant Sequoia. Smallest piece to remove 20 inches large end by 12 feet length fly limit.

Can material be flown into the open area within the green helicopter in unit 11?

Answer: Careful with pile placement and during pile burning opera�ons so no damage to the residual green trees, historical stumps, and dead Giant Sequoias. No treatment along California Creek as it is a corridor for the Fisher. This may be something agreed to.

How will the Nelder Grove IRSC be re-packaged if No bids are received for the contract work? We will wait to see what happens.

Phase the work areas. Contractors will provide their opera�onal schedule. Helicopter and hand work need to plan together. Start work where there are NO LOPs near Giant Sequoia’s.

Did not look at Stop #7 hand work unit.

Cellutreat/sporax to treat flush cut stumps of green and dead trees with brown needles. Track chemical use for the Madera County Ag Office monthly report. Will need a Qualified California State Applicators License

Unit #3 and Unit #11 is hand falling.

Prepared by

Francey Blaugrund

5/30/23