Amendment 003_Bovee Fire Fence Removal and Reconstruction_CO Signed.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT CONTRACT ID CODE

363N

PAGE OF PAGES

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

06/14/2023

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE |______363N_______

National Stewardship IRSC PPS 1400 Independence Ave, SW

MS-1138

Washington, DC 20250

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

Same as block 6.

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State, and ZIP Code)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

12363N23Q4177 X

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

05/17/2023 (Solicitation)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ x ] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers [ ] is extended, [ X ] is not extended.

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 Items 8 and 15, and returning _____ 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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 virture 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.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

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

THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

x D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) Unilateral Authority. Warrant: Professional B, Dated: 3/3/2023

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [ ] is not, [ x ] is required to sign this document and return __1___ copies to the issuing office.

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

The purpose of this Amendment #003: The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions asked by vendors at the prebid site visit tour on:

Date: 8 June 2023 Time: 1:00 PM (Central Time)

Location:

Bessey Ranger District Office (in front of the park area).

40637 River Loop Rd Halsey, NE 69142

See Page 2-6 for further Q&A.

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

DARREN M. ZYCHEK

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY: ____________________________________

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

30-105 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

DARREN ZYCHEK Digitally signed by DARREN ZYCHEK Date: 2023.06.14 11:29:39 -07'00'

Page 2 of 2 for Amendment 003 to 12363N23Q4177 Dated: 06/14/2023

1. Is there a way to split the H braces to a different sum of money instead of all lumped together?

Stays all lump sum or LS. The unit of measure frames the schedule line item as firm-fixed price.

2. Will you (Natalie) be doing the progress inspections for progress payments?

The COR reviews and signs off on progress payments and final payments. USDA policy and protocol.

3. Are there trees and can they be removed?

Read directly from the amendment saying “Only trees that are absolutely necessary to clear in order to preform fencing duties can be cut. Removing branches is preferable.

Dozers are NOT allowed, but smaller equipment like skid steers can be used. Trees can NOT be salvaged and must be left at the jobsite.”

There is no timber salvage on this project.

4. Can we use a masticator instead of cutting and leaving the trees?

No. Specifications and supporting Masticator equipment are not authorized.

5. Any way to know how many H braces and corners are involved?

Incumbent upon the offeror to use sound business judgment to accurately and adequately estimate the number of H braces that would be involved and to represent the cost in the total offer for the corresponding schedule item.

6. Can we drive hedge post in or do we have to drill and tamp?

No driving. Only drilling and tamping.

7. Is there a road on the cross fences?

No, but there are ATV and other roads close to it.

8. Do we need some kind of approval for driving off the roads?

Page 3 of 3 for Amendment 003 to 12363N23Q4177 Dated: 06/14/2023

The solicitation addresses this. There will need to be some kind of approval. Whether it is an official off-road permit or some kind of written approval will depend on the District Ranger.

1.) All vehicles must be registered and licensed at two points to be on Federal

Lands. A. At the state level. Which ever state the company is in. It must be titled and have a license plate. B. They will require a Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle sticker (OHV sticker). Covered under the FAR 52.236 Permits and Responsibilies Clause.

9. Is there any where we can stage materials?

Read straight out of the solicitation. “The Contractor can store all fence materials and equipment on the Forest in locations preapproved by the Forest Service. The Forest Service is not responsible for any materials or equipment lost, stolen, or damaged.”

Found on page nine of the solicitation. The contractor would be in contact with me on a location and would need approval from the Contracting Representative Officer and from the Contracting Officer.

This is incumbent upon an award acceptance and concurrence between the District Ranger and the Contracting Officer. Yes they can store equipment and supplies if the proper authorization at the District level under this contract award has been done. Need concurrence and written approval from the District Ranger. Formal original copy goes in the contract COR admin folder and a copy to the Contractor and a copy to me the Contracting Officer.

Stop 1: Dismal Trail Head

Showed the fence lines we where close to on the boundary map.

Questions at stop 1 Dismal trail head:

1. What is your classification of a deadman? Is it a buried post?

Hege post cut in half and buried. Not steel or concrete.

Page 1 of FSS Fencing Specs attachment:

2. I thought there would be a material sheet here, so my question is what type of wire can we use for deadman?

Page 4 of 4 for Amendment 003 to 12363N23Q4177 Dated: 06/14/2023

The wire is galvanized.

A contractor talked about different ways to build H braces with 12 gauged wire and double wrapping. Any changes will need to be proposed to the Contracting Officer.

This is a call that the technical representative will need to make. However, currently limited to what is in the specs sheet for the wire on page 1:

We took the contractors down the 203 road. We did not stop. The second stop was on the 212 road just past the 4-H Camp. I pointed out that some of the wire that needs to be removed is woven wire. I also made sure the contractors know that only the East fence along the 203 is in the contract. We ended the tour at this location.

Questions from the second stop:

1. Are we putting woven wire back in where there is currently woven wire?

No, just barbed wire (bottom wire smooth) will be going back in.

2. Does the gate closure have to be the u-style, or can we use a lever?

Reference the specifications and standards in the solicitation.

3. For the H braces can we use any metal or is only wood allowed?

H-braces will need to be made of wood. If the offeror is not going to use Hedge Posts for the H-brace, a treated would will be required that has equal or greater lifespan to a Hedge post. Creosote treated H-braces are not allowed.

Page 5 of 5 for Amendment 003 to 12363N23Q4177 Dated: 06/14/2023

4. Can we use steel or something straight (other than hedge) for the cross on the H braces?

No. They are wood. See comments above.

H Braces may be of an alternate treated wood instead of hedge posts. No creosote treated wood is allowed. Treated wood shall conform to the advertised specifications in the solicitation. Contractor must provide proof of treatment and concept that they will be equal to or greater in performance and longevity than hedge posts.

5. Can we use cat claws instead of staples?

Staples only. Government highly recommends Contractor utilize a staple gun versus hammer to ensure consistency and quality.

6. Do you want the staples out enough to allow for the fence to get stretched?

The wire should be fastened to the fence in a way that the wires can still be stretched. Reference solicitation specifications.

7. How straight does the line post have to be?

The fence specifications explain sufficient detail. Hedge post are rarely straight, but the contractor should use good post that are not too curvy, but some bend is allowed. Hedge Posts are to be used in the contract. Contractor will need to select the straightest posts prior to installation.

Posts need to be placed in the same or as close to configuration of the prior fence. Some deviation is allowed do to terrain and existing obstructions post fire, all deviations, if possible, need to be made on the land side owned by the Federal Government. At the time of a deviation situation, the contractor will need to consult with the COR to reach an agreement on the proposed significance of the deviation and how best to proceed. Should a reroute of the existing fence line be proposed, prior to installation, concurrence between the Government and the private land owner in writing must be secured.

Page 6 of 6 for Amendment 003 to 12363N23Q4177 Dated: 06/14/2023

8. Do we have to debark the hedge post?

No, they don’t need too.

9. Will any of this fence be on Avenza?

Yes, it is all on Avenza. The coordinates may be off some, so do NOT rely on Avenza for fence construction location. The roads that show up on Avenza tend to disappear when out on the ground.

10. Is there a road by priority 1?

No, and the contractor needs to stay on the Forest Service’s land and off the private landowners’ land. ATV’s may be used to reduce impact on the lands. Approval to utilize a larger vehicle will need to be submitted to the Government. The District Ranger and Contracting Officer may, in concurrence, approve alternative vehicles after a consideration of the impact on the burned lands has been made. No vehicles should be utilized on private lands if possible. If vehicles must be used to cross private lands, written authorization and approval from both parties will be necessary. I.E.

the land owner or their designated agent (in writing) and the Government will need to review the terms, frequency of use travel routes, etc. and proposed vehicles and agree to a limited access for this project only.

11. Can you see priority 1 from Highway 2?

You can see parts of it from Highway 2.

12. Is there a list of the private landowners that share the fence for priority 1?

Not that is posted in the contract, but land ownership is public knowledge.

There are three different landowners.

Note: No guidance or agreements made between a private land owner, even a verbal recommendation, shall be considered. Any agreements for access or fencing outside the scope and specs of this solicitation must be proposed in writing and presented to both the land owner and the Government for consideration and approval before added by formal modification.