Bumblebee PreSolicitation Meeting_Q_A_2024.12.17.pdf

Bumblebee Stewardship IRSC Pre-Solicitation Meeting

December 17, 2024

Attendance

Contractor Name Company Email

Terry Poston Poston Logging LLC. Postonloggingllc@gmail.com

Jay Summit Forest Summittforest@gmail.com

Ray Romine Romine Timber kellieromine@gmail.com

Collin Loken Markit Forestry collinloken@markitforestry.com

Joe Williamson North Fork Jwilliamson@northforkent.com

Brian Wayland Leslie Heavy Haul/ Wayland Forestry Rpf2396@gmail.com

Matt Armstrong Armstrong Logging Mattarmstrong745@mlode.com

Tom Mutzner Mutzner Trucking, Inc. mutanertrucking@gmail.com

Brent Fox Fox Enterprise Bbfox62@yahoo.com

Nick Keith Burnbot, Inc. nickkeith@burnbot.com

Rian Jurado Sierra Pacific Industries rjurado@spi-ind.com

Shaun Crook Crook Logging, inc. shauncrook@sbcglobal.net

Joe Whittle Nates Tree Service jwhittle@natestree.com

Garett Southam J.W. Bamford, Inc. gsoutham@bamfordinc.net

Wes Brinegar High Sierra Timber Hstm.ca@gmail.com

Mark Scott Jr. Scott Forest Management Brushcutter315cl@gmail.com

Questions and Answers

Question: What prescriptions will be in place for this sale?

Answer: The contract cutting prescription will be like past SERAL projects that includes radial thinning around large pine and oaks, designated openings, cutting all suppressed trees, and a residual Basal Area outside of openings)

Question: Is it in the appraisal that the small fir must be taken to SPI Lincoln?

Answer: The appraisal point will be to SPI Sonora and there will be an optional service Item to show a bid for transportation of products to another market.

Question: How much of the project area is behind closed gates, and can we get keys for the day?

Answer: Most of the project is behind locked gates but is free to walk in and tour the area on foot or call the ranger station in advance to request a set of keys for the day.

Question: Is there a separate performance period for the roads package?

Answer: No separate date, however, the road work must be completed prior to the hauling of included timber products.

Question: Can we get a PDF of the sale map and road plans?

Answer: The draft project map that is included in the solicitation is georeferenced and the road plans included in the final solicitation will also be available.

Question: Will a bid bond be required for the road reconstruction?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is a construction bond required?

Answer: A payment bond and performance bond will be required for road reconstruction awarded.

Question: Are there any other projects planned to be going at the same time? Will there be shared haul routes?

Answer: There are no shared haul routes or other projects planned operating in the area.

Question: Will the mastication be required before or after harvest?

Answer: In timber removal areas the mastication will be required after timber harvest to ensure residual spacing is meet.

Question: Will the equipment need to be cleaned when removing it from project area?

Answer: In general no, but if leaving an infested area and tracking through a non-infested area, then yes.

Question: Are we required to remove the capping on arch site roads when we are done?

Answer: No.

Question: What is the schedule of the service items?

Answer: There will not be a separate performance period for service items, but the cutting of roadside fuels (hazard trees) must be done prior to road reconstruction and road reconstruction must be complete prior to hauling of timber products.

Question: Is it mandatory to remove dead trees?

Answer: The item for cutting and removing standing roadside fuels (hazard trees) does include removal of the cut trees as a product.

Question: Are there staking plans for the road reconstruction?

Answer: No but each item has a specific georeferenced location for staking with specs for staking distances of the item.

Question: Will there be fees/ costs associated with hauling on the county roads?

Answer: There should not be a cost for commercial hauling on the county road, but the contractor can verify that with the County.

Question: Where is the closest water source on Federal land?

Answer: Cow Creek at road 5N95 is a source identified on the map and the next closest source that is available all season is the South Fork of the Stanislaus River off road 4N13 in Strawberry.

Question: Who will be the sale admin/COR?

Answer: Gary Cones is currently the Sale Admin and COR identified for the project, but this is subject to change.

Question: Who will be inspecting/ monitoring pre, post, and during road maintenance work?

Answer: There will be a separate COR for the road reconstruction. The sale admin COR will inspect and accept the required road maintenance.

Question: A contractor referred to spring that popped up in a previous sale that they were responsible for the costs of? If something that requires continuous maintenance like that on this sale, who would be responsible for the cost? In the past we were told the timber should pay for it.

Answer: Modification can be made to the contract to add additional work due to changed conditions of a road. We would work with the contractor to possibly work in a different area and come back to the one affected at a time when the spring is dry. If it does not dry up, then we can look at making a modification to the contract.

Question: Is the construction work covered once it has been inspected and approved by the FS?

Answer: We can only approve what we can see. QC is up to the contractor. A warranty is required for a year after contract period for construction work completed. The bonds for performance are held for that year after contract completion.

Question: A contractor expresses feelings of concern over the sense of subjectivity that goes into the warrantee clause.

Answer: If they follow the engineering specs in the contract there should be no issues.

Question: If a road is completed and inspected, then something happens is it covered in the T Specs?

Answer: Some items like surface repair from hauling is covered under the required T-specs for road maintenance. The clause for the 1 year after service warrantee is for if it fails due to poor workmanship or not following the contract specs. In the case of poor workmanship or not following contract specs the contractor can be held responsible for repair costs.

Question: If we, as contractors, see a flaw in the engineering design can changes be made?

Answer: Flaws or changes should be brought to the engineering COR to assess and/ or make corrections. Any changes to contract specifications shall be agreed upon through a bi-lateral modification. Any changes to quantities, time or pricing shall be facilitated through Kasandra Meyer, APSO with the National Stewardship Branch, and not agreed upon or negotiated in the field with either CORs or GTMs.

Question: If there is a construction failure, can they get their bond back?

Answer: Unless there is mass vandalism or some other extenuating circumstance it is highly unlikely, they would get the bond back, and it is up to the contractors to QC their work. They should do self-inspections, compaction testing, and more to be sure they are following the contract specs. Appendix A, included in the final solicitation will outline Quality Control required by the contractor.

Question: Why would any insurance company insure them knowing the public can drive on the roads and anyone else can impact the work done?

Answer: If there was damage done by the public or something to that effect, the contractor would not be held liable if the work was all done in compliance to contract specs.

Question: How old are the wildlife surveys in the sale area?

Answer: The wildlife surveys are current, from this year and surveys will continue to be performed yearly.

Question: What is the best way to get a physical map of the project area?

Answer: Come to office and request one.