A001_CrestSwitchbackIRSC_Site Visit QandA.pdf

Crest Switchback DxP Stewardship IRSC

Site Visit Q & A’s

02/04/2026

1. Q. Will the Forest Service be tracking fire restriction related work pauses/shutdowns and will the missed time be added back into the contract?

A. Yes, the Forest Service will be keeping track of lost time on the contract, however, the tiered period of performance has taken into consideration the estimated average time lost to fire restrictions. Contractors should anticipate completing the project on schedule.

2. Q. Does the 5-15 tons of residual course woody debris (CWD) include the machine piles? Will operators be expected to pile Decay Class IV CWD? Will un-piled Decay Class IV CWD count towards the 5-15 tons of residual CWD?

A. No, the 5-15 tons of residual CWD does not count toward material in piles. If there is an excess in CWD (greater than 15 tons per acre), then that material shall be piled. To clarify, this applies to CWD not meeting specifications for removal (9” at center point and 10’ piece, Decay class 1-3). Contractors will be expected to pile decay class 4 if it is determined to be a need (it will all depend upon the 5-15 tons per acre left).

3. Q. Will the Forest Service help with the NMDOT permitting? Has the Forest

Service communicated with NMDOT?

A. The required NMDOT Roadway Work Permit request shall be made/submitted by the contractor to NMDOT directly. See the “ePermitting” website that the Forest Service provided in the call order and traffic control attachment. Yes, the Forest Service has met with NMDOT and has sent them the traffic control documents to review. NMDOT knows about the closure of NM-536 and expects the roadway work permit request to be made for operations to begin summer of 2026.

4. Q. Can operators cut trees from the +18” size class in order to build skid trails/corridors?

A. Skid trail locations/access routes/landings, etc. shall be agreed upon prior to their construction. The cleared and excavated size shall not exceed that needed for efficient skidding and loading operations. See Appendix B: B6.42, B6.422, B6.64, and B6.65. The Forest Service will approve or work with the contractor on skid/access routes in order to avoid cutting healthy (18” plus size trees). However, if determined that a tree must be cut for safety and/or clearing limits, Forest Service may authorize.

5. Q. In Unit 9, are operators felling trees with the contour of the ground? Lop & scatter? Mulching?

A. See Appendix A, Section 2 for the specifications on Optional Item 4: Hazard Tree

Removal. Dead/dying trees (12” dbh and greater) that may fall on NM-536 shall be cut and removed. The contour of the ground doesn’t determine the need to fell and remove; it is the hazard posed to NM-536 and based upon each individual tree’s size and health. Remove tree boles up to a 6” top. The slash can be lopped and scattered down to a 12” height and/or chipped.

6. Q. What distance to the highway will constitute a hazard tree? What will qualify as a hazard tree interior to the units? Will trees targeting trails qualify?

A. The distance of Unit 9 in relation to NM-536 is approximately 150’ from the road edge to the back of the unit. With that said, the distance for each hazard tree is not specified because not all dead trees may actually be a hazard to NM-536 as they may not hit the road if they were to fall. Based upon the R3, Tree Risk Assessment and Hazard Tree Mitigation in the Southwestern Region publication (TP-R3-16-37), the potential impact zone for a tree on a slope >15 degrees, is approximately 1.5 to 2 times the height of the tree. If visual inspection by the Forest Service determines a tree was missed, and if the contractor does not agree, we can measure the tree height and measure the distance to the road to make a determination.

7. Q. How will government inspectors judge variability in BA if, for example, operators clear around the +18” trees and BA drops or if rocky areas with more difficult access leads to a higher BA? If after all trees are dropped below 18’’ DBH and the BA is still above the desired, what should we do?

A. See Appendix B, C6.36# Acceptance of Work and Appendix A, Section IV. Items 1 and Item 3 for explanation of how DxP implementation will be inspected and accepted. Both Items 1 and Item 3 have Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL’s) of 90%. Residual BA (C6.36#) will be measured on the plot level and average across the Cutting Unit. Therefore, in areas where the DxP provision (C2.355#) does not meet the required basal area due to the 18.0” diameter cap, basal area will be averaged across the Cutting Unit to determine if overall basal area is met as identified in the prescription. The 90% AQL also provides flexibility to allow for deviation from the specifications in C2.355# Designation by Prescription.

If however, areas appear to be missed or not treated to standard, Forest Service may require rework. Contractors are encouraged to work directly with the COR, early in the period of performance, to ensure that specifications are met and any issues resolved, so that rework is minimized.

8. Q. Will operators be able to get a waiver for hammer branding considering the mixed green and decay truckloads?

A. The contractor will need to request a waiver to the Contracting Officer (per

B6.842). We do not anticipate hammer branding or highway yellow paint will be required, however, that is at the discretion on the Contracting Officer.

9. Q. The fence line along the Kiwanis Road will limit trail maintenance/drainage construction. How will road maintenance specifications impact us if road maintenance is limited by improvements/road material/current road conditions?

A. Road maintenance on the Kiwanis road is mainly in place to allow the contractor to repair or maintain slides and slumps (T-801) for safe hauling if needed. T-803 is also in place to allow the contractor to maintain as needed if the road becomes rutted or needs blading during haul and post haul The Kiwanis road is both a trail and road. Currently, drainage features are not present. Drainage features will not be requested to be constructed, however the contractor can do so if needed. The wood fence (along the east edge of the road) shall be protected. Contractor will be required to repair if damaged.

10. Q. Can the offerors have access to the Brown’s Transect data?

A. Yes. See attachment #10 per this amendment (A001).

11. Q. What is the expected turnaround time on trail maintenance?

A. Upon completion of work contractor shall rehabilitate trails by removal of all contractor generated slash and debris from the trail template. Completion of work applies to each unit. See Call Order section 16- Protection of Improvements.

12. Q. Will there be flexibility regarding stump heights in rockier areas of the unit?

A. See Appendix B, A.6 for stump height specifications. 12” stump height on Biomass (greater than or equal to 12” DBH) and a 6” stump height on Biomass (less than or equal to 12” dbh). The Forest Service can be flexible if a stump height is not within the specifications for good reason (if determined necessary for safe and efficient logging) See B6.412 Stump Heights.

Questions raised after the meeting via phone call:

13. Does ‘C2.3# – Reserve Trees’ and ‘C6.32# - Protection of Reserve Trees’ apply to all trees to be left?

No, the reserve tree provision only applies to trees greater than 18.0” DBH to be left on site. Due to the high recreation use and scenic integrity objectives associated with the project area, Contractors will be required to apply extra attention to 18.0” trees and avoid damaging them. The Contractor may be charged damages outlined in C6.32# if their operations damage trees greater than 18.0” DBH.

14. Are Contractors eligible to compete for this contract under 8A authority?

No, this Contract is being solicited under the Region 3 Southwest Stewardship BPA as this is a stewardship contract. Stewardship Authority requires Full and Open Competition (no set asides). The Southwest Stewardship BPA remains open and continuous to allow for on-going onboarding of contractor’s.