Questions and Answers for 12405B23Q0076.docx

Questions and Answers for 12405B23Q0076

What is the pay schedule as far as how the government will pay, is it after the total job is done or will it be paid based on a mobilization schedule? Payment is done when services are complete.

What is the expected completion time of the job? The period of performance is 30 days.

Is there a timeframe at which the contract needs to be completed? 30 days is the period of performance.

In Block 30 there are approximately 51 left over stumps among other trees. Will the government provide dirt to fill the holes? Grading will not be possible in this block without damaging the other root systems. The number is probably around 55 stumps and a few small trees. The work will remove the stumps including roots. The work limit will extend out as needed, but not extend to the drip line of trees to be left. The contractor will smooth the loosened soil. Additional fill material is not required.

If burning is used, will we be able to spread the ash or will it need to be removed. Ash is a resourceful fertilizer. Ash can be left on site, distributed around the burn site. Any earthwork to create a burn pit will be returned to original grade.

Is there an alternative access to the Gentry Block other than beside the equipment building? Yes, the block is accessible from the south gravel road as well.

Are we allowed to partner with a subcontractor prior to bidding on this solicitation? Subcontracting is okay.

Would it be possible to cut the trees to ground level and then grind the stumps in place 6 to 12 inches down, then harrow over that? NO. the requirement clarified to all during site showings is to include subsoiling and root removal down 2 feet. The smoothing will occur with loosened soil after root removal.

Stuart Weevil Block:

Are there any water lines or electrical lines underground? Dig safe (call 811) will be requested to mark utilities. Stuart weevil and Block 30 do contain private water and power utilities. These will be marked for construction and were identified during site showing. Irrigation distribution lines along tree rows will be destroyed during this process.

If so. Who will be responsible for repair of them if they are breeched? Damage to marked utilities or through negligence will be responsibility of contractor. Damage to unknown utilities will be responsibility of owner.

Will location of burn pit be marked so we know where to burn? Each block will have a disposal and/or burn area marked within or adjacent to the block. This will be coordinated on site with the farm center supervisor.

What is the depth to which ground is to be subsoiled? 2 feet or 24 inches.

Will subsoiling be done over the entire area or just for the tree rows? For blocks stuart weevil and gentry, the entire block area should be subsoiled. For block 30, this will only occur in proximity to the removed stumps and will not extend under remaining full trees.

Gentry Block:

Are there any water lines or electrical lines underground? Dig safe (call 811) will be requested to mark utilities. Stuart weevil and Block 30 do contain private water and power utilities. These will be marked for construction and were identified during site showing. Irrigation distribution lines along tree rows will be destroyed during this process.

If so. Who will be responsible for repair of them if they are breeched? Dig safe (call 811) will be requested to mark utilities. Stuart weevil and Block 30 do contain private water and power utilities. These will be marked for construction and were identified during site showing. Irrigation distribution lines along tree rows will be destroyed during this process.

Will location of burn pit be marked so we know where to burn? Each block will have a disposal and/or burn area marked within or adjacent to the block. This will be coordinated on site with the farm center supervisor.

What is the depth to which ground is to be subsoiled? 2 feet or 24 inches.

Will subsoiling be done over the entire area or just for the tree rows? For blocks stuart weevil and gentry, the entire block area should be subsoiled. For block 30, this will only occur in proximity to the removed stumps.

Block 30:

Paperwork says “pecan tree removal and clean up”, will we be removing trees and stumps or just stumps? The number is probably around 55 stumps and a few small trees. The work will remove the stumps including roots. The work limit will extend out as needed, but not extend to the drip line of trees to be left. The contractor will smooth the loosened soil. Additional fill material is not required.

If we remove all trees and stumps what will need to be subsoiled and to what depth? For blocks stuart weevil and gentry, the entire block area should be subsoiled. For block 30, this will only occur in proximity to the removed stumps and will not extend under remaining full trees.

If we only remove stumps, how much area will need to be subsoiled around stump area? For blocks stuart weevil and gentry, the entire block area should be subsoiled. For block 30, this will only occur in proximity to the removed stumps and will not extend under remaining full trees.

Are there water or electrical lines in the area and who will be responsible for repair of them if they are breeched? Dig safe (call 811) will be requested to mark utilities. Stuart weevil and Block 30 do contain private water and power utilities. These will be marked for construction and were identified during site showing. Irrigation distribution lines along tree rows will be destroyed during this process. Damage to marked utilities or through negligence will be responsibility of contractor. Damage to unknown utilities will be responsibility of owner.

Will these lines be marked to identify locations? Dig safe (call 811) will be requested to mark utilities.

After bid is awarded, what is the time frame to complete work, with consideration of rain days and conditions to wet to work safety and efficiently? 30 days is the period of performance. Work hours and days are listed. Contractors should plan to accomplish work with given days and hours of access.

If it is decided to grind trees instead of burned trees, is there an area that ground material can be left on site? Each block will have a disposal and/or burn area marked within or adjacent to the block. This will be coordinated on site with the farm center supervisor.

If ground materials are left, and start to attract detrimental insects to area, who will be responsible for this? Contractor has 3 disposal options. Remove, burn on-site, or chip and pile on site. Mulch left on site becomes property of USDA.

Are we are going to be required to provide a fire-watch person at night? No. burning must be permitted. Permits are issued by GFC. Rules are available at https://gatrees.org/burn-permits-and-notifications/ The contractor should only burn with appropriate firebreak in place.

I did have one question what are we doing with the brush piling up and burning or what? Contractor has 3 disposal options. Remove, burn on-site, or chip and pile on site.

Do you happen to have a rough count of how many trees this is? Also is the ground around the trees cleared or would we need to cut our way to the trees? Stuart weevil block contains approximately 51 trees for removal. Block 30 contains approximately 55 stumps and small trees for removal. Gentry block contains approximately 98 trees for removal. Access will be as during site showing.

Block 30 there seems to be a conflict in the specifications and what was observed and reported on the Ground. In the specifications it called for removal of all stumps and trees in block 30! However, it was reported on the ground by USDA personnel that all that was required was removal of approximately 50-55 stumps? Please clarify and align this? The number is probably around 55 stumps and a few small trees. The work will remove the stumps including roots. The work limit will extend out as needed, but not extend to the drip line of trees to be left. The contractor will smooth the loosened soil. Additional fill material is not required.

Since there is no readily available source of on-site native soils to refill stump voids prior to (disc harrowing) can clay/sand be imported from off-site sources? The contractor will smooth the loosened soil. Additional fill material is not required.

Where the designated burn and chip areas are, and if chips can be left on site? Each block will have a disposal and/or burn area marked within or adjacent to the block. This will be coordinated on site with the farm center supervisor. Contractor has 3 disposal options. Remove, burn on-site, or chip and pile on site. Mulch left on site becomes property of USDA.

Has the site been surveyed? Is there a tree count? Have the trees been measured, and is there an average height/diameter of the trees in question? Stuart weevil block contains approximately 51 trees for removal. Block 30 contains approximately 55 stumps and small trees for removal. Gentry block contains approximately 98 trees for removal. Access will be as during site showing. Site showing was opportunity for contractors to estimate counts, height, size, of trees and stumps as well as access considerations.

How do you want the proposal? Is there a pricing sheet? Do you have a SF1449 form?

No form is required. A quote on company letterhead is acceptable.

Is there a pricing sheet or how do you want the pricing broken down? Quote on company letterhead.

Is there a time frame for beginning and completion? The period of performance is 30 days.

Could you explain what a discount for trade consists of? Discounts for trade-ins does not apply to this solicitation.

What is the period of performance? The period of performance is 30 days.

What is the magnitude of this project? The magnitude of this project will not be given.

Are there any liquidated damages? FAR 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages applies to this contract.

Would you happen to know what dates the project would need to be done by? The period of performance is 30 days from award.

Do you happen to have a rough count of how many trees this is? Also is the ground around the trees cleared or would we need to cut our way to the trees? Stuart weevil block contains approximately 51 trees for removal. Block 30 contains approximately 55 stumps and small trees for removal. Gentry block contains approximately 98 trees for removal. Access will be as during site showing.

Contractors will be allowed to park equipment overnight and during weekends within work areas or otherwise as allowed by on-site personnel. Contractor shall maintain due diligence for environmental compliance. Government does not accept responsibility for contractor equipment left on site.