Attachment 7 - Solicitation Questions and Answers.pdf

Solicitation Number: 1240BF24Q0021 Page 1

Solicitation Q&As SRD Resurrection Pass Trail Brushing

The questions in this document were submitted by offerors in response to solicitation 1240BF24Q0021, SRD Resurrection Pass Trail Brushing posted in SAM.Gov on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 2:31 PM (AKT). The answers were provided by the Forest Service Requiring Agency and reviewed by the Forest Service Contracting Office.

1. Question: Solicitation 1240BF24Q0021 is listed under NAICS code 115310 (Support Services for Forestry) with a size standard of $11.5M. Under that code, there is a sub-size standard for fuels treatments which is now $34M. We believe this project includes fuels treatments and therefore could be classified as the $34M size standard. Please advise if we are correct in our thinking, and if it would be possible to amend the size standard to $34M?

Answer: The solicitation will use NAICS code 115310 Support Services for Forestry – Fuels Management Services with a size standard of $34M.

2. Question: Is there any way to extend the due date in hopes we could send someone up north to take a look at it?

Answer: The solicitation will be extended until 4 JUNE 2024.

3. Question: Is the entirety of the trail accessible by ATV/UTV or would daily hiking and camping be a major factor?

Answer: ATVs <50” wide are considered trail maintenance equipment and can be utilized on the Resurrection Pass Trail up to mile 12.8 by the Swan Lake Cabin, and mile 8.7 on the Devil’s Creek Trail as coordinated with the COR. ATV use will not be permitted outside of the above defined areas. To prevent resource damage, ATV use shall only be for transporting supplies and equipment on a limited basis, not for daily personal transportation. Keep vehicle speed low to prevent resource damage and for public safety. Any other type of trail maintenance equipment shall not be permitted unless approved in writing by the COR. ATV use is not recommended on the first 4.5 miles from the Resurrection South Trailhead. Contact the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the State of Alaska to see if permits are required to gain access through Bean Creek Trail (preferred access). There will be some construction adjacent to the Bean Creek Trail. The contractor may contact the Bean Creek Project Engineer (POC to be provided after contract award) before passing through the area on ATVs.

In summary, ATVs under 50” wide may be used on Resurrection South to mile 12.8. It is not recommended that you ATV from mile 0- mile 4.5 of Resurrection South Trail. You can access the junction at mile 4.5 of Resurrection South Trail and the Bean Creek Trail on an ATV via the Bean Creek Trail. You can also ATV to mile 8.7 of the Devil’s Creek trail for access to the end of the project (which is around 1.3 miles from the trail junction of Devil’s Creek Trail and Resurrection Pass Trail). ATVs are not to be used for daily personal transportation so daily hiking and camping will be necessary.

4. Question: Is the area considered wilderness/protected?

Answer: This is not a wilderness area.

5. Question: Are motorized saws allowed?

Answer: Yes, motorized saws are allowed.

Solicitation Number: 1240BF24Q0021 Page 2

6. Question: Is this for a brand new contract or is(was) an incumbent performing these services? If not brand new, could you please provide the current/previous contract number?

Answer: This solicitation is for a new contract.

7. Question: Is there a potential for any dirt and/or rock work on trail and/or trail drainages to be required by the contractor under this solicitation?

Answer: This contract does not include dirt work or drainage work. However, both dirt work and drainage work may be needed to repair damage done to the trail by the contractors (from the atv, etc).

8. Question: We are thinking most all of this work will have to be done with motorized hand saws but we wanted to ask, would forestry mulching equipment be allowed? For example, a skid steer with a mulching attachment.

Answer: Forestry mulching equipment and skid steers are not allowed.

9. Question: There is a note about permits and bonding, will a bid or performance bond be needed?

Answer: No.

10. Question: Will a side by side ATV less than 50” wide be allowed? This would allow both motorized hand saws and other essential tools/materials to be easily accessible.

Answer: ATVs <50” wide are considered trail maintenance equipment and can be utilized on the Resurrection Pass Trail up to mile 12.8 by the Swan Lake Cabin, and mile 8.7 on the Devil’s Creek Trail as coordinated with the COR. ATV use will not be permitted outside of the above defined areas. To prevent resource damage, ATV use shall only be for transporting supplies and equipment on a limited basis, not for daily personal transportation. Keep vehicle speed low to prevent resource damage and for public safety. Any other type of trail maintenance equipment shall not be permitted unless approved in writing by the COR. ATV use is not recommended on the first 4.5 miles from the Resurrection South Trailhead. Contact the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the State of Alaska to see if permits are required to gain access through Bean Creek Trail (preferred access). There will be some construction adjacent to the Bean Creek Trail. The contractor may contact the Bean Creek Project Engineer (POC to be provided after contract award) before passing through the area on ATVs.

In summary ATVs under 50” wide may be used on Resurrection South to mile 12.8. It is not recommended that you ATV from mile 0- mile 4.5 of Resurrection South Trail. You can access the junction at mile 4.5 of Resurrection South Trail and the Bean Creek Trail on an ATV via the Bean Creek Trail. You can also ATV to mile 8.7 of the Devil’s Creek trail for access to the end of the project (which is around 1.3 miles from the trail junction of Devil’s Creek Trail and Resurrection Pass Trail). A side by side less than 50” may be used but if the wheel base is wider than a typical atv,,there may be problems going across some of the small bridges and staying on the trail.

11. Question: Is there a minimum/maximum number of employees allowed to work daily?

Answer: No. Contractors can use as many or few people as they believe they need to perform the work.