1240LT26R0008-0001 Questions and Answers 121925.docx

1. Early drafts of this project showed the culvert at Chamberlain getting replaced, has that work been deleted? That is correct. The culvert at Chamberlain is not getting replaced as it would require additional NEPA approvals that do not work with the timeline of this project. If that culvert is replaced it will be in a separate contract sometime in the future.

2. I take it there’s no two track access for a horse drawn grader/buggy/cart? I see it’s 20+ miles from a trailhead and I'm trying to figure out how to get all the materials there. A helicopter is going to be the fastest way if theres no possible way to haul in via buggy/cart. I didn't know if you had an estimated project cost as it’s not cheap to have a helicopter show up anywhere. Yes access will be pretty difficult on the airstrip project. All of the trails in the wilderness are single track, plus using a wheeled cart in the wilderness is not allowed. In a previous contract the contractor had their grader flown in on a plane and then they walked the horses in by trail. We expect that all the material for the project will be flown in by plane or helicopter and will take multiple trips at each site.

3. We are looking through the documents for the government estimated cost range for this project. The cost range was not included; FAR procedures are in the process of being changed: Providing the magnitude if a project is now discretionary, That was found under FAR Part 36.204 which has been removed. The Magnitude of Construction for the project is between $500,000 and $1,000,000

4. A prospective subcontractor has asked whether there is any flexibility in the following areas:

a. Use of battery‑powered construction equipment (e.g., compact battery‑powered compaction or cutting tools) if mobilized by helicopter to and from the sites; and/or

b. Use of small modular “mini” equipment brought in by helicopter in parts and assembled on site, to the extent it would still comply with applicable wilderness regulations.

Could you please confirm:

c. Whether, under this solicitation as currently written, any such equipment would be considered allowable. The battery powered equipment would not be allowed; however, a cutting would be allowed.

d. If there is any possibility that additional exceptions could be considered via a new Minimal Requirements Analysis for this contract, or if the intent is that all work (beyond the already‑approved horse‑drawn grader) must be performed strictly with hand tools and other non‑mechanical means. It is very unlikely that any additional exceptions will be considered. The minimal requirements analysis examines if work can be done with hand tools, and if that is not possible what is the simplest tool that could accomplish the work. There is no consideration for time or cost in the analysis. Since similar work to this project has previously been accomplished with hand tools and horse drawn tools we don’t expect any additional exceptions.

5. Can I use heavy equipment to do the earthwork, and trenching for this project? No, since this project is in a wilderness only non-motorized and non-mechanical tools would be allowed.

6. What is the typical way to cut/fill and compact dirt for this type of project? Everything has to be completed with hand tools or horse drawn tools. In areas receiving grading we usually just let the snowpack compact everything over winter. In the areas around culverts compaction will be done with hand tampers or similar methods

7. The RFP has a Period of Performance starting in 2025, will that be updated? Yes, The PoP is planned for 05/15/2026-10/12/2027, the PoP in the RFP is a typo and will be updated

8. Is it possible to extend the last day to formally ask questions? Yes, questions will be accepted through 12/22/2025.

9. Regarding SECTION 31 23 00 of the statement of work, dewatering is required during the culvert installation. Does the USFS expect bypass piping to be installed the length of the culvert if water is flowing? The culvert is typically dry from early July thru the end of the summer. Dewatering is required and may be achieved by bypassing the culvert, working in dry periods, or any other means of minimizing turbidity.

10. Would HDPE pipe be approved as an alternative to the 24 inch corrugated metal piping and if so, can the diameter be reduced due to smooth wall flow rates? No, HDPE is susceptible to melting during forest fires.

11. Is the 20% bid guarantee required upon bidding, or upon award? The bid bond is required at the time the bid is submitted.

12. Who supplies the culvert material. The contractor is responsible for providing the culvert.

13. Are the files presented in the site visit available for download? Yes, potential contractors will need to create a free box account and send an email to paul.mccloskey@usda.gov to request access. See the attached doc for directions on creating a box account.

14. Why is a wheeled grader allowed but not a wheelbarrow? In a previous Minimum requirement analysis it was determined that grading of an airstrip could not be accomplished to a satisfactory level without a wheeled grader. Carrying material can be accomplished with buckets and therefore no exemptions were made for a wheelbarrow.

15. Is the contractor expected to import fill, or will native material be used? Native material will be used for all fill

16. Is a laser grade level allowed? Yes a laser level is allowed, as is standard survey equipment. A .csv file with survey points will be provided after award.

17. Are the belt drain replacements in new locations or existing replacing existing drains? All of the drain at Cabin Creek and Cold Meadows are replacing existing drains but some of the new drains will be longer that the existing. At Chamberlain all of the drains will be in new locations.

18. Do we need to cleanup slash from trees? Slash shall be removed from the clear zone of the airstrips and dispered within the standing trees, it does not need to be piled

19. Where are we allowed to camp and keep stock? There are designated camping sites at each airstrip that the contractor may use. The campsites are basic and include a fire ring and flat areas for a tent. For stock there are certain designated spots at each airstrip, and we would let the contractor know ahead of time. The spots are away from the designated developed campsites and admin areas.

20. Are we allowed to stage materials at trailheads? We can authorize some storage depending on the trailhead as long as it doesn’t impede or conflict with public use and access. Staging for helicopter or long line work would not be permitted at trailheads or parking areas. Heilcopter staging could occur at other existing airstrips outside of the wilderness such as Krassel, Landmark, or Big Creek…

21. The grading operation at Chamberlain intended to produce fill will likely contain grasses and other organics. Is the Government ok with organic material in the fill for the low section over the existing culvert on the North/South airstrip? What is the Government expecting to see for compaction effort in this area? See answer in items 6 and 7 below. Topsoil should be salvaged and spread over the surface of the airstrip. Compaction shall be completed with a hand tamper, horse compaction or any means needed to compact until there is no visible deformation. A hose may be tied into the spigot by the FS cabins to reach ideal moisture content.

22. Are the trails into the wilderness maintained. The trails are maintained on a rotating basis. The status of trail can be found at: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/StoryMapBasic/index.html?appid=772b621492c4487fa93ed7e038d3a53a All trails into the airstrips are steep, difficult, narrow, and challenging and require experienced packers. Trails users should be prepared to clear down trees along their route as trail conditions can change drastically after a single storm.

23. Are battery powered tools allowed? No, only hand tools will be allowed

24. Can the work crew stay onsite? Yes, the contractor may use any of the designated camping areas adjacent to the airstrip. Contractors are not allowed in the Forest Service cabins.

25. Any other limitations or concerns to consider when considering the sites? For example endangered species or cultural sites? Sensitive areas?

26. What will inspections and site management be like for the agency? How often will inspections of the work occur? The COR and Technical Monitors will fly into the sites as needed. If there are specific times the contractor would like an inspector present they need to make that request 1week in advance. (I.e. if you would like the culvert alignment and slope inspected before you begin backfilling.)

27. Is a bid and performance bond required? Yes

28. What is the performance period and is there a preferred or required order of completion? PoP is 05/15/2026-10/12/2027. There is no required order of completion. Cold Meadows is the highest elevation site and will be covered in snow considerably longer than the other sites.

29. In the past work on the sites was the ground reasonable to dig by hand? All existing belt drain and open top culverts were previously installed by hand.

30. Was there a contractor that performed the work in the past or was it the forest service? It has been a mix of contract work and Forest Service work. For the last 5 years a BPA Contract has graded 1 airstrip on the Payette NF per year.

31.

B. Slump and air content shall be determined at the point of placement.

Does the government want the slump and air content tested for quick-rete 5000 concrete mix bags. No, the slump and air content do not need to be tested. This sentence may be ignored as it was included for a previous contract

A. Prior to construction, unsuitable soils and vegetation should be removed. Unsuitable soils consist of topsoil, organic soils, undocumented fill, loose or disturbed native soils, and other deleterious materials. All topsoil, uncontrolled fill, or other unsuitable soils should be removed completely. Remove all surface vegetation to a depth necessary for complete removal of all roots and other deleterious materials from within the areas to receive structural fill or base course.

The top surface material on the runway will contain organic and vegetative matter. Where should the topsoil/surface material be placed during excavation to reach the 1 inch of suitable fill material? Will this topsoil material be placed back on the runway following removal of the fill material? The topsoil may be stored anywhere outside of the zone to be cleared. The topsoil shall be spread back on the runway following the fill removal to encourage grass growth

C. Dispose of slash and at a suitable location outside the clearing zone at the discretion of the Forest Service Can the government identify the location of where trees removed at each location will be disposed of or can they be left in place? The trees do not need to be piled and may be dispersed in the standing trees adjacent to where they are cut. No parts of the cut trees shall remain in the clear zone of the airstrip.

Provide a framework to hold the throat of the fabric windsock fully open under no wind conditions and to provide an interface with the support.

It will be of low-mass design to yield minimum resistance to an inadvertent strike by aircraft.

Does the requirement for the low-mass design to yield minimum resistant to an inadvertent strike by aircraft also apply to the 2" pipe support poles? The low mass design only applies to the windsock frame. See Detail 1 on Sheet CP504

Can the government provide the expected magnitude range for the project? The project is between $500,000 and $1,000,000