1240LU26Q0020Feb11QuestionsAnswers.pdf

Riley Pass Bluff B Mine Waste Excavation Project Custer Gallatin National Forest, Solicitation: 1240LU26Q0020

02/11/2026

Submitted questions and answers:

1. Q: The Terms and Conditions PDF says "Quoters shall provide a short narrative". Is there a page limit you would like the narrative to stay within?

A: No more than 10 pages for your response. Addressed on SF30 Amendment 001.

2. Q: Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.

A: This is a brand new project however, similar services have been performed in the area in the past with contract #1240LU25C0002.

Schedule / Timeline / Seeding Windows

3. Q: The SOW states all work other than seeding shall be completed by July 1, 2026, and seeding shall occur prior to June 15, 2026 or between Sept 15–Oct 15, 2026. Please confirm whether July 1 is a firm contractual completion milestone for all non-seeding work, or an anticipated target date.

A: July 1 is a firm contractual completion date for all non-seeding work.

4. Q: Would the Government consider allowing excavation/placement/compaction activities to extend later into the summer (e.g., through August 31, 2026) provided the Contractor implements approved temporary stabilization measures and completes final seeding within the Sept 15–Oct 15 window? If yes, would this be addressed via a pre-award amendment or only by post-award contract modification?

A: No, the government will not alter the period of performance.

5. Q: If summer earthwork is permitted (or if seeding is delayed for any reason), what temporary stabilization methods would the Government consider acceptable for disturbed areas (e.g., hydromulch, tackifiers, erosion blankets, additional wattles, interim contouring), and are there any preferred standards or details? NA

6. Q: Is it acceptable to seed progressively (i.e., seed completed/disturbed areas as they are finished) while excavation continues elsewhere, so long as access is maintained and seeded areas are protected?

A: No, all non-seeding work must be completed by July 1, and seeding shall occur during the required seeding window.

7. Q: Are there any liquidated damages or other penalties tied to missing the July 1, 2026, non-seeding completion date? If so, please identify.

A: No liquidated damages. While there are no liquidated damages to be assessed other actions such as termination for default are still available.

8. Q: Following the March 3, 2026 quotation due date, what is the Government’s anticipated award and Notice to Proceed timing (approximate), assuming no significant delays?

A: Anticipate award, 2 to 3 weeks after quotation response date. Notice to proceed will be issued after prework meeting and receipt of bonds, anticipate 1 to 2 weeks.

9. Q: Are there any restrictions on working hours, night work, or weekend work at the site? If none, please confirm.

A: Work may not occur on Weekends or Holidays unless approved by the CO for special circumstances. Night work will not be allowed. Addressed on SF30 Amendment 001.

Quantities, Measurement, and Survey Requirements

10. Q: For Pay Items 20613 and 20615, please confirm whether mine waste excavation quantities are measured by surveyed surfaces (pre- and post-work) as cut volume, fill volume, or a combination, and whether pay quantities represent in-place compacted volume versus excavated (bank/loose) volume.

A: Mine waste excavation quantities are measured by pre removal surveys and post removal surveys. Payment is made only on the actual quantity removed.

11. Q: Will the Government provide electronic files including disturbance limits, design surfaces/contours, breaklines, and control points? If yes, what formats are available (e.g., DWG, LandXML, etc.)?

A: No, Government will only provide polyline locations for disturbance areas and boundary lines in a DWG format. Contractor must create any necessary electronic file items for excavation removal and placement.

12. Q: If UAV surveying is used and the specifications are met, will UAV-derived surfaces be accepted for quantity verification/payment purposes, or is ground survey required for final pay quantities?

A: Contractor shall follow Section 152 and FSSS for all surveying.

13. Q: At what specific points does the Government anticipate requiring survey submittals and/or acceptance before proceeding (e.g., pre-work surface, post-excavation surface, final consolidation as-built)?

A: Pre-work surface, post-excavation surface, final as-built.

Logistics, Access, and Site Controls

14. Q: Please confirm the process and lead time for obtaining the site access key, and any gate protocols during/after working hours.

A: A key can be obtained at the post award meeting. Final payment will not be made until the Keys are returned at project completion. Keys are not available during the project advertisement period. You may walk into the site for access as needed.

15. Q: Please confirm staging and laydown locations (per plans) and whether additional laydown areas may be approved if requested in writing.

A: Contractor may use existing disturbed areas for mobilization sites as approved by the CO.

16. Q: Please confirm the location/capacity of the Government-provided office pad and electric hookup, and any requirements for connection (metering, inspection, materials, etc.).

A: The location is immediately adjacent to the Riley Pass Bluff. There are 2 available pads with electric hookups. Contractor is responsible for any connections.

17. Q: The SOW indicates camping is not permitted without written authorization.

Given the remote location, is there any circumstance where the Government will authorize temporary camping or an on-site workforce area?

A: On-site camping is not allowed due to the nature of the hazardous materials.

Water Supply and Dust Control

18. Q: Since no Government water source is available, what are the requirements for identifying/approving a contractor-provided water source (documentation, permissions, water rights, etc.)?

A: Written permission to use any local water source is required. Documentation with the water source owner and identification of the water source. The Contractor shall follow all Federal, State, and Local Regulations.

19. Q: For the dust-control watering pay item, what metering approach is acceptable for measurement and documentation (truck meter, fill-station meter, calibrated tank logs, etc.)?

A: Fill Station metering is acceptable. Other approaches may be acceptable with approval from the CO.

20. Q: Is there a defined dust-control performance standard (visible dust threshold, wind shutdown criteria), or will dust control be evaluated by visual inspection and CO direction?

A: Visible dust is not acceptable. The site is extremely dry and dusty and it takes a lot of effort to keep the site watered. The soil has high silt and clay content causing it to be very slippery for haul vehicles when wet. Contractor must shut down if they can’t control the dust.

Materials / Borrow / Haul Roads / Roads

21. Q: Please confirm the channel borrow location, access constraints, and whether borrow source development/restoration is required beyond what is shown in the solicitation documents.

A: See Image: Channel Borrow Site is located along NFSR #3123 SW side of Image and As Staked in the Field. Borrow placement is at Borrow Placement Location on North Side of image. Slopes shall be layed back 2:1 or flatter and site graded for smooth transitions. Photo included in Attachment 6 Site Photos addressed on SF30 Amendment 001.

22. Q: The specifications reference a preapproved spring drain aggregate source at State Line Quarry (WY). Will alternate sources be considered, and if so, what testing/documentation would be required for approval?

A: Other sources will be considered. Aggregate must be Erionite Non-Detect as tested by the PLM method. Aggregate sample must also be submitted to the CO for approval.

23. Q: Temporary haul roads: please confirm which temporary haul roads must be reclaimed and which route(s) (if any) are intended to remain in place at completion.

A: The Temp Access road that will be staked, constructed and surfaced by the Contractor will be left on site. Any internal temporary haul routes used for waste haul will be identified in the Contractor’s submittals and will be removed, recontoured, and seeded prior to project completion.

24. Q: For the 10 miles of roadway reconditioning, please confirm exact route segments and whether roads will remain open to public/administrative traffic during operations (and whether traffic control is required).

A: Roads will be identified/staked in the field. Roads include NFSR #3120, #3123, and #3130. Roads shall remain open during operations. Traffic control/sign plan is required.

Safety, HAZWOPER, and Decontamination

25. Please confirm what documentation must be submitted to demonstrate HAZWOPER compliance for all onsite personnel (certificates only versus roster + refresher documentation, etc.).

A: Roster of all workers and current HAZWOPER certificates proving each individual is HAZWOPER certified.

26. Q: Beyond HAZWOPER, are there any site-specific requirements for radiological controls (dosimetry, air monitoring, exclusion zones), or will these be Contractor-defined within the HASP subject to Government review/approval?

A: Contractor defined in the HASP

27. Q: Decontamination: please confirm whether a lined decon pad is required, minimum containment expectations for wastewater collection/storage, and how decon wastewater must be handled/disposed (including any required testing prior to disposal).

A: Contractor may decontaminate on site. Items should be detailed in Contractor’s plan.

28. Q: Are there any specific requirements for preventing tracking of contaminated material onto roads (wheel wash, tracking pads, sweeping frequency), or will these be addressed through the Contractor’s plan subject to CO approval?

A: As addressed through the Contractor’s plan.

Archaeology / Monitoring

29. Q: Plans/specs indicate an archaeologist must be onsite for certain channel/temporary road work. Please confirm how archaeologist availability will be scheduled and whether any work must be coordinated/approved in advance to avoid stoppages.

A: Work will need to be coordinated with the Government CO. The Contractor must have an accurate schedule and work with the Government on availability. It is recommended to request the archaeologists at least 14 days in advance of the work to ensure availability.

Submittals / Review Timing / Payments

30. Q: Please confirm typical review timelines for required pre-work submittals

(Construction Schedule, HASP, Erosion Control Plan, QC Plan, Temporary Haul Road Plan), as these impact mobilization and critical path. Please review Section C-

5. (14) days prior to the commencement of work on that item.

A: Assuming the submittals are accurate and complete, the (14) days is sufficient for review.

31. Q: For monthly progress payments, does the Government prefer a specific Schedule of Values format/template, or will a standard SOV be acceptable?

A: The Contractor must follow Government requirements for progress payments including following the Schedule of Items, specification measurement and payment, and have submitted current payrolls.

Riley Pass Bluff B Mine Waste Excavation Project