1240LU26Q0121QandA9.2.2026.pdf

Road Signage Elkhorn and Buffalo Gap Burn Areas Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Solicitation: 1240LU26Q0121

9/2/2026

Submitted questions and answers:

1. Q: When will the notice to proceed go out? And what is the completion date for this project? A:

The notice to proceed will be issued after the contract award and when the contractor is ready to start work. Per page 5 of the solicitation the completion date for this project is September 28, 2027.

2. Q: What days and hours can we work? I planned to work each day as weather may have its own mind and make us wait. A: Contractor may work 7 days a week if you wanted. If it’s too wet due to weather see page 14, FAR Clause 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Improvements also there could be fire restrictions.

3. Q: When will all staked location be completed? This is a crucial step as to not cause any delays.

A: The Forest Service will stake each sign location and it will be completed prior to start work. See page 9.

4. Q: When will the GPS coordinates of the stakes be provided to us? I would like to call ahead and have 811 taken care of for all locations prior to mobilization/ travel. A: Per the solicitation on Page 4, the contractor shall be required to have a mapping program like Avenza to read the pdf maps where the sign locations are listed per the contract maps.

5. Q: Will any locations be behind locked gates? If so, how do we get keys or combos, and should we lock the gate behind us? A: There are no gates locked at this time. Leave gates as you find them.

6. Q: Will we be picking the route we install or are you wanting us to start in a certain area first? A:

There is no order in which signs may be installed. It can be discussed at the pre-work meeting.

7. Q: As stated earlier, will all locations to be staked and a GPS list sent before we travel so we can call 811 before we start mobilization? A: There is no list of GPS coordinates, the maps are provided in order to locate the sign locations. See page 4 of the solicitation.

8. Q: About how many days before start would we have that list? A: There is no GPS list.

9. Q: Is it all right to batch 811 tickets by area instead of one ticket per stake? A: Call 811 before you dig, batching tickets is up to the contractor. See page 9 of the solicitation.

10. Q: If we get there and staking is not finished, how should we handle the wait? We want to avoid a crew sitting in town with no stakes to work. A: The Forest Service will stake each sign location prior to start of work. See page 9 of the solicitation.

11. Q: Portal sign — FR5-b, 60" × 18", one face, two posts. Is there any copy on the back? A: No, there is no copy on the back.

12. Q: Road closure sign — 12" × 18", one face, one post. When will we receive artwork for signage?

Provide the manufacturer with the drawings located in the solicitation (Attachment 1).

Manufacture will make the sign proof that will be accepted or rejected by the government. See page 8 of the solicitation.

13. Q: How is Mobilization paid as we go? A: See page 5, Mobilization Description and Payment.

14. Q: Is the work accepted at each location once it is installed, do we need to photograph each location & document sign is installed? A: See FAR Clause 52.246-12 Inspection of Construction located in the contract. The contract does not call for pictures of each sign.

15. Q: When installing signage next to the road, do we need cones, vests, Road Work Ahead sign? A:

See FAR Clause 52.236.13 Accident Prevention and your company’s own safety plan.

16. Q: On two tracks, anything required when installing? Cones, vests? If vests what class- Ansi 2 or 3? A: See FAR Clause 52.236.13 Accident Prevention and your company’s own safety plan.

17. Q: At each location that has been staked we were going to trim around the staked area prior to installation, then wet the area down in case of any spark from post tapper. The clippings we can pick up or spread out whatever you would like us to do. A: This can be discussed at the prework meeting.

18. Q: Red Flag or high fire danger — work with water on the ground, or sit that day? A: Any Fire Closure Order will describe what work can/can not be done.

19. Q: What is the ground like at Elkhorn vs Buffalo Gap? Any known rock issues? A: No rock issues that the government is aware of.

20. Q: Handheld gas post driver with a square cap for post anchor driver? A: Okay

21. Q: Will a site visit be necessary after award to walk the project? A: No

22. Q: How is cell service in those two areas? A: Cell service depends on the terrain. If you are at the bottom of a draw, service may not be good.

23. Q: Which Davis-Bacon wage sheet and job class should we use? A: See attached Wage

Determinations that are part of the solicitation in SAM.gov, ND20260045 05/18/2026 and ND20260039 05/18/2026. Job class depends on what equipment workers may be using but laborer may be one of the main job class to use.

24. Q: Bonds — when are they required and when are they due? A: Per information at SAM.gov solicitation posting, Bid Bond/Offer Guarantee (FAR 52.228-1): 20% required if quote/offer in excess of $150,000. Performance & Payment Bonds (FAR 52.228-15): Both required at 100% of original contract price if value in excess of $150,000, due 10 days after award. Only payment protections required for contracts exceeding $35,000 but not exceeding $150,000, irrevocable letter of credit or payment bond allowed per FAR 52.228-13, due within 10 days of contract award.

25. Q: Any state or county permit besides Forest Service, for FAR 52.236-7? A: There are no Forest

Service permits required. Per FAR 52.236-7 it is up to the contractor to obtain any required licenses and permits.

26. Q: After award, who is the field contact for stakes and day-to-day questions? A: The Contracting Officer Representative will be designated after award and contact information will be given at that time.

27. Q: Could the Government please clarify the material, size, and installation specifications for the signposts? Specifically, are the posts required to be wood (e.g., treated timber) or metal (e.g., U-channel or square tube), and is concrete backfill required for the foundations? A: See pages 8 and 9 of the solicitation for material, size and installation specifications. See Amendment 003 for a change in sign post specifications. Contractors must acknowledge receipt of amendment at the time of quote. No concrete is required.

28. Q: What are the material and reflectivity requirements for the sign faces? Specifically, what is the required aluminum thickness (e.g., 0.080" or 0.125") and what grade of retroreflective sheeting (e.g., ASTM Type III, IV, or XI) is required to meet Forest Service and MUTCD standards? A: See pages 8 of the solicitation, Provide aluminum sign panels meeting the following minimum requirements:

• 12 in. × 18 in. signs: 0.080-inch aluminum substrate with 2 punched holes for sign mounting.

• 60 in. × 18 in. signs: 0.125-inch aluminum substrate with 4 punched for sign mounting

All sign faces shall be covered with high-intensity prismatic or diamond-grade retroreflective sheeting, as specified by the Contracting Officer. Legends, colors, fonts, symbols, and borders shall conform to the MUTCD and Forest Service sign standards.

29. Q: Regarding the noxious weed seed cleaning requirement, where will the Forest Service inspections take place, and how much advance notice is required to schedule an inspector?

Additionally, are there any associated fees for these inspections? A: The time and place of the inspection will be agreed upon at the pre-work meeting. No fees are required.

30. Q: Are there existing signs and posts at the designated locations that the contractor must remove and dispose of (or salvage), or is this project strictly for new installations where no prior signage exists? A: There are no existing signs, this is all new construction.

31. Q: Are the sign locations already physically staked on-site by the Forest Service, or is the contractor responsible for the physical layout and staking based on the provided PDF/Avenza maps? A: Per page 9 of the solicitation, the Forest Service will stake each sign location.

32. Q: Additionally, are all 90 locations accessible by standard 4WD vehicles, or do any require walk-in or ATV access? A: The sign locations can be accessed by 4wd vehicles depending on the ground conditions, restrictions and closure orders. See page 14 FAR Clause 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Improvements

33. Q: What is the Government's anticipated turnaround time for reviewing and approving the electronic shop drawing proofs? Given the 120-day period of performance, establishing a mutual timeline for reviews is critical to avoiding fabrication delays. A: Government anticipated turnaround time for review and approving will be approximately 2-3 days. There are only two proofs required.

34. Q: The solicitation references two Davis-Bacon wage determinations (ND20260045 and ND20260039). Could the Government clarify which wage determination applies to which specific counties (Billings, Golden Valley, and McKenzie) or sign locations for this project? A: Each wage determination lists the county at the top. Buffalo Gap project area is within Billings and Golden Valley counties and the Elkhorn Project Area is in McKenzie County.

35. Q: Will GPS coordinates be provided of each sign location? A: No. See page 4 of the solicitation and answer to Question #4.

36. Q: If rock is a problem during sign installation, can the location be moved to either side or must we break through the rock? A: Sign locations can be moved slightly. Notify the contracting officer of any conflicts or field conditions that could affect installation. See page 9 of the solicitation.

37. Q: What Forest Service (FS) off-road restrictions apply when driving to the sign install locations?

Can we drive to the sign install spots with a side-by-side, a pickup, or a skidsteer? Or is backpacking required? A: The sign locations can be accessed by 4wd vehicles depending on the ground conditions, restrictions and closure orders. See page 14 FAR Clause 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Improvements

38. Q: Can the work be performed this fall yet or earlier than April date listed? A: Period of performance has been changed to October 1, 2026 to September 28, 2027. See amendment 003.

Contractors must acknowledge receipt of amendment at the time of quote.

39. Q: On the post anchors, we were going to price 36” x 2.25” square post for the anchor post or did you want the more heavy-duty anchors that have wings? A: No wings needed.

40. Q: Square post length. – On the Portal signs where we need to keep 5ft from clearance ground/road. Will those sign locations be on fairly level ground? Was going to price (2) 9ft post per sign but if the signs are located on a very slope side then one post would need to be 10ft in length.

A: Per page 8 of the solicitation, all work shall conform to the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), applicable FHWA requirements, and all applicable Forest Service standards. For determining post lengths, Per 52.236-3 Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting Work, the contractor shall investigate and satisfy themselves as to the general and local conditions. Post lengths could vary. See Amendment 003 for additional language for installations. Contractors must acknowledge receipt of amendment at the time of quote.