Questions and Answers Solicitation 12444123R0014 05152023.docx

Solicitation #12444123R0014 Mechanical ground broadcast herbicide application using articulated rubber-tired skidder with spray tank.

May 10, 2023; 1:00 PM – 3:40 PM Q&A at the visit to RCW Midstory Control stands:

1Q: What is the Rx for stand? Killing midstory or releasing pine? What is getting released? What species is released?

A: The Rx for stand is to open up the stand for RCW birds and their cavity trees. It’s a midstory treatment. Both loblolly and longleaf pines are to be released. There is a mixture of both trees in some stands. Our wildlife biologist does the flagging for the stand’s boundary.

2Q: Will they have shapefiles for GPS?

A: Yes, our base maps are georeferenced so one can use the base map on a GPS mobile app like the app Avenza.

3Q: What is # of acres for RCW?

A: We have an estimate of 600 acres. It is listed on the SOI.

Q&A at the visit to Site Preparation stands:

4Q: Is every clearcut we passed on the way here on the list?

A: No, some were herbicide treated, and/or planted, and some are put on future list. We have thousands of acres like these.

Q5: Where to get water?

A: I must get permission to use water from office and we have another one from middle site location.

Q6: What is the pipe fitting size for the water connection?

A: Not sure if I remember correctly, but it is about 2 to 2 ½ inches.

Q7: What is the logistics to move equipment, moving site to site, drive skidder site to site, drive skidder between stands?

A: We have stands that are close together and can drive skidder to each stand. We have stands that are 15 – 20 miles away so it really depends on the distance.

Q8: This is for RCW stands, will the high brush affect spray pattern, what about overlapping?

A: We require the skidder to have a GPS unit with a spray light bar that will help navigate through the brush and trees. We understand that due to the number of trees in some RCW stands, and swerving around them, some overlapping may occur and that is one reason why our chemical rates per acre are low to allow for some minor overlapping.

Q9: What will be the kill %?

A: 60%

How many different sites and estimate acreage for each task:

Site Preparation (estimate quantity 1900 acres) Estimate of -/+ 65 sites and the estimated quantity is still 1900 acres.

RCW Mid/Understory control (estimated 600 acres) For estimate of 322 acres, estimate of -/+ 29 sites. For the rest of estimated 278 acres, estimate of -/+ 2 sites. Note: Wildlife Biologist is still determining areas to treat and estimate of 31 sites may increase. Estimate quantity is still 600 acres.

Seed production Mid/Understory Control (estimated 10 acres) USFS-SR currently has an estimate of 0 (zero) acres but please put bid price per acre on SOI should USFS-SR decide to treat such.