Attachment 7 - Questions and Answers.pdf

Solicitation 12444126Q0057 Grandfather Ranger District - West - Janitorial Services for Recreation Facilities at Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

1. Is a pre-quote site visit available or recommended? If so, please provide the date, time, meeting location, and included sites.

A formal site visit is not scheduled and is not mandatory. However, the Government strongly encourages offerors to independently visit the publicly accessible recreation sites to assess travel distances, road conditions, and site access. No coordinated group walkthrough will be conducted.

2. Attachment 1 lists Old Fort Gateway Trailhead line items (9 and 10) as “Janitorial Cleaning 1x per week” and “Garbage Collection 1x per week,” but also lists the service days as Thursday and Monday.

The SOW states 2x per week. Please confirm the correct frequency.

The correct frequency is 2 times per week (Thursday and Monday), as stated in the Statement of Work Section 5.0. The Schedule of Items will be updated to reflect 2x per week, not 1x per week

3. SOW Section 2.0 states the Government will award a firm-fixed-price contract, while Section 7.2 refers to providing personnel “at the time of a BPA Call issue.” Please clarify whether this is a standalone contract or a BPA with calls.

This procurement is a standalone firm-fixed-price contract. The reference to “BPA Call” in SOW Section

7.2 is an error and will be corrected.

4. SOW Section 5.0 lists the second period for Catawba Falls Trailhead as “Jan 1 2026 – March 31 2027.”

We believe this should be 2027. Please confirm.

Correct - the period should read:

January 1, 2027 – March 31, 2027.

This will be corrected in the SOW

5. Are all four sites publicly accessible without escort, and should offerors notify a point of contact before visiting?

All listed sites are public recreation facilities and are accessible without escort during normal hours.

Offerors may visit independently. Notification to the USFS personnel is optional and not required for site visits.

6. The SOW states the biobased product list must be submitted with the initial proposal. Please confirm whether this list is required at quote submission and whether a specific format is required.

Yes - the biobased product list is required at the time of quote submission, as stated in the SOW. No specific format is required. Offerors may submit the list in a format of their choosing, provided it includes:

• Product name

• Manufacturer

• Cost

• Intended use (as specified in the SOW)

7. The SOW states the Government will provide toilet paper and trash bags monthly. Where are these picked up, and what is the approximate monthly quantity?

Trash bags and toilet paper have historically been picked up at the office after coordinating with USFS personnel. We may be able to arrange a drop-off location closer to the work site. Quantities vary depending on use patterns. The incumbent picked up supplies weekly.

8. Can the Government provide approximate refuse volume/weight or historical disposal data to support pricing?

We do not have a volume or weight estimate for the trash. It varies significantly throughout the year, and this information is not tracked. Contractors will need to estimate based on the number of trash cans provided

9. The Statement of Work indicates that Catawba Falls Trailhead has no running water and that the contractor must supply water. Can the Government provide any guidance on approximate water volume needed per service visit?

The Government does not have historical water-usage data. Water needs vary based on how soiled the vault toilet is. Approximately 25 gallons will likely suffice for most days, but usage will vary. Offerors should estimate based on one restroom building with two vault toilets.

10. Amendment 1 requires offerors to identify an employed janitor or provide a commitment letter unless self-performing. If a prime contractor uses a subcontractor, may the subcontractor’s named employee or commitment letter satisfy the requirement?

Yes. A subcontractor’s named janitor or commitment letter may satisfy this requirement.

11. Will the Government accept subcontractor past performance and references if Attachment 5 is completed and submitted?

Yes. Subcontractor past performance may be submitted and will be considered.

12. Should offerors price based on pickup of supplies at the Grandfather Ranger District office in Nebo?

Yes. Offerors should base pricing on pickup at the Nebo office. Any closer location may be arranged after award.

13. Are contractors required to provide proof of biohazard training or certification with the quote?

No. Proof is not required at quote submission. Qualified or certified personnel must be available during performance when needed.

14. At which Forest Service office are government-furnished toilet paper and trash bags currently picked up?

They are picked up at the Grandfather Ranger District office in Nebo unless a closer drop-off location is arranged after award.

15. May the contractor use any properly licensed municipal or commercial disposal facility?

Yes. The contractor may use any properly licensed municipal or commercial disposal facility. The Forest Service does not have a preferred disposal site.

16. May janitorial cleaning and garbage collection at the same location be performed during a single visit if both requirements are completed?

Yes. Both may be performed during one visit if required frequencies are met.

17. Are there specific hours during which services must be completed?

The contractor must coordinate service times with the COR to ensure proper scheduling.

18. Are the listed quantities in the amended Schedule of Items the exact billable number of service visits?

Yes. The listed quantities represent the billable service visits.

19. Are there minimum insurance limits that must be documented before award?

No specific limits must be documented before award. Contractors must comply with federal and state insurance requirements.

20. Will past performance from a proposed major subcontractor be evaluated when the prime has limited relevant past performance?

Yes. Subcontractor past performance will be considered when the prime submits Attachment 5.

21. Would Forest Service staff be available for an accompanied site walkthrough, and if not, may offerors independently visit all four sites?

Forest Service staff are not available for an accompanied walkthrough. Offerors may independently visit all four recreation sites.