Question and Answer Document.docx

Green Mountain National Forest Rochester and Middlebury Ranger District Recreation Site Toilet Pumping Question and Answer Document

Q: Water Source for Vault Refill: The Performance Work Statement requires the addition of 100 gallons of water to each vault after pumping. Are there potable water sources or hydrants available for contractor use at each of the 12 recreation sites, or is the contractor responsible for hauling all required water from an off-site location?

A: There are no hydrants or water sources provided by the government at the 12 recreation sites. The contractor is responsible for hauling water to each location to add 100 gallons to each vault.

Q: Trash Volume and Disposal: The Statement of Objectives indicates that trash within the vaults must be removed and disposed of in an appropriate receptacle off National Forest Land. Based on historical data, what is the typical volume or type of trash encountered during annual pumping? Additionally, are there any restrictions on the type of commercial facility used for this disposal?

A: The amount of trash is variable. Typically, the volume of trash in each vault individual vault will fit in a 30-gallon trash bag. There are no restrictions regarding disposal beyond the contractor being responsible for disposal of the refuse in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal law.

Q: Disposal Facility and Fees: Does the Government have a preferred state or federal disposal facility for the liquid and solid waste? Furthermore, should all disposal and "tip" fees be fully burdened within the individual line-item prices, or will the Government reimburse these costs separately?

A: There is no preferred disposal facility. The disposal fee “tipping fee” is fully burdened within the individual line-item costs. There is no additional reimbursement included in the contract.

Q: Site Accessibility: Are all 12 vault locations listed in the Schedule of Items accessible by a standard 1,000–2,000 gallon vacuum truck? Please advise if any specific sites have weight or size restrictions on access roads that would require specialized equipment.

A: There are several outhouses on Texas Falls Road. There are total of 5 separate toilet vaults on the Texas Falls Road. On the map Texas Falls Picnic Area “Site 3” has 4 outhouse vaults. Texas Falls Picnic Area outhouse vaults are located past a bridge that has a bridge weight restriction of: 3 axle-13 ton, 4 axle-14 ton, 5 axle-23 ton, 6 axle- 26 ton. I am not aware of any other road restrictions or possible specialized access requirements other than the above-mentioned bridge restrictions.

Q: Pumping Notification: The contract is described as "call when needed," and the PWS notes that not all vaults may require pumping every year. How will the contractor be notified of the specific vaults requiring service during the October 1st to November 15th performance window?

A: The Contracting Officer Representative would notify the contractor via phone or email. Most years, all toilet vaults require pumping; however, given that environmental events damage roads and infrastructure, occasionally sites become inaccessible and pumping is not required. This is unusual but included in the contract because previous flood events have rendered sites inaccessible for long periods of time resulting in no need to pump or no access to the recreation site.

Q: We are performing independent research on the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (12444326Q0016). We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number and what the total contract value was?

A: The government has offered a similar solicitation and contract several times in the past. The most recent contract number is/was: 12444323P0059. The total contract value is/was: $28,350.

Q: Will water be provided by the government?

A: Water is not provided by the government.