C05_Question and Answers Hapgood Tank Clean.pdf

1. When can we conduct an on-site inspection to complete our quote? A Site Visit with Danna Strout has been scheduled for October 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. ET to 11 a.m. ET. All questions and inquiries arising from the site visit should be submitted via email to anona.johnson@usda.gov no later than October 15, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

ET.

2. Are there any specific details or protocols we should take into consideration during the site visit (visiting time, access limitations to the site, etc.)?

You may Contact Danna Strout by email at danna.strout@usda.gov or by cell phone number 518-727-2474 for access.

Site is located on North Road in Peru, VT just after town park at https://maps.app.goo.gl/WipN5RV37rhpqZ6v7

We don't have a street address for this spot.

3. Could you please share who the incumbent was for the previous contract? There is no incumbent, this is a new effort.

4. Which specific amendment(s) should be completed and submitted? All Amendments need to be signed and sent back to anona.johnson@usda.gov on October 20,2026 at 12 p.m. ET.

5. Are there key areas in Technical Analysis that we should particularly focus on? All Areas.

6. What is the tank designated access point (roof hatch, side manway, or other), and what are its dimensions? Roof Hatch.

7. Is there an air gap between the access point and the water line? If so, please advise the distance. There is an air gap, distance is unknown.

8. Is the tank equipped with an external ladder, an internal ladder, or both? No ladder.

9. When was the tank last cleaned and inspected? 2019

10. The solicitation describes a firm-fixed-price requirements contract, while the schedule of items lists a single lump-sum line item. Please confirm the contract type and whether one lump-sum price covers the complete scope of work. Yes, this is a firm fixed price contract. One lump sum price covers the complete scope of work.

11. May an offeror rely on a subcontractor's past projects, equipment and named personnel for the three evaluation factors, if they are clearly identified as the subcontractors? Yes mailto:danna.strout@usda.gov https://maps.app.goo.gl/WipN5RV37rhpqZ6v7 mailto:anona.johnson@usda.gov

12. Please confirm that the Service Contract Labor Standards apply and that no Davis- Bacon wage determination will be added. SF 1449 shows NAICS 238220, but the contract carries the Service Contract Labor Standards and Wage Determination 2015-4139. No Davis-Bacon wage determination will be added, because this is a service contract, not construction.

13. Do Vermont DEC drinking-water requirements call for a certified operator or post-disinfection bacteriological sampling on this tank and if so, who performs it? The Statement of Work names AWWA C652-11 and Vermont DEC but has no sampling line. No post disinfection bacteriological sampling is required in this contract. The FS accomplishes that during seasonal start up each May.

14. Will the Government drain the tank before the work and refill it afterwards, or is draining and refilling part of the contractor's work? The tank will be drained by the FS. Refilling will not occur until May 2027 prior to the campground opening.

15. What is the tank access: the size of the access hatch or lid riser, whether there is an internal or external ladder, and whether a truck and trailer can reach the tank? Roof hatch, no ladder, and a truck can get within 25ft of the tank.

16. Tank condition: Is the tank currently drained or winterized? Will the Forest Service drain and refill it, or is that the contractor's responsibility? If the contractor refills it, what is the water source? The tank will be drained after Oct 12 when the campground closes (by the FS). The tank will be refilled in May prior to the campground opening.

17. Return to service: After disinfection under AWWA C652-11 Method 2, who collects and pays for bacteriological sampling before the tank goes back into service? No post disinfection bacteriological sampling is required in this contract. The FS accomplishes that during seasonal start up each May.

18. Inspection deliverable: What format and content are required for the inspection results (written report, photos, video, condition rating)? Does it need an engineer's stamp? Written report with photos, pdf format. No engineering stamp required

19. Discharge and disposal: Where may chlorinated and rinse water be discharged, and is dechlorination required? Where should remove sediment be disposed of? Rinse water may be disposed of using the tanks drain. Sediment may be disposed of on-site at an approved location.

20. Exterior washing: Which exterior surfaces are included in "pressure wash inside and out" (top slab, hatch riser, exposed wall)? Exposed concrete.

21. What inspection deliverable is required upon completion — e.g., written condition report/checklist, photographs, video, or another prescribed format or inspection standard? Written report with photos, pdf format.

22. Does the Government require dry-confined-space entry for the inspection, or may an alternative inspection method be proposed if it fully satisfies the revised cleaning, inspection and disinfection requirements? See the SOW for required work.

23. Please clarify responsibility for draining/isolation of the tank, refilling/return to service, and disposal of sediment, wash water and chlorinated water generated during performance. The FS will drain the tank prior to the contract work and then refill the tank in May before the campground re-opens. Rinse water may be disposed of using the tanks drain. Sediment may be disposed of on-site at an approved location.

24. Under Evaluation Factor 1, may the offeror submit and receive evaluation credit for the directly relevant experience/past performance of its proposed first-tier subcontractor and assigned key personnel, or will only the prime offeror's corporate experience be considered? All experience will be considered

25. Are Evaluation Factors 1-3 listed in descending order of importance, or are they of equal importance? Equal importance

26. Tank drain: Does the tank have an operable "daylight" drain at its lowest point that can be used to empty the tank and remove wash water? There is drain that goes to daylight that can be used to empty the tank. There may be some residual water that the contractor may need to remove.

27. Initial draining and isolation: Will the Forest Service provide the empty and isolated tank before work begins, or is the contractor responsible for draining it and operating the necessary valves? Forest Service will drain the tank.

28. Refilling: Who is responsible for refilling the tank after coating cure and disinfection? Will the existing water supply be available at no charge, or must the contractor furnish and haul potable water? See updated SOW. The FS will refill the tank in May prior to the campground re-opening.

29. Disinfection and return to service: Who is responsible for sampling, laboratory fees, any repeat treatment or testing, and authorization to return the tank to service?

No post disinfection bacteriological sampling is required in this contract. The FS accomplishes that during seasonal start up each May.

30. Sediment quantity: What is the estimated depth or volume of sediment currently in the tank that will need to be removed? See photo from May 2026 below, current depth is unknown.

31. Does the contract specifically require a dedicated confined-space rescue team to be physically onsite during all tank-entry operations? Alternatively, may the contractor satisfy the requirement through another rescue team/service arrangement that complies with the applicable OSHA confined-space standard, provided the contractor properly evaluates, designates, coordinates with, and can timely summon that rescue service for the hazards involved? Contractors shall follow OSHA confined space requirements.

32. Is a project specific written confined-space rescue plan a required Government submittal or deliverable under this contract? If so, please identify the required content and whether Government approval is required before entry. No

33. Should offerors assume that all confined-space entry and rescue arrangements, personnel, equipment, and associated costs are entirely contractor-furnished, with no Government-furnished rescue resources? This is the responsibility of the contractor.

34. Are bid, performance, or payment bonds required for this procurement? No

35. Is potable water available at the tank for cleaning and sanitization? If so, where is the connection, and is it supplied without charge? When the tank is drained there is no potable water on-site. There is the well, but that is pre-treatment.

36. What is the precise October 12 quotation deadline, including time zone, and the required submission method? Deadline has been extended to October 20, 2026, at 12p.m. ET. Please send via email to anona.johnson@usda.gov

37. Tank capacity vs. dimensions. Updated SOW §22120 1.1.A states 10,000 gallons.

The dimensions in §01100 1.02.A.1 (approx. 15'-4" diameter x 8'-9" deep) work out to roughly 12,000 gallons. Which governs, and what is the normal operating water level? Are as-built drawings of the tank available (roof type, hatch, vent, overflow, inlet/outlet locations)? Tank dimensions and volume are approximate. Contract is responsible for all work regardless of actual volume or dimensions. No as-built drawings are available.

38. Bonds and insurance. Are any bonds or specific insurance limits required? We did not find a clause in Attachment 1. No

39. Limitations on subcontracting. FAR 52.219-14 appears unchecked in Attachment

1. Does it apply to this award? Does not apply

40. Chlorinated water disposal. Updated SOW §221219 3.2 calls for AWWA C652-11 Method 2 but does not say how or where the chlorinated rinse water is to be neutralized or discharged. What is required? Rinse water may be disposed of using the tanks drain.

41. Pressure-washing PSI. The original Attachment 2 §3.4. D set a pressure-washing requirement; the Updated SOW is silent. Does a minimum PSI still apply? No.

42. Could you please clarify whether either arrangement is permitted under Amendment 0005, provided the contractor satisfies all applicable confined-space requirements? In particular, does the contract impose a dedicated onsite rescue-team requirement beyond the rescue arrangements required by the applicable safety standard? Contractors shall follow OSHA confined space requirements.

43. Please also identify any contract-specific rescue-plan submittal, personnel qualification, standby-location or approval requirement we should include in our quotation. Contractors shall follow OSHA confined space requirements.

Inside Tank – May 2026

Outside Tank – 2016