C03 HOG_BPA_QA 12444726Q0018.pdf

Questions and Answers for Hog Removal Blanket Purchase Agreements Notice ID 12444726Q0018

1. Regarding hog quantities and BPA calls, they would like to know if the Government can provide the number of feral hogs removed at the Savannah River Site for each of the past three years, ideally broken out by contractor hunt unit if available.

Answer

Total hogs removed:

2023 - 1501

2024 - 1301

2025 - 1155

2.They’re also interested in estimated, historical, or anticipated annual ranges of hogs removed per BPA holder or per BPA call, which would be helpful for pricing purposes.

Answer

Hogs removed per BPA holder range from 350-550 a year. This depends on contractor skill and level of effort.

3.Additionally, they’d like clarification on whether contractor hunt units are to be worked continuously during the assigned three-month period, or only when a written BPA call is issued for that area and timeframe.

Answer

Hunt units are to be worked continuously until the contractor runs out of funding or it becomes time to switch areas.

4.On the firearms and dispatch requirement, the contractor noted that while the RFQ specifies the need to capture and dispatch wild hogs, Attachment 3 prohibits weapons, firearms, ammunition, and related items on SRS. They’re seeking details on the requirements and approval process for bringing firearms and ammunition onto SRS property while remaining compliant with site security regulations.

Answer

We will need the make, model, and serial number for the firearm(s) that they are going to be bringing on site and will have to get them a prohibited articles pass that will run through the DOE approval process.

5.For harvested animal handling, they asked whether, after dispatching a hog, the animal should be left in place or moved to a Government-designated location until counted.

Answer

Below is pulled from the Hog Removal With Traps section of the SOW.

Hogs captured in traps must be euthanized at the trap location and then transported to a location for disposal.

Disposal locations should be selected away from any site infrastructure, work area, primary roadway, or location visible to site personnel or public.

COR has the discretion to halt or specifically select disposal locations at any time

6. With respect to trap systems, dogs, and field methods, they’d like to know if there are minimum requirements for trap types, sizes, gates, cameras, remote monitoring, or inspection frequency.

Answer

No minimums on trap type, size, gates, or cameras, though when using cameras, they must not be pointed at any site infrastructure or paved roadways. If a trap is set than it should be inspected every 24hrs. Below is from SOW:

Contractor is responsible for checking operational traps once every 24hrs.

USFS is not responsible for checking and clearing contractor traps.

If USFS and COR are notified of a hog in contractors trap, the contractor has 12 hrs to clear the trap

7.They’re also seeking clarification on whether baiting methods, bait types, or attractants are restricted at SRS.

Answer

Any kind of natural bait or attractant is allowed. No poisons, or hazardous materials.

8. About trained dog packs, the RFQ mentions that these can only be used during approved periods, so they’re asking when dog packs may be approved and if their use is expected, optional, or only authorized under certain conditions.

Hog Removal with Dogs:

Contractor has the option to use trained dogs to find and dispatch wild hogs. The use of dogs will be in accordance with the following specifications and are only meant to supplement trapping efforts

Dog packs will not be allowed on site from June 15 – September 15.

COR can request the use of dogs during this time frame to assist with various research or hog damage issues

9.Finally, for staging, storage, and site logistics, the contractor is wondering if there are designated staging, parking, trap storage, or equipment storage areas available within or near the hunt units. They also want to know if contractors are allowed to leave traps, bait containers, trailers, or related equipment on site during active assigned periods, as long as storage is approved and compliant with Attachment 3.

Answer

There are no set staging areas within each hunt unit. Contractors typically store their traps off to the side of a side road within their assigned hunt unit. We do have space near our compound where traps can be stored temporarily if needed. Trailers and related equipment can be temporarily stored on site during hunt unit switching periods but cannot be stored permanently on site.

10.Can the Government clarify the expected invoice timing for this requirement? The SOW states that payment is based on verified hog removal data submitted through Survey 123 and that the COR will decide the details of when invoices can be submitted.

Answer

Currently, contractors typically invoice either quarterly or when they reach around 100 hogs removed. Ultimately, the exact schedule is flexible and should be coordinated between the contractor and the COR, allowing both parties to agree on what works best for their workflow and reporting needs.

11.For pricing purposes, should we expect to invoice monthly, quarterly, at the end of each assigned hunt-unit rotation, on a per-call basis, or on another schedule determined by the COR?

Answer

If you’d like to propose a schedule or have specific preferences, I recommend discussing them directly with COR to establish a routine that fits the project’s demands and your operations.

12.I have a question about the traps mentioned in the SOW. It states that there needs to be a minimum of 5 traps set at all times. It also states that the USFS can supply traps and that traps will be "distributed amongst all contractors." Do you know if they will provide a minimum of 5 traps or will we need to supply traps ourselves. I currently have a couple traps but for pricing concerns would like to know if I would need to purchase or make any more.

I would make sure that you have at least 5 traps of your own. We should be able to distribute out 3-5 traps per contractor depending on their condition once we get them back. I just wouldn’t count on it.

13. Is the $100,000 limitation a cap per individual BPA call, rather than a cap per year?

Answer

CAP per individual (Each individual BPA call shall not exceed $100,000.00.)

14. Is the $500,000 estimated aggregate purchase limit shared across all BPA awardees over the full five-year ordering period?

Answer

Yes

15. Should each BPA awardee expect to receive work for approximately three months per year on a rotational basis, or could awardees receive multiple calls/periods in a year depending on funding, success rates, and Government need?

Answer

No, contractors are expected to trap year-round or until their allotted funding for the year runs out. Historically contractors trap year-round with one small break near the beginning of each fiscal year to allow for new funding to be added.

16. Will all three BPA awardees be active concurrently in separate areas, or will the Government rotate awardees through areas/time periods?

Yes, all 3 contractors will trap year-round at the same time but in different assigned areas.

17. For pricing purposes, should offerors assume responsibility for maintaining the required trap/check/clearing capability only during the period of an issued BPA call, or is year-round readiness expected even when no active call is issued?

Answer

Year-round readiness and trapping are required.

18.If the prime contractor submits with a qualified field-performing subcontractor/teaming partner, must the prime contractor’s own employee or owner be one of the four approved on-site personnel?

As long as the subcontractor has a designated manger or lead person in charge of hog removal operations, data submitting, and coordination with the USFS on all needs then no. If the prime contractor plans on completing any of the above task, then yes.

19.Must the prime contractor’s own employee or owner physically assist with trapping/removal activities?

Answer

If they are listed as one of the 4 personnel who are conducting hog removal activities, then yes.

20. May the qualified subcontractor’s field lead serve as the on-site operational lead/personnel member responsible for day-to-day trapping/removal performance?

Answer

Yes

21.Are administrative/prime-contract management personnel who do not enter the SRS field areas counted against the four-person personnel limit?

Answer

As long as there is an approved subcontractor with a designated lead that will handle everything described in the response to question 1 then no.

22.If a prime contractor uses a subcontractor for field performance, should the quote identify the subcontractor’s field personnel and experience as part of the technical approach?

Answer

Yes, otherwise we don’t know if the subcontractor is experienced and suitable at completing the task of this BPA.

23.Who is the current or previous incumbent?

Answer

We currently have 3 local small business private contractors on site working under the previous Hog removal BPA

24.What is the current or previous contract number?

Answer

12467020A0035

12467020A0036

12467020A0037

25.What is the current or previous value of the contract?

Answer

Previously the contract has paid out around $70,000 per year which is split between the 3 contractors.

26.What would be the total cost per Hog?

This is your bidding price that you would list in attachment 2 Clin Structure