A11_QAmemo-127EAS26Q0006_12Mar2026.pdf

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE

PROCUREMENT & PROPERTY SERVICES (PPS)

FIELD PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS (FPO) – SOUTHWEST ZONE (SWZ)

CONTRACT SERVICE AREA (CSA) 2

12 March 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR RFQ 127EAS26Q0006

FROM USFS PPS FPO SWZ CSA 2

SUBJECT: RFQ 127EAS26Q0006 Questions & Answers

1. Question: “Can the Forest Service confirm whether the contract will be structured as a base year with option years or as a single, multi-year fixed contract period?”

Answer: “The solicitation is structured to result in a firm-fixed-price multiple year purchase order.”

2. Question: “Please confirm whether major repairs, equipment replacement, and capital improvements are excluded from the base O&M scope and would require separate authorization.”

Answer: “Yes, major repairs and capital improvements are excluded from the base O&M scope and would require a separate authorization, on a case-by-case basis.”

3. Question: “Is there a defined dollar threshold at which work is considered capital repair versus routine maintenance under the contract?”

Answer: “There is no pre-determined dollar value threshold that distinguishes routine maintenance from a capital repair/improvement; however, for the purpose of this project, repairs above $2,500 can be considered capital improvements. Repairs below $2,500 will be determined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the purchase order scope, terms, and conditions.”

4. Question: “Will emergency repairs outside of routine O&M activities be compensated under separate task orders or contract modifications?”

Answer: “Emergency repairs outside of the routine O&M activities will be considered by the Government Program Office and Contracting Officer on a case-by-case basis. Emergency repairs outside of the routine O&M scope may be procured as either a discrete contract action or as a modification to the existing purchase order, depending on the nature of the contemplated work.”

5. Question: “Can the Forest Service provide a current equipment inventory for each facility, including treatment units, pumps, blowers, electrical panels, and control systems?”

Answer: “Yes, this information will be provided to the awardee after purchase order award. The Forest Service remains responsible for equipment repairs and/or upgrades.”

127EAS26Q0006 Inyo NF WWTP Ops & Maint Question & Answer Memorandum

6. Question: “Can the Forest Service provide any available as-built drawings, electrical schematics, or control panel documentation for the wastewater treatment systems and lift stations?”

Answer: “Yes, this information will be provided to the awardee after purchase order award.”

7. Question: “Are there any known compliance issues, recurring violations, or regulatory concerns at any of the three WWTPs?”

Answer: “Yes, there have been compliance issues and violations related to the Forest Service lacking wastewater treatment plant operators on staff to operate & maintain the wastewater treatment facilities. This has been an ongoing issue for the last 5 years, but we are hoping to resolve it through the anticipated purchase order.”

8. Question: “Please confirm whether sludge removal and disposal is expected under this contract, and, if so, provide estimated frequency and historical volumes.”

Answer: “Yes, sludge removal and disposal is expected under this contract, since sludge has not been removed from the treatment ponds in the last 10 years. The anticipated sludge removal and disposal for this contract is approximately once in the next 5 years.”

9. Question: “Are certified laboratories currently under contract, or is the Contractor expected to procure all laboratory services.”

Answer: “The Government Team is currently sending wastewater samples to Babcock Laboratories, Inc in Riverside, CA. The awardee of the subject purchase order is not expected to procure all laboratory services – these services are the responsibility of the Forest Service. The Forest Service is not currently party to an active contract with Babcock Laboratories, Inc for these services.”

10. Question: “For Rock Creek groundwater monitoring wells, can the Forest Service provide well depth, casing diameter, and historical sampling results.”

11. Question: “Please confirm whether sampling frequency and analyte lists in the SOW reflect current Lahontan Regional Board requirements, or if amendments to WDRs are anticipated.”

Answer: “Yes, the sampling frequency and analyte list in the SOW reflects the current Lahontan Regional Board requirements. A few amendments to the WDRs should be expected, but they wouldn’t substantially change what we currently have.”

12. Question: “Are there any upcoming regulatory changes, permit renewals, or pending WDR modifications during the anticipated contract period?”

Answer: “The State is currently working on renewing some of the permits and WDR requirements, but this wouldn’t substantially change what we currently have. The renewals are mostly geared toward updating information on the permit including current conditions.”

127EAS26Q0006 Inyo NF WWTP Ops & Maint

13. Question: “Can the Forest Service provide equipment specifications for the pumps, aerators, and control systems at each facility?”

14. Question: “At the Convict Lake lift station, one pump was observed to be out of service during the site visit. Will this pump be repaired or replaced by the Forest Service prior to contract start, or should contractors assume responsibility for restoring redundancy?”

Answer: “The Forest Service is responsible for equipment repairs and/or upgrades. Currently the Government Team does not have a timeline for when the pump will be repaired. It is possible that the contract might start before the pump is repaired.”

15. Question: “At Big Trees Campground, splash aerators were reported damaged. Can the Forest Service confirm whether replacement parts have been ordered, and repairs will be completed prior to the contract start date”

Answer: “The Forest Service is responsible for equipment repairs or upgrades. The aerator parts were ordered, and the Government Team anticipates completing the repairs before purchase award.”

16. Question: “Please confirm whether all laboratory analyses must be performed by a California ELAP-certified laboratory, and whether subcontracting to an ELAP-certified lab is acceptable?”

Answer: “All laboratory analyses must be performed by a California ELAP-certified lab. Please be advised that the laboratory analysis coordination tasks required by the solicitation (and any resulting purchase order) do not necessitate subcontracting of the laboratory analysis, itself, by the prime contractor to a subcontractor. Laboratory analysis costs (i.e. laboratory supplies and analysis) are the responsibility of the Forest Service and are not to be included in the awarded firm-fixed-price.

Please refer to the Statement of Work for a detailed outline of laboratory analysis coordination tasks for which the awardee shall be responsible.”

17. Question: “Are laboratory costs intended to be included in the Contractor’s fixed price, or will they be reimbursed separately?”

Answer: “Laboratory costs (i.e. laboratory supplies and analysis) are the responsibility of the Forest Service and are not to be included in the awarded firm-fixed-price. The Forest Service is billed for these supplies and services directly by the laboratory. Please refer to the Statement of Work for a detailed outline of laboratory analysis coordination tasks for which the awardee shall be responsible and for which costs should be included in the quoted firm-fixed-price.”

18. Question: “If regulatory agencies require additional sampling due to exceedances, will those costs be reimbursable?”

Answer: “Yes, those costs are the responsibility of the Forest Service and are not included in the awarded firm-fixed-price.”

19. Question: “Can the Forest Service provide historical laboratory cost data and annual sample counts for the past three years?”

Answer: “N/A - the Forest Service is responsible for laboratory service fees. Such costs are not included in the awarded firm-fixed-price.”

20. Question: “For analytes required every five years (e.g., organics and metals), should pricing assume testing will occur during the base year or be averaged across contract years?”

Answer: “N/A - the Forest Service is responsible for laboratory service fees. Such costs are not included in the awarded firm-fixed-price.”

21. Question: “Please confirm the minimum wastewater treatment operator certification grade required for each facility (Grade I, II, etc.)”

Answer: “For all wastewater treatment facilities and lift stations, a Grade I or above is required to operate & maintain the facility.”

22. Question: “Are on-site visits expected weekly, bi-weekly, or as-needed outside of specified sampling events?”

Answer: “On-site visits are expected weekly.”

23. Question: “Is after-hours emergency response required, and, if so, what is the expected response time?”

Answer: “Yes, after-hours emergency response is required. Please see Statement of Work for specific requirements for each site.”

24. Question: “Are operators required to obtain USDA Personal Identity Verification (PIV/LincPass) credentials prior to beginning work?”

Answer: “No, operators are not required to obtain USDA Personal Identity Verification (PIV/LincPass) credentials.”

25. Question: “Will the Forest Service require site-specific safety plans or Job Hazard Analyses for each location?”

Answer: “Yes, site specific safety plans/Job Hazard Analysis for each facility/site.”

26. Question: “Are there seasonal access limitations due to snow or road closures for Rock Creek or Convict Lake?”

Answer: “No, roads leading to both facilities are plowed during the winter, and the Forest Service is available to help plow roads in case the facilities are inaccessible to snow.”

27. Question: “Are any facilities equipped with remote monitoring or telemetry systems?”

Answer: “No, none of the facilities are currently equipped with remote monitoring.”

127EAS26Q0006 Inyo NF WWTP Ops & Maint

28. Question: “Is there on-site power backup (generators) at each plant?”

Answer: “There is currently no backup power (generators) at each treatment facility.”

29. Question: “Are there storage facilities available for chemicals, tools, and spare parts?”

Answer: “Yes, storage facilities are available at each treatment facility.”

30. Question: “Please confirm reporting format requirements for quarterly monitoring reports.”

Answer: “Quarterly reports shall be submitted electronically. While the Forest Service does not specify formatting requirements, data and information must be presented in an organized and effective manner.”

31. Question: “Are electronic submittals to CIWQS required, or will the Forest Service submit regulatory reports?”

Answer: “Yes, the contractor is required to submit electronic submittals to CWQWs.”

32. Question: “Is the Contractor responsible for preparing and submitting all regulatory reports under the WDRs?”

Answer: “Yes, the contractor is required to prepare monthly reports and submit them to the State Water Quality Control Board.”

MATTHEW L KILLIAN

Contracting Officer

USFS PPS FPO SWZ CSA 2