127EAU21R0014 Verde River Gather QA and Map.pdf

127EAU21R0014 – Verde River Gather Q&A

1. The solicitation closeout says 16 September 2018 at 9:00AM AZ local time, is this a typo?

o Yes, this was a typo. The correct solicitation closeout is 16 September 2021 at 9:00AM AZ local time.

2. Do references have to be from government contracts?

o No.

3. Where can the contractor hold the branded cattle?

o The contractor will have to coordinate with the State Brand Inspectors and the COR after contract award. The contractor will have to provide facilities or coordinate with local ranchers that have facilities.

4. How long are stray livestock to be held? In the past they were held for two weeks and then sold at auction. The SOW states 7 days. If an animal is NOT claimed during this time, will it be considered the same as feral livestock and counted in that tally?

o Branded livestock need to be held until the brand inspector can inspect the cattle and locate the rightful owner. This can run approximately 7 days. Unclaimed branded cattle will be paid at the unit rate for “Gather of branded livestock seized by state”.

5. Are there currently ranchers running cattle on this ground?

o Many of the areas where the feral cattle are found are vacant allotments. However, permittees graze adjacent to these areas.

6. If the contractor can bring in the quota of feral and stray livestock, would it be possible to 'claim' remaining unbranded cattle?

o No

7. This area is very unpredictable regarding weather. There have been fatal floods on the Verde and snowstorms that could prevent contractors from reaching their timeline goals. As we don't really know when the contract will be awarded, it is difficult to really plan our work. If selected and we fail to reach our goal timeline, will we be able to finish the project if we are done by May 31, 2022?

o The contract must be completed by May 31, 2022. If the contractor is making progress to complete the targeted removal but has not met their schedule due to weather, fires, etc, the USFS will continue to work with the contractor to complete the gather by May 31, 2022.

8. This area is a mix of public and private lands, how restricted are contractors on areas that we gather from?

o This contract only covers gather and removal of unauthorized livestock on Forest System Lands.

9. Who owns the corrals at the Child's Power Station? May we use these corrals?

o The contractor is responsible or providing corrals or coordinating with local ranchers with corral facilities.

10. Will mobilization/demobilization funding be available prior to beginning to gather in order to cover costs such as helicopter ferrying and transportation of equipment to starting locations?

o Typically, the government will not provide payment until services are rendered. However, under certain circumstances the government will work with contractors. Possibly in the form of a partial payment. If selected as the awardee, the contractor and the government would further discuss.

11. How will the payment schedule work? How and when will we be paid?

o All invoicing and payments are made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP)

(https://www.ipp.gov/ ). As for payment schedule, the contractor may submit payments for services rendered. The typical timeframe for this is monthly. Therefore, if a contractor collected 20 livestock during the month, they could invoice for those 20 livestock. Specific https://www.ipp.gov/ invoicing schedules will be worked out between the contractor, CO, and the COR at contract award. Invoices are typically paid out within 30 days of invoice approval.

12. Does the contractor retain ownership of unbranded cattle?

o No

13. Can we get a more defined description of the areas to be worked? Topography maps and boundary lines as well as habitat/vegetation descriptions will be helpful for helicopter pilots and cowboy personnel on the ground in terms of developing a safe and effective route for gathering and removing cattle.

o See attached maps

14. Is the euthanasia cost calculated in addition to the cost for gathering the animal that had to be put down on-site?

o No, unauthorized livestock gathered and removed from the project area will be paid at the respective bid rate. Euthanized livestock will he paid at the respective bid rate.

15. Is payment due at the close of the contract (May 31, 2022) or at a different time?

o Please see the answer to question 8.

16. Do we need to calculate for a trip to the sale yard every 24 hours or can we wait until we have a full trailer load, which often takes up to a week?

o Contractors can coordinate with the COR and brand inspector to transport livestock in a manner that allows for efficient transportation of livestock to the sale barn. The COR will typically approve waiting on transport until you have a full load.

17. If we are seeking approval to hold cattle at a temporary facility, do we need to get that approval for unusual circumstances before we submit our bid?

o No, coordination with the COR is required prior to implementing the gather.

18. Can the cattle be hauled to the auction in Prescott/Chino Valley? Perkinsville Auction might be closer at times.

o Yes, with coordination with the COR.

19. Regarding the Schedule of Items, how should the Care and Feed for each day branded livestock are held be calculated/invoiced?

o The Care and Feed line item will be calculated/invoiced per head, per day.

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Payson

Camp Verde

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Horseshoe Reservoir

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Prescott National Forest

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Pine Mountain Wilderness

Four Peaks Wilderness

Salome Wilderness

Hellsgate Wilderness

Cedar Bench Wilderness

Mazatzal Wilderness

BULL SPRINGS

CEDAR BENCH

Fossil Creek Hackberry/Pivot

Rock

Hackberry/Pivot Rock

Brown Springs

Ike's Backbone

RED CREEK

BARTLETT

DEADMAN

MESA

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CHALK MOUNTAIN

SKELETON

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Range Management Allotments in Verde River Area River

Major Rivers and Lakes

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Wilderness

Forest Boundary

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Tonto National Forest