Attachment 8 Questions and Answers.pdf

Leisure Wetland Restora�on Project Site Showing Q&A:

1. The Job Sheets “North Field Plant Mix A”, “South Field Plant Mix B” and “Wetland Sedge Mix” all list the North Field of 6.2 acres when talking about herbicide. Does this mean only the north field will be receiving the herbicide application or will both the North and South fields be receiving the 2 herbicide applications?

• A mistake was made with the original Job sheet package that was post. See revised job sheets… Both North field (6.2 ac) and South field (6.4 ac) will receive two herbicide applications.

2. The Job Sheets “Shrub Planting” and “Tree Planting” both have the herbaceous Weed Treatment

(315) box checked. Does this mean that there are to be herbicide applications during/ post planting or perhaps as maintenance?

• See revised job sheets… The area should be properly prepped from the field spray conducted for the warm season grass cover. The tree and shrub job sheet addressed any post planting weed control as maintenance if needed.

3. The Job Sheets “Shrub Planting” and “Tree Planting” both describe that vegetation of 3’ diameter must be removed from the planting area prior to planting. To maintain this unvegetated area during the establishment period, are there any requirements such as a coco mat, weed mat, mulch or herbicide application that is not specified?

• A mistake was made with the original Job sheets that were post. See revised job sheets… No specific method or requirement is mentioned.

4. The Construction Drawing final page that contains the E&S and Final Seeding Recommendations states that final seeding must be accompanied with 3 tons / ac of straw mulch. Does this also apply to areas that were killed with the initial herbicide treatment but were not disturbed during construction.

• No, only area’s that were disturbed and bare.

5. Also on the Construction Drawings final page under Seeding Recommendations it states “use one of the following mixtures”. Does this refer to a cover crop to the mixes called out on the Job Sheets since none is specified? Or is there no cover crop to be seeded with the seed mixes on the Job Sheets?

• A revised E&S sheet has been posted as part of the solicitation. Refer to Construction Specifications (CS) 5 for additional Erosion & Sediment Control details, and CS 6 for temporary and permeant seeding requirements.

6. Will NRCS personnel provide construc�on staking services to construc�on stake wetland pothole loca�ons, eleva�ons, E&S Control Loca�ons, and other components? IF Not can NRCS provide us with the ON-Site Survey Control Network as an ascii file to include P, N, E, Z, D and CAD Drawings for us to accurately locate features. Is the Survey Control network local or NAD83 State Plane Coordinates?

• NRCS will stake layout out prac�ce limits. Benchmarks are available onsite to assist contractor with checking of grades. NRCS will also be available for quality assurance of grade control during construc�on.

• The survey and CAD Surface may be shared if requested. The contractor must sign a hold harmless release. The survey was done in NAD83 State Plane Coordinates.

7. The shrub protec�on fence is described as a four wire – 3D deer fence however no other details of fence or specifica�on of fence is provided. Please describe. (I am assuming you are referring to a Solar electrified 2-component - poly wire fence). Other manufacturers make similar deer fence such as Gallagher, is NRCS requiring Premier1 3D Brand Specific Fence?

• Fencing will consist of polywire or ½” wide poly tape and fiberglass posts. The 3D fence is not electrified.

8. The Schedule, line Item #002 calls for Silt Fence however your specifica�ons and Details on drawings refer to using Compost Filter Sock, please confirm that Compost Filter Sock is the preferred E&S Control.

• Either method may be used. See revised Erosion & Sediment Control drawing.

9. Are there any Bonding Requirements for this Solicita�on?

• A payment bong (100% of the offered and accepted price) or other approved alterna�ve payment protec�on will be required by the successful quoter within 7 days of award.

10. Please confirm that ALL Permits required for this construc�on have been acquired. Is any standing water present in the current condi�on that would necessitate the need for an aqua�c herbicide permit for ini�al weed control and burn down.

• All permits have been acquired. There is no standing water onsite or need for aqua�c herbicide on this project.

11. Please confirm when the E&S Components Item 002 will be paid, upon installa�on or upon removal?

• 50% of item 002 may be paid upon installa�on. The remaining 50% will be paid upon removal.

12. The PA 327 job sheets for the south field mix B are filled out with the north field requirements.

Are the plan�ng requirements the same? If not will an amendment with the correct informa�on be added?

• See revised job sheets… The only difference in the na�ve grass mix from the north and south mix is the presence of switch grass. Being there is already switch grass present in the north field, switch grass seed was le� out of the north field mix.

13. The PA 327 job sheet for the sedge mix plan�ng is filled out with the north field mix A requirements. Will updated requirements for the sedge mix be supplied?

• See revised job sheets.

14. What is the total number of shrubs to be planted?

• See revised job sheets… 150 total. See Shrub job sheet. 5 varie�es of 30 each.

15. How many shrubs shall be planted in each cluster?

• Not specified. To be determined a�er construc�on of potholes.

16. The PA 612 job sheet for the tree plan�ng is the same as the PA 612 job sheet for the shrub plan�ng. What are the tree specifica�ons and requirements.

• See revised job sheets.

17. What mulching method is preferred by NRCS for the tree and shrub plan�ngs. (i.e. tree bark mulch, coir ma�ng, straw, etc.)

• No specific method or requirement is mentioned.

18. Sec�on 6-6 construc�on specifica�ons - Seeding, Sprigging, and mulching states that item of work 010 maintenance “shall include weed whacking around tree tubes and shrub protec�on fence”. Are tree tubes required?

• See revised job sheets… Yes, tree tubes are required for trees.

19. During the site showing an NRCS representa�ve stated that the landowner would conduct the pre-herbicide mowing. Please verify if this is correct or is the contractor required to complete the mowing.

• Correct. NRCS is responsible for coordina�ng with mowing and baling of switch grass residue off the site. This will happen as close to construc�on as possible.

Bid item schedule & reimbursement clarifica�on-

• Bid items 005, 006, 007, 008, & 009 shall be completed within 50 days of the No�ce to proceed.

• Bid item 003 & 004: Items to be completed per �meframe outlined in the Construc�on

Specifica�on and Conserva�on Plan Job Sheets.

• Bid item 003 & 004: 10% to be held un�l year 1 maintenance ac�vi�es are completed.

• Bid item 001: Eligible for progress payments. 50% held un�l items 003 – 009 are completed.

• Bid item 002: 50% of unit price may be reimbursed upon installa�on. Remaining 50% reimbursed upon removal.