140F0520R0027 Response to Questions_0002.docx

Solicitation 140F0520R0027 Firing Range Cleanup – Moosehorn NWR

Response to Questions

1. Q: Can bidders assume that no lead based paint or asbestos is present on or within the ‘pole-barn-type shelter’ or enclosed ‘bullet catchment structure’?

A: Yes. The steel does not appear to have been painted, and the pole barn structure was constructed around 2006, well after lead based paint had been phased out.

2. Q: If available, please provide any past environmental investigations and/or associated analytical data completed at the site.

A: None are known to have been completed.

3. Q: What concentration of lead (in mg/kg or ppm) are potentially contaminated soils to be laterally and vertically delineated to (e.g., ME RAGs, Wildlife PRGs, site-specific risk-based value, rule of 20)?

A: Unknown

4. Q: Please confirm that lead (and not copper, for example) is the driver for any delineation and confirmation sampling required.

A: Yes

5. Q: For the purposes of cost estimation, please confirm that bidders should assume a maximum total of 11.6 cubic yards of contaminated soil/leaf litter requires removal and off-site disposal.

A: The total of 11.6 cubic yards of organic and mineral soil is correct. The leaf litter on top of the soil will constitute additional volume. The leaf litter at the firing range is minimal since it is the site of a former gravel pit, and all vegetation and organic material was cleared before construction of the firing range. The leaf litter at the metal box consists mostly of pine needles of an unknown depth.

6. Q: Please describe any site restoration specifications for the job (e.g., backfilling, compacting, topsoiling, seeding, etc.).

A: The site does not need to be restored after the job is completed as part of this contract. No backfilling, addition of topsoil, seeding, or leveling of the ground after removal of potentially contaminated soils is desired to minimize the introduction of invasive plants.

7. Q: Can you tell me who did it last time and what was the value?

A: The previous firing range removal was a completely different project of a much larger scale. The former firing range (not this project) was a large gravel pit with no catchment structure that had been fired into across a wide area for decades by multiple agencies. A much larger volume of soil had to be removed in phases, with testing conducted between levels of soil removed to assess the amount of lead remaining in the soil.

8. Q: For the removal of contaminated soil, the SOW states a minimum soil removal of: 1.) 6" deep extending 8' in front of the concrete pad, and 2' from both sides and back of the pad, totaling approximately 6.3 cubic yards and 2.) removal of potentially contaminated soil under and around storage box and approximate total of 5.3 cubic yards of soil, plus leaf litter. For purpose of bidding, could the government clarify to contractors the total amount of contaminated soil removal to be quoted in our itemized bid?

A: The total amount of organic and mineral soil to be removed would be 11.6 cubic yards. The volume of leaf litter is not determined, but it is not expected to exceed 5.1 uncompacted cubic yards (at a thickness of 3 inches under the box and a thickness of 4 inches around the box out to 4 feet from the sides of the box).

9. Q: Page 3, Tasks, Clean Up, first bullet: please confirm that the lead and other projectile removal from the surface of the soil around the structure is limited to the extent of soil removal defined in the second bullet. Or please clarify the extent otherwise?

A: Yes, that is correct.

10. Q:Page 3, Tasks, Clean Up, fifth bullet: please quantify the amount of man-made debris requiring removal. Photo documentation of all piles requiring removal would be helpful if available?

A: Additional debris is limited, consisting mostly of old 2x4 lumber that formerly held up targets, a broken step ladder, some concrete block fragments. Maybe 2 cubic yards total. One photo attached to this document of the larger pile.

11. Q: Page 3, Tasks, Clean Up, sixth bullet and Page 2, fourth paragraph: Is the cleaning and decontaminating the concrete pad to a visual inspection only? Please confirm that wipe sampling is not required.

A: Cleaning the concrete pad will require removal of all loose debris from the surface of the concrete and washing of the surface. It is anticipated that the contractor would mechanically sweep up or vacuum and remove all loose lead and other debris from the surface of the concrete, then use a pressure washer and clean the concrete surface. Ideally, the first round of pressure washing would be conducted prior to removal of the surrounding soil so that the soil captures and filters the rinse water, then once the soil and building is removed from around the concrete, the concrete could then be cleaned of soil for visual inspection. No swabbing of the concrete for the presence of lead would be required as long as it is visually clean of debris and lead.

12. Q: Are there any requirements to remove the lead paint from the storage box before removing from site?

A: No, but it is expected that the contractor will not allow loose paint from the storage box to fall from the box onto the ground on the refuge after the box is moved or removed from its present location, including along the refuge roads on the way to the public road. Therefore, it would be advisable to brush or scrape the loose paint from the outside of the box before the box is removed from its present location so that the paint falls onto tarps and can be collected, or falls onto the leaf litter or soil and can then be removed.

13. Q: Is there an expectation to recover lead projectiles and fragments from soil before disposal?

A: No. It is expected that the contractor will dispose of the contaminated soil in compliance with state and federal laws.

14. Q: Please identify any structures requiring removal that are not already specifically named in the SOW.

A: No other structures are to be removed as part of this project besides those listed in the SOW.

15. Q: Are there any limitations for access to the work location with heavy equipment and over the road trucks (e.g. Bridges, road conditions, overhead hazards, trees, creek crossings, etc.)?

A:The Charlotte Road, which is the public road leading to the refuge, is load limited in the spring when the ground thaws. Presently the roads on the refuge leading to the firing range site have brush and limbs close to the roadside and there are overhanging limbs.

16. Q: In the Scope of Work under Cleanup the removal of contaminated soils is estimated at 6.3 cubic yards from the catchment structure and 5.3 cubic yards from the soil surrounding the storage box. If the initial soil sampling/Impact delineations determine that the extent of the lead contamination is a greater volume, will a modification be issued to cover the additional efforts? A: It is not anticipated that the soil samples post cleanup will reveal elevated lead levels. Any additional soil removal required would be conducted under a separate project, or if conducted as part of this project, it is anticipated that a modification would be issued and the contractor would be paid additional funds for the removal of additional soils.

17. Q: Has there been any previous site investigations? If so can you provide? If not are there any other suspected contaminants?

A: No other site investigations have been conducted. No other contaminants are expected, except those which would be associated with standard small arms bullets and shotgun shells used by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

18. Q: Are there any restraints or restrictions with getting heavy equipment delivered to the site?

A: See question 15 above

19. Q: When is the work expected to be awarded and how soon after can the contractor begin onsite activities?

A: Award on or near September 24, 2020. Contractor can proceed within 10 days of award. Start date to be arranged with field point of contact.

20. Q: Is the intent to complete this work in calendar year 2020?

A: Period of Performance is one year. Completion 9/24/2021. Work can be completed before this date.

21. Q: Please confirm the size standard under NAICS 562910. Since this contract will involve soil sampling and other technical expertise in addition to heavy equipment, we typically see this procured under NAICS 562910 - 750 person size standard versus the $22M size standard. Can you please confirm the NAICS Code size standard?

A: size standard is 750 employees

22. Q: For the Itemized Quote, does the Fish and Wildlife Service have a Price Form to show breakdown?

A: No, Contractor shall provide an itemized budget format they typically use, or feel is appropriate to show the cost breakdown for this project.

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