Attachment_5_Vendor_Questions_and_Answers_0001.docx

VENDOR QUESTIONS

0913/2022 Bon Secour Project WUI Project

1. We understand that all dead and down vegetation, and timber/brush with a diameter of <6", located a minimum of 20' from the existing break/trail edge, will be masticated during this work. Are the trail/break edges clearing marked? The trail edge is not marked, trail width varies. Ending total width of the break will be forty feet, thus twenty feet from each side of the center of the trial. Government representative can identify the center of the trail if contractor desires.

2. We understand that all material removed must be masticated. Piling, burning, etc. will not be acceptable in any areas? Correct, Piling, burning, etc. will not be acceptable in any areas.

3. Will live oak and long leaf pine trees (not to be removed) be clearly flagged or marked by the Refuge? Yes

4. What does the terrain consist of for the length of the work area? We assume relatively flat topography with sandy soils. Are all areas to be treated accessible with track equipment? Flat to gently rolling and yes, all areas to be are treated accessible with track equipment.

5. Is the width of the trail/break clearing 20' or 40'? 40 feet total.

6. The SOW indicates that low pressure tracked excavator mastication equipment must be used. Would a track mounted skid steer with a forestry mulcher unit be acceptable for use on this project? Yes.

7. Have the archaeological sites been marked? Yes.

8. Does the refuge have a secured lot for the temporary storage of equipment? No.

9. Are there any and what permits will we be responsible for obtaining. Not pertaining to the work to be accomplished. Contractor’s licensees and state and local permits are the contractor’s responsibility, section 4.1

10. Are we going to be liable or penalized if rutting exceeds 6 inches; example if a machine were to get stuck. No.

11. Confirm that only trees smaller than 6 inches in diameter will be masticated and that no live oak or long leaf pines will be masticated regardless of size. Section 1.1, a 1.5 (approximately) acre lot will be completed masticated with the exception of marked trees and trees greater than six inches. Section 5.1, All vegetation with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of six (6) inches and smaller has to be masticated to mineral soil unless identified by the government. If the government wants any vegetation/trees less than six inches to remain they will be identified.

12. Will the NWR flag the live oak & long leaf pine trees for identification, or shall we include identifaction services of an arborist or dendrologist in our proposal? The government will identify.

13. Confirm the requirement "has to be masticated to mineral soil". Please provide definition and explanation with particle sizes acceptable to meet this requirement. Mineral soil defined = (Science: ecology) any soil consisting primarily of mineral (sand, silt and clay) material, rather than organic matter. (From Biology Online). All vegetation herbaceous, woody or other that meets the size requirement and is not marked has to be masticated, within the identified area.

14. Confirm the requirement "has to be masticated to mineral soil". Please provide definition and explanation with particle sizes acceptable to meet this requirement. 5.1 All vegetation with a diameter at breast height of six (6) inches and smaller has to be masticated to mineral soil unless identified by the government. This includes all woody and herbaceous vegetation inside the identified area, if the government wants any vegetation/trees less than six inches to remain they will be identified.

15. What do we do with stump balls where trees were blown over and holes that they left? Stump balls will remain. 3.1…. All dead and down vegetation and all timber and brush with a diameter of six (6) inches and smaller and 5.1 All vegetation with a diameter at breast height of six (6) inches and smaller has to be masticated to mineral soil unless identified by the government. Dead material attached to a stump ball would expected to be masticated, i.e. tree truck that is dead.

16. Confirm that an On-site supervisor for the prime contractor shall be on -site at all times work is being performed. Can the prime authorize a subcontract employee to act on supervisor's behalf? 8.1 In order to ensure performance and accomplishment of the work as outlined herein, the Contractor shall always provide adequate and competent supervision for all work to be accomplished by the Contractor’s employees. When contract work is in progress, supervisory personnel shall be always available to receive notices, reports, or requests from the COR/GR or his authorized representative. At no time shall CO/COR/GR direct or supervise the activities of the Contractor’s employees…. The government will accept whoever the vendor identifies as the on-site supervisor.

17. Will the Government consider a one week extension to submit repsonses to the RFP and to ask additional bidder questions? No