Responses_for_Questions-Ungulate_Requirement1_0004.pdf

Questions for Responses (2)

1. Could a vendor use salt or Mineral blocks to bait cattle into a corral trap?

Yes

2. Could a vendor be permitted to use snare traps on cattle? which would consist of utilizing lariat or rope cable tied off and hung between two trees (checked daily).

Traps described in the Scope of Work are approved. Any traps not described in the Scope of work can be discussed during the scheduled site visit.

3. Once the contract is awarded, could the vendor eliminate pigs (should an opportunity arise) while eliminating sheep and cattle?

Use of USFWS provided traps (box traps, pig brigs) can occur only after cattle are removed due to the potential for cattle to damage traps when they are set for pig trapping.

4. Once all the cattle and sheep are removed, how long is the pig survey anticipated to take?

Approximately one week

5. The SOW indicates that disposal of carcasses are to be at least 100' from roads and transects, while Appendix 1 indicates that the snares shall be placed at transect stations. Can you clarify if the snare groups will be 100' from the transect or will the pigs carcasses need to be moved further from the transect?

Snare groups will be within 10-20 ft of transect stations. Carcasses will need to be moved off the transect by approximately 100 ft

6. The SOW states that the snares shall be checked once per year - Is this intended to mean that set snares may be unattended for up to a year and during this time may have caught pigs?

The minimum amount of snare checks described in the scope of work is 1x per year.

This does not prevent the contractor from additional snare checks

7. Could a seabox (shipping container) be set at the campsite to hold bait, supplies and store UTVs?

This can be discussed during the site visit. The refuge will not accept liability for any equipment stored on-site during contract implementation. Any equipment will be removed at the end of the project.

8. Regarding the contractor billing process for this solicitation, can the contractor determine the billing frequency for example monthly or bi weekly? I see that when the contract states " If partial payment is billed and the invoice states a lump sum, the invoice shall include an itemized breakdown and narrative progress summary of the work performed during this invoice period." Is it safe to assume that such itemized breakdown may include labor, materials and supplies, lodging, rentals etc? or should it be based on number of ungulates removed, fences inspected/repaired, etc.

Contractor may bill as long as an itemized breakdown is provided that is accompanied by a narrative summary. This may be on a monthly basis for the items listed in the question above.

9. Does the 8.5 include the option years? Who is providing the snares?

Who’s providing the anchor post for the snares Unsure what 8.5 is referring to?

Snares to be provided by contractor

Anchors are optional (to be provided by vendor) since snares can be affixed to woody vegetation (described in scope of work).

10. We need to ascertain the number and degree of sinkholes and lava tubes so that we can assess whether we can get our dogs to work around them safely.

Approximately how many of these hazards are there in the fenced areas, and are they mapped? Even broad information helps. For example, are there less than 100? Less than 500?

Exact number is unknown – likely to be 100-200 possibly higher if including smaller earth cracks

11. I am also inquiring to see if there has been permitted hunting inside the fenced areas in the past. This allows us to pre-assess the relative education (human avoidance) of the ungulate targets.

Low level opportunistic management hunting for cattle has occurred over the past 5 years (average <4 days per year)

12. Is night hunting allowed? No

13. Can drones, outfitted with thermal sensors, be used to locate the ungulates throughout the evening, when the temperatures are cooler?

Yes. The basic drone licensing by the FAA allows the use of NDAA compliant UAS providing endangered species protections are followed and approved by the refuge and the USFWS UAS program review. No waiver is required. Thermal cameras are allowed on drones, no approval required.

14. Can drones be used to locate and drive the ungulates?

NDAA compliant UAS may be used to survey for ungulates providing endangered species protections are followed and is approved by the refuge. UAS may not be used for driving ungulates.

15. Are the feral ungulate species upper estimation count all that is required from contractor to control to fulfill that bid item of the contract to be considered completed, and therefore invoice for the entirety of that line item?

The SOW outlines the process for reporting and invoicing based on progress of ungulate removal. The refuge does not anticipate exceeding the upper population estimates included in the SOW and will track this progress through ungulate activity surveys and camera monitoring beginning immediately after cattle are eliminated.

The bid price is based on maximum control for all three species and this is how a proposal for removal should be developed.

16. For Example: If contractor uses cost per head bid and reaches that estimated number threshold.

a. Estimated 150-200 feral cattle.

b. Estimated < 50 feral sheep.

c. Unknown feral pig

Can the contractor charge more for any ungulates (feral cattle & sheep) beyond the estimated numbers once Refuge gives the greenlight “notice to proceed” (NTP) for feral pig control? No additional funding is available for this contract and bid prices should be developed with the intention of meeting the scope/goal of maximum control during the life of the award. Fence inspections are intended to eliminate the potential for breaches and ingress events during the life of the contract

For Example: Ingress through unexpected breaches in fence line caused by quarterly time interval lapse (~120 days) and/or substandard repair work with poor quality control for fence line inspection and maintenance by non- contract staff.

Perimeter Fence Line Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair Work

Due to the nature of using attractants (bait & pheromones) as a management tool in controlling feral ungulates within the proposed control units, feral ungulates residing on adjacent non-controlled areas will also be attracted and therefore will increase ingress pressure along the perimeter fence line.

17. Will the Refuge conduct a fence inspection prior to the NTP after a contractor has been selected for this solicitation? To ensure that the fence meets the described standards in the SOW Fence Maintenance/Repair (Option 3). Yes 18.If there are identified fence line integrity concerns, will the

Refuge staff repair these sections prior to the selected contractor beginning any feral ungulate management activities? Yes

Site Visit (12/27/24) – it was identified by multiple contractors that the current interior fence does not meet the ungulate proof standards as stated in the SOW.

Caused by the following: Damage sections of fence and poor fence repair work done by USFWS partnership staff.

i. Patching torn/broken sections of fence not repaired properly.

ii. T-Post Fence Clips missing in construction phase or not replaced in damaged sections.

iii. T-Post severely bent over by existing cattle movement pressure.

iv. Not maintaining 75” height above ground.

v. 1775 Fence graduated fabric cell size deformed out of factory specs by cattle pressure (3”x6”) in the lower section which is critical to keep small juvenile feral pigs & sheep from passing through the fence making it ineffective as an ungulate proof barrier.

Due to what was identified with the lack of proper fence barrier maintenance and substandard repair work.

18. Can the contractor take over the responsibility for fence line inspections, maintenance & repairs currently done by the USFWS and partnership staff?

Contractor to submit a bid price for quarterly fence inspections but may inspect the fences as frequently as desired. Refuge staff will increase inspections and undertake repairs prior to NTP and maintain throughout the contract period. Partner organizations will also continue inspecting fences on a quarterly basis. Significant repairs will be covered by the refuge and minor repairs as described in the SOW to be managed by contractor for the duration of the contract.

Reason: Contractor shouldn’t be held responsible for the potential of inflating feral ungulate numbers into the control units above and beyond what is the current estimated population during the 3-year period of this contract where baits will be used to “attract” feral ungulates and the current status of the fence not being ungulate proof. Fence line ungulate proof integrity issues caused by initial construction installation, damage compounded over time, substandard repair work, and poor-quality control of partnership staff has led to the current state of fence disrepair. Anyone can walk a fence line and GPS damage sections… but can they repair damaged sections back to writ standards stated in this SOW solicitation?

The contractor in the end will be the one held accountable should they not meeting the contract determined maximum control of ungulates, because of the lack of proper fence inspections, substandard repair work, and poor-QC holding the contractor to higher standards and requirements not currently upheld by USFWS & partnership staff.

19. Can the awarded contractor elect to participate in the first quarter fence inspection (and invoice) to ensure that the fence is meeting stated standards of ungulate proof integrity prior to commencing (NTP) feral ungulate control after all repair work stated above has been declared done by Refuge and partnership staff? Yes

20. Can the contractor negotiate the NTP start date should the fence fail to meet said standards as stated in the SOW?

Yes, the refuge is willing to work with the contractor to establish a start date upon review of fence integrity to reasonable standards

21. Can the fence line inspections and maintenance be conducted monthly to ensure minimal opportunity for unwanted ingress into the control units during the duration (3 years) of the control contract?

The contractor may inspect fences monthly if desired. Bid price is based on quarterly inspections however.

22. Are there fence material caches along the perimeter of the fenced units that can be used by the contractor to repair and maintain any fence sections that are points of feral ungulate ingress, is there a map for these fence cache locations? No caches currently exist but materials will be provided by the refuge and may be cached by the contractor along fence lines.

23. Are there known locations along the fence line perimeter that have a history of repeated ingress damage that needed repairs, like drainages during high rainfall events, vandalism and fence cutting? Areas that have had vandalism in the past will be identified for contractor awareness and any repairs will be made prior to NTP.

Can these areas be identified on a map to inform all contractors bidding for this contract of the potential extent of fence line repair work? Requested maps are not available at this time. Fences will be repaired prior..

Site Access & Scheduling

24. Of the 52 weeks in the year, on average how many weeks are the Refuge staff or partners utilizing the Kona FU that could influence contractor presence? Partner organizations less than 2 weeks per year (will overlap with refuge staff). Refuge staff may be on-site 15-20 weeks per year (Mon-Thur schedule).

a. Can the contractor use a non-standard work week schedule to minimize these potential Kona FU usage conflicts? Yes

25. Can you describe what types of road damage can result from ungulate control contract? See below

a. Or is it any damage to existing roads during the contract period is the contractor’s sole responsibility to fix and repair?

This relates to damage to roads that may result from ungulate removal (hauling in trailers, etc). The primary concern is damage that may occur to access roads entering/exiting the refuge through the Natural Area Reserve (Waiea) and on a shared easement with adjacent private landowner. Any damage resulting from hauling trailers or animals down these roads would be the sole responsibility of the contractor to repair.

26. Are unexpected tree falls or other barriers blocking road access the contractor’s responsibility to clear on their own expense?

Large tree falls will be covered by refuge staff or external services for tree clearing

a. Could “other” unexpected, unforeseen prolonged access delay issues potentially extend the contract deadline for completion to compensate for time lost? Yes. Force of nature events (storms, fires, disasters), govt shutdown, and govt issues outside of the contractors control are acceptable reasons for extending the length of the contract in the event of time lost For Example: Government shutdown, or road right of way issues, or road damage or repair work, etc.

Ungulate Control Efforts Adaptive Management and Data Recording

27. Have there been feral ungulate control efforts in the past by previous contracts or Refuge or Partnership staff? Yes, low level opportunistic hunting (~3-4 days per/yr) of feral cattle has occurred over the past 5 years.

a. If so, when did it start and end, what methods incidental or otherwise were used and how much and what type of feral ungulates were controlled during those periods? See above

28. Are there already selected or currently used baiting and/or trapping sites in the control units? No

29. Can the contractor change the proposed ungulate control proposed timeline outlined in the SOW to better suit an adaptive management strategy to control all targeted feral ungulate species present within the control units concurrently? Contractor can propose alternative timelines but the refuge will not provide refuge owned traps until all cattle are removed from both units 1&2.

An Adaptive Multifaceted Management Strategy is necessary in most instances to be able to effectively remove all feral ungulates within the proposed feral ungulate control units. This multifaceted ungulate control approach has a time and a place to implement based on the targeted feral ungulates behavior changes, where its effectiveness will pay off in spades to taking each target species population down to “zero”.

a. Can the feral cattle control line-item deadline be extended to longer than 12 months due to the incorporation of a multifaceted ungulate control management effort? Crash the population numbers down ASAP for sure but have other control techniques already in place to effectively remove the harder more wary remaining few. See 29

b. Can the use of helicopters be part of the contractors adaptive feral ungulate control management strategy?

i. Has ACETA been used to control feral cattle and sheep in any of the control units in the past? No

ii. Can ACETA be used by the contractor to meet the short 12-month timeline for feral cattle control? No

iii. Can the helicopter be used to deploy ungulate control materials (traps, snares, equipment, etc.) to the more remote locations of the units? This may be possible with proper permits and training with refuge approval for sling-load operations

c. Can “Judas” feral ungulates (cattle & sheep) be incorporated into the management control strategy?

Contractor would be responsible for all state and federal and may be required to retain animal welfare permits.

“Judas” ungulates are the most effective tool to incorporate when feral ungulate densities are low (down to the last few) and are savvy at avoiding high pressure control efforts in large landscape control units.

i. If “Judas” ungulates are approved, can the contractor’s bid incorporate satellite tracking collars? Bid costs are inclusive of all costs anticipated to achieve removal goals. Any items used for long term monitoring /research may be subject to Animal welfare requirements.

ii. Does USFWS Refuges want to continue to use collared “Judas” ungulates in any future effort to control any new cattle or sheep that get into the cleared control units in the future (>3 years) because of ingress caused by perpetual fence damage? No.

Contractor would like to leave only the collared “Judas” ungulates (cattle & sheep after 12 months) in the units until the end of the 3-year contract due to the potential of fence damage causing breaches allowing potential feral ungulate ingress. If it is determined that the “Judas” method is not to be incorporated for any future ungulate control efforts by the USFWS Refuge staff, then contractor will kill all “Judas” ungulates and retrieve all satellite tracking collars for use in another ungulate control program.

d. Are there minimum specs for the pig snares that the contractor needs to supply for fulfilling Option 1 and Option 2?

Specification of snare is as described; All Stainless Steel Components; Center Swivel Snare Type; 1/8 in stainless steel cable can be assembled using five foot lengths of cable with heavy duty center swivel connecting them. Standard neck and tree locks are utilized on the ends.

Since the pig snares need to be provided by the contractor (purchased) and part of the initial bid total cost can vary tremendously because of the amount of different types of pig snares available on the market today, what are the required specs?

i. All 316 stainless steel construction (cable & components) and maximum breaking strength etc.?

ii. Shouldn’t the contractor’s actual bid include the required 3,700 snares plus a percentage of more snares as a reserve to replace damaged, broken, MIA snares actively deployed caused by catch or treefall damage in order to continually maintain 3,700 active snare deployed amount throughout and at the end of the contract period of 3 years?

To maintain proposed snare deployment specs and amount per group and total as writ in SOW. Bid price is to deploy 3700 and inspect 1x/year (year1) and 1x ea. in years 2-3. To repair damaged snares the bid price can incorporate the cost of anticipated replacement snares needed

iii. Is there a particular brand, like Thompson snares that will be the standard? See 29d.

iv. Can the contractor elect to order quality snare components to build snares to the “declared” specifications? Yes, with refuge approval of design and materials

30. Can the contactor establish ~ 50 bait sites with game camera traps distributed throughout the control units that can be used for all targeted species present concurrently to habituate all species to move out from the more remote(r) interior portions of the managed areas where ground control efforts will be most challenging affecting efficiency and effective control efforts? Bait sites will need to be pre-approved by refuge to avoid endangered species impacts and include timelines for pre-baiting described in the proposal.

a. Can the contractor provide their own style of pig, cattle, and sheep (based on need) traps while baiting for all targeted ungulate control species concurrently in the control units? Yes, vendor may provide personal traps with approval by refuge

31. Are there standardized dentition age charts for feral cattle and sheep like there are for feral pigs?

a. If not, is there a standardized way of aging these ungulates? Based on ~weight, ~size, etc.? Refuge is interested in age (adults or juveniles), gender, and GPS location. Dentition is not required.

Other

32. Does the contractor use both types (SCA and/or DBA) of Wage Determination? See Appendix 2. This is SCA.

a. SCA for NAICS (114210) Hunting & Trapping? Yes

i. What is the SCA and/or DBA Identifier? See 32 and a.

a. DBA (construction) for Fence Line Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair Work?

i. What is the SCA and/or DBA Identifier? See a.

33. Can the awarded contractor ask for a percentage downpayment of the total award amount upfront? Yes, Materials and supplies required to initiate work may be invoiced for with itemized costs as described in the SOW followed by monthly payments, with the remainder of the balance upon completion.

34. Does this contract solicitation require the contractor to be insured and bonded before and throughout the contract period? Yes Liability insurance which is located within the solicitation.

35. Can the awarded contractor invoice for certain items necessary to start ungulate control work? See 33

• Bait

• Lures & pheromones

• Snares

• Cameras

36. Are there potential ethical violations and conflicts of interest (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/section-2635.802 ) of certain contractors that are also full-time federal employees having the same job description for animal control as their primary profession (official duties) with another federal agency?

Federal employees are encouraged to reach out to their ethics office to determine if conflicts of interest exist when working outside of their professional duties http://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/section-2635.802