B09_-_Requests_for_Information_-_Aggregated_ANSWERS_0002.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) – ANSWERS - Government Response Solicitation Number: 140FC225R0015 - PR Number: 0044009209 Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

1. There is no stated requirement for presentation of your proposal. Your proposal must contain all that has been required per the solicitation. Separating your proposal based on the priced proposal of SF1442 and Amendments while your Technical and Past Performance documentation (Factors 2 & 3) are in another document is acceptable.

2. Though a Past Performance Questionnaire is not a requirement under Factor 3 Past Performance in Section L/M, it is provided as a vehicle to communicate past performance information.

2a. A Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) is not required. Yes, CPARS and previous PPQs (completed within the most immediate 12-month period) are acceptable in lieu of obtaining new PPQs?

3. The checklist provided in Solicitation/RFP Section L.1.3 is itself not required to be submitted with the proposal.

4. Yes, the NAICS and corresponding size standard were correct. However, to improve competition the solicitation has been amended at 52.204-8 - Annual Representations and Certifications (Jan 2025) (DEVIATION FEB 2025) to read a corresponding small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

5. No. FWS will not extend the past performance window from 5 years to 7 years?

6. As stated at the site visit, this is a new solicitation. All responses to RFI's are applicable to only this solicitation. Items regarding any previous solicitation issuance are not applicable as a formal response.

7. All pertinent data available for provision is contained within the solicitation, its attachments, and all subsequent amendments.

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

8. Cleanup goal is site specific and identified in RAWP.

9. Non-hazardous material can be disposed without treatment (e.g. root balls with de minimis quantities of soil contamination).

10. See the solicitation extension date and time noted.

11. All pertinent data available for provision is contained within the solicitation, its attachments, and all subsequent amendments.

12. Yes

13. As the Prime Hook site is being responded to under the Service's CERCLA authority, the project does not require permitting under NEPA. CERCLA response actions are exempt from all federal, state, and local permitting requirements under section 121(e), but the Service will still need to comply with the substantive requirements of the law.

14. No

15. N/A

16. N/A

17. Ground-water Contamination from Lead Shot at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Sussex County, Delaware. D. Soeder and C. Miller. United States Geological Survey Water

Resources Investigation Report 02-4282. 2003.

18. N/A

19. Bidding contractor to provide estimated timelines. Delays in period of performance as after the fact of an award and will be addressed as needed by the CO. The required delivery is noted in the solicitation.

20. Contractor's proposed TCLP sampling should consider contracted disposal site (landfill) requirements and contingency.

21. The attached native seeding mix “B09 - Critical Seed Area Mixture” is recommended to stabilize the soil:

22. Contractor will need to submit a Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan for review and approval by Delaware DNREC. The contact is Elaine Webb elaine.webb@delaware.gov.

23. Temporary fencing is needed for the duration of the on-site remediation only at certain locations to restrict access (determined with consultation of Refuge personnel)

24. Contractors to determine configuration.

25.The contract does not require surface water treatment.

26. Invasive species management to be coordinated with Refuge staff.

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

27. Project schedule and access will be determined with Refuge staff during contract kick off meeting.

28. Additional work beyond 40hrs a week can take place. However, requests for Overtime/Holiday work must be approved by the Contracting Officer. Access after hours must be coordinated with personnel providing project oversight.

29. Yes

30. Methodology should adhere to RAWP.

31. Treatability study utilized Enviroblend for site soil conditions and should be utilized.

32. Already noted in Section M. However, “exceptional”, “acceptable”, and “neutral” ratings are Acceptable for award; “unacceptable” is not acceptable for award.

33. No

34. May be provided by CO at contract award, if available.

35. N/A

36. Left in place

37. No

38. Yes, in consultation with Refuge staff

39. Alternatively, would a screening or sampling protocol (e.g., visual inspection, field XRF, or representative laboratory analysis) be acceptable to support off -site recycling or green waste disposal? Yes

If no protocol currently exists, is it appropriate to handle root mass as an extension of the soil matrix and manage it accordingly through stabilization, sampling, and disposal with soil? Yes

40. Original pre disturbance grade. Contractor will determine whether soil brought to the surface needs to be treated based on screening.

41. No

42. Site access may be restricted during hunting seasons:

• Archery Sept 1 – Jan 31

• Muzzleloader Oct 10-18, Jan 26-31

• Shotgun Nov 14-23, Jan 17-25

• Disabled/Youth Sept 27, Nov 1.

43. Yes

44. Yes

45. Yes

46. No

47. No

48. Cultural/archaelogical surveys have been completed and can be provided by the Gov't

49. No

50. During construction activities only.

51. No

52. Pg. 4 of RAWP. https://apps.dnrec.delaware.gov/dochandler/handler.ashx?

docid=6744d73fd212a86f0jalgfkx30000000

53. See FIGURES 3, 4, 5 AND 15 OF SUPPLEMENTAL SITE INVESTIGATION FOR

WETLANDS ADJACENT TO THE FORMER TRAP RANGE, PRIME HOOK NATIONAL

WILDLIFE REFUGE, MILTON, DELAWARE, PREPARED BY GEOSYNTEC

CONSULTANTS, DATED DECEMBER 2017 (2017 SSI).

See GROUND-WATER CONTAMINATION FROM LEAD SHOT AT PRIMEHOOK

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SUSSEX COUNTY, DELAWARE, PREPARED BY DANIEL

J.SOEDER AND CHERIE V. MILLER (U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY), DATED 2003 (2003

GROUNDWATER REPORT).

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

54. Ground-water Contamination from Lead Shot at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge,

55. See answer to 54.

56. Yes

57. Yes

58. The Past Performance Questionnaire is not required; it may be completed to support documentation.

59. Bald eagle and biological survey not required. No other known restrictions.

60. See amendment attachment(s) sketch.

61. Only constraints are hunting season:

• Muzzleloader Oct 10-18, Jan 26-31

62. Per John Costa at DNREC there is a project start of remediation for late August. Could potentially be beneficial to coordinate road/staging areas with DNREC.

63. See the solicitation extension date and time noted.

64. Based on the Pilot Study, 4% should work but a contingency could be added to cover additional expenses if more is needed.

65. The contractor will need to obtain this information through interactions with local authorities.

66. The contractor will need to discuss this with local authorities.

67. No, the refuge maps indicate that there are no nests near the site.

68. Fill material should be free of invasive species and adequately characterized chemically so that the Refuge does not have concerns about contamination. The newly added soil should have sufficient organic matter and nutrients to support the growth of the plantings described below.

Remove felled trees, fallen trees, brush, and undergrowth from the site by the contractor.

Prior to the start of the work, a tree species survey and diameter at breast height (DBH) survey will be conducted by qualified professionals in conjunction with the selected remediation contractor to identify and mark trees to be preserved. Many trees that are less than 10 inches in diameter are anticipated to require removal to implement the Removal Action in an efficient manner; however, a site-specific diameter may be determined during the course of the DBH survey upon consultation with the FWS

The attached native seeding mix “B09 - Critical Seed Area Mixture” is recommended to stabilize the soil:

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

69. Wetland mitigation is not anticipated and if any would be needed it is outside the Scope of Work. As the Prime Hook site is being responded to under the Service's CERCLA authority, the project does not require permitting under NEPA. CERCLA response actions are exempt from all federal, state, and local permitting requirements under section 121(e), but the Service will still need to comply with the substantive requirements of the law. The work should be consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements:(https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/20 099). Item #38 (for Cleanup of Hazardous and Toxic Waste). The Service can state that impacts are temporary since we are restoring site to existing grade and veg community / conditions.

70. Correct, only the preparation of the Long Term Stewardship Plan is part of the Scope of Work. The Service will review the draft plan and expects a final plan that would include a point by point response to comments. The plan should provide a rationale for the type and frequency of sampling and the trigger points for changing or terminating the sampling portion of the Plan.

71. Cultural/archaelogical surveys have been completed and can be provided.

72. As the Prime Hook site is being responded to under the Service's CERCLA authority, the project does not require permitting under NEPA. CERCLA response actions are exempt from all federal, state, and local permitting requirements under section 121(e), but the Service will still need to comply with the substantive requirements of the law (ARARs).

73. This approach is acceptable, and the clause can be added. The weight unit makes sense.

74. The Contractor should provide an approach to training and certification for all staff in the Health and Safety Plan, citing the relevant authorities.

75. Temporary fencing is needed for the duration of the on-site remediation. It will be removed at the appropriate time, by the Contractor in consultation with Service personnel.

76. Cultural resource survey has been completed by the Service.

77. The area to be delineated should be restricted to areas that are dry or at most moist and avoid inundated areas. That is the limitation, and it will apply to the sampling needed to delineate the area that will need to be remediated. The bids can add a contingency with a cost per ton for removal and disposal of a portion of this area, with the assumption that Enviroblend addition will allow the soil to pass the TCLP test.

78. The uncertainty is in Area 3 which requires some sampling to determine the cleanup footprint. The areas that are under water should be avoided in the sampling.

79. Files contained in the RAWP.

80. Yes, the contractor needs to submit a Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan for review and approval by Delaware DNREC. The contact is Elaine Webb elaine.webb@delaware.gov.

81. Contractors that are interacting with site soil should be HAZWOPER trained. Please see the answer to question 74.

82. A sketch is included as an attachment “B09 - Sketch of Access” at the end of this document that shows a route to access the site.

It includes Parking Area 12 that can be used for truck activities.

83. The current sketch for access is only on Refuge property. That route can be improved by the contractor by adding gravel.

84. Yes, but the contractors need to avoid disturbing the monitoring wells.

85. This will be decided with consultation from Refuge staff. Some trees that will be damaged can remain as snags.

86. Yes

87. The site elevation should be maintained. An adequate depth of topsoil should be included in the fill to support the planting of the native seed mix described in the answer to question 5.

88. No. Final removal action report will summarize the non-time critical removal actions and any restoration that is implemented during the contract.

89. Yes

90. Yes

91. See answer to question 85.

92. See answer to question 85.

93. No

94. Yes

95. No

96. Other means and methods would require review and approval by the Service.

97. Fill material should be free of invasive species and adequately characterized added soil should have sufficient organic matter and nutrients to support the growth of the restorative plantings. Testing not required for soil source providing certified letter.

98. Contractor should determine parameters in consultation with DNREC.

99. No, EnviroBlend was the amendment utilized during treatability study.

100. No, the Questions and Answers from the 2023 solicitation cannot be incorporated into this solicitation. Though the requirement is largely the same, this is a standalone procurement.

101. Explained during the site visit. The requirement was not properly solicited.

102. No, the government will not provide a bid tab for the previous opportunity.

103. There is a 10-page maximum limit for the Project Work Plan submittal.

104. Wetland mitigation is not anticipated and if any would be needed it is outside the Scope of Work. As the Prime Hook site is being responded to under the Service's CERCLA authority, the project does not require permitting under NEPA. CERCLA response actions

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site are exempt from all federal, state, and local permitting requirements under section 121(e), but the Service will still need to comply with the substantive requirements of the law. The work should be consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements

(https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/20099). Item #38

(for Cleanup of Hazardous and Toxic Waste). The Service can state that impacts are temporary since we are restoring site to existing grade and veg community / conditions.

105. Cultural/archaeological surveys have been completed and can be provided.

106. The site is a forested wetland and will be restored as a forested wetland.

Fill material should be free of invasive species and adequately characterized chemically so that the Refuge does not have concerns about contamination. The newly added soil should have sufficient organic matter and nutrients to support the growth of the plantings described below.

To the extent possible, mature native trees (priority on oaks and maples) should be retained, as should standing dead snags that do not pose a safety concern; While the sediment removal might threaten some trees, we would still rather end up with some snags in a few years than take out more trees than necessary. Refuge staff should be consulted for questions about tree removal at the time of the cleanup.

The attached native seeding mix “B09 - Critical Seed Area Mixture” is recommended to stabilize the soil.

107. No. Per John Costa at DNREC there is a project start of remediation for late August.

Could potentially be beneficial to coordinate road/staging areas with DNREC.

108. No permits will be needed. To the extent possible, mature native trees (priority on oaks and maples) should be retained, as should standing dead snags that do not pose a safety concern; While the sediment removal might threaten some trees, we would still rather end up with some snags in a few years than take out more trees than necessary.

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

Refuge staff should be consulted for questions about tree removal at the time of the cleanup.

109. Yes

110. TCLP lead samples should be for lead via USEPA Method 1311/6010 by an accredited laboratory.

111. Fill material should be free of invasive species and adequately characterized added soil should have sufficient organic matter and nutrients to support the growth of the plantings described below.

112. See amendment attachment.

113. Logistics coordination will take place during kick off meetings.

114.Site access may be restricted during hunting seasons:

• Muzzleloader Oct 10-18, Jan 26-31

115. The work should try to minimize disturbance outside of the cleanup area as much as possible. Ground disturbance has to be limited to surface only. Any disturbance below the surface outside of the area to be cleaned would require archaeological evaluation.

Project Title: DE-CDC-Prime Hook NWR Lead Shot Site

116. The Contractor should provide an approach to the health and safety of their employees that adheres to OSHA and outlined in their site Health and Safety Plan. Dust suppression, if necessary, can be accomplished with water trucks. Any dust suppression with water should consider the potential for surface water runoff and addressed in the contractor's site plan.

117. See note on solicitation page 1. No, a legally reviewed waiver has been approved via the Head of the Contracting Activity’s signature allowing for BBJ Group LLC’s participation in this solicitation.

118. Remove felled trees, fallen trees, brush, and undergrowth from the site. Prior to the start of the work, a tree species survey and diameter at breast height (DBH) survey will be conducted by qualified professionals in conjunction with the selected remediation contractor to identify and mark trees to be preserved. Many trees that are less than 10 inches in diameter are anticipated to require removal to implement the Removal Action in an efficient manner; however, a site-specific diameter may be determined during the course of the DBH survey upon consultation with the FWS.

119. See attached Sketch drawing.

120. As the Prime Hook site is being responded to under the Service's CERCLA authority, the project does not require permitting under NEPA. CERCLA response actions are exempt from all federal, state, and local permitting requirements under section 121(e), but the Service will still need to comply with the substantive requirements of the law. The work should be consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements(https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/200 99). Item #38 (for Cleanup of Hazardous and Toxic Waste). The Service can state that impacts are temporary since we are restoring site to existing grade and veg community / conditions.

121. Information found in RAWP

122. The site is a forested wetland and will be restored as a forested wetland.

123. Price your proposal at Section B as instructed.

124. See the solicitation extension date and time noted.

125. See the solicitation extension date and time noted.

126. Referenced in 5.6. FWS retains final approval of restoration plan.

127. Figure 1 in RAWP

128. No.

129. Cost and Technical do not need to be submitted separately. No other stipulation made.

130. Ground-water Contamination from Lead Shot at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge,