B09_-_RFI_Q_A_0002.pdf
PDF 112 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 140FS126Q0104
About this file
This is a Request for Information (RFI) Questions and Answers document for the Big Ram Lake Characterization project, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for environmental site characterization work at Big Ram Lake in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The project involves soil and groundwater sampling for AVGAS contamination, lead inspection of site structures, and building condition assessment to support future demolition. Key operational requirements include: work must be completed during the current field season (with freezing occurring by late September); contractors may use existing buildings at the site; any commercial air operators must hold a valid Special Use Permit for Arctic Refuge operations; soil and groundwater sampling must use analytes specified in Appendix F for AVGAS; and building repairs need only be temporary and protective against weather intrusion, not permanent. Contractors must use a certified lead laboratory for bulk lead sample analysis and may use an XRF machine if registered in Alaska with a certified operator; an EPA Certified Lead Inspector is not required. Documentation requirements allow flexibility: Health and Safety Plans (HASP) and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) may be combined into a single document, and ADEC-approved Contaminated Sites Work Plans are acceptable provided they include all QAPP components. The AVGAS spill investigation work plan requires ADEC review, though ADEC coordination is not required for the building survey. The USFWS will conduct timely reviews but cannot guarantee ADEC review timelines, which fall outside USFWS control. Key site manager interviews may be completed by phone without requiring the contractor to transport personnel to the field location.
View the file
Other files
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
RFI Q&A – Big Ram Lake Characterization
RFI Question 1: Multi‑Season Option Question: Should the solicitation include an option to perform the required work during both this field season and the next?
Answer: The strong preference is to complete the work this year. The lake will freeze by late September, providing a workable timeframe. A next‑season option is not preferred at this time.
RFI Question 2: Use of Existing Buildings Question: Will the existing buildings at the site be available for use by contractors?
Answer: Yes. The buildings will be available for use by contractors conducting work at the site.
Follow‑up to Question 2: Special Use Permit Requirement Question: Will air service providers need a Special Use Permit to conduct operations in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
Answer: Yes. Any commercial air operator used must have a Special Use Permit issued for operations in the Arctic Refuge. A list of permitted operators is available on the Refuge website.
RFI Question 3: Required Analytes for Soil and Groundwater Question: What analytes are required for soil and groundwater sampling?
Answer: Contractors must use the Analytes listed in Appendix F for AVGAS, which are the required analytes for this project.
RFI Question 4: Qualifications for Plan Signer Question: Are there specific qualification requirements for the individual signing the environmental documents?
Answer: Companies do not have to have the EPA Certified Lead Inspector Certification.
Companies will need to use a certified lead lab for testing and/or if they use an XRF machine it must be registered in the State of Alaska.
RFI Question 5: Building Repairs Requirement Question: What level of repair is required for site structures?
Answer: Repairs must be sufficient to prevent damage from rain or snow intrusion.
These buildings are scheduled for demolition, so repairs only need to be temporary and protective, not permanent.
RFI Question 6: HASP and QAPP – Combined Document Question: May the Health and Safety Plan (HASP) and Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) be combined into a single document?
Answer: Yes. HASP and QAPP may be combined into one document.
RFI Question 7: Work Plan in Place of QAPP Question: Will an ADEC Contaminated Sites‑approved Work Plan be accepted in place of a QAPP?
Answer: Yes. An ADEC‑approved Work Plan is acceptable, provided it includes all components of a QAPP.
RFI Question 8: Contractor Qualification Requirement – Lead Inspection Question: The PWS states that the person conducting the lead inspection must be an EPA Certified Lead Inspector. Will an EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Certification be acceptable instead, or is an EPA Certified Lead Inspector mandatory?
Answer: An EPA Certified Lead Inspector is not required. Contractors may use a certified lead laboratory for testing, and if an XRF machine is used, it must be registered in the State of Alaska, with the operator properly trained.
RFI Question 9: Schedule Constraints and Review Durations Question: The review durations in the PWS push fieldwork into late September/early October when freezing temperatures are likely. Can the review timeframe be shortened, and can the contract end date be extended to 31 March 2027?
Answer: The USFWS will review in a timely manner, but cannot guarantee ADEC will shorten their review, as their timeline is outside USFWS control.
RFI Question 10: Key Site Manager Transportation Requirement Question: Is the contractor responsible for transporting the key site manager to the site? Is the key site manager located in Fairbanks?
Answer: No transportation is required. The interview may be completed by phone, and there is no need to bring the site manager to the field location.
RFI Question 11: Coordination with ADEC Question: The Performance Work Statement requires the contractor to coordinate with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). However, the site does not appear in ADEC's Contaminated Sites Database. Can the Government clarify the need for ADEC coordination?
Answer: The potential AVGAS spill has been reported to ADEC. The Work Plan for the AVGAS spill investigation must be reviewed by ADEC. Coordination with ADEC is not required for the building survey.
RFI Question 12: Lead Inspector Qualification Requirement Question: The contractor qualifications require the individual conducting the lead inspection to be an EPA Certified Lead Inspector. Because the structures do not appear to qualify as target housing or child-occupied facilities and the survey is intended to support demolition, will the Government consider removing this requirement or accept alternative qualifications?
Answer: The requirement for an EPA Certified Lead Inspector has been removed.
Contractors must use a certified laboratory for bulk lead sample analysis. If an XRF machine is used, it must be registered in the State of Alaska and operated by a certified individual.
Additional Notes
• Contractors must ensure any air operator holds a valid Special Use Permit.
| RFI Q&A – Big Ram Lake Characterization |
| RFI Question 1: Multi‑Season Option |
| RFI Question 2: Use of Existing Buildings |
| Follow‑up to Question 2: Special Use Permit Requirement |
| RFI Question 3: Required Analytes for Soil and Groundwater |
| RFI Question 4: Qualifications for Plan Signer |
| RFI Question 5: Building Repairs Requirement |
| RFI Question 6: HASP and QAPP – Combined Document |
| RFI Question 7: Work Plan in Place of QAPP |
| RFI Question 8: Contractor Qualification Requirement – Lead Inspection |
| RFI Question 9: Schedule Constraints and Review Durations |
| RFI Question 10: Key Site Manager Transportation Requirement |
| RFI Question 11: Coordination with ADEC |
| RFI Question 12: Lead Inspector Qualification Requirement |
| Additional Notes |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .