B09_Amendment_0003_Attch_1_Q_and_As_0003.docx

Amendment 00003 Attachment 1 Questions and Answers

Question 1: Noticed there are quite a bit of already cut pieces on the ground. Are they part of this contract? (Leave them or take it offsite) Answer: Per the PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks, Task 2 states: “Contractor shall remove the entirety of all downed trees and slash, in addition to all material that has already been felled and left within the Project Area and/or any material which has fallen naturally prior to the execution of this contract”

Question 2: What amount is allowable for retainage?

Answer: Per the PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks, Task 2 states: “Incidental small diameter residue (such as pine needles and small twigs < 3” in diameter) left on site will not result in either surface fuel bed depths greater than 4” when measured at any point in the fuel bed, and/or surface fuel loading exceeding an average of 5 tons per acre”

Question 3: Is mastication allowable?

Answer: Although the use of mastication equipment is not explicitly permitted or prohibited, the PWS does give parameters for the use of heavy equipment.

Per the PWS 2.0 General Scope of work, period pf performance states: “The use of heavy equipment is not permitted during periods of saturated soil conditions in the wet weather period. The wet weather period generally occurs between October 15 – May 31. Operations involving heavy equipment may occur throughout the wet weather period provided that saturated soil conditions do not exist” Technical Exhibit 2 gives “General Heavy Equipment Specifications” However, the intent of this project is to remove biomass from the project site. PWS 2.0 General Scope of work states: “All dead and dying trees will be felled and removed from the Project Area”, PWS 3.0 overall objectives state: “The objective of this work is to safely fell standing dead and dying trees and to remove from the Project Area all resulting residues and already downed vegetative material”, PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks Task 2 states: “Contractor shall remove the entirety of all downed trees and slash”.

The Government recognizes the value in incidental slash treatment on site. The use of mastication equipment will be allowed for treatment of residual small diameter (<3”diameter) slash left within the Project Area, provided surface fuel bed depth (i.e. chip depth) would not exceed 4” when measured at any point in the fuel bed, or result in average fuel loading exceeding 5 tons per acre as stated in Technical Exhibit 1. This authority does not modify PWS 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 and the intent of the project is to remove biomass from the project site.

Question 4: (The communication line poles). There are two that are anchored to conifers. I noticed one that is in need of treatment. Who is responsible for the dismantling of the anchor so the tree can be felled and processed. The tree in question is 39.330142 ,-121.059986

Answer: Any tree that is found to be acting as an anchor for communication or any other infrastructure will be exempt from this project. The contractor will notify the COR who will document the condition of the tree and make appropriate notification to the utility company.

Question 5: On the NE portion of the project there is a cable that runs across an access road that lead to some trees that need to be treated. 39.330346, -121.061267. Will this be unlocked during operations because there is a ditch that would make skidding difficult?

Answer: At this time, it is believed that cable is not owned by the BLM and is installed as part of an easement across BLM land to access a private residence. The COR will attempt to make contact with the easement holder; however, contractors should operate as if the cable will not be removed. As a reminder, Technical Exhibit 1 states: “All damage to permanent roads resulting from implementation of the project will be repaired by the Contractor”.

Question 6: Can we utilize another location as a landing location?

Answer: Technical Exhibit 2 Staging Area Specifications state: “One additional staging area (landing) not to exceed one acre in size may be created as needed and per approval by the COR or Government Representative. New and existing staging areas must be located outside riparian zones and at least 100 feet from ephemeral or intermittent streams”.

Question 7: Some trees are marked in blue paint. Are those to be treated also?

Answer: Yes, the trees marked in blue paint will be removed. Technical Exhibit 2 states: “Fall any dead and dying hardwood marked for removal (blue paint) within the Project Area”. The government recognizes the majority of the trees marked in blue paint are softwood species (Ponderosa Pine). The PWS will be amended to reflect the requirement to “Fall all dead and dying conifers Including those marked with blue paint, regardless of size or species, unless marked for retention (orange paint)”.

Question 8: Can you clarify the period of performance.

Answer: PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work Period of Performance states: “The Period of Performance shall be for (1) Base Year of 12 months from the date of award”, and “Work may not occur during BLM seasonal fire restrictions without a signed variance. The Contractor must work with the BLM Mother Lode Fire staff to determine variance suitability based on environmental conditions and seasonal fire danger. Fire restrictions are generally in place between May and October; exact dates are subject to change based on environmental conditions and fire suppression resource availability”.

Question 9: Are those (specific) trees included and required to be removed. Can they be felled and left on site? They will be a lot of work to remove and will cause significant resource damage.

Answer: Per the PWS, all dead and dying softwood trees are to be removed. If through execution of the contract the contractor and COR determine specific trees to be unusually difficult to remove, the COR will consult with the CO as to how to handle those. Contractor was advised to bid the job as if all material will be removed regardless of difficulty to process.

Question 10: One dead pine tree has a guidewire from the adjacent phone line pole fastened to the tree. Is this tree required to be removed? If so, who is responsible for coordination with the phone company?

Answer: See answer to question 4 above.

Question 11: The PWS prescribes downed wood to be removed, does this included the downed trees that have been cut into firewood round lengths?

Answer: Yes, all material specified within the PWS within the project area is to be removed regardless of if it was cut previously or has fallen naturally. See answer to question 1 Question12: Are the boundaries flagged/marked or is the project boundary strictly found from Avenza mapping?

Answer: No, the boundaries of the unit will not be flagged. Per PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work, Place of performance states: “Contract maps will be georeferenced for use with Avenza or other similar software. Work on this contract will require the Contractor to have global positioning system (GPS) capabilities to identify treatment areas and/or project boundaries”.

Question 13: The PWS states "The contactor may haul processed or unprocessed material to a wood processing facility or similar destination" Does this mean the contractor may remove the material in log form or chip form at the contractor’s preference, so long as the trees/material have been removed from the site?

Answer: The PWS does not specify how the material is to be removed, therefore it is up to the contractor’s discretion as to the best method to accomplish this goal; provided the end state of “surface fuel bed depth would not exceed 4” when measured at any point in the fuel bed, or result in average fuel loading exceeding 5 tons per acre” as stated in Technical Exhibit 1, is adhered to.

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