B11 PreBid conference Call Questions and Answers_0001.docx

Pre-Bid Meeting Questions and Answers

1. On SI seed, what if seed is collected in different sites. For example, if the majority of Globemallow is collected in one area and some in another area can they both be offered together can on the same Bid line. Example, one collection site that crosses Eco-region boundaries.

Response given on conference call: Whichever has the bulk of the seed if they are the same lot numbers, they can be bid all as one.

Corrected response- Grasses and Forbs for new collections need to be offered by Eco- Region and Seed Transfer Zones similar to the way Sagebrush is offered. Whatever Eco-Region(s) the seed is collected needs to reflect the appropriate Eco-Region or Regions and Seed Transfer Zones (STZ). For example, if Globemallow is collect in two different areas and those areas are in different Eco- Region and different Seed Transfer Zones, then the Globemallow would need to be offered as two different Bids because they are two different Eco-sites. Source Identification SI tag displaying the correct Eco-Region and Provisional Seed Transfer Zone. Offeror must indicate one (1) Omernik Level III Eco-Region and one (1) Provisional Seed Transfer Zone per offer on the bid sheet.

EXAMPLE OF WWETAC MAP and WEBSITE NAVIGATION STEPS Link to TRM Seed Zone Applications: https://www.fs.fed.us/wwetac/threat-map/TRMSeedZoneMapper.php Link to Provisional Seed Transfer Zones http://fs.bioe.orst.edu/web_maps/Seed_Zones.html

2. If seed is not sampled and sent into a lab before shipping to the Government warehouse, what happens? All non-Pre-Qualified seed except freezer stored sagebrush and kochia utilizes sampling Option A procedures where the vendor has a certified sampler pull the sample and the vendor sends out the sample to their first-choice lab listed on the Attachment 1. If the Government receives the seed without a sample being pulled, the Government can pull a sample and send it to Idaho State Lab. The vendor will be financially responsible for the test results and no retesting will be allowed.

3. The NAICS code was changed from 111998 Other Crops Farmed to 113210 Forest Products Collected. The reason for the change was that almost 60% of the requested seed types are SI (collected) seed types. The size standard for farmed crops was $1 million and collected seed is $12 million. With the new code 90% of the vendors are considered small businesses and the large businesses are only providing about 25% of the seed. This shouldn’t affect you as vendor’s other than possibly if you search in betaSAM.gov website under the NAICS code for posted opportunities.

4.With FedConnect no longer utilized, what are the new procedures? Within Section L, it lines out how to submit your bid.

5. Shipping pallet height was changed from 54 to 52 on this solicitation. The Government was contacted by multiple vendors expressing concern with this change. The spec is being changed back to 54 inches as the maximum pallet height.

6. Section C Part 2. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS All successful offerors shall comply with the Seed Dealers Licensing requirements of the Pure Seed Law for the State in which seed is delivered (currently Idaho and Nevada).

This was identified last Fall as a potential issue with some vendors. Heads up--down the road, this documentation may be required to be submitted with offer for verification purposes.