B09_Amendment_P00001_Q_A_0001.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Fire and Aviation 3833 S Development Ave

Boise, Idaho 83705-5354

SOLICITATION Q&A August 8, 2023

Goldie Divide Chipping Solicitation Number 140L3723Q0113

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1. Is the timeframe adjustable if there are weather issues?

1. End of performance period is set in stone due to NLEB ESA requirements for timing shutdown, this period would exceed a 30-day act of God, i.e., June 1st to July 31st no operations. If CO is comfortable an act of God 30 day maybe added after July 31st up to 1 year cutoff. However, understand the MOb costs in and out are solely responsibility of contractor, and government believes POP is sufficient for work completion short of an act of God.

2. What is your definition of rotting logs? 2. Bark off soft logs decayed to cores, often deformed and unable to be picked up by machinery efficiently. Grey bark off solid logs that could be picked up efficiently not considered rotting.

3. When were the piles cut? 3. Piles cut late summer fall of 2021.

4. What is the history of previous projects in this area?

4. Only history we have is the cost of manual cut and pile, which is not relevant to this project.

5. Will partial payments be allowed? 5. Yes, interim payments will be allowed at 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of acres fully completed to spec.

6. The contract deadline states May 31, 2024. Can this be extended to July 31, 2024?

6. No May 31 is set due to no operations during NLEB an ESA endangered species pupping season June 1st to July 31st.

7. Is there any road maintenance required with this project?

7. No, not unless contractor continues to work during thaw break-up or excessively wet times and severely and negligently damages road (i.e., equipment degrading two-track to point of not being drivable once dry), contractor shall be expected to blade/return road to condition found prior to start of project. As SOW states work expected when reasonable dry or frozen, this clay area can be a little greasy after rainfall, normal rutting and use is not a concern of the government.

8. Can masticators be used or is the scope of work specific for track chippers?

8. No, as SOW states no masticators or head grinders. This is not the finished product the government is looking for. However, mobile tub grinder/chipper and feeding by equipment can also be utilized instead of track chippers, as long as SOW specifications for chips, and no chip areas are followed.

9. There are drainages within the work area which either exceed 35% slope or are otherwise inaccessible to tracked equipment. There are some piles within these inaccessible areas, will they be excluded?

9. Government is aware of small peripheral areas and individual piles in spots that equipment cannot get to, rather than confuse project map by delineating these individual piles out, which do not spatially amount to much, the government considered these addressed thru the 95% or better final product.

10. Are there any hydraulic, archaeological, or other sensitive sites present which will need to be avoided?

10. No, all resource concerns on projects are excluded or mitigated prior to project going to contract, on this project all operable areas are part of contract.

11. Are there any protected species present in the area which could result in shut down of operations due to their discovery? (i.e., nesting birds etc.)

11. There are no sensitive species present that have not been addressed during NEPA, and the government does not foresee any issues with sensitive species. All listed species have gone under consultation with USFWS for project scope as required by ESA and mitigation included (no ops June 1st to July 31st). But all stipulations regarding threatened and endangered species are subject to change and possible re-initiation of consultation based on changing policy, species status and regulations of USFWS which would be out of the control of BLM and local field office.

12. There is cross fencing throughout the project area. Can the contractor cut the fence in necessary locations to pass through with equipment, if the contractor immediately repairs the fence after passing through?

12. No, BLM has installed gates in key locations and cross fencing has gates on existing two-tracks throughout project area. BLM staff is happy to meet onsite to awarded contractor and point out the sufficient crossing points.

13. Are bonds required? 13. No