B09_Q_A_Amendment_0002_140P2023Q0014_0002.pdf

Questions and Answers, RFQ 140P2023Q0014_Amendment 0002

1. Question:

(Summary of contractor Question): Our interpretation of plug is a 72 - 200 cell count tray that can have various soil capacities. There is no soil volume requirement that I have found in your request. We are not familiar of any commercially available plug tray that has root training ridges.

Our smallest available container that is often spec’d as a plug is a rose pot measuring 2.25” square x 3” deep (12 cubic inches). This container is widely used for grasses, sedges, and some understory plant materials here in California - but it has no ridges.

At present we are growing plants for (another project) in Super Cell containers 1.5” Dia x 8” deep (10 cubic inches).

These containers have root trainers and use a perlite/vermiculite/peat mix.

We gave also grown plants (previous project) for several years using a Super Stubby container 1.5” Dia x 6” deep (7 cubic inches).

The Artemisia tridentata requested in 1 gallon container - no ridges, 180 cubic inches) could be grown in a TreePot 4 - 4” square x 14” deep (180 cubic inches) with root trainers. For a second year (2024) plant it is an excellent option.

We would appreciate more information on your container preferences if possible.

Answer:

(Summary of Government technical expert Answer): The Super Cell and Super Stubby sizes listed (1.5"x8" and 1.5"x6") are what I would consider plugs and I think is along the lines of what would be preferred. The rose pot would allow for larger plants, but that increases cost and the labor to install them (plugs can easily be installed with a dibble in decompacted soil).

For the gallon-sized plants, the suggestion of a tree pot is very good. The depth of the pot would help promote deep roots.

2. Question: We have a comment about one of the species called out for in this Request for Quote, Ribes montigenum, found on page 6. This plant requires the seed to be exposed to 32 degrees for 7.5-10 months, ‘stratified’ before it can be sown and germinate. This seed would not be sown until July ‘23 and would not grow to the size required in the timeframe specified in the contract.

Answer: The Government has moved Ribes montigenum from preparation in 2023 to 2024. See SOW changes in Amendment 0002.

3. Question: See terms such as ‘prepare container plants’ and ‘Plant Pick-up’ - just want to make sure - quoted pricing does not include delivery?

Answer: Plant Delivery is not a requirement. The Plants will be picked up by a separate third-party contractor.

4. Question: Page 16 of 43: (k) Taxes. The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State and Local taxes and Duties. On a previous project, we were asked by NPS staff to delete all taxes, including sales tax.

Answer: The Federal government is exempt from all sales and use taxes in CA. If there are any other applicable taxes, they should be included as indicated in the SOW.