B09_-_CATO_post_site_visit_questions_0001.docx

CATO Tree package post site visit questions

1. Firewood processing: Unfortunately, as an arboricultural and forestry service provider like many professional companies in our industry processing firewood can become a costly expense to a customer. This is due to a litany of factors in our industry including high labor costs, high insurance costs, equipment and overhead factors as well as diverting high paid laborers to focus on firewood splitting rather than their professional skilled position category. Given the parameters now known after the site visit including cleaning up and hauling away the remainder of the log pile, is there an estimated number of cords the Park Service is expecting to retain after processing is complete?

Answer: There is not an estimated number of cords. The bidders were shown the log pile during the pre-bid meeting. Per Task 2.14, all logs in the pile are to be split into firewood. There may be a few logs that are not splitable due to knots and twists. The contractor shall consult with the COR and if the COR agrees the logs are not splitable, those logs must be removed from the park boundaries by the contractor.

2. Due to road closures not all trees were able to be evaluated. Given the amount of infrastructure in the park there is reasonable suspicion that powerlines may exist near trees in the park’s interior. If any may park interior powerlines be scheduled for drop ahead of the tree work to be performed?

Answer: No, powerlines will not be dropped ahead of the tree work performed.

3. Clarification required: Merchantable timber. The park requests that 20ft logs of desired species be retained for milling by the park employees. Going into brief detail, forestry standards for merchantable lumber in hardwood forests are typically of 16’ in length and 10’dbh top-end due to natural sweeps and crooks that occur in hardwood forests. This is not to say that 20’ is unachievable but only to ask for clarification. Is the contractor only to harvest logs for the Park Service that are of 20’ with a sweep of less than 15% and a top end dbh of 10”? Parameters for harvesting timber are logistically critical to this contract for efficiency and timeliness.

Answer: The needs of the park are different than the forestry standards. All hickories and oaks shall be cut to 20’ length regardless of the sweep and end dbh.

4. Is the roadside chipping to be altered under an SF30?

Answer: Yes, Please see track change word document that addresses this.

5. Government shutdown: Government shutdowns have halted our projects in the past.

Given the volume of work to be completed NLT April 25 will operations and payments be paused under the contract if a shutdown does occur?

Answer:

The NPS has been fully funded for the remaining FY26 period and no shutdown will occur during this period. This contract upon award will have all funds fully obligated and no payment issues should occur, so long as work is completed.

6. Many trees listed to be pruned are in such a state of decay that the responsible decision would be to remove or reduce them. Are we to bid expecting these trees to be removed instead of pruned? It is likely that more trees are to be found this way as work progresses. The pruning and removal costs can vary greatly depending on environmental parameters and site conditions. If a tree listed to be pruned is agreed upon to be removed during performance will price negotiations take place or will the original fixed firm price be the only acceptable payment terms?

Answer:

No. Offerors shall submit pricing strictly in accordance with the requirements of the solicitation as written. Trees identified for pruning shall be priced as pruning only, and offerors shall not assume removal or reduction unless expressly stated in the solicitation.

The Government will not conduct price negotiations or adjust pricing for work performed outside the scope of the firm-fixed-price requirements. Any work not expressly included in the solicitation, including tree removals in lieu of pruning, may only be performed if separately authorized by the Contracting Officer through a written modification.