Responses_to_contractor_questions_0001.pdf

Responses to contractor questions

Solicitation – 140P5421Q0053

1. Who decides what is Broadcast and is spot sprayed?

The Vendor decides if a site is spot or broadcast- the caveat to that is 1. we have guidelines for overspray outside infestation zone so the vendor cannot just use broadcast or spot everywhere. Vendor should know what’s cost efficient; and 2. if the vendor is experienced they should possess the ability to make a call concerning what is the appropriate treatment method.

2. How many acres is estimated that is needed to be treated?

Probably 500-1000 acres. Understand, given the size of the area, its remoteness and number of sites identified, Big Cypress NP doesn’t have the resources to ground visit every site and succinctly quantify, precisely, the acres infested at each site. So, we perform a comprehensive aerial survey that reveals the sites that have some infestation with basic information. It’s NOT so accurate that I would want someone using it for quantifying exact acres. Rather, it’s a tool to show where we have infestations that need attention within 250m grid cells. During execution of the contract, the vendor would probably grid the areas shown on the map and treat as they progress across the landscape and identified sites. Since we are paying a flight rate vs acre rate, the vendor can fly/survey each site appropriately, treat, and move on. They will NOT lose revenue at a low-density low acre infestation site because we are paying flight rate.

3. Would it be possible to come down and see the sites?

Yes, it’s possible to come to see the sites. For a site visit please contact Billy Snyder at 239-285-7564. The due date for quotes on August 20 WILL NOT CHANGE. So, if you plan to do a site visit it needs to occur prior to August 20 and with enough time to still submit your quote by August 20. For perspective, there are 1,491 grid squares identified in the Primary treatment sites. If we concentrate on the Primary areas, we could only look at a small snapshot of what’s there. This is the reason why I desire to pay a flight rate vs acre rate. It’s unrealistic to think we could quantify precisely in acres what's out there to be treated at the sites we have identified. So, by paying a flight rate instead of acre rate, the vendor is protected against loss from acre uncertainty and is paid for their work AND the GOV is protected against extreme over charge due to vendor uncertainty concerning acres. Hour rate is a win-win for both the vendor and GOV.

4. Is there a project budget?

The magnitude for this project is between $150,000 and $275,000.

5. You guys have it where you want it by the hour with the chemical, but the chemical is calculated by the acre on what we spray. Just to clarify you want the chemical to be billed by the hour with the helicopter not but what is actually treated?

No, you supply a flight rate in your bid, and we pay you for the straight hours you spend in ferry, survey gridding sites and actual application of herbicide. You get paid for the time rotors are turning. Based on prior experience with boom spraying, the high application rate was 18 acres per hour of flight time and the low was about 5 aph.