Questions_and_Answers_0001.pdf

Solicitation #: 1406425Q0024 Amendment #: P00001

Repair Bow Creek Fence – MNRR Questions and Answers listed below:

QUESTIONS:

Question # Question Answer/Response

1. May the downed vegetation be mulched with a machine and spread across the site, or may it be left in place?

Refer to 1.2 B.: "Any removed wood posts or downed vegetation shall be left in place or scattered in the same general vicinity (do not pile)." There is no requirement that cleared vegetation be mulched - cut down and disperse throughout the area so as not to leave in a pile is sufficient.

2. Is a portable toilet (port-a-potty) required? If so, where may it be staged?

Refer to 3.3.D.4.a.: "Contractor shall utilize chemical toilets or supplies for workers to pack out human waste. Using the landscape for the disposal of waste (a.k.a. 'cat-holing') is not allowed." A chemical toilet shall be construed to mean a portable unit that may be carried around and is approximately the size of a bucket. Other permissible manners of waste disposal include using "wag-bags." The location is remote and does not have many visitors.

3. Is the use of a UTV permitted with the work area?

No. Refer to 3.5: "Contractor may not drive vehicles of any kind outside of the designated accesses. The contractor may only stage two vehicles in the western staging area and one vehicle in the eastern staging area." The designated accesses are depicted on the "Access and Staging Map" on page 17.

4. Can we have a portable toilet in the west entrance, or is there a preferred location to place one?

Refer to 3.3.D.4.a.: "Contractor shall utilize chemical toilets or supplies for workers to pack out human waste. Using the landscape for the disposal of waste (a.k.a. 'cat-holing') is not allowed." A chemical toilet shall be construed to mean a portable unit that may be carried around and is approximately the size of a bucket. Other permissible manners of waste disposal include using "wag-bags."

5. Would we be able to use Walkie talkies? If yes what models or types are allowed (FRS)/(GMRS) to prevent interference with park officials.

Section 3.11.J currently reads: “Contractor shall not have personal radios or other media sources and they shall not be broadcast within NPS property.” It shall be amended to: “Contractor may use walkie talkies. The contractor will not interfere with park operations. COR may inspect communications equipment to ensure compliance with FAR 52.204-25.”

6. The park has an address of Yankton, SD, The solicitation mentions Nebraska. We are licensed and insured on SD. Do we need registration, tax license, insurance coverage, and permits from the State of Nebraska? Is this type of work need a special clauses in Commercial Liability

It is incumbent upon the contractor to be fully insured and bonded in the state in which the work is being performed. The park location/address has no bearing on the the location of the work. Whoever is awarded the contract is responsible to consider where the work location/performance location is, and ensure they are able to fulfill their obligation and provide all proper documentation required per this contract, ie: certificate of liability insurance, proper bonding requirements, etc...

It is the responsibility of the contractor to determine if they are required to be registered/licensed in the state of Nebraska.

If awarded the contract, contractors would be required to provide a certificate of insurance showing at a minimum level of coverage stated in clause 1452.228-70 in the solicitation.

For bonding purposes, the below thresholds apply.

a. Payment Bond, or otherwise annotated in the Solicitation under FAR Clause 52.228-13 – Alternative Payment Protections: MUST

HAVE OVER $35K

b. Performance Bond:

MUST HAVE OVER

$150K

c. Bid Bond/Guarantee:

MUST HAVE OVER

$150K

7. In the Project Specification asks for Emergency plans and First aid kits available for workers. Can we screw or tie them in trees along the 1.5 mile path?

Contractor shall not place screws into trees per 36 CFR §2.1 a.1.ii as it injures the tree by damaging the cambium, which helps the trees grow and move nutrients. Contractors may tie First Aid Kits to trees in such a manner that it does not cause damage to the tree or render the First Aid Kit unsuitable for use. The First Aid Kit must be removed when work is done. Contractor may screw items into wood posts or tie them to t-posts.

8. As it's a long path/trail. Could we leave tools or equipment chained to trees? Or leave storage boxes along the path for supplies, snaller tools, or resources we might need for the completion of project?

Section to 3.4.A currently reads “Confine Storage of materials and equipment to the project staging area noted on the plans/aerial. Specific storage units shall be provided by the contractor and exact location within staging area shown in Appendix A below may be discussed at the preconstruction briefing. All storage units provided by the contractor shall be in a clean and acceptable condition to the COR.

Security of the materials and equipment on site is the Contractor’s responsibility.” It shall be amended to “Contractor may use and leave storage boxes along the path of the work area for storage of materials.

Contractor is required to store any item with liquid in a storage container (example:

auger with fuel) to prevent resource damage and reduce wildland fire risk. Contractor may leave wood posts out overnight immediately adjacent to the fence line to be used within the next three workdays.

Contractor shall move storage container on a weekly basis to ensure that vegetation beneath does not die. All storage units provided by the contractor shall be in a clean and acceptable condition to the COR.

Security of the materials and equipment on site is the Contractor’s responsibility.”

Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that the project site is clean upon the conclusion of the project.

9. It mentions no excavation in Project Specification

3.3 C.1. Are post expected to be pounded? Set in

concrete? Or just fill the hole with dirt?

The contractor is expected to use a hand auger to and pound the post into the ground and tamp the hole with dirt as specified.

10. Is there an exact location where the government furnished material will be placed in the work area, or the contractor has to pick it up at an specific location?

The contractor will be issued the materials specified in the contractor from MNRR Headquarters at 508 E 2nd St Yankton, SD 57078. Some material is already staged at the East Easement and may be used for convenience, but it counts against the allotment.

We understand that machinery that impacts the ground is prohibited for this contract. Is there any limitation on the usage of hand tools? Would high impact hand tools such as hammers be, ok?

The use of hand tools is permitted.

12 We would like to use a wagon to transport material with, is this allowed as well?

No. While a wagon is not a motorized vehicle, the issue of concern is the weight and pressure of a wheel bearing down on the ground and causing more resource damage than necessary.

13 Will the wood post (5in x 8ft rounded treated) furnished by the government are also going to be used for the H braces, or will the contractor supply the material for H braces?

The H-Braces are to be constructed out of the wood posts the government furnishes.

The government will supply the materials listed in the table in 1.2.B.a. Any materials not listed in the table must be provided by the contractor.

14 For efficiency methods of placing staples, Is there a way we can supply the fence staples to be used on a battery powered Post Staple gun.

The contractor may use a battery Post Staple gun or any method within the confines the specifications to complete the task in as efficient a manner as possible.