Att_06_Questions_and_Answers_0002.pdf

Questions

1. First, regarding the evaluation criteria, Section 52.212-2 states that the evaluation factor is Price. However, the solicitation also requires submission of technical information and past performance. Could you please clarify will the government be evaluating base off lpta or best value? The government will be evaluating base on past performance and all factors listed under evaluation factors and it will be best value.

2. Second, the solicitation instructions reference a "Complete Quote/Price Sheet" in Section

II, Attachment No. 1. I have been unable to locate this attachment among the solicitation documents. Would you please provide the Quote/Price Sheet ? See Attachment 7

3. Quote/Price Sheet: The solicitation references a Quote/Price Sheet in Section II as

Attachment No. 1. However, the package we reviewed identifies Attachment 1 as the

Statement of Work. Could you please confirm whether there is a separate pricing sheet that offerors should complete and, if so, provide or identify the correct attachment? See answer for question 2

4. CLIN 00010 and 00020: Could you please clarify the difference in scope between CLIN

00010 and CLIN 00020 and how pricing should be allocated between the two? There are two CLINs because there are two funding accounts but price should be submitted as a lump sum.

5. Base vs. Option Work: Please confirm whether either CLIN represents an option and identify which work should be included in the base price versus any option pricing. Option work is only for tree 15 if it is recommended for removal.

6. Tree 15: The tree prescription identifies possible removal of Tree 15, subject to the condition determined by the Certified Arborist and COR approval. Should offerors include complete removal of Tree 15 in the base price, price it separately as an option, or price only the prescribed pruning/reduction work? Price Removal as option would be cleanest, but I would defer to CO to determine proper course as we do not yet know if removal is required or recommended.

7. Technical Evaluation: Attachment 3 requires relevant experience/past performance information and a one-page Technical Approach. Could you please confirm whether these items will be evaluated as award factors in addition to price and, if so, their relative importance compared with price? Yes, the factors listed are what will be used to evaluate for award.

8. Subcontractor Past Performance: Attachment 3a requests experience and past-performance information from proposed subcontractors. Can a subcontractor's relevant arboriculture/tree-maintenance experience be considered when evaluating the offeror's technical qualifications or past performance? Yes

9. Period of Performance: The solicitation lists a period of performance of August 31 through December 31, 2026, while the SOW indicates that work should generally occur

October 1 through March 31, with deadwood work potentially occurring at other times subject to fire restrictions. Please clarify the Government's anticipated field-work schedule and whether all work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026. Anticipated work schedule would be Oct 1 – Dec 31. The area is currently under high fire danger.

Generally high fire danger conditions cease by Oct 1; however occasionally unseasonally hot and dry conditions can extend high fire danger conditions into the late fall/early winter. If conditions persist or if there are other unanticipated weather delays, the PoP may be extended past Dec 31, if the CO determines it is appropriate.

10. Equipment Requirements: The SOW states that all motorized equipment shall be rubber tracked. Does this requirement apply specifically to equipment operating off established roadways and within the Back Field/work areas (YES), or does it also apply to support vehicles such as chip trucks and other vehicles remaining on approved hard-surface roadways? All vehicles and equipment must have rubber tracks or tires. The area is highly sensitive culturally and the unpaved roads are not designed to support metal tracked equipment.

11. Tree Count/Scope: Please confirm that all trees identified in the tree prescription table are included in the contract scope and whether there are any additional trees or treatments that offerors should account for beyond those identified in the solicitation package.

All trees subject to this Award are identified in the tree prescription table with prescriptions for all trees identified in Part 3. There are no additions. Note, Tree 16, was not identified on the map. A new map is provided with all trees identified.

12. Is there an incumbent contractor? If so, what is the contract number, total value, and the name of the company?Is it required for my subcontractor to have prior government contracting experience? No. Past performance is required for submission of solicitation.

13. Will there be a scheduled site visit? Yes, Site visit was scheduled for 8/19/2026 at 7 am

14. What is the preferred method for submitting the proposal? Via Email

15. What is the preference for disposing of chipped material? The park would like to retain approximately 10 yards of chipped material in the back field, next to the water tank. An area will be marked for placement after Award. All chipped material not retained by the

NPS shall be removed from the park and disposed of appropriately.

16. Can a lift be used? Yes, rubber tracked lifts may be used.

17. Can the trail on the east side of the fenced orchard be used for access? Yes, however, the use of the pedestrian trail for vehicle/equipment access is considered off road/overland travel and must meet additional requirements, including restoration of the trail route when work is completed to NPS trail standards. The route is uneven, soft and sandy, and has hidden locust or oak stumps which may damage equipment. Use of this route requires an

NPS monitor to ensure the trail and resources are not damaged. This route shall not be used for back-and-forth traffic access. It can be used for positioning of equipment that will stay on site for the duration of the work. The orchard road through the fenced orchard is the approved daily access route via the 8ft wide gate. This gate will fit a ¾ truck through, but cannot accommodate wide utility beds, or larger equipment.

18. Is the possible removal of Tree 15 included in the base firm-fixed price, or should it be priced as a separate optional item? Yes there will be an option item for tree 15 if removed.

19. If Tree 15 is removed, is stump removal or treatment required? Tree should be flush cut if determination to remove is made. No stump treatment is required or authorized.

20. Which equipment access routes and staging areas are approved? Existing Roads are approved, staging area is the barn parking area and area in field adjacent to chip pile location

21. Can a bucket truck or tracked lift access Tree 1 and the group of Trees 3–9? Bucket truck -likely for Tree 1. Not likely for 3-9. Lift: Yes to Tree 1. Trees 3-9: Depends on the size and type of lift to be used, but generally yes. The terrain around Trees 3-9 is uneven, soft and sandy, has orchard trees nearby, a trail, and a fenced gravesite. This makes access with a large piece of equipment a challenge. A bucket truck may be able access, but we would need to the width, weight, and length of the truck to determine feasibility of access.

22. Is the eight-foot orchard gate the only equipment entrance into the back field? The orchard gate is the approved daily road access. See #17 in Questions for additional access information.

23. Must all debris be hauled away each day, or can material be staged temporarily with COR approval? No, the park will allow temporary staging of un-chipped materials at the barn parking area for later removal. Stored materials may not interfere with road access, existing facilities, or present a visitor hazard. Chipped materials that are not retained by the park, need to be removed from the work site daily or when storage container is full.

24. Will temporary trail closures be permitted during pruning and rigging operations? Yes

25. Will an archaeological or cultural-resource monitor be required, and if so, will NPS provide and pay for that monitoring? Yes

26. Can you confirm the required insurance limits and the appropriate wage-determination classifications for arborists, climbers and ground workers? Wage determination is posted under attachment 2

27. Does NPS have an estimated project value or anticipated price range available?no