140R30240027_Q_A_0002.pdf

Q&A 140R3024R0027-0002

140R3024R0027 Questions and Answers

The Three Links/Cook’s Lake site visit on 1 May 2024 was attended by Ahtna Global, LLC, and Tepa, LLC.

General Questions Q1. Can the Fence Survey/Livestock spotting be done using drones? If so, what restrictions are there, e.g., seasonal, altitude?

A1. Drones have previously been briefly utilized over both Cook’s Lake and Three Links at high altitudes, following a predetermined transect flight path. Reclamation would require more information about the video capabilities of the drone to provide a better answer to this question. If the use of a drone were to be permitted, consideration would need to be given to the breeding season (May to September) for both the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Yellow-billed Cuckoo to avoid disrupting their natural behaviors. Flying the drone at higher altitudes and minimizing its presence over an area can reduce the likelihood of disturbance. There is the possibility of their permitted use, but it may require seasonal restrictions.

Three Links Questions Q2. Who is the incumbent contractor and what is the contract number?

A2. This easement has not been previously maintained or monitored under contract, and there is no incumbent. Previously, the property was managed for BOR by The Nature Conservancy and the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance under a grant and a memorandum of understanding.

Q3. Task 3 Pg 3 – Monitor Stream Flows and Hydrology Readings - Do all of the wells being monitored have installed piezometers?

A3. Yes, they have piezometers.

Q4. 3L Task 4 – Photo Monitoring - Is there a standard for the quality of photographs, i.e., How many megapixels, etc.?

A4. There is not a standard quality requirement, but the expectation is that pictures should be clear enough to discern reasonable detail from a distance, allowing for comparison to previous years.

Q5. 3L Task 6 – Fence Maintenance and Repairs - Is there a standard specification used for the fencing at the site other than what is shown in the PWS Figure 4?

A5. Figure is used to help identify the height and spacing requirements of the wires, not to identify the wire types. Within the PWS it states the following “Wildlife friendly fencing standards require smooth wire utilized for the bottom strand and barbed wire for the top three strands. The four strands of wire shall be placed as close as possible to the dimensions identified within Figure 4.”

Q6. 3L Task 6 – Fence Maintenance and Repairs - The description language in Figure 4 specifies a smooth bottom wire and three strands of barbed, the figure shows a smooth top and bottom wire and 2 strands of barbed. Please clarify the preferred configuration.

A.6 Please refer to the graphic at Figure 4 only for the spacing and height requirements. The text above the graphic at Figure 4 reflects the requirement at Three Links Task 6: “Wildlife friendly fencing standards require smooth wire utilized for the bottom strand and barbed wire for the top three (3) strands.

The four (4) strands of wire shall be placed as close as possible to the dimensions identified within Figure 4.” This applies to the Cook’s Lake fencing tasks as well.

Q7. 3L Task 8 – Reporting - Please provide a copy of an approved midyear and annual report.

A7. Both are provided with this amendment.

Q8. Would the contractor be responsible for setting up a digital rain gauge at each site in order to accurately report precipitation as indicated in PWS Task 8 – Monitoring (PWS page 5), or is the expectation only to report precipitation data from the nearest National Weather Service location?

A8. Data from the nearest National Weather Service location would be adequate. There is the possibility to get local rain data from The Nature Conservancy staff living nearby.

Q9. What is the length of all fence line to be maintained at Three Links? How many gates are there and what type are they?

A9. The PWS states there is approximately 8.5 miles of fence line. There are nine riparian zone gates, but to date none have needed repairs or replacement.

Cook’s Lake Questions Q10. Who is the incumbent contractor and what is the contract number?

A10. The current contract is 140R3020P0022, and the contractor is Michael Portalatin, LLC.

Q11. Pg 11 – Fence and Perimeter Path Maintenance places restrictions on the tools for vegetation clearance other than chainsaws. The site had deep grass on the trail. Can these tools be gas/electric powered, can small equipment such as trimmers and or mowers be used if required?

A11. Either gas or electric powered is permissible. Small equipment, such as trimmers and mowers, is allowed.

Q12. Pg 11 – Fence and Perimeter Path Maintenance -Please clarify if the 2,040 feet of fence line is to be included in the O&M Budget for the initial year.

A12. Approximately 1,020 feet has already been cleared and so would be included in the first year’s task order, with the remaining length scheduled to be cleared fall of 2024. The entire 2,040 feet of fence line should be included in the second year’s work.

Q13. Pg 13 – Buffelgrass - Can the current IPM Plan be made available to bidders and extended?

A13. There is no current IPM plan; it is outside the scope of the current contract. It is a new requirement added to this follow-on requirement.

Q14. Pg 15 – Access and North Access Road Repair and Maintenance - Please provide specification for the backfill material and placement standards for the repairs to the erosion cuts.

A14. The contractor shall acquire appropriate fill from a material source certified by the Arizona Department of Transportation to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Once the contractor has identified the fill and its source, the contractor shall provide this information to the COR. Once this information is confirmed by the COR, repairs shall commence. The fill material should be placed within the existing cuts and compacted to fill any voids, ensuring a stabilized surface. Additionally, the portion of the fill slope where material was placed should be compacted to the greatest extent practicable. For placement standards, the surface of the road shall be restored to match the road’s existing placement conditions.

PLEASE NOTE that this amendment changes CLIN 00060 to a time-and-materials CLIN.

Q15. Pg 15 – Access and North Access Road Repair and Maintenance - Will the additional potential erosion repairs after the initial be done as FFP 1 time, per cut, or as a T&M for each feature?

A15. This amendment changes CLIN 00060 to a time-and-materials CLIN to be used on the seed task order and any future task orders for the repair of erosion cuts.

Q16. How many erosion cuts are to be repaired in the first (seed) task order?

A16. The current estimated number of erosion cuts is seven (7) of various sizes and severities. Please note that CLIN 00060 is changed by this amendment to a time-and-materials CLIN.

Q17. Are the erosion cuts on the Cook’s Lake road (PWS page 11) the result of a one-time rain event or annual occurrence, or is the erosion currently evident the result of erosion that has occurred over a long period of time?

A17. The cuts are the result of several years of erosion.

Q18. Reports- Please provide a copy of an approved monthly report.

A18. This is provided with this amendment.

Q19. Reports- Please provide a copy of an approved Buffelgrass report.

A19.There is no previous buffelgrass report to provide as an example. Management of buffelgrass is outside the scope of the current contract and is a new requirement added to this follow-on solicitation.

Q20. What is the length of all fence line to be maintained at Cook’s Lake? How many gates are there and what type(s) are they?

A20. The PWS identified approximately 13,512 feet of wildlife-friendly four-stranded smooth- and barbed-wire fence on the north, east, and west portions of the property, and approximately 1,850 feet of 3-rail pipe fence on the south side.

There are three fence-line gates at Cook’s Lake. This does not include other pedestrian gates located near and within the property that deter potential trespass cattle.

Solicitation Questions Q21. Please clarify the T&M travel tasks/CLINS, is the government requesting a day rate or hourly rate?

A21. Travel is in accordance with clause WBR 1452.231-80 REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL EXPENSES. See Part C, Clauses, of the solicitation.

Q22. Does the per hour labor rate requested in Attachment 3 – Price Schedule for “Three Links Fence Repairs Labor Rate” and “Cooks Lake Fence Repairs Labor Rate” apply to both minor and major fence repairs as indicated in the Performance Work Statement? Note that the Performance Work Statement, Task 6 (PWS pages 3-4) states that the contractor shall prepare a price per foot quote for the major fence repairs, and price per foot quotes for fence work are typically cited as labor and materials inclusive.

A.22 Yes, the rate will apply to all repairs not included in the fixed price offered at 1-1 and 1-5 (and similar lines for subsequent years). The fixed price offered at 1-1 and 1-5 (and subsequent similar lines) shall include the amounts given under “minor repairs” for Three Links and “routine repairs” and “minor repairs” for Cook’s Lake.

If you have more than one labor rate for fence repairs and/or for livestock removal, please add to the Attachment 3 table.

Q23. Would the task indicated in the Performance Work Statement, Task 7 – Trespass Livestock Removal (PWS pages 4-5) be reimbursed as a time and materials effort, of just for labor hours only?

A23. All costs (labor and materials) associated with livestock removal will be reimbursed up to the not-to-exceed amount, with the hourly rates fixed in the base contract for the entire ordering period. See FAR 16.601(c)(2)(i) and FAR provision 52.216-31.

Q24. Is a completed Attachment 3 – Price Schedule the only contractor submittal required by 24 May 2024 to qualify for consideration of contract award?

A24. No. Please see section E.3 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors in the solicitation.