Q_A_List_0002.pdf

Norman Fuel Reduction Q&A list

1. Do you have a timeline to when the options will be exercised?

Options will be exercised as funds become available. At award it is anticipated that the base and option 3 will be exercised.

a. Would the contractor need to mobilize numerous times if options are not exercised at the same time?

We anticipate extending options before current options are complete, depending on funding availability.

b. Is it the government’s intention to exercise all the options at once or one at a time?

Not all at once, but not necessarily one at a time. As funds become available it is possible that we could exercise one or more at a time.

2. What type and size of equipment has worked best in the previous phase #1 and #2? Has smaller sized skid steer type of equipment been utilized or has larger rubber tired equipment been utilized? Which does the government prefer?

Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 3.0 (Tasks) 1. G. “There is no limitations on the use of tracked vs. wheeled machines. However, work shall not be performed using equipment which will up-root trees. Contractor shall minimize ground disturbance and correct rutting, or excessive ground disturbance as stated above.”

3. Is the government’s preference to minimize mastication of other hardwood trees to gain access to all the targeted cedar trees?

a. Would it be acceptable to masticate most all of the underbrush and hardwood trees less than 6” in diameter as well as all the cedar trees?

b. This would reduce most of the existing mid to smaller ladder fuels

Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 3.0 (Tasks) 1.F. “Avoid removing other tree species larger than 6-inch diameter at breast height. Contractor may remove understory tree species as required for equipment access.”

Please also see Performance Work Statement, Section 3.0 (Tasks) 2. “Manually lop and scatter all live eastern red cedar trees in areas where topography, fences, or tree density prohibits the use of machinery, etc”

4. I know the lake is very high right now from all of the rain we’ve had lately and the level will go back down several feet although it appears to me that some areas may always have standing water, or, at the very least, not be suitable for regular equipment to be able to drive on. Will these areas that are permanently inundated by water/quicksand be exempted from the project if they cannot be accessed for the entire period of performance?

Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 1.2.3 – “Period of performance (PoP) for each of the base and options will be in accordance with awardee’s accepted proposal, but not to exceed two years and six months, including the base and any awarded options.

PoP is su icient to account for some weather conditions. In the event of extreme weather events contractor will work with government to consider change of PoP.”

5. Are there any pieces of equipment that are not allowed such as large, steel-track machines?

Please see Performance Work Statement Section 3.0 (Tasks) 1.G. “There is no limitations on the use of tracked vs. wheeled machines. However, work shall not be performed using equipment which will up-root trees. Contractor shall minimize ground disturbance and correct rutting, or excessive ground disturbance as stated above.”

6. Project Duration & E iciency Expectations

Does the USBR have an internal expectation or benchmark for how many acres per day should be cleared under this contract?

There are no expectations on how many acres per day should be cleared. Specified Period of Performance is 08/01/2025 to 12/31/2027. Contractor is expected to perform and spread the workload during this time period.

Please also see Performance Work Statement, Section 1.2.3 – “Period of performance (PoP) for each of the base and options will be in accordance with awardee’s accepted proposal, but not to exceed two years and six months, including the base and any awarded options.”

Please also see Attachment 1 – Price Schedule: “Invoicing and payment arrangements to occur after each tract, following COR inspection as outlined in QASP. If the tract is more than 100 acres, awardee will be allowed to request an inspection and be able to invoice for the initial 100 acres, before completing the full tract.”

7. Evaluation Criteria & Award Basis

Can USBR clarify how proposals will be evaluated—specifically, the weighting or importance of price versus qualifications, experience, and technical approach?

This e ort is being solicited under the regulations of FAR 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The evaluation criteria have been provided in the solicitation under provision 52.212-2, however because simplified acquisition procedures are being utilized, weighing of the criteria will not be publicized in the solicitation (FAR 13.106-1(a)(2)(iii)).

8. Payment Schedule

What is the anticipated payment structure for the contract (e.g., monthly invoicing, milestone-based, or per-acre completion)? Will partial payments be allowed for completed segments of the work?

Please see Attachment 1 – Price Schedule: “Invoicing and payment arrangements to occur after each tract, following COR inspection as outlined in QASP. If the tract is more than 100 acres, awardee will be allowed to request an inspection and be able to invoice for the initial 100 acres, before completing the full tract.”

9. Fire Response Coordination

Will USBR have a wildfire response team or fire suppression resources available during project operations, or is the contractor expected to independently coordinate all fire response measures?

See Performance Work Statement Section 3.0 (Tasks) 5.0 (Deliverables) – Item No. 3

– Fire Prevention Plan and Section 6.02.4 (Fire Prevention Plan).

10. Use of Mulched or Felled Material

Will the awardee be permitted to retain and remove felled material—particularly mature eastern redcedar logs—for use or sale as a forestry product, provided it does not interfere with project timelines or environmental compliance?

Project should fulfill the project requirements including shredding trees into mulch.

Please see Performance Work Statement Sections 3.0 (Tasks), 4.0 (Performance Requirements Summary) and 5.0 (Deliverables).

11. Wanted to know why this job is not bonded. For the size and past projects, it seems it would be good for the government to bond.

This type of service does not fall under the requirement for Bonds:

12. Also, can this be done with hand crews? I think the cost would be less

Project should fulfill the project requirements. Please see Performance Work Statement Sections 3.0 (Tasks), 4.0 (Performance Requirements Summary) and 5.0 (Deliverables).

13. Can KMZ files be shared at this time and prior to award to help with the current site visits?

Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 1.2.2 – “COR will provide digital shapefiles or KMZs of the track boundaries to awardee, upon request after award.”

14. Are currently heightened reservoir levels going to present an issue during the tree clearing?

Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 1.2.3 – “Period of performance (PoP) for each of the base and options will be in accordance with awardee’s accepted proposal, but not to exceed two years and six months, including the base and any awarded options.

PoP is su icient to account for some weather conditions. In the event of extreme weather events contractor will work with government to consider change of PoP.”

15. Which machinery is required, for example, Tiger Cat, Skid Steer, Raptor 500 etc.?

Please see Performance Work Statement Section 3.0 (Tasks) 1.G. “There is no limitations on the use of tracked vs. wheeled machines. However, work shall not be performed using equipment which will up-root trees. Contractor shall minimize ground disturbance and correct rutting, or excessive ground disturbance as stated above.”

16. Is work for the Phase I and Phase II already accomplished/completed?

Work for Phase I and Phase II is already accomplished.

17. Can contractor use UTVs on the project?

Please see Performance Work Statement Section 5.0 (Deliverables). Any use of UTVs would be addressed and approved as part of Contractor’s proposed Safety Program, which would be written safety plan compliant with Reclamation Safety and Health Standards.

Please also see Performance Work Statement, Sections 6.02 (Environmental Controls), 6.02.1 (Air Pollution Control) and 6.02.2 (Equipment).

18. If an extension is needed past the Period of Performance end date of December 31, 2027, is that generally a problem?

That is dependent on the reason/need for an extension. If there are problems that arise that are outside the contractor’s (or their subcontractor’s) control, such as a government caused delay or an ‘act of god’ event, a period of performance (PoP) extension is generally allowed. However, if it is something that was within the contractor’s (or their subcontractor’s) control, such as equipment issues, labor issues, supply issues, then a request for PoP extension may be permitted with proper consideration and it is in the government’s best interest. 52.249-8.

19. Is access to get anywhere needed on the work sites going to be a problem? Is there road access to all tracts?

See Drawings 763-514-1460 to 763-514-1475 for locations of all tracts relative to roads. Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 1.2.2 – “COR will provide digital shapefiles or KMZs of the track boundaries to awardee, upon request after award.”

It is expected that the site visit attendees spend up to a few days after the site visit held on May 20, 2025, doing self-guided site visiting, walking through the tracts, or doing aerial recon as desired. It is also the responsibility of attendees to estimate the density and topography to provide realistic quote.

20. Can non-cedar trees be cleared in order to gain access for cedar removal?

Please see Performance Work Statement, Section 3.0 (Tasks) 1.F. “Avoid removing other tree species larger than 6-inch diameter at breast height. Contractor may remove understory tree species as required for equipment access.”

Please also see Performance Work Statement, Section 3.0 (Tasks) 2. “Manually lop and scatter all live eastern red cedar trees in areas where topography, fences, or tree density prohibits the use of machinery, etc”

21. Is a hand crew required?

It is anticipated that some manual work will be required. Project should fulfill the project requirements. Please see Performance Work Statement Sections 3.0 (Tasks), 4.0 (Performance Requirements Summary) and 5.0 (Deliverables).

22. Will the list of contractors included on the sign-up sheet be posted?

Yes – will provide.