Questions and response 10.16.2020.pdf

QUESTIONS

RESPONSES IN BLUE

·1) On Page 37 of the file "191BWC20R009.pdf" in section 52.212‐2 Evaluation‐Commercial Items (Oct2014). Is it to assume the last sentence incorrectly mentions "dredging" and should in place of it be "vegetation management"?

• Please disregard “dredging” and replace with “vegetation management”.

·2) Can you provide the attendance list for the pre‐proposal conference?

• The “Attendance List” will emailed.

·3) Is there a preferred seed mixture that USIBWC would like used? In the Vegetation Management Plan from 2016 it lists the type of seeds but not the percentages.

• See table 3-3 (page 3-7 and 8) of Vegetation Management Plan (rev. 12 Jan 2016) for the list of herbaceous plant for seed mix. The species of container plants to be planted on the bank (15 foot wide) wildlife migration corridors are listed in table 4-1 (page 4-1.

·4) Does the USIBWC have an estimated % of seeding methods to be used between broadcast (recommended), drill‐seed, and hydro‐seeding?

• Broadcast seeding is recommended in the vegetation management plan. USIBWC may consider drill-seed or hydro-seeding recommendations from the contractor provided the recommendation is based on technical considerations relating to survivability and reduced site impacts and not simply cost. If the “Broadcast”, seeding method is used for establishment it is recommended to use double the seed rate. For “Drill-Seed”, seeding method use the local USDA-NRCS recommended seeding rates. For “Hydro Seeding”, (Hydro Mulch), seeding method the “mulch material” must be a natural filler of plant residue, rice hulls, wood chips, or other equivalent material. When hydro mulching the application should be less than 2” (inches) thick. Hydro mulch should be over 90% of the disturbed soil. In all these methods prepare a good firm seedbed free of weeds, debris, trash and all questionable material prior to seeding.

·5) In Table 1 of Section 6.1 of the PWS, for the Performance Objective "Vegetation Removal" are the dates based on an assumed NTP date? Could you provide this instead in reference to the NTP date?

• These are assumed dates in case the project is awarded prior to the dates that are stated on the PWS.

·6) In Section 2.2 of PWS, what is the expected duration of contractor's "re‐establishment" of vegetation?

• Final Stabilization with 70% vegetated cover of previously bare ground is the minimum sufficient to accept a location as re-vegetated/stabilized (consistent with TXR150000 (page 7) SWPPP). Then section 3.15 page 3-9 of the vegetation management plan specifies that after 1 year, no less than 20% of that vegetated cover must be the seed mix varieties. Being a performance-based award maybe have 70% and 20% as acceptable, 80% and 30% as good, and 90% and 40% as excellent is way to incentivize better performance.

·7) Are we responsible for continued maintenance such as mowing and watering of plants, if so, how long?

• Based on the SWPPP TXR150000 permit requirement of sections 5.1.2 and 5.2.3 of the PWS the contractor would be required to maintain the new vegetative cover until a vegetative cover of at least 70% is achieved and then ensure at least 20% of that are the seeded natives at one year. “Mowing” should be implemented to eliminate competition from invasive species, weeds and to enhance plant vigor. “Watering” the top 4” (inches) of the topsoil must remain moist to be successful. Seeding should be implemented with adequate moisture at the topsoil to enhance germination and plant vigor, the contractor shall apply water in such a manner and rate to ensure germination

8) Will mother nature effect the completion time, i.e. if we have severe weather for a long period of time, flooding etc. Will the completion time be extended?

• The Arroyo Colorado is part of the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project and is subject to flooding when the agency conveys runoff during historic flood events, and from normal local rainfall events. Non-working days due to inclement weather will be added to extend the contract.

9) Is there any ground prep required for hydro‐seeding?

• See vegetation management plan section 3.5 (page 3-4) Rake or disc furrows no deeper than 4 inches resulting in firm (not glazed or compacted), bare soil at original grade with positive drainage. Accumulated debris as a result of raking or disking would need to be removed. In all seeding methods, prepare a good firm seedbed at least 4” (inches) free of debris, trash and weed competition.

10) On the bid schedule, is CLIN 002 "No cost receiving Lines for CLIN 001" not to be populated when quoting? Are we to assume that CLIN is to allocate payment schedule upon award?

• Yes, that’s a no Cost Line Item used by USIBWC.

11) How frequent can we invoice for work completed? Can we bill/invoice weekly?

• All invoices are submitted once a month by the 20th of each month.

12) What is the payment time, is it 48 hours expedited?

• Once invoices are submitted, with no errors, after it has been processed payments are issued 15 to 30 days.

13) In Section 8.5 (Stakeholders) of PWS, can we assume that if a known stakeholder refuses to sign or approve of the work that the USIBWC will assist in negotiations with those stakeholders and will provide project completion timing relief if it results in stop work?

• If a Stakeholder is uncooperative with efforts the USIBWC is implementing, document the event, report it to the C.O.R. and wait until unilateral decision has been made.

14) In Section 3.2 (Field Assessment), there is a reference to a video of part of the project area. Could you send or provide a location to view that video?

• I will request the video form the Environmental Management Division.

Link to the video of Arroyo Colorado, the link will expire in 2 days and the best thing is to download the video (700Meg) then play it.

https://ibwc-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/kelly_blough_ibwc_gov/EqMBnN0aoBFJjB7FBjRFrh4B7s9-Q5ELhIq8ktcDMBwdJA?e=HwkcUb