2010_0630_clarifications.pdf

Solicitation No. AG-03R6-S-10-0045 Trapper Bunkhouse IRSC Stewardship

Bitterroot National Forest, Darby Ranger District

Attention Offerors: The Government provides the following clarifications related to questions received at the pre-proposal conference and some questions received since that date:

1. Amendment No. 02, Clarifications:

a. The Contracting Officer considered changes to the Equipment Washing requirement.

However, the CO will not change this specification at this time. This clause has been standard in Government contracts for many years, and Offerors should submit prices based on the requirement stated. There was some discussion regarding how changing the contract area boundary may affect this requirement. The Government is issuing maps with the contract area boundary. Please note the Government cannot include non-federal lands within this boundary, nor should we exceed the area that was approved under NEPA.

b. Map changes include:

i. Unit 11 TLM/SW label added to small southern piece above Road 374A.

ii. Unit 32 Label changed from T to TSS on lower portion of unit.

2. Question: Why are Skyline acres greater than Track line Machine acres in unit 27 when the map looks like Track Line Machine is greater than Skyline?

Answer: The Portion shown as TLM/SW on map only needs portions of TLM/SW on the ridges the rest can be done as Skyline. The TLM/SW trails are flagged in on the ground. I don't think that there are logging system boundaries marked on the ground between the TLM/SW and S in the upper potion of the unit. Unit 27 label change to add S the upper portion of the unit along side TLM/SW. Estimated Logging System breaks added to Map.

3. Question: Why are TLM acres reported in unit 19 not represented on map when compared to T acres and how it is represented on the map?

Answer: The TLM/SW trails are flagged on the ground. I don't think there are logging system boundaries marked on the ground between the TLM/SW and S. The Estimates Logging System boundary was changed to the proper location on the map.

4. Feller Buncher Clarifications:

The question of using a feller buncher on skyline ground and what limitations there might be associated with it has been asked several times. At the site visit Government representatives said 55% slope would be the limit for use of a feller buncher on skyline ground. After further investigation the answer is actually related to several other factors.

Feller buncher operations on skyline ground would follow the same standard that any other piece of equipment would follow while operating in a timber harvesting manner. If the Contractor decides to operate equipment they are responsible for operating in a manner that will not push the limits set by the equipment manufacturer. Contractor is responsible for Erosion Prevention and Control (Main Contract H.10), which means choosing harvesting methods which won't exceed our Forest Plan Standards for Detrimental Soil Disturbance (DSD) or the standards set by the NEPA document.

The following is from the Trapper Bunkhouse Stewardship NEPA Document:

"The feller/buncher operations have been proposed in skyline units 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 22, 27, 32, 42, and

78. Since the BNF does not have local data for the feller/buncher operations, the pilot demonstration will be monitored closely by the soil scientist on the first two proposed units (Units 22 and 78) to determine the actual effects on soils. The feller/buncher operations will cease immediately if soil effects exceed R1 soil

Solicitation No. AG-03R6-S-10-0045 Trapper Bunkhouse IRSC Stewardship

Bitterroot National Forest, Darby Ranger District quality guidelines. It is anticipated that through careful sale administration the feller/buncher operations would be within 3 percent or less on the BNF. If the DSD exceeds this amount on Units 22 and 78, this practice will not be completed on skyline units with existing DSD levels that have the potential to exceed R1 soil quality guidelines (Units 19 and 27). Conventional felling and skyline yarding would be completed on these units."

Although the document says units 22 and 78 would be done first this pilot action will apply to which ever skyline units that the Contractor chooses to use a feller buncher in first, and the results will determine further use of feller buncher on skyline ground. Feller/buncher may be used in Units 19 and 27 only if detrimental soil disturbance is 3% or less from the feller/buncher operations in each unit.

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