2011-0711PreQuoteConfNotes1.doc

Solicitation No. AG-03R6-S-11-0049

Bitterroot National Forest

Ground-Based Invasive Plant Treatment

JULY 11, 2011 PRE-QUOTE CONFERENCE NOTES

Attendees of the meeting were as follows:

Loren Ebner, Contracting Officer

(406) 329-3858

Missoula, MT 59804

Sula Ranger District 7338 Highway 93 South Sula, MT 59871

Supervisor’s Office 1801 N First Hamilton, MT 59840

Bob

740-574-6346

THE MEETING RECORD:

The meeting commenced at approximately 1300 hrs at the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, Montana. The above individuals were present at the meeting.

Contracting Officer Loren Ebner reviewed the following items:

· Section V Solicition Provisions. This section includes information on submitting offers.

· Section V.2.2. Faxed offers are permitted, but call CO if you fax your offer.

· Section V-2.4. Instructions for offerors on what to submit for the evaluation criteria portion of the offer.

· Experience Questionaire. The Offeror may utilize this form when responding to the evaluation criteria, however offerors are advised that the form may not prompt you for all information required by Section V-2.4. Offerors must respond to all the evaluation criteria identified in the solicitation.

· Section V-3. Informs offerors on how the Government will evaluate the offers. Note that the solicitation permits the Government to award one or two contracts.

· Section V1. Representations and Certifications can be completed online by utilizing the ORCA website. Even if you complete ORCA, please submit all Section VI pages with your offer, with the appropriate notation in (b)(2).

· Standard Form 1449 (First Page). The CO reviewed the SF1449 form. The due date for receipt of offers is located in Block 8. Offerors shall ensure that they complete Blocks 12 (if applicable), 17a, 17b, 28, 30a, 30b, 30c. Ensure that DUNS number and TAX ID number are included in Block 17a.

· Schedule of Items. Offerors must submit pricing for all years on the Schedule of Items. Contracting Officer explained how payment would relate to the Schedule of Items. For example, in Year One, the Contractor will be paid for performance of services under Items 1-01 and the Contractor will also be paid for the actual chemicals used under Item 1-02. So, for example, a contractor may perform 100 acres of services under Item 1-01A, but may only treat 80 acres with chemical(s) identified in Item 1-02. In this example, the contractor would be paid for 100 acres of services under 1-01A and also paid for 80 acres of chemical(s) under 1-02. In this example, if the Contractor only applied Aminopyralid to those 80 acres, then the Contractor would invoice the 80 acres of chemicals at the rate identified in Item 1-02C

· Section III. The CO reviewed:

· III-1 (c) Changes

· III-1 (i) Payment

· III- 1 (t) Central Contractor Registration - - - It is extremely important that Offeror’s have a CCR profile that is active. Contract award will not be made to a contractor without a CCR profile.

· III-2.1 CPARS is a DOD system that is being used by the Forest Service. The Contractor will be educated on this element.

· III-2.3 Ordering

· III-2.5 Order Limitations

· III-2.6 Indefinite Quantity

· III-2.7 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract

· III-2.8 Permits and Responsibilities

· Section IV. The CO reviewed:

· IV-1 Scope of Contract

· IV-2 Location – If work becomes available on the Lolo National Forest, the Contractor may be given the opportunity to perform work on the Lolo National Forest if the Contractor agrees. Contractor will be required to perform work on the Biterroot National Forest.

· IV-6 Contractor Quality Control - - Offerors are advised to review this requirement.

· IV-7.2 Government Quality Assurance & IV-7.3 Contractor Payment

· IV-9 Contract Period

· IV-11 Task Order Performance Period and Estimated Start Work Date(s)

· IV-14 Key Personnel

· IV-15 Fire Control – No pumper required

· IV-16 Camping

· IV-17 Weed Free Practices – note paragraph (a).

· IV-19 Accident Prevention & Safety Plan. Safety plan will be required.

· IV-24 Attachments – See Wage Determinations for required wages. Contact DOL if you have questions about appropriate wage.

Diane Bessler-Hackett reviewed the following items:

· License. There was discussion regarding licensing. Contractor will be required to have Montana and Idaho license to perform work. See Amendment No. 01 for changes to the solicitation regarding this issue.

· Specifications. The requirements and restrictions identified in IV-5 Technical Specifications were reviewed. Be advised of the organization of the specs, which is described in IV-5.1. Note the additional requirements and restrictions for work in Idaho which are outlined in Attachment 02. Contract does not require use of specific brand name products, but does mandate certain chemicals. Regarding the application rates identified on the Schedule of Items: The application rates specified on the Schedule of Items are for the purposes of getting pricing only and are based on commonly used products. Amendment No. 01.

Field Visit:

· No Field Visit.

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