FERM_Q&A_Deschutes_Ochoco_May_13_2009.doc

FERM Pre-Quote Meeting Q&A

FOREST ENGINEERING AND ROAD MAINTENANCE

AG-04N0-S-09-0004

PRE-QUOTE MEETING

MAY 13, 2009

Q1: Will this contract exclude Small Business Contractors?

A1: This contract will not exclude Small Business Contractors. Solicitation was specifically designed and advertised as unrestricted, so everyone could quote on the specific work they are interested in performing.

Q2: How will the Forest Service send out the Task Orders to the pool of contractors?

A2: Task Orders will either be emailed (preferred), mailed, or faxed. Quotes from the Contractors can be faxed in or mailed back.

Q3: How will the contractors bid on a Task Order with in the pool of contractors?

A3: We will send you a solicitation packet and then you will provide us with a quote that takes into consideration the price range of the original price quote.

Q4: What about the machine specifications the Forest Service is asking for, how do we bid on these items, if we don’t have this type of equipment?

A4: Provide a bid on that item that reflects what it would cost you to rent or subcontract, if you don’t have this type of equipment. Also, consider the cost under the Service Contract Act or Davis Bacon Wage.

Q5: Will there be Mobilization for Major Structures?

A5: No mobilization for these items for the purposes of quoting prices under the basic contract.

Q6: This contract states it is through the year 2014, is that an accurate date? If so, will the contractor be able to opt out of the contract, if needed?

A6: Yes, this is an accurate date and the contractor cannot opt out. Contractors can only be released because of performance issues or lack of funding issues and only at the Governments behest.

Q7: If the Forest Service is not happy with the vendor pool, will the Forest Service open it back up in the future?

A7: While not definite, the Forest Service may re-open competition in the future if additional capacity is needed. As businesses fold or folks retire and we don’t have enough vendors left in a certain category, we may re-solicit at that time.

Q8: If after the contract is awarded, will the Forest Service allow other contractors in the pool?

A8: The Forest Service is hopeful that we will have a good pool of contractors to use for future projects, unless the contractor goes out of business.

Q9: Will the Forest Service continue to post solicitations in FedBizOpps (FBO)?

A9: The intent is to send Task Order solicitation packets via email or mail them to the pool of contractors that bid on this solicitation. Once we have gone through the FBO process, we don’t have to do it again. So, Task Order’s will not be advertised in FBO with the exception of awards if stimulus funding is involved.

Q10: Will the Forest Service notify the contractors that are within the pool?

A10: Yes

Q11: Will this contract be funded with Stimulus funds only or does the Forest Service have project funds available this year too?

A11: Yes, we have project funding right now and we will also use Stimulus funding if it becomes available.

Q12: Will there be coordination on the timing of projects coming out?

A12: The Forest Service has projects ready to start in June and some will end by September 30, 2009. The Forest Service always tries to allow enough time in the performance of Task Order’s to account for seasonal shutdowns, weather, fire, etc.

Q13: Does the Forest Service have an anticipated project list for the future?

A13: Yes, we have several projects identified and received funding for these projects.

Q14: Will this contract include projects for the BLM?

A14: The BLM will be handling there own projects, the Forest Service will not administer them.

Q15: Does the Forest Service want the contractors to include a Safety Plan for this solicitation?

A15: We are not requiring a Safety Plan to be submitted under this initial solicitation. We will be asking for them during the pre-work conference of each vendor’s first Task Order. Further, each task order may have unique hazards to be addressed at that time as well.

Q16: Will the contractors Relevant Past Performance experience be a determining factor?

A16: Yes

Q17: Will the Forest Service provide hardcopy Solicitations to the public?

A17: No, electronic versions are available at www.fbo.gov.

Q18: Will the Task Orders issued include the current Wage Rates?

A18: Yes, a new Davis Bacon Wage determination will be provided for all orders. The applicable Service Contract Act will be provided each year and attached to the basic contract Q19: Should the contractor provide the DUNS number and TIN number on the Solicitation?

A19: Yes, please provide the DUNS number and the TIN number on Page 1 of the Solicitation.

Q20: What happens if the contractor missed an item for Pit Development?

A20: The specifications are listed in FP-03 for drilling. The contractor will need to include the Pit Plan when quoting on Pit Development. The Forest Service will provide a general distance for each of the 11 sites.

Q21: If a Contractor provides a quote with a certain Subcontractor in mind, will that Contractor be locked in to that Subcontractor or can the Contractor make changes in the future?

A21: The Forest Service will evaluate changes to subcontractors to ensure an equal replacement is offered. You must provide a copy of the Contractors Performance Data Sheet for each subcontractor you expect to perform at least 20% of the work.

Q22: What information do you want the contractors to provide when addressing the benefit to the community?

A22: Describe how and to what degree hiring or training of local residents as employees or as subcontractors would be accomplished. Also, describe how and to what degree materials, supplies, lodging, meals, or incidentals would be purchased with in project areas.

Q23: What is the Offer Due Date for this Solicitation?

A23: June 2, 2009

Q24: How long will it take the Forest Service to process the awards and provide a copy of the pool of contractors?

A24: Our intent is to have the awards processed the week of June 22, 2009.

Q25: Is the contractor responsible for providing 10 copies of the Technical Proposal?

A25: Yes, 10 copies of the Technical Proposal package.

Q26: How is the contractor to bid on Hazard Trees, do we bid on hourly or by each?

A26: Please bid by each; the correction is provided to the Amendment these Q&As are attached.

Q27: If it is truly a Hazard Tree, will we need a faller included in the bid?

A27: Yes, the Forest Service will need to know what their certification level is.

Q28: What is the interpretation of the term "Struck Capacity" as it applies to the equipment list?

A28: "Struck Capacity" as it applies the equipment list is the capacity, in CY, of a excavation bucket or dump box of a truck if a leveling tool or rod was used to level the load at upper edges of the bucket or dump box.