FERM_Q&A_Fremont_Wiinema_May_19_2009.doc

FERM Pre-Quote Meeting Q&A

FOREST ENGINEERING AND ROAD MAINTENANCE

AG-04N0-S-09-0004

PRE-QUOTE MEETING

MAY 19, 2009

FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTS

Q1: What if the equipment that is listed on the Schedule of Items does not include equipment that I have?

A1: The equipment that is listed on the Schedule of Items is to get a base line price to use to evaluate for the award. As long as the contractor stays in the perimeter of the contract the contractor may use any equipment to accomplish the project.

Q2: What does the Asterisk (*) mean on the Schedule of Items?

A2: The Asterisk (*) means that item is under the Service Contract Wage, if it does not have a * than it is under the Davis Bacon Wage. It is necessary for each contractor to burden their rates accordingly.

Q3: Will Delivery/Task Orders be negotiated?

A3: Yes.

Q4: How many awards are estimated?

A4: Up to 12 per item, depending on qualifying contractors.

Q5: When competing Delivery/Task Orders are the Contractors required to bid?

A5: No, but need to send a hard copy of reason for not bidding to the Contracting Officer.

Q6: If Delivery/Task Order is awarded under Davis Bacon Wage will we have time to get bonded?

A6: The contractor should already have a bond company.

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: Is there a reason why this wasn’t this a Hub Zone set aside?

A9: There is not a large enough pool of Hub Zone contractors.

Q10: Does each bid item stand on its own?

A10: Yes

Q11: Why is the unit of measurement different for Hazard Tree Falling from the Ochoco N.F., Deschutes N.F. and the Fremont-Winema N.F.?

A11: The Amendment these Q&As are attached to has corrected the Units.

Q12: What budget year will F.E.R.M. be in?

A12: Budget Year FY09 which ends September 30, 2009.

Q13: Does the Forest Service want the contractors to include a Safety Plan for this solicitation?

A13: We are not requiring a Safety Plan to be provided in response to the initial solicitation. We will be asking for them at the first Task Order’s pre-work meeting. Any unique hazards for the project will be addressed at that time as well.

Q14: Can Project and Site Manager be the same person?

A14: Yes, there is no reason they can not be the same person.

Q15: Can a computer print out be used for equipment availability?

A15: Yes

Q16: Is there any estimate of how many miles of road?

A16: No, this will be to each individual Delivery/Task Order.

Q17: Do we need to update personnel if it changes in the future?

A17: In accordance with the clauses set forth in the solicitation, the Government must be notified of key personnel changes and that can be done on Delivery/Task Orders.

Q18: Can you use Sub contractor when Sub contractor is bidding on same Delivery/Task Order?

A18: Yes, they will be evaluated separately and will need to know the specific equipment being used on the Contractor Data Performance Sheet.

Q19: All Specs will be FP-O3?

A19: Yes, for construction unless otherwise noted as a lump sum item for all work on a project.

Q20: Will bid items be unit cost or lump sum?

A20: How ever the engineer puts them out but the Delivery/Task Orders will be unit cost.

Q21: Will this contract be funded with Stimulus funds only or does the Forest Service have project funds available this year too?

A21: Yes, we have project funding right now and we should also use Stimulus funding.

Q22: If we do not receive an award will there be another opportunity?

A22: The Forest Service may re-open competition in the future if additional capacity is needed.

Q23:

Do we need to submit a Contractor Performance Data Sheet for each bid item?

A23:

Yes, at least one but preferably three Contractor Performance Data Sheets shall be submitted for each work activity (e.g. Roadside Brushing). However, if your business is proposing on roadside brushing or similar work activities in several performance areas, those three will suffice for all Areas you are interested in performing.

Q24: Do we need to submit a Resume for each personnel on each bid item?

A24: No, will need to submit for key personnel only and can be submitted for groups of work activities and Areas of performance as long as that information is provided in your proposal.

Q25: Do we need to fill out the boxes in Representations and Certifications?

A25: No, not if you have registered and updated your information in ORCA. However, remember to state in the representations and certifications clause that you are registered in ORCA.