Questions_RE_FLNF_Maint_Posting.pdf

AMENDMENT 1

SOLICITATION: AG‐1681‐S‐17‐0008

The following Questions and Answers are hereby provided and incorporated into the solicitation and any resulting contract:

1. QUESTION: Will there be a site visit?

RESPONSE: No. Specific locations of work under this contract have not yet been determined.

Survey and maintenance records will be analyzed and projects will be prioritized as more information is received regarding the Forest Service projects requiring the boundary maintenance, and their respective timelines. A field orientation will be scheduled after the issuance of the first task order to go over what is expected, and to introduce the contractor to Forest Service marking standards, prior to beginning work. Site visits will not typically be scheduled for subsequent task orders, however, any concerns regarding the site should always be discussed with the COR.

2. QUESTION: Are there any maps of property lines looking to be cleared?

RESPONSE: Yes, however, specific locations of work under this contract have not yet been determined. Therefore, survey plats and corner records pertaining to each task order will be provided with, or shortly after the issuance of a task order.

3. QUESTION: What is the largest tree to be removed?

RESPONSE: No trees larger than 3” will be removed. Line clearing required under this contract does not need to be extensive. Sufficient clearing is clearing that allows line of sight along the property line and the ability for a careful person to walk safely along the boundary for painting and inspection purposes.

4. QUESTION: Will small/heavy equipment be allowed for clearing?

RESPONSE: Heavy equipment will not be used. Typical equipment used for this work include, but are not limited to hand saws, brush axes, loppers, and brush saws, mostly dependent on vegetation type and user preference. The prospective contractor should have a good idea of the types of small equipment that could get the job done based on the specifications and forest information provided.

5. QUESTION: When was the last time lines were cleared?

RESPONSE: Specific locations of work under this contract have not yet been determined. 10‐35 years old is the typical age range for lines ordered for maintenance. The age of specific lines that may be ordered is dependent on the current condition of the blazing performed during the original survey and, to a lesser extent, visible paint from said survey or any subsequent maintenance. Line conditions are determined either by site visit or by estimating based on longevity of other lines in a similar forest type and location.

6. QUESTION: How will the contractor know if, when clearing they are on the property line? Will there be GPS coordinates that we'll have to follow?

RESPONSE: The contractor’s level of surveying and/or forestry education or experience should be such that they are able to locate and follow previously surveyed and marked property boundaries based on the survey plats provided and the existing blazes and other evidence on the ground. Forest Service marking specifications provided should be studied such that the contractor is able to identify official blazed lines in areas which may have conflicting unofficial lines. Survey grade GPS coordinates are not typically available.

7. QUESTION: How much of area is wooded as opposed to brush and grass?

RESPONSE: The Finger Lakes National Forest is currently being managed to maintain the following composition:

Approximate Composition of Finger Lakes National Forest

Forest Type % of Forest Area

Mixed Hardwoods 35‐50

Aspen 1‐3

Softwoods 6‐10

Shrubland 10‐12

Grassland 33‐35

8. QUESTION: How many signs and posts are to be maintained and painted?

RESPONSE: The number of signs/posts to be maintained varies by task order. No signs/posts need to be painted, but all signs/posts should be maintained in accordance with C‐2.1A3 and C‐ 2.1B1. A good estimate of the number of signs/posts (excluding bearing tree tags) that should be present can be made based on the following: 1 boundary monument sign/post per corner, and 1 property boundary sign/post every 600 feet on each line. Areas with fewer trees available should have more signs/posts.

Maintenance includes clearing brush and debris from around signs/posts. If necessary, firm up (drive in) any previously established fiberglass line posts which appear to be otherwise accurately positioned and undisturbed. Do not reset [property line] signs/posts that have been disturbed. Do not set additional [property line] posts, however, existing damaged, rotted, or rusted signs/posts that appear to be otherwise accurately positioned and undisturbed should be replaced with a new sign/post. Disturbed or missing survey monument signs/posts should be replaced, as their placement, close to the corner, is not dependent on boundary line location.

9. QUESTION: Section C‐1.2: “Access to some work locations is limited.” Limited by what means?

With equipment or personnel. Is the area so swampy you can't walk—why is it limited and can you mark those areas out on a map?

RESPONSE: Lines to be maintained may not be conveniently located just off the side of a road, some may require a short hike. Weather events or seasonal conditions may also affect road/trail conditions or require roads/trails to be closed. See, also, C‐1.22 – Accessibility.

10. QUESTION: Will there be current survey maps available?

RESPONSE: The latest survey plat(s) pertaining to each task order will be provided with, or shortly after the issuance of the task order.

11. QUESTION: Section C‐2.1 states that only blazes within 3 feet of true property line will be repainted. How will we know where the true property line is? Will a surveyor have it marked out previously?

RESPONSE: "True property line location" as described in Section C‐2.1A1 does not mean exact boundary location. Remaining evidence of boundaries, including signs/posts on‐line, line‐blazed trees, side‐blazed trees, etc. should be sufficient to allow the contractor, having the appropriate level of surveying and/or forestry education or experience, to locate the boundary line closely enough for purposes of determining which blazes are within about 3 feet of the boundary.

12. QUESTION: If contract will be an IDIQ will there be a minimum and maximum dollar amount per task order. ?

RESPONSE: That information is provided in the solicitation document.