Spec changes- Clarification-Q A.doc

SOLICITATION AG-4419-S-10-0594 – TELLICO AQUATIC MONITORING

CLARIFICATION/AMENDMENTS/QUESTIONS

MAY 14, 2010

NOTE: Most of the information below is in response to questions and discussions at the pre-bid meeting on May 12. Some additional modifications and clarifications of the original specifications are also described.

1) Question on bids: Can contractors provide 3 separate bids – one for bid items 1-7, one for bid items 8-12, and one for bid items 1-12? Yes.

2) Question on training: Regarding the required CATT training, who will supply the equipment? The contractor is expected to bring most of the items on the equipment list on page 24 of the “Guide to Stream Habitat Characterization using the BVET Methodology in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, NC.” Thermometers, pH meters, topographic maps are not required for the training and dataloggers are optional. IN ADDITION, for the fish part of the BVET sampling, the contractor is responsible for the equipment listed under Electrofishing equipment on page 21 of the “Basinwide Estimation of Habitat and Fish Populations in Streams.”

3) Question on training: Regarding the required CATT training, how many members of the fish crew need to attend? The crew and leader conducting BVET habitat assessment and the fish crew leader at a minimum, should attend. It is recommended that other fish crew attend as well for maximum benefit.

4) Clarification on numbers of electrofishing units needed: For most of the areas sampled, 2 electrofishing units will suffice but some wider sections of streams may require up to 5.

5) Question on Tellico accessibility: What roads on the Upper Tellico will be open for use by the contractor? Road one (420-1) is open to the public. The Upper Tellico Watershed Project Area Map (see Exhibit 3, on the FBO.gov solicitation for this contract) shows roads and/or portions of the roads that will be removed from the road system, thus not available for use currently or in the future (“X” marks indicate roads to be removed). Road 5 is in relatively good condition and should be accessible to 4WD vehicles currently and in the future. Sections of Roads 2, 4 and 6 that are scheduled to be rehabilitated (see Table 2 in specifications [Attachment 1 in the fbo.gov solicitation] and the Tellico map [Exhibit 3]) will be available for contractors to use w/ 4WD vehicles once they are rehabilitated, probably by 2011. The construction work is scheduled for 2010. The current state (in reference only to the sections that are scheduled for rehabilitation) of roads 2, 4 and 6 vary, but in most cases, an ATV or UTV would be required to use the roads. Due to construction, current condition and other factors, access to these roads will be variable in 2010.

6) Question on BVET fish survey end point: Where is the stop point for BVET fish surveys on a given stream? Generally, stop surveys after 3 consecutive habitat units resulting in no fish. Document the endpoints of surveys such as waterfall or other barriers to fish. The BVET habitat assessment is conducted until the source is located (point where water emerges from the ground).

7) Clarification on Pebble Counts: Pebble Counts will be conducted on Riffles only, every 10th habitat unit from a random point established in year 2010, and repeated on the same unit in subsequent years.

8) Question on BMP monitoring: Will contractor need to be on site during construction/stabilization since the monitoring form has questions about conditions 10-15 days after work completed? No. Contractors will monitor roads after roads have been revegetated, usually a year following construction. The successful bidder will meet with the COR and hydrologist in a pre-work meeting for more detailed information.

9) Question on BMP monitoring: How many data sheets are needed for each road? One data sheet will be used for each road. In cases where a given road contains sections that have been decommissioned (obliterated) as well as sections that have been rehabilitated, then a data sheet would be used for each condition.

10) Clarification on streams on private land: No monitoring will occur on streams located on private or non-Forest Service land. Monitoring will be done on those sections of the stream that are on Forest Service land downstream and/or upstream from the sections that are on private land.

11) Question on Battery-Powered Electroshock equipment: Can gasoline powered shockers be used? No. Only battery powered electroshock equipment can be used in the project (Snowbird and Tellico).

12) Question on block nets and natural barriers: Are block nets required even where there are natural fish barriers? No. Pools that are surveyed for fish must function as a closed system to eliminate the potential for fish escape. Natural barriers or block nets can be used to accomplish this purpose.

13) Question on anesthetics for fish: Are there restrictions on use of anesthetics used on fish? Yes. “MS-222” can NOT be used.

14) Modification of Snowbird Watershed boundary: The watershed boundary given in Exhibit 2 – Map of Upper Snowbird Watershed Project Area and shown in red has been modified. A revised map will be available on the fbo.gov solicitation illustrating the new watershed boundary. The base of the watershed is now at least 5 miles upstream from the currently mapped location, and is located just downstream from the confluence of Snowbird Creek and Sassafras Creek. An additional change is the inclusion of Sassafras Creek and its tributaries into the Upper Snowbird Watershed.

15) Modification of Kilometers of streams on Snowbird Watershed: The length of streams in the Snowbird Creek watershed was given as 40 km in the Solicitation Specifications (Attachement 1). The correct and updated total length of streams is 48 km.

16) Modification of Snowbird sites for pH/temperature monitoring: Of the 5 sites located on the Upper Snowbird Watershed, 3 of the sites have been changed. Refer to Exhibit 7 (Protocols for pH/temperature monitoring) in the solicitation package on fbo.gov. Replace “Meadow Branch” with “Rockbar Branch” in the 2 site descriptions where “Meadow Branch” is used. Also, the first entry, “Snowbird Creek just upstream of Owlcamp Branch confluence with Snowbird Creek,” should be changed to “Mouse Knob Branch just upstream of Snowbird Creek confluence with Mouse Knob Branch.”

17) Clarification of Fish Sampling Sites – Only the main stem (no tributaries) of the streams listed in Table 1 (see the specifications document in attachement 1 from the solicitation on fbo.gov) will be sampled for fish during the years 2011-2014. Also, “Upper Falls” referenced in Table 1, is located on Snowbird Creek, between Pantherflat Branch and Meadow Branch.