ARRA Trail mtce sf_30_amendment 1.doc

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION / MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

6. ISSUED BY:

USDA Forest Service Cherokee National Forest 2800 North Ocoee Street

Clevelnad TN 37312

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than 6.):

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

AG-4756-S-10-0003

Trail Maintenance IDIQ

9B. DATED (see item 11)

1/15/2010

10B. DATED (see item 13)

11. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ X ] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers [ X ] is extended, [ ] is not extended. Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning ___1__ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (if applicable)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

the changes set forth in item 14 are made in the contract order no. in item 10a.

appropriation data, etc.) set forth in item 14, pursuant to the authority of far 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [ ] is, [ ] is not required to sign this document and return copy(s) to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

See the following page for modifications.

Date for receipt of proposals is extended to March 4, 2010 (see Block 8, Form 1449, cover page of solicitation).

Notes from the Pre-proposal meeting are included with this modification.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Marcia O’Connor, Contracting Officer

(signature of authorized person)

(signature of Contracting Officer)

PRESCRIBED BY GSA/PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Amendment 1 Solicitation AG-4756-S-10-0003 Non-motorized, Wilderness and Non-wilderness Trail Maintenance Cherokee NF Seed Task Order #1, Benton Falls, is deleted (see Attachments and Exhibits, Attachment 7). A substitute Task Order will be posted on or about Feb. 12, 2010.

Seed Task Order #2, Sill Branch North Trail, and #3, Blue Hole Trail are deleted (see Attachments and Exhibits, Attachments 8 and 9). These orders will be revised and reissued with new Order #1. Anticipated date for issuance of new orders: February 12. 2010.

A meeting date and time will be posted for showing of a Task Order site that is more reflective of typical work to be expected under this contract. Anticipated date: February 19, 2010.

Wage Determination posted with original solicitation is removed (see Attachments and Exhibits, Attachment 2). Insert the following three wage determinations: No. 2005-2491, revision 7, McMinn and Polk Counties; No. 2005-2493, revision 12, Monroe County; and No. 2005-2499, revision 9, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties.

Re: Evaluation Factors for Award, page 4, (1) Technical Capability. Delete second sentence, beginning with “Three aspects of experience will be evaluated” . . .

Notes, Pre-Proposal Teleconference / Meeting

Trails Maintenance – Cherokee National Forest

AG-4756-S-10-0003

January 28, 2010 @ 11:00 am

Attending for Government:

Nina Barrow, Contract Specialist

Gary Hubbard, Civil Engineer/ARRA Coordinator

Doug Byerly, Recreation Planner

Donna Price, Procurement Technician

Matt Henry, Recreation Planner Trainee

Andy Gaston, Ocoee District Natural Resource Program Team Leader

Marcia O’Connor, Contracting Officer

Lynn DiFiore, Civil Engineer

Contractors in Attendance (in person and by phone): Posted separately on scanned sign-in sheets.

Summary of Solicitation: (Barrow)

1. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation for Commercial Items. The intent of the contract will be rehabilitation, maintenance and restoration of existing trails leading to waterfalls on the Cherokee National Forest.

2. This solicitation is expected to result in multiple IDIQ contracts for one base and four option years. Each awarded contractor is guaranteed $10,000 worth of work, to be issued by task order, in the base year of the contract.

3. Task orders will be competed among awarded contractors.

4. Trails that are listed on page 8 in the solicitation are those that have been selected as having highest priority for maintenance and repair. This list is intended to provide contractors with a general idea of trails that are currently targeted for work. Actual orders may or may not include these trails, and may include other trails on the Cherokee.

5. Task orders that are funded by ARRA funds will be subject to required contractor reporting requirements.

6. Your submitted proposal will include: the completed SF-1449 form, pricing for each of the three seed task orders, your representations and certifications (ORCA registration – may be accomplished online, see FAR 52.212-3 included in solicitation), and the completed Experience Questionnaire.

7. Proposals will be evaluated for technical capability, organizational past performance, and price. Evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are approximately equal to price.

8. Questions and answers from this conference call and the following site visit will be posted with the solicitation in FedBizOpps as soon as they can be compiled.

The following questions were asked and answers provided:

Question: Will contractors be allowed to use a trail excavator on these trails?

Answer: Byerly – Some trails may be suitable. Hubbard – Not on a wilderness trail. A majority of the trails have a 24” – 36” trail tread resulting in limited use for a trail excavator.

Question: If the trail track of the excavator is 28” – 34” would that be acceptable?

Answer: Hubbard – Only if no disturbance to the area outside of existing trail tread. Byerly – Waterfall trails may have steep and/or varied terrain, or constructed features that may limit use of mechanized equipment. Hand tools will probably be mostly used. The use of an excavator can be discussed in more detail per each individual task order and trail.

Question: Is there any bonding required?

Answer: Barrow - No, this is a trail maintenance service contract. A bond is needed only for construction contracts. If a construction task order is issued over $30,000, then a bond would be required.

Question: What would be the bond total if there was a construction delivery order?

Answer: Hubbard/Barrow - We do not anticipate any one order to be over $100,000. The bond would be 100% of the delivery order price.

Question: Are there any insurances / license required for these projects?

Answer: Barrow – No special licensing or insurance is required by the solicitation, only what is regularly required for any employer by state laws.

Question: Will there be any bridge construction?

Answer: Hubbard/Byerly - No, that is outside the scope of this contract.

Question: So, maintenance will only be discussed in this meeting?

Answer: Byerly – Yes, we intend to restore existing trails and bring them to standard.

Question: Task Order numbers 1 & 3 have stairs indicated. Will we receive the drawings so we can more accurately bid?

Answer: Byerly - Yes, drawings are included in the Solicitation and you will also see an example of some stairs on the field trip today to Benton Falls.

Question: Will there be multiple contracts awarded from this one solicitation?

Answer: Barrow - Yes, 2 or more.

Question: How will task order work be awarded…one contract for steps, one for maintenance, etc?

Answer: Barrow – No, a task order will be awarded for all work involved on a trail.

Question: How does a contractor receive award of a task order?

Answer: O’Connor –Each awarded contractor will have the opportunity to bid on each task order.

Question: If you are one of the awarded contractors, is there still the $10,000 guarantee?

Answer: Barrow - Yes.

Question: For wilderness trails, we understand there are no mechanized tools or equipment allowed. Will we have to carry everything in by hand?

Answer: Byerly - Yes, you must carry in by hand and use hand tools. No wheelbarrows (these are considered mechanized) and no pack animals. The purpose of the wilderness is to keep footprint as minimal as possible. Task orders for wilderness trails will be more specific and detailed. We can ask administrative permission for the use of pack animals. Hubbard – For some projects it is permissible to use on-site materials. This will be taken into consideration with each task order.

Question: How much experience is required?

Answer: Barrow - There is no pre-established level. Just list work you have performed.

Statement: Barrow covered the submission requirements for proposals (pg 3, Submission Requirements).

Statement: Byerly - There is an error on Task Order #2, Item # 2, Pay Item 912(01). It should be 915(01). This will be shown in an amendment.

Question: When will the award be made?

Answer: Barrow – Proposal evaluation will take approximately 30 days.

Question: Will the trails be closed while work is being done, so we can leave our tools/equipment overnight?

Answer: Byerly/Gaston - It will depend on the type work being done and the safety issue. This can be discussed per task order and work being ordered for that trail. As for the security of the tools, there is no guarantee of security due to the number of other trail accesses and the remote locations.

Question: How can interested Contractors view other trail task orders before bid?

Answer: Barrow - If there are several contractors interested, we will try to organize a site showing trip. Contractors are welcome to view sites on their own.

Statement: O’Connor – Task orders with ARRA money will be issued out of an office in Atlanta. Other task orders will be issued from our Cleveland office. There is an “ARRA Reporting Responsibility for Contractors” website where contractors must report per task order: www.federalreporting.gov

Question: What about E-Verify?

Answer: O’Connor – You are required to register and initiate verification for employees assigned to the work, but the Forest Service does not require you to submit anything to us.

Question: What is the time frame / limit for task orders?

Answer: Barrow - Each task order will have an established time limit.

The time frames for seed task orders will be established and shown in an amendment.

Question: Is this a requirements contract?

Answer: Barrow – No, the solicitation will result in Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts with guaranteed $10,000 worth of work to each awarded contractor .

Question/Concern: Do we intend to issue additional task orders against this contract?

Answer: Barrow - Yes. Forest Service intends to place orders totaling a minimum of $40,000 but not in excess of $500,000 for trail maintenance service (see AGAR 452.216-73, Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts, pg. 6).

Question: Are faxed bids accepted?

Answer: Barrow - No. We require hard copy submitted to this office.

Question: Can we look at the sign in sheet?

Answer: Barrow - Yes, a copy of the sign-in sheet will be posted on FedBizOps with questions/answers.

Question: Will the cost of overhead, mobilization, etc be paid in addition to each bid item?

Answer: O’Connor - No, you will have to work all those costs into your bid price.

Statement: Byerly – Camping at or near work sites may be allowed, varying from task order to task order.

After no other questions were asked, this meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:00 pm.

Notes from site visit, Jan. 28, 1:00 p.m.:

Site showing was led by Doug Byerly, Recreation Planner.

Change in wage rates was discussed.

This trail is part of a large trail system that can be accessed from many points. While the side trail itself can be closed during maintenance activities, it cannot be made inaccessible and the public will be able to walk in to the trail head. The Forest Service does not guarantee the safety of Contractor’s equipment left unattended on Forest Service land. The Forest Service is not responsible for damage to or disturbance of Contractor’s work prior to final acceptance.

Concern was expressed by contractors in attendance regarding receipt of quotes on task orders from contractors who have not viewed the work site. A site visit will be very helpful to gain understanding of the work involved. Photographs of existing trail conditions will be added to seed task orders.

Each task order that is competed will include a time for completion of work (example, 60 days). Start date for the work can be negotiated with contractor once order is awarded.

It was determined after the showing to delete the Benton Falls task order, as work required at this site is not typical of work to be completed under this contract.

Site showing concluded at 3:00 p.m.