Questions.pdf

Solicitation AG-82AT-S-13-0009

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING

APRIL 4, 2013

SOLICITATION AG-82AT-S-13-0009

Q1. We have quite few years of experience. When responding to the past performance should I exceed 5 pages?

A2. Please do not exceed five pages. Provide your company’s most relevant and recent past performance.

Q2. Is there an emphasis for tree thinning or mastication over another type of service?

A2. No. The Government is looking for companies with multiple capabilities of performance under this contract without emphasis on one type of service over another.

Q3. Do you know how many task orders the Government will issue?

A3. The total planned work under the contracts would not exceed the minimum guarantee at this time.

Q4. Will FAX copies be accepted?

A4. No. All copies must be submitted in hard copy format. Electronic submission of copies will not be accepted.

Q5. Is it important to adhere to the 5 page limitation on past performance?

A5. Yes. Please address all requested information specified in Section L.

Q6. What’s the standard period of performance on the task orders? Will they be variable or standard one year?

A6. The period of performance for task orders would vary, depending upon when the order is issued, the scope of the work, weather and other factors which would impact performance.

Q7. M.5 talks about evaluation factors for the contract proposals, but what about the task orders.

What are the evaluation factors?

A7. Price and availability, while each awarded contractor will have submitted pricing, this pricing does not prohibit the contractor from offering more competitive pricing, depending upon the variable factors pertinent to each fair opportunity solicitation.

Q8. Please define the term girdling in the quality control section?

A8. The cuts need to be just into the sapwood, deeper cuts may cause the tree to snap at the cut in high winds. The Forest Service will inspect the girdle to assure that the cambium was completely severed to ensure the tree will die.

Q9. What further treatment are you looking for if you’re in a bark beetle area with dying trees?

What is the point of the girdling?

A9. It would be whatever the silvicultural description may provide for that particular area and would vary by each task order.

As an example, it may be desirable to girdle live mistletoe infected trees that survived the mountain pine beetle epidemic and are growing in or adjacent to a clear cut. The mistletoe induced “brooms” in the canopy are used by birds and squirrels and the snag may be used as a perch for raptures. By girdling the tree wildlife habitat is preserved for a time and the continued spread of mistletoe is stopped

Q10. How are you going to treat your girdling? Will it be with a double band with a four inch gap?

A10. Section C.2 has been amended to read as follows: Girdling - Cutting two bands around the bole of the tree, the bands must be at least 4 inches apart except at one point they must cross. Cuts should be just to the sapwood but in all cases the cambium must be completely severed.”

Q11. Section K specifies a NAICS specifies a size standard as $7.0 mil not $17.0 mil is that correct?

A11. In accordance with SBA size standards NAICS code 115310 does address the two different size standards under one code. The larger dollar figure represents Forest Fire Suppression and Fuels Management Services are two components of Support Activities for Forestry. Forest Fire Suppression includes establishments which provide services to fight forest fires. These firms usually have fire-fighting crews and equipment. Fuels Management Services firms provide services to clear land of hazardous materials that would fuel forest fires. The treatments used by these firms may include prescribed fire, mechanical removal, establishing fuel breaks, thinning, pruning, and piling.

This project is not related to Fuels Management or Fire Suppression projects, but relates to overall Forest health. The focus of this project is to promote overall Forest health.

Q12. What happens if the award of this solicitation is protested?

A12. Please refer to sections L and M for the procedures that will be utilized for selection and award of any contracts under this solicitation.

Q13. Will the Amendment extend the specified response date to this solicitation.

A13. No time extension will be made.

Q14. Will each company participating in the pre-proposal conference receive a copy of the amendment?

A14. The amendment will be posted on FEDBIZOPPS (www.fbo.gov).

Q15. The solicitation does not identify the difference in the severity of slope conditions.

A15. The solicitation specifies a maximum slope grade of 40%. It is recommended that each company propose on a worst case scenario for each line item. It is the Government’s expectation that each proposed price is fair, reasonable, and realistic as compared to the potential conditions that can be encountered and the company’s capabilities.

Q16: Would a wheeled version such as a hydro ax work well for the mastication units that are planned?

A16. Wheeled machinery is acceptable. The offeror should read the example prescription and look at the trees to be treated in the schedule of items. Some machinery might be too big to achieve the desired result of a prescription.

Q17. Are there any examples of previous projects for a pricing reference?

A17. A thinning project was done on the Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest last year that treated approximately 290 acres at a cost of $192 per acre.

Q18. Is a tracked chipper required for the chipping portion or will a traditional chipper work?

A18. A track chipper is not required. The main target area for chipping would be along road sides, but that is not 100%.