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Pre-Conference meeting for Solicitation AG-82B1-S-10-0048 Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest Project: Hell Canyon Mechanical Chipping Meeting: 12/02/2009 0900, Supervisors Office Black Hills National Forest, Custer, SD Attendees were advised this a five year contract, with a base (538 acres) and a goal of one option of 580 acres if additional funding is secured. The option item is NOT guaranteed.
| Does the contractor have to stop work and move out of the project area when the February 28th deadline occurs or can the chipper be moved to a different unit and work until the May 1st deadline? ( reference operational restrictions and order of unit completion) |
| The operational restrictions are very specific in the Supplemental Specifications. However when the contractor works in units until the February 28th deadline, the contractor may move and work in a unit or units with the May 1st deadline. The work plan should identify the order of units for completion while maximizing the time worked within the operational restrictions. |
| Are the tree boles all one direction in a pile |
| No - All piles have been piled by hand and tree boles lay or are stacked in all directions in a pile. |
| Were the trees in all units cut last year |
| No - This has been a three year process of past as well as active contracts. Trees have been cut and piles constructed over the last three years, and continue to be cut in some of option item units. |
| Will the contractor be able to perform work year round |
| No - Operational restrictions apply to all units and are identified in the Supplemental specifications. |
| What is the contract length including the option item |
| 5 years |
| Is contract being handled out of the Black Hills Office |
| The administration and inspection of this contract will be handled by personnel from the Hell Canyon office. The Contracting Officer for this contract is working out of the Denver office, and is presently located in Billings MT. |
| Must piles be chipped on location |
| Yes - Chips will be chipped in place, however some piles will have to be manually moved to the chipper due to rocks or steep slope. |
| How much accumulation of chips or what is the required maximum chip depth |
| Chipper must move under its own power and move to each pile. Chip depth shall not exceed three inches as specified in the Supplemental Specifications. |
| Was chipping completed on each side of Highway 244 and Iron Mountain Rd. |
| Yes - Chipping has occurred in some units, and is identified in the Detailed Unit Information Table. The chipping that has occurred in specific units was 66’ wide and ran adjacent to the highway. Within the chipped area in each unit there may be an occasional tree top that has broken off or limb that has dropped due to high wind. In these cases, this slash shall be chipped. |
| Will boles of over 9’ DBH still remain |
| Yes |
| Does the chipper chute need to be fully automatic |
| No - But cannot swing more than 180 degrees per OSHA. Chute may be remote controlled. Discharge chute cannot be manually operated. This is a change from the specifications as listed. An amendment will be issued with wording change. |
| Can you use an ATV to haul material to chipper |
| No - Chipper must move under its own power, and no equipment may be used to move slash to chipper as stated in the Supplemental Specifications. |
| Length of time from a approved unit to payment |
| Upon requesting inspection for a completed unit, the Government has 7 calendar days to approve or reject the unit. Once the COR accepts the work, the Government has 30 days to make payment. |
| What is the existing spacing of the residual trees |
| Generally 8’x8’ to 24’x24’. Of course this changes depending on rock, slope, and aspect |
| What are the average number of piles per acre |
| An average of 20 piles per acre. Some units will average 25 – 28 piles per acre, and others will average 15 piles per acre. Contractor is encouraged to look at each unit to determine number of piles. |
| Do you know what chipper manufactures meet specifications |
| Bandit and Vermeer are two manufacturers’s that we had discussions with. |
| Other track machines same pressure as specified chipper, what is the difference |
| We looked at chipper specifications and felt that the chipper requirements listed in the Supplemental Specifications would allow several different types and brands of chippers on the market. |
| Is it stated in the contract that a tracked chipper is the only one allowed |
| Yes |
| Can you use a self feeding chipper |
| Yes - If it meets the minimum chipper requirements. |
| Must trails be cleaned |
| No chips or debris must be left on trails, roadways, roads, fill slopes or cut banks. |
| Can chipper be left on site |
| Yes - Contractor is responsible for welfare of their equipment. |
| Can you use existing roads trails for refueling |
| Yes - If a road or trial is opened, it must be restored back to its previous condition. If no roads or trails are present you shall move the chipper to the fuel. Driving off road to fuel equipment is not allowed. |
| Can you recover or salvage chips |
| Yes - But must be handled through a separate permit and outside the contract. |
| Are the large piles along Iron Mountain Highway included to chip under this contract |
| No - Only hand piles are being treated in this contract. |
Field Trip: Stop 1
| Is access limited by the chipper |
| No - Use easiest routes while meeting the intent of the contract. |
| Will the contractor need to take fences down |
| Yes - And is required to put back up. If fence is down it may remain down. |
| Are all piles within the Boundary |
| Yes |
Field Trip: Stop 2
| Can you fill small valleys and dips with chips |
| Chip depth cannot exceed 3” regardless of ruts, ditches, etc. If chip depth exceeds the maximum 3”, contractor shall move chip manually to ensure chip depth is met. |
| Can you utilize a speed-line |
| Yes - But will need to be approved on a case by case basis only. |
| What is the distance between wildlife piles |
| At least 200’ apart and at least 75’ from roads. Small piles may be combined to make wildlife piles as to not exceed 8’ x 8’. |
Field Trip: Stop hrs.
| Will Iron Mountain Highway be plowed |
| Iron Mtn. Highway is closed when snow exists on the highway. Contractor will have access through locked gates. If the road needs plowed, the Forest Service can request it be plowed. Highway 244 is plowed during winter months. |
| What is your guess or estimate of piles |
| Guess is 15,000 piles. However it is not based on anything. The contractor is encouraged to look at each unit. |
| Does contractor pay excise tax |
| The contract requires that the contractor supply any and all labor, equipment, supplies, services, permits, supervision, workman’s compensation, unemployment insurance, and transportation to accomplish the work under this contract. Contractor should check with State of South Dakota for any additional requirements such as excise tax. |
| What about other permit requirements |
| No commercial vehicles are allowed to travel through Mount Rushmore National Memorial; however the Forest Service can obtain a waiver for the contractor. |
