Rampart Range Road Mainenance Package.doc

Statement of Work/Technical Specifications

STATEMENT OF WORK

Furnish all material, equipment, transportation, supervision and labor necessary to provide Level 3 Road Maintenance and erosion control on FR300 six times at various locations, FR320 two times, & the roads within the Monument Work Center once. See Maps & Road Spreadsheet for exact work dates and more information. All work shall be performed in accordance with standard industry practices for this type of work, and in accordance with the drawings & specifications of this contract. Existing conditions of Level 3 roads may be deteriorated and should be looked at individually to determine the level of work needed before bidding.

Pay Item 809(02) Water shall be obtained from a commercial source, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the CO. Water may or may not be needed on all roads and will be used as a last resort if necessary. Use will be determined by the CO at the time of work.

Pay Item 860(01) covers all aspects of maintenance required by specifications 860 including surface & drainage maintenance, obstruction removal, vegetative clearing, and minor slough, slides, & slump removal.

Traffic Control shall be considered incidental to Pay Item 860(01).

Mobilization shall be considered incidental to Pay Item 860(01).

Final payment will be based on actual quantities in the field for all pay items.

When the work calls for routine blading (road grading) of forest roads, equipment operators with no pervious national forest road maintenance experience shall view a short (18-minute) video on proper road maintenance techniques prior to beginning work. The operator shall work in a manner that closely follow the techniques shown in the video.

The successful bidder must have a DUNS number and be registered in CCR (Central Contractor Registration) before being awarded the contract. Contact the CO with any questions regarding registration.

Location of Project:

This project is located on the Pikes Peak Ranger District in the Pike National Forest. FR300 Rampart Range Rd is located east of Woodland Park and northwest of Colorado Springs. MP0.0 is located in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. FR320 Mt. Herman Rd starts at the intersection of FR300 & ends west of Monument. The Monument Fire Center roads are located west of Monument. Refer to the Maps & Road Spreadsheet for a detailed location of each road. All roads are located in El Paso County.

Equipment Specifications:

The equipment to be used to complete the performance of this contract shall meet the following minimum standards.

--Road Grader - Motor patrol, self-propelled, tandem drive, with a mold board not more than fourteen (14) feet or less than twelve (12) feet.

--Backhoe/Loader – Cat 416E or equivalent.

All equipment shall be in good repair, and capable of accomplishing assigned tasks in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner. Where applicable, all equipment shall be fitted with approved spark arrestors. If equipment is different from above submit a list with cost proposal. Some equipment that differs from the above requirements may be accepted but may be rejected by the CO. Contractor should discuss equipment questions with the CO before bidding or at the pre-bid conference if one is held.

Upon concurrence from the CO certain areas on the National Forest may be used for storage of equipment and/or materials during active maintenance periods. The contractor shall be responsible for protection of items stored on Government property, and shall ensure adequate safety measures are maintained at such sites.

Noxious Weeds Prevention and Requirements:

All contractor and subcontractors performing work on National Forest System lands are required to use equipment and vehicles free of noxious weed seeds and/or propagating parts capable of producing a new noxious weed plant. This applies to ALL vehicles whether owned, leased or borrowed.

This shall be accomplished by washing with a pressurized hose all equipment and vehicles used for construction, maintenance and support work prior to entering the National Forest.

See Specification 171 for specific requirements.

Signs and Traffic Control Requirements:

In the performance of travel way maintenance, signs shall be located no more than 1 mile before and after the area of operation. Signs shall be posted only when work is in progress. Traffic warning signs shall be provided by the contractor. Cost is incidental and is included in the Pay Items corresponding to the road maintenance work. Signs must conform to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). No hand made signs will be allowed. No work shall be allowed to commence until construction signs have been approved by the CO.

Tractor/Dozer vs. Road Grader:

As a general rule, all Level I and Level II roads should be maintained with a tractor/dozer whereas all Level III roads should be maintained with a road grader (motor patrol). In some instances Level II roads can be maintained with a road grader. This item should be discussed with the CO during the pre-bid meeting.

Definitions:

Base Course - The layer or layers of specified or selected material of designed thickness placed on a subbase or subgrade to support a surface course.

Berm - Curb or dike constructed to control roadway runoff water.

Borrow - select material taken from designated sites to build up the roadway or other structures.

Bridge - a structure, including supports, erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, road, trail, or railway, and having a deck for carrying traffic or other moving loads.

Catch basin - A flat bottom basin constructed at the culvert inlet to improve the entrance conditions and to provide space for sediment and debris collection and removal.

Cattleguard – A structure constructed on the roadway used as a barrier for livestock. Barriers may be constructed of concrete, steel, or other materials.

Channel - A waterway (either natural or constructed) leading into or away from a culvert or bridge.

CO – Contracting Officer.

COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative.

Crown - The slope of the roadbed away from the centerline to provide for drainage.

Culvert - A conduit or passageway under a road, trail, or other obstruction. A culvert differs from a bridge in that it is usually constructed entirely below the elevation of the traveled way.

Cushion Material - Native or imported material generally placed over rocky sections of unsurfaced roads to provided a usable and maintainable traveled way.

Ditch - A relatively long narrow excavation placed to collect or disperse water.

--Drainage ditch - A ditch constructed between the traveled way and the adjacent terrain for the purpose of transporting water that leaves the road surface or cut slope.

--Lead-off ditch - A ditch used to remove water from drainage ditches.

--Outlet ditch - A ditch used to provide drainage from culverts, cattleguards, drainage dips, or other structures.

--Intercept ditch - Any ditch which normally parallels the road centerline and diverts water from natural flow patterns to protect road slopes, roadbed, or downslope areas. Intercept ditches may be located within the roadway or roadside, but as used in this definition excludes drainage ditches.

Drainage dip - A uniform depression constructed within the roadbed surface which allows routine passage of vehicles while diverting water from the traveled way.

Drawings - Depictions detailing maintenance contemplated including all road listing diagrams, maps, and performance schedules included in the contract.

Drop Inlet - A vertical conduit used as an inlet to a culvert.

Equipment - All machinery, operating supplies, and tools necessary for the proper performance and acceptable completion of the work.

Excess Material - Material obtained fro maintenance operations on the roadway which is excess to that needed for maintenance of the roadway.

Grade - The vertical rise or fall of the finished surface of a roadway or ditch centerline. Grade is expressed as a percent calculated as rise in feet over run in feet times one-hundred (100).

Inspector – Contracting officer’s official project inspector.

Invert - The bottom of the inside of a conduit or culvert.

Materials - Any substances specified for use in the performance of the work.

Measurement - Method of determining and expressing the quantities of work.

Outslope/inslope - The slope of the roadbed from the cutslope to provide for drainage. Applies to roads without a crown.

Pavement Structure - Subbase, base, or surface course, or combination therof, placed on a subgrade to support the traffic load and distribute it to the roadbed.

Right-of-way - A general term denoting land, property, or interest acquired for or devoted to a road.

Roadbed - The portion of a road between the intersection of the subgrade and side slopes, excluding that portion of the ditch below the subgrade.

Roadside - A general term denoting the area adjoining the outer edge of the roadway.

Roadway - The portion of the road within the limits of excavation and embankment.

Shoulder - The portion of the roadway contiguous with the traveled way for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use, and for lateral support of pavement structure.

Slide - A concentrated deposit of materials from above or on the backslope extending onto the traveled way or shoulders that has been deposited by mass land movements.

Slough - Materials eroded or raveled from back slope which partially or completely block the ditch, but do not encroach on the traveled way so as to block vehicular passage.

Slump - A localized portion of the roadbed which has slipped downward or otherwise become lower than that of the adjacent roadbed and constitutes a hazard to traffic.

Subgrade - Top surface of roadbed upon which subbase, base, or surface course is constructed. For roads without base course or surface course, that portion of roadbed prepared as the finished wearing surface.

Surface Course - The top layer of a pavement structure, sometimes called the wearing course, usually designed to resist skidding, traffic abrasion, and the disintegrating effects of climate.

Trash rack - A structure (usually constructed from vertical bars) which is designed to prevent trash and other debris from entering and blocking a culvert.

Traveled Way - The portion of the roadway provided for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulders on asphalt paved roads. For purpose of this contract, traveled way includes turnouts and curve widening.

Turnouts - A short auxiliary lane provided for passage of on coming vehicles.

Unsuitable material - Material that is not suitable to be incorporated into the work.

Waterbar - A drainage structure constructed across the roadbed surface to divert water from the road surface. Vehicular passage is not a consideration.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

171- WEED AND DISEASE PREVENTION - STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

DESCRIPTION

171.01 This work consists of washing and treating construction equipment to remove seeds, plants, and plant fragments from the equipment before the equipment is used on National Forest System lands.

MATERIAL

171.02 Furnish water that is free of substances injurious to plant life such as oils, acids, alkalies, or salts.

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

171.03 General

Notify the CO in writing at least 15 days before moving any construction equipment onto National Forest System lands. Construction equipment does not include cars, pickup trucks, and other vehicles that regularly travel between the construction site and areas outside of National Forest System lands.

Perform all work at a location designated on the plans or other locations approved in writing. Provide the CO with an opportunity to monitor the washing and inspection.

171.04 Equipment

For work on National Forest System lands, use a washing system that traps all wash water and either stores it for removal from National Forest System lands or recycles the water for continued use. If the equipment recycles the water, provide adequate filters for seed removal. Dispose of the filter material and removed seeds in an approved manner. Do not mix soaps, detergents, or other chemicals with the wash water. For work at a commercial washing facility, use an approved facility. Use a high pressure washing system.

171.05 Washing

Wash the sides, tops, and undercarriages of all construction equipment. Remove all seeds, plants, plant fragments, dirt, and debris from the construction equipment.

171.06 Inspection

Inspect the washed construction equipment, including the undercarriage, to ensure that the washing removed the dirt, debris, and seeds from the construction equipment. Rewash the construction equipment as necessary or as directed.

171.07 Acceptance

Weed prevention will be evaluated under Subsection 106.02 of the Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects (FP-03)

809 - DEVELOPING WATER SUPPLY AND WATERING - STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

DESCRIPTION

809.01 This work shall consist of furnishing, hauling, and applying water.

MATERIALS

809.02 Water sources are SHOWN ON THE DRAWING. If the contractor elects to obtain water from other sources, the contractor shall be responsible for obtaining the right to use the water.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

809.03 Developing water supplies and access shall be as SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

Mobile watering equipment shall have watertight tanks of known capacity. Equipment used for dust control and finishing operations of subgrade and surfaces shall provide uniform and controlled application of water without ponding or washing. Positive control of water from the driver’s position is required at all times.

Calibrated tanks, distributors, or accurate water meters shall be required if SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

MEASUREMENT

809.04 The method of measurement will be measured as designated in the SCHEDULE OF ITEMS and in accordance with the following:

-Lump sum. Denotes one complete unit of work completed and accepted, including necessary materials, equipment, and labor to complete the job.

-Gallons -Thousand Gallons (M. Gal.)

When the SCHEDULE OF ITEMS calls for “Developing Water Supply and Water,” the cost of developing the supply shall be included in the unit price for the quantity of water delivered.

PAYMENT

809.05 The accepted quantities will be paid for at the contract unit price for each pay item shown in the SCHEDULE OF ITEMS.

Payment will be made under:

Pay Item

Pay Unit

809 (01) Water

L.S.

809 (02) Water

Gallons

809 (03) Developing Water Supply and Watering

L.S.

809 (04) Developing Water Supply and Watering

Gallons

860 - LEVEL 3 ROAD MAINTENANCE - STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

DESCRIPTION

860.01 The maintenance work to be performed shall include work necessary to keep drainage functional and maintain the road prism to allow a prudent driver to safely negotiate the road in a passenger car.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

860.02 Drainage

This work shall consist of cleaning culverts and drainage dips and related items such as catch basins, outlet ditches, lead-off ditches, trash racks, drop inlets, headwalls, aprons, and riprap.

Drainage structures and related items shall be cleared of all foreign material and all vegetative growth which interferes with the flow pattern. Grass shall be left in place provided drainage is not obstructed.

Culverts shall have their inlet and outlet cleaned as well as three (3) feet of the upper and lower ends of the inside cleaned out to expose the full diameter of the culvert. If debris is lodged in the culvert to the extent it cannot be cleaned by shovel, bar, and hand labor, the CO shall be notified of the location within 5 working days for a final determination of corrective measures to be taken.

Unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS, catch basins shall be cleared of material to the bottom of the invert of the culvert and at least eighteen (18) inches horizontally towards the backslope or the width of the basin, whichever is greater. The backslope shall be cleaned of loose material.

Inlet channel transition from the ditchline to the catch basin shall be cleaned. Material removed, if suitable, may be blended into existing native road surfaces or shoulders. On aggregate surfaced roads, care must be taken to assure the material is not mixed into the existing aggregate. Unsuitable material shall be disposed of by sidecasting unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. Sidecasting into streams, lakes or water courses will not be permitted.

Ditches shall be cleaned to conform to previous line, grade, and cross section. Cleaning is not required on ditches that provide drainage and are free of debris larger than three (3) inches in diameter and one (1) foot in length. On aggregate surfaced roads, care must be taken to assure the material is not mixed into the existing aggregate. Unsuitable material shall be disposed of by sidecasting unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

Drainage dip maintenance consists of cleaning and installing dips. Drainage dips shall be shaped to a depth and width to provide drainage and reasonable conformity to the original lines, grades, and cross sections, unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS or designated on the ground. Hand work may be necessary to obtain a smooth surface and uniform cross section. Lead-off ditches shall be cleaned or installed and shall daylight. Material generated from the lead-off ditches shall be blended into existing road surfaces or shoulders. On aggregate surfaced roads, care must be taken to assure the Material is not mixed into the existing aggregate. Unsuitable material shall be disposed of by sidecasting unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

860.03 Removal of Obstructions

Unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS, loose rocks which extended more than three (3) inches above the road surface shall be removed or repositioned to provide adequate clearance for vehicular travel. Logs and downed trees shall be cut over the entire width of the traveled way to provide opening for vehicular travel. Logs and downed trees shall be cut into short lengths and placed outside the roadway. Slash shall be scattered outside the roadway and drainage ways. Rocks and other objects outside the usable width may remain, if drainage is not obstructed.

860.04 Removal of Vegetation

Brush, Trees, and limbs shall be removed within the designated area SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS or designated on the ground to provide Unobstructed roadway prism, including turnouts, ditches, and other drainage facilities. the traveled way shall be free of encroaching limbs to a height of 12 feet above the traveled way surface.

Unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS, brush and trees less than four (4) inches in diameter within the designated area adjacent to the traveled way shall be cut to a maximum height of six (6) inches above the ground surface or obstructions such as rocks or stumps. Trees within the designated area in excess of four (4) inches in diameter when measured six (6) inches above the ground shall be limbed so that no limb extends into the designated area or over the roadbed. Tree limbs shall be trimmed as near flush with the trunk as practicable.

Brush and trees designated for removal within the designated traveled way shall be cut parallel and as close to the ground as practicable or to a maximum of one (1) inch above the elevation of the road surface. Vegetation shall be cut over the entire width of the traveled way or to the maximum width SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS, or as designated on the ground.

Signs, markers, and other road appurtenances are designated to be retained.

Work may be performed by hand or mechanically. Self-propelled equipment shall not be allowed on cut and fill slopes or in ditches unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

Any damage to trunks of standing trees caused by Contractor's operation shall be treated with a commercial nursery sealer or removed as designated by the CO.

Limbs, chunks, and debris in excess of one (1) foot in length or three (3) inches in diameter shall be scattered outside the roadway. Concentrations of slash and debris greater than eighteen (18) inches above the ground will not be permitted.

Slash and debris shall not be placed in live streams.

860.05 Sloughs, Slides and Slumps

Minor sloughs, slides, and slumps that are less than five (5) cubic yards per one-hundred (100) foot station, shall be removed or repaired. If quantity exceeds five (5) cubic yards per one-hundred (100) foot station, the CO shall be notified of the location within 5 working days for a final determination of corrective measures to be taken. Minor slough and slide material, including soil, rock, and vegetative matter which encroaches onto the ditches, roadway or shoulder and which obstructs drainage shall be disposed of by sidecasting unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. Sidecasting into streams, lake or water courses will not be permitted.

Minor slumps and washouts shall be filled with material generated from the adjacent area or as otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. Material shall be placed in layers not to exceed eight (8) inches in depth and compacted by operating equipment over each layer.

860.06 Traveled way

The roadbed shall be crowned or sloped to conform to the original prism. All berms generated shall be removed from the shoulders and incorporated into the traveled way surface except those that are specifically designated to remain. Turnouts shall also be included with the blading of the road surface.

On roads open to public traffic, berms of materials caused by road maintenance operations shall be removed from the traveled way prior to the end of each day's work.

The blading shall proceed in an orderly fashion by successive passes with graders parallel to the road centerline, progressing from the lower side to the upper side of the roadbed and back across. In the process, shoulder material shall be cut and replaced to prevent vegetation encroachment.

On native surface roads, all ruts, holes, washes and washboards shall be removed by scarifying or cutting to the bottom of such defects. Fines accumulated in blading roads or from drainage ditches shall not be wasted over fill shoulders.

On aggregate surface roads, all ruts, holes, washes and washboards shall be removed by scarifying or cutting to the bottom of the aggregate surface. Scarification of subgrade material will not be permitted unless SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS.

Rocks or other material remaining on the traveled way after the final blading that fail to pass a 4-inch sieve or are larger than the maximum size of imported surfacing shall be disposed of by sidecasting unless otherwise SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. Sidecasting into streams, lakes or water courses will not be permitted.

The roadbed immediately before and after cattleguards and bridges shall be bladed in such a manner as to effect a smooth transition. Material shall not be deposited inside cattleguards or onto bridges. Any material deposited on bridge decks or inside cattleguards, including any accumulated material, shall be removed.

Intersecting roads shall be bladed for a distance of 50 feet to assure proper transition of the two riding surfaces.

MEASUREMENT

860.07 Level 3 Road Maintenance will be measured to the nearest one-tenth (0.1) mile as measured by a calibrated vehicle distance measuring device along the road centerline.

PAYMENT

860.08 The actual quantities will be paid for at the contract unit price for each pay item shown in the SCHEDULE OF ITEMS.

Payment will be made under:

Pay Item

Pay Unit

860 (01) Level 3 Road Maintenance

Mile

EMERGENCY CONTROL - FIRE PLAN

This plan outlines the channels of responsibility for fire prevention and suppression activities and sets up an attack procedure in the event of a fire within the project area. The project area is defined as the area within the National Forest and within one-half mile of the project right-of-way, work areas, and all roads used for construction purposes.

Contractor shall, both independently and in cooperation with the US Forest Service, take all reasonable and practicable actions to prevent and suppress fires resulting from Contractor’s Operations and to suppress any forest fire in the project area. Contractor’s independent initial fire suppression action on such fires shall be immediate and shall include the use of all necessary personnel and equipment at Contractor’s disposal on site.

Requirements to Operate on “general operating days” include:

A.

Tools and Equipment

1. Tools:

(a) The contractor shall furnish and maintain in a serviceable condition:

· One shovel or pulaski for each of his/her employees, to be used only for suppressing forest fires. These tools will be kept in sealed boxes and available within the immediate working areas.

· For each piece of equipment and each personal vehicle, he/she shall furnish one shovel, (Long Handle Round Point (LHRP) size 0 or larger) and one ax (two pound or larger).

· For each welder, he/she shall furnish one shovel (LHRP size 0 or larger) and one backpack pump (five-gallon capacity).

· For each gasoline powered tool (power saw, soil auger, etc.), one shovel (LHRP size 0 or larger), and one eight-ounce chemical pressurized fire extinguisher.

· Contractor shall also furnish, if applicable, any other tools called for elsewhere in the agreement.

2. Equipment: Upon request the contractor shall furnish a list of equipment used on the project.

3. Manpower: Upon request the contractor shall furnish a list of supervisory personnel and amount of total personnel available and working on the project.

B.

General Provisions

1.

Fire Prevention

(a) Spark Arrestors. All diesel or gasoline operated engines, except those machines equippedwith exhaust driven turbo chargers, and all flues used on the project and in construction camps shall be equipped with adequate, serviceable arresting devices that meet Forest Service Standard 5100-1, Spark Arrestors for Internal Combustion Engines. Information in this standard will be furnished upon request.

(b) Smoking. The contractor may permit smoking by his/her employees but only in safeplaces such as: along roads, in truck cabs, or where all inflammable material has been cleared away from an area at least three feet in diameter. During periods of high fire danger, smoking may be restricted dependent on the stage of Fire Restrictions. Under no circumstances will smoking be permitted while operating tractors or other open-type vehicles in areas not cleared to mineral soil, or while walking or working in such areas.

(c) Gas and oil will be carried only in metal safety cans.

(d) Storage and Parking Areas. Equipment service areas, parking areas, gas and oil drum storage areas, and explosive storage areas will be cleared of all inflammable material for a distance of 50 feet. Small stationary engine sites shall be cleared of all inflammable material for a distance of 15 feet. Inflammable and explosive storage areas will be labeled as such and "No Smoking" signs erected.

(e) Oil Filters, Cartridges, Oily Rags. Will be disposed of properly in trash containers and hauled to a proper waste management area. Glass jugs or bottles will not be used for gas,oil, or water.

C.

Requirements imposed during Stage I Fire Restrictions and Red Flag Day warnings:

1. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. (36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d))

2. Campfires are only allowed in Forest Service designated campgrounds.

D.

Requirements imposed during Stage II or III Fire Restrictions:

1. All personnel must smoke in a vehicle with the doors closed and windows up.

2. No campfires are allowed on Forest Service Lands under any Stage II or III restriction orders.

3. A serviced and functioning fire extinguisher will be located in each vehicle.

4. When working on activities which generate flame, spark or flammable material, a Type 3 engine with National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified personal must be on site and the surrounding area must be soaked with water before starting the activity. A fire guard will continue to monitor the project for up to one hour after activities have ended.

5. A water tender with operator, water pump and hoses will be in place during operations OR a Type 3 Wildland Engine that meets NWCG specifications (additional to the above engine); supervised by one NWCG qualified engine Boss and 3 NWCG qualified firefighters will be on site.

SECTION M--EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS. The technical proposal will be used to make an evaluation and arrive at a determination as to whether the proposal will meet the requirements of the Government. Therefore, the technical proposal must present sufficient information to reflect a thorough understanding of the requirements and a detailed, description of the techniques, procedures and program for achieving the objectives of the specifications/statement of work. Proposals, which merely paraphrase the requirements of the Government's specifications/statement of work, or use such phrases as "will comply" or "standard techniques will be employed" will be considered unacceptable and will not be considered further. As a minimum, the proposal must clearly provide the following:

A. Relavant Past Performance: Furnish a list of three (3) projects of similar magnitude completed by the firm within the last three (3) years. The list should include, work similar in nature and complexity to that required by this solicitation. Include contracts with the Federal Government, agencies of state, and local governments, and commercial customers. For each project cited, provide the following;

· Name of the project

· Location of project

· Administering POC’s name, phone, email address, and fax numbers

· Total cost of the project

· A brief narrative of the project (include size, i.e. acres, square feet; date of start and completion or anticipated completion date).

The Government may or may not contact any or all references listed. For any projects with less than positive performance you are encouraged to provide a description of the problems and efforts made to correct and to prevent future occurrences.

Firms lacking past performance will not be rated favorably or unfavorably in this area, but will receive a neutral rating.

B. Experience: The offeror will be evaluated by relevant experience on the basis of its extent and depth. The offeror shall provide a detailed summary of experience at road maintenance.

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS

This contract will be awarded on factors other than of price and may be awarded without discussion. The Government will evaluate each proposal against the following factors: past performance, experience, and price.

Cost is of equal importance than technical evaluation criteria.

M. 3. EVALUATION RATINGS

Each proposal will be evaluated strictly on its content and will not assume that performance will include anything not specified in the proposal. The evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the procedures established here. The Evaluation Panel will assign to each evaluation criterion a final adjective consensus rating of exceptional, acceptable, neutral, marginal, or unacceptable based on the following descriptions:

EXCEPTIONAL: The proposal complies with all instructions for submission and includes additional information that indicates consistent high quality performance can be expected from the contractor. One or more items of service or evidence of past experience exceeds the acceptable or minimum requirement.

ACCEPTABLE: The proposal complies with all instructions for submission and meets all minimum requirements of service under the proposed contract.

NEUTRAL: This rating will be used if there is not enough past performance information provided in the proposal for an effective evaluation. The reason for this rating is an offeror cannot be penalized for no past performance information.

MARGINAL: The proposal complies with most instructions for submission and/or fails to meet all minimum requirements of services under the contract so as to appear weak in regards to meeting the stated minimum.

UNACCEPTABLE: The proposal does not provide minimum requirements of service and/or fails to comply with instruction regarding submission of the proposal. Proposal ix extremely weak in regards to meeting the stated minimum requirements of service so as to have major weakness beyond discussions.

M.4 AWARD DETERMINATION

The contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to that responsible offeror whose offer-conforming to the solicitation-is determined to be most advantageous to the Government, cost and other factors considered. The Offerors proposal shall be in the format prescribed by, and shall contain a response to each of the areas identified which affects the evaluation factors for award. The Government will determine best overall value on the basis of the factors described above.