Questions and Answers.doc

Questions and Answers

1. Is there any historical pricing or past awards similar to this project that can be reviewed for comparison?

Yes we do have historical pricing for this type of work. The earlier contracts for exactly the same type of work is as follows:

1. POL Thinning/Hand Pile Fuel Break - $480.00 per acre. (2008 price)

2. POL Thin/Machine Pile - $325.00 per acre. (2008 price)

3. POL Thinning - (have not cut to 9" and lopped & scattered slash. Cutting to 6" with lop & scatter has been $190.00/ac)

4. Pine Encroachment - $85.00 per acre. (this is 2006 price)

2. Is it required to skid and deck the designated material (5"-9") in all POL units or just the machine piling unit # 39.

Both the Performance work Statement and Supplemental Specifications address this. The contractor shall skid and deck all cut trees 5" - 9", and all bug trees live or dead less than 10" DBH to approved landings in Goat #39 ONLY. All remaining slash less than 6" shall be piled. This includes existing slash, pitch logs, etc. There are small areas within Goat #39 that will need to be hand piled due to rocks or terrain, but the unit is designated as a machine pile unit. The contractor is not required to pile this unit with a machine however. Piling by hand is acceptable provided the contractor meets the piling specifications listed in Exhibit A and B.

3. If we are not required to skidd the larger material in the hand piling units do we limb/top and pile the designated material over 6"

Both the Performance work Statement and Supplemental Specifications address this. Machines are NOT allowed in the Byway units. Cutting and piling will be conducted by hand. All limbs and tops of the cut trees and all existing slash less than 6" shall be piled. Limbs will be cut smooth to the bole of the tree in the piling units.

4. Can we mechanically cut the designated trees in all units or does the thinning need to be done by hand?

Both the Performance work Statement and Supplemental Specifications address this. All units except for Goat #39 are required to be cut and piled by hand. The only unit allowing mechanical cutting and mechanical piling is Goat #39.