solicitation.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION PAGE OF PAGES

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER) THIS RFQ IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET- ASIDE

1. REQUEST NO. 2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT.DEF. RATING

AG-82X9-S-10-0098 7/1/2010 391004

UNDER BDSA REG. 2 �

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

5a. ISSUED BY 6. DELIVER BY (Date) Rocky Mountain Acquisition Service Team 15 Burnett Court Durango, CO 81301

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS) 7. DELIVERY FOB DESTINATION NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER OTHER (See Schedule)

AREA CODE NUMBER 9. DESTINATION

Joe Milburn 970 385-1245 a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

8. TO:

a. NAME b. COMPANY b. STREET ADDRESS

c. STREET ADDRESS c. CITY

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO THE

ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5A ON OR

BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in BLOCK 5A.

This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the

7/29/2010 submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction

Estimated Start Work Date – Unit 1 - 8/9/2010

Contract Time – see Schedule of Items.

Show Me Trip – Contractors are encouraged to bring an ATV to the Show Me Trip.

July 15, 2010 - 9:30 AM – meet at the intersection of Hwy 184 and County Road 41, a few miles Northwest of Mancos, CO on Hwy 184.

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS d. CALENDAR DAYS

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT � NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations are are not attached.

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER 14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON

AUTHORIZED TO

15. DATE OF

a. NAME OF QUOTER SIGN QUOTATION QUOTATION

b. STREET ADDRESS 16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print) b.

TELEPHONE

c. COUNTY AREA CODE

d. CITY e.

STATE

f. ZIP

CODE

c. TITLE (Type or Print) NUMBER

NSN 7540-01-152-8084

Previous edition not usable

18-121 STANDARD FORM 18 (Rev. 6-95) Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

PART I, SECTION B, SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.01 – SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – Chicken Creek Fuel Reduction

This project is set aside for those contractors with a current BLM Fuel Reduction IDIQ contract for these services.

TIME FOR PERFORMANCE

UNIT 1 – Must be completed prior to November 15, 2010.

UNIT 2 – Optional Item – will be added to contract if money becomes available. Work must be completed after oak leafs out, which is typically in May. Contract time - 60 calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed.

UNIT 3 - Optional Item – will be added to contract if money becomes available. Work must be completed after oak leafs out, which is typically in May. Contract time - 21 calendar days after the effective date of the Notice to Proceed.

BID

ITEM

SERVICES/SUPPLIES QTY. UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

1.

2.

3.

Base Bid Item

Unit 1 Level III

Optional Items

Unit 2 – Level IV

Unit 3 – Level IV

Acre

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

CHICKEN CREEK FUELS & ASPEN MOWING IDIQ CONTRACT

ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS AND TASK ORDER

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 GENERAL

C.1.1 Introduction - The purpose of the Chicken Creek fuels and Aspen mowing and shredding contract is to modify fuels and stimulate aspen regeneration on 586 acres of USFS (Public) Land. The project consists of three units adjacent to the Chicken Creek drainage, approximately six miles north east of Mancos, CO. The Dolores Public Lands Office is responsible for the project. The proposed treatments under this contract include mechanical thinning, mowing and shredding of pinyon pine, juniper, ponderosa pine, aspen, Gambel oak and mountain shrubs.

C.1.2 Scope - Contractors are to provide all labor, supplies and equipment to mechanically mow and shred designated vegetation with a rubber tired vertical or horizontal shaft shredder or mulcher capable of working on slopes up to 35 percent and mulching trees or logs up to 12 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH).

C.1.3 Location of Project Area

C.1.3.1 Location: The Project Area is located on the San Juan National Forest. The legal description that includes all units is T37N R13W sec. 13, 23, 24, 26, 34, 35. A Vicinity Map showing the general location of the project area is attached to this contract. The Chicken Creek Fuels and Aspen Project Area is located in Montezuma County.

C.1.3.2 Treatment Units The locations and boundaries of the treatment units are shown on the Project Area Map, attached. Unit 1 is the base unit for this contract and units 2 and 3 are optional units to be completed when funds are available. There are 3 treatment units summarized in the following table:

Unit No. Acres Level of

Difficulty

1 101 III

2* 401 III/IV

3* 84 III/IV

TOTAL 586

Acreage was determined by GPS collected with a Trimble GeoXT unit.

C.1.4 Boundaries: The boundary of unit one is marked with blue surveyor’s flagging. The boundaries of units two and three are marked with orange surveyor’s flagging.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

C.1.5 Access to Project Area – To access units 1 and 2 travel approximately 2 ½ miles north from Mancos, CO on Hwy 184 to County Rd 41. Travel north on County Rd 41 for approximately 3 miles to the San Juan National Forest boundary. Continue northeast on FS road 385 for approximately 5 miles to an unmarked access point into unit 2. Unit 1 is approximately 2 ½ miles further up FS road 385. To access unit 3 travel to the northeast for approximately 5 miles on County Rd 42 to the San Juan National Forest boundary. Access into unit 3 is unmarked.

C.2.0 Definitions

DRC- Diameter at Root Collar- diameter of the tree or shrub measured outside the bark just above the root collar swell.

DBH – Diameter at Breast Height (4.5 feet above the ground)

Damaged Tree – Any reserve or “leave” tree that has been damaged by the Contractor.

To be considered a damaged tree one of the following criteria must apply:

a. bark is removed from a 6" x 6" area or greater from the bole of the tree

b. the top is broken or more than 30% of the crown has been removed

c. more than 10% of a cross-section of the bole is removed

d. the tree has been impacted by equipment causing it to splinter, lean, or fall over

Obstacle – For the purposes of this contract an obstacle is defined as any object, which can impede, or damage the shredding/mulching or tree cutting equipment. This could include rocks, logs, old stumps, road banks or culverts.

Treatment Unit – Area where contract work will be completed that is delineated on the Project Area Map.

C.3.1 Project Layout and Cultural Surveys by Contractor – The Project Area has been surveyed for all cultural sites and none were identified inside any of the units. There is a historical site adjacent to unit 2 that will require protection. Should any heritage or cultural sites be discovered during operations, the contractor should immediately stop treatment in that area and contact the COR who will notify the District Archaeologist.

C.4.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

There is no Government-Furnished property for this project.

C.5 SPECIFIC TASKS

C.5.1 Mechanical Fuels treatment (Grinding) – Line Item 0017

Item 0017AC – Level III – Crown closure of material to be severed is estimated to be between 31 and 60 percent total cover. Slope is under 30%. Units.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

Item 0017AD - Level IV - Percent cover of material to be treated is estimated to be between 31 and 60 percent total cover. Slope is from 30 to 45%.

C.5.1.1 Standards

1) The following vegetation is designated to be treated by treatment unit.

2A) In treatment unit 1 the thinning prescription will be as follows:

o Cut and mulch all dead and dying aspen < 12 “ DBH.

o Target trees with 25% or more of dead or declining crown.

o Target trees with signs of insect infestation or disease cankers. (USFS Forester will provide clear direction to contractor.)

o Protect healthy aspen regeneration by not cutting or driving over vigorous young trees.

o Cut all dead and dying aspen within 100 ft of unit boundaries.

o Cut and mulch 45 - 55 % of the Gambel oak / mountain shrub understory in a natural mosaic pattern, treating entire clumps and leaving isolated clumps in pine canopy openings.

o Emphasis will be on mowing clumps of oak underneath and adjacent to ponderosa pine trees to reduce “ladder” fuels.

o Target brush with dead tops and limbs.

o Create a mix of openings and leave clumps (1/10 – 1/4 acre in size).

o Oak leave areas should be located in pine canopy openings. Large oak, > 6”

DRC, should be left where possible.

o Cut shrubs during growing season when they are leafed out.

o Minimize leave islands within one chain (66feet) of unit boundaries.

o Cut and mulch targeted small diameter ponderosa pine.

o Pine targeted for cutting will be suppressed & intermediate trees serving as

"ladder" fuels to the dominant canopy. Trees with poor form (forked / crooked stem, broken / flat top), weak canopy (crown ratio of 25% or less), signs of insect attack, or dwarf mistletoe infestation will be targeted for cutting. Do not cut Douglas fir.

o Thinning from below will focus primarily on trees < 10" DBH. Trees 10 - 12 " DBH may be removed if they are serving as a ladder fuel to larger residual tree, have a hawksworth mistletoe rating of 2 or greater, or have a crown ratio of 2 or less.

o Trees selected for retention will have good form, live tops, high crown ratio relative to neighbor trees, hawksworth mistletoe rating of 1 or less, and be free of visible insect damage.

o Use approximately 18' - 20' spacing to identify best leave trees.

o To provide for size and age class diversity, small well formed trees should be left where they are not serving as ladder fuels and adequate spacing exists.

2B) In treatment units 2 & 3 the thinning prescription will be as follows:

o Cut and mulch 60 - 75 % of the Gambel oak / mountain shrub understory in a natural mosaic pattern, treating entire clumps and leaving isolated clumps in pine canopy openings.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098 o Emphasis will be on mowing clumps of oak underneath and adjacent to ponderosa pine trees to reduce “ladder” fuels. A mowed area 20-40 feet wide from the stem of ponderosa pine trees greater than or equal to 8" DBH will be achieved. A mowed area 10 feet wide from the canopy line of small ponderosa pine (less than 8"DBH) will be achieved.

o Target brush with dead tops and limbs.

o Break up continuity of large shrub stands.

o Create a mix of openings and leave clumps (1/10 – 2 acres in size).

o Oak leave areas should be located in pine canopy openings. Large oak, > 6”

DRC, should be left where possible.

o Cut shrubs during growing season when they are leafed out.

o Minimize leave islands within one chain (66feet) of unit boundaries.

o Cut and mulch targeted small diameter ponderosa pine.

o Pine targeted for cutting will be suppressed & intermediate trees serving as "ladder" fuels to the dominant canopy. Trees with poor form (forked / crooked stem, broken / flat top), weak canopy (crown ratio of 25% or less), signs of insect attack, or dwarf mistletoe infestation will be targeted for cutting. Do not cut Douglas fir.

o Thinning from below will focus primarily on trees < 10" DBH. Trees 10 - 12 " DBH may be removed if they are serving as a ladder fuel to larger residual tree, have a hawksworth mistletoe rating of 2 or greater, or have a crown ratio of 2 or less.

o Trees selected for retention will have good form, live tops, high crown ratio relative to neighbor trees, hawksworth mistletoe rating of 1 or less, and be free of visible insect damage.

o Use approximately 18' - 20' spacing to identify best leave trees.

o To provide for size and age class diversity, small well formed trees should be left where they are not serving as ladder fuels and adequate spacing exists.

o Cut and mulch 100% juniper that is serving as a "ladder" fuel in the ponderosa pine dominated areas. Isolated and open growing juniper trees should be left. Do not mow pinyon pine.

3) Mow and shred only on slopes less than 40 percent.

4) All mowed vegetation shall be shredded such that 60 percent of the mulch material is less than 4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long. 80 percent of the mulch and slash resulting from the mowing and shredding must be distributed on the ground surface at a depth less than 6 inches. A small portion of the slash resulting from the mowing and shredding (not more than 20%) may be higher than 6 inches but no more than 18 inches above the ground.

5) Stumps and stubble heights must be less than 8 inches above the ground surface or any obstacle.

6) The Contractor must avoid damaging protected trees including: (1) snags over 12 inches

DBH and 15 ft. tall, (2) live standing trees designated as “leave” trees.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

7) The Contractor shall minimize soil disturbance and exposure of mineral soil to less than 15% of the treatment area.

C.6. RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS

C.6.1 Water Quality- The following measures shall be observed to protect stream courses:

1. The Contractor’s operations shall be conducted to prevent debris from entering stream courses.

In the event the Contractor causes debris to enter stream courses in amounts which may adversely affect the natural flow of the stream, water quality or fishery resource, the Contractor shall remove such debris as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 48 hours, and in an agreed manner that will cause the least disturbance to stream courses.

2. Equipment shall not be operated in stream courses or riparian areas except at crossings designated by the Public Lands Representative. Contractor should cross perpendicular to direction of flow.

3. Mowing/shredding equipment must not be operated in riparian areas, which is defined as permanent or intermittent wet spots or drainages with willows, cottonwood trees or other riparian vegetation. These areas are protected by description and may or may not be delineated on the ground.

C.6.2 Wet Period Restrictions

USFS and privately owned roads with a native surface can be operated on during mostly dry weather conditions. Travel on native surface roads and off-road with equipment is restricted when the soil is too wet. The COR may suspend the contract if the soils are too wet. Soils are too wet when vehicle or equipment causes a rut 4” deep for 10 feet or more. The contractor must closely monitor surface conditions and shut down operations prior to causing resource or road damage. If the Contract is suspended due to soil conditions, the Government is not responsible for additional mobilization costs.

C.6.3 Other Resource Protection

All of the activities associated with this project shall be conducted in such a manner that there shall not be any adverse impact to the following resources listed.

2) Protection of Improvements and Survey Monuments- The Contractor(s) shall avoid any damage to improvements such as, but not limited to, fences, gates, utility poles, survey markers or monuments, claim stakes, survey witness trees and cultural sites. The Contractor will be required to repair or pay fair market value to replace any damaged improvements.

3) Damaged Trees – The Contracting Officer’s Representative may require the Contractor to sever from the stump and shred trees damaged by the Contractor or Subcontractors. The COR or designated inspector will identify and mark excessively damaged trees to be mulched. If the damage is excessive (outside of the Acceptable Quality Level), the Contractor will be charged a rate of $20/tree. To be considered a damaged tree one of the following criteria must apply:

a. bark is removed from a 6" x 6" area or greater from the bole of the tree

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

b. the top is broken or more than 30% of the crown has been removed

c. more than 10% of the cross-section of the bole is removed

d. the tree has been impacted by equipment causing it to splinter, lean, or fall over

3) Wildlife -

If a goshawk hawk nest is located during operations, mowing will cease within 1/4 mile of the nest and a wildlife biologist will be consulted.

4) Range – Mastication operations must begin after June 10 to avoid grazing conflicts.

C.6.4 Safety

When the Contractor’s operations are in progress the Contractor shall furnish, install and maintain all temporary traffic controls along roads and trails that provide the public with adequate warning of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions associated with the Contractor’s operations. A traffic control plan shall be agreed to by the Contractor and the Forest Service prior to commencing operations. Devices shall be appropriate to current conditions and shall be covered or removed when not needed. Flagmen and devices shall be as specified in the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways” (MUTCD).

Warning signs must be posted at least 300 feet away from the machinery on roads and trails adjacent to the treatment units while the shredding/mowing machinery is in operation.

C.6.5 Road Maintenance

Commensurate with use, the Contractor is responsible for maintaining all access roads and roads within the project area. Any damage caused by the contractor on public or private roads will be repaired by the contractor at their expense. Maintenance shall be performed in a timely manner to prevent rutting and seasonal weather damage, and safeguarding soil and water quality, and provide for safe use. Specifications for road maintenance activities are listed below.

a. Visibility The Contractor shall remove vegetation or other obstructions to driver visibility as such obstructions caused by Contractor’s activities during the permit period.

b. Drainage Maintenance The Contractor shall keep ditches, culverts, water bars and other drainage facilities clear and functioning.

C. 6.6 Noxious Weeds

Cleaning of Equipment- The Contractor shall insure all equipment moved onto Public Land is free of soil, seeds and vegetative matter or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. The Contractor shall pressure wash all equipment before moving it onto USFS lands, and shall notify the COR prior to moving each piece of equipment onto public land. Notification will include identifying the location of the equipment’s most recent operations. Arrangements will be made for the Public Land Representative to inspect each piece of equipment prior to it being moved onto Public land.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

“Equipment” includes all machinery except for log trucks, chip vans, pickup trucks, cars, or other vehicles primarily for transport of personnel.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.4.0 ACEPTANCE

E.R.2.1 Acceptable Quality Level

Performance Work Statement

Quality Standard Performance Standard (Acceptable Quality Level)

Monitoring Methods

Effect Of Not Meeting Performance Standard

Mowing of aspen.

Unit 1

Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 2A.

Mow 95 – 100% of dead and dying aspen < 12” DBH.

Mow 100% of dead and dying aspen within 100 feet of boundaries.

Visual inspection and/or circular sample plots.

If below minimum rework area at no additional cost to the Government. If above maximum, modify methods

Mowing of Gambel oak and mountain shrubs.

Unit 1.

Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 2A.

Mowed area not less than 45 percent and not more than 60 percent of total pre-treatment canopy cover of Gambel oak and mountain shrubs.

Visual inspection and/or circular sample plots.

If below minimum rework area at no additional cost to the Government. If above maximum, modify methods

Mowing of Gambel oak and mountain shrubs.

Units 2, 3.

Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 2B.

Mowed area not less than 60 percent and not more than 75 percent of total pre-treatment canopy cover of Gambel oak and mountain shrubs.

Visual inspection and/or circular sample plots.

If below minimum rework area at no additional cost to the Government. If above maximum, modify methods.

Mowing of pinyon/juniper.

Units 2, 3.

Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 2B.

100% of pinyon/juniper ladder fuels under pine canopy.

Visual inspection and/or circular sample plots.

If below minimum rework area at no additional cost to the Government. If above maximum, modify methods.

Mowing of ponderosa pine.

Unit 2, 3.

Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 2A, 2B.

Target suppressed and intermediate ladder fuel trees up to 12" DBH. 18 – 20 ft spacing.

Visual inspection and/or circular sample plots.

If below minimum rework area at no additional cost to the Government. If above maximum, modify methods.

Size of shredded material

Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 4.

No less than 55 percent of the mulch material is larger than 4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long. All slash is less than 18 inches above the ground surface and 80% of mulch and slash is less than 6 inches above the ground surface.

Visual inspection and measurement of shredded material.

Rework area at no additional cost to the Government.

Stubble height. Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 5.

90% of stumps and stubble heights less than 8 inches above the ground 6 inches above any obstacle.

Visual inspection and measurement of stubble height.

Mow stumps and stubble at no additional cost to the Government.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

Performance Work Statement

Quality Standard Performance Standard (Acceptable Quality Level)

Monitoring Methods

Effect Of Not Meeting Performance Standard

Protected trees. Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 6.

No mowing of snags larger than 16" DBH. Less than 5 percent of “leave” trees with damage.

Visual inspection and count of damaged trees if necessary.

Modify procedures to avoid protected trees. Reduction in Contract payments of $20 per live tree.

Soil disturbance Task accomplished in Section C.5.1.1 Item 7.

No more than 10% of the area has exposed mineral soil.

Visual inspection and measurement of exposed mineral soil area

Modify procedures to limit soil disturbance and exposure of mineral soil

Time Restrictions:

Units 2 and 3 must be treated while Gambel oak is leafed out, which is generally between late May and late September.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

PART III--LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J--LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Maps 2 pages

Fire Plan 6 pages

Wage Rates 3 pages

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

FAR 52.215-5 Facsimile Proposals (OCT 1997)

(a) Definition. "Facsimile proposal," as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via facsimile machine.

(b) Offerors may submit facsimile proposals as responses to this solicitation. Facsimile proposals are subject to the same rules as paper proposals.

(c) The telephone number of receiving facsimile equipment is: 970-385-1243.

(d) If any portion of a facsimile proposal received by the Contracting Officer is unreadable to the degree that conformance to the essential requirements of the solicitation cannot be ascertained from the document--

(1) The Contracting Officer immediately shall notify the offeror and permit the offeror to resubmit the proposal.

(2) The method and time for resubmission shall be prescribed by the Contracting Officer after consultation with the offeror; and

(3) The resubmission shall be considered as if it were received at the date and time of the original unreadable submission for the purpose of determining timelines, provided the offeror complies with the time and format requirements for resubmission prescribed by the Contracting Officer.

(e) The Government reserves the right to make award solely on the facsimile proposal. However, if requested to do so by the Contracting Officer, the apparently successful offeror promptly shall submit the complete original signed proposal.

FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a _ firm fixed price __contract resulting from this solicitation.

AGAR 452.237-71 Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference (FEB 1988)

(a) The Government is planning a pre-bid/pre-proposal conference, during which potential Offerors may obtain a better understanding of the work required.

(b) Offerors are encouraged to submit all questions in writing at least five (5) days prior to the conference. Questions will be considered at any time prior to or during the conference. However, Offerors will be asked to confirm verbal questions in writing. Subsequent to the conference, an amendment to the solicitation containing an abstract of the questions and answers, and a list of attendees, will be disseminated.

(c) In order to facilitate conference preparations, it is requested that the person named on the Standard Form 33 of this solicitation be contacted and advised of the number of persons who will attend.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

(d) The Government assumes no responsibility for any expense incurred by an Offeror prior to contract award.

(e) Offerors are cautioned that, notwithstanding any remarks or clarifications given at the conference, all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged unless they are changed by amendment to the solicitation. If the answers to conference questions, or any solicitation amendment, create ambiguities, it is the responsibility of the Offeror to seek clarification prior to submitting an offer.

(f) The conference will be held:

Date:_ July 15, 2010_____________ Time:__9:30 AM_________ Location:__Meet at intersection of Highway 184 and County Road – a few miles Northwest of Mancos, Colorado, on Highway 184._____

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

SECTION M--EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

AWARD DETERMINATION

One offer will be made to the contractor who submits the best value response to this solicitation.

Contractors will be evaluated against the Evaluation Factors listed below. The non-price factors, when combined are approximately equal to price.

1. Award will be made to that contractor whose quote is technically acceptable and (2) whose technical/cost relationship is the most advantageous to the Government. Cost will be a factor in the award decision. The critical factor in making any cost/technical trade-off is not the spread between the technical scores but, rather, the significance of that difference. The significance of the spread of scores will be determined on the basis of what the difference might mean in terms of performance and what it would cost the Government to take advantage of it. Award may not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for the successful performance of the work. The Government reserves the right to make cost/technical trade-offs that are in the best interest and advantageous to the Government.

2. Award may be made without further discussions. Quotes should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint, which the Contractor can submit to the Government. The Government may, after evaluation of quotes, conduct further oral or written discussion as appropriate, with those contractors whose quotes represent a good value to the Government.

EVALUATION FACTORS

1. Past Performance – The Government uses this evaluation factor to determine how well you have pleased your previous customers, regardless of the type of work done.

Please provide names and phone numbers of references. Failure to provide this information will reduce your chances of being considered for award of this project.

2. Experience – provide a list of all types of work you have performed, the dollar amounts of those projects, and a brief description of those projects. More recent experience with similar work will be looked upon more favorably than older experience, or experience with non-similar work.

3. Public Law 106-291 provides for the enhancement of local and small business employment opportunities in rural communities. This may be accomplished by award to a local entity other than a large business, providing employment and training opportunities to people in rural communities, and/or hiring or training a significant percentage of local people to complete the contract. Local is determined by contract location.

For this evaluation factor provide the following information:

1. Evidence that quoter is a local entity, if applicable

2. Planned percentage of contract workforce that will be composed of local, rural community residents.

3. Planned number of employees to be trained for contract performance.

Chicken Creek Mechanical Fuel Reduction AG-82X9-S-10-0098

4. Planned number of employees to be trained that are local rural community residents.

5. Explanation of how you will accomplish what you have planned.

6. Any additional plans to enhance local small business opportunities in rural communities.

4. Price