Amendment_2.docx

Amendment 2

AG-82X9-S-13-0004

Region 2 BAER Mulching IDIQ (straw and wood shred)

The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to questions submitted before the questions deadline on March 14, 2013. The due date and time for proposals remain unchanged. Offerors are reminded to acknowledge receipt of each amendment on block 14 of the SF 33 offer page.

Question1: Will there be multiple awards under this contract? If so, how many are you planning to award?

Answer1: No. Only one award will be made for this solicitation.

Q2: When a task order is issued, does each awarded company then bid the task order? Please describe process?

A2: Section G-3 describes the process of assignments and order placements.

Q3: On the itemized pricing page, what is the “Estimated Quantity?” Is this block size?

A3: IDIQ contracts requires that the government provide an estimated quantity of annual needs. As fires are difficult to predict, the government has used historical data to determine an estimate of annual mulching needs. This estimate was then evenly distributed to each line item in order to provide a basis for price competition. The “Total Price” for each line item will be the “Est Qty” multiplied by the “Unit Price”. Please refer to note 1 and note 2 in Section B-1 and be sure to provide balanced pricing. Section M-2 also states that the government will evaluate the total price of all items, including option year items when conducting price analysis.

Q4: Every straw project is different logistically. How are bidders to account for the cost of trucking agricultural straw given Region 2 covers five (5) states?

A4: The government is asking that offerors account for the risk and variability when submitting prices.

Q5: Each straw project is different and has its unique challenges. In the event there is a project where the associated costs are much higher than what is quoted, is the operator obligated to perform the work?

A5: Yes, failure to perform at the proposed prices will result in non-performance of the contract and subject to contract termination for default.

Q6: Can the operator increase the price that is quoted?

A6: No, the only adjustment to the price will be based on fuel prices per section H-3

Q7: For example, the solicitation does not address density altitude. Work at high altitudes with high temperatures, we must carry less straw or wood mulch per load thereby increasing flight time. Significant changes in elevation from the staging area to the block also is a consideration that affects pricing.

A7: The government is asking that offerors account for the risk and variability when submitting prices.

Q8: C-4 states a “transit Certificate” must accompany the straw. C-10 also states a “transit certificate” is required and further defines the document as a copy of the certified weed free straw certification. Please verify the requirement as having a copy of the certified weed free straw certificate with the straw.

A8: The Transit Certificate is defined as a copy of the certified weed free certification that must accompany each load of straw.

Q9: In the event the “Transit Certificate” is a document issued by a county inspector present when each truck is loaded presents many problems and can hinder production, schedule and price. Not all states have such a program. Is it sufficient to have a copy of the straw certification along with a contractor furnished load manifest?

A9: The answer is yes to the question of “Is it sufficient to have a copy of the straw certification along with a contract furnished load manifest?”

Q10: C-5. 2. “…the contractor shall appropriately mix the wood shred prior to application..” Please define the level of mixing required?

A10: Wood shred will be have no more than 20% of the total weight as fine size material (fine size material is defined as wood shred which are less than 1 inch in length). The contractor applying the wood shred shall mix the material so the fine size material will be less than 20% by weight.

Q11: C-8 Contractor Furnished Items and Services, section d and e require the contractor to furnish road and trail guards, H-7 requires the contractor to provide pilot car operations. Not all projects require these services. How do we include these costs within the itemized pricing?

A11: The government is asking that offerors account for the risk and variability when submitting prices.

Q12: G-3. “The government intends to issue task orders to the contractor for mulch treatments greater than 1,000 acres.” Will each task order be completed at once or spread over a period of time?

A12: The government is requiring that the contractor be able to apply 200 acres per day of straw and 50 acres per day of wood shred.

Q13: In the event bidders do not understand the answers to the questions given by the USFS, will we be given the opportunity for follow-up questions?

A13: Follow-up emails related to questions submitted by the March 14, 2013 deadline will be evaluated on a case by case basis. An amendment may be issued to provide additional answers if warranted.

Q14: From our past experience we know the cost of mobilization and demobilization can vary greatly depending on geographic locations. How do you propose we figure costs for helicopter/ equipment mobilization without a known destination? We also need to account for the cost of straw delivery. How do you want us to figure the cost of straw delivery without a known destination? The % Fuel covers aircraft fuel increases/decreases. How do we account for straw cost increases and decreases?

A14: The government is asking that offerors account for the risk and variability when submitting prices.

Q15: Can you clarify the Schedule B Spreadsheet? Column C gives a total of acres to be treated (500 to 1000) so what is the “Est Qty” in Column E (10) representing?

A15: Please see answer #3.