Amendment_001.pdf

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AG-94TZ-S-15-0010

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1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

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94TZ

PHOENIX AZ 85006-2440

2324 E MCDOWELL ROAD

WESTERN ZONE CP

USDA FOREST SERVICE

04/20/2015001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

03/31/2015

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

NORTHERN AZ THINNING AND SLASH TREATMENT IDIQ, is amended as follows:

1. Measurement of pile height is changed from the downhill side of the pile to the midslope side of the pile.

Performance Work Statement, page 18, 5.3.3 Additional Specifications for Hand Piling, Hand pile construction, paragraph (a): Change the fourth sentence to read, "Measurement is taken from the midslope side of the pile for pile height...."

2. Attached are the Site Visit Notes (6 pgs), Sample Task Order Schedule of Items (1 pg), and Site Visit Attendance Sheets (3 pgs)

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

JANET C. SCAGGS

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Northern AZ Thinning and Slash Treatment IDIQ

SITE VISIT NOTES

April 9 and 10, 2015

Day 1 – April 9, 2015

Prescott NF – Bradshaw RD Office

Discussion

• The solicitation closes April 30, 2015. All questions must be submitted to the Contracting Officer by April 24, 2015.

• Indicate in your response to the IDIQ if you have machinery. Most task orders will be for hand piling but there may be opportunities on task orders to use machine piling. It will not be held against contractors who do not have machinery as contractors can rent equipment if appropriate, just indicate so.

• Responses to this solicitation should have reasonable pricing for each production rate item. Those responses containing unreasonable, unbalanced, or unrealistic pricing will not be evaluated.

• Ensure you understand production rate pricing structure. If the same unit price is offered for each production rate item, that is an indication that you do not understand and your quote will not be considered.

• The time window to complete work under this IDIQ due to weather, Ips infestation, goshawk restrictions, spotted owl restrictions, and fire season can be very short. There could be multiple task orders going on at once to accommodate these windows of opportunity. The Forest Service anticipates short turnaround times on task orders to accommodate these windows. The process for issuing a task order solicitation, scheduling the site visit, and awarding task orders will be done quickly, typically within 20 days.

• Ensure you read the entire solicitation.

Question and Answers

Q: Who determines the production rate for individual task orders?

A: The contractor determines the level of effort and which production rate to apply for each cutting unit. The price for that production rate must be equal to or less than the price stated for that production rate under the master contract.

Each Task Order will have a site visit and separate line item per cutting unit. The IDIQ contractors will submit quotes for each task order based on the production rate pricing they feel best represents the unit and their costs.

Contractors can always provide a production rate pricing lower than detailed in their master contract but never higher.

Q: Does everyone require The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) certification?

A: Yes. MSPA certification must remain current during the duration of the contract. Contractors can obtain their MSPA certification directly through the Department of Labor (DOL).

Q: Do we still require MSPA certification if we do not employ migrant or seasonal employees?

A: Yes. The definition of migrant or seasonal employees and the requirements for MSPA are detailed on the DOL website.

Q: There is only a short window for getting past performance questionnaires out and allowing previous customers time to respond. If customers do not get the past performance questionnaires to the Contracting Officer in time, can our other past performance questionnaires submitted for other solicitations be found in your system?

A: No. It is in the best interest of all contractors to request that your previous customers get the past performance questionnaires submitted to the Contracting Officer. We will also use other past performance information, such as, from our internal past performance database and personal knowledge.

The contractor fills out the first part of the Past Performance Questionnaire and then sends to their past customers and asks them to complete it and directly send to the Contracting Officer. Past Performance Questionnaires are due by April 29, 2015.

Q: Do we need to submit a Quality Control Plan for the IDIQ solicitation?

A: Not required, but you will be required to submit a quality control plan with your quote for each task order.

Q: So we don’t need a quality control plan submitted for our technical approach?

A: Page 50-51 of the solicitation details the evaluation criteria which addressed technical requirements to be submitted. You can submit quality control information when addressing the technical evaluation factor.

Q: Prevailing Wage Rates Increase soon, how do we account for this?

A: Each task order will detail the current Wage Determination. Contractors should quote production rate pricing that adequately present their costs for each task order and the current Wage Determination. (i.e., by bidding the task order at a lower production rate).

Q: I have bid on contracts on these type contracts in the past and didn’t get it. Can I find out how the other contractors did on performance or any performance issues you had with that contractor?

A: No. The Government cannot disclose information on other contractors. The unsuccessful offerors can request only who won the award and the award amount. One thing an unsuccessful offeror can request is a debrief to review only their proposal, but not specifics about the winner. Time to request a debrief is shortly after award.

Q: Will other contractors on the IDIQ know what the other IDIQ amounts were awarded?

A: No. This is considered proprietary information. For each task order, we will be able to disclose who got it and the amount only.

Q: Will the Forest Service personnel show us how the particular task order needs to be done?

A: We try to get out into the field with contractors early to determine if corrections are needed but rework could be required. Ensure you read each task order for specific prescription of each cutting unit

Q: Does the Government come in to inspect our work?

A: Yes. The Forest Service is the Government Agency for this contract and we inspect all task order projects.

Q: Can I have a list of all the participants at this site visit.

A: Yes. The attendance sheet will be posted with the Q&A in an amendment.

Q: Could we see a sample task order?

A: Sample task order schedule will be attached to the amendment.

Q: Can we see some before and after work?

A: During this site visit, we will see and visit a few sites that detail areas already thinned/piled.

Q: Are there salvage rights to the downed trees?

A: No salvage rights. It may be possible on some lop/scatter task orders to purchase a fuel permit from the applicable forest district for wood already down.

Q: Will lop and scatter later be burned?

A: Yes.

Q: How many contractors do you plan to have on this IDIQ?

A: 5-6

Q: Can we quote a task order lower to be more competitive?

A: Yes. Your selected production rate pricing must be equal or lower than your rates on the master IDIQ on task orders. But you may also select a higher production rate to be more competitive.

Q: When a schedule item specifies hand piling on task orders, is it only hand piling?

A: Yes. A “piling” unit will be specified when 100% of unit is to be piled. And when “thinning” is specified for a unit, it means to thin, buck, lop, and scatter. A “thinning” unit may include some small amount of piling.

Q: How do we mitigate hazards such as hikers in the Forest?

A: The Forest Service would close down roads and trails if necessary and appropriate.

Q: What are the pile specifications?

A: The pile specifications will vary and will be addressed in each task order. The master contract details pile specifications which may be relevant if not otherwise addressed in the individual task order.

Q: Will there be mistletoe eradication?

A: Yes. If you see mistletoe, cut it.

Q: How far might crews have to hike to each site?

A: This will vary on each task order. It is best to attend each task order site visit to be able to determine specifics.

Generally accessibility will be a 15 minute walk from roads.

Q: What is the expected average acreage for each task order – the cost of mobilization may be high relative to the amount of work completed for smaller task orders?

A: The total acreage of each task order will be highly variable – some task orders could be several thousand acres, some may be as small as 100 acres or less. The cost of mobilization is included in the unit prices.

Prescott NF Stop #1 (Walker – Bradshaw RD; mixed conifer example)

Q: Does existing material need to be piled?

A: Typically, only activity slash (i.e., slash generated from the current thinning operation) needs to be included in the piles. In some cases, especially near private property, pre-existing slash may also need to be piled. If pre-existing slash needs to be piled, this would be specified in the individual task order.

Q: Would chaparral need to be cut?

A: Typically not unless it has a measurable diameter.

Q: What size trees would be cut?

A: In this area, generally trees up to 9” diameter would be cut. In other areas, larger trees may be cut. In some situations (i.e., in aspen restoration treatments), conifers up to 24” dbh may be cut.

Q: Will this contract include any jackstrawing?

A: Jackstrawing of slash may be utilized in areas to promote aspen regeneration. The South Zone of the Kaibab National Forest definitely plans to conduct a limited number of jackstrawing treatments.

Q: How will pile height be measured?

A: During the site visit, the contractors were told that pile height would be measured from the uphill side on steep slopes. After further internal discussions, Forest Service personnel determined that pile height would be measured on the midslope side of the pile.

Q: How will units be accessed?

A: Access to cutting units will be specified in each task order.

Q: Is the tree density observed at this stop common across all projects A: Tree densities will be highly variable between cutting units and across different task orders. The contractor will need to walk the ground and look at the units prior to bidding on each task order.

Prescott NF Stop #2 (Drake – Chino Ranger District; grassland restoration example)

Q: Will herbicides be used on cut junipers?

A: The Prescott NF is not planning on applying herbicides, as most juniper species cut there will not re-sprout from the stump. The Kaibab NF may apply herbicide to alligator juniper stumps in some cutting units. Note - When personnel from the Kaibab NF asked for a show of hands from contractors on who has experience applying herbicide to cut stumps, several individuals raised their hands.

Q: Will all junipers be cut?

A: In grassland restoration treatments, often all junipers will be cut, but it depends on the task order.

Q: What specifications will be required when lopping and scattering slash?

A: The Prescott will often require pulling slash back 2 feet from the stump (so that the inspector can tell all live branches have been removed) and lopping and scattering slash to <18” in height. The master contract states that slash shall be lopped and scattered to <24” in height and bucked to <10 feet in length, unless otherwise specified in individual task orders.

Q: Can machines be used for cutting?

A: The contract states that all cutting will be done by hand (i.e., with chainsaws). Unless otherwise stated in individual task orders, piling may be conducted by hand or machine.

Kaibab NF – Williams RD Stop #1 (Aspen Hill; pine-oak and aspen restoration examples including demonstration of 1/20th-acre inspection plot)

Q: Will piles need to be covered with plastic?

A: Generally, piles will not need to be covered in plastic, but individual task orders may require the use of plastic sheeting to cover piles. The use of plastic is covered under the scope of the master contract.

Q: What is the maximum diameter of material that needs to be included in the piles?

A: Generally, all material cut will need to be piled. Occasionally, larger boles (i.e., boles >12” diameter) will not need to be piled. The task order will specify if some cut material may be left out of piles.

Q: How are spacing rules applied when multiple spacing guidelines are stated in the prescription?

A: This order of precedence should be specified in the task order. Generally, trees will be spaced off of other leave trees within a given diameter range or larger. For example, if trees 6-12” dbh are to be thinned to 25x25’ spacing and trees <6” dbh are to be thinned to 15x15’ spacing, trees <6” dbh will only be left if they are at least 15’ ± 25% from all other leave trees >6” dbh.

Kaibab NF – Williams RD Stop #2 (McDougal Flat; example of unit previously cut and piled; leave group example including demonstration of 1-acre inspection plot)

Q: What if there is not enough material within a reasonable distance to meet a minimum pile size.

A: If the task order does not specify whether exceptions will be made for meeting the minimum pile size, or if the task order specifically states “No exceptions on short piles”, then all piles must meet minimum pile size specifications. In some instances, individual task orders may allow for short piles or may call for lopping and scattering of slash in areas where it cannot be reasonably piled.

Q: Will dead trees be cut?

A: Dead trees (snags) generally will not be cut under this contract, but some task orders may call for the cutting of some dead trees (i.e., for fuels reduction purposes). Dead trees will not be included in spacing guidelines unless otherwise stated in the task order.

Q: What if yellow pines exist between leave groups?

A: Yellow pines will generally always be retained. Yellow pines could be incorporated into groups where possible or may be left between groups. When the “leave group” method of tree selection is utilized, the prescription will generally specify a maximum diameter limit to cut, meaning that in addition to yellow pines, other larger trees will also often be left between groups.

Day 2 – April 10, 2015

Coconino NF Stop #1 (Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project; steep slopes example)

Q: How would recreation use be mitigated during thinning/piling operations?

A: Where necessary, trails within cutting units would be closed during operations. The expectation is that any work that necessitates trail closures would be completed quickly so the trails could reopen as soon as possible.

Q: How will piles be constructed?

A: Details regarding pile construction would be specified in the individual task order; piling specifications within each task order may be different than those stated in the master contract.

Q: Will certain prescriptions call for dwarf mistletoe eradication?

A: Cutting of dwarf mistletoe-infected trees may be a component of some prescriptions. On the Coconino, prescriptions in mistletoe-infected stands would often call for cutting mistletoe-infected trees up to 9” dbh, but higher upper diameter limits could be used.

Q: How much walking will be required to access units on the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project?

A: Most units will either be along a road or within a 15-minute walk from a road.

Kaibab NF - North Kaibab RD Stop #1 (Jacob Lake Inn/Visitor Center)

Q: What tree spacing would be used?

A: Spacing guidelines, if used, would be specified in individual task orders. Often, prescriptions on the North Kaibab RD will call for cutting trees up to 9” DBH rather than using a spacing guideline.

Kaibab NF - North Kaibab RD Stop #2 (FR628 road; ponderosa pine example)

Q: Will there be an opportunity to do some machine piling on the North Kaibab RD?

A: There may be some opportunities to do machine piling, but the current plan is to do mostly hand piling.

Q: How long do you wait to burn piles?

A: A year or two depending on how fast they cure.

Kaibab NF – North Kaibab RD Stop #3 (Little Pleasant Valley Cabin; mixed conifer example)

Q: What do we need to do when we encounter a hazard tree that would be dangerous to cut?

A: You can leave hazard trees that cannot be cut safely and other trees in the vicinity of a hazard tree that cannot be cut safely (i.e., when the hazard tree is suspended by other trees). If a hazard tree is cut, the slash should be treated the same as any other activity slash.