B08_Attachment_3_-_Pre-Bid_Call.pdf

C & O Canal National Historical Park Contractor Correspondence

30 June 2021

PRE-BID SITE VISIT VENDOR / CONTRACTOR CALL

SUBJECT: Invitation to Pre-Bid Event, CHOH FY21: Aqueduct Tree and Debris Management

1. A pre-bid event has been scheduled for:

Date: 19 July 2021 Location: Seneca Aqueduct Parking Lot (Reference Enclosure 1) Time: 0800hrs (8:00am EST) Duration: Approximately 5.0 Hours

2. The site visit will review the work requirements as contained in the draft performance work statement as well as any special technical requirements.

3. Contractors wishing to submit a proposal for the package are highly encouraged to be present at the pre-bid site visit in order to gain an understanding of the diverse work locations. All personnel in attendance shall be required to sign the attendance roster.

The government review (pre-bid event) begins precisely at the official start time without exception. Contractors are required to provide their own transportation and supplies (to include food and water) throughout the event.

4. C&O Canal NHP Terrain and Environment: The C&O Canal National Historical Park (CHOH) occupies the Maryland bank of the Potomac River from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC. The park spans over 184 linear miles and contains the historical infrastructure of the C&O Canal. The primary feature of the park is the towpath, an earthen path used by mules in the 19th and early 20th century to draw boats up and down the entire length of the canal. Today the towpath exists as a recreational and commuter thoroughfare for pedestrian and cyclist traffic with intermittent improved and unimproved camp sites and historical landscape features such as locks, culverts, waste weirs, and lockhouses.

It is important to understand that the conditions on the park towpath do not represent the common working conditions within the arboricultural industry. It is highly recommended that potential offerors review the site and the work requirement during the site visit in order to understand the challenges associated with equipment deployment, traffic control, methodology, and access. The government will not provide relief or modification after award for any unanticipated conditions that could have been reasonably assessed during the site visit.

5. The site visits will traverse approximately two (2) miles of the C&O Canal Towpath.

Vehicles should be suited to the terrain and should not exceed a F350/3500 sized vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists will be on the path during the visit and it is the sole responsibility of the contractor to take measures to increase visibility such as strobe lights, flashers, and reflectors. The contractor is solely responsible for damages or injuries involving the contractor’s employees and property during the site visit.

Contractor vehicles shall be clearly marked with signage or other clearly visible identifier(s) identifying them as tree management contractor vehicles (company name or logo is sufficient).

Contractors will be required to transit, at their own expense, and in their own vehicles, to the other work sites in order to continue the site visit. The order of the visit is Seneca Aqueduct, Monocacy Aqueduct, Catoctin Aqueduct, and Conococheague Aqueduct.

The government representative will proceed to the next site at the conclusion of the visit at the previous site. Site location information can be referenced in Enclosure 1. Due to the scattered nature of the work, a full itinerary by arrival time at each location cannot be provided, and all offerors are highly encouraged to begin the visit at the start location at the time stated in this letter.

6. COVID-19 Mitigations: All contractors on park property shall follow COVD-19 mitigation recommendations in accordance with CDC guidelines and executive order(s).

7. RSVP is requested to the following prior to the event: Contract Officer (CO), Craig Madison at craig_madison@nps.gov, and Jason Gillis (Park Arborist) at jason_gillis@nps.gov.

8. POC is Craig Madison at craig_madison@nps.gov .

JASON R. GILLIS

Facility Operations Specialist C&O Canal NHP ISA Arborist ID: SO-6879A