BASH_Q A_Amendment_1.docx

BASH & Animal Control Services 6 June 2013 Solicitation #: FA4621-13-R-0002, Amendment 1 Questions & Answers

1. Is this a continuation or is it related to an existing or recent contract?

Answer: This is a new contract consisting of one (1) basic, 6 month Period of Performance (PoP) (1 August 2013 – 31 January 2014), with up to four (4) optional 12 month PoPs. Previous contracts were awarded for similar services.

2. If so, who was the contractor?

Answer: The prior contractor was Falcon Environmental.

3. What was the amount of that contract?

Answer: $107,800.00 for Base Period; total amount of $567,800.00, base plus 4 option years.

4. Is there an expectation for an office at or near McConnell AFB?

Answer: This is totally up to the contractor; the government is providing available GFP space should a contractor want to have an office on base. Since this is a Performance-Based contract, this would depend upon the needs of the contractor.

5. Are there expectations or limitations of contractor staffing stationed at MAFB?

Answer: Since this is a Performance Based contract this would be a business decision based on the needs of the contractor.

6. What are the standards for the Color Blindness Test?

Answer: Must be able to distinguish between red and green should the Control Tower or contractor’s radio be inoperable.

7. If an individual has a current NACI background check associated with federal employment, is that sufficient for MAFB purposes?

Answer: Yes, that meets the criteria. This is sufficient for base access purposes; however, the contractor will need to meet all contract requirements for performance of the contract.

8. Are there expectations of specific control strategies to be used? For example, is falconry, among other similar control strategies, expected to be used or are they to be included as "tools" along with all other available wildlife control "tools"?

Answer: This a performance based contract. When it comes to the actual performance of the job, the contractor decides how they will perform the job, as long as it’s within the parameters set by the terms and conditions of the contract.

9. Will there be restrictions on any specific control tools/strategies? For example, use of rifles and handguns (e.g., may be used for deer and other large mammal control actions or for quickly dispatching animals as necessary that may be caught in traps), or the use of decoy animals (e.g., use of feral pigeons in harness traps to live-capture raptors for relocation away from the airbase)?

Answer: There are limits on control tools/strategies per the state and federal laws. There are no other base imposed limitations from a natural resource standpoint. However, there could be limitations from SFS, Safety, Bioenvironmental, Hazmat, hazwaste, pest management (gun issues, safety issues, chemical issues). The bidder should be familiar with the restrictions in 50 CFR 21, the migratory bird treaty act, and the state wildlife statues, specifically KAR 115-16, however other sections can apply. There are also issues with relocations, so the bidder should be familiar with the federal/state laws and reporting guidance associated with those.

10. Will historical wildlife control activities, reports, survey data and cooperative contacts be available to the successful contractor?

Answer: If available, the reports and survey data will be provided. However, the landowner’s contact list is the responsibility of the contractor to develop and maintain.

11. Has there been any historical use of lethal control strategies to control birds and mammals on the airfield? If not, were the strategies generally limited to the use of dogs (Border Collies) and pyrotechnics?

Answer: Yes, there is historical use of lethal control strategies. Per law, all non-lethal control strategies must be applied first, then the use of lethal control as part of a broad program can be used. All lethal control must be done in accordance with state and federal laws.

Prior contractors have used various combinations of falcons, border collies, pyrotechnics, bangers, screamers, etc.

12. Since MAFB has a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, have birds allowed under that permit been depredated in a control operation?

Answer: Yes.

13. Section 3.1.1 mentions that a 14x60 space will be available for the contractor to place a trailer. Is this area being provided for office and warehouse space? Or, is this area being provided solely for warehouse and/or storage usage?

Answer: The GFP is provided for the contractor’s use in performance of the contract, for office, storage and for the contractor’s convenience. If the contractor chooses to use it or not is their decision. It has utility hook-ups and an area, for example, to place storage containers or cages in the performance of their service. If a trailer is used, employees may stay there when there is a need to work unusual hours, ie., Nighthawk season. However, it’s not intended for a contractor employee to take up residence. Therefore, the contract employee will need to acquire a place off base to live.

14. Will I be able to visit this site and take photos for planning purposes?

Answer: Yes, prospective offerors can visit the site, but no photos allowed on or near the flightline.

15. Section 3.1.7 (of the PWS) states that the government will provide one workstation and one computer system. If we place 2 personnel permanently at MAFB, will 2 workstations and 2 computers be provided?

Answer: 1 workstation and 1 computer will be provided per the PWS; location to be determined.

16. Would it be possible to use company computers if these computers are not provided?

Answer: Yes, but the contractor would be responsible for any connections/related expenses.

17. In the performance thresholds, the numbers with respect to the birdstrike figures are both unclear and I believe inaccurately calculated. Here are the issues that I would like to point out with respect to the figures used: a) The figures used I'm sure are based off of older birdstrike data from prior years. In prior years, the contractor's area of responsibility was far smaller than the current PWS. The figures only represented strikes on the airfield, not within 3 miles. Comparing this data to prior years with roughly 2-3 times additional overall area is problematic.

Answer: Due to a miscalculation, an amendment to the PWS will be issued.

18. The chart notes that the figure is based on strikes per operation, yet the description just above it in the text notes that the contractor shouldn't exceed the strikes per 1000 operations. I'm assuming that the figures represent the data for "strikes per operation", as the rates would make no sense for strikes per 1000 operations, since there would never be a single strike allowed, since typically most months at McConnell AFB see roughly 3000-5000 operations (Picking the maximum rate month and assuming the number of operations on the extreme high end, would result in: 6000 operations in the month of December/1000 operations = 6 * .011949 = Resulting in .07 strikes allowed for that month). All other months would allow even less than that total.

19. The figures also seem particularly strange with respect to the timing and distribution. The months with the highest rate historically at McConnell (Fall & Spring - April, May, Aug, Sep.) have some of the lowest acceptable rates and the months with typically lesser strike rates (Nov., Dec) have the highest allowable rates. I'm not sure how these rates were calculated, but I would review them for accuracy because at first blush, they don't seem to make biological sense. December, for example, would allow for 35 strikes in the month (assuming only 3000 operations), yet April would only allow 2.

20. Also note that the last 2 years for nighthawk season were very atypical due to the drought, and McConnell saw little nighthawk activity, resulting in abnormally lowered strike rates during these years. If the next years are more "typical" with respect to the weather, comparing them to rates calculated in bizarre and unusual patterns can throw off the true underlying strike rate.

Answer: An increase in Nighthawks will also increase these rates. The government will give the contractor an opportunity to present their ideas and discuss, if the government believes that this is due to factors related to contractor’s performance. The intent will be to determine what caused the change in strike rates.

21. In Section 1.3.2, the phrasing "and remain present on the airfield during scheduled flight operations" is probably not exactly the desired performance request, as much of the work for this contract is actually accomplished off-base (or at least "off airfield"). My guess is that the true desired performance is something more like "and remain available via radio for performance of duties on the airfield during scheduled flight operations when required/requested" or something to that effect.

Answer: We expect the contractor to be on the airfield when flight operations are conducted per the PWS.

22. In Section 1.3.7.4, the wording of "80% of the designated off base area (calculated as follows: estimated area of access divided by the total estimated area multiplied by 100) within 180 days of commencement of performance.)" hinges on the word "designated". As much of the land within 3 miles (pretty much everything north of the base and most of it west of the base) holds very little habitat for the risky species of birds (i.e. there's not many geese in the city area north of the base (outside of Cessna's property)), the calculation of 80% of the *total* area is not exactly desirable. If the "designated" area means actually only the area that holds habitat and the presence of risky species, then this figure is sensible. However, it is not clear from the wording of the PWS what that really signifies.

Answer: Section 1.3.7.4. of the PWS was updated to state, “80% of the areas containing threatening wildlife”.

24. Are the flightline and airfield areas restricted areas?

Answer: There are portions of the flight line that are restricted. The Runways and Taxiways are not restricted.

25. What kind of communication would my employee have with the control tower?

Answer: The contractor will have to contact the control tower to gain access to the runways or be within 175ft of the runways. It is also beneficial if the employee relays BASH information, if it may be a flight safety hazard. For example, if there is a large group of birds (15 and up) in one location or if there is a fox or coyote crossing runways, let the control tower know so they can relay the information to pilots or hold a departure or arrival for safety issues. This gives the control tower better situational awareness of the airfield.

26. What frequency would my employees need to be on it we use walkie-talkies?

Answer: Permitting this would depend upon the frequency provided by the contractor and prior coordination with the Communications Squadron.

27. What is the biggest animal issue?

Answer: Geese

28. What techniques are expressly prohibited?

Answer: None are expressly prohibited, as long as the techniques are within the law, approved by appropriate authorities and within the terms and conditions of the contract.

29. Do you have pelicans?

Answer: No. The base does have egrets, gulls, ducks, night hawks and canada geese.

30. Are beaver able to get through the adjustable gate?

Answer: Yes, when the gate was stuck open, a beaver was able to pass through it.

31. Can the contractors have their employees discharge their weapons and train employees at CATM?

Answer: Yes they can, with prior coordination with and permission from the appropriate Points of Contact in SFS. The rounds must be Frangible, or "soft," rounds designed to break apart when they hit walls or other hard surfaces to prevent ricochets during close-quarters combat. Shot guns are allowed. There is no cost to utilize the firing range.

32. Does this contract include base housing pest control?

Answer: No. That is a separate service. However, the contractor can remove pigeons if they are considered a risk to flight safety, in meeting the terms and conditions of the contract. Note that nuisance removal services due to hygiene/sanitation is not a requirement of this contract.