Q_and_A_(3_March_2016).pdf

FA4625-16-R-0002

Grounds Maintenance

Amendment #6

Questions & Answers (11 February 2016)

Question 1: Will there be any areas that require a standard zero turn mower such as slopes, ditches or areas with objects too close that batwings can’t navigate?

Answer: There are slopes and ditches indicated on the map. The Government does not have a prescribed method of execution.

Question 2: Are there any rules regulating the size of batwings or tractors as long as the turf is not damaged due to the weight?

Answer: There are no restrictions as to size of the equipment used stated in the PWS.

Damage to the turf shall not occur. Bear in mind that it is possible that the equipment may have to traverse standard roadways safely.

Question 3: Once a zone is cut what is the acceptable timeframe for the roadways to be blown off; immediately or before the workday is concluded?

Answer: If cutting area is adjacent to flying operations it will be cleaned immediately upon completion of that section. Roadways shall be cleaned by the end of the day.

Question 4: Are there any notable differences in this contract compared to the previous contract?

Answer: Yes, there are significant differences. The previous contract included both improved and semi-improved grounds. Also, the previous contract included CLINS for tree removal, application of pesticides and herbicides as well as other requirements that are no longer included. This solicitation includes the monthly maintenance of the ditches identified. The differences identified in this response are not all inclusive, but only provided to show there are significant changes. The previous contract was FA4625-11-C-0001.

Question 5: Parking areas for equipment are shown to be provided. Are those areas able to be used for additional equipment other than tractors such as side by side ATVs (All-Terrain

Vehicles), mowers, fuel wagons, etc.?

Answer: These parking areas are for your mowing tractors only so they do not have to be relocated to a central spot at the end of each day. The rest of your equipment should be mobile or trailered.

Question 6: Will there be a site visit for this solicitation?

Answer: No, there will not be a site visit. The maps attached to the solicitation indicate the acreage and the areas to be mowed, as well as the ditches to be maintained.

Questions & Answers (19 February 2016)

Question 7: Is there any possibility of posting what the previous contract went for? I understand that it was different in many ways but, it would still give me a base line for preparing a comparable price estimate. Who was the incumbent contractor for this contract, and what was the contract value?

Answer: The following is provided for informational purposes only as a result of inquiries.

Prospective offerors are warned there are significant differences between the previous contract and the current solicitation. This includes, but is not limited to, the Performance Work

Statement, Contract Line Items (CLINS), and the duration of the mowing season. Specific line item information will not be provided. This is a follow-on requirement. The previous contract number was FA4625-11-C-0001. The awardee for this contract was Mid-Mow Maintenance

LLC. The contract was a base period and four (4) options periods. The total amount of the contract including all options and all funded CLINS was $1,721,057.57. The mowing season for this contract was for eight (8) months per year, from March through October. The previous contract had 110 improved acres and 1,592.53 semi improved acres.

Question 8: The SF 1449 has DRAFT on it as yet and states the solicitation is due February 18

@ 2:00pm, the combo grounds maintenance indicates due date is March 32, 2016 @ 3:00pm please clarify?

Answer: In Amendment #1 an attachment was posted with the description of Attachment

#1 SF 1449 (Released). This document removes the DRAFT mark and shows the correct offer due date of 3 March 2016 in block 8.

Question 9: What do you mean by Government will provide keying of equipment for tower network frequency for the contractor at NO COST to same?

Answer: The radios are provided by the Government, Base Ops, will change the codes as needed, they will require the contractor to bring the radios to their office to update the codes.

Amendment #6

Question 10: It states the Government will provide ALL communication (equipment radio) required for this contract, please clarify that if more than one is needed by a contractor you the

GOV, will provide X amount of radios?

Answer: Yes, Base ops will provide the amount of radios needed.

Question 11: Are all Ditches in compliance, if not will they be in compliance before award?

Answer: Ditches are now within heights, they will be not be cut prior to the beginning of this contract.

Question 12: Does the flight-line have any areas with wet/swampy/soft areas where the contractor can become stuck or create rutting due too soft conditions that are beyond contractor control?

Answer: Not under normal conditions, however, weather can change that at times. With considerable rain there are some areas that will not be accessible until the area drains or dries.

Question 13: Where is the green shaded in area located on the Map, where contractor is to parking there mowing equipment? I have blown up the Map to 200% and cannot find the green shaded in area other than what would be normal terrain colors?

Answer: Parking will be On Perimeter road, in Area 16 and between areas 3 and 10.

Question 14: How close do we mow to the chain link fence on the south west corner? Most of the rest of the fence has a vegetation barrier and 12-24 inches of rock under the fence.

Answer: Contractor shall cut the grass in that area up to the fence with whatever means they choose. If they only mow within 6" we will have a fence embedded with grass and weeds.

That will not work. They can "mow" as close as they deem necessary but they will have to weed eat up to the fence if that is their choice.

Question 15: On the flight-line the 100 ft. area is basically restricted access area when air traffic is moving / flying. So to avoid down time having move back and forth on and off the 100

ft. restricted area can the restricted area be mowed at night hours when air traffic is not as heavy or none existent?

Amendment #6

Answer: NO, the flight line doesn't shut down at night, there would still be the same restriction.

Question 16: Is there a fee for the flight line driving training?

Answer: There is no fee to receive flight line driving training.

Question 17: Has there been any grass/grassy weed species that has been a major problem or has presented problems in the past? If so, please list these species.

Answer: Refer to MO Dept. of Natural Resources for prevalent species in this area. Also, the Missouri University (MU) Agricultural site offers information that will address this question.

Known weeds that the Government has treated for in the past are foxtail and clovers. This list is not all inclusive. Any treatment will be at the discretion of the Government. Regardless of treatments the Contractor will still be required to maintain the specified height in the PWS

(Performance Work Statement).

Question 18: Can an improved herbicide be used around fixed objects, trees, shrubs, and ditches to control vegetation, i.e. glyphosphate?

Answer: Only a licensed applicator by State of MO will dispense chemicals on Whiteman

AFB. Applicator shall follow all guidance and approval processes set forth in the DOD pesticide/herbicide program. The Contractor my hire a licensed applicator but they will be held to the same standards and rules governing the use, reporting, and approvals for the DOD.

Questions & Answers (25 February 2016)

Question 19: Weed eating areas.

Answer: Weed eating is discussed and clarified in the PWS. Paragraph 1.2.2 TRIM details maintaining the grounds that are close to the runway and light fixtures.

Question 20: Is prior Government contracting experience necessary?

Answer: No, As long as the Contractor’s past performance indicates similar work in terms of magnitude and PWS requirements they will be considered for award.

Question 21: What is the total acreage for this contract?

Amendment #6

Answer: Attachment #6 Page 1 indicates the acreage and the linear feet for this contract.

There are 1,596.86 acres of semi-improved grounds and 4,016 linear feet of ditch that must be maintained.

Question 22: Is the usage of bat wing style mowers needed?

Answer: The Government will not stipulate what type of equipment is used. Please keep in mind that equipment may have to traverse paved roadways.

Question 23: What are the security requirements for staff if awarded this contract?

Answer: A MULE (Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement) Check through base security forces will be run. This will be done on each employee; required information will be used off the employee’s Driver’s Licenses and Social Security Number.

Questions & Answers (4 March 2016)

The following questions & answers are a result of the site visit:

Question 24: What is the approximate number or percentage of airfield lights that are in the grass vs. pavement?

Answer: This is a list of sinage and obstructions located in the grass areas:

6 Warning Signs

27 Taxi Guidance Signs

22 Runway Distance Markers

9 RDS

4 ILS

14 FOD/STOP

30 Cannons

4 INSTR

1 Antenna

34 Control Warning

42 Airfield Lights

126 Blue Lights

8 PAPI Lights

Question 25: Will the contractor be permitted to utilize glyphosate to control vegetation along fencelines and around obstacles such as airfield lights, wind directional signals, cannons, and other fixed objects?

Amendment #6

Answer: Please refer to question addressed on 19 Feb 16 Q&A Amendment. Question 18 addresses this issue. For clarification, spraying could be permitted, but only with prior approval of all chemicals through Civil Engineering (CES) & Contracting (CONS). Contractor must provide complete pertinent information regarding any chemical proposed to be used and cannot proceed with application until written approval is received from CES & CONS. As previously stated, application can only be accomplished by a licensed applicator. Only a licensed applicator by State of MO will dispense chemicals on Whiteman AFB. Applicator shall follow all guidance and approval processes set forth in the DOD pesticide/herbicide program. The Contractor my hire a licensed applicator but they will be held to the same standards and rules governing the use, reporting, and approvals for the DOD.

Question 26: During work hours, will the contractor be permitted to leave a vehicle at the tractor laydown area? Can any vehicles or enclosed trailers in addition to tractors be left in this area overnight?

Answer: While accomplishing mowing operations, vehicles can be left at the tractor laydown areas. Regarding other vehicles, please refer to Question/Answer 5 addressed on 11 Feb 16.

Question 27: Can the government provide the annual price for the airfield mowing for the previous contractor?

Answer: Please refer to Question/Answer 7 addressed on 19 Feb 16.

Question 28: Can the government provide a linear footage of fencelines?

Answer: The old fence lines have gravel installed under them. The linear footage of the new fences without gravel is approximately 10,500 LF.

Question 29: How do we know where the north mow line is in Areas 1 & 2 since they are outside the main fence?

Answer: The mark will be the end of the last airfield light straight to the tree area on the west side. CES will paint the tree. On the east side, an orange marker will be put in place by CES.

Question 30: Will ditches need to be maintained that are in Areas 1 & 2 that are north of the main fence?

Answer: No, these ditches are not included in this contract.

Question 31: Will contractors be allowed to spray a herbicide or growth regulators along fences in place of weed eating?

Answer: Please refer to Q&A 18 and 25 above.

Question 32: Will the contractor be allowed to leave a UTV on site overnight with other equipment?

Answer: Please refer to Q&A 5 above for this question.

Question 33: Will contractor be allowed to use a fuel trailer that can hold up to 900 gallon to fuel equipment? If not how many gallon are we limited to?

Answer: A fuel trailor will be allowed. However, no fuel trailor can be left overnight.

Currently, there is no gallon restriction for this trailor.

Question 34: We are allowed to cut as many times in the season as long as it's not dry from to much sun, or soaked saturated from rain? How early can we start cutting?

Answer: The Contractor will be required to cut to maintain the height of all vegatation as defined in the PWS. The number of times required to maintain that height varies during different times of the year and from season to season depending many factors such as weather. If there is standing water or excessive mud, we wouldn’t want mowing occur to prevent rutting. Mowing can begin under this contract on 1 April, or at contract award if at a later date. Normal start times for mowing during performance of this contract 0700, but can be earlier with proper advance coordination.

Question 35: Can people from Whiteman AFB bid this job?

Answer: Any registered, qualified contractors can bid on Air Force requirements.

Question 36: There's no spraying of any kind in this bid, only mowing, trimming, and drainage ditch trimming?

Answer: Please refer to Q&A 18 & 25 above.

Question 37: The only differences in this contract and the last contract is herbisides, pesticides , tree removal correct, that's the only difference?

Answer: No, there are other differences. The previous contract included mowing of improved grounds that was maintained at a lower height. It also included CLINS for lawn renovation, weed control, pest control, and fertilization. The mowing areas have changed as has the total acreage.

Question 38: Those areas along area 10 and so forth are we allowed to flag for safety, they have drop offs, and slopes?

Answer: No flags can be posted/installed without prior approval from CES and Base

Operations.

Question 39: Do you have a fuel trailor onsite for refueling?

Answer: No

Question 40: On the recently cleared areas, are we required to mow on the outside perimeter?

Answer: You will be required to mow all areas identified as mow areas on the maps.