11. Q&A, dated 11 Feb 21.pdf

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Q1. Is the Cantonment Grounds part of this contract? Is there more than one contract for Cantonment and Airfield?

A1. If by “cantonment grounds” the question refers to areas of the base which are not indicated in provided maps, then no. This contract is for work to be performed only as indicated on the maps and performance work statement (PWS) attached to the solicitation.

Q2. Can ATV’s with proper hazard lights be driven on the airfield?

A2. Yes

Q3. Any chance of mowing outside of the 0730-1630 M-F windows?

A3. No. The Airfield Mowing crew has to coordinate with Base Operations. The contractor will work the same hours.

Q4. Since fuel costs are vital to the bid, what happens if fuel prices increase upwards of 100% which is expected with this new administration?

A4. This is a firm fixed priced contract, you will have to allow for expenses on the proposal you submit.

Q5. What is the approximate depth of the drainage ditches and can parts be mowed?

A5. We do not have depth information for each ditch. The ditches must be maintained in accordance with the PWS. It is up to the contractor to determine how to maintain to that standard.

SEMI-IMPROVED MOWING HEIGHTS:

Q6. Ref Attachment 1 PWS - Contradictory Service Req.

3.1.1.1. - States that all vegetation should be kept between 7-14 inches

3.1.1.5 - States that a 10 ft wide path should be maintained around airfield pavement at 4”- 6”in height 8.2 Gives a definition of Semi- Improved Grounds that includes an “A” category and a “B” category. Do the two categories noted in 8.2 correlate with the services described 3.1.1.1 and 3.1.1.5, and which performance standard takes precedence as they are slightly different regarding mowing heights?

A6: There is only one category “A”. All airfield grounds will be kept between 7-14 inches in height. Category B grasses will be under the control on another contract/contractor. Paragraph

3.1.1.5 quoted above is actually paragraph 3.1.1.4. SEE UPDATED PWS

Q7. Paragraph 3.1.1.1 specifies the “vegetation shall not be shorter than 7 inches in height to prevent dust and debris on the airfield and never be more than 14 inches in height”. All the areas around the airfield are listed as semi-improved in attachment 6 mowing maps. But paragraph 8.2, under semi-improved grounds, specifies “Preferred height in other areas designated as semi-improved “A” is 4 to 10 inches. Preferred height in areas designated as semi-improved “B” is 20 inches and will be mowed three times per year.” The attachment 6 maps do not specify the semi-improved areas as either “A” or “B”. Which criteria apply to the semi-improved areas shown in the attachment 6 maps?

A7. See answer to Q6.

WEED CONTROL QUESTIONS:

Q8. Is it true that there is no expectation/requirement/authorization to spray herbicide for weed control? (Mow and weed eating only).

A8. Yes, it is true there is no expectation for herbicides to be used for weed control.

Q9. Fence line maintenance. Ref: PWS Section 1.1 Scope. The PWS states that fence lines shall be trimmed concurrent with mowing and application of nonselective herbicides to fence lines and obstacles will only be allowed with COR approval. Can the Government confirm that they will allow herbicides to be applied to the fence lines? If no confirmation is given, the fence line maintenance must be priced as trimmed manually to maintain.

A9. Yes, herbicides are allowed to be applied but only after going through an approval process. To apply herbicides, a request that provides the type of herbicides to be applied must be submitted to the COR who will route the request for approval. Herbicides may be used, after approval, when it has been determined physical mowing is not feasible because of steep terrain/creek embankments or otherwise determined by the COR because of physical constraints.

Again, herbicides must be approved before use. The contractor should be prepared to maintain the fences IAW the PWS without herbicides if necessary. Note: this can only be applied by a qualified State Applicator License Category 3. SEE UPDATED PWS

Q10. Topic: Surface Drainage Ditch maintenance: Ref: PWS Section 3.1.2. Is the contractor allowed to utilize appropriate chemical control in the form of herbicides on these surface drainage ditches as long as the erosion systems and aquatic nature of the ditches is considered and respected?

A10. See answer to Q8 and Q9.

PERIMETER FENCE LINE QUESTIONS:

Q11. What is the total linear footage of the perimeter fence that we are tasked with maintaining?

Q11. We do not have linear footage on perimeter fences. The fences have a gravel line. The only requirement will be to mow up and along to the fence; NO trimming will be required.

Q12. Ref Attachment 6 Mowing Map - Is there a fence line to maintain on the northernmost boarder of Area 1 and 2?

A12. Yes, also along Area 3, 4, 8, 18, and 19 there is a fence. Requirement is to mow up and along the interior of the perimeter fence.

Q13. Paragraph 3.1.1.3, No fence line is identified in appendices A and B. Please identify the fence to be maintained, and the length of that fence.

A13. The fence lines are on the map noted as in Area 1 and 2; however, they are not highlighted. We do not have a total length for fencing.

Q14. Paragraph 3.1.1.3, “The contractor shall maintain a 6-foot strip inside of the perimeter fence (12 ft. total) as Semi-Improved Grounds. The fence line is identified in Appendix A and B.” To get the 12 ft. total, is the contractor responsible to maintain a 6-foot strip inside and outside the perimeter fence?

A14. The maintenance will be on the inside of the perimeter fence ONLY, mowing up to the fence line as needed, the fence line has gravel under. SEE UPDATED PWS

Q15. Topic: Fence line maintenance. Ref: PWS Section 3.1.1.3 Perimeter Fence Line. The PWS states that a 6-foot strip inside of the perimeter fence (12 ft. total) shall be maintained.

Does this mean that the contractor is to mow an additional 6 feet outside of the fence line as well?

A15. See answer to Q14.

QUESTIONS ON LAYDOWN AREA:

Q17. Is there is a secure laydown yard or shop provided?

A17. There is not a “secure” laydown area, however Area 4, from the map provided, has been identified as a laydown area. A structure will not be provided by the Government.

Q18. Topic: Government Furnished Property. Ref: PWS Section 5.1 Parking. Is it acceptable to the Government for the contractor to maintain a Conex box or similar storage container for housing equipment in these parking areas?

A18. Yes, please provide a type and size of the Conex Box for approval before a purchase is made. The Government will not move or relocate the Conex at any time. The contractor may leave the Conex at the laydown area over the off season; tractors must be stored off base.

Q19. Is there a lay down area for the contractor to store equipment on base?

A19. See answer to Q17 and Q18.

Q20. PWS states that a parking area will be available (5.1) for duration of contract. Just to clarify, this is for daily overnight/weekend storage of our equipment? Is it only one specific area or multiple throughout the base like previous contracts?

A20. There is location identified (see answer to Q19); however, a second one for overnight staging can be used after coordination with the COR. Laydown in Area 4 will be used during the mowing season of this contract, 1 April-30 October. Equipment will have to be moved off base at the end of the contract year and brought back at the beginning of the next season.

Q21. Does the Government provide Electric, Phone and Water, Sewer Service for the Grounds Contract?

A21. No. Contractor trailers will not be allowed on base for this contract. Additionally, there will be no services in the laydown area.

QUESTIONS ON TREES REMOVAL:

Q22. In regards to the section 0003 of Attachment #2 in the Bid schedule & Acknowledgment, We have a question regarding section 3.1.3.1 Trees in the PWS we would like to know is tree trimming only in the semi improved grounds area as shown on map or is it a base wide service that we will be required to maintain?

A22. The tree maintenance will only be in the airfield mowing maintenance areas.

CONTRACT QUESTIONS:

Q23: Request the Name and Address for the incumbent Contractor performing this work presently?

A23: Tellus, 1997 Annapolis Exchange Pkwy Ste 300, Annapolis MD 21401

Q24: How long have they held this contract?

A24: The previous contract (FA462516C0003) was awarded to Tellus on 1 Jul 2016

Q25: What is the annual price for this contract? Has the work been modified since awarded?

A25: The total contract value for the base and four option years was $1,227,266.96.

Q26: Is the contract currently operational? When does it expire?

A26: The previous contract had performance from April through October to encompass the growing season for grass in Missouri. The previous contract ended October 2020 and was extended for one month with FAR clause 52.217-9.

Q27: Has there been discrepancies? CDR Letters?

A27: Requests for this information need to be in the form of a FOIA request through the Whiteman AFB FOIA office.

Q28: Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number FA462521R1003 will be a follow-on requirement to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement?

A28: See answers to Q23-Q26.

Q29: If possible, can you please provide the most recent contract or task order number?

A29: See answers to Q23-Q26.

Q30: What is the price of the current contract?

A30: See answers to Q23-Q26.

Q31: Contracting Officers and CORs are inundated with PPQ requests and rarely have the time to complete them, no matter how far in advance they are submitted by the contractor. If CPARs are available, will the Government accept CPARs in lieu of PPQs?

A31: Refer to the PWS (3.b).

Q32. Is there any historical data available?

A32. See answers to Q23-Q26.

END OF QUESTIONS