Questions and Answers for Inv Speicies FA670325Q0009.pdf

Questions and Answers FA670325Q0009

1. Can hack and squirt or basal bark applications be utilized in conjunction with or in lieu of stump cut treatment for invasive shrubs? Spring treatments will not allow cut stump to be an option because active growing tissues will push the herbicide out.

Answer: You are correct in that cut stump treatment effectiveness is optimal in mid to late summer or fall. As stated, the upward sap flow can render the treatment ineffective.

Other proposed treatment methods for spring may be used in lieu of cut stump but should be approved in advance. Regardless of the method, performance standards remain the same. If not effective, the contractor will be responsible for retreatment. Per section 2.3 of the performance work statement (PWS), the contractor “will be solely responsible for the herbicide effectiveness.” Also, per section 2.3 of the PWS, “all treatments must be conducted during a period when target species are susceptible to the herbicide being used.”

2. Has the invasive been mapped out already, or will we need to locate them within the project boundaries? If they have been mapped out, can you provide shapefiles?

Answer: Per the PWS the contractor is responsible for locating, identifying, and treating the invasive specifies.

2.1 CLIN 0001Dobbins ARB approved herbicides to be applied as foliar spray for invasive plant species and shall be a finish spray solution. Dobbins approved herbicides shall be applied to visible invasive plant species, to include English ivy, Chinese privet, Chinese wisteria and Japanese honeysuckle within upland forested areas…the statement to included is not an inclusive statement.

2.2 CLIN 0002 Cut Stump/Vine Application of herbicide for woody invasive plant species. Woody plant species greater than 6 feet in height shall be severed by hand and the rooted stump shall be treated with herbicide

3. Can you provide a KMZ or a Shapefile of the treatment area boundaries? I'm a little confused on the actual acreage. On Page 2, Section 2.4, of the RFQ it says 10-15 acres in the fall and the spring, but the area shown in the attached photo is around 100 acres. Do we need to inspect all 100 acres every year? Or is it 10-15 acre blocks that will change from treatment to treatment?

Answer: PWS does not state that 100 acres are required to be inspected. Per section 2.4 of the PWS, “treatment will be approximately 10 – 15 acres in the fall and 10 – 15 acres in the spring, as specified per task order, and may not be the same areas since many invasives can be treated at different times of the year. Total cost for each treatment is based on per acre unit cost. Invoices shall not be submitted for incomplete or partially completed work. Maps specifying the requested treatment areas (in acres) will be provided to the Contractor with the task order.”

4. Continuing from the previous question, the PWS section 2.1 and 2.2 states 10-15 acres in the fall and 10-15 in the Spring, but the pricing sheet breakdown is 10 acres in the fall and 15 in the spring. Should our bids be based off the 10-15 acres reflected in the PWS or should it reflect the breakdown shown in the pricing sheet?

Answer: The bids should be submitted for each CLIN as listed in the PWS. Bids are priced on a $ cost per acre basis.

“CLIN 0001 Foliar Spray for Invasive Species” …” between the dates of October 1st and September 30, one in Spring and one in Fall.”

“CLIN 0002 Cut Stump/Vine Application of herbicide for woody invasive plant species” …” between the dates of 29 September and September 28, one in Spring and one in Fall.”

5. Are there any restrictions on types of herbicides to be used? Obviously, aquatic approved herbicides should be used near aquatic resources (i.e. streams and wetlands). Can you provide a list of Dobbins Approved herbicide?

Answer: Attachment 5 provides the approved pesticides/herbicides for Dobbins. Other herbicides can be used but require prior approval by the Entomologist, Air Force Pest Management Subject Matter Expert. Per section 5.0 of PWS, “one (1) copy of the label and safety data sheet (SDS) shall be furnished to the COR for approval and approved prior to work performance.”

6. On Page 5 of the RFQ, under Deliverables, it states the records have to be reflected in LBS of product used. Are gallons of mixture sufficient for the records provided?

Answer: All Air Force bases are required to report usage in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tracker in the units of pounds. You should convert the gallons used to pounds. Other information needed includes Trade Name, Agency Association (i.e., EPA number), Specific Gravity, Signal Word, Formulation (e.g., aerosol, concentrate liquid, etc.), EPCRA 313 List, restricted use, target species, active ingredients). Most of this information is on the product label or safety data sheet (SDS).

7. At the site visit it was observed that several invasive species were intermixed with native herbaceous growth. In these areas is it acceptable to spray native herbaceous that is intermixed with native vegetation?

Answer: Care should be taken to prevent unnecessary spraying of native vegetation.

However, it is understood that it is not avoidable in all cases. Per section 6.5 of PWS, “while herbicide application is located in unpopulated areas, the herbicides shall be applied in such a manner as to prevent toxic exposure to personnel, pets, wildlife, ornamental plants, and the state protected Pink Lady's Slipper orchid and any other non-target (e.g. wetlands/waterways) components of the environment. Applications shall not be made during or prior to imminent rainfall, immediately after heavy rains, rainfall of more than 1 inch in 24 hours, or while runoff is occurring, or following frost. Care shall be taken to prevent chemical drift”…”Extra care shall be taken to prevent drift off installation property to include, but not limited to, proper consideration of wind direction and variability at time of application”…”Herbicide treatments must be accomplished in such a manner as to limit the spray to the target plants and minimize drift onto non-target vegetation on the site.”

8. On Page 1 of the RFQ, under Description of Work, English Ivy, Chinese privet, Chinese wisteria, and Japanese honeysuckle are listed as invasive species to be treated. If other invasives are observed on-site will the applicator be required to treat those observed?

Answer: Yes, the applicator must treat other invasive plant observed. PWS does not limit the types of invasive plants to be treated. Per section 2.1 of the PWS, “Dobbins approved herbicides shall be applied to visible invasive plant species, to include English ivy, Chinese privet, Chinese wisteria and Japanese honeysuckle within upland forested areas.”

9. We will receive Government Property. We need clarification on if/how the Gov wants us to dispose of maps/materials.

Answer: Maps and any other material marked as CUI should be returned to the COR.

10. On page 8 of the combined synopsis/solicitation, it states "Offerors must provide the information requested above for the base year, and all subsequent option periods. The proposed prices will be utilized throughout the life of the contract to include all option periods." Are there no escalation rates allowed for this four-year contract?

Answer: The pricing for the base year and option years is not required to be the same.

However, the contractor must provide the cost for the base year and each subsequent option year, and any escalation rates to account for inflation must be included in the pricing for each respective option year.

11. In the PWS (page 3, sec.5 par.1) , it states “Contractor shall supply herbicides, mixing water .. and all materials, parts, labor, and equipment necessary to perform the work... A water source may be provided for tank mixing on the military installation as designated by the COR”. Can the government please clarify if on-site water access for this purpose is anticipated during the performance of this contract, and/or otherwise elaborate on the situations where water is expected to be provided by the contractor VS situations where water will be provided by the Government, if not?

Answer: If the chemicals are pre-mixed prior to coming on the installation (preferred) no water source will be necessary. In situations where the mixing must occur on the installation prior to application of herbicide, the contractor can be provided with a water source. Please note that “back flow prevention is required”. The contractor shall provide justification for needing to mix on installation.

12. Could the government please provide a list of preferred chemicals if available?

Answer: Attachment 5 now provides the approved pesticides/herbicides for Dobbins.

Other herbicides can be used but require prior approval by the Entomologist, Air Force Pest Management Subject Matter Expert. Per section 5.0 of PWS, “one (1) copy of the label and safety data sheet (SDS) shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for approval and approved prior to work performance.”

13. Would the government find it acceptable for the contractor to provide proof of test results and application status for the required State of Georgia Pesticide Contractor’s License and State of Georgia Commercial Applicator Licenses, if licensing has not been officially awarded before the submittal date, but is expected to arrive before the performance period?

For example, if applicators have taken and passed the individual licensing test prior to the submission date, and are only waiting on a finalized license copy to come via mail, will a bid still be considered compliant and technically acceptable if we can provide the evidence of application/qualifications in the bid submittal, and then provide the official license on receipt / prior to the notice to proceed?

If this is not acceptable, would the government entertain the possibility of a submission deadline extension to maximize the ability of bidders to secure licensing and submit compliant, competitive bids?

Answer: In response to the above questions I communicated with the State and was made aware the list that can be found at their website is in real time so that as soon and the application for license is approved the name and license number is provided.

https://www.kellysolutions.com/ga/Applicators/searchbyCategory.asp

With the issuance of this amendment, I will extend the submittal deadline to 19 Sep 2025.

The submitted licenses must appear on the listed Website by 24 Sep 2025 as this contract must be awarded before 30 Sep 2025

14. Can the Air Force provide access to the Dobbins ARB Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP), or direct offerors to where it can be obtained?

Answer: A copy of the IPMP can be provided at the contract award.

15. Will mobilization and demobilization be treated as a separate line item, or should those costs be included within each CLIN? If multiple mobilizations are required, will the Government provide clarification on how this should be priced in relation to the per-acre CLIN structure?

Answer: This is a firm fixed price contract. The bids should be submitted for each CLIN as listed in the PWS. Bids are priced on a $ cost per acre basis. The CLIN cost must include all costs associated with meeting the requirements of the CLIN, including but not limited to mobilization and demobilization.

16. The solicitation requires pricing for a base year plus three option years using the per-acre CLIN structure. Please clarify whether the Government expects offerors to include annual price escalation in the unit rates such that CLIN pricing stays the same for base and option years.

Answer: The pricing for the base year and option years is not required to be the same.

However, the contractor must provide the cost for the base year and each subsequent option year, and any escalation rates to account for inflation must be included in the pricing for each respective option year. There is no standard adjustment to the prices you submit for the Base and options years will add up to your total quote and indicate the price the government will pay.

17. Will payment be based strictly on the fixed acreage quantities listed in the CLINs, or will invoicing be adjusted to reflect the actual number of acres treated if field conditions differ?

Answer: The invoice will reflect the actual number of acres treated during each task order.

18. How will the Government determine which invasive species and treatment areas are prioritized for each task order (e.g., by species prevalence, ecological sensitivity, or operational need)?

Answer: All identified invasive species within the treatment areas must be addressed.

PWS does not limit the types of invasive plants to be treated. Per section 2.1 of the PWS, “Dobbins approved herbicides shall be applied to visible invasive plant species, to include English ivy, Chinese privet, Chinese wisteria and Japanese honeysuckle within upland forested areas.” Chinese privet is the most prevalent species.

19. Is US Citizenship a requirement to work on base?

Answer: No All workers are required to pass a background check regardless of nationality.

20. The PWS requires brush from cut stump treatments to be piled in 8’x8’x4’ piles but does not clarify if hauling and off-site removal of cut vegetation is required or if brush may remain in piles on-site. Please confirm whether removal and disposal are required, and if so, whether those costs should be included in the per-acre CLIN pricing.

Answer: The contractor is not required to haul and dispose of cut vegetation off-site.

21. Are Girdling or Basal bark treatment considered an acceptable treatment method under this requirement if larger-diameter target species are encountered?

Answer: Other proposed treatment methods may be used but must be approved in advance. Regardless of the method, performance standards remain the same. If not effective, the contractor will be responsible for retreatment. Girdling is only feasible for large diameter, single-stemmed plants. Girdling alone can be ineffective for long-term control of woody invasive species due to regrowth from the root system. Gridling can be combined with herbicide treatment for greater effectiveness. Basal bark treatment is usually limited to plants with a diameter of 6 inches or less. Per section 2.3 of the performance work statement (PWS), the contractor “will be solely responsible for the herbicide effectiveness.” Also, per section 2.3 of the PWS, “all treatments must be conducted during a period when target species are susceptible to the herbicide being used.”

PWS Section 2.3 Herbicide Effectiveness, p. 2

22. What specific monitoring methods will the COR use to evaluate the required 90% kill rate (e.g., visual estimation, transects, percent cover measurements)?

Answer: Visual estimation will be used primarily. It can be augmented by transects and percentage cover measurements.

23. If re-application after an unsuccessful treatment does not achieve the 90% kill threshold, what further actions are required of the contractor, and will such additional work remain the contractor’s responsibility at no cost to the Government?

Answer: Per section 2.3 of the performance work statement (PWS), the contractor “will be solely responsible for the herbicide effectiveness.” The contractor is required to meet the performance standard.

24. Beyond the requirement to re-treat at no cost, will the Government impose deductions, penalties, or negative performance ratings if the 90% kill threshold is not achieved?

Answer: Payment will not be made until the Contracting Officer Representative confirms the required Performance Standards are met.

PWS Section 3.0 Qualifications, p. 3

25. What are the minimum liability insurance coverage amounts required for herbicide application work under this contract? (Contracting question?)

PWS Section 4.0 Government Furnished Materials, p. 3

26. The PWS indicates that installation picture layers, drawings, and existing data will be provided, but does not state whether the contractor is responsible for conducting baseline field surveys of invasive species before treatment. Will the Government provide completed surveys, or must the contractor perform and price-in any pre-treatment surveys?

Answer: The performance objective is effectiveness of the treatment. As part of the demonstration of achieving effectiveness, contractors can provide baseline field surveys of invasive species before treatment. This survey will not be a separate CLIN.

27. If the contractor is expected to survey for invasive, sensitive, or endangered species as part of this scope of work, will the government include a Pink Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium acaule) survey if the existing population areas have changed since the most recent survey?

Answer: The government will provide the latest surveys available for Pink Lady Slippers.

28. Does the Air Force have a protocol for notification if an offeror encounters previously unrecorded sensitive or endangered species during the course of work?

Answer: The contractor shall inform both the COR and the Contracting Officer by E-mail so the government can respond.

PWS Section 5 Herbicide, Labor, Equipment and Materials, p. 3

29. Does the Air Force have a preference for Bark Oil Blue or similar chemicals for cut stump treatments, or Impel Red for aquatic situations?

Answer: Bark Oil Blue can be used in aquatic situations; however, it is not specifically labeled for this use (may want to consider other options). Impel Red can be used in aquatic situations. However, product labels must be followed and only be used for product approved applications. Using them may pose risk to aquatic life if large quantities are released to the environment.

PWS Section 6 General, p. 4-5

30. In addition to the known population of Pink Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium acaule), are there any other sensitive or endangered species documented on the project site?

Answer: There are no other known sensitive or endangered species. The government will provide the latest surveys available for Pink Lady Slippers.

31. For the weekly written summary and Herbicide Tracking Form, does the Government require inclusion of supporting materials such as maps, photographs, or GIS shapefiles in addition to species lists, dates, and weather conditions?

Answer: The contract does not specify supporting materials such as maps, photographs, or GIS shapefiles in addition to species lists, dates, and weather conditions

All air force bases are required to report usage in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tracker in the units of pounds. Information needed includes date, Trade Name, Agency Association (i.e., EPA number), Specific Gravity, Signal Word, Formulation (e.g., aerosol, concentrate liquid, etc.), EPCRA 313 List, restricted use, target species, active ingredients). Most of this information is on the product label or safety data sheet (SDS).

Maps, photographs/GIS shapefiles provide documentation of the work accomplished. The contract does not specifically list the type of documentation to provide but such documents do substantiate and confirm performance.