RFI 2.pdf

Request for Information #2 – 23 January 2023

Vendor Question #1

I am unable to find the fringe allowances for 21000. Is there a fringe for this?

Government Answer #1

Health and Welfare Rates are found on page 8 of Attachment 4- WD 2015-5417_Rev23 under the heading “All Occupations Listed Above Receive the Following Benefits”.

Vendor Question #2

Is there an option for a site visit?

Government Answer #2

The Government determined that a site visit would be of limited to no value given the large size of the Air Force Academy and the undetermined future requirement areas. Various maps have been attached to Solicitation FA700023Q0015 as Attach 5- USAFA Maps. If more information is required, please specify what documents the Government can provide.

Vendor Question #3

Are we able to use Subcontractors on this job?

Government Answers #3

FAR Clause 52.219-14 is incorporated into this Solicitation and will be in the resulting award. Please refer to this clause at www.acquisition.gov and consult with your local Small Business Administration Representative for further information regarding subcontracting.

Vendor Question #4

What method of bark extraction is desired?

Government Answer #4

We have no preference how the bark is removed. The goal is to ensure the wood is dried as quickly as possible to prevent beetle infestations. Removing the bark will expose the layer that the beetles infest/brood and make the residual debris uninhabitable for the beetles.

http://www.acquisition.gov/

Vendor Question #5

Can you provide more detail as to what is expected for the rest of the wood?

Government Answer #5

The residual material (<4” diameter) will be lopped and scattered. The pieces must be cut to less than 3’ in length and spread to a maximum depth of 18”.

Vendor Question #6

Can it be masticated on site?

Government Answer #6

Yes, the material may be masticated on site, but the majority of these trees will be inaccessible by vehicle or a chipper. They may haul the wood to suitable machinery if they prefer to chip or masticate.

But the material must be mitigated.

Vendor Question #7

Can it be hauled to a location at AFA for public use as firewood?

Government Answer #7

Yes, merchantable timber (>4”) may be hauled to the Natural Resources woodlot in lieu of debarking.

But the residual material must be lopped and scattered or chipped.

Vendor Question #8

Can the entire bole be hauled off site with bark to a safe area (far away from other trees that can be infected by beetles) as an alternative to debarking on-site?

Government Answer #8

The contractor may debark the bole or haul the merchantable timber to the Natural Resources woodlot.

If they are interested, the contractor may purchase the wood at $12 per cord. But the material may not be hauled to a location on USAFA without mitigation. This is to prevent further beetle infestation in residual standing trees, reduce fuel loading, and preserve the aesthetics of USAFA’s forested areas.

Vendor Question #9

Is the 400 quantity for line item 4001 and 4002 a total number of trees to be treated or the number of each size of tree described in lines 01-05 for each? If it is the total number, then can we get an estimate for each tree size?

Government Answer #9

These number were historical averages for this contract. We do not know which trees will need to be mitigated or how many at this point.

Vendor Question #10

The average size of the infected trees dictates the treatment approach for the entire stand. That is one reason why a site visit is desirable. We also want to see forest density, the amount of rock, the steepness of the terrain, the conditions of the roads, the time it takes to pass through security, and other considerations that we might encounter while performing work at these sites.

Government Answer #10

Here we are not focusing on any stand or unit sized projects. The removals will be individual trees that will be identified as they arise and need to be mitigated. The vast majority of these trees will be infested with beetles or windblown. Due to our aggressive beetle mitigation, these trees will often be identified, marked, and mitigated within 2-4 weeks.