Hootnanny Q and A 1_FINAL.pdf

Questions & Answers 1 for Solicitation- S-62900-00012935

ODF Hootnanny Analysis and Documentation Necessary for Categorical Exclusion (CE) Determination under the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA)

Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon 3/21/2025

1. Regarding Task 5; does the Forest Service have an estimate of the number of scoping comments that may be received on the project?

For similar projects, we have received comments from 5-15 stakeholders, including environmental and industry groups. Our last project, Gibson I&D CE, reflects this trend.

Prior examples can be found here: https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/259606400762

2. Regarding Task 5.3; will the Line Officer Briefing be an in-person or virtual meeting?

Virtual meeting

3. Regarding Tasks 8, 9, and 10; does the Forest Service anticipate preparation of separate biological assessments (that is, separate from the biological evaluation/specialist report) for ESA listed species for consultation?

Biological Assessments, if required, are not listed in the scope of work and would be Forest Service responsibility to complete.

4. Will the agencies provide the general Project shapefiles for the project area and road network prior to the bid closing?

All files will be provided to the selected contractor immediately after the project is awarded.

5. Many of the resource tasks include the following statement for the resource report deliverables: “The Contractor shall review MTHNF supplied data for resource modeling and analysis.” Some resources do not specify which modeling will be needed for the analysis and specialist report. These resources include the following: Wildlife, Aquatics, Hydrology, Transportation, and Climate Change. What are the agencies’ expectations for the specific models to be used the analysis of the resources listed above?

For many resources, no modeling would be required. Expected modeling and/or analysis for each item is specifically specified in the scope of work (ex: Task 6.3 Forest Vegetation Simulator).

6. What “supplied data” will be provided for the resource modeling and analysis for the following resources: Hydrology and Visuals?

Task 10: Hydrology Report The Contractor shall review MTHNF supplied data for resource modeling and analysis. This includes: Data the contractor will need for resource modeling and analysis, Resource existing conditions, USFS to provide modeling https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/259606400762 https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/259606400762 outputs for contractor’s interpretation. (USFS reviews the interpretation), Relevant report as template from Gate, South Pen and 27 Road projects.

Task 12: Visuals Report: no data to be provided.

7. In the project description (Appendix A) on page 41 under Draft Proposed Action it states that the IDT and the Wasco County Collaborative group will determine which areas will be excluded from treatment. Is the Contractor part of the IDT and are they expected to participate in this activity? Also, is this the same meeting as described in Task 3.1?

“Approximately 3,380 acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands will be evaluated for treatment. The Insects and Disease categorical exclusion to be used for the project allows for a project area no more than 3,000 acres.”

It is expected that the analysis completed by the contractor’s team (IDT), including responses to scoping and feedback received during public involvement (see Task 3), will help the contractor determine appropriate treatments on no more than 3,000 acres.

8. In Task 4.1 at page 29, it stated “the MRHNF-PM will provide the Contractor with a partially complete scoping document.” Will this include a draft scoping letter and mailing list?

Yes, a draft scoping letter will be provided. The contractor will draft the scoping letter.

The Forest Service will handle distribution of the scoping letter.

9. Under Task 7.7, is it the MTHNF’s expectation that the Contractor will participate in any consultation meeting with the USFWS or only provide support and coordination for the

MTHNF?

Forest Service expectation is that the contractor communicates with coordinates with the Mt. Hood NF biologist. The contractor will be expected to participate with the Mt.

Hood NF biologists in at least one USFWS meeting.

10. Will the MTHNF need three separate BEs for aquatics, botany, and wildlife or can they be combined as one BE?

The Aquatic report cannot be combined with the botany or terrestrial reports. Three separate reports are requested as Tasks 7, 8, and 9.

11. What “partial data” will be made available for visuals and cultural? This is not listed in the Scope of Work.

Only data listed in the scope of work is expected to be provided. After review, the contractor is expected to ask questions about provided data during the pre-work meeting (Task 1).

12. Section 7.4 references a draft BE/BA, please clarify whether this project includes preparation of a Biological Assessment (BA) for Section 7 consultation purposes with USFWS/NOAA Fisheries.

The contractor tasks do NOT include preparation of a Biological Assessment (BA) for Section 7 consultation purposes with USFWS/NOAA Fisheries because there is already a programmatic agreement in place.

7.6 The Contractor shall keep the MTHNF-PM appointed biologist informed of pertinent issues and developments while maintaining close coordination with MTHNF biologists regarding the review of the Biological Evaluation/Wildlife Specialist Report and ensure that effects calls and project design features comply with existing programmatic consultation and Biological Opinion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (consultation).

13. Please clarify the number of report deliverables required under Task 9. Our current understanding is that Task 9 requires preparation of a single combined specialist report/Biological Evaluation (BE) report. Can the Biological Evaluation be combined for terrestrial, botany, and aquatic TEPS?

Correct, Task 9 requires preparation of a single combined specialist report/Biological Evaluation (BE) report. The Aquatic report cannot be combined with the botany or terrestrial reports.

14. The solicitation states that supplied data will include “stream survey reports” and “resource existing conditions.” Have these reports/data/condition information been prepared and approved by a local biologist to determine consistency with Land Management Plan standards, or is this the responsibility of the contractor?

Tasks 9.3-9.9 specify contractor responsibilities, including “The Contractor shall evaluate and document that the project will be consistent with the desired future conditions, standards, and guidelines of the Mt Hood National Forest Plan and Northwest Forest Plan.”

15. Will the locations, acreages, and methods of all treatments and connected actions (e.g.

haul routes and temporary roads) be determined prior to beginning resource analysis?

See Task 6.6: “The Contractor shall analyze the stands within the project area for appropriate commercial, non-commercial, and prescribed fire treatments that adhere to the purpose and need and draft proposed action (Appendix A) of the project and applicable law, regulation, and policy.”

A GIS file with lidar-derived potential temporary roads will be provided.

16. Under Section 4.2 BID REQUIREMENTS, are there any page limits for sections a, b, c, or d? Additionally, is there a file size limit for the submission?

There are no page limits for those sections. Please do not submit a file size larger than 25MB. If you submit a bid response early enough before the deadline, we can usually confirm receipt of an email.