CRLA__Q A_1_-_8_June_2016.pdf

Solicitation for Crater Lake NP Seed Collection Questions/Answers – 1

June 8, 2016

1. I heard that Rim Drive is to be destroyed? Does this mean that we can collect 100% of the seed from the populations we collect from? If not (or if I have bad information), what are the collection limits appropriate for Crater Lake NP?

Rim Drive is being "rehabilitated" which means reconstructed in some places, but it will remain more or less within its present footprint (some minor adjustments). This historic road hasn't received much maintenance over the years and needs to be rehabilitated to accommodate present levels of use while still retaining the historic and cultural values associated with it. The contract work will not include areas to be destroyed by construction, as these sites will be handled by Crater Lake NP staff. The seed collection work covered under this contract would abide by the following guidelines for seed collection:

While collecting seed, it is important to obtain a complete genetic representation from each collection site, so sample from many plants across a population. Ideally, seed from 30 - 100 individuals should be harvested per population taking care not to collect more that 20% of seed from the total population unless the population is slated for removal due to construction in which case as much seed as possible should be collected. Plant populations growing in unusually harsh conditions are very good candidates for collection. In the case of many native plant species, the reproductive biology has not been studied;

therefore the capture of the rarer genes will require a markedly increased sample size. Collect as much seed as possible over an entire collection site (population). Collectors are advised to sample from at least 50 individuals, from within a single collection site (population) where available and to look for populations with a large number of plants.

2. Are most of the seed collection sites known?

Yes, and you will be working closely with Crater Lake NP staff to ensure that seed collection zones, species, and collection sites are understood.

3. When we collect seed, we let the seed dry for two weeks, then clean it by zone/species/site/date, and then send each species/zone in for testing. It can take at least a week (sometimes more) for test results to be returned in the summer and fall seasons. Then the seed may need to be re-cleaned before shipping. In the RFP it says that seed must be shipped within one month of collection date. Can this date be modified so that the seed is shipped in two batches (within 1.5-2 months of final collection date of each collection group)?

2 months is acceptable. We can change this in the RFP. 1 month is preferred such that seed could potentially be utilized in fall plantings in the year of collection.

4. On page 22 of the RFP (bottom of page) it say cleaned seed will contain no more than 10% inert matter. On page 24 (#8) it says cleaned seed will contain no more than 12% inert matter. Which number is correct?

10-15% inert matter is acceptable. We will update the RFP.

5. Will the Corvallis Plant Materials Center be involved in seed collection in 2016?

Not in conjunction with this contract. They do assist with other aspects of this project, including providing seed cleaning and propagation services for seed collected by Crater Lake NP personnel.

6. It looks like from the RFP that within each zone, for each species, seed from all collection site can be put together for testing purposes but should still be kept separate by site when the seed is delivered to NPS. Is this correct?

The intention is to have a "separate test per each species per each collection zone" per species. So that each accession will have a test associated with it. And the seed should be kept separate by species per seed zone.

7. What is not clear is if partial quantities would be accepted or as likely is what the park service would want done with overage.

Partial quantities based on poor seed production of a particular species will be acceptable. If a particular species has a poor production year every effort will be made to find a species that is ecologically similar and utilize that species as an alternate.

Regarding overages: every effort should be made to keep collections as close to target amounts as possible. Small overages in a particular species may either be 1) utilized to off set partial quantities of another species or 2) purchased via a contract modification at the same rate as the base contract depending on availability of funds.

NOTE: NPS has a strict policy about collections originating from NPS property. All seed originating from the collection effort in the contract shall be given to the NPS or destroyed.

8. The solicitation included wages for Klamath County, but the only job categories that fit this RFP are administrative. Please clarify if we should fit our botanists into one of the Technical Occupations (3000) or is this not applicable for our kind of technical expertise?

Upon award, the contractor will need to fill out Standard Form 1444 – Request for Authorization of Additional Classification and Rate, and return to NPS.

9. Are submissions to this RFP able to be given electronically?

Yes, proposal submissions can be given electronically.

10. The RFP quotes standard form 1449, which requires hand-written signatures. Only form 1449-12a2, which allows for electronic signatures, is available online. Will the NPS accept the online form with electronic signature?

The PDF SF1449 does allow for electronic signatures by the offer. On the PDF form, click on Fill & Sign and Place Signature, then you can draw a box in the area that you want to sign.

11. The standard form 1449 in the solicitation has “ACCP” under Section 12 Discount Terms, meaning “Accelerated Pay (Initial Source: BPD90/AP).” Does this mean that a discount for accelerated pay is required? If so, please provide more detail.

Through the Prompt Payment Act, Federal Agencies can use Early (Accelerate) Payments, with no discounts, to Small Businesses. Through the DOI contracting system, this code is ACCP. There are no additional requirements that the vendor needs to do.

Below is a link for additional information provided by Treasury.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/promptPayment/accelerated_payments.htm https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/promptPayment/accelerated_payments.htm

While collecting seed, it is important to obtain a complete genetic representation from each collection site, so sample from many plants across a population. Ideally, seed from 30 - 100 individuals should be harvested per population taking care not t...