SN-2019-01_Industry_Day_QandA_11-21-2018.pdf

SN-2019-01 Industry Day - Long-Term Retardant

Questions and Answers

15 November 2018 - Best Western Hotel in Boise, ID

Q 1. Will only a fugitive long-term retardant be required in the future?

A- Currently the field is trending towards the use of fugitive-colored products. Products colored with iron oxides are still acceptable in formulations, but certain bases currently order only fugitive-colored products (all California bases, many bases in South West and near National Parks).

Q 2. In the event a Regulatory Agency no longer allows a specific chemical to be use in a long-term retardant product, how does that get handled?

A- Product with that chemical will be removed from the Qualified Products List (QPL).

Q 3. What are the current NAICS codes for the retardant contracts?

A- National Long-Term Retardant – 115310

FOB Origin – 325314

Mobile Retardant Base – 115310

Q 4. How will the Forest Service (FS) address the reimbursement for Qualification Requirement (QR) testing?

A- Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 9.204(a)(2) provides the conditions where-in the United States will bear testing and evaluation costs for small business. The FAR discusses Agency Procedures and the Forest Service has not provided reimbursement for testing previously and does not have a procedure for bearing the cost of testing. The Forest Service will develop a procedure to address the process and approvals for bearing these costs.

Q 5. What is the “critical” pass vs. fail threshold for the 96 HR. acute toxicity test?

A- 100mg per liter (ppm).

Q 6. Will there be (or do you anticipate) acute toxicity testing for amphibian species?

A- No. The standard ASTM toxicity test is 96 hours for rainbow trout. Amphibians are not typically part of standardized toxicity testing. These species would/can be addressed in the risk assessment and consultation process with Regulatory Agencies.

Q 7. On specification revisions, with the removal of phosphate requirement, will ammonium sulfate be allowed again?

A- No. Ammonium sulfate is too high in toxicity.

SN-2019-01 Industry Day

Q 8. Special Notice SN-2019-01 references desired guarantees. What guarantee does the Agency envision given the high variability of volume base to base and year to year?

A- The Agency is not certain how to approach guarantees at this time. It is important to note that any future contract with an alternate source will have to contemplate that contractor’s ability and capability for performance. The Agency will contemplate the current environment at the time an alternate source is qualified to ensure a fair and equal way for all to perform on the contract, while trying to mitigate risk to the program.

Q 9. The Agency mentioned colorants are required for pilot visibility. What percentage of drops made by air tankers are direct vs. indirect drops with long-term retardant?

A- The proportion of direct to indirect (including contingency) fixed-wing large airtanker retardant application is approximately 3:1. Direct applications include drops directly adjacent to the active fire or with limited unburned fuels between the drop and fire edge where interaction is to occur with a minimal time lag.

Q 10. Each base contract has a Peak Daily Requirement. How will the agency deal with needs above the PDR (in many cases far above)? Would the retardant suppliers be obligated to supply above the PDR? If not, how will the agency handle bases that run out of retardant?

A- The values listed on the contract under the PDR represent a threshold guideline. The unpredictable nature of fire is such that a defined value at each base could potentially limit the contractor and the program in terms of performance. The PDR should be exceeded if the contractor is capable to levels above. When bases run out of retardant, the Agency will divert requirements to locations that will meet the need.

Q 11. Will the retardant suppliers be required to supply equipment needed to mix and handle their product?

A- The Agency owns some equipment and obtains performance with contractors for services and additional equipment to meet the need. The Agency will contemplate the best approach based on the unique situation at each base and the variability of scope when an alternate supplier is ready to perform.

Q 12. Historically, the manufacturers have been providers of the products. Would it be possible to have a distributer be a small business and the product manufacturer be a large business? (for example - Cargill producer is a US company, product is from off-shore and Mountain County Gifts be distributor)

A- Possibly. It would be best to meet with your Small Business Administration office to determine if your specific situation would meet all of the requirements to be a small business (for example - 51 percent of business must be done by SB and product manufactured state side). We would be pleased to work with you and your SBA determination to determine how we can support you.

Q 13. The USFS has officially acknowledged that a new long-term retardant specification will be released with a specified range for acceptable colorants. What will that range be? What will happen to current/future colored products that are approved but do not meet a future specification?

SN-2019-01 Industry Day

A- Color requirements will be addressed when the specification is revised. Products that do not meet a specification will be removed from the QPL.

Q 14. If a non-fugitive colorant is qualified, what happens if the specification becomes fugitive only, will product be removed?

A- At this time, the Agency is revising 5100-304d and will allow for both non-fugitive and fugitive colored products. We do not have a comment pursuant a specification for a fugitive only product at this time.

Q 15. Can you expand on the requirement that manufacturers in the confidential disclosure also apply strictly to the production quantities?

A- Correct, any changes in the formulation i.e. a different ingredient or the same ingredient from a different vendor source, or the removal or addition of an ingredient is considered a new product. This would require a new evaluation.

Q 16. Best practices for logistics & supply chain?

A- Each contractor’s practices and logistical situation is different and the Agency cannot provide best practices or guidance on how to perform.

Q 17. Would you encourage submitting both a LC and Dry concentrate, Low VS and High/Medium Viscosity?

A- The Agency will not provide guidance on what products to submit. All of those products are currently being used and are planned for the foreseeable future.

Q 18. Does the Agency guarantee in the collection agreement to procure 200,000 gallons for operation field evaluation? Is the Operation Field Evaluation required?

A- The Agency will purchase the specific amounts of chemical used during the field test. Yes, the Operation Field Evaluation is required.