T3044 Bid Amendment 2 - QandA~4.docx

PHILIP D. MURPHY

Governor State of New Jersey

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

DIVISION OF PURCHASE AND PROPERTY

PROCUREMENT BUREAU

33 WEST STATE STREET

P. O. BOX 230

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08625-0230

ELIZABETH MAHER MUOIO

State Treasurer

TAHESHA L. WAY

Lt. Governor

AMY F. DAVIS, ESQ.

Acting Director https://www.njstart.gov

July 21, 2025

To: All Interested Bidders

Re: Bid Solicitation # 25DPP01180 T3044 - Waterway Debris Assessment and Removal Services for Disasters

Quote Submission Due Date: August 5, 2025 (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Bid Amendment #2

The following constitutes Bid Amendment #2 to the above referenced Bid Solicitation:

· This Bid Amendment includes answers to questions.

It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to be knowledgeable of all of the additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications to the Bid Solicitation and/or the New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions relative to this Bid Solicitation as set forth in all Bid Amendments.

All other instructions, terms, and conditions of the Bid Solicitation shall remain the same.

Bid Solicitation #25DPP01180 T3044 - Waterway Debris Assessment and Removal Services for Disasters Answers to Questions

Where applicable, each question references the appropriate Bid Solicitation section.

Section Reference Question (Bolded) and Answer

Please be advised that all Quotes shall be submitted electronically through NJSTART.

Yes. Prior to the Quote Opening Deadline, a Bidder should review the documents comprising the submitted Quote to ensure that all of the required documents have been completed and attached. Oftentimes a Quote is deemed non-responsive because a Bidder fails to attach a required form or attaches a blank form. To review a submitted a Quote, a Bidder should log into NJSTART and review each document attached to the Quote submission. Instructions on how to review a submitted Quote can be found in the Quick Reference Guide entitled How to Review a Submitted Quote, which is available on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page under Vendor Reference Guides.

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As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 2.2, Exceptions to the State of NJ Standard Terms and Conditions (SSTC): “Questions regarding the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions and exceptions to mandatory requirements MUST be posed during the Electronic Question and Answer period and shall contain the Bidder’s suggested changes and the reason(s) for the suggested change(s).” Moreover, as stated in Bid Solicitation Section 3.11, Bidder proposed terms or conditions that conflict with those contained in the State of New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions may render a Quote non-responsive.

Purpose and intent

4.4 Method of engagement Under item 1.1, it mentions that the State intends to award up to three (3) contracts. Can the state please clarify if there will be a primary, secondary, and tertiary contractor? If not, please explain how the work will be divided among the three contracts (e.g. specific contract per region)?

Contracts will not be awarded on a primary, secondary, and tertiary basis.

The State intends to award three (3) Contracts that will be utilized in accordance with Section 4.4 of the Bid Solicitation which states:

A. The Contractors shall each have the capability to work simultaneously on at least two (2) Engagements in each of the five (5) identified Regions. There may be multiple Tasks Orders in one (1) Engagement area;

B. The Using Agency will select the Contractor(s)that best meets its needs in the event of a Disaster, price and other factors considered; and C. The Using Agency may choose to utilize all or some of the services offered in the Contract. The Using Agency will only engage one (1) Contractor per Disaster and must notify the SCM in writing of the selected Contractor. This process will be as followed as per Bid Solicitation Section 4.5, Pre-Event Alert, Preparation, and Communication.

As specified by Section 1.1, Bidders must be able and willing to provide all assessment, debris, and related services specified by this Bid Solicitation Statewide, including in all five (5) Regions as specified by Bid Solicitation Section 1.2 – Background. Contracts will be awarded for all services Statewide, not by region.

Background Who is the incumbent, and how long has the incumbent been providing the requested services?

The current Contract for T3004 Waterway Debris Assessment Services for Disasters has been in place since June 26, 2018. The current vendor is Aptim Environmental and Infrastructure LLC. The services under T3004 are now included under the subject T3044 Bid Solicitation.

The current Contract for T3044 Waterway Debris Removal Services for Disasters has been in place since October 23, 2019. The current vendor is CrowderGulf LLC.

This information can be found by following the instructions below:

· Go to: www.njstart.gov

· Select “Active Blankets”

· In the search bar, select “Blankets” from the drop down menu

· Enter “T3044” or “T3004” and click “”

· The current Contract list will appear under “Results”

Background What is the total mileage of roads within the scope of the service area?

The areas from which Debris is to be removed will be provided to the Contractor prior to the commencement of work.

Background What estimated or actual dollars were paid to the incumbent(s) after the most recent event?

T3044 was most recently activated under Hurricane Ida in September 2021. $180,900 was paid by the State for work performed under this activation. T3004 was also activated by the State, but with no State spend.

Note: These figures may not include potential spend directly by Cooperative Purchasing Program Participants.

Background When/what was the most recent event that precipitated the activation of the existing or previous contract?

T3044 and T-3044 were most recently activated under Hurricane Ida in September 2021.

Background Approximately how many cubic yards of debris were collected from the most recent event?

Based upon data available to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), approximately 32,000 cubic yards were collected during Hurricane Ida.

Background How many times have the incumbent's services been utilized in the previous five years?

The T3044 and T3004 contracts have been activated one (1) time in the last five (5) years. Both contracts were activated in September 2021 during Hurricane Ida.

Background If there was a previous solicitation for these services, what was its title, number, release date, and due date?

This is a reprocurement of the Services under T3044 – Waterway Debris Removal Services for Disasters and T3004 Waterway Debris Removal Services for Disasters, which have been combined under the subject Bid Solicitation. The services for Waterway Debris Removal for Disasters were previously procured through Bid Solicitation 18DPP00249. The services for Waterway Debris Assessment Services for Disasters were previously procured through Bid Solicitation 17DPP00058. To review the current contracts please follow the below instructions:

· Go to: www.njstart.gov

· Select “Active Blankets”

· In the search bar, select “Blankets” from the drop down menu

· Enter “T3044” or “T3004” and click “”

· The current Contract list will appear under “Results”

Background Why has this procurement been released at this time?

The State is issuing this Bid Solicitation as part of preparations for a Disaster that results in the generation of Disaster-related Debris in waterways in New Jersey and/or damage to structures beyond the capacity and capability of State, county or municipal governments to manage in a safe, effective, and timely way.

Background Please describe your level of satisfaction with your current or recent vendor(s) for the same purchasing activity, if applicable.

The State declines to provide an answer.

Background Could the State provide the reason(s) why the waterway assessment services were included in the waterway debris removal services solicitation when previous procurements were separate and would not permit the waterway debris removal contractor to bid on the waterway assessment solicitation?

It was determined to be in the State’s best interest to combine these services under a single procurement.

Background What was the last event that impacted the State which required activation and performance by the State’s waterway debris removal contractor? How many cubic yards of debris was collected during that event?

The contract was last activated in September 2021 for Hurricane Ida. Based upon data available to NJDEP, approximately 32,000 cubic yards were collected.

Bid Amendments What is the date by which you will answer these questions?

Answers to questions have been posted as part of this Bid Amendment. Please refer to Page 1 of this document for the date.

Small business and/or disabled veterans’ business subcontracting set-aside contract A. Section 3.8 and 3.9 indicate that small business and disable vets business set-aside are not applicable to this procurement. However, Section 3.13.8 states: This is a Contract with set-aside subcontracting for New Jersey Small Business Enterprises and/or Disabled Veterans’ Business. Question: Could the State clarify if there are small and/or disabled vet set-aside goals for this procurement?

B. If so, could the state provide the goal percentage?

C. If so, since the State is requesting that efforts be made to subcontract with small business and/or disabled veterans, these businesses may not have the documented experience performing work on contracts of a similar size. How should the bidder handle this request?

A. The set-aside requirements described in Bid Solicitation Section 3.13.8.1 relates to subcontracting only. If the Bidder intends to subcontract, it must submit a Subcontractor Utilization Plan and shall take the actions outlined in Section 3.13.8.1 to make a good faith effort to solicit and hire eligible New Jersey Small Business Enterprises and/or Disabled Veterans’ Businesses. Refer to Section 3.13.8.1 for more information.

B. . There is not a specific goal percentage for the subcontracting set-aside requirements under this Bid Solicitation. Rather, if the Bidder intends to subcontract, it must submit a Subcontractor Utilization Plan and shall take the actions outlined in Section 3.13.8.1 to make a good faith effort to solicit and hire eligible New Jersey Small Business Enterprises and/or Disabled Veterans’ Businesses. Refer to Section 3.13.8.1 for more information.

C. Per Section 3.13.8.1, if intending to subcontract the Bidder shall attempt to locate qualified potential New Jersey Small Business Enterprises and/or Disabled Veterans’ Business subcontractors. If the Bidder cannot locate qualified potential New Jersey Small Business Enterprise or Disabled Veterans’ Business subcontractors, the Bidder shall keep a record of its efforts, including the names of businesses contacted and the means and results of such contacts. A Bidder’s failure to satisfy New Jersey Small Business Enterprises and/or Disabled Veterans’ Business set-aside subcontracting or to provide sufficient documentation of its good faith efforts within seven (7) business days of a request may preclude award of a Contract to the Bidder. Refer to Section 3.13.8.1 for more information.

Public works contractor registration 3.13.16 A-901 license Is the Public Works Contractor Registration and A-901 license required for assessment service contractors?

The Contractor is required to perform both debris removal AND assessment services. Public Works Contractor Registration, A-901 license, and Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) is required by the Bidder and any applicable subcontractor(s), in accordance with the requirements of Sections 3.13.15, 3.13.16, and 3.13.17.

A subcontractor providing only assessment related services would not be required to hold Public Works Contractor Registration, A-901 license, or CPCN.

Public Works Contractor Registration 3.13.16 A-901 License 3.13.17 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Are any specific professional credentials required to qualify for the contract?

The specific professional credentials required prior to award of a Contract resulting from this Bid Solicitation can be found in Section 3 of the Bid Solicitation and include a valid Public Works Registration, A-901 license, and CPCN. Refer to the respective sections of the Bid Solicitation for specific requirements.

Location To what extent will the location of the bidder’s proposed location or headquarters have a bearing on any award?

As stated in Bid Solicitation Section 8.3, Reciprocity For Jurisdictional Bidder Preference, the State of New Jersey will invoke reciprocal action against an out-of-State Bidder whose state or locality maintains a preference practice for its in-state Bidders. That is, the State of New Jersey will take steps to identify States having preference laws, regulations, or practices and to invoke reciprocal actions.

State Supplied Price Sheet Instructions Are bidders permitted to deviate in any way from any manner of quoting fees you may be expecting? For example, if there is a pricing page in the RFP, can bidders submit an alternate fee structure? If there is no pricing page in the RFP, do you have any preference for how bidders should quote fees or can bidders create their own pricing categories?

No. As specified by Bid Solicitation Section 3.26, the Bidder must submit its pricing using the State-Supplied Price Sheet accompanying this Bid Solicitation and located on the “Attachments” Tab. The Bidder MUST provide all required Unit Pricing for BOTH tabs (“Removal” and “Assessment”) on the State-Supplied Price Sheet or the Quote shall be deemed non-responsive.

The Bidder must submit pricing using the format set forth in the State-Supplied Price Sheet accompanying this Bid Solicitation. Any additional, supplemental, or modified versions of the State-Supplied Price Sheet will not be accepted and may result in the Bidder’s Quote deemed non-responsive.

Invoices Will equitable price adjustments be authorized either annually or at time of contract renewal?

The Contract resulting from this Bid Solicitation shall have firm fixed pricing for the duration of the Contract. However, pursuant to Section 6.1 of the State’s Terms and Conditions, in an exceptional situation, the State may consider a price adjustment. Requests for price adjustments must include justification and documentation.

Task Orders and Contract Activation Which entities activated the State’s Contract?

NJDEP is responsible for activating the Contract.

Method of Engagement The solicitation indicates that the State intends to award up to three (3) contracts. Will the contracts be categorized by order of intended activation (e.g. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary) or will there just be a pool of qualified vendors? If there is a pool of qualified vendors, what method will be used by the State to determine which contractor or contractors to activate first?

See response to question #5.

Scope of Work What is the maximum number of hours post-event before work must commence?

Per Bid Solicitation Section 4.5.7A, the Contractor shall commence mobilization immediately upon receipt of the initial Task Order, meeting the following progress patterns unless otherwise negotiated:

Note: The above represents a minimum response schedule and does not restrict an earlier response.

Waterway debris assessment methods and technologies Do special costs such as boat and captain rental and marine expenses need to be included in the RFP response? - Referencing: State-Supplied Price Sheet The Bidder must incorporate all direct and indirect costs, including overhead, in the price lines found on the State-Supplied Price Sheet, as applicable. No additional fees, costs, or pricing shall be provided by the Bidder as part of its Quote submission.

Bulky waste/white goods/household appliances Please confirm if the scope of work for white goods removal includes the removal and disposal of any putrescent food from refrigerators or freezers.

Yes, the Contractor must remove and dispose of any putrescent food from refrigerators or freezers as needed to complete the required disposal of white goods.

Vehicle storage and reporting Under item 4.20.12.1 it mentions recovered vehicles will need to be stored in an approved aggregation site. Is the selected contractor responsible for site selection and set-up, or will the state find a suitable site?

The Contractor is responsible, however the State will provide assistance as necessary.

Debris load tickets

Regarding 4.26 DEBRIS LOAD TICKETS, FEMA requires that Public Assistance (PA) Program applicants monitor all contracted debris operations either using force account labor or a contracted monitoring firm. If an applicant does not monitor contracted debris removal operations, it jeopardizes its PA funding for that work. For accountability purposes and to ensure PA eligibility, debris monitors should be solely tasked with preparing and validating load tickets (see Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (2025), Sec. 7.I.F.; Public Assistance Debris Monitoring Guide (2021), Appendix A: Field Reference Guides). Would the State consider removing the requirement that the Contractor prepare its own load tickets?

The State declines to accept the proposed modification. The load ticket is the primary record for the monitoring and measuring of Debris removal operations. The Contractor may utilize either paper load tickets or an electronic load ticket (e.g., Automated Debris Management System (ADMS)) at the discretion of the SCM or Using Agency.

If a Debris Monitor Contractor is utilized, the Debris Monitor shall provide its own records independent of the Contractor to the SCM and/or the Using Agency. The SCM and/or the Using Agency will reconcile records from the Contractor and the Debris Monitor to ensure accurate reporting of debris removal quantities. The State’s use of a Debris Monitor to meet FEMA requirements does not change the Contractor’s responsibility to meet the requirements set forth by Bid Solicitation Section 4.26.

Contract Evaluation When is the anticipated contract start date?

It is currently State's intent to award the Contract(s) as a result of this Bid Solicitation #25DPP01180 by the end of calendar year 2025. If delays prevent the State from meeting this timeline, the Contract Effective Date will be pushed back.

Technical evaluation criteria Technical Evaluation Criteria indicates that each criterion will be scored, and each score multiplied by a predetermined weight to develop the Technical Evaluation Score. Could the state provide the predetermined weight?

The State declines to provide this information at this stage of the procurement process.

Price evaluation Price Evaluation indicates that the State will utilize a weighted consumption market basket model to evaluation pricing. Can the State provide further clarification on this model and explain how a proposer can receive the maximum points?

The State declines to provide this information at this stage of the procurement process.

See response to Question #31

Yes. In order to be considered for award, a Bidder’s Quote must be for both waterway debris assessment AND removal services. A Bidder submitting a Quote for only a portion of the required services will be deemed non-responsive and ineligible for award.

As specified by Bid Solicitation Section 1.1, Bidders must be able and willing to provide all assessment, debris, and related services specified by this Bid Solicitation Statewide, including in all five (5) Regions as specified by Bid Solicitation Section 1.2 – Background. Contracts will be awarded for all services Statewide, not by region.

As specified by Bid Solicitation Section 3.26, the Bidder must submit its pricing using the State-Supplied Price Sheet accompanying this Bid Solicitation and located on the “Attachments” Tab. The Bidder MUST provide all required Unit Pricing for BOTH tabs (“Removal” and “Assessment”) on the State-Supplied Price Sheet or the Quote shall be deemed non-responsive.

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