Solicitation Questions - Success Lake Weed and Pest Control.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – Success Lake Weed and Pest Control

1. Can you advise if this is a recompete, if so, who is the incumbent and what is the previous award amount?

Answer 1: This information is publicly available and can be found on the SAM.gov website by searching for past contract awards related to this requirement. The Government will not provide info on prior contracts. Offerors are encouraged to conduct their own research using SAM.gov or some public search engine like Google.

2. Is there any incumbent/recompete or is this a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.

Answer 2: This information is publicly available and can be found on the SAM.gov website by searching for past contract awards related to this requirement. The Government will not provide info on prior contracts. Offerors are encouraged to

3. What was the previous awarded Solicitation Number, Date awarded, and awarded value?

Answer 3: This information is publicly available and can be found on the SAM.gov website by searching for past contract awards related to this requirement. The Government will not provide info on prior contracts. Offerors are encouraged to

4. Has any part of the Statement of Work (SOW) changed in this solicitation compared to the last awarded contract? If so, what changed or was added?

Answer 4: Prior contracts do not matter. The contractor shall provide their price quote based on the SOW/PWS in this solicitation.

5. Has the government issued any CURE or Notice of Correction for pest control services over the past 24 months at this location?

Answer 5: The Government will not provide information regarding past corrective actions. O erors are encouraged to conduct their own research using publicly available resources

6. Will the government provide any preference for SDVOSB Certified contractors as outlined within the SBA SDVOSB Veterans Priority Set-aside Program?

Answer 6: As stated in the solicitation, this requirement is a 100% small business set-aside. There is no specific preference for SDVOSB-certified contractors beyond the small business set-aside designation. O erors should refer to the solicitation for all applicable eligibility and evaluation criteria

7. Will the government require SB Prime Contractors themself to have relevant pest control past experience including pesticide applications, core pest control performance, as well as pest knowledge for the best interest of public health & safety and in alliance of Schafer Dam, Success Lake Weed & Pest Control Services?

Answer 7: While not explicitly stated, the PWS requirements suggest the Government expects the prime contractor to actively manage and oversee e ective pest control, demonstrating prior knowledge and capability in this field for the best interest of public health & safety. The contract will be awarded on a price only competition basis.

8. Has a site visit been o icially scheduled yet? If so, could you kindly provide the date, time, and any registration instructions?

Answer 8: Yes, a site visit has been scheduled for April 10, 2025, at 1000 PDT.

Information regarding registration and further details can be found as posted in the solicitation on sam.gov. No additional site visit will be o ered.

9. I’d like to confirm how proposals should be submitted. Is electronic submission (via email or a portal) acceptable for this solicitation, or must the bid be submitted physically via mail only?

Answer 9: O erors should submit proposals in PDF/Word/Excel format. The proposal should include a completed SF 1449, and a pricing table. Additional supporting documents may be included as necessary. All files should be clearly labeled. Proposals shall be submitted via email to luis.a.valencia@usace.army.mil no later than April 29th 20025 as posted on SAM.gov.

10. It states in the package under the application area to “see maps for reference”. Is there a map or maps available? Who is the current contractor performing the services and how long have they been doing so? Are the list recommended chemicals everything that is being used currently? We have some maps that we can provide.

Answer 10: There is no comprehensive list of approved chemicals; however, Section 2 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) includes several of the recommended approved pesticides and herbicides. Please note that the list provided is not exhaustive—other chemicals may be used as long as they comply with all applicable federal and state application regulations. Additionally, we are providing aerial screenshots of the specified areas referenced in the PWS as an attachment titled "Maps – Recreation Areas." These maps are intended to serve as a visual reference; all specific treatment areas and requirements are detailed within the

PWS.

11. Who is the current contractor performing the services and how long have they been doing so?

Answer 11: The Government will not provide information regarding past corrective actions. O erors are encouraged to conduct their own research using publicly available resources

12. Are the list recommended chemicals everything that is being used currently?

All chemicals applied must conform to federal and state application regulations.

Answer 12: There is no full list of allowed chemicals; however, the PWS does include some of the recommended allowed pesticides and herbicides in section 2.

13. The wage determination on the bid package looks to be for counties of Del Norte, Humbolt, Lake and Mendocino. Is that correct?

Answer 13: Wage Determination for Tulare county, see Wage Rate posted on SAM.

14. Is the list of recommended chemicals in the SOW document exclusive or are other herbicides/pesticides able to be used on this project with approval?

Answer 14: the list of chemicals are just some that are recommended for use on Federal Lands. The use of herbicides/pesticides is not exclusive to just those. Any herbicides/pesticides used must be accepted by the COR prior to use on on federal public lands.

15. Are there any restrictions on application equipment? Could a spray drone be used to treat steep grades?

Answer 15: There are no restrictions on equipment used. Specifically for use of a drone, we would have to get it approved by our district commander due to critical infrastructure and safety precautions. There is a permit process in place for utilization of drones on USACE property. That permit process can be completed if need be, however the decision to approve drone use rests with the USACE Commander. If this is not approved the work will still need to be done at no additional cost to the Government.

16. In Part B. Scope of Work, Item 1 states “...work to be completed inside buildings shall be done between set o ice hours…”; however, pest control activities are described as perimeter treatments. Is interior work included in the scope?

Answer 16: Interior work is not included in the scope.

17. The SOW noted that mixing of chemicals is prohibited on the work site. Is there any water source on the work site that may be used to fill spray tanks or is this expressly prohibited?

Answer 17: There is water sources available at the work site that can be used by contractor to fill tanks.

Questions about Squirrel Control SOW:

18. IPM best management practices for the control of California Ground Squirrel involves first establishing a need for control via monitoring burrows for activity.

Answer 18. The contractor is responsible for their own means and methods. Your price proposal should account for all costs associated with your plan of action to accomplish the work.

19. The SOW describes the need for 56 bait boxes targeting California Ground Squirrel.

Is there significant ground squirrel activity at all locations where these bait stations are being requested?

Answer 19: Yes, there is a significant amount of ground squirrel activity at all locations.

20. Are fully stocked bait stations requested at all locations as a preventative measure or only to be employed with bait near active ground squirrel burrows? May these stations or bait be removed once control is established?

Answer 20: It is expected to have the bait boxes employed during the specified months on the contract. Outside of those months they can be removed.

21. Diphacinone baits are highly regulated in California due to AB 2552 with the intent of preventing unintentional secondary poisoning of wildlife. Use of these baits also comes with monitoring requirements for each actively baited station. This would include surveying the area surrounding the bait station every 2-3 days to identify and remove any carcasses. Has this been practiced by previous pest control vendors on this work site?

Answer 21: All previous contractors baited and monitored all bait boxes per stated regulations.

22. Does the Army Corp Of Engineers have an exemption for use of Diphacinone?

Answer 22: I am not aware of us having an exemption for Diphacinone. If there is an alternative that can be utilized it will be subject to the acceptance by the COR.

23. Are there traps in place from past pest control vendors, and if so will they be removed prior to start of work?

Answer 23: All traps/bait boxes have been removed by previous contractor.

24. Are exclusion methods able to be used on ground squirrel burrows in addition to bait and PERC machines? (For example a burrow blocker machine that fills in burrows with a sand slurry to prevent rodent entry)

Answer 24: Yes, the following methods mentioned can be utilized. It would just fall under the same number of use hours stated in the SOW.