Questions and Answers Tule Property Clearing updated final.pdf

Questions and Answers for 26QA002 Tule Property Clearing

Question (Q)1 Can you tell us details about access for Zone 3?

Answer (A)1: You can access zone 3 from the highway but it is a bit of a hike and some areas are pretty steep. There is a residence down Success Valley Dr that has been good about letting us access that end of the property. Please see pictures.

The white circle area in the picture is depicting the location of the residence on the zoomed in picture.

Q2 What are the access routes to zone 3?

A2 You can access zone 3 from the highway but it is a bit of a hike and some areas are pretty steep. There is a residence down Success Valley Dr that has been good about letting us access that end of the property. Please see pictures.

The white circle area in the picture is depicting the location of the residence on the zoomed in picture.

Q3 Who do we need to get permission from to gain access to zone 3?

A3 If trying to access zone 3 through success valley dr. it would be the residences on the attached pictures.

Q4 What time of year are we allowed to work in zone 3?

A4 Any time of year when low water releases demand. During higher water release demands, Zone 3 is usually inaccessible (during the period of March-July).

Q5 When will the new fence be in place from the other contractors project?

A5 Zone 2 and Zone 4 ready for fence removal. Zone 3,5 and 6 fence expected to be in place by contract award timeline or little later within period of performance.

Q6 Is it required that the new fence be in place to demo the old fence?

A6 Yes, new fence must be completed before demolition of old fence to keep livestock in.

Q7 Regarding Wells and abandonment, will they be cut and kept or do they need to be looked at a different way?

A7 Follow up with state standards. Assumption is: Based on well type, demolish well pump and slab, well screen and casing. Purchase material and equipment required for grout placement and place grout.

Q8 Can you direct us to all state regulations regarding the geographical area of work and the work related compliance required A8 As per the Solicitation (Performance of Work).

Q9 Six (6) wells at 2 separate zones, do you have the same requirements for all of the well capping?

A9 Initial assumption is YES. Slight deviation might be possible based on well type but within state standards.

Q10 Can you provide access routes for all zones?

A10 YES.

Q11 Two (2) wells exist at zone 2 correct?

A11 1 wells within Zone 1; 2 wells within Zone 2 based on provided overall exhibit map..

Q12 Removal of all designated fences, will we be awaiting times outside of the bird nesting season?

A12 NO.

Q13 What biology requirements are required for the work?

A13 No harm to birds and animals during work. Minimize impact on wildlife. Hydroseeding to perform on well demolished areas. Dust control and other BMPs if needed based on site work.

Preserve existing vegetation. Daily inspections of staging areas and note any damage to flora for seeding, if necessary.

Q14 Regarding the Orchards, are all of the trees already removed?

A14 YES.

Q15 Regarding KMZ file, will one be provided?

A15 Photos and maps provided during Solicitation. No separate files.

Q16 Scope of work directive includes the removal of dense vegetation, shrubs, bushes, trees, etc.

please clarify if prime contractor is to perform/ provide biologist or bird nesting survey for our work.

A16 The PWS doesn’t state “removal of dense vegetation, shrubs, bushes, trees, etc”.

Q17 When is the anticipated start date for work commencement?

A17 Once the Award has been made.

Q18 What is the desired depth of removal of known cattle gates, fencing post foundations, and wells?

A18 Clip barbed wire off fence posts and remove fence posts. Fences should be expected to be pulled manually or with some mechanical devices. Cut Flush below grade.

Q19 Is the intent to cut/ cap and abandon the water wells and grade level, or is there a certain depth of removal required for the well abandonment?

A19 Follow up with state standards. Assumption is: Based on well type, demolish well pump and slab, well screen and casing. Purchase material and equipment required for grout placement and place grout.

Q20 Due to the limitations of the site walk through/ visit, are bidders to assume that grass will need to be mowed due to it growing in order to complete our work? There is a section in the scope directive that delineates removal of vegetation to be left as a fire break and to be used for access purposes. Is this fire break/ road to be built using onsite native soil or are there specific requirements for how the fire break/ road is to be constructed?

A20 No specific requirements.

Q21 BMPs are part of our work for any areas larger than 1 acre, due to the large widespread area of removal and scattered debris, what will we be required to set up for BMPS? Will this just consist of controlled entrances and stockpile management or will we be required to set up BMPs for the entire area of work for all work zones?

A21 As stated in PWS: “Minimum BMPs include but are not limited to perimeter protection, stabilized project entrance/exit, stockpile management, project site sediment perimeter controls, waste management, good housekeeping, stockpile management, preservation of existing vegetation, stabilized project entrance/exits, tracking control and wind erosion (dust) control.”

Q22 Is there a specific requirement on where debris (concrete, trash, metal, asphalt Etc.) needs to be disposed of or are bidders free to find their own disposal dumps/ sites.

A22 The contractor shall find their own proper disposal sites.

Q23 Can USACE clarify the fence removal for all areas? Site conditions do not correspond to the solicitation documents. Drawings show green lines that should represent fence to be demolished and removed, but site conditions were not the same as depicted on the drawings. Clarification and updates on drawings that would represent the actual quantity and location of fence to be removed under this contract.

A23 Total of ~7000 linear ft of fence removal. Zone 2 and Zone 4 ready for fence removal (if any). Zone 3,5 and 6 fence expected to be in place by contract award timeline or little later within period of performance.

Drawing from last contracting work used to show extent of fencing on site. Most fencing work is done.

Final Exhibit after last KTR completed the work. Green represents the remaining fence lines.

Q24 If fence is located within an area that is inaccessible due to steep rock slopes, what will be the requirement for removal?

A24 Area was accessible based on previous works already done. If inaccessible, will modify the contract for actual quantity removed and invoice paid based on quantity worked on site.

Q25 For areas where other contractors are working who will be responsible for the final restoration of the disturbed area. If this contract will be responsible how do we account for a larger disturbed area from another operation?

A25 – No other contractors will be working in the areas of this contract.

Q26 Where will the access point be located for Zone 6 work? Will the contractor be required to construct a road to the island for well abandonment and fence removal?

A26 Access for zone 6 would most likely be through the Gil cove entrance of the wildlife management area. This is the same entrance that is utilized for the riparian mitigation area.

Following picture is for the entrance to the Gil cove recreation area at the Wildlife Management to access zone 6.

Another potential access for zone 6 could be off of highway 190, but that would take coordination with other land owners.

Q27 Could USACE amend the bid sheet so that the number of wells to be abandoned reflects the correct number? The PWS states 3, and there are two line items for the wells.

A27 – See amended Solicitation CLINs 0007 and 0008 specifying 3 wells for each CLIN.

Q28 Could USACE provide well detail for each well to be abandoned? Casing size, depth, well identification number, survey coordinates?

A28 Expected Casing size (6” to 16” diameter). Well elevations, location coordinates, and APNs listed in the map of wells provided (in solicitation). No detailed info on wells gathered from County.

Q29 Could USACE provide KMZ file or other coordinates to the debris to be removed and depicted in the photos for this solicitation?

A29 Location coordinates included with pictures during solicitation.

Q30 Will USACE provide an area for the contractor to use for a staging area during this project?

A30 The contractor could use accessible location within the site at any time. All are federal lands.

Q31 Will access agreements with landowners be the responsibility of the contractor or will USACE have these in place prior to mobilization?

A31 Responsibility of USACE and its partners.

Q32 Could USACE please provide submittal instructions, or confirm that proposals should be emailed to the listed POCs?

A32 Proposals shall be submitted electronically via email directly to the POC’s shown in SAM announcement.

Q33 Specifically, please confirm whether offers are to be submitted electronically, in hard copy (paper format), or both, and if there are any specific delivery instructions or portals required for submission.

A33 Offers are to be provided electronically only, via email directly to the POC’s shown in the SAM announcement.

Q34 Does it require a payment bond as I did not see any mention form reading SF 1449 and

PWS?

A34 No this is a service contract No Performance or Payment Bonds are required.

Q35 The 3 wells highlighted are oil / natural gas wells – correct?

a. Is there any additional information on these?

b. The three (3) Babcock Existing Domestic wells are active and need to be closed – correct?

c. The Abandon Well in the same area (APN:284-251-017) does not need to be closed – correct?

A35 a. All are domestic wells. Expected Casing size (6” to 16” diameter). Wells open to the aquifer, with electricity served to pumps. Well elevations, location coordinates, and APNs listed in the map of wells provided (in solicitation). No detailed info on wells gathered from County

b. Correct

c. Correct

Q36 All identified Concrete Cisterns were only used for water storage purposes (i.e., non-potable, irrigation, potential drinking water) – correct?

d. Have the material and capacity of the Cistern underground tanks been identified?

e. Removal and disposed of the Cistern Tank System is in the scope of this work

(Performance Work Statement – PWS) – correct?

i. Can the Cistern Tanks be closed in place?

ii. Can the site’s clean green waste be used for backfill purposes?

A36 Correct.

d. Unknown.

e. Removal and Disposal for safety concerns.

i. No close in place

ii. Yes.

Q37 Zone 2 – Relocated Fence Line

f. Per the Performance Work Statement – PWS, is it the scope to Install approximately 350 feet of new fence line as shown - below?

i. Note the fence line only indicates two (2) sides of fencing for the area.

g. What is the purpose of this relocated fence, and area?

A37 Overall exhibit mainly used to show the Zonings only. Remaining Fencing work is scattered in different zones,

f. Total of ~7000 linear ft of fence removal scattered through all zones. Zone 2 and Zone 4 ready for fence removal (if any left). Zone 3,5 and 6 fence are expected to be in place by contract award timeline or little later within period of performance.

g. Relocation done in earlier phase of work. Only remaining fence work is to be done. Overall exhibit provided to understand the extent of fence and overall project area.

Final Exhibit after last KTR completed the work. Green represents the remaining fence lines.

Q38 Do the maps and photo logs represent the full extent of scattered refuse to be removed, or are they illustrative examples only?

A38 Maps and photo logs represent the full extent of scattered refuse to be removed.

Q39 Are fence posts embedded in concrete required to be removed to full depth, or cut flush below grade?

A39 Cut flush below grade. No removal to full depth required.

Q40 Are well depths, casing diameters, and construction details available for each identified well?

A40 All are domestic wells. Expected Casing size (6” to 16” diameter). Well elevations, location coordinates, and APNs listed in the map of wells provided (in solicitation). No detailed info on wells gathered from County.

Q41 Is groundwater anticipated in any of the wells, and if so, will dewatering be required?

A41 Some wells may have water but no running water. Depends on site conditions, but dewatering may not be required based on available information.

Q42 Will well abandonment require coordination with Tulare County Environmental Health or another regulatory authority?

A42 Well abandonment permit may be required, so coordination is expected with Tulare County.

Q43 If a well is found to be collapsed or inaccessible, will this condition be addressed via contract modification?

A43 We don’t think wells will be inaccessible or collapsed, but if this is realized in the field it may be addressed via bilateral modification.

Q44 Will stormwater sampling be required, or inspections only, unless triggered by qualifying rain events?

A44 No Formal SWPPP nor any stormwater sampling are required due to the very limited ground disturbance.

Q45 Will baseline cultural monitoring be required during all ground-disturbing activities, or only in designated sensitive areas?

A45 It is not expected that cultural monitoring would be needed as there is very limited ground disturbance with fence posts etc. being cut just below grade.

Q46 If cultural artifacts are discovered and work is stopped, will standby time be compensated via modification or negotiated CLIN?

A46 Yes if cultural artifacts are discovered the work at that particular area will be stopped and a modification may be issued to address the issue if standby is required, but we would expect the contractor to move his people onto other work, and thus not incur standby costs while we work out the issue or modification.

Q47 Will our archaeologist be required to be on site full-time or on an as-needed basis?

A47 As-needed basis. Most works are outside the culturally sensitive boundary.

Q48 Can the Government clarify the expected frequency of access road and firebreak maintenance during the 9-month period of performance?

A48 Access roads and firebreaks are maintained once annually by USACE.

Q49 Which access or maintenance roads are required to remain as permanent firebreaks at contract closeout?

A49 Any access roads or permanent firebreaks are those that are along property boundary.

Q50 Is reseeding required on all disturbed access roads or only those not designated as permanent firebreaks?

A50 Reseeding would be required on access roads that are not designated as permanent firebreaks.

Q51 Does the Government expect continuous on-site staffing throughout the 9-month period, or task-based/intermittent site presence?

A51 For safety reasons, at least contractor representative should be available on site or nearby during the contract period. Mandatory when activities are ongoing on site, but not constant over the full period.

Q52 Can the Government confirm that hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, PCB) are not anticipated within the scope of work?

A52 Expectation is anticipation of no hazardous material. KTR needs to submit plans how to handle hazardous materials if found during the work activities.

Q53 If hazardous materials or differing site conditions are encountered, will work be stopped and addressed via contract modification?

A53 Yes if Hazardous materials or differing site conditions are realized the work at that particular area will be stopped and a modification may be issued to address the issue.