QUESTIONS - ANSWERS -W912P923R0012 .docx

W912P923R0012: Rend Lake Mowing & Grounds Maintenance Q & A’s

Q1. Is there a chance of doing a site visit the following week?

A1. The site visit is scheduled for 24 February 2023 and will be the only scheduled site visit. Questions are due and shall be submitted in writing (email) by 14:00 CST, 27 February 2023. The Rend Lake Project is open to public access daily, although some recreation areas are currently closed and only accessible by foot.

Q2. What does the pricing mean for the level 1 cycle-405 acres qty amount? Do you mean 17 times a year it will be cut to be at 3 inches for the grass?

A2. This is a performance based Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract. The quantities shown are estimates only based off historical data. The actual quantity completed might vary each year as the Contractor must maintain the standards for each item as identified in the PWS.

Q3. Who will be the POC at this location for the site visit?

A3. Primary and Alternate POC’s as listed in the solicitation are Acquisition Business Specialist, Leigh Ann Thomas and Contracting Specialist, Marla Sawyer. Rend Lake POC’s are Dennis Morris and Camella Wilke.

Q4. On pages 34-36 of “A21. Solicitation_16_FEB_-_UPDATED_SITE_VISIT_DATE” it calls for price in terms of “1 JOB”. Can the government confirm what price is requested here? Should this reference one mowing cycle? If so, since Type I and Type II are on different mowing cycles, how should this be decided? If this is for one complete year with the projected number of mowings for Type I and Type II combined for the year?

A4. This should be the total amount of all line items for each year and reflect the same amount as indicated on pages 3-4. I.E. Total Amount for Base Year (Sum of Items 0001 – 0003).

Q5. Will the government provide space for contractor equipment to be stored on location or is the expectation that the contractor store all equipment off premises?

A5. No, the contractor shall store all equipment off premises at the conclusion of each workday.

Q6. Are we only bidding for 405 acres? Is the 87 level 2 not a part of this bid?

A6. The Bid schedule on pages 3 & 4 indicate that all quantities are estimates from historical data. Line item 0001 Level 1 mowing areas contain 405 Acres. It is estimated that to maintain the performance standard for level 1 mowing throughout the base year it will be performed for 17 cycles.

This same explanation applies to 0002 and 0003 line items.

All option year items must be bid upon and all option year totals must be shown.

Q7. For 1 cycle, does that mean for just this year or just 1 round?

A7. One cycle for Level 1 means 405 acres completed in accordance with the performance standards. Each item, 0001-0003 has specific time frames for completion. I.E. All items in Level 1 are required to be completed within 7 days. This would be considered one cycle.

Q8. When doing the drive through the areas, we saw several trees and limbs down, in this solicitation it states the contractor is responsible for removing all debris before mowing, limbs are included as debris so IF the storm had come through a night before the contractor was scheduled to mow level 1 in that area would all the limbs be on the contractor to clean up? If the answer is yes, then what if the limbs are too large to pick up or push out of the way with a mower?

A8. Yes, the Contractor would be responsible for the removal of limbs and debris. However, the contractor shall notify the Government of any large debris. Large limbs and fallen trees that will require chainsaws & possible equipment for removal will not the responsibility of the contractor to remove.

Q9. Do you have any idea how much man-made debris is normal? If No, does this mean the mowing contractor is expected to pick up trash bags full in some heavily used areas?

A9. No, visitor usage fluctuates throughout the Project and Recreation season. If the Mowing contractor mows over man-made debris, it becomes the responsibility of the mowing contractor to pick up the mulched debris. Litter pick-up is accomplished by another contract action and is performed regularly.

Q10. Under trimming it's listed - shall not trim within 3 inches of living trees or shrubs, to me this reads no weed eating around trees or shrubs is this a correct interpretation?

A10. The Contractor is responsible for removing the vegetation without damaging trees. Refer to 1.1.4 for better description of this area. It is the Contractor’s discretion what means is used to remove or trim this vegetation.

Q11. Un-mowable is listed in this solicitation, what is considered an un-mowable area?

A11. Un-mowable areas are the areas where mowers cannot physically get to or areas that cannot be mowed because damages may occur. The following is a list of examples from paragraph 1.1.4. Spraying/Herbicide Application. “This includes the areas surrounding all trees, shrubs, shrub beds and plant/rock beds, bushes, campsites, impact sites, water fountains and hydrants, grills, refuse containers, picnic tables, buildings, recreational signs and sign posts, carsonite posts, fences (radio tower area, maintenance compound, and lagoon area fences), sidewalks, bike trail and bike trail bridges/culverts, roads, guard rails, parking blocks, parking lots, designated trails, boat ramps, rip rap, revetment areas, lift stations, electrical apparatus (panels, meters, and transformers), monitoring wells, sprinkler heads, manholes, as well as the tee pads, fairways, signs, and baskets on the North Sandusky Disc Golf course, and along with any other unmowable areas within the mowing limits.”

Q12. If an area is ankle deep in water with vegetation in the middle, what is the requirement to remove the vegetation?

A12. It is the contractor’s responsibility to maintain all areas to the corresponding performance thresholds.

Q13. Under the Security section is the E-Verify enough for employees to be run through or is more required to work on the grounds?

A13. Section 5.7.1 says that “The contractor shall provide all information required for background checks”. The E-verify information should cover this, but if more information is needed the contractor will be asked for it. This information will be used to conduct background checks for sex offenders and violent crime offenders. Contractor employees must also complete the I-WATCH Training, that is provided to the contractor by the Government. Refer to Section 5.7.

Q14. Under Contractor's Employees it states Employees shall be dressed in a neat and clean appearance, are there any other requirements for a dress code?

A14. Update to PWS 5.8.3.1-All Corps employees and Contractors must be “fully clothed” in accordance with E.M. 385-1-1, “Safety and Health Requirements Manual”. The term “fully clothed” shall be construed as, at a minimum, contractor and employees must wear short sleeved shirts without abusive language and/or pictures, safety shoes as stated in EM 385-1-1, "Safety and Health Requirements Manual", and long pants without holes. No shorts will be allowed. While working on this contract, all workers shall have some form of exterior identification that is easily recognizable to the general public, such as uniforms, t-shirts and/or I.D. badges, to designate them as employees of the Contractor. Mowers are also required to wear hard hats.

Q15. When submitting the bid back do you need all 88 pages sent back or is it just the requirements on pages 3 & 4, 50 & 51?

A15. Submit all 88 pages and complete as applicable.

Q16. Can the bid be emailed? or does it need to be mailed/delivered to the Contracting division?

A16. Packages may be submitted by email to the POC’s as listed on the solicitation.

Q17. Can Quality Control - Safety Manager (QC/Safety) fill the role of working supervisor?

A17. Refer to Paragraph 5.5.5 Quality Control Representative (QC) also 5.8.2 Supervision. The QC/Safety/working supervisor are the eyes and ears of the contractor ensuring all aspects of the contract are performed in accordance with the performance work standards.

Q18. What specific insurance and bonding requirements are there, documents present definitions but no exact requirement.

A18. Bonding Requirements are listed within FAR 52.228-16 PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS-OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION (APR 2020) (DEVIATION 2020-O0016) Update to PWS Section 5.2.1.1. Insurance: Required Insurance: In accordance with the FAR Clause 52.228-5 titled “Insurance-Work on a Government Installation” the Contractor shall obtain and maintain during the period of performance under this contract the following kinds and minimum amounts of insurance*:

Workmen’s Compensation............. Coverage complying with applicable State statute**

Employer’s Liability . . . . . . . . . . . Minimum $100,000 General Liability/Bodily Injury. . . Minimum $500,000 per occurrence Automobile Liability...................................... Minimum $200,000 per person $500,000 per occurrence $ 20,000 property per occurrence

Reference FAR 28.307-2 Liability, subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c).

Q19. Is there a secure area available for our use where we could store trailers, mowers, and other equipment?

A19. No, see above A5.