El Nogal Gate Carson National Forest

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the El Nogal Gate project for the Carson National Forest, clarifying specifications and site conditions.

• Gate Height: Confirmed as 6' Tall.
• Roller System: Cantilever sliding gates with a covered bearing roller/carriage system are recommended and acceptable, with variations to be submitted post-award.
• Gate Posts: 6" x 6" gate posts are recommended over the 4" posts referenced in the SOW due to gate sizes and cantilever loading.
• Finish/Coating: A high-quality painted finish is typical; powder coating is not required. The gates will be painted a High-Quality Black Finish.
• Surface Condition: The existing surface condition at gate locations is Native Soil.
• Loop Installation: Saw-cut in pavement and trenching will be required for loop installations, with specific methods noted for different loops and the Canon Admin site.
• Subsurface Conditions: The Forest Service does not anticipate significant boulders or plate rock, but any encountered will be handled per COR guidance.
• Power: Power will be provided by others. The contractor is responsible for final connection and commissioning of electrical service.
• Wiring: Low-voltage wiring between devices will be included by the contractor.
• Startup: A return trip for startup once power is available is included.
• Swing Gates: Fabrication only is required for hinges, latches, and locking mechanisms. The finish will be a dark brown base with Red and White candy stripes on the horizontal arm.
• Prevailing Wage: Davis-Bacon wages apply, with the determination located in SAM under attachments.
• Performance Period: The contract time will be changed to 60 days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, allowing flexibility for material lead times.

This Q&A document clarifies key specifications, requirements, and timelines, directly impacting how bidders should prepare their proposals and understand the project scope. Notably, it confirms gate height, post size, finish, and extends the performance period to 60 days.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair) for the "El Nogal Campground Gate" project at the Carson National Forest. The government requires performance of the work described in the attached documents.

• Installation of an Electric Gate at the El Nogal Day use site and Canon Admin Site.

• Period of Performance: 06/15/2026 to 07/14/2026.

• Delivery: 30 Days After Notice to Proceed.

• Performance Bonds: Mandatory.

• All questions shall be submitted no later than May 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM Pacific Time.

• The meeting place for questions is the Carson SO Parking lot, 208 Cruz Alta RD, Taos NM 87571.

• Offers are due by 05/22/2026 at 12:00 PM local time.

• Offers will be publicly opened at the due date and time if it is a sealed bid solicitation.

• Sealed envelopes containing offers must be marked to show the offeror's name and address, the solicitation number, and the date and time offers are due.

• Not explicitly stated in the provided pages, but the form is a standard solicitation for construction.

• The solicitation number is 127EAX2600036.

• The issuing office is USDA-FS CSA SOUTHWEST 7, 333 BROADWAY BLVD SE, ALBUQUERQUE NM 87102-3498.

• Points of contact for information are Paula Sales (paula.sales@usda.gov) and Troy McCullough (troy.mccullough@usda.gov).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks a contractor to furnish and install one electronic sliding gate at the existing entrance to the El Nogal Campground and one electronic sliding gate at the entrance to the Canon Administrative Site, both on the Camino Real Ranger District. An optional item for the fabrication and delivery of three swing gates to the Canon Admin Site is also included.

• Furnish and install (1) electronic sliding gate at El Nogal Campground entrance.

• Furnish and install (1) electronic sliding gate at Canon Administrative Site entrance.

• Optional: Fabricate and deliver (3) swing gates to Canon Admin Site.

• Anticipated Award Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Work to commence within 10 calendar days after Notice to Proceed (NTP), with entire work ready for use not later than 30 calendar days after NTP. This includes final cleanup.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on Technical Approach, Price, and Past Performance.

  • Technical Approach: Evaluates the ability to provide a sound, compliant approach meeting all requirements.
  • Price: Will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.
  • Past Performance: Will be assessed as acceptable or neutral.

• Award will be made to the highest technically rated offeror whose price is fair and reasonable and whose past performance is acceptable or neutral. Award will not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced offeror, and tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Not explicitly stated in the provided pages, but standard FAR clauses apply.

• Questions due: May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM Pacific Time via email to paula.sales@usda.gov. Include solicitation name and number in the subject line.

• Offer Acceptance Period: Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the specified date for receipt of offers.

• Organized Site Visit: Scheduled for May 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time at 208 Cruz Alta Rd, Taos, NM 87571.

• This solicitation incorporates numerous FAR clauses and provisions by reference. Full text is available upon request or electronically via the provided link.

• Key attachments referenced include: Attachment 2 – Schedule of Items, Attachment 3 – Statement of Work, and Attachment 4 – Wage Determination.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for furnishing and installing electronic sliding gates and swing gates for the Carson National Forest.

• Base Bid: Furnish and install one (1) electronic sliding gate at the El Nogal Campground entrance and one (1) electronic sliding gate at the Canon Administrative Site entrance.

  • Both gates require a 30-foot driveway width, 4" x 1/4" pipe support posts set in concrete, a gate frame of 2" x 4" 11 gauge with black finish, a LiftMaster CSL24UL Commercial Operator with safety photo-eyes, safety electric-edge, and battery backup. Keypads will be for admin use with timer operation, and include one (1) exit loop and two (2) presence loops. Power for the gates will be performed separately, and gates will be installed in the "open" position.

• Option Item: Furnish and deliver three (3) single-arm swing gates to the Canon Admin Site. Each gate must be a minimum of fourteen (14) feet in length with an extendable arm. Additionally, six (6) separate locking posts, eight (8) feet in height, are to be fabricated and delivered to the same locations.

• Locations: El Nogal Campground (Taos, NM) and Canon Administrative Site (Taos, NM).

• Period of Performance (POP): Thirty (30) days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

• Start Date: Work must commence no later than ten (10) days after NTP.

• Notifications: Contractors must notify the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) immediately of any unforeseen conditions or additional work needed and await determination of extent and cost before proceeding.

• Government Furnished Property: N/A

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a General Decision Number (GDN) for building construction projects in New Mexico, issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. It establishes prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for various construction trades. This information is crucial for contractors bidding on federal or federally-assisted construction projects to ensure compliance with labor standards.

• General Decision Number: NM20260031, effective 01/30/2026.
• Applicable Counties: Cibola, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, and Taos.
• Construction Type: Building (excluding single-family homes or apartments up to and including 4 stories).
• Trades Covered: Includes rates for Carpenter, Electrician, Power Equipment Operator, Ironworker, Laborer, Painter, Pipefitter, Plumber, Sheet Metal Worker, Acoustical Ceiling Mechanic, Boilermaker, Bricklayer, Cement Mason/Concrete Finisher, Drywall Finisher/Taper, Floor Layer, Glazier, Plasterer, Roofer, Sprinkler Fitter, Tile Finisher, Tile Setter, Truck Driver, and Welders.
• Geographic Zones: Specific zones and mileage calculations are provided for Electrician rates in Zone 1, with additional percentages for Zones 2, 3, and 4 relative to Zone 1.
• Executive Orders: Notes the applicability of Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage) for federal contractors.
• Appeals Process: Outlines the procedure for appealing wage determination decisions.

Bidders must use these prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits when preparing their cost proposals for the specified construction projects in the listed New Mexico counties. Failure to comply with these wage determinations can lead to contract violations and penalties. The document also provides context on how these rates are determined and the process for addressing any discrepancies or appeals.