F--BLRI-345019 HAZARD TREE REMOVAL

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for tree removal services at Price Campground.

• Pricing Sheet Estimates: The numbers on the Excel Price Sheet are estimates. The contract includes an option for increased quantities to ensure fairness between the government and contractors.
• Project History: This is the first project of its kind for the Price Campground area; there is no incumbent or prior similar service purchase by the customer.
• Debris Removal: Debris removal is integrated into each line item on the bid sheet and is part of the overall process, not a separate line item.
• Tree Cutting Scope: Trees to be cut are those identified as having defects and posing a risk to high-value targets such as buildings, roads, trails, or fences.
• Downed Trees: Only recently downed trees should be removed. Trees that were clearly down before a storm and are decaying should remain, as the objective is campground safety, not forest cleanup.
• Period of Performance (POP): The government estimates a 60-day POP, but contractors can propose a longer POP with a factual justification, which will be reviewed case-by-case.
• Payment Process: Payments will be made by DOI via the Department of the Treasury Invoice Payment Processing (IPP) system. Partial payments based on work accomplished are allowed for this lump sum contract.

These clarifications provide essential details on pricing, project scope, and operational procedures that bidders should consider when preparing their proposals. The POP flexibility allows for contractor input.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 140PS126Q0006 has the following purposes:

• To answer a vendor question received during the May 14, 2026 site visit.

• To remind prospective contractors that the site is Public Land and remains open for visits.

• To extend the solicitation closing date to May 26, 2026, due to a Federal holiday on the original closing date.

• The solicitation closing date has been extended.

• The deadline for proposal submission has been extended to May 26, 2026.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To identify, plan, remove, and dispose of hazard trees and storm-related debris within the Julian Price Memorial Park Campground (approx. 62 acres) and the adjacent Price Picnic Area (approx. 28 acres) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The goal is to ensure public safety, protect park infrastructure, and maintain the natural environment, particularly in response to storm damage from Hurricane Helene.

• Arborist Services and Tree Removal Plan: Provide a certified arborist to assess the area and develop a Tree Removal Plan, including criteria for hazard identification, a map/list of trees for removal, methods for minimizing impact, and tree details. A pre-cutting walkthrough with park staff is required.

• Hazard Tree Identification and Marking: Mark trees for removal based on the approved arborist plan.

• Tree Removal and Widowmaker Mitigation: Fell and remove approved trees using safe, industry-standard practices, cutting stumps to ground level. Identify and mitigate "widow makers" (hanging limbs, unstable overhead hazards) in trees not scheduled for removal but overhanging public areas.

• Debris Removal and Disposal: Remove all woody debris from roads, campsites, trails, and public areas, with special attention to the Boone Fork trail bridge. Dispose of all vegetation and debris off-site according to regulations. Estimated debris volume is 350 cubic yards for the campground and 160-180 cubic yards for the picnic area. Hauling may require up to 100-mile round trips.

• Site Restoration: Rake and level disturbed soil, and repair rutting or compaction.

• Public Safety and Site Control: Provide and install signage to close work zones, implement safety measures (fencing, spotters), and ensure compliance with OSHA and NPS standards.

• Stumps cut as close to ground level as possible (not to exceed 2 inches above grade).

• Widow makers removed using industry-standard climbing or aerial lift techniques by qualified personnel.

• Site left clean and free of obstructions.

• Compliance with OSHA, NPS, and local environmental regulations.

• Submission of a written site-specific Safety Plan and Accident Prevention Plan (AAP) for COR review and approval prior to work start.

• Weekly submission of a "Blue Ridge Parkway - Hazard Tree Removal Record" form when trees are taken down outside of time-of-year restrictions (March 15 - November 15) to satisfy USFWS requirements.

• Period of Performance: 60 calendar days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

• Work Hours: 07:00-17:00 Monday-Friday, excluding Federal Holidays. Weekend/Holiday work requires Contracting Officer approval.

• Location: Julian Price Memorial Park Campground & Price Picnic Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC.

• Environmental Restrictions: Special restrictions apply to tree cutting to protect endangered bat species. A specific form must be completed and submitted weekly for trees removed outside of the March 15 - November 15 window.

• Pre-Bid Site Visit: Highly recommended for prospective contractors to understand the scope, site conditions, access, and environmental considerations. Bids from contractors who conduct a site visit will receive priority in contract award evaluation.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Payment: Made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of work.

• Project Manager / COR: Chad Zettler (828-674-8760, chad_zettler@nps.gov)

• Park Contact: Chad Zettler or Aaron Elliott (828-424-0079, aaron_elliott@nps.gov)

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map of the Julian Price Campground and surrounding areas within the Blue Ridge Parkway, likely provided as an attachment to a solicitation or other opportunity record. It details various campground loops (Loop A, B, C, D, E, F), trails, trailheads, and geographical features such as Price Lake, Boone Fork, and Pigpen Knob.

• Campground loops labeled with letters and numbers (e.g., Loop B: B24, Loop F: F30).
• Trailheads marked with 'TH' symbols.
• Geographical features like Price Lake, Boone Fork, and Pigpen Knob.
• The map indicates areas of interest with red outlines, potentially related to the scope of a contract.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical location and layout of the area relevant to the opportunity. It helps in visualizing the scope of work, potential logistical challenges, and the environment in which services might be performed, particularly if the opportunity involves park management, maintenance, construction, or visitor services within this specific area.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services (FAR Part 12) for Hazard Tree & Storm Debris Clean-Up along the Blue Ridge Parkway, specifically at the Julian Price Memorial Park Campground and Price Picnic Area. The National Park Service (NPS) requires these services to identify, remove, haul, and dispose of hazard trees and storm-related debris to restore safe public access for the 2026 operating season, following damage from Hurricane Helene. This announcement serves as the only solicitation; no separate written solicitation will be issued.

• Identification, planning, removal, and disposal of hazard trees and storm-related debris.

• Work to be performed within Julian Price Memorial Park Campground (62 acres) and the adjacent Price Picnic Area (28 acres).

• Restoration of disturbed areas to a safe and natural condition.

• The project addresses all hazard tree conditions and removal of downed trees and timber.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price commercial contract.

• Period of Performance: May 18, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

• Delivery Date: December 31, 2026.

• Quotes are due by 12:00 PM ET on May 25, 2026, and must be submitted via email to stephen_loftus@ios.doi.gov.

• A site visit is scheduled for May 14, 2026, at 09:00 AM EDT at 5580 Shulls Mill Road, Blowing Rock NC 28605.

• Evaluation Factors: Price, technical capability, and prior experience.

• Award will be made to the responsible Quoter whose offer is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

• This acquisition is set aside for small business concerns.

• NAICS Code: 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry).

• Size Standard: $34M.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and have an active UEI.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4 by full text, and FAR 52.212-3 and 52.212-5 by reference.

• Questions regarding the solicitation will be accepted until 5:00 PM EDT on May 18, 2026.

• Attachments include: Statement of Work, DOL Forestry Wage Determination, and Price Schedule.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing sheet (Excel file) intended for bidders to provide cost breakdowns for the services required under the opportunity. It outlines the specific line items for which pricing is required.

• Line Items: Includes categories such as Arborist Services, Large Tree Removal, Standard Tree Removal, Stump Cutting, Widowmaker Mitigation, Debris Removal & Hauling, Site Restoration, Safety Plan, Public Safety Measures, and Mobilization/Demobilization.
• Quantity: Fields for specifying the quantity of units for each service.
• Unit Cost: Fields for entering the cost per unit.
• Total Cost: Fields for calculating the total cost for each line item and an overall total price.

Bidders must use this sheet to detail their proposed costs for all services. The "Total Price" will be a critical component of the overall proposal evaluation. Ensure all relevant fields are accurately completed as per the solicitation's instructions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for reporting on the Limitation on Subcontracting (LOS) requirements for government contracts. It is designed to help contractors track and report the amounts paid to themselves, similarly situated subcontractors (SSS), and non-similarly situated subcontractors (NSS) during a specific performance period.

• Contract Number (PIID): Field to enter the contract identifier.
• Type of Set Aside: Indicates the contract's set-aside status (e.g., Total Small Business).
• Total Contract Value: Field to insert the total contract value.
• Performance Period for This Report: Dates for which the report is being generated.
• Type of Service: Categorization of the service provided (e.g., Services, Construction).
• Amounts Paid: Sections to detail amounts paid to the prime contractor, SSS, and NSS.
• Limitation on Subcontracting Percentage: Formula provided to calculate the percentage of work performed by the prime relative to subcontractors.

This worksheet is crucial for small businesses to understand and comply with subcontracting limitations. Bidders should use this template to ensure they can meet the government's requirements regarding the percentage of work performed by their own company versus subcontractors. It helps in planning for proposal submissions and contract execution to adhere to set-aside goals.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2001-0233, Revision No. 58) for service contracts related to land clearing and forestry and land management services in North Carolina.

It outlines the minimum hourly wage rates for various occupations within this sector, including:

• Brush/Precommercial Thinner
• Choker Setter
• Faller/Bucker
• Fire Lookout
• Forestry Equipment Operator
• Forestry/Logging Heavy Equipment Operator
• Forestry Technician
• Forestry Truck Driver
• General Forestry Laborer
• Nursery Specialist
• Slash Piler/Burner
• Tree Climber
• Tree Planter
• Tree Planter, Mechanical

Additionally, it specifies required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55/hour or $5.09/hour under EO 13706), paid vacation (2-4 weeks based on service length), and eleven paid holidays. It also details requirements for a uniform allowance and outlines the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders on federal contracts involving forestry and land management services in North Carolina. It establishes the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals, ensuring compliance with federal labor laws and fair compensation for workers. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.